Chapter 2: The Tower of Ascension
["Elric Roark."]
The voice echoed—not just in the space Elric drifted through, but across the very fabric of the universe. The sound was not loud, yet it carried weight, reverberating through stars and void alike. A low humming followed, deep and ancient, sending tremors across galaxies.
Within Elric's soul, a golden ethereal crystal formed—translucent, alive, ancient. The name "Elric Roark" engraved upon it in a script no mortal being could read, yet it resonated with authority. It wasn't simply a name. It was an identity, a declaration to the cosmos.
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Far away, under a galaxy where stars blazed brighter than usual and the Milky Way shimmered like a divine river, floated a fractured island. It hovered in the void, broken yet grand, carrying a castle that looked like it had been plucked from myths. Upon the throne sat a colossal figure—a Dragon in human form, his sheer size eclipsing mountains. His eyes were closed, body unmoving.
Then, his eyelids lifted. A slight movement, yet the pressure released was devastating. Meteors shattered. Planets nearby crumbled into cosmic dust. Reality bent.
Within his ageless gaze flickered something rare—excitement.
"A new Seed, hmm," the giant rumbled.
Then, he closed his eyes again. The calm returned, but the universe had already shifted.
In the heart of a distant globular cluster—a dense realm packed with ancient stars—an even more intense spectacle was unfolding. Amidst the celestial sea, two mythical beings clashed.
One was a Celestial—graceful, terrifying in her elegance. Petite frame, green eyes that gleamed with intelligence and danger, long white hair tied back, her attire an elegant mix of gold, black, and white. Her presence was commanding. Her aura distorted light itself.
Opposing her was a Demon. Massive, shrouded in darkness, exuding malevolence. His every step carried death, and where he looked, stars dimmed. His form was not entirely clear—shadows clung to him like a second skin. But his intent was clear—obliteration.
They moved in bursts. One moment stationary, the next trading blows at speeds that tore stars apart. Each collision sent gravitational shockwaves spiraling outward. Space folded, twisted, and unraveled with each strike.
Suddenly, the cosmic tremor reached them—the same that echoed Elric's name. The Celestial paused mid-strike, her eyes gleaming with realization. A grin tugged at the corner of her lips.
"A #%$@#'s Seed, ha haaa," she chuckled softly. "It's going to be interesting, heh."
And then the battle resumed.
Meanwhile, Elric was speeding through the void—faster than light, crossing galaxies like stepping through puddles. His body still nonexistent, but his soul pulsed with golden light. He drifted in silence, only the System's faint presence with him.
"I must say, that's a pretty good name," Elric muttered to himself, testing how it sounded in the vacuum of space.
His speed slowed gradually as he approached a dying galaxy. This one was ruined—planets shattered, stars dimmed or extinguished. Systems drifted lifelessly in pieces. War had ravaged this place. Not just a war—something far worse. The aftermath was silence, dust, and the residue of long-dead titans.
In the heart of this ruined galaxy floated the Tower.
White. Massive. Cracked, yet pristine. Visible, yet flickering. Real, yet intangible.
It was like a paradox sculpted into existence.
"…What the f*ck is this?" Elric couldn't help but say.
He wasn't exaggerating. The tower gave off an aura of contradiction. It looked delicate, but Elric could feel the overwhelming pressure radiating off it. It looked incomplete, yet whole. Reality itself seemed uncertain around it.
[Host, this is the Tower of Evolution. Within it, you must undergo trials to earn a body compatible with your evolved soul. One that can house your power… and help you grow further.]
Elric looked at the ruined landscape around the tower, then back at its seemingly undisturbed form.
"So, this is the Tower of Evolution, huh?" he murmured.
"It's... definitely strange. Everything else is in ruins, and yet this tower remains mostly intact."
[Don't let appearances deceive you, Host. The tower is dying. The energy sustaining it is nearly gone. It can only assist you once. One attempt. If you fail…]
"I get it," Elric cut in, his expression firm. "Then let's not waste time. Let's go."
But just as he stepped toward the enormous entrance—half-shattered and glowing faintly—his vision blurred. Darkness consumed him. His consciousness slipped away.
[{Huff... what an impatient fool. Couldn't even wait for the instructions… Honestly, what kind of idiot am I stuck with…}]