Jay's mind whirled as he processed the implications. The System's alternating references to "Existence" and "OMNOS" suggested a reality far grander than the universe he knew.
The staggering conclusion dawned on him: the universe was but a fragment of a much vaster and more intricate reality.
The System's revelations struck Jay like a lightning bolt, shattering his previous understanding. He learned that
Those Cruxes were so powerful and rare that those chosen by them grew to become transcendent beings, standing unrivalled at the absolute pinnacle of all existence.
The System's reverent tone when mentioning ORPHEUS hinted at the unparalleled standing his predecessor held among the mighty PRIMORDIALS, one of the most formidable beings ever to exist.
Jay recollected that scene from his past with vivid clarity. The silver silhouette of a man, standing thousands of kilometers tall, on a hypergiant star so immense that its diameter spanned 2.8 billion kilometers, dominated his memory.
Enveloped in Origin Energy, the man sported waist-long silver hair and wielded a mesmerizing dual-bladed silver glaive. Each swing of his glaive generated shockwaves powerful enough to disfigure the celestial bodies in an entire solar system.
The sheer destruction from his training alone had left a lasting impression on Jay. He could never forget his predecessor's otherworldly presence, which made him realize how minuscule he was on a larger scale. It was then that he set a goal for himself to one day become as powerful as the man he had witnessed.
His recollection was abruptly interrupted by the System's voice.
"ORPHEUS SUCCESSOR, I am prohibited from meddling in Universal affairs unless certain conditions are met. The burst of Origin Energy from before was deemed dangerous to me if left undefended, which in turn allowed me to make an appearance into Reality. I don't have much time before I am pulled back into the Cybernetic Construct. If you have anything you want to know, make it quick."
The System's voice snapped Jay back to the present. He needed to think quickly, to grasp the opportunity to ask the questions burning in his mind. His thoughts were a whirlwind, but he managed to steady himself, knowing this moment was fleeting and crucial.
Jay started by asking something that had been on his mind for a while, "How many more Universe Points do I need to obtain the Origin Glaive?"
The System responded, its voice echoed, "You are not too far off. You've already gathered a little more than one-third of the necessary points. Even most Sovereigns don't possess the outstanding number of points you've accumulated. However, if you weren't ORPHEUS's successor, no amount of points would be enough to obtain a Primordial Weapon."
Jay did a quick mental calculation, his mind racing. If 14,800 points were a little over one-third, he would need around 25,000 more to finally claim the Origin Glaive.
It was reassuring news. Initially, he feared the requirement might be 100,000 or more Universe Points. The thought of being closer to his goal brought a flicker of hope to him.
Seizing the opportunity, Jay swiftly moved on to a more pressing concern, one that burdened every Alpha Chosen and threatened all life on planets undergoing assimilation. He took a deep breath and asked, "Is there a way to stop the Assimilation?"
The System's response carried a hint of disapproval, "Assimilation is what equips your planet to combat the GENESIS INCURSION. Without it, the native lifeforms would be utterly defenceless, leading to a devastating and one-sided annihilation."
Jay's heart sank at the words. The reality of the System's explanation was harsh, but he knew he had to understand it fully. "So, there's no way to stop it?"
The System continued, its voice unwavering. "The Trial Program exists to groom the individuals with the highest potential on their respective planets. It is designed to prepare you for the inevitable threats to come, to give you and your world a fighting chance."
Jay nodded slowly, absorbing the information. He knew that his role as an Alpha Chosen wasn't just about personal power or glory. It was about survival—his own, and that of his entire planet.
The enormity of the responsibility might have settled heavily on anyone's shoulders, but not on Jay. Unlike his brother, he wasn't driven to save everyone.
Jay's primary goal had always been, and remained, the safety of his family and loved ones. If he could save others along the way, he wouldn't mind, but that was the extent of it. Nothing more, nothing less.
Noticing Jay's silence, the System aligned with his thoughts, adding, "Casualties among your fellow species are inevitable, but there is a way to minimize them. While others might not have the means, you do.
You can purchase the PLANETARY VIRTUAL SANCTUARY from the Achievement Point Store for 100 Universe Points, and acquire a Soul AI to oversee it. You have the capability to do both. If you wish, you could better prepare your species for survival."
"Increased rate of survival for just 100 Universe Points? I might as well try it. Kay is going to love this," Jay thought before swiftly moving on to a question that had been shrouded in mystery across the universe.
"Why did the Prehistoric Era end, and how did my predecessor die? Who killed him?"
His words had barely left his mouth before the giant projection of Doppleganger's body erupted in a booming cheer of laughter that reverberated through the confined space. "It's been a long time since I've heard a good joke. Kill the INDOMITABLE PRIMORDIAL? You don't seem to comprehend the eternal transcendence he reached. Let me make it clear—no one killed him, or rather, no one could. Even the strongest of all existence, the 2nd ORIGIN CRUX holder, LIMITLESS PRIMORDIAL, couldn't defeat ORPHEUS, let alone anyone else. The fact that life exists all over OMNOS, which bears a million universes, is all because of his valiant sacrifice."
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Exclusive artwork for every free chapter is now available on my PATRE0N page! You can find the link in my Discord server.
Author Note:
I'm thrilled to share that I'm taking a big leap forward! Alongside Earth's Alpha Prime, I've launched the first sub-book for EAP.
ALTER REALITY: Online
The book is now available, and I'll be releasing new chapters at a rate of 3 per week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday). Do check it out!
Chapter Release Rate: 3 Chs/Week.
<<<< Tue, Thu, Sun >>>>
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The first ten to comment for new chapter releases will get '1 ADVANCED CHAPTER' for free on Earth Alpha Prime's Discord server.
In the discord server, I opened a private channel for those Top 10 candidates, where I posted the respective Advanced Chapter.
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Discord Link for 'Earth's Alpha Prime' :
https://discord.gg/maQC7xDBYZ
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