In the Dark Haven Fortress.
Outside the previous space passage, everyone had relaxed for now—after knowing the unknown.
Just then, Vera asked, voice soft but curious.
"Master… where are we right now?"
Vera, like the other disciples and their families, had no idea where the space passage had led them. From Ankit's earlier words, they knew it was Earth—but where on Earth? They didn't know.
Heart Clone had taken them directly to the Abode of the Sky before, so this place—Dark Haven Fortress—was completely new to them.
Ankit replied with a small smile.
"This place is another of my fortresses, but it's underground. It's called—Dark Haven Fortress. Even though it's not as luxurious as the previous one… it's big enough. You all go now. Find your rooms to stay and continue your previous routine. I will create another fortress in the meantime."
When the people present heard that this was another fortress, they weren't much surprised.
Even a rabbit has three burrows—so why couldn't this powerful person have two?
The group began moving. Puppets stepped forward to guide them, leading families and disciples toward their rooms.
On the other hand, Ankit's family also went off to settle in. They had returned to this fortress after so long. It felt like coming home. Even though the Abode of the Sky had also been home… it was contradictory, yes—but both places carried the same sense of safety, of belonging.
Ankit turned to his clones.
"You all go make a powerful fortress this time. I'm going to do my own work."
The three clones heard the order. Sacral and Root Clone immediately prepared themselves.
But Third Eye Clone hesitated.
"Should I not continue comprehending the dream element?"
Ankit stopped. He turned toward Third Eye Clone and said, tone light.
"Go, go. You don't have to comprehend right now. There's no need.
I've almost completed the thing that will help me comprehend the time element—and even other elements. It just needs a few finishing touches."
When Third Eye Clone heard this, emotion welled up inside him. A single tear slipped from the corner of his eye.
He was truly thankful.
He had been using every ounce of focus on comprehending the dream element—day after day, sleeping… sleeping… even his powerful body had grown sore from the strain.
He smiled— relieved—and moved toward the other two clones.
They got ready to create yet another powerful fortress.
Ankit watched Third Eye Clone go, then smiled faintly himself.
He sighed inwardly.
It's good he had clones. Otherwise, he really would have been worked to death.
Ankit turned to leave and complete his work.
But before he did, he didn't forget to say a few words to Solar Clone and Heart Clone.
Ankit walked away.
The courtyard slowly emptied.
But the air still felt heavier than before.
***
Meanwhile, far away from the Dark Haven Fortress.
Outside Earth's core, Solar Clone and Heart Clone were in the midst of weaving a massive vyuha—the outer shell that would one day enclose an entire fire elemental world. Their hands moved in perfect harmony, essence threads glowing between them like living filaments.
Then the message arrived.
A quiet pulse from Ankit.
They stopped instantly. The half-formed vyuha flickered once, then dimmed as both clones withdrew their power.
Without a single word, they blinked from the spot.
In the next instant, they appeared inside the headquarters building on the hidden island. A single blink across continents and depths.
They didn't pause. Another blink carried them straight into a private room deep within the main building.
There floated Ether Clone.
His body hovered weightless in the air, eyes closed, mind fully immersed in Eternal Ascendancy. He was mid-match—focused, calm, completely unaware of the world around him.
Solar Clone and Heart Clone exchanged a glance.
They didn't speak.
They simply reached out, each taking one of Ether Clone's arms.
With a gentle pull, they disconnected him.
Solar Clone severed the neural link to the game in a single, precise motion.
Ether Clone's eyes snapped open.
He wasn't angry.
Not even close.
But his gaze burned with… something.
He looked at both clones for a long moment.
Then, in a dry voice, he said:
"You should have at least let me finish the match."
Solar Clone and Heart Clone burst into quiet laughter.
Heart Clone shook his head.
"You play the game, and we do the hard work? Not happening. Now take us to the Errant Expanse. We have some work there. Your speed is fastest. You also have space property. You take us. For now… we are playing the match."
Ether Clone exhaled—half sigh, half resignation.
There was no point arguing with himself.
He glanced at the two clones, who were already connecting to the Eternal Mirage Sphere through their own accounts.
How could two clones play simultaneously?
Simple.
They had alternate accounts.
And if friends ever asked why two accounts were suddenly online at the same time?
First—they wouldn't ask.
The clones could mask status—show one account offline even while playing. A small feature Ether clone had added himself. Convenient. Clean.
And second… there was no second.
They simply wouldn't ask.
Ether Clone watched them settle into their matches with visible satisfaction.
He exhaled again, longer this time.
Then he raised one hand.
Ether essence surged around Solar Clone and Heart Clone—compressing space itself in a gentle, invisible grip.
If either clone struggled even slightly, they could break free.
But why would they?
They knew exactly whose power this was.
With a final flicker, Ether Clone tucked both clones into his sleeve.
Then he moved.
Space folded around him.
One blink.
Two.
Three.
The island headquarters vanished behind him.
He accelerated toward the edge of the solar system.
The distance was vast.
But distance… had never been a problem for him.
It will just take some more time.