The light from the book blazed brilliantly, flooding the space with a wave of knowledge that overwhelmed The Sage Rat's every sense. When the radiance subsided, he realized he was no longer in the Sanctum of Light. Before him stood a colossal door, towering high and intricately carved with ancient patterns.
On the surface of the door, the engravings seemed to move, telling a story through the language of light and shadow. It was a tale of creation and destruction, of those who sought knowledge and the price they paid to attain it.
From within the door came a voice, deep and majestic:
"You have reached this place, but this door only opens for those who are ready to face absolute truth. Once you pass through, there is no turning back. Are you willing to give everything to know the truth?"
The Sage Rat lifted his head, his eyes filled with determination. "I am not afraid of the truth, even if it changes everything. I have come too far to falter now."
The door trembled, emitting a sound like the breath of a giant. The engravings on its surface began to glow brightly, forming a vortex of light that gradually opened. As the door parted, a powerful gust of wind surged through, carrying a sensation that was both cold and warm, as though it held the entirety of the universe's memories.
Without hesitation, The Sage Rat stepped through the door.
Beyond the door was not a tangible land but a strange, ever-changing space. The ground beneath his feet shifted constantly—at times like transparent crystal, at other times like flowing water. Around him floated flickering lights, like countless stars suspended in an infinite void.
Suddenly, a colossal entity appeared before him. It was not a distinct creature but a form that continuously shifted, embodying both blinding light and impenetrable darkness.
The entity's voice resonated, not as sound but as a presence that seeped into his mind:
"I am Nexus, the core of all knowledge and the essence of the universe. I exist to test those who seek the truth. You have overcome many trials, but this will be the final one—a test to prove you are truly worthy of absolute knowledge. Prepare yourself, Sage Rat."
The ground beneath The Sage Rat began to glow. He found himself standing in the center of a massive circle formed by ancient symbols. The symbols pulsed with flickering light, forming questions, images, and sensations he could not describe with words.
Nexus's voice echoed once more:
"The final trial is to face yourself. Step into your own mind and answer this question: What do you truly seek? Is the truth you desire worth abandoning everything?"
In front of The Sage Rat, a small portal appeared, leading to a hazy space. He knew this was the decisive step, where he would confront his deepest fears, hidden ambitions, and memories he had long buried.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped through the portal.
Inside, there was no light or shadow—only an endless white void where everything seemed frozen in time. And there, a figure appeared: himself, but different. This version had sharper eyes, a gaze filled with ambition, and an aura of boundless power.
"What do you desire most?" The other version asked, its voice dripping with temptation. "Truth or power? Both are within your grasp, but you can only choose one."
The Sage Rat stared at this version of himself. This was the ultimate trial, where he faced not the world but his own soul.
Clenching his fists, his eyes burned with resolve. "I choose truth. Because only truth can lead to true freedom."
Those words echoed through the void, and the image of his alternate self began to dissolve. The white space around him suddenly lit up, merging into a brilliant light that guided him back to Nexus.
"You have succeeded" Nexus's voice reverberated, this time filled with respect. "You are the first in millennia to prove that knowledge is not a burden but a light to illuminate the path."
Before The Sage Rat, a colossal book appeared, radiant and shimmering like an eternal flame. "Take it. This is the knowledge of the universe, and now, it belongs to you."
The Sage Rat approached, his hands trembling with a mix of awe and determination. The book opened, and the light within it enveloped the entire space. This was the moment he had always sought—the moment of grasping ultimate truth.