Humanity had reached its peak in technological advancement; they were able to travel through space and had developed teleportation. It was humanity's greatest achievement so far: cities with high-rise buildings, people developing new forms of supernatural abilities, each able to control elemental powers in their own unique way.
One day, a group of researchers discovered a new form of energy. They named it "Omixues," Omix for short. This new energy allowed artificial awakening of powers and gave the capability to control time. But time was never something to be messed with.
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Location: Zen HQ underground — Chrono Chamber
Time: Year 4202
In an underground laboratory, the sound of gunfire shook the walls. Nora Varn (Commander of StarDust) and his crew forced their way down a corridor that led to the main control room containing the Chrono Machine.
Nora (shouting to his team):
"WE NEED TO GET IN THERE QUICK!"
Bullets tore toward him. Nora lifted his great sword, Frostspiltter, angling the blade to shield his face from stray shots as he pushed forward. Sparks sprayed with every impact, the steel ringing in his ears. Each step was heavy, his body straining, but he kept the line for his team.
His chest tightened with the thought that pressed against his mind:
We're not going to make it in time.
A roar of flame erupted past his right side, spiraling down the corridor. The blast consumed the soldiers ahead in fire and force. The reinforced door shuddered, then blew open off its hinges.
Smoke curled from Webster's hand. His chest heaved, sweat plastering his hair against his forehead.
Webster (screamed):
"NORA! WE WILL HOLD THEM BACK! QUICKLY GO IN AND STOP IT!"
Nora locked eyes with him — a wordless exchange of trust — and broke into the chamber alone.
Behind him, Webster staggered back to the defensive line, his body trembling from the energy he'd already burned.
Webster (shouted):
"FIONA, VERN, AND NEX! GET BEHIND US! THE REST, HOLD YOUR DEFENSE!"
His hands shook. His thoughts burned:
Goddamn it! What the hell went wrong?!
The hall roared with gunfire and elemental clashes, walls trembling with each exchange.
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Nora stepped into the Chrono Chamber. Sound warped, space twisted. It was as though time itself had been shattered into jagged shards. His skin tore with invisible pressure, his bones aching under the weight, but his endurance dragged him forward.
His eyes fixed on the Chrono Machine. In a burst of motion, ice formed under his boots, propelling him across the chamber. Frostspiltter(Great Sword) split into twin blades, crossed in an X, and carved into the machine.
The steel screamed on impact. Sparks exploded. The blades skittered off.
The machine was unharmed.
Nora's pulse hammered. His arms shook from the rebound, his grip nearly slipping.
No... it's not working.
The chamber quaked harder. Cracks of light tore across the walls.
We're too late... Aria, I'm sorry. Everyone... dammit.
The Chrono Machine's core flared. Light, sound, and space itself collapsed inward, then tore outward in violent waves. Reality folded in on itself until all that remained was blinding white.
YOU ARE READING
StarDust: Beyond the Collapse
AdventureIf you're looking for a professionally polished epic, this might not be for you. This light novel is my journey in learning how to write a story I've always wanted to read. I'm writing about the things I love: a slow-paced adventure, a world that fe...
