Kaizer, Darcia, Lucius, and Gertrude stood at the edge of the Black Forest, their eyes fixed on the awe-inspiring sight before them. The colossal, cubic machine known as the Barrier dominated the landscape. Its surface glowed with a deep crimson hue, pulsating with a lively energy. Occasionally, crackles of red lightning shot out from its imposing form, creating a mesmerizing and ominous spectacle.
Darcia's voice quivered with a mixture of fear and wonder as she spoke, her eyes locked onto the enigmatic structure. "Oh my… I've never been this far from Sanguine City before—much less seen the Barrier. It's… beautiful. It's like something out of a dream."
Kaizer nodded, his own gaze fixed on the Barrier. "It's both beautiful and terrifying. This is where our worlds collide, and where we're gonna cross over to the Underworld."
Kaizer scanned the surroundings, his expression thoughtful. "We have to be cautious. The Barrier isn't just a physical obstacle; it's a manifestation of the boundary between our world and the others. The abstract made tangible. It kind of has a mind of its own, and it can be unpredictable."
Gertrude, the voice of experience among them, added, "But we have one advantage—your unique connection to it." Gertrude turned to Darcia and Lucius as she took Kaizer's hand. "We must maintain physical contact with him as he crosses. Darcia, take his other hand—and Lucius, a hand on his back should suffice."
The two students did as Gertrude said, Darcia intertwining Kaizer's fingers with hers. Lucius, standing behind Kaizer, planted his palm on his back.
Kaizer took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. "Let's do this. There's no turning back now."
The four of them entered the Barrier with confidence, their trust in Kaizer's unique connection to it guiding them. As they crossed the threshold, they witnessed the glowing red surface contort and break, creating a small breach that allowed them to pass through. Emerging on the other side, they found themselves in the familiar black room that Kaizer had grown accustomed to. Silence enveloped them, the stillness of the darkness almost unnerving.
"It's so damn quiet," Lucius muttered, his voice echoing in the void.
Kaizer, his eyes fixed on the central terminal, took the lead. He released his friends' hands and approached the terminal, his fingers deftly navigating its controls. Darcia, Lucius, and Gertrude crowded around him, their curiosity piqued.
Kaizer tapped the screen, revealing a toggle for switching between realms. Three buttons, colored blue, red, and black, greeted him.
"Alright," Kaizer said, his breath slightly unsteady. "We go to the Underworld, find The Scorpion, and break the curse—then come right back, my mother with us. Ready?"
Darcia, Lucius, and Gertrude nodded in unison, their unwavering trust in Kaizer evident in their determined expressions.
With resolve, Kaizer tapped the black button labeled 'Underworld.' But to their surprise, a prompt appeared on the screen:
'LOCKED. ADMINISTRATOR PASSCODE REQUIRED.'
"Huh?" Kaizer fumbled, his brows furrowing as he stared at the unexpected message. "Locked? Administrator passcode required? It's never done this before."
Gertrude's voice held a note of concern as she offered her insight. "It appears you are not the only one who controls the Barrier, Kaizer. Someone else has authority over it, and they've locked us out."
"Wait, hold on… this doesn't make sense. I literally just used it to go to the Overworld!" Kaizer started to panic, his breath growing quick.
Darcia placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her expression sympathetic. "Kaizer, it's alright. We'll find another way."
BAM!
Kaizer abruptly slammed his fists on the terminal in anger and shouted, "THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!"
Darcia, speaking softly, insisted, "I know you're frustrated, love. But obviously, destiny does not plan for us to go to the Underworld."
"This just doesn't make any sense though!" Kaizer shouted again, tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm so close… so fucking close! I finally figure out who I am… why I'm here… and the only thing keeping me away from my mom is a fucking passcode!? What kind of destiny is that?" He buried his face in his hands, resting his elbows on the terminal. His three friends stood patiently, understanding his frustration.
"Hope is not lost, Kaizer," Gertrude reminded him. "Remember, the Ouroboros organization, our organization, built this. Someone in Ouroboros—though I do not know who, for I was never told—also has access—and total control, it seems—over the Barrier. There are only four members remaining alive. Myself, Rashon, Barry, Zykor, and Ryder. Zykor, the Reptilian, invented the blueprints for this structure, so I imagine that he would be our best option. I have no idea of Zykor's whereabouts, however, for he left Sanguine shortly before the Barrier was activated, and has been absent from Sanguine since. I imagine he's putting together some new project in the Overworld, as he always is."
Kaizer went back to the original screen, looking at its options again:
Settings:
• Splicing
• Overworld | Sanguine | Underworld
• Recalibrate
• Self-DESTRUCT Time Splicer
As Kaizer tapped on the terminal and selected the "Splicing" option, a complex graphical representation appeared on the screen. The image displayed the Overworld, Sanguine, and the Underworld, each world stacked vertically on top of the other. Alongside these worlds, various data points and variables were charted, providing a detailed overview of their unique characteristics:
Date: The timelines of each world were displayed, showing the divergence between the Overworld and the supernatural realms.
Gravity Levels: Graphs depicted the differences in gravitational forces between the three worlds.
Climate Temperature: Temperature graphs showcased the extreme variations in climate, from the mundane Overworld to the enigmatic Underworld.
Other Variables: An array of additional variables, including atmospheric composition, magical energy levels, and even the density of supernatural beings, were charted, emphasizing the stark distinctions among the worlds.
Kaizer's gaze shifted to the top left corner of the screen, where he spotted the words, "Unsplice Realms." The option intrigued him, and he felt a bold curiosity compelling him to tap it. As he did, a new prompt materialized before them:
"Which realms would you like to recombine? Tap all that apply."
Kaizer's heart raced as he contemplated the gravity of this choice. His friends, including Gertrude, gathered around the terminal, their widened eyes also fixated on the screen with unwavering attention.
But it was Gertrude who stepped forward, her expression filled with wisdom and caution. She spoke with authority, her voice carrying the weight of experience. "Don't. Reuniting the realms will only bring chaos and disorder. I suggest we find a different way to get to the Underworld. Perhaps a meeting with Rashon and Barry is in order."
Kaizer, recognizing the futility of trying to manipulate the worlds without the necessary passcode, sighed with resignation. He closed out the prompt and returned to the original screen, his expression heavy with the weight of their situation.
"I wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. I'm locked out. We have no choice but to find another way… but I don't know where Rashon and Barry are. Elephasia was destroyed. Who can really say for sure if they're even still alive?"
Lucius, his arms crossed, nodded pensively. "Well, what's a place that they would go if they were alive? Gertrude? Do you have any ideas?"
Gertrude's eyebrows furrowed with concentration as she delved into her vast knowledge. Her gaze remained fixed on the black floor for a moment before she finally looked up and spoke with determination, "There's an unnamed island—far from Vampire Society, the Red Desert, or any civilization for that matter. It is in the furthest outskirts of the realm, surrounded by a vast sea—our only sea—known as the Shadowed Depths. Traversing it would be a treacherous task, but one worth the risk. We should go there now, before any more surprises turn up."
Their path forward became clear, a journey to the remote and perilous island within the Shadowed Depths Sea, where they hoped to find clues about Rashon and Barry's fate and, perhaps, a way to save Kaizer's mother. With resolve, they prepared to face the unknown once more, their trust in each other unwavering as they embarked on this new quest.