Chapter 30: The Heart of the Void—Final Preparations
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A Call to Arms
The Multiverse Chat Group buzzed with activity as Kaito and the others finalized their preparations. Notifications came flooding in from newly recruited members across countless universes:
Izuku Midoriya: "I've been training with All Might nonstop. I won't let you down!"
Chihiro Ogino: "The spirits are with us. I'll use everything I've learned to help."
Eren Yeager: "This fight is for all the lives we've lost. We end this now."
Kaito stood at the center of the multiversal hub Rimuru had created, addressing the growing army of allies. Surrounding him were iconic figures from anime, novels, and other worlds, all united for the same cause.
"Everyone," Kaito began, his voice strong, "the void has pushed us to the brink. It's corrupted our worlds, destroyed lives, and tried to divide us. But we've proven time and again that when we stand together, nothing can stop us."
The crowd erupted in cheers, their combined energy filling the hub with a sense of hope. Even Ainz, typically composed, felt a spark of pride at the sight of so many powerful beings coming together.
Rimuru stepped forward, holding out a map of the multiverse. "The Heart of the Void is here," he said, pointing to an ominous black sphere floating in a desolate corner of existence. "It's a fortress powered by concentrated void energy. We'll need to destroy its core to cut off the void's influence for good."
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Training and Upgrades
Before heading into the final battle, the chat group distributed new rewards to prepare the members:
Kaito: The group owner received a custom weapon—the Ethereal Blade, a sword forged from fragments of light and void energy. It could cut through even the densest corruption.
Goku: Unlocked Ultra Instinct Mastery, boosting his reaction speed and combat efficiency.
Naruto: Received a fusion of his Sage of Six Paths mode with Kurama's chakra, enhancing his offensive and defensive capabilities.
Ichigo: His Bankai evolved, combining with his Hollow and Quincy powers to create an ultimate form.
Rimuru: Enhanced his spatial manipulation, allowing him to seal void rifts permanently.
Eren, now wielding void-resistant Titan powers, trained alongside Deku to push his limits. Tatsumaki and Ainz strategized together, combining telekinesis with undead legions to develop powerful area-of-effect attacks.
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The Final Mission
The chat group displayed the mission objectives:
[Final Mission: The Heart of the Void]
Primary Goal: Destroy the Void Nexus Core.
Secondary Goal: Protect allied universes from retaliatory void attacks.
Reward: Stabilization of all corrupted universes, unique upgrades for each member.
Kaito turned to Rimuru. "Can you open a portal directly to the Heart of the Void?"
Rimuru shook his head. "Not directly. The void's energy distorts space. We'll have to breach its outer defenses first."
Levi stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the map. "If this is a fortress, there will be sentries. We'll need a diversion."
"Leave that to us," Goku said, grinning as Naruto nodded beside him. "We'll draw their fire while you break through."
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The Invasion Begins
The team split into two groups:
Team Vanguard: Goku, Naruto, Eren, and Tatsumaki led the charge, drawing the void's sentries away from the main entrance.
Team Strike: Kaito, Rimuru, Ichigo, Ainz, and Levi infiltrated the fortress to locate the Void Nexus Core.
The void's defenses were immediate and overwhelming. Giant, corrupted constructs emerged from the black sphere, their twisted forms radiating destructive energy. Goku and Naruto fought side by side, their combined strength overwhelming the sentries.
"These guys just keep coming!" Naruto shouted, forming a massive Rasen-Shuriken.
Goku laughed, dodging an attack with ease. "That just makes it more fun!"
Tatsumaki hovered above them, using her telekinesis to crush the constructs. "Focus, you idiots. We're buying time, not having a competition."
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Breaching the Fortress
Meanwhile, Team Strike advanced through the void fortress, encountering waves of voidlings—corrupted beings that swarmed them from all sides. Ichigo's blade cut through them effortlessly, while Rimuru used his spatial magic to shield the group.
Kaito noticed a change in the fortress's structure as they moved deeper. The walls pulsed with energy, reacting to their presence. "The void is aware of us. We're getting close to the core."
Ainz summoned a massive undead dragon to clear their path, its fiery breath reducing the voidlings to ash. "Let's not waste time. Every second we delay gives the void more opportunities to counterattack."
Levi zipped through the corridors with his ODM gear, scouting ahead. "There's a massive chamber up ahead. It's heavily guarded, but I think it's where the core is."
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Confronting the Void Nexus Core
The team entered the chamber, finding the Void Nexus Core suspended in the center. It was a swirling mass of black and purple energy, pulsating with malevolence. Surrounding it were three massive guardians, their forms glowing with void power.
The guardians attacked immediately, forcing the team to split up. Rimuru trapped one in a spatial cage, while Ainz summoned legions of undead to keep another occupied. Ichigo faced the third guardian head-on, his new form glowing with combined Hollow and Quincy energy.
Kaito focused on the core, the Ethereal Blade in his hand. The void energy lashed out at him, trying to corrupt his mind, but the Fragment of Eternal Light shielded him. "You won't stop me," he said, channeling his power into the blade.
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Victory in Sight
As the battle raged, the chat group sent an urgent message:
[Alert: Void Forces Mobilizing for Final Retaliation Across Multiverse.]
Naruto's voice came through the chat. "Guys, the void is going crazy out here. We've got reinforcements incoming, and they're not stopping!"
Kaito gritted his teeth, focusing on the core. "Hold them off a little longer. We're almost done here!"
The others intensified their attacks, overwhelming the guardians one by one. Ichigo's final strike split his opponent in two, while Ainz unleashed a spell so powerful it vaporized the second guardian. Rimuru's spatial abilities crushed the last guardian into nothingness.
With the path clear, Kaito unleashed the full power of the Ethereal Blade on the Void Nexus Core. The blade pierced the core, and a surge of light erupted, engulfing the chamber.
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End of Chapter 30