“M-master…” Aiden sighed, deciding not to argue with her. She was right. Although it wasn’t entirely his fault that he has gone rogue for so long, it still wasn’t right. He could have reached out, made some effort to understand how the connection truly worked, rather than summing it up as ‘It was probably broken’ and not bother with it at all.

‘Don’t you ‘M-master’ me mister! Where did you vanish off to? I can feel that you are still not at Eora, but someplace else… What world is this?’ She asked, surprising Aiden once more at how perceptive she seemed to be. 

‘H-how?’ He muttered, asking the question. ‘How do you know, where I am?’

‘After I… I became THIS… Ever since then, we share a bond, a connection between us, Aiden. I am sure you can feel it too. We use its wondrous effect to reach out and talk to each other right now as well. Also, in addition to that, it also allows me, and I can guess everyone else present as well… to feel you. If we concentrate, we can sense your emotions, we know what you think, how you feel… and can also vaguely sense your surroundings.’

‘Y-yes! We can My Lord!’ 

Gathering her courage, Madam Dara did not want to stay silent and just watch as these new joiners the elders of this new family spoke whilst they were too startled to even offer a word. The initial shock of understanding each other has already passed, and whilst it was still way too magical for the group of ex Draconic Skinks, they could also use it to communicate with each other mentally.

‘We can feel how you feel humbled, and also overwhelmingly happy, my Lord.’ Lady Pyre joined in as well, conveying her thoughts. 

‘Hmmm… I didn’t realize that…’ Aiden muttered, sounding uncharacteristically meek… embarrassed.

Sensing the change in his tone and his dominant emotions, Number 3’s chuckle could be heard resonating in the channel. 

‘It’s alright boy!’ She exclaimed amidst her giggles. ‘I… We are also happy to finally hear from you.”

Taking a moment, she continued.

“You should also take the chance and get back to your realm to check up on it from time to time! Whilst you were gone, 2 full months have passed and the little settlement in now-“

“Wait… what did you say?” Aiden suddenly interrupted, sounding shocked. “2 full months have passed? How could that be?!”

Aiden’s shocked exclamation reigned silence once more in the channel. Everyone focused on him. Those that knew about the already existing time dilation between Aiden’s Domain, Haven, and Eora had some general idea of what was going on, but for the group of new joiners, the information they just heard was just as shocking. 

Roughly 2 weeks have passed since they have met with their new lord and leader. Not even a full month, yet in that other place, in that new ‘safe world’, now they are entering their third month? What was going on? They couldn’t understand, though it’s understandable as their understanding of space and time laws was basically nonexistent.

Closing his eyes, Aiden focused his question outside of the mental channel.

‘Is it true what they say? While I was here for only two weeks, two months of time have gone by in Haven?’ He asked the question mentally.

The answer from Enya, the system’s guide, didn’t wait too long to arrive.

‘[Yes, the difference between the two realms is even greater here and the time dilation is even more powerful. Also, you may not be aware as it is rather small, but the difference is not unique between Haven and this world. It also exists between Eora and this one as well. It’s just too small to notice.]’ Enya explained, causing another wave of shock for her host.

‘What? What do you mean? What is the difference?’ He asked, sounding surprised.

‘[It’s minuscule, just a few minutes. It is probably the result of the cataclysm this world had suffered. You may have not consciously sensed it, because your time on the surface was rather short-lived, but this world is mostly devoid of any energy. There are no natural essences, and most importantly, there is no life force, vital essence coming from the core of this world.]’ 

Enya said, taking a moment to let Aiden process her words before adding to it.

‘[Aiden, this world…. This world is dead.]’

She paused again, speaking up only when she sensed that Aiden was about to ask.

‘[Before you ask, the energy you feel all around, is not of this world. It’s coming from another source. Somewhere from the center of this realm…]’

‘The center…’ Aiden muttered, pondering about Enya’s words when suddenly he recalled the memories of the ex-archbishop. His knowledge that he had also absorbed and made it his own, has made him realize what Enya was referring to.

‘You mean… The Ancient One? The skinks’ worshiped god-like being? Is he the one supplying this whole underworld with essence?’

‘[Yes. Most likely. Though through what means and for what reason, that remains to be seen. I suspect the system’s original main quest for you that it gave when you came down was also because it sensed this energy and it wants to claim the source.]’

Aiden frowned upon hearing this explanation from Enya.

‘Claim… the… source? Wouldn’t that doom whatever was left of this world? Wouldn’t that destroy this realm and end all remaining life… all the survivors? Wouldn’t I then become…’

‘[Calm down Aiden.]’ Enya hurriedly spoke up, sensing the growing dread inside his host’s heart. ‘[The energy is not of this world’s, to begin with. It cannot sustain life forever either. Sooner or later it will run out, and unless that creature, this ‘Ancient One’ can find a way to fully transcend and transform his power’s into divinities through the supplied faith of his subjects… everyone is on a countdown already.]’

Aiden was shocked to hear this from his system’s guide. The world was doomed. The life that was flourishing beneath the scorched soil of this world, was flourishing. Despite all odds, the surviving races have found a way to continue living. Tribes and cities were formed, each unique and different.

These skinks, the strange abominations that Galina and her group had encountered and fought of… were each survivor of this world. Despite the expected, against all odds, they found a way. However miserable it was, it was still a way to push forward and hope that eventually, everything will be better.

Yet, now it seemed that everything was in vain? That all that sacrifice, all the hardship they have surely encountered was ultimately for naught?

No, that cannot be. There has to be a way!

As if sensing his thoughts, Enya’s words rang inside his mind once again…

—

>>>Check out my latest novel: The Strongest Demon Lord in the Modern World<<

It’s an urban modern-day styled story, with a reverse transmigrated (‘Banished’) immortal entity from the fantastical world of Nova!

Planned Tags and Genre:  # CULTIVATION  # R18  # BETRAYAL  # TRANSMIGRATION  # URBAN  # ACTION  # ANTIHERO  # OVERPOWERED (romance maybe at some later point)

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