Just a few steps into the spiral of light leading toward Gamma, Fitran was suddenly thrust backward.
The Voidwright circle on his body ignited on its own—not by his will, nor by magic, but in instinctive response to something older than emptiness.
Amidst the roar of energy, bright and dark light intertwined, creating a palette of colors previously unimaginable. A soft sound, like the whisper of wind among the stars, passed through their ears, filling the space with an electric vibration. With each heartbeat, they felt the pulsation of time—as if the entirety of dimensions blended into a symphony.
Fitran fell to his knees.
The temperature of the space changed dramatically.
The spiral path around them trembled like strings plucked by invisible hands.
Everything around them became blurred and uncertain; it was as though they were battling upstream in a river flowing in the wrong direction, ensnared in an unexpected whirlpool. The damp scent of earth after rain filled the air, enveloping them like a protective shroud, yet also instilling fear. Each of Fitran's instincts screamed, warning of dangers weaving through space and time.
Rinoa tried to approach, but the ground between them began to curve and fold, like fabric being pinched from two directions of reality.
As the earth distorted, its colors began to blend and expand, forming patterns reminiscent of a whirlpool. Within those depths, she could see vague shadows—flashes of memories that were not hers, moments of life pulsating in a quivering light. That existence seemed to witness, interpret, and revive tragedies that had passed. A face, trampled by emptiness, was faintly painted within the frame of the curved light.
"Fitran!" Rinoa shouted. "What is happening?!"
Fitran bit his lip. His eyes widened.
For a moment, Fitran felt a deep pressure within himself, as if the room were trapped in an unending loop. More than just fear, it was a voice announcing something profoundly loud. What was it? He could only direct his gaze toward the source, a panorama of light and darkness dancing. In his mind, the call from that dimension whispered a song filled with both hope and pain.
Void answered him with a sound that was not a sound—the echo from the distant dimension:
"He has returned. The Weaver of Cracks. The Spinner of Split Fates.
His name… Thaer'Zhulith."
The mere existence of that name shook their souls. Like an echo reverberating in a deep cave, its resonance spread not just through space but also within their hearts. Amidst the pressing silence, a whisper of an ancient tale resurfaced, carried by the swirling currents of time. Each name became a mantra, igniting curiosity and unease amidst the overwhelming clamor.
The being did not appear as usual.
From the void, an unfamiliar dimension stirred, as if emerging from an abandoned painting. The darkness no longer felt terrifying; it was challenged by the radiant light of the void. Every movement of Thaer'Zhulith was imbued with breathtaking grace, exuding a mystical aura. He floated, his cloak flowing smoothly with each motion, channeling unparalleled power.
He crawls out of a space that does not exist, stitching himself together from fractured knots of time.
His body resembles a tattered cloak floating without a form, yet from every edge, glowing threads extend—dimensional threads that hang like flowing silk.
His face is absent, except for a pair of asymmetrical eyes:
One resembling an hourglass, the other akin to a black hole.
Shimmering, colorful smoke surrounds him, cloaking the void with hues never seen in the material world. A sweet and pungent aroma, reminiscent of nectar from exotic flowers, fills the air, adding a magical dimension to his presence. Each strand of glowing thread pulsates gently, not merely composed of light, but soft as the feelings lost, weaving memories into one.
He does not tread upon the ground.
He walks upon the knots of memories.
His steps echoed silently, a resonance of events hidden behind the curtain of time. Beneath him, ripples emanated a soft glow from his touch, making each step like painting light on an endless dark canvas. The inaudible whispers revealed secrets of the past and possibilities of the future, tantalizing every dream buried within.
"You open the path to Gamma, O Voidbearer.
But Gamma was not born of will. It is the residue of all the failed possibilities."
Each spoken word reverberated like an eternal mantra, crossing the realms of space and time. Gamma, a world rife with ambiguity, stood at the edge of consciousness, becoming the intersection of various currents of possibility; light intertwined with shadow in an endless dance. There, inanimate objects could live and glow, following the rhythm of the vibrating consciousness.
"I am the keeper of those threads.
I am both the villain and the weaver."
Rinoa prepared her magic. But Fitran raised his hand, stopping her.
"She is not an ordinary being… She does not merely ensnare. She reweaves the fabric of reality as we know it."
In Rinoa's mind, she could feel an energy flowing; like a calm stream, it danced around her fingers. Coupled with the vibrating power within her soul, her body resonated with the colors that this universe of endless possibilities infused with its own wonders. She grasped her magic as if she were touching the core of her very being, yearning for the light within her to unite with the radiant threads of Gamma.
"I am the guardian of those threads.
I am both the villain and the weaver."
"He is not an ordinary being… He does not merely trap. He rearranges the fabric of reality, leading his victims to choose the wrong path."
Rinoa recalled the tale of Lord Esgal Mercury's expedition.
How they were never found, without a trace of battle.
"They did not die…
They are ensnared within a fabricated narrative, rewritten by this creature.
Fitran gritted his teeth.
"All the paths we have traversed…
may have been manipulated by him.
Including the Stones trial."
The threads from Thaer'Zhulith began to dance in the air, touching fragments of reality around them.
The air grew tangled.
The spiral path twisted and then unraveled.
Time ticked in two directions.
Each heartbeat felt like a reflection of something that had yet to occur.
Amidst the invisible exchanges, colors radiated within the beta dimension of Gamma, creating shimmering posters of untold mysteries. Each breath carried a flow of subtle energy, reminiscent of a breeze on a chilly night, as the stars whispered to one another. The scent of damp earth and artificial dust enveloped them, deepening the illusion crafted by Thaer'Zhulith, transforming every nuance into a vibrating thread within that empty space.
