Dimension System: SSS Rank Talent Awakening

Chapter 223- The Portal to the Warden’s Domain



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The portal rippled as Dabi, Loira, and Selene stepped through, the air crackling with residual energy. They emerged into a world vastly different from the chaotic realms they had faced before.

The sky above was an endless expanse of amber and gold, as if frozen in perpetual twilight. Beneath it stretched a barren landscape, its ground polished like glass, reflecting faint echoes of the sky's hues.

Dotting the horizon were towering monoliths— ancient and imposing, their surfaces etched with glowing runes. These runes pulsed rhythmically, like the heartbeat of the world itself.

"This place…" Loira whispered, her voice trailing off as she tightened her grip on her staff. "It feels unnatural."

Selene scanned the surroundings, her expression tense. "This is the Warden's Domain," she confirmed. "The serenity here is a facade. Each step we take will lead us closer to danger."

"What's the Warden exactly?" Dabi asked, studying the nearest monolith.

"A construct of order," Selene replied grimly. "It exists to enforce balance and protect the fragment shards. To the Warden, we're intruders— threats to the equilibrium it was created to preserve."

"Fantastic," Dabi muttered. "An indestructible watch dog. Just what we needed."

Loira stepped closer to the monolith, examining its runes. "These symbols…" She trailed off, her voice tinged with apprehension. "They're not just decorative. They're alive— aware of us."

As if in response to her words, a low hum filled the air.

The runes on the nearest monolith shifted, rearranging themselves into a new pattern. A faint glow emerged from its center, growing brighter until a massive eye blinked open. Its pupil burned with golden light, locking onto the group with an unblinking stare.

"Get ready!" Selene yelled, summoning her weapon.

The eye emitted a beam of searing energy, tearing through the air with terrifying precision. Dabi yanked Loira aside, the beam striking the ground where she had been standing moments before.

"Move!" Selene shouted.

They sprinted through the field of monoliths, which now seemed to come alive. More eyes opened across the structures, each one glowing with malevolent intent. Beams of light rained down around them, leaving molten craters in their wake.

"They're herding us!" Loira pointed at the enemy, casting a barrier to deflect a blast.

"No kidding!" Dabi growled, slashing through smaller constructs that erupted from the ground. These smaller entities, composed of shifting metal and glowing runes, swarmed toward them like predators.

Selene unleashed a burst of energy, obliterating the constructs in their path. "We need to get to the clearing ahead. That's where the Warden will appear!"

They started running..... to the centre.

As they reached the center of the domain, the monoliths ceased their attacks, their eyes closing in unison. The oppressive energy that had been building suddenly condensed, swirling into a vortex of golden light.

A towering figure materialized within the vortex, its form a mix of humanoid grace and mechanical precision.

The Warden's body was composed of gleaming metallic plates, each inscribed with intricate runes that glowed with pulsing energy. It carried a colossal staff, its tip crackling with power, and its eyes burned with an intense, unyielding light.

"Turn back," the Warden commanded, its voice a resonant boom that seemed to shake the very air. "The fragment shard piece is not yours to claim. Leave now, or face annihilation."

Selene stepped forward, her stance unwavering. "We're here to restore balance, not disrupt it. The fragment shard is necessary for the survival of countless lives, people are depending on the fragments. We won't leave without it."

The Warden raised its staff, its runes flaring ominously. "Balance is maintained by my watch. You are weak. You can't protect the Aetherial core from the enemy. Your interference is a threat to future. You will be judged."

The Warden slammed its staff into the ground, unleashing a shockwave that tore through the clearing. Loira reacted instantly, creating a magical energy barrier that absorbed the brunt of the blast.

"Dabi, flank it!" she commanded. "Selene, keep it distracted!"

Dabi nodded, summoning a portal above the Warden and dropping through it with his blade aimed at its head. The Warden reacted with inhuman speed, raising its staff to block the attack. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, throwing Dabi backward.

"Not bad," Dabi muttered, flipping to his feet.

Selene unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, each one aimed at the runes glowing across the Warden's body. The Warden countered with beams of concentrated light, forcing Selene to dart and weave to avoid them.

"This thing is relentless!" Selene growled, summoning a shield to deflect another beam.

Loira channeled her magic into the ground, causing glowing vines of energy to erupt and wrap around the Warden's legs. "Its core is its weakness!" she shouted. "Aim for the central rune!"
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The Warden tore through the vines with a sweep of its staff, its movements swift and precise.

As the battle intensified, the Warden grew more aggressive. It twirled its staff, generating a vortex of energy that tore through the ground, forcing the group to scatter.

"We're barely making a dent!" Dabi shouted, dodging debris.

Selene's eyes glowed as she activated one of her most powerful abilities. "Then we'll overwhelm it!" She raised her hands, summoning a storm of magical energy that rained down on the Warden. The blasts struck the runes across its body, causing them to flicker.

Loira seized the opportunity, channeling her magic into a concentrated beam aimed at the Warden's chest. The attack struck the central rune, causing the construct to stagger.

"Now, Dabi!" Loira yelled.

Dabi opened a portal beneath the Warden, redirecting one of its own attacks back at its core. The impact shattered the central rune, and the Warden froze, its body crackling with unstable energy.

The Warden collapsed, its form disintegrating into pieces of light. As the dust settled, a glowing fragment shard piece emerged from the wreckage, floating gently toward the group.

Dabi reached out, his fingers closing around the fragment shard. The moment he touched it, a surge of energy coursed through him. Visions of their battle with the warden flashed before his eyes— scenes of unity, of battles fought and won through trust and cooperation.

When the visions faded, Dabi exhaled sharply, his grip on the fragment shard firm.

"What did you see?" Loira asked, her voice soft.

"Strength," Dabi said, his gaze steady. "Not mine alone, but ours. Together."

Selene nodded, though her expression was grim. "The fragment shard strengthens us, but it also draws the Ancient Ones closer. We need to be ready for what's coming."

Dabi smirked, the fragment merge with the main core. "Let them come. We'll handle whatever they throw at us."

Loira placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "One step at a time. For now, let's get out of here."

Together, they stepped through the portal, leaving the Warden's Domain behind. Another fragment shard piece was secured, but their journey was far from over. With the Ancient Ones looming ever closer, the stakes had never been higher.

The portal deposited Dabi, Loira, and Selene into the outskirts of Celestia city.

"They didn't notice it that they are back. They thought they are in new place looking for another fragment piece."

Few minutes later...

The familiar sight of their battered city came into view— cracked spires rising above the cityscape, with signs of repair scattered throughout. Smoke from distant fires had cleared, but the air still carried the scent of destruction.

Dabi stepped forward, clutching the core they had retrieved from the all Domains. The glowing core pulsed faintly in his hand, its light dim compared to the radiance it had displayed in the battle.

"Why are we back at the capital? What happened Dabi asked?"

Loira replied. I don't know why we are back. The core still need few more fragments to complete. Maybe the core is giving us time to rest. Or something else.

Selene brushed dust from her armor. No you are in the right place. I bring you back. We need to stabilise the core energy. The more fragments you collect it's energy become more stronger.

Many enemies will scene the Aetherial core energy. They will come to take it. That is what the warden was warning.

Dabi said. "We've claimed enough fragment shard, our journey will be more dangerous. The Ancient Ones are stirring, and the core's energy will draw other enemies attention."

This is too much trouble.We need to stay alert all the time.

Loira glanced at the horizon, her expression distant. "So We need to stabilize the core quickly. If we delay any longer, we are in big trouble ."

Let's go to council hall first. Then we will decide our next steps. Dabi said.

Their arrival at the Council Hall was met with both relief and urgency. Aldric, flanked by the remaining Saints, stepped forward. His normally stern face softened slightly as his gaze fell on the shard.

"You both are safe," Aldric said, his voice steady but edged with Worry and care.

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