Ch(20):-architects judgement

The Nexus of Truth had shown Ryuusuke a future he had never wanted to see, yet it was one that seemed destined to unfold. The weight of the revelations pressed heavily on him as the energy of the Nexus still swirled around them, its cosmic hum reverberating through his very being. He felt as though the fabric of his existence had been torn open, revealing the endless loops of the multiverse, and yet, despite the overwhelming knowledge he now held, he refused to surrender to despair.

Kaito stood beside him, his posture tense, his eyes scanning the fractured realities around them. The images of destruction, of betrayal, of bloodshed—he had seen them too. But unlike Ryuusuke, Kaito's resolve hadn't faltered. He had always been the grounded one, the realist, but even now, his determination shone through.

"We're not going to let that happen," Kaito said firmly, his voice cutting through the weight of silence. "We'll fight. We'll change the future. We don't need to follow their path."

Ryuusuke glanced at him, nodding slowly. "No. We won't."

But the question lingered in his mind, as much a part of him as the power coursing through his veins: How?

The Nexus was not just a place of revelation—it was a labyrinth of paradoxes and possibilities. The answers were here, but they were not easily found. They existed beyond the scope of simple understanding, hidden among the fragments of time and space. If he was to break the Cycle, he would need to find those who controlled it: the Architects.

"What exactly are the Architects?" Kaito asked, breaking Ryuusuke's moment of reflection. "And why do I feel like we've been walking right into their hands?"

Ryuusuke turned his gaze toward the swirling void around them. The Nexus had revealed fragments of these entities, their silhouettes shrouded in shadows, their presence omnipotent. He had heard whispers, seen hints of their power. But now, standing at the heart of the multiverse, the true weight of their existence began to sink in.

"The Architects," Ryuusuke said quietly, "are the ones who maintain the Cycle. They are not gods, nor are they mortal. They exist beyond time and space, outside the laws that govern the multiverse. They are the ones who ensure that creation and destruction repeat endlessly. Every death, every rebirth, every universe—controlled by them."

Kaito clenched his fists. "You mean to say we've been pawns in their game all along?"

Ryuusuke nodded. "Yes. They are the ones who decided the fate of every being, every world, every reality. They manipulate the timelines, guiding them toward the same conclusion. Everything we've fought for, every victory and defeat, is a part of their design. Nothing happens by chance. They control it all."

The weight of the truth was almost unbearable. But Ryuusuke could feel something stirring within him, a fire that had been ignited in the depths of his soul. The Architects may have designed the Cycle, but he would be the one to destroy it.

The Nexus shifted around them, the swirling galaxies and fractured realities collapsing into a singular point of light. A voice, ancient and chilling, rang out through the vastness.

"You seek to destroy the Cycle."

Ryuusuke's heart clenched as the voice echoed in his mind. It was not a single voice, but a chorus of them, resonating with the very essence of the multiverse. "We do," he said, his tone unwavering. "We will."

"The Cycle cannot be broken. It is the foundation of existence itself. The Architects forged it, and none may undo their design."

Ryuusuke's eyes burned with intensity. He could feel the power of the Nexus tugging at him, challenging him, testing his resolve. "We'll see about that."

For the first time, the voice paused, and Ryuusuke felt a shift in the air around them. It was subtle, but unmistakable—a presence, ancient and infinite, taking form. The figure that appeared before them was like nothing he had ever seen. It was an entity that seemed to transcend all known concepts of form and substance, its appearance constantly shifting, as though it existed simultaneously in countless shapes across infinite realities.

"You have no understanding of what you are trying to destroy," the entity spoke, its voice like the hum of galaxies colliding. "The Architects have shaped the fabric of existence for eons. The Cycle is their will. It is not to be defied."

Ryuusuke stepped forward, his power flaring in response. The swirling energy around them grew intense, and for a moment, the vastness of the Nexus seemed to contract into a single point, leaving them in a void of infinite darkness. "I've seen enough of their design," Ryuusuke declared. "Their time is over."

The entity laughed, a sound that seemed to vibrate through the very bones of the multiverse. "You are but a fleeting moment in the eternal. The Architects are beyond your reach. You cannot even fathom the cost of defying them."

Kaito's voice cut through the dark laughter. "We've faced gods, demons, and the fabric of reality itself. You think we're afraid of you?"

Ryuusuke turned his gaze to Kaito, who stood unwavering by his side. Together, they had fought battles that would have shattered lesser beings, and now, they stood united against the very foundation of the multiverse. The Architects may be powerful, but they were not invincible.

"Prepare yourself," Ryuusuke said to Kaito, his eyes burning with resolve. "This ends here."

The entity's form began to warp, its shape bending and twisting, as though it were trying to grasp at something beyond the edges of reality. "You will regret this, Harbinger," it whispered, its voice now full of malice. "The truth of your existence is far darker than you realize. Even if you defeat me, you will never escape the Cycle."

Ryuusuke clenched his fists. The time for hesitation was over. The Nexus had revealed its secrets, but now, it was time to create a new future—one where the Architects and their Cycle would no longer control the fate of the multiverse.

"Then let's see what's on the other side of this truth."

With a single, determined motion, Ryuusuke unleashed his full power.