《chains of the first universe》 The Fugitives First Step Celis had never known peace. She looked like an angel from a fairy tale¡ªethereal, with cascading silver hair that shimmered like moonlight, iridescent eyes that held the depth of galaxies. But though she seemed divine, she lacked the one thing that would complete her¡ªher wings. A gift and a curse, they would only manifest when she was strong enough to bear their burden. For with them came not just freedom, but an unbearable weight¡ªa power that could either save or annihilate entire worlds. She was the chains of the universe, the force that held existence together. If she died, the universe would fall with her. From the moment she awakened the Key of Ethers, the universe had turned against her. Not because she was a chosen one or some great savior¡ªno, they hunted her because of the curse that ran through her veins. The Key of Ethers was not a gift. It was a weapon of destruction, a force capable of unraveling worlds and reducing galaxies to dust. But it was a power she could not wield. Not freely. Not on her own. Celis could not control the Key. It was bound by an ancient law¡ªher power could only be used by the one who tamed her. The empires feared her. The warlords craved her power. The rogue factions wanted to tear her apart and claim the Key for themselves. But none of them compared to the one she feared most. He didn¡¯t want her dead. He didn¡¯t want to use her. He wanted to own her. Celis sprinted through the dimly lit alleyways of a medieval capital, her cloak billowing behind her as the sound of armored boots echoed in pursuit. The city¡¯s labyrinthine streets were suffocating, the stone walls towering around her like a prison. She skidded around a corner, her breath ragged, her heart a desperate drum in her chest. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Torches flickered in the hands of her pursuers, their shouts filling the air. "There! Don¡¯t let her escape!" She had only moments. Dimensional Step. The world blurred. Space folded. And in a blink, she was somewhere else¡ªfar beyond the soldiers who chased her. But the reprieve was brief. She stumbled, gripping her chest as exhaustion threatened to take hold. Eleven uses left. Her abilities were powerful, but limited. She could only use them thirteen times a day, and each use drained her further. She had to be careful. Yet, as she turned to flee once more, something shifted in the air. A force more powerful than anything she had ever encountered. Then the world froze. A pulse of energy wrapped around her, seizing her limbs, crushing her will. It wasn¡¯t magic. It was something far beyond that¡ªauthority. A chilling voice rumbled through the silence. "No matter where you run, all roads end with me." Celis¡¯s breath hitched as she lifted her gaze. He stood before her, draped in regal black and gold, his eyes like twin stars burning with possession. The ruler of the First Universe. Sevios. The supreme being of the cosmos. The conqueror of worlds. A god in all but name. His power was limitless. His presence, suffocating. Stars bent to his will, and galaxies crumbled at his command. And yet, the only thing he ever truly desired¡ªwas her. Celis trembled as he reached for her, his touch ghosting over her skin as though claiming what was already his. "You are mine, Celis," Sevios murmured, his voice dark with obsession. "And no force in this universe will take you from me." And this time, there was no running away. Her breath came in shallow gasps as the weight of his words settled over her. Celis clenched her fists, her mind racing for a plan. She refused to be a pawn. She refused to be caged. Her body tensed as she pushed against the unseen force that held her in place, trying to summon her abilities once more. But before she could react, Sevios moved, his grip tightening around her wrist. "You still resist me?" he mused, his tone both amused and irritated. "How foolish. You cannot escape your fate." Celis glared at him. "I will never be yours." His smirk deepened. "And yet, you already are." Her heart pounded as he lifted his hand, magic crackling in the air. The chains of the universe that bound her soul began to stir. The unbreakable fate she had fought against was closing in. And in that moment, Celis knew¡ªher nightmare had only just begun. Shadows of Pursuit Celis¡¯s heartbeat thundered in her ears as she locked eyes with Sevios, the very being she¡¯d spent her life trying to avoid. The cold night air, heavy with the scent of rain and ancient stone, seemed to freeze around her, as if the universe itself had paused in reverence of his presence. For a moment, the world held its breath. Then, with a surge of panic that electrified her every nerve, Celis flung