[ENG] Last Reader Standing

Chapter 31: The Repercussions of the Distortion

The new reality was more complex than our heroes had anticipated. Temporal anomalies appeared suddenly, creating distortions in space-time and projecting fragments of the past and future. The city they knew blended with unfamiliar landscapes, and fantastical creatures, emerging from temporal rifts, appeared sporadically.

«It's as if time itself is tearing apart,» murmured Jun, observing a rift that showed an event from their childhood.

Calla examined another rift, where she saw a version of herself she didn't recognize. «It's not just the past. It's a distortion of all possibilities.»

Jun, Calla, Sora, and Miranda found themselves plunged into the heart of this temporal storm, confronted with alternative versions of themselves and realities where the lines between good and evil were blurred and indistinct.

Jun faced a reflection of himself, a man marked by mistakes and regrets. «You must accept your past to move forward,» his reflection said, his eyes shining with wisdom and sadness.

Calla confronted a version of herself who had succumbed to temptation and betrayal, threatening everything she had built. «Never let the shadow consume you,» her double warned. «Remember why you fight.»

Sora struggled with his wild and primal side, seeking balance between his humanity and animal nature. Miranda faced the consequences of her past actions, confronted with a destiny she had always feared.

«We must stay united,» said Miranda, her voice trembling. «It's our only chance to stabilize this reality.»

Amidst this temporal chaos, they fought not only against external enemies but also against their own inner demons. Their deepest fears and darkest regrets resurfaced, but their friendship remained their greatest strength.

Their quest led them through strange landscapes, deformed by the temporal rifts. Creatures emerged from these anomalies, twisted beings distorted by the fabric of time.

They arrived in a ruined city, overgrown with vegetation and temporal anomalies. Echoes of past conversations floated in the air, creating a cacophony of melancholic voices.

«It looks like this city has been abandoned for centuries,» observed Calla, examining a collapsed house.

«And yet the rifts show moments when it was still inhabited,» added Jun, pointing to a fleeting vision of children playing in the streets.

They encountered a group of survivors hiding in the basements, frightened and disoriented by the temporal distortions. An old woman, their leader, approached them, her eyes shining with determination.

«You are the first to come since it all began,» she said in a raspy voice. «We need your help to understand what's happening and, maybe, to reverse this madness.»

Jun nodded. «We will do everything we can to restore balance.»

The old woman led them to an ancient library, its walls covered with maps and manuscripts describing temporal phenomena. Miranda scrutinized the documents carefully.

«These maps show points of temporal convergence,» Miranda explained. «We should explore these locations to understand how to stabilize the rifts.»

With the guidance of the survivors, our heroes headed toward the points of convergence. Along the way, they faced distorted creatures, beasts with changing forms and unpredictable behaviors.

«These monsters seem to be the result of the rifts,» observed Jun after slaying a tentacled creature. «We must keep moving forward.»

Their journey took them through arid deserts, lush forests, and steep mountains, each place bearing the marks of temporal distortions. They encountered anomalies that defied logic, such as rivers flowing backward and trees growing instantly before their eyes.

«It's as if time itself is working against us,» murmured Calla, fascinated and frightened by the phenomena.

Upon reaching the first point of convergence, they discovered an ancient tower, once an observatory. Inside, ancient instruments and dust-covered writings testified to the studies on time conducted by the former inhabitants.

«These studies show attempts to manipulate time,» said Miranda, flipping through an old journal. «They tried to prevent future catastrophes, but it seems they inadvertently created these rifts.»

Sora, who had explored the surroundings, returned with a discovery. «There's a portal outside the tower. It seems unstable, but it could be our way to stabilize this region.»

They went outside and found the portal, its edges shimmering with strange, fluctuating energy. It emitted unsettling vibrations, as if struggling to maintain its existence.

«It looks like this portal is about to collapse,» said Jun, approaching cautiously. «We must find a way to stabilize it before it causes more damage.»

Miranda examined the inscriptions around the portal. «These symbols suggest a stabilization ritual. We should be able to use it to anchor the portal in this reality.»

They worked together, following Miranda's instructions, and succeeded in stabilizing the portal, at least temporarily. The distortions around them calmed slightly, but they knew it was only a provisional solution.

«We must find the other points of convergence and repeat this process,» declared Calla with determination.

Their quest led them to other points of convergence, each time requiring renewed efforts to stabilize the portals and reduce the temporal distortions. Their journey was fraught with obstacles, but they remained united, determined to save their world.

Finally, after stabilizing several portals, they arrived at a final point of convergence, a hidden valley surrounded by imposing mountains. In the center of the valley stood a massive portal, its edges pulsing with particularly unstable energy.

«This is the last one,» said Jun, his gaze fixed on the portal. «If we manage to stabilize this one, we'll have a chance to restore balance.»

As they approached the portal, they felt a strange presence, as if time itself was watching them. They exchanged glances, aware that this would be the hardest trial.

«Together,» murmured Calla. «We'll face this challenge together.»

They prepared to begin the ritual, Miranda's hands trembling slightly as she started the incantations. The portal reacted violently, its edges shimmering erratically.

Sora, his senses on high alert, growled softly. «Something is wrong. This portal is reacting differently from the others.»

Jun, Calla, Sora, and Miranda stood ready, their determination unwavering. They knew this would be the hardest trial, but they were prepared to face the unknown, united by their friendship and courage.

As they stood before the erratically reacting portal, an intense light enveloped them, promising new adventures and challenges within the mysteries of time and space.