Scott stared at the rogue notification, his brows furrowing slightly. Transformation? What does it mean by adapt to my nature? Even he couldn’t fully define his own nature.
Barely seconds after the announcement, a resonant gong echoed through the air. Scott instinctively raised his head. The colossal eyeball in the sky, the calcified abominations, and the champions trapped in eternal illusions remained unchanged. But now, a thunderous rumble filled the heavens, and a mist-like rain began to fall—unceasing and unrelenting.
Before Scott’s eyes, the tarred stone road and distant high walls dissolved, replaced by an endless expanse of grasslands battered by the merciless downpour. Mountains surged upward from the earth in the far distance, but what seized his attention were the towering obelisks piercing the heavens.
Chains still wrapped around the petrified abominations shifted direction, stretching toward the obelisks. As they reached their peaks, blazing infernos erupted, engulfing the chains. From the flames emerged multiple eyes, each bearing the transformed yellow sigil of the Authority of Madness.
A deafening, whirring hum resonated from the obelisks as a strange energy coursed through them. The force surged from the earth, discharging into the turbulent skies.
What the hell is this… wait, is that what I think it is? Scott narrowed his gaze, sensing a shift in the atmosphere.
Far from the all-seeing eye, the discharges tore open a rift in the fabric of reality, exposing the vast, unfathomable cosmos. Through it, Scott glimpsed countless burning stars scattered across the galaxy—a sea of celestial fire.
The expansion of the tear continued, driven by the pulsating energy of the obelisks. It stretched outward, reaching the domain of the all-seeing eye.
What’s going to happen when they collide? Scott wondered; his attention riveted on the clash.
Despite the chaotic transformation, the unending rain persisted. Yet the rain was no longer ordinary; it carried the essence of the universe itself, pelting the land with cosmic rage. Strangely, the transformed environment bore the assault with a regal, almost gallant resilience.
The expansion halted at the periphery of the all-seeing eye’s domain, dividing the land below into two stark halves: one dominated by the eye’s ominous gaze, the other claimed by the infinite expanse of the galaxy.
A system notification appeared before Scott:
Congratulations! Your territory has adapted to your nature!
Scott stared at the message, his thoughts churning. This is my nature? His gaze shifted between the two contrasting halves of the territory.
Even though I’m no longer actively using the Authority of Madness, it refuses to leave. His thoughts darkened. Can Orion and Fi-Fi survive in a place like this? No—can anything other than me survive here?
His eyes roamed the ever-changing land, absorbing its alien beauty and menace. Then, something peculiar caught his attention. A region of absolute darkness, devoid of land, air, water, or even essence—a void of pure nothingness.
“So, there are three regions now,” Scott murmured. “The void must be tied to the Nihilistic Zone, the all-seeing eye to the Authority of Madness...” His gaze lingered on the cosmos. “And this… this must be from my connection to Hastur.”
A ripple in the distance interrupted his musings. In the northwest, a distortion opened, swirling chaotically beyond his control.
In an instant, Scott vanished, reappearing near the anomaly. His war hammer gleamed in his grip, and the chains around him coiled with restless energy.
As the portal widened, Scott’s expression hardened. A figure emerged from the rift, stepping forward with a deliberate gait.
The creature was humanoid, but only barely. Its elongated head resembled a spinning top, its lone, wide eye swiveling with unsettling intensity. Its hunched back and lycan-like legs contrasted sharply with the black suit and polished shoes it wore, lending it an unnerving, surreal elegance.
It swiveled its head, taking in the chaotic sky and the colossal eye above. Its single pupil widened, betraying shock. The creature staggered momentarily under the eye’s gaze, then quickly averted its sight.
Scott’s voice cut through the tension, cold and commanding. “Who are you, and how did you get here?”
The creature froze, seemingly noticing Scott’s presence for the first time. A crack formed along its gray face—a grotesque, jagged mouth splitting its skin apart.
“Greetings,” it rasped, the jagged teeth glinting like serrated blades. “I’m Toi, one of the examiners assigned to the Endless Bridge.”
Scott’s brows arched. There are examiners assigned to this place? Could the Endless Bridge truly be another test ground? His thoughts spiraled, but his gaze stayed locked on the strange examiner, who remained engrossed in observing the surroundings.
“What do you want?” Scott asked curtly, cutting through the silence.
Toi turned its singular eye to Scott, still wearing the same unsettling smile. “Congratulations on climbing the Territorial Rankings and becoming a Territorial Lord.” Its gaze swept over the transformed terrain as it continued, “Your nature is quite… remarkable.”
Stolen novel; please report.
Scott tensed as Toi approached, each of examiner’s steps deliberate. “I’m here to formally inform you of your duties as a Territorial Lord.”
“My duties?” Scott’s brows furrowed. A sense of foreboding crept over him.
Toi nodded. “Of course,” it said, its jagged grin unwavering. “Your territory is currently linked to six timelines. As a Territorial Lord, you’re responsible for managing these connections.”
Scott’s stance shifted, his wariness growing. Toi noticed and chuckled softly. “Fret not. It’s a simple task. You are required to impose a quota on how many champions may enter your territory from these timelines. You may send as many as you wish from your end, but the quotas from their side must be strictly upheld. Failure to enforce this rule will result in the forfeiture of your position as a Territorial Lord. Please, do keep that in mind.”
The examiner’s attention shifted to the motionless champions scattered across the territory. “It’s been ages since someone representing the Throne of Madness ventured onto the Endless Bridge. How nostalgic.”
Its gaze returned to Scott. “Congratulations on being recognized as someone worthy of the throne. May fortune favor you.”
