Chapter 216: New Normal!
After the initial chaos, Kronis and Serapheon—the remaining Time Gods—worked tirelessly to stabilize the temporal havoc caused by Zorath's death. Their combined efforts held the fractured threads of the multiverse together, yet the balance remained fragile.
Admist the loss of a time god, the cosmos waited, holding its breath, for the missing piece: a third Time God to restore equilibrium.
Meanwhile, in the middle realm of power, Tessa and Gastro found their way back to the evaluation grounds with surprising ease. The journey, which should have been fraught with confusion and disorientation, seemed guided by unseen forces, however the truth is, Tessa knew where exactly to go and when, she was like a video game cheat.
Tessa's heart ached with the weight of her newfound knowledge. Zorath, in his final moments, had passed to her an infinite library of truths—secrets that transcended mortal comprehension and rivaled the knowledge of even the highest-ranking gods.
She now knew things that the middle realm of power, evaluation supervisors—powerful beings in their own right—couldn't begin to fathom. It was both a gift and a curse. She had to tread carefully; even a slight slip of her knowledge could spark suspicion or worse—chaos.
Suddenly, in an instant that defied natural laws, all the competitors were transported back to the evaluation grounds. Confusion rippled through the crowd. Whispers turned into murmurs, then rose to frantic chatter. The chaos was palpable, yet Tessa stood apart, her expression calm and composed.
Inside, her heart raced. She was the carrier of the Time Seed -a present hot potato, a role of immense power and unfathomable responsibility. She was grateful for Zorath's foresight in concealing the seed within her. If it weren't hidden, she would undoubtedly become a beacon for predators across the multiverse—beings desperate to seize the seed for themselves.
The tension in the air deepened as RIIS, a Xanthex-level god, materialized in front of the crowd. He was flanked by two other Xanthex-level gods, their towering forms radiating authority and strength. The puzzled competitors fell silent, their fear and awe quelling their questions.
Even those in the crowd, known for their witty or sharp tongue, stood frozen, confusion etched across various face like a painting. Unlike the others, Tessa knew exactly what had happened. Zorath's death had sent ripples through the fabric of existence, and those ripples had drawn everyone back to this point.
The Xanthex-level gods exchanged glances, their expressions grim. They had received reports of Zorath's demise. Being Xanthex-level gods, they weren't powerful enough to detect such a seismic event on their own. Only an Imogi-level god or another Time God could sense the death of one of the universe's most powerful entities.
And even then, only an Imogi-level god of extraordinary strength—one on the cusp of breaking through to the Time God rank—could discern the faintest echo of such an event. Yet, even at their peak, Imogis remained a step beneath Time Gods.
Unbeknownst to the Xanthex-level gods, the key to ascending beyond their limitations lay with the Time Seed. It was the only force capable of transforming a high-ranking Imogi into a Time God. This truth was a closely guarded secret, known only by Zorath—and now Tessa.
Tessa's mind whirred. If this knowledge were ever revealed, the multiverse would spiral into chaos. Countless beings would hunt the Time Seed, their greed blinding them to the futility of their pursuit. No weapon or scheme could forcibly wrest the seed from its host, but desperation made even the wisest of gods reckless.
Tessa took a deep breath, steadying herself as RIIS's booming voice echoed across the assembly. "Competitors, you have been summoned here due to unforeseen cosmic disturbances. Remain calm and await further instructions."
His words provided no real clarity, yet the crowd nodded in nervous compliance. Tessa caught Gastro's questioning glance but deliberately avoided meeting his eyes, pretending not to notice. The truth burned within her, but she couldn't share it—not now, and perhaps not ever.
For now, she would have to embrace her role in this fragile new reality. The fate of the multiverse rested on her shoulders, and the game was only just beginning.
The three Xanthex-level supervisors—RIIS and his two peers—convened briefly to discuss the situation. Their expressions were grim as they tried to make sense of the cosmic disruption. Though their knowledge was limited, they were determined to proceed with order. After some deliberation, RIIS stepped forward, prepared to authorize the resumption of the evaluations.
But before he could speak, a hand shot up in the crowd.
Tessa's hand.
The sight of a competitor raising their hand caught RIIS off guard. He squinted toward her, murmuring under his breath, "I know that girl... isn't that Tessa? The one under Hovi's protection?"
A faint frown crossed his face. Tessa's reputation preceded her. Though she seemed unassuming at first glance, whispers about her potential had reached even Xanthex-level gods. RIIS hesitated for a moment before nodding in acknowledgment.
"You may speak," he said, his voice commanding yet curious.
Tessa lowered her hand, her face composed but her voice trembling slightly, feigning fear. "I... I would like to end my evaluations here. I wish to withdraw and stop at this point."
Her words hit the assembly like a thunderclap. Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by murmurs of confusion and disbelief.
"Did she just say she's withdrawing?" one competitor whispered to another.
"Is she insane? Who gives up an opportunity like this?" another muttered.
The reaction was unanimous—everyone thought Tessa's decision was absurd. The evaluations were designed to push competitors to their limits, unlocking their potential for exponential growth. For someone to voluntarily stop meant they were either foolish or afraid, and neither explanation made sense for a competitor of her caliber.
Even Gastro looked stunned, his confusion etched deeply into his features. "What are you doing, Tessa?" he muttered under his breath, though she pretended not to hear him.
RIIS narrowed his eyes, his curiosity piqued. "You wish to end your evaluations now?" he repeated, as if giving her a chance to reconsider.
Tessa nodded firmly, though inside her heart raced. "Yes," she replied. "I believe I've reached my personal limit. I don't wish to continue."
Her response only deepened the confusion. To everyone present, it seemed like the height of cowardice—or arrogance. But Tessa's reasoning was far beyond their comprehension.
Unbeknownst to them, Tessa's "limit" was already far beyond anything they could measure. She possessed the Time Seed, a power that placed her leagues above every individual in the evaluation grounds, including the supervisors themselves. Becoming a Time God was not a matter of if, but when. As long as she survived, her ascension was inevitable.
But remaining there any longer was a risk. The evaluations weren't the true test—her very presence was. Every moment she stayed heightened the chance of exposing her secret, of drawing attention to the unfathomable power concealed within her. She needed a credible reason to leave without arousing suspicion, and this was her way out.
RIIS studied her for a long moment, the weight of his gaze pressing down like a silent interrogation. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Very well," he said, though his tone carried a hint of skepticism. "If that is your decision, so be it. You are dismissed from the evaluations."
The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, a tidal wave of disbelief rippling through the assembly. Tessa turned and began to walk away, her heart pounding with each step. She kept her expression calm, her stride steady, even as Gastro called after her, his voice tinged with frustration and confusion.