Ryan draws closer to his universe’s branch, his focus narrowing on the moon where he had lived before his journey into the infinite nexus. He locks onto the same alleyway he had used as his entry point last time, concentrating on the familiar energy signature of that location. The pull from within him intensifies as he lets go of his resistance, and in a split second, he is transported back into his universe.
The moment his feet touch solid ground, he takes a deep breath, feeling the weight of reality settling back around him. He quickly removes his spacesuit, folding it neatly and securing it within his pack. The sight of his regular clothes, the ones he had last worn before his departure, brings an odd sense of comfort and normalcy. He quickly changes into them, blending back into the environment. With careful movements, he slips through the shadows, avoiding unnecessary attention as he makes his way toward his house.
As he approaches the entrance, a strange sense of familiarity washes over him. It feels like he had never left, yet so much had changed since his last visit. He places his palm on the access panel which he fixed as per his need now, and after a brief pause, the door slides open. Stepping inside, his eyes scan the room, and a deep sigh of relief escapes his lips. Everything is exactly as he had left it—untouched, undisturbed. No one had entered in his absence. The sight fills him with an odd sense of peace, and Ryan thinks that no one knew about his last return yet.
Exhaustion suddenly crashes over him. After all the stress, all the experimentation, and the weight of everything he had done, his body finally demands rest. He kicks off his shoes and collapses onto his bed, sinking into the mattress as if it were pulling him into its depths. His muscles relax for the first time in what feels like an eternity, and within moments, sleep claims him. For the second time since he embarked on this journey, he allows himself the simple pleasure of rest—unburdened, uninterrupted, without a single worry clouding his mind.
Hours pass, or maybe even longer. Time has lost its grip on him since his time in the nexus. When he finally stirs, his body feels rejuvenated, his mind clearer. He blinks against the dim light filtering through his room and slowly sits up, stretching out the stiffness from his limbs. Hunger gnaws at his stomach, reminding him of the purpose of his return.
He swiftly gets to work, gathering his food reserves. He checks the storage compartments in his kitchen, taking note of what he has left. Some supplies have gone stale, while others remain usable. It’s not enough to last him for long, so he knows he will need to restock.
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Money isn’t a concern. His job as a technician had paid well, and he had always been frugal, never indulging in unnecessary expenses. Now, that prudence was paying off. He withdraws a sufficient amount of credits and prepares to head out into the city.
This time, he moves cautiously. He makes sure to spread his purchases across multiple locations, never buying too much from one place. He avoids drawing any attention to himself, making sure no patterns emerge that could alert anyone to his activities. The Monarch may not be actively looking for him, but he refuses to take any chances. He knows they are desperate—desperate to find a solution, desperate to find any anomaly that could provide an answer to the chaos threatening existence itself. If they ever found out about his abilities, he would become a prime target.
He moves from store to store, filling his pack with ration packs, water purification tablets, nutrient-dense bars, and other essentials that could last him for an extended period. As he moves through the streets, he notices the shift in the city’s atmosphere. More people have relocated to the moons but the streets aren’t empty, there’s an eerie quietness lingering in the air. Conversations are hushed, and people walk with hurried steps, as if fearing something unseen.
Once he has acquired everything he needs, he returns to his quarters. Sitting down, he lays out his supplies, taking stock of everything and ensuring he has enough for at least the next few weeks or months even. He eats a full meal, savoring the taste of familiar food before packing everything carefully.
As he leans back in his chair, he lets out a deep sigh, staring at the ceiling. “How many more times am I going to have to do this?” he mutters to himself. He knows this won’t be the last trip. Until he masters his power, he will remain dependent on these supply runs. The thought is exhausting, but he knows there is no alternative—not yet.
However, he is determined. If he can refine his ability, if he can strengthen his control over the energy within him, then he won’t have to rely on chaos to navigate the multiverse. He would be free—truly free. No constraints, no dependencies, no need to fear the unknown.
But for now, that is a future goal. A possibility, not yet a reality.
He exhales sharply and stands, making a final check of his supplies before securing everything. Tomorrow, he will resume his training and travel to the Nexus again with the help of chaos back on Earth. He will continue pushing the limits of his abilities.
Ryan makes the same purchase of the small aircraft in the pod, just like last time, as it is mostly replaceable and intended for one-time use. This is what he likes about technology. The Type 4 civilization from other universe is far more advanced, utilizing teleportation even in the most dangerous and vast expanses of space. If they got hold of what Ryan has, they might not be as calm as him—then, their conquest of the multiverse would be unstoppable and Ryan needs to stop it somehow.