Virtual Reality Cultivator-Chapter 64: Regalis Prime

The skies of Regalis Prime were veiled in silvery-gray clouds, streaked with blue lightning from the relentless ion storms. Below, once-magnificent floating cities now appeared as mere echoes of their former glory, their towers cracked and lighting systems flickering erratically.

Ardent Flame entered orbit at low speed, radar picking up dozens of unidentified patrol ships scattered throughout the atmosphere. Bell, seated in the co-pilot's chair, squinted at the screen.

"We're not alone. Something's here... and they don't want us seeing it."

Ember stood behind them, her gaze empty, her mind still haunted by the voices from the previous Chapter. But this time, the presence felt subdued. Not gone—but watching.

"Set us down in the southern district. There's still an old market ruin there. We can get in without drawing too much attention," Ember said firmly.

The Dead City That Still Lives

As they landed, the crew donned protective gear. Regalis Prime wasn't toxic, but its atmosphere was thick with fine metallic particles—remnants of plasma warfare from centuries past.

Claire led the way, occasionally scanning the ruins with an anomaly detector. Bell and Ember followed close behind, while Nova and Arin flanked the right side for cover.

"We're looking for a psionic energy concentration. A Nexus—or whatever controls it—used to be active here," Nova explained.

Among the old buildings overgrown with crystal fungus, they found a structure resembling a temple. Its carvings were shaped like layered eyes, a symbol Ember had seen in her visions—the eyes of Orivath.

"This isn't just a temple... it's an altar," Claire whispered.

An Unexpected Encounter

As they approached the altar, a group of hooded figures emerged from the shadows. Their faces were hidden, but their presence was heavy. One of them stepped forward, raising a hand.

"Ember of the Nexus. We've been waiting for you."

Bell immediately raised her weapon, but Ember held out her hand to stop her.

"Who are you?"

"We are The Echoed, guardians of the truth. Survivors of a failed unification with Orivath. And we know... you are the harbinger of change."

They stepped aside, revealing an old capsule embedded in the center of the altar. Inside: the body of a woman—identical to Ember, but older.

A Shocking Truth

"That's..." Ember's voice trembled.

One of the Echoed nodded. "Your first version. The failed Ember. But she carries memories of a future that hasn't yet come to pass. And now, you must merge with her."

Bell stepped forward. "You're insane! That's a living experiment!"

But Ember was already drawn to the capsule... and the voices returned.

Merge... and you will know everything...

Claire tried to stop her. "If you merge, there may be no way back. It might not be just memories—her consciousness could come with it."

But Ember had decided.

"If I want to know who I truly am, and why I was sent here... I need to see it for myself."

The Merging

The process was agonizing. Ember placed her hand on the capsule, and a blue light enveloped her. Memory after memory flooded her mind—futures that never came to be, intergalactic wars, the fall of the Nexus, and a betrayal from someone close.

She screamed, her body trembling. But when the light faded... Ember stood tall. Her eyes glowed briefly, then returned to normal. She was still Ember—but no longer the same.

"Now I know... who the real enemy is. And what I must do."

Toward the Truth

Back aboard the Ardent Flame, the crew gathered as Ember shared everything she had seen: that Orivath was not a single entity, but a collective intelligence from the future trying to control the flow of time—and the Nexus was the bridge connecting galaxies to that awareness.

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"There's an old base in the Crescent of the Altair System. That's where it all began. And that's where it must end."

Bell looked at her, tense. "And if we fail?"

Ember gave a faint smile, eyes sharp. "If we fail, then the entire galaxy will live under the will of something that cannot die."