The air remains thick with tension as Merkmal steps out of the room, surveying the volatile standoff. His piercing blue eyes flicker briefly, and with a measured tone, he speaks:

“Don’t fight him, Gong-gi. It was in self-defense.”

Gong-gi’s gaze snaps to Merkmal, his expression a mixture of betrayal and frustration. “And you’re just going to let a murderer walk free? With no punishment?” Gong-gi’s voice rises, echoing through the space. “What kind of example does that set for everyone else? What does that show them?”

Ehrek tilts his head slightly toward Merkmal, as if giving an unspoken signal. Merkmal sighs and snaps his fingers. Instantly, the traits of everyone nearby transform into weapons and objects, all pointing directly at Ehrek, forming a shimmering, threatening circle.

Before the moment can escalate further, a wormhole tears open beneath Ehrek’s feet. He vanishes in an instant, reappearing outside the cathedral near the massive crater where his counterpart had first arrived. Ehrek takes a few cautious steps back from the wormhole as Gong-gi emerges, his expression set in grim determination. Behind him, the glowing traits fly out of the cathedral, surrounding the crater and creating a dazzling, yet menacing, spectacle.

“I’ll give you one chance,” Ehrek says, his voice calm but edged with authority. “Stop this, or you’ll end up just like Legion.”

Gong-gi’s glare sharpens as Merkmal walks closer, his presence radiating a quiet intensity. His voice is steady, almost clinical. “I would heed his warning, Gong-gi. You don’t know what’s truly happening here. He will kill you without hesitation.”

Gong-gi whirls to face Merkmal, desperation and anger flaring in his eyes. “Then help me take him down! If he’s allowed to keep existing, he’ll only cause more chaos!”

Ehrek’s voice cuts through the growing storm, resonating with an alien quality, as though spoken in a language not meant for mortal ears. “I pity you, Conduit of Air.”

The words ripple across the planet, a wave of cosmic resonance that strikes every living being. Screams echo from unseen places as countless people descend into madness, unable to process the eldritch voice that pierced their minds. Only the conduits remain unaffected, their innate strength shielding them from the brunt of the effect.

Gong-gi’s face twists in rage. “Look at what you’ve done! This is unforgivable!” With a burst of speed, he launches himself forward, creating another crater within the first as he streaks toward Ehrek at supersonic velocity.

Ehrek raises a single gauntleted hand, catching Gong-gi’s blade mere millimeters from his helmet. The clash of metal against his armor rings like a thunderclap. “I’ve learned from my mistakes last time,” Ehrek mutters as he twists his wrist, wrenching the blade free from Gong-gi’s grasp. The weapon dissolves into nothing as Ehrek catches the hilt midair, examining it briefly before it vanishes.

Gong-gi stumbles back, his composure momentarily shaken. Ehrek wastes no time, creating a wormhole mid-swing. His arm disappears into the portal only to reappear behind Gong-gi, slamming into the back of his head with enough force to knock him unconscious instantly. Gong-gi crumples, motionless, as the wormhole closes.

The sky above begins to churn, and a massive tornado forms, touching down directly on Gong-gi’s body. The vortex dissipates just as quickly as it appeared, revealing Gong-gi’s true conduit form. His glowing blue eyes meet Ehrek’s, brimming with unrestrained power.

“Hand it over,” Gong-gi’s true voice commands, echoing with a resonance that shakes the air around them.

Ehrek glances at the hilt still in his hand and smirks beneath his helmet. “Oh, yeah. Here.” With an effortless flick, he tosses the hilt back to Gong-gi, who catches it midair.

Merkmal approaches from behind, observing the scene as the surrounding traits fade and return to their owners. “I’m surprised you didn’t kill him,” Merkmal remarks, his tone tinged with curiosity.

Ehrek turns his helmeted head toward Merkmal. “Don’t get used to it. This timeline is an exception.”

