NABC Chapter 325: The Ultimate Choice of the Universe
Chapter 325: The Ultimate Choice of the Universe
The deep space of the universe remained an endless darkness, with stars twinkling faintly, as if they might vanish into the void at any moment. Ares, Selna, and Ulysses stood amidst the magnificent sea of stars, gazing up at the gradually recovering sky, their hearts filled with unanswered questions and profound unease.
Although they destroyed the master of fate and broke the shackles of the past, a lingering shadow still looms over their hearts. Behind their shattered destiny lies a deeper darkness, waiting for them to confront.
"Is this the beginning or the end?" Selna's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, but her eyes were filled with deep doubt. "We are no longer slaves to fate, but the universe is still not at peace."
Ares did not answer immediately, but silently gazed into the void before him. He knew that although the shackles of fate had been broken, the true face of the universe was only just beginning to emerge from behind that cracked door. He whispered, "Our choices have only just begun."
Ulysses scoffed from the side: "Choice? Fate is never about choice, but about control and resistance. Since we've chosen to break free of our shackles, it means an endless battle ahead."
Ares looked up at the starry sky: "The battle is not the end, but the protection of the future we have chosen."
In the brief moment of their discussion, a piercing tremor suddenly resounded from the void, as if the structure of the entire universe had been violently distorted deep within. The spatial rift reappeared, even larger than before, with black currents swirling like vortexes, carrying a profound sense of oppression as they approached the three.
"Here we go again." A hint of worry flashed in Selna's eyes. "Haven't we really ended this battle?"
Ares's expression grew serious as he gripped his sword hilt tightly: "This is not the end, but a new beginning."
As the crack widened, a suffocating aura of darkness swept in. The air currents in the void became abnormally violent, as if every inch of space was being torn apart, and the structure of the entire universe was once again on the verge of collapse.
Suddenly, the three felt an indescribable force surging towards them, the powerful pressure almost making them unable to stand. The force did not come from the outside, but from the depths of their hearts, as if some kind of hidden fear was quietly awakening.
“This aura…” Selna’s voice trembled as she gripped her lightsaber tightly. “It… doesn’t feel like an external enemy, but rather an internal pressure.”
“Yes,” Ares said softly, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. “This power comes from beyond destiny, representing the abyss of the universe’s origin. It is neither a shadow nor chaos, but the other side of destiny itself.”
Ulysses's expression turned serious: "The other side of fate? Could it be that it has awakened again after we broke the shackles of fate?"
“It’s not an awakening, but a return.” Ares’s voice was deep and calm. “We thought that breaking fate was the end, but the source of fate has not disappeared. It is just waiting, waiting for a new destiny.”
As Ares's voice faded, the dark power erupted suddenly, and a massive black shadow swept out from the crack, transforming into a pitch-black phantom that devoured all light. The shadow gradually solidified, becoming a blurry figure, its outline gradually becoming clearer, yet its true form remained indistinguishable.
"Do you really think that by breaking the shackles of fate, you can escape its judgment?" the illusory figure spoke in a low voice, filled with coldness and threat. "You are nothing but another continuation of fate. All resistance will ultimately turn into nothingness."
Ares gripped the hilt of his sword, a cold glint in his eyes: "What exactly are you? What is this destiny you speak of?"
The figure's laughter echoed like a deathly silence: "You do not understand the true meaning of fate. Fate is not the constraint you imagine, but the foundation of the laws of the universe. Everything you do is merely struggling within the trajectory of fate."
"The trajectory of fate?" Selna was taken aback. "You mean, all these changes are the arrangement of fate?"
"No, fate is not that simple." The figure gradually solidified. "What you have broken is not fate, but the laws deep within the universe. You have changed the external rules, but you have not touched the root."
Suddenly, the shadowy figure in the void rapidly expanded, its distorted power spreading rampantly. Ares could almost sense the source of that power; it was not merely a continuation of fate, but the abyss of the entire universe, originating from its most primordial laws.
“This is…” Ares’s expression changed drastically, “This power comes from the deepest part of the universe.”
"The judgment of fate." The figure's voice grew even deeper. "You tried to change your fate, but you were unaware that you had already been drawn into it. Your existence is the judgment of the universe."
"We are not part of destiny!" Ares roared, his sword pointing at the dark figure in the void. "We chose to change the universe, to change destiny!"
"Change?" The figure's voice was laced with disdain. "What you've changed is only a part of fate; you can't change the origin."
Before the words were even finished, the black shadow swelled again, unleashing a shockwave as powerful as the collapse of the heavens and earth, which hurtled towards the three. The three were almost powerless against this terrifying force; the laws of the void were completely torn apart at that moment. Ares, Selna, and Ulysses fought with all their might, wielding their weapons in a desperate struggle.
Even so, the power of the shadowy figures surged forth like a tidal wave, completely engulfing their counterattack.
“It’s unstoppable.” Selna’s voice trembled. “Its power far exceeds our imagination.”
Ares took a deep breath, his eyes growing increasingly determined: "We can fight to the very end, until the very last moment."
“Yes.” Ulysses gave a cold smile. “Since we have chosen to change our fate, there is no reason for us to back down.”
Just as the three were almost overwhelmed by the shadowy figure, a golden light erupted from Ares's sword. The blade sliced through the void like lightning, carrying all its power and will, striking directly at the core of the shadowy figure. At the same time, Selna and Ulysses also released all their energy, forming a powerful sword and spear aura, attempting to break through the shadowy figure's defenses.
"This time, we must break it!" Ares roared, his sword energy carrying a sharp force, striking straight at the heart of the shadowy figure.
The instant the golden light collided with the darkness, a deafening roar echoed through the void, as if the entire universe itself trembled violently. The shadowy figure began to twist and contort, its form collapsing as if torn into countless fragments, vanishing into the void.