herself backward. Summoning the last fragments of her dwindling energy, she invoked Dimensional Step. In a blink, the narrow, shadowed alley vanished into a maelstrom of twisting light and warped reality. She reappeared at the far end of Eldoria¡¯s labyrinthine streets, nearly collapsing from exhaustion¡ªa price she paid every time she risked the ability. Gasping for air, she scanned the deserted district. Once a bustling haven, the district now lay silent; shuttered windows and barred doors testified to the citizens¡¯ desperate retreat at the mere hint of chaos. The usually vigilant city watch had long since abandoned their posts, leaving the streets to echo only with her frantic footsteps. But Celis knew she wasn¡¯t alone. A chill crept up her spine as an inexplicable pressure seemed to press against the night. She turned sharply, eyes darting through the darkness. The street behind her was empty, yet she could sense Sevios¡¯s presence lingering¡ªa sinister, almost palpable force. Was it a trick of her mind, or was he truly closing in? Desperation mounting, Celis steadied herself, forcing her rapid heartbeat to slow. Eldoria was a maze, a place she had navigated countless times before; yet, its comforting familiarity now offered little solace when a being with control over dimensions could appear at any moment. She drew in a shaky breath and reached for one of her remaining abilities: Illusion Magic. A ghostly, shimmering mist erupted around her, crafting several indistinguishable duplicates. Each phantom form darted off in a different direction, their ethereal presence intended to confuse and mislead. It was a tactic that had saved her life on many occasions¡ªa fleeting diversion to buy time. For a heartbeat, hope flickered in her chest. But then, a low, mocking laugh slithered through the narrow passage. ¡°Clever,¡± came the voice, smooth and disdainful. Spinning around, Celis saw Sevios emerging from a swirling vortex of darkness, his golden eyes glinting with an unnerving calm. As he stepped forward, the illusions shuddered under the weight of his gaze, their forms wavering until one by one they dissipated into the night. Left exposed and vulnerable, Celis¡¯s heart sank. His smirk was both amused and chilling as he spoke, ¡°But not clever enough.¡± Her pulse pounded harder. Determination flared amid her fear. She attempted another desperate maneuver¡ªPhantom Blink. This ability, a rapid but short-range teleportation, had always been her fallback when Dimensional Step drained her reserves too swiftly. With a surge of will, she prepared to vanish and reappear farther away. Before she could activate it, however, a crushing pressure descended upon her, pinning her to the cold cobblestones. It was as if the very fabric of reality had grown dense and unyielding, coalescing around her in a suffocating grip. ¡°I warned you,¡± Sevios intoned, his voice resonating like distant thunder. ¡°All roads lead back to me.¡± Celis fought against the invisible weight, each breath a struggle against an overwhelming force. Her eyes, wide with desperation, met his unyielding gaze. ¡°You¡ªwon¡¯t¡ªhave¡ªme,¡± she managed to gasp out, her voice trembling with both defiance and terror. A slow, chilling smile played on his lips. ¡°Won¡¯t I?¡± he replied, extending a hand that seemed to manipulate shadows themselves. Dark tendrils coiled around his fingertips, reaching out like grasping claws of fate. As his hand neared, a sensation of icy oblivion began to seep into the corners of her vision. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. In a final, desperate surge of resolve, Celis summoned every ounce of her remaining strength. With a mighty effort, she broke free from the crushing aura. Without a second thought, she bolted, her legs propelling her into the adjoining street¡ªa narrow escape fueled by raw willpower. The adrenaline of her escape was both a blessing and a curse. Her energy reserves were perilously low; each ability she had used was a drain on her vitality. As she sprinted through the deserted corridors of Eldoria, the weight of exhaustion began to set in. Every muscle screamed, every breath burned in her lungs, yet she couldn¡¯t afford to stop. Behind her, Sevios¡¯s presence was unyielding. His laughter, low and rich with dark amusement, echoed in her ears. He watched her retreat with a detached air of inevitability, confident that no matter how far she ran, she would soon be within his grasp again. The city around them, once alive with the hum of activity, now served as a silent stage for their relentless game of cat and mouse. As Celis darted through the twisting maze of alleys, her mind raced with questions. Every step carried the weight of an unspoken truth: How could she ever escape a