《The One Who Writes Existence》 Chapter 1: Writing Prologue Chapter 1 - Writing ProloguePlay -HYPNOTIC ( Slowed) ( Advice: please play that before you read (^?^) ------- In the void before existence, there was only a whisper¡ªa whisper that resonated with the essence of all things that were, are, and will be. It did not belong to any god or creator but to something far more ancient and unknowable. From the formless depths of the abyss, a presence had been sealed away¡ªa being of unfathomable power, older than Nexus verse itself. Its name had been forgotten by the ages, for even time, in its eternal flow, had no memory of this entity''s origin. It was not a deity, nor was it an architect of creation. It was a force, primordial and absolute, lurking in the uncharted corners of reality. For eons, the presence slumbered in silence, its power bound and forgotten. But all silence has a sound, and here, in the darkness between worlds, a heartbeat echoed. Not the heartbeat of man, nor beast, nor god, but something far more sinister. A faint tremor passed through the Abyssalvoid. A place older than time itself, the Abyssalvoid was not a world, not a realm¡ªit was the absence of all things. Here, within this endless void, He stirred. He was no mere creator. He was a force, a sculptor of dimensions, whose hands shaped the fabric of existence, bending it into the Nexus Verse, a sprawling network of infinite realities. Yet, for all His power, there was something That was at same level as him¡ªsomething He had locked away long ago, deep within the Abyssalvoid, beyond the reach of existence itself. Now, that presence stirred. It was something beyond comprehension¡ªan entity of such unimaginable power that its very existence threatened to unravel the fabric of the multiverse. Known only as ????, it was the embodiment of chaos and order, light and darkness, bound together in a paradox that defied logic itself. It had once stood at the heart of creation, its mere presence challenging the fundamental laws of reality. He had sealed it away eons ago. And now, He was opening the seal. A whisper of incantation, a spell older than the stars themselves, escaped His lips. The air crackled with energy, thick and oppressive, as the boundaries between realities trembled. The Abyssalvoid groaned, its very essence rejecting what was about to be unleashed. From the Absolute Void, the presence of ???? seeped through. Darkness swallowed the space. Light bent and flickered, struggling against an unseen force. The very concept of existence warped as ???? took form¡ªif it could even be called that. A shifting, fluid mass of shadow and radiance, constantly changing, unable to be contained in a single perception. Its eyes¡ªif they could be called that¡ªwere deep, swirling voids, darker than the deepest abyss. And yet, within them flickered something... something both beautiful and terrible. Then, for the first time in eternity, it spoke. "I am sor..." The voice was not a voice. It was a cacophony of whispers and screams, layered over one another, echoing from the depths of time itself. A symphony of sound that should not exist. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, silence. A profound, crushing silence, as though all noise had been devoured. The words caught in its throat. It hesitated. The void-like eyes flickered. The shifting form stilled. And in that moment, something alien twisted through its being¡ªsomething impossible. Horror. Pain. For the first time since before the birth of existence itself... ???? felt fear. Chapter 2: A Birthday To Remember Chapter 2 - A Birthday To RememberPlay ''Play Date'' --- "Huff... Finally, I''ve written the prologue," Zar muttered, leaning back in his chair. His fingers were stiff, aching from hours of relentless typing, but a spark of satisfaction burned in his chest. The screen before him displayed the culmination of years of planning¡ªthe opening to his very first novel. He exhaled slowly, letting the weight of the moment settle in. Today, on his 22nd birthday, he had taken the first true step toward bringing his imagination to life. For as long as he could remember, the Nexus Verse had existed in his mind¡ªa boundless universe filled with omnipotent beings, cosmic forces, and mysteries beyond mortal comprehension. And now, its story had begun. He reread the final lines of the prologue, a faint smile tugging at his lips. It was only the beginning, but the mere act of putting it into words made it feel more real than ever before. A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. "Zar! Come downstairs, we''re waiting!" His mother''s voice rang from the living room. "Yeah, I''ll be there in a sec!" he called back, glancing at the screen one last time. Reluctantly, he tore himself away from his desk. The familiar rush of creativity still coursed through him, but today wasn''t just about writing. His family had planned a small celebration, and as much as he loved losing himself in his world, he couldn''t ignore them. Descending the stairs, the scent of vanilla and frosting filled the air. A cake sat neatly on the dining table, adorned with candles waiting to be lit. His parents stood beside it, smiling warmly. "Happy birthday, Zar!" his mother said brightly, motioning for him to come closer. "Thanks," he replied, his smile softer than usual. He picked up the knife, ready to slice into the cake¡ªwhen suddenly, a sharp, searing pain ripped through his body. His vision blurred. His breath hitched. A sensation unlike anything he''d ever felt tore through him, as though his very soul was being unraveled. The knife slipped from his grasp, clattering against the table. His knees buckled. The last thing he saw was his parents'' horrified expressions before darkness swallowed him whole. --- Zar''s eyes snapped open. The pain was gone, but something was wrong. He wasn''t at home. The ceiling above him was adorned with intricate carvings, glowing faintly with symbols that pulsed like a living entity. He sat up abruptly, his breath quickening. The bed beneath him was grand¡ªornate wooden frames with an artistry that was eerily familiar. No, not eerily. He knew these designs. His heart pounded as he scanned the dark stone walls, which shimmered with ethereal runes. A heavy, ancient energy hung in the air. The tall windows were draped in thick fabric, concealing whatever lay beyond, but he already had a sinking suspicion. "This can''t be real..." he whispered. His hands trembled as he lifted them before his face. They weren''t his. His fingers were longer, smoother, free of the small scars he had earned over the years. His entire body felt different¡ªstronger, sharper, more... attuned. As though he had been reforged into something greater. A cold shiver ran down his spine. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He needed answers. His gaze landed on the only door in the room. He swallowed hard, forcing his breath to steady. Whatever awaited him beyond that door, he had to face it. With a deep breath, he reached out and pushed it open. --- Beyond the threshold lay something out of his wildest imagination. A grand chamber stretched before him, its vastness impossible to grasp at a glance. At its center, a massive portal swirled with cascading energy, crackling with power. The walls were etched with ancient sigils, humming with a resonance that vibrated through the floor. Zar froze. He knew this place. The architecture, the symbols, the very atmosphere¡ªit was exactly as he had envisioned it in his novel. "No way..." His voice was barely a whisper. His mind raced to make sense of it, but before he could react, the portal pulsed. A force beyond his comprehension swept over him, distorting reality itself. The world shifted. --- When the dizziness faded, Zar found himself standing in a colossal corridor. Towering pillars stretched into an unseen ceiling, their surfaces adorned with radiant inscriptions. The very air here was thick with energy, making his skin prickle. Then, realization struck like a lightning bolt. This wasn''t just any corridor. This was the corridor from his novel. The place he had painstakingly designed, where only the most powerful beings of the Nexus Verse could walk. His breathing turned ragged. Driven by a sudden idea, he reached out and pressed his palm against one of the towering walls. Nothing happened. He frowned. Then, recalling a detail from his own world-building notes, he turned to the opposite wall and repeated the action. The moment his palm made contact, a deep hum resonated through the corridor. Before him, a colossal golden gate materialized, shimmering with cosmic power. Zar staggered back. His mind screamed in denial, but his heart knew the truth. This was real. Somehow, impossibly, he had transmigrated into his own novel. His fingers curled into fists, his entire body tensed as he tried to process it. "I''ve... I''ve become a character in my own story?" he murmured, the words tasting surreal on his tongue. It was a fantasy every writer joked about¡ªan idea so absurd, so ridiculous. Yet here he was. And he had no idea what to do next. He hesitated only briefly before reaching out. Curiosity overwhelmed fear. The golden gate parted with a silent command, and once again¡ª The world shifted. --- When his vision cleared, Zar stood upon a vast stone platform, floating in the middle of an endless void. His breath hitched. Before him, suspended between dimensions, lay the Nexus Academy. A fortress of knowledge and power, encased in an ever-shifting multiversal barrier. A place where only the most powerful beings in existence could enter. Zar''s gaze fell to his chest. A phantom badge shimmered faintly, pulsing in recognition. He wasn''t just in his novel. He was a participant in the entrance exam of the Nexus Academy. The very same trial that determined who would rise to shape the fate of the multiverse... And who would be erased from existence. A slow exhale left his lips. If this was real¡ªif this was his world¡ª Then he had only one choice. Survive. Thrive. And uncover the truth behind his impossible existence. Because one thing was certain¡ª This was no longer just a story. This was his reality now. Chapter 3: A Badge, A System, and a Whole Lot of Bullsh*t Chapter 3 - A Badge, A System, and a Whole Lot of Bullsh*tPlay ''Cheri Cheri Lady'' --------- "F*ck this reality." Zar stared down at his chest, eyes widening as the shimmering phantom badge pulsed faintly against his skin. Why the hell do I know what this is? It wasn''t just any badge¡ªit was the Nexus Academy Entrance Badge. The same one that was only given to those who qualified to enter the most overpowered institution in the entire Nexus Verse. And now, it was attached to him. His mind raced. This doesn''t make sense. I never applied for any damn entrance exam. He was just... here. No explanation. No warning. And yet, the badge was glowing against his skin, as real as the air he breathed. Before he could even start cursing the absurdity of the situation, something hit him¡ªhard. THUNK. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A sharp impact struck the back of his head, nearly knocking him off balance. "Ow, what the¡ª" Zar spun around, rubbing the sore spot as he glared into the empty void surrounding him. Then it happened. A voice¡ªancient, boundless, and resonating with unfathomable power¡ªechoed in Zar''s mind. [At long last... Welcome, my sole and rightful wielder.] For a moment, Zar stood frozen, his thoughts a chaotic mess. Then, slowly, his lips curled into a grin. "Yes... finally! I have something to pass through this overpowered verse!" His heart pounded in excitement. If he had something guiding him¡ªsomething strong¡ªthen maybe, just maybe, he wouldn''t end up as cannon fodder in this absurdly broken world. Taking a deep breath, he asked, "Are you my system?" A moment of silence. Then, the voice responded¡ªfirm, authoritative, and almost... irritated. [Yes?] Zar blinked. Did... did the system just answer like it was annoyed? Clearing his throat, he hesitated before speaking again. "Uh... can you show me information about this world?" The system complied instantly. [System Interface Activated] A golden screen materialized before Zar''s eyes, filled with radiant, mystical text that exuded an undeniable, majestic aura. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [User Information] Name: Zar Title: None (Yet) Bloodline: Bloodline of Zar (?) Physique: Physique of Zar (?) Current Number of Multiverse: 9008 System Authority: None (Unlock through progression) Unique Abilities: ??? (Sealed) Innate Talent: ??? (To be determinedthrough awakening process) ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª "What." Zar''s mouth went dry. His eyes locked onto the last line as his brain short-circuited. 9008 multiverses? 9008 multiverses!!!!! His fingers twitched as he tried to process what he was seeing. "Hey, System, are you sure you didn''t make a typo? I only thought of 666 multiverses in my story. Where the fck did the rest come from?!"* The system remained unfazed. [This knowledge is not yet available to you. If you wish to understand the true nature of the Nexus Verse, you may find answers within the Nexus Academy.] Zar groaned, gripping his head. More multiverses meant more danger. More absurdly powerful beings. And¡ªmost importantly¡ª A far more impossible entrance exam. Taking a shaky breath, he scrolled through the system''s information again, this time clicking on the (?) next to his Bloodline and Physique. [Bloodline of Zar (?) ¡ú Information Restricted] [Physique of Zar (?) ¡ú Information Restricted] "Of course it''s restricted. Why wouldn''t it be?" Zar muttered sarcastically. Then, something struck him. "Hey, System," he asked, narrowing his eyes. "Why the hell do my bloodline and physique have my name on them?" For a moment, silence. Then¡ª [...Are you serious?] The system''s voice dripped with disbelief, like it couldn''t believe it had to explain something so obvious. [Of course, they have your name on them. It''s your bloodline. Your physique. Not someone else''s.] Zar blinked. "...Well, yeah, but¡ª" [But what? Did you expect to have ''Bloodline of Some Random Nobody''? ''Physique of Generic Mob #37''?] Zar clenched his jaw. "Okay, okay, I get it! No need to talk like I''m an idiot!" The system sighed. [Then stop asking stupid questions.] "This system has an attitude problem." Shaking off the irritation, Zar turned back to the screen. "Alright, fine. Why do I even have to take this damn exam in the first place?" The system''s voice rumbled through his soul. [You know, when a novel is written by an AUTHOR, there has to be some danger lurking around. Otherwise, it would simply be called slice of life.] Zar flinched. That... actually made a concerning amount of sense. "Wait, wait, wait. What kind of danger?" Zar asked warily. A new line of text appeared before him: [Low Authority: You do not have permission to access this information.] His stomach dropped. "Oh, come on!" [You''ll find out eventually. Or you won''t. Either way, that''s a future Zar problem.] "You''re enjoying this, aren''t you?" [Oh, immensely.] Zar groaned. He was so doomed. Taking a deep breath, he tried to ignore the existential dread creeping in and scrolled down to check More Options. Another interface popped up. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Additional User Information] Realm: Multiversal God (Minor) (Sealed) Fake realm: Damaged Multiversal God Authority Level: Restricted (More Authority will be unlocked upon progression) Current Control Over Energy: Nonexistent ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Zar''s face darkened. "Hey, System... why the hell is my realm sealed?" [Are you an idiot?] Zar gritted his teeth. "...Excuse me?" [Come on, it''s obvious. You can''t control your power. Imagine holding a stone... and crushing it instantly.] Zar narrowed his eyes. "...So I''d basically shatter everything I touch?" [Yes. Congratulations, you understood basic logic.] Zar clenched his fists. "Wait a second..." His eyes darted back to the interface, and something caught his attention. "...Why is ''Realm'' under More Options?" Silence. Then¡ª [Oh. You finally noticed.] Zar''s pupils shrank. "...You pranked me?!" [Did I? Huh, weird.] "...System." [Yes?] "You''re a f*cking troll." [And you''re just now figuring that out? Wow, truly, your intelligence is immeasurable.] Zar exhaled sharply, suppressing the urge to punch something. "I swear... if I survive this, I''m going to beat the sht out of this system."* [...Good luck with that.] Zar groaned. He was so doomed Chapter 4: Multiverse 9008 Chapter 4 - Multiverse 9008Play ''Aku Sayang'' | You will like IT. ------- ["Alright, joke aside."] The system''s voice suddenly shifted, dropping its usual mocking tone. It was serious now. ["We have two months until the entrance exam,"] itcontinued. ["So... let''s take a tour of your multiverse for practice."] Zar blinked. His mind stalled for a moment before catching up. "...What?" ["A tour of your multiverse,"] the system repeated as if it were stating something as obvious as the sky being blue. Zar squinted. "What the hell are you even saying?" ["Use your brain and think."] S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The condescending tone was back. Zar frowned but did as the system instructed. His thoughts raced through the information he had gathered so far. Innate Multiverse¡ªthat meant it was something inherently tied to him, right? If it was bound to his very existence, then... "Oh," Zar muttered, realization striking him like a bolt of lightning. "So it can act as my background multiverse? A place where I can train, familiarize myself with this Nexus Verse, and¡ª" ["Okay, okay, I get it!"] the system interrupted, its voice carrying a hint of exasperation. ["You actually have a functioning brain. No need to flex it in my presence."] Before Zar could argue, a golden interface materialized before his eyes. --- [Transferring You to Multiverse #9008] --- A blinding light swallowed his vision. Zar barely had time to react before he felt his entire existence being pulled through the very fabric of reality. Space twisted around him. Time became an abstract concept. He felt like he was both everywhere and nowhere, like his entire being was being unraveled and reassembled at the same time. Then¡ª Silence. When he opened his eyes, he found himself floating in an unknown space. But it was no ordinary void. Everywhere he looked, countless light orbs drifted in the endless abyss. They shimmered with strange hues¡ªcolors that defied logic, colors he couldn''t even name. The orbs pulsed and shifted, constantly changing, as if dancing to an unseen rhythm of existence itself. Zar''s breath hitched. His heart pounded. "...What is this place?" He reached out to touch one of the glowing orbs, curiosity taking over. But just before his fingers could make contact, the system''s voice rang in his mind. ["Do you know what those are?"] Zar turned his gaze to the floating lights once more. His mind tried to rationalize them, to understand¡ª But he had no answer. "...No," he admitted. The system let out an amused chuckle. ["They are cheats."] Zar blinked. "...Huh?" ["Cheats. Gifts. Divine protections. Special abilities. Each of these orbs holds power meant for the chosen protectors of this multiverse."] Zar processed the information carefully. So these glowing spheres were actual blessings, meant to empower individuals. His first instinct should have been awe, shock, or even excitement. But instead¡ª He chose silence. The system paused. ["...Aren''t you at least surprised?"] A smirk crept onto Zar''s lips. He tilted his head, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Got you." A beat of silence. Then¡ª ["...Uh. Whatever."] The system almost sounded like it was pouting. ["Now, enough distractions. You should head to your palace."] Zar''s smirk disappeared. "...My what?" ["Your palace. You know, that thing rulers usually have?"] Zar narrowed his eyes. "The hell are you talking about? What palace? What else have you been hiding from me?" Silence. Then, after a long pause¡ª ["Hiding? When did I hide anything? This is simply the best time for you to learn about it."] Zar pinched the bridge of his nose. "I''m not talking about when¡ªI''m asking what palace you''re even talking about!" The system hummed in realization. ["Oh, you meant that. Well, nothing much, just¡ª"] A brief pause. ["You own this multiverse."] Zar froze. His thoughts stopped. The silence stretched between them, long and suffocating. And then¡ª "...WHAT THE F*CK DID YOU JUST SAY?!" ["Tch, no need to shout,"] the system grumbled. ["I said, you are the master of this multiverse, not the creator. There''s a big difference."] Zar was still trying to process the first part, but the second immediately grabbed his attention. His brows furrowed. "Wait... not the creator?" ["Obviously."] The system''s tone was laced with amusement. ["And don''t even think about asking me who the creator is. You already know how this works."] Zar sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Low authority, restricted knowledge, yadda yadda..." ["Glad we''re on the same page."] A sudden interface popped up before him. --- [Coordinates to Your Palace Have Been Uploaded] Coordinates: 7n8v34s3 h90 --- Zar deadpanned. "...What the f*ck is this coordinate?" ["The location of your palace. Obviously."] Zar gritted his teeth. "I know that. I''m asking what that even means and how the hell I can go there!" ["Figure it out yourself. Bye! Let''s meet again after you arrive at your palace!"] "Wai¡ª" Before he could finish his sentence, the system''s presence vanished. Gone. Zar stood there, staring at the floating interface, his hands trembling with frustration. "...That little¡ª" He inhaled sharply, exhaled through clenched teeth, and took a deep breath to calm himself. Then he looked at the glowing orbs once more. His multiverse, huh? A grin crept onto his face. He didn''t know what awaited him at this so-called palace, but there was one thing he did know¡ª He was about to uncover yet another secret of this absurdly overpowered world. And he was ready. With that thought, he stepped forward¡ªtoward the unknown. But just as he moved forward¡ª ["Wait."] The system''s voice abruptly cut through the silence. Zar halted mid-step, an eye twitching in irritation. "What now?" ["I forgot to give you your mission."] Before he could protest, an interface materialized before him. --- [New Mission Assigned] Mission: Find the way and reach your destination. Reward: Not saying. _|_ --- Zar stared at the screen. His expression shifted from mild annoyance to blank disbelief. Then, slowly, his face twisted into sheer irritation. "...Are you serious?" ["Absolutely."] "What the hell does ''Not saying '' even mean, and what''s with this sign?!" Zar grumbled. ["It means what it means,"] the system responded nonchalantly. ["Now, good luck!"] And just like that, the system vanished again. Zar took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and muttered under his breath¡ª "I swear, one day... one day, I''m going to make that damn system suffer." With that, he turned his attention back to the glowing expanse before him. The unknown awaited. And this time¡ªthere was no turning back. Chapter 5: Wall Of Dominion, It cracked? Chapter 5 - Wall Of Dominion, It cracked?Play ''Kosandra'' ---------- Zar sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stared at the endless abyss surrounding him. The vast expanse of nothingness stretched in every direction, an ocean of swirling void and distant, pulsing lights. It was beautiful in an eerie, detached way¡ªlike staring at a dream that didn''t belong to him. "Now... how should I find my palace?" he muttered. "Hmm... let me think." The system had dumped him here without real directions. No clear path, no map¡ªjust vague coordinates he didn''t even know how to read. Annoying. He rolled his shoulders, testing his body. His limbs felt weightless, yet coiled with untapped energy. Even if his realm was sealed, there had to be something left¡ªsome power that hadn''t been stripped from him. "Alright," he said, clenching his fist. "Let''s start with my speed." Speed was a foundation. If he could control it, he could cover more ground, test his abilities, and¡ªif he was lucky¡ªstumble upon something useful. He bent his knees slightly, preparing to launch forward, muscles tensing in anticipation. The void beneath him didn''t react¡ªthere was no ground, no wind resistance. Just... space. Then¡ª BOOM! The void around him shattered. A sonic explosion erupted behind him as he shot forward, the force of his acceleration warping the space in his wake. The glowing orbs scattered throughout the abyss blurred into elongated streaks, like shooting stars being ripped apart. The sheer velocity sent an electric rush through his veins¡ªpowerful, exhilarating, completely out of control. His eyes widened. "Holy¡ª!" His mind couldn''t keep up. His body had become a projectile, a comet flung into the unknown. The problem? He had zero control. "Sh*t, s*it, shi*, SH*T!" He twisted, trying to stop, but there was nothing to slow him down. No friction, no gravity¡ªjust unrelenting acceleration. Then¡ª A massive celestial structure appeared ahead. A towering, glowing construct, radiating ancient energy, carved with inscriptions in a forgotten language. Zar''s stomach dropped. "That''s a wall?" And he was about to crash into it. His instincts screamed at him. The moment demanded action¡ªnow. Power surged through him, an unfamiliar force awakening from deep within. His veins burned like molten fire, muscles locking under the weight of something more than himself. And for a brief moment¡ª Time itself slowed. Everything stretched into eternity. The distant lights became frozen streaks, the glow of the celestial wall dimming into a slow pulse. Zar''s mind caught up. He wasn''t just fast¡ªhis presence was disrupting the very concept of time around him. But even with this momentary control, stopping was impossible. He could only shift¡ªjust enough to avoid a fatal impact. With a desperate twist¡ª BOOM! His shoulder clipped the edge of the wall. The sheer force sent a shockwave through the abyss. Zar tumbled uncontrollably, flipping end over end before finally¡ª THUD! He crashed onto an invisible platform, his body skidding before coming to an abrupt halt. Silence. For a long moment, he just lay there, staring up at the vast, endless sky¡ªor whatever passed for a sky in this place. His chest rose and fell rapidly. "Holy sh*t..." he muttered. "That was insane." Then, the system''s voice chimed in. ["Hah! That was entertaining."] Zar groaned, rolling onto his back as he tried to catch his breath. His entire body felt like it had been through a high-speed blender, his muscles still tingling from whatever surge of energy had allowed him to change his trajectory mid-air. He sat up slowly, rubbing his sore shoulder, and turned his gaze toward the colossal wall he had just barely avoided crashing into headfirst. The Wall of Dominion, the system had called it. It was massive, stretching endlessly into the void, its golden engravings pulsating with a rhythmic glow. The energy it radiated was so overwhelming that even standing near it made Zar feel like an ant staring up at a divine mountain. But that wasn''t what made his breath hitch. No, the real problem was at the exact point where his shoulder had made impact. A deep, jagged crack had formed. He stared at it, his mind working overtime to process what he was seeing. "...Did I... damage it?" For the first time in a while, the system hesitated. ["...Huh."] Zar narrowed his eyes. "...What do you mean, ''huh''?" The system clicked its tongue, sounding almost irritated? or happy? ["Normally? Nothing much."] A pause. Then, in the most flat and unimpressed voice possible¡ª ["But congratulations for not breaking it properly."] Zar blinked. "...Huh?" His brain glitched for a second. "What the hell does that mean?" he asked, confused. Then, suddenly¡ª The system''s voice shifted. The mockery returned, but this time, it was dramatic as hell. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ["OHHHHH!"] The exaggerated, theatrical tone made Zar flinch. ["Now our little child thinks this wall is indestructible!"] Zar squinted. "...What?" ["And because he sees a single, teeny, tiny little crack¡ªoh my, oh my¡ªhe thinks he has achieved something greater than greatness!"] Zar frowned. "That''s not what I¡ª" Then¡ªthe shift. The system''s tone dropped instantly¡ªfrom over-the-top mockery to something dead serious. ["Are you crazy or what?"] Zar froze. His instincts screamed that something had changed. The system continued, its voice cutting like a blade. ["At your current power level, you could have damaged it far more than this."] Zar''s pulse spiked. ["But congratulations."] The sarcasm returned, but this time, it was laced with something dangerously close to amusement. ["You somehow managed to control somewhat of your power."] Zar felt a chill creep up his spine. Not because of what the system had said. But because of what it implied. He turned back to the crack. It was deep, but nothing too extreme. He had assumed the wall was some kind of untouchable divine structure, and yet¡ªhe had damaged it. That alone had been shocking. But now... The system was saying he should have done more? His fingers unconsciously curled into a fist. "...Wait," he muttered. "You''re saying I held back?" The system snorted. ["I''m saying that if you hadn''t, you wouldn''t be looking at a single crack right now. You''d be staring at a giant hole."] Zar''s throat went dry. He turned back to the wall, his mind racing. Was this normal? He had barely even used his strength. It had all been instinct. Reflex. He wasn''t even trying to break anything¡ªhe had just been trying to stop himself. And yet, despite that... He had still left a mark. He didn''t know what was scarier¡ªthe fact that he had damaged something that wasn''t supposed to be damaged, or the fact that, according to the system, he had unintentionally restrained himself. He took a deep breath. This wasn''t the time to dwell on it. He still had a mission. "Alright," he muttered. "Forget the wall. I still need to find my palace." ["Good. At least you''re staying focused."] Suddenly, a soft hum resonated through the air. The golden engravings shimmered, and in an instant¡ª The crack vanished. Zar watched, stunned, as the system casually repaired the damage as if it had never existed. The divine glow returned to its full brilliance, no longer showing any sign of harm. "...Okay," Zar said slowly. "That''s suspicious as hell." The system cleared its throat. ["Nothing to see here! Moving on!"] Zar narrowed his eyes. "You fixed it way too fast." ["I just don''t like messes."] "...Yeah. That''s totally believable." The system cut the connection. Zar exhaled, rubbing his temples. Something about all of this felt off. But he didn''t have time to question it. But he is right... ---------- Because elsewhere... Far above the celestial barrier, beings had gathered. Cloaked in golden radiance, their ethereal forms pulsed with divinity. Their presence alone bent the space around them, warping reality itself. The first celestial narrowed his eyes. "We sensed an intruder. Where are they?" Another being, with six luminescent wings, stepped forward, his gaze piercing through the void. "Strange... There''s no sign of an attack." A third, the eldest among them, furrowed his brows. "...No. I am certain we received a warning. Something touched the wall." The others exchanged uneasy glances. "But the wall is intact," one murmured. The leader of the celestials hovered closer, his eyes scanning the golden inscriptions. Nothing. No damage. No disturbance. The divine energy remained unchanged. Yet. His instincts screamed at him. Something had happened here. And whatever it was... It was something they weren''t meant to see. ------------ Zar walked through the void, muttering to himself. "System, you said you wouldn''t talk until I reached my palace. So why the hell did you show up?" Silence. Then¡ª ["Ohhh... Not telling~"] The playful tone sent a chill down his spine. Zar stopped walking. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he sighed. "I swear to god, you are the most annoying thing I''ve ever dealt with." ["Oh? You''re swearing to a god? Well then¡ªall the best."] Zar froze. His expression twitched. ...Damn it. Without another word, he marched forward. The system, of course, only laughed. Somewhere out there, his palace awaited. Chapter 6: The Vault Of Eternal Confinement Chapter 6 - The Vault Of Eternal ConfinementPIay ''Delulu'' By Shania Yan ---------- The void stretched endlessly around Zar, an infinite abyss where time and space had little meaning. He sighed, rubbing his temples. "System, can you at least give me a hint on where to go next? And more importantly, how do I control my power?" The system responded casually. ["You can start by practicing with your brain."] Zar blinked. "Wait... what?" He frowned. "Are you joking?" Then something clicked in his mind. He recalled his recent actions¡ªthe way he had crashed into the Wall of Dominion. His body had reacted with godlike speed, but his mind had lagged behind. His thoughts hadn''t been able to keep up with his movements. It wasn''t just about speed. He needed to process faster too. His eyes widened slightly. "Actually... that makes sense." He clenched his fists. "Alright, System. How do I do it?" ["First, do you even know where you are right now?"] Zar looked around and then shook his head. "Nope." ["Correct. You''re standing in the boundary of a void space¡ªa realm where reality and time weaken. Look around."] Zar followed the system''s advice. In the distance, colossal castles and towering temples hovered in the void, each exuding divine energy. The sheer pressure from these structures made his breath hitch for a moment. Even from afar, he could tell¡ªthese were no ordinary structures. "Are these the domains of gods?" ["Exactly. Each one belongs to a god that governs an aspect of this multiverse."] Zar exhaled slowly, taking in the sight. Then the system continued. ["Now, the important part¡ªyou can train here."] Zar raised a brow. "How?" ["Simple. When I give the signal, run as fast as you can."] Before Zar could ask more, an interface appeared before him, glowing ominously. [Transporting You to: The Vault of Eternal Confinement] His body was engulfed in light before he could react. --- The atmosphere shifted. Zar felt an oppressive force surround him, dark, heavy, suffocating. He stood on a floating platform, surrounded by an endless chain-covered abyss. Monstrous shackles, thick as mountains, coiled across the infinite void. Each pulsated with an ancient, binding force. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A strange presence lingered in the air, a silent watching force. The chains did not move, yet they felt... aware. Almost as if they were waiting for something. Zar narrowed his eyes. "What is this place?" ["Welcome to the Vault of Eternal Confinement¡ªa prison built for gods who defy the laws of this multiverse."] His gaze sharpened. "Are there any gods imprisoned here?" ["No. This is a new multiverse¡ªMultiverse 9008¡ªso no gods have broken the laws yet. But the prison is still active, waiting."] Zar studied the chains. They weren''t just physical constructs¡ªthey pulsed with laws, something deeper than mere bindings. "And I''m supposed to train here?" ["Yes. This place was designed with an infinite loop mechanic¡ªno matter how far or fast you go, you''ll always remain within it."] Zar smirked. "I get it now. This way, I can push my speed to the limit without worrying about consequences." ["Exactly. Now, get ready."] Zar took a deep breath, feeling the tension in his muscles. "Give me the signal." A moment of silence¡ª Then¡ª ["Go."] Zar launched forward. ----- The void shattered. The sheer force of his acceleration sent shockwaves tearing through the abyss. The chains rattled. The air distorted. The entire prison trembled as his body tore through space. His vision blurred. The prison twisted around him, yet¡ª He was still inside. But that didn''t matter. He wasn''t running to escape. He was running to adapt. His mind sharpened. His thoughts sped up. He started processing everything faster¡ªevery shift in the air, every vibration of the void. He was catching up to his speed. Time no longer felt the same. He could feel it now¡ªthe flow of motion, the distortions. He was evolving. And then¡ª The chains moved. A deep, resonating hum filled the abyss. The chains trembled, their movements slow, deliberate¡ªlike ancient serpents awakening from slumber. Some pulsed with a strange golden glow, others flickered between existence and nonexistence. Zar skidded to a stop, eyes narrowing. "What the hell?" One of the largest chains¡ªthick as a world¡ªsuddenly lashed forward. It stopped mere inches from Zar, vibrating as if testing him. Zar stood still, watching in silent disbelief as the chains reacted in an unexpected way. At first, they trembled. A deep, eerie vibration resonated through the air, the chains rattling violently as if they had encountered something they should not have. Then, without warning, they began retreating¡ªnot calmly, but in sheer terror. The massive divine chains, once looming with the oppressive power to imprison even gods, now slithered away like terrified serpents, their glowing runes flickering erratically. It was as if simply being near Zar was an unbearable horror to them. Zar narrowed his eyes. "They''re... scared of me?" The idea sounded ridiculous even as he said it. Even with his sealed power, there was no way these divine chains¡ªdesigned to suppress and bind beings of unimaginable strength¡ªshould be afraid of him. And yet, they fled. The last of them coiled backward at an unnatural speed, vanishing into the void, leaving nothing but the faint remnants of shattered space in their wake. A deep silence followed. Then, just as Zar''s thoughts were beginning to race, the system''s voice mockingly broke through. ["Oh? Look at you, using your brain for once."] Zar exhaled sharply. "Not now, system." ["What''s wrong? Did the big, scary chains running away give you an existential crisis?"] Zar scowled. "I asked you a question. Why did they react like that?" ["Tch. And here I thought you were supposed to be smart,"] the system said with exaggerated disappointment. Zar''s irritation flared, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Just answer me." ["Fine. It''s because of your sealed power."] Zar''s brows furrowed. "My sealed power...?" He stared at the space where the chains had disappeared, deep in thought. It made sense. If the chains were meant to suppress overwhelming power, then perhaps even the slightest resonance of his true strength was enough to terrify them. But that only led to a more unsettling thought¡ªjust how terrifying was his sealed power? His fists clenched. He hated this uncertainty. How could something that belonged to him feel so... foreign? Then, as if sensing his inner turmoil, the system''s voice rang out again, this time with an amused sneer. ["Don''t get ahead of yourself, though."] Zar looked up. "What do you mean?" ["Sure, your sealed power scared off a few divine chains. Big deal. But compared to the real monsters in the Nexus Verse, you''re still nothing."] Zar fell silent. He already knew that. He had always known. No matter how strong he became, there were beings out there who could erase entire realities with a mere thought. Beings who had existed long before he was even aware of his own existence. Compared to them, he was just another piece on the board. His expression darkened. "I know." He exhaled slowly, trying to push aside the frustration. There was no use in dwelling on it. He had one goal¡ªget stronger. The system, for once, didn''t respond with immediate mockery. Instead, it simply let out a hum of acknowledgment. A long silence stretched between them. The prison remained eerily quiet, the air still heavy with the residual energy of the chains that had vanished. Then, another thought hit Zar. His expression shifted, suspicion creeping in. "Hey, system. If I own this multiverse now... why do I need to take an entrance exam for some academy? Shouldn''t I Passed it automatically?" The system burst into laughter. ["Finally using that head of yours!"] Zar''s eye twitched. "Just answer the damn question." ["Alright, alright, listen up. You may own this multiverse, but that doesn''t mean you''re automatically recognized as an authority everywhere. The Nexus Academy follows its own rules, governed by powers far beyond a single multiversal domain."] Zar frowned. "Meaning?" ["Meaning that just because you''re the landlord of one property doesn''t mean you own the entire city. The Nexus Academy exists on a different level. It doesn''t care who you are or what you own. You want in? You take the exam¡ªsimple as that."] Zar exhaled through his nose. "So it''s a test of qualification, not ownership." ["Exactly."] He crossed his arms. "Then what happens if I fail?" ["You won''t."] Zar narrowed his eyes. "That confident in me?" Silence.... Zar scoffed. "Tch. Guess I''ll just have to make sure I pass the first time." He looked around, scanning the infinite void of the prison. He had gotten a taste of his speed earlier, but now he needed to fully push himself. ["So? Ready to keep running?"] the system asked, amusement returning to its tone. Zar smirked, cracking his neck. "Let''s see how fast I can really go." As he prepared to launch himself forward again, a sudden notification window flashed before him. ¡ª--- [Mission Assigned] Training Mission: Mastering Speed in the Infinite Loop Prison Objective: Sprint through the Infinite Loop Prison at maximum speed while maintaining full control over movement, space resistance, and energy output. Time Limit: None Special Condition: The prison will amplifyresistance the longer you run, simulating real combat conditions. Reward: Enhanced speed control & increased resistance to external force manipulation. ¡ª--- Zar blinked. Then, slowly, he turned his gaze upward. "System... why do I feel like you could''ve given me missions all this time?" The system let out a small chuckle. ["Oh, you noticed? Well, let''s just say... I was waiting for the right moment."] Zar narrowed his eyes. "The right moment? Or just messing with me?" ["Who knows?"] the system replied with a teasing tone. ["Now, quit complaining and run, will you?"] Zar exhaled sharply, shaking his head with a small smirk. "Fine. Let''s do this." With that, he vanished, tearing through the infinite space of the prison, the very fabric of reality shattering in his wake. The training had just begun. Chapter 7: I got Congratulations!! Chapter 7 - I got Congratulations!!Play ''life Force'' -------- Zar dashed forward at unimaginable speeds, the space around him shattering under the sheer force of his velocity. The Vault Of Eternal Confinement was designed to withstand and contain rogue gods, yet here he was, pushing its limits. Every step he took fractured the very fabric of the realm, cracks of swirling energy spreading like jagged veins across the void. To any lesser being, this place was an unbreakable labyrinth¡ªan eternal prison where escape was nothing but a dream. But to Zar? It was a mere training ground. And yet, even as the space around him collapsed, it repaired itself instantly¡ªa process so rapid that most beings wouldn''t even perceive the destruction. The void mended itself with mechanical precision, as if the very laws of the Infinite Loop refused to acknowledge his intrusion. But something was off. At first, the shattered fragments of space stitched themselves back together in a seamless flow, as if guided by an unseen hand. But as Zar accelerated further, the rate of reconstruction slowed. The once-instantaneous repairs lagged, the rifts persisting for longer than before. He narrowed his eyes. "That''s strange... why is it slowing down?" he muttered. The system''s voice chimed in, completely unconcerned. ["Oh, don''t worry about that."] Zar frowned, about to argue when¡ª A pulse of deep purple light rippled through the shattered space. It wasn''t ordinary energy. It was... unnatural. Otherworldly. The glow wasn''t just repairing the space¡ªit was weaving reality back together with an intelligence that unsettled him. The void trembled as the purple mist spread, its movement eerily precise, calculated. At one moment, the void was fractured, exposing glimpses of nothingness beyond comprehension¡ªand in the next, it was as if it had never been broken at all. The very laws of reality were being rewritten before his eyes. Zar slowed slightly, his eyes locked onto the swirling patterns of energy. His instincts screamed at him. This wasn''t just some automated repair system. It was something ... Something adapting. A chill ran down his spine. For the first time since arriving in this place, Zar felt something akin to unease. He finally spoke, trying to keep his voice neutral. "That was... efficient. But it looked weaker than when you repaired the Dominion wall." The system immediately puffed up with pride. ["Hmph! Of course, it''s weaker! That wall was far more significant¡ªwhy waste unnecessary power here?"] Zar sighed. "Right, right. Whatever helps you sleep at night." He forced