Chapter 39: Proving Worth

The woman's words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Her piercing gaze shifted between Aric and the clones, as if she were measuring their resolve, their worthiness to stand in the True Realms.

System Notification:

[Ally Status: Conditional.]

[Objective Updated: Prove Your Worth to the Unknown Ally.]

[Success Condition: Defend the Nexus Core until the current wave of threats is neutralized.]

Aric tightened his grip on his sword, his mind racing. If this stranger was truly Mythical-ranked, her help could be invaluable—but first, they'd need to survive.

The Second Wave

The ground trembled again, this time with greater intensity. The air grew heavier, charged with a dark energy that made it difficult to breathe. From the horizon, new figures emerged—larger and more grotesque than the Abyssal Hunters. These monstrosities towered over the battlefield, their bodies a fusion of flesh and corrupted metal. Their movements were slow but deliberate, each step shaking the ground.

System Notification:

[Hostile Entities Detected: Abyssal Titans.]

[Threat Level: Catastrophic.]

[Warning: Nexus Domain Integrity at Risk.]

Clone 8 let out a low whistle. "Titans? As if the Hunters weren't bad enough."

Clone 10 adjusted his energy barriers, doubling their thickness. "We need a plan. These things look like they could crush the Core with a single hit."

"We stick to the basics," Aric said, his voice steady. "I'll engage them directly. Clones 7 and 10, keep the Core defended. Clone 8, focus fire on their weak points. The rest of you, support as needed."

The woman in silver armor watched silently, her expression unreadable. She leaned against her sword, the ethereal flames flickering as if impatient. "Not bad for a first strategy," she said. "Let's see how it plays out."

The Titans roared, a deafening sound that seemed to shake the very sky, and charged. Their massive arms swung with devastating force, smashing through the terrain and leaving craters in their wake.

Aric dashed forward, activating [Crimson Severance] again. This time, he poured more energy into the skill, sending a massive wave of crimson light slicing toward the nearest Titan. The attack struck true, severing one of its arms, but the Titan didn't slow down. Black tendrils sprouted from the wound, regenerating the lost limb in seconds.

"They can heal," Clone 19 called out, launching another beam of light at the second Titan. "We'll need something stronger to take them down!"

Aric grimaced, dodging a swing from the first Titan. "Focus on overwhelming them. Regeneration has limits."

He activated [Infinite Creation], summoning a new clone armed with a massive warhammer imbued with explosive energy. "Hammer, take the lead with me. Let's see if brute force can stop these things."

The Test of Unity

The battle intensified, the clones working in perfect synchronization under Aric's command. Clone 8's arrows found their marks, targeting joints and exposed flesh to slow the Titans' movements. Clone 10's barriers redirected their attacks, buying precious seconds for counterstrikes. Aric and the warhammer clone fought side by side, their combined attacks shaking the battlefield.

Through it all, the woman in silver armor observed, her expression softening ever so slightly. "They're not just strong," she murmured. "They're coordinated. Unified. That might just be enough."

The first Titan let out a final, guttural roar as Aric's warhammer clone landed a devastating blow to its core. The creature collapsed, its body disintegrating into black mist. The second Titan faltered, overwhelmed by the relentless assault, and fell moments later.

System Notification:

[Hostile Entities Neutralized.]

[Nexus Domain Integrity: 68%.]

A Mythical Bargain

The battlefield fell silent, the clones catching their breath as the Nexus Core's barrier flickered but held steady. Aric turned to the woman, his sword resting on his shoulder. "Well? Was that good enough for you?"

She approached slowly, her armor gleaming in the light of the Nexus Core. "Impressive," she admitted. "You've proven you're not just a group of amateurs. But strength alone won't keep you alive here."

She extended her hand, the flames around her sword dimming. "My name is Kaelith. I was once like you—an outsider struggling to survive in this realm. If you'll accept it, I can offer you guidance. Allies are rare in the True Realms, and even rarer are those worth allying with."

Aric studied her carefully. Every instinct told him to be cautious, but the potential benefits of her aid outweighed the risks. "What do you want in return?" he asked.

Kaelith's smile was faint, almost sad. "Nothing you can give me. I fight for my own reasons. For now, consider this an act of mutual benefit. Your success will disrupt the balance here—and that's exactly what this place needs."

Aric extended his hand, clasping hers firmly. "Then let's shake things up."

System Notification:

[Alliance Formed: Kaelith, Mythical Rank.]

[Bonus Effect: Combat Assistance and Shared Nexus Resource Access Enabled.]

The Path Ahead

With Kaelith's help, the clones began fortifying the Nexus Domain. New defensive measures were implemented, and the citadel's infrastructure expanded to include energy generators, automated turrets, and a communication network.

Kaelith led Aric to the edge of the domain, pointing to a distant structure that rose above the plains like a spire of glass and light. "That's the first Pillar of Truth," she said. "Reaching it won't be easy. The factions here will do everything in their power to stop you."

"What kind of factions are we talking about?" Aric asked.

"Legions of the Abyss, armies of the Celestials, and worse," Kaelith replied. "Each one controls a piece of this realm, and none of them will take kindly to someone new climbing the Pillars."

Aric smirked, his determination unwavering. "Let them come. We've faced worse."

Kaelith studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then we'd better get moving. The longer we wait, the more time they have to prepare."

Aric turned back to his clones, his voice firm. "This is just the beginning. We didn't come this far to stop now. Gear up—we're taking that Pillar."

As the team prepared for their next challenge, the True Realms seemed to shift around them, the air crackling with anticipation. The battle for the Pillars of Truth—and the Eternal Crown—had begun.

To Be Continued...