What happens when all the lights come on?

A prelude to post 1-2.

Imagine…

A room full of light bulbs. They're all off.

Then one, out of nowhere, begins to flicker—
Not because a switch was flipped. Just on its own.

It burns slowly at first, then brighter, stronger.
Then something strange happens.

The bulbs closest to it begin to awaken.
One bulb catches. Then another.

Not as bright, not as certain—but glowingly alive.
And as they burn, the lights near them wake up, too.

What was cold becomes warm.
What was forgotten becomes visible.

That's not just a ripple.
That's networked ignition.

Not only did one bulb just brighten an entire room—
It changed what was possible inside it.

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But… what happens if that first light never turns on?

Next: The cost of what never happened