CHAPTER 165: BACK TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD

Aamir looked at Vyuk with eyes full of emotion—confusion, concern, and a growing resolve.

"But Sensai..." Aamir finally said, breaking the silence,

"How did you end up here... in this place?"

Vyuk turned to him, his gaze deep and distant—as if looking through Aamir, through time itself.

He smiled faintly, though there was no joy in it.

"When Zorwath was defeated by the God of Darkness and the Goddess of Light... the war didn’t end."

He raised his hand toward the dark sky above. Shapes moved in the shadows—colossal, monstrous silhouettes, drifting far above in the void. The Original Beasts.

"Zorwath’s creations—the Beasts, the Originals—they went mad after his fall. With no master, they rampaged across dimensions, devouring planets, corrupting realities."

Vyuk closed his eyes, his voice heavier now.

"To stop them, I did what I feared I might one day have to. I used... the power Zorwath once bestowed upon me."

Aamir’s eyes widened slightly. "His power...?"

Vyuk nodded. "I was once his chosen. Long ago, before he fell. I knew his essence, his rhythm... and that connection never broke. That made me the only one who could cage his spawn."

"But even that wasn’t enough. The God of Darkness and Goddess of Light—they saw the burden I was willing to bear. They offered me a sliver... just a sliver of their divine essence."

He held out both hands—and between them, twin sparks flickered: one pure white, one inky black.

"With that power... I tore open a layer between space and time. A pocket realm. And I trapped the Originals here."

A low rumble echoed in the skies as if one of the Beasts had sensed their mention.

Aamir stepped closer, emotion rising in his voice.

"You sealed yourself in here... just to protect the world?"

Vyuk finally looked at him, a small, weary smile on his lips.

"It was the only way. I knew one day, someone would come to finish what I couldn’t."

Aamir’s fist clenched. He took a deep breath and then, with eyes like burning coals, said:

"Then let that someone be me."

"I’ll stop Zorwath, Sensai."

"I’m not that strong yet... but I won’t stop—not until I defeat him. Not until I make him pay."

For a long moment, Vyuk stared at him.

And then... he smiled—truly this time.

The boy he once trained was gone. Standing before him was a warrior. A legacy.

"Good," Vyuk said softly.

"Then go. The world outside waits. And so does your destiny."

Vyuk turned toward the horizon, his voice calm but firm.

"Aamir, your next destination is Vedanpur. It lies at Coordinates: X-87.129, Y-42.882. You must go there immediately."

Aamir nodded, eyes focused. "Got it."

Vyuk raised an eyebrow. "You’re not writing it down?"

Aamir gave a small smirk. "No need. I have a very sharp memory."

Vyuk smiled faintly. "Heh... Go then."

Behind them, the air vibrated as the giant stone gate—already glowing with ancient runes—let out a low, thunderous hum. The ground trembled as winds rushed toward it, drawn by the portal’s powerful energy.

The exit was ready.

It had been waiting ever since Aamir had felled the last Original Beast.

Vyuk nodded toward it.

"The gate activated the moment you won. It responds to strength... and purpose. You’ve proven both."

Aamir turned to face it.

The carvings on the stone shimmered with a fiery orange glow, and a soft pulse of warmth called out to him—as if the world itself was inviting him home.

He took a step forward, then stopped and turned to Vyuk one last time.

"I won’t let your sacrifice go in vain."

"No one else will suffer because of him. I promise."

Vyuk said nothing—but there was a glint of pride in his eyes, a quiet trust that needed no words.

Aamir faced the gate.

And without hesitation, he stepped into the light.

A gust of wind burst outward the moment he crossed through—the gate flashing brightly, then slowly dimming behind him.

The chamber fell silent once more.

He blinked.

The air was no longer thick with decay or chaos. It was fresh. Crisp. The scent of old stone and iron surrounded him.

He looked around.

Massive spiraling pillars surrounded a circular platform. Runes glowed faintly along the inner walls. The sky above was cracked open, revealing the stars—but no sun, no clouds. Only twilight.

Aamir’s eyes widened.

"No way... This place... It’s—"

His voice shook as realization struck.

"It’s the Trivnal Tower...!"

He spun around, trying to confirm it with his eyes—the fabled tower known only to chosen warriors, a sacred site hidden between dimensions.

"I never knew the entry and exit of the Eternal Dungeon was here!"

