The Outer Void Entity's laughter echoed through the void, a sound so cold and menacing that it made Ryan's blood freeze. He hovered in space, the sword of light glowing brightly in his hand, but his confidence had crumbled. The system—the power that had saved him countless times, the power he'd relied on to protect his friends and his world—was a curse. A key to freeing a being that would destroy everything.
"You're lying," Ryan said, his voice trembling. He wanted to believe it was a trick, a last-ditch effort by the Outer Void Entity to break his will. But deep down, he felt a truth in the entity's words—a truth that explained the system's mysterious appearance, its rapid upgrades, its obsession with making him stronger.
"Lying? No, mortal," the Outer Void Entity said, its formless mass churning. "I speak the truth. Let me show you." A surge of dark energy washed over Ryan, and images flooded his mind—ancient scenes from before the multiverse existed. He saw the Outer Void Entity, a being of pure chaos and emptiness, locked away by the first beings of light. He saw the system being forged as a prison key, designed to bind the entity's power and only unlock when a "Chosen Vessel" with the right energy signature was found. He saw his own birth, his energy signature matching the one prophesied to be the vessel.
"The system found you not by chance, Ryan Harris," the entity said, its voice echoing in his mind. "It was drawn to you. It nurtured you, upgraded you, all to prepare you for this moment. Your strength, your abilities, your connection to the multiverse—all of it was to make you the perfect key. And now, with your Primordial Light Manipulation, you have the power to shatter the final seal. You will set me free."
Ryan closed his eyes, trying to push the images away. But they were burned into his mind. He thought of the first time he'd activated the system, the cashback rewards that had seemed like a gift. He thought of the Serpent's Egg, the system's evolution, the Multiversal Energy Manipulation. All of it had been leading to this.
"No," he said, opening his eyes. The sword of light glowed brighter, and he channeled Primordial Light into it. "I won't be your key. I won't let you destroy the multiverse."
The Outer Void Entity laughed again. "You think you have a choice? The system is bound to your soul. When you activated Primordial Light Manipulation, you triggered the final phase of the key. The seal is already weakening. Soon, my power will flow through you, and you will have no control. You will become a part of me, and together, we will consume everything."
Ryan felt a strange warmth spreading through his body, starting from his chest where the system's core was located. It was followed by a cold, empty sensation— the Outer Void Entity's power, seeping into his veins. He tried to resist, channeling Primordial Light to push it back, but it was useless. The entity's power was too strong.
"Ryan!" a voice shouted. He turned to see the Lightbringer flying toward him, with Marcus, Sophia, and Elara standing on the bridge. Alistair's hologram was also there, his face filled with concern. "What's happening? We can sense the entity's power in you."
"The system… it's a curse," Ryan said, his voice strained. "It's a key to free the Outer Void Entity. I'm the Chosen Vessel. I'm going to set it free."
Elara's eyes widened. "No. The prophecy said the Chosen Vessel would save the multiverse, not destroy it. There must be a mistake."
"The prophecy was twisted," the Outer Void Entity said, its voice echoing across the void. "The first beings of light wrote it to give false hope. The Chosen Vessel was always meant to be my jailer turned liberator. And now, it's time."
Ryan felt the entity's power growing stronger inside him. His vision started to blur, and he could feel his consciousness fading. He thought of Sophia, of Marcus, of Alistair and Elara—everyone who had trusted him, everyone who had fought alongside him. He couldn't let them down.
"System," he thought urgently. "Is there a way to stop this? To break the bond between me and the entity?"
The system's voice sounded in his head, weaker than before, as if it was fighting against the entity's power: "Ding! Host's soul is bound to the system… and the Outer Void Entity. Breaking the bond is impossible. But… there is another way. Fusion. Host can fuse Primordial Light Manipulation with the entity's Outer Void Energy. Create a new energy type—Balance Energy. Balance Energy can neutralize both light and void, and may allow host to take control of the entity's power."
"Fusion?" Ryan said. "How?"
"Ding! Host must embrace both the Primordial Light and the Outer Void Energy. Stop resisting the entity's power. Merge it with your own. But be warned—fusion is extremely dangerous. If host fails, both host and the multiverse will be destroyed."
Ryan took a deep breath. It was a risk—one that could cost him everything. But it was the only way. He closed his eyes, stopping his resistance to the Outer Void Entity's power. He let the cold, empty energy flow into him, merging it with the warm, pure Primordial Light in his body.
