Chapter 37: The First True Gate
The massive portal shimmered ahead, its surface alive with rippling light and incomprehensible runes. The energy it radiated felt entirely different from anything Aric and his team had encountered so far—vast, ancient, and layered with an authority that seemed to defy even the Tower's rules.
System Notification:
[You have unlocked the First True Gate.]
[Warning: Beyond this gate lies the True Realm. Only challengers with activated Ascension Pillars may enter.]
[Difficulty Level: ???]
[Recommended Party Level: Above 50.]
Aric glanced at his clones, each showing varying degrees of fatigue but maintaining their readiness. He himself could feel the strain of the battle against the Abyssal Archon, but he pushed it aside. This was what they'd been fighting for.
"Looks like it's not going to get any easier," Clone 10 muttered, rubbing his bruised arm.
"It wasn't supposed to," Aric replied, stepping closer to the portal. "But we've come too far to hesitate now. We move forward—no matter what's waiting on the other side."
The group approached the portal cautiously. The air grew denser with every step, heavy with the weight of unseen eyes. Aric extended his hand to the shimmering surface.
As his fingers touched the portal, the runes flashed brightly, and the entire team was enveloped in a swirling vortex of light and shadow.
The Unknown Realm
When the light cleared, they stood in a realm unlike any they had seen before. The sky was an endless expanse of swirling galaxies, and the ground was a smooth, reflective surface that mirrored their every move. Floating islands, each adorned with towering structures, drifted lazily in the distance, connected by faint bridges of light.
System Notification:
[Welcome to the Nexus Crossroads.]
[This is a transitory zone connecting the Tower to the True Realms.]
[Objective: Prove your worth by claiming the Nexus Core.]
"What's the Nexus Core?" Clone 8 asked, scanning the vast, alien landscape.
Aric's eyes narrowed as he read further details. "It's the heart of this realm. To move forward, we have to claim it. But…"
System Notification:
[Warning: Challengers from other realms detected.]
[The Nexus Core is a shared objective. Competition is active.]
"…we're not alone," Aric finished, his tone grim.
The Rival Teams
The first sign of their competitors came as a tremor shook the reflective ground. In the distance, figures emerged—three groups, each radiating power that rivaled or exceeded Aric's own.
The first group was led by a man clad in gold-plated armor, his presence exuding authority. His team moved in perfect formation, their synchronization suggesting years of training together.
The second was a chaotic band of warriors, each looking wildly different. Their leader, a towering figure wreathed in flames, wielded a massive axe that crackled with energy.
The third group was shrouded in mystery, their forms concealed beneath cloaks that shifted like liquid shadow.
System Notification:
[Three Rival Teams Detected.]
[Group 1: Guild Aurum Exalted – Rank: Legendary.]
[Group 2: Clan Ashen Wrath – Rank: Epic.]
[Group 3: Ebon Veil – Rank: Unknown.]
"They're strong," Clone 19 said, gripping his staff tightly. "And they're not going to let us take the Nexus Core without a fight."
"Good," Aric said, smirking. "Neither will we."
The First Skirmish
The calm didn't last. As soon as the groups became aware of each other, the battle erupted. Aurum Exalted's leader, the golden knight, raised his sword, and his team charged forward with precision.
Ashen Wrath responded with brute force, the flame-wreathed warrior slamming his axe into the ground and creating a fiery shockwave that tore through the battlefield.
Ebon Veil remained on the outskirts, observing the chaos and striking from the shadows with deadly precision.
Aric and his clones had no choice but to engage. "Stay together!" he ordered, activating [Nexus Harmony] to link their movements. "Focus on the objective, not just the fight!"
Clone 10 darted toward a floating island, planting energy stabilizers to create a foothold for their team. Clone 7 held the line, deflecting incoming attacks from Aurum Exalted's vanguard.
Aric himself clashed with the flame-wreathed leader of Ashen Wrath, their weapons colliding in a shower of sparks. The sheer force of the clash pushed both of them back, but neither gave an inch.
"You've got skill," the warrior growled, his eyes blazing. "But skill won't save you here."
"Neither will brute strength," Aric shot back, dodging a wide swing and countering with [Crimson Severance]. The energy slash forced the warrior to retreat, buying Aric time to regroup.
The Nexus Core
Amid the chaos, the Nexus Core revealed itself—a massive crystalline structure floating in the center of the realm, radiating waves of raw power.
System Notification:
[Nexus Core: Neutral State.]
[Claim Process: Interruptible. Time Required: 5 Minutes.]
"All teams will be converging on that," Clone 8 said, firing arrows to keep Ebon Veil's assassins at bay.
"Then we get there first," Aric said, activating [Phantom Step] to weave through the battlefield. His clones followed, using their unique abilities to create openings and distractions.
The other teams noticed their movement and reacted swiftly. Aurum Exalted's mages unleashed a barrage of golden energy, while Ashen Wrath's warriors charged recklessly toward the Core. Ebon Veil's leader, still hidden, orchestrated precision strikes to sabotage the others' efforts.
But Aric's team was prepared. Clone 19 used [Nexus Harmony] to shield their advance, while Clone 10 deployed traps and barriers to slow their pursuers. Clone 8 provided covering fire, his arrows pinning down key members of the rival teams.
As they reached the Core, Aric placed his hand on its surface, initiating the claim process.
System Notification:
[Claim Process Initiated.]
[4:59 Remaining.]
The Final Struggle
The rival teams converged in a desperate bid to stop them. Aric and his clones fought valiantly, their coordination and adaptability pushing them to their limits.
Aurum Exalted's leader broke through the defensive line, his sword glowing with holy energy. Aric intercepted him, their blades clashing in a duel of skill and will.
Meanwhile, the flame-wreathed warrior of Ashen Wrath barreled toward the Core, only to be intercepted by Clone 7 and Clone 10, who worked together to hold him at bay.
Ebon Veil's assassins attempted to sneak past the chaos, but Clone 8's sharp eyes and precise arrows thwarted their every move.
The timer ticked down, each second feeling like an eternity.
System Notification:
[0:10 Remaining.]
"Hold the line!" Aric shouted, his voice carrying over the chaos. "We're almost there!"
With a final, desperate push, they repelled the rival teams long enough for the timer to reach zero.
System Notification:
[Nexus Core Claimed.]
[Congratulations! Access to the True Realms Unlocked.]
The Core's light engulfed them, and the realm dissolved into a cascade of energy.
A New Frontier
When the light faded, Aric and his team found themselves standing before an enormous gate, its surface adorned with intricate patterns that pulsed with life.
System Notification:
[Welcome to the True Realms.]
[Prepare for the next stage of your journey.]
Aric stared at the gate, determination burning in his eyes. "This was just the beginning. The real challenge starts now."
To Be Continued…