Rinoa's skin prickled as she sensed an unseen presence, as if another creature lurked behind the shadows, ready to strike and create further distortions. She gazed into that depth, feeling her heart race, merging with the rhythm of dimensions around her. Darkness and light vied in an eternal struggle, like a river's current winding and opposing, shaping a haunting vision of endless possibilities.
With a determined gaze, Fitran listened to the gentle whispers that flowed in his ears—ancient words from a bygone era that traversed the pathways of his mind. Each phrase echoed as if carrying the message that they were part of a much larger puzzle, threads woven into the intricate tapestry of fate. Hidden within the silence, he held an unwavering belief that they were not alone; indeed, they were dependent upon one another, with the words now mere echoes of an ancient conflict.
The scenery around them was anything but static; every character seemed to flow like shimmering water in a moonlit pool. The place, drenched in an eerie silver light, conjured a perfect image of sorrow and emptiness. Rinoa felt compelled to gaze into the heart of darkness, discovering that beauty and fear could unify, creating a reality entirely different from the world they knew. How could something so terrifying also bring solace amidst the inevitable grayness?
Sudden changes awakened their darker sides as spiral and curved landmarks loomed ahead. Constantly shifting geometric shapes surrounded them, dancing and beckoning them toward a new reality brimming with uncertainty. As they traversed these pathways, an odd feeling infiltrated their minds, suggesting that each step could very well be their last in this endless web.
Rinoa struggled to gather her magical energy, each incantation solidified like the strings of a musical instrument. Yet, her battle against the resounding silence reminded her of how fragile their defenses were; even the mightiest words could become ensnared in the abyss of darkness created by Thaer'Zhulith. It felt as though she was walking on an invisible tightrope, where a single misstep could plunge her into chaos.
Rinoa and Fitran exchanged glances; the awareness of their shared purpose began to take root in their hearts. They had to fight together and find a way to unravel the threads of fate, even though every effort seemed fraught with peril.
The magic that creates the dimension where Fitran exists,
Dimension Magic — Suture of Fractured Timelines
Re-stitching the sequence of time and choices, forcing victims to repeat possibilities they have yet to make—until they can no longer distinguish what is reality.
In the dimension of Thaer'Zhulith, light pulses like rippling waves, creating an illusion that dances around every lost soul. A sweet, bittersweet aroma permeates, reminding them of sidelined memories that feel more real than their current reality. Darkness and light intertwine, giving birth to undefined colors, voicing the suppressed feelings within their hearts.
Dimension Magic — Thread of Exile
Weaving new strands of reality, trapping victims in a false narrative, making them believe they have lived there forever.
Whispers echoed softly around the space, like a breeze rustling through unseen leaves. In the delicate weave of threads, their essence began to fade, replaced by a distorted universe. The sweet promises vibrated in their ears, compelling them to gaze towards a destination that appeared to stretch endlessly, expanding and contracting like the moonlight on a dark night.
Dimensional Magic — Unbirth Pattern
Erasing existential forms, it replaced them with failed alternative possibilities.
Beyond the confines of time and space, the universe trembled as if sensing their plight. The walls separating the dimensions resonated with a distinct sound—a hissing crack that indicated something greater lurked behind every veil of space. The objectives of this new reality spread before them, filled with hope, yet in the dim light, that promise quivered with an indescribable hint of doubt.
Voidwright within Fitran fiercely rebelled.
Its energy coalesced—not to attack, but to preserve Fitran's existential form itself.
As the energy trembles, we can feel the vibrations of the world around them, echoing the chaotic movements that exist between dimensions. Invisible leaves whisper in their surroundings, resounding with the incantations that call forth unseen forces. The song of hidden realities begins to rise, enveloping Fitran and reconstructing his identity from the fragments that have been lost.
If the thread of Thaer'Zhulith touches the core of their being, their identities will be rewritten.
Not dead.
But transformed.
The sun above, which separates them from the physical world, seems to sink into silence. Threads of blue and purple twist and intertwine in opposing directions, dancing around them and evoking a sense of unexpected power. The flow of time spins, and every moment begins to feel more precious, its value determined by each choice made in this endless labyrinth.
Rinoa grips Fitran's hand, even as their surroundings continue to shift.
Bravery whispered between them, transmitting a strength that fortified their bond. That touch felt like a searing rush of deep gratitude, urging them to never give up. In the blazing vibrations, they sensed the living poetry flowing through them, weaving hope in the darkest places.
"Whatever happens, I will not be stitched into a story that isn't mine."
Rinoa's voice created a new frequency in the dimension, pausing the passage of time for a moment. Around them, the stars appeared closer than ever, reflections of hopes that had died and were reborn. Dimension lines danced, seemingly responding to that declaration of helplessness with a vibrant resurgence of spirit.
Fitran opened his eyes. The light of the Voidwright burned into his irises.
In his new perspective, the world trembled and pulsated, forming patterns that enchanted the heart. Every second felt trapped in a spiraling existence; the whispers of the wind carried a sense of taste. In the depth of his wide-open eyes, reflections of his awakened self began to return, infused with a powerful energy and the mystery sustaining each existence.
"Then... let's cut this thread."
The words soared into the sky, blazing with full power. As the thread was cut, the cries of the world around them soared high—a hopeful call for greater freedom, no longer entangled in confusing illusions. A new meaning emerged between the two, enveloping them in a warm embrace, freeing their souls from the shackles of attachment that confined them.