[Inside Phantom Nexus — The Expanding Dungeon]
The Phantom Nexus was no longer a hollow shell.
It breathed with life, light, and mystery.
Crystals sprouted like trees.
Rivers of luminous energy trickled across the ground.
The air shimmered, thick with potential.
Nova floated nearby, overseeing the expansion — her blue eyes glowing brighter.
Arden stood at the heart of it all, his small figure illuminated by the Dungeon Core's gentle light.
A notification pulsed gently before him.
[Expansion Progress: 15%]
[New Terrain Unlocked: Wisp Gardens]
Arden smiled faintly.
The first real landscape was born.
It was time for the next step.
[Guardian Creation — Second Summoning]
Arden opened the Dungeon Menu.
[Available Resources: 1 Soul Seed]
[Experience Points: 12]
He focused on the second Guardian option:
[Abyss Hound] — 10 EXP.
Stealth. Speed. Unseen Death.
Exactly what he needed to guard the expanding edges of his private world.
He confirmed the choice.
Energy spun violently — darker this time, like a coiling shadow given life.
The form that emerged was sleek, wolf-like, with deep black fur that shimmered as if the night sky itself were trapped inside.
It knelt, head low, awaiting its master's will.
[Name your Guardian.]
Arden whispered in his heart:
"Umbra."
[Designation Set: Umbra — First Hound.]
[Mindhub Link Request: Umbra]
He accepted immediately.
A second connection flared to life in his mind — primal, fierce, loyal.
Arden's small lips curved into a genuine smile.
He wasn't alone.
He was building a family here, too.
[Side: Family Bond Quest Progress]
[King Darius: Affection +7]
[Queen Althea: Affection +13]
[Hidden Buff Triggered:
Passive Blessing - "Blessed Bloodline" (Minor Growth Boost for Family)]
Arden's passive support continued, feeding his parents invisible strength.
[Back to the Palace — Real World]
It was early evening.
The palace corridors bathed in warm golden light as the sun dipped toward the horizon.
Queen Althea sat in her private chamber, sewing tiny garments.
She hummed — a habit now — as her fingers worked gracefully.
Beside her, King Darius sharpened a ceremonial sword, pretending not to glance at her lovingly every few minutes.
A knock sounded.
One of the royal priests entered, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty... your aura has... changed. Grown stronger."
Queen Althea looked up, startled.
"I feel healthy," she said honestly.
The priest's face was unreadable.
"It is... unprecedented. Some of the seers had a dream. Of two lights. One peaceful. One terrible. Both intertwined."
The Queen's hand froze mid-stitch.
[Meanwhile - Inside Phantom Nexus]
Arden frowned lightly.
Through the Mindhub, he caught fragments of the conversation.
Two lights...
One peaceful.
One terrible.
They were talking about him and his brother.
But they didn't know — didn't realize — that Arden himself contained both extremes.
To his family, to the innocent...
He would be the shield, the warmth, the light.
To his enemies, to those who dared touch what he loved...
He would be the darkness between stars.
[System Event — Dungeon Side Event Detected!]
[A Rift is forming nearby!]
Threat Level: Unknown.
Time until Manifestation: 24 Hours.
Arden's heart skipped.
A Rift? Already?
It was too early.
But then again — the Phantom Nexus wasn't just a dungeon anymore.
It was a living rebellion against the Celestial System itself.
Naturally, strange things would be attracted to it.
[Back to Family - Sweet Moment]
That evening, Queen Althea wandered into the gardens again.
This time, King Darius surprised her — he had ordered a private meal set up under the stars.
Lanterns swayed in the gentle breeze.
Fresh fruit, warm breads, sweet pastries... all laid out neatly.
They laughed and talked long into the evening.
"Promise me," Althea said softly, laying her head on Darius's shoulder, "that no matter what happens... our children will always have a home."
Darius kissed her forehead.
"I swear it on my life."
[Back to Arden]
Arden watched from the shadows of his consciousness.
He felt something warm bloom in his chest.
A new Skill Notification appeared:
[New Skill Acquired!]
Skill: "Heartbound Oath"
Increases strength when protecting family.
Passive bonus to resilience and healing.
He smiled.
This was the power he would wield.
Not just claws, not just blades.
Love.
[Preparation for Rift Defense]
Inside Phantom Nexus, Arden began organizing Nova and Umbra.
He projected a small tactical map.
[Defensive Perimeter Established]
Nova: Wisp Gardens Control (Illusions, Defense)
Umbra: Rift Approach (Ambush, First Strike)
He also prepared backup plans:
Emergency skill sharing via Mindhub.
Energy reserves diverted to rapid reinforcement.
Secret emergency exit route under Dungeon Core.
If the Rift broke open with something terrible...
He would fight.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
[Meanwhile — Elsewhere in the Multiverse]
A thin crack appeared in the celestial barrier around the realm.
One of the ancient Watchers turned its blind eyes toward Arden's world.
For the first time in eons...
It blinked.
And smiled.
That night, Queen Althea dreamed.
In her vision, two figures stood atop a mountain of corpses.
One bathed in gentle light, cradling a broken world with infinite tenderness.
The other cloaked in endless darkness, a crown of stars on his head, eyes like burning black holes.
Both turned to her at once —
And whispered in unison:
"Mother..."
She awoke gasping, heart pounding in her chest — feeling an ancient destiny wrapping around her unborn sons.