Chapter 44

As the coalition began splitting off into their respective missions, Xu Han stood at the central courtyard of the Celestial Citadel, watching his allies depart. The weight of the multiverse's survival pressed down on him as each realm the coalition ventured into carried the risk of failure, but it also held the promise of hope—the chance to find the remaining fragments of the Nexus Key.

Yet even with the plans in motion, Xu Han couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that lingered from his confrontation with Nihira. Her presence had been a reminder that the Void Sovereign's plans were deeper and more intricate than they had anticipated.

But he had no time for doubt.

After ensuring the preparations for each team's departure, Xu Han allowed himself a brief moment of solitude. He walked through the familiar corridors of the citadel, his steps measured and thoughtful. His path eventually led him back to the Celestial Gardens, where the stars glittered overhead and the soft glow of the celestial flowers illuminated the surroundings.

The gardens had become a place of solace for Xu Han, a sanctuary from the chaos of the multiverse. Here, the battles felt distant, and the echoes of destruction seemed muted. As he walked among the blossoms, his hand brushed gently over the petals, their energy humming softly beneath his fingertips.

The air was still, and for a brief moment, Xu Han closed his eyes, allowing himself to simply breathe.

But his peace was fleeting.

He felt a presence approach, and when he opened his eyes, he found Seraphina standing nearby, her silver hair shimmering in the starlight. She moved quietly, her steps soft as she approached him with a calm expression.

"I didn't mean to disturb you," Seraphina said, her voice gentle. "But I wanted to speak with you before I leave for the Eternal Starfields."

Xu Han turned to face her, his gaze thoughtful. "You're not disturbing me. What's on your mind?"

Seraphina hesitated for a moment, her silver eyes searching his face. "I've sensed the weight of this conflict growing heavier on you. You've been leading the charge, carrying more than anyone else. But I wanted to remind you that you're not alone in this."

Xu Han's expression softened, though his tone remained steady. "I know. But this battle is different. The Void Sovereign's threat reaches deeper than anything we've faced before. I've fought enemies across countless realms, but this… this feels like it's unraveling the multiverse itself."

Seraphina nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. "The cult's reach is growing, but so is our strength. The coalition trusts you. We trust you. And we will fight beside you until the very end."

Her words were a comfort, though Xu Han still felt the weight of responsibility bearing down on him. He had always carried the burden of protecting the multiverse, but it wasn't just his power that would decide the outcome—it was the combined strength of everyone who stood with him.

"I appreciate that, Seraphina," Xu Han said quietly. "We've come this far together. We'll see it through."

She smiled faintly before taking a step back. "I should prepare for my departure. The Starfields won't search themselves."

Xu Han nodded, watching as she turned and walked away, her presence a quiet reminder that even in the face of overwhelming darkness, he was never truly alone.

Meanwhile, on another plane far from the citadel, Lord Zephyr's team had ventured into the Obsidian Depths, a realm known for its isolation and treacherous landscapes. The Depths were shrouded in eternal night, with jagged mountains of black stone stretching across the horizon. The ground trembled with energy, and the air crackled with the remnants of ancient power.

Lord Zephyr's eyes scanned the rocky terrain, his senses heightened as he led the team deeper into the realm. He could feel the faintest trace of the Nexus Key fragment's energy, though it was buried beneath layers of interference—likely from the cult's magic.

"We're getting close," Lord Zephyr said, his voice low as the wind howled around them.

The team moved cautiously, their weapons ready as they navigated the uneven ground. The Obsidian Depths were a place of danger, not only because of the treacherous landscape but also because of the creatures that roamed the darkness. Shadows shifted and moved in the corners of their vision, though nothing yet had approached.

As they descended deeper into the realm, the energy around them grew heavier, the air thick with an oppressive force.

"It's the fragment," Lord Zephyr said, his eyes narrowing. "We need to move faster. The cult is here."

Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled violently, and from the darkness emerged twisted creatures of void energy—minions of the cult, their forms shifting and writhing as they approached.

"Prepare for battle!" Lord Zephyr shouted, his lightning-infused blade crackling with power.

The creatures lunged forward, their attacks fast and relentless, but Lord Zephyr's team was ready. Lightning flashed through the darkness as Zephyr unleashed his elemental power, cutting through the void creatures with ease. His team moved in unison, striking down the enemies with precision.

But the real threat was yet to come.

From the shadows, a figure emerged—a cultist, cloaked in dark energy, their presence commanding the creatures that had attacked. The cultist raised a hand, and the ground beneath them began to crack and split open, revealing a swirling vortex of void energy.

"You will not stop us," the cultist hissed, their voice dripping with malice. "The Void Sovereign will rise, and your world will fall."

Lord Zephyr stepped forward, his lightning crackling with renewed intensity. "You've underestimated us."

With a powerful strike, Zephyr sent a wave of lightning surging toward the cultist. The dark energy around the figure flickered, but they quickly summoned a barrier of void energy to protect themselves.

The battle was far from over.

As Lord Zephyr's team fought in the Obsidian Depths, Seraphina had already arrived at the Eternal Starfields, a realm of endless skies and floating islands that shimmered with celestial light. The energy here was ancient and vast, but it was also quiet—too quiet.

Seraphina moved carefully through the starfields, her senses attuned to the faint traces of the Nexus Key fragment. The light of the stars above illuminated her path, but something about the realm felt off. The usual hum of cosmic energy was muted, as if the realm itself was holding its breath.

Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the area. She could feel the fragment's presence, but it was distant, buried beneath layers of energy that were difficult to navigate.

Suddenly, she heard a faint whisper—so quiet it could have been the wind. But Seraphina knew better. She wasn't alone.

From the corner of her vision, she saw a figure moving through the shadows—another cultist, this one cloaked in the darkness of the void. Their presence was barely noticeable, but Seraphina's keen senses had picked them up.

"You can come out now," Seraphina called, her voice calm but firm. "I know you're there."

The cultist stepped forward, their eyes glowing faintly with void energy. "You are too late, celestial. The fragment will belong to the Void."

Seraphina's silver eyes narrowed, her aura flaring as she summoned the power of the moon. "We'll see about that."

The cultist lunged toward her, their dark magic swirling around them like a storm, but Seraphina was faster. She moved with grace, her light-infused blade cutting through the void magic with ease. The battle in the Eternal Starfields had begun.

Back at the Celestial Citadel, Xu Han felt the ripple of energy from both realms. His allies were fighting hard, but the cult's forces were stronger than anticipated. The Void Sovereign's influence was spreading faster than he had expected, and the stakes were growing higher with every moment.

As he stood in the quiet chamber where the Nexus Key fragments were stored, Xu Han knew that the final battle was drawing closer. The cult was relentless, but Xu Han was ready. He had faced overwhelming odds before, and he would face them again.

With a deep breath, Xu Han turned and walked toward the citadel's war room, where the coalition's next moves would be decided.