Daric, Kaelen, and the buff goat emerged from the shattered Realm of Mirrors, stepping into a new place suspended between realities.
The ground was made of swirling mist.
Above them, massive portals floated like drifting stars, each one leading to a different world.
The system chimed:
[Congratulations, Realmwalker.]
[Ascension Authority: 30%]
[Welcome to the Portal Nexus: The Crossroads of Worlds.]
[Objective: Choose Your Next Path.]
Daric tilted his head back, gaping at the endless array of choices.
"Well," he said, nudging Kaelen, "any of this scream 'horrible idea' to you?"
Kaelen grinned. "All of them."
The buff goat just flexed, clearly ready for whatever absurdity came next.
—
Status Update:
Name: DaricClass: Primal Hunter (Legendary)Titles: Chickenbane, Monarch Slayer, Brunchbreaker, Stuffing Slayer, Realmwalker, The Ridiculous One, Mirror BreakerEssence Total: 470,000Primary Weapon: Shovel of Destiny (Enhanced)Secondary Weapon: Fancy Cane of DiplomacyLevel: 50Ascended Realms: 6Current Status: 30% Realmwalker Authority UnlockedCompanions: Kaelen (Frying Pan Crusader), Buff Goat (Lord of Gains)
—
Each portal shimmered with a different scene inside:
One showed a world of endless desert, where colossal worms broke the dunes.Another depicted a sky realm filled with floating islands and battling airships.A third showed an underwater kingdom lit by bioluminescent coral.
"Pick your poison," Kaelen said cheerfully.
Daric pointed randomly.
"Floating islands."
When in doubt, pick the one with the highest probability of falling dramatically.
The portal responded to his choice, expanding until it engulfed them.
—
They landed on a floating platform carved from gleaming marble.
Far below, an endless sky stretched toward a shimmering ocean.
Massive airships drifted lazily above and below, firing occasional bursts of cannon fire at one another.
A bronze plaque embedded in the platform read:
Welcome to Zephyros: Realm of Endless Skies.
System notification blinked:
[New World Event: The Skyrace Tournament Begins Soon!]
[Optional Quest: Win the Grand Skyrace.]
[Warning: Falling Off Means Death (Probably).]
Daric smiled grimly.
"Kaelen," he said, "you ever flown anything before?"
Kaelen shrugged. "Does throwing rocks at seagulls count?"
"Good enough."
—
They signed up for the Grand Skyrace.
Entry Fee: One Extremely Questionable Favor to the Local Goblin Cartel.
Terms and Conditions: No suing for loss of limbs, dignity, or life.
Daric scribbled his name with a flourish.
—
Their airship—a ramshackle, half-inflated dirigible powered by what suspiciously looked like several strapped-together hairdryers—awaited them at the starting line.
Daric immediately dubbed it "The Disaster Goose."
Kaelen climbed aboard, inspecting the controls: a wheel, a single lever marked "YOLO," and a button simply labeled "DO NOT."
Daric, naturally, pressed the button.
A loud honk echoed across the sky.
"Perfect," he said, nodding approvingly.
The buff goat assumed the position of figurehead, striking a heroic pose at the bow.
—
The Grand Skyrace began with a thunderous blast of horns.
Hundreds of airships surged forward, racing through floating rings suspended between colossal stone arches.
The Disaster Goose lurched forward at a distressing angle.
"LEFT!" Daric screamed.
Kaelen spun the wheel.
They spiraled right.
Somehow, they dodged an explosion that took out half the competitors.
[Skill Gained: Improbable Evasion]
[+15% Chance to Accidentally Dodge Attacks]
"I'll take it!" Daric shouted, clinging to the mast.
—
Challenges along the course included:
Diving through a lightning storm without becoming extra crispy.Outmaneuvering sky pirates on jet-powered broomsticks.Surviving a barrage of flaming sheep hurled from a goblin trebuchet.
"I hate goblins," Daric muttered, batting a flaming sheep away with his cane.
Kaelen just laughed maniacally, steering through madness like a man possessed.
Somehow, impossibly, they made it to the final stretch.
—
The last obstacle: "The Maelstrom."
A massive tornado of pure chaos, spewing debris, rogue pianos, and an ominous number of lawn chairs.
"Full speed!" Daric roared.
Kaelen yanked the YOLO lever.
The Disaster Goose shuddered, groaned, and launched forward at breakneck speed.
They plunged into the Maelstrom.
Wind howled.
Furniture whizzed past.
A rogue accordion latched onto Daric's leg.
"NOT TODAY!" he screamed, kicking it off.
At the eye of the storm, a massive floating ring awaited—the finish line.
Daric climbed the mast, Fancy Cane in hand.
As they passed through the ring, he slammed the cane into the emergency turbo button.
A second, angrier honk exploded from the Disaster Goose.
They shot forward, crossing the finish line in a blaze of improbable glory.
System notifications flooded their vision:
[Congratulations! You Won the Grand Skyrace!]
[Essence Gained: 75,000]
[New Title Unlocked: Skybreaker]
[Ascension Authority: 35%]
—
They crash-landed gloriously into a floating tavern called "The Drunken Nimbus."
Villagers and racers lifted them on their shoulders.
Free drinks, food, and accolades poured in.
Daric raised a mug high.
"To bad ideas!" he toasted.
Kaelen clinked mugs with him.
The buff goat dabbed majestically from atop the wreckage of the Disaster Goose.
Another portal shimmered open nearby.
Daric grinned at Kaelen.
"Ready for the next disaster?"
Kaelen smirked. "Always."
And with that, the heroes of questionable judgment and improbable victories leaped toward the next great unknown.