Morning light filtered weakly into the subterranean chamber as Draven's alliance regrouped. They'd slept through the night—wounds treated by Feyra's Lifelight Surge and Sylvara's Groveheart Blessing, exhaustion faded through rest, strength returned.
The shattered golems lay scattered throughout the antechamber—crystalline fragments glinting, guardian defenses destroyed, chamber secured.
And ahead, suspended in the chamber's center within dimensional matrix: the First Anchor.
Draven felt his heartbeat quicken. Months of searching. Weeks of travel. Days of puzzle-solving and brutal combat.
Finally.
"Ready?" Malvorn asked through bond.
Draven nodded. "Ready."
The alliance moved forward together—Overlords, pack, Bearer—toward the artifact that would begin restoring merger.
As they approached, the dimensional matrix became visible—invisible framework holding Anchor suspended, antigravity maintaining position, merger-era engineering still functioning perfectly after millions of years.
The Anchor itself stood vertically, roughly human height—perhaps six feet tall, staff-like in proportions but clearly not weapon or tool.
Its surface was predominantly black, yet holding it would be like grasping space itself—Draven could see starry night contained within, depths that suggested infinity compressed into finite form.
Beveled patterns were engraved across the entire surface—geometric precision that made Feyra's dimensional mathematics look simplistic by comparison. The patterns pulsed faintly with mana, rhythmic like heartbeat, ancient power cycling eternally.
"It's beautiful," Feyra whispered as Lord-tier mind was unable to fully comprehend the dimensional equations carved into artifact.
Velnar approached cautiously as earth-sense tried to identify material. "I don't recognize the substance. It's not stone, metal, crystal, or organic matter. It's... something else entirely."
***
Draven reached out carefully as Genesis Codex hovered beside him. His hand approached the Anchor—half-expecting temperature change, texture sensation, weight.
Nothing.
The moment his fingers touched the surface, he felt neither heavy nor light. The material gave no tactile feedback—not smooth, not rough, not warm, not cold. It simply "was".
"What is this made from?" Draven asked aloud.
Through Genesis Codex, Adhivar's presence resonated with fascination. "Unknown. The Architects used materials from the Original Universe—substances that no longer exist after merger failed and dimensions separated. This artifact predates current physical laws."
Raziel examined it carefully as Magma Drake eyes analyzed. "I've lived millennia. Never seen material like this."
Frostina added clinically, "Attempting to destroy it would require Epic-tier strength minimum. Possibly beyond even that."
Through Genesis Codex, Luminestra's presence surged with excitement—more animated than Draven had ever felt her.
"I remember this one!" Her voice carried joy, nostalgia, wonder. "I was there when it was crafted. The Architects worked for three years on this single Anchor—five of them together, coordinating dimensional mathematics, layering protections, embedding merger resonance."
"I watched them shape space itself, compressing infinity into finite form. They sang while working—did you know that? The Architects sang during creation, harmonizing dimensional frequencies through voice. It was beautiful."
"This Anchor was designed to stabilize Northern continental plate—preventing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tectonic catastrophes. Millions of lives protected by this single artifact."
"And now you're holding it. After all this time."
Her presence trembled with emotion—excitement, pride, hope intermingled.
Adhivar's cosmic consciousness observed silently, thoughts internal—not shared with Draven yet.
"The Architects' work surpasses even Original Universe standards. We had cosmic technology, dimensional mastery, but they... they created something truly eternal."
"This Anchor has survived millions of years, planetary catastrophe, dimensional separation, corrupted mana saturation—unchanged, undamaged, still functioning perfectly."
"I thought I understood craftsmanship. I was wrong."
"If we succeed—if Bearer completes merger using these Anchors—it will be because the Architects built foundations strong enough to withstand entropy itself."
His presence carried quiet awe as cosmic being was humbled by mortal yet transcendent creation.
***
Draven tightened his grip on the Anchor as Genesis Codex pulsed with anticipation.
"Luminestra, how do I retrieve it?" he asked.
"Simply will it into the Codex," she explained. "Your Fragment will recognize it. The Anchor was designed to respond to Life's Law—that's why only Fragment Bearer can retrieve safely. Anyone else touching it... nothing happens. It remains dormant."
