Ascension: Rebirth in a World of Powers-Chapter 36 - : A Greater Threat

Eren's breath was ragged as he forced himself to stand. His body ached, drained from the immense effort of sealing the rift. But even as exhaustion weighed on him, his eyes remained locked on the sky.

Something was still there.

A faint shimmer, almost imperceptible, hovered where the rift had been. It pulsed with an eerie, rhythmic glow—like the slow, deliberate beating of a heart.

Kaelena followed his gaze, gripping her wounded arm. "Tell me that's just an aftereffect."

Elara shook her head, her face pale. "No. That's something else."

Kain clenched his fists. "Whatever it is, I don't like it."

Eren took a step forward, the Shard still faintly glowing in his palm. His connection to it felt weaker than before, but there was something else—a lingering presence, a sense of being watched.

Then, the shimmer in the sky shifted.

It began to expand, stretching and twisting until it formed a perfect circular shape. Symbols flickered across its surface, ancient and unreadable. The energy radiating from it was different from the rift—colder, more deliberate.

A voice rang out.

Not a voice made of sound, but one that echoed directly into their minds.

"You are not ready."

Eren staggered back, his heart pounding. The presence behind the voice was overwhelming, vast beyond comprehension.

Kaelena gritted her teeth. "Who are you?" she demanded.

There was silence, and then, the symbols on the portal flashed. From its depths, a figure began to emerge.

It was unlike the creatures they had just fought. This being had form, shape, purpose. A tall humanoid figure clad in flowing obsidian armor, its face hidden behind a mask of shifting darkness. Its very presence distorted the air around it, as if reality struggled to contain its existence.

Eren's grip tightened on the Shard. "Are you the one who sent those things?"

The figure tilted its head slightly. "They were merely the beginning. A test."

Kain let out a low growl. "A test for what?"

The figure stepped forward, floating slightly above the rooftop, its movements impossibly smooth. "To see if you are worthy. To see if this world is ready."

Elara's hands trembled. "Ready for what?"

The figure regarded them in silence for a moment before answering. "Ascension."

The word sent a shiver through Eren's spine. The way it was spoken—as if it carried weight beyond their understanding.

Kaelena took a cautious step closer. "And if we fail your test?"

The figure's presence seemed to darken. "Then your world will be consumed."

Tension thickened the air. The battle against the rift creatures had been brutal, but this—this was something far worse.

Eren forced himself to stay calm. "Who are you?" he asked again.

This time, the figure answered.

"I am Veydris, Harbinger of the Eternal Cycle."

Elara's face went pale. "The Eternal Cycle... that's a myth. A legend from ancient texts."

Veydris' gaze shifted to her. "Legends are merely truths waiting to be remembered."

Kaelena's fingers tightened around her daggers. "And what do you want?"

Veydris raised a hand, and for a brief moment, the portal behind him pulsed violently. "To prepare you. Your world stands on the precipice of something greater. But only the strong will endure."

Eren's pulse quickened. "And what if we refuse?"

The Harbinger's voice remained calm. "Then your kind will perish. As others have before you."

The weight of those words settled over them like a suffocating blanket.

Kain scoffed, cracking his knuckles. "Big talk. But we don't just roll over."

Veydris let out a soft chuckle, the sound hollow and distant. "Good. Then let us see if you truly have the strength to ascend."

Without warning, he moved.

Faster than any of them could react, he was in front of Eren. A surge of energy exploded outward, sending them all flying back. Eren barely managed to throw up a barrier, but the force shattered it instantly, hurling him across the rooftop.

Pain shot through his body as he crashed against the railing. Kain was already back on his feet, launching himself at Veydris with a roar. His fist, glowing with power, slammed into the Harbinger's chest—only for Veydris to stop it with a single hand.

Kain's eyes widened. "What—?"

With a flick of his wrist, Veydris sent Kain skidding across the ground. Kaelena and Elara attacked next, one with blades, the other with magic.

Veydris weaved between them effortlessly. He caught Kaelena's wrist mid-swing, twisting just enough to disarm her. A flicker of dark energy sent Elara's spells scattering like dust.

Eren pushed himself up, breathing hard. This wasn't a fight they could win—not like this.

The Shard pulsed in his palm, urging him to act.

He focused, drawing on its remaining energy. Power surged through him, and he lunged forward, aiming straight for Veydris.

Their attacks collided—Shard-infused energy clashing against an ancient force far beyond comprehension.

For a moment, it seemed like Eren had made contact. A bright flare of light filled the sky.

And then—

Darkness swallowed everything.

Eren gasped awake.

He was no longer on the rooftop. No longer in the academy.

He was standing in an endless void, stars scattered across the infinite horizon.

And before him, Veydris stood, his form still as a statue.

"Now," the Harbinger said, "we see what you are truly capable of."

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