Chapter 25: The Aftermath of Ascendance

Stepping through the portal, Aric and his clones emerged onto a vast expanse of sky bridges and floating islands. The air was lighter here, imbued with a faint golden hue, as if the realm itself acknowledged their triumph. The moment their feet touched the crystalline pathway, a notification rang in their minds.

System Notification:

[Congratulations! You have completed the Third Floor Trials.]

[Rewards Unlocked: Ascendant's Chest (Mythical Tier), Pillar Synchronization Buff, and Skill Evolution Tokens.]

"Finally," Clone 7 muttered, dropping his shield and leaning heavily against a nearby pillar. "I thought that last trial was going to break us."

Clone 2, the Analyst, was already examining the rewards. "The Pillar Synchronization Buff seems significant. It's enhancing all of our base stats by 15% and reducing energy consumption during combat by 10%. That'll make a huge difference."

"Don't forget the Skill Evolution Tokens," Clone 19 added. "With these, we can upgrade our abilities beyond their current limits."

Aric opened the Ascendant's Chest, a glowing relic that floated in midair. The light faded, revealing its contents:

Divine Relic: Aetherial Shardblade – A weapon capable of cutting through dimensional barriers and disrupting energy-based defenses. Legendary Gear Set: Ascendant's Regalia – Armor designed to adapt to the user's abilities, offering unmatched versatility and protection. Map Fragment (4/100) – A piece of an ancient map that supposedly leads to the Tower's hidden secrets.

Aric reached for the Aetherial Shardblade, feeling its power resonate with his Nexus System. The blade seemed to hum in anticipation, its edge glowing faintly as it attuned to his energy.

"It's… alive," Aric murmured.

Clone 11, the Temporal Navigator, examined the map fragment. "This makes four. If we can gather more of these, we might uncover something critical about the Tower."

"But for now," Clone 8 said, slumping onto a nearby rock, "we need rest. Those trials drained us more than we'd like to admit."

Aric nodded, opening his inventory to retrieve supplies. "We'll set up camp here. Even if the Tower doesn't let us stay long, we need to recover before we move forward."

Night on the Sky Bridges

As the group rested, the ethereal light of the floating islands dimmed, replaced by a serene, starry night. The clones sat around a makeshift campfire, their faces illuminated by its warm glow. For once, the atmosphere was calm, almost peaceful.

"This place… it's different," Clone 10, the Stealth Specialist, said, breaking the silence. "It doesn't feel hostile, like the last floor."

"It's a reprieve," Clone 19 replied. "The Tower doesn't just test our strength; it knows when to let us breathe. But it won't last."

Aric stared into the fire, his mind replaying the trials. The Avatar of Light's test lingered most in his thoughts. Confronting his past had been more difficult than any physical battle.

"You were right, you know," he said quietly, addressing the group. "The Tower isn't just testing us—it's shaping us. It's forcing us to grow, to become something more."

Clone 7 smirked. "And you're handling it better than most would. Not everyone could face what you've faced and come out stronger."

Aric chuckled. "I've got all of you to thank for that."

"Technically, we're you," Clone 2 said, a rare hint of humor in his voice.

"Semantics," Clone 8 added, laughing.

The moment of levity was interrupted by a soft chime.

System Notification:

[The Ascendant Trial's grace period will end in 6 hours. Prepare to ascend to the Fourth Floor.]

Aric rose, his determination rekindled. "Looks like our break's over soon. Let's make the most of the time we have left."

Preparations for the Fourth Floor

The team spent the remaining hours organizing their resources and discussing strategies for the next floor. Aric used one of the Skill Evolution Tokens on his primary ability, Infinite Creation, enhancing it to allow the creation of temporary dimensional barriers and summoning tools for specific challenges.

"Dimensional barriers… that'll be useful," Clone 11 remarked. "Especially if we face enemies capable of large-scale attacks."

The clones also upgraded their respective abilities, ensuring they were better equipped for whatever awaited them. By the time the system's countdown reached zero, they were as ready as they could be.

Ascension to the Fourth Floor

The portal to the fourth floor shimmered into existence, its surface reflecting the team's determined expressions. Without hesitation, they stepped through, bracing themselves for the unknown.

The transition was seamless, the golden light fading to reveal a sprawling jungle bathed in an eerie green glow. Massive trees stretched into the sky, their branches forming a natural canopy that blocked out most of the light. The air was thick with humidity, and the distant roars of unseen creatures echoed through the dense foliage.

System Notification:

[Welcome to the Fourth Floor: The Wilds of Evolution.]

[Primary Objective: Survive and adapt.]

[Secondary Objective: Locate the Lost Sanctuaries (0/5).]

"'Survive and adapt,'" Clone 2 repeated, his tone wary. "That doesn't sound ominous at all."

Aric drew the Aetherial Shardblade, its glow cutting through the dim jungle. "Stay alert. This floor's not going to give us any second chances."

The ground beneath them suddenly trembled, and a guttural growl rumbled through the trees. From the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes emerged, followed by a massive beast covered in thick, armored scales.

System Notification:

[Beast of the Wilds: Alpha Predator]

[Difficulty: Nightmare]

Aric smirked, tightening his grip on the blade. "Guess the Tower's done easing us in. Let's show it we're ready."

With a roar, the beast charged, and the battle for survival began.