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The group stepped through the portal return to the city. After returning they goes into the gleaming expanse of Celestia’s central hall.
Its crystalline walls shimred faintly, a reflection of the imnse energy now coursing through them. Dabi, Loira, and Selene were t with the expectant gazes of Aldric and Raghnall, both of whom had been anxiously awaiting their return.
"You have the last fragnt shard?" Raghnall asked, his sharp eyes imdiately locking onto Loira, who clutched the glowing fragnt tightly.
Loira nodded, stepping forward. Her exhaustion was evident, but her resolve remained unshaken. "We have it. But it ca at a price. The Ancient Ones and their emissaries are moving faster than we anticipated."
We need to fix the Aetherial core fast. They could break the dinsion barriers and open a gate forcefully if we delay longer.
Aldric’s brow furrowed, his silver hair catching the light as he began to pace. "Then we’re nearly out of ti. If they’re bold enough to act openly, it ans they’ve found a way to reach the fractures we’ve left unchecked."
Our knowledge of the world is still very low. We don’t know anything outside of our dinsion. The enemies of outside world is mystery for us.
Let’s just make out world safe for now. Later we will try find everything we can from the old books. Calvin is already looking in that matter.
Aldric finished his taking. After that Loira move from her place and approach Raghnall Ferrin The headmaster of the astral heaven academy and a saint.
Loira handed the fragnt to Raghnall, who inspected it carefully before placing it on a platform surrounded by intricate carvings and runes.
The platform glowed faintly as the fragnt shard began to resonate, harmonizing with the other fragnts they had painstakingly collected over their arduous journey.
Although they all rge with the core but in the Aetherial core there is visible lines separating all the fragnts pieces.
"This is it," Raghnall said, his voice hushed with reverence. "The Aetherial Core will finally be complete."
As the group gathered around the platform, the fragnt shards began to hover, each one aligning itself into a spherical formation.
Dabi, Loira, Selene, Aldric, and Raghnall watched in silence as the fragnts pulsed with radiant energy, rging seamlessly into one another. All crack lines are disappearing. They are becoming one entity.
But just as the core appeared whole, a harsh, discordant crack split the air. The glowing sphere flickered violently before settling into a dim, incomplete state.
"No," Raghnall muttered, stepping forward in disbelief. "This isn’t right. It should’ve worked!"
Dabi clenched his fists, his frustration palpable. "What’s missing? We’ve spent all that ti and battle with the sa monster and environntal for gathering every fragnt shard piece!"
Selene, who had remained quiet until now, took a step forward, her expression calm but resolute. "The fragnt shards were never going to be enough." There is still one piece missing.
"What are you saying?" Loira asked, her voice edged with concern. Why didn’t the core point us at the mission piece?
Selene looked at each of them in turn, her gaze lingering on Dabi. Because the mission piece was already with you for quite so ti. That’s why the core didn’t react or open a dinsion gate.
The last piece was with the core all ti.
Both Loira and Dabi is confused. Raghnall and Aldric just listen what Selena is saying.
Don’t give they confused look. Legs tell you directly. "I am the missing piece."
The weight of Selene’s words sank into the group like a stone.
"What do you an?" Dabi demanded, his tone sharper than he intended.
Selene smiled faintly, her deanor serene despite the gravity of her declaration.
"The Aetherial Core isn’t just a collection of fragnts. It’s a living entity, ant to restore balance to the dinsion. My essence… my very being was bound to it the mont I beca aware of my existence.
I am not a human, I am the heart of
the core. I am living entity who was given birth my this universe. I am WILL of this world. For the core to rge with this world, I must beco one with it."
"No," Dabi said, his voice low and firm. "There has to be another way."
"There isn’t," Selene said gently. She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You’ve always known inside your heart this journey would require so sacrifices. This is mine."
Dabi stepped back, shaking his head. I get what you are saying. "You’re not just giving up your life. You’re leaving us to protect us from the Ancient Ones. What happens when they co for us, will you help us in person?"
Selene’s gaze softened. "That’s why I need you to be ready, Dabi. My ti is ending, but yours is only beginning."
She raised her hand, and a soft, golden light began to emanate from her palm. The energy swirled around her fingers before flowing into Dabi, who staggered slightly as the power coursed through him.
"This is my gift to you," Selene said. "A fragnt of my essence. It will guide you when the ti cos, showing you the path when all seems lost."
There are many things in this universe that you don’t know about. You are not strong enough for those things either. When the ti cos I will give you all the information you need. "She said this to Dabi direct inside his mind. "
Selene turned her attention back to the incomplete core. "When the core rges with this world, the dinsions will stabilize. No one will be able to open a gate by force again. Natural gates will still appear, but they will close on their own, and no other gates will form in their wake."
Raghnall frowned. "How long will it take for the dinsions to fully stabilize?"
"Fifty to a hundred years," Selene replied. "Perhaps longer. During that ti, no one will be able co too this world forcefully.
The regular gate that opens ti to ti. Each one must be sealed manually, and after you close the gate the world will get stronger."
Once you clear all the dinsion gates. They all will rge with this world. Then you will know the truth of this universe.
Many powerful enemies who you never heard of or imagine will co. They will be sa strong as the ancient one. You all will break your limits. Enter a era where your power and potential will grow.
Dabi’s jaw tightened. "So we’re trading one war for another."
"No," Selene said, her voice firm. "We’re giving you a chance to end it. A chance to fight on your own terms."
She stepped onto the platform, her body beginning to glow as the core responded to her presence. "The strength you need lies within you, Dabi. Find it, nurture it, and use it to protect this world. The battles ahead will be difficult, but I believe in you."
Loira’s voice broke as she stepped forward. "Selene, please. Don’t do this."
Selene turned to her, her expression full of warmth. "This isn’t goodbye, Loira. A part of will always be with you— both of you. Rember that."
With those final words, Selene closed her eyes and allowed the energy of the core to envelop her.
Her form dissolved into light, rging seamlessly with the Aetherial Core. The once- dim sphere now shone brilliantly, its radiance illuminating the entire chamber.
The Aetherial Core rose from the platform, hovering in midair as the room shook with its power. Aldric and Raghnall chanted ancient incantations, guiding the core as it slowly descended into a central altar engraved with runes.
When the core touched the altar, the runes flared to life, spreading their light across the ground and walls. The energy surged outward, racing toward the boundaries of their world and weaving itself into the fabric of reality.
Dabi felt the shift imdiately— a deep, resonant hum that echoed in his chest. The dinsions were stabilizing, their chaotic rifts being sealed one by one.
"It’s done," Raghnall said, his voice heavy with emotion. "The core has rged with our world."
"For now," Aldric added, his tone grave. "This will hold back the Ancient Ones, but it’s only a reprieve. The battles ahead will test us all."
As the light of the core dimd, the group stood in silence, the weight of Selene’s sacrifice heavy on their hearts.
Dabi clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. "We’ve bought ourselves ti, but we can’t waste it. The Ancient Ones are still out there and so other enemies too, and they won’t stop until they’ve broken through."
Loira placed a hand on his arm, her touch grounding him. "We’ll face them together, Dabi. Just like we always have."
Aldric nodded. "You’ve been given a gift, Dabi. Use it wisely. Selene’s faith in you wasn’t misplaced."
Dabi looked at the others, his gaze fierce. "We’ve co too far to back down now. Whatever cos next, we’ll be ready."
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