Scott stayed silent, his sharp eyes watching Toi intently. The examiner, undeterred, continued. “Do you have any questions about the trial?”
“What purpose does this all serve?” Scott finally asked, his voice edged with skepticism. For as long as he’d been on the Endless Bridge, he’d assumed it was a gods’ ploy to torment him and his companions. But now, doubts crept in. Is it really just another trial ground?
Toi tilted its elongated head, seemingly confused by the question. Its eye blinked several times in rapid succession before it responded. “Like everything else within the endless timelines, the purpose is to reach The Point of No Return. That is the beginning of the real competition. Anything else is irrelevant.”
Scott’s gaze sharpened. “There’s a path to The Point of No Return here too?”
Toi nodded. “Yes, but it is reserved exclusively for the Territorial Lords occupying the top ten positions.”
Scott’s mind raced. He recalled the system’s earlier announcement: only lords ranked from the eleventh to the one thousand ninety-ninth position were eligible to compete for rulership of the Endless Bridge. The top ten positions had been conspicuously excluded.
“Are there champions currently occupying the first ten positions?” Scott asked, his focus intensifying.
Toi shook its head slowly. “The competition hasn’t started yet, remember?” It smiled, the corners of its jagged mouth stretching unnervingly.
“Wait,” Scott said, his tone laced with suspicion. “If I understand you correctly, placing within the top ten guarantees access to The Point of No Return?”
Toi nodded again, and Scott pressed further. “Does this benefit extend only to the Territorial Lord, or does it include everyone under their domain?”
“A lord represents their territory,” Toi explained. “Should they earn a placement, every individual associated with their territory will ascend alongside them. Does that answer your question?”
Scott’s mind churned, but he had one more question. “What about the rulership contest? What purpose does it serve if those in the first ten positions can access The Point of No Return?”
Toi chuckled softly. “It’s been a while since I’ve met someone like you,” it said. “You assume everyone shares your desire to ascend. But unlike you—acknowledged by a throne—most champions on the Endless Bridge, and even across the infinite timelines, will never come close to such honor.
“For them, gaining rulership over the Endless Bridge offers a mere fraction of what it feels like to wield the authority of the Tower of Champions’ administrator. Tell me, how many do you think would pass up such a tantalizing prize?”
Scott couldn’t answer. The sheer number of champions across endless timelines meant a myriad of motivations and ambitions. For many, the temptation of absolute rule—even a sliver of it—would be irresistible.
“So, what will the competition entail?” Scott asked, his tone sharp and inquisitive.
Toi chuckled, a low, unsettling echo. “Come now. You and the other lords might wield a fraction of the administrator’s authority, but surely you don’t expect me to divulge that,” it replied, amusement flickering in its singular eye. “Besides, the competition is still a considerable time away. Over ninety percent of the territories remain unclaimed.”
Toi’s gaze drifted as it continued. “What I can tell you is this: the competition will begin the moment less than ten percent of the territories remain unclaimed.”
Scott studied the examiner closely, his mind racing. The Endless Bridge's vastness was unfathomable. Only now did he grasp just how monumental an achievement it was to even make it onto the rankings.
“I’d advise you to expand your influence quickly,” Toi added, its grin widening. “The faster territories are claimed, the sooner the competition begins. Think of it as doing everyone a favor.”
“Do you still have questions for me?” Toi asked, its eerie gaze locking onto Scott once again.
Scott considered for a moment. “Can I summon you anytime I wish?”
Toi chuckled softly, almost taken aback. Most champions didn’t bother asking such a question, and the few who did rarely phrased it like that. Could it be because he’s a candidate for the Throne of Madness?
“As long as you remain a Territorial Lord,” Toi said at last, “you may request a meeting whenever you please. I am here to assist, after all.”
Scott’s weapons shimmered, shifting back into their dormant forms. “You’re not from this era, are you?” he asked, his tone more curious than accusatory.
Toi’s expression shifted ever so slightly, a faint shadow of something unreadable crossing its features. “Indeed,” it admitted, crossing its arms. “I’m but a relic of the past.”
Scott’s eyes narrowed. “Then tell me this: what happens to all the champions in this place—or across the infinite timelines—when the Tower of Champions reaches its conclusion?”
Toi’s gaze grew more focused, its earlier amusement replaced by a solemn air. “I thought everyone knew the answer to that,” it began. “Excluding unique cases like yours, those beyond The Point of No Return, and the champions who remain solely in starting cities with no variants ascending the tower across timelines, everyone else will simply cease to exist.
“The essence of their beings will carry on only in the memories of those who remember them. And if no such being exists?” Toi shrugged. “It’s as though they never existed at all.”
Scott’s brow furrowed. “And those you excluded?”
Toi nodded slightly, as if expecting the question. “A rare few across infinite timelines have no ambition. Their variants remain in the starting cities, living out simple lives. Such individuals are spared and continue to exist as they always have, untouched by the Tower’s conclusion.”
Its tone darkened. “Those who cross The Point of No Return, however, forfeit such peace. Every moment of their existence becomes fraught with danger. The act of reaching that point will already have eliminated countless variants across timelines.
“To stand beyond The Point of No Return is to embody the pinnacle of a true champion. Yet even then, countless such beings will perish like common dogs when the fight for authority begins. Only the true monarchs of the next era will emerge. They—”
Toi abruptly stopped mid-sentence, its gaze snapping to Scott, who frowned as a system notification materialized before him.
The Throdan Alliance wishes to invite you to join their fold! Do you wish to entertain their invite? Yes! No!