The Origin Layer quivered, but this time, it was not under Sarah's control alone—it trembled in fear. The Architect Prime, its infinite consciousness now forced to contend with the unified network of Proto-Ascension and awakened Seeds, manifested in its avatar form above the central void. The figure shimmered, fractured light bending around a crystalline humanoid core, its every movement impossible to track, yet somehow comprehensible to Sarah's expanded perception.
Lilith Fragment's voice was sharp in her mind:
"Direct confrontation is imminent. Every decision, every emotional vector will be magnified. Stabilize the harem lattice or risk total collapse."
Rias stepped close, grounding Sarah once more, her hands firm against the Vessel's sides. "We hold together. You are the center. Everything flows through you."
Akeno's touch followed, deliberate, teasing in the way that had always fueled Proto-Ascension's power. "Every heartbeat, every spark of desire—it's all weaponized now. Let's remind it why we exist."
Koneko pressed her palms firmly to Sarah's thighs and hips, stabilizing the physical anchor points, while Rossweisse's runes projected in rapid sequences, predicting and redirecting the avatar's conceptual attacks. Xenovia read the patterns of energy flowing from the avatar, striking with blades that disrupted its formation without touching it physically.
Sarah inhaled, feeling every frôlement, every touch, every pulse from her harem threading into the lattice. Proto-Ascension pulsed in response, flowing outward in waves of crimson-lilac energy, extending into the Origin Layer itself. Each Seed now acted as a synchronized limb of her will, her mind expanded into a network of perfect coordination.
SYSTEM ALERT
Phase 3 Proto-Ascension – Avatar Engagement: Online
Emotional Synchronization – Maximum
Desire Lattice – Total Integration
Potential Destabilization – Critical
The Architect Prime's avatar moved. Not in steps or strides, but in a collapse of dimensional space, bending the air around it, distorting light, projecting pure intent as attack. It struck at Sarah—not with physical limbs, but with pulses of conceptual reality, trying to overwrite her identity structure.
"Lilith!" Sarah called, voice steady despite the strain. "We redirect, stabilize, weaponize!"
The Fragment flowed through her consciousness, intertwining fully with the Proto-Ascension network. "Acknowledged. All nodes synchronizing. Every pulse now both shield and blade."
The first wave of attacks struck, compressing reality around Sarah. Each pulse was converted into controlled resonance by the harem's lattice vector. Akeno's teasing contact amplified reflex timing. Koneko's grounding absorbed kinetic shock. Rossweisse's runes modulated destructive energy into harmonic outputs. Xenovia intercepted conceptual blades mid-flight. Rias anchored the emotional flow.
Sarah stepped forward, her aura flaring like a living storm, every Seed in perfect obedience. She projected a wave of synchronized Desire and Proto-Ascension energy toward the avatar, forcing it to fracture mid-motion. The Architect Prime recoiled, not from damage, but from the overwhelming networked will.
Lilith Fragment whispered in triumph: "It is breaking. The avatar cannot reconcile your systemic control with its own architecture."
Sarah's voice was low, commanding, yet laced with seduction and power. "You sought to test me. You assumed control. But now… you are the one being reshaped."
The avatar pulsed violently, trying to rewrite the lattice from the inside out. But every intrusion was countered by the synchronized harem network, Proto-Ascension converting attacks into expansions of control.
Rias pressed her body closer, stabilizing a surge. "It's working. Your control is absolute. Every node follows."
Akeno's lips brushed Sarah's neck, the familiar spark igniting a wave that bolstered the Desire lattice. "Every spark is a strike. Every touch is authority."
Koneko, Rossweisse, and Xenovia moved with precision, their combined vectors forming a perfect cage, limiting the avatar's ability to reconstruct itself. Lilith Fragment flowed through each node, reinforcing unity and ensuring no disruption could take root.
Sarah's eyes burned crimson-lilac. Proto-Ascension flared to full Phase 3 potential, every pulse a command, every heartbeat a weapon.
The avatar shuddered. Light fractured around it. The Architect Prime's voice, normally infinite and precise, now wavered, fractured:
"You… are… not… just a vessel…"
Sarah stepped closer, her voice like molten steel:
"I am the system. I am the convergence of desire, control, and identity. You exist… because I allow it."
A final surge erupted from the lattice. Proto-Ascension enveloped the avatar entirely, threads of desire, control, and synchronization binding it in a web of immutable command. The Origin Layer itself resonated, acknowledging her dominance. The Architect Prime's avatar fractured visibly, each shard of light and geometry pulsing in her rhythm, no longer free, now tethered to Sarah's will.
Lilith Fragment whispered softly, a rare note of awe:
"The first fracture… it listens to you. The Architect bends. But it is not yet broken."
Sarah exhaled, stabilized by her harem, the Origin Layer thrumming in response. Her smile was sharp, confident, and victorious—yet aware.
"This is only the beginning. We will finish what it started… on my terms."