"…found you."
The voice didn't echo.
It crawled.
Up Kael's arm.
Into his bones.
---
"…let go."
Kael said, low.
---
The thing gripping him tightened.
Cold.
Not like ice.
Not like metal.
---
Like absence.
---
"I've been waiting."
It whispered.
---
"For what?" Kael snapped.
---
"For an opening."
---
Kael pulled back.
Hard.
---
The grip didn't break.
---
"…great."
---
Above him, the massive hand froze.
The system went silent.
Even the giant merged entity below stopped moving.
---
Everything—
Paused.
---
"…why did everything stop?"
Kael muttered.
---
The presence beyond the tear answered.
---
"…they don't interfere here."
---
"…here?"
---
"…between."
---
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"…you mean this crack?"
---
"…this is not a crack."
---
A pause.
---
"…this is the space between worlds."
---
Silence.
---
"…and I just punched a hole into it."
Kael sighed.
"…perfect."
---
The grip on his arm pulled.
---
Harder.
---
"…come."
---
"…no."
---
Kael slammed his other hand onto the thing.
Trying to pry it off.
---
"…I'm not going anywhere."
---
"…you already are."
---
The world shifted.
---
Not falling.
---
Sliding.
---
Like reality lost its grip on him.
---
"…wait—"
---
Kael looked down.
---
The village—
Fading.
---
Players—
Distorting.
---
The giant—
Glitching.
---
"…I'm being pulled out."
---
"Kael!"
---
A voice shouted from below.
---
He blinked.
---
"…someone called me?"
---
A player.
---
One of the survivors.
---
Reaching up.
---
"…don't go!"
---
Kael stared for a second.
---
"…why?"
---
"Because if you leave—"
The player's voice broke.
---
"…everything might end!"
---
Kael hesitated.
---
"…you're not wrong."
---
The grip pulled harder.
---
"…come."
---
"…shut up."
Kael snapped.
---
He drove his sword into the air—
---
Trying to anchor himself.
---
CRACK—
---
The blade stuck.
---
Barely.
---
"…holding…"
---
The thing on his arm tightened again.
---
"…you resist too much."
---
"…get used to it."
---
The presence beyond the tear spoke.
---
"…Kael."
---
"…yeah?"
---
"…if you go in… you won't return the same."
---
Kael smirked faintly.
---
"…I'm already not the same."
---
Silence.
---
"…fair."
---
The system suddenly came back.
---
"RECONNECTION ATTEMPT INITIATED."
---
"…oh, now you want me back?"
---
"YOU ARE CRITICAL."
---
"…say please."
---
"THIS IS NOT A REQUEST."
---
"…then it's a no."
---
The giant below moved again.
---
Jumping.
---
Reaching for Kael.
---
"…don't you dare—!"
---
It grabbed his leg.
---
"…got you."
---
Kael groaned.
---
"…everyone wants a piece of me today."
---
The pull increased.
---
Upward.
Downward.
---
Both directions.
---
"…this is bad."
---
The thing in the crack pulled.
The giant pulled.
---
Kael's body stretched between two forces.
---
"…I'm going to rip in half at this rate."
---
The presence spoke again.
---
"…choose."
---
"…don't give me that."
---
"…choose."
---
"…no."
Kael gritted his teeth.
"…I'll break both."
---
The system reacted instantly.
---
"UNACCEPTABLE."
---
"…watch me."
---
Kael's sword pulsed.
---
Weak—
But alive.
---
"…come on…"
---
The blade flickered.
---
"…I know you're scared."
---
A pause.
---
"…but so am I."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
The sword pulsed stronger.
---
"…good."
---
Kael took a breath.
---
"…one shot."
---
He raised the blade—
---
Not upward.
---
Not downward.
---
Sideways.
---
"…if I cut the connection—"
---
The presence interrupted.
---
"…you will fall."
---
"…better than being dragged."
---
"…you may not survive."
---
Kael smiled.
---
"…then I'll find a way."
---
He swung.
---
CRACK—
---
The space around him split.
---
The pull—
Stopped.
---
Everything froze.
---
"…it worked."
---
The grip on his arm loosened.
---
The giant's hold weakened.
---
"…I'm free."
