The portal closed behind Ryan and Marcus with a faint hum, leaving them standing in a space unlike any they had ever encountered. Unlike the desolate, jagged landscape of the Edge of Existence, this realm was a swirling vortex of dark and golden energy, with streaks of purple lightning cutting through the void. At the center of the chaos stood a massive, ancient seal—carved from a stone that seemed to absorb and reflect light simultaneously, covered in runes that glowed with a faint, dying golden light. This was the Seal of the Void Beyond.
Ryan gripped his Sword of Light tightly, his Creator's Balance Energy flaring to life to shield them from the chaotic energy of the realm. "This is it," he said, his voice cutting through the low, rumbling hum of the void. "The seal that's holding back the Void Beyond." He could feel the immense, malevolent power emanating from behind the seal—cold, empty, and infinitely hungry, a force that threatened to consume everything in the multiverse.
Marcus stood beside him, his energy sword glowing brightly as he scanned their surroundings. "Where's Alistair?" he asked, his voice tense. The higher agent had revealed himself as the Void Beyond's true vessel, and they knew he wouldn't be far behind. "He said we'd release him when we destroy the Void Beyond's physical form—so he must be planning to ambush us here."
Ryan nodded, his senses sharpened by his Creator's Balance Energy. He could feel faint traces of Alistair's energy in the air—mixed with the dark energy of the Void Beyond, but also tinged with something familiar: the faint, warm energy of the Luminari. "He's using Luminari energy to hide his presence," Ryan said, narrowing his eyes. "But I can sense him. He's watching us, waiting for the right moment to strike."
Just then, the runes on the Seal of the Void Beyond flickered, and a deep, guttural roar echoed through the realm. The seal trembled, and cracks began to spread across its surface. Ryan and Marcus stepped back, ready for battle. "The seal is weakening," Ryan said. "Alistair must have been sabotaging it from the inside, using his position among the Luminari to drain its energy."
A shadowy figure materialized ten meters in front of them, its form shifting between human and a swirling mass of dark energy. It was Alistair—but his appearance had changed. His skin was pale as death, his eyes now fully black with glowing red pupils, and his body was wreathed in a cloak of dark energy. In his hand, he wielded a staff carved from the same black stone as the seal, topped with a shard of the Serpent's Egg that glowed with evil energy.
"You're right on time, Ryan," Alistair said, his voice distorted by the dark energy flowing through him. "I've been preparing this moment for centuries. The Luminari trusted me, thought I was one of them—foolish beings, clinging to their outdated ideas of light and balance. The Void Beyond is the natural order of the universe. Chaos, destruction, nothingness—those are the only truths."
"Why did you pretend to help us?" Marcus shouted, gripping his energy sword tighter. "All this time, you were just using us to get to the seal."
Alistair laughed, a cold, hollow sound that sent chills down their spines. "Because you were useful pawns. Ryan, your Creator's Balance Energy was the only thing that could break the final layer of the seal's protection—something even I couldn't do. And Marcus, your family's collection of ancient artifacts provided me with the tools I needed to sabotage the seal from the start. Even Sophia, my little pawn, played her part perfectly—leading you straight to the Edge of Existence, making you unlock your full power."
Ryan's blood boiled with anger. Alistair had manipulated them all, using their trust and their strengths against them. "You won't get away with this," he said, channeling Creator's Balance Energy into his Sword of Light. The blade glowed brighter than ever, casting a golden light that pushed back the dark energy around them.
"Oh, but I already have," Alistair said, raising his staff. The shard of the Serpent's Egg on top of the staff glowed brightly, and the cracks on the seal widened. "The seal is already breaking. Soon, the Void Beyond will be free, and I will merge with it—becoming the ultimate being, ruler of the multiverse. And you two will be the first to be consumed, your energy fueling my ascension."
The seal trembled again, and a massive tentacle of dark energy burst through one of the cracks, lashing out at Ryan and Marcus. Ryan dodged, swinging his Sword of Light at the tentacle. The blade sliced through it, and the dark energy dissolved into nothingness. But more tentacles burst through the seal, each one larger and more powerful than the last.
"We have to stop the seal from breaking!" Marcus shouted, swinging his energy sword at a tentacle that was heading straight for him. The blade hit the tentacle, but it only slowed it down. "Alistair's staff is controlling the seal—we need to take him down first!"
Ryan nodded, focusing his energy. He flew toward Alistair, his Sword of Light raised. "Your plan ends here, Alistair!" he shouted.