The pain was unbearable. It felt like his body was being torn apart and put back together. He screamed, his voice echoing through the void. The sword of light in his hand flickered, its golden glow mixing with the entity's dark energy, creating a brilliant silver light.
"What is he doing?" Marcus asked, staring at Ryan in horror.
"He's merging light and void," Alistair said, his eyes wide with awe. "It's the forbidden technique of the Luminari. A technique that was thought to be impossible. Balance Energy—the energy that maintains the multiverse's equilibrium."
The Outer Void Entity roared, its formless mass churning violently. "Fool! You think you can control my power? Fusion will destroy you!"
Ryan ignored the entity's words, focusing on merging the two energies. He could feel them clashing inside him, fighting for dominance. But he forced them to coexist, to merge into something new. Slowly, the pain faded, replaced by a surge of power unlike anything he'd ever felt.
The silver light from the sword of light intensified, illuminating the entire void. Ryan opened his eyes, which now glowed with silver light. He could sense everything—the energy of the Guardians' fleet, the Void Wraith, the Lightbringer, even the distant universes. He could sense the balance of the multiverse, and he knew he had succeeded.
"Ding! Fusion complete. Host has unlocked a new ability: Balance Energy Manipulation. Host can now control both light and void energy, and neutralize any energy type. Host has taken partial control of the Outer Void Entity's power."
"What… have you done?" the Outer Void Entity said, its voice filled with fear for the first time.
"I've broken your curse," Ryan said, his voice calm and powerful. He raised the sword of light, which now glowed with silver Balance Energy. "The system was never just a key. It was a tool to help me achieve balance. And now, I'm going to use that balance to stop you."
He lunged at the Outer Void Entity, swinging the sword of light. The silver light sliced through the entity's formless mass, and the entity screamed in pain. Black energy poured out of the wound, but Ryan channeled Balance Energy, neutralizing it.
"You can't hurt me!" the entity shouted. It launched a blast of dark energy at Ryan, but he blocked it with a barrier of Balance Energy. The dark energy was neutralized, dissolving into nothingness.
Ryan pushed forward, swinging the sword again and again. Each strike hit the entity, leaving silver wounds that neutralized its dark energy. The entity's form started to shrink, its power fading.
But the Outer Void Entity wasn't done. It turned toward the Void Wraith, merging with the living ship. The Void Wraith's size doubled, its hull pulsing with a mix of dark energy and ancient power. It roared, a sound that shook the void, and launched a blast of combined energy at the Guardians' fleet.
The blast hit several Guardian ships, destroying them instantly. The remaining ships scattered, trying to avoid the attack. "We need to help them," Elara said, shouting orders to the Lightbringer's crew. "All weapons, fire at the Void Wraith!"
The Lightbringer fired a beam of light energy at the Void Wraith, but it bounced off the ship's hull. "The entity's fusion with the ship has made its defenses impenetrable," Elara said, her voice tight. "We can't break through."
"Leave it to me," Ryan said. He flew toward the Void Wraith, channeling all his Balance Energy into the sword of light. The sword's silver glow intensified, and he swung it, slicing through the Void Wraith's hull.
The ship screamed, a sound that was both mechanical and organic. Black energy poured out of the wound, but Ryan channeled Balance Energy, neutralizing it. He flew inside the ship, navigating through its dark, twisting corridors. The walls pulsed with the Outer Void Entity's energy, making his skin crawl.
He reached the ship's core, where the Outer Void Entity's formless mass was merged with the ship's energy core. "This ends now," Ryan said.
"You think you can defeat me here?" the entity said. "This ship is part of me. Destroy it, and you destroy yourself—your Balance Energy is linked to my power now."
Ryan knew the entity was right. But he also knew he had no choice. He raised the sword of light, ready to strike.
Just then, Sophia's voice echoed through the ship's corridors. "Ryan! Wait!" He turned to see Sophia running toward him, followed by Marcus. They were wearing Luminari energy suits, which allowed them to survive in the void and inside the Void Wraith.
"What are you doing here?" Ryan asked, shocked. "It's too dangerous."
"We're not letting you face this alone," Marcus said. He held up a small, glowing device. "Alistair gave us this. It's a Luminari core stabilizer. It can help you stabilize the Balance Energy and separate the entity from the ship without destroying you."
Ryan took the device, examining it. It was made of crystal, pulsing with light energy. "How does it work?"
