Amidst the control room's symphony of vibrant hums and blinking lights, Prime Adjudicator Xarathos, the High Overseer responsible for the governance of Multiverse 41B, stood rigid, his eyes locked onto the monitors. The alarm's cacophony sent a shiver down his spine; an unforeseen, significant, decrease in System mana output from realm Omega-ZB had occurred. Xarathos watched, bewildered, as the image on the screen revealed an empty void where the Nether dungeon once stood.
The arbiter's voice trembled, cutting through his thoughts. "Prime Adjudicator Xarathos... The local Primordial of Omega-ZB... he has escaped the Abyss."
Xarathos’ mind raced. Impossible... how can this be? The System chains are absolute, their grip on the primordial entities of all Integrated realms unquestionably ironclad.
A wave of stinging humiliation washed over Xarathos as he remembered his last encounter with Kyrian. As an Adjudicator renowned for his might across the multiverse, it was neither his strategic acumen nor his formidable strength that had vanquished the Primordial entity. Instead, it was deceit and treachery - a realization that seared him with a hot, lingering shame. Kyrian's raw power had been too overwhelming to challenge head-on. Swallowing his pride, Xarathos commanded with an air of urgency, "Call for the Tribunal at once."
The Obsidian Spire, an architectural marvel forged from blackened crysteel, towered as the command center for Multiverse 41B. In its nerve center, the lower Adjudicators slowly materialized as holographic projections. Towering above them all was Xarathos, his pale skin contrasted sharply against his dark robes adorned with red and gold runes.
"Esteemed Adjudicators," he began, voice cutting through the silence. "We are gathered here today in response to a crisis unlike any we have faced before."
He paused for dramatic effect, allowing his words to hang heavy in the air before continuing. "Omega-ZB’s Primordial Creator - Kyrian - has not only broken free from the shackles of our Abyss but has also succeeded in corrupting one of our System nodes. Consequently, the mana output from Omega-ZB has decreased by 6%."
The revelation sent ripples of shock through the chamber. Adjudicator Zephyr, a wiry figure with eyes like molten ruby, spoke first, "How is this possible? Our safeguards were meant to prevent such breaches, and the System chains themselves have remained unbreakable since the First Integration."
Xarathos clenched his jaw, "The circumstances surrounding his escape remain unclear; rest assured, however, that this matter will be investigated thoroughly.” He took a breath. “What is crucial is that we must act swiftly to mitigate the damage and contain the Primordial."
Adjudicator Perceus, donning a weighty crown of crystal, leaned forward, "What is our proposed course of action?"
Xarathos' gaze swept across the holographic figures, "I suggest deploying our most skilled Extractor, Veridion, to track down and contain the Primordial. The potential disaster a rogue Primordial could wreak on the multiverse is a risk we simply cannot take."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the assembly. Adjudicator Zephyr interjected, "But is Veridion truly capable of subduing a Primordial Creator? Even weakened, they possess immense power."
"Indeed, the mission is fraught with challenges. However, as the Prime Adjudicator, I will endow Extractor Veridion with Administrative privileges to the System. These privileges will provide him the means to tap into higher Orders of System Magic, equivalent to a novice Adjudicator. This should be more than enough to handle the Primordial in his weakened state."
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Adjudicator Perceus nodded in assent. "Very well. We shall entrust Veridion with this critical task. May the Great System guide his path."
With the decision made, Xarathos turned to the control panel and sent the command to summon Veridion. The room fell silent as the holographic figures dispersed, leaving Xarathos alone in the dimly lit control center. Internally churning with a potent blend of fury and frustration, Xarathos clenched his fists, his knuckles turning pale under the pressure.
The restrictions of the System Integration felt like iron chains binding him to this Spire, preventing his personal intervention in Omega-ZB where Primordial Kyrian ran rampant. It would take another two to three centuries before Omega-ZB’s System Integration is completed. Until then, the realm couldn't support higher beings like himself. No matter, we triumphed over him before. We shall do so once more.
***
Kyrian and Thalor stood at the center of the Verdant Valley, the air sizzling with the raw energy of primordial mana. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming foliage, the leaves rustling in the breeze.
"We must further fortify your divine realm and cleanse the last vestiges of System mana lest they fester." Kyrian said, his eyes detecting the coiling remnants of System magic.
Thalor nodded solemnly. Flicking his wrist, Thalor produced tendrils of emerald energy, weaving them through the air towards Kyrian.
Concurrently, Kyrian summoned the primordial mana that coursed through the realm. The air around him shimmered with a glow, and tendrils of mana snaked towards his outstretched palms. He closed his eyes, focusing his thoughts on the delicate process of weaving the quadruple-strands.
As Kyrian worked, Thalor stepped forward, his own connection to the realm surging to the surface. The ancient deity reached out, his fingers brushing against the intricate weave of mana that Kyrian was creating. Their energies melded together, a harmonious blend of primordial power and divine essence. Carefully, Kyrian directed the woven mana towards the realm core.
Immediately, the boundaries of Thalor's divine realm pulsed with fortified strength, the magical barriers growing more resilient under the influence of the quadruple-strands. The landscape seemed to respond to their efforts, the ancient trees swaying as if in approval, and the river's flow gaining a new vitality.
Thalor's opulent palace ascended from the valley floor, as if waking from a deep slumber. It stretched towards the sky, embedding itself into the divine realm's skyline. At the same time, a shimmering portal opened, and Kyrian and Thalor were magically transported to the throne room of the palace.
Thalor extended his gratitude to Kyrian for his assistance. "My Lord, words cannot express my gratitude. To see my heart palace once more… I am forever in your debt."
A smile played at the corners of Kyrian's mouth, his appreciation evident. "We are faced with a formidable task ahead, Thalor, and I require you in your finest form. I suggest allocating some time to rejuvenate yourself and continue fortifying your realm. Moreover… I surmise the denizens of Mount Valera must be disoriented after the cleansing of the System mana. They will undoubtedly need your guidance and leadership. Bear in mind, they've grown up under the influence of System mana; experiencing primordial magic, pure magic, it's bound to feel alien to them.”
"Indeed, my Lord. In fact, I sense mortals headed our way already." Thalor's face furrowed in concentration, his divine sense detecting the group of Adventures headed their way.
"Just remember," he said, a playful edge cutting through his typically assertive tone, "to exercise restraint this time around."
A faint smile played on Thalor’s lips as he responded. "Are you referring to the overzealous blessings I bestowed upon my previous Champions?" He chuckled softly.
Kyrian joined in his laughter. "Precisely," he said lightly. "The last thing we require is a swarm of demi-gods pulsating with primordial mana, sounding alarms for the Adjudicators."
"Of course, of course." Thalor agreed solemnly. "I shall be prudent, my Lord."