As I walked along the edge of Limbo, memories of my past echoed within me. I had just bid farewell to my companion, and now I trudged forward, the weight of my experiences guiding each step.
My powers, unique in their nature, granted me the ability to transcend the confines of reality and return to this place. My return was not arbitrary; it was driven by the realisation that Limbo’s edge interconnected all the compounds. The remaining five limbos were linked through their edges, each presided over by a caretaker. Nebeus, for instance, watched over the 9th Limbo’s edge.
To my left, the hazy images of diverse realms shifted and changed, while an endless void stretched to my right. In no time, I reached the culmination of Limbo’s edge, marked by a pristine white wall. This boundary denoted the end of Compound 009’s expanse. While even Nebeus was barred from crossing this wall, I was an exception—an anomaly.
Wasting no time, I delved into the first phase of space-weaving. This newfound power differed conceptually from my earlier abilities. In the initial phase, I had the capacity to induce spatial distortions by splitting my vision, a process often accompanied by throbbing headaches. However, this time, serenity enveloped my senses, and my perception remained undisturbed.
Contrary to my previous efforts that aimed to disrupt the fabric of space, I now simply extended my consciousness into the vast expanse and sculpted it with my intent. My focus honed in on the surrounding presence of the intricately interwoven lattice of space, binding all elements of the universe. Countless translucent threads composed this cosmic web.
Swiftly, I materialised artificial threads that allowed me to connect with this higher-dimensional lattice. A ripple cascaded around me, and in a fraction of a heartbeat, I dissolved. Instantaneously, I traversed into a realm beyond my comprehension—a higher dimension. Time ceased its flow in the external world, and my physical form dissolved into nothingness, leaving only my consciousness behind.
In this realm of emptiness, I existed solely as consciousness, surrounded by an abyss of darkness. There were no boundaries, no landscapes—only an infinity of pathways extending in every conceivable direction. This was the web of space—the intricate tapestry of interconnections. In this complex network, I identified the path I sought. Through sheer willpower, my consciousness gravitated towards it, and suddenly, I was back, as if awakening from a profound dream.
I stood on the other side of the wall, having warped by navigating through the higher dimension that housed the web of space. The groundbreaking revelation was that this entire process transpired in the span of a mere millisecond.
This newfound power surpassed my prior abilities, which merely disrupted the fabric of space. Now, I harnessed the web of space, working in harmony with its intrinsic structure, resulting in teleportation that was seamless and fluid, an artistry of travel that transcended space and time.
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I found myself in a place akin to Limbo’s edge, though the scenes to my left hinted at the distinct nature of the realms here. This marked the boundary of compound 003.
Emerging seemingly out of thin air was a figure to welcome my arrival. Resembling Nebeus, she hovered gracefully, her long white hair flowing and a bluish robe adorning her form. A smile graced her lips as her gaze met mine.
"Greetings, Wallace. Nebeus has apprised me of your presence. Time is of the essence, so let’s proceed directly. The Third Herald currently resides in Route 03 of the 61st realm," she stated, conjuring a luminescent projection in the air—a depiction of a shadowy expanse veiled in inky blackness, signifying his location.
The fact that he was situated within the 61st realm didn’t surprise me, as the number of realms varied between compounds. Compound 009 housed 48 realms, whereas Compound 003 held more than 61.
Swiftly, the lady gestured towards a sizable translucent screen, altering the display to reveal the 61st realm. Given my unfamiliarity with this realm, I required detailed information to facilitate navigation through the higher-dimensional space web. While Limbo’s edge was intricately linked to these realms, facilitating their identification, deducing their location solely from their appearances would be a formidable challenge.
"That suffices; I sense it now," I declared.
Wasting no time, I engaged the first phase of space-weaving once again, and in an instant, I vanished from the scene.
**
In an almost imperceptible lapse of time, I emerged from the undulating fabric of space itself, materialising within a realm of solemn desolation.
Here, within the heart of this enigmatic domain, an ailing sun casts its feeble light upon the landscape, its vibrant radiance now a faded echo. The celestial orb hung in the firmament like a dying ember, painting the surroundings in muted tones as if mourning its own imminent demise.
This cosmic melancholy contributed to an overall dimness, where the air was awash with an unrelenting chill carried on the wings of biting winds that swept across the barren expanse.
Beneath my feet, an expansive platform stretched outward, its surface forged from a mesmerising stone that seemed to capture the essence of twilight. This stone, imbued with a subtle hint of bronze, provided an eerie contrast to the sombre ambiance.
The winds, fierce and untamed, howled around me, their ferocity held at bay only by my mastery of the Eternal Zen. Amid this tempestuous dance, a faint luminescence emerged like a beacon in the gloom, a fragile flicker midst the vast obscurity.
As I ventured closer to this spectral radiance, the veil of shadows yielded, unveiling a solitary figure. This man exuded an aura of profound meditation. His eyes, hidden behind an enigmatic black blindfold, gave him an air of mystery.
Seated with grace and poise, his meticulously groomed blonde hair caught the muted light, each strand gleaming with a subdued vibrancy. His countenance bore a striking handsomeness, his fair complexion mirroring the pallor of this dim domain.
His attire, a robe of supple leather, clung to his form with elegance. Adorning his side was a rapier, its blade pristine and pure-white, a stark contrast to the surroundings. This blade, while still sheathed, seemed to hum with potential, a testament to the figure’s readiness.
He was the Third Herald : Eugene Schreier.
Sensing my presence, he stirred from his meditative repose, his movements fluid and deliberate. With a voice that resonated like a melodious echo, he addressed me with a gesture of acknowledgment. "And who might you be?"