"what, who are you? ... Where am I? ... I'm not meant to be here... I should be at the town square... I should've restarted the loop... I shouldn't be here... This can't be... Was that the last run... Did I waste all my time on a feverish dream... This can't be! All I did was train... never party... I'm gonna leave the world as a virgin... NO!!!!" Ray's dramatic screams echoed into the ever-close universe.
"Ray, you're overreacting. You're not dead... yet," said the mysterious figure.
Ray turned his head and once again saw the old woman. But before he could utter a single word, golden hues of light began surrounding her. Her body started to glow and break apart, transforming into a man.
The man had luscious silver hair that cascaded down to his knees. He wore a white robe decorated with intricate gold patterns. His deep crimson eyes looked as if they had endured aeons of torture, filled with gore, pain, and suffering.
"How does it feel to die to a dragon for the 108th time?" he asked with a soft, sardonic voice.
"108th?" Ray said, confusion was evident in his voice. "What do you mean by 108?"
"You have died and restarted your life exactly 108 times. That's the length of your loop, Ray."
"How do you know that? Who are you?"
"My name is Solomon, a king in the old world, and currently the guardian of the L𝞓௹𝚳 ... I see we aren't there yet."
Solomon raised his hand, lifting water and transforming it into metal. The atoms restructured themselves under his will, forming a throne. Solomon walked over and sat down, slouching with his left leg and arm draped over the armrest, his right hand holding his jaw.
"Please, take a seat," Solomon said as his left hand rose, creating a wooden table and chair from the water.
Ray took a seat, still reeling from the revelations.
"Mead?" Solomon asked, creating a goblet filled with the beverage out of thin air.
"Atomic manipulation is a deep deviation of synthesizing, paired with mastery of elements and blacksmithing," Solomon explained.
"I don't drink alcohol," Ray responded.
"Ah, okay." Solomon transformed the goblet with mead into a cup filled with water with a mere gesture. "Okay, so Solomon, mind explaining?"
"It's quite simple, Ray. I want you to become my vessel."
"Excuse me???" Ray exclaimed, his discomfort evident as he pushed away and jumped out of the chair.
"Ray, your world has been destroyed over and over again, more than the 108 times you've been in a loop."
"I've seen your world fall many times, and I've seen many people die over and over again," Solomon continued. "That is exactly why I've allowed your consciousness to persist through many loops, testing if you could bear the full power of mine. And I must say, I am somewhat impressed."
"What?" Ray asked, bewildered.
"What I am saying is that I wish for you to take my will and save your world," Solomon stated.
Ray's eyes widened in realization. "But why me? Why all the loops?"
Solomon's gaze softened. "You have a spark inside that hasn't been seen since the days of @!lG@me$h. You're still not ready for the full truth. But understand this: you have the qualities needed to wield the power necessary to defeat ChronoGravitus. But it comes at a cost."
Ray hesitated, then asked, "What cost?"
Solomon sighed, a profound weariness in his eyes. "You will no longer be the same. My essence will merge with yours, granting you power beyond imagination, but also burdening you with the memories and experiences of countless lifetimes. It is a heavy price, but one that must be paid to save your world."
Ray's mind raced. The weight of the decision pressed down on him, but he knew there was no other choice. "I'll do it," he said, his voice steady.
Solomon nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "Very well."
Before Ray could add anything on, Solomon raised his hand, manipulating the water around them. The liquid began to swirl and coalesce, revealing a glowing gold orb. With a swift motion, Solomon thrust the orb into Ray's chest. Excruciating pain surged through Ray's body, causing him to scream before blacking out.
As the orb entered Ray, the realm around him began to fracture and break apart, revealing shadowy figures. These figures were the incarnations of Ray from each of his previous loops, their spectral forms slowly dissolving into his body. Each fusion created a burning sensation, like molten lava coursing through his veins. Ray's screams echoed through the realm, a symphony of agony as the power of all his past selves converged within him.
When Ray regained consciousness, he found himself in his world, lying on the familiar cobblestone streets of the town square. The air was filled with the usual hustle and bustle, people going about their day, oblivious to the impending doom.
Ray slowly got to his feet, his body still aching from the ordeal. He felt different, like an immense power coursed through his veins. Memories of countless battles and lifetimes flashed before his eyes, a reminder of the trials he had endured.
"Is this... real?" Ray muttered to himself, touching his chest where the orb had been thrust. There was no mark, but he could feel its presence.
Determined, Ray took a deep breath and surveyed his surroundings. The clock began to tick, and ChronoGravitus would one day reappear. He had to act quickly, using the knowledge and skills he had gained through the loops.
Ray clenched his fists, feeling the power within him respond. For the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope. With Solomon's will and his own determination, perhaps this time, he could change the fate of his world.
Ray's eyes hardened with resolve as he headed towards the training grounds. The fight against ChronoGravitus would be fierce, but he was no longer the same person who had been defeated 108 times. This time, he had the strength of a primordial king within him.
As the sun set, casting a golden hue over the town, Ray knew that the final battle was approaching. With each step, he felt more prepared, and confident. The weight of his past failures fell away, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose.
"This is it," Ray whispered to himself. "This time, I will save everyone."