Kael's body and mind screamed in exhaustion. Every strike, every deflection, every pulse had pushed him to his limit. But even as he stabilized six of the realities, the seventh wavered uncontrollably. Buildings twisted, gravity inverted, and the sky fractured into shards of light.
The Prime Convergence appeared briefly, nodding in silent acknowledgment. Kael realized he was no longer fighting alone—every lesson, every phantom, every echo of himself was guiding him, lending instinct, energy, and foresight.
"This is the Architect's test," Lumen whispered. "See it clearly: they want to see whether you can manage chaos without losing your essence."
Kael's mind raced. He extended paradox currents like a web, anchoring each reality to the others. One wrong move would destabilize all seven, but hesitation was impossible. He moved in perfect flow, dodging falling towers, countering energy beasts, and guiding fractured citizens to safety—all simultaneously.
Reality Seven twisted into a corridor of impossible angles. Time fractured into loops. Shadows of his alternate selves lunged toward him, each one a distorted reflection of failure. Kael's mark glowed fiercely. He let instinct dominate, but also made deliberate choices, bending the paradox currents to anchor each shadow, teaching them balance instead of destroying them.
The Architect's voice echoed, omnipresent:"You are learning, Kael… but your journey is far from complete. Power alone does not define you. Your decisions will shape the multiverse itself."
Kael's eyes flared. With a deep breath, he channeled all seven realities through a single nexus point inside him. Energy exploded outward, stabilizing each world with precise control. The shadows recoiled, towers righted themselves, and citizens blinked back into safety.
The Architect's presence rippled through the void, almost… impressed. "You have survived the first strike. But you will face greater tests. Reality itself will bend against you, and the Convergence will continue to challenge who you are."
Kael staggered, panting, but his resolve hardened. "Let them come. I will not break."
Lumen's voice was calm but firm: "Good. But remember—this is only the beginning. The Architect's true plan will unfold as the Convergence approaches its apex. You must prepare for what comes next, or everything you've fought for may unravel."
Kael clenched his fists, eyes blazing. "Then I'll be ready. No matter what."
The seven realities shimmered and receded, collapsing back into the fractured Nexus chamber. Kael knew the Architect's attacks would only grow more personal, more devastating—and that the Convergence was far from over.