VRMMORPG: Eternal Nexus online

The trip back to the Sky Citadel was unsettlingly silent. Tension filled the air as Team Eclipse journeyed through desolate plains. Each step felt heavy, as if it were weighed down by exhaustion and gravity with what they had before them. The pulsing, glowing Abyssal Core Fragments that Ryu held within seemed to shimmer dimly, casting shadows ominously dancing in the faint light.

The shreds feel heavier now," said Draven, adjusting the straps for his shield. "Or perhaps is that just me?"

"Aris replied, her low voice barely audible. Glancing at the shreds she noted in Ryu's hand. In which intenseness by each mile traveled. As " It as if they are… ALive "… and they know where to.

Ryu said nothing, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The Sky Citadel rose in the distance, its massive silhouette a jagged blade that had broken the skyline. Power and malice seemed to writhe from it, as though the Abyss itself had taken root within its walls.

The fragments thrummed louder as they approached, the vibrations now strong enough for everyone to feel.

"We're getting close," Ryu finally said, his voice sharp and focused. "Stay alert."

The Sky Citadel

When they reached the base of the Citadel, they were met with a sight that stole their breath. A swirling vortex of Abyssal energy surrounded the structure, its dark tendrils lashing out like living entities. The gates, massive and intricately carved with symbols of a long-forgotten language, stood sealed.

A small, round depression was placed at the center of the gate, softly emitting a light—the exact shape and size of the Abyssal Core Fragments.

Ryu took a step forward, paused for only a moment, then raised the fragments. As if reacting to his action, they lifted from his hand and began to spin in mid-air. Each fragment fell one at a time into the indentation, where their brightness increased until a bright light filled the entire gate.

The earth beneath them convulsed violently as the gates creaked open slowly, showing an enormous room beyond.

"This feels like walking into the mouth of a beast," Draven muttered, gripping his mace tightly.

"We've come this far," Aris said, her voice steady but tense. "No turning back now."

Ryu stepped through first, Voidfang drawn and ready. The others followed, their weapons at the ready.

The interior of the Citadel was nothing like they had ever witnessed. Obsidian spires shot up through the darkness, rivers of energy flowing across the floor like veins. The air was oppressive, heavy and suffocating, and with each step they took, echoed ominously through the vast cavernous space.

In the middle of the room was a massive throne, made from the same obsidian as the Citadel. Seated on it was a figure shrouded in darkness, its form constantly shifting and indistinct. Two glowing red eyes cut through the darkness, fixing on the intruders.

[Abyssal Entity Detected: Zenith, Architect of Eternal Nexus Online]

Level:???

"Zenith?" Aris whispered, her voice trembling. "The creator of the game?"

"No," Ryu said, his voice low and dangerous. "Not anymore. The Abyss has consumed him."

The figure on the throne stood up. Its movements were fluid but unnatural. As it spoke, its voice sounded like an echo that chilled them deep into their bones.

"You have done well to reach this place, players," Zenith said, his tone almost mocking. "But your journey ends here. The Abyss is eternal, and so too shall you be—trapped within its grasp forever."

The ground beneath them began to shift as massive tendrils of Abyssal energy erupted, twisting and lashing out with terrifying speed.

"Scatter!" Ryu yelled, jumping aside as one of the tendrils hit the ground where he had been a moment before.

Zenith raised a hand, and it was almost as if the Citadel itself came to life. Walls shifted, the floor cracked open, and constructs born from pure Abyssal energy emerged from the darkness. Their glowing eyes focused on the team, their claws stretching forth as they approached.

[Enemy Encounter: Abyssal Constructs x10]

"Draven, keep them off us!" Ryu ordered sharply, decisively. "Aris, take the high ground and cover me!"

Draven anchored himself firmly, his shield raised as he intercepted the first wave of constructs. Sparks flew as their claws raked against his shield, but he held his ground.

Aris darted to a nearby ledge, her bow already nocked. She loosed arrow after arrow, each one finding its mark and slowing the advancing enemies.

Ryu charged forward, his eyes locked on Zenith. Voidfang hummed in his hand, its energy resonating with the Abyss.

"Zenith!" Ryu called out, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Face me!"

Zenith's shadowy shape cocked its head to one side as if in amusement. "You are bold, but you are nothing before the Abyss."

Zenith waved his hand and a massive tendril leapt out at Ryu. Ryu dodged, avoiding the strike by mere inches. He retaliated with Voidfang's shadow strike, teleporting behind Zenith.

But before Ryu could find his mark, Zenith whipped around with impossible speed to catch Voidfang mid-lunge. The blade shook within his grasp, and a spark of Abyssal energy sent Ryu flying across the room.

"Ryu!" Aris shrieked, her arrows raining down upon Zenith in an attempt to distract him.

Zenith easily deflected the projectiles and laughed, the sound sending echoes through the Citadel. "Your struggle is futile, the Abyss consumes all," he said.

As the battle continued, the Citadel violently trembled, and the walls and ceiling cracked.

The energy of the Abyss around Zenith thickened, darkened, and grew more volatile.

Zenith raised both hands, and the whole chamber collapsed inward as if the Abyss itself swallowed the space.

"You all will die here," Zenith shouted, his voice a deafening roar. "And the Abyss shall rise!

Ryu hauled himself up, blood seeping from the edge of his mouth. His eyes had been ablaze with determination as he held Voidfang tightly in his grip.

"No," he said, voice firm over the cacophony. "We end this. Here, now."

The screen flickered open a new notification:

[Final Boss Encounter: Zenith, The Abyssal Sovereign]

Level:??

The ground beneath them started to break apart, and Zenith released a huge wave of Abyssal energy that filled the chamber.

"Brace yourselves!" Ryu shouted as the wave surged toward them, threatening to engulf everything.

And then—

The screen went black.

A single message appeared:

[To be continued…]