They stood in loose circle before gate with Draven, three Overlords in human forms, five Lord-tier beasts, Genesis Codex floating silently nearby as swirling clouds churned behind them, unknown bridge between worlds.

Draven broke contemplative silence.

"We need to decide how to proceed. This gate changes things, but our original mission remains, investigating stable zones for solutions to Fate's Revenge."

Looking around circle, meeting each pair of eyes. "Two options. Continue ruin exploration as planned, Northern Icefield stable zone is nearby, other zones across Theia waiting. Or focus on this gate, monitor it, study it, guard it."

Simple presentation with complex implications.

Malvorn's crystalline human form shifted slightly, earth communion extending subconsciously. "Gate sits on stable geological formation. No tectonic instability. No volcanic activity nearby. Location seems arbitrary from planetary perspective."

Pause, considering. "But earth communion doesn't sense dimensional phenomena directly. Could be reasons beyond my element's reach. Ground offers no answers about why here specifically."

First question raised: why this location?

Frostina's concentric ice-ring eyes were thoughtful, snow swirling perpetually around sapphire form. "My territory. My domain. Yet I sensed nothing unusual before gate's appearance. No warning. No buildup. Just suddenly present."

Territorial concern evident beneath composed tone.

Naelvorn grinned despite serious discussion, couldn't help himself. "Ocean network hasn't reported weird dimensional doorways popping up underwater. Pretty sure I'd notice giant swirly cloud-gates in my trenches, bros."

Teal eyes brightened with thought. "But that raises question, right? Is this the ONLY gate? Or first one we've found? Could be more forming across Theia and nobody's noticed yet. We're not exactly doing planetary surveys daily."

Valid point delivered with characteristic energy. "Could have gates opening in deserts, forests, mountains, anywhere remote. Who'd know? Not like beast kingdoms have gate-detection networks."

Boisterous but insightful as problem was identified: incomplete information.

Frostina's visible exasperation flickered across elegant features, but she nodded agreement. "Unfortunately accurate. We cannot assume this is singular phenomenon without verification."

Velnar's ancient scorpion form clicked thoughtfully, four hundred years of patience evident. "In my long existence, I've witnessed many unprecedented events. Corruption zones appearing. Beast hierarchies shifting. Human kingdoms rising and falling."

Mandibles moved deliberately. "Unprecedented phenomena rarely occur in isolation. When major change manifests, often signals broader pattern. One corruption zone leads to more. One kingdom's collapse affects neighbors."

Ancient eyes fixed on gate. "If dimensional gate opened here, probability suggests others may form, or already have formed, elsewhere. Pattern recognition from centuries of observation."

Pause as wisdom settled. "We should verify scope before committing strategy. Act on incomplete information invites poor decisions."

Elder's counsel: gather information first.

Pack members listened respectfully as Draven nodded, Velnar's experience invaluable.

***

Sylvara's forest druid form glowed softly, nature magic analyzing systematically. "Velnar's logic sound. But assuming more gates exist raises additional questions."

Analytical mind worked through implications. "Why now? Theia existed for millennia. Pocket dimension separated from original universe for ages. What changed recently to enable gate formation?"

Looking at Draven specifically. "Timing suspicious. Draven became bearer months ago. Overlord alliance forming. Corruption zones investigated. Stable zones explored. Then suddenly, dimensional bridge appears?"

Nature magic couldn't sense causation, but pattern recognition didn't require magic. "Coincidence seems unlikely. Connection possible. But what connection? How does our investigation trigger gate formation?"

Questions multiplying, not simplifying.

Draven's expression was thoughtful as he recognized valid concern: why now?

Feyra's small fennec form stood, green roses blooming around paws despite frozen ground. "But we don't know gate is bad thing! Maybe it's good?"

Cheerful voice cut through heavy deliberation. "Earth and Theia both cursed, right? Both suffering Fate's Revenge. Maybe gate is opportunity? Communication? Learning from each other? Earth has technology we don't. We have magic they don't. Maybe supposed to help each other?"

Life element radiated hope despite uncertainty. "Just saying, unknown doesn't always mean threat. Could mean possibility."

Small voice with valid perspective, optimism balancing caution.

Zor's Thunder Raven form shifted, purple lightning crackling faintly. "Optimism valuable. But tactical assessment requires threat evaluation."

Sharp tactical mind analyzing. "Gate allows objects from Earth to Theia. Currently small items, metal fastening device, non-threatening. But escalation possible. Larger objects? Dangerous materials? Eventually living things?"

Wings spread slightly, aerial predator's instinct assessing danger. "Unknown origin means unknown purpose. Unknown purpose means unknown risk. Cannot dismiss potential threat based on current benign manifestation."

Military precision followed. "Monitoring essential regardless of chosen strategy. Whether we continue ruins or guard gate actively, someone must watch. Situation could change rapidly."

Security perspective, risk management, vigilance required.

"Zor's got point, bros. Right now? Tiny metal thing. Harmless. But what if tomorrow something WEIRD comes through? What if Earth's got nasty stuff we don't want here?"

