Chapter 22: Echoes of the Void
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A Fragile Victory
As the last remnants of Oblivion's energy dissolved into the void, the multiverse seemed to settle. The cracks in space-time slowly healed, and the chaotic rift they had been fighting in began to stabilize. Kaito stood at the center of the battlefield, breathing heavily, his body still glowing faintly with the residual energy of the Multiverse Chat Group's power.
The team gathered around him, their faces a mix of relief and exhaustion.
"Is it really over?" Ichigo asked, his Zanpakuto resting on his shoulder.
"It's over for now," Rimuru replied, his form shimmering as he reverted to his more casual appearance. "We managed to destroy Oblivion's physical manifestation, but its presence… it felt deeper, more pervasive than anything we've faced before."
Goku, still charged with energy, grinned. "Well, if Oblivion comes back, we'll just beat it again!"
"That's not the point, Goku," Zamasu interjected, his tone sharp. "This wasn't just a battle of strength. Oblivion is an idea—a force that exists beyond the physical. We won today, but its influence might linger."
Kaito nodded, his expression grim. "Zamasu's right. Oblivion wasn't just a single being—it was a manifestation of entropy itself. Even if we destroyed its form, the fractures it created in the multiverse could still grow. We need to stay vigilant."
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The Aftermath
The team returned to their sanctuary, their temporary base nestled in the neutral zone between universes. While the atmosphere was lighter now that the immediate threat was gone, the weight of their recent battle still hung over them.
"I've been analyzing the aftermath," Rimuru said, his voice steady as he displayed a holographic map of the multiverse. "The damage caused by Oblivion has left scars. Certain universes are still unstable, and if we don't repair them, they could collapse entirely."
Kaito frowned. "How do we fix it? We've used so much of the Multiverse Chat Group's energy already. It's going to take time to recharge."
"We might not have time," Rimuru replied. "The fractures are spreading. If we don't act soon, the collapse could trigger another chain reaction."
"Then we'll split up," Kaito decided. "We'll send teams to the most unstable universes and try to stabilize them manually. The Chat Group's energy might be low, but we can still use it to support each other from a distance."
The group nodded, their resolve unshaken despite their exhaustion.
"Which universes are at risk?" Ichigo asked.
Rimuru gestured to the map. "There are several, but the most critical ones are Universe 13, where time itself has stopped; Universe 26, where a massive black hole is devouring entire galaxies; and Universe 47, where the laws of physics have started to unravel completely."
"Sounds like fun," Naruto said, grinning. "Let's get to work!"
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Mission 1: The Timeless Abyss (Universe 13)
Kaito led the first team to Universe 13, where they found a world frozen in time. The skies were locked in a perpetual twilight, and the people of the world were trapped in stillness, their movements halted mid-step.
"This is creepy," Goku said, his usual enthusiasm dampened by the eerie stillness around them.
Kaito scanned the area with the Multiverse Chat Group's interface. "Time here isn't just stopped—it's fractured. Oblivion's influence must have disrupted the temporal flow."
As they ventured deeper into the frozen world, they encountered a figure standing at the heart of the disturbance. Unlike the people around it, this being was fully mobile, its body surrounded by a faint glow.
"You shouldn't be here," the figure said, its voice cold and detached. "This realm belongs to the void now. Leave, or be consumed."
Kaito stepped forward, his aura flaring. "We're here to fix the damage caused by Oblivion. If you're standing in our way, we'll stop you too."
The figure smiled faintly. "You misunderstand. I am not here to stop you. I am here to test your resolve. Show me the strength that defied the void itself."
Without warning, the figure attacked, its movements so fast they seemed to blur through time itself. The team barely managed to dodge as Kaito summoned his energy, clashing with the mysterious opponent.
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Mission 2: The Devouring Black Hole (Universe 26)
Meanwhile, Rimuru led the second team to Universe 26, where a colossal black hole loomed over the remnants of a shattered galaxy. The gravitational pull was so intense that even light struggled to escape, and the team had to use every ounce of their power just to stay afloat.
"This thing is massive," Saitama said, staring at the black hole with an uncharacteristic frown. "How do we stop it?"
"We don't stop it," Rimuru replied. "We redirect its energy. If we can stabilize the event horizon, we might be able to contain the damage."
Zamasu floated beside him, his divine aura shielding the team from the crushing gravity. "Easier said than done. This black hole isn't natural—it's infused with Oblivion's essence. It's actively trying to destroy everything around it."
Rimuru nodded, summoning his magic to create a stabilizing field around the black hole. "Then we'll have to fight entropy with creation. Let's go!"
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Mission 3: The Broken Laws (Universe 47)
The third team, led by Ichigo and Naofumi, arrived in Universe 47 to find a chaotic, nightmarish landscape. Gravity fluctuated wildly, the ground rippled like water, and objects floated aimlessly in defiance of physics.
"This place is a mess," Naofumi said, his shield glowing as he protected the team from a sudden burst of energy.
Ichigo gripped his sword tightly. "Whatever's causing this, it's not going to stop unless we find the source."
As they moved through the chaotic realm, they encountered a bizarre creature—a being of pure energy, its form constantly shifting and warping.
"Intruders," the creature hissed, its voice crackling like static. "This realm is mine. Leave, or be consumed by the chaos."
"Not happening," Ichigo said, charging forward. "We're here to fix this, and nothing's going to stop us!"
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The Looming Threat
As the teams fought to stabilize the fractured universes, Kaito began to notice a disturbing pattern. Each realm they visited seemed to be connected to a larger, more sinister force—a presence that lingered just beyond their perception.
Back at the sanctuary, Kaito stared at the Multiverse Chat Group's interface, his unease growing. The group had been instrumental in their battles, but now it felt as if it was hiding something from him.
"What are you?" Kaito muttered, his fingers brushing against the glowing screen. "Are you really just a tool for us to grow stronger, or is there more to you than I understand?"
As if in response, the Chat Group flickered, displaying a single, cryptic message:
"You are not alone in the void."
Kaito's heart sank. The battle against Oblivion had been only the beginning. Something far greater, far more dangerous, was waiting for them in the shadows.
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End of Chapter 22