Chapter 409: The Gate Opens After Three Years
Ethan stood within his Mindscape, watching the subtle yet monumental changes unfolding around him. It felt like an eternity had passed—centuries, even—as though time itself had lost meaning in this place.
The Energy Pool had grown significantly. At its center, Mindscape Island expanded in tandem, gaining size and structure. Then something unexpected happened—a bridge began to stretch out from the island’s southern edge. From where it ended, the Energy Pool stirred violently. Water churned upward in a chaotic surge, and from its depths, an earthy-yellow crescent platform slowly ascended. Its emergence stained the surrounding energy with the same hue, altering the entire southern section of the Pool. The Source Energy shifted with it.
Ethan observed in silence, a mix of awe and curiosity brewing within him. What was this new area? What was its purpose? The white mist around him continued its slow descent, and the Energy Pool pushed outward in a pace so gradual it was almost imperceptible. In this place, time had no weight. There was no sun, no shadow, no moment to measure.
Boredom gnawed at him. He tried slamming his consciousness against the Gate of Ascension again and again, hoping to force his way out and return to his physical body. That was how he’d escaped last time—rushing the gate from the opposite side. But this time, the gate remained firmly shut. Worse still, he couldn’t draw upon the Source Energy. It was like his powers were being held just out of reach.
Time blurred. Ethan organized and re-organized the contents of Mindscape Island more times than he could count. He even considered summoning the Ethereal system just to revisit a lingering question—why his Forbidden spells hadn’t gone on cooldown at the same time. But in this stasis, he couldn’t access anything, not even that.
The stillness was maddening.
Then, just as his patience neared its breaking point, a sound cut through the silence—a soft, creaking noise, like the hinges of a door slowly giving way. In this realm of absolute quiet, it thundered.
Ethan’s eyes flew open. He’d been sitting cross-legged in front of the Gate of Ascension, and now, that very gate had opened... just a sliver.
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"Ethan... Ethan... wake up!"
The instant he passed through the Gate, his consciousness was swallowed by darkness. Then a voice—sweet, bell-like—echoed through the void, calling his name. He tried to open his eyes, to see who it was, but everything felt heavy. Sleep took him once more.
He didn’t know how much time had passed before he felt it—a warm, soft hand brushing gently across his forehead. Someone was cradling his head, whispering his name. That familiar scent, soft and floral, stirred something in him. He smiled unconsciously.