The blinding light receded, leaving Alex and Amira standing in what could only be described as a void—a vast, infinite expanse of nothingness. The ground beneath their feet felt solid, yet it shimmered like liquid, reflecting the faint glow of countless floating orbs suspended in midair. Each orb flickered with scenes that seemed ripped from the fabric of reality itself: wars, celebrations, scientific breakthroughs, and even mundane moments like a child blowing out birthday candles.
“This… isn’t creepy at all,” Alex muttered, his voice echoing unnaturally in the emptiness.
Amira stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the closest orb. “It’s like… memories. Or glimpses of other worlds.” She reached out, her fingers brushing the surface of one orb.
Instantly, the orb expanded, engulfing her hand in a wave of light. Images flashed around her—a city in flames, people screaming, a figure standing atop a ruined tower holding a glowing device.
Amira yanked her hand back, her breath coming in sharp gasps. “What the hell was that?”
“The Rift is not just a place,” came Aros’s voice, and they turned to see him stepping out of the light behind them. “It is a repository of all possibilities, all realities. Every choice, every outcome, exists here.”
Alex blinked. “You’re saying this place is… what? The multiverse’s junk drawer?”
Aros’s silver eyes glinted. “In a way. The Rift was created to contain the chaos of infinite realities, to prevent them from bleeding into one another. But someone—something—has tampered with it.”
Amira frowned. “You said the Rift was created. Who created it?”
Aros hesitated, his gaze distant. “A civilization far older than yours. They understood the dangers of unchecked reality. But they are long gone now, and the Rift has been left unguarded.”
“Unlikely story,” Alex said, crossing his arms. “So you’re telling me some ancient, super-smart aliens built this thing and just… disappeared? Convenient.”
Aros ignored him, his attention shifting to the floating orbs. “The Warden is not the true enemy. It is merely a guardian, trying to restore balance. The true threat lies deeper within.”
Amira narrowed her eyes. “Deeper? How much deeper can we go?”
Aros pointed to the far end of the void, where a massive, swirling vortex loomed. It pulsed with an energy that made Alex’s skin crawl.
“Through there,” Aros said. “The Rift’s core.”
“Great,” Alex said, throwing up his hands. “Because diving headfirst into a swirling death hole is exactly what I signed up for.”
Amira shot him a look. “Do you ever stop complaining?”
“Not when I’m staring down what looks like a cosmic garbage disposal,” Alex shot back.
Before Amira could retort, the air around them shifted, and the orbs began to vibrate. A low, ominous hum filled the void, and the shimmering ground beneath their feet rippled like water.
“What now?” Amira asked, her voice tense.
Aros’s expression darkened. “The Rift is reacting to our presence. We must move quickly.”
As they started toward the vortex, the orbs around them began to shatter one by one, releasing bursts of light that coalesced into figures. At first, the figures were blurred and indistinct, but as they solidified, Alex’s blood ran cold.
Standing before them were duplicates—perfect replicas of himself, Amira, and even Aros.
“Well, this just keeps getting better,” Alex muttered.
The duplicate Alex smirked, stepping forward. “What’s the matter? Don’t like seeing yourself up close?”
“Not when you look like you’re auditioning for the role of Evil Twin,” Alex shot back, his fists clenching.
The duplicate laughed, a sound that sent chills down Alex’s spine. “You think you’re the hero of this story, don’t you? But you’re just a pawn, stumbling through the Rift without a clue.”
Amira’s duplicate stepped forward, her eyes glowing with a strange, otherworldly light. “This is the end of your journey. Turn back now, or be consumed.”
Aros stepped between them, his staff glowing fiercely. “These are echoes—manifestations of the Rift’s instability. They are not real.”
“Tell that to their fists,” Alex said, dodging a punch from his duplicate.
The void erupted into chaos as the duplicates attacked. Amira dodged a blast of energy from her counterpart, while Alex grappled with his own.
“Why do you have to be so strong?” Alex grunted, struggling against his duplicate’s grip. “I don’t even work out that much!”
Amira managed to disarm her duplicate with a well-placed kick, but before she could celebrate, the ground beneath her cracked, and she barely leapt aside in time to avoid falling into the abyss.
“We can’t keep fighting them!” she shouted. “There’s too many!”
Aros raised his staff, sending out a shockwave that momentarily pushed the duplicates back. “The vortex! It is the only way out!”
“You mean the death hole?” Alex yelled. “Pass!”
“Do you have a better idea?” Amira snapped, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the vortex.
As they ran, the duplicates regrouped, their glowing eyes fixed on the fleeing trio. The hum in the air grew louder, and the vortex began to expand, its energy crackling like a storm.
When they reached the edge, Alex hesitated, staring into the swirling void. “Are we seriously doing this?”
Amira shoved him forward. “Go!”
With a reluctant yell, Alex jumped, the vortex swallowing him whole. Amira followed close behind, and Aros brought up the rear, his staff glowing brightly as the duplicates closed in.
As the vortex pulled them in, the last thing Alex saw was his duplicate’s smirking face, mouthing words he couldn’t hear.
Then, everything went dark.