Adhivar's cosmic presence resonated through Genesis Codex as he analyzed the ward's first layer. "Dimensional calculation sequence. The pattern must be completed correctly to progress."
Feyra studied the crystalline patterns carved into the ward numbers displayed in geometric arrangements, shifting constantly:
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ?
"Doubling sequence," Feyra said confidently. "The answer is 64."
She channeled mana while forming the number through Lightfield.
The ward rejected it. Patterns flashed red, resetting.
Feyra's ears flattened with frustration. "But that's mathematically correct. The pattern is clear each number doubles the previous."
Luminestra's presence pulsed with recognition. *Oh. The Architects were being clever.*
"Clever or deliberately irritating?" Feyra muttered.
*Both,* Luminestra admitted.
"They're testing whether you follow patterns blindly," Adhivar explained patiently. "The sequence follows doubling rule perfectly which means the Architects expect you to recognize that and then BREAK IT intentionally."
Draven blinked. "They want the wrong answer?"
*Not wrong,* Luminestra corrected. *Unexpected. The Architects believed true intelligence means thinking independently, not just recognizing patterns. They want proof you're not simply following rules.*
Feyra considered, then smiled slightly. "Fine. If they want unexpected..."
She formed 17 through Lightfield breaking the pattern completely while choosing arbitrary number.
The ward accepted it. Patterns glowed green as first layer dissolved.
Naelvorn laughed from behind. "Ancient cosmic beings trolling future generations. I love it."
Raziel rumbled irritably. "I do not."
As the first layer dissolved, the second revealed itself three crystalline receptacles arranged triangularly, each carved with symbols.
Adhivar read them aloud. "Fire. Water. Absence."
"Absence?" Draven repeated.
"The Architects defined it as 'that which is present by not being present,'" Adhivar said. "They enjoyed paradoxes immensely."
Sylvara's verdant presence carried confusion. "How do you provide absence? That's contradictory by definition."
*Exactly,* Luminestra confirmed as tone stayed amused. *The Architects wanted solvers frustrated. They found it entertaining.*
Malvorn's bond hummed with dry observation. *Ancient beings with too much time and peculiar sense of humor.*
"Sounds about right," Draven muttered.
They approached the second layer.
***
Raziel provided fire without hesitation controlled volcanic flame filling the first receptacle perfectly. The symbol glowed, accepting.
Naelvorn summoned water from atmospheric humidity as Leviathan mastery over liquid allowed precise control. The second receptacle filled while symbol glowed.
The third receptacle Absence remained empty, waiting.
"Attempt one," Feyra said analytically. "Remove air from the space, creating vacuum."
She manipulated dimensional pressure while creating void within receptacle.
The ward rejected it. Symbols flashed red.
"Attempt two," Velnar offered. "Remove earth itself, creating nothingness."
His earth-sense pulled soil away from receptacle base.
Rejected again.
Draven frowned, thinking.
Feyra tried removing light shadow-based absence. Rejected.
Sylvara tried removing life-essence death as absence. Rejected.
Frostina tried removing heat absolute zero as absence. Rejected.
Naelvorn suggested removing meaning philosophical absence. Rejected, though the ward seemed almost amused by that attempt.
"The Architects are laughing at us from millions of years ago," Feyra said flatly.
*Probably,* Luminestra agreed. *They designed these puzzles specifically to frustrate logical thinkers. You're trying physical solutions to philosophical problem.*
"Then what's the answer?" Draven asked.
*Think about the paradox: 'present by not being present.' What exists by not existing?*
The alliance paused, considering.
Malvorn's massive presence shifted as bond carried sudden realization.
*Patience.*
"Patience?" Draven asked through bond.
*Waiting,* Malvorn clarified. *Inaction. The receptacle requests 'absence' not absence of substance, but absence of action. We provide it by... not providing anything.*
Adhivar's cosmic presence pulsed with approval. "The dragon understands. 'That which is present by not being present' patience exists as concept, made real by choosing not to act. The Architects wanted to see if solvers recognized that sometimes, the answer is doing nothing."
