CHAPTER 1092: ENTERING

Erend began explaining everything that had happened during the days he was gone. His voice was calm but firm, keeping the details brief—only what they needed to know.

He told them about the travels between worlds, his Dragonborn friend, Krono’s warning, and the growing instability spreading through the worlds.

The others listened in silence, their faces steady but their eyes alert, fully aware of the gravity behind his every word.

They already knew some of this through Erend’s telepathic communication with Captain Adrien while he was away. The link had been faint but enough for updates.

Among the group, only Erend, Adrien, and Billy had enough Magic capacity to maintain telepathy across dimensions, but that was all they needed to stay connected so that was enough.

When Erend finished his brief summary, Adrien gave a small nod. "So it’s true then. The entity’s still out there."

"Yes," Erend said. "And keep moving with whatever plan they have."

The silence that followed was thick and heavy.

"Then we really don’t have much time left." Billy said. He crossed his arms, his jaw tightening.

"But there’s some good news at least. Some of the candidates are up. They’ve started walking again and doing light exercise," Jessica said.

"That’s something good," Erend said.

"Yeah," Erend said. "But we’re halting the next phase of the project. No more tests until I’m done with what’s coming."

Adrien leaned forward slightly. "I also think so. If we push forward now, we risk everything. The focus should be on keeping the facility stable while you deal with the entity."

Jessica and Billy exchanged looks and nodded.

"Understood," Jessica said.

"We’ll make sure everything here stays under control," Billy added.

Erend nodded back. "Good. Thank you."

Jessica gathered her datapads and documents. "I’ll coordinate with the medical staff to monitor the candidates."

Billy stretched his arms and said, "I think I’ll check the reactor sector. That’s the only thing we haven’t checked this morning."

They both gave a brief nod before heading out. The door slid shut behind them, leaving only Erend and Adrien in the room.

Adrien stayed seated, his eyes on Erend. The weight in his expression saying that he wasn’t looking at Erend as just his subordinate, but as a comrade and as a friend. He leaned back slightly and crossed his arms.

"What exactly do you want us to do while you’re facing that thing?" Adrien asked. His tone was direct, no wasted words. This wasn’t a moment for sympathy or empty talk.

Erend gave a small, tired smile. "Watch the candidates, Captain. And keep an eye on Marcus."

Adrien sighed. "You think the danger would be bigger now?"

"Yes. If we attack the entity directly, there’s a chance it’ll retaliate through him. I can’t confirm it yet, but I still think that something still connects them."

Adrien nodded slowly. "You think he’s still strongly linked to that thing?"

"I do," Erend said quietly. "I can’t ignore it."

Adrien’s jaw tightened again, but he nodded once more. "Alright. I’ll watch him closely." He paused, his gaze narrowing. "Anything else?"

Erend went quiet for a moment, his thoughts running deep. Then he exhaled heavily.

"We should prepare for the worst. Try to convince General Lennard to ready the facility for an attack."

Adrien’s eyes widened slightly. "You mean attack from Magical creatures here?"

"I don’t know," Erend said, shaking his head. "But based on what Krono saw... there’ll be attacks across multiple worlds. He couldn’t see what happens here but that’s exactly what worries me. If we’re not seen in the vision, it could mean the worst outcome."

Adrien gritted his teeth.

Erend looked at him, calm but resolute. "I think nowhere’s safe anymore."

The two men held each other’s gaze in silence. There was no fear in it but only shared resolve.

Adrien finally gave a firm and steady nod. "Okay. I’ll start preparing everything."

"That is good, sir," Erend said, his tone steady again. "When I’m gone, you will be in command here. Keep everyone alive, Captain."

Adrien stood up, meeting Erend’s eyes. "You focus on your part. We’ll handle ours."

Erend’s faint smile returned. "That’s all I needed to hear."

Adrien stood from his seat with a long sigh, his movements heavy as though already burdened by what was to come.

He walked over to Erend and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Whatever happens, we’ll do our best," he said quietly. "Just... take care of yourself out there." His voice was steady, but there was another burden behind it. Something unspoken that lingered in the air between them.

He wanted to say more. He wanted to tell Erend to stop throwing himself into danger every time, to think of his own life for once.

But he knew what answer he’d get. Erend would just nod, give that small smile, and say, "Yes, I will," before doing exactly what he always did—walking straight into the fire.

So Adrien didn’t say anything else. He just tightened his grip for a moment, then let go.

Erend gave a faint, grateful smile. "You too, Captain."

Adrien nodded and stepped back, exhaling quietly.

He turned toward the door without another word, the sound of his boots echoing down the corridor as he left to begin his preparations.

—

One day later, the crimson and silver light of a portal flared inside Krono’s cave. The glow rippled across the stone walls before fading, leaving Erend standing at its center.

His eyes were steady, his presence calm and his eyes were already filled with clear purpose.

Krono lifted his head, golden eyes glinting in the dim light. Eccar and Aesa both turned toward him, already sensing his power through the air.

"I’m ready," Erend said.

Krono and the others were ready as well. The air around them thrummed faintly with gathered power, the kind that came before great movement.

Eccar reached into his coat and drew out a tightly sealed scroll. Adrius’s precise, intricate handiwork.

He unrolled it carefully on the stone floor. The parchment spread open, revealing an elaborate web of symbols and diagrams that shimmered faintly in red and gold light. The faint hum of latent Magic filled the cave, growing louder as the scroll fully activated.

Krono lowered his head, his eyes narrowing as he began channeling his power.

His Magic energy pulsed from him in rippling waves, the symbols on the scroll igniting one by one until the entire surface burned with vibrant light.

A swirling vortex began to form above it, folding space itself inward.

The air thickened, vibrating with an otherworldly resonance.

The portal slowly expanded, its surface rippling like liquid glass reflecting storms of shifting color. This was their entrance to the ruined world where the entity waited.

"Get in," Krono said, his deep voice cutting through the hum.

Without hesitation, Erend stepped forward. Eccar followed, and Aesa came after.

When they disappeared into the spiraling light, Krono lingered for a breath longer, his gaze fixed on the portal’s heart.

Then he took one final look around his cavern—the place that had served as his refuge for centuries—and entered last.

The vortex pulsed once more and then collapsed, leaving the cave in silence.

—