Alistair smirked, raising his staff to block Ryan's attack. The staff collided with the Sword of Light, sending a shockwave of energy through the realm. Ryan was pushed back, his arms trembling from the force of the impact. "You think you can defeat me with that weak energy?" Alistair said, laughing. "I've absorbed the power of the Void Beyond's agents for centuries. I'm stronger than you could ever imagine."
He lunged at Ryan, his staff transforming into a sharp, dark energy blade. Ryan blocked with his Sword of Light, the two blades clashing repeatedly. Each collision sent sparks flying, and the dark energy from Alistair's blade threatened to overwhelm Ryan's Creator's Balance Energy.
Marcus joined the fight, swinging his energy sword at Alistair's back. Alistair dodged, kicking Marcus in the chest. Marcus flew back, collapsing to the ground. "Marcus!" Ryan shouted, distracted for a moment. Alistair seized the opportunity, slashing his dark energy blade at Ryan's arm. The blade cut deep, and Ryan screamed in pain as dark energy surged into the wound, corrupting his Creator's Balance Energy.
"Ding! Host has been infected with Void Beyond energy. Creator's Balance Energy is being corrupted. Recommend using system rebate to purify the energy and unlock new abilities. Warning: Corruption will spread to the host's soul within 10 minutes if not purified."
Ryan's eyes widened. The system—his Cashback System, the one that had started it all, the one he had almost forgotten about in the chaos of the multiverse and the Void Beyond. He had been so focused on his Creator's Balance Energy that he had neglected the system that had given him his start. But now, it was his only hope.
"System," he whispered, focusing his mind. "Use all available rebate points to purify the Void Beyond energy and unlock new abilities. Whatever it takes."
"Ding! Confirming use of 500,000,000 rebate points. Initiating energy purification. Unlocking new ability: Cosmic Rebate Energy. Cosmic Rebate Energy combines Creator's Balance Energy with system rebate power, allowing the host to absorb and convert dark energy into pure, usable energy. Warning: Initial activation will cause intense pain."
A searing pain shot through Ryan's body as the system began to purify the dark energy in his wound. The corruption was burned away, replaced by a new, even more powerful energy—Cosmic Rebate Energy. This energy was a mix of golden, black, and purple light, swirling around him like a vortex. He could feel its power surging through his veins, stronger than his Creator's Balance Energy ever was.
Alistair stared at Ryan, his eyes filled with shock and anger. "What is that energy?" he shouted. "It's not Creator's Balance Energy—it's something else, something more powerful."
Ryan stood up, his arm healed, his body glowing with Cosmic Rebate Energy. He summoned his Sword of Light, which now absorbed the new energy, glowing with a mix of golden, black, and purple light. "This is Cosmic Rebate Energy," he said, his voice steady and powerful. "A gift from the system that started my journey. And it's going to destroy you."
He lunged at Alistair, swinging his Sword of Light with all his might. Alistair blocked with his dark energy blade, but this time, Ryan's attack was too powerful. The Sword of Light sliced through Alistair's blade, hitting him in the chest. Alistair screamed in pain as Cosmic Rebate Energy surged into his body, burning away the dark energy that sustained him.
"No! This can't be!" Alistair shouted, stumbling back. He tried to channel more dark energy from the seal, but Ryan's Cosmic Rebate Energy was absorbing it, converting it into more power for himself. "The Void Beyond will save me! It will destroy you!"
The seal trembled violently, and a massive wave of dark energy burst out, heading straight for Ryan. Ryan didn't dodge—instead, he raised his hand, channeling Cosmic Rebate Energy. The dark energy wave hit him, but instead of harming him, it was absorbed by his Cosmic Rebate Energy, making it even stronger.
"You can't absorb the Void Beyond's energy!" Alistair shouted, his voice filled with绝望. "It's too powerful, too pure in its chaos!"
"Watch me," Ryan said. He flew toward Alistair, his Sword of Light raised. Alistair tried to run, but Ryan was too fast. He swung his sword, slicing through Alistair's shoulder. Alistair collapsed to the ground, his body beginning to dissolve into dark energy.
Marcus stood up, joining Ryan. He stared at Alistair, his energy sword raised. "It's over, Alistair," he said. "The Void Beyond won't save you. You've lost."
Alistair laughed, a weak, desperate sound. "Lost? No. I've only just begun. The Void Beyond is not just a being—it's a force, a dimension. Even if I die, it will find another vessel. And when it does, it will come for you, Ryan. It will come for the multiverse. You can't stop it forever." He paused, his eyes locking onto Ryan's. "And remember—your system is not what it seems. It's not a gift. It's a tool, a trap. The one who gave you the system is watching, waiting for you to unlock your full power. And when you do, they will come for you too."
