Chapter 38: Crossing the Threshold
The monumental gate loomed before Aric and his clones, radiating an energy that seemed to vibrate through the very fabric of their existence. Every intricate rune and symbol etched into its surface pulsed with a life of its own, as if the gate itself were a sentient entity judging those who dared to approach.
System Notification:
[True Realms Gate Detected.]
[Access Granted: Nexus Core Holder.]
[Warning: Crossing this threshold is irreversible. Prepare accordingly.]
Aric felt a slight hesitation ripple through his team as they absorbed the weight of the warning. Clone 7 spoke first, his tone cautious. "Once we cross, there's no turning back. No safety nets. No Tower floors to retreat to."
Clone 8 chimed in, gripping his bow tightly. "But if we're the first to enter the True Realms, we'll set the standard. Every second we waste here, the others will catch up."
Aric nodded, his gaze unwavering. "This has always been the path we chose. We've fought too hard, faced too much, to falter now. Whatever's on the other side, we'll handle it together."
He extended his hand, and the clones followed suit, each placing a hand on the gate in solidarity.
"Let's finish what we started," Aric said.
The gate responded instantly to their touch. The runes flared to life, spinning and rearranging into patterns that defied logic. A deep, resonant hum filled the air, and the gate began to part, revealing a swirling expanse of light and shadow.
With one final glance at his team, Aric stepped forward, leading them into the unknown.
The True Realms: Arrival
When they emerged, the stark difference between the True Realms and the Tower became immediately apparent. They stood on a vast plain of shifting colors, the ground shimmering like liquid crystal. Massive structures floated above them, each a fortress that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Rivers of energy flowed freely through the sky, twisting into intricate networks that connected the distant horizon to points unknown.
System Notification:
[Welcome to the True Realms.]
[Zone: Nexus Citadel Outskirts.]
[Difficulty Scaling Activated: All challengers will face proportional threats based on their strength and rank.]
[Primary Objectives:
Establish your Nexus Domain. Defend against rival factions. Ascend the Pillars of Truth to claim the Eternal Crown.]
"Establish a domain?" Clone 10 muttered, scanning the horizon. "We're supposed to build something here?"
Aric opened his inventory, where the Nexus Core now rested as a glowing orb of pure energy. A new prompt appeared.
System Notification:
[Would you like to activate the Nexus Core and establish your domain?]
[Warning: Activation will alert all nearby entities.]
Aric weighed the risks. Establishing a domain would likely place a target on their backs, but the sooner they did it, the stronger their foothold would be.
"Do it," Aric decided, placing the Nexus Core onto the ground.
The orb floated up and burst into radiant light, expanding outward to form a protective barrier around them. A structure began to materialize within the barrier—a citadel of gleaming metal and energy that pulsed with the power of the Core.
System Notification:
[Nexus Domain Established: Valen Citadel.]
[Defensive Systems Online. Nexus Resources Initialized.]
"Looks like we have a home base," Clone 7 said, a hint of relief in his voice.
"Don't get too comfortable," Aric replied, scanning the horizon. "This place is too quiet. It won't last."
The First Encounter
His words proved prophetic. A tremor shook the ground, and in the distance, figures began to emerge from the shifting colors of the plain. At first, they were indistinct shapes, but as they drew closer, their forms solidified—massive humanoid creatures, each clad in dark, spiked armor. Their eyes glowed red, and their weapons dripped with an ominous black liquid that hissed as it hit the ground.
System Notification:
[Hostile Entities Detected: Abyssal Hunters.]
[Threat Level: High.]
[Objective: Defend the Nexus Core.]
"Here we go," Aric said, drawing his sword. "Clones, you know the drill. Defensive formation around the Core. No one gets through."
The Abyssal Hunters charged, their movements unnaturally fast for their size. Clone 8 loosed a volley of arrows, each one imbued with explosive energy, but the creatures barely flinched. Clone 10 deployed energy barriers to slow their advance, while Clone 7 leapt into the fray, his spear crackling with lightning.
Aric activated [Crimson Severance], sending a wave of energy slicing through the front line of the attackers. Several Hunters fell, but more took their place, their numbers seemingly endless.
"These things don't stop!" Clone 19 shouted, blasting one of the creatures with a focused beam of light.
"They're testing us," Aric said, his mind racing. "The True Realms are different. It's not just about surviving—it's about proving you deserve to be here."
As the battle raged on, a new notification appeared.
System Notification:
[Nexus Domain Integrity: 85%.]
[Warning: Sustained attacks will destabilize the Core.]
Aric's grip tightened on his sword. "We can't let them break through. Everyone, focus your efforts on protecting the Core!"
A New Ally?
Just as the situation began to look dire, a sudden explosion tore through the ranks of the Abyssal Hunters. A figure emerged from the smoke—a woman clad in silver armor that glowed faintly, her sword wreathed in ethereal flames.
She moved with incredible speed and precision, cutting down the Hunters with ease. As the last of the creatures fell, she turned to face Aric and his team, her piercing blue eyes locking onto him.
System Notification:
[Ally Detected: Name Unknown.]
[Rank: Mythical.]
"You're the ones who claimed the Nexus Core," she said, her voice calm but commanding. "I've been watching you."
"Who are you?" Aric asked, his sword still raised.
She smiled faintly. "A friend—for now. But if you're going to survive here, you'll need more than just strength. The True Realms aren't kind to newcomers."
Aric lowered his weapon slightly, his curiosity piqued. "And what do you want?"
"Simple," she said, gesturing toward the citadel. "I want to see if you're worthy of keeping that Core. Prove it, and I might just help you."
To Be Continued...