Chapter 47: The Thirteenth Hour

Marcus's betrayal had dealt a heavy blow to Silver Moon Apartments. Although Alex and Kai were trying to restore order to the building, an uneasy atmosphere still hung over the entire structure.

Late that night, Alex heard a strange sound in his half-asleep state. It was the sound of a clock, but the rhythm was unusually slow, as if each chime was announcing some ominous omen.

"Kai," Alex gently woke the person beside him, "Did you hear that?"

Kai opened his eyes groggily, "Hmm? What sound?"

Just then, the twelfth chime rang out. Alex and Kai both held their breath, waiting.

Then, the impossible happened - a thirteenth chime clearly echoed throughout Silver Moon Apartments.

"That's impossible," Kai sat up abruptly, "The clock in Silver Moon Apartments never chimes thirteen times."

Alex felt a chill, "We should go check it out."

They quickly got dressed and rushed out of the room. The entire Silver Moon Apartments had fallen into an eerie silence, with only the ancient grandfather clock still ticking.

When they reached the hall, they found the Architect and Leo already there. They were both solemnly watching the clock.

"What's happening?" Alex asked urgently.

The Architect turned, his face more serious than ever before, "The thirteenth hour has come. This means that the secrets of Silver Moon Apartments will be fully revealed, and it also means that the greatest crisis is about to come."

Leo added, "According to legend, the thirteenth hour only appears when the multiverse faces a catastrophic crisis."

Just then, the surface of the clock began to distort, turning into a mirror. The mirror showed countless scenes, of the past, the present, and even possible futures.

"Look," Kai pointed to one of the scenes, "That's Marcus!"

Everyone focused on the image, seeing Marcus standing in the center of a huge magic circle, surrounded by countless twisted memory fragments.

"What is he doing?" Alex asked, feeling uneasy.

The Architect's expression became even more grave, "He's trying to rewrite the history of the entire multiverse. If he succeeds, everything we know will change."

Suddenly, the entire Silver Moon Apartments began to shake violently. The runes on the walls started to flicker, and the air was filled with unstable energy.

"This is bad," Leo exclaimed, "Marcus's actions are affecting the stability of the entire multiverse!"

Alex felt dizzy, the surrounding scenes beginning to blur. He saw countless possibilities flash before his eyes: a world ruled by Marcus, a future where Silver Moon Apartments no longer existed, even a reality where he and Kai had never met.

"No!" Alex shouted, struggling to stay conscious, "We can't let this happen!"

Kai gripped Alex's hand tightly, "Focus, Alex. Remember who we are, remember our mission."

The Architect's voice rang out amidst the chaos, "Children, listen. The thirteenth hour is not only a crisis but also an opportunity. At this moment, the power of Silver Moon Apartments reaches its peak. You must use this power to stop Marcus."

"But how?" Leo asked, "We don't even know where he is."

Just then, Alex suddenly thought of something, "Wait, the Infinity Pool! Maybe we can use it to find Marcus's location!"

The Architect's eyes lit up, "Good idea! Quick, we don't have much time."

The four quickly headed to the 42nd floor. When the elevator doors opened, they were surprised to find the entire floor enveloped in a strange energy. The surface of the Infinity Pool was constantly churning, showing various chaotic scenes.

"Be careful," the Architect warned, "During the thirteenth hour, the power of the Infinity Pool has also become unstable."

Alex and Kai exchanged a glance, then resolutely walked towards the pool. They reached out and touched the water surface.

Instantly, a powerful energy surged into their bodies. Alex felt his consciousness traveling through countless realities, searching for traces of Marcus.

"There!" Kai suddenly shouted, "I can sense him!"

Alex saw it too, in the cracks between countless realities, Marcus was conducting his ritual.

"We must stop him," Alex said, "But how can we get there?"

The Architect took a deep breath, "You must jump into the Infinity Pool. But be careful, during the thirteenth hour, the pool water might take you anywhere, anytime."

Leo said worriedly, "This is too dangerous! What if they get lost in the multiverse?"

The Architect looked at Alex and Kai, his eyes full of trust, "I believe in them. Their bond is the strongest guide."

Alex gripped Kai's hand, "Ready?"

Kai nodded, "As long as I'm with you, I'm not afraid of anything."

They took a deep breath and jumped into the Infinity Pool together. Instantly, they felt themselves being swept into a huge vortex. Countless realities flashed around them, sometimes the distant past, sometimes the unknown future.

"Hold on, Kai!" Alex shouted, struggling to stay conscious.

"I'm here, Alex!" Kai responded; their hands tightly interlocked.

Finally, they saw Marcus's figure. He was standing in the crack of reality, surrounded by twisted memories.

"Marcus!" Alex shouted, "Stop! You don't know what you're doing!"

Marcus turned, a mad smile on his face, "Oh, I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm creating a perfect world, a world ruled by me!"

Kai released his shadow power, trying to interfere with Marcus's ritual, "You have no right to decide others' memories and fates!"

Marcus laughed, "Rights? Power is right. And I am about to become the most powerful being!"

Just then, Alex felt the power from Silver Moon Apartments. He closed his eyes, concentrating, "Marcus, you forgot one thing. True power comes from connection and trust, not control and manipulation."

With Alex's words, a powerful energy burst forth from him and Kai. This power began to purify Marcus's distorted memories while repairing the damaged reality.

Marcus watched in horror as his plan crumbled, "No! This is impossible!"

Alex and Kai joined forces, releasing a final wave of energy. Marcus's figure began to blur, finally dissipating into the flow of the multiverse.

When everything settled, Alex and Kai found themselves back on the 42nd floor. The Architect and Leo were anxiously waiting by the pool.

"You did it!" Leo said joyfully.

The Architect nodded, a satisfied smile on his face, "You not only stopped Marcus but also restored the balance of the multiverse. I'm proud of you."

Alex leaned on Kai, feeling both exhausted and relieved, "Is it all over?"

The Architect's expression turned serious, "Marcus's threat has been temporarily removed, but the changes brought by the thirteenth hour are just beginning. From now on, Silver Moon Apartments and the entire multiverse will enter a new phase."

Kai put his arm around Alex's shoulders, "Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Alex nodded, looking at the calm surface of the Infinity Pool. He knew this was just another beginning of their adventure. More secrets waited to be revealed, greater challenges lay ahead. But with Kai by his side and Silver Moon Apartments as their support, he believed they could overcome all difficulties.

And in some corner of the multiverse, the aftershocks of the thirteenth hour continued. New powers were awakening, and new threats were quietly forming. The story of Silver Moon Apartments had just turned to a new chapter.