With those words, Alistair's body dissolved into dark energy, which was absorbed by the seal. The seal trembled again, and the cracks began to close. The dark energy in the realm faded, and the golden light of the runes grew brighter.
Ryan and Marcus stood there, breathing heavily. They had defeated Alistair, and the seal was stabilizing. But Alistair's words lingered in the air, filling them with doubt and fear.
"What did he mean about the system?" Marcus asked, breaking the silence. "That it's a trap? That someone is watching you?"
Ryan shook his head. He didn't know. The system had been his lifeline, his path from poverty to power. But Alistair's words made him question everything. Had the system really been a gift, or had it been leading him down a path to destruction all along? "I don't know," he said. "But we need to find out. The system's origins are a mystery, and if someone is watching me, we need to be prepared."
Just then, the system's voice echoed in his mind:
"Ding! Warning: Unknown cosmic signal detected. Signal is emanating from the farthest reaches of the multiverse. Signal content: 'The vessel has unlocked Cosmic Rebate Energy. Initiate retrieval protocol. The experiment must continue.' Host is advised to strengthen their power immediately. Recommend traveling to the Luminari Homeworld to seek more information about cosmic signals and system origins."
Ryan's eyes widened. An experiment? Retrieval protocol? The system had been an experiment all along? He felt a chill run down his spine. He had never thought about where the system had come from, or why it had chosen him. But now, it was clear that there was something bigger, something more dangerous, than the Void Beyond waiting for him.
"We need to go to the Luminari Homeworld," Ryan said, turning to Marcus. "The system detected a cosmic signal—someone is watching me, calling me an 'experiment.' The Luminari might have information about this, about the system's origins."
Marcus nodded. "I'll contact Elara. She's a Luminari elder—she might know how to get to the Homeworld." He pulled out his communicator, but just as he was about to activate it, the communicator exploded in his hand. A wave of dark energy surged through the realm, and the seal trembled again—this time, not from the inside, but from the outside.
Ryan activated his Cosmic Rebate Energy, scanning the realm. He could feel a new, even more powerful dark energy approaching—different from the Void Beyond's energy, but just as malevolent. "We're not alone," he said, his voice tight. "Something else is coming. Something worse than Alistair, worse than the Void Beyond."
The sky above them darkened, and a massive, shadowy figure appeared—so large that it blocked out the entire realm. This figure was not made of dark energy, but of pure nothingness, a void within a void. Its eyes were two glowing red orbs, and its presence made the very fabric of reality tremble.
"Ryan Harris," the figure said, its voice booming like thunder. "Bearer of Cosmic Rebate Energy. Vessel of the experiment. I am the Harbinger of the Beyond. Sent to retrieve you for the Creator of the System. Resist, and I will destroy everything you hold dear—the multiverse, your friends, your family."
Ryan gripped his Sword of Light, his Cosmic Rebate Energy flaring to life. He knew that this was a battle he couldn't afford to lose. If the Harbinger took him, everything he had fought for—everything he had built—would be lost. "I won't go with you," he said, his voice steady. "I'm not an experiment. I'm Ryan Harris, and I'll protect the multiverse, no matter what."
The Harbinger laughed, a sound that made the realm shake. "Foolish mortal. You have no idea what you're up against. The Creator of the System is a being of infinite power, a ruler of multiple dimensions. Resisting is useless." It raised its hand, and a massive wave of nothingness surged toward Ryan and Marcus.
Ryan pushed Marcus out of the way, channeling all his Cosmic Rebate Energy into his Sword of Light. He swung the sword, sending a wave of Cosmic Rebate Energy at the wave of nothingness. The two waves collided, creating a massive explosion of energy that shook the entire realm.
When the smoke cleared, Ryan was on his knees, exhausted. His Cosmic Rebate Energy was nearly depleted, and his body ached all over. The Harbinger stood in front of him, unharmed, its red eyes glowing brighter.
"Your resistance is admirable, but futile," the Harbinger said. It reached out its hand, grabbing Ryan by the throat. Ryan struggled, but he couldn't break free. The Harbinger's grip was like iron, and its nothingness energy was beginning to drain his life force.
Marcus rushed to help, swinging his energy sword at the Harbinger's arm. The blade passed through the Harbinger's arm, doing no damage. "It's made of nothingness!" Marcus shouted, shocked. "Our weapons can't hurt it!"
The Harbinger turned to Marcus, its red eyes narrowing. It released Ryan, who collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. It reached out its hand, grabbing Marcus by the throat as well. "A minor distraction," it said. "I will eliminate you first, then take the vessel."
