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You have earned 1 Silver Ascension Token, 10 Schema Tokens, and 5000 Schema Credits! More rewards await you and your world as the saviors and Cleansers of Eternum!

You have earned 1000 Ascension Points! Your Arena Rank has progressed to Bronze X. Please ascend to Silver Realm and attempt a Silver Gauntlet match in six months of your world’s time to progress or attempt another Bronze Gauntlet event to maintain your rank and progression eligibility.

As the winners of the Cleansing, you have won an invitation to the Labyrinth. Your team must include either five Silver Realmers or one Gold Realmer, three Silver Realmers, and one Bronze Realmer. The Labyrinth opens in twenty-five months of your world’s time. Only two teams may enter from your world, and the leaders must be the individuals who have completed the final challenge. However, arena fighters from any universe may be invited to join the event.

The Labyrinth doesn’t open often, and its heart needs harvesting. The closer your team gets to the center, the greater the rewards. Cursed Ones, corruption, traps, and other threats await.

Prepare. Train. Recruit. 

“What the hell is the Labyrinth?” Nil asked. The notification appeared as soon as the team was teleported back to the arena backrooms. Instead of landing within the ring-shaped structure, they stood at the center of it. He had always wondered what lay beyond the curving inner wall. He found more of the same. Except it looked like a sprawling city with grand structures reminiscent of the Nexus and its market, but grander. “Is it a more exclusive Cleansing?”

“It's an invitation-only battle royale,” Iris answered, her joy from winning the Cleansing faltering for a moment. “Only winners of high-profile, large-scale events like the Cleansing are invited to it. The rewards are apparently incredible, but it makes the prerequisite events look like walks in the park.”

“I think I read about it in the Weave’s archives,” Selia commented. The healers had rushed to the team’s aid as soon as they arrived in the rest area. It looked like a giant healer’s tent. Zora lay nearby, fast asleep. Multiple spells washed over her,  healing cuts, bruises, lightning burns, and more that marked her otherwise flawless skin. “It was a structure meant to contain some sort of mine. The Scourge built it and warded against the Control Worlds but eventually lost control. The overwhelming magic transformed and enhanced the Cursed Ones and Beasts. Scary stuff but vital for Arena Intelligence and powering anti-Void defences. The rewards make the Cleansing’s prizes look like shit.”

“I wouldn’t go that far, but it's true.” Iris hesitantly glanced at Shawn, who had moved away to check on Zora. “Since I’m a late addition to Team Forge, I didn’t receive an invitation. My family and I would make it worth your time if you were to invite me to the event.”

“May we have some time to think about it?” Nil asked. “There are a lot of things that need resolving with our current teammates and back home first.”

“Of course.” Iris nodded. “Regardless. My offer stands. The pair of you, your families and your entourage are invited for a stay on my world. The resources and knowledge could be incredible for everyone’s growth. If you like it, we have enough pull to make the shift permanent and provide decent lives for everyone who accompanies you. That involves Andrew. Soulsmiths are always valued.”

“I don’t know if my father will be willing since he enjoys his job as our ludus’s manager,” Nil replied. “He might not consent to my siblings joining either, but we’ll figure something out. Thank you.” Zora stirred on the other side of the tent. “Looks like everyone is in decent enough shape to move on. Should we go claim the rest of our rewards?”

“I already have my share,” Iris stated. “I should get going. My team and family will want to see me.”

“Or you could hang around a few more minutes,” Selia told her. She took Nil’s hand and leaned against him. “Even Shawn will agree that we couldn’t have done this without you and deserve more of a reward.”

“Are you sure?” Iris raised her eyebrows.

Both Selia and Nil nodded. The warrior-woman smiled, following the pair. The Schema interface behaved like reality-augmentation goggles, guiding the team deeper into the city, sitting in the backroom’s heart.

The structures were larger and grander. Better-dressed individuals than the outer ring walked the streets. All radiated power. Iris explained that only the best had access to the area. Regular arena fighters only gained entry during prize ceremonies or if invited. Nil didn’t know which category he and his friends belonged to. The quality of products on display was of substantially better quality and contained far more intricate magic. However, the prices matched the significantly better handiwork. Garments matching his trousers called to him. Owning more than just durable trousers capable of mending themselves appealed to Nil. 

There were also cultivator stores with pills, scrolls, and manuals on display. When Nil took a step toward them, the notification urged him to report to the rewards vault. He hoped that he and his companions belonged to the first category and would get to stay or return to the central structure. There was a lot more Nil had to learn, and he also wanted to teach Emily and Sam. 

