The world was no longer the same.
As the sun rose, its rays illuminated a planet reshaped overnight. Continents that once stood distinct had fused into three massive landmasses, separated by uncharted waters and dotted with floating islands suspended in the air. The skies shimmered with ethereal hues, portals opening and closing sporadically between the islands. Creatures previously confined to myths and games roamed freely, turning cities into chaotic battlegrounds.
The news called it "The Astralis Convergence."
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The Missing Return
The media was in a frenzy. Days before the convergence, people had mysteriously vanished. Now, those same individuals were reappearing across the fused continents, each bearing tales of an otherworldly place known as the Training Hall.
One such returnee was Juno Salvador, a wealthy heiress who had abandoned the challenge on the fourth floor. She stood on a platform during a live broadcast, her silver armor gleaming under the lights. A crowd had gathered to witness her display of power.
A reporter stepped forward, holding out a microphone. "Miss Salvador, can you confirm what exactly happened in this Training Hall? And why have you returned?"
Juno's sharp gaze swept over the audience. "The Training Hall is no game—it's a trial. I chose to leave because I valued my life over the risks of continuing. But I didn't return empty-handed."
She raised her hand, conjuring a ball of fire that hovered above her palm. The crowd gasped as the flames danced, radiating intense heat.
"I am a Mage," she declared. "And I'm not the only one."
More returnees stepped forward, each showcasing their abilities. Knights with gleaming armor performed sword techniques that defied gravity. Assassins moved with unnatural speed, vanishing into shadows before reappearing elsewhere. Fighters shattered boulders with their bare hands, and warriors unleashed waves of energy with each swing of their weapons.
The world had changed, and its inhabitants were struggling to keep up.
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The Rise of Guilds
For those who returned, the question of what to do next loomed large. Some, like Juno, chose to capitalize on their newfound power. She founded a guild called Silver Dominion, recruiting other challengers who had also abandoned the Training Hall.
Across the continents, similar guilds began to form. Some were established by challengers who sought to protect civilians from the beasts now roaming the lands. Others were more sinister, using their power to dominate and conquer.
In a press conference, one ambitious guild leader declared, "We don't know how many floors exist in the Training Hall, but we do know this: those still inside will emerge far stronger than we are now. We must prepare for their return."
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Rodensky and Emmanuel in the Training Hall
Meanwhile, deep within the Training Hall, Rodensky and Emmanuel were oblivious to the chaos unfolding in the real world. They stood before the portal to the fourth floor, their weapons at the ready.
Rodensky tightened his grip on his blade, the recent revelation of their Status Windows still fresh in his mind. "You think the others made it back safely?"
Emmanuel shrugged, his blood tendrils coiling lazily around his arms. "Does it matter? We're not going back until we're ready. The real world will just have to wait."
The portal shimmered ominously, and the system voice echoed around them:
"Challenge commencing in 10 seconds. Prepare for teleportation."
Rodensky exhaled sharply. "Let's do this."
Emmanuel smirked. "Onward, brother."
As the countdown reached zero, the two stepped forward, their determination unshaken.
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Real-World Rumors and Investigations
Back in the real world, rumors swirled about the Training Hall. Scholars, scientists, and conspiracy theorists debated its origins and purpose. Some believed it was humanity's next evolutionary step, while others claimed it was a punishment or a test from a higher power.
Governments struggled to maintain order as mutated beasts wreaked havoc. The fusion of the continents disrupted economies, travel, and communication, leaving entire populations to fend for themselves.
In one viral broadcast, a renowned researcher theorized, "The Training Hall seems to have a connection to the Astralis Convergence. Those who return bring not only power but also fragments of another world. If we're not careful, the balance between these realms could collapse."
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A Call to Arms
As more returnees demonstrated their powers, ordinary civilians began to feel the pressure to adapt. Some sought to join guilds, hoping to learn from the challengers. Others prepared for the worst, stockpiling supplies and retreating to remote areas.
In the midst of this chaos, a message appeared in the skies above each continent, visible to all:
"The balance between worlds has been broken. To restore harmony, the strongest must rise."