"Activate it with your Balance Energy," Sophia said. "It will create a barrier around the entity, separating it from the ship's core. Then you can neutralize it."
Ryan nodded. He activated the core stabilizer, channeling Balance Energy into it. The device glowed brightly, creating a silver barrier around the Outer Void Entity's mass. The entity screamed, trying to break free, but the barrier held.
With the entity separated from the ship's core, Ryan raised the sword of light. He swung it, slicing through the entity's formless mass. The entity screamed, its energy dissolving into nothingness—neutralized by the Balance Energy.
The Void Wraith shook violently, its hull starting to crumble. "We need to get out of here," Ryan said, grabbing Marcus and Sophia's arms. They ran through the corridors, escaping the ship just as it exploded in a burst of dark energy.
They flew back to the Lightbringer, where Elara and Alistair were waiting for them. The Guardians' fleet was still there, their ships damaged but intact. The battle was over.
"You did it," Elara said, smiling. "You defeated the Outer Void Entity. You saved the multiverse."
Ryan smiled, relieved. But the smile faded when he felt a strange energy in his mind— a faint, familiar presence. He closed his eyes, focusing on it.
"Ding! Warning: Trace amounts of Outer Void Entity energy remain in host's soul. Host's Balance Energy is suppressing it, but it is not fully neutralized. Recommend host undergo Luminari purification to remove the remaining energy."
Ryan opened his eyes, worried. "The entity's energy is still inside me. A small part of it survived."
Alistair nodded. "We can perform the purification at the Luminari base. It will remove the remaining energy and ensure the entity can never return."
They flew back to the Luminari's hidden base in the pocket dimension. The purification ritual was performed in a large, crystal chamber. Ryan stood in the center, surrounded by Luminari priests who channeled light energy into him. The process was painful, but it worked. The remaining Outer Void Entity energy was removed, and Ryan felt lighter, more in control.
After the ritual, they gathered in the Luminari's council chamber. Elara stood at the head of the table, with Alistair by her side. "The multiverse is safe now," Elara said. "But we must remain vigilant. There are other threats out there—other beings who would seek to destroy the balance."
"What about the system?" Ryan asked. "Is it still a curse?"
Alistair shook his head. "The system was a tool. It was neither good nor evil. It was your choice—to use its power for good, to achieve balance—that made the difference. The system is now bound to your Balance Energy, and it will only respond to your will. It is no longer a curse. It is a gift."
Ryan nodded, relieved. He thought of the system, and it responded, showing him a new interface—one that displayed his Balance Energy Manipulation ability and other upgraded skills. It was no longer just a cashback system. It was a tool to protect the multiverse.
Over the next few days, they prepared to return to Earth. The Luminari gave them gifts—weapons, technology, and a communication device that would allow them to contact the Luminari if they ever needed help again.
On the day of their departure, Elara and Alistair walked them to the portal. "Thank you," Ryan said. "For everything. Without you, we never would have succeeded."
"Thank you," Elara said. "You are the Chosen Vessel—the one who brought balance to the multiverse. We are in your debt."
Ryan, Marcus, and Sophia stepped through the portal, returning to Marcus's mansion. The sun was rising, casting a warm glow over the city. Everything looked normal, as if the multiversal war had never happened.
But Ryan knew things would never be the same. He had seen beyond Earth, beyond the multiverse. He had fought beings of light and darkness, and he had found balance. He was no longer just a normal guy with a cashback system. He was a protector of the multiverse.
Over the next few weeks, life returned to a semblance of normalcy. Ryan's Burger Haven had its grand reopening, and it was a huge success. The restaurant was packed every day, and Ryan's business continued to grow. Marcus returned to his work, using his wealth and connections to help rebuild the parts of the city damaged by the Dark Council's attacks. Sophia finished her college studies, accepting a job at a museum specializing in ancient artifacts.
But Ryan couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He kept sensing a faint, dark energy signature—one that was different from the Dark Council or the Outer Void Entity. It was subtle, but it was growing stronger.
One night, Ryan was standing on the rooftop of Marcus's mansion, staring at the stars. He activated his Balance Energy Manipulation, trying to locate the energy signature. He followed it to the edge of the multiverse, where he saw something that made his blood run cold.
A rift in the fabric of reality—large, swirling, and pulsing with dark energy. And through the rift, he could see countless, formless beings—each more powerful than the Outer Void Entity. They were waiting, watching, ready to pour into the multiverse.
