NOUVEAU RICHE

With a backpack full of the jewelries he'd collected in the apocalyptic future, Corbin set off for the city. His first stop was a high-end jewelry store, where the skeptical salesperson almost laughed at his offer, until they took a closer look at the quality and craftsmanship of the items.

"I'll give you R150 000 for the lot," the salesperson said, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Make it R220 000," Corbin countered, his face expressionless.

The salesperson paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement. With R220 000 in hand, Corbin made his way to another store, this time a smaller, more discreet establishment.

He waited patiently for the owner to appraise the jewelry, his mind already tallying up the prices he'd researched before making this trip.

"Sir, this diamond alone is worth over R1 000 000," the owner said, sounding almost shocked. "I can offer you R1 800 000 for the rest of the pieces."

Corbin considered the offer for a moment, then nodded his head. "Agreed." With each successful transaction, Corbin's confidence grew. He knew that the jewels from the apocalyptic future were of the highest quality, something that the stores of the present world simply couldn't replicate.

His backpack now significantly lighter, Corbin decided to push his luck one more time. He headed to a pawn shop, run by an elderly man with a shrewd expression.

"Take a look at this, will you?" Corbin said, pulling out a gold chain with an intricately carved pendant.

The man took the chain, his eyes narrowing. "Hmmm...

"This is real gold," the pawnbroker said, his fingers running over the intricate detailing of the pendant. "And not just any gold. This is the purest kind."

He looked up at Corbin, his face expressionless. "Where'd you get this?"

"Family heirloom," Corbin said, his voice steady. "I'm looking to sell it."

The pawnbroker raised an eyebrow. "I'll give you R220 000 for it."

Corbin held back a smile. "I was thinking more like R1 000 000." The pawnbroker looked at Corbin with a skeptical eye, but there was a hint of admiration in his voice. "You drive a hard bargain, kid. But I'll take it for R900 000."

Corbin considered the offer, then nodded. "Deal."

The old man counted out the cash, his hands moving swiftly as he placed the stacks of bills on the counter.

Corbin pocketed the money, his face still neutral. "Thank you for your business," he said, turning to leave.

"Wait," the pawnbroker called out. The pawnbroker peered at Corbin over the counter, his eyes shrewd. "Where'd you get the necklace, really?"

Corbin hesitated for a moment, but he knew that the less people who knew about his ability to travel to the apocalyptic future, the better. "Let's just say it's been passed down in my family for generations," he said, his voice firm.

The pawnbroker nodded, a sly grin on his face. "Fair enough. But if you've got more where that came from, you know where to find me."

With the last of his jewels sold and a sizable amount of cash in his pockets, Corbin headed back home.

As he walked, his mind couldn't help but wander to Caer Tempest. He wondered how Kraven and Saskia were faring, and if they'd been able to hold the city in his absence.

He knew that he couldn't stay in the present world for long. He had a city to protect, a people to lead, and a destiny to fulfill.

But for now, he allowed himself the luxury of a quiet evening at home, reveling in the calm before the storm.

Corbin was now sitting on a couch look at his balance. He was now a millionaire..

**Silver Bank- Rustenburg Branch**

**Previous Balance Alert:** Your account balance before the recent deposit was R150,000.00.

Previous Balance: R150,000.00

Your account activity before the recent deposit:

03/25/24: Purchase of R20,000.00 at Spero Grocery

03/27/24: Purchase of R10 000.00 at City Provisions Store

04/04/24: Debit of R15,000.00

Thanks for banking with Silver Bank

==========================

*DING*

**Bank of Tempest - Caer Tempest Branch**

**New Balance Alert:** Your account balance has increased by R4,370,000.00.

Current Balance: R4,370,000.00

Your account activity in the past 30 days:

04/18/24: Deposit of R4,370,000.00

As always, thank you for banking with Silver Bank.

Determined to avoid raising any red flags, Corbin set about gathering supplies without leaving any trace of his true intentions. He bribed the manager of a food processing factory, arranging for the purchase of large quantities of foodstuffs and hygiene products, all packaged in unmarked containers.

In the dead of night, a truck pulled into his driveway, its cargo hold loaded with a veritable mountain of supplies. Corbin oversaw the unloading himself, ensuring that the crates were concealed in the most secure parts of his house. The magnitude of Corbin's preparations was staggering. He had procured enough food and supplies to sustain a population of 3,000 for half a year, anticipating the long journey ahead and the hardships that would surely await them.

The crates he had filled his home with contained a variety of non-perishable items, including canned meats, dried fruits, grains, and water purification tablets. He had also secured medical supplies, tools, and weapons, all packed away discreetly for their eventual return to the apocalyptic future. The task of gathering and concealing these supplies had been a massive undertaking, and Corbin felt a sense of satisfaction as he surveyed the stockpiles in his home.

He knew that every can of food, every roll of bandages represented a chance at survival for his people. They would need every advantage they could get if they were to stand a chance against the Blight.

But Corbin knew that his preparations were only just beginning. There was still much to be done before he could make his return to Caer Tempest, and the clock was ticking...

