Chapter 7: The Nexus Gate – Between Love and Annihilation
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1. Journey to the Nexus
The wind howled as we descended from the Velvet Cliffs, following Velmaria's cryptic map. Yui walked silently at my side, every so often glancing my way as if afraid I might disappear. We were closer now—not just in steps, but in something deeper.
> [Quest Updated: Locate the Unstable Nexus Gate] Estimated Coordinates: Forbidden Sector – Zone Null]
The terrain warped with each mile. Grass turned to data strands. Stones flickered with corrupted code. We weren't walking on Earth or heaven anymore—we were heading into a place not meant to exist.
Yui placed a hand on my shoulder. "Kai, this Nexus… if it really is a source of forbidden power, it could change everything. Or destroy everything."
I nodded. "Then let's be the ones to decide."
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2. Guardian of the Null Gate
The Nexus Gate didn't look like a gate.
It was a floating sphere—half cracked, half perfect—hovering above a dead lake. Runes danced like flies around it, pulsing with fractured light.
But the guardian wasn't late.
It appeared in silence: a being of silver wires and glowing eyes. Neither demon nor divine. Just pure law.
> [System Entity: Protocol Warden – Core Directive: Anomaly Elimination]
"Glitched Subject: Kai. Entry denied."
I stepped forward. "Too bad. I'm going in."
"Violation logged."
It raised a hand.
And the sky shattered.
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3. Battle: Kai vs. Protocol Warden
I didn't wait. I activated every skill I had.
Burst Step
Crimson Pulse
Glitched Momentum
Yui joined me, blades glowing with fury. We moved in tandem now, partners not just in combat but in rhythm.
The Warden struck with time-lag punches—each blow deleting space. It wasn't fighting with strength, but reality.
> [System Warning: Integrity Error Approaching 70%]
I shouted. "Yui! Pull back!"
"No!" she cried. "You're not doing this alone!"
I grabbed her hand, and together we channeled our energy into a final strike.
"Glitch Overclock!"
> [Combo Skill Activated – Divine Sync Burst]
Light exploded.
The Warden collapsed.
The Nexus pulsed.
> [Access Granted – Temporal Nexus Gate Opening]
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4. Inside the Nexus
We stepped in and the world turned inside out.
We were in a space of mirrors—each reflecting possible versions of ourselves.
Kai the killer.
Kai the god.
Kai the broken.
Kai in Yui's arms, bleeding.
The Nexus spoke—not in words, but in emotion.
> [Welcome, System Error.] You are eligible for Ascension Protocol: Choose your path.
"Wait," I said. "Ascension?"
Yui stepped closer. "This might be what the goddesses were hiding. This isn't just a gate—it's a rewrite key."
A voice echoed.
"One of you may pass. One of you must remain."
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5. The Choice – Yui's Confession
"I'll stay," Yui said immediately.
"What? No. Hell no!"
She smiled. "You're meant for more, Kai. This glitch... it's not a curse. It's a responsibility."
Tears welled in her eyes. "But before you go, I need you to know… I love you. I have since the first day. Even when I hated you. Especially then."
I froze. My system didn't give notifications for that.
"I love you too," I whispered. "I just didn't know how to say it. Until now."
I pulled her into my arms.
The Nexus shimmered.
And then the mirrors broke.
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6. The Goddess Intervenes
Just before we stepped forward, light flared.
Lyria descended in a blaze of starlight, eyes ablaze.
"NO!" she screamed. "He is mine!"
She raised her staff. Time halted.
Yui couldn't move.
I couldn't breathe.
"You were never meant to go this far," Lyria hissed. "This was a game. A test. And you were supposed to fail."
I roared. My glitch surged.
"Then here's your answer—"
I kissed Yui.
> [Love Confirmed – System Alignment Shift: ???] [Goddess Bond Rewritten]
Lyria screamed as the Nexus pulsed.
And we vanished.
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7. End Scene – A New Path
We landed in a new world.
Floating islands. Burning skies. Codes in the wind.
> [You have entered: Realm of Lost Systems]
Yui blinked beside me. "Where are we?"
I held her hand.
"Where we make our own rules."
> [Volume 1: End – Glitched Love: The Goddess Protocol] Next: Volume 2 – Rise of the Rogue God]