Draven focused while channeling Fragment energy through his connection to Genesis Codex.
The Anchor responded immediately.
Golden-green light erupted—Fragment resonance recognizing merger artifact, Life's Law connecting to Original Universe craftsmanship. The beveled patterns glowed brilliantly as starry depths within the black surface swirled while dimensional matrix released its hold.
The Anchor began shrinking—compressing space around itself, folding dimensions inward, reducing from six feet to three, then one, then inches.
The Anchor compressed into a single point of light—golden-green brilliance containing infinity—and flowed into Genesis Codex like water returning to ocean.
Draven felt the grimoire "pulse" as Anchor entered internal pocket dimension. The same space where his pack resided—endless skies, forests, oceans—now contained the First Anchor as well, suspended in dimensional framework, safe, dormant, waiting.
Genesis Codex itself seemed intrigued. Draven sensed the living grimoire examining Anchor internally—analyzing patterns, studying craftsmanship, understanding merger mechanics through direct observation.
"Remarkable," the Codex whispered internally. "The Architects embedded dimensional coordinates into the Anchor itself. It contains instructions—not language, but pure spatial mathematics—guiding merger process."
"I'm learning just by housing it."
Through bond, Malvorn's presence carried satisfaction. "One of five. We've succeeded."
"Yes," Draven whispered. "We have."
***
For three heartbeats, silence held.
Then Naelvorn "roared"—not battle-fury, but pure triumph. His serpentine form coiled through chamber as bioluminescent teal blazed like underwater sun. "WE DID IT, BRO! FIRST ANCHOR! ONE-FIFTH DONE!"
Raziel's volcanic rumbling joined—deep, resonant, satisfaction absolute. Magma-light pulsed brighter from his chest while illuminating entire chamber.
Frostina remained composed but her ice-ring eyes glowed with unmistakable pride.
The pack "howled"—Zor's golden eagle cry echoing, Velnar's deep bellow shaking stone, Sylvara's verdant energy blooming brilliantly, Feyra's light blazing.
Malvorn roared beside Draven as shadow-energy erupted in celebration—bond flooding with fierce pride, relief, joy unrestrained.
The celebration continued for minutes—not brief acknowledgment, but genuine release.
Naelvorn playfully splashed water through the air as currents danced. "Three years they worked on this! And we just waltzed in, solved their puzzle, beat their golems, took their Anchor! Architects would be proud or furious—maybe both!"
Raziel chuckled—rare sound, volcanic warmth spreading. "Bearer proved worthy. Constructs were formidable. Victory earned, not given."
Frostina approached Draven as ice formed elegantly. "You've accomplished what seemed impossible. The First Anchor retrieved. Merger... may actually succeed."
Through Genesis Codex, Luminestra's presence radiated joy. "Thank you, Bearer. You've given me hope I thought lost forever. This Anchor represents everything my kind died protecting. And you've secured it."
Draven felt tears threatening. "We did this together. All of us."
The three allied Overlords—Frostina, Naelvorn, Raziel—gathered around Draven.
"We pledged support through First Anchor retrieval," Frostina stated. "That pledge extends. We will accompany you to the remaining Anchors. This mission matters beyond territorial disputes."
Naelvorn grinned as serpentine form coiled comfortably. "Plus it's the most fun I've had in centuries. Not leaving now, bro."
Raziel rumbled agreement. "Merger affects all Theia. We continue."
The alliance was solid. Four Overlords. One Bearer. Four Lord-tier beasts.
Together, they'd restore what failed millions of years ago.
***
They ascended together—leaving the chamber behind, climbing the crystalline staircase, rising from subterranean depths.
Two hundred meters. Hundred-fifty. Hundred. Fifty.
Daylight grew brighter with each step.
Finally, they emerged into morning sunlight—fresh air, open sky, world waiting.
The ruins stood behind them as treasure was claimed and guardians defeated.
Ahead lay Theia—vast, wild, containing three more Anchors waiting for retrieval.
Draven looked at his alliance—Overlords, pack, companions—and smiled.
"Let's continue."
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