In the depths of his subconscious, Corbin began to explore a new facet of his Etherwalker powers: the Void. This was a force of absolute darkness and emptiness, a power that could shatter matter and bend space itself to its will.

Corbin knew that if he could master this aspect of his abilities, it would give him a tremendous advantage in the battle against the Blight. But unlocking the Void was proving to be an elusive challenge.

Each time he tried to tap into this power, he was met with a wall of resistance, as if his body and mind were instinctively rejecting it. Undeterred, Corbin pushed himself harder, experimenting with different techniques and meditations to unlock the secrets of the Void.

He began to have vivid dreams of a vast, black abyss, where he felt the presence of something ancient and powerful. But each time he tried to reach out to this entity, it remained just beyond his grasp.

Corbin knew that he was close to uncovering the truth behind the Void, but he also knew that the dangers of this power were immense. If he failed to master it, he could risk losing himself to the darkness completely. One night, deep in meditation, Corbin experienced a breakthrough. As he focused on the stillness and silence within, he sensed the Void beckoning to him from the depths of his being.

He reached out with his mind, and for the first time, he felt the power of the Void surge through him. It was a sensation unlike anything he had ever experienced before, a mix of exhilaration and terror.

But before he could fully embrace this newfound power, he was jolted awake, the Void receding from his grasp like a fleeting dream. Corbin sat up in bed, his heart pounding and his skin covered in a cold sweat. He knew that he had glimpsed something extraordinary, but he also knew that he was nowhere near ready to wield this power.

As he pondered the implications of his encounter with the Void, a thought occurred to him: perhaps the reason he had failed to unlock this power was because the time was not yet right.

Could it be that the Void was meant to be unleashed only in the final confrontation with the Blight? No.

Corbin's mind raced with possibilities as he considered the implications of this theory.

If he could harness the Void during the battle for Caer Tempest, he might have a chance of turning the tide against the Blight. But he also knew that the Void was a dangerous, unpredictable power that could consume him if he was not careful.

He had to find a way to prepare himself, to ready his mind and body for this ultimate showdown. After weeks of intense training and meditation, Corbin finally reached a state of balance and readiness that allowed him to call upon the power of the Void.

When he finally unleashed it, the effect was nothing short of devastating:

- **Void Shatter**: Corbin could unleash a devastating shockwave that shattered anything in its path, reducing solid objects to dust and reducing the Blight's creatures to mere ash.

- **Void Entropy**: Corbin could create pockets of entropy within the fabric of reality, causing time itself to slow down for his enemies while he remained unaffected.

-- **Void Nexus**: Corbin could create temporary portals that allowed him to instantly transport himself and his allies to different locations, giving them an advantage in the chaotic battle against the Blight.

- **Void Armor**: Corbin could coat himself in a layer of void energy that absorbed and redirected enemy attacks, allowing him to withstand the onslaught of even the most ferocious Blight creatures.

After his training and access to his first Affinity, Corbin didn't rush to try another one since he wanted to get comfortable with the Void first.

Corbin iniated Dimensional Travel once more, He emerged from the ruins of the city and found himself in a dense forest. It was quiet, save for the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds, but he could sense that something was different.

The air felt colder here, and there was a sense of tension in the atmosphere that he couldn't quite place.

He knew that this place was familiar, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't belong here. He had never been to this forest before, but it felt as if the trees themselves recognized him.

It was as if the forest was waiting for something...

As Corbin made his way deeper into the woods, he began to notice subtle signs of life: the trail of paw prints leading off into the underbrush, the remnants of a campfire still smoldering in the distance.

He quickened his pace, his Etherwalker senses on high alert.

Suddenly, he sensed a presence nearby. It was faint, but unmistakable. Someone, or something, was watching him.

He turned, peering into the shadows between the trees. But there was nothing there.

"Show yourself," he said, his voice a low growl.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, the bushes rustled, and a slender figure emerged from the shadows.

It was a woman, dressed in dark leathers and armed with a crossbow. Her eyes were fierce and feral, and there was a hardness in her gaze that spoke of a life spent surviving in this harsh, unforgiving world.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice low and dangerous. "What are you doing in my territory?"

Corbin took a step forward, his hands raised in a gesture of peace.

"My name is Corbin," he said.

The woman's grip tightened on her crossbow as she eyed Corbin suspiciously. She had never seen anyone like him before, with his strange clothes and strange manner.

"Corbin," she repeated. "I've never heard that name before. You're not from around here."

Corbin nodded. "That's true. I'm a traveler, passing through your lands on my way to Kroondal."

The woman scoffed. "Kroondal? That place is a deathtrap. You'd be a fool to go there."

Corbin smiled. "Perhaps, but I have my reasons for going there," Corbin continued, his voice steady and sure. "And I'm not alone. I have a group of people with me who need my help."

The woman's expression softened slightly at the mention of Corbin's companions. "If you're trying to help people, you're either brave or stupid. I haven't decided which yet."

"I suppose it could be a bit of both," Corbin admitted. "But that's not important right now. What matters is that I need to find a way to get to my base."