himself to shake off the lingering discomfort, pushing the thought aside. Whatever the purple light was, he didn''t have time to dwell on it. He had a goal¡ªmastering his speed. And so, he resumed his relentless training. Every sprint tore through the void like a meteor breaching the heavens. Every step refined his ability to process reality at absurd speeds. Every movement brought him closer to absolute control. He wasn''t just running anymore. He was dancing with the very fabric of space. Time passed. The realm trembled beneath his presence. And then¡ª Finally¡ª Zar skidded to a halt, standing tall with a wide smirk. "I am a fucking genius." The system, unusually neutral, agreed without hesitation. ["That''s correct."] Zar blinked. "Wait... no sarcasm? No mockery?" ["Why would I mock you? You went from mortal comprehension to multiversal-level awareness in just seven hours. That''s absurd."] Something felt off. The system sounded... disappointed? Zar narrowed his eyes. "You... sound kind of sad." The system let out a dramatic sigh. ["That''s because I thought you''d take at least one day. I had such high hopes for teasing you about how slow you were progressing!"] Zar''s eye twitched. "Are you serious?" ["Of course. But congratulations, I guess."] Despite the system''s antics, Zar felt an undeniable satisfaction. He had surpassed even its expectations. Then, as if on cue¡ª A glowing interface appeared before him. -¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Mission Complete!] Training Mission: Mastering Speed in the Infinite Loop Prison Objective: Sprint through the Infinite Loop Prison while maintaining full control over movement, space resistance, and energy output. Special Condition: Withstood increased resistance and shattered spatial barriers without losing control. Rewards: ? Enhanced Speed Control (Mastery Level: 80%) ? Increased Resistance to External Force Manipulation ? Bonus: Adaptive Motion Perception (Allows instant recalibration in chaotic environments) -¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª As the glowing interface faded, Zar expected another mission prompt. Yet, strangely, the system remained silent. Zar frowned. "Alright, system. What''s next?" ["There''s no need for another mission."] Zar blinked in confusion. "What? Why not?" ["Because now you can control your power up to 80%. You''ve reached a level where training here is pointless. Just return to your castle now."] Zar''s eyebrows twitched. "Hold up. Did I hear that right? ''Just return''¡ªlike it''s that simple?!" The system remained nonchalant. ["Yes. Just return."] Zar ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. "And how exactly do you expect me to find my castle when you''re not helping me?!" Then, the system''s tone shifted¡ªplayful, teasing. ["Just guess."] For a moment, Zar''s mind went blank. Then¡ª Like a train slamming into his consciousness, realization struck him. His face twisted in utter disbelief. "No... no way. Are you fu*king serious?!" His hand instinctively clenched into a fist before he flipped his middle finger at the air. "F*CK YOU, SYSTEM!" Because at this moment, he finally understood. The Wall of Dominion. The moment he touched it¡ªthe moment the system had appeared to ''help''¡ªthat was the answer. He had already reached his palace back then. Yet, instead of telling him outright, this damn system had let him run around aimlessly, making him believe his castle was some far-off, unreachable place. And he never realized. Zar sighed deeply, his own ignorance leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. "So, I was already at my palace the whole damn time?" ["Yep."] "And you let me struggle like an idiot?" ["Oh, absolutely."] S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zar rubbed his temples, muttering to himself. "This goddamn system... I swear, I''m going to delete you one day." He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm down. "Alright, fine. Let''s go back to the Wall of Dominion, then." But then¡ª The system''s tone shifted again, this time carrying a hint of mischief. ["Why would we walk back?"] Zar narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What do you mean?" ["I''m directly teleporting you to your castle."] Zar''s eyes widened. "Wait, what?!" Before he could even protest, a blinding flash erupted around him. The space beneath his feet folded in on itself, swallowing him whole in an instant. And just like that¡ª He was gone. Chapter 8: I look... Unreal Chapter 8 - I look... UnrealTen Minutes Ago... Beyond the reach of mortals and lesser deities, in a realm detached from dimensions, a grand gathering was taking place. It was within a magnificent, heaven-like castle¡ªEternium Sanctum¡ªa structure that did not exist in any known reality. This citadel was no mere creation of gods; it was an anomaly in itself, a domain where time and space folded upon one another, bending the very laws of existence. It stood outside all realms, unseen, untouchable, beyond the comprehension of even the most powerful celestial beings. Surrounding this sanctum was the Wall of Dominion¡ªa divine barrier that weakened the very essence of any who stood before it. This wall ensured that only the supreme gods could act within the sanctum, limiting the power of lesser deities who dared approach. At the heart of the sanctum, Aetherion, the Sovereign of Time and Space, stood before an assembly of celestial beings. His golden eyes, reflecting the endless flow of time, swept across the gathered gods. "Now that all of you have arrived, let me make this clear. Today, we shall witness the arrival of our master for the first time since the dawn of this verse." The gods stirred at his words. Some exchanged glances, others straightened, sensing the magnitude of this moment. Aetherion''s gaze then landed on a particular figure¡ªa goddess adorned in a robe woven from the very essence of life and decay. "Eterna, Goddess of Life and Death¡ªyou shall oversee the preparations for his arrival." Eterna, normally composed and regal, immediately tensed. "What?! Why me? Shouldn''t this be assigned to gods who specialize in such matters?" she protested, her voice uncharacteristically flustered. Aetherion shook his head. "No. The lesser gods do not possess the authority to act here. Even if they wished to, the restrictions of this sanctum would render them powerless." Eterna furrowed her brows. "But...." Before Aetherion could respond, a deep, resonant voice cut through the air. It belonged to Ignis, the Primordial Arbiter of Elements¡ªa god whose very presence radiated the raw forces of creation itself. "They cannot because this is the Eternium Sanctum¡ªour master''s domain. Even our own authority is restrained within these walls. Do you truly expect lesser gods to accomplish what even we struggle to?" Eterna exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "Fine. But if that''s the case, then why don''t you handle it, Ignis? You are no less capable than I." Ignis chuckled, shaking his head. "Because, Eterna, you are the goddess of life. If anyone understands how to orchestrate a celebration worthy of our master''s arrival, it is you." Eterna clenched her jaw but found no argument. As the realization set in, Eterna felt something she rarely experienced¡ªpanic. This was not an ordinary celebration. This was the first event in honor of their master, the one who ruled above all. (What if I make a mistake?) A simple miscalculation could result in an imperfect welcome, and she had no idea how their master would perceive such a failure. Would he be disappointed? Would it leave a bad impression? For a goddess who ruled both life and death, who had watched civilizations rise and fall without blinking, this level of pressure was foreign¡ªand terrifying. Sensing her hesitation, Aetherion raised his hand. "If this is too difficult, we shall lessen the sanctum''s restrictions upon a lesser god¡ªone who can assist you in this task." With a mere gesture, he adjusted the divine laws of the castle. A new presence entered the hall¡ªone lighter, more carefree, yet still carrying divine authority. It was joy, the God of Joy. Eterna let out a breath of relief. If Miral, a god who specialized in celebrations and festivities, was there to assist, then she wouldn''t be entirely alone in this daunting task. The weight on her shoulders eased. With his assistance, the preparations finally began. However, just as they were about to start¡ª A sudden shift in the divine atmosphere froze every god in place. A ripple of absolute power surged through the castle, sending tremors through space and time itself. A force unfamiliar yet undeniable had arrived. Aetherion''s eyes widened. Eterna inhaled sharply. Ignis'' flames flickered wildly. Someone had appeared in the throne hall. Without hesitation, the gods teleported instantly, their divine forms materializing within the vast chamber¡ªonly to be met with a sight beyond their comprehension. --- The Throne of the Infinite There, upon the supreme seat of dominion, sat Zar. The throne itself was unlike anything in existence¡ªa structure that embodied the fundamental forces of reality itself. The base was forged from the primordial void, a bottomless abyss that seemed to devour all light, exuding an aura of infinite depth. Looking into it was like gazing into the very moment before creation. The armrests and frame were constructed from solidified time, shifting through countless eras in an endless cycle, appearing ancient one moment and newly formed the next. The backrest pulsed with the fabric of space itself, a cosmic expanse filled with galaxies, nebulas, and ever-expanding universes woven into its essence. The mere act of resting against it granted dominion over existence. Ethereal runes carved from the laws of reality spiraled around the throne, glowing with absolute authority, each inscription proclaiming dominion over the multiverse. Sitting upon this celestial masterpiece, Zar radiated sovereignty. The gods, witnessing this sight, felt their very existence tremble. One by one, they fell to their knees, bowing before their master. Their submission was not forced. It was inevitable¡ªa response etched into the fabric of their very beings. Even the Eternium Sanctum¡ªan existence beyond dimensions¡ªtrembled ever so slightly. --- Meanwhile, on Zar''s Side... Internally, Zar was panicking. (What the hell?! The system teleported me straight here?!) His mind was in chaos. He had zero preparation, yet here he was, seated upon the throne of existence itself, with the most powerful gods kneeling before him. However¡ª At that moment, the system calmly transmitted information to him. [Acquired: Aura of Supreme Authority] This wasn''t just an aura. It was an effect that automatically exuded absolute dominion, ensuring that he would instinctively carry the presence of a true sovereign. But to Zar, it had a much simpler translation: "It''s just a flexing authority." Before he could fully process the situation, something else caught his attention. (Wait a minute... why are these gods and goddesses... so damn beautiful?!) He was shocked. Every single deity in front of him looked like a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship¡ªbeyond human or mortal comprehension. Then, suddenly, a realization hit him. With some embarrassment, he whispered to his system¡ª (Uh... hey, system... how do I look?) The system went silent for a moment. Then, it burst into laughter. ["HA HA HA HA! Now, of all times, you suddenly care about your looks?!"] The system''s booming laughter echoed in his mind, filled with amusement. Zar''s embarrassment deepened. ["Do you finally want to see how handsome you are compared to them?"] Zar''s face twitched slightly. ["Alright, alright! Since you''re so curious, just look into this mirror!"] Before he could even react, a mirror of pure divine essence materialized before him. It was unlike any normal mirror¡ªit reflected not just appearance, but the very essence of one''s existence. And then¡ªZar saw himself for the first time in this world. Before him stood a young man(6.3 feet), yet his very presence felt beyond mortal comprehension. His striking gray hair?, styled in ? (Whatever style is this but it looks cool), blended effortlessly between natural perfection and divine elegance. His ethereal golden eyes shone with a cosmic radiance, resembling twin stars that held the very wisdom of creation itself. They weren''t just eyes¡ªthey were gateways to the infinite, reflecting the vast expanse of the multiverse. His skin was flawless, carrying a divine glow, neither too pale nor too tanned¡ªexisting in a state of absolute perfection. But what stood out the most was his body itself. It wasn''t just flesh and bone¡ªit was a paradox. His form seemed to contain the entire cosmos within¡ªgalaxies, stars, nebulae, and dimensions swirling endlessly beneath his skin. Yet, at the same time, he appeared completely normal. It was as if reality itself refused to decide what he truly was. And his attire? He was adorned in an elegant, otherworldly outfit¡ªone that didn''t exist in any known universe. The fabric shimmered with the essence of eternity, constantly shifting between solid and intangible. It seemed both woven from celestial stardust and forged from the laws of reality itself. Its name? [Astralis Regalia] (told by system!!) A garment that adjusted to its wearer''s will, enhancing their presence while exuding an aura of supreme dominance. Zar stared at his reflection¡ªspeechless. ["Well?"] The system teased. ["Satisfied now?"] Zar opened his mouth¡ªthen closed it. There were no words. This was beyond what he had expected. Finally, after a long pause, he muttered¡ª "Damn... I look... unreal." The system chuckled. ["Well, you''re literally an existence beyond reality, so it makes sense."] Zar shook his head, still trying to process what he just saw. But before he could dwell on it further¡ª Aetherion, the Sovereign of Time and Space, stepped forward. And with utmost reverence, he spoke¡ª "Master, we humbly await your command." Silence filled the throne hall. Zar blinked. Then.. Zar spoke. "Rise." A simple word¡ªyet one that echoed like a cosmic decree. The gods obeyed. Their minds struggled to comprehend the force before them. The supreme power they had awaited had finally arrived. Then came his next command. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Introduce yourselves." One by one, the six main gods stepped forward. Their introductions weren''t mere words. They were declarations of divine authority. Aetherion, God of Time and Space "I am Aetherion, the one who governs the flow of time and the vastness of space. Under me stand the gods of chronomancy, celestial navigation, dimensional rifts, and fate-bound records." Behind him, the lesser gods of his domain bowed in perfect synchronization, as if dictated by an unseen cosmic rhythm. --- Ignis, God of the Multiversal Elements "I am Ignis, the sovereign of all elements across the multiverse. From the infernos of destruction to the primordial forces that shape existence, I command the gods of fire, ice, metal, plasma, gravity, ether, and all essences that construct reality itself." Behind him, elemental beings stood in divine stillness¡ªmolten flames, freezing storms, gravitational voids, each carrying the essence of reality itself. --- Eterna, Goddess of Life and Death "I am Eterna, the keeper of the cycle¡ªlife''s embrace and death''s release. The gods of healing, vitality, rebirth, decay, and the afterlife serve under my dominion." Behind her, the dual forces of creation and destruction coexisted¡ªgods of boundless warmth and gods veiled in the silent abyss of death. --- Noctis, God of Illumination and Darkness "I am Noctis, the embodiment of illumination and darkness, the duality that governs all perception. Under my rule stand the gods of radiant divinity, shadows, illusion, secrecy, and cosmic obscurity." His followers flickered between existence, some appearing as beings of light, others as void-born silhouettes dissolving into reality itself. --- Zephiron, God of the Everstorm "I am Zephiron, the sovereign of the Everstorm, the boundless fury of the skies. The gods of celestial thunder, divine tempests, astral winds, and storm-forged battle stand under my domain." Though the sky was absent, the storm answered his presence, rumbling in silent reverence. --- Vaelora, Goddess of Fate and Destiny "I am Vaelora, the hand that guides all that was, is, and will be. The gods of prophecy, destiny''s weave, causality, and karmic balance exist under my will." Her voice carried a terrifying finality¡ªas if her words had already been written into existence. ... Chapter 9: Competition? Chapter 9 - Competition?The Celestial Hall pulsed with divine energy, an overwhelming spectacle of grandeur that even Zar had to acknowledge. Towering pillars stretched toward infinity, adorned with golden banners inscribed with celestial runes that shimmered like living light. The air itself carried a harmonic resonance, as choirs of ethereal beings wove a hymn so perfect that it transcended mere sound¡ªit was a manifestation of divinity itself. Before him, a grand assembly of gods had gathered, their gazes heavy with expectation. Majestic tables overflowed with divine ambrosia and nectar, a feast fit only for the highest of beings. They were preparing. A celebration in his honor was in the works. Zar raised an eyebrow, his amusement barely concealed. "First time stepping into their world, and they''re already going all out?" Before his curiosity could wander any further, an abrupt notification flashed across his vision. ¡ª [System Notification] [Oi, there''s a new mission for you.] ¡ª Zar exhaled through his nose. "And here I was, enjoying the moment." The system''s unusually casual tone irked him, but he ignored it, swiping his hand through the air to summon his interface. A translucent screen materialized, filled with information that shouldn''t even exist. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Status Interface] Title: Master of Multiverse #9008 Realm: Multiversal God (Sealed) Alternate Realm: Damaged Multiversal God (80%) Authority: Presence of Supreme (2%) Innate Talent: None System Authority: None Mission Unlocked: Games of Gods [Display Information] Reward: Authority of ?? (Damaged) ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Zar''s eyes lingered on the reward for a moment before his lips curled into a smirk. A thought crossed his mind¡ªthis kind of vague, broken reward? Yeah, this had to be something completely overpowered. ("I should know¡ªI''m an author. This is exactly the kind of nonsense I''d pull.") Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A low chuckle escaped him before his voice took on an edge of irritation. "System, tell me¡ªhow much of my Authority do I need to unlock before I can personally beat the shit out of you?" Instead of an actual answer, the system responded in its usual mocking tone. [Not saying~] Zar clicked his tongue. "This damn system..." He took a deep breath, calming himself before muttering, "You know, sometimes I think you exist purely to piss me off." The system remained silent, but he could feel its smugness radiating through the interface. Shaking his head, Zar dismissed the screen and turned his gaze back to the divine gathering. The gods awaited his words. Time to set things in motion. He straightened his posture, his voice resonating with an undeniable authority. "Delay the feast. There is something I must announce." The murmurs of the celestial beings immediately ceased. The atmosphere turned heavy. Even the six ruling gods¡ªAetherion, Ignis, Eterna, Noctis, Zephiron, and Vaelora¡ªstraightened their forms, awaiting his decree. Zar stepped forward, his mere presence bending the very air around him. "I am initiating a competition." Aetherion, the God of Aether and Space, narrowed his eyes. "A competition?" Zar nodded. "A trial where only the strongest will rise. A test of dominion, strategy, and the will to rule." Zephiron, the God of Storms, let out a low chuckle. "Hah, now that''s something I can get behind." Ignis, his golden flames flickering wildly, crossed his arms. "Interesting. What are the rules?" Zar''s lips curled into a knowing smirk. "The rules will be revealed during the event itself." A ripple of intrigue passed through the gods. Even Vaelora, the Goddess of Faith and Fate, narrowed her gaze. "You would withhold such information from even us?" Zar''s expression remained unreadable. "For a reason. The nature of this competition demands absolute neutrality. Any knowledge beforehand could disrupt its balance." The gods exchanged glances, considering his words. Eterna, the Goddess of Life and Death, was the first to speak with caution. "And the rewards?" Zar met her gaze. "The rewards will be revealed... in the midst of battle." Aetherion exhaled. "You truly intend to keep us guessing until the very end." Zar simply smirked. Then, Vaelora spoke again¡ªthis time, her voice tinged with concern. "Master... are you certain of this?" Zar raised an eyebrow. "Explain." Vaelora''s gaze swept across the gathered deities before she voiced the true issue at hand. "Our power is vast. If we battle without restraint, we could damage the foundation of this multiverse. No existing plane can withstand the full force of divine combat." She was right. The absolute devastation that would follow an unrestricted battle between these gods was beyond comprehension. Aetherion''s manipulation of time and space, Ignis''s primordial flames, Eterna''s absolute control over life and death¡ªif they fought at full power, the multiverse would collapse. But Zar? He merely grinned. He didn''t need to look at anyone as he addressed his system. "Now then... System, any solutions?" [Why don''t you give me some ideas?] Zar''s eyelid twitched. "This damn system..." Fine. If it wanted him to come up with a solution, so be it. He cast his gaze over the divine assembly, then spoke¡ª And when he did, his voice carried a weight that sent shivers through even the most powerful of gods. "Then I shall create a realm." Silence. "A domain beyond the limitations of this multiverse. A plane of existence forged solely for this competition." For the first time in eons, the gods felt something they had long forgotten. Shock. Aetherion''s expression became unreadable. "A realm... solely created for battle?" Ignis''s golden flames flickered dangerously. "Impossible. Even if such a place were built, it would still echo into the multiverse. It would be linked to creation itself." Eterna''s gaze sharpened. "Unless... you intend to construct something that doesn''t connect to this verse?" Zar''s smirk deepened. "Exactly." He raised his hand. The Celestial Hall trembled. A force beyond reason rippled through the divine space. A reality outside the grasp of the multiverse. A domain where power could be unleashed without consequence. A battlefield untouched by the flow of time. A plane where creation and destruction held no meaning. And most importantly¡ª A realm that only he could control. The gods stood frozen. Even for beings who ruled over existence itself, this was beyond comprehension. For a moment, no one spoke. Then¡ª Aetherion exhaled. "You... truly intend to do this?" Zar''s eyes gleamed with absolute certainty. "Of course. After all¡ª" His voice thundered through the Celestial Hall, a decree of undeniable dominion. "¡ªI am not bound by this multiverse''s limits." Chapter 10: The Decree of the Master Chapter 10 - The Decree of the MasterA quiet hum of divine energy pulsed through the celestial hall, resonating in the wake of Zar''s proclamation. The gods¡ªbeings who had once considered themselves the pinnacle of authority¡ªstood frozen in silence, struggling to process the weight of his words. Zar''s golden gaze swept across them, his presence an undeniable force that pressed upon reality itself. He had just announced the creation of a new realm¡ªa plane beyond the multiverse''s constraints, forged solely for the upcoming competition. An impossible feat, an act that defied the very nature of existence. And yet, he had spoken of it as though it were nothing more than a trivial endeavor. Aetherion, Ignis, Vaelora, Eterna, Zephiron¡ªall of them, gods of unparalleled might¡ªremained speechless. Then¡ª "I am not bound by this multiverse''s limits." His voice, smooth yet absolute, echoed through the grand hall. The authority in his words did not allow for doubt. It was not arrogance. It was a statement of truth. The celestial space trembled. The laws of existence themselves seemed to ripple in response. But then¡ª Laughter. Soft at first, then building, until it became an uncontrollable, full-throated roar that echoed within his consciousness. [ PFTT¡ªHA HA HAHAHAHAHA! ] Zar blinked. "..." Not a smug chuckle. Not an amused scoff. But pure, unfiltered laughter¡ªmocking, relentless. It was the system. [ PFFFT¡ªOh my god, did you seriously just say that?! ] Zar''s eye twitched. ("System, what the hell is wrong with you?") [ ''I am not bound by this multiverse''s limits''¡ªHAHAHAHA, wow, Zar, really? You''re basically the protagonist of some over-the-top novel now. Should I start narrating your life in dramatic monologues too? ] Heat rose to Zar''s face. The gods around him remained in solemn reverence, believing they were witnessing a moment of divine magnitude¡ªyet inside his mind, his system was rolling on the floor laughing. ("This is your fault.") [ Oh? My fault? ] ("Yes. If it weren''t for your flex authority, that was stuck at 2%, I wouldn''t have to say things like that to assert myself!") [ Hahaha¡ªyes, yes, blame the system. Maybe next time, I should hold your hand while you make divine decrees. ] Zar gritted his teeth. ("System, I swear¡ª") ... ... Then¡ª His thoughts snapped back to reality. His golden gaze moved across the gods assembled before him¡ªAetherion, Ignis, Eterna, Vaelora, Zephiron¡ªall six of them. But there should have been seven. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. His expression darkened, his posture shifting ever so slightly. And when he finally spoke, his voice carried a weight that bent the very fabric of the celestial hall. "The game will begin in twenty-four hours." A decree. A reality. But then¡ªhis voice sharpened. "Where is the Seventh Main God?" A question that shattered the silence like a thunderclap. The gods stiffened. Aetherion''s normally unshakable composure faltered, his divine aura flickering. The others exchanged hesitant glances, yet none dared to speak. And then¡ªwithout hesitation, they knelt. Aetherion was the first to bow his head, followed by the others. Their celestial light dimmed, betraying their unease. "We have failed you, Master." Their voices, though steady, carried the weight of shame. Zar''s golden irises burned like molten stars. "We have failed to bring forth the Goddess of the Demon Domain," Ignis admitted. "She has refused to answer our summons." Zar remained unreadable. He studied them for a moment longer before speaking, his voice smooth yet firm. "Why?" Aetherion exhaled deeply. "She does not acknowledge your authority, Master." A blasphemous truth. The kind of statement that could have unraveled an entire era in the past. And yet, it was spoken with unwavering honesty. The air grew heavy. Reality itself seemed to hold its breath. Zar did not react with anger. He did not lash out. He did not command. He simply tilted his head, an inscrutable expression settling over his features. "She does not acknowledge me?" Eterna, the Goddess of Life and Death, hesitated before finally speaking. "She believes that no being has the right to claim dominion over all realms. That no one, not even You, was meant to rule over the multiverse." Zar''s gaze remained locked on her. "Continue." Eterna exhaled. "She... does not trust us. Or you. She sees this gathering as deception, another attempt to chain her domain under another''s rule. The conflicts of the past have left her unwilling to submit to anyone¡ªeven you." The hall stood deathly still. Then¡ª A chuckle. Soft, quiet, yet filled with something far deeper. The gods tensed. Was it amusement? Or something else entirely? Zar finally spoke. "Then let us correct her misunderstanding." The gods lifted their heads slightly, waiting, anticipating. Zar stepped forward, his presence alone bending the divine space around him. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Eterna." She straightened. "Yes, Master." "You were once in conflict with her, were you not?" A flicker of emotion passed through Eterna''s gaze. She did not deny it. "...Yes." Zar''s voice was firm, yet devoid of condemnation. "You will go to her personally." Eterna''s breath caught. "And you will bring her here." The decree was final. But before she could respond, Zar''s gaze softened¡ªjust slightly. "And along the way, you will mend what was broken between you." Eterna''s eyes widened. The gods had expected divine punishment¡ªa forceful display of power that would crush the rebellious deity into submission. But this? This was something else. Zar did not demand fealty through force. He commanded loyalty through understanding. Aetherion, Ignis, Vaelora, Zephiron¡ªthey all looked at him, each feeling the same silent realization. This was why he was the Master. Eterna lowered her head once more, pressing her forehead to the divine floor. "As you command, Master." ___________________ AUTH here, How''s everyone doing? I''ve got some updates for you. I''ve re-edited everything from scratch, and now I''m planning to rewrite all the Chapters and the story. Trust me, it''s going to be epic! Now, here''s where I need your input. After Chapter 18, I''m thinking of posting either: 1. 2 Chapters per day (faster updates, but might compromise on quality) 2. 1 Chapter per day (slower updates, but better quality) You decide! Let me know what you prefer, and I''ll make it happen! Thanks for your patience and support! Chapter 11: Memories Chapter 11 - MemoriesLeaving the Sanctum.. Eterna stood at the threshold of the Eternum Sanctum, the divine palace where the gods resided. The towering gates shimmered with celestial light, their golden edges inscribed with runes older than the stars themselves. Behind her, the gods watched in silence, their expressions unreadable, their divine presence pressing against her like an unseen weight. This was not a simple farewell. It was a decree. Her punishment was set. She had to bring Nyxara back. Her hands curled into fists as she recalled the moment the other gods had spoken. A cold sentence. A reminder. Eterna exhaled sharply. None of them understood. None of them had truly known what it meant to lose Nyxara¡ªto watch her descend into the abyss, to feel the bond they once shared unravel into nothingness. And yet, it was not their burden to bear. It was hers. With a single step forward, she crossed the gates. The divine light behind her faded. The voices of the gods grew distant. And then, she was gone. Vanishing beyond the celestial halls, stepping into the vast, endless expanse of realms. --- As Eterna moved through the veils of existence, the past stirred within her, a whisper woven into the very fabric of creation. The memories surfaced unbidden, carried upon the silent currents of time. She remembered the beginning. The true beginning. Before the first stars ignited. Before the great realms were sculpted into being. There was nothing but darkness. Infinite. Eternal. Absolute. And from that abyss, two beings had emerged at the same moment. The last-born deities of a pantheon already complete. One was herself¡ªEterna, the embodiment of balance, the keeper of life and death. The other... was Nyxara. A name that now carried the weight of a curse. A goddess of raw, untamed chaos. A force that could shape or shatter reality with a thought. But before she had become the Demon Goddess feared by all, before she had cast herself into exile... She had been more. She had been her sister. --- They had been wanderers then, stepping through the endless void before time itself took form. Together, they had sculpted the realms. Not as rulers, not as gods¡ªbut as creators, as dreamers. Their hands had shaped the first great landscapes, breathed life into the formless energies that pulsed in the abyss. They had built together. And for a time, it was enough. But then... something changed. At first, Eterna had barely noticed. A hesitation in Nyxara''s voice. A shadow in her gaze. Small things. Fleeting moments. And then, they grew. Nyxara began to withdraw. The bright laughter that once echoed in the void turned to silence. Her presence, once a steady flame, became unstable, flickering between light and shadow. Eterna had seen it. And she had chosen to believe it was temporary. A mistake. One she would never be able to take back. --- The breaking point came with a single realm. A world newly formed, rich with energy, boundless in potential. A place where destruction and creation coexisted in perfect harmony. It was a realm meant for both of them. Eterna had turned to Nyxara with a smile, her hands outstretched toward the world they had crafted together. "We will both take this realm," she had said. "Half for me, half for you. It belongs to us both." But Nyxara had not smiled back. Her crimson eyes had gleamed with something unrecognizable. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Something that had never been there before. Possession. Desire. And then she had spoken. "No." Eterna had frowned. "What do you mean, no?" Nyxara''s gaze never left the realm before them. "Because creation does not need balance, Eterna." Her voice was quieter now. Colder. "It needs power." A silence had stretched between them. A silence that marked the first crack in everything they had built together. Eterna had stepped forward. "We shaped this place together. We are sisters. This realm was meant for both of us." But Nyxara''s expression had hardened. "You speak of harmony," she murmured. "But harmony is a lie. Strength is truth. If I do not take this realm as mine, someone else will. And I will not let that happen." Eterna had known then. This was no longer a conversation. It was a challenge. "Nyxara, don''t do this." Nyxara''s power had flared in response, dark tendrils of chaotic energy rippling through the void. The very air had trembled. And the moment Eterna raised her own power in return, everything shattered. --- Eterna''s eyes snapped open, the echoes of that fateful day dissolving into nothing. She floated above the abyss now, the Infernal Realms sprawled before her like an open wound in the fabric of creation. Blackened skies. Molten rivers. Mountains carved from the bones of fallen titans. A land sculpted by war, sorrow, and exile. Nyxara''s domain. Her sister''s prison. And Eterna had come to break the chains of the past. She took her first step into the Infernal Realms. And the abyss stirred in response. The moment Eterna crossed the threshold into the Infernal Realms, she felt the shift in existence itself. Unlike the celestial and elemental realms, which thrived on structure and divine order, this place was raw, untamed¡ªa land molded by the will of its ruler. Nyxara''s will. The sky above was a swirling void, thick with crimson lightning that lashed out like the veins of a dying god. The land below stretched endlessly, a wasteland of charred ruins and obsidian cliffs. Molten rivers carved through the terrain like open wounds, their glow the only source of light in a world without a sun. A land of war. A land of exile. A land where Nyxara reigned alone. The ground beneath Eterna''s feet trembled as if it resisted her presence. She took another step. The Infernal Realms fought back. From the cracked earth, tendrils of black fire erupted, twisting like serpents seeking to consume her whole. Shadows slithered between the rocks, whispering madness in languages long forgotten. The wind howled¡ªnot with the sound of nature, but with the screams of the damned, their wails merging into an unholy symphony of torment. Eterna did not falter. With a flick of her wrist, the flames extinguished, their embers dissolving into nothingness. The shadows that dared approach her recoiled as if burned, dispersing back into the darkness that had birthed them. Even the wind grew still, silenced by her mere presence. She was not an intruder in this land. She was something far greater. And she would not be denied. The infernal landscape shifted as she moved forward, the terrain constantly reshaping itself in an effort to mislead, to disorient, to turn her back. But Eterna was not so easily deceived. Her path was clear. At the heart of this forsaken realm, beyond the endless wastelands and rivers of fire, stood Nyxara''s citadel¡ªa fortress carved from obsidian and bone, its towering spires reaching toward the void above. Black flames wreathed its walls, flickering with unnatural hunger. It was not built to welcome. It was built to keep the world out. Eterna''s steps did not slow. She reached the threshold of the citadel, where two colossal gates stood sealed before her, their surface engraved with sigils of binding, of warding, of isolation. The ancient runes pulsed with dark energy, a barrier meant to keep even the gods themselves at bay. A warning. A challenge. Chapter 12: Memories 2 Chapter 12 - Memories 2Eterna raised her hand and placed it against the gate. The fortress trembled. A deep, guttural growl resonated from the very walls, as though the citadel itself was alive¡ªas though it recognized her presence and sought to reject her. The bindings that had kept this place sealed for millennia flared to life, roaring against her touch, trying to push her back. She did not move. Her power surged, and the runes shattered, their ancient bindings unraveling in an instant. The resistance faded. The gates, which had remained closed for an eternity, shuddered and groaned as they slowly creaked open. Beyond them lay darkness. And within that darkness, she was waiting. The throne room of the citadel was vast, its towering pillars lined with chains forged from the souls of the fallen. The air was thick with the scent of burning embers and something far more ancient¡ªsomething that whispered of untold power and endless solitude. At the far end of the hall, upon a throne of black stone, Nyxara sat in silence. She did not stand as Eterna entered. She did not speak. She simply watched. Her crimson eyes burned with unreadable emotion, flickering like dying stars against the void. A bitter, knowing smile¡ªone that carried the weight of an eternity spent alone. "Back?" she echoed. "To what?" She leaned forward slightly, her fingers drumming against the armrest of her throne. "To kneel before a ''Master'' I do not recognize?" The very walls of the citadel seemed to pulse as her power flared, raw and untamed, filling the air with the scent of fire and blood. The chains lining the pillars rattled violently, their spectral cries filling the room. The shadows in the corners of the throne room twisted and coiled, writhing in response to their master''s fury. The fortress itself trembled. But Eterna did not react. She had seen this before. She had seen Nyxara''s rage, her grief, her isolation. And she would not turn away now. "You were never abandoned," Eterna said, her voice steady. "You chose to leave." Nyxara''s smile faded. The flames that burned in her eyes darkened. The very air seemed to hold its breath. And then, her voice dropped to a whisper. "I chose?" A shadow passed over her features. "Or was I forced?" The silence that followed was deafening. For the first time in countless millennia, Eterna and Nyxara stood face to face once more. Sisters. Rivals. Two halves of a broken past. And neither would leave unchanged. The air between them grew heavy, thick with unspoken words, with the weight of a past neither had ever truly let go. Finally, Nyxara''s voice¡ªlow, edged with something that could have been warning, could have been amusement¡ªbroke the silence. "You dare set foot in my domain?" Eterna met her gaze without hesitation. "I came to bring you back." For a moment, there was no response. Then, slowly, Nyxara smiled. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Not in warmth. Not in welcome. But in something far more dangerous. Chapter X: The Return of the Forgotten Part 3: The Weight of the Past The silence between them was a storm waiting to break. Eterna stood unmoving at the threshold of the throne room, her presence unwavering against the weight of Nyxara''s fury. Across the hall, Nyxara sat upon her throne, her fingers resting against the armrests as if she were carved from the very obsidian stone beneath her. The flickering light of the infernal flames cast jagged shadows across her form, accentuating the sharpness in her gaze. "I was forced." Her words were not shouted, yet they carried a force that made the very air tremble. Eterna''s expression did not change. "You forced yourself." A spark of something dangerous flashed in Nyxara''s crimson eyes. The chains lining the citadel''s walls snapped taut, rattling as though screaming in protest. The throne room darkened, as if the fortress itself was holding its breath. Then¡ªlaughter. It was low at first, bitter and edged with something raw. But as it grew, it was no longer laughter. It was something else entirely. A storm. A collapse. A sound not meant for mortal ears. "You always were the self-righteous one, weren''t you?" Nyxara exhaled, rising from her throne at last. Her presence filled the chamber. The shadows around her deepened, shifting and twisting like a living thing. The air cracked with power, the very space between them bending under her influence. This was not the Nyxara that once wandered the cosmos beside Eterna. This was Nyxara, the Demon Goddess, the Forgotten One, the Queen of the Infernal Realms. And yet¡ªEterna did not waver. "I am not here to argue over the past, Nyxara." Her voice was steady, resolute. "I came because you are needed." Nyxara tilted her head, studying Eterna with a gaze that flickered between amusement and something unreadable. "Needed?" she echoed, her voice a whisper of mockery. A pulse of power rippled through the throne room. The torches along the walls snuffed out, plunging the chamber into absolute darkness. For a brief moment, there was nothing. Then¡ªNyxara moved. -------------------- AUTH here, "Hey, old reades! Re-edit review time! Did I level up or mess it up? BTW, shoutout to White_serpent! I know you didn''t beg me (this time), but I''m adding that character anyway! It''s happening, and it''s gonna be EPIC! Don''t worry, I didn''t forget the novel''s massive concept (aka my sanity''s worst nightmare). I''ve got it under control... or so I tell myself. Spill the beans, friends! What''s the verdict on the re-edit? And A important thing... "Harem or no harem? Honestly, your guess is as good as mine! I''m just winging it, writing whatever comes to mind. So, let''s just forget about that for now. As the saying goes, ''The customer is always right!'' [And, yes, I meant to say customer. What did you think (¡ã-¡ã)... That I will say..] I''ve got two reasons for writing this here: 1. You can''t read my mind (unfortunately?). 2. This Chapter is a whopping 912 words! (I have to increase words count and don''t worry because this chap is free) Thanks for sticking with me, folks!" Chapter 13: A Short While Ago Chapter 13 - A Short While Ago(A Short While Ago) [Divine Room] The grand halls of the Supreme One''s domain shimmered with celestial light. Vast pillars, inscribed with primordial runes, stretched endlessly into the skies, while a throne forged from condensed reality itself stood at the heart of the room. The gods stood in reverence, yet one figure sat, exasperation clear on his face. Zar. He pinched the bridge of his nose, barely restraining his annoyance. ("This is your fault.") [Oh? My fault?] The system''s voice dripped with amusement, as if it found the entire situation hilarious. Zar scowled. ("Yes. If it weren''t for your flex authority being stuck at 2%, I wouldn''t have to say things like that to assert myself!") [Hahaha¡ªyes, yes, blame the system. Maybe next time, I should hold your hand while you make divine decrees.] Zar grit his teeth. ("System, I swear that one day¡ª") But before he could finish, the system suddenly interrupted him. [Oh, you can swear all you want later... but first, CHECK THIS.] Zar''s thoughts were immediately derailed. There was something about the way the system said those last two words. A deep, almost fluffy resonance filled the space, as though the system had briefly altered its usual tone to mess with him. Zar blinked. ("Did you just... change your voice on purpose?") [Oh? What are you talking about? I always sound like this.] The system''s usual neutral tone returned, making it impossible to tell if it was feigning innocence or genuinely messing with him. Zar exhaled, deciding not to indulge the system''s antics any further. Instead, he turned his attention to the golden notification panel that had materialized before him. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Mission Assigned] Objective: Eterna must bring the Demon Goddess back and mend her relationship with her. