To Universe 0 we go

Caelix had never faced a challenge like this before.

Ever since he had absorbed the universal energies and allowed them to reshape his form, he had gained an unimaginable power, an ocean of raw destructive potential. Yet, wielding that energy was far more complicated than simply having it. The energy was vast, ever-expanding, and alive in its own way, constantly flowing and shifting. It was a force that couldn't be caged easily, and every time Caelix tried to manipulate it, it felt like trying to control the wind with bare hands.

His mind, normally sharp and focused, was pushed to its limits. He could feel the energy pressing against his consciousness, challenging his ability to keep up with its nature. Every attempt to control it seemed futile, but Caelix was no stranger to struggle. With years of experience training his body, mind, and spirit, he knew that he had to find a way to adapt, or else he would be swallowed by the very force he sought to command.

The breakthrough came when Caelix realized he needed to utilize everything he had learned over the years. Ultra Instinct, the perfected state of movement and awareness, became his lifeline. By reaching deeper into his mind, Caelix unlocked a new form of focus, allowing him to let go of his need to control every aspect of his power and instead trust in the instinctual flow of energy.

It was akin to an immense symphony playing out in the vast reaches of the universe, where every note was a burst of destructive potential. All Caelix had to do was tune his mind to the rhythm of it all. The more he allowed himself to move without hesitation, the more he found his connection to the energy solidifying.

At first, it was overwhelming. The energy was far greater than anything Caelix had ever faced before. But, as he embraced the essence of Ultra Instinct and let go of his conscious attempt to control the energy, it began to calm, stabilizing in a way that Caelix could finally manage.

His body adapted. His instincts became sharper, more attuned to every pulse of energy around him. He could feel the power within him not as an overwhelming beast, but as an extension of himself. It was like breathing; it was natural, effortless.

Finally, Caelix stood at the apex of his control, his aura burning with the force of destruction. He could now command the energy without fear, without the panic of losing himself. This was true mastery.

Just as Caelix was finishing his training, he received an unexpected call. It was from Zeno, the King of Everything himself. The message came through in the form of a small hologram, Zeno's childlike voice carrying a serious tone.

"Caelix, I need you," Zeno said. "Come to my palace. We have work to do."

Caelix raised an eyebrow. "What work, Zeno? What's going on?" His heart raced with curiosity.

"You'll find out when you arrive," Zeno replied with an air of mystery, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness.

Before Caelix could ask more questions, the call ended. He turned to Vados and Elyssia, who were both nearby, observing his progress.

"It seems the King wants me to come by. I'll have to go." Caelix said, his voice calm but laced with an urgency that both Vados and Elyssia could sense.

"Be careful," Vados cautioned, her usual composed demeanor tinged with concern. "Zeno rarely calls for help unless it's something of great importance."

"I'll be fine," Caelix assured her, then added with a grin, "And if things get ugly, I'll just unleash all this energy I've been working on."

Elyssia chuckled. "Always the overachiever. Just don't do anything reckless."

Caelix smiled at his companions and focused on his new powers, using his mind to create several clones of himself. Each clone was given a specific task to handle, from overseeing the proper functioning of the various planets in his universe, to ensuring that the balance of destruction was maintained without any unforeseen consequences. The clones would take care of the smaller matters while Caelix traveled to Zeno's palace.

With a single thought, the clones dispersed, and Caelix's form shimmered into the void as he used the Kaikai technique to teleport.

Arriving at Zeno's palace, Caelix immediately noticed the tension in the air. The normally lighthearted palace guards were unusually stiff, their eyes wary. Daishinkan, the Grand Priest, stood near the throne, his hands clasped together as if preparing for something momentous.

Zeno was there as well, standing next to Daishinkan, a rare seriousness clouding his youthful features. His eyes locked with Caelix's as soon as the Destroyer arrived.

"Caelix!" Zeno exclaimed. "Thank you for coming."

Caelix nodded, though his curiosity was piqued. "What's going on, Zeno? You've never called me like this before. Is something wrong?"

Zeno's eyes darkened for a moment. "It's Universe 0. We've been monitoring it for a while, and the seal that's keeping it in check is showing strange activity. It's not close to breaking, but we can't wait any longer. If we don't go in and secure it now, the consequences could be catastrophic."

Caelix frowned. He had heard rumors of Universe 0—its inhabitants, its power, and its enigmatic presence—but he had never understood its true significance. If Zeno was willing to risk so much, the stakes must be high.

Daishinkan spoke next, his tone grave. "Universe 0 is the one place that even we fear to touch. It's not just a realm; it's a potential destroyer of all that exists. But we must confront it, or else it will collapse everything around us."

Caelix swallowed hard. The weight of what they were about to face settled on his shoulders. "And you want me to go with you?"

Zeno nodded. "You're the only one strong enough to handle what's coming. We'll need every ounce of power to ensure the universe doesn't tear itself apart."

Caelix glanced at the Grand Priest. "What's the plan?"

Daishinkan's eyes were steady, but the slight tension around his jaw betrayed his concern. "We'll enter Universe 0, secure it, and try to restore its balance. But make no mistake, Caelix. This won't be easy. We're heading into the heart of chaos itself. We will have to act swiftly, or we risk losing everything."

Caelix knew this would not be a simple task. Universe 0 was beyond anything they had faced, a place that even Zeno and the Grand Priest feared. But Caelix was not one to shy away from a challenge. He had trained for moments like this.

"I'm ready," Caelix said firmly. "Let's go."

