Chapter 22: The 30th Floor Gate

The group emerged from the void left by the collapsing labyrinth. The shimmering portal to the 30th floor loomed ahead, pulsing with energy. Unlike the simple gates Aric had encountered before, this one radiated a powerful aura that made even the air feel heavier.

System Notification:

[30th Floor Gate Activated.]

[Requirements Met: Shard of the Labyrinth Core (4/4).]

[Warning: Beyond this gate lies a realm of extreme difficulty. Proceed with caution.]

Clone 7, the Tactician, studied the gate warily. "This doesn't feel like an ordinary transition. The energy signature is off the charts. The Tower might be setting us up for something unprecedented."

Clone 2, the Analyst, nodded in agreement. "The 30th floor is a major milestone. It's likely a test to determine who's worthy to ascend further."

Aric smirked, gripping the key tightly. "Good. It's about time we faced something worthy of our efforts. Let's not waste any time."

With a swift motion, he placed the key into the gate. The portal flared brightly, and the world around them dissolved into a vortex of light.

Arrival at the 30th Floor

When the light subsided, the group found themselves in an enormous arena, its boundaries stretching beyond sight. The ground was made of polished obsidian, and above them, a swirling sky of storm clouds churned with raw energy. Floating platforms hovered in the air, and massive statues of long-forgotten warriors lined the edges of the arena.

System Notification:

[Welcome to the 30th Floor: Trial of Unity.]

[Objective: Prove your strength and adaptability as a group.]

[Warning: Failure will result in immediate expulsion from the Tower.]

Aric's clones formed a defensive circle around him, their eyes scanning the arena. "This is different," Clone 11, the Temporal Navigator, said cautiously. "There's no map, no guidance. It's just us and whatever challenge they throw at us."

Before Aric could respond, a booming voice echoed across the arena.

"Challenger Aric Valen and company, welcome to the Trial of Unity. Only those who demonstrate unparalleled teamwork and resilience may proceed beyond this point. Prepare yourselves."

As the voice faded, a massive creature emerged from the shadows. It was a three-headed beast, each head representing a different element: fire, ice, and lightning. Its body shimmered with layers of protective scales, and its claws glowed with deadly energy.

System Notification:

[Trial Boss: Tri-Elemental Hydra.]

[Traits: Adaptive Resistance, Regenerating Heads, Elemental Mastery.]

[Warning: Each head must be defeated simultaneously to prevent regeneration.]

Clone 7's eyes widened. "Simultaneous defeat? That's not going to be easy. Hydra heads regenerate almost instantly if not destroyed together."

Aric cracked his knuckles, his mind already racing with strategies. "Then we'll have to divide and conquer. Tactician, coordinate the timing. Temporal, manage the Hydra's speed. Elemental Sage, focus on countering its attacks. Everyone else, target a specific head. Let's show this Tower what unity really means."

The Hydra Battle

The Hydra roared, unleashing a torrent of elemental attacks. The fire head spewed molten flames that scorched the arena, the ice head froze entire sections of the ground, and the lightning head struck with precision and ferocity.

Aric's clones moved like a well-oiled machine, each executing their role flawlessly. Clone 19, the Elemental Sage, countered the fire head with waves of water, neutralizing its flames. Clone 8, the Duelist, darted between the ice head's attacks, landing precise strikes on its neck. Clone 11 used his Temporal Manipulation to slow the lightning head's movements, giving Clone 2 time to analyze its attack patterns.

Aric himself faced the Hydra's main body, using his Overdrive Nexus ability to create openings for his clones. His blade flashed as he deflected the beast's claws and struck at its armored torso.

"Tactician, give the signal!" Aric shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Clone 7 called out, "All units, prepare for simultaneous strikes! Elemental Sage, boost their weapons with opposing elements. Temporal, synchronize their timing. On my mark—three, two, one, now!"

The clones struck in unison, their attacks perfectly timed. The Hydra's heads exploded in bursts of energy, and its massive body collapsed with a deafening crash.

System Notification:

[Tri-Elemental Hydra Defeated.]

[Reward: Key to the Realm of Transcendence.]

The Path Forward

As the Hydra's remains disintegrated, a new portal appeared at the center of the arena. It radiated a golden light, its energy far more potent than anything Aric had felt before.

System Notification:

[The Path to the 31st Floor Is Open.]

[Bonus Reward: Unity Crest (Legendary Rank).]

Aric approached the portal, the Unity Crest in hand. It was a shimmering medallion that pulsed with power, granting him and his clones a significant boost to their coordination and combat efficiency.

"This is just the beginning," Aric said, his gaze fixed on the portal. "The Tower's challenges are only going to get harder from here. But so are we."

He turned to his clones, a determined glint in his eyes. "Let's move. The 31st floor awaits."

With that, they stepped into the golden portal, ready to face whatever the Tower had in store for them next.

To Be Continued...