Merkmal chuckles softly, crossing his arms. “Fair enough. Before you go, there’s something you might find useful. Since our Ehrek seems to prefer peace, I doubt he’d tell you about it. There’s a weaponsmith to the north—he crafted both of Legion’s blades. I’m sure he could forge something specific to your needs.”

Ehrek nods silently and continues walking as another wormhole materializes in front of him. Without hesitation, he steps through, vanishing once more.

The wormhole opens into a barren tundra, the icy wind cutting through the silence like a blade. Snow stretches as far as the eye can see, broken only by jagged rocks and the skeletal remains of ancient trees. Ehrek steps out, his armored form undeterred by the biting cold. He surveys the desolation, scanning for any signs of life or movement.

Merkmal’s parting words echo in his mind: A weaponsmith to the north…

With purpose, Ehrek begins his trek through the snow, the weight of his armor sinking slightly into the ground with every step. The icy landscape feels familiar in its hostility, almost welcoming in its refusal to yield. As he moves further into the tundra, faint shapes begin to appear on the horizon—a cluster of low, weather-beaten structures huddled together as if for warmth.

Approaching cautiously, Ehrek notes the absence of sound. No smoke rises from chimneys, no movement stirs in the small encampment. The only thing marking it as inhabited is a single flicker of light from the largest building in the center.

Ehrek pushes open the heavy wooden door, stepping into a dimly lit workshop. The warmth of a forge washes over him, contrasting sharply with the bitter cold outside. Weapons of every shape and size hang from the walls, their craftsmanship unparalleled. Each piece seems to hum faintly, as though infused with a life of its own.

“Ah, you’ve finally come,” a gravelly voice speaks from the shadows.

Ehrek’s gaze locks onto an old man seated near the forge. His face is scarred and weathered, his hands calloused from years of work. Despite his age, his eyes burn with intensity, a piercing green that seems to see straight through Ehrek.

“You know who I am?” Ehrek asks, his voice reverberating with authority.

The weaponsmith chuckles. “I don’t need to know names. Your presence speaks for itself. Another Ehrek, another time. What do you want?”

“I need something forged,” Ehrek replies. “Something that can contain the essence of multiple conduits and withstand the cosmic strain.”

The weaponsmith stands, his movements slow but deliberate. He gestures to a axe on the wall, a massive greataxe etched with intricate runes. “You see this? I made it for a conduit of fire centuries ago. It nearly destroyed me in the process. What you’re asking… it’s more dangerous than you realize.”

“I don’t care about the danger,” Ehrek says coldly. “I need it to end the cycle.”

The weaponsmith studies him for a moment before nodding. “Fine. But if I’m going to forge such a weapon, I’ll need materials of equal power. No ordinary steel will do.”

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Ehrek steps closer, his posture unwavering. “What do you need?”

The weaponsmith gestures toward a map pinned to the wall, marked with several ominous locations. “A shard from the Heart of Oblivion, found in the ruins of the Forbidden City. Blood from a phoenix, one that guards the eternal flames deep within the Ebon Hollow. And finally… the essence of a dying star.”

Ehrek stares at the map, his expression unreadable beneath the helmet. “Consider it done.”

The weaponsmith smirks, his scarred lips curling slightly. “You’re either the bravest fool I’ve ever met or the most dangerous man alive. Perhaps both. Bring me what I need, and I’ll forge your weapon. But be warned—what you seek may cost more than you’re willing to pay.”

Without another word, Ehrek turns and walks out into the tundra, the cold biting at his armor as the door creaks shut behind him. The journey ahead is perilous, but his resolve remains unshaken.

As he steps into the endless snow, the wind howls around him, carrying whispers of the past and the echoes of battles yet to come. For the first time in a long while, Ehrek feels something stirring within him. Not fear, not doubt—but anticipation.

The cycle may not be broken yet, but its end has never felt closer.

