The void screamed.
It was as if the very fabric of existence was being stitched back together -- ancient wounds closing under divine command.
Dream shielded his face as the shockwave blasted outward, sending wave of crimson wind across the endless plains.
And then.... silence.
The light faded.
The trembling stopped. The fog settled.
He lowered his arm slowly. The sky, though still red, carries faint traces of colouring. The void, once a bleeding wound, now felt healed... Or was it.
Dream stood where the beam of crimson light had faded, the void trembling faintly beneath his boots. The light had healed the realm, at least on the surface, but something in the air felt different - lighter, but not stable.
[ Notice: Void crack fully repaired]
[ Passive skill unlocked: void restoration -- +1 void energy per second while inside the void]
[ Secondary notice: External Dimensional energy detected]
[ Current stability: 83%]
Dream's brow furrowed slightly. "83?" He repeated, his voice calm but edged with mild concern. "You said it was completely repaired".
The system replied, it's tone as sterile and calm as ever.
[ Affirmative. The crack has been sealed. However, residual dimensional energy from outer realms continues to corrode the structure]
"So it's fixed... but still breaking" he sighed quietly. "How is that fixed"
He turned his gaze upward. The sky above was no longer a gaping void of red and black-- faint streaks of violet and silver now drifted like ribbons across the horizon. It looked alive again, yet wounded.
He felt something in that, a strange parallel. The void had cracked once, and so had he. Both were healing, but neither would ever be what they once were.
A notification chummed in.
[ Recommendation: Th void can be Stabilized through the use of dimensional runes]
Dream blinked slowly. "Dimensional runes?"
[ Affirmative. Every realm possesses a rune core. The heart of its dimensional balance. Retrieving these cores will restore the void's original divinity]
" So.... You want me to steal this 'heart' of other worlds now?"
[ Clarification: 'steal' is inaccurate. You will absorb and refine them into the void's foundation]
" Right. That sounds much better" he rolled his eyes as he exhaled, long and slow, his eyes tracing the horizon. "... and if I don't?"
[ Instability will worsen. The void will eventually collapse. And so will the host]
Dream went quiet. The void had become his prison his home, and his only companion.
"Fine. Tell me what to do"
[ New function unlocked: Dimensional Travel]
" Dimensional Travel?.... That means I can finally leave the void and go to earth" he said excitedly
[ Warning: Void cannot accurately determine external coordinates]
" And I'm guessing that means I can't" he said in disappointment.
[ The voids can not pinpoint exact dimensional coordinates. Attempting to reach earth now carries a 92% probability of misplacement]
" Misplacement?" He repeated "meaning I could end up where?"
[ Possibilities include alternate timelines, void fractures or extinct planes]
"Great" he muttered. "So, until you stabilize the connection, I'd basically be a cosmic drifter "
[ Correct. However acquiring dimensional runes will refine the voids accuracy. Each core strengthens the network and narrows dimensional distortion]
" So the more I restore the void, the closer I get to earth"
[ Correct]
" Alright system, we'll do it your way" He sighed in defeat.
Another chime echoed in his mind.
[ Your base can now be upgraded]
" The base?"
[ Correct. The void base can be grown, changing into a structure that embodies your dominion. Eventually, transforming into a home worthy of a god]
" Hmmm... A home for a god, huh?. Alright let's see what that looks like"
[ Would you like to begin the upgrade process?]
" Yes"
The ground trembled once more as crimson line of energy formed beneath his feet, stretching outwards like veins of living fire. The sky pulsed with violet arcs as light erupted from every direction, drawn towards the location of his base. He could feel it- the stones, the energy gathering, the void itself obeying.
[ Base evolution phase 1: Hut Constructed]
[ Base rank: Dormant]
" .... a hut? Really?. This is the structure fitting for a god"
[ Base upgrade is progressive. Further upgrades requires Dimensional Runes]
" So no throne. No castle. Just... a rock but?"
[ That is correct]
He sighed but couldn't help a small chuckle.
" Alright, From a cracked wasteland to a hut-- that's progress, I suppose"
He stepped inside. The air was warmer here, faintly pulsing with life. A single table and a glowing crystal hovered above it, humming softly like a heartbeat.
Despite it's simplicity, it feels.... Safe.
Dream ran his hands along the walls- smooth, solid, and alive with quiet energy. " It's strange" he murmured, "yet familiar, my memories, what did I loose?"
The system interrupted the moment.
[ Objective updated: Acquire Realm rune- 1st tier dimensional runes]
[ Upon completion, base upgrade phase 2 will be unlock]
[ Void anchor accuracy will increase]
"I guess there's no use asking questions I don't have answers to at the moment" he said.
[ First dimensional runes detected]
[ Designation: lower realm]
[ Threat level: minimal ]
" Already, i see" he said adjusting his coat, the faint glow of his eye reflecting in the spinning portal. As he stepped closer to the portal, the systems voice echoed faintly in the mist.
[ Dimensional gate: Activated]
[ May the void watch if it's emperor]
Dream stopped, " you're starting to sound sentimental, system "
[ Observation: Personality may have adapted with host progress accordingly]
" Or maybe I'm starting to run off on you"
[ Unlikely.]
" We'll see"
Looking at the glowing portal one last time he said
"I'll finally be leaving the void. What awaits me on the other side... Only one way to find out"
Without hesitation, he stepped into the light.