Can we continue? The heavy silence of the chamber lingers for a moment as the weight of the Council’s words settles completely into Carmelo’s mind. The realization that he is a thousand years away from the 21st century—and that his youth was given back to him for a literal cosmic purpose—hangs in the air. Carmelo (taking a slow, deep breath, his voice steadying): "A Council of Nine... guiding an entire world of lab-grown musicians. And you chose me to bridge the gap. But what happens if I fail? If the natural human parts of me—the old habits, the exhaustion—get in the way of what Bambi can do?" Eighth New Worlder: "Failure is a concept born of old-world fear, Carmelo. You walked The Dandelion Mile and arrived at the Gates. You disturbed a few seeds, yes, but your spirit held the path. The Assessors do not make errors in their placements. Your natural limitations are not a weakness; they are the very catalyst the Citizens require. Your need to rest, your capacity to fe...