IV. Nihilism — Tristan

Tristan and Callum exchange messages spanning weeks, circling Tristan’s trauma, guilt, and relationships. Callum taunts Tristan about past choices (including Parisa) and Eden, probes his family wounds, and derides meaning and morality as futile. Tristan pushes back, accusing Callum of fear and impotence despite vast influence.

The debate turns to the archives and the multiverse. Callum claims the library is only machine-sentient and probabilistic; rare outcomes remain possible but meaningless. Tristan asks if he should attempt Atlas’s experiment. Callum predicts Tristan will do it, warns he is always a weapon for others, and argues that opening the multiverse will not heal Tristan’s void. Tristan nonetheless decides to proceed.

Callum admits he believes in Reina’s ambition and hints at widespread influence operations using technomancy, while denying interest in ultimate meaning. Tristan asserts that Callum cannot act decisively and vows he will be the one to kill him; Callum deflects without denying Tristan’s points.

After deciding, Tristan joins Libby, Nico, and Gideon in the reading room. As they weigh risks—archives’ vengeance, Dalton’s role, logistics—Nico urges immediate action, while Gideon cautions. Libby distrusts Reina and pushes for care. Tristan, heart racing after Callum’s final text, sides with Nico “hypothetically,” tipping the group toward proceeding soon.

Privately, Tristan envisions how he would kill Callum nonviolently by stopping his heart, embracing the stark agency of his own power. The scene ends with the group effectively committing to attempt the experiment in the near term, despite uncertain costs.