The figure before Aaron was massive, its body a swirling amalgamation of golden and black energy that seemed to pulse with the rhythm of the universe itself. Its presence was overwhelming, every aspect of its form shifting and rippling like the very essence of time and space. It stood taller than anything Aaron had ever seen, its power radiating like the heart of a dying star.

“Confront it,” Crux’s voice echoed, calm but firm. “This is the Core of the Stream. The force that holds all timelines together. To understand your true power, you must face it head-on.”

Aaron’s heart pounded in his chest, his golden energy flaring instinctively as he sized up the entity before him. The Core was not a physical being—it was an embodiment of the Stream itself, a living paradox of creation and destruction. Its massive, shifting form was both beautiful and terrifying, like staring into the eye of eternity.

“What do I need to do?” Aaron asked, his voice steady despite the intense pressure he felt from the entity’s presence.

The Core’s voice resonated in his mind, a deep and echoing tone that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once. “You have come far, Nexus of the Stream. But this is where your journey will be determined. To wield the power of the Stream is to accept the weight of all possibilities, all outcomes. It is to understand that every choice you make ripples across the multiverse.”

Aaron swallowed hard. The weight of the Core’s words hit him like a tidal wave. He had always known that his powers were dangerous, that the multiverse was fragile, but hearing it spoken so plainly made the enormity of it all seem even more real. The responsibility was immense. How could he possibly control such power? Could he even bear the consequences of it?

“You must face your fear,” the Core’s voice continued. “You must choose. Not just once, but for every moment that follows. To be the Nexus is to hold dominion over the timeline, to carry the potential of every possibility within you. But that power comes at a cost. The question is—are you willing to pay it?”

Aaron’s mind raced. He thought of the worlds he had seen unravel, the countless timelines he had glimpsed, each with their own potential and consequences. Every decision he made could tip the balance, could lead to the destruction of realities he had never even known existed. And yet, the idea of backing down wasn’t an option.

He had faced countless threats, from Phantom Hunters to the dark reflection of his own soul. Each time, he had learned and adapted. But this… this was different. This was the heart of everything.

“I’m ready,” Aaron said, his voice strong. His hands glowed with golden energy, each pulse of light like the heartbeat of the multiverse itself.

The Core’s massive form rippled, its energy shifting as it took in Aaron’s words. “Very well. Then you shall face the ultimate test. You will not simply fight to survive. You will confront your greatest fear, your deepest regret—the thing that has always held you back. And if you fail, the Stream will consume you, and all timelines will fracture beyond repair.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Aaron felt a cold chill run down his spine. The fear was already there, lurking just beneath the surface. But he wasn’t going to let it control him—not now, not ever again.

“I won’t fail,” he said, his voice resolute.

The Core seemed to pause, its energy swirling faster, and then it exploded outward, sending shockwaves across the platform. The ground beneath Aaron’s feet cracked, and golden energy surged from the Core like a tidal wave, swallowing everything in its path.

Aaron’s golden aura flared as he leapt into the air, using his super speed to dodge the oncoming surge. The energy was everywhere, filling the air with an almost palpable pressure. The world around him blurred as he sprinted through the chaos, trying to stay one step ahead.

But then, the energy began to change. The streams of light shifted, coalescing into images—images of people Aaron knew, people he had lost. His mind flashed to his friends, to his family. He saw the faces of those he cared about, all in pain, all in peril. He saw the people he had failed to save, the lives lost because of his inability to act in time.

His heart clenched. “No! I can’t let this happen again…”

But the Core’s voice cut through his thoughts, louder this time. “You cannot outrun this, Nexus. Your choices have consequences. You cannot escape them.”

Aaron’s legs faltered for a moment, his speed slowing as the weight of his fears caught up with him. The faces of those he had failed loomed large in his mind, each one filled with disappointment, with pain. The memory of their loss threatened to overwhelm him.

“Remember, Aaron,” Crux’s voice echoed, sharp and clear through the fog of doubt. “Balance. You must accept that you are not perfect. You cannot save everyone, but you can learn from your failures. Every choice, every action, is a part of you. And that is your strength.”

Aaron’s golden aura flared brighter, pushing back the shadows that clouded his mind. “I… I can’t change the past,” he whispered to himself. “But I can make sure the future is different.”

With a renewed sense of purpose, Aaron took a deep breath and faced the oncoming tidal wave of energy. He didn’t have to outrun it. He didn’t have to avoid it. He had to embrace it, to understand that he was the one who shaped his future, not the mistakes of his past.

The golden energy surged within him, and he reached out with both hands. He was no longer running from his fears. He was standing firm, drawing strength from every failure, every regret, and using them to fuel his resolve.

The Core’s energy collided with his own, a massive explosion of light and sound. For a moment, everything was chaos—time and space seemed to shatter, the very fabric of reality bending and warping around him. But through it all, Aaron remained standing, his golden light steady and unwavering.

The storm of energy subsided, and the Core’s massive form began to shrink, its chaotic fluctuations settling into a calm, pulsating rhythm.

“You have passed the test, Nexus,” the Core’s voice rumbled, its tone filled with quiet respect. “You have confronted your fear and embraced the weight of your choices. You are now ready to wield the full power of the Stream.”

Aaron stood tall, his body glowing with the pure light of the Stream. He felt more powerful than ever, but at the same time, he understood the weight of that power. It was not just about strength. It was about responsibility. Every decision would ripple through the multiverse. Every choice mattered.

“You are ready,” the Core repeated, its form now a steady, radiant light. “The multiverse will call upon you. You are its protector, its guardian, its Nexus.”

Aaron nodded. He didn’t know what lay ahead, but he was ready.

---