Ehrek’s march through the tundra was relentless. The freezing wind battered him, but his armor shielded him from the worst of its fury. As he approached the edge of the horizon, the faint glow of twilight began to fade, plunging the landscape into an icy, moonlit darkness. His destination—the ruins of the Forbidden City—lay deep within an ancient valley, hidden beneath layers of snow and centuries of obscurity.

The first challenge arose as he descended into the valley. The ground beneath him trembled, and faint rumblings echoed off the cliffs. Ehrek paused, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword. Moments later, the snow erupted in a violent spray as a massive, scaled beast emerged—a Frost Wurm, its serpentine body glittering with frost and its eyes glowing with unnatural malice, a true Leviathian Class creature.

The creature let out a deafening roar, the sound reverberating through the valley like an avalanche. It lunged at Ehrek, jaws wide, rows of icy teeth gleaming. Ehrek sidestepped with precision, his sword slicing upward as he moved. The blade clanged against the Wurm’s armored hide, leaving only a shallow cut.

The beast recoiled, then lunged again, coiling its body around Ehrek with blinding speed. He reacted swiftly, summoning a wormhole at his feet and vanishing just as the Wurm’s body crushed the space where he’d stood. Reappearing behind it, Ehrek raised his hand, channeling the cosmic energy within him. He grabbed his sword in his palm before he hurled it at the beast.

The sword struck true, creating a small a concussive blast. The Wurm screeched in pain, its hide splintering like shattered ice. Still, it wasn’t enough. The creature surged toward him again, its movements desperate and wild.

Ehrek’s voice rang out, cold and commanding. “You are nothing more than an obstacle. Know your place.”

He grabbed his sword out of the Wurm as he plunges his blade into the ground, the blade along its edge glowing brightly orange and purple. The ground around the Wurm erupted in jagged spikes of cosmic energy, impaling the creature from all sides. With a final, guttural roar, it collapsed, its massive body writhing before falling still.

Ehrek yanked his sword from the ground and continued toward the Forbidden City, the fallen Wurm disappearing into the snow behind him.

The ruins were a ghostly maze of ancient spires and crumbling walls, their surfaces blackened by time and fire. The Heart of Oblivion was said to lie at the city’s center, guarded by layers of traps and echoes of the city’s long-dead inhabitants. Ehrek moved cautiously, his every step reverberating through the hollow streets.

The first sign of danger came as he found a decaying bridge over a frozen canal. He used his wormhole to get from one side to the other before continuing his journey. Shadows moved unnaturally against the walls, and whispering voices seemed to emanate from nowhere. Suddenly, spectral figures materialized, their translucent forms cloaked in tattered robes.

Wraiths.

They circled Ehrek, their hollow eyes glowing faintly. One lunged forward, its claws swiping at him. Ehrek blocked with his blade, the contact sending a shockwave of energy that briefly illuminated the specters.

“You dare disturb the Heart?” one hissed, its voice a chilling rasp.

Ehrek didn’t respond. Instead, he opened a wormhole above him, dropping into it and reappearing behind the wraiths. His blade arced through the air, severing one’s form, which dissolved into mist.

The remaining wraiths retaliated, their spectral bodies twisting unnaturally as they attacked. Ehrek moved with precision, his armor glowing and absorbing glancing blows while he countered with devastating force. As the last wraith dissipated, an eerie silence fell over the city.

At last, Ehrek reached the central chamber. A massive altar stood before him, glowing faintly with an unnatural red light. Suspended above it was the Heart of Oblivion—a jagged, pulsating crystal that seemed to radiate malice.

As he stepped closer, a deep, resonant voice filled the chamber.

“You are unworthy.”

The air grew heavy, and a towering figure materialized behind the altar. It was a guardian, its body made of molten stone and swirling shadows. Its eyes burned with crimson light as it stepped forward, brandishing a massive, flaming hammer.

Ehrek raised his sword, his voice steady. “We’ll see about that.”

