Arfrotian continued his exploration of the frozen omniverse, his thoughts fixated on the black ice he had encountered in the frozen timeline. The sight had intrigued him deeply; after all, black ice was not his creation, yet it thrummed with an otherworldly energy that suggested it belonged to someone powerful. In a barren omniverse where life was thought to be nonexistent, the presence of such a force was unexpected and compelling.
With curiosity as his guide, Arfrotian wandered through the icy expanse, traveling across frozen multiverses and timelines. The omniverse’s chilling void was akin to the vastness of space, stretching endlessly with no apparent boundaries. Towering crystalline structures of ice glittered in eerie silence, refracting light that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once.
As he ventured deeper, Arfrotian’s senses alerted him to something unusual. Amid the frozen emptiness, he felt an energy that was distinctly different from the omniverse’s natural frigid aura. This energy felt warm—not in temperature but in vitality. It was subtle, almost hidden, yet unmistakably alive. Following the faint trace, Arfrotian soon found himself standing before a massive, shimmering barrier of black ice. Beyond it lay a megaverse he had failed to notice upon his initial arrival in the omniverse.
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Arfrotian crossed the threshold into this hidden megaverse, his form gliding effortlessly through the icy barrier. On the other side, he was greeted by a landscape unlike any he had seen in this barren omniverse. The world within was alive, though it was still dominated by ice. Towering black ice formations intermingled with ordinary ice, creating a stark contrast. Rivers flowed with water so clear it reflected the stars, yet the banks were lined with jagged shards of black ice. Trees with crystalline branches reached toward the heavens, their leaves glistening like frozen diamonds. Even the air felt different—charged with magic and life.
Before he could take in the full majesty of this icy megaverse, Arfrotian found himself surrounded. From the shadows, a group of figures emerged with silent precision. They were shadow elves, their ashen-gray skin blending seamlessly into the icy surroundings. Their glowing icy-blue eyes fixed on him with suspicion, and their dark, intricate armor seemed to be crafted from black ice itself. Each carried weapons that radiated a chilling aura, some bearing curved blades while others wielded staffs pulsing with arcane energy.
Arfrotian’s presence had not gone unnoticed, and to them, he was clearly an intruder.
The leader of the group, a tall elf with streaks of silver in her midnight-black hair, stepped forward. Her voice was cold and authoritative. “You dare to trespass into the dominion of the shadow elves? Surrender, or face the wrath of the realm.”
Arfrotian, unfazed, simply stood there, his piercing blue eyes scanning the group with an air of indifference. He could annihilate them all in an instant if he so desired—Pandora, his destructive power, raged beneath his calm exterior. These shadow elves, formidable as they might appear, were no match for the devastating force that lay dormant within him. However, he chose restraint. There was no need to unleash Pandora on what seemed like an organized and intelligent society. His curiosity outweighed any impulse to fight.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
The shadow elves, unaware of the storm of power they were dealing with, took his silence as defiance. In a swift motion, they bound him with chains of enchanted black ice. The chains were cold and laced with potent magic, meant to subdue powerful beings. Though Arfrotian allowed himself to be restrained, he couldn’t help but note the craftsmanship of the chains—they were an impressive work of magic, even if they were utterly useless against someone like him.
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The shadow elves escorted their captive deeper into the megaverse, their movements silent and coordinated. Arfrotian followed without resistance, observing his surroundings as they moved. The realm grew more beautiful and complex the further they traveled. Cascading waterfalls of icy water flowed from black ice cliffs, their surfaces shimmering with an ethereal glow. Fields of ice flowers stretched across the land, their translucent petals catching the faint light of the stars. Even the air was filled with a soft, melodic hum, as if the realm itself was alive and singing.
Finally, they arrived at what appeared to be the heart of the megaverse—a vast landscape dominated by black ice. Here, everything seemed infused with the essence of this enigmatic material. Rivers, lakes, trees, and even the ground beneath his feet bore the distinct, jagged texture of black ice. At the center of this breathtaking scenery stood a towering fortress carved entirely from black ice, its spires reaching toward the heavens like frozen daggers. The fortress exuded an aura of authority and mystery, marking it as the seat of power in this realm.
The shadow elves led Arfrotian through the gates of the fortress, past towering halls adorned with intricate carvings depicting battles and legends of their kind. The architecture was otherworldly, with walls that seemed to pulse faintly with magical energy. It was clear that this civilization was ancient and powerful, their mastery of black ice unparalleled.
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Arfrotian remained silent as they brought him to the inner sanctum of the fortress. He could feel the gazes of countless shadow elves upon him, their curiosity and wariness evident. They had no idea who he was or the power he possessed, and he had no intention of revealing it just yet. For now, he observed, intrigued by their culture and their connection to black ice.
The leader of the shadow elves approached him once more, her icy-blue eyes narrowing as she studied him. “You are not from this realm,” she said, her voice measured. “Your presence is an anomaly. Tell me, who are you, and why have you come here?”
Arfrotian met her gaze, his expression calm and unreadable. “I am Arfrotian,” he said simply. “As for why I’m here, I was curious. Your black ice intrigued me.”
The leader’s eyes flickered with surprise at his name, though she quickly masked it. It was clear she had heard of him—or at least the name Arfrotian carried weight even in this hidden realm. However, she did not let her guard down. “Curiosity is not a valid excuse for trespassing,” she replied coldly. “You will remain here until we determine your true intentions.”
Arfrotian said nothing, allowing them to believe they held him captive. Inside, however, he was already piecing together the mysteries of this megaverse. The black ice, the shadow elves, and their thriving civilization—there was much to uncover, and he intended to learn everything he could. For now, he would play along, letting the shadow elves believe they had the upper hand. But deep down, he knew that if they ever truly crossed him, their entire realm could vanish in an instant, consumed by the unstoppable force of Pandora.