The stars are dim, the cosmos vast, the grand spectacle still present before the eyes.
In endless darkness, the twinkling of stars glow, like countless eyes of gods silently observing this vast universe. The universe teems with life, numerous beings shuttle through it, but when looked up from afar, grandness becomes a different kind of insignificance, with another mysterious and beautiful world above.
In the boundless grand world, every universe is a spark of consciousness, the accumulation of which forms a galaxy, floating and winding like a huge beast, emitting mysterious energy fluctuations, and the star streams forming world rules swirl among them, like a fairyland shrouded in fog.
From cosmic dust to a universe like dust, from the boundless world to the boundlessness outside the world, they all float quietly in the cosmos, as if waiting for some unknown destiny.
In the distance, at the end of darkness, those giant eyes looming outside the world, see through the barriers of the grand world, through the barriers of the Omni Universe, and identify a small spark amid the complex Multiverse.
This is an extraordinarily special universe, which has several times drifted inside and outside the barriers of the grand world. If looked closely, this universe lacks much, but this absence is a blessing to the master of these eyes.
The five gods representing the most fundamental rules of the universe, and the Court of Life above them, have left this universe, leaving only a thriving wasteland open to plunder.
A pair of large hands gently lift the universe, like holding a sleeping baby. As these hands gently separate, a phantom emerges from the bubble of the universe. In the blink of an eye, the universe bubble has become two identical copies.
Both universe bubbles are identical, but these large hands leave the original in place while cradling the copy.
The giant, bright eyes gaze into the profound darkness outside of the grand world, the hands gently push, the copied universe bubble slowly flies towards the depths of darkness.
The grand world made up of countless universe bubbles and lights forming galaxies is like a city lit by countless lamps. The beings in the small universes are like the lamps lighting the living room.
However, the universe drifting alone into the darkness gradually departs from the flourishing lights of the world. The inside of the universe is desolate, without any being to light that lamp.
The small vessel flies farther and farther, like a lonely wanderer, yet it stops in the deepest part of the darkness.
If every grand world in each story is compared to land, then this solitary boat has come to a stop in the center of ocean currents, a lawless sea unregulated by anything.
The moment it stops, countless shadow-like fragments pour in like a meteor shower. Mostly originating from two different directions, under the watch of the giant eyes, they converge into this universe like streams flowing into a river. The breath of life begins to light lamps within the universe again.
When these projections of consciousness that have gone on a long journey open their eyes, they see the familiar bright blue planet.
"Welcome to 'Battleworld - New Earth'."
A mechanical voice identical to the previous one sounds in the ears of all the projections. As their consciousness gradually returns, they realize they are floating on top of a bright blue Earth.
An empty island swirling like a spiral galaxy floats dozens of light points on it. These have formed one nebula after another, but if you look closely, every light point contains a few small figures, seemingly kindred spirits from different universes.
Just as every figure in the light points is attracted by the Earth, a pair of giant eyes open on top of the star disk, that gentle voice sounding once more.
"Duelists, I know you have many questions to ask, but please listen to me first."
"Firstly, welcome to Battleworld. This is a mirror universe created by the Transcendent, currently floating in the Sea of No Light between grand worlds, a dark little corner among thousands of territories."
"Please don't worry, what has come here are your spiritual projections. There is no concept of time here. When you return to your own universes, time will not have passed."
"The individuals who've come here are all Duelists. Your mission is to go through trial after trial on this New Earth underfoot, emerge victorious, and become the true King of Battleworld."
"You come from different universes and possess various powers. Every trial here may enhance or diminish you, all according to the game rules."
"Your physical bodies and spirits in the real world won't suffer real harm, but in Battleworld, all the pain you experience will be real, and so will death."
"Your different senses will be unified and controlled by the rules of Battleworld. Duelists who die will leave Earth and return to the star disk. Unless resurrected by special means, they will wait until the outcome is decided before leaving together."
"You may think this is a virtual game, but the rules of Battleworld are: Those who are destroyed in Transcendence must be reborn in Transcendence."
"In the real world, every one of your universes is destined to be destroyed. They will collide in pairs, and in the end, none will survive."
"Battleworld is the only chance for your universe to be reborn, only by showing your courage, wisdom and unity here and achieving the final victory, can your universe truly be reborn."
"Go now, Duelists, transcend the infinite, the game is about to begin, Battleworld - New Earth will be your first stop, strive for glory for your universe, and make them truly reborn in transcendence."