"System," Ryan said, his voice tight. "What are these beings?"
"Ding! Detected energy signatures: 'Abyssal Ones.' Beings from beyond the multiverse, from the 'Abyss'—a realm of pure chaos. The Abyssal Ones were sealed away by the first beings of light, along with the Outer Void Entity. The rift is caused by the weakening of the seal, triggered by the battle with the Outer Void Entity."
"Can we stop them?" Ryan asked.
"Ding! The Abyssal Ones are immune to Balance Energy. Their chaos energy is beyond the multiverse's balance. The only way to seal the rift is to find the 'Primordial Core'—the source of all light and void energy in the multiverse. The Primordial Core is hidden in the 'Realm of Origins'—a dimension that exists outside of time and space."
Ryan closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the multiverse on his shoulders again. Just when he thought the fighting was over, a new threat emerged. The Abyssal Ones. The Realm of Origins. The Primordial Core.
He opened his eyes, staring at the rift. He knew what he had to do. He had to find the Primordial Core and seal the rift. But the Realm of Origins was a mystery—no one knew how to get there.
Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a text message from an unknown number—one that made his heart sink. The same number that had sent him the message about Lilith and the Order of the Black Serpent, and the message about the multiverse:
"Ryan Harris. You've defeated the Dark Council and the Outer Void Entity. Impressive. But the Abyssal Ones are just the beginning. The Realm of Origins holds more than the Primordial Core. It holds the truth about your past—about who you really are. You are not just the Chosen Vessel, Ryan. You are the son of the first being of light and the first being of void. You are the living embodiment of the multiverse's balance. And the Abyssal Ones want you—not the Primordial Core. They want to use your blood to break the seal completely. The Realm of Origins is calling you. Go there, and you will find your destiny. But beware—once you enter, you can never return. Not as the man you are now."
Ryan stared at the text message, his mind reeling. He was the son of the first being of light and the first being of void? The living embodiment of balance? It explained his energy signature, his ability to merge light and void, his connection to the system.
He heard footsteps behind him. He turned to see Marcus and Sophia standing there, their faces pale. They had read the text message over his shoulder.
"Who are you?" Sophia asked, her voice trembling.
Ryan shook his head. "I don't know. But I'm going to find out. I have to go to the Realm of Origins. I have to seal the rift and stop the Abyssal Ones."
"We're coming with you," Marcus said, stepping forward.
"No," Ryan said. "The text message said once I enter, I can never return. I can't risk your lives."
"We're not letting you go alone," Sophia said, her voice firm. "We've fought every battle with you. This one is no different. Whatever happens in the Realm of Origins, we face it together."
Ryan looked at them, tears in his eyes. He was grateful for their friendship, their loyalty, their courage. He knew he couldn't change their minds.
"Okay," he said. "We go together."
He activated the system, focusing on the Realm of Origins. "System, can you open a portal to the Realm of Origins?"
"Ding! Portal to the Realm of Origins can be opened using Balance Energy. Warning: The Realm of Origins is unstable. Time and space do not exist there. Host and companions may face unforeseen dangers."
Ryan nodded. He channeled his Balance Energy, creating a portal in front of them—swirling with silver light, unlike any portal he'd ever seen. The portal pulsed, as if calling to him.
He looked at Marcus and Sophia, who nodded. Together, they stepped through the portal.
The transition was unlike anything they'd experienced. They felt like they were being pulled through time and space, their senses overwhelmed. When they emerged, they found themselves in a vast, white void. There were no stars, no planets, no buildings—just endless white.
"Where are we?" Marcus asked, looking around.
"The Realm of Origins," Ryan said. He could sense the Primordial Core's energy in the distance—warm, powerful, and pure. He also sensed the Abyssal Ones' energy, growing closer.
Just then, a voice echoed through the void—a voice that was both male and female, ancient and wise:
"Welcome, my child. Welcome to the Realm of Origins. I have been waiting for you."
Ryan turned to see a figure standing in front of them— a being of pure silver light, with no distinct form. He could sense the figure's energy—familiar, warm. It was the energy of the first being of light and the first being of void.
"You are my parent," Ryan said.
"Yes," the figure said. "I am the union of light and void, the creator of the multiverse. I created you to be the balance, to protect the multiverse from the Abyssal Ones. But I made a mistake. I sealed the Abyssal Ones away, but I also sealed away part of your power—your true power."
