A myriad of stars started falling out of the new eternal twilight that was the sky, as if fleeing the heavens.
So went dark forever, others crashed violently upon the Earth. The sky, now empty of stars, seed to retreat, abandoning Creation to a chaotic reality devoid of rhy or reason.
Landmasses crashed into each other, becoming one and the sa. New quakes of apocalyptic intensity shoved, dragged, and ripped the rock foundations of the known world.
Lands, deserts, mountain ranges lost all semblance of natural balance as islands crashed into continental shores or drifted out into oceans.
Many lands were lost to chasms and abysses, others covered by waves. The world shrank, reduced to a third of what it had been, and lost all recognizable shape.
In that mont of terror, death, and uncertainty, the last humans felt the inevitable looming vise of otherworldly powers. They were bearing witness to the power of the elents, a display of its superior force upon Creation.
They knew nothing could escape the Lord's Plan, as it rewrote the map of Creation and life itself.
Still, the more steadfast and strong-willed were able to flee to caverns and nooks found between cliffs and mountains.
They prayed to Earth itself, as if it was their God, for protection from divine fury. They discovered, once more the depths of the fear of the End, the roots of all ancient beliefs.
Ren observed the chaotic scene unfolding from atop the Tower, the only structure seemingly untouched amidst the devastation below. It stood resolute, a lone beacon of stability in a world consud by chaos.
"That's because this tower is one of the key transportation points. It won't get destroyed. Not yet, at least," Joker explained. Lying sprawled on the ground, his back pressed against the cold concrete, he rested with his eyes closed.
"Not yet?" Ren repeated.
"Not until the interdinsional train arrives," Joker clarified.
"When will it arrive?"
"With that much destruction outside, I'd say any mont now."
Ren fell silent, his gaze sweeping across the bustling activity within the Tower.
People — evolved beings, to be precise — moved about with an air of nonchalance, as if the cataclysmic events unfolding outside were nothing more than routine occurrences.
Despite the rising waters and sporadic earthquakes that rattled the building, an eerie calm pervaded the atmosphere.
Amidst the throng, Ren noticed newly evolved individuals huddled in corners, their faces contorted with despair and shock.
Others wandered aimlessly, their countenances devoid of expression, as though the very essence of life had been drained from them.
Had it not been for Joker and Angelica, Ren might have succumbed to the sa sense of hopelessness that gripped these lost souls.
As Ren surveyed the crowd, he couldn't discern who among them was evolved and who was not.
However, he could sense the weight of experience emanating from those who had undergone the process of evolution longer than the others.
"Is it possible for us to teleport to this Nexus without waiting for the train?" Ren inquired.
Angelica answered while brushing her teddy bear without care. "Nexus is extrely difficult to find. The dinsional pocket it occupies is outside the realm of any universe's planar space, but curiously, not ti, and beyond the reach of spells such as gate or planeshift. Even deities struggle to reach Nexus without the aid of the Great Lighthouse."
Deities? Ren frowned. "Like Gods?"
"Yep," Joker chuckled. "Don't let it surprise you. There are nurous races in Nexus, so be prepared to see those creatures from the ga in real life."
"What's this Great Lighthouse?" Ren inquired.
"You'll know once we arrive in Nexus. It's very hard to miss," Joker laughed slightly.
"To give you a brief context, the Great Lighthouse is just a big giant burst of magical light. This is where all interdinsional trains converge, and through this burst of magical energy, Nexus can power up the city.
"These trains, however, only travel to dying worlds. But if you want to leave Nexus, there are other ways. However, if you want to enter Nexus, there can only be one way, and it is through this interdinsional train."
Before Ren could ask, Joker suddenly jumped to his feet and patted his pants for dusts.
"Looks like the train is here."
Just as he said those words, a low hum filled the surroundings, a distant sound that seed to emanate from nowhere and everywhere simultaneously.
At first, it was just a faint vibration, barely perceptible beneath their feet. Then, as seconds passed, the vibration grew stronger, pulsating through the Tower and resonating in Ren's bones.
The very air seed to shimr with anticipation, as if it were holding its breath in anticipation of what was to co.
Then, in a flash of blinding light, the interdinsional train materialized out of thin air, appearing as if conjured by so magic.
It was a sight to behold, a sleek and futuristic marvel that seed to defy the laws of physics. Its tallic surface glead in the ambient light, reflecting the myriad colors of the surrounding chaos.
The train itself was unlike anything Ren had ever seen before. It was long and streamlined, with smooth curves and sharp angles that gave it an otherworldly appearance. Strange symbols and connecting circuit lines adorned its surface, glowing with an energy that pulsed with every beat of Ren's heart.
As the train ca to a halt before them, the air crackled with static electricity, sending shivers down his spine.
The doors slid open with a hiss of pressurized air, revealing the interior of the train bathed in an ethereal glow.
Then a peculiar figure erged from within. Ren's gaze was drawn to a small lizard, walking on two feet and adorned in a crisp uniform.
Despite its diminutive size, there was an air of authority about it, its deanor exuding a sense of no-nonsense efficiency.
The lizard wore a pair of glasses perched atop its snout, giving it a scholarly air despite its rather unassuming appearance. With a bored expression etched on its face, it trudged forward like a dwarf, its footsteps echoing softly against the tallic floor of the tower.
"Alright, you know the drill," the lizard announced in a surprisingly deep voice, wisps of smoke curling from its nostrils with each word. "Prepare your [Green Card] as you line up."
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