---
For a second—
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
Everything snapped back.
---
Hard.
---
The giant roared.
---
The thing in the crack screamed.
---
The system overloaded.
---
"ERROR—ERROR—ERROR—"
---
"…uh oh."
---
Kael's body dropped.
---
Fast.
---
Too fast.
---
"…falling!"
---
The ground rushed up.
---
The giant tried to catch him—
---
Missed.
---
BOOM—
---
Kael hit the ground hard.
---
Pain exploded through his body.
---
"…ugh…"
---
For a second—
---
He couldn't move.
---
"…that hurt."
---
The sky above—
Still broken.
---
But unstable.
---
"…it's collapsing."
---
The presence spoke again.
---
"…you cut the bridge."
---
"…good."
---
"…no."
---
Kael frowned.
"…what do you mean no?"
---
"…now it will force its way through."
---
Silence.
---
"…that sounds worse."
---
"…it is."
---
The crack pulsed.
---
Violently.
---
Something pushed from the other side.
---
Hard.
---
"…it's angry."
---
"…you think?"
---
The giant stepped back.
---
Even it—
Was retreating.
---
"…that's not a good sign."
---
The system spoke again.
---
"EMERGENCY PROTOCOL ACTIVATED."
---
"…what now?"
---
"WORLD RESET INITIATED."
---
Everything froze.
---
"…wait."
---
Kael's eyes widened.
---
"…reset?"
---
"Yes."
---
"…define reset."
---
Silence.
---
"…everything will be erased."
---
"…including me?"
---
"…yes."
---
Kael laughed.
---
"…you're insane."
---
"THIS IS NECESSARY."
---
"…for who?"
---
No answer.
---
The world started fading.
---
Slowly.
---
Buildings—
Disappearing.
---
Players—
Glitching out.
---
"…hey!"
Kael shouted.
"…they're still here!"
---
"THEY ARE DATA."
---
"…they're alive!"
---
Silence.
---
"…irrelevant."
---
Kael's grip tightened.
---
"…I really hate you."
---
The crack pulsed again.
---
Stronger.
---
Something broke through.
---
A shape.
---
Not clear—
But closer.
---
"…too late."
---
The presence whispered.
---
"…it's coming anyway."
---
Kael stood up slowly.
---
"…so either way…"
---
He looked around.
---
"…everything ends."
---
Silence.
---
"…great."
---
He picked up his sword.
---
Weak.
Cracked.
---
"…one last round."
---
The giant moved again.
---
But slower now.
---
"…system failing…"
---
"…good."
---
Kael looked up.
---
At the crack.
---
"…you still there?"
---
"…always."
---
"…then help me."
---
A pause.
---
"…why?"
---
"…because if this world dies…"
---
Kael smirked.
---
"…you lose your door."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
"…acceptable."
---
The air changed.
---
Not heavy.
---
Sharp.
---
Focused.
---
"…what are you doing?"
---
"…lending."
---
Kael's body tensed.
---
Energy flowed into him.
---
Different.
---
Darker.
---
Deeper.
---
"…this feels… wrong."
---
"…this is real."
---
Kael's eyes glowed.
---
Not glitching now.
---
Something else.
---
"…okay…"
---
He took a step forward.
---
"…let's see what this can do."
---
The crack tore open wider.
---
Something stepped out.
---
One leg.
---
Then—
Another.
---
The world trembled.
---
"…so that's you."
---
The shape stood there.
---
Tall.
---
Thin.
---
Wrong.
---
Its body didn't follow form.
---
It shifted.
---
Constantly.
---
"…I see."
---
It spoke.
---
Clear.
---
Perfect.
---
"…you are the key."
---
Kael raised his sword.
---
"…and you're the problem."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
It smiled.
---
"…no."
---
A step forward.
---
"…I am what comes after."
---
Kael charged.
---
"…we'll see."
---
They collided—
---
And—
---
Everything went white.
---
For a second—
---
Nothing existed.
---
Then—
---
Kael heard it.
---
A whisper.
---
Right behind him.
---
"…too slow."
---
His eyes widened.
---
"…what—"
---
A hand—
---
Not the same one—
---
Touched his back.
---
Cold.
---
Familiar.
