The Earth After Rebirth

"That was something."

"Yeah."

With the crystal securely in Kiro's possession, their minds were buzzing with anticipation. They knew that this seemingly ordinary crystal held extraordinary power, but its true nature and purpose remained a mystery. As they regrouped in a nearby chamber, they examined the crystal, searching for any clues hidden within its greenish radiant glow.

The crystal emanated a soft, pulsating light, casting a bewitching spell on them. Its surface was rough but flawless, with sophisticated patterns swimming within, as if galaxies were trapped within its rough exterior. It seemed to whisper promises of secrets waiting to be unveiled.

"That thing seems dangerous, but alluring at the same time?" Hubris commented.

"It's the mystery, buddy." Kiro smirked.

With cautious curiosity, they both tried to study the crystal from every angle, hoping to decipher its mysterious properties. As they focused their attention on the crystal, a series of images and sensations flooded their minds.

Visions flashed before their eyes, like fragments of a long forgotten past. They saw ancient civilizations harnessing the power of the crystal, using it to shape the very fabric of reality.

They witnessed cities floating in the sky, landscapes transformed by the crystal's power. It became clear that this crystal possessed the ability to manipulate not only gravity but reality itself.

Eager to uncover more of its secrets and the great potential it had, Kiro began experimenting with it. He leaked his thoughts and intentions toward specific outcomes, hoping to harness its power.

To his amazement, the crystal responded, subtly altering the surrounding environment in accordance with his thoughts' desires.

"It—it can't be this easy, right?" Kiro was puzzled.

He focused on levitation, and the rock debris began to float gently in mid-air. He then concentrated on altering the flow of time. Seconds seemed to stretch and compressed around them.

"Whoa, isn't this too overpowered? Is it okay for me to be able to do this?"

"Of course, master can do whatever he wants."

Yet another thought sought to control the elements, and wind swirled and lightning rained at his command. The crystal seemed to act as a bridge between his intentions, innate abilities and granting him newfound control over the world around them.

Excitement mixed with caution as the he realised the immense responsibility that came with wielding such power. At the same time, he was grateful that this came at a time when he was thrown into an unknown realm.

As he continued to delve deeper into the crystal's mysteries, he once again concentrated and more images from the crystal flashed before his mind's eye.

The images showed an ancient prophecy, foretelling a convergence of worlds and the many deaths of the chosen one. How he would try and fail to stop the convergence, how the failure would lead to calamity and destruction of his world. It also threw in hints about the existence of other unexplored realms.

"Well, that much is obvious. Since I'm in another realm right now." He sighed.

Armed with this newfound knowledge, Kiro knew his journey had only just begun. He had underestimated how deep the lore of Asgard Online was, but this was another level of world building. If he was impressed before, he was simply dumbfounded now.

He had acquired a powerful game item, one he has never seen before even in his past life, so its true purpose extended far beyond his immediate understanding. Nobody had ever discovered a secret underworld realm either.

"Are we finally moving forward?"

"I mean we should, the temple does look like it'll fall on us any second. We should hurry and get out of here."

They stepped out of the gravity room, only to be greeted by more doors. Kiro's head pounded nervously. He simply took a sit on the ground, he wasn't quite ready for another gravity room. He just knew that, beyond those doors were more tests and trials or whatever it was that was attempting to kill them.

Even if they were armed with the crystals power, he wasn't sure his body could take it. He felt sore everywhere, from being banged against walls and pulled and forced down floors. He didn't buy that the crystal didn't require anything in return while he used it's power, it was too good to be true.

As he planted himself on the floor, the crystal was affected and it broke in half. Immediately losing it's colour and glow.

"Sh*, sh*t, sh*t, Hubris what have I done. How can it break so easily!"

He tried glueing it together, to no avail. Although it's light had dimmed, he could still sense the divine power within it. He attempted to leak his thoughts into it, but nothing happened.

"Know what? F*ck it. Let's just have something to eat."

Hubris was way ahead of him, as he started collecting wood from the temple. As it was run down, they weren't going to miss the wood anyway. He used two rocks to spark the flame, while Hubris had flames, his weren't really suitable to roast meat.

"Master, I've been thinking..." He paused, nervous of what was on his mind and reaction would Kiro give him.

"Go on."

"I want it." He paused again, for a long time but Kiro didn't disturb his train of thought this time, he just let him stew in his own thoughts. "I want revenge."

"As expected."

"If master doesn't want to get involved, that's understandable, I only need you to allow me to get my revenge."

Kiro was humming while roasting the meat, he was suddenly in a better mood. He was glad this hellhound chose him, he was glad to find out that, his Hubris wasn't a coward. That he was the kind to pay back those who messed with him.

"Of course I'm going to help, we're comrades after all."

Hubris' pounding heart slowed. He was relieved and elated, this had been weighing on him heavily. Just then, the broken crystal glowed more than it was when it was whole.

The two shards levitated and shot to both their chests. There was no pain, but the shock caused involuntary movements. Kiro expected the system's notification to explain what the action meant. But silence.

"That was anticlimactic."

The two halves laid doormat in each of their bodies.