Gacha Summoner: Pulled into Another World

Chapter 17: The Heart of Eternum

**Chapter 17: The Heart of Eternum**

The passage stretched ahead, a narrow corridor carved deep into the mountain. The walls, though ancient, felt alive—pulsing faintly with a subtle energy. Yuuji led the group, the Blade of Eterna casting a dim glow that barely pierced the thick darkness. The tension was palpable, each step heavier than the last as they ventured further into the unknown.

Behind him, the mage muttered incantations under her breath, her hands glowing with protective magic. The knight marched steadily, shield raised, while the archer trailed close, her bow drawn and ready. They all knew what lay ahead was far more dangerous than anything they had faced before.

“There’s something off about this place,” the knight muttered, his voice low. “I can feel it in the air.”

The mage nodded. “The closer we get, the more powerful the energy becomes. It’s… overwhelming, almost. We must be nearing the Heart.”

Yuuji’s grip tightened on his sword as the passage began to slope downward. The oppressive energy that surrounded them grew thicker with every step, until breathing felt like a conscious effort. His mind was buzzing, flashes of the Blade’s previous wielders rushing through his thoughts in disjointed images—battles fought, sacrifices made, and lives lost in the pursuit of balance.

As they descended deeper, the walls became smoother, polished as though they had been shaped by a higher force. Strange symbols, unlike any they had seen before, adorned the stone. They pulsed faintly, like ancient runes still alive with a forgotten magic.

“It’s beautiful,” the archer whispered, her voice tinged with awe as she traced a finger over one of the glowing symbols. “But also… terrifying.”

The mage’s brow furrowed in concentration. “These runes are ancient, older than even the gods. They’re part of the magic that binds the entities. We’re walking on sacred ground.”

Suddenly, the corridor widened into a massive cavern. In the center of the room, resting upon an enormous pedestal, was the Heart of Eternum. It was a colossal crystal, glowing with an intense, mesmerizing light. The air around it shimmered, distorting reality itself as if the Heart’s energy was bending the very fabric of existence.

They all stood in awe for a moment, speechless. The sheer power radiating from the Heart was undeniable. It felt both divine and chaotic, a force of creation and destruction held in perfect balance.

Yuuji stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the Heart. The Blade of Eterna pulsed wildly in his hand, almost as if it was resonating with the crystal.

“This is it,” Yuuji said softly. “The Heart of Eternum.”

The mage approached cautiously, her eyes glowing as she analyzed the magic swirling around the Heart. “This is the source,” she said. “The energy that holds the balance between chaos and order. If we can harness it, we might be able to stop the entities—or at least control their power.”

The knight frowned, his grip tightening on his sword. “And what if we can’t? What if this power overwhelms us?”

Yuuji didn’t have an answer for that. The Heart’s energy was unlike anything they had ever encountered. It was raw, untamed, and ancient. If they failed to control it, the consequences could be catastrophic.

Suddenly, the Blade of Eterna flashed brightly, and Yuuji felt a surge of energy rush through him. He staggered, clutching the sword as visions flooded his mind. He saw flashes of the past—of wielders before him, standing before the Heart just as he was now. Some had tried to control it. Others had failed, consumed by the very power they sought to harness.