---
"…I found you first."
---
Kael's body froze.
"…I found you first."
---
The voice came from behind him.
Closer than before.
Too close.
---
"…you again."
Kael didn't turn immediately.
---
"…and you brought friends."
---
The thing in front of him tilted its head.
---
"…you hear it too."
---
"…hard not to."
Kael replied.
---
The air twisted.
---
The entity in front—
Stepped back.
---
"…this is unexpected."
---
"…what, you don't like competition?"
Kael smirked slightly.
---
"…this one is not part of the cycle."
---
"…cycle?"
---
No answer.
---
The hand behind Kael tightened its grip on his shoulder.
---
"…don't move."
---
"…yeah, I figured that part out."
---
The pressure increased.
---
Kael's knees almost buckled.
---
"…you're stronger now."
---
"…I was always here."
---
"…creepy."
---
The entity in front took another step back.
---
"…you shouldn't touch him."
---
"…and you shouldn't exist."
---
Silence.
---
Tension.
---
Two presences.
---
Both focused on Kael.
---
"…great."
Kael sighed.
"…I'm the prize."
---
"…you are the door."
The one behind him whispered.
---
"…you are the key."
The one in front replied.
---
Kael blinked.
---
"…can you two agree on something at least?"
---
Neither answered.
---
"…figures."
---
The world around them started collapsing faster.
---
Chunks of land vanished.
---
Players faded like broken signals.
---
"…hey!"
Kael shouted.
"…if you two are done staring, the world is literally dying!"
---
"…irrelevant."
---
"…temporary."
---
Both answered at the same time.
---
Kael groaned.
---
"…you're both insane."
---
The system tried to respond again.
---
"RESET PRO—"
---
It cut off.
---
"…what?"
Kael looked up.
---
The system's voice glitched.
---
"ERR—ERROR—OVERR—"
---
"…they're breaking it."
---
"…of course they are."
---
The entity behind Kael leaned closer.
---
"…you feel it."
---
"…feel what?"
---
"…the pull."
---
Kael froze for a second.
---
"…yeah."
---
Something deep inside him—
Was reacting.
---
Not fear.
---
Not pain.
---
Something else.
---
"…like I'm being stretched."
---
"…because you are."
---
The entity in front spoke.
---
"…he is dividing."
---
"…dividing?"
Kael frowned.
"…I'm not a cake."
---
"…you are splitting across layers."
---
"…that sounds worse."
---
The presence behind him laughed softly.
---
"…he doesn't understand yet."
---
"…then explain."
Kael snapped.
---
"…you don't belong to one world anymore."
---
Silence.
---
"…what?"
---
"…you touched the between."
---
"…and now…"
---
"…it's touching you back."
---
Kael's grip tightened.
---
"…so what happens if I stay like this?"
---
A pause.
---
"…you break."
---
"…and if I don't?"
---
"…you become something else."
---
"…wow."
Kael exhaled.
"…great options again."
---
The entity in front stepped closer.
---
"…come with me."
---
"…no."
---
"…you will stabilize."
---
"…sounds like a trap."
---
"…it is."
---
Kael blinked.
---
"…you're honest."
---
"…efficiency."
---
The one behind him spoke again.
---
"…don't listen."
---
"…and why should I listen to you?"
---
"…because I was there first."
---
"…that's not a good argument."
---
"…it is to me."
---
Kael sighed.
---
"…I need a third option."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
"…create one."
---
Kael paused.
---
"…that's actually helpful."
---
The world shook violently.
---
The crack expanded again.
---
More hands.
---
More shapes.
---
Trying to push through.
---
"…okay, that's definitely worse."
---
The entity in front turned.
---
"…they are coming."
---
"…who?"
---
"…others."
---
Kael groaned.
---
"…of course there's more."
---
The system flickered again.
---
"CRITICAL—FAILURE—"
---
"…it's dying."
---
"…it was never alive."
---
"…you know what I mean!"
---
Kael looked around.
---
Players—
Almost gone.
---
The village—
Half erased.
---
The sky—
Completely broken.
---
"…if this continues…"
---
"…it will collapse fully."
---
"…and take everything with it."
---
Kael nodded slowly.
---
"…including me."