Draven approached the third receptacle.
And stood there. Waiting. Providing nothing.
Seconds passed. Ten. Twenty. Thirty.
The ward patterns shifted, analyzing, confirming.
At forty-five seconds, the third symbol glowed green accepting absence of action as valid answer.
"We solved it by standing still," Feyra said as disbelief was evident. "Forty-five seconds of nothing."
*The Architects believed patience was rarest quality,* Luminestra explained. *Worth testing specifically.*
Naelvorn's laughter echoed. "I genuinely respect them now. Cosmic-level trolling."
The second layer dissolved.
Two down. More to go.
***
The third layer appeared a crystalline hourglass carved into the ward as mana-sand flowed upward instead of down.
"Time-based puzzle," Adhivar stated. "The ward requires waiting for specific duration while mana completes cycle."
"How long?" Draven asked.
Adhivar calculated. "Approximately twelve minutes."
Raziel rumbled with irritation. "They're testing patience again?"
*Twice,* Luminestra confirmed. *The Architects really valued it.*
The alliance settled in, waiting. Twelve minutes of standing while watching mana-sand flow upward slowly, grain by grain, defying gravity through dimensional manipulation.
It was simultaneously fascinating and tedious.
Naelvorn coiled comfortably. "At least it's straightforward. No paradoxes this time."
At exactly twelve minutes, the hourglass completed its cycle. The third layer dissolved.
"Three down," Feyra said. "How many layers total?"
"One more," Adhivar replied.
They approached the final layer.
The final layer materialized a massive crystalline door, fifty feet tall, covered in intricate carvings... and a simple handle at chest height.
The alliance stared.
"That's it?" Draven asked. "Just... a door?"
Adhivar examined it carefully. "No magical locks. No dimensional barriers. No paradoxes. Just physical door with handle."
Feyra checked for traps. "Nothing detected. It appears to be literally just a door."
*The Architects' final test,* Luminestra explained as tone carried amusement. *After layers of complex puzzles, the last challenge is recognizing simplicity. Most solvers would assume there's hidden complexity, spend hours analyzing, when the answer is: just open it.*
Malvorn's bond hummed with dry humor. *They really committed to the trolling.*
"Apparently," Draven muttered.
Draven walked forward, grasped the handle, and pulled.
The door opened smoothly as hinges stayed silent despite millions of years. The ward dissolved completely all four layers solved, protective magic deactivating, entry granted.
Beyond the doorway: the Anchor chamber.
Vast space, circular, ceiling rising into darkness. And at the center, suspended in dimensional matrix
The First Anchor.
It glowed with soft golden light as cylindrical artifact ten feet tall was covered in geometric patterns that pulsed rhythmically. Merger-era craftsmanship at its absolute finest while power radiated so intensely even Draven felt it from doorway.
"There," Luminestra whispered as presence trembled with emotion. *The first of five. My mark is strong I recognize it. This is definitely genuine Anchor.*
Adhivar's cosmic presence resonated with gravity. "We've reached it. But..."
He paused.
"The golems will activate when we enter."
As if responding to his words, throughout the antechamber behind them, dormant constructs began stirring eyes lighting, crystalline armor glowing, weapons activating.
Dozens of guardians, waking.
"Tomorrow," Draven decided. "We rest tonight, fight tomorrow, retrieve Anchor after."
Hi everyone!
Just a quick update regarding the upload schedule.
Due to my studies and a very tight work routine, I won't be able to continue posting 2 chapters daily.
Instead, I'll be switching to a weekly batch update —
5 chapters released together each week (most likely on Sunday).
This way, I can manage my schedule without compromising the quality of the story.
Thank you all for your support, patience, and for being part of this journey. 💛
Your encouragement truly keeps me writing!
💖 Enjoying the story?
👉 Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/sa2quasar