THE BLACKTHORN CODEX
Episode 48 — The Gate of Time
The black crystal pulsed more strongly, reacting to their presence. The Codex lit up, projecting runes into the water, revealing the path to the portal that could return them to their time. But Selerion's invisible guardian still watched them, ready to test their ultimate courage and mastery of his powers.
Their test was not over. It had only just begun.
November 17, 1945 — 1:05 PM
The black crystal pulsed in the center of the abyssal cavern, radiating waves of energy that distorted the water around them. Each beat seemed synchronized with the Codex. Clarisse and Leander, fused with Borax, watched the iridescent light that indicated the existence of the time portal.
"We must activate the crystal while remaining synchronized," said Leander, his voice echoing in the black water.
"Yes… one false step and Selerion will hold us back forever," replied Clarisse.
They approached, aware of the traps. The crystal projected mental illusions, recreating their worst memories and erasing the distinction between real and false. Leander felt a sharp pain in his chest: images of past losses, failed battles, the deaths of loved ones. Clarisse, seeing duplicates of their friends engulfed in the black water, gritted her teeth to stay focused.
Borax amplified their fusion, allowing them to filter reality from the illusions and remain anchored in the present. They were finally able to touch the crystal.
The crystal emitted a massive vibration, sucking the heroes' energy and triggering underwater earthquakes. Minor sorcerers appeared, attempting to hold them back with:
Water tornadoes + lightning, which spun Clarisse and Léandre in all directions.
Ice pillars, partially trapping their legs.
Psychic powers, projecting visions of failure and loss of control.
But the fusion with Borax gave them perfect coordination:
Clarisse created explosive volcanoes + ice shields, absorbing the tornadoes and shattering the pillars.
Léandre used apparition/vanish + lightning, striking the sorcerers before they could react.
Together, they projected mental waves, scattering the psychic doubles and canceling the manipulations.
As the sorcerers were pushed back, the crystal began to open the portal, but an invisible force prevented it from stabilizing. Clarisse and Léandre understood: Selerion's guardian was testing their ability to maintain the balance between their powers and their minds.
"We must concentrate our entire being," murmured Léandre.
"Total fusion, Borax... guide us," added Clarisse.
They fully merged with Borax, their bodies radiating elemental light: fire, ice, lightning, volcano, and explosion. Their mental powers amplified, allowing them to manipulate the water and gravity around the portal, stabilizing the crystal's structure.
The portal trembled, revealing a luminous corridor traversing time and space, showing fleeting images of Marseille in 2023. The sorcerers, desperate, multiplied their final attacks:
An abyssal tornado, a mixture of water, ice, and lightning, tried to sweep them away.
Final mental illusions, recreating all their fears and doubts.
But Clarisse and Léandre, fully merged with Borax, crossed the waves and illusions. They were able to focus their energy on the crystal and open a stable rift, large enough to traverse time.
The Codex began to glow intensely, projecting protective runes around them. The portal widened, slowly sucking them in. The sensation was dizzying: Selerion resisted, tried to hold them back, but the combined strength of the heroes and Borax was irresistible.
"Prepare to cross..." Clarisse said, her hand in Leander's.
"Together..." Leander replied.
They plunged into the light, leaving Selerion, the sorcerers, and the abyssal darkness behind. The black crystal burst into a final ray, signaling the end of the ordeal and the beginning of their return.
Their bodies were projected through time. The cavern disappeared, replaced by the salty air and familiar light of Marseille in 2023. Clarisse and Léandre, still fused with Borax, rose above the city, panting but alive, their powers intact and their bond strengthened.
They had survived Selerion. But the real question remained: what changes had the journey through time wrought, and what enemies still awaited them in their own time?