Raphael stood at the edge of the chamber, the newly acquired Edict of Eternal Evolution humming within his chest like a second heartbeat. The golden light of the floating pages faded behind him, leaving the vast, rippling tower in silence. His long white hair swayed gently in the unseen currents of Ilareth's air, and his red eyes, now sharper with purpose, scanned the horizon beyond the glass-like walls. The city stretched out before him, a labyrinth of gleaming towers and black metal streets, its surreal beauty both inviting and foreboding. Wuji's presence pulsed faintly within him, a quiet companion offering guidance as he prepared to step into the next phase of his journey. *System Message: The Edict of Eternal Evolution has fortified your Nullpoint, Raphael. Use it wisely as you venture forth. The path ahead is fraught with challenges, and the Ink group's influence grows stronger.*
He descended the spiraling staircase that emerged from the tower's base, each step reverberating with a soft, metallic hum beneath his feet. The streets outside were alive with motion—silent cars glided past, their forms blurring into streaks of light, while the hybrid figures of Ilareth's inhabitants moved with an eerie grace. Some had wires glowing beneath their skin, others bore eyes that flickered like dying stars, and yet they paid him little heed. Raphael's white robe, emblazoned with the golden symbol, marked him as an Edict bearer, a status that seemed to command a subtle respect—or perhaps wariness—from those around him. He felt the weight of their gazes, fleeting but heavy, as he moved toward the heart of the city where Wuji had hinted the next fragment of the Scripture might lie.
The air carried a mix of rain and metal, a scent that grounded him as he navigated the twisting streets. Neon signs flashed overhead, their symbols shifting into patterns that teased at meaning, as if the city itself were testing his perception. Wuji's voice broke through his thoughts. *System Message: The next Edict is rumored to be held within the Nexus, a central hub where the will of Ilareth converges. Be prepared—its guardians will challenge your resolve.* Raphael nodded to himself, his serious expression unwavering. The idea of a trial did not deter him; it felt like a continuation of the questions he had asked in his past life, now given form in this strange new world.
As he approached the Nexus, the towers grew taller, their liquid surfaces reflecting the twin suns—one moonlit, one golden—in a dazzling array of colors. The structure at the center was a colossal spire, its base pulsating with a rhythm that matched the heartbeat of the pavement. Figures gathered around it, their forms a mix of organic and mechanical, their conversations a low murmur of unintelligible dialects. Raphael stepped forward, and the crowd parted, revealing a circular platform guarded by two towering sentinels. Their bodies were encased in shimmering armor, their faces obscured by helmets that glowed with an inner light. One raised a hand, its voice resonating like a chime. "Seeker of Edicts, state your purpose."
"I seek the next fragment of the Scripture," Raphael replied, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment. The sentinels exchanged a glance, their helmets flashing, before the second spoke. "The Edict of Radiation awaits, but it is not given lightly. You must face the Mirror of Will. Step forward if you dare." Raphael took a deep breath, the Edict of Eternal Evolution bolstering his confidence, and stepped onto the platform. The ground beneath him shifted, rising to form a dome of liquid glass that sealed him inside. The air grew thick with ozone, and before him materialized a mirror, its surface rippling like water.
The trial began with a flood of images—his life as a night guard, the quiet hours spent with philosophy books, the fire that claimed his life. But these were not mere memories; they twisted into distortions. He saw himself abandoning his questions, living a life of shallow contentment, ignoring the deeper currents of his mind. The mirror whispered temptations—power without effort, immortality without struggle—but Raphael's resolve held firm. He recalled the stream-like flow of his thoughts, the unanswerable questions that had led him here. "This is not who I am," he said aloud, his voice cutting through the illusion. The mirror shuddered, and the images shifted to show his death again, but this time he stood tall, activating the alarms, saving lives he hadn't in reality.
The dome trembled as the mirror cracked, and a golden page floated toward him, merging into his chest alongside the Edict of Eternal Evolution. Wuji's voice rang out, *System Message: You have claimed the Edict of Radiation. This will increase your radiation intake and output later on. Well done, Raphael.* As the dome dissolved, the sentinels bowed slightly, their helmets dimming. The crowd murmured, some with awe, others with suspicion. Raphael felt a surge of radiation, the city's shifting symbols now hinting at patterns he could almost grasp. But his triumph was short-lived. A shadow moved at the edge of the platform—a figure cloaked in black, its eyes glowing with a malevolent red.
The figure stepped forward, its voice a hiss. "You bear Edicts, seeker. The Ink group does not tolerate such power in the hands of the naive." Raphael's heart raced, but the Edict of Radiation steadied his mind, revealing the figure's intent—a trap to lure him into chaos. He stepped back, raising a hand as if to shield himself, and the Edict of Eternal Evolution pulsed, creating a barrier of light. The figure recoiled, snarling, before vanishing into the crowd. Wuji's voice was urgent. *System Message: The Ink group has marked you. They seek to corrupt or destroy Edict bearers. We must move quickly.*
Raphael nodded, his red eyes narrowing as he scanned the dispersing crowd. The Nexus hummed behind him, its energy now a beacon of his success, but also a target. He knew the Ink group would not relent, their rejection of Edicts a philosophy that clashed with his own journey. With two Edicts now within him, he felt the weight of his purpose growing. The city of Ilareth, with its will-made towers and heartbeat-like streets, seemed to pulse in response, urging him onward. He set his sights on the floating mountains in the distance, where Wuji suggested the next Edict might reside. The path ahead was uncertain, but Raphael's mind, now fortified by eternal evolution and radiation, was ready to face whatever came next.
As he left the Nexus, the twin suns dipped lower, casting long shadows across the black metal streets. The air grew cooler, carrying whispers of the challenges to come. Raphael's robe fluttered behind him, the golden symbol glinting in the fading light, a mark of his evolving identity. He thought of his past life—the silence of the museum, the unanswered questions—and felt a strange peace. Ilareth was not just a rebirth; it was a proving ground, a place where his deepest thoughts could shape reality. With Wuji as his guide and the Ink group as his adversary, he walked toward the mountains, each step a testament to the man he was becoming, far beyond the ordinary life he once knew.