Ryan watched in horror as Marcus struggled, his face turning blue. He knew he had to do something, but he had no energy left. His Cosmic Rebate Energy was gone, and his Creator's Balance Energy was depleted. He was powerless.
Just then, a bright, golden light appeared in the realm. A portal opened, and Elara stepped through, followed by a group of Luminari warriors. The Luminari warriors were wielding weapons made of pure light energy, and their bodies were glowing with a powerful aura.
"Release them, Harbinger of the Beyond!" Elara shouted, her voice filled with authority. She raised her staff, which glowed with golden light. "The Luminari will not allow you to take Ryan Harris. The experiment ends here."
The Harbinger stared at Elara, its red eyes filled with anger. "The Luminari. You have always been a thorn in our side. But this time, you will not stop us. The vessel will be retrieved, and the experiment will continue."
It released Marcus, who collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. It turned to Elara, raising its hand. A wave of nothingness surged toward the Luminari warriors. Elara raised her staff, creating a shield of light energy. The wave of nothingness hit the shield, and the two energies clashed.
Ryan crawled to Marcus's side, helping him stand. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'll be fine," Marcus said, wincing. "But we need to help Elara. That thing is too powerful."
Ryan nodded, but he knew he had no energy left. He closed his eyes, trying to summon his Cosmic Rebate Energy, but nothing happened. Just then, the system's voice echoed in his mind again:
"Ding! Emergency protocol activated. Using remaining rebate points to temporarily boost Cosmic Rebate Energy. Host has 5 minutes of enhanced Cosmic Rebate Energy. Use this time to escape to the Luminari Homeworld. Elara has the coordinates."
A surge of Cosmic Rebate Energy filled Ryan's body, stronger than ever before. He stood up, his Sword of Light reappearing in his hand. "Marcus, get ready to run," he said. "We're escaping to the Luminari Homeworld."
He flew toward the Harbinger, swinging his Sword of Light. The blade hit the Harbinger's back, and this time, it did damage. The Harbinger screamed in pain, a sound that shook the realm. Black smoke poured out of the wound, and the Harbinger stumbled forward.
"Now, Elara!" Ryan shouted.
Elara nodded, raising her staff. A portal opened, glowing with golden light. "This portal leads to the Luminari Homeworld!" she shouted. "Hurry!"
Ryan and Marcus rushed toward the portal. The Harbinger turned to them, its red eyes filled with rage. "You will not escape!" it shouted, raising its hand. A wave of nothingness surged toward them.
Elara and the Luminari warriors stood in front of the portal, creating a shield of light energy. The wave of nothingness hit the shield, and the shield began to crack. "Go!" Elara shouted. "We'll hold it off!"
Ryan and Marcus stepped through the portal, and it closed behind them. They found themselves on a planet unlike any they had ever seen—covered in golden cities, with rivers of light and forests of glowing trees. This was the Luminari Homeworld.
They collapsed to the ground, exhausted. The enhanced Cosmic Rebate Energy faded, and Ryan felt drained. But they were safe—for now.
Just then, a Luminari elder approached them. He was tall, with silver hair and golden eyes, and his body was glowing with a powerful aura. "Welcome to the Luminari Homeworld, Ryan Harris and Marcus Thorne," he said. "I am Elder Kael. We have been waiting for you. The Harbinger of the Beyond is not the only threat. The Creator of the System is coming, and when they do, the multiverse will face its greatest crisis yet."
Ryan looked up at Elder Kael, his eyes filled with determination. "Tell us everything," he said. "We need to know the truth about the system, about the experiment, about the Creator of the System. We need to be prepared."
Elder Kael nodded. "Come. We have much to discuss. But be warned—the truth is darker than you could ever imagine. And the Creator of the System is not a being you can defeat. They are a force of nature, a god among gods. But there is a way to stop them. A way that involves the oldest secret of the Luminari, a secret that has been hidden for centuries."
He turned, walking toward one of the golden cities. Ryan and Marcus stood up, following him. They knew that the road ahead would be longer and more dangerous than any journey they had ever undertaken. But they also knew that they had no choice. The multiverse was at stake, and they were the only ones who could save it.
As they walked toward the city, Ryan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Not by the Harbinger, not by the Creator of the System, but by someone else—someone closer, someone who had been with them all along. He turned to look at Marcus, then back at the road ahead. Could there be another traitor? Another agent working for the Creator of the System?
He pushed the thought out of his mind. For now, they needed to focus on the truth. But deep down, he knew that the real battle was just beginning. And this time, the enemy was not just a being of darkness or nothingness. It was the one who had given him everything—the system, his power, his life. And that enemy was coming for him.