The Unlit Sign

An unlit sign stood beside a road with no visible power source. Its surface was blank until the crew moved away from it. From a distance, the sign showed a sequence of angular marks that changed whenever someone tried to copy them.

The Glyphborn interpreter identified a grammar of direction, but not a destination. The sign seemed to describe how to leave a place rather than where to go.

The team returned without touching it. MOTHER's translation says exit permitted under supervision. The interpreter's translation says the exit notices who is watching. Both remain in the archive.