The central chamber was the largest structure in the archive complex, crystal walls rising thirty meters high with a vaulted ceiling carved with geometric patterns, light emanating from the structure itself as stable zone energy maintained illumination.
And covering every surface were paintings.
Not faded, not damaged, but preserved perfectly through millennia by magic Draven barely understood. Colors vibrant, details intricate, telling a story through images.
Draven approached the closest wall, pack surrounding him while Naelvorn's human form examined other sections, Genesis Codex floating beside Draven as green-gold light pulsed with Adhivar and the Codex analyzing.
Ancient history preserved, waiting to be understood.
The first series of paintings showed two worlds, one familiar as Theia with continents recognizable despite ancient styling, another different as Earth with landscapes alien yet somehow similar.
Both worlds approaching, converging, merger beginning.
But these paintings showed success, what should have happened.
Humans were depicted receiving something, light flowing into them, symbols appearing around bodies as magic awakened. Paintings showed humans wielding elements, casting spells, abilities awakening naturally.
Beasts were similarly enhanced with evolution accelerating, power expanding, intelligence deepening.
Both species benefiting in perfect synthesis, balanced world where humans possessed magic naturally and beasts reached heights impossible before.
Beautiful vision, harmonious outcome.
But it hadn't happened.
Interference prevented it, merger failed, potential stolen.
Draven stared at what could have been, what was lost, what they'd never have.
Naelvorn called from across the chamber. "Hey! Found something interesting!"
Pedestals were arranged in a circle, each holding crystal different from wall material, darker, denser, pulsing with contained energy.
Recording crystals with information preserved in physical form.
Draven approached one, reaching out as Genesis Codex pulsed sharply, Adhivar's voice emerging in his mind.
*"Allow us to help. These require specific activation. We can interpret the stored information."*
The Codex's light extended, touching crystal as energy flowed and connection established.
The crystal activated.
Light erupted from the crystal, not blinding but controlled, forming shapes and creating images.
A hologram appeared.
A world materialized above the pedestal, rotating slowly with continents unfamiliar, oceans vast, atmosphere visible.
Not Theia but another world, Earth.
The hologram showed scenes of civilizations rising and life flourishing, then catastrophe struck.
Meteor streaking through sky, impact devastating, flames consuming continents as massive creatures, dinosaurs, died in mass extinction with ecosystems collapsing and life struggling.
Time passed in accelerated playback showing recovery was slow, ice spreading as ice ages froze the world, then thawing, then another catastrophe as the Great Dying killed oceans and devastated land with life nearly extinguished.
The cycle repeated, mass extinction, recovery, growth, extinction again.
Earth suffering repeatedly, catastrophically.
Draven watched with horrified fascination growing.
Through telepathic bond, Genesis Codex and Adhivar shared interpretation directly into his mind.
*"Fate's Revenge affects both worlds. Theia suffers through social mechanisms like enslavement, conflict, corruption zones. Earth suffers through environmental catastrophes like extinctions, climate disasters, planetary trauma."*
*"Same cosmic punishment. Different manifestation. Both worlds punished for failed merger, for interference disrupting cosmic balance."*
The Codex's voice added clearly. *"The hologram shows Earth's history. Each extinction event is Fate's curse activating, killing indiscriminately, resetting civilizations, preventing advancement."*
Earth wasn't spared, Earth suffered worse.
Theia lost five hundred thousand recently, but Earth lost dinosaurs, entire species, ecosystems, billions of lives across multiple extinction events.
Fate's punishment was planetary, comprehensive, merciless.
And Earth was still cursed, just like Theia.
***
Draven turned from the hologram to his family, to Naelvorn watching with unusual seriousness.
He explained everything the Codex and Adhivar had interpreted about Earth, about Fate's dual punishment, about mass extinctions as curse manifestation, about both worlds suffering.
The pack listened intently as Velnar's ancient composure was shaken, Sylvara's analytical mind processed implications, Feyra's cheerful energy became subdued, Zor's tactical assessment recognized cosmic-scale threat.
Malvorn's crystalline features were grave at understanding another world faced the same curse through different methods, deepening comprehension about forces they faced.
Naelvorn's human form was unusually still, seven-foot frame motionless, teal eyes reflecting the hologram's light.
Everyone comprehended this was bigger than Theia, this was universal punishment.
Sylvara spoke first, analytical mind working. "The recording shows extinctions. But you said Earth is currently stable?"
Draven nodded. "The information is old. Thousands of years maybe. It shows humans beginning to populate Earth after last extinction. But current status is unknown."
Velnar clicked thoughtfully. "Perhaps population threshold triggers Fate's curse. When life reaches certain density, extinction activates. Then cycle repeats."
Feyra added softly, "Like Theia's curse activating when harmony attempted. Earth's curse activates when life recovers sufficiently."
Malvorn's earth communion offered perspective. "Planetary balance. When ecosystems reach critical mass, Fate responds, resets, prevents advancement beyond certain point."
Speculation only with truth unknown, but pattern suggested Fate punished growth, prevented civilizations from flourishing, kept both worlds suppressed.
While the pack discussed, Genesis Codex pulsed as Adhivar's voice entered Draven's mind privately through telepathic connection excluding others.
*"Draven. There's something you should understand about our capabilities."*
*"Earth exists in the original universe where Genesis Codex formed when universe began, where Adhivar originates. We can wield full power there."*
*"Theia exists in pocket dimension, separated from original reality. We cannot access full strength here. Perhaps ten percent of true capabilities."*
Shock coursed through Draven.
