The ground split open beneath their feet, and the mist exploded into a storm of spirit energy.
From the shattered gate of the tomb, a colossal figure rose — its body woven from black steel and divine essence, eyes burning like dying suns.
> [Entity Identified: "Guardian of Eternity." Origin: Pre-Celestial Era. Threat Level — S.]
Rian's grip tightened around his blade. "That's no spirit… it's a construct."
Tia's crimson flames flared around her. "A god-made weapon," she said grimly. "Built to kill immortals."
The Guardian's voice echoed across the valley — ancient, metallic, and filled with contempt.
> "Mortals… you dare trespass the tomb of the First Hybrid?"
The air vibrated with each word, shaking mountains and splitting stone.
Rian stepped forward, his silver aura flaring to life.
> "I'm not trespassing," he said coldly. "I'm reclaiming what's mine."
> [Nano Field Expansion — Engage.]
A surge of nanites burst outward, forming a shimmering dome of silver energy. The Guardian's first strike — a beam of condensed divine fire — crashed against it, bending space itself.
But the shield held.
Tia leapt into the air, spinning her sword in a blazing arc. Her flames turned white-hot as she shouted,
"Crimson Lotus — Bloom!"
The explosion of divine flame collided with the Guardian's chest, tearing through its armor — but it didn't fall. Instead, it roared, hurling energy spears that shattered the ground beneath them.
Rian gritted his teeth. He's too strong...
> [Recommendation: Engage Protocol — Overdrive Mode.]
"Do it," Rian ordered.
> [Overdrive Activated. Nano Core Synchronization: 100%. Vitality consumption: 2% per
second.]
Silver veins of light raced across his skin, his heartbeat syncing with the Nano Spirit's rhythm. The world around him slowed — every motion crystal clear.
He dashed forward, moving faster than sound, his blade slicing through the Guardian's leg in a flash of light.
> "Pathetic!" the Guardian thundered, swinging its massive arm.
The blow sent shockwaves that flattened the nearby forest. But before it could strike again, Tia appeared behind it, her flames forming wings that carried her through the air.
"Rian!" she shouted. "Now!"
Rian's eyes glowed white. Nano Reconstruction Field — Compress!
His aura condensed into a narrow beam, channeling all his energy into a single thrust. The blade pierced the Guardian's core — the same place where the divine sigil pulsed.
[Core Destabilizing. Chain Reaction Detected.]
The Guardian let out a roar that shook the heavens.
> "So… the bloodline continues…"
Then its body exploded in a blinding storm of silver and black light.
When the light faded, the valley was silent again.
In the center of the ruined tomb floated a sphere of pure silver energy — rotating slowly, pulsing like a heartbeat.
> [Object Detected: Core of Eternity. Origin: Pre-Celestial Hybrid. Containment stable.]
Rian reached toward it, and the sphere responded — flowing into his palm like liquid light. His Nano Spirit spoke, voice filled with awe.
> "Host, this is the source of all Nano Constructs. With this, you can rewrite your own code."
As the Core merged into his body, the silver tattoos along his arms began to shift — becoming more intricate, alive.
> [System Upgrade Complete. New Ability Unlocked — Nano Domain.]
Effect: Control all metallic and spiritual particles within 200 meters.
Rian exhaled, feeling power surge through him like a new heartbeat. "So this is what they feared…"
Tia, still catching her breath, looked at him. "You just absorbed a divine relic. You realize what that means?"
Rian smiled faintly. "It means I've stopped being their experiment."
He looked up at the sky, where dark clouds began to swirl unnaturally.
> "Now I'm their threat."
The Nano Spirit's tone turned cold.
> "Warning: Multiple spatial signatures detected. Azure Sect envoys inbound."
Tia's expression hardened. "They're coming for the Core."
Rian raised his blade, silver energy flaring once again.
> "Let them come."
And as the storm gathered above, the silver light of his Nano Domain spread across the valley — the birth of a legend that would soon shake the entire multiverse.