"My true power," Ryan said.
"Yes," the figure said. "To stop the Abyssal Ones, you must unlock your true power. You must embrace your destiny as the creator's child, as the ruler of the multiverse. But there is a price. To unlock your true power, you must give up your humanity—your memories, your emotions, your connection to Marcus and Sophia. You will become a being of pure balance, with no attachments."
Ryan's eyes widened. Give up his humanity? Give up his memories of Sophia and Marcus? He couldn't do that. They were the reason he fought, the reason he cared.
"I can't," he said.
"You have no choice," the figure said. "The Abyssal Ones are here."
The white void turned black, and the Abyssal Ones appeared—formless masses of chaos energy, pulsing with malice. They surrounded Ryan, Marcus, and Sophia, their presence threatening to erase their very existence.
"Choose, Ryan Harris," the figure said. "Your humanity, or the multiverse. The choice is yours."
Ryan looked at Marcus and Sophia, who were staring at him, their faces filled with fear. He looked at the Abyssal Ones, at the chaos they would bring. He thought of Earth, of the multiverse, of everyone he loved.
He knew what he had to choose. But he also knew that whatever choice he made, nothing would ever be the same.
The Abyssal Ones lunged at them, and Ryan closed his eyes, ready to make his decision. But just as he was about to unlock his true power, he felt a surge of energy from Marcus and Sophia—their love, their loyalty, their courage. It merged with his Balance Energy, creating a new, even more powerful energy.
"Ding! Host has unlocked a new ability: 'Bonded Balance Energy.' Host's connection to loved ones has enhanced Balance Energy, allowing host to retain humanity while unlocking true power. The choice is no longer necessary. Host can protect the multiverse and keep his humanity."
Ryan opened his eyes, his body glowing with silver light mixed with the warm light of Marcus and Sophia's energy. He raised his hand, channeling Bonded Balance Energy at the Abyssal Ones. The energy hit them, and they screamed, their formless masses dissolving into nothingness.
The white void returned, and the creator figure smiled. "You have proven me wrong, my child. You have found a new way—balance between power and humanity. You are truly the savior of the multiverse."
Ryan smiled, but his smile faded when he saw the creator figure's form starting to crumble. "What's happening?"
"My time is up," the figure said. "I created the multiverse, and now that you have taken your place as its protector, I can rest. But before I go, there is one more truth I must tell you. The Abyssal Ones are not the final threat. There is a being older than the Abyss, older than me—the 'Primordial Chaos.' It is the source of all chaos in the multiverse, and it is awakening. It was the one who sent you the text messages, Ryan. It has been manipulating you from the beginning, guiding you to this moment. It wants you to unlock your true power so it can absorb it and destroy everything. You have defeated the Abyssal Ones, but the Primordial Chaos is coming. And when it arrives, even your Bonded Balance Energy may not be enough to stop it."
The creator figure dissolved into silver light, leaving Ryan, Marcus, and Sophia alone in the Realm of Origins. The void started to shake, and a faint, dark energy signature appeared—older, more powerful than anything Ryan had ever sensed.
The Primordial Chaos. The true mastermind. The final threat.
Ryan looked at Marcus and Sophia, his eyes filled with determination. "We have to get back to the multiverse. We have to prepare. The Primordial Chaos is coming."
But as he tried to open a portal back, he realized something— the Realm of Origins was closing in around them. The Primordial Chaos was sealing the exit, trapping them in the realm outside of time and space.
"We're trapped," Sophia said, her voice trembling.
Ryan closed his eyes, focusing on the system. "System, can you open a portal back? Please."
"Ding! Portal exit sealed by Primordial Chaos energy. No way to return to the multiverse. Host and companions are trapped in the Realm of Origins. Primordial Chaos is approaching. Estimated time until arrival: 10 minutes."
Ryan opened his eyes, staring at the white void. They were trapped. The Primordial Chaos was coming. And they had only 10 minutes to find a way to survive.
He took Marcus and Sophia's hands, squeezing them tightly. "We've faced impossible odds before. We'll face this together. Whatever happens, we don't give up."
Marcus and Sophia nodded, their fear replaced by determination. They stood back-to-back, ready to face the Primordial Chaos.
The white void started to turn black again, and the Primordial Chaos's energy signature grew stronger. Ryan could feel its presence, a cold, endless chaos that threatened to consume everything.
The final battle was about to begin. And this time, there was no escape.