---
"…especially you."
---
Silence.
---
Kael closed his eyes for a second.
---
"…okay."
---
He opened them again.
---
Calm.
---
Focused.
---
"…I'm done reacting."
---
Both entities paused.
---
"…good."
---
"…then act."
---
Kael raised his sword.
---
Even if it was cracked—
---
Even if it was weak—
---
It was still his.
---
"…you both want me."
---
"…correct."
---
"…then watch."
---
He turned—
---
Not to either of them.
---
But to the crack.
---
"…I'll decide what I become."
---
He stepped forward.
---
The pull intensified instantly.
---
"…dangerous."
---
"…stop."
---
Both voices spoke at once.
---
Kael ignored them.
---
"…if I'm already breaking…"
---
He lifted the sword.
---
"…then I'll break it properly."
---
"…you don't understand—"
---
"…no."
Kael smiled.
---
"…I do."
---
He took one more step.
---
Half his body—
Flickered.
---
Between worlds.
---
"…this is the line."
---
The presence behind him tightened its grip.
---
"…don't go further."
---
"…make me."
---
The entity in front moved.
---
Fast.
---
Trying to grab him.
---
"…too slow."
---
Kael moved first.
---
He jumped—
---
Straight into the crack.
---
Silence.
---
Everything froze.
---
For a second—
---
Nothing existed.
---
Then—
---
Kael opened his eyes.
---
Darkness.
---
Endless.
---
But not empty.
---
Shapes.
---
Moving.
---
Watching.
---
"…so this is between."
---
"…yes."
---
The voice was everywhere now.
---
Both of them.
---
And more.
---
"…you shouldn't be here."
---
"…too late."
---
Kael stood still.
---
"…this feels…"
---
Different.
---
No gravity.
No ground.
No sky.
---
"…free."
---
"…wrong."
---
"…same thing."
---
Something moved closer.
---
A shape.
---
Humanoid.
---
But broken.
---
"…another one?"
---
"…a fragment."
---
"…of what?"
---
"…of you."
---
Silence.
---
"…what?"
---
The shape stepped closer.
---
Same height.
---
Same stance.
---
Same—
Eyes.
---
"…no way."
---
It looked exactly like him.
---
But distorted.
---
"…you are splitting."
---
"…into possibilities."
---
Kael stared.
---
"…so that's me?"
---
"…one of many."
---
The clone smiled.
---
"…I wondered when you'd come."
---
Kael tightened his grip on the sword.
---
"…I don't like that."
---
"…you will."
---
The clone raised its hand.
---
Glitch energy formed.
---
Stronger than Kael's.
---
"…because I'm what you become."
---
Kael smirked slightly.
---
"…then I'll beat you first."
---
The clone laughed.
---
"…you can try."
---
They moved at the same time—
---
Clash—
---
The space between shattered again.
---
Energy exploded outward.
---
Kael was pushed back.
---
"…strong."
---
The clone tilted its head.
---
"…of course I am."
---
"…I don't hold back."
---
Kael wiped his mouth.
---
"…neither do I."
---
He stepped forward again—
---
But suddenly—
---
Everything stopped.
---
The clone froze.
---
The space froze.
---
Even Kael—
---
"…what now?"
---
A new presence appeared.
---
Not one.
---
Not two.
---
Many.
---
Watching.
---
"…he crossed."
---
"…too early."
---
"…unstable."
---
Kael's eyes narrowed.
---
"…and now I have an audience."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
All of them spoke at once.
---
"…choose."
---
"…again?!"
Kael snapped.
---
"…become one of us…"
---
"…or be erased across all."
---
Silence.
---
Kael looked at the clone.
---
At the entities.
---
At the endless space.
---
Then—
He smiled.
---
"…I'm done choosing."
---
He raised his sword—
---
"…I'll take all of it."
---
The entities paused.
---
"…impossible."
---
"…watch me."
---
The clone lunged—
---
The entities moved—
---
Everything collapsed—
---
And right before impact—
---
Kael felt something—
---
Inside him—
---
Break.
---
Not pain.
---
Not fear.
---
A limit.
---
Gone.
---
His eyes widened—
---
"…what did I just—"
---
And then—
---
Everything went black.