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Zar read the mission, his eyes skimming through the details. But then¡ª He frowned. A portion of the text remained blurred. His brows furrowed in irritation. ("Huh? System, is there a problem with my eyes, or are you just being annoying? Why is part of the description hidden?") The system''s voice immediately shifted to a crisp, business-like tone. [Let me introduce you to a new function¡ª] But before the explanation could even begin, another notification abruptly appeared. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Access Denied: Insufficient Authority to View Full Mission Details] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Zar froze. His golden eyes darkened. For a second, his mind processed the implications. Then¡ª ("Oh... oh, sh*t.") His expression soured instantly. Frustration. Amusement. Annoyance. All of it swirled within him. [Relax, don''t worry. The rest of the mission details will be revealed once you complete the first part.] Zar exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. "Fine. But wait... Who exactly is this ''Demon Goddess''?" The system responded in a neutral tone. [The 7th Main God under your rule.] Zar''s brows furrowed deeper. ("The 7th? Then why hasn''t she come here?") [Just ask the other gods.] Zar exhaled. ("Seriously? You could just tell me, but you''d rather make me go around asking? Why are you like this?") The system remained silent, and Zar sighed in exasperation. He could tell the system was deliberately withholding something. But... fine. He would play along. For now. ---------- (The Present) Eterna had left on her mission. The grand celestial chamber still hummed with divine energy, the lingering presence of Zar making the very fabric of reality tremble. Zar turned toward Aetherion, the God of Time and Space. "I''m going to take a walk outside until she returns." S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Aetherion, ever the loyal one, immediately bowed. "As you will, Master." Zar nodded slightly and strode toward the grand celestial doors. And the moment he moved¡ª Reality itself shuddered. Each step carried a weight beyond mortal comprehension. The very air twisted in acknowledgment, the divine laws bending as if reshaping themselves in accordance with his will. Yet, to Zar¡ª It was just an ordinary walk. But to the gods who watched? It was anything but ordinary. Vaelora, the Goddess of Fate, simply sighed. "Of course. Even his casual steps radiate majesty." Ignis, the God of War, rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. We get it. Supreme One and all that." Even Aetherion smirked slightly. "Honestly, at this point, I''ve just accepted that everything he does looks divine." But then¡ª Just as Zar reached the celestial gates, he paused. His golden gaze swept across the divine assembly. Then, with an almost too-casual tone, he said¡ª "Oh, right. After the Game of Gods, you all can resume the celebration for my arrival." Aetherion and the others simply nodded. That was expected. But then¡ª "Oh, and don''t forget to wear good clothes." Silence. An awkward silence. Vaelora blinked. Aetherion''s eye twitched. Ignis tilted his head. The gods exchanged glances. "...Huh?" Ignis rubbed his temple. "Master, what do you mean by ''good clothes''?" Zar turned back slightly. "You know, something nice. Something festive." Silence again. Vaelora muttered. "But... aren''t we always wearing divine robes? Literal celestial garments woven from the essence of verse?" Aetherion added dryly. "Unless Master wants us to wear mortal outfits or something..." Zar smirked. "Now there''s an idea." Vaelora froze. Aetherion''s mind blanked. Even the ever-fearless Ignis paled slightly. Vaelora stammered. "Wait... wait, Supreme One, surely you don''t mean¡ª" "Mmm, something casual might be nice. Maybe try some mortal festival attire." The gods collectively panicked. "NO, Please!" Zar chuckled, enjoying their reactions a little too much. He waved a hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. Divine robes are acceptable too. Just try not to look like you''re going to a war council." The gods let out relieved sighs. Zar simply grinned. And then, without another word, he stepped out. --- [The Sanctum Courtyard] The Sanctum courtyard stretched infinitely, its marble-like ground shimmering with cosmic patterns, reflecting the multiverse in its depths. As Zar walked, his gaze instinctively drifted toward a colossal structure in the distance. The Wall of Dominion. He stopped. For a moment, time itself seemed to pause. Memories resurfaced. And then¡ª Out of nowhere¡ª He burst into laughter. [See? I told you it was funny.] Zar smirked, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. I still remember how I got slammed into that thing." Zar smirked, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. I still remember how I got slammed into that thing." His gaze remained locked onto the Wall of Dominion, a towering, indestructible structure that had once rejected his authority. A reminder. Of how even he¡ªthe Supreme One¡ªhad once struggled to enforce his dominion. The system''s voice chimed in. [And also how you thought you''d achieved something incredible and started thinking like some grand creator¡ª] ... Zar''s golden eyes narrowed slightly. The system''s sentence had cut off. Abruptly. As if it had caught itself from saying something it shouldn''t have. A slow smirk curled on Zar''s lips. "Oh?" He tapped his chin playfully. ("You could have used the word ''god'' or ''ruler'' there... but you didn''t. Instead, you stopped at ''creator.''") His tone turned teasing. ("Now why is that, System? Do you know something I don''t?") For a moment¡ª The system hesitated. Then, with a tone of mild irritation¡ª [Ok, ok... You got me. This is something you would have to learnt in Nexus Academy... but I''ll tell you about it after the competition you''re organizing here.] Zar raised an eyebrow. "So you admit you were hiding something?" [You already figured it out, so what''s the point in denying it?] Zar exhaled. ("Fine, I''ll let it go. For now.") The system smirked in response. Instead of pressing further, Zar shifted his focus back to something more pressing. ("By the way, when are we continuing my training? And when will you unseal my realm?") His golden eyes flickered with determination. In two months, he would have to leave this multiverse for the Nexus Academy entrance exam. The system responded immediately. [Don''t worry. I''ll make sure you''re ready for that.] Zar exhaled. Satisfied. But then¡ª [But while you''re here... why don''t you see how Eterna is handling the Demon Goddess?] Zar paused. There was something about the system''s wording. For a brief moment, his mind processed the implications. But then, he dismissed it. A shimmering golden interface materialized before him. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Live Broadcast: Eterna''s Journey to the Goddess who rule over Demons] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Zar''s expression remained neutral. But deep inside¡ª A spark of curiosity ignited. The divine screen flickered, forming an image¡ª And just as it settled¡ª The system smiled? ... ... A storm brewed in the distance. Dark clouds swirled ominously, thunder crackling between them. At the heart of the storm stood a towering obsidian castle¡ªthe stronghold of the Demon Goddess. Eterna hovered before the castle''s gates, her divine aura pulsing. Her silver eyes gleamed with determination. The mission was clear. She had to bring the Demon Goddess back. And more importantly¡ª She had to mend the broken relationship between her and the Supreme One. But Eterna knew one thing for certain. This... wouldn''t be easy. Her fingers clenched around the divine sigil in her hand. She took a deep breath. Then¡ª She stepped forward. And as she did¡ª The castle''s gates creaked open. Welcoming her into the depths of the unknown. And so¡ª .... .... Chapter 14: The Goddess Who Lost Everything Chapter 14 - The Goddess Who Lost EverythingPlay ''I can''t fit in'' ------- A blood-red moon hung high in the abyssal sky, casting its eerie glow upon a land long forsaken. The earth beneath them was cracked and lifeless, the remnants of forgotten battles still etched into its ruined landscape. And yet¡ªtwo divine figures stood at its heart. One, bathed in an aura of cosmic balance, her very existence a bridge between life and death. Her silvery-white hair, streaked with deep black, cascaded down her back like flowing stardust, shifting between the light of creation and the shadows of the void. Her heterochromatic eyes¡ªone golden, one abyssal black¡ªheld the weight of eternity itself. She was an entity of both warmth and finality. Her robe, woven from the essence of duality itself, shimmered with ever-shifting black and white fabric, depicting an eternal dance of beginnings and ends. The celestial diadem upon her head shone like the threads of fate, and the faint glow of a soul-essence bracelet on her wrist pulsed with the unseen movement of spirits. Eterna¡ªthe Goddess of Life and Death. Opposite her stood a darker force, equal in beauty yet wrapped in an air of enchanting danger. Long raven-black hair flowed like liquid silk, catching glimpses of deep violet under the moonlight. Her amethyst-purple eyes gleamed with an unnatural radiance, carrying an allure that was both mesmerizing and terrifying. Her elegant black and deep-violet gown whispered against the wind, shifting between ethereal grace and battle-ready form. Crimson and silver sigils traced the fabric, symbols of a dominion built upon destruction and command. Around her neck, a crystalline choker pulsed faintly with infernal energy, a silent heartbeat of untapped ruin. Nyxara¡ªthe Goddess of Destruction. Two beings. Two sisters. One battle that would shake the very fabric of reality. For a moment, silence ruled between them. The wind howled. The ground trembled beneath their presence. Nyxara lifted her scythe¡ªSynth of Destruction, a blade forged from the ashes of annihilated worlds. It radiated with an oppressive force, a hunger that devoured everything in its path. Eterna held Synth of Death, her scythe carved from the essence of mortality itself. A weapon that had severed the fates of gods and mortals alike. Nyxara smirked. "Shall we begin, dear sister?" Eterna remained calm, unmoved. "This time," she whispered, "I will not let you fall into ruin." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nyxara''s laugh echoed through the battlefield. "Fall? Oh, Eterna... I never fell. I embraced my purpose." Her eyes glowed¡ªand in the next instant¡ª She moved. BOOOOOOM! A single step forward, and the ground beneath her crumbled into nothingness. Her scythe carved through space itself, sending a massive wave of destruction toward Eterna. The attack devoured reality in its wake. Eterna''s gaze sharpened. With a mere flick of her wrist, she vanished. A heartbeat later, she reappeared behind Nyxara, her scythe already descending in a precise arc, aiming for a clean, decisive strike. CLANG! Nyxara twisted, intercepting the attack. The impact sent a shockwave across the battlefield. The very air shattered. The earth beneath them split apart. The crimson moon trembled. Neither relented. Their weapons clashed again and again, each strike more devastating than the last. A battle of existence and oblivion. A war between sister. Something is... Wrong Eterna moved with flawless precision, her every motion calculated, her scythe an extension of fate itself. Yet¡ª Nyxara was... faster. Stronger. More relentless than ever before. Eterna''s golden eye narrowed. There was something different about Nyxara. Something foreign within her power. Every time their blades met, Eterna felt it¡ª A pulse of unfamiliar energy. Something that didn''t belong. Something that wasn''t hers. Her grip on her scythe tightened. "Nyxara," she murmured mid-battle, her voice calm but firm. "What... is this power?" Nyxara smiled. But she didn''t answer. Instead¡ª Her attacks became faster. Heavier. Eterna was forced to step back¡ªa rare occurrence. A first. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "...So, you refuse to speak." She exhaled¡ª And then, for the first time in their battle¡ª She unleashed her full power. A golden-white inferno ignited around her. The fabric of existence rippled as her divine essence expanded. Her silver-white and black hair fluttered wildly, her celestial aura surging in full force. Life and death intertwined, creating a devastating storm of opposing forces. Eterna struck. Her scythe moved like the final judgment, its blade carrying the weight of both rebirth and oblivion. BOOOOOM! The ground beneath them was obliterated. The skies tore apart. A strike that could end gods¡ª Yet¡ª Nyxara blocked it. No¡ªshe didn''t just block it. She smiled as she did. Eterna''s breath hitched. "Impossible..." Nyxara''s strength had already surpassed hers¡ªagain. As if her power was still rising. Still... growing. Eterna clenched her teeth. She didn''t know what this foreign force inside Nyxara was. But one thing was clear¡ª She was losing. Nyxara moved¡ªlightning fast. Her scythe howled through the air, its blade coated in pure destruction. Eterna barely had time to block. CLANG! The force sent her skidding backward, her divine robes torn, a gash appearing across her arm. Nyxara stood tall, unharmed. "I expected more from you, sister," she taunted, tilting her head. Eterna took a shaky breath. She had never struggled against Nyxara like this before. The realization struck like a cold dagger. She was being overpowered. And Nyxara knew it. Her sister raised her scythe again. Eterna was about to fall. And then¡ª A blur. A terrifying presence entered the battlefield. And the world¡ª Froze. Eterna''s breath was uneven. Her body, usually a perfect balance of life and death, now trembled. The weight of her injuries slowed her, and her dual-colored eyes flickered in exhaustion. Nyxara stood above her. Tall. Unscathed. Unstoppable. Her raven-black hair, laced with violet light, flowed behind her like the veil of the abyss. Her amethyst-purple eyes burned with an unnatural glow, exuding a presence far beyond what Eterna had ever known. That foreign power. It had consumed her. Nyxara lifted her scythe, Synth of Destruction, high above her head. A weapon that had ended worlds. "Sis" she said softly, almost lovingly. Then¡ªher gaze hardened. "You should have joined me when you had the chance." The blade fell. A downward arc, swift and merciless, carrying the absolute force of annihilation. The ground collapsed beneath its mere presence. Space itself shattered. Time stilled. It was over. Or at least¡ªit should have been. Because the moment before the scythe could end Eterna¡ª A blur passed through the battlefield. A presence so fast that the air itself refused to react. A force so terrifying that for the first time in her existence¡ª Nyxara froze. A mere instant ago, the battlefield had been filled with Nyxara''s destruction and Eterna''s defiance. Now¡ª The entire space was still. Eterna''s golden eye widened as she stared at her sister¡ª Her sister, who only moments ago had been unshakable, confident, dominant. Now? Nyxara''s amethyst eyes were wide with horror. Her entire body was trembling. And then¡ªshe ran. Nyxara, the Goddess of Destruction, the ruler of demons, the conqueror of realms¡ª She turned and fled. But it was already too late. A hand caught her throat. A force beyond gods and demons lifted her from the ground, holding her effortlessly in midair. Nyxara''s scythe¡ªa divine weapon of ruin¡ªvanished from her grasp. Her limbs thrashed, but she couldn''t move. She was held like a mere insect. And now¡ªhis image became clear. Zar. His golden eyes shone like twin suns, holding an overwhelming presence that seemed to smother all of reality. The air around him was shattered just by his existence. He wasn''t using an attack. He wasn''t using his power. He was merely standing there. And that alone was enough to send pure terror through Nyxara''s entire being. His gaze was cold. Empty. He tilted his head slightly, as if inspecting a mere ant. Then, in a voice so calm it silenced the world, he spoke¡ª "Hey... don''t you think you''ve lived too long?" Eterna gasped. "NO!" She tried to move¡ª But her body refused to obey. She could only watch. Nyxara''s mouth opened, trying to speak¡ª But her body began to break apart. Void particles. Her form¡ªonce so elegant, powerful, untouchable¡ª Was now dissolving before Eterna''s very eyes. Nyxara screamed. Not in rage. Not in defiance. But in pure, unfiltered horror. Her entire existence was unraveling. Her eyes¡ªthose once mesmerizing amethyst orbs¡ªwere filled with despair. Her hands reached forward, as if trying to grab onto anything¡ªanything to hold onto life. But there was nothing. There was only Zar. Only his merciless gaze. And then¡ª Nyxara was gone. Her entire form had vanished. Like she had never existed. Silence. Absolute. Crushing. Eterna''s knees collapsed to the ground. Her arms trembled as she reached out¡ª Reached for where Nyxara had just been. Where her sister had just stood. But there was nothing. Only empty air. Only void. Her lips parted, but no words came out. No sound. Only the overwhelming weight of what she had just witnessed. Her sister¡ªdead. Erased. Gone. And Zar? He merely looked down at her. As if nothing had happened. As if her sister''s existence had meant nothing. And for the first time in her eternal life¡ª Eterna felt something she had never felt before. Despair. ---------------- AUTH here, and I''m having a brain fart moment I forgot to add something super important to the Chapter (I look unreal).. BUT, I''ve got my act together now (sort of)! I''ve updated the Chapter, so go check it out! Cheers!" Chapter 15: Tears Chapter 15 - TearsPlay ''Tere liye (lofi)'' (recommended) --------- The air was thick with the remnants of divine power. Infernal flames crackled softly in the distance, their embers dancing like dying stars in the endless abyss. Yet, despite the raging firestorm around her, Eterna felt nothing but cold. She collapsed to her knees. Her golden irises, once radiant with the unyielding authority of life and death, now trembled as they stared into the empty void where her sister had once stood. Nyxara was gone. A silence unlike any she had ever known pressed against her soul. It was not the silence of death. It was something worse. Something cruel. A void where existence had been, where memories had formed, where bonds had broken. For the first time in eons, the weight of her actions settled on her divine essence. She had wielded the power of destruction to its fullest, and now, she was alone. And then¡ª A tear slipped from her eye. A single, shimmering droplet. It glowed with an eerie radiance, pulsating with the celestial essence of creation and annihilation¡ªtwo opposing forces entwined in delicate balance. It was not just a tear. It was a fragment of divine will, a condensed spark of the fundamental laws that governed existence itself. And it was falling. A sudden voice rang in Zar''s mind, sharp and urgent. [Oi, Zar! Eterna''s tears contain apocalyptic energy! If it touches the ground, entire universes will face destruction!] Zar''s heart skipped a beat. He didn''t hesitate. A pulse of unseen power. A flicker of space. And in the next instant, he was before her. Time itself had barely registered his movement. The world had not yet caught up with his sheer speed. His body knelt in front of Eterna, one hand gently brushing against her tear-streaked cheek. His other hand¡ª Caught the tear. A cosmic silence filled the space between them. Eterna''s tear shimmered in his palm, its power fluctuating between infinite creation and irreversible destruction. He could feel it¡ªthe weight of a thousand galaxies compressed within a single droplet. Even as someone who now wielded unfathomable power, it was staggering. Eterna''s teary gaze lifted to meet his. For a moment, she said nothing. For a moment, everything stood still. Then¡ª She moved. Not to attack. Not to lash out. Not to reclaim her divine dignity. But to embrace him. Zar froze. It wasn''t just a simple hug. It wasn''t a gesture of comfort or gratitude. It was something deeper. Something raw. Eterna clung to him with a desperation he had never seen before, as though he was the only thing tethering her to reality. Her trembling fingers dug slightly into the fabric of his coat, and her divine aura¡ªusually so composed, so absolute¡ªflickered unsteadily. "...Nyxara..." her voice broke, barely a whisper. Zar''s mind went blank. Not because of the hug. Not because of the sheer absurdity of the situation. But because¡ª This was the first time a woman had ever hugged him. Not just any woman. A goddess. The Goddess of Life and Death. His life before arriving in this world had been mundane¡ªjust a day ago, he was a mere author, a normal guy preparing to release his novel. And now, he was in the arms of a being who had existed for countless millennia, a being who had shaped the cycle of existence itself. And she was trembling. Zar didn''t know what to do. Should he return the hug? Should he push her away? Should he say something cool? His arms hovered awkwardly at his sides, his brain running simulations at speeds that could rival the system itself. This wasn''t in the script. This was more terrifying than any battle. A strange warmth spread through him, foreign yet not unpleasant. Slowly, hesitantly, he raised his hand¡ª Then¡ª A soft, yet familiar voice echoed from behind them. "Sister...?" Eterna''s entire body stiffened. At first, she dismissed it. A cruel illusion, a final trick of her fractured mind. But then¡ª The voice called again. Eterna''s breath hitched. She turned, almost afraid to hope. And then she saw her. Nyxara stood there, looking as she had before her fall to corruption. Her once-dark eyes were no longer tainted by rage, no longer filled with hatred. Her presence lacked the monstrous aura of Polyx¡ªthe twisted entity that had consumed her soul. She was¡ª Whole. Eterna''s breath caught in her throat. For so long, she had wished for this moment. She had dreamed of it, longed for it. And now, it was real. But then¡ª She realized something. She was still hugging her master. Like a crying child. Heat rushed to her face as divine embarrassment struck her like a celestial calamity. She immediately jumped back, her divine aura flickering erratically. "I-I wasn''t¡ª!" she stammered, frantically trying to compose herself. But the redness on her cheeks refused to fade. Zar, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed. He merely stood up, brushing off his coat casually. "You should talk to your sister," he said, his voice far too relaxed for someone who had just been embraced by a literal goddess, "while I take a walk around this realm." A casual tone. Eterna''s mind snapped. Her master had never spoken to her like that before. Always commanding. Always absolute. But now, he had spoken so casually, as if they were nothing more than old friends. She felt strange. But at the same time... She felt good. Before she could fully process it, Zar had already vanished into the infernal landscape. Zar walked through the Infernal Realm, his steps echoing against the scorched earth. The burning skies above swirled with molten embers, casting an eerie glow across the desolate landscape. Lava rivers flowed in chaotic streams, and distant howls of abyssal creatures echoed through the air. His expression? Neutral. His posture? Relaxed. As if the hellish environment surrounding him was nothing more than a mildly inconvenient summer evening. Then¡ª Without warning¡ª He collapsed. The world spun. His vision blurred. His limbs turned weightless. And in the depths of his consciousness¡ª He was dragged into the System Space. System Space - Where the Real Suffering Begins The first thing Zar did upon arriving? Almost cry. His mental projection sank to the ground dramatically, gripping his chest as if he had barely survived some unspeakable calamity. "System... thank you!" He choked out. His voice carried so much raw emotion that it sounded like a war veteran finally being saved after years of endless battle. The system interface flickered for a moment. Then¡ª [...You''re welcome.] A pause. Then¡ª [...You''re really this grateful?] Zar shot up, dramatically holding his hands to his heart. "Of course! If you had unsealed my realm from the start¡ªI would''ve died from social death!" His over-exaggerated suffering gave the entire scene a ridiculous undertone. But let''s rewind thirty minutes earlier. --- Thirty Minutes Ago At that time, Zar had been watching everything unfold through a live system broadcast. When Eterna stormed into the Demon Goddess''s palace, her divine presence shaking the entire realm, he had leaned forward, intrigued. Then, the system revealed their past. Zar''s eyes widened. "Wait... they''re sisters?!" The realization struck him like a truck. His head slowly turned toward the system, eyes narrowing. "...You''re not seriously expecting me to fix their relationship, right?" The system responded in the most deadpan tone possible. [Are you an idiot?] Zar exhaled through his nose, choosing to ignore the insult for the sake of his sanity. Then¡ª A blue interface popped up before him. He blinked. "System... since when did you start changing interface colors?" [...] Ignoring the silence, he read the notification. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Mission Updated] 1. Ensure Eterna mends her relationship with Nyxara. 2. Stop Eterna from burning her essence to erase Nyxara. [Reward: Full resurrection of Nyxara¡ªwithout any remnants of Polyx.] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Zar''s face went through several emotional stages in rapid succession. First¡ªshock. Then¡ªdisbelief. And finally... "...Wait, why do I have to kill Nyxara?" He was about to argue further, but then his eyes landed on the reward. He stopped talking immediately. "..." After a moment of silence, he turned to the system. "...Hey, what''s Polyx?" The system''s tone turned playful. [As I''ve said before¡ªyou''ll find out in the Nexus Academy.] Zar sighed in pure frustration. Then¡ª Something disturbing crossed his mind. "How the hell am I supposed to erase a Main God''s existence? I can beat them one-sidedly, sure, but I''m not able to actually erase them right now." The system''s next words sent a chill down his spine. [Oh, don''t worry¡ªI''m unsealing a portion of your real realm.] Zar''s entire body stiffened. "...How much?" [Just 3%.] An immediate sense of dread settled over him. Then¡ª He felt it. A surge of power. Something primal. Something that had been buried for eternity. And now¡ª It was waking up. Zar clenched his fists. If he couldn''t control his power¡ª The Wall of Dominion Incident would happen again. Then¡ªhe ran. Not walked. Not teleported. He RAN. And the multiverse regretted it instantly. His body moved. And the multiverse shook. Not because of his strength. Not because of his divine presence. No. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Something worse. The laws of the multiverse couldn''t even process his speed. Something impossible happened¡ª The entire multiverse itself began to evolve rapidly just to catch up with him. Zar''s expression shifted from determination to pure panic. "Sh*t, sh*t, S*IT¡ª" The space around him didn''t shatter. The void didn''t collapse. No. It was something else. It was as if reality itself couldn''t keep up with him. It had to adjust. His mere existence forced the fabric of the cosmos to change. And he wasn''t even at full power. --- Zar couldn''t see properly. Hurricane-force winds slammed into his face at speeds beyond comprehension. The sheer force of his own movement made his eyes turn red. And all this happened in a single second. But for Zar¡ª That second felt like an eternity. He had to stop. He focused. Forced his power to compress. And¡ª CRASH. His body collided into the Infernal Realm''s reality layer. The moment he landed¡ª His power stabilized. But for one fleeting second¡ª His form changed. Something beyond divinity. Something unfathomable. And his eyes¡ª Began turning violet slowly but surely. Chapter 16: A Completely Overdramatic Zar Chapter 16 - A Completely Overdramatic Zar[You''re really this grateful?] Zar clutched his chest as if he had just received the greatest blessing in existence. "Of course! If you had unsealed my realm from the start¡ªI would''ve died from social death!" He shuddered dramatically, his eyes glistening with exaggerated emotion. "Do you have any idea what it would''ve been like? Wielding all this godly potential while having a uncontrolled power? I would have been a joke! A meme! A cautionary tale for all future beings of power!" The System remained silent, unimpressed. [If you''re really thankful, then kneel in front of me and loudly declare¡ª''I am a Big Smart A.'']** Zar''s face went blank. "...Yeah, no. Nice try." [Tsk.] The System sounded genuinely disappointed. Zar rolled his eyes. He was already getting a headache, and the day had barely started. Deciding to ignore the oh-so-magnanimous entity living rent-free in his existence, he wiped away his nonexistent tears and shifted his focus. "Anyway, show me how my realm has updated. I need to know what changed." A moment later, an interface shimmered into existence before him¡ªexcept this time, it was a deep, royal purple. Zar blinked, his arms crossing instinctively as he turned his gaze toward the System. "...System. Why do you keep changing the color of these interfaces?" he asked in a deadpan tone. There was silence. Then¡ª A sudden, phantom-like smack landed on the back of his head. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ["Mind your own business."] Zar twitched. Hard. He inhaled slowly through his nose. "You¡ª" ["Mind your own business."] The System repeated in the same tone, as if daring him to question it again. "...Right. Fine. Whatever." He sighed, rubbing the back of his head as he turned his attention back to the interface. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Status Interface] Title: Master of Multiverse 9008 Realm: Multiversal God (minor) [97% Sealed (1% Lost)] Authority: Presence of Supreme (98%) Innate Talent: Awakening (Estimated: 2 months) True Form: ?? (Processing...) ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Zar''s eyebrow twitched. He stared at the text for a long moment, his brain buffering like an old computer trying to load a high-resolution video on dial-up internet. "...What the hell is this?" He squinted at the interface, as if looking at it harder would change the words. When that failed, he took a deep breath and spoke in the most polite tone he could muster¡ª "System, would you care to explain?" There was a pause. Then¡ª ["Huh?! You''re talking politely to me? SUS."] Zar''s face twitched. He exhaled through gritted teeth. Just ignore it. Just ignore it... Seeing that he wasn''t going to take the bait, the System finally took on a more serious (but still smug) tone. ["First of all, congratulations on unsealing 3% of your realm!"] Zar raised an eyebrow. That doesn''t sound too bad¡ª ["It''s not much, but at least you haven''t obliterated your reputation by sneezing in front of others."] Zar deadpanned. "...Not funny." ["Oh, come on, it''s a little funny. Imagine it¡ªone sneeze, and entire realms tremble in fear! ''THE LORD OF DESTRUCTION, ALL HAIL THE GREAT ZAR, DESTROYER OF ALL THAT IS STABLE!''"] Zar pinched the bridge of his nose. ["Anyway, moving on. The 1% loss? Yeah, that was me. I took it as payment for reviving Nyxara."] Zar blinked. "Wait. You took a chunk of my power as payment?!" ["Oh, don''t give me that tone! You wanted her back, I delivered. Be grateful I didn''t charge you extra for express service."] Zar blinked. "Wait. You took a chunk of my power as payment?!" ["Oh, don''t start with that tone. You wanted her back, I delivered. Be grateful I didn''t charge extra for express service."] Zar narrowed his eyes. "But you literally said it was a reward for my mission!" ["And? Business policy. Terms and conditions apply."] Zar twitched. "You¡ª" He inhaled sharply, clenching his fists. "You know what? F*ck you." ["Language."] Zar ran a hand down his face, exhaling slowly. "So my power is literally a currency now?" ["For certain things, yes. Look, resurrecting people isn''t exactly a buy-one-get-one-free deal. I had to make an executive decision."] Zar rolled his eyes. "Executive decision, my as*..." The System ignored him and continued. ["Now, onto your authority¡ª98% of the ''Presence of Supreme'' has been unlocked. That''s all you, by the way."] Zar tilted his head. "Wait... I thought that was your doing?" ["Bruh. Do you really think I''d waste my energy helping you flex? That''s your effort, not mine."] "...Fair." Zar''s gaze then landed on the next line¡ª [Innate Talent ¨C Awakening (Estimated: 2 months)] He squinted. "Two months? Why not now?" ["Because it''s directly linked to your realm''s unsealing. The moment it''s fully unsealed, your true form will also be unlocked."] For some reason, the way the System said that ''Two Month'' part sent a shiver down his spine. "...Why did you say that in such a creepy way?" ["No reason."] "...Right?" Zar took a moment to process everything. So far: 1. He had unlocked a tiny bit of his realm. 2. He had lost a tiny bit of his power (thanks to System Tax?). 3. His authority level was increasing. 4. His ''Awakening'' was on a timer. 5. The System was, as usual, being an unhelpful menace. Fantastic. He took another deep breath and rubbed his temples. "Alright. Whatever. I should check on Eterna and Nyxara. I''m sure things have settled down by now." --- Meanwhile, back in the Infernal Realm... Nyxara fortress... Silence. An awkward, suffocating silence lingered between the two sisters as they stood face to face. After a long moment, Nyxara''s voice broke the quiet. "...I''m sorry, Sis." Her tone was barely above a whisper, carrying the weight of guilt that had been festering for far too long. Eterna, without hesitation, suddenly hugged her. "It''s not your fault..." Nyxara''s body stiffened at first, but then, slowly, she hugged her sister back. In the next moment, she pulled Eterna into her consciousness. --- A vast, incomplete world stretched before her, its foundations unstable, its skies fragmented. The colors of reality bled into each other¡ªhues of deep purple and void-like black twisting into swirls, creating an eerie landscape that defied logic. Nyxara stood at the heart of this realm, observing the chaotic scenery with curiosity and confusion. She had never seen a place like this before¡ªa realm in the process of being born yet strangely intertwined with something... foreign. A thick, mist-like energy loomed in the distance, pulsing erratically like a wound that refused to heal. The ground beneath her feet cracked and shifted, sometimes solid, sometimes turning into liquid for mere moments before stabilizing again. She didn''t know why, but something about this place called to her. It wasn''t supposed to exist. Nyxara extended her senses and felt the unmistakable presence of the multiverse itself¡ªnot as a sentient being but as a vast cosmic force attempting to correct an error. Her eyes widened slightly. "The verse... is trying to erase this realm?" She turned her gaze towards the flickering distortion in the distance. A narrow pathway, almost like a tear in space, connected this forming world to somewhere else¡ªsomewhere beyond the reach of this multiverse. Nyxara had encountered countless unstable realms before, but never one like this. The structure was incomplete, yet an outside force had influenced its formation. Cautiously, she moved forward. The realm seemed to react to her presence, trembling slightly with each step she took. "Strange..." For some reason, she felt that she shouldn''t be here. But before she could turn back¡ª A voice, faint yet chilling, whispered from the distorted pathway. "You... have come..." Nyxara''s body tensed immediately, instincts screaming at her. Something wrong was here. She turned swiftly to leave. But the moment she took a step back¡ª Her vision blurred. The world twisted. And then¡ªdarkness. Chapter 17: I Saw Everything! Chapter 17 - I Saw Everything!Play ''Delulu'' By Shania Yan ---------- Nyxara didn''t know how much time had passed. She was drifting. Weightless. Endless. The abyss around her stretched infinitely, yet it was not empty. Something pressed against her mind¡ªnot an entity, not a presence, but something fundamentally wrong. It wasn''t alive. It wasn''t dead. It simply... was. A corruption that had no form, no intelligence, yet slithered into her thoughts like a serpent. At first, it was distant¡ªa quiet hum. But then¡ª It became her own voice. "This power... this strength... it could be yours." "They do not understand. They limit you. Why do you hold yourself back?" "You are meant for more." The whispers wove themselves into her consciousness. They did not demand. They did not control. They simply... suggested. A voice at the back of her mind, always there. Always waiting. And then¡ª Nyxara woke up. When she regained consciousness, she was exactly where she had been before¡ªstanding in the heart of the incomplete realm. But something was different. The distorted pathway¡ªthat strange tear in space¡ªwas gone. Completely sealed by the multiverse''s will. And yet¡ª The realm had stabilized. It was no longer flickering between existence and nothingness. Nyxara staggered slightly, pressing a hand to her forehead. "What... happened?" She scanned her surroundings, searching for anything that could explain the change. But nothing seemed different. Nothing¡ªexcept herself. At first, she dismissed it as fatigue. But in the following days, she began to notice things. Small changes. Shifts in her thoughts. Emotions that felt off. Reactions that felt unnatural. It was so subtle that she almost convinced herself it was nothing. Until the first time she stood before Eterna¡ª And felt a whisper in the back of her mind. "She is in your way." Nyxara froze. The thought was so alien¡ªso unnatural¡ªthat her entire being recoiled. The idea of harming her sister was something she had never once considered. And yet¡ª For a fleeting second¡ª It had felt... logical. She shook her head violently, dismissing it as frustration. But deep down¡ª She knew. Something had changed. And it was only getting worse. The corruption did not control her. It did not force her to act. Instead, it amplified what was already there. Her emotions. Her desires. Her doubts. She became more territorial. More possessive over her power. When disputes arose among the gods, she found herself more aggressive¡ªmore willing to resort to force rather than reason. At first¡ª She fought against it. But then¡ª She realized something horrifying. The corruption was making her stronger. Her power increased. Her control sharpened. And the more she used it¡ª The more natural it felt. And the whispers? They no longer felt foreign. They were her. -------------- The day she and Eterna clashed over dominion rights for a newly formed realm¡ª Was the day she truly understood how far she had fallen. Their argument was not unusual. But for the first time¡ª Nyxara felt a genuine desire to eliminate her sister. Not out of anger. Not out of hatred. Just... because it was efficient. She had the power. Eterna was standing in her way. And removing her? That was simply logical. Her fingers twitched. Her mind was already constructing methods¡ªways to erase Eterna without leaving any trace. And the worst part? It felt right. But then¡ª Something inside her broke. A small, fragile piece of her former self screamed in horror. "What am I thinking...? This is my sister!" Terrified¡ª She turned and fled. She isolated herself. Cut off all contact with the gods. Hoping that by staying away, she could suppress whatever was happening to her. But the corruption only grew stronger. It fed on her isolation. On her silence. And the longer she stayed away¡ª The more she lost herself. Until one day¡ª She was gone. The Nyxara that once was¡ª Vanished. Only the corruption remained. And then¡ª She saw Eterna again. But this time, Eterna was defeated. She was on her knees. Weakened. Vulnerable. And Nyxara¡ª She was enjoying it. No, not just enjoying it¡ª She was waiting to torture her. But then¡ª She felt fear. Not her own. But the corruption''s. Because something else had entered the battlefield. Something greater than the gods. Something that made the corruption tremble. She turned¡ª And he was there. A presence that eclipsed everything. A force beyond gods and realms. And then, she heard his voice. "Don''t you think you''ve lived for too long?" Her entire being shattered at that moment. And then¡ª She was erased. Nyxara had expected nothingness. Oblivion. An end to all things. Instead¡ª She woke up. Surrounded by darkness. A darkness so deep that even if an entire multiverse burned, it would not create even the smallest flicker of light. And then¡ª She saw it. Her own body. Reforming. Piece by piece. She watched it happen¡ª Not from within. But from a distance. As if she were merely a spectator to her own existence. And for the first time in countless eons... She was herself again. Nyxara gasped, pulling away from Eterna as the memory faded. A strange mix of exhaustion and relief coursed through her. But what stood out the most¡ª Was the undeniable warmth in her chest. The warmth of having finally shared her burden. She blinked a few times, adjusting to reality. Then¡ª Her gaze shifted to Eterna. Her sister''s expression was a mess of emotions. Shock. Sadness. Guilt. And something Nyxara couldn''t quite place. A silence hung between them¡ª But it wasn''t the awkward, suffocating silence from before. It was heavier. It carried understanding. Then, Nyxara took a deep breath and sighed. "...I saw everything, you know." Eterna flinched slightly. Eterna looked up, confused. "Everything?" A teasing smirk formed on Nyxara''s lips as she tilted her head. "Yes, everything. Not just my own memories¡ªyours as well." Eterna''s eyes widened slightly as realization struck, but before she could react, Nyxara continued. "I saw how you cried when you thought I was truly gone." Her voice softened, teasing yet touched. "How you hugged our master like some lost little kitten." Eterna''s face instantly flushed red. "W-Wait! You saw¡ª" Nyxara''s smirk grew. "Mhm. I saw how you clung to him like your life depended on it. How you buried your face in his chest, completely forgetting how you usually act all high and mighty." She crossed her arms, pretending to think. "Haa... never thought I''d see the day my proud sister turned into a crybaby." Eterna''s entire body stiffened, her mouth opening and closing like a fish struggling to breathe. "T-That was just because¡ª I mean¡ª I wasn''t¡ª" Nyxara giggled. "No need to explain~ I understand completely. You want our master that much, huh?" Eterna''s blush deepened. "I¡ªI was just emotional!" she spluttered, trying to salvage whatever dignity she had left. But Nyxara wasn''t done. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Oh? And what about when you hugged him after he wiped your tears away?" Eterna''s breath hitched. "Y-You¡ª!" Nyxara grinned, enjoying the rare sight of her sister being this flustered. "And let''s not forget how you hesitated to let go when I called you. You even¡ª" "¡ªTHAT''S ENOUGH!" Eterna suddenly grabbed Nyxara''s shoulders, shaking her slightly as her entire face turned crimson. "Why are you bringing this up?! That was¡ªIt wasn''t¡ªI didn''t¡ª!" Nyxara burst into laughter, finally unable to hold back. "Pfft¡ª! Hahaha! Oh, Sis, your expression right now is golden!" Eterna gritted her teeth, steam practically coming out of her ears. "You¡ª!" Nyxara took a step back, still grinning mischievously. "Oh, don''t worry~ I won''t tell Master that you looked at him like a helpless little¡ª" "¡ªDON''T YOU DARE!" Seeing Eterna this desperate only made Nyxara laugh harder. But then, suddenly¡ª They both froze. A presence was watching them. Slowly, almost mechanically, both sisters turned their heads toward the entrance¡ª S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Only to see Zar. Standing there. Watching them. With an amused expression. For a second, time seemed to stop. Then¡ª Like a dam breaking, both of them turned completely red in embarrassment. Nyxara''s mischievous smirk vanished instantly, replaced by a funny but shy look. Eterna, already red from earlier, somehow managed to become even redder. And then¡ª Zar laughed. "You two..." he chuckled, shaking his head, "...really are something else." Nyxara opened her mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again. Then shut it tight, realizing that nothing she could say would save them from this moment. Eterna, on the other hand, looked like she wanted to dig a hole in the ground and disappear forever. And as Zar casually walked away, still chuckling¡ª Nyxara turned to Eterna with a sly grin. "Sooooo," she drawled, "you think he heard everything?" Eterna, without hesitation, grabbed a pillow from nearby and smacked Nyxara with it. "DON''T. SAY. A WORD!" Nyxara, still laughing, dodged the second pillow. "Oh, don''t worry, dear sister, your secret is mostly safe with me." Eterna glared. "Mostly?!" Nyxara winked. "Well, I do need some leverage for later~." Eterna groaned into her hands. "I hate you." Nyxara patted her on the shoulder. "Love you too, Sis~!" Chapter 18: Eternium Sanctum Chapter 18 - Eternium SanctumPlay ''Love Story'' {Discord- .gg/2sM5QrxBtS} -------- Nyxara patted Eterna''s shoulder with a teasing smile. "Love you too, Sis~!" Just as Eterna let out a dramatic sigh, trying to compose herself, a familiar voice cut through their moment. "Oh? What''s this? Sisterly bonding? Now that''s a rare sight." Both sisters flinched. Nyxara''s hand froze mid-pat. Eterna, already flustered, stiffened as if caught red-handed. Slowly, they turned. Standing there, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with unmistakable amusement¡ªwas Zar. The silence was so intense that one could hear the fabric of reality awkwardly shuffling its feet. Nyxara, the quicker of the two, attempted to recover. "Ah, Master! You''re back! That was¡ªuh¡ªfast!" Eterna, however, was too stunned to speak. She could still feel the residual heat of her embarrassment burning her entire existence. Zar chuckled, stepping forward. "Oh, don''t mind me. I just happened to remember something important I wanted to give you two." Zar reached into his coat, pulling out two radiant crystals. They pulsed with a soft, ethereal glow, refracting light like tiny galaxies trapped within. "Here," he said, handing one to each of them with a smirk. "A little something for you two." Eterna and Nyxara exchanged confused looks before turning their attention back to him. "What is this?" Eterna finally asked, tilting the crystal in her palm, watching as it refracted the surrounding light in mesmerizing patterns. Zar chuckled, his golden-purple eyes gleaming mischievously. "Try channeling a bit of your divine power into it." The sisters did as instructed. The moment their divine energy flowed into the crystal¡ª Their souls nearly left their bodies. The space around them shimmered, and suddenly, a perfect projection played before their eyes¡ªa vivid recording of their recent conversation. At Last. Nyxara''s teasing voice echoed: "Love you too, Sis~!" Followed immediately by Eterna''s sharp gasp of realization and Nyxara''s equally horrified whisper: "He was here the whole time, wasn''t he?" "...