Suddenly, a voice boomed inside his head, crisp, mechanical, yet warm with familiarity.

"Congratulations, Host. You have successfully exited the Eternal Dungeon. You will now be rewarded."

Aamir froze.

His heart skipped a beat.

"Wait... No way... Luman?!"

The voice that had once guided him... the voice that had vanished from his life five years ago... was finally back.

"Yes, Host," Luman replied. "Due to internal system errors and dimensional interference inside the Eternal Dungeon, I was unable to communicate or operate. But the restrictions have now lifted. I’ve fully synchronized with your soul again."

Aamir’s body trembled.

"...You’re really back."

He didn’t cry. Not even a tear fell from his eyes.

But his soul shook—like a dam of silence that had finally cracked after years of solitude.

"Host," Luman continued, "You have attained the rank of Beast Lord. As of now, your power level is equivalent to your former master, Haider Ali."

Aamir’s chest tightened the moment he heard that name.

He looked to the sky, his eyes hollow.

"Haider Ali..."

"Sensei..."

For years, that name had been a memory etched in pain and longing.

Luman’s tone softened.

"He would be proud. You’ve surpassed all expectations."

Aamir slowly clenched his fists, feeling the wild spiritual energy humming within his veins. His aura was no longer mortal—it roared like a beast on the verge of awakening again.

But there was no time for pride.

"Luman..." Aamir muttered, turning toward the stairwell descending from the tower.

"I have to check on my friends. If they’re okay... if they’re still alive..."

"Host," Luman responded immediately, "Shall I initiate global scan for all party-linked energy signatures?"

Aamir nodded.

"Do it."

He started walking down the steps, his expression hardening with every step.

The tower had brought him back to the world.

But Zorwath was out there.

As Aamir stepped out of the Trivnal Tower, a warm breeze brushed against his face, carrying the scent of familiar soil. His boots touched the ground he once knew well—but everything felt new.

Suddenly, Luman’s voice echoed in his mind, clear and calm for the first time in five long years.

"Host, I have completed a global scan."

Aamir’s eyes lit up. "And... my friends?"

"All of them are alive," Luman confirmed. "And stronger than before. Their presence is active across different regions—scattered, but safe."

Aamir exhaled in relief. "That’s good to hear. Then I can go to Vedanpur first."

"Affirmative. Begin route scan," Luman said.

Aamir quickly spoke, "Search these coordinates: X-87.129, Y-42.882."

There was a short pause before Luman responded.

"Host, those coordinates point to a place you’ve visited before."

Aamir narrowed his eyes. "Where?"

"Vedangiri," Luman replied.

"Vedangiri?" Aamir repeated, surprised. "So... Vedanpur is part of Vedangiri? Or maybe hidden there...?"

He took a moment, glancing at the golden sky. "Doesn’t matter. If that’s where I need to go, then let’s do it."

He stepped forward with purpose, his eyes steady, his heart burning with quiet resolve.

"Hai Luman," Aamir said as he began walking, "first tell me... what’s the situation right now?"

Luman paused for a moment, scanning and processing countless data streams before finally speaking in a grave tone.

"Host, the situation is dire... It’s Zorwath. He has taken over Earth."

Aamir stopped in his tracks. The wind around him seemed to still as those words sank in.

"Taken over... Earth?" he repeated, his voice almost a whisper.

"Yes," Luman confirmed. "Several nations have surrendered to his dominion. But others... they have chosen to resist. They’ve united under a banner known as the Revolutionary Army."

Aamir’s eyes narrowed. "And... who’s leading them?"

"Two of your friends, host."

"What?"

"Yes. Two of them are the Commanders of the army. The rest have become its most powerful generals."

A small smile touched Aamir’s lips — pride mixed with concern. "So they’ve kept fighting... even without me."

But then Luman’s tone shifted, darker than before.

"Host... there’s more."

Aamir’s heart tensed. "What is it, Luman?"

"Two years ago... King Veerendra faced Zorwath in a direct battle."

Aamir’s eyes widened, dreading what he would hear next.

"In that fight," Luman continued, "King Veerendra gave Zorwath a devastating blow... but in return..."

"No..." Aamir whispered.

"King Veerendra fell."

Silence.

Aamir stood still, fists clenched, eyes trembling.

"Lord Veerendra... is dead too?"

He fell to his knees, his voice breaking, "No... not him too..."

The sky above dimmed slightly, as if mourning along with him.