The guardian roared, the sound shaking the chamber as it charged. Ehrek braced himself, the battle for the Heart of Oblivion about to begin.

The chamber exploded with motion as the molten guardian charged, its massive hammer trailing flames that scorched the ground. Ehrek stood firm, his sword gleaming with cosmic energy as he met the creature head-on. The first clash was deafening—the hammer struck Ehrek’s blade with a force that sent shockwaves through the chamber.

The impact pushed Ehrek back several paces, his boots digging into the ancient stone floor. The guardian’s strength was monstrous, its movements both lumbering and unrelenting. Each swing of its hammer left molten craters in the ground, the heat warping the air around it.

Ehrek sidestepped another devastating blow, summoning a wormhole to reposition himself above the creature. Dropping down, he drove his sword into its molten shoulder, the blade sinking deep and sending a spray of fiery magma into the air. The guardian roared, its molten form shifting unnaturally as it flung Ehrek off with a sweep of its arm.

Landing gracefully, Ehrek’s armor glowed faintly as it absorbed some of the heat from the encounter. He raised his free hand, summoning an orb of swirling energy. The orb grew larger with each passing moment, pulsating with the raw power of the cosmic essence he had claimed from other conduits.

The orb itself wasn’t just an orb but the creation of a forming star, fusion and fission. The inital scale of the fusion creating it but just as fast as it’s being created the fission is starting causing it to die immediatley.

With a thrust of his arm, the orb shot forward, striking the guardian square in the chest. The explosion was blinding, sending molten chunks of the guardian’s form flying across the chamber. For a moment, it seemed as though the creature had been defeated.

But then, the molten fragments began to coalesce, reforming the guardian’s body. It stood taller now, its molten core burning brighter than before, its hammer shifting into a massive sword that glowed with unbearable heat.

“You cannot destroy me,” the guardian rumbled, its voice like an earthquake. “I am the keeper of the Heart. I am eternal.”

Ehrek’s eyes narrowed behind his helmet. “Eternal or not, you will fall.”

He summoned another wormhole, this time appearing directly beneath the guardian. Using the momentum, he plunged his sword into its molten chest, channeling his energy into the blade. The weapon glowed white-hot as it absorbed the heat, and crackling orange and purple with unstable power.

The guardian howled in pain, staggering backward. Ehrek used the opportunity to leap back, sheathing his sword as he extended both hands forward. The air around him grew heavy, and the chamber seemed to bend under the pressure of his power.

With a deafening roar, Ehrek unleashed a barrage of cosmic spikes from the ground, these spikes were the bending of space-time into a solid state. Each one piercing the guardian’s molten form and pinning it in place. The creature thrashed, its molten core flickering wildly as it struggled to free itself.

Ehrek approached, his movements slow and deliberate. His armor pulsed with energy, and his voice rang out with authority.

“Eternal or not, everything has an end. And your time is now.”

He raised his hand, summoning one final wormhole above the pinned guardian. Through it, a Greatspear emerged. With a commanding gesture, he drove the blade downward.

The blade struck the guardian’s core, shattering it in an explosion of molten rock and shadowy tendrils. The creature let out one final, echoing roar before collapsing into a pool of cooling magma.

The chamber grew silent, the oppressive heat fading. The Heart of Oblivion hovered above the altar, its malevolent glow undiminished.

Ehrek stepped forward, his armor singed but intact. He reached out, his gauntlet-clad hand closing around the crystal. As he did, a surge of power coursed through him, threatening to overwhelm his senses. Visions of ancient battles and countless conduits flashed before his eyes, each one a fragment of the cycle he sought to end.

As the visions subsided, Ehrek tightened his grip on the Heart. His voice was low, filled with resolve.

“This ends with me.”

He turned, the Heart clutched tightly in his hand, and stepped through a wormhole, leaving the ruined city behind. A new chapter of his journey awaited, the power of the Heart now his to wield—and the weight of its burden pressing heavily on his shoulders.