CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: THE CORE CRYSTAL

The amphitheater had transformed from a place of heated arguments into something resembling a war room. The Arbiter gestured, and the floating star map dissolved, replaced by a detailed three-dimensional representation of the merged world below. The continents from ten different realities were clearly visible, each one pulsing with its own unique magical signature.

"Now that we’ve established the chain of command," the Arbiter said, his golden eyes scanning the assembled delegates, "let’s talk about what needs to happen next."

Evon leaned forward in his chair, still feeling the residual effects of channeling full Destiny Resonance. The four goddesses in his soul realm were unusually active, their excitement palpable as they sensed how close they were to being reunited with Yena.

"The fifth seal," Naia whispered in his mind. "I can feel her presence, but it’s... scattered."

"Scattered how?" Evon asked silently.

"Like pieces of a puzzle spread across great distances," Lyria added. "The merger didn’t just relocate her seal—it fragmented it."

The Arbiter seemed to hear their silent conversation, nodding as he manipulated the floating map. "Your goddesses are correct. The dimensional stress from the merger caused Yena’s seal to break apart and distribute itself across multiple regions of the new world."

Red dots appeared on the map, scattered across what looked like thirteen distinct areas. Some were on landmasses Evon recognized as originally from Earth, while others were on continents from the other nine worlds.

"Thirteen fragments," Yulia observed, her elven sight apparently able to discern details that others missed. "Each one in a different type of environment."

"Exactly," the Arbiter confirmed. "The fragments have been drawn to locations that resonate with Yena’s holy light, but they’ve also been... influenced by their new surroundings. Each one has taken on characteristics of its current environment."

Quendor’s massive head tilted slightly. "Meaning?"

"Meaning that a fragment of pure holy light that lands in a volcanic region isn’t going to stay pure for long. It’ll adapt, merge, possibly even conflict with the local magical environment." The Arbiter highlighted one of the red dots, which was pulsing with an angry orange glow. "This one, for example, is in the Ashfall Peaks—a volcanic range from the world of Pyrothia. The fragment has likely merged with fire elementals or lava spirits by now."

Evon studied the map more closely. Each region looked completely different from the others. There was what appeared to be a crystal desert where geometric formations caught and refracted light into rainbow patterns. A floating archipelago where islands drifted through clouds of their own making. A dark forest where the trees seemed to grow downward from the sky rather than upward from the ground.

"This is going to take a while," he said.

"Time we don’t have," the Arbiter replied grimly. "The world’s ascension to the middle realm has already begun. I estimate you have perhaps six months before the transition is complete and the world-masters start taking notice."

King Thorek stroked his braided beard thoughtfully. "Six months to collect thirteen fragments from thirteen different regions? That’s not much time, especially if each one has become something new."

"It gets worse," the Arbiter continued, highlighting another aspect of the map. "Several of these regions are... challenging. The Whispering Wastes, for instance, are home to creatures that can drive visitors insane with their voices. The Undersea Gardens are beautiful, but they’re three kilometers below the surface and protected by beings that consider all surface dwellers to be threats."

Evon stood and walked closer to the map, studying each location in turn. "What about allies? Can the other species help?"

"That’s the one advantage you have," Yulia said, rising gracefully from her seat. "Each of our peoples has expertise that could be useful. The dwarfs know underground regions better than anyone. The elves have experience with magical forests and ancient ruins. Angels and demons have dealt with celestial and infernal environments respectively."

"The dragons possess ancient knowledge of many realms," Quendor added, his voice carrying the weight of millennia. "We may have encountered some of these environments in our travels."

Vex’thul, who had been unusually quiet since Evon’s power demonstration, finally spoke up. "Demons don’t typically offer help freely, but in this case... we have a vested interest in not being conquered by middle realm world-masters."

The fairy queen Titania buzzed into the air, her wings leaving trails of glittering dust. "The fae courts control many of the wild places where magic runs free. We could provide guides for the more... unpredictable regions."