Boisterous energy was tempered by genuine concern. "We don't know Earth well. Just what Sunken Archives showed, extinctions, disasters, curse. Maybe they've got problems that could become OUR problems if wrong thing crosses dimensional doorway."

Ocean Overlord recognized unknown dangers.

"And we cannot affect gate. Cannot close it. Cannot control what emerges."

Malvorn's earth manipulation, normally absolute, was useless against dimensional phenomenon. "Powerlessness concerning. Gate exists in Frostina's territory, but none of us can influence it. Monitoring provides observation, not control. If threat emerges, we respond reactively, not proactively."

Overlord acknowledged limitation. "Strategic disadvantage. Unknown permanence. Unknown scope. Unknown purpose."

Three unknowns carrying heavy weight.

***

Frostina's elegant head lowered slightly, concentric ice-ring eyes studying gate with composed intensity. "Gate exists in my domain. My followers' safety concerns me. Territorial responsibility demands vigilance."

Gentle voice carried absolute conviction. "But Velnar speaks wisdom. Acting without complete information invites error. Cannot guard effectively if other gates forming elsewhere. Cannot prioritize this location if phenomenon widespread."

Snow swirled perpetually around sapphire scales, frost blooming along crystalline wings. "And original mission, investigating Fate's Revenge, seeking solutions, that remains critical. People suffer under curse. Beasts enslaved. Corruption zones spreading. Cannot abandon that investigation lightly."

Strategic mind weighed priorities. "Both matter. Gate and ruins. Security and solutions. But resources finite. Choices necessary."

Dilemma acknowledged with no easy answer.

Draven absorbed perspectives, synthesizing input from Overlords and pack alike.

Everyone contributed with wisdom shared and questions raised.

"We're asking questions we can't answer standing here. Are there more gates? We need to check other regions, use Overlord networks, verify scope."

Looking around circle. "Why here specifically? Unknown. Why now? Unknown. What's the connection to curse? Unknown."

Three major questions with zero answers.

"We need information before deciding strategy. Can't commit to guarding gate if fifty more exist across Theia. Can't abandon it if it's unique phenomenon in Frostina's territory threatening her domain."

Practical assessment followed. "And can't stop investigating ruins when millions still suffer under Fate's Revenge. Both priorities legitimate."

"Then gather information first," Velnar stated calmly. "Overlord networks survey their territories. Earth communion, ocean depths, ice fields, volcanic regions, check for additional gates."

Ancient wisdom provided path forward. "Simultaneously, investigate Northern Icefield stable zone as originally planned. Nearby. Efficient. Continue curse investigation while monitoring gate."

Clicking thoughtfully. "Reconvene after information gathered. Make informed decision rather than blind guess. Patience serves better than haste when stakes this high."

Frostina nodded agreement as Malvorn accepted logic and Naelvorn grinned. "Sounds like plan, ancient bro!"

"How long will surveying take? Days? Weeks?"

Sylvara's analytical mind considered timeline. "Overlord networks cover vast territories. Thorough search requires time. Meanwhile, gate remains mysterious. Unknown if stable or changing."

Nature magic sensed uncertainty in air itself. "And curse investigation time-sensitive. Every day delayed, more suffer. Balance between thorough information gathering and urgent action."

Valid tension between speed versus certainty.

Draven acknowledged difficulty. "We do what we can. Overlords survey quickly as possible. We investigate Northern zone meanwhile, close enough to return if gate changes. Best compromise available."

Imperfect solution but pragmatic.

***

Draven looked at three Overlords specifically. "Malvorn, Naelvorn, Frostina, use your networks. Check territories for additional gates. Any dimensional anomalies, swirling cloud formations, reality distortions. Anything resembling this."

Gesturing toward gate behind them. "Report findings when available. Could be days, could be week. Thorough search priority."

Three Overlords nodded as earth communion network, ocean network, and ice domain surveillance provided planetary coverage.

"Meanwhile, my pack and I investigate Northern Icefield stable zone. Original destination. Close enough to return here quickly if gate changes."

Looking at Genesis Codex floating nearby, silent throughout discussion as cosmic entities observed but didn't contribute yet.

"We gather information. Then reconvene. Make informed decision."

Plan established, not perfect but reasonable.

"I will survey Northern territories thoroughly. Ice domain vast, will take time to check comprehensively. But my followers assist. Many eyes watching."

Gentle authority was evident. "And I remain near. Gate in my territory, my responsibility. Will monitor regularly while searching."

Snow swirled, frost bloomed, perpetual winter's sovereignty maintained. "When information gathered, we discuss again. Decide together."

Territorial leader accepted duty, composed and resolute.

"Ocean network activating! Every deep-sea beast getting memo: 'Hey, seen any weird dimensional doorways lately?' This'll be fun!"

Boisterous energy returned fully. "But seriously, bros, we'll find answers. Work together, cover planet, figure this out. That's what Overlords DO."

Teal eyes bright with determination beneath humor.

Alliance strengthening with purpose united.

Discussion paused with no conclusion reached, just plan to gather information.

Gate swirled behind them, silent, mysterious, permanent.

Questions remained unanswered.

Are there more gates?

Why here?

Why now?

What comes next?

They would learn, eventually.

For now, uncertainty.

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