Chapter 1439 The Exit Point Author's Note: Unedited Chapter ------------------------- In a bit, they were floating before the endless void of space, ready to take on the repelling force before them. Gustav, with his dirty blonde hair framing a visage marked by determination, gazed out into the void, his mind racing with strategies and possibilities. Beside him, Endric flexed his fingers, the air around them shimmering slightly as he prepared to wield his telekinesis. Aildris opened his eyes, reflecting the vastness of space, stood calm, and maintained his composure. Ria, muscles tensed and energy crackling at his fingertips, drew from the distant power of a star. No one knew he was capable of it initially but it wasn't the time to question him. Their mission was clear: breach the repellant force that stood between them and the dark, desiccated planet hidden at the center of the universe. A planet is visible only to Gustav at the moment. Endric flew forward first and with a deep breath extended his hands. The space before them twisted under the force of his telekinesis. Invisible strands of energy weaved together, forming a lattice aimed at piercing the barrier. Yet, despite his efforts and the raw power at his command, the barrier remained. Endric even tried letting his telekinesis go through the repelling force but it was still the same result. "It's like pushing against the fabric of the universe itself," Endric said, frustration lacing his voice. "There's no giving, no breaking point." Next, Ria channeled the energy he had drawn from the distant star, his body aglow with a fierce, incandescent light. With a roar that echoed through the vacuum of space, he launched himself forward, his fist aimed at the center. Even before he could make contact, the repelling force was already slowing him down. However, the strike was still immensely powerful. The impact sent ripples through space, a spectacle of light and energy that would awe any onlooker. Yet, there was no breach in the repelling force. Aildris transformed their surroundings into a colorless void. In the altered state, he attempted to weaken the repelling force or render it null. But as his powers reached out, they found no purchase, the repelling force existed beyond the reach of the altercation. Aildris shook his head in defeat. The others understood at that moment that their abilities weren't working on the surroundings but they still needed to keep trying. Hours passed as they regrouped and tried various strategies. Even then, their powers were unable to find a weakness in the repelling force. Gustav gazed into the distance while different options ran through his mind. At that moment, he made a conscious decision. From his storage space, he retrieved golden and green boots, their appearance ancient, yet imbued with a power that felt alive, almost conscious. The Void Stepper was an artifact that was said to defy the limitations of movement and travel. "What are those?" Ria asked, his curiosity piqued by the boots' unmistakable aura. "An old legend," Endric replied while turning to stare at Gustav who was strapping the boots onto his feet. "They're said to step through the void itself, to travel where one wished without regard for barriers or distances." He added. Silence fell on the group, a mixture of skepticism and hope, as Gustav stood ready. "Are you sure?" Endric asked Gustav. "You're asking if I am sure about taking a step forward and finding myself within the epicenter instead of three galaxies away with half my body disintegrated? Nah, I'm not," Gustav answered with a poker face as opposed to his concern. "Don't worry... I'll try not to overdo it," Gustav added before they could speak. With a breath that felt like it could be his last, he took a step forward. The boots glowed brightly, a beacon in the darkness, and in an instant, Gustav vanished from sight. Gustav reappeared light minutes away from his initial location and found himself standing before the dark planet. He turned back, shooting a glance into the distance where the repellant force existed that now separated him from the others. He activated the comm link and his voice was transmitted straight into their ears. "I'm here. The boots worked. I've crossed in and no longer feel the repellant force." Aildris's voice beamed through, a blend of relief and excitement. "Great, do you still see the planet?" Gustav's gaze swept over the desolate landscape. "Yeah... it's in an even worse state than I had expected." Outside the repelling perimeter, Endric, Aildris, and Ria nodded in understanding. "Will you be able to take us with you?" Endric inquired. 'It is really difficult to control... I feel like, one misstep would cost a lot,' Gustav said internally. ("Maybe you shouldn't then,") The system responded in his head. 'Nah I have to. If I could split myself in two, I wouldn't need them but I can't,' Gustav answered while turning around. ("You made use of your body weight to balance the movement and control the void stepper to an extent... take them one after the other so it doesn't offset that balance by much,") The system suggested. 'Sure, sure.' "Hold on, I'm coming back for each of you. Prepare yourselves," he announced to the others with resolve. Gustav took a step forward, appearing before the others in an instant. The control over the Void Stepper's power required intense concentration, a balancing act between his will and the ancient sacred item of capricious energy. He began to take them in, one after the other. With each journey back, Gustav felt the boots' power testing his limits, as if challenging his right to wield their might. First, he reached for Aildris, his calm demeanor belying his anticipation of the unknown that awaited him. Gustav extended his hand, and as their fingers touched, a surge of energy enveloped them. With a step forward, they traversed the perimeter of the repellant force yielding to the Void Stepper's ancient command. Aildris held his breath at the sight that greeted him—the dark planet, a vista of ruins and desolation, yet undeniably beautiful in its starkness. "Incredible," he whispered, his voice a mix of awe and trepidation. Next, Gustav returned for Endric. As they stepped through the perimeter together, Endric's mind raced with questions and hypotheses about the barrier's origins. Lastly, Gustav took Ria across the barrier. The strength that emanated from Ria was comforting, a steadfast presence in the face of the uncertainty that lay ahead. As they set foot on the dark planet, Ria clenched his fists, ready for whatever challenges they may face. After all, it was pretty much the last step standing between them and the rescue of their friends. Together again, the four stood on the brink of exploration, their mission clear yet daunting... THE EXIT POINT. The exit point was the precise location where the Mundane One had told them to perform the ritual for opening the rifts. He had given them details of how the place looked and how to reach there. The planet, however, was not without its dangers. They had been warned of the vanishing wind, an eerie phenomenon that swept across the surface unseen. The slightest contact with the wind could displace any living being to an unknown location, a risk that would add an extra layer of peril to their journey. "We need to be vigilant. The vanishing wind is invisible and unpredictable. Stick close, and watch each other's backs," Gustav instructed, his leadership unquestioned. Using their natural speed to navigate the surroundings might prove more dangerous so they decided to set it aside. They proceeded with caution, their senses heightened to the subtlest of cues. The planet's surface was a labyrinth of ruins, each step revealing that civilization had once thrived there. The silence was profound, broken only by the crunch of their boots on the desiccated soil. Hours passed as they navigated through the ruins, the sense of desolation deepening with every step. Despite the dangers, there was a beauty in the desolation, a reminder of the planet's vibrant past and the fleeting nature of existence. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they arrived at a vast clearing. In its center stood an ancient structure, its architecture defying the ravages of time. It was none other than the exit point, its presence almost mystical in the desolate surroundings. The monolithic structure was proof that they were in the right place which meant that the time had finally arrived. "Are you guys ready?" Gustav asked them. "I didn't come all this way to back down now," Ria voiced in response. "We're rescuing them both and nothing can stop us," Aildris added resolutely. Endric only nodded in response but one could see the chilling expression on his face. He rubbed the bracelet on his right wrist causing it to emit a mild gleam. 'I need all the help I can get on this,' He said internally. "Endric... the items," Gustav called out to him. Endric nodded then rummaged through his personal storage space with practiced ease, producing a collection of items that would seem bizarre to any uninformed onlooker but were essential to their task. Among the items were the horns of an unknown beast, curling into the air with a malevolent grace; the heart of a mixedblood, still and silent; and an assortment of personal items, including a piece of clothing and a comb.