"Excellent," the Arbiter said, looking pleased. "But remember, this isn’t just about collecting the fragments. Each one you recover will make Evon more powerful, but it will also make him more visible to entities that might not want him to succeed."

"Such as?" Evon asked.

"Remnants of the Black Force, for one. Corrupted creatures drawn to the power signatures. And..." the Arbiter paused, his expression growing darker. "There are rumors that some of the middle realm world-masters have already sent scouts ahead. They may try to interfere with your quest."

The Arbiter gestured again, and the map zoomed in on the floating city itself. Deep beneath the crystalline spires and impossible architecture, a pulsing core of pure white light was visible.

"This is the other part of your challenge," he explained. "The Nexus wasn’t just created as a meeting place. It’s the physical manifestation of the merged world’s core consciousness—the world soul, if you will."

Evon stared at the pulsing light, and for a moment, he could swear he felt something looking back at him.

"To become a true world-master, you need to be acknowledged by the core crystal," the Arbiter continued. "But it won’t accept you as you are now. You need to be complete—all five goddesses fully awakened and bonded to your soul."

"How deep does it go?" asked Alpha Fenris, his wolf-enhanced senses apparently picking up something others missed.

"It’s not that deep, it will be a quick descend," the Arbiter replied.

Seraphiel spread her six wings, creating patterns of light and shadow. "So Evon must gather the fragments, grow in power, and then descend through the Nexus to reach the core. All while avoiding interference from hostile forces."

"And do it in six months," Evon added dryly. "No pressure."

"Where do we start?" asked Morteus, the lich’s hollow voice carrying across the amphitheater like a chill wind.

The Arbiter highlighted one of the regions—a crystalline desert that sparkled like a field of diamonds under an alien sun. "The Prism Sands. It’s the closest to the Nexus, and according to my readings, the fragment there has remained relatively stable. It should be a good place to begin."

Evon studied the highlighted area. Even from the map, he could see that it was beautiful—vast dunes of what looked like powdered crystal, with formations that caught and reflected light in impossible ways. But he could also see signs of movement, suggesting the desert was far from empty.

"What kind of creatures live there?" he asked.

"Glass elementals, mostly," Yulia answered before the Arbiter could respond. "The elves have encountered them before. They’re not inherently hostile, but they’re very territorial and they don’t appreciate visitors who can’t appreciate their art."

"Their art?"

"They sculpt with light," she explained. "Creating patterns and structures that exist in multiple spectrums simultaneously. It’s quite beautiful, actually, but if you damage one of their creations..."

"They turn violent," Quendor finished. "I’ve seen it happen. Glass elementals in a rage can create sandstorms that strip flesh from bone in seconds."

"Wonderful," Evon muttered. Through his connection to the goddesses, he felt Veyra’s analytical mind already working on the problem.

"We can handle glass elementals," she said confidently. "My cyber abilities should be able to interface with their light-based art forms. We might even be able to communicate with them directly."

"That’s the plan, then," Evon said, turning back to the assembled delegates. "I’ll start with the Prism Sands. Any volunteers for guides or backup?"

"I’ll go," Yulia said immediately. "Elven diplomatic protocols should help with the glass elementals."

"And I’ll provide aerial reconnaissance," Quendor added. "The desert is large, and dragon sight can cover more ground than ground-based searching."

"Fae magic will be useful for navigating the light patterns," Titania chimed in. "Consider me volunteered as well."

The Arbiter nodded approvingly. "A good team. Remember, your goal isn’t just to find the fragment—it’s to understand what it’s become and how to safely integrate it with the others."

As the meeting began to break up and delegates started making preparations for the journey ahead, Evon found himself looking up at the impossible spires of the Nexus city. Somewhere far below, the world’s core consciousness waited for him to prove himself worthy of becoming its master.

Thirteen fragments to find. Six months to find them. An entire world depending on his success.

"Well," he said to the goddesses in his mind, "at least it won’t be boring."

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