Zeno smiled, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Then we must hurry. We can't afford to wait."

With that, the group began their preparations. Caelix, now more determined than ever, joined the others as they gathered their strength. The portal to Universe 0 awaited.

And with it, the greatest trial of Caelix's existence.

The group entered the gate to Universe 0 with a sense of grim determination. As their energies intertwined, creating a portal strong enough to breach the seal, Zeno, the Grand Priest, and the guards alongside Caelix prepared for whatever horrors lay beyond.

But as soon as they stepped through, the portal behind them closed with a resounding clang—not a soft, dissipating fade as they expected, but an abrupt and forceful shutdown. A shockwave rippled through the air, causing even the Grand Priest to stumble slightly.

"What was that?" Zeno asked, his normally cheerful voice trembling with confusion.

Caelix, his senses sharp as ever, immediately scanned the surroundings. His eyes narrowed as he tried to assess what just happened.

"The portal closed," Caelix said, his tone grim. "And not by our choice. Something or someone on this side forced it shut."

The Grand Priest's expression darkened. "That portal was crafted from the combined powers of the strongest beings in the multiverse. For it to close against our will…" He didn't finish the thought, but the implication was clear. Whatever had sealed it was stronger.

The moment the gate disappeared, the true nature of Universe 0 unveiled itself.

Massive storms raged across the void, lightning bolts of unknown energy cracking through the air with deafening booms. These weren't ordinary storms; they were alive, shifting and targeting the group like predators stalking prey. Meteor showers rained down at terrifying speeds, the fragments glowing with energies that seemed to warp space around them. The pressure in the void itself was crushing, as if the fabric of the universe sought to obliterate any intruder.

The group began to float, adjusting to the intense conditions. Caelix could feel the weight of gravity pulling at him from all directions. This wasn't a single gravitational force—it was a chaotic swirl of opposing pulls, each one threatening to tear his body apart.

"It's not just gravity," the Grand Priest said, his eyes scanning the void. "The density of energy here is immense. Even breathing feels like inhaling fire."

"Time's all weird too," Zeno added, his childlike voice carrying a note of awe. "It feels like forever and a second at the same time."

Spatial anomalies flickered around them, folding the void into strange shapes. Dimensional overlaps caused reality itself to shimmer and twist. Elemental extremes lashed at them—searing heat followed by freezing cold, both equally deadly.

The guards and the Grand Priest quickly erected a powerful barrier around themselves and Zeno. The golden energy shimmered and pulsed, shielding them from the worst of the conditions.

Caelix, however, did not follow suit.

"I'm not wasting this opportunity," Caelix muttered as he let the raw energy of Universe 0 pour into him. His body trembled under the strain, his muscles convulsing as the universe's oppressive forces hammered at him. But rather than fighting it, he leaned into the chaos.

His body began to absorb the energy, adapting to the gravity, the density, and the unrelenting pressure. His aura flickered wildly, shifting colors as his cells adjusted, becoming denser and more resilient. He gritted his teeth, enduring the incredible strain.

"Caelix, are you insane?" the Grand Priest called out, his normally calm voice tinged with alarm. "These energies aren't like anything you've encountered before. They could tear you apart!"

"I'm not afraid of a little pressure," Caelix shot back, his voice strained but determined. "If I can adapt to this, I'll be stronger for it. A Destroyer doesn't cower behind barriers."

Zeno, watching the display, clapped his hands in amazement. "Whoa, look at him go! He's glowing all crazy-like!"

The Grand Priest sighed, though he couldn't hide a glimmer of respect. "If anyone can endure this, it's him."

Slowly but surely, Caelix's movements became less labored. His body, now accustomed to the crushing weight of Universe 0, moved with a fluid grace. The chaotic environment no longer seemed to hinder him.

As they floated, a massive, luminous object came into view—a star unlike any they had seen before. Its surface shimmered with a strange duality. One half radiated an intense, searing heat, while the other exuded a bone-chilling cold. The heat and cold seemed to shift and merge, creating an almost surreal energy field around it.

"We'll land there," the Grand Priest decided. "The anomalies in the void are too unstable to stay here."

The group descended, landing gently on the surface of the star. The Grand Priest's barrier protected Zeno and the guards from the star's strange energies, but Caelix landed unaided. His feet touched the surface, and he immediately felt the conflicting sensations of heat and cold searing through him.

"What kind of star is this?" Caelix wondered aloud, marveling at the strange duality. The energy it radiated wasn't just thermal—it carried a strange resonance, as though the star itself was alive.

"It's hot and cold at the same time!" Zeno exclaimed, his childlike curiosity returning for a moment. "That's so weird!"

Caelix smirked. "Leave it to Universe 0 to make something that defies all logic."

As they stood on the star, the chaotic storms of the void seemed to subside slightly. The group took the moment to regroup and prepare for what lay ahead. Caelix closed his eyes, letting his body absorb more of the star's energy. He could feel it strengthening him, his already dense muscles and bones growing even more resilient.

The Grand Priest surveyed the surroundings, his expression unreadable. "We need to keep moving. The longer we stay, the more likely we'll attract attention."

Zeno nodded, his usual cheerfulness replaced by a rare seriousness. "Let's go, then. We have to find a way to stabilize this place before it's too late."

As they prepared to leave the star and venture deeper into Universe 0, Caelix couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The oppressive silence of the void was almost more unsettling than the storms had been.

Whatever awaited them in the heart of Universe 0, one thing was certain—it would test them in ways they had never imagined.

To be continued...