As the voice fell, countless points of light on the star disk fell toward the blue planet beneath their feet, disappearing into the airflow and clouds above the planet.
Passing through the atmosphere, the familiar blue sky and white clouds made all humans feel an incredible kinship, but looking down further, the cities scattered among the mountains and rivers had become very strange.
This is Earth, yet it isn't, countless familiar yet strange huge city-states seemed to condense the long river of history into a single moment, but before travelers had a chance to fully drink it in, the light points had fallen to the ground, transforming from stars above to people looking at stars.
When Stark opened his eyes, he only saw a hazy white light slowly condensing into a shiny silver cone appearing before him. The glowing object in front of him did not seem substantial, and the moment Stark gazed at it, it turned into a stream of light, piercing into Stark's arm.
Stark looked down and saw a slender diamond with one vertical line missing appeared on the back of his hand. Suddenly, a section of a silver-white light screen popped out from the diagonal line of the diamond, and then a soft electronic sound rang in his ear.
"The group structure 'The Avengers' has been detected, please vote for the group leader on the Duelist mark, and register the group members in sequence. After the registration is completed, the group base range will be automatically expanded, and the safe area will be established within thirty minutes."
Stark was startled, but when he turned his head and saw Shiller standing next to him staring at his hand, he breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to say, "What on earth is going on? What is Battleworld? How is the universe going to be destroyed again?"
"How should I know, I was just watching you guys fight." Shiller spread his hands and said, "Don't look at me like that, I don't know more than you do."
"Ah, shit, my back... why does it hurt so much? Wasn't I supposed to land on my butt? Good God, Steve, your shield hit me!" Peter wailed from behind. Stark and Shiller turned their heads and saw Peter shaking as he got up from the ground, holding the Stars and Stripes Shield."
A little further away, Natasha was helping Steve to stand up, and Matt was bending over looking for his cane on the ground.
At that moment, a yellow figure swooshed past Matt, picked up the cane and threw it towards Matt who caught it hearing the whoosh sound. Pikachu hopped onto the table and said, "You're welcome."
After looking around, Shiller said, "It seems that all members of the Avengers are here, but what does this have to do with me? I'm not a formal member, just a psychological consultant."
Stark crossed his arms and stared at Shiller, disbelieving. Shiller shrugged and didn't elaborate. Steve looked around as he walked over and noticed that this was a silver-white space.
In the middle of the space was an hourglass-shaped platform, a hexagon was carved on it, and each side of the hexagon had a diamond pattern pointing towards the inside.
"What did it say just now? We need to choose a team leader and then register the team members?"
"I'm more interested in knowing what's going on here." Stark walked up to the platform, looked at it from all angles, then realized that when his hand got close to one of the diamonds, that side lit up.
Shiller also walked over and put his hand over one of the diamonds, aligning the symbol on his hand with the pattern on the platform, that side sure enough lit up as well.
The others gathered around. Peter, holding Pikachu, looked at its paws and found no symbols there. Pikachu flicked its tail and rolled its eyes, "I didn't join The Avengers, you guys weren't really expecting a rat to duel, were you?"
Natasha grabbed Matt's wrist and helped him find the position of the pattern. Steve also tried to put his hand on it, but Stark pulled his back, saying, "Don't you guys think this is fishy? What if it's a trap?"
"If he can bring us here, what's the point of a trap?" Natasha sighed and said, "It's probably some alien or God who's bored and wants to watch a gladiator show for fun."
Stark put one hand on his hip and covered his forehead with the other, gritting his teeth and said, "Why do these people have so much time on their hands every day? If they're so powerful, why don't they do something useful?"
"Stop blabbering." Matt said, "It seems that if we don't register, they won't give any other clues. So as usual, let the team captain be the leader, and let's register."
Stark seemed uninterested, clearly irritated by the idea of being placed in a gladiator fight, so he waved his hand in approval of Matt's suggestion, and all six of them put their hands on the pattern.
In an instant, all six sides of the hexagon lit up, and a pyramid appeared in the center of the six sides. Steve looked left and right, and, seeing the approving looks from Natasha and Shiller, touched the pyramid.
There was a sound.
"The team leader has been confirmed, the team name is The Avengers 2260, the team base has been projected, and the safe area will open in thirty minutes."
"Once the safe area is opened, please pay attention to the broadcasts of New Earth, listen to the important game rules, and embark on your transcendent journey. Good luck, Duelists."