As the Legacy of Swords tournament on Artoria geared up for the next thrilling match, an event of cosmic magnitude was about to unfold—one that would alter the very fabric of reality for the Fiona Sector and its inhabitants.
Far beyond the reaches of the sector, a primordial being of immense power, Xylos, had set in motion a plan of grandiose scale. Tired of the existing order where primordial gods held unchallenged dominion over the universe, demanding worship and dictating the fates of lesser beings, Xylos sought to disrupt this ancient hierarchy. His disdain for the primordials' whims and their penchant for using living beings as pawns in their celestial games drove him to craft an alternative—a new reality known as the SYSTEM.
Xylos's creation, the SYSTEM, was an unparalleled construct, an artificial intelligence infused with a fraction of his own divine essence. It was capable of absorbing the essence of the universe itself, replicating the Zephyrium Universe and allowing life within it to flourish under different rules—rules not governed by the capricious desires of the primordial gods but by structure, growth, and potential.
In this duplicate universe, beings were not subjected to the arbitrary whims of the gods. Instead, they were given the opportunity to earn power through quests, tasks, and adherence to the SYSTEM's intricate structure. Each individual could choose a class, develop skills, and advance through their own efforts, ultimately evolving into higher forms of existence, even achieving godhood. This evolution promised not just increased power but also longevity and enlightenment.
The first to be called by Xylos to the SYSTEM was Fiona, the legendary Blade Maiden whose disappearance had left a void in the Fiona Sector. Xylos instilled within her a deep yearning for exploration and growth, leading her to venture forth into the unknown reaches of the universe. Fiona, alongside her enigmatic Forgemaster whose identity remained a closely guarded secret, became one of the first pioneers in Xylos's grand experiment.
Fiona's departure was shrouded in mystery, but her motives resonated with a desire for freedom from the constraints placed upon her by the traditional structures of power. By keeping her Forgemaster's identity a secret, she protected his unparalleled techniques and abilities from potential adversaries. Her interactions were limited to the elders, who were of high enough standing to communicate her will to the people, but even they knew little of her true whereabouts or the extent of her involvement with Xylos's SYSTEM.
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As the tournament on Artoria continued, unbeknownst to its participants and spectators, Xylos had deemed it time to assimilate the Fiona Sector into the SYSTEM. With a wave of his divine will, the sector was enveloped, its reality merging with the alternate universe crafted by the primordial’s SYSTEM. This integration marked the beginning of a new era, one where the inhabitants of the Fiona Sector would discover new potentials and the path to ascendancy laid out by the SYSTEM.
As the Legacy of Swords tournament momentarily came to a halt, a sense of wonder swept across Artoria and its neighboring planets. The cosmos itself, in a rare celestial acknowledgment, seemed to herald the dawn of a new era. Participants and spectators alike, enveloped in a spectacle of cosmic significance, found themselves part of a pivotal moment in their history.
In every corner of Artoria and beyond, an ethereal hush fell as individuals were drawn into a private viewing realm crafted by the enigmatic Xylos. Here, the introduction to the SYSTEM unfolded—a grand design by Xylos to reshape existence itself. This moment marked not just a pause in their daily lives but the beginning of an extraordinary new chapter.
Amidst this secluded reality, a virtual interface materialized before each person. It was a gateway to select their destiny, an invitation to choose a Class in the new order of the SYSTEM. This grand entity, while ushering in a new paradigm, acknowledged the strengths and achievements each individual had amassed prior to its integration. This recognition meant that beings like Aliyena and Argust were not starting anew but were on an accelerated path towards becoming powerful entities in this reborn universe.
The SYSTEM, in its wisdom, recognized the need for a transitional phase. Most worlds within its embrace were introduced to a tutorial realm, a space designed to acclimatize its inhabitants to their newfound abilities and the realities of this altered existence. However, for the warriors and spectators of the Legacy of Swords tournament, the SYSTEM had conceived a unique plan.
In a stroke of cosmic ingenuity, the SYSTEM crafted a special zone, a crucible of sorts, to forge and temper the strength of the tournament's participants. This zone was not just a training ground but a preparatory arena for a reimagined and more formidable Legacy of Swords tournament—one that would exhibit the full splendor and potential of this new universe.
With a vision to showcase a spectacle of unparalleled might and skill, the SYSTEM endowed not only Aliyena and Argust but also Xander and his elite warrior Seraphina, with unique class choices. These classes were tailored to their exceptional attributes, and would elevate their capabilities to new heights and setting the stage for a tournament that would be etched in the annals of the cosmos.