The Weight of a World

The gravity of the situation literally and figuratively settled between them as they stood before the planet's core. Its immense power thrummed in the air, pulling at the fabric of reality itself, yet it remained untouchable to them.

Amon rubbed his temples. "Okay, so we can't fuse with it, we can't absorb its power, and if we try, we'll get obliterated. That's just wonderful." He gestured vaguely at the swirling mass of energy. "So what are we supposed to do? Take a family photo and leave?"

Ying Yue ignored him, her gaze still locked on the core. A world without a king. A throne without a ruler. Thaddeus had left her with control over this place, but what did that actually mean?

She turned to Nirvana. "If we can't use the core's power, what can we do with it?"

Nirvana's eyes flickered. "The core sustains the planet, but the world itself is in ruin. Reconstruction is possible. With time and the right direction, this world can rise again."

Amon arched a brow. "So what? You're saying we build a civilization from scratch?"

"Not from scratch," Nirvana corrected. "There are remnants. Ancient systems still function, vaults of knowledge remain intact, and infrastructure, though decayed, can be restored. The weapons of the past are buried beneath the surface, and scattered strongholds remain operational."

Ying Yue's mind worked through the possibilities. A dead world with ancient war technology, abandoned cities, and lost knowledge. This wasn't just a ruin it was a treasure trove of potential.

Amon crossed his arms. "So, hypothetically speaking, if we did try to rebuild, what kind of resources are we looking at?"

Nirvana extended a hand, and a glowing map materialized in the air before them. "The planet's defenses remain dormant but intact. Automated constructs still patrol the deeper ruins, and supply caches exist across various regions. Terraforming facilities lie beneath the surface, albeit inoperable. If they are restored, the land itself can be revitalized."

Ying Yue stared at the projection, her mind racing. "This isn't just a battlefield… it's an entire kingdom waiting to be reclaimed."

Amon let out a low whistle. "Yeah, but kingdoms need people. And last I checked, this place is a ghost town."

Nirvana nodded. "There are no surviving inhabitants, but outsiders may come if a stable environment is established."

Ying Yue's expression hardened. "Then that's what we'll do. We'll restore this planet. Make it habitable. Build something from it, not just scavenge from its corpse."

Amon gave her a look. "That's a hell of a job, you know. You planning to be Queen of the Wasteland or something?"

She smirked. "This world deserves better than being forgotten.And we need to become stong before the carnival."

Nirvana bowed slightly. "Then I shall serve as your guide in its restoration."

Amon sighed, staring at the vast chamber around them. "I was hoping for some quick power boost, not a full-scale kingdom-building project… but fine. If we're doing this, we're doing it right."

Ying Yue looked toward the core one last time. It wasn't a source of strength to be taken it was a foundation to be built upon.

And so, the first steps toward rebirth began.