Chapter 33: A World on the Brink

The Realm of Ascension shifted as the second pillar's activation resonated through the land. The glowing crystal veins beneath their feet brightened, illuminating a path toward the next Ascension Pillar. Yet, the Tower wasn't making this victory easy. The air felt heavier, almost as if the realm itself was resisting their presence.

"Two pillars down, but the energy fluctuations are becoming more chaotic," Clone 19 muttered, his voice laced with concern as he observed the terrain ahead. "Disrupting the streams is destabilizing the entire network."

Aric tightened his grip on his blade, scanning the horizon. "Then we need to move quickly. The longer we linger, the more dangerous this place becomes."

The landscape ahead was more fragmented than before. Floating islands hovered in the air, connected by bridges of shimmering light that flickered ominously. Rivers of molten energy cut through the ground, their heat palpable even from a distance. To make matters worse, the presence of Wraiths was growing stronger.

Clone 7 wiped sweat from his brow, his shield still cracked from the earlier battle. "We're pushing deeper into their territory. They're not going to let us reach the next pillar without a fight."

"Let them try," Clone 10 said, flipping one of his daggers casually. "We've taken down a Guardian. What's a few more shadows?"

But Aric knew better. The Harbinger was only the beginning. The Tower always had another layer of challenge waiting for them.

As they moved closer to the third pillar, a new notification appeared.

System Notification:

[New Threat Detected: Dimensional Rifts Unstable.]

[Warning: Rift Beasts Manifesting.]

The group froze as they spotted shimmering distortions in the air ahead. The rifts tore through the landscape, their edges pulsating with energy. From within, monstrous creatures began to emerge—hulking beasts with crystalline exoskeletons and glowing eyes. These Rift Beasts radiated raw power, their forms barely contained by the unstable reality of the realm.

"They're different from the Wraiths," Clone 8 said, his voice low. "More physical. More… real."

"They're tied to the rifts," Clone 19 observed. "If we close the rifts, we might be able to stop them."

"Or," Aric said, stepping forward, "we cut them down before they become a problem."

The first Rift Beast charged, its massive claws tearing through the ground as it barreled toward them. Clone 7 stepped forward, planting his shield firmly as the beast's claws collided with it. The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, but Clone 7 held his ground, gritting his teeth against the force.

Aric moved with precision, his blade striking the beast's exposed joints. Sparks flew as his weapon clashed against its crystalline exoskeleton, but his strikes found their mark, severing one of its limbs. Clone 10 darted in, his daggers carving through the weakened spots, while Clone 8 provided cover, intercepting another beast before it could flank them.

The battle was fierce, the Rift Beasts relentless. Each one they defeated seemed to drain more of their stamina, and the rifts continued to grow larger.

Clone 19's voice cut through the chaos. "I need to stabilize the largest rift! Cover me!"

Aric nodded. "You heard him. Hold the line!"

The team shifted into formation, creating a defensive perimeter around Clone 19. He began channeling his energy, weaving the Nexus Harmony into the unstable currents of the rift. The air around him shimmered as he fought to contain the chaotic energy.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team faced an onslaught of Rift Beasts. Clone 7's shield cracked further with each impact, but he refused to fall. Clone 10 moved like a shadow, his daggers finding weak points in the beasts' armor with surgical precision. Clone 8 used the environment to his advantage, leading one of the creatures into a molten river, where it dissolved with a pained roar.

Aric stood at the forefront, his blade glowing with the energy of the realm. He activated one of his cheat skills, [Crimson Severance], unleashing a devastating arc of energy that cleaved through multiple Rift Beasts in a single strike. The effort drained him, but it bought Clone 19 the time he needed.

With a final surge of power, Clone 19 closed the largest rift. The remaining beasts let out deafening roars before collapsing, their forms dissipating into the air. The battlefield fell silent, save for the crackling of molten rivers and the distant hum of the Ascension Pillar.

System Notification:

[Rift Stabilized: Dimensional Integrity Restored.]

[Rift Beasts Neutralized.]

The group let out a collective sigh of relief, though the exhaustion was evident in their expressions.

"That was close," Clone 7 said, inspecting the remains of his shield. "Any closer, and we'd be the ones getting torn apart."

Aric placed a hand on his shoulder. "We survived, and that's what matters. But we're not done yet."

As they approached the third pillar, it became clear that the Wraiths weren't finished with them. A massive barrier of shadow surrounded the structure, pulsating with malevolent energy. Dozens of Wraiths emerged from the darkness, their forms more solid and dangerous than ever before.

Aric felt the weight of the challenge ahead but steeled himself. "One more push. Let's finish this."

The team charged forward, their resolve unwavering. The battle for the third pillar had begun, and the Realm of Ascension was determined to test their limits.

The challenges of the Tower were escalating, but so too were Aric and his clones. As they faced the Wraiths and the shadowed barrier, one thing was certain: the journey through the Ascension Pillars would be a defining moment in their climb.

To Be Continued…