The clearing was silent save for the faint hum of residual Essence vibrating in the air. The chaotic energy from the fight had finally subsided, leaving Kei and Mia with a rare moment of quiet. Yet the air felt heavy—not with danger, but with the weight of something unseen, something ancient.
Kei leaned against a tree, his borrowed body still aching from their encounter. “So, what now? We just keep running until they get bored?”
Mia shook her head, her gaze fixed on the faint glow of the forest canopy. “No. There’s something we’re missing. Something we’re meant to find.”
Before Kei could respond, the System’s voice resonated in their minds.
[Temporal Memory Fragment Unlocked.]
[Earth’s Hidden Legacy Revealed.]
The forest around them seemed to shift, the Essence in the air vibrating in harmony with the System’s announcement. The ground beneath their feet began to glow faintly, and a faint outline of runic patterns spread outward from where they stood.
Kei blinked, his casual demeanor giving way to a rare moment of genuine curiosity. “Uh, Mia? Did we just activate something?”
Mia stepped forward, her sharp gaze scanning the glowing runes. “It’s not just something. This is... a memory. Earth’s memory.”
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THE FIRST MEMORY
The world around them blurred, the dense forest replaced by a vast, barren landscape. The air felt heavier here, the Essence more potent and raw. The ground was cracked and lifeless, and the sky was filled with swirling storms of chaotic energy.
In the distance, a group of figures stood around a massive obelisk—larger and more intricate than the one they had seen before. These figures radiated power, their forms glowing faintly with an Essence that felt ancient, primal.
[Memory Fragment: Earth’s Past – The First Nexus.]
One of the figures spoke, their voice resonating through the air like thunder.
“The Seal is complete. Earth’s potential is hidden, but only for a time. When the Nexus reactivates, the Trials will begin.”
Another figure, their form flickering with an unstable energy, responded. “But can the inhabitants handle it? They lack the awareness of the Laws.”
“The System will guide them,” the first figure replied. “If they prove themselves, the Seal will break, and Earth will take its place among the great worlds once more.”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
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KEI AND MIA’S REACTION
The vision faded, the forest reasserting itself around them. Kei and Mia stood in stunned silence, the weight of what they had seen pressing down on them.
Kei broke the silence first, his voice uncharacteristically subdued. “So... Earth was sealed? To hide its potential?”
Mia nodded slowly, her mind racing. “Not just its potential. The Nexus, the Trials, everything... it was all designed to prepare Earth for something.”
Kei frowned, leaning against a tree. “Yeah, but prepare for what? They mentioned the ‘great worlds.’ Are we supposed to join some cosmic club or something?”
Mia didn’t answer immediately, her gaze distant. “The System isn’t just about survival. It’s about proving worth. Earth wasn’t always like this. It was part of something bigger.”
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A HIDDEN CHAMBER
As the weight of the revelation settled, another vibration rippled through the forest. The runic patterns on the ground began to glow brighter, converging at a single point near the base of a massive tree.
Kei approached cautiously, his curiosity outweighing his caution. “Guess we’re not done yet.”
The ground beneath the glowing point shifted, revealing a hidden entrance. A faint, cool breeze emanated from the dark passage, carrying with it the scent of ancient stone and Essence.
Mia stepped forward, her scythe ready. “This might be where we get answers.”
Kei grinned, his usual confidence returning. “Or more questions. Either way, let’s see what’s down there.”
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THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
The passage led to an expansive underground chamber, its walls lined with glowing runes and intricate carvings. At the center stood a pedestal, upon which rested a crystalline sphere that pulsed faintly with Essence.
As they approached, the System’s voice echoed once more:
[Memory Fragment: Earth’s Hidden Legacy.]
The sphere began to glow brighter, projecting another vision.
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THE SECOND MEMORY
This vision was more vivid than the last. It showed a time when Earth was a thriving hub of cultivation, its inhabitants wielding the Laws with mastery. Massive structures—similar to the Nexus—dotted the landscape, each radiating immense power.
But the vision darkened, the vibrant world consumed by chaos. Beings of incomprehensible size and power descended, their forms shrouded in shadows. The inhabitants fought valiantly, their mastery of the Laws pushing the invaders back.
In the aftermath, the surviving leaders stood before the Nexus, their expressions grim.
“We cannot risk this again,” one of them said. “The Nexus will seal Earth’s potential until the time is right.”
Another leader stepped forward, their gaze fierce. “But when that time comes, will they remember? Will they be ready?”
The vision faded, leaving Kei and Mia in silence once more.
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THE IMPLICATIONS
Kei ran a hand through his hair, his usual smirk absent. “So Earth wasn’t always a backwater planet. We were... something else. Something bigger.”
Mia’s expression was pensive. “And we’re not just fighting to survive. The Zones, the Trials—they’re part of something much larger. Something that Earth was meant to reclaim.”
Kei exhaled sharply, his grin returning. “Well, no pressure, right?”
Mia shot him a look but couldn’t suppress a faint smile. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Kei clapped his hands together, his confidence renewed. “Then let’s get to it. If Earth’s meant to be great again, I guess we’d better start acting the part.”
As they left the chamber, the weight of Earth’s forgotten legacy settled on their shoulders. They didn’t have all the answers yet, but they were determined to uncover the truth—and to prepare for whatever lay ahead.