Unlike Emily, Sam didn’t have a power seed. Nil believed it was an advantage instead of a disadvantage. Even though they came with incredible powers, the mystical seeds severely limited how one could use their cultivated energy. The lack of one meant Sam would need to work harder, but incredible potential and power awaited him. However, Nil also respected that it was his little cousin’s decision. He wanted the young man to have options and hoped teaching him cultivation techniques and Watcher’s fundamentals would help him make a favorable decision.

Zora initially leaned on Shawn when they set off. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she appeared pale. The healers had done their job, but only time and meditation would help her with the strain of using two army-killing spells in quick succession. As they closed in on their destination, she walked independently, using her staff for support.

The signs didn’t lead them to the center of the circle as he had hoped. The destination was mere minutes from the healer’s tent, but it took them several minutes to get to where they needed to go. Distracting sites and temptation slowed them. Only Zora’s reminders of rest and awaited reward kept them going. It wasn’t long before they ended up in front of a building that looked like a giant gold and gem-encrusted safe. Giant suits of armor similar to the arena backrooms’ guardians stood around it. The two in front of the entrance stepped aside when the team approached, and a door opened.

Prize-laden pedestals, chests of gold, stacks of alien materials, fruits, and more awaited them. A shared screen hovered over it all, listing everything they had gained. It included two Gold Ascension Tokens, several Silver Ascension Tokens, a couple of hundred Schema Tokens, twenty-thousand Schema Credit, a long list of crafting materials, and food for spirit companions. There were also two soul weapon seeds, a pair of spirit companion eggs, a handful of scrolls, manuals, tomes, and a list of all the resources that would go to the Forge and their World. Two organic spheres named lesser power seeds also sat on a pedestal at the back of the room alongside a black pearl Nil desperately wanted. The signage called it a ‘chassis expansion shard.’

“I propose we hand all the materials to Andrew for his experiments and more equipment,” Nil said. “We owe him and his tireless work for our victory. More materials mean more goodies—”

“If you’re willing to give me more than all I’ve already received, I wouldn’t mind some of this,” Iris said, kneeling in front of a chest full of cloudy crystal shards. “Not all, of course. Just a couple of handfuls.”

“What is it?” Nil asked, holding one up to the light. It hummed under his touch, and the Source Gauntlets automatically activated as if reacting to the material.

“My people call it Source Glass,” Iris answered. “Incredibly rare. Durable. Hard to handle. It’s born of the Source barrier that separates the multiversal web from the Void. Any soul weapon chassis crafted from it will attract the Source and use it far better than your gauntlets. I suggest you have your soulsmith upgrade your chassis with this.”

“Anyone against Iris taking a few of these for her efforts?” 

No one protested. Shawn’s nod, though begrudging, surprised everyone. He took a spirit companion egg and an entire chest of products meant for their upgrade. It was a substantial portion of everything on offer and more than half of the materials of its kind.

“This is my cut. I believe it's more than fair.”

“Are you sure you don’t want a soul weapon seed—”

“No.” Shawn cut Selia off. He also took an extra Silver Ascension Token. A quarter of all Schema Tokens and credits also disappeared.  “I have what I want and need, and it’s fair. I’ll see you at home.”

Nil checked the sign on the pedestal that housed the egg.

Spawn of Aegis the Living Armor
Aegis was the first armor to gain sentience. It was the first artificial entity to create more like its own and the first to reproduce like an organic entity. Aegis shields worlds. Not even the Fates can predict what his spawn will accomplish.

Potential: Immortal

Iris whistled. “I’d argue he took more than his fair share. Aegis is a supposedly mythical entity of the Ascendant Realm. If the egg truly contained a spawn born of its essence, I can’t begin to imagine how powerful it can become. Although, raising and controlling it will be far from easy.”

“I’m taking one soul weapon seed as agreed and expect the majority of all defensive materials,” Zora said, claiming one of the two pulsing purls in the vault. Another quarter of tokens and credits disappeared. She also took an extra Silver Ascension Token. Zora didn’t need it because of the base reward everyone received, but it was a trading commodity with far more power than mere credits. “Hope no one minds? I want Andrew to build me a soul armor capable of combining with my weapons. Any protests?”

“None at all,” Nil said. “Are you sure you don’t want one of the Gold Ascension Tokens?”

