> Tournament of Builders – Deadline: 5 Days Remaining
In the ethereal void between worlds, a bridge of light connected Aric's syrup-drenched chaos-realm to Selene's dream-threaded empire.
At the halfway point stood a judge—an ancient admin construct, formed of runes and rules, named "SYS: 7-Arbitrator-Class."
> "Realm Clash registered. Duel type: Style & Stability."
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[Style Duel Initiated: Syrup Citadel vs Dream Cathedral]
Metrics:
Architectural Complexity
Realm Vibes
Cultural Impact
Chaos Quotient
Theme Song Power
Selene's Dream Empire:
Elegant floating gardens shaped by thought
A cathedral with shifting physics
Guards made of liquid memory
Subtle music that made one remember forgotten dreams
Aric's Syrup Citadel:
Pancake-themed castle on a river of whipped cream
Duck battalions with sunglasses
Lava moat that simmers cinnamon
Theme song featuring banjos and slow-mo explosions
> SYS: "...Chaos Quotient is unusually high. Realm is... vibing."
Selene raised an eyebrow. "This isn't architecture. It's a food fight with a budget."
Aric smirked. "And yet you can't look away."
---
[New Mystery Unfolds – The Builders of Before]
As the duel commenced, the Mystery Egg in Aric's sky pulsed again—and this time, lines of ancient text appeared in the air above it:
> "To shape is divine. To reshape... is forbidden."
"One has awakened. The rest will stir."
Aric's system glitched for a moment. A second status appeared below his:
> [Shadow Data Detected: Hidden Trait - Architect of Origin?]
He tapped it.
> Error.
Error.
Data Fragment: Recovered.
Fragment Message:
> "He who awakens the egg shall inherit the will of the first world."
> "But beware... the other Architects live still."
Aric's pupils shrank. "Okay… so this egg might be less 'cool dragon mount' and more 'world-reset button.' Noted."
---
[The Duel Escalates – Selene's Attack]
Selene frowned. "You're hiding something."
She snapped her fingers. Her cathedral expanded—impossibly elegant structures woven from sound and gravity collapsed onto Aric's edge of the field.
> "Illusion Protocol: Reality Ripple."
Her realm projected a perfect visual overlay over Aric's citadel. Suddenly, it looked like her own realm had absorbed his.
> "That's cheating!" Aric shouted.
> SYS: "Stylish cheating. Proceeding."
Aric narrowed his eyes.
"Alright. No more syrup diplomacy."
---
[Aric's Counter – Summon: Realm Core Guardian: 'Sir Flapjack']
From the whipped cream river rose a titan made of pancakes, syrup, butter, and cosmic fire.
Name: Sir Flapjack the Unflippable
Race: Divine Breakfast Construct
Rank: SSS
Skill: "Endless Stack – All attacks hit back double if the opponent uses illusions."
Sir Flapjack bellowed.
> "YOU DARE ATTACK THE MORNING?"
His first strike shattered Selene's illusion border.
Second strike?
Launched a butter comet through her cathedral's central pillar.
Even the admin bot leaned back.
> SYS: "Mildly impressed. Marking chaos as 'artistic.'"
---
[Duel Outcome: Draw]
> "No way," Aric groaned as the results displayed. "Draw? After all that? Even with Flapjack?"
Selene exhaled. "I won't underestimate you again."
Aric offered his hand. "Truce until the final round?"
She hesitated.
Then shook it. "...For now."
---
[End of Duel – Countdown Continues: 5 Days Left]
Back in Syrup Citadel, Aric stared at the egg floating above his realm.
That night, he dreamed of a tree that bled stars... and a hand reaching from the sky, whispering:
> "Find the Origin Sigils. Or everything will reset."
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End of Chapter 7
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