¡ªYes. Yes, he was." Their faces turned pale. Then red. Then an even deeper shade of red. They stood frozen, completely statue-like, as the reality of what had just happened sank in. Zar sighed, rubbing his temple. "Relax. No one else is ever going to see this. These crystals are for you to keep as a... memory of today''s incident." His eyes gleamed with amusement. "Think of it as a keepsake." The two goddesses turned to him slowly, their expressions unreadable. "You..." Nyxara began, her voice a mix of disbelief and mild horror. "You actually recorded it?" Eterna finished, her fingers twitching. Zar simply gave them a knowing smirk. A long, very tense silence filled the air. Then, without waiting for more reactions, he waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, enough sulking. Time to move. Eterna, take Nyxara back to my palace, as I said. Explain everything to her on the way to the Eternium Sanctum." His voice turned casual. "Make sure she understands." With that, he teleported away, vanishing into a ripple of purple energy. As Zar vanished from sight, Eterna and Nyxara, now left to themselves, exchanged glances before Eterna gestured toward the space, summoning a radiant pathway of divine energy beneath their feet. The celestial bridge shimmered with hues of gold and silver, weaving through the vast cosmic expanse as it stretched toward Eternium Sanctum, an ancient and enigmatic place that few had ever seen up close. As they stepped onto the path, the air around them carried a charged stillness¡ªan anticipation that neither of them could ignore. Nyxara, her raven -black hair cascading behind her, walked with a calm yet inquisitive expression. Her deep amethyst eyes held a flicker of curiosity as she glanced toward Eterna. "You know," she began, her voice smooth but contemplative, "our master is truly a remarkable one." She let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "To think he would gift us a crystal just to keep today''s memories... I never expected such sentimentality from him." S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eterna, walking beside her, nodded but remained silent for a few moments. Unlike Nyxara, whose aura held an air of mystery, Eterna radiated an almost celestial grace¡ªher silver-black robes flowing effortlessly as if woven from the very fabric of life and death itself. Nyxara took another step forward, her gaze now focused on the endless expanse ahead. Then, with a curious tilt of her head, she turned back to Eterna. "Well then, tell me. What exactly is Eternium Sanctum?" she asked, her tone carrying a mixture of genuine intrigue and mild skepticism. Eterna glanced at her, a hint of nostalgia flashing in her golden eyes. "When you chose to leave the divine realms, Nyxara," Eterna began, her voice carrying the weight of millennia, "you left behind more than just your title. You left behind a time of relative peace. But a millennium after your departure, a disturbance rippled through the Nexus Verse¡ªsomething none of us could ignore." Nyxara narrowed her eyes slightly. "A disturbance?" Eterna nodded. "The Wall of Dominion, which had remained dormant since its creation, suddenly... activated. It was as if something deep within it had awoken. An inscription appeared upon its surface¡ªwords none of us had ever seen before." Nyxara''s brows furrowed. "What did it say?" Eterna''s voice lowered, almost reverent as she recited: "From the depths where silence sleeps, A whisper stirs, the cosmos weeps. A name unspoken, carved in fate, Beyond all time, He lies in wait. The stars align, the Wall now sings, A symphony for gods and kings. The Sanctum stirs, the Veil undone, The Verse shall bow¡ªHe soon shall come." A heavy silence followed. The only soundwas the gentle hum of the celestial bridge beneath their feet. Nyxara''s expression remained unreadable, but a flicker of recognition passed through her eyes. "So the Wall of Dominion... is the boundary of this Sanctum?" Nyxara mused, her voice laced with realization. "Exactly," Eterna said, looking at her with a knowing glance. "And you must understand what that means. The Wall of Dominion has only ever been associated with one being¡ªour Master. It marked the edges of what he deemed his domain, but for it to react in such a manner..." She exhaled, shaking her head. "It could only mean one thing. He was revealing himself to us for the first time." Nyxara remained silent, her fingers idly tracing the crystal that Zar had gifted her earlier. Her mind raced through the implications, through the history she had chosen to leave behind. "And then?" she finally asked. Eterna''s expression darkened slightly. "And then... we waited. Another millennium passed before the Sanctum itself allowed entry." Nyxara''s gaze flickered toward her companion, noticing the shift in her tone. "You say that as if stepping inside wasn''t the end of it," Nyxara remarked, crossing her arms. Eterna smirked. "That''s because it wasn''t. What we found inside..." She trailed off, letting the air between them thicken with unspoken weight. Nyxara raised an eyebrow. "Don''t keep me in suspense, Eterna. What did you see?" Eterna turned to her, her golden eyes glowing faintly as she whispered¡ª {What are you thinking? Am I gonna give my readers a spoiler? Nah... (¡ã^¡ã)! } --- Back in the Sanctum Zar casually conversed with his system as he strolled through the ethereal halls of his domain. "So, what can I buy from the shop function?" he asked, stretching his arms. His system responded in a business-like tone. ["That depends on your power level, dear customer. Our inventory is updated based on your growth. The stronger you are, the greater the selection."] Zar sighed. "You''re really acting like a merchant now?" ["Well, you did unlock the Shop Function, didn''t you?"] the system chimed smugly. A golden text box hovered before him, displaying a system message: [Congratulations! You have unlocked a new function: "Shop"! You can now access various items, tools, and relics for purchase!] Zar exhaled through his nose. "Yeah, yeah. I''ll check it later." Chapter 19: Kairos Eternis Chapter 19 - Kairos EternisPlay ''Life Force'' ----------- The grand hall rippled with power as Zar stepped inside. It wasn''t just a mere entry¡ªit was an arrival. The very air stilled, as if the entire realm recognized his presence. Shadows stretched and bent in unnatural ways, and the ambient energy within the hall twisted subtly, bending towards him like an unseen force was acknowledging his authority. With every step forward, the floor beneath his feet shimmered like liquid obsidian, reflecting faint echoes of countless realities. His Flex Authority was active, not as a conscious display, but as a natural extension of who he was. He didn''t command attention. He simply had it. Then¡ªsomething began to form. A throne. Not just any throne. His throne. It manifested slowly, swirling into existence with a controlled grandeur that seemed neither rushed nor forced. The material was paradoxical¡ªboth solid and intangible. A fusion of celestial gold and abyssal black, shifting like a mirage between states of being. The armrests, lined with intricate sigils, pulsed with a subtle glow¡ªa heartbeat of absolute dominion. Above it, a halo of ethereal flame burned silently, uncorrupted, untouched, unwavering. And at its base, shadows stirred. Not just ordinary shadows, but living entities, tendrils of pure void that waited. For him. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zar took his time, his movements unhurried yet inevitable. With a mere flicker of intent, the throne adjusted¡ªaccommodating him perfectly. The moment he sat¡ª Power settled. It wasn''t loud. It wasn''t forceful. It was absolute. The air trembled, and for a moment, even the concept of sound seemed to hesitate, as if reality itself was waiting for his command. Then¡ªthey moved. Two figures stepped forward. They did not walk as rulers. They did not approach as equals. They knelt. Noctis, The god of illumination and Darkness and Aetherion, The God of Time and Space¡ªTwo of the Strongest Gods in the Multiverse¡ªBowed Before Him. Aetherion, composed as ever, lifted his gaze slightly, his sharp features betraying no unnecessary emotion. Yet, the weight behind his words was unmistakable. "There is... an anomaly." Zar did not react. Aetherion continued, voice calm yet laced with the gravity of something far beyond simple disturbances. "A disturbance rippling through the Multiverse." Still, Zar remained unbothered. (Yeah, no sh*t. I''m the one who did it.) Aetherion''s gaze lingered for a moment before he pressed on. "It''s as if the Multiverse itself is... competing with something." A pause. Zar nodded absently, almost as if half-listening. Then¡ªVaelora The goddess of Fate and Destiny. She stepped forward, her movements deliberate, precise. Her piercing gaze held knowledge, something deeper than mere concern. "The Multiversal Consciousness is calling all the gods to Kairos Eternis." That caught his interest. For a brief moment, his relaxed posture straightened ever so slightly. (Now this is what I call news.) His mind began running through possibilities, calculations forming in the back of his head. He had questions. A lot of them. But just as he was about to ask the System. A bored sigh echoed in his mind. [Oh, I know what you''re about to ask.] Zar froze mid-thought. That voice. That lazy, deadpan voice. The System''s tone was so unenthusiastic it felt like it had been explaining this a thousand times already. [What''s Kairos Eternis? Why is the Multiverse calling? Blah, blah¡ªlet me save you the trouble. It''s literally the personality of this Multiverse¡ª] "Who was asking?" Zar cut in immediately. A perfect, instant counter. Silence. The System paused. That smug grin on Zar''s face was infuriating. "I was just checking out the shop function." Another long, dead silence. A silence so absolute it almost felt like the System was genuinely considering whether to ignore him entirely. [...Bullsh*t.] Zar just shrugged. Unfazed. "Believe what you want." The System''s tone flatlined. [Alright, then. If you weren''t asking about Kairos Eternis, what exactly were you trying to ask?] Zar, already expecting this exact question, kept his tone deliberately casual. "I was asking if I still have any Polyx left after I paid for that recording crystal back with the Nyxara and Eterna incident." The System, now genuinely confused, hesitated before answering. [...You have about 80%.] Zar nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now go ahead and tell me about that Consciousness thing." Silence. A long, drawn-out silence so heavy it felt tangible. Then¡ª The System''s voice, flat with disbelief, lingered in the air. [You shameless b*stard.] Zar, reclining lazily on his throne, smirked like a man who had just pulled off the most effortless con in existence. "I don''t know what you''re talking about," he said, mock innocence dripping from his voice. The System sighed. Loudly. [Forget it.] Zar stretched, pretending to yawn. "Anyway, so tell me about this whole ''Multiversal Consciousness'' thing." A pause. Then¡ª Silence. Heavy silence. Zar blinked. "...Hello?" Nothing. He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, fine. I''m sorry. Now tell me." [Good. And don''t say sorry.] Zar frowned. "Why?" [Because I was enjoying the back-and-forth. Don''t ruin it by apologizing.] Zar raised an eyebrow. Was the System... actually playing along? Before he could comment on it, the System continued in its usual tone¡ªhalf-bored, half-exasperated. [Kairos Eternis. It''s where the personality of this Multiverse resides.] Zar''s relaxed expression vanished. His mind froze for a second. "...Personality?" The System was already prepared. [Yes. It''s exactly what you think.] Zar leaned forward, processing the implications. Then, slowly¡ª "...What the hell? So this Multiverse actually has a will of its own?" The System hummed. [Not all Multiverses do.] That made Zar pause. His gaze sharpened as he ran through everything he had learned so far. Then, realization hit him. "...Wait. So that means¡ª" [Yes.] Zar''s lips curled into a slow grin. "My Multiverse is a rare one, isn''t it?" The System deadpanned. [Yeah, sure.] Zar leaned back, nodding to himself. "So basically, I''m special." [Yeah? Keep telling yourself that.] Zar was about to make another smart remark when the System suddenly added¡ª [Oh, by the way, you''re not invited.] Zar froze mid-thought. His grin twitched. "...What?" [You heard me.] The System''s tone was downright playful now. [All the gods have been summoned to Kairos Eternis. But not you.] A slow, unbelieving blink. Zar processed the words again. Then¡ª "...You''re joking." [Nope.] Zar sat silent for a moment. Then he narrowed his eyes. "...Why?" [You''ll know later.] Zar''s expression darkened. He opened his mouth to argue¡ª And then¡ª He was forcibly ejected from the System''s consciousness. His vision snapped back to reality. The grand hall returned, the weight of the moment pressing down again. Zar sighed heavily and turned his gaze toward Vaelora. "You guys can go," he said, waving a hand dismissively. Vaelora, however, caught something in his tone. She hesitated. "...You''re not coming?" Zar''s smirk wavered slightly. Just as she was about to press the question further¡ª The doors to the hall opened. Two figures entered. Their movements were effortless, carrying the weight of divine presence without even trying. Their aura alone demanded reverence. Nyxara and Eterna. They walked with elegance, their very presence reinforcing their status as goddesses. The hall itself seemed to welcome them. Chapter 20: Playing it Cool Chapter 20 - Playing it CoolPlay ''Hadal Ahbek'' ----------- The divine hall, grand beyond mortal comprehension, hummed with a quiet, expectant tension. It was a rare occasion for gods of such stature to gather like this, and yet, in this moment, their divine eyes were fixed on only one thing¡ªNyxara. A ripple of hushed murmurs spread like wildfire through the gathered gods. Even for those who had lived since the dawn of existence, this scene was beyond expectation. Nyxara, the celestial enigma, the goddess who had long walked her own path, was kneeling before Zar. And not in mere respect. This was something deeper. Reverence. Submission not out of fear, but acknowledgment. Her celestial dress, woven from the very essence of the cosmos, cascaded around her like liquid starlight. The air trembled, as if the divine laws themselves were struggling to comprehend what was happening. The lesser gods, who lacked the wisdom or power to truly grasp the magnitude of this, cast wary glances at one another. The greater gods, whose presence alone could shake the fabric of reality, remained silent. But their eyes? Their eyes watched. Scrutinizing. Calculating. Weighing. Nyxara, however, paid them no mind. She only knelt before Zar, her gaze unwavering, her voice steady despite the monumental weight of her words. "My Lord," she began, the sound a melody of celestial grace and absolute devotion. "I offer myself to whatever punishment you deem fit¡ªfor my failure to present myself when you first arrived." The moment froze. As if time itself hesitated, waiting for Zar''s response. The very fabric of the divine realm tightened, as though straining beneath the sheer weight of her words. Even the gods, who had been silently observing, now turned their full attention toward the unfolding scene. Nyxara, the Goddess of Starlit Eternity, had abandoned the divine realms long ago. And now¡ªwithout hesitation, without resistance¡ªshe had knelt before Zar. Zar, lounging far too casually on his throne, simply blinked. Then he tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly. "...Punishment?" A beat of silence. Nyxara''s head remained lowered. "Yes, my Lord." Zar frowned, looking genuinely confused. "For what?" She raised her head slightly, her cosmic gaze meeting his. "For not being present when you first arrived." Zar stared. Then, after a moment¡ª A slow, deliberate blink. "...When did I ever say I expected anyone to be there?" Nyxara, for the first time, hesitated. "But¡ª" Zar waved a hand lazily. "No, no, I get it. You''re dramatic. But I never actually asked anyone to be waiting for me." Nyxara''s celestial expression barely changed¡ªbut a flicker of something undeniably stubborn passed through her gaze. "...That does not matter. It was my duty." Zar sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, look, if you wanna argue about it, then let''s just say I already gave you your punishment." Nyxara blinked. "...When?" Zar smirked. Nyxara''s celestial mind raced. Then¡ª Her eyes widened. Before she could say a word, Vaelora suddenly stepped forward. She hesitated. Her fingers tensed, her celestial form quivering ever so slightly in the presence of what she was about to reveal. Finally¡ªshe gritted her teeth. And then, carefully, she spoke. "Master..." Her voice was controlled, but there was an undeniable tremor beneath it. "...Forgive my interruption. But¡ª" she paused, inhaling sharply, "I cannot feel any past connection between Nyxara and this Multiverse." The entire hall stilled. It was like reality itself had stopped breathing. A ripple of pure shock ran through the gathered gods. The lesser gods, though unaware of the true significance, shrank back at the palpable tension. But the main gods? Their divine gazes snapped toward Nyxara in utter disbelief. Because what Vaelora had just said¡ª Should not be possible. Ever. Every god, regardless of their domain, was eternally bound to the fabric of their Multiverse. The only known way to sever that connection... Was to imprison them in the Vault of Eternal Confinement. And Nyxara had never been imprisoned. Yet¡ª Her past connection was gone. Every god present felt an unnatural weight settle over them. And in the middle of it all¡ª Zar was just sitting there. Completely calm. And then, as if this entire situation was nothing worth fussing over, he said¡ª "Oh, that? Yeah, that was part of her punishment." The words, spoken so casually, hit the divine hall like a detonation. The gods, regardless of their rank, stiffened. Vaelora, in particular, froze. Her mind, an endless weave of Fate and Destiny, strained to make sense of the impossibility before her. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "...Master." She forced herself to meet his gaze. "What... exactly did you do?" Before Zar could respond¡ª A deep, measured voice cut through the silence. Ignis. The God of Cosmic Flames. Humble, yet unyielding. He lowered his head slightly, showing his deep respect¡ªbut his curiosity was undeniable. "If I may ask, Lord Zar... What punishment did you give to Nyxara?" Zar leaned back, eyes flicking lazily toward Ignis. Then, in the most casual, offhand tone possible, he said¡ª "Nothing much. I just erased her from existence." Silence. Pure, unfiltered silence. If the hall had stilled before¡ªnow it had collapsed into absolute stillness. Every god, regardless of power, froze. Even time itself seemed to halt, as if it, too, needed a moment to process what had just been said. Zar, meanwhile, was completely relaxed. Only two gods remained unfazed. Nyxara. And Eterna. The rest? Their minds were in utter chaos. Aetherion. Ignis. Vaelora. Zephiron. Noctis. All five of them¡ªbeings who had stood at the absolute pinnacle of divine existence for eons¡ª Spoke at the same time. "WHAT!?" Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The sheer force of their reaction try to shook the divine hall itself but didn''t succeed. Zar, unfazed, simply tilted his head. "...What?" Their divine eyes burned with disbelief. Aetherion, his composed nature nearly shattered, forced himself to speak. "Y-You..." He exhaled sharply. "Erased her from existence!?" Zar raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?" Ignis, the ever-calm, visibly struggled. "But... she''s right here." Zar waved lazily. "Yeah, I resurrected her." Silence. Then¡ª "WHAT!?" Zar sighed, stretching his arms above his head. "You guys are acting like it''s a big deal." The gods, their minds spiraling, couldn''t decide if they were more horrified, confused, or awestruck. Nyxara, meanwhile, simply smiled. And Eterna? She just chuckled. Chapter 21: System, A piece of !!!! Chapter 21 - System, A piece of !!!!The divine hall remained eerily silent, its once vibrant and commanding presence subdued by an overwhelming sense of disbelief. Even gods¡ªbeings who had seen the birth and death of stars, who had woven the very fabric of existence¡ªstood frozen, their minds struggling to grasp the weight of Zar''s words. It was beyond absurd. Aetherion''s expression twitched violently, his normally unshakable composure breaking as he tried¡ªand failed¡ªto make sense of the situation. Vaelora, the goddess of fate, looked genuinely disturbed. Not confused, not intrigued¡ªdisturbed. Ignis had gone completely silent. A rare event. Zephiron and Noctis? Still frozen, their divine eyes staring blankly at Zar, questioning the nature of reality itself. But as absurd as it all was, none of them questioned Zar directly. Not yet. Because standing amidst the chaos, there were two figures who had not reacted at all. Nyxara. Eterna. At first, they seemed unaffected. Calm. Unbothered. But then¡ªZar saw it. A shift in their expressions. A moment of realization. Their bodies, their divine essence¡ªstiffened. Something had just struck them. Something crucial. Something... they had completely overlooked. The cost of resurrection. To return someone from absolute nothingness¡ªthere had to be an exchange. And neither of them had thought to ask. The weight of that truth crashed down on them like an unstoppable cosmic force. Nyxara''s celestial gaze wavered. Eterna''s cosmic presence trembled. A cold, unsettling silence followed. Then¡ª "...What did you sacrifice?" Nyxara''s voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of an unspoken demand. The words hung in the air, and for a moment, the entire divine hall stood still. Even the gods, who had barely begun recovering from their previous shock, turned their attention back to Zar. Aetherion''s gaze sharpened. Vaelora''s fingers curled ever so slightly, as if she were trying to grasp the threads of fate, searching for an answer. Before their speculation could spiral into something even more chaotic, Zar casually raised a hand. "Ahh, let''s not get too caught up in this." His voice was light. Too light. He waved a hand, brushing the entire topic aside as if it were nothing more than an insignificant detail. "Just think of it as a simple trade." (Yeah, a fraud trade with my system) Simple trade? A SIMPLE TRADE?! The gods almost choked on their divinity. There was no such thing as a "simple trade" when it came to erasing someone''s existence and then bringing them back. Zar had just rewritten reality, defied the natural laws of the multiverse, and the only thing he had to say about it was¡ª ''Just think of it as a simple trade?!'' The sheer absurdity of it left them all speechless. Yet before anyone could argue, Zar continued, his tone almost dismissive. "And besides, you all should know this by now¡ª" he gestured vaguely, his golden eyes glinting with an unreadable expression, "This isn''t the only multiverse. There are countless others. What''s done is done." The words¡ªthough spoken carelessly¡ªcarried a weight that none of them could ignore. It was true. The Nexus verse was vast. Unfathomably so. But for Zar to mention it now¡ª It felt as if he was implying something much, much deeper. Something far beyond their understanding. Aetherion frowned. "You make it sound as if this was nothing." Zar simply shrugged. "It''s done. No point talking about it." The gods hesitated. It didn''t make sense. But arguing against Zar''s logic was pointless. A heavy sigh rippled through the divine gathering. "...Very well." And with that, the gods finally accepted what they could not comprehend. The focus returned to their original purpose. Kairos Eternis. It was time. One by one, the gods gave their final acknowledgment to Zar, their expressions a mixture of respect, wariness, and uncertainty. Then¡ªone by one¡ªthey departed. Or so it should have been. Because just as the hall fell into silence... A voice broke it. A soft, yet firm voice. "...My Lord." Zar''s golden gaze flickered toward the source. Vaelora, the Goddess of Fate, stood before him. Her radiant, golden eyes¡ªcapable of perceiving past, present, and possible futures¡ªlocked onto his. "...Why are you not coming with us?" For the first time, the hall felt heavier. It was a simple question. Yet the weight behind it was immense. Zar smiled. A calm, knowing, almost amused smile. Inwardly? (I DON''T KNOW!) There was no real reason. Or maybe there was. Or maybe... he just didn''t want to say it. The gods exchanged glances, trying to decipher his reasoning. Slowly... a conclusion formed in their minds. The Exchange. Whatever price Zar had paid, they assumed¡ªperhaps it was something that prevented him from going to Kairos Eternis for this time. Perhaps that was why he stayed behind. One by one, they lowered their heads in silent respect. And then, one by one¡ªthey departed. All except one. Zar blinked as he noticed that Nyxara was still standing there. "...Uh¡ªwhy are you still here?" Nyxara''s celestial form shimmered slightly. She looked hesitant. Yet there was determination in her gaze. She took a slow breath. Then, softly¡ª "I wanted to say..." She paused. Her voice, despite its usual divine grace, felt almost... uncertain. Then, with a deep breath¡ª "...I''m sorry." Zar''s expression barely changed, but his golden eyes narrowed slightly. "For what?" Nyxara lowered her gaze for a brief moment. Then, with quiet resolve¡ª "...For your loss, Master." Her voice was gentle. Yet it carried the weight of regret. Regret... because of her. Zar sat comfortably on his throne, watching as Nyxara stood before him, her celestial form shimmering softly. Her words lingered in the air, heavy with emotion. "I will do whatever it takes to repay you." Zar''s mind stalled for a brief moment. Something about that statement felt wrong. Not in a bad way¡ªbut in an incredibly, dangerously, impossibly inappropriate way. ''Wait, wait, why does this sound so suspicious?!'' He barely had time to process it before his mouth instinctively opened to respond¡ª And that was the exact moment everything went horribly wrong. Right as he was about to speak¡ª The System interfered. Like a mischievous trickster!, it hijacked his words at the last second. And instead of saying something logical, reasonable, and sane¡ª His voice, completely beyond his control, said the following words instead: "You could become my maid." Silence. The divine hall froze. Zar''s mind? Crashed. His very existence momentarily ceased as he tried to comprehend WHAT. HE. JUST. SAID. The world around him blurred as he processed the situation at an agonizingly slow speed. And then¡ª Inside his mind, an eruption. ''SYSTEM, YOU B*STARD!!!'' The mental scream that followed was not just a scream¡ª It was pure, undiluted cosmic rage. The System, however, was absolutely delighted. ["Oh, come on, Zar, lighten up! That was GOLDEN!"] ''YOU PIECE OF¡ª!!!'' Before Zar could finish mentally strangling the System, he heard something¡ª A soft intake of breath. A faint shiver in the air. His instincts screamed at him to NOT LOOK. And yet¡ª Like a fool¡ª Like someone who had just spoken the most ridiculous sentence in divine history¡ª He looked up. And that''s when he saw it. Nyxara. Blushing. Her celestial glow had taken on a slightly pink hue. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her lips parted slightly, as if she was processing his words in real time. And then¡ª She spoke. "Yes." Zar''s heart stopped. NO. NO NO NO. SHE DID NOT JUST SAY THAT. And then, with a graceful bow, she sealed his fate. "...As you wish, Master." --- Zar.exe has stopped working. Rebooting... Processing the absolute catastrophe that just unfolded... Several million divine calculations ran through his brain at once. He tried to form words. Nothing came out. He was now standing at the peak of absurdity itself. At this point, his choices were LIMITED. 1. Deny everything. 2. Deny everything harder. 3. Run away. 4. Burn the multiverse and start over. Regrettably, none of these were viable. So, he did what any reasonable person would do. He backtracked. "W-Wait, you don''t have to take my words seriously! I was just saying¡ª" Nyxara cut him off immediately. "No," she said firmly. "I have already made up my mind." (''WHY. WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?!'') Zar''s soul nearly left his body. He had no idea how to respond. So, in a moment of pure resignation, he sighed. "...Fine. Do as you wish." Nyxara smiled. A genuine smile. One that made Zar feel even more conflicted. And then, with a respectful bow, she turned and left the hall. Her radiant figure disappeared beyond the massive doors, leaving behind an overwhelming silence. For several long moments, nothing happened. No sound. No movement. Just the echo of the absolute insanity that had just transpired. And then¡ª A single, amused voice rang out in his mind. ["Now, how was that, Zar?"] The System''s tone dripped with mockery. Zar''s expression did not change. A slow, calm, eerie smile formed on his lips. A smile that made the System visibly panic. ["...Wait.. Wait..No.. Sh*t!!"] Because at that moment¡ª The System realized. It had just made a terrible mistake. Because in Nexus Academy, one could bring their subordinates. And the System had just handed Zar one on a silver platter. Chapter 22: The Fraudulent Businessman and the Gullible Customer Chapter 22 - The Fraudulent Businessman and the Gullible Customer["...Wait. Wait. No. Shit."] The System had just realized that it screwed up. And Zar? He was smiling. Not just any smile¡ªa victorious, knowing smirk. The kind that screamed: "I just won, and you can''t do anything about it." Leaning back against his throne, he stretched his arms lazily, like a king who had just conquered a kingdom without lifting a finger. Then, in an almost theatrical voice, he said: "Ha ha ha... System, this time, you''ve done me a great service¡ªwithout even taking anything in return." He let his words sink in, savoring the moment. Then, as if to add salt to the wound, he continued: "And you know what? I''ll be generous. I''ll let this whole thing go. In fact, I''m even grateful that you didn''t hijack my words in front of the gods. That would''ve been a disaster." The System, however, did not seem amused. ["Think what you want."] It responded in a flat, deadpan tone. Zar frowned. Something about that lifeless, indifferent tone bugged him. "...Oh, come on, System. It wasn''t that bad." ["Ahh... now what?"] Zar squinted. "Then why are you talking to me like that?" [...] ["...Oi, Zar, are you losing your mind? Who the hell enjoys being talked to the way I talk to you?"] Zar blinked. Then again. His brain stalled. He opened his mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again. Then¡ª "You know... I don''t have any real friends who understand me, so¡ª" ["Hey, hey, man. Stop right there."] The System cut him off immediately. ["Just so you know¡ªI''m straight."] "..." For a second, Zar''s brain completely short-circuited. Then¡ª With genuine outrage, he shouted: "YOU B*STARD! I WAS JUST SHARING MY PAINFUL PAST AND YOU¡ª!!!" ["Moving on!"] The System swiftly changed the topic, acting like Zar had said absolutely nothing of importance. ["Aren''t you forgetting something important?"] Zar, still fuming, clicked his tongue. Then, after a brief moment of thought¡ª "Oh, right. System, can you PLEASE tell me why I wasn''t invited to Kairos Eternis?" He emphasized the word "please." Trying to sound polite. Trying to make it clear: This is serious. Answer properly. The System, however¡ª Did not answer properly. ["I''m NOT gonna say anything."] Zar''s mind whirred, piecing together the suspicious nature of the System''s words. It was so blatantly evasive that his instincts immediately screamed: "I''ve been scammed." And just like that¡ª A very specific thought formed in his mind. A mental image so clear that it felt almost too real. --- Scene: A Run-Down Marketplace in a Shady District The streets were crowded, noisy, and chaotic¡ªa labyrinth of scam artists, desperate traders, and naive customers just waiting to be robbed. And in the middle of this crooked, grimy hellhole¡ª Sat a man. Not just any man. A fraudster. The fraudster. He sat behind a rickety wooden stall, the kind that looked like it would collapse at the first gust of wind. His attire? An over-the-top robe, so luxurious-looking that it screamed: "I am 100% fake, but I want you to think I''m important." His stall? Decorated with questionable merchandise¡ª Glowing trinkets, mysterious scrolls, and "potions" with labels like: "Drink This and Become a God!" "Elixir of Ultimate Immortality!" "1000-Year-Old Wisdom for Only 5 Gold Coins!" It was a masterpiece of deception. For days, the fraudster had been waiting. Watching. Hoping for the perfect idiot to walk in. And then¡ª One day¡ª A dream customer appeared. A man dressed in expensive clothes, carrying a fat pouch of gold. The fraudster immediately perked up. His eyes sparkled with fake kindness. His lips stretched into a gracious, knowing smile. "Ahhh, a wealthy fool! How rare! How precious! A customer sent by the gods themselves!" He rubbed his hands together, already imagining the gold in his pocket. At first, the fraudster sweet-talked the customer. "Ah, my good sir! You have an aura of greatness! A man of your stature should not be wandering these lowly streets. But fear not! You are in the presence of a grand master of the arcane arts!" The customer blinked, intrigued. The fraudster continued, his voice dripping with fake sincerity. "I see a destiny unlike any other! A fate so grand, so extraordinary¡ªah, but wait! There is something... something missing!" The customer leaned in, whispering. "W-What is it? What''s missing?" The fraudster sighed deeply, shaking his head as if burdened with divine wisdom. Then, in a low, dramatic voice, he said: "Power. True power. The kind that only I can grant you!" The customer gulped. He was hooked. And the fraudster knew it. Now came the final move. With an exaggerated wave of his hands, the fraudster pulled out a glowing vial. Inside? Just water with some crushed glow-in-the-dark mushrooms. But he held it up like it was the elixir of the gods themselves. Then, in a hushed whisper, he said: "This... is the legendary Essence of Omnipotence! One sip... and you shall transcend mortality itself!" The customer''s eyes widened. His hands shook. His breath hitched. Then, he threw a massive pouch of gold onto the counter. "I''LL TAKE IT!" The fraudster grinned. He casually took the gold, pretending not to be excited. Then¡ª As the customer drank the glowing water, expecting instant godhood¡ª ...Nothing happened. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Absolutely nothing. For a long, awkward moment¡ª The customer just stood there. Waiting. Then¡ª Slowly¡ª He looked back at the fraudster. His expression? Dawning horror. "W-Wait... I don''t feel any different..." The fraudster, already counting his gold, looked up and smiled. "Ah, yes! That is the beauty of it! The power is growing inside you! Slowly! Give it time! Maybe a hundred years!" The customer froze. Then, with sudden realization¡ª "WAIT. WAIT. NO. SHIT." The fraudster? He was already gone. ----- Zar''s mind snapped back to the present. His entire body stiffened. His expression darkened. And then¡ª His blood pressure spiked. Because he had just realized something horrifying. That fool in his imagination? That was him. And the fraudster? The System. This was his damn situation. "...You... Shameless SCAMMER." The System immediately responded: ["Oi, stop."] Its voice was irritated. ["Don''t disrespect me by comparing me to some scam artist."] Zar squinted. The System clearly didn''t like the comparison. But that only confirmed it in Zar''s mind. It knew he was right. He clicked his tongue. "...Tch." The System sighed. Then, before Zar could argue further¡ª ["Whatever. Instead of wasting time arguing, let me just give you a live broadcast of Kairos Eternis."] Zar paused. His irritation faded slightly. And then¡ª His expression shifted. From confusion¡ª To realization. And then, guilt. Slowly, awkwardly, he muttered: "...Sorry." The System? ["Whatever."] And with that¡ª The broadcast began. Silently, both Zar and the System turned their attention to Kairos Eternis, watching as the gods made their way toward their destination. Chapter 23: Elythros. Chapter 23 - Elythros.Play ''Love is gone'' Acoustic version. And a Notice, Mc pic is uploaded in Discord. Here the Link - .gg/2sM5QrxBtS Join now!!. ------- There were places in existence where reality functioned as expected. Planets orbited stars. Time moved forward. Space remained stable. The laws of logic and reason provided a foundation upon which existence thrived. Kairos Eternis was not one of those places. The very moment the gods crossed the threshold into this paradoxical realm, reality collapsed and rebuilt itself in the same breath. Time became an uncertain concept, unraveling and rewinding in fragments, as though existence itself was hesitating, unsure whether to move forward or backward. Space folded inward, yet also expanded infinitely outward, a contradiction that should not be possible, yet simply was. And despite it all¡ªthis place existed. Aetherion stepped forward, adjusting his stance as the strange forces of Kairos Eternis pressed against his very being. His gaze lifted toward the entity that stood at the heart of this place. Not a throne. Not a temple. Not a pillar of cosmic law. But Elythros. A tree¡ªif it could even be called that¡ªwoven from the very essence of the Multiverse itself. Its colossal trunk was not of bark nor wood, but a fusion of infinite galaxies stacked upon one another, their celestial forms twisting and rotating in impossible configurations. Within its vast structure, countless worlds flickered in and out of existence, some thriving with vibrant civilizations, others fading into the silence of cosmic death. Its branches stretched endlessly, extending into unseen realms, bearing entire universes as their fruit. From afar, it resembled an intricate fractal of infinite realities spiraling outward, a cosmic pattern beyond mortal comprehension. Suspended around Elythros, like sacred islands in the void, were countless worlds. Some bore the remnants of ancient civilizations, their ruins whispering secrets of forgotten empires. Others burned with the energy of freshly ignited stars, creation unfolding in brilliant, chaotic splendor. Some worlds existed in a constant state of flux, their landscapes shifting and reforming as though the laws of physics could not decide their final shape. And yet, in the midst of all this paradoxical madness, Elythros stood firm¡ªa silent guardian of all that was, is, and could be. Aetherion narrowed his eyes, his sharp mind analyzing every detail. He exhaled. "Hmph. This place still makes no sense." From beside him, Ignis let out a dry chuckle, arms crossed. "Neither do you, and yet we tolerate you." Aetherion''s gaze shifted toward him, his expression deadpan. "At least I possess a functioning brain, unlike a certain fire-for-brains barbarian." Ignis scoffed, his crimson aura flaring, flames licking at the edges of his form. "Say that again. I dare you." Aetherion merely adjusted his glasses¡ªglasses that had no reason to exist at their level of reality, yet somehow, he still had them. "Oh? I apologize. Would you prefer if I used smaller words?" Ignis'' flames flared dangerously. "You son of a¡ª" "Enough, both of you." The voice was gentle, yet absolute, like the quiet command of a sister who assumes a maternal tone to silence the squabbles of her elder brothers. Eterna stepped forward, her every movement carrying an effortless grace, as though the chaotic nature of Kairos Eternis had no effect on her. Where the others struggled to grasp the logic of this place, she seemed to belong within it. As though she understood something they did not. Behind her, Nyxara had gone silent. Her mind was not on the grand splendor of Elythros. No. Her fingers brushed against her lips absentmindedly. Her mind replayed a moment from earlier. A voice echoed in her thoughts. ''Yes, as you wish, master.'' Her entire body burned as the words repeated in her mind. "What the hell was that?! Why did I say that?!" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She shook her head violently. "Forget it! Forget it! Forget it!" But no matter how hard she tried, she could still hear his voice. ''You could become my maid.'' Her fingers curled into fists. Her body trembled. Not from anger. Not from embarrassment. Not even from frustration. She refused to acknowledge what it actually was. --- As they moved deeper into the paradox, Vaelora stepped beside Eterna, her expression unreadable. Eterna cast her a glance before voicing the question that had been weighing upon them all. "Do you have any idea why the Consciousness summoned us here?" Her voice remained calm¡ªbut beneath it lay an undeniable weight. Kairos Eternis was not a place they were meant to enter. Since the dawn of the Multiverse, they had only set foot here once. One million years ago. And after that? Nothing. Until now. Vaelora exhaled, her golden eyes scanning the impossible vastness around them. Her voice was measured, careful. "I don''t know. But let''s find out." Meanwhile... Aetherion and Ignis Continue Being Themselves A thin, imperceptible barrier surrounded the gods, shielding their interactions from lesser deities and outsiders. To any onlooker, it appeared to be a solemn gathering of divine beings, contemplating the mysteries of existence. Inside the barrier? Pure chaos. Ignis smirked. "Tell me, oh wise Aetherion, does your so-called superior brain need me to explain what a joke is?" Aetherion crossed his arms. "I understand what a joke is. I simply do not acknowledge yours as one." Ignis rolled his eyes. "Oh, I see. You must be one of those people who find algebra equations funny." Aetherion smirked. "Only when the answer is ''Ignis is a fool.''" Ignis cracked his knuckles. "You really want me to break something, don''t you?" Aetherion sighed. "I was merely testing if you had a functioning brain." "ENOUGH." Eterna sighed, while Vaelora looked genuinely tempted to erase them both. A short distance from the main group, Noctis leaned against an unseen force, watching the ridiculous spectacle unfold. In his hands? A bowl of popcorn. Beside him, Zephiron took a handful and popped it into his mouth. Noctis smirked. "This... this is what we call cinema." Zephiron chuckled. "That''s why I''m looking forward to the Games." The two shared a knowing laugh as Ignis and Aetherion continued their absurd bickering. Noctis tossed another piece of popcorn into his mouth. "Either way, I''m entertained." Zephiron raised his popcorn like a toast. "To divine stupidity." Noctis grinned. "To divine stupidity." They clinked their popcorn together, as if they were scholars toasting over some grand cosmic philosophy. But, Then¡ª The air shifted. A presence unlike anything before pressed down upon them. The fabric of existence rippled. A voice¡ªmajestic, vast, absolute¡ªechoed through the void, shaking reality itself. "WELCOME." It did not belong to the Consciousness. It belonged to the only Guardian of Elythros. Chapter 24: Elythros’s Altar Chapter 24 - Elythros''s AltarPlay ''Krishna Krish FLute'' (recommended for sleep) *Pics in discord ----- A radiant golden gateway stood before them, its edges pulsating with the essence of time itself. The gods had barely finished taking in the grandeur of Kairos Eternis when an unfamiliar yet strangely familiar presence emerged before them. Aetherion and the other main gods turned as a figure descended from the higher planes, his aura blending celestial divinity with something more¡ªsomething mechanical. He was tall, his body exuding a regal but relaxed presence. At first glance, he appeared as a god like any other, clad in flowing robes of silver and deep cosmic blue. But what stood out was the quarter of his face, which had the markings of a celestial cyborg¡ªintricate glowing lines of energy traced along its metallic surface, the machinery seamlessly fused with his divine form. The most striking feature was his long, metallic ear on that side of his face, giving him a unique and almost intimidating appearance, yet strangely cool and refined. His gleaming blue eye¡ªthe one embedded within the cybernetic part of his face¡ªscanned over the gathered gods. Then, with a casual grin, he spoke in a friendly tone, like an old friend reunited after an eternity. "Long time no see." His voice carried warmth, despite his strange, half-mechanical visage. "How have things been?" Aetherion, the God of Time and Space, narrowed his golden eyes before smirking. "Hah. Even after all these eons, you still know how to make an entrance, Guardian Of Elythros." Ignis crossed his arms, his aura flickering with faint embers of interest. "Heh, so this is what we were summoned for? A casual chat?" Zephiron, the God of Everstorm, tilted his head slightly. His presence hummed with the energy of storms yet to be unleashed. "Why now, though? What''s causing this summons? Are we here to help with something?" The Celestial Guardian shook his head, his expression shifting to something more serious¡ªbut not in a dire way. "Ah, no, not quite. You were summoned by my master because... well, you know how this verse had started evolving and expanding, right now?" Aetherion exhaled slowly, his eyes glinting with thought. "I did sense a disturbance earlier," he admitted. "Something was shifting... But I couldn''t quite grasp the source." The Guardian smiled knowingly. "Exactly. But before we get to that¡ªtell me, how is your ruler?" Aetherion''s expression sharpened. "Lord?" The others turned to face the Guardian, their curiosity piqued. Eterna, the Goddess of Life and Death, subtly shifted her stance, her divine energy humming at a different frequency. Her voice was calm but carried an edge of suspicion. "Why do you ask?" The Guardian sighed, shaking his head with a slight chuckle. "No need to get all serious, Eterna. I was just asking out of curiosity. You see, the reason this verse is evolving... is because of him." Aetherion''s eyes flickered with revelation, but before he could speak, Ignis finally lost his patience. "Wait, what?!" His flames burned brighter, his confusion and irritation blending together. "What the hell are you saying?" The Guardian raised a metallic eyebrow. "Oh? You all really don''t know?" His voice held genuine surprise. "Tsk. That means your master hasn''t told you anything." Aetherion and the others exchanged glances. The lesser gods, who had accompanied them, murmured amongst themselves, their confusion evident. It wasn''t often that something caught both the Main Gods and their subordinates off guard. The Guardian rubbed the back of his head and sighed. "Well, never mind that. You''ll find out soon enough." He clapped his hands together, changing the topic swiftly. "Anyway, the reason I called you all here today is for something much simpler¡ªan enhancement of your authority and power." Zephiron raised an eyebrow. "Enhancement?" S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Guardian nodded. "Yes. I am here to forge a link between you all and the multiverse itself. From now on, whenever the multiverse crosses a significant threshold, you will receive a power-up automatically." At this, Aetherion let out a rare chuckle. "Finally." He crossed his arms, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction. "I''ve been thinking about this since we first came here one million years ago. But that also means..." He trailed off, a knowing smirk forming on his lips. The Guardian subtly tensed. "Ah¡ªhey, man, keep your voice low," the Guardian whispered quickly. "I told you to keep it a secret!" Aetherion, unfazed, narrowed his gaze. "When will your master finally reveal themselves?" The Guardian hesitated before replying, his voice uncertain. "Uh... My master said they''ll reveal themselves at... some ''games''?" But Aetherion''s expression shifted slightly. His smirk deepened, and he clapped a hand on the Guardian''s shoulder. "Don''t worry. You''ll understand soon enough." The Guardian frowned but let it slide. Instead, he turned to face the gathered gods and gestured for them to follow. "Come with me." The gods followed the Guardian deeper into Kairos Eternis, where the very fabric of reality shimmered like a living entity. The air vibrated with celestial energy, carrying whispers of void itself. As they walked, the lesser gods, who had been listening in silence, began exchanging uncertain glances. Soon, they arrived before an enormous altar, its sheer size enough to humble even the most powerful among them. The structure was carved from a material unlike anything seen before¡ªa fusion of divine crystal and ethereal metal, its surface pulsating with ancient runes that shifted between colors unknown to mortal eyes. For the lesser gods, the altar was almost overwhelming. The moment they laid eyes on it, a surge of power ran through their veins, filling them with a sense of both exhilaration and reverence. The altar wasn''t merely a structure¡ªit was a conduit, a nexus of power woven directly into the multiverse''s core. The Guardian turned to the main gods and gestured toward the altar. "This is for your subordinates," he said smoothly. "They will meditate here and refine their divine essence. The more they align themselves with the evolving verse, the stronger their connection will become." Aetherion and the other main gods observed as the lesser gods stepped forward, one by one. Some hesitated at first, sensing the sheer weight of the altar''s presence. But as soon as they set foot within its sacred boundary, their divine essence stirred. One knelt. A soft, luminescent glow enveloped their form, as if the altar itself was recognizing them. Another closed their eyes, palms pressed to the ground. The energy flowed into them like a tide, reshaping their very being. The once uncertain expressions melted away, replaced with awe as they felt the first traces of power flowing into them¡ªnot forced, but granted. The Guardian gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Now, we begin with you." He turned his attention to the Main Gods and motioned for them to follow him once more. They walked past the first altar and deeper into the sacred realm, where another much grander altar awaited them. This one was not a single structure but a massive formation composed of seven distinct platforms, each one representing a fundamental force of the Nexus Verse. The moment the gods laid eyes on it, they understood¡ªthis was meant for them. Each platform radiated a unique presence: Aetherion''s was a spiraling construct of cosmic silver and violet, reflecting the infinite vastness of Time and Space. Ignis''s was a roaring sea of molten energy, representing the boundless power of All Elements. Noctis''s platform was split in two¡ªone side a radiant white, the other an abyssal black¡ªperfectly balancing the forces of Illumination and Darkness. Eterna''s platform pulsed with the rhythmic essence of Life and Death, resembling an eternal heartbeat frozen in stone. Vaelora''s stood as an intricate network of golden threads woven into the very air¡ªsymbols of Fate and Destiny shifting unpredictably. Zephiron''s platform was an endless storm contained within a single space¡ªEverstorm''s boundless fury and serenity, all at once. Nyxara''s was the most unsettling of them all. A platform of swirling void energy, yet laced with intricate patterns of deep crimson¡ªa representation of pure Destruction. The Guardian spread his arms and spoke. "Each of you will step onto the altar that resonates with your authority. Once inside, you will gain access to new layers of your power¡ªlayers that have remained dormant until now." Aetherion smirked, stepping forward first. "Took you long enough." Without hesitation, he stepped onto his platform. The moment his foot touched the surface, the air around him distorted, warping like a black hole had been summoned. Space itself folded inward for a brief moment before settling. His eyes flickered with an amused gleam. "Hah. I like it." Ignis followed, cracking his knuckles as he approached the molten construct. "Let''s see what you''ve got for me." The moment he stepped onto it, flames erupted around him, but instead of consuming him, they spiraled in intricate motions, forming new patterns along his skin. His power was shifting¡ªrefining. One by one, the gods took their places. Noctis, silent as ever, walked onto his divided platform, his very presence amplifying the contrast between light and dark. The two energies swirled around him but never merged, like two forces forever intertwined yet separate. Eterna exhaled softly before stepping onto her platform. The energy around her pulsed like a heartbeat, waves of creation and decay rippling outward in perfect synchrony. Vaelora, curious but composed, stepped onto her platform. The moment she did, the golden threads of fate began weaving anew, forming patterns even she was having a hard time to decipher. Zephiron smirked, wind crackling around him as he strode onto his storm-forged ground. Thunder rumbled, and for a brief moment, lightning arced between his fingers before dissipating. Finally, it was Nyxara''s turn. As they stepped onto their platform of void and crimson, something... shifted. The Guardian''s eyes narrowed slightly. For the briefest of moments, something flickered across his expression¡ªa hint of intrigue. But before anyone could question it, his demeanor returned to normal. He merely observed, arms crossed, as the altars began their work. One by one, the Main Gods felt the surge of power, their divine essences resonating with the evolving verse. Their very souls were being recalibrated, realigned with the multiverse itself. The Guardian watched in silence, his thoughts hidden behind a composed expression. But in his mind, a single thought echoed. "...Interesting." Chapter 25: The Blooming Chapter 25 - The BloomingJoin discord for Pics* of Characters ---------- "Interesting." The Guardian''s voice faded into the silence of Kairos Eternis. Yet, within that silence, the world itself seemed to hold its breath. Then¡ªreality shifted. Aetherion''s presence surged first, igniting a spectacle of cosmic grandeur. The very fabric of time and space trembled as his authority expanded. An infinite cascade of silver and violet light spilled across the sky, bending the heavens into mesmerizing spirals. Galaxies unraveled, their stars forming intricate patterns, like celestial calligraphy inscribed upon the void. Nebulae blossomed in slow, dreamlike motion, their luminescent tendrils weaving across dimensions unseen. Time fractured¡ªnot in chaos, but in beauty¡ªmirroring endless realities within crystal-clear temporal ripples. One could glimpse distant futures and forgotten pasts, each flickering like reflections upon an infinite ocean of time. Planets spun in reverse, only to accelerate forward once more, dancing to a rhythm dictated by Aetherion''s will. The sky above Kairos Eternis became a grand clockwork masterpiece, its countless gears turning in perfect synchronization with the breath of the multiverse itself. Then, as if answering Aetherion''s call, the next surge erupted. Ignis stepped forward, and with him came a tempest of raw, untamed elements. A symphony of creation and destruction unfolded as the multiversal elements bent to his will. Fire, but not just ordinary fire¡ªethereal blue flames that burned without consuming¡ªrose from the ground like molten rivers. The very essence of metal liquefied and shaped itself into floating constellations, glimmering with cosmic heat. Water, vast and boundless, surged from unseen planes, twisting in endless spirals as it defied gravity. It reflected entire universes upon its surface, flowing through the sky like a living dream. Air became a canvas, painting vibrant auroras that shimmered with impossible colors. Lightning danced through them, crackling in divine resonance. Then came the earth¡ªnot mere rock, but multiversal stone, imbued with the essence of infinite worlds. It pulsed with life, creating mountains that hovered midair, weightless yet eternal. The entire scene was a masterpiece of controlled chaos, a harmonious storm of every element in existence. And then¡ªthe breath of life, and the whisper of death. Eterna exhaled softly, and the multiverse answered her call. Lush emerald fields materialized in the sky, growing from nothingness, blooming with flora unknown to mortal realms. Celestial flowers unfurled their petals, each one containing the essence of an entire ecosystem. Golden rivers of vitality wove through the cosmic expanse, their light pulsing like the heartbeat of creation itself. But intertwined with this beauty was the presence of death¡ªnot as an end, but as a balance. Amidst the bloom of life, shadows stretched long, taking the form of forgotten souls. They did not weep, nor did they rage. They simply were, moving with the wind, returning to the cycle. For every flower that flourished, another petal drifted away¡ªonly to rise again, renewed in an endless dance of existence. From the cradle of life and death, two opposing forces awakened. Noctis, silent and composed, took his step. The moment his foot touched the altar, the cosmos was torn asunder¡ªyet not in destruction, but in revelation. Light and darkness, forever bound yet never merging, painted the heavens. Half the sky became an endless dawn, bathed in the brilliance of celestial radiance. The other half¡ªa void deeper than the concept of night itself, where not even starlight dared to trespass. Between them, a single divide ran, impossibly thin¡ªwhere twilight and abyss coexisted, where existence and nothingness whispered secrets to one another. The balance between them was absolute, a paradox given form. And then, a storm rolled in. Zephiron, God of Everstorm, lifted his gaze, and the winds obeyed. A tempest unlike any other spread its wings across eternity. It was not destruction¡ªit was movement, the breath of the multiverse itself. Gales surged, not as chaotic forces, but as dancers in a grand performance. Lightning, threaded with divine artistry, wove across the heavens like golden veins. Thunder did not roar¡ªit sang, deep and resonant, a sound that seemed to reverberate through the soul. The storm did not rage; it pulsed with a rhythm that felt like the very heartbeat of creation itself. Yet among all these grand displays, Fate wove its own silent melody. Vaelora, Goddess of Fate and Destiny, took her step. The moment she did, golden threads erupted into existence¡ªthin as whispers, yet strong enough to bind the cosmos itself. They stretched endlessly, weaving patterns unseen by mortal comprehension. Some shimmered brightly, paths filled with promise. Others faded, their threads cut short by the weight of unseen choices. The past, present, and future wove together in intricate harmony. Stars moved as she dictated, celestial bodies shifting ever so slightly, adjusting the balance of possibility itself. Destiny was not written¡ªit was crafted, shaped by a force far beyond mere prophecy. And at last, the final presence made itself known. Nyxara, Goddess of Destruction, stepped forward. For the briefest moment¡ªjust an instant¡ªthe entirety of Kairos Eternis vanished for the guardian. Not in ruin, not in decay, but in absolute, incomprehensible absence. The concept of existence itself flickered, as if reality questioned its own purpose. And then¡ªbeauty was born from the void. In the wake of that vanishing moment, destruction did not bring ruin, but transformation. Fragments of lost realities coalesced into new forms. Structures rebuilt themselves, not as they once were, but as something greater. It was destruction, but not as an end. It was destruction as a beginning. Then, as if bound by an unseen force, all of their manifestations converged. The sky twisted, the energies of the gods swirling together. What was once separate now formed something greater¡ªlike petals unfurling, each unique yet part of the whole. A divine flower bloomed, crafted from the essence of every authority present. Each petal carried the power of its creator, yet together, they were one¡ªa singular, breathtaking masterpiece suspended in the heart of Kairos Eternis. The realm itself responded, its very existence becoming more radiant, more alive. As the energy settled, the divine spectacle slowly faded. The gods, now standing upon the altar, felt their power resonating in a way it never had before. Ignis let out a breath, then clenched his fists, flames flickering between his fingers. His expression was one of stunned disbelief. "Guardian... That was beyond incredible. My authority... it surged by 30%." The other main gods nodded in agreement, their eyes alight with newfound understanding. They turned, gazing at their subordinates, who had also undergone their own transformations. Aetherion stepped toward the Guardian, curiosity flickering in his golden eyes. "Guardian, let''s meet tomorrow." The Guardian blinked, confused. "Tomorrow?" Before he could question further, the gods vanished¡ªdisappearing from Kairos Eternis as if they had never been there. The Guardian was left standing alone. A sigh escaped him as he looked toward the vast expanse of space. "Master... at least let them stay longer." He knew there would be no response. There never was. His master never spoke¡ªonly communicated through written messages. And yet, deep within him, he knew. This multiverse was still young¡ªbarely a million years old. He had been there since the beginning, from the moment the void first gave way to existence. His purpose was clear from the moment he awoke. To guard Elythros. To safeguard Kairos Eternis. But soon¡ªsoon, his master''s voice would finally reach him. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He smiled faintly, gazing into the endless stars. "Thank you... Oh great ruler of this verse." Chapter 26: Nah! Chapter 26 - Nah!"Thank you... Oh great ruler of this verse." Zar heard the words. They echoed in the depths of his mind, carrying an unshakable reverence. And yet, in this moment, he barely acknowledged them. Not because they were unimportant, but because his mind was preoccupied¡ªdrowned in something else entirely. Something that left him feeling utterly defeated. To understand why, let''s go back a little earlier... --- The grand, mesmerizing view of Kairos Eternis filled the screen before Zar''s eyes. It was his first time seeing it, and to put it simply¡ªit was stunning. The Elythros, the heart of the multiverse, surrounded by endless cosmic rivers of pure energy. Worlds floated in the infinite expanse, bending and shifting as if guided by unseen hands. The entire place looked less like a physical realm and more like a masterpiece¡ªpainted across the canvas of reality itself. Zar couldn''t help but admire it. "System, this looks beautiful." The System''s voice responded almost immediately, its tone carrying a teasing edge. ["At least your sense of beauty is still normal."] Zar rolled his eyes. He could have responded, but honestly, what was the point? Arguing with the System was like trying to fight the concept of annoyance itself. Instead, he simply ignored the jab and focused on the broadcast. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Gods were arriving at Kairos Eternis. Aetherion, the God of Time and Space, was the first to speak, his words laced with authority. But before he could continue, Ignis immediately cut in, his voice sharp and filled with an almost confrontational energy. For a moment, it seemed like a clash of titans was about to unfold. The air of tension was thick. But then... Something felt off. Zar narrowed his eyes as he listened more closely. The way Ignis and Aetherion bickered¡ªit wasn''t quite what he expected from two beings of unimaginable power. Their tone, their choice of words, their attitude... It felt less like a divine dispute between two supreme entities¡ª And more like... Two kids arguing over who gets the last slice of cake. Zar blinked. "Hey System, did you see this?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief. ["What''s so great about that?"] the System replied lazily. ["Even you act like that."] Zar''s eye twitched. "F** you, System, at least be serious!"* ["Well,"] the System hummed, ["it''s because they''re young."] Zar tilted his head, confused. "Young? Oh? Then by how much?" His voice dripped with sarcasm. The System answered nonchalantly, ["Nothing much. Just around a million years."] Silence. A Short, heavy silence. Zar''s expression remained blank for a moment before he loudly exclaimed, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! How is that ''young''¡ª" But then he froze. Something felt wrong. His instincts screamed at him. Something about this conversation was off. And just as he realized it, the System''s voice returned, this time laced with pure mockery. ["Hey Zar, are you a big smart man with a tiny brain in which a total of a million cells live? Or did you conveniently forget the term ''4.5 billion years''? Or should I continue...?"] Zar immediately surrendered. "SORRY, SORRY, MY MISTAKE!" He could feel the dangerous aura the System was radiating. Whenever the System got this tone, it was best not to challenge it. He had learned that the hard way. With a relieved sigh, Zar quickly shifted his attention back to the screen, escaping the dangerous conversation. He watched as Eterna, the Goddess of Life and Death, trying to handle the squabble between Ignis and Aetherion. Her presence was like that of an older sister keeping her rowdy younger siblings in check¡ªfirm, yet gentle? Zar exhaled. "Are these guys really supposed to be gods?" The System let out a small chuckle. ["Well, at least right now, they''re together."] Zar nodded slightly. "Yeah... you''re right." Then¡ªZephiron and Noctis came into view. The moment Zar saw them, he couldn''t hold back his laughter. Zephiron, standing off to the side, arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold. Noctis, a knowing smirk on his face, observing everything with quiet amusement. It was like seeing two guys at a party, watching their drunk friends get into a ridiculous argument over something completely trivial. Zar''s laughter echoed through the space. To his surprise, even the System started laughing. ["This... this is something even I couldn''t predict!"] the System wheezed. Zar smirked. "These two really look like that one guy in a friend group who just enjoys watching the drama unfold, completely unbothered." As the scene settled, his gaze fell upon another figure¡ªthe Guardian of Elythros. This time, he barely reacted. "Now I''m not that shocked." His tone was indifferent, as if he had simply accepted the ridiculousness of what he was witnessing. And then he heard the Guardian speak. It clicked. The reason why he wasn''t invited. Zar let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. "Well, that''s a good point, System. Since I can''t gain anything from that, why would I be invited?" But despite his words, there was a faint trace of disappointment in his voice. The System, however, wasn''t about to let that slide. ["You''re partially right,"] said smoothly. ["Because you could destabilize the whole of Kairos Eternis with your unstable power, man."] Zar blinked. Then, after a brief moment of thought, he simply smiled. "Yeah... that actually makes sense." With that, he turned his gaze back to the divine spectacle before him. The way Aetherion''s authority expanded, bending time and space into an unimaginable, breathtaking cosmic tapestry; how Ignis''s power surged, elemental forces intertwining in a dance of raw beauty; how Eterna''s essence wove life and death together in a grand harmony¡ªeach display was beyond anything Zar had ever witnessed. He watched, mesmerized, as the scene culminated in a singular, awe-inspiring moment. Zar''s lips curled slightly. "Well... that was memorable." The divine display had just ended, leaving behind an ethereal afterglow across Kairos Eternis. The very fabric of reality seemed to shimmer, echoing the lingering resonance of the gods'' combined authorities. But just as Zar was lost in thought, something on the screen caught his attention. Aetherion stepped forward, his expression calm yet filled with curiosity. His green eyes locked onto the Guardian of Elythros, and then, with a smirk, he said: "Guardian, let''s meet tomorrow." Zar furrowed his brows. "Wait... what?" Just as the Guardian opened his mouth to question the statement, something happened. One by one, the Main Gods began to vanish. No grand teleportation spell. No dramatic exit. Just¡ªgone. -------- Zar''s eyes slowly widened as something clicked in his mind. His lips parted as he realized something important¡ªsomething critical. His gaze snapped back to the screen, replaying the divine spectacle in his mind. The breathtaking fusion of all the Main Gods'' powers. The balance of Time, Space, Elements, Life, Death, Light, Darkness, Storms, Fate, and even Destruction¡ªall forming a single entity, a cosmic flower blooming across Kairos Eternis. And then¡ªhe heard Aetherion''s words again. ''Let''s meet tomorrow.'' Zar narrowed his eyes. His thoughts raced. And then¡ªhe asked the question. "System... when will you create a realm for the competition that will happen tomorrow?" Silence. Then¡ª The System responded. But its voice carried a questioning¡ªalmost playful¡ªtone. ["Why would I?"] Zar blinked. The atmosphere shifted. Something was wrong. Zar''s face darkened. "What do you mean ''why would I''?! You said before that you''d help me create a realm!" But the System''s response? A single, simple word. ["Nah."] Chapter 27: The Bet Chapter 27 - The Bet(re-uploaded the Chapter) Zar''s eye twitched. ["Nah."] That single word echoed in his mind like a divine decree, an undeniable truth that shattered his last hope of having an easy solution. His fingers clenched into fists as he glared at the air around him. If the System had a physical form, he would''ve already grabbed it by the throat and shaken it violently. "What do you mean ''Nah''?! System, we had an agreement! You said you''d help me create a realm for the competition!" Zar practically shouted, his patience hanging by a fragile thread. The System, unfazed as always, responded with the most indifferent tone possible. ["Hmm. Did I?"] A vein popped on Zar''s forehead. "YES! YOU DID! DON''T TRY TO GASLIGHT ME!" A moment of silence. Then, the System let out an exaggerated sigh, as if it were the one dealing with an unreasonable idiot. ["Ah, Zar... You truly are a man of selective memory."] Zar clenched his teeth. He could already feel where this was going. [When,] the System continued, drawing out the word for emphasis, ["did I ever say that I would help you create a realm?"] Zar''s glare could have melted steel. "You told me that you would help me!" he snapped. But before he could even finish his sentence, the System interrupted him again, its tone suspiciously friendly. ["Well, why don''t we make a bet?"] Zar''s anger faltered for a second. "A bet?" Something about the System''s voice sent a warning bell ringing in his head. It wasn''t just its usual smugness¡ªthere was something calculated about the way it spoke. Like a predator waiting for its prey to take the bait. But still, curiosity outweighed his caution. "What kind of bet?" he asked warily. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The System hummed in amusement, as if pleased that he had asked. ["Nothing much. Just a simple test to check whether I actually promised to help you create a realm."] Zar felt a chill run down his spine. His instincts screamed at him not to take the bait, but before he could protest, the System continued. ["If you win, I''ll help you create the realm you need, and¡ª"] the System paused for dramatic effect, ["¡ªyou''ll get the right to punch me once whenever you want."] Zar blinked. That... sounded really good. Too good, in fact. "And if you win?" he asked cautiously. ["Oh, nothing much,"] the System replied, still unbearably casual. ["You''ll just have to complete three missions for me, without getting any rewards."] Zar frowned. Three missions with no rewards? That was annoying, sure, but not that bad. And in exchange, he''d finally get to land a punch on this damned System? His mind quickly weighed the pros and cons. A free punch. No rewards for three missions. A free punch. A FREE PUNCH. That alone was almost worth the risk. "Alright, I''m in," Zar declared, feeling rather confident. But the moment he said those words, something strange happened. The holographic interface in front of him flickered. Then, ever so slowly, an ominous grin appeared on the screen. A cold shiver ran down his spine. That grin... That was the kind of smile a scammer gave when their victim had just walked into their trap. Why do I feel like I just made a mistake? Before he could reconsider, the screen in front of him suddenly lit up. [Replaying Past Conversation...] Zar frowned as the screen began to display a scene from earlier. His own voice echoed through the room. "Now then... System, any solutions?" And then¡ª ["Why don''t you give me some ideas?"] Zar''s eyelid twitched. He immediately had a bad feeling about this. The screen continued playing. "This damn System..." his past self muttered. And then came the killing blow. "Then I shall create a realm." Silence. Zar blinked, staring at the replayed scene in disbelief. ''Then I shall create a rea l m.'' The words echoed again, and this time, the System helpfully slowed it down, making sure he heard every syllable clearly. ''T h e n I s h a l l c r e a t e a r e a l m.'' Zar felt his soul leave his body. There was no way out of this. He had walked into the trap, headfirst, without even realizing it. The System, on the other hand, was practically radiating smugness. Its interface flickered, and an overly friendly yet mocking voice filled the space. [Well, well, well..., my dear Zar. It seems like you, in your ''infinite'' wisdom, have made a rather bold declaration.] [You said you''d create a realm. Not me. So tell me, do you need a dictionary to understand your own words?"] Zar wanted to slam his head into a wall. "This damn System..." he muttered under his breath. The System hummed in amusement. ["Ah, don''t feel bad, Zar. I actually got a bargain for you."] Zar''s instincts screamed at him again. He narrowed his eyes. "What bargain?" The System''s screen flickered, displaying that same ominous grin from earlier. ["Since I''m feeling generous, I''ll offer you a new deal. I''ll add one more mission to the bet, making it four missions in total. In exchange, I''ll personally help you create the realm you need¡ªwithin eight hours."] Zar clenched his fists. His options were already limited. There was no way he could create a proper realm in time by himself, and the competition was happening tomorrow. He had no choice. With a deep sigh, he muttered, "Fine. I accept." The System''s interface pulsed with amusement. ["A pleasure doing business with you."] Zar groaned. He just knew he was going to regret this. Chapter 28: A Crash Course Chapter 28 - A Crash Course"System, you bastard! This is all your fault!" Zar shouted, his voice echoing through the empty expanse around him. His mind was still reeling from the absurd bet he had lost. He had thought he was being clever, that the System was just messing with him as usual. But no¡ªhe had played himself. "Now, how exactly are you going to help me create a realm?!" he demanded, rubbing his temples. His frustration was reaching dangerous levels. The System, as smug and infuriating as ever, replied, ["Oh, that''s easy. Let''s go back to the Vault of Eternal Confinement."] Zar''s eyes widened in suspicion. "Wait, wha¡ª?" Before he could react¡ª Before he could even attempt to protest¡ª His surroundings folded. Reality itself twisted and collapsed inward like paper being crumpled. The air cracked and reshaped itself, a sensation both nauseating and unnatural. He barely had time to breathe before¡ª WHOOSH! Everything around him vanished. And in its place¡ª The suffocating presence of the Vault of Eternal Confinement swallowed him whole. ------ The Vault of Eternal Confinement A deep, unnatural silence greeted Zar as he arrived. The Vault was a place beyond places, a prison that did not exist in any one dimension but rather between them. The space stretched endlessly in all directions, neither light nor dark, yet filled with an unsettling glow. Chains, massive and ancient, ran through the void like veins of an unfathomable beast, pulsating with restrained energy. Zar had been here before. But this time was different. There was no resistance. No force holding him in place. He had arrived on his own. That realization alone made Zar pause. His gaze swept over the endless abyss, his mind catching onto something important. "Alright, System..." he said slowly, crossing his arms. "I get it. So what''s next?" For once, the System didn''t immediately mock him. There was a brief, almost deliberate silence before it spoke, its tone filled with amusement. ["Oh? It looks like you''ve already figured out why I brought you here."] Zar frowned. "Since this prison can hold even gods, I''m guessing it has something to do with fundamental laws?" ["Bingo!"] the System chirped. ["From here, you''ll learn the basics of creation."] Zar''s eye twitched. "You''re telling me to learn basics now?! I have to create a whole realm in less than eight hours!" The System remained silent for a second before suddenly grinning darkly in his interface. ["Well, you are a genius, right? Yeah, right!"] Zar''s instincts screamed at him. Without hesitation, he turned to run¡ª But before he could take even a single step ¡ªa massive, invisible hand manifested out of nowhere and grabbed him by the collar. "Nope. No running." "WHAT THE HELL?! LET ME GO, YOU DAMN SYSTEM!" Zar flailed wildly, kicking his legs in the air. The gigantic hand effortlessly lifted him like a misbehaving cat. No matter how much he thrashed, the grip didn''t loosen in the slightest. The System''s voice was dripping with amusement. ["Now, now, Zar. You need to sit and learn."] Another invisible finger appeared in the air, pointing downward. The moment it did, the hand swung him around¡ª ¡ªand plopped him onto an invisible seat in the middle of the Vault. Zar sat there, disoriented, floating in space. His mind was still catching up when, finally, his eyes fell on it. At first, it seemed like nothing. Just the same eerie abyss. Then¡ªhe saw them. Lines. No. Not lines. Threads. Threads of existence itself, stretching infinitely in every direction. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They weren''t physical, yet they shimmered in an endless array of colors, shifting, twisting, and pulsing with a strange rhythm. Some burned bright like living stars, while others flickered and faded, disappearing into the void. A strange sensation crawled up Zar''s spine. These threads... they felt familiar. He had seen them before¡ªbut not like this. Not in their raw, fundamental form. "System..." Zar''s voice was softer now, his usual sarcasm nowhere to be found. "What are these?" The System''s reply came casually, as if it were explaining the weather. ["Oh, these?"] it said. ["They''re what everything is made of¡ªthe fundamental essence of all that exists across every verse."] Zar gulped. "And I''m supposed to learn to control this?!" ["Yup!"] "In under four hours?!" The System''s grin widened into something downright devilish. ["Absolutely. Have fun~."] Zar was about to scream when, suddenly¡ª A dark screen appeared in front of him. A shiver ran down his spine. There was something creepy about this. His eyes locked onto the words displayed on it, and the moment he read them, his jaw dropped. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [NEW MISSION] On the Way to Creating a Realm!! Objective: Learn the basics of existence manipulation within 4 hours. Reward: Unsealing of realm up to 10% Failure Penalty: ??? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Zar stared at the question marks. The punishment wasn''t listed. That alone made his stomach churn. Somehow, he just knew¡ªif he failed this mission, he was screwed. His fingers curled into fists, sweat trickling down his forehead. He exhaled sharply. "Fine..." he muttered under his breath, glaring at the threads in front of him. Then, with a deep sigh¡ª ¡ªhe focused. Chapter 29: A Crash Course 2 Chapter 29 - A Crash Course 2Zar stared at the endless threads stretching before him. A vast, cosmic tapestry of power. Each strand hummed with unfathomable energy, containing histories, possibilities, and the very essence of existence itself. And yet... He had no idea how to start. "Maybe I should just... touch them?" he thought, hesitating for a moment before simply reaching out. His fingers grazed a thread¡ª BZZZT! A violent shock surged through his arm. It was like touching pure chaos, an unfiltered flood of raw knowledge and power that immediately rejected him. Zar flinched, shaking his hand. "Tch. Figures it wouldn''t be that easy." For a moment, he just stood there, contemplating. This wasn''t going to work if he kept forcing it. He needed to think. Something about the way these threads behaved... how they resisted him... He frowned. "Wait a second." Why could he touch his System Interface but not these threads? No one else could even see his System, much less interact with it. That meant... "System lets me touch him." Realization struck him like a lightning bolt. Authority. The System allowed him to access it because it acknowledged him. That was the key. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And if that principle applied here... Then these threads were rejecting him simply because they didn''t acknowledge him. "Hah." Zar smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Then let''s change that." Zar exhaled deeply and closed his eyes. He didn''t try to grab the threads this time. He didn''t try to force them. Instead¡ª He simply commanded them. A ripple pulsed through the Vault. Not through sound. Not through movement. But through will. A heavy, unshakable force radiated from him¡ªa presence that demanded obedience. The Aura of Supreme. (Flex Authority) And just like that... The threads shuddered. They feared. For the first time, the threads of existence reacted to him. One by one, they moved. They didn''t fly toward him physically, but they obeyed. Slowly, cautiously¡ªas if afraid¡ªthey drifted closer. Zar opened his eyes. And this time¡ª When he reached out, his hand did not get rejected. His fingers wrapped around the first thread. The moment his mind connected to the thread¡ª His entire existence was ripped through billions of lifetimes in an instant. Time collapsed. It wasn''t just a rush of information¡ªit was an avalanche. His mind felt like it had been yanked through billions of lifetimes in an instant, bombarded by raw knowledge that defied comprehension. The essence of existence itself pulsed through the threads, each one containing secrets beyond mortal understanding. It was witnessing everything. His consciousness expanded beyond mortal comprehension, drowning in knowledge so vast it made the concept of time seem meaningless. And then¡ª A ding echoed through his mind. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION] Realm Unsealed: +2% Total Realm Unseal Progress: 4% ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Zar blinked. The unbearable pressure in his head was suddenly gone. As if his unsealing of the realm had neatly filtered out the overwhelming excess, leaving only usable knowledge behind. "Huh." Zar tilted his head, flexing his fingers. "Guess my power unsealing is keeping me from frying my brain. Nice." With a renewed sense of confidence, he got back to work. --- An hour passed. Zar was now effortlessly handling trillions of threads. What once felt like an unstoppable force now bent under his command. Not only could he see their structures¡ªhe could now distinguish time essence, fate energy, destruction threads, creation threads, and countless other fundamental forces. It was all there. All woven into the very fabric of existence. And if it worked like this... "Then why can''t I just... create?" Zar smirked. A new idea formed in his mind. He extended his hand, pulling together countless threads¡ªnot to form a realm, but something smaller. Something far more dangerous. A weapon. Or rather¡ª A paradox. It was a weapon that wasn''t a weapon. A creation that didn''t exist. A concept that had been both made and destroyed in the same moment. The result was distorted, unstable, flickering between being and nonexistence. It was beautiful. And terrifying. Then¡ª A calm voice interrupted him. ["Hey. Stop that."] Zar stiffened. ["You aren''t ready for that, man. That thing can harm you."] Zar stayed silent, frozen in place. A quiet sigh echoed in his mind. "Ohhh, you''re really an idiot, huh." Then, an interface abruptly popped up before him. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [SYSTEM MISSION COMPLETE] Mission: On the Way to Creating a Realm Status: Complete Reward: Realm Unsealed +6% Total Realm Unseal Progress: 10% ? Crossed the First Threshold ¨C True Form Awakening Accelerated. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Zar''s eyes widened. The words burned into his vision. 