“It’s certainly tempting,” Zora said, looking up at the screen that showed what rewards were still left to be claimed. “No. The materials I want exclusively dedicated to my soul armor and the next staff’s creation are of far more value. I couldn’t take it in good conscience. But, if you insist, I’m claiming a couple of these tomes.” She nodded at the stake of radiating spell books in one corner. “The names suggest they’ll combine well with the vault’s contents.” She smiled. “You and Selia will get better use out of the gold tokens. I assume you both will head into the Labyrinth?”

The couple nodded. “Won’t you join us?” Selia asked.

Zora shook her head. “In the nicest way possible, I’m never grouping with either of you again. You two are incredible and work brilliantly together, but you need to be the ones leading your team. Power, overconfidence, and dumb luck make you too headstrong. I can’t handle it. However, if you want help with Nexus jobs, quests, or smaller events, let me know. I’ll tolerate brief team-ups.”

Then, Nil and Selia were left alone. A good chunk of materials, a soul weapon, and considerable riches remained. “Do you mind if I use the seed, materials, and—”

“Power up with whatever you need,” Selia interrupted, kissing his cheek. “I know we’re just a boyfriend-girlfriend or whatever, but Emily feels like a little sister. I want her to be safe and happy. There are also a few amazing elemental tomes here that might help with her healing and defensive prowess. Although, they might be well beyond the reaches of an almost-Iron-Realm.”

“I love you,” Nil told the woman.

“I know.” She grinned. “There are a few scrolls and tomes that I can use. A few will suit you, too. The rest can go to your family, or we can sell.” Selia approached the second egg. It seemed made of glass, and luminous silver veins pulsed around a squirming core. “Some of these rewards seem perfectly tailored to the team’s needs.”

Shard of The Primordial Mirror
None knows where the sentient Primordial Mirror originated, how it shattered, or how the shards gained sentience. The entity born of this egg will reflect its owner, copying their form, personality, and abilities perfectly. However, it will only be half as powerful as its master was in the same Realm. The shard will be an extension of the master, sharing a psychic link.
Potential: Master’s reflection.

“A second you?” Nil’s eyes widened. “I don’t know how to feel about that.”

“It's a boon and a curse,” Iris said. “The Shard will be an extension of you. It won’t be a hive mind and has little individuality, but it will try to solve problems the same way you would unless instructed. I’m jealous. Someone in my position would kill for such a spirit companion. Their lives will be so much easier. Imagine being at two places at once.”

“Don’t you get any ideas.” Selia chuckled, nudging Nil.

“Believe me. I won’t. The prospect feels incredibly creepy. I hope there will be some telltale signs so I can tell the difference.”

“Is it okay if I also take one of the Gold Ascension Tokens?” Selia asked.

“Of course!” Nil exclaimed. “Are you sure you don’t want a lesser power seed, too? I imagine they’ll score you another lesser ability.”

Selia shook her head. “You can use both or give them to Emily. I think it's more than fair. I know you’re taking a soul weapon seed, some of the crafting materials, and half the remaining spirit companion food will go to you. But you’re keeping far too little for yourself. I want you to benefit personally from all of this.”

“Aren’t you two sickeningly adorable?” Iris sighed. “You’re not losing out much, Nil.” She rifled through the stack of manuals and scrolls. “A bunch of these have Source in the name or utilize energy. They’re perfect for the path you’re on. Combined with the remaining spirit companion boosts—like that World Dragon’s Blood—and Source Glass, you’re bound to gain as much as everyone else, if not more. They might be worth fewer Schema Credits, but the value to you as a cultivator and fighter is significantly greater. Besides, if I were Nil, I’d grab the chassis-expansion shard, claim a bunch of materials for Meatball and soul weapon upgrades, and pick through all the delicious techniques and manuals.”

Nil and Selia ended up pooling the remaining ascension tokens, ordinary tokens, and credits, planning to use some for themselves or use them to assist loved ones and allies. The rewards contained several more scrolls and manuals that he didn’t look into too deeply, but a handful of them had potential for personal use. The lesser power seeds especially excited him. He didn’t know whether to use them for himself or further improve his family’s chances of survival.

Despite what Selia said, Nil didn’t consider his shortage of personal rewards a loss. Her and Emily’s gains were also his at the end of the day. The first gave him a badass partner in crime capable of covering his faults and weaknesses. At the same time, the latter gave him peace of mind. Nil still hoped Emily would come to her senses and back out of Apocalypse Arena. If not, he hoped to invest in her over the past couple of years and make her a companion for quests and group arena events.