Family system

The dimensional bleed is a tragic phenomenon, a direct consequence of the Arbiters' tampering with the natural order of dimensions. It occurs when energies from multiple realities or universes collide and overlap, destabilizing the boundaries that separate worlds. This blending creates a chaotic, volatile environment where the laws of physics, magic, and life itself are warped.

The Shadowed Plains bore the scars of a dimensional bleed. The ground beneath them rippled and moved as if alive but bound by a tormented existence. The whispers that carried through the wind were remnants of fractured realities, lives, and places that had been consumed by the bleed.

Hana's voice was grim as she explained. "A dimensional bleed happens when two or more universes collide. The energy released is catastrophic, tearing apart the fabric of both worlds. Life, matter, and even time become unstable. This place is the result of one such bleed, artificially induced by the Arbiters with the guidance of their god."

Valentina frowned as she looked at the unsettling landscape. "What happens if one of these 'bleeds' reaches a normal world? Ours, for example?"

Hana thought for a moment before saying. "Complete annihilation. The world would fracture, its energy drained into the bleed until nothing remained but a hollow shell. Any survivors would be warped beyond recognition—if they survived."

Isabella's voice was calm but laced with unease. "This is why they must be stopped. They're playing with forces that can't be controlled."

Elena nodded. "Then let's ensure they can't do this to another world."

After explaining why this dimensional bleed had to be stopped, the girls realized how serious this was. So, without wasting any more time, they pressed forward.

These inside creatures were named Dimensional Aberrations, warped monstrosities born from the bleed. Their forms were grotesquely unstable—jagged limbs that seemed to shift in and out of existence, glowing cracks crossing their bodies, and eyes that burned with malevolent light.

"Here they come!" Valentina shouted, igniting her blade as the first wave of Aberrations charged.

Valentina engaged the nearest Aberration, her blade cutting through its form. The creature howled, its limbs flailing as it lunged at her. She ducked under its swing, her blade slicing through its torso in a burst of fire.

"Too slow!" she taunted, leaping back as another Aberration approached.

Elena faced a larger creature, its form built with spikes that lashed out in all directions. Her blade clashed with the spikes, sending sparks and steam into the air. The creature's distorted roar echoed through the plains as she pressed her attack.

Meanwhile, Hana darted through the battlefield quickly, her daggers flashing as she targeted the glowing tendrils anchoring the core. Each strike disrupted the energy flow, causing the core to pulse erratically.

"Keep them busy!" Hana shouted as she severed another tendril, the glow around the core dimming slightly.

Isabella perched herself on a jagged outcrop, her bow glowing with moonlit mana. She loosed a volley of arrows, each striking an Aberration that attempted to reach Hana. Her arrows pierced the creatures' glowing cracks, causing them to explode in bursts of energy.

"Watch out!" Isabella called out, her voice calm despite the chaos. "They're faster than they look!"

One of the Aberrations broke through the defensive line, its glowing eyes fixed on Hana. Before it could reach her, Valentina intercepted it with a powerful overhead slash, her blade cleaving through its form.

"Not today!" Valentina growled, flames flaring around her.

After facing another wave of Aberrations, Elena slammed her blade into the ground. A surge of lava erupted beneath the creatures, engulfing them in searing heat. Their distorted forms writhed in agony before dissolving into ash.

"Keep moving!" Elena shouted.

As the last tendril was severed, the core began to pulse violently, its crimson glow intensifying. The ground beneath it cracked and heaved as if the entire region was reacting to it.

"Hana, what's happening?" Elena asked.

"The core is collapsing," Hana replied, her voice urgent. "We need to strike it together before it destabilizes further. If it explodes, the entire region will be consumed!"

Without hesitation, the group ran to the core. Elena and Valentina unleashed their fiery mana, their blades striking the core's surface with force. Isabella loosed arrows, each imbued with wind and moon mana, targeting the core's weak points. Hana's daggers carve precise patterns into the surface to disrupt its energy flow.

The core let out a deafening roar, its glow flickering as cracks spread across its surface. With one final, united strike, the group unleashed their combined mana, shattering the core in a blinding explosion of light and energy.

As the light faded, the Shadowed Plains began to settle. The whispers in the wind ceased, and the rippling ground grew still. The once-pulsing tendrils of energy crumbled into ash, and the oppressive atmosphere lifted.

The group stood together, their breaths heavy but happy with the progress.

"Another core down," Valentina said with a grin, sheathing her blade. "We're getting good at this."

