MRIZEM, KEEPER OF SPACE

The resounding echoes of my footsteps reverberated along the corridor, creating an ethereal ambiance. The floor beneath me appeared like a mesmerising illusion, crafted from mystical marble that emanated a deep, pitch-black hue. Spirals of light purple danced and twirled across its surface, resembling a galaxy come to life.

Curved and translucent, the walls of the corridor exuded an otherworldly aura. Adorned with glass torches, their deep blue flames flickered with an unwavering brilliance, casting a surreal glow upon the surroundings. The entire scene seemed to belong in a realm beyond mortal comprehension.

As I traversed the corridor with a swift stride, a myriad of scenes unfolded before my mind’s eye. Like a vivid movie reel, memories from my past life flickered and danced, encompassing moments shared with family, friends, and colleagues. The tapestry of my previous existence seamlessly transitioned to the last few years, when I found myself involuntarily transmigrating to this unknown universe, working tirelessly to aid "him."

Just as the path I walked approached its conclusion, a final scene played out in my mind. It was the moment of Wallace’s elimination, an act that stirred a pang of guilt within me. He had reminded me of my younger self, searching for purpose and meaning in life. Yet I had plucked his budding potential prematurely, cutting short his journey of growth.

But in that moment, guilt transformed into unwavering resolve. I realised that I had no alternative. Alone, I lacked the power to confront the formidable Void Order. Only "he" possessed the means to send me back to my original world. I could only hope that my actions would not have dire repercussions in the course of events.

My steps came to a halt as the corridor culminated in a grand hall, revealing its magnificence. The transparent, curving walls of the corridor seamlessly transformed into the expansive walls of the hall, reminiscent of graceful serpents.

Behind me, the spiralling marble floor jutted out, forming stairs that led downward to the heart of the hall. It was as if the floor itself mimicked the flow of water, with the roots of artificial glass trees submerging into its depths.

Dominating the center of the hall was a large, pale-white wooden table, encircled by eleven chairs crafted from the same material. Six figures were seated on these chairs, engrossed in heated arguments. However, the largest chair, along with four others, remained conspicuously unoccupied.

As my presence caught their attention, the figures ceased their activities, turning their gazes towards me. Their expressions mirrored a mixture of surprise and apprehension, akin to that of an errant child caught in the act by an elder.

"Master Mrizem, I request your permission to inquire about the selection process for the leader of the Voidshades," Crimzor respectfully addressed, his eyes resembling glistening rubies as they reflected my figure.

Before I could respond, Jadonix, another Voidshade, interjected with a fervent plea: "Sir, I implore you not to consider Crimzor for the position. He is devoid of intelligence and will only hinder our progress. We need a leader who can propel us forward." His scales, adorned in a light shade of green, shimmered under the illumination.

Crimzor’s gaze bore into Jadonix, brimming with lethal intent. Sensing the growing tension, I emanated an aura of malevolence, a clear indication of my displeasure. The oppressive atmosphere dissipated, restoring a semblance of calmness.

"As you all are aware, Cyanthos betrayed our cause. His arrogance as a leader led to his downfall. I made an example of him to ensure such treachery does not recur," I explained, my words carrying a weighty significance.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"We are forever bound to serve the Voidkeepers, fulfilling their commands. Let us not allow Cyanthos’s actions to tarnish the reputation of the Voidshades." Violexa, another Voidshade, responded in a soft, submissive tone.

Peachith and Lemonia, seated beside her, displayed similar expressions of agreement. On the other side, Indikar, who had suffered defeat at the hands of the Ninth Herald and retreated, wore a solemn countenance.

"There shall be no more leaders among you, for it would only breed conflicts within your ranks. I trust this is clear," I declared, my voice resonating and filling the hall with authority.

"Understood," the Voidshades replied in unison, seemingly satisfied with my decision.

"With only a few obstacles remaining in our quest for the fragments, our main concern now is the remaining Heralds. As you are well aware, the greatest threat among them is the First Herald," I continued, elaborating on the imminent challenges we faced.

Their eyes lost their vibrancy as the name of the First Herald reverberated within their ears. This Herald had significantly reduced the initial number of Voidshades from eleven to eight, followed by the actions of the Second Herald, further diminishing the ranks to seven.

I had personally taken it upon myself to eliminate the Second Herald, and he was no longer a threat. Infiltrating Limbo, the domain of a formidable Voidkeeper possessing immense power, required substantial resources and energy equivalent to transporting three Voidshades. I had only entered compound 002 after confirming the location of the second fragment.

"I have devised a comprehensive plan to deal with the First Herald," I began, captivating their attention with the promise of a strategy that would aid us in overcoming this formidable adversary.

**

Continuing my journey through the intricate corridors, I proceeded forward after concluding my discussions with the remaining Voidshades. The labyrinthine paths constantly shifted, leading me towards the presence of "him," the one who had summoned me.

Upon reaching the final corridor, the sound of footsteps resonated, announcing the arrival of two figures approaching me. It was Drieshee and Zlamaos, the other two voidkeepers.

"He awaits your presence," Drieshee uttered in a hushed tone, her piercing green eyes locked onto mine. Zlamaos, standing beside her, exuded an aura of serenity akin to a tranquil lake. Without further delay, I acknowledged their message with a nod and passed by them, exiting the final corridor.

The path unveiled a sprawling dome, surpassing the previous hall in size. Its transparent roof reflected the vast expanse of stars and celestial bodies, earning it the name of the observatory. Soft, ethereal blue lights danced in the air, casting a gentle glow within the space.

Nine hollow pillars made of translucent glass stood arranged in an arc. Within four of these pillars, purple shards floated, emanating a captivating purple radiance onto the transparent structures. These shards represented the fragments acquired from Compounds 002, 005, 006, and 008, each containing a galaxy of sol within.

"How is the progress?" a familiar voice inquired.

In the dim illumination, I could discern the figure of Mirrikh, the Unlighted. He was the enigmatic creator of the Void Order and the one who summoned me into this world.

"My Lord, we have made significant progress in narrowing down the locations of the remaining fragments. In a matter of months, we will be able to pinpoint the whereabouts of the ninth fragment. Once the other harpers have been dealt with, we can utilise that time to search for the last four fragments within the narrowed-down areas," I explained, offering a report on our ongoing efforts.

Curiosity emanated from Mirrikh’s voice as he inquired, "And how do you plan to infiltrate these locations?"

"Currently, our energy reserves are lacking. However, in approximately a month, we will have accumulated enough energy to dispatch a Voidshade to retrieve the 9th fragment. By then, we will have successfully located its position," I replied, outlining our intended approach.

"This method has become outdated. The other compounds will become aware of the collapse of Compound 009 and prepare themselves accordingly. I hereby command a change in plans," Mirrikh declared, his words echoing in my ears and penetrating my mind.

"My Lord, your words imply that you have reached a decision. I humbly request your guidance," I responded, seeking enlightenment.

"It is time to bring this chapter to a close. We shall launch a full-scale attack on all the compounds simultaneously, dispatching the six Voidshades together. Our objective is to eliminate each Herald and retrieve the remaining fragments. It has already been six months since your last entry into Compound 009. Wait an additional two years until sufficient energy is generated, and in the meantime, focus on locating the fragments," he proclaimed with authority.

"Once this mission is accomplished, you will be granted the opportunity to return home," he concluded.

"As you wish, my Lord," I respectfully bowed, acknowledging his directive.