Ten percent? Everything the Codex had done, creating pocket dimensions, translating ancient languages, guiding investigations, was ten percent?
What did full power look like? What could the Codex accomplish in the original universe?
Adhivar continued privately. *"We share this with you alone. Not secret shameful, simply not relevant to others currently."*
Understanding, accepting, processing the revelation privately while returning attention to pack discussion.
Zor was speaking. "Earth's extinctions dwarf our losses. Dinosaurs, entire species. We lost five hundred thousand. Earth lost everything multiple times."
Sylvara responded, "Fate's reach is cosmic. We're not fighting regional curse. We're fighting universal punishment affecting multiple worlds."
Feyra's voice was small. "We're so tiny compared to this. How do we fight something that destroys planets?"
Velnar's ancient wisdom countered, "By understanding, by learning, by refusing to accept cosmic injustice as permanent. Small actions matter. Every step forward defies Fate's intention."
Malvorn added his perspective. "And we're not alone. Multiple Overlords aware now. Cooperation beginning. Strength building."
Family supporting each other, facing impossibility together.
***
Draven looked around the chamber at paintings showing stolen potential, at crystals revealing cosmic punishment, at family processing impossible scope.
They'd learned much, but critical answers remained absent.
"We still don't know who interfered with the merger. We don't know why Earth is currently stable. We don't know how to stop Fate's curse permanently."
Saying it aloud, acknowledging incompleteness.
"We found fragments. Important fragments. But not solutions. Not definitive answers."
Frustration was evident but not despair, not defeat, just recognition that this investigation yielded partial success with valuable information but incomplete understanding.
"But we learned more than we knew before," Draven continued, voice strengthening. "We understand Fate better. We know Earth exists and suffers similar curse. We see patterns emerging with population thresholds, recovery cycles, cosmic mechanisms."
Looking at each family member, at Naelvorn listening seriously.
"This is one stable zone. One archive. There are forty-six more across Theia. More information exists. More pieces of the puzzle waiting."
Genesis Codex pulsed supportively as Adhivar's warmth was evident even without words.
"We don't give up. We can't. Too many lives depend on finding solutions. We keep investigating. Keep learning. Keep searching until we understand enough to act."
Determination unwavering despite setbacks, not blind optimism but realistic hope, commitment to long journey.
Velnar clicked firmly. "Four hundred years I've existed. Patience is my strength. However long this takes, I'm with you."
Sylvara nodded. "Every fragment helps. Comprehensive understanding builds slowly. We continue."
Feyra's cheerfulness returned slightly. "We're family. Families don't quit."
Zor added tactical perspective. "Systematic investigation of remaining zones. Methodical information gathering. Eventually patterns clarify."
Malvorn's deep voice carried certainty. "I committed when I bonded with you. That doesn't change because answers are difficult."
Family united, committed regardless of timeline.
Naelvorn's human form grinned as unusual seriousness broke into familiar humor. "Well! That was heavy! Cosmic punishment, mass extinctions, universal curses, really know how to show a guy depressing afternoon, bros!"
But warmth beneath teasing was evident.
"Seriously though? You guys are doing something most never attempt. Questioning cosmic forces. Searching for solutions to planetary curses. That's impressive. Crazy, but impressive."
Crossing arms, teal eyes bright with determination beneath the humor. "Count me in! This investigation is way too interesting to miss. Plus, you clearly need someone who can handle underwater locations. I'm joining permanently. Where do we investigate next?"
Third Overlord committing, alliance strengthening, family growing.
***
They walked toward entrance together. Seven figures leaving crystal chamber—Draven, his five bonded beasts, and Naelvorn in human form. Paintings behind them. Recording crystals dormant again. Knowledge gained. Questions remaining.
Passing crystal constructs still patrolling peacefully. Guardians allowing departure as they'd allowed entry.
Stepping through archway. Back into ocean water—except Naelvorn's Pressure Crown immediately activating. Protection surrounding them. Water-breathing granted.
The Sunken Archives stood behind them. Beautiful. Ancient. Silent.
One more archive explored. Many more remained across Theia.
Draven turned to his family. To his five bonded beasts who'd chosen him. To the ocean Overlord who'd chosen to join their cause.
"We need to continue. More ruins. More stable zones. The answers exist somewhere. We keep searching until we find them."
Pack nodding agreement. Determination shared.
Naelvorn's grin widening.
"Let's get to surface first. Plan our next move. Figure out which stable zone to hit next. This is gonna be epic!"
His human form expanding—crystalline flesh dissolving, forty-story leviathan returning. Coiling around group protectively.
Ascending began. Rising through abyssal darkness. Six kilometers up toward distant surface.
Not returning home. Continuing investigation.
One more archive explored. Information gained—fragments about Earth, about Fate's dual punishment, about stolen potential. But incomplete. Questions persisting.
Family complete. Five bonded beasts committed absolutely. Allied Overlord joining investigation. Genesis Codex housing cosmic entities. All united in purpose.
Alliance strengthening. Cooperation demonstrated. Trust building. Shared purpose uniting.
Search persisting. More stable zones waiting. More information hidden. Solutions existing somewhere.
Answers waited. They would find them.
However long it took. However many ruins they investigated. However difficult the journey.
They would not stop.
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