Ch(13):-The Shattered nexus

The calm after their encounter with the Warden was deceptive. The glowing gates of the Nexus loomed behind Ryuusuke and Kaito, but the weight of the revelations hung heavy in the air. The Nexus wasn't just the heart of the multiverse; it was a cage built by forces far beyond comprehension. Forces that manipulated the endless cycle of creation and destruction for their own design.

Ryuusuke's thoughts churned as he stared into the vast, endless expanse before him. The Nexus pulsed faintly, almost like a heartbeat, its light casting strange shadows on their surroundings. Kaito broke the silence, his voice tentative. "Ryuusuke, do you think… do you think we're even supposed to fight something like this? This feels like trying to go against the universe itself."

Ryuusuke's gaze remained steady. "Kaito, if we don't fight, we'll lose everything—our world, our future, everything we've ever known. I'm not going to let that happen. Whatever these Elder Forces are, they've already caused enough suffering."

Kaito's shoulders slumped, but he nodded. "Alright, man. I'm with you. Just… don't forget we're in this together, okay?"

The Nexus' Warning

As they stepped closer to the gates of the Nexus, a deep rumble echoed through the air, making both of them pause. The gates, towering and intricate, began to shift and twist as though alive. Symbols carved into the metallic surface glowed brighter, and a voice—ancient and layered with countless tones—resonated around them.

"Ryuusuke of Earth, do you truly intend to defy the Cycle? To defy the laws of existence itself?"

Ryuusuke squared his shoulders, stepping forward. "I intend to break this cycle of endless destruction and start something new. If that means defying your laws, so be it."

The voice grew colder. "You speak with arrogance. Do you comprehend the cost of what you propose? The Cycle is not flawed—it is balance. To shatter it is to risk annihilation beyond even your understanding."

Ryuusuke clenched his fists. "Balance? The multiverse is crumbling! Billions are suffering, dying, and being erased. That's not balance—that's chaos. If you're going to stand in my way, then I'll destroy you, too."

The voice went silent for a moment before the gates began to glow even brighter. "So be it. If you seek to enter the Nexus, you will face the trial of your existence. Only those who understand the weight of their actions may proceed."

Before Ryuusuke could respond, the ground beneath him and Kaito shattered like glass, and they fell into a vortex of light and shadow.

The Trial of the Nexus

Ryuusuke landed hard on a jagged, crystalline surface, the air knocked out of him. He quickly stood, scanning his surroundings. He was no longer with Kaito. Instead, he stood in a distorted, kaleidoscopic space. The sky was a swirling void, filled with threads of light and energy—worlds and timelines intertwining in an intricate dance.

A figure materialized before him, humanoid but featureless, its body shimmering like liquid metal. Its voice was cold and detached. "The Trial begins. To prove your resolve, you must face yourself."

Before Ryuusuke could react, the figure's form shifted and solidified—into him. A perfect copy, down to the glowing aura and the blade of light in its hand.

The copy spoke, its voice mocking. "So, you think you're a savior? That you can fix the multiverse with brute strength and stubbornness? Pathetic."

Ryuusuke narrowed his eyes, his hand instinctively gripping his sword. "You're just an illusion. I'll end this quickly."

The copy smirked, raising its blade. "You can't defeat me, Ryuusuke. Because I am you. I know every thought, every fear, every weakness. Let's see if you can face the truth about yourself."

The Battle Within

The copy lunged, its movements impossibly fast. Ryuusuke barely managed to block the strike, the impact sending a shockwave through the crystalline ground. The copy followed up with a flurry of attacks, each one precise and unrelenting. Ryuusuke countered as best he could, but it was clear—this wasn't just a physical battle. Every strike carried a weight, forcing him to confront the doubts and fears he tried to suppress.

"You call yourself a hero," the copy taunted, slashing at him with inhuman speed. "But you've already failed. You couldn't save your world. You couldn't save your family. What makes you think you can save the multiverse?"

Ryuusuke gritted his teeth, blocking another strike. "I didn't come here to be lectured by a copycat. I'll prove you wrong!"

He unleashed a burst of energy, forcing the copy back. But it only laughed, its form flickering. "Prove me wrong? You can't even prove yourself. Deep down, you know the truth—you're not doing this to save anyone. You're doing it because you're afraid. Afraid of being powerless. Afraid of being nothing."

The words struck a chord, and Ryuusuke hesitated for a split second—long enough for the copy to land a devastating blow. The force of the attack sent him crashing to the ground, his body trembling from the impact.

The Strength to Move Forward

As he lay there, pain coursing through him, Ryuusuke's mind raced. The copy's words echoed in his head, each one cutting deeper than any blade. Was it right? Was he truly fighting for the multiverse, or was it just a way to mask his own fears and insecurities?

He thought of Kaito, of the people he had lost, of the countless lives at stake. And then he thought of the Nexus, of the Cycle, of the endless suffering that had been allowed to persist. Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet, his golden aura flickering but steady.

"You're right," Ryuusuke said, his voice firm. "I am afraid. I've lost people I cared about. I've seen worlds fall apart, and I couldn't stop it. But that fear isn't weakness. It's what drives me. I'm not fighting to prove anything—I'm fighting because someone has to."

The copy paused, its mocking smirk fading. Ryuusuke's aura flared brighter, and he raised his sword, pointing it at the copy.

"You're not me. You're just a shadow of my doubts. And I'm done letting you hold me back."

With a surge of power, Ryuusuke charged forward, his blade slicing through the copy in one decisive strike. The figure shattered into shards of light, which dissolved into the air.

The Path Reopens

As the battle ended, the distorted space around Ryuusuke began to stabilize. The voice of the Nexus spoke once more, its tone softer than before. "You have faced your fears and proven your resolve. The path forward is open."

Ryuusuke found himself back at the gates of the Nexus, Kaito standing beside him, looking confused but unharmed. The gates slowly opened, revealing a blinding light within.

Kaito looked at Ryuusuke, his expression a mix of awe and concern. "You okay? You look like you've been through hell."

Ryuusuke nodded, a small smile on his face. "I'm fine. Let's go. We've got a multiverse to save."

With that, the two of them stepped through the gates, ready to face whatever lay ahead.