As the core shattered, the oppressive crimson glow that had dominated the Shadowed Plains faded. The corrupted energy anchoring the core disintegrated, and their sickly light extinguished like dying embers. The ground beneath the team moved one final time before falling still, no longer moving as if alive.

The whispers that had carried through the air—the echoes of consumed lives and worlds—died away, replaced by a deep and resonant silence. The kind of silence spoke of peace, slowly reclaiming what had been lost.

A sudden gust of wind swept across the plains, carrying a soothing warmth. Unlike the biting, eerie breezes that had haunted this region, this wind felt alive, as if the very essence of the land was beginning to exhale after centuries of suffocation. It moved across them, tugging at their cloaks and hair, swirling around them like an invisible tide.

Elena stood still, her blade cooling in her grip, the glow on her blade fading to a soft ember. Her molten eyes narrowed as she watched the land before them begin to transform.

The dark, cracked soil underfoot began to shift. The black and violet hues that had painted the landscape started to fade, replaced by green and brown. Small patches of grass pushed through the surface as if testing whether it was safe to grow. Tiny blossoms emerged from the earth, their delicate forms swaying in the gentle breeze.

"Look," Isabella said softly, her silver gaze fixed on the horizon. The faint light of the broken core seemed to scatter like dust in the wind, dispersing into the sky. As it did, the oppressive darkness overhead lightened, giving way to deep blue patches streaked with the soft glow of stars that had been hidden for so long.

Valentina rested her sword on her shoulder, her flames extinguished and blew a low whistle. "Well, I'll be damned. It's... healing itself."

Standing slightly apart from the group, Hana watched the transformation calmly. Yet, there was a faint softness to her expression, a glimmer of satisfaction as she took in the changes.

The wind grew stronger, carrying with it the energy of life that began to be absorbed by the region. The air, which was once heavy with corruption, felt lighter and fresher. The corrupted energy that threatened the region dissipated, leaving a sense of life behind.

Elena let out a slow breath, her gaze scanning the horizon. "It's not perfect yet, but it's a start."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Valentina's lips as she sheathed her blade. "I'd say we've earned ourselves a moment to enjoy this." Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire

Isabella adjusted her bow, her silver eyes still scanning the transformed plains. "It's beautiful," she admitted softly, though her tone carried a note of caution. "But temporary. The Arbiters won't let this stand."

"They won't," Hana agreed, turning toward the group. "But for now, this land is free of their grasp. That's one less weapon they can use against us."

…

The Arbiter Council Hall was a display of excess and indulgence. Gold-encrusted walls shimmered in the dim light of floating orbs, while cushioned thrones, far too large for the corpulent figures occupying them, lined a semi-circular dais. The air was heavy with the scent of roasted meats and sweet wines, mingling with the faint musk of beings who had long abandoned physical exertion.

A trembling messenger stood at the hall's center before the gathered Arbiters. Her robes were torn and sang, and her face bore the marks of exhaustion and fear. She held a glowing crystal in her hand, the faintly pulsing artifact emitting a hum.

"My lords," she began, her voice quivering. "The Shadowed Plains core has been destroyed. This marks the third relay core lost in the last cycle. The dimensional bleeds in those regions are dissipating, and—"

"Destroyed?" bellowed an Arbiter, his triple chins jiggling as he slammed a pudgy fist onto the arm of his throne. "You disturb our council by spouting drivel about some insignificant event? Do you know how precious my leisure time is?"

"Insignificant?" the messenger repeated, disbelief creeping into her tone. "My lord, the relay cores are the foundation of our operations. Without them, the dimensional bleeds—"

"Bah!" interrupted another Arbiter, waving a jeweled hand dismissively. He reclined lazily, his bloated form sinking into his throne like melting wax. "Dimensional bleeds, relay cores, mana channels—all nonsense. Haven't we hired enough lackeys to manage this sort of thing? Why are we even hearing about it?"

Another Arbiter, whose robes strained to contain his bulk, leaned forward to grab a golden goblet from a floating tray. "Exactly. Let the underlings handle these… interruptions. That's what they're for."

The messenger's hands clenched the crystal tightly. "My lords, the individuals responsible are highly skilled. They've taken down three cores already, and if they continue—"

"They won't," a particularly rotund Arbiter declared, his voice heavy with slothful confidence. "Who could challenge the might of our empire? The gods themselves favor us. Whoever these fools are, they'll be dealt with."

"My lord, we need to act—" the messenger began.

"Silence!"