Did I Eat The Universe ?

The sky deep within the Northern Territories was shrouded in gray, and the biting wind carried fine snowflakes, whispering tales of past glory and destruction. Over the past few days, after surviving trials of life and death—the Shadow Trial, the initial clash with Ray, and Yun Che's painful yet resolute turning point—Shuang Yue and his two companions had forged a fragile yet budding trust. Though true camaraderie could not be built overnight, their shared struggles in the unforgiving cold had planted the seeds of an unspoken reliance.

Today, bound by this tenuous but invaluable connection, they set forth on their journey to uncover the Forbidden Ruins. According to legend, these ruins were remnants of the ancient Devourer civilization, a place where records spoke of a catastrophic scheme—where a supreme being of Desolation had once attempted to rewrite the laws of the world using power from another realm. Buried beneath the ice and snow lay secrets potent enough to shift the fate of the entire world, and it was these very secrets that drew them closer to the ancient truth slumbering beneath the frost.

The path was treacherous. They traversed steep ice cliffs and snow-laden mountain trails. Shuang Yue led the way, his gaze sharp and unwavering. Ray, on the other hand, occasionally raised an eyebrow, using humor to break the tense atmosphere, lightening the mood when the weight of their mission pressed too heavily upon them. Yun Che followed closely, his eyes reflecting both regret and a longing for redemption. Though the initial awkwardness between them lingered, the harsh journey was steadily molding them into something more than mere allies.

At last, they arrived at a secluded valley. In the distance, towering rock walls were covered in weathered runes, their faint glow flickering in the cold wind, as if still murmuring the tragic history of an ancient era. At the entrance to the ruins, a dilapidated stone gate stood solemnly, adorned with remnants of archaic totems and cryptic symbols. A heavy, oppressive aura hung in the air, as if the very land itself were steeped in mystery and sorrow.

Shuang Yue pressed his hand against the stone gate, pushing it open with a deep, grating sound, as though awakening long-buried secrets. A gust of frigid air, laced with the scent of damp decay, swept over them, sending a shiver down their spines. The three exchanged glances; though few words were spoken, they all understood—this place held the key to their fates.

Within the ruins, a desolate scene unfolded before them. Once-majestic structures now lay in ruins, with only broken walls and faded carvings remaining—silent witnesses to a civilization that had fallen from glory to devastation. Shuang Yue stepped closer to a crumbling wall, running his fingers over a faded mural. The painting depicted a group of Devourers, their expressions frenzied as they attacked a massive energy source radiating with an almost maddening brilliance. In one corner of the mural, a figure clad in black armor struggled against the overwhelming force, his face a mixture of terror and sorrow.

A chill ran down Shuang Yue's spine. This scene—this exact moment—had haunted his dreams repeatedly. And now, seeing it carved into history, he realized it was the pivotal event in the catastrophe wrought by Desolation's ambitions.

"This mural… it records the final battle of the ancient Devourers," Shuang Yue murmured, his fingertips tracing the cold stone, as if trying to grasp the irreversible tragedy that had unfolded long ago.

Ray studied the symbols and totems, his brows furrowed. "These inscriptions might reveal how Desolation harnessed otherworldly energy to upend the very balance of the world," he mused.

Yun Che remained silent for a long moment before whispering, "I've seen firsthand how absolute power consumes everything—even the hearts of men. Looking at this… I can't help but remember my own past mistakes."

The weight of history pressed upon them. Shuang Yue reached into his robes and withdrew an ancient tome, carefully flipping through its fragile pages. The book detailed concepts such as "energy capacity" and "devouring limits," and as he read, a sense of foreboding settled over him. Unrestrained absorption of foreign energy could lead to the collapse of an inner universe—this, he realized, was the very reason the Devourers had fallen. More than just an explanation of power, these writings carried a dire warning: strength must be wielded with wisdom and responsibility.

Just as they were lost in thought, a deep rumbling echoed from the depths of the ruins. Something had been set into motion.

Shuang Yue, Ray, and Yun Che tensed, exchanging a glance of mutual understanding. Without hesitation, Shuang Yue led the way down a narrow corridor toward the source of the disturbance. The passage was lined with ancient runes, each one a silent warning—power without restraint leads to destruction. These symbols were not merely relics of a lost civilization but reflections of Desolation's reckless pursuit of dominance.

At the end of the passage, they found themselves before a massive stone monument. Though time had eroded its surface, the inscription upon it still exuded an undeniable sense of authority. The prophetic words carved into the stone bore an uncanny resemblance to the markings on Desolation's black armor.

Shuang Yue reached out, his palm resting against the cold stone. A chill seeped into his bones, but the realization that dawned upon him was even colder. "This is a warning—an omen of the limits of power. If we continue unchecked, we'll walk the same doomed path as the Devourers," he whispered.

Yun Che clutched a rune-inscribed shard in his hand, his voice trembling with grief. "I've seen too many souls lost in their blind pursuit of power. This monument… it feels as if it's pleading with us to hold on to our humanity, to resist the corruption that comes with unchecked ambition."

Ray exhaled slowly. "Every stone in these ruins, every rune inscribed here, is a mirror reflecting our present struggles. The destruction of the Devourers wasn't a distant tragedy—it's a warning. Desolation's hunger for power was born from this very history." His voice carried both gravity and unwavering resolve.

Nightfall descended, but the soft glow of runes flickered in the ruins, illuminating their path. The three of them sat within the remains of an ancient chamber, lighting a small fire to ward off the cold. Shuang Yue returned to the ancient tome, searching for more clues regarding Desolation's schemes. "This is more than just history," he murmured. "It's a lesson. If we fail to master power with wisdom and restraint, the cycle of destruction will repeat, and our world will fall."

Yun Che listened, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears, but his voice was firm. "I once lost myself in Desolation's teachings, but now… now I choose to walk a different path. These ruins, these murals, these inscriptions—they all serve as a reminder. Power without control is a weapon of ruin." He paused before adding, "We must learn from this history—not just to avoid its mistakes, but to carve a new future—one where the power of the inner universe becomes a shield, not a blade."

Ray nodded solemnly. "From this moment on, we must do more than just uncover these truths. We must rebuild. We need to forge new laws—guidelines that ensure every ounce of power we harness is wielded with purpose and caution, never straying into reckless excess." Determination burned in his eyes, a resolve that would not waver.

Deep within the ruins, time seemed to slow. By the flickering firelight, the three of them spread out their discoveries—a jade artifact, rune-inscribed stone fragments, and the remnants of a prophecy carved into the monument. They studied each piece carefully, piecing together the lost story of the Devourers: how their civilization had once stood proud, only to crumble beneath the weight of their unchecked ambition.

Shuang Yue gently held the ancient jade, murmuring, "This jade contains not just energy but a memory—a final lament of the black-armored Devourer and the remnants of Desolation's ambition." His gaze burned with intensity, as if he could glimpse the echoes of the past within its icy glow.

Yun Che's voice was barely above a whisper. "This memory… it pains me. But perhaps, through pain, we can finally learn what must be done."

As the embers of their fire flickered in the darkness, the three sat in solemn silence. Today, they had not only uncovered the ruins' secrets but also glimpsed the path they must walk to defy Desolation's impending calamity.

They had seen history's warning. Now, they had to ensure it was never repeated