10%. He had crossed a threshold. A rush of energy exploded inside him¡ª Then¡ª Darkness. Zar''s body collapsed. He didn''t even get a chance to react. One second he was standing¡ª The next, he was out cold. The System sighed. "Seriously? You passed out from a 10% unlock?" It floated idly for a moment before muttering, "Well, we still have six hours. You can ''sleep'' for two." Then, the Vault of Eternal Confinement fell into silence. Chapter 30: Welcome to the Classroom Chapter 30 - Welcome to the ClassroomZar was having the most peaceful sleep of his life. For once, no stress.Just pure rest. And that because¡ª A dream. No, not just any dream. A dream where his System was bowing before him. It wasn''t just obedient. It was praising him, calling him Supreme Master, and offering him absolute control over him. Zar stood in a throne room made of endless data streams and glowing runes. Before him, an enormous System interface floated like a divine entity, its text shimmering in gold. "My Lord," the System''s voice echoed, submissive and full of reverence. "All of existence bends to your will. You need only speak, and I shall obey." Zar smirked. "Well, it''s about time." The System continued, "Would you like to activate the ''Eternal Ruler'' mode, my supreme? With it, you shall never suffer again¡ª" Then¡ª A harsh, mocking voice interrupted. ["Wake up, sleeping beauty."] Zar jerked awake. His eyes snapped open, and his surroundings had changed entirely. Gone was the Vault. Gone were the threads of existence. Now, he was in a place that could only be described as Void. It stretched endlessly in all directions, yet it felt like it was neither big nor small. There was no light, no darkness, no matter¡ªjust nothingness. And yet, he was standing on something. Somewhere in the distance, stars flickered, but they were not real stars¡ªjust illusions, flickering in and out of existence like the echoes of forgotten gods. Then, the System''s voice spoke again, but this time, there was something... off about it. ["Well, you were unconscious for two hours, so yeah¡ªnow you''ve got four hours to learn everything. So be ready for it."] The voice was gentle. But also... suspiciously playful. Zar rubbed his temples. "Okay, first question¡ªwhere the hell am I?" The System chuckled. ["Oh, well, let''s just say your sudden power surge was causing damage back there. So, I moved you... outside your Multiverse."] Zar froze. "...You what?" The System paused, then added, ["But don''t worry! You can still complete your ''crash course'' here."] Zar sighed, shaking his head. "Alright. Fine. Now what?" ["Oh, nothing much,"] the System replied casually. ["You just need to learn how to create threads of existence from scratch."] A long, unbearable silence followed. Pin-drop silence. Then¡ª Zar burst out laughing. Like, genuine, from-the-soul laughter. "Hahahahaha! Oh man, good one, System. ''Create threads of existence''? Classic. You really had me there." The System laughed with him. ["Haha, yeah, I know, right? Hilarious."] Both of them laughed for a solid ten seconds. Then¡ª The System''s voice turned dead serious. ["But... that wasn''t a joke."] Zar''s face instantly froze. "...What the fuck are you saying?" The System''s interface flickered slightly. ["Relax. I''ll help you this time."] Zar scoffed. "''Help''? Hah. Like hell you will." The System''s voice turned... mysterious. ["Oh, trust me... you''ll LOVE my help."] Before Zar could react¡ª Reality twisted. And suddenly¡ª He was in a classroom? Zar blinked. He was sitting at a desk. In front of him was a massive floating screen, displaying the System''s interface. The walls were made of shifting cosmic energy, glowing with endless symbols and equations. And standing at the front of the room¡ª Was the System. Not as a person. Not as a voice. But as a floating holographic interface with imaginary hands. The System clapped its nonexistent hands. ["Now, let''s start your first lesson!"] Zar tried to stand up. Tried to speak. But he couldn''t. He was completely frozen. The System sighed. ["Oh, don''t look so offended. I just know you''d start blabbering, so I took the liberty of making sure you stay quiet."] It smiled. ["Now, for your first task¡ªadjust your perception of reality by 3 million times."] S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zar''s face twisted in disbelief. "How the hell am I supposed to¡ª" But before he even finished that thought¡ª It happened. Instinctively. As if it was the most natural thing in the world, his perception shifted. Time slowed. Stretched. Expanded. Suddenly, the world moved in a way he had never comprehended before. Then¡ª The System chuckled. ["Confused? Heh. Well, you forgot what realm you''re in and what happened two hours ago."] Before Zar could even process that¡ª The lesson began. What followed was a blur of visions, lectures, and endless information. The System blabbered nonstop, while Zar''s mind was flooded with knowledge about threads of existence, reality weaving, and fundamental forces. He couldn''t even pause or slow down. It was pure chaos. Two hours passed in real-time. Zar was shaking. His brain felt like it had been rewritten a thousand times over. The System clapped. ["Well, that''s it for today! Hope you liked it."] Zar just sat there. Motionless. His soul had left his body. But then¡ª The System added one last thing. ["Now, next lesson¡ªhow to create a realm."] Zar snapped back to reality. He immediately stood up, turned around, and bolted for the door. "NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. FUCK THIS. I''M OUT." He threw open the classroom door and ran like a madman. Down the infinite corridor, sprinting as if his very existence depended on it. He looked around¡ª No System in sight. He exhaled in relief. "Alright, I''m safe. I finally escaped that damn¡ª" Then he paused. Something was wrong. He was still... in the classroom corridor. His face paled. "...I''m fucked." Because he had forgotten one key fact. He was connected to the System. Which meant¡ª ["B00."] A dark, glitched System interface with a creepy smile popped up in front of him. For a moment, time stopped. Then¡ª "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Zar screamed like his soul had left his body. He stumbled backward, his heart pounding as if he had just witnessed the birth of an eldritch god. "I AM NOT DOING THIS ANYMORE!" he yelled. The System? It ignored him. Instead, it grabbed him by the ear. Not physically¡ªsince it was an interface, it didn''t have a physical form. But somehow, through sheer conceptual absurdity, it used an imaginary hand to grab him like a misbehaving child. And then¡ª It dragged him. "No! No! I refuse! Let me go, you bastard!" Zar kicked, struggled, and flailed like a child throwing a tantrum. The System? It simply hummed a tune as it dragged him back into the classroom. With a thud, Zar was plopped back into his seat. And then¡ª It happened again. Two more hours of hellish lessons. By the end of it¡ª Zar sat at his desk like a dead man. His eyes empty. Foam dripping from his mouth. The System chuckled. ["Good job! Now... next lesson¡ª"] ----------------------------- Author: Just remember, "Life''s hardest hits are often its loudest whispers, guiding us towards our greatest growth." And Be there my friend. (¡ã?¡ã) Chapter 31: Creation of a Realm Chapter 31 - Creation of a RealmPlay ''Blah!'' --------- ["Good job! Now... next lesson¡ª"] Just as Zar heard this, his lifeless act vanished instantly. His despair kicked in, and his mind scrambled for a way out. His eyes darted around, hoping for some miracle to save him. Then, in a desperate tone, he blurted out, "Wait, System! Wait! We don''t have time! See? Four hours have already passed!" For a brief moment, silence filled the void. Then, a soft chuckle echoed around him, slowly growing into full-blown laughter. ["Ahaha! Oh, Zar, you should''ve seen your face. That was just a little prank."] Zar''s eye twitched. His entire body tensed, his irritation boiling over, but he swallowed it down. He wasn''t about to pick a fight with a being that had just forced three million years'' worth of knowledge into his mind in mere hours. A newfound fear of the System settled into his soul. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled sharply. "Alright, System. Let''s go back." But nothing happened. Zar frowned, glancing around the empty void. He had expected the System to teleport him instantly, just as it had before. Instead, the System remained silent. "...System?" Then, the voice returned, playful yet with an edge of smugness. ["Do it on your own."] Zar''s expression deadpanned. His gaze met the invisible presence of the System, as if staring into an endless abyss. Then, realization hit him like a cosmic thunderbolt. ''Wait... I already learned how to do this, didn''t I?'' A long sigh escaped his lips as he muttered, "You really are an asshole." Shaking his head, he closed his eyes. His surroundings began to warp, bending and twisting like an infinite tapestry unraveling at his will. Then, in an instant¡ªhe erased himself from the void. ¡ª A majestic burst of golden light illuminated the grand halls of his Sanctum. The space shimmered with divine energy, its walls woven from the very fabric of existence itself. Towering pillars of luminous crystal stretched into infinity, reflecting a realm that defied logic. An intricate celestial sigil spun at the center, radiating with the pure essence of creation. And gathered beneath its glow¡ªevery God of his pantheon stood waiting. Zar''s gaze swept over them, his brow furrowing slightly. Why were they already here? "System," he muttered. "Did we come late?" The System, now manifesting through a floating golden interface, raised an imaginary wrist and inspected an illusory watch that wasn''t even there. ["Nah, but about... ten minutes earlier."] Zar blinked. "Then why are they here so soon?" The answer struck him just as the System spoke. ["Well, I think we''re gonna need an extra class, my dear Zar."] Zar''s mind snapped into action. His thoughts connected the dots instantly. They arrived early... as a show of respect. A slight smirk tugged at his lips as he spoke, "I get it now. They came early because this was their way of showing their reverence to me." The System hummed, feigning hesitation. ["Ahh, yes. That was also a good reason. But never mind that! Now, let''s focus on creating a realm. First, tell them the rules of the games, man¡ª"] Zar''s eyes gleamed with understanding. With a mere flick of his fingers, a golden scroll materialized before each of the main gods. The scroll unfolded with divine authority, its text shimmering with radiant glyphs of power. ¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_ " The Games of Gods " Round 1: The first round shall be a test of survival and the hunt. The subordinates of each main god will be thrown into a realm where only the strongest may endure. They may not form alliances, even withthose who serve the same god. Interference from main gods is strictly forbidden. ¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_ The scroll hovered in the air, its divine script pulsating with unseen power. Yet, beyond the first rule, the rest of the scroll remained blank, its secrets hidden. A figure stepped forward. Noctis, the God of Night, his silver eyes gleaming with curiosity, spoke up. "My Lord... why are only the first round''s rules revealed? What of the others?" Zar crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "Because I do not wish for any of you to plan your next moves in advance. The unknown is what makes this game interesting." A flicker of understanding crossed Noctis'' face. "A test of adaptability, then?" Zar''s lips curved into a knowing smile. "Exactly." A beat of silence. Then, a slow, amused chuckle echoed. ["Well played."] The System''s voice carried a rare note of approval. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For the first time in a long while, Zar felt a spark of pride. He had done something that even the System found impressive. And so, the Games of Gods had begun. ------------ Author, is feeling sleepy so a short Chapter~ "And with that, the pen meets its pause... Chapter closed, for now. Sleep beckons, and the story will wait. Until next time..." Chapter 32: Creation of a Realm 2 Chapter 32 - Creation of a Realm 2Advice: Play ''SWEET DREAMS ULTRAFUNK- SLOWED'' absolutely recommended for this Chapter. ----------------------------------------------------_ The Sanctum was silent. All eyes were on Zar. The main gods, beings who had shaped countless worlds, watched with unreadable expressions. Some were curious. Some intrigued. And some, for the first time in their existence, felt something they never thought they would feel. Anticipation. Zar exhaled. A calm, measured breath. Then, he stepped forward. And reality shattered. With a single step, space itself broke apart beneath his feet. The very fabric of existence¡ªsomething that even the God of Space, Aetherion, wove with delicate care¡ªcollapsed effortlessly. Like glass shattering in slow motion, fragments of distorted reality floated around him, dissolving into the abyss. Yet, the destruction did not consume him. Zar kept walking, his movements slow, precise, majestic. And as he did, something impossible happened. Behind him¡ªwhere there should have been nothing but an empty void¡ªcreation followed. Threads of existence manifested in his wake. At first, they were subtle, like faint golden streaks in the darkness. But within seconds, they expanded. Countless luminous strands wove themselves into the nothingness, gleaming like celestial rivers. Each thread pulsed with untold power. Some shimmered with golden brilliance, some radiated with the deep glow of the cosmos, while others reflected forces that even gods did not recognize. Zar did not look back. He simply continued forward, his presence alone rewriting reality. The Gods watched in stunned silence. Even Aetherion, the one who oversaw space and time, had his eyes widened slightly. He had seen realms be formed. He had shaped them himself. But never like this. For every step Zar took, destruction and creation danced in harmony. Where space once existed, it was erased. But where he had walked, an entire foundation of a realm was already forming. It was not chaotic. It was not forced. It was natural. As if the very act of Zar''s existence demanded the creation of something greater. The threads behind him intertwined, forming constellations of limitless possibilities. Stars ignited and flickered out within moments. Celestial landscapes sculpted themselves from nothingness, only to unravel once more¡ªas if even they were unworthy to remain in the presence of something greater. The lesser gods¡ªbeings who had never seen creation beyond its final form¡ªstood frozen, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing. To them, realms were merely matter, life, time, and space. But this... This was something else. Something far beyond what they understood. And yet, no one spoke. No one dared to interrupt. Because they felt it. An undeniable, absolute authority. Zar was not merely shaping a realm. He was commanding it into existence. The threads behind him wove faster, aligning into a symphony of power. The very essence of reality trembled beneath his steps, bowing to his will. Then¡ª Zar stopped. In that instant, the entire Sanctum shook. Not from force. Not from impact. But from the sheer, uncontainable presence of what had just been created. The Gods¡ªbeings who had watched the birth and death of countless worlds¡ªfelt something stir in their souls. Aetherion slowly exhaled. Noctis narrowed his eyes, his fingers tightening ever so slightly. Even the System, who never seemed truly impressed, let out a long, low whistle. ["Damn, Zar. You just had to flex on them like that, huh?"] Zar stood amidst the swirling golden threads of creation, his presence alone bending the very laws of reality. The Gods watched in absolute silence, their divine gazes locked onto the impossible. Behind Zar, the luminous threads wove and spiraled, forming an intricate web of power¡ªa cosmic tapestry that defied comprehension. Some glowed with the radiance of newborn stars, others shimmered like the fabric of time itself. Each one carried a power unknown to even the most ancient deities. Yet, no one dared to ask. They felt it. The birth of something that had never existed before. Aetherion, the God of Space and Time, narrowed his eyes. The way the threads aligned, the way they moved, it was¡ª No. Even he could not fully grasp it. And then¡ª Zar moved. With a slow, deliberate motion, he raised his hand. A pulse of raw power radiated outward, shaking the very foundations of the multiverse. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, space collapsed. The luminous strands surged together, folding in on themselves, compressing. In mere moments, what had once been an expanse as vast as half the multiverse¡ªa realm so massive that even the gods could barely fathom its scale¡ªbegan to shrink. It did not shatter. It did not warp chaotically. It simply... obeyed. The Gods'' divine senses could barely keep up as the grand cosmos-like expanse compressed into itself, shrinking smaller, smaller, and smaller. Until¡ª Zar stood there, holding a realm in the palm of his hand. A world, entire dimensions, infinite landscapes and celestial bodies¡ªcontained within something no larger than a small sphere. He held it with effortless grace, his fingers barely curled around its form. And yet, the power within it trembled violently. The Gods could feel it. That tiny orb was not just a realm. It was a living, breathing existence. It was absolute creation. Zar slowly examined it, tilting his hand ever so slightly. The sphere of condensed reality flickered, colors shifting within it like an entire universe compressed into something that should not exist. The lesser gods struggled to comprehend. This was not how realms were born. Realms required structure. Realms required foundation. Realms required space. And yet, Zar had done away with all of that. Then¡ª He closed his hand. And the realm vanished. Gone. Not destroyed. Not dispersed. Simply... gone. For a moment, there was only silence. Then¡ª A sound like the breaking of reality itself. CRACK. Space itself split open. A vast Gate appeared before them, towering beyond comprehension. Its surface was carved with ancient sigils, pulsating with primordial energy. The Gods felt their divine senses falter just by looking at it. The space surrounding it shattered like fragile glass. Yet, at the same time, those very fragments of reality restored themselves, folding back into place with a beauty beyond mortal comprehension. It was destruction and restoration. Chaos and order. Power and control. And it was... mesmerizing. Noctis exhaled slowly. "By the void..." Aetherion clenched his jaw, his mind racing. He had never seen anything like this. And that terrified him. The other Gods were no different. Even those who had once ruled over the vast stretches of existence stood frozen. Because what they had witnessed today was not just creation. It was authority. Zar stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. And with a voice that echoed through the very fabric of the multiverse, he spoke. "Shall we begin?" Chapter 33: Creation of a Realm 3 Chapter 33 - Creation of a Realm 3As the last of the gods stepped through the Gate, the atmosphere shifted. The moment was heavy, charged with an unspoken anticipation. A newly created realm lay beyond, untouched and untested, waiting for its creator to shape its fate. Zar stood outside, arms crossed, his gaze sharp and unreadable. The golden threads of existence still lingered in the air behind him, slowly fading as they wove themselves into the foundation of this reality. Then, without turning, he spoke¡ªhis voice calm and laced with friendly tone. "Now then, System. Can you provide some beings to act as enemies for the lesser gods?" His words were casual, but his meaning was absolute. He hadn''t created any threats for them yet. The System gave a soft chuckle, its tone carrying the usual playful edge. ["Why don''t you just create them yourself? After all, you can create life now."] Zar didn''t even hesitate. "Nah." The silence that followed wasn''t from a lack of understanding. It was from the sheer audacity of the refusal. The System''s voice carried an almost amused curiosity. ["Why not? You do realize what this means, don''t you? Even among the gods in Nexus Academy, there are very few who can do what you can now."] Zar exhaled, rubbing the back of his head. His voice was oddly hesitant. "It''s just that... I don''t like the idea of creating life." His tone was uncertain, like he was preparing for the System''s inevitable mockery. But instead¡ª ["Alright, I''ll help you."] Zar blinked. "...No mockery?" The System let out a rare sigh. ["That''s one thing even I won''t force on you, Zar."] There was a brief moment of silence¡ªone of understanding. But before Zar could even process it, the System snapped its imaginary fingers. And then¡ª A blinding beam of golden light erupted from Zar''s chest, tearing through the very fabric of reality. The sheer force of it shattered the space before him, sending ripples of distortion across the void. The beam wasn''t just moving forward¡ªit was tearing through dimensions themselves, slipping beyond this verse like an arrow piercing through layers of existence. It vanished. Gone beyond even Zar''s reach. For the first time in a long time, Zar frowned. "What was that?" Then¡ª sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Three seconds passed. And suddenly¡ª It came back. But this time, it was different. The beam, once a singular thread of light, had now expanded into something much larger. It carried an overwhelming presence, an echo of something beyond this reality. The weight of it bore down upon Zar, and for a brief moment, his instincts screamed¡ª It was coming straight toward him. For the first time, he almost moved to dodge. But just before it could collide with him, the beam shifted¡ªredirecting its course with precise intent. It surged toward the Gate behind him. The moment it touched the entrance to his realm, the entire space trembled. The stars in the distance flickered unnaturally. The very laws of this reality bent and reformed themselves to accommodate what had just entered. A strange, almost ominous stillness followed. Zar narrowed his eyes. "Alright, System. What kind of beings did you create?" The System let out a soft, amused laugh. ["When did I say I created life?"] Zar''s expression sharpened. "Then what did you do?" The air grew heavier. The golden threads of existence that still lingered in the void behind Zar flickered for a brief moment¡ªlike they, too, were listening. Then, the System''s voice took on a mysterious edge. ["It''s a secret."] Zar''s eyebrow twitched. "Tch. Really?" The System let out another chuckle, but this time, it was more familiar. ["Alright, alright. Don''t be like that. I''ll give you a hint."] Zar crossed his arms, his expression expectant. "Go on." The System''s voice lowered, its tone shifting into something almost conspiratorial. ["They aren''t from this verse."] Zar''s gaze flickered. He processed the words carefully. Then, his voice came out sharper. "Wait. You''re telling me... you brought beings from another multiverse?" ["Mmm. You could say that."] There was something off about the way the System spoke. Zar''s mind began racing. And then, before he could ask¡ª The System''s voice dropped to a whisper. A whisper that sent a ripple through the very fabric of existence. [...From the destroyed ones.] Chapter 34: The City of Lost - Ozyrn Chapter 34 - The City of Lost - OzyrnZar narrowed his eyes, his thoughts a tangled storm of unease and realization. "What are you¡ª" He stopped mid-sentence, inhaling sharply. "System, show me my interface." A familiar hum resonated in his mind as golden lines of code wove themselves into existence before his eyes, forming the text he had grown accustomed to. But this time... something felt different. ¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_ [Status Interface] Title: Master of Multiverse 9008 Realm: Multiversal God [90% Sealed (1% Recovered)] Current Number of Multiverse: 9008 Authority: Presence of Supreme (1) Innate Talent: Awakening (Estimated: 59 days) True Form: ?? (Processing (10%)...) ¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_¡ª_ Zar''s gaze locked onto a single word. ''Current'' He had seen it before, but now it struck him differently. Why did the System specify current before the number of multiverses? The realization hit him like a collapsing reality. His lips parted slightly, his voice measured yet heavy. "Now I get it." The System chuckled, its tone carrying a strange sense of approval. "Oh? Finally matured, have we? Took you long enough." Zar ignored the jab. He was too focused on the weight of his own discovery. "This means... there are multiverses that got destroyed." A suffocating silence followed. Even the lingering golden threads of existence seemed to dim at his words. Destruction of a reality was possible. Planes could collapse, timelines could be erased. But even if someone obliterated an entire reality, the multiverse itself would reconstruct it. That was a fundamental law. The Nexus Verse was a self-repairing existence. But to truly erase a multiverse?¡ªto strip it from the layers of all things¡ªmeant surpassing the very will of that multiverse itself. That level of power... It was beyond imagination. A deep, unsettling shudder ran down his spine. He knew this because of the System''s hellish lessons. The System let out a satisfied sigh. ["See? My lessons have made you more mature."] Zar shuddered again, this time for an entirely different reason. The System''s "lessons" had been anything but pleasant. But he wasn''t a fool. If entire multiverses had been erased, that meant even this one was vulnerable. This was why the System had insisted he join Nexus Academy. He could ask who or what had done it. But he already knew the answer. The System wouldn''t tell him. It would just mock him. So, instead, he changed the subject. "System... what are those beings?" His tone was sharp. "And how the hell did they survive their multiverse''s destruction?" A brief pause. Then, the System let out a mischievous chuckle. ["Didn''t I just say? It''s a secret."] Zar''s gaze darkened. "..." ["Don''t worry,"] the System continued, voice playful yet deliberate. ["I''ll explain that later. But for now¡ª"] The air trembled. A shift in the very fabric of reality. ["Let''s go. Your subordinates are waiting."] Zar exhaled and took a step forward. The Gate loomed before him, glowing with untamed power. Without hesitation, he passed through¡ª ¡ªAnd entered a world of his own making. It was... breathtaking. A domain of untamed celestial storms and boundless energy, a place where the very fabric of reality pulsed with his will. At its heart swirled a cosmic vortex¡ªan eternal maelstrom of golden radiance and electric fury, reflecting his power, intellect, and vision. The skies crackled with lightning woven from knowledge itself, and the winds howled with the echoes of creation and destruction, embodying the duality of his existence. The clouds shimmered with threads of energy, each strand a fragment of forgotten wisdom or an unfulfilled destiny, waiting to be shaped by his hand. This was not just a realm. It was a reflection of Zar''s mind. An ever-evolving storm where the past, present, and future collided, converged, and rewrote themselves. Zar exhaled, his gaze sweeping across his creation. "Well... this looks too good." Then¡ªhis attention shifted. A group of figures stood in the distance. The Main Gods and Lesser Gods. Waiting. Zar snapped his fingers. And in an instant¡ª Reality warped. In a single breath, the gods vanished from the storm realm¡ª ¡ªAnd reappeared in a city that could only be described as divine incarnate. A city as vast as a universe. Its towers stretched beyond the skies, carved from celestial marble and adorned with ethereal runes. Streets of luminescent stone pulsed with ancient power, and in the sky above, massive rings of golden light rotated slowly, holding in place entire floating continents. This was Ozyrn. A name that carried the weight of the fallen. The destroyed ones. Those who had lost everything. Zar stepped forward, his presence commanding absolute attention. He spoke, his voice resonating through the fabric of the city itself. "Welcome to Ozyrn." The words carried meaning beyond mere introduction. They spoke of loss, of survival, of something far greater than any of them understood yet. Then, his gaze swept over the assembled main gods. "You all have three hours to prepare your subordinates." A pause. "Keep this in mind¡ªtake the whole thing seriously." His tone darkened, a subtle warning. "This will affect your competition as well." Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And then¡ª He disappeared. Just like that. The gods stood in stunned silence. A realm... of half the size of the Nexus Verse itself. A teleportation that defied even divine standards. The sheer scale of Zar''s power was unfathomable. Among them, Aetherion was the most shaken, his eyes filled with silent disbelief. But then¡ª Zephiron exhaled, shaking his head. A slow, almost exasperated smirk crossed his lips. "Now I need to get some kind of immunity for our master''s absurdity." The gods exchanged glances. Because they all knew¡ª This was just the beginning. Chapter 35: The Game begins Chapter 35 - The Game beginsA soft clink echoed through the grand chamber as Zar set his cup down, the delicate porcelain meeting the saucer with practiced ease. The tea was surprisingly pleasant, its warmth settling within him as he leaned back in his chair. The vast castle around him stood as a testament to dominion¡ªits towering spires stretching toward the heavens, its marble halls adorned with ancient carvings that whispered forgotten stories. The air carried a faint chill, but the gentle breeze drifting through the arched balcony doors softened it, mixing with the faint hum of the city outside. Zar exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping idly against the armrest before speaking. "Now then, System," he mused, his voice calm, edged with curiosity. "Why don''t you give me some pointers on how this round''s rules will play out?" A pause. Then, like a scholar about to impart knowledge, the system''s voice rang in his mind. [Hmmm... Well, since the theme of this round is survival, let''s make it truly live up to its name.] The voice carried a thoughtful tone, as if it were constructing the perfect scenario in real-time. [The game will take place in a ruined world¡ªone where the contestants will have to eliminate each other until only one remains standing.] Zar tilted his head slightly, swirling his tea before lifting it to his lips again. "And how far can they go?" [They can do anything to win,] the system stated, its tone growing sharper. [No restrictions. No mercy. There is only one rule¡ªno alliances. No teaming up. Everyone fights alone.] A smirk played at the corner of Zar''s lips. "Interesting..." He tapped a finger against the table, considering the implications. "I should drop a hint about that part¡ª''anything to win''¡ªto stir things up a little." [Ah, a good decision] the system acknowledged. [Adding an element of psychological tension will make the game far more entertaining.] Setting the cup down for the final time, Zar stretched, his arms reaching outward as he let out a quiet sigh of satisfaction. "Then the game is set," he declared. The system remained silent, observing as he rose from his seat and made his way toward the balcony. The open air greeted him with a crisp breeze, the view stretching endlessly before him. The city below bustled with life energy, a realm teeming with energy, yet his focus was set beyond all that. His gaze drifted toward the endless sky¡ªa vast, empty canvas waiting to be painted with chaos. He rested both hands on the railing, exhaling slowly. Then, his voice carried with an edge of anticipation. "Now, let''s get to real work." Extending a hand outward, he willed a new world into existence. Darkness swirled in his palm, coalescing into shape. Shadows twisted and stretched, molding themselves into a land that had once stood proud¡ªonly to be reduced to devastation. Mountains lay severed, jagged cliffs standing as remnants of an earth long shattered. Ruined cities sprawled in lifeless silence, their broken towers leaning at unnatural angles as if whispering the tales of their fall. The air was thick with dust, and the very ground seemed to bear the weight of history¡ªa battlefield that had already seen destruction beyond comprehension. Yet, for all its ruin, the world was strong. It was not fragile, not something that could be easily shattered. This land had endured the clash of unfathomable forces and still remained standing. It was designed to withstand gods, to be the stage for power beyond mortal comprehension. Zar''s hands moved with precision, sculpting each detail with effortless mastery. The broken cities, the barren lands, the skies heavy with the echoes of war¡ªit was all falling into place. But just as he was about to finalize its formation, the system''s voice interrupted him. [Wait.] Zar''s brow furrowed slightly, but he halted his movements. "Why?" The system''s tone carried something... different this time. Amusement? [I was thinking of helping you with this.] His eyes narrowed slightly. "Helping?" A shimmering model materialized before him, hovering in the air. It was a projection of the ruined world as envisioned by the system¡ªa twisted, broken realm, yet meticulously designed. The placement of devastation, the way destruction and endurance coexisted¡ªit was flawless. Zar studied it for a moment, taking in the details. Then, he smirked. "Fine." Together, they continued crafting. The ruins took form in their full grandeur, solidifying into existence. Unlike a multiverse, this realm had no threads of existence woven into its foundation¡ªbecause it did not need them. A multiverse required those threads to sustain its infinite nature, to hold its immeasurable weight together. But this? This was a battlefield. It did not need to be bound by the vast intricacies of creation. It was built for one purpose¡ªto endure destruction. At last, the final piece fell into place. Zar raised his hand, and in response, the entire world began to shrink. The towering cities, the sprawling wastelands, the entire expanse of the ruined battlefield¡ªall of it condensed into a mere speck, fitting effortlessly in the palm of his hand. He examined it for a brief moment, then with a flick of his wrist, he hurled it from the balcony. The tiny speck shot forward like a shooting star, piercing through the void, traveling across countless verses at incomprehensible speed. A satisfied grin tugged at his lips. "Now all work''s done." Far beyond, in the silent abyss of space, the world he had thrown began to slow. It came to a sudden, eerie stillness, floating in the vast nothingness. And then¡ª Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Boom. It expanded in an instant, unfurling itself into existence like it had always belonged there. The ruined realm now drifted in the abyss, an unshaken monument to destruction, waiting¡ªanticipating the chaos that was about to unfold. A perfect stage. Chapter 36: Arrival of Guest. Chapter 36 - Arrival of Guest.A quiet hum filled the grand hall as Zar stood on the balcony, his gaze fixed on the distant ruined world that now floated in the vast emptiness of space. It was done. The perfect battlefield had been created¡ªa realm of shattered stone and fractured skies, where echoes of destruction still lingered in the air, yet the very land pulsed with an unyielding will to endure. Torn spires of obsidian jutted out of the cracked earth, bathed in an eerie twilight. The skies above flickered between colors, shifting as though reality itself was uncertain whether to mourn or prepare for war. Zar observed his creation with a calm, calculating gaze. "This should do." Then, without another word, he turned away, stepping into the shimmering void that transported him back to his room. A delicate fragrance of tea filled the air as Zar reclined in his seat, the cup warm against his fingertips. Steam curled into intricate patterns, vanishing before his eyes. He sighed. Three hours. How the hell was he supposed to pass the time? Taking a slow sip, he leaned back, contemplating various ways to kill time¡ªperhaps a brief nap, a visit to another realm, or even... His thoughts halted. His eyes narrowed. Something had entered his sanctum. There was no sound, no fluctuation in space, but his instincts screamed at him. A presence unlike any he had encountered before. In an instant, he vanished from his seat, exiting the realm. -------- Zar reappeared within the heart of his Eternium Sanctum, his eyes locking onto the figure standing before him. His breath hitched for just a moment. She was breathtaking. A goddess unlike any other he had seen. Her ethereal green hair shimmered like woven strands of cosmic essence, cascading down her back like liquid jade. Her green eyes¡ªvast, deep, and glowing with the very essence of the multiverse itself¡ªheld the weight of a thousand realms, yet radiated an unspoken gentleness. She wore a celestial dress, flowing and adorned with threads of existence itself, shimmering like the night sky celebrating creation. Every movement of the fabric sang with the rhythm of the multiverse, as if it was alive, woven from the very will of reality. For the first time in a long time, even Zar was momentarily at a loss for words. And without thinking, he muttered to system: "She''s beautiful." A teasing chuckle echoed in his mind. ["Oh? So, are you saying Eterna, Nyxara, and Vaelora aren''t?"] Zar blinked. "Huh? When did I say that?" The System hummed, clearly amused. ["Oh? So you do find them beautiful?"] A beat of silence. Then, realization slammed into him. Shit. This was a trap. His eyes twitched. His lips parted as if to deny, but his brain quickly caught up with the obvious bait. "...You know what? I''m not playing this game." The System clicked its imaginary tongue. ["Tch. Finally getting smarter, huh?"] Zar ignored it and refocused on the goddess in front of him. He knew exactly who she was¡ªor at least, what she represented. "System, she''s the consciousness of this multiverse, isn''t she?" ["Bingo."] Zar narrowed his eyes. "Then why the hell is her name Elythros? Doesn''t sound very... feminine." The System burst out laughing. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ["When did I ever say Elythros was the consciousness of this verse?"] Zar''s mind came to a grinding halt. "...Excuse me?" His confusion only deepened as the System continued, its tone oddly pleased. ["Let me explain it in a way even your tired brain can understand. When this multiversal consciousness began awakening, it needed a place to develop, a vessel, if you will. That vessel was Elythros. While she resided within it, Elythros managed everything in her stead, ensuring the multiverse remained stable. Only once this multiverse reached a certain threshold could she fully manifest into a physical form¡ªthis form, right in front of you."] Zar exhaled sharply. "So, that''s why Elythros needed a guardian." At those words, his gaze flickered past her. And sure enough¡ªthere he was. Standing silently behind her, the Guardian of Elythros radiated an aura of quiet vigilance. Though he had yet to speak, his presence was undeniably powerful. His very existence hummed with a primal energy, as if bound by duty beyond mortal comprehension. The silence between them stretched¡ªan odd, growing awkwardness filling the air. Then, in an effort to ease the tension, Zar smirked and spoke. "Well now, my lady, do I have the pleasure of knowing your name, or should I keep calling you the most captivating mystery in this realm?" The Guardian visibly tensed. Zar arched a brow, confused¡ªuntil he replayed his words in his mind. Oh. Oh, hell no. That had definitely sounded like flirting. His brain screeched to a halt. And then, deep within his mind¡ª ["PFFT¡ªBWAHAHAHAH!!"] As Zar heard the System''s laughter echo in his mind, his expression darkened. He clenched his jaw before muttering, "FUCK YOU, SYSTEM." The amusement in the System''s voice only grew. ["Oh, come on. You should be thanking me. This was entertaining."] Zar clicked his tongue. He knew the System was behind this mess. But. The System just wheezed, its laughter sounding as if it was rolling on the floor, clutching its imaginary stomach. ["OH MY GOD, ZAR!¡ª"] Zar clenched his fists, his face utterly deadpan. "I will end you." But the System only laughed harder. Chapter 37: A Veyara Chapter 37 - A VeyaraA heavy silence stretched across the Eternium Sanctum. The emerald -haired being stood frozen in place, her glowing eyes wide with unspoken emotions. Her celestial dress shimmered, tiny threads of light rippling across the fabric as if mirroring her inner turmoil. She parted her lips slightly, as if to speak¡ª But no words came. Zar raised a brow. He had expected many things¡ªa sharp response, maybe even a divine-level scolding¡ªbut instead, she just... stood there. Stunned. Almost vulnerable. The energy around her wavered. The very essence of her being, once perfectly composed, now flickered with uncertainty. It wasn''t fear. It wasn''t discomfort. It was something else entirely. Then, it hit him. She had spent her entire existence in slumber within Elythros, untouched by the passage of time. She had never spoken to anyone. Never made a decision. Never even experienced the simplest concept of interaction. Everything was new to her. And now, she stood before him, no longer a mere presence within Elythros, but a being of flesh and will¡ªexperiencing, for the first time, the weight of existence outside her eternal sleep. Her fingers curled slightly at her sides, gripping the fabric of her dress as though grounding herself. The glow in her eyes flickered. She wasn''t angry. If anything, she looked¡ª Shy. Zar smirked, crossing his arms. "What''s the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Her shoulders tensed. She opened her mouth again¡ª Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nothing. The silence stretched long enough for the System to chime in. [Wow. You actually broke the consciousness of the multiverse. Congratulations, Zar. This might be your worst achievement yet.] Zar chuckled, rubbing his chin. "Well, I suppose that depends. If saying a few words was enough to cause a meltdown, maybe she really does need a reset." The being blinked, her expression shifting from stunned silence to something dangerously close to a pout. The cosmic glow in her eyes flared just slightly, and Zar swore he could feel the weight of the entire multiverse pressing down on him for a brief second. Yeah. She wasn''t as defenseless as she looked. Sensing the tension, Zar sighed dramatically. "Oh, don''t look at me like that. It''s not my fault she''s acting like she just had an existential crisis." [Oh, no, by all means, let''s blame her. The ancient, reality-defining entity who was literally born from the essence of the cosmos itself. Clearly, she''s the one acting weird. Not you. Not the guy who casually walked up to her and threw her entire existence into question.] Zar rolled his eyes. "Oh? But you''re the one who turned it into something ridiculous. I was being serious, and you turned it into a spectacle." He smirked, stepping forward slightly. "Now, watch as I unleash the full force of my skills." A pause. The System''s voice turned flat. [Oh no. Ohhh, no. Wait. What skills? You don''t have skills. You have an overinflated ego and a terrible sense of timing.] Zar''s smirk widened. "Well, it was also thanks to your lessons." A sudden chill crawled down his spine. [...Why did that sound sarcastic?] Zar coughed into his fist, ignoring the way the System''s tone darkened with irritation. Instead, he snapped his attention back to the silent figure, his smirk returning as he tilted his head. "Well, lady, you still haven''t answered my question." His voice was smooth, laced with just the right amount of amusement. "Can I have your name?" Her fingers twitched against the fabric of her dress. For the first time, she spoke. Her voice was soft¡ªlike a whisper carried through the stars, gentle yet echoing with the vastness of existence itself. "...My name...?" Zar leaned in slightly, his expression unwavering. "That''s right. Or do you need more time to process?" She looked at him¡ªreally looked at him. And then, barely above a whisper¡ª "...Astraia." Zar smiled. "A beautiful name for a beautiful¡ª" [ABSOLUTELY NOT.] Zar blinked. "...No?" [NO. Just no. Shut it down. We are not doing this. I refuse to be part of whatever this is.] Zar raised a brow. "I was just saying her name." [Oh, please. You oozed romantic tension just now. You were two seconds away from writing poetry about her existence. I felt it. I hated it. And by the way she isn''t a goddess] Zar chuckled under his breath, glancing at Astraia with renewed interest. "Alright, alright. Relax. If she''s not a goddess, then what exactly is she?" The System''s response was immediate. [A Veyara.] Zar let the word settle in his mind. Veyara. It wasn''t a title. It wasn''t something bestowed upon her. It was what she was. A being beyond gods, beyond celestial orders¡ªa Veyara. Zar continues. "A beautiful name for a beautiful Veyara" Her breath hitched. Her eyes widened once more, and this time, the glow in them shimmered wildly. The edges of her cosmic dress rippled like a galaxy reacting to the shift of time itself. Zar''s smirk deepened. And in the back of his mind, the System groaned. [OH, FOR THE LOVE OF¡ªZAR, STOP FLIRTING WITH THE HER. I AM NOT READY TO BE REDUCED TO A THIRD-WHEEL SIDE CHARACTER IN YOUR INTERDIMENSIONAL LOVE STORY.] Chapter 38: A Veyara 2 Chapter 38 - A Veyara 2A heavy silence followed the System''s words. Then¡ª Zar smirked. Playfully, he leaned slightly to the side, as if addressing an unseen audience. "Yeah, you should be ready to be reduced to a third-wheel side character because you are the one responsible for this." The System didn''t even hesitate. [So what, man? At least now you finally got to flirt with someone.] Zar exhaled through his nose, already regretting engaging. [And hey, look on the bright side¡ªat least she''ll remember this greeting forever. Talk about impact, huh?] Zar clenched his jaw, inhaling deeply, but think about it more and thought well it''s true but still he was about to retort¡ª But something made him pause. He turned back toward Astraia. For someone who embodied the awareness of an entire multiverse, she looked oddly small in that moment. She was still standing there, her delicate fingers lightly curled against the shimmering fabric of her celestial dress. Her gaze wasn''t hostile. If anything, it was filled with something far more delicate¡ªhesitation, uncertainty... shyness. Because She was experiencing something new. For the first time in her existence, she wasn''t merely watching. She was part of something. --- "...Hah," Zar exhaled, running a hand through his hair before shifting his stance. He had no idea why, but the sight made him ease up a little. Then, with a small shake of his head, he spoke. "Well... I know I''m late, but welcome to my sanctum." Astraia blinked. The glow in her eyes flickered slightly, and her lips parted, but no words came. Then¡ª As if remembering something¡ª Zar suddenly pointed a finger at her, his usual smirk returning. "And there''s no more flirting, by the way." Astraia merely tilted her head slightly. The System scoffed. [Oh sure, now you set boundaries. You really think that works retroactively?] Zar ignored it. Instead, he crossed his arms, posture exuding nothing but confidence. "Now, let''s go to the realm I just created." Astraia''s head tilted again, this time a little further. "You... created a realm?" Zar nodded, though her tone made him pause. "Yeah? Why do you sound so surprised?" "...Because I didn''t feel any disturbance," she finally said. Zar scratched his cheek. "...Well, it''s kind of like isolation, I guess?" The words hung between them for a moment. Behind Astraia, standing quietly at a respectful distance, the Guardian¡ªan armored, towering figure¡ªnarrowed its glowing, unreadable gaze. Though it remained silent, its thoughts whispered through its consciousness. "Huh? What does he mean by isolation?" At the same time, Astraia''s expression subtly shifted. She was the multiverse''s awareness¡ªnothing should be able to form without her noticing. And yet, this supposed realm had appeared without even the faintest ripple. "...Isolation?" Astraia echoed. Zar waved a hand dismissively. "Doesn''t matter. What does matter is that we''re going there now." Without further delay, the air around them folded. Reality bent. And in the next instant¡ª They arrived. A vast metropolis stretched before them. Its towers rose beyond the skies, carved from celestial marble and adorned with ethereal runes that pulsed faintly, like the steady heartbeat of a god. The streets, made of luminescent stone, wove into complex patterns that radiated an ancient power¡ªso intricate, so deliberate, it felt as though the city itself was alive. Above them, massive rings of golden light rotated, locked in an eternal rhythm. These weren''t just for aesthetics¡ªeach one held within its embrace entire floating continents, suspended in perfect harmony. This place was more than a city. Zar stretched, looking entirely pleased with himself. "Well, here we are." Astraia''s gaze swept over the city. For a moment, she simply... watched. Then, as if some invisible command had been issued, the scenery around them shifted¡ªagain. In an instant, they were no longer standing in the middle of Ozyrn. A vast castle surrounded them, its architecture grand enough to challenge the concept of infinity itself. This was Zar''s domain¡ªthe very core of his newly forged realm. Zar turned to Astraia, smirking. "You can do whatever you want here." And with that, he left, yeah he just left. As soon as his presence faded, Astraia''s initial shyness began to settle. For the first time since her awakening, she found herself alone. The silence that followed wasn''t uncomfortable¡ªit was merely different. She glanced around, the glowing light in her eyes shifting slightly. There was something lingering in her thoughts, something she couldn''t quite dismiss. A realm. A realm that she had not noticed being formed. That should be impossible. Without hesitation, she reached outward¡ªnot physically, but through the very fabric of reality itself. It was not the act of a god extending their divine senses. Nor was it the perception of a celestial being seeking knowledge. No. It was the act of something far more fundamental. It was awareness itself stretching forth. And then¡ª She saw. At first, she was merely impressed. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The city was vast. A construct of grandeur, crafted beyond the limits of divine architecture. But then¡ª She kept seeing. Her perception expanded. And what she witnessed next left her stunned. This was not just a large realm. This was an expanse nearly half the size of the multiverse itself. Her glowing eyes widened ever so slightly. For the first time, since she had awoken¡ª She felt something entirely foreign. A quiet, undeniable sense of awe. ------------------------------------ AUTH, here "To read a novel is to step beyond the veil of the ordinary, to chase whispers in the dark and unravel secrets woven between the lines. The best readers are not just observers¡ªthey are seekers, unraveling the unseen, decoding the silent echoes of the author''s hidden truths." Chapter 39: Games Of Gods Chapter 39 - Games Of GodsZar strolled through the grand halls of his sanctum, hands casually resting behind his head. His footsteps echoed faintly against the endless marble, his expression unreadable. But his mind? His mind was anything but calm. After a few moments, he exhaled sharply and spoke. "Hey, you. What the fuck did you just do?" The System remained silent. Zar''s jaw tightened. "Where''s that Guardian?" His golden eyes narrowed. "I know I teleported him with me, so where the hell is he?" Then, finally¡ª [Guess.] The tone was mocking. Zar stopped mid-step, his irritation visibly flaring. A faint pulse of energy crackled around him before he forced himself to exhale through his nose. "...You''re telling me," he said slowly, voice barely restrained, "that I teleported Astraia alone. Without her Guardian." [Mhm.] A muscle in Zar''s jaw twitched. His eye twitched. The air around him trembled for a fraction of a second. Then¡ª He suddenly stopped. His irritation vanished. A smirk slowly crept onto his lips. "Alright, cool," he muttered. The System hesitated. [Uh...?] Zar tilted his head, looking oddly relaxed. "So, how was my acting?" Silence. Then¡ª [Huh?] Zar''s smirk widened. "You really think I wouldn''t notice?" The System froze. [Oh, shit how did you found that I¡ª] Zar interrupted and let out a short, triumphant chuckle. "You shouldn''t have shown me that part, dumbass." [Listen, man, it wasn''t even my fault¡ª] "Save it." Zar lazily waved a hand. "Now, System, why don''t you kindly show me how the Guardian''s doing right now?" The System grumbled something unintelligible. Then¡ª A screen materialized in front of Zar. The image flickered for a moment before stabilizing. Zar''s golden-purple eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the scene before him. The Guardian¡ªAstraia''s ever-watchful protector¡ªstood at the center of a grand, divine chamber. Ethereal light poured from towering crystalline pillars, casting shifting patterns across the floor. But the Guardian wasn''t alone. Before him stood the Main Gods. And the Guardian? He wasn''t intimidated. No. He was smiling. The Guardian¡ªhis towering figure clad in obsidian armor laced with golden inscriptions¡ªtilted his head, speaking in a tone that was almost too relaxed. "So... this entire realm," he mused, his deep voice carrying a hint of amusement, "was created for the tournament?" One of the gods before him¡ªAetherion¡ªgave a slow nod. "It seems so." Zar leaned forward slightly, intrigued. Then¡ª The Guardian suddenly chuckled. "Aetherion," he said in a friendly tone¡ªone that implied familiarity. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Since we''re both here," the Guardian continued smoothly, rolling his shoulders, "why don''t we see who''s stronger this time?" Aetherion''s lips twitched in response. His golden eyes glowed slightly as he exhaled. "I thought you''d never ask." But before anything could escalate¡ª A voice cut through the chamber. "Well, you can," Ignis interjected, his smirk razor-sharp. "But you''ll have to wait until I crush this bastard first." His fiery gaze locked onto Aetherion. Aetherion merely sighed, shaking his head. Zar, watching through the screen, slowly leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. A slow grin stretched across his face. "Well, well," he muttered. "Looks like things just got interesting." Time passed. Two and a half hours vanished like grains of sand slipping through fingers. The once-tense atmosphere had settled into something calmer, yet anticipation crackled beneath the surface like a storm waiting to break. The gods¡ªboth greater and lesser¡ªgathered within a grand hall, situated at the heart of Ozyrn, the City of the Lost. It was a place of unparalleled majesty. Colossal pillars of celestial marble stretched endlessly toward the heavens, their surfaces adorned with shifting runes that pulsed with ancient power. The floor, an expanse of shimmering onyx, reflected the golden rings that hovered in the air above¡ªeach one holding entire floating continents in place. A throne, forged from a fusion of pure starlight and voidstone, sat elevated at the far end of the hall. It was here that Zar stood. His gaze swept over the gathered gods before him¡ªdeities of various realms, each exuding a presence that could shatter lesser worlds. "Alright," Zar spoke at last, his voice carrying effortlessly through the hall. "Now that everyone is here..." With a flick of his wrist, an array of fruits materialized before the gods. The fruit gleamed unnaturally, as if woven from cosmic essence itself. Their surfaces swirled with shifting patterns¡ªfragments of galaxies, nebulae, and something deeper. Something unknowable. "Take one," Zar said casually, a smirk playing on his lips. The gods glanced at each other. Then¡ª Without hesitation, the lesser gods¡ªthose who held dominion over smaller celestial bodies and concepts¡ªspoke in unison: "Yes, my Lord." They reached forward. They took the fruit. And then¡ª They vanished. It was as if they had never existed. One moment, they were there¡ªstanding within the grand hall, bathed in the glow of Ozyrn''s celestial light. The next¡ª Their bodies dissolved into glimmering stardust, swept away by an unseen force. A Shift in Reality The scene shifted. When the lesser gods opened their eyes, they were no longer in Ozyrn. The air was different. Thicker. Heavier. It smelled of decay, of forgotten history. They stood in the remnants of a ruined world. Endless crumbling structures stretched as far as the eye could see, their skeletal remains whispering of a civilization lost to time. The sky above was an abyss of swirling void, speckled with distant stars that pulsed like dying embers. The lesser gods exchanged glances. There was no announcement. No declaration. But they understood. The game had already begun. The Survival Game One of them¡ªan armored war god with crimson eyes¡ªspoke first. "So... what now?" Silence. Then¡ª A murmur spread through the gathered deities as they recalled the rules. No alliances. No teams. Only one survivor. The realization sank in. One by one, they turned to each other, offering brief nods of acknowledgment. Some smirked. Some clenched their fists. Some merely sighed. And then¡ª They departed. Each god strode in a different direction, vanishing into the ruins, their divine auras flickering like dying flames. The survival game had truly begun. A Watching Presence Far above¡ª Beyond the crumbling towers and forsaken temples¡ª A being watched. It stood on the edge of reality itself, its form shifting¡ªindistinct, yet undeniably present. Its gaze swept across the ruined world, lingering on the scattered gods below. But its focus wasn''t solely on them. It was looking beyond. At something unseen. At something waiting. Then¡ª It spoke. Its voice was a whisper, a ripple across the fabric of existence itself. "Interesting." Chapter 40: Girlfriend??!! Chapter 40 - Girlfriend??!!Astraia sat within her celestial observatory, the vast expanse of the multiverse stretching before her in shimmering holographic displays. The lesser gods had already begun their desperate struggle for survival, each departing in different directions, their divine auras flickering across the decayed world like embers against the abyss. She watched, her emerald eyes sharp and analytical¡ªuntil something shifted. A presence. No¡ªsomething more than that. Her senses, which encompassed the entirety of this multiverse, recoiled. It was subtle, nearly imperceptible, but she felt it. Something¡ªsomeone¡ªwas within the game. And they did not belong to this verse. Astraia''s gaze snapped toward the holographic projection. There, amid the forsaken ruins, a being stood on the edge of existence itself¡ªindistinct, yet undeniably present. Its form flickered, warping like a mirage against the crumbling landscape. Her fingers clenched. "What... is that?" she muttered under her breath. She could feel it. An anomaly. An entity not born from this multiverse. And yet, it was here. Watching. Astraia exhaled, her mind racing. She knew only one person could have a hand in this. "Zar." Her voice didn''t travel through air. It didn''t need to. Across realms, across time and space, her words reached out in search of him. But something was off. The connection was faint¡ªfainter than it should have been. She had locked onto his presence, had nearly pinpointed his location... Then, suddenly¡ª Gone. Like a wisp of smoke in the wind, his presence vanished. Astraia stiffened. Her fingers curled into a fist as unease settled in her chest. Had he¡ª had he blocked her? A bitter thought crept into her mind. Did he not want to meet me? She quickly shook her head, dispelling the idea. It was ridiculous. Zar wasn''t the type to avoid confrontation. If anything, he enjoyed it. But still... Why did it feel like he was deliberately avoiding her? --- Elsewhere... Zar exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face as he felt Astraia trying to reach him. Then, with a flick of his will¡ª He blocked her. Just like that, the link severed. For a moment, silence hung in the air. Then Zar groaned. "System, now what?" [Now what?] The System''s voice practically dripped with amusement. [I should be the one asking you that, dumbass. You''re the one avoiding your girlfriend like a guilty husband caught in the wrong bed.] Zar''s eye twitched. "Shut up." [Oh? So you do have something to hide?] "How the hell am I supposed to explain this?!" Zar snapped, motioning vaguely to the unseen beings Astraia had sensed. "If it was something else, I could bullshit my way through it, but them? How the fuck am I supposed to explain them?" [Oh, I don''t know... maybe by not being a coward?] Zar clenched his fists, inhaled through his nose, then exhaled. Slowly. [Relax,] the System continued, clearly enjoying his suffering. [I''ve already handled it.] Zar frowned. "Handled it?" [Yep. You don''t have to explain anything. Just act all mysterious and shit, and everything will sort itself out. Easy, right?] Zar narrowed his eyes. "You''re telling me Astraia will just accept that?" [Of course not, you idiot. She''s not stupid. She''ll be suspicious as hell.] "Then how is this handling anything?!" [Because all you need to do is act like you don''t know anything, and she won''t think you''re hiding shit. Instead, she''ll think you''re just being your enigmatic self.] Zar stared. The System''s tone turned smug. [Let''s be real. You always pull this cryptic nonsense, so it won''t even seem out of character. Just throw in a vague one-liner, look at the sky dramatically, and boom¡ªproblem solved.] Zar pinched the bridge of his nose. "I hate you." [No, you don''t.] "I really do." [Yeah, yeah, whatever. Now hurry up before Astraia overthinks things and convinces herself you''re cheating on her with cosmic horrors.] Zar opened his mouth. Paused. Then scowled and ignore him. "...Fine." And with that, he vanished. --- When Zar appeared before Astraia, she didn''t acknowledge him right away. Her emerald eyes glinted, but she didn''t speak, choosing instead to ignore his presence entirely. Zar stood there for a moment, stunned. He crossed his arms. "Oh, so now you''re acting like a child?" Then, it clicked. He remembered. She wasn''t the type to express her feelings openly, especially in this situation. She was an introvert, after all¡ªsomeone who''d spent most of her existence within the boundaries of Elythros, only recently taking on a physical form. It made perfect sense. Before he could open his mouth to speak, the System''s voice rang in his mind, almost smug. [Oh, what''s this? You''re playing the mind reader now?] Zar blinked. "Did you just read my mind?" There was a pause before the System replied flatly. [Man, just tell me. If you know someone well enough, can''t you tell what they''re thinking just by looking at their face?] Zar frowned. "So, you read my mind then?" [Yeah, of course I did. And what''s it to you?] Zar stared, processing that. "Really?" he muttered. "You''ve been reading my mind this whole time?" The System sighed in a mocking tone. [Well, yeah. It''s not like you''ve been subtle, idiot.] Zar threw his hands up in exasperation in realisation. "Okay, okay, I''m sorry for doubting you, alright?" [Good.] sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zar took another deep breath. "As for why I think she''s an introvert, it''s obvious. She lived her whole existence in Elythros before becoming physical¡ªof course she''s introverted. It''s logical." [Fair enough.] The System''s tone softened just a bit. [Alright, now go and talk to her. You''ve got a girlfriend to convince, after all.] Zar frowned and muttered, "I''m not calling her my girlfriend, okay?" [Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just go deal with it.] Zar rolled his eyes. "Just give me a damn gift from that shop function." [Oh, right. Sure thing, Romeo.] The System''s voice was dripping with sarcasm. Zar gritted his teeth. "Shut up and give me a gift, now." There was a brief silence before the System handed him a small box, elegantly designed, but unassuming. Zar held it, curious, but something about it felt... suspicious. The box was sealed tight, and Zar couldn''t resist his urge to peek inside. It looked like a ring box. [Relax,] the System said, sensing his unease. [It''s not an engagement ring, man. Chill.] "I just want to know what''s inside," Zar muttered, "because it''s too suspicious." [You know it''s improper to open someone else''s gift, right?] The System sounded like it was thoroughly enjoying Zar''s discomfort. Zar narrowed his eyes. "You don''t understand. This looks like a damn ring box. I need to know." The System huffed. [Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Just go before she gets even more pissed off.] Zar, finally annoyed enough, nodded in agreement. He glanced at Astraia, who still wasn''t looking his way, and muttered under his breath. "Fine. I''ll go deal with this." He approached her slowly, knowing that if he didn''t move fast, she would likely shut down even further. But the System''s voice followed him as he walked. [Hurry up, or she''s going to be even angrier, and you''ll have to buy her flowers or something.] Zar groaned. "Shut. Up." ------------------- AUTH here, "Judge not my Chapters by their scattered threads, for only when the tapestry is complete, shall you behold its true splendor, and in its intricate beauty, my greatness shall be revealed." Chapter 41: Gift Chapter 41 - GiftZar stepped forward, his presence an unspoken force that filled the celestial balcony. Astraia still ignoring him. Her arms remained crossed, her emerald gaze fixed on the endless stars, as if his existence was merely background noise. Zar sighed. "Alright, I get it. You''re pissed." No response. He frowned. "Astraia¡ª" Still nothing. [Oh, she''s really mad] the System whispered in his mind, far too amused. Zar clicked his tongue. "Look, I didn''t ignore you on purpose. I was... busy." Silence. "I would''ve answered if it wasn''t¡ª" More silence. Zar groaned and ran a hand down his face. "Fine. You win." He reached into the void and pulled out the small, sleek box. The moment it appeared in his palm, Astraia''s eyes flickered toward it¡ªjust for a second¡ªbefore snapping back to the stars, as if she hadn''t noticed at all. Zar smirked. "Here. For you." Astraia''s posture stiffened. For the first time since his arrival, she really looked at him. Then at the box. Then back at him. Her expression shifted¡ªcurious yet cautious, her usual regal demeanor cracking ever so slightly. She hesitated, her fingers twitching at her sides before, almost shyly, she reached out and took the box from him. Then, as she held it in her hands... she froze. The shape. The size. The elegant simplicity of its design. Her entire face turned red. Zar blinked. Oh no. [Oh yes!!] the System practically purred. [She thinks it''s a ring.] Zar internally screamed. Please don''t overthink this. Please don''t overthink this. Astraia''s fingers trembled slightly as she slowly, carefully, opened the box¡ªher expression a mix of anticipation and overwhelming shyness. Then, the contents were revealed. Inside, suspended in a field of shimmering energy, was a dress. Not just any dress. A masterpiece woven from threads of pure starlight, stitched together by the cosmic forces of the multiverse itself. The fabric shifted between hues of deep nebula blues, radiant golds, and ethereal silvers, constantly changing, yet never chaotic. Patterns of constellations danced across its surface, each star shimmering like a tiny universe bound in cloth. It floated, weightless, defying gravity¡ªlike a garment not meant for any ordinary world, but for the grandest of multiversal banquets. Astraia''s breath hitched. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For a long moment, she simply stared, wide-eyed. Then, slowly, her fingers traced the edge of the dress, as if afraid it would vanish if she touched it too firmly. "...It''s beautiful," she whispered. Her voice was quiet. Almost vulnerable. Zar crossed his arms, watching her reaction. "Figured you''d like it." Astraia swallowed, glancing up at him. Her golden eyes held something unreadable¡ªsomething between awe and disbelief. "This is..." She hesitated, looking down again. "The first time someone has given me a gift." Zar stiffened slightly. The first time? [Oh, you absolute fool] the System cackled. [You just set a goddamn precedent.] Zar ignored it. Instead, he exhaled and gave a small nod. "Well. Now you''ve got one." Astraia lingered on his words. Then, with uncharacteristic shyness, she hugged the gift close to her chest, her lips curving into a small, genuine smile. Zar watched her carefully. Then, after a moment, muttered under his breath, At least there isn''t a ring in it. [See? Told you. No ring.] Zar resisted the urge to throw the System into a black hole. ---- ---- After some time, as the atmosphere between them eased, Astraia finally asked, "What were those beings I sensed earlier?" Zar, who had been leaning against the railing, merely smirked. "Why don''t you guess?" Astraia narrowed her eyes. "Zar." He raised a hand dismissively. "Relax. They''re... friendly." Her brow twitched. "That answer tells me nothing." "Exactly." She huffed in frustration, but before she could press further, a disturbance rippled through the divine battlefield below. Zar glanced down, his expression unreadable. "Looks like the game''s getting interesting." --- Meanwhile... A lesser god, one of the many contenders in the survival game, finally felt it. The shift. The subtle break in the pattern. His title wasn''t for show¡ªhe was the God of Causality. And after watching, predicting, and subtly influencing fate, he had finally uncovered the first real clue to this game''s true nature. A slow, knowing smile spread across his lips. "So that''s how it is..." he murmured. Just as he was about to make his next move, another god appeared beside him. The God of Illusions. "So," the illusionist mused, tilting his head. "What are you doing all the way out here? You found something, didn''t you?" The God of Causality chuckled lightly. "No, bro. Still figuring it out." The Illusionist raised an eyebrow. "Really?" "Yeah. Really." The Causality God stepped forward¡ªjust a single step closer. Then¡ª Without warning¡ª He struck. A burst of divine energy erupted between them. The Illusionist barely had time to react before his form collapsed, reality twisting around him. In an instant¡ªhe vanished. The God of Causality watched the empty space where his opponent once stood. Then, as if nothing had happened, he smirked and walked away. The game had just begun. Chapter 42: The Clash Chapter 42 - The ClashThe God of Illusion appeared behind the God of Causality like a ghost emerging from the void. His voice was laced with amusement as he whispered, "Well, that was a good surprise attack, man." The God of Causality stiffened. He spun around to face him, his divine senses sharpening. "So," he murmured, his eyes narrowing, "you already figured out the rules here?" The Illusionist smirked. "Yeah, and more than that." He stretched his arms as if this was just another casual day. "We''re all here with fake bodies¡ªbut these fake bodies contain 100% of our original power." Causality''s eyes darkened. "Which means..." "Which means¡ª" Slash! A blade of shimmering mirage cut through his back. Causality''s body¡ªor what he thought was his body¡ªbegan unraveling like a broken karma , splitting into fractured moments of existence before collapsing into nothing. But the real Causality was already moving. Without hesitation, he raised his hand, and the very concept of cause and effect rippled through the battlefield. The Illusionist''s attack had struck him¡ªso he reversed it. The very moment of the attack was rewritten. Illusion''s blade, instead of piercing Causality, instead slashed through empty space¡ªas if the event had never happened in the first place. Illusion clicked his tongue. "Ah, annoying." Causality smirked, wiping nonexistent dust from his shoulder. "You should''ve known better." But Illusion simply chuckled, stepping forward as if nothing had happened. "Well, what can I say? I like messing around." Then, suddenly¡ª There were twenty of him. Each identical. Each radiating his true divine presence. And all of them attacked at once. Causality barely had time to react before a barrage of reality-bending strikes came crashing down, tearing through space-time itself. The attacks weren''t physical¡ªthey were shifts in perception, illusions so potent that they became real. Every slash wasn''t just an illusion, it was a paradox¡ªboth real and not real, forcing his mind and powers to decide which to accept. Causality gritted his teeth. "Annoying bastard," he muttered. With a flick of his wrist, he froze possibility itself. Time didn''t stop. Events didn''t halt. But every possible outcome of Illusion''s attack became visible to him¡ªlike threads branching in every direction. And with a mere thought¡ª He chose the one where none of the attacks landed. The moment he made that decision, it obeyed. The illusions flickered, distorting¡ªthen vanished. Illusion whistled. "Damn. You''re good." Causality flexed his fingers. "And you''re persistent." They both grinned. Then, they charged at each other once more. --- Elsewhere on the Battlefield... Several lesser gods had sensed the fight. Drawn by the clash of divine auras, they rushed toward the scene, eager to understand what was happening. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A lesser god under Aetherion, the God of Chronomancy, arrived first. With a flick of his hand, time rippled, replaying the moments that had just occurred. As the gathered gods watched the recorded events unfold, realization dawned. "They''re..." one muttered. "They''re fighting to kill." "But their real bodies are fine," another added. "So that means..." The realization spread like wildfire. A grin stretched across one god''s face. "Then there''s no risk." Another laughed, cracking their knuckles. "Meaning we can go all out." Excitement surged through them. What began as a calculated battle of survival shifted into something else entirely¡ªa challenge. A competition. And then, all at once¡ª The battlefield erupted. Lesser gods attacked each other with full power, their divine abilities colliding like celestial storms. Some fought with strategy, others with raw power, but all of them fought for one thing¡ªto prove who was strongest. A battle of chaos and skill. Some gods fell. Others vanished in flashes of divine energy, their avatar destroyed. The numbers dwindled. Until finally¡ª Seven remained. Each of them stood amidst the ruins of the battlefield, their divine forms untouched¡ªnot by luck, but by sheer dominance. God of Chronomancy ¨C Subordinate of Aetherion, the God of Time and Space. He controlled time''s flow with terrifying mastery, unraveling moments before they even happened. God of Molten Flames ¨C Subordinate of Ignis, the God of Multiversal Elements. His flames weren''t mere fire¡ªthey were the essence of creation and destruction, capable of melting existence itself. Goddess of Decay ¨C Subordinate of Eterna, the Goddess of Life and Death. Where she walked, all things withered, rotting away into oblivion. Even the divine was not immune to her touch. God of Illusion ¨C Subordinate of Noctis, the God of Illumination and Darkness. A trickster whose illusions weren''t mere tricks¡ªthey were realities, created and discarded at will. God of Celestial Thunder ¨C Subordinate of Zephiron, the God of Everstorm. His power was the fury of cosmic storms, lightning that could shatter entire dimensions with a single strike. God of Causality ¨C Subordinate of Vaelora, the Goddess of Destiny and Fate. His power was not strength¡ªit was certainty. He did not fight to win. He simply made it so that he already had. Goddess of Ruin ¨C Subordinate of Nyxara, the Goddess of Destruction. She did not break things. She unmade them, erasing their very concept from reality itself. The seven lesser gods faced each other. A moment of silence. Then¡ª A spark. A tension so thick it could tear the cosmos apart. They all knew. This... Was the their final battle. Chapter 43: Clash of Time and Casuality Chapter 43 - Clash of Time and CasualityPlay ''Montagem - Pr funk'' -------- The battlefield lay in ruin. The divine energies of countless lesser gods had dissipated, leaving only seven figures standing amidst the celestial wreckage. Each of them radiated raw power, their presence warping reality itself. Aetherion''s subordinate, the God of Chronomancy, stood motionless, his form flickering between past, present, and future. Every breath he took seemed to rewind and replay, an unbroken cycle of existence. Ignis''s chosen, the God of Molten Flames, hovered in the air, his very being a fusion of fire and magma. The heat from his form distorted space, making even the fabric of reality waver. Eterna''s champion, the Goddess of Decay, walked forward slowly, her steps leaving trails of rot and desolation in the void. Even time itself recoiled from her presence, refusing to mend what she touched. Noctis''s trickster, the God of Illusion, smirked as he casually adjusted his coat. His form flickered, constantly shifting between multiple versions of himself, as if reality itself couldn''t decide which one was real. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zephiron''s warrior, the God of Celestial Thunder, crackled with cosmic lightning, his body a conduit for the boundless storms of creation. His very presence rumbled through the heavens, as though the universe itself acknowledged his might. Vaelora''s strategist, the God of Causality, remained still, calculating every possible outcome. The battle had already been fought in his mind¡ªhe simply had to make the reality align with his vision. Nyxara''s harbinger, the Goddess of Ruin, stood at the center, her presence a void of destruction. Every step she took erased even the concept of existence beneath her feet. To oppose her was to challenge the end itself.A long silence fell between them. Then¡ªA bolt of celestial lightning struck the ground. In an instant, they moved¡ª Aetherion''s subordinate, the God of Chronomancy, stood motionless, his form flickering between past, present, and future. Every breath he took seemed to rewind and replay, an unbroken cycle of existence. Vaelora''s strategist, the God of Causality, remained still, calculating every possible outcome. The chains of fate coiled around him, shifting in response to his will. The battle had already been fought in his mind¡ªhe simply had to make reality align with his vision. A long silence fell between them. Then¡ª A bolt of celestial lightning struck the ground. In an instant, they moved. ---- Time twisted. Reality fractured. Chronomancy extended his hand, and in that moment, time ceased. Not slowed. Not reversed. Simply stopped. Everything around them froze¡ªspace, energy, even thought itself. The battlefield stood locked in a moment that no longer existed. In this void beyond time, Chronomancy moved, stepping forward with divine precision. His goal was simple: defeat his opponent before time resumed. But Causality merely smirked. The concept of ''stopping time'' had already been rewritten. To all others, time had frozen. But for him, it continued. With a mere thought, Causality nullified the event before it could happen. The moment never existed, the power never activated. Chronomancy staggered, his ability defied before it could take effect. "Well," Causality said with a smirk, eyes gleaming with interest, "Now this is getting interesting." Chronomancy''s gaze sharpened. "Then let''s take this seriously." He accelerated. Instead of stopping time, he sped it up¡ªfor himself. A thousand moments passed in an instant. To the world, he vanished. Causality''s divine senses flickered as reality adjusted. Instinctively, he searched the threads of karma, looking for the one path that ensured survival. The moment he found it, his body moved¡ªdodging at the precise moment before Chronomancy''s attack could land. But Chronomancy smiled. At the exact spot where Causality dodged, another strike was already waiting. Causality''s eyes widened as a blade of pure time slashed toward him. But instead of resisting, he let it pass through him. The moment should have severed him from existence¡ªyet, in the grand scheme of fate, it simply never happened. He stepped back, unharmed. Then he grinned. "Alright," Causality said, stretching his fingers. "Now, I''ll be serious." A book appeared before him. Its pages were blank¡ªyet filled with possibilities. Blue threads of fate extended outward, unraveling like woven glass, forming countless reflections of every possible future. Chronomancy''s gaze darkened. With a wave of his hand, his weapon emerged¡ªrising from the depths of a river of time itself. A ringed blade, its edges engraved with shifting clockwork mechanisms, floated beside him. Both gods took their stances. Then¡ªthey clashed. --- The Collision of Power Their weapons met, and the impact shattered time itself. The past and future bled into the present as each strike defied logic. Causality dictated what ''should'' happen, while Chronomancy dictated what ''could'' happen. Causality chose the timeline where he had already dodged the next attack¡ªonly for Chronomancy to choose the moment where Causality had already been hit. Reality twisted as both outcomes occurred simultaneously. Chronomancy''s ring blade sliced through causality itself, severing the very notion of ''what must happen.'' But Causality''s book rewrote it, ensuring the strike had never landed in the first place. They fought at impossible speeds, each rewriting reality at will. Causality eliminated the possibility of failure. Chronomancy manipulated the certainty of success. The battlefield around them fractured¡ªmemories of past and future worlds flashed across the air¡ªas each of their powers bent the very nature of existence. For every attack, a counter. For every certainty, an uncertainty. For every inevitability, an alternative. Neither could gain the upper hand¡ªuntil¡ª The battle reached a singular moment. A moment where no future existed. Causality''s book flickered, its pages turning blank. Chronomancy''s blade stopped mid-swing. Both gods froze. For they had reached a point where neither time nor fate could dictate the outcome. In that instant, they both realized¡ª This battle could not be decided by mere concepts. For the first time, a grin stretched across both of their faces. "This," Chronomancy murmured, eyes gleaming with thrill, "is going to be fun." Causality chuckled, shifting into a ready stance. "Let''s see which of us will win." Then¡ªthey charged once more. Chapter 44: Clash Of Flame and Decay Chapter 44 - Clash Of Flame and DecayFlames erupted. Decay spread. The battlefield trembled as two divine forces clashed¡ªIgnis''s chosen, the God of Molten Flames, and Eterna''s champion, the Goddess of Decay. The God of Molten Flames stood tall, his body exuding neither molten lava nor roaring fire. To the untrained eye, he looked normal¡ªhis presence deceivingly calm. Yet, beneath his skin, he was the hunger of fire itself. A force that did not simply burn, but consumed. The Goddess of Decay faced him with an air of quiet inevitability. She was the end of all things¡ªthe slow, patient unraveling of existence. Her very presence caused the ground beneath her to rot, crumbling into dust without a trace. Molten moved first. A sphere of burning chaos erupted from his palm, a fire so pure it defied logic itself. It did not merely burn¡ªit melted reality. The very laws of physics distorted in its wake as it surged toward Decay, consuming all in its path. Decay merely sighed. She raised a hand. The moment the flames touched her fingers, they withered. Not extinguished. Not repelled. They simply aged into irrelevance. A roaring inferno that should have devoured the world became nothing more than a fleeting memory. "You burn brightly," she whispered, her voice soft yet absolute. "But everything fades in time." Flames meant nothing to her. She took a step forward. The fabric of existence recoiled. Then, she extended her hand¡ªand his body began to rot. The God of Molten Flames felt it immediately. His very being¡ªhis divine essence¡ªwas corroding. The process was neither painful nor violent. It was inevitable. His molten core darkened, his energy withering as time itself sought to erase him. But instead of fear, he grinned. "I don''t burn," he said. "I consume." With a roar, his body shifted. The flames that coated his soul were not mere fire. They were something far worse¡ªthe hunger of combustion itself. If she aged him, he would devour the very concept of decay. For the first time, the Goddess of Decay narrowed her eyes. "Well," she mused, "that''s a good concept." Then, with a smirk, she added, "But here''s some advice¡ªyou really shouldn''t tell your opponent how your power works." A sound like shattering glass echoed through the void. From the air around her, something began to form. Fragments of translucent reality twisted, linking together¡ªassembling themselves into a scythe. A weapon of entropy. The Synth of Decay. The moment it fully materialized, the battlefield screamed. Molten Flames felt something¡ªan unfamiliar, dangerous presence. The scythe did not radiate power. It drained it. Seeing the threat before him, his grin only widened. "Good," he murmured. "I was getting bored." With a snap of his fingers, his weapon materialized. A spear¡ªone forged from the primordial core of hungry stars. A weapon not of destruction, but of endless consumption. Its blade shimmered with the glow of collapsing matter, a hunger so absolute it sought to swallow even the space. For a moment, there was only silence. Then¡ª They clashed. The Synth of Decay met the Spear of Devouring. The impact sent shockwaves tearing through the battlefield. Decay swung, her blade severing existence itself. Where it struck, concepts unraveled¡ªtime, space, even the idea of movement itself ceased to exist. But Molten did not evade. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Instead, his spear devoured the erasure. Her power, meant to end all things, was consumed. A second clash. A third. A hundred strikes exchanged in a breath. Each attack rewrote the battle. Decay swung¡ªMolten burned the strike before it could manifest. Molten Flames stabbed¡ªDecay aged the spear into rust. For every concept erased, another was devoured. For every loss of existence, another force replaced it. Decay was losing. No matter how much she unraveled, Molten simply burned through it. His fire did not destroy¡ªit absorbed. And then¡ª A single opening. Her blade sliced through the inferno. For the first time, a flame was cut. Molten staggered. The fire that should never be extinguished flickered. Not consumed. Not erased. But severed. He stared at the fading ember where his power had been. Then¡ªhe laughed. A deep, roaring, triumphant laugh. "I''ve never seen that before." His eyes gleamed with exhilaration. "You actually cut my flame." Decay merely twirled her scythe, unimpressed. "You''re welcome." But then¡ªshe did something unexpected. Raising her free hand, she let her own power wash over her body. The essence of decay¡ªthe force that unraveled all things¡ªbegan consuming her. Her form should have withered. Her existence should have crumbled. Yet, she stood taller. Her aura swelled, her presence intensifying rather than fading. Molten grin wavered. He narrowed his eyes. "You are bluffing." Decay smirked. "Am I?" The battlefield itself began to deteriorate at a terrifying rate, as if even reality feared what was happening. Molten sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Now things are becoming dangerous." Then, for the first time in their battle¡ª He got serious. His spear ignited, not with flames, but with something far more primal. A hunger beyond fire. The battlefield trembled¡ª And they clashed once more. ---------------------- AUTH here, Beneath the facade of destiny, lies a labyrinth of choices; don''t assume the path you''ve chosen is the only one that leads to truth ¨C for in the shadows, alternative realities whisper secrets to those who dare to listen. Chapter 45: Clash Of Thunder and Trickster Chapter 45 - Clash Of Thunder and TricksterA storm raged in the celestial battlefield, ripping the sky apart with divine thunder. The heavens cracked, their brilliance illuminating the chaos below. At the center stood the God of Illusion¡ªa smirk playing on his lips, his form ever-shifting, like a mirage seen through fractured glass. His robes shimmered, flickering between realities, a trick in themselves. Even his presence was uncertain, an enigma that could not be fully grasped. Opposite him, towering and unshaken, was the God of Celestial Thunder. Clad in armor forged from stormlight itself, his every movement hummed with undeniable power. His eyes burned with lightning, his aura vibrating with the fury of a thousand storms. The Trickster struck first. A lazy snap of his fingers. A thousand versions of himself blinked into existence. Each identical. Each seemingly real. The battlefield filled with laughter¡ªoverlapping, echoing, a maddening chorus of voices that spoke as one. "Good luck finding the real me, Thunder." Thunder did not hesitate. His answer was lightning. A single bolt of celestial thunder crashed down¡ªnot at one illusion, but everywhere at once. This was not a mere attack. It was a divine law. "Only truth shall remain." BOOM. The world flashed white. In an instant, every illusion shattered. Laughter turned to silence. The battlefield emptied. And there, stumbling back, was the real God of Illusion. His eyes widened. "You destroyed every false version of me in an instant?" Thunder cracked his knuckles. His smirk never wavered. "Illusions rely on deception." His voice was calm, but there was weight to his words. "My lightning doesn''t ask questions¡ªit gives answers." And then he attacked. A storm unlike any before. Divine thunder roared, tearing through space itself, unavoidable, undeniable. A force of nature given will. But Trickster was faster. His body blurred, flickering in and out of reality. He warped through the battlefield in erratic movements¡ªappearing, vanishing, shifting between planes of existence. Yet no matter how unpredictably he moved¡ª Thunder''s lightning always found him. Because it did not strike where he was. It struck where he was going to be. A perfect counter. Trickster clicked his tongue. "Tch. So predictable." With a flourish of his hand, a dagger materialized in his grasp. The blade shimmered like a mirage, its form shifting, its edges defying definition¡ªas if it did not belong to this plane of existence. The Trickster twirled it lazily. "At least you''re weaker than the God of Causality. He was much harder to fool." Thunder narrowed his eyes. A bait. A trick. "Nice try." With a clap of lightning, his weapon appeared. A spear of pure lightning. He did not wield metal. He wielded storm itself. The battlefield trembled as the air split apart, the spear humming with power beyond comprehension. Trickster took a step back, whistling. "Oh-ho. Fancy. But tell me¡ª" His voice came from behind Zephiron. "Are you watching your back?" Thunder''s instincts screamed. Too late. A sharp pain bloomed in his back¡ªthe Trickster''s dagger had struck true. The God of Celestial Thunder staggered forward, his eyes wide in disbelief. How? He hadn''t sensed any spatial distortions. He hadn''t seen any illusions. Yet the blade was there, embedded between his shoulder blades. The Trickster chuckled, stepping back with a satisfied grin. "Oh dear, you look shocked." His smirk widened. "Funny, coming from the God of celestial thunder." Thunder gritted his teeth. His form crackled, storms raging around him, as he turned to face Illusion. "How did you do that?" His voice was thick with disbelief. "From the start, you were just faking¡ª" Trickster flicked his wrist. The dagger disappeared as if it had never existed. "Oh no, no, no." His grin grew wider. "That was all real." "But you were looking in the wrong place." "The moment I summoned my dagger," Illusion tapped his temple, "you were already distracted¡ªby your own instincts." Thunder''s eyes narrowed. It was true. The Trickster had baited him earlier with that taunt about Causality. A single moment of irritation. A single lapse in focus. And that had been enough. The Trickster laughed. "Your storm sees where I will be. But that means..." He spread his arms dramatically. "I know exactly what not to do." Thunder rolled his shoulders. The wound on his back was already sizzling shut under divine regeneration. Not making that mistake again. But Trickster wasn''t listening. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He was blabbering nonsense. "You know, I always wondered... do gods like us dream? What if we''re just fragments of a greater illusion? What if none of this is real, and we''re actually just¡ª" Thunder''s stomach twisted. Something was wrong. His instincts screamed. Then it clicked. "Oh... shit." BOOM!! Reality shattered. The battlefield dissolved into shards of broken glass. Everything¡ªthe fight, the storm, even the pain in his back¡ªhad been fake. The real battlefield came rushing back into view. And there, just inches from his throat, was the Trickster''s dagger. A perfect, silent assassination attempt. But¡ª At the last possible second¡ª Thunder moved. His lightning-infused hand snapped forward, catching the Trickster''s wrist just before the dagger could pierce his throat. C.R.A.C.K. The sky roared in response. The battlefield shook under the weight of his divine power. Trickster froze. His dagger, so close to victory, trembled in the air, its tip hovering just above Zephiron''s throat. Then, he exhaled. "Just a little more," Trickster mused, grinning despite his predicament. Thunder smirked. "Yes." His eyes burned with lightning. "You almost got me." The sky rumbled. Chapter 46: God Of Joy Chapter 46 - God Of JoyThe battlefield roared in the distance¡ªgods clashed, the skies trembled, and reality itself threatened to break. Flames surged, storms howled, and illusions shattered like fragile glass. Yet, amid all this divine chaos, one figure remained still. The Goddess of Ruin sat atop the remains of a crumbling peak, watching the fights unfold. Her eyes flickered with boredom. She rested her chin on her palm, sighing. "No one to fight." It wasn''t frustration¡ªjust a quiet, lingering disappointment. She had no desire to interfere. Let them enjoy themselves. But as the fights dragged on, a thought crept into her mind. "Could I take on any three of them at once?" The idea made her smirk. She might as well try, once they were finished. But before she could dwell on it further¡ª A voice came from her left. "You look bored." Her body tensed instantly. She turned sharply¡ªand there, standing just a few steps away, was the God of Joy. He was smiling, eyes gleaming with that ever-present amusement, his relaxed posture making it seem as if he had simply wandered into the scene. Impossible. Ruin narrowed her eyes. She hadn''t sensed him at all. "How the hell did you get near me without me realizing it?" Joy just chuckled. "Oh, Mrs. Ruin, let''s play a game," he said, voice light, teasing. But beneath it, there was something else. He tilted his head, his grin widening. "How do you think I''ve survived till now? And why has none of you ever found me?" Ruin''s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. ''A hh. So that was it.'' He was testing her. Her golden irises gleamed with renewed interest. "Now I am not bored." The air itself trembled. Before her, a Synth of Ruin began to form¡ªits shape not summoned, but manifested. It was not just a weapon¡ªit was ruin itself, taking form in her grasp. Joy stretched lazily, rolling his shoulders. "Well, I just finished a fight," he said casually. "But still... I''m ready." Ruin studied him carefully. "You are not summoning your weapon?" Joy simply shook his head. "Not required." Her gaze sharpened. "You''re overconfident." Joy smirked. "Well, let''s see." And then¡ªthey clashed. The Battle Begins Ruin swung first. Her Synth of Ruin tore through space itself, cutting through existence. The very air twisted and cracked in its wake. It did not just destroy¡ªit unraveled. A single touch would reduce anything to absolute ruin, breaking it apart in a way that could never be restored. It was ruin incarnate. Her strike landed. But¡ª. Joy blocked it. With one hand. A direct hit. A strike powerful enough to cripple lesser gods if they didn''t dodge. Yet Joy stood firm. His palm pressed against the blade, fingers curled around its edge. No blood. No injury. For the first time in ages¡ªRuin was shocked. Impossible. She pulled back, golden irises narrowing. "What...?" Joy just flexed his fingers, rolling his wrist like he had merely caught a feather. He wiggled his fingers playfully. "Something wrong?" Ruin''s grip on her Synth tightened. No. That wasn''t a fluke. She swung again. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Faster. Stronger. Her blade moved like a storm of destruction¡ªeach strike tearing through the battlefield, slicing through the very fabric of space. Each swing should have left nothing behind. Yet¡ª Joy blocked every single one. She watched, eyes widening, as her divine weapon clashed against his hand¡ªagain and again. Her blade should have cut through anything. Should have reduced anything to ruin. Yet it did nothing. The force of her swings shattered mountains, sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield¡ªbut Joy remained unmoved. "What...?" She clenched her teeth, frustration creeping in. She struck faster. Harder. The entire battlefield trembled under the sheer force of her attacks. But Joy? He caught every swing. Effortlessly. One strike. Stopped. Another. Stopped. Another. Blocked like it was nothing. He wasn''t dodging. He wasn''t countering. He was just standing there¡ªcatching her divine strikes like they were mere inconveniences. Ruin felt something unfamiliar. A rare sensation. Her heart pounded. She attacked with everything. A final, monstrous swing. A strike that could end normal lesser gods. A strike that could rip through entire planes of universe from its existence. It crashed down¡ª Joy stopped it. He didn''t even flinch. His palm pressed against the edge of her weapon, halting it completely. Silence. The entire battlefield seemed to pause. Ruin stared. Disbelief etched into her features. This was... impossible. "Where the hell have you been all this time, if you''re this strong?" she asked, voice quieter now. Joy simply smiled. "I told you already," he said lightly. "I was in a fight till now." Her grip on her weapon tightened¡ªbut then, she stopped. She let out a deep breath. And then... she laughed. A quiet chuckle at first, then a full-bodied laugh. She shook her head. "I accept my defeat." And just like that¡ªshe vanished. As Ruin vanished, Joy remained standing, exhaling softly. He looked down at his hand¡ªthe same hand that had blocked every one of her strikes. The skin was scorched. The surrounding area¡ªhis wrist, his forearm¡ªwas laced with cracks of divine ruin, like fractures running through reality itself. The pain finally registered. He flexed his fingers, watching as tiny wisps of destruction flickered along his skin before fading. He let out a dry chuckle. "Well... that hurt more than I expected." Shaking his hand out, he sighed. "Guess I shouldn''t block next time." Chapter 47: God Of Joy 2 Chapter 47 - God Of Joy 2The God of Joy sat quietly on a jagged rock, lazily orbiting him amidst the fragmented battlefield. The sky above was torn, streaked with chaotic rifts of light and darkness as distant gods clashed beyond the horizon. Yet, none of that mattered to him. He winced and rubbed the back of his neck, his muscles aching. "This pain... not from that mess out there." The source of his agony was far more personal¡ªand it lingered like a bitter taste. But to understand why, you''d have to rewind a few hours. --- [A few hours earlier...] The battlefield was untouched, pristine in its ominous silence. Lesser gods were descending like falling stars, their presences igniting waves of divine energy across the land. The ground trembled under the sheer weight of so many powerful beings arriving at once. Among them stood the God of Joy, hands casually tucked in his pockets, trademark grin plastered across his face as he surveyed the chaos to come. "So this is where the fun starts, huh?" he muttered to himself. But then¡ªsomething shifted. The wind stopped. The world around him grew unnaturally still, the very air feeling heavier, as if space itself was thickening around him. Joy''s eyes narrowed. "No wind... no sound... only silence." He extended his senses outward, probing the atmosphere¡ªand instantly recognized it. "A spatial dome," he growled under his breath. He was sealed. Before he could react further, a ripple appeared before him, like liquid glass bending reality. From within it stepped a figure, clad in flowing silver robes lined with violet. His eyes, cold and distant, shimmered with cosmic light. Joy''s grin faded slightly. "Alright... who are you supposed to be?" The figure stepped closer, arms folded. His voice carried a strange playfulness, undercut by a chilling calmness. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''m a lesser god¡ªThe God of Space." Joy''s eyebrows lifted in disbelief, then furrowed. "Yeah, no. I know the real God of Space, and you ain''t him." His fists clenched at his sides, grin turning sharp. "So who are you really? Speak now before things get ugly." The mysterious god chuckled, unphased by the threat. "I''m under orders, you see. My master wishes for me to engage with the strongest among you. You''re the lucky pick." Joy''s irritation flared. "Orders? Strongest?" he repeated mockingly. "Cute. But fine¡ªwhat''s the game?" The God of Space smiled wider. "Simple. I will attack you exactly ten times. If you survive, you win." Joy crossed his arms, staring him down. "And if I beat you senseless before you reach ten?" The Space god laughed softly. "Then perhaps I''ll tell you what you want to know." Joy smirked, teeth flashing. "Deal." Without another word, Space vanished. Joy''s instincts screamed as he barely raised his arms¡ªBAM!¡ªa crushing punch collided with his block, knocking him back several meters. The air cracked as the shockwave from the impact rippled outward. Joy skidded to a halt, shaking the numbness from his arms. "Alright... first hit. Cheap shot." Before he could fully recover, the second attack teleported in mid-strike, this time slamming directly into his gut. Joy coughed, stumbling backward as the wind was knocked from him. "Okay. Two." His voice strained. He gritted his teeth. The space around him was unstable, warping under the stranger''s control. Joy''s feet dug into the ground as he charged forward, aiming to break through the manipulation¡ªbut the space stretched, like a mirage, elongating the distance no matter how fast he moved. "Damn it," Joy growled. WHAM! A sudden hit slammed into his back, launching him toward the dome''s invisible wall. He twisted mid-air and landed on one knee, panting slightly. The God of Space hovered a few feet away, arms still folded, expression amused. "Three hits. You sure you want to keep playing?" Joy wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth, rising with a smirk. "Oh, I''m having a blast." He darted forward again, this time feinting left before pivoting hard right. In a flash, his fist crashed into Space''s jaw, sending the god spiraling through the air and slamming against the dome''s edge. Joy grinned as the enemy crumpled slightly. "Looks like I''m breaking more than your rules." But Space recovered instantly, vanishing from sight and reappearing behind Joy. "Four." CRACK! A devastating kick landed at the base of Joy''s skull, launching him face-first into the dome''s barrier. The wall shimmered with ripples from the impact as cracks formed beneath his feet. Joy groaned, slowly pushing himself up from the ground. "Alright... that one stung." The God of Space floated effortlessly, chuckling. "You know, you should consider changing your title. Maybe God of Durability fits you better than God of Joy." Joy dusted himself off, eyes flaring with a sharp glow. "Now you''ve crossed the line." He reached behind his back, summoning a flute¡ªsleek, metallic, humming with ancient energy. As he gripped it, a blinding aura enveloped his body. The flute twisted and expanded, reshaping into a radiant blade forged of pure sonic energy. The God of Space raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A flute turning into a blade? You haven''t fail to amuse me." Joy didn''t waste time. In a blink, he lunged forward, blade slashing in a clean arc. Space reacted, channeling his power to warp reality, opening a rift to displace Joy. Yet, Joy''s blade sliced through the distortion itself, shattering the spatial tear like fragile glass. BOOM! The collision sent shockwaves exploding outward, the dome quaking under the force. Joy''s blade tore across Space''s chest, sending him tumbling into the distance. Joy spun the blade to his side, breathing heavily. "Here''s some advice¡ªnever underestimate anyone." But then¡ª "Tch!" A sharp pain exploded in Joy''s back as Space appeared behind him once more, driving a kick deep into his spine. Joy stumbled forward, eyes wide in shock. "How¡ª?!" Behind him, Space stood calmly while the one Joy had just hit¡ªstill crumpled on the ground¡ªbegan to flicker and fade like smoke. Space smirked. "That? Just a dummy." Joy''s eye twitched. "I''m an idiot." "You are." Space agreed with a smirk. Fueled by frustration, Joy spun around, lunging at Space again, swinging wildly. The fight erupted into a chaotic dance of slashes and teleporting attacks, the two gods exchanging blows faster than mortal eyes could follow. --- Sometime later ... Joy sat slumped on that floating rock, bruised, battered, and clearly defeated. "I surrender, alright?!" he groaned, waving one hand in mock surrender. "No more beatings! This isn''t fun anymore!" Floating lazily nearby, Space laughed heartily. "You''re entertaining. I''ll give you that." Joy sighed, rubbing his sore ribs. "So... I lost." Space shook his head. "Actually, no¡ªyou won." Joy blinked. "Huh?" Space folded his arms, grinning. "Remember? I said I''d only attack you ten times. You withstood them all." Joy sat up. "Bullshit! You hit me over 50 times!" Space coughed, glancing away innocently. "Well... that''s on you. If you''d passed out after my tenth hit, I wouldn''t have kept going. But you were still conscious¡ªand frankly, it was getting too fun to stop." Joy''s jaw dropped. "How is this MY fault?!" Space simply smirked, shrugging. "See it as bonus training. You did hit me three times, so... fair trade, no?" Joy sighed heavily, slumping further on the rock. "You ... from wherever-you''re-from are all nuts." Space''s smile softened slightly. "Fine. You earned a couple of answers." Joy''s eyes lit up. "First question¡ªwho are you really?" "I told you. I am the God of Space¡ªa lesser god." Frustrated, Joy hurled his hat (which no one noticed him wearing until now) onto the ground. "I hate cryptic types like you!" Space blinked. "Wait... where did that hat come from?" Joy, deadpan: "Don''t worry about it." Space chuckled. "Alright. Here''s the real answer¡ªI''m not from this multiverse." Joy froze. "Wait¡ªHUH?!" ----------------------- AUTH here, "A constant shadow follows you, not seeking praise or reward, but content in silence; yet, it''s in the darkness of their absence that you''ll discover the value of their unwavering presence." Chapter 48: God Of Joy 3 Chapter 48 - God Of Joy 3Space chuckled, flipping a stray lock of silver hair back as he floated lazily. "Alright. Here''s the real answer¡ªI''m not from this multiverse." Joy blinked hard, staring like Space had just rewritten reality. "Wait¡ªHUH?!" "You heard me," Space replied casually. Joy clenched his fists. "You aren''t from this multiverse?" "Correct," Space confirmed, spinning upside down mid-air like he hadn''t just said something insane. Joy''s mind raced. "Then how the hell did you even get here?" For a heartbeat, Space''s playful expression faltered. His smirk softened, his gaze flickering as if reliving a memory. Then, quicker than Joy could blink, the grin was back, sharper, hiding more than it revealed. "Let''s not answer that," Space said smoothly. Joy''s jaw tightened. "Seriously?" He could tell Space was deflecting, but before he could press further, Space redirected the conversation effortlessly. "What you should really focus on... is your condition." Joy grumbled under his breath but did as told. His attention shifted inward¡ªand his brows furrowed almost immediately. His muscles screamed under strain, bones felt like cracked porcelain, and his whole frame ached like he''d been thrown through a collapsing mountain. He brushed his fingers over a swollen bruise on his forearm, hissing softly. "Yeah, I look like a punching bag after ''festival'' season... what about it?" Space''s grin widened, floating lazily upside down. "It''s not how beaten you are¡ªbut don''t you think you''re stronger now?" Joy blinked, then frowned. Stronger? He closed his eyes, diving deeper into himself. And then it hit him. Past the pain, there was... more. His divine core pulsed like molten steel under pressure, tighter and denser. His energy wasn''t leaking outward like before¡ªit was contained, swirling deep inside him, potent and steady like a storm waiting to be unleashed. His body felt... fortified. He flexed a fist, feeling the difference in weight, in power, in stability. The aura around him flared briefly, shaking the broken platform beneath his feet. "Holy crap," Joy muttered. "You''re right... my core''s stronger, my divine flow''s tighter..." He looked at his hands, turning them as if seeing them for the first time. "Exactly," Space said, tapping the side of his head. "A side effect of surviving my... extracurricular hits. Didn''t just beat you for fun, y''know." Joy glared at him, though a smirk crept up. "Sure felt like fun for you." Space chuckled. "I''ll admit, I got carried away. But look at you now¡ªyou just underwent forced adaptation. Your body adjusted under high-stress conditions, pushing your godly physique beyond its old limits." Joy straightened, feeling the truth in Space''s words. The brutal "training" had unlocked something. Still... "Why though?" Joy asked. "Why help me?" Space''s grin faltered just a bit. His eyes dimmed, reflecting something distant. "You remind me of someone," he murmured, voice lower, almost regretful. Joy opened his mouth to respond, but Space was already floating backward, smirk returning. "Well, that''s enough personal talk. Goodbye." Joy reached out instinctively. "Hey, wait¡ª" But Space was gone, fading like a wisp in the wind. The dome sealing the area vanished with him, the distorted space snapping back to normal like stretched fabric returning to shape. The once-contained arena was now open to the chaotic world beyond. Joy stood there, silent. The weight of the moment sank in. He tilted his head skyward, narrowing his eyes at the vast empty heavens. His thoughts wandered¡ªnot to the battle nearby¡ªbut upward. To Zar. He could almost feel it¡ªthat subtle, ever-present awareness. Like eyes watching from an unseen plane, observing everything. Joy knew Zar often saw more than he let on. If he hadn''t intervened during this entire ordeal, it meant one thing. He allowed this to happen. Or worse... he orchestrated it. Joy''s thoughts churned. Was this Space guy part of Zar''s plan? Did he test me through him? Or... does he know who Space really is? Joy let the thoughts trail off and exhaled sharply, shaking himself free from them. "Enough," he muttered to himself. He slumped onto a broken pillar, letting his body heal itself. Slowly but surely, the bruises lightened, bones realigned, and muscles patched themselves up. Even while resting, he could feel the improved density in his physique¡ªlike he''d been reforged. Space might be insane, he thought, but damn, he''s effective. Minutes passed before the sharp clang of distant battles reached his ears. He turned his head toward the horizon, divine clashes lighting up the skyline. Joy stood up, cracking his knuckles. Alright, he thought with a grin. Time to test this new strength. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the chaos, his aura burning brighter with every step. --------------------- AUTH Here, For someone who wants to propose someone (???), no need for thanking me, just give me a party if she/he accept ~(???~) (~???)~ In the moments I share with you, I feel a sense of home, a sense of truth. Your laughter is the melody that fills my days, Your smile, the sunshine that lights up all my ways. With you, my heart beats faster, yet feels more at peace. You are my safe haven, my partner, my release. Through life''s ups and downs, I want to stand with you, To explore, to dream, to build a life that''s true. You make me see the world in a differentlight, A brighter, more vibrant hue, a more loving sight. You are my best friend, my soulmate, my guiding star, Forever with you is where I want to be, near and far. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Will you be my partner, my friend, my forever to know? Will you marry me, and let our love continue to grow? Chapter 49: God Of Joy 4 Chapter 49 - God Of Joy 4Present. Joy sat quietly atop a jagged rock, the remnants of shattered terrain beneath him. His breathing was steady now, the wear from his clash with Space beginning to fade. The scarred battlefield stretched wide around him, a silent witness to the divine chaos that had taken place. From his vantage point, he watched as the battles before him neared their end. The God of Causality stood victorious over the crumpled remains of the God of Time, who shimmered briefly before fading into motes of vanishing light. The Goddess of Decay stood tall, her Synth dripping with corrosive energy, as the God of Molten Flames disappeared into particles. Not far from them, the God of Celestial Thunder pulled his crackling spear free from the broken form of the God of Illusions, who fragmented like glass, his body fading into nothingness. Joy stood, dusting himself off, feeling the dense weight of his new strength humming beneath his skin. His eyes narrowed as he stepped forward toward the three victors. Causality spotted him first, raising a brow in disbelief. "Hey, Joy! How the hell are you still standing here?" His tone was sharp but tinged with curiosity. "Wait... did you already defeat Ruin?!" Joy sighed, waving a hand dismissively. "Yeah, you can say that." he replied, leaving it at that. Celestial Thunder stepped forward, stretching out his arms, lightning dancing across his fingertips. "Well, well. That''s impressive. Now we''ve got four of us left... perfect for a brawl." Decay grinned, resting her Synth of Decay on her shoulder. "He''s right. Four''s a good number. How about we mix it up now?" Causality cracked his knuckles. "Yeah, let''s see who''s next to fall." But Joy held up a hand, his voice steady yet laced with excitement. "Actually... you all know I''ve always wanted to fight multiple gods at once." The three turned toward him, blinking. "So..." Joy continued, a hint of a smile on his lips, "how about the three of you come at me together?" Silence. Causality''s hand slowly rose to Joy''s shoulder, leaning in like he was about to check Joy for a fever. "Hey, Joy." whispered to him, "did Ruin knock something loose in your head?" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Joy let out an exasperated sigh. "No, he didn''t." "Then why the hell are you requesting this madness?!" Causality shot back. "Don''t tell me you finally found your ''joy'' in getting beat up?" Joy laughed, brushing him off. "Come on, relax. I''m serious¡ªI think I can handle all three of you." Causality walked back to Decay and Thunder, scratching the back of his head with a helpless chuckle. "Well, you see... my dear friend here clearly had his brain scrambled by Ruin, so uh... mind humoring him? I think it''s therapeutic." Decay tilted her head, lips curling into a mischievous grin. "Hmm... sounds fun to me. I''ve been itching to test him anyway." Thunder rolled his shoulders, sparks snapping in the air. "Sure. Haven''t had a good group session in a while." Joy, watching their casual agreement to "test" him like he was a practice dummy, could only sigh, speechless. Before he could fully process it, Causality lunged at him, palm glowing faintly as it aimed for the back of Joy''s head. But Joy''s hand snapped up, stopping it effortlessly. "Come on, Causality. Don''t tell me you''re running on empty already," Joy teased with a grin. Causality''s eyes narrowed in surprise. "Huh?" Decay joined the fray next, swinging her sickle downward. Black-green corrosive energy coiled around the blade like smoke. The Synth of Decay struck Joy''s shoulder directly¡ªbut something was wrong. Instead of spreading its decay like wildfire, the energy dissipated harmlessly against Joy''s skin, leaving no mark, no withering effect. His body stood untouched, like an immune fortress. "Impossible," Decay murmured, her sickle vibrating unnaturally in her grasp. Far above, storm clouds rumbled. Thunder descended, spear charged with blinding bolts of celestial lightning. With a sharp cry, he thrust it at Joy. But Joy side-stepped effortlessly, lightning grazing harmlessly past him, splitting the earth where he once stood. Thunder''s frown deepened. "Since when did Joy become this fast...?" Causality, equally perplexed, rubbed his chin. "Pinch me Thunder. I''ve never seen him this sharp. Was he holding back all this time?" Joy chuckled, stepping forward, eyes glowing faintly with controlled power. "Enough warm-ups," Joy said calmly, voice cutting through the wind. "Let''s stop fooling around and get serious." The three gods exchanged glances, their playful demeanor shifting into something colder... more focused. Joy''s grin widened. Let''s dance, he thought. -------------------_------------------- AUTH, here If you''re eager for Chapters as long as the first Chapters, you''ll need to help ''The One Who Writes Existence or (OWWE)'' reach 100,000 views by the end of March. Once that milestone is achieved, I''ll release subsequent Chapters of similar length, delivering even more excitement and depth to the story. And this also, A riddle~ "In twilight''s hush, I''m forged from sound, A mirrored echo, yet never found. I''m chased by darkness, yet born of light, A fleeting shadow, lost in the night. What am I?" Good luck! Chapter 50: God Of Joy 5 Chapter 50 - God Of Joy 5Causality cracked his neck, amusement glinting in his sharp eyes. "Alright... you asked for this." In a blink, the space between them warped as chains laced with celestial glyphs erupted from Causality''s fingertips, weaving around Joy like serpents. The concept of motion itself buckled and twisted, freezing Joy in place as if reality itself refused to let him move. Causality snapped his fingers. "Now!" he said, eyes darting to Decay and Thunder. "Take him out while he''s locked." But a calm voice cut through the tension. Joy''s voice. "You sure you got the right target?" Causality''s pupils shrank. Before anyone could process what happened, the chains shattered like glass. The bindings dissolved¡ªand behind them stood Thunder, frozen in place. Joy appeared a few steps ahead, hands casually tucked behind his back, a smirk curving his lips. Thunder struggled, trying to break free, but he was rooted to the spot. "I swapped places while you were too focused," Joy said smoothly. Above his palm, a miniature sun flared to life, radiating unbearable heat. "And Thunder''s the one trapped now." Thunder''s heart pounded, the weight of the heat searing against his frozen frame. Yet Joy''s grin only widened as he leaned in closer, teleporting to whisper into Thunder''s ear. "You know, Thunder... this isn''t a sun at all," he whispered, eyes gleaming mischievously. "It''s a Divine Core Spike, cloaked in solar energy." Thunder''s breath hitched. His divine senses picked up the distinct pulse of the hidden spike¡ªa forbidden weapon etched in forbidden runes. Joy''s voice remained playful. "I ''borrowed'' it from Trickster before we came here specially for you. He won''t mind... much." "Joy!" Causality roared, yanking back the chains as Decay hurled her Synth of Decay in a desperate arc. But they were too slow. The radiant orb hurled toward Thunder¡ªand in the next heartbeat, the Divine Core Spike ejected from its core, screaming like a meteor. It pierced Thunder''s chest, carving through his divine core. Thunder''s eyes widened in shock as his entire body flickered, divine circuits shattering within. Light swallowed him whole. Then¡ªgone. Thunder disintegrated into shimmering particles, fading from the battlefield. Joy exhaled, dusting his hands off. "One down," he said simply. Causality''s tense posture melted into laughter. "Damn... that was slick, man." Before Joy could react, Causality closed the gap between them in a blink. Joy instinctively raised a defensive stance¡ªbut Causality simply stood there, hands on his hips, expression curious. Joy narrowed his eyes. "What''s your game now?" Causality''s smile widened. "You know how this game works, right? We can''t die here¡ªour bodies and powers are real, but deaths? Only temporary." Joy''s eyes narrowed further. "So," Causality continued, stepping even closer, voice dropping low, "how much damage do you think I can cause if I self-detonate right here?" Joy''s stomach dropped. "Self-detonate?" Causality''s chains flared outward, encasing both of them inside a massive dome forged from causal threads. Joy growled. "You''re insane." Causality shrugged. "You forced my hand. Let''s see how real this damage feels." Joy''s mind raced. He knew both of them wouldn''t truly die, not here. But the detonation would still be painful. "See," Causality said softly, "I''ve always wondered how much force I could unleash if I turned myself into a causal bomb. And right now? You''re the perfect guinea pig." Joy''s instincts screamed at him as he summoned power to break the dome, but Causality''s chains reinforced faster than he could counter. Outside, Decay''s eyes sharpened. "That idiot," she muttered, watching from afar. Then¡ª BOOM. A flash brighter than a collapsing star engulfed the dome. An explosion ruptured the very layers of reality, rippling outward like a storm devouring dimensions. The battlefield warped and distorted, rifts and voids tearing in the aftermath of the shockwave. Entire planes in the distance collapsed into fractal chaos before the Nexus stabilized them. Decay braced herself, her Synth manifesting to shield her. Even still, the impact hurled her across the battlefield, tearing through craters and jagged terrain. She slammed into a cliffside, coughing as she stood, staring in disbelief. The battlefield¡ªstill mostly intact, safeguarded by the Zar''s unyielding rules¡ªbuzzed with lingering distortion. Fissures of causality stitched themselves shut, reality slowly correcting the tears. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Decay wiped blood from her lip, narrowing her eyes at the smoldering crater where the dome once stood. "Joy...?" The dust settled. No movement. No signs of life. But then, as she prepared to search further, she noticed her fingertips flickering. Her arm followed next. "No way," she whispered. Light particles peeled away from her form as the battlefield''s rules took hold. "Guess I win..." she muttered with a faint, ironic smirk. "In the dumbest way possible." With that, the last goddess dissolved, leaving only silence behind. -------------------_------------------- AUTH here, ''Regret is the razor that slashes the soul, a slow bleed of ''if onlys'' and ''maybes'' that poisons the present and shrouds the future in an eternal darkness of what could have been.'' Chapter 51: The Meme Conspiracy Chapter 51 - The Meme ConspiracyThe dull hum of the divine hall buzzed faintly as light particles slowly coalesced into forms. One by one, lesser gods who had fallen in the battlefield reappeared here, returning to the waiting room¡ªan ancient hall crafted from celestial marble and veiled in swirling mists. At the far end of the grand chamber, laughter echoed. Decay materialized, stepping into the hall just in time to catch sight of the culprits. Joy and Causality stood near one of the ethereal pillars, talking animatedly like two old friends who''d just pulled off some ridiculous stunt. Joy''s brow twitched with annoyance, while Causality had a grin plastered on his face. Decay sighed heavily, dragging a hand across her face. "Idiots" she muttered, hearing every word from her position. Causality chuckled, clapping Joy on the back. "Hey, don''t be mad! That explosion? You gotta admit¡ªit was entertaining." Joy scowled. "Entertaining? Man, you should be crowned as the God of Suicide Bombers after that stunt." Causality raised a brow, smirking mockingly. "Nah, I think you''re closer to the title. After all, you let your guard down, genius." Joy opened his mouth to argue but froze when Causality pulled something from the folds of his cloak. A... mobile phone? Causality held it up like a trophy. The black, sleek device pulsed with divine energy. "By the way, I recorded your face when you realized what I was doing." His grin widened devilishly. "It''s golden, bro." Joy''s heart dropped. "You what?!" "Yep." Causality spun the phone on his finger. "Right here. Want to see it looped ten times?" Joy''s eye twitched. He quickly switched tactics, clasping his hands together and flashing his most charming, flattery-laced smile."Brother," he said sweetly, "dearest brother, please do me a favor and delete that. Just this once, yeah?" Causality''s grin deepened. "Brother, huh?" He crossed his arms, pretending to think. "Weren''t you the one who used to help me make memes of the other gods? You loved spreading them all over the Realms! But now..." His grin became razor sharp. "Now, it''s your turn." Joy lunged for the phone, snarling. "Give it here, damn it!" Causality dodged effortlessly, holding the phone above his head. "Uh-uh!" he teased, laughing as he backpedaled. "Where''s that ruthless strategist from earlier, huh? I thought you were calm and collected! What happened to him?!" "You!" Joy snapped, still trying to grab the device. The two wrestled like bickering children, darting between pillars and knocking over chairs formed from star-forged stone. Their antics drew groans from other lesser gods, who''d already gotten used to this chaotic duo. Decay crossed her arms and stared at them flatly, watching as they spun around like fools. "Idiots," she muttered again under her breath. Yet, despite the headache they caused, the faintest of smiles tugged at her lips. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Joy''s voice rang out again. "Causality, I swear by the Void, if you send that to Trickster or Discord¡ª" Causality howled with laughter. "Oh, you know it''s already halfway through the Realm Network!" "You''re dead!" Joy shouted, as the two goes around the corner in their ridiculous chase. As Joy and Causality were still locked in their childish chase when two more familiar faces materialized nearby¡ªThunder and Ruin. Thunder, arms crossed and a mischievous spark flickering in his eyes, smirked as he approached the duo. "Hey, Causality," he called out, voice dripping with amusement. "You''re gonna love this¡ªI just captured his face when he was flattering you earlier." He waved a crystalline shard that played a short loop of Joy''s pleading expression. "Perfect reaction shot. Might want to splice it in." Causality burst out laughing, wiping a tear from his eye. "Oh, that''s going in the edit!" From behind them, Ruin gracefully strolled forward, lips curling into a wicked smile. "And don''t worry, boys," she purred, "I''ll make sure to edit it in the most... creative way possible." Joy froze mid-dash, spinning toward them with a horrified look. "You guys are plotting against me! What kind of twisted alliance is this?!" Causality, Thunder, and Ruin shared a glance¡ªthen all three grinned like conspirators. Panic creeping into his voice, Joy lunged once more at Causality''s phone, but Thunder casually intercepted with a smirk. "Oh no you don''t," Thunder said slyly, tossing the phone high into the air where it vanished into a streak of lightning... reappearing smoothly in Decay''s hand. "Here you go, sister," Thunder said with mock formality. "Please don''t let Joy snatch this." Decay, who had been watching silently from the side, caught the device with ease, blinking at the group. As Joy skidded to a stop in front of her, he softened his tone immediately. "Sis," Joy pleaded, trying to regain his dignity, "please... could you give me that mobile?" But to Decay''s eyes, Joy didn''t look like the seasoned warrior or god he usually was. Right now, he was just a sulking child begging for his toy back. Her lips twitched. Inwardly, she thought, Ah... how rare. He looks so... innocent right now. A rare sparkle of mischief entered her normally stoic gaze. Decay tucked the device behind her back and tilted her head coyly. "Hmm... tempting offer, but..." Joy''s eyes widened. "No, no, don''t but me¡ª!" "I think," Decay said, tone dripping with amusement as she turned to join the others, "I''ll be keeping this for now. Might even help with the editing." The collective laughter that erupted from Thunder, Ruin, and Causality echoed through the entire hall. Joy stood there, jaw slack. "Et tu, sis?!" As Joy chased after Decay, who was already strolling away with casual grace, the others followed, chuckling and egging each other on. All around them, lesser gods shook their heads, sighing at the sight of four powerful deities acting like children in a playground. Decay, glancing back at Joy''s desperate face, allowed herself a soft chuckle. "Maybe teasing him a little isn''t so bad after all.'''' -------------------_------------------- AUTH Here, "Life''s journey is a puzzle, and having fun is the missing piece that makes every moment a masterpiece. Chapter 52: Cosmic Cluster Chapter 52 - Cosmic ClusterAbove the chaos below, hidden from the eyes of lesser gods, seven beings lounged effortlessly¡ªwatching, judging, and quietly amused. The Main Gods reclined as though enjoying a serene day at the beach. Soft waves of divine light lapped against their seats, and faint whispers of celestial winds stirred the air. Their presence existed in a pocket of reality beyond the battlefield, undetectable to the squabbling lesser gods beneath them. Zephiron lazily stretched his arms behind his head, eyes trailing the scene below where Joy was still trying to snatch a mobile from Decay. "You know..." he began, turning toward Aetherion and Ignis, "they''re acting a lot like you two." Ignis, flames curling playfully from his fingertips, let out a casual chuckle. "Yeah, I was just thinking the same." His grin turned mischievous. "Makes me want to post those special pics of you to everyone." Zephiron froze mid-sip from his shimmering goblet. His relaxed demeanor evaporated as he shot Ignis a sharp glare. "You wouldn''t dare." Ignis simply winked. "Wouldn''t I?" Noctis, who had been quietly observing the banter, perked up with intrigue. "Wait... what special pics?" Ignis, feigning innocence, waved a hand. "Ah, it''s nothing." "No, no," Noctis leaned in further, voice lowering like someone desperate for juicy gossip. "What pics exactly?" But before Ignis could indulge him, a shadow fell over the group. A sudden pressure tightened the air as a powerful presence materialized right behind Noctis. The moment Zar appeared, Noctis jumped in his seat, nearly toppling over. His heart raced as he spun around to meet the unwavering gaze of their supreme master. But Zar wasn''t alone. At his side stood an unfamiliar woman radiating calm yet boundless energy. Zar spoke in his usual composed but commanding voice with some humor tone. "Having fun?" Noctis swallowed hard, straightened up immediately, and bowed his head. "M-my Lord." Zar gave hint of humor as he added, "Continue your conversations later." The atmosphere shifted, all casualness dissolving. But it wasn''t Zar''s sudden arrival alone that captured their attention¡ªit was the presence of the woman beside him. The seven Main Gods subtly exchanged glances, sensing her aura. Then realization struck. "She''s..." Eterna whispered, voice barely audible. Zar turned to them and confirmed what they had already suspected. "This is Astraia¡ªthe consciousness and soul of this multiverse." As if on cue, the seven gods lowered their heads respectfully. Astraia returned their silent greetings with a gentle, radiant smile. Her presence felt like standing in the eye of a storm¡ªserene yet holding infinite power. Before anyone could speak further, Zar shifted focus. "Now, let''s redirect the attention below." He gestured toward Noctis. Noctis, recovering from his earlier scare, rose to his full, majestic stature. His voice rang out like thunder across the planes. "The winner, step forward before the ruler!" The hall silenced instantly. The playful squabble among the lesser gods ceased, and all eyes fell on Zar and Astraia. Decay''s shoulders tensed. Slowly, with cautious steps, she made her way forward. Nervous glances from her fellow gods followed her as she stood before Zar. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zar''s voice resonated calmly. "Decay, as the victor of this trial, you shall receive your reward." He raised a single hand, where strands of glowing cosmic energy gathered like threads of creation itself. "I hereby grant you full dominion over a Cosmic Cluster." Gasps echoed through the hall. Even the Main Gods'' eyes widened in surprise. The reward was beyond expectations. To have authority over an entire Cosmic Cluster¡ªthousands upon thousands of interconnected universes¡ªwas to wield influence among lesser gods. It was a position of both power and reverence. Decay bowed deeply. "I... I am honored, my Lord." As she stood upright again, awe still in her eyes, Zar nodded slightly. "Carry it well." Then, his attention shifted back toward the Main Gods. "And now," Zar said, "we move to the main event." His tone sharpened. "Prepare yourselves, all seven of you," he ordered. "And bring the guardian with you. After twenty-four hours, your tournament will commence¡ªas declared." And with that, Zar gently grasped Astraia''s hand. In an instant, both vanished from sight, leaving the gods in stunned silence. But it was what they alone had seen¡ªthe hand-holding¡ªthat caught their attention the most. "Did I just see what I think I saw?" Aetherion murmured. Eterna, arms folded, gave a quiet nod. "Yes... our Lord held her hand before leaving." Yet there was something else in her voice. Something sharp beneath her calm words. Aetherion narrowed his eyes at her, sensing something strange¡ªwas that... jealousy? He brushed the thought aside. Maybe I''m just imagining things. Meanwhile, in a quiet castle, Zar and Astraia reappeared in a soft ripple of energy. Astraia glanced at their entwined hands before quickly looking away, cheeks faintly tinged with warmth. Zar noticed but smirked instead of teasing immediately. "Well," he said casually, "When are you planning to master your teleportation, Astraia? Or do you secretly want me to always hold your hand just to move you around?" Astraia''s gaze snapped to his, and though she tried to keep her composure, a flustered smile betrayed her. "Why don''t you just teach me then?" she replied, voice soft but playful. "I''m a fast learner." But just as he was about to follow through with a remark, an all-too-familiar voice cut into his thoughts. ["Oi, Zar. Did you seriously wake up your flirt-mode again? I swear, I only let you ''help'' once with her, and now here you are, constantly throwing lines. She was literally born¡ª cough ¡ªI mean, just formed her body yesterday!"] Zar let out an exasperated sigh, eyes twitching. "What the hell is wrong with you? Can''t you see how adorable her face gets when I tease her?" For once, the System was silent. There was a pause, and then he said... ["...Yeah, you''ve got a point."] Then System''s tone shifted to a smug one. ["Anyway, don''t mind me. Just continue your little date. I''m already recording this."] The word date hit Zar like a hammer. He clenched his fists, glaring upward. "What did you just say?!" His voice was sharp, but Astraia was too busy giggling softly at his reaction to notice. ["Relax, man. Keep going with your ''romantic comedy'' routine while I make this a cinematic experience."] Zar''s eye twitched harder. "You bastard... stop recording." ["Oh-ho, so you''re admitting it is a date now?"] Zar groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You... will regret messing with me." The System''s laughter echoed mischievously in his mind. ["Yeah, yeah. Let''s see you try."] As Astraia tilted her head innocently, watching Zar''s silent internal argument with curiosity, Zar finally sighed and let it go¡ªfor now. "You alright?" she asked gently. Zar forced a calm smile. "Yeah... Just dealing with a something ''complex''. [Fuck you!] "Hmm." Astraia gave him a soft smile, unaware of the invisible chaos that accompanied her guardian. Far away, back in the hidden celestial beach where the Main Gods remained, they were still processing the earlier scene. Zephiron leaned toward Aetherion, whispering with suspicion, "You think there''s something more between them?" -------------------_------------------- AUTH here, "Two ships, anchored in the same harbor, yet sailed away on different tides, leaving behind a sea of silence, where only echoes of what could have been remained."