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Chapter 4 - THE FINAL TRUTH

A large holographic display appeared again in the sky.

đź’¬ SYSTEM VOICE (bold, metallic tone):

"Congratulations, surviving players. You have completed your initiation."

Everyone cheered softly, but the screen continued:

"But this... was only the beginning."

Suddenly, the image zoomed out — not just showing the current world, but revealing countless worlds swirling in a cosmic storm.

Players looked at each other in confusion.

đź’¬ SYSTEM VOICE:

"This game spans across the multiverse. Over 100 universes have selected players. This is the Grand Tournament ."

Gasps echoed in the room. Even Ayaan clenched his fists.

đź’¬ SYSTEM VOICE:

"The rules are simple: you will enter other universes. You will fight. Only one universe must survive. If at least one player from a universe remains alive... your entire universe wins. If not... your universe will be ERASED."

Silence. Some players dropped to their knees in shock.

đź’¬ Sofia whispered, tears in her eyes:

"If we lose... our whole Earth... everyone we know... gone?"

💬 A mysterious deep voice interrupted the system — a shadowy figure appeared. It was an alien human, their eyes glowing:

"This is not simply a game... It is the test to choose the Ultimate Universe."

đź’¬ Alien Human continues:

"Your intelligence so far was only a small test. Now... prepare to enter the true battlefield —

SYSTEM VOICE:

"Before entering the Multiverse Combat Zone... all players must be equipped with adaptive combat uniforms. Please proceed to the next chamber."

The players glance around. A wide futuristic room opens, filled with shimmering capsules.

đź’¬ Danny (grinning):

"Bro... we're about to cosplay for real."

đź’¬ Ayaan (half-smile):

"Yeah... but this time, it's not for fun.

Each player steps into a capsule — a blinding light scans their body.

Moments later, they step out in their new combat uniform — sleek, fitted, glowing faintly.

Sofia steps out last. The moment Ayaan sees her — a strange spark flickers in his mind.

His breath catches.

đź’¬ Sofia (confused, shy smile):

"Ayaan? Why are you staring?"

đź’¬ Ayaan (nervous, forcing a laugh):

"N-Nothing... it's just... when you wore that dress... it felt like... like something that already happened."

đź’¬ Zoro (grinning):

"Heh. You guys ever heard of the Red Thread of Fate?"

Everyone looks at him.

đź’¬ Zoro (serious for once):

"They say... when two souls are destined, their fates are tied by an invisible red thread. Even across time... or multiverses."

A new voice speaks — Yoruichii walks in, adjusting her gloves.

đź’¬ Yoruichii (softly):

"That's true. I've read about it too... In this game... strange things happen. Strong bonds might be... no coincidence."

đź’¬ Sofia (blushing, soft voice):

"I... I felt the same spark. The moment I looked at Ayaan for the first time."

Ayaan's heart pounds. The others glance at him knowingly.

Comic Relief Moment

Suddenly Jonas shouts from across the room:

đź’¬ Jonas (grumpy):

"Hey! Abdul! Where's MY uniform? They gave me some... weird cape!"

đź’¬ Abdul (teasing):

"Go to your own team, big!"

Laughter breaks the tension.

The room shook softly as the portal preparation sequence began.

A glowing panel rose from the floor. On it were hundreds of names — real names crossed out, replaced with new titles.

đź’¬ SYSTEM VOICE:

"Before entering the Multiverse Combat Zone, each player shall be assigned a battle codename."

"These names will become your identity in this war."

Everyone looked at the screen as names appeared, one by one:

AYAAN → PRINCE

ZORO → AIZEN

DANNY → DESTROYER

ABDUL → GRAND PRIEST

JONAS → BIG BANG

đź’¬ Danny (grinning):

"Brooo! 'Destroyer'? That's badass!"

đź’¬ Zoro (smirking):

"'Aizen'? Heh. I like it."

đź’¬ Abdul (sweating):

"'Grand Priest'? I hope they don't expect me to preach!"

đź’¬ Jonas (laughing):

"'Big Bang'? Well, that suits me! I'll blow 'em all away!"

Ayaan glanced at his title: "PRINCE."

His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

đź’¬ Ayaan (inner voice):

"Prince… of what fate? I have to find out."

đź’¬ Sofia (smiling softly):

"I think it suits you."

A faint blush crossed her cheeks.

đź’¬ Yoruichii (walking past, smirking):

"Don't get too comfortable, Prince. The real war is about to begin."

The lights dimmed. The portal surged with energy.

đź’¬ SYSTEM VOICE:

"All players... Prepare for Multiverse Transfer."

A massive countdown began on the walls: 10… 9… 8…

đź’¬ Ayaan (raising his voice):

"Team — stay close. No matter where we land next… we fight as one!"

Everyone nodded.

đź’¬ Zoro:

"Together till the end."

5… 4… 3…

đź’¬ Sofia (gripping Ayaan's hand softly):

"Stay alive, Ayaan."

đź’¬ Ayaan (firmly):

"I will. We all will."

2… 1…

The room filled with blinding light as the team stepped into the portal.

Their silhouettes faded — ready to face the unknown Multiverse

As the portal's light faded, Ayaan and his team were standing in complete darkness.

Then—slowly—the world around them began to form.

A massive battle arena unlike anything they'd ever seen appeared before them.

Sky of shifting stars, buildings from different timelines, floating islands from strange universes.

But before they could speak—

A sudden high-pitched static screeched through the air.

đź’¬ Zoro (looking around):

"...Did you feel that?"

No one replied. Everyone was suddenly frozen.

A strange GLITCH appeared in the sky.

Time seemed to bend.

The walls, the people, even the light around them — all started to distort like broken pixels.

đź’¬ Zoro (whispering):

"...What is this...?"

He looked down. His hands were fading and reappearing.

Everyone around him was completely still... as if trapped in time sleep.

A single phrase echoed in Zoro's mind:

đź’¬ "This is not just a multiverse. This is a LOOP."

Suddenly—

đź’Ą BOOM!

A loud explosion rocked the battlefield.

Everyone jolted awake—gasping, confused, panicked.

đź’¬ Ayaan (panting):

"What was that…?"

đź’¬ Sofia:

"It was like… we disappeared for a moment."

đź’¬ Zoro (shaken):

"…No. Time was rewritten. I saw something… something we're not supposed to."

Everyone fell into silence again, staring at Zoro.

Was it a glitch?

Was it the future?

Was the game more than just a game?

Zoro slowly raised his head, eyes burning with curiosity and fear.

đź’¬ Zoro:

"We're not just fighting other universes..."

"…We're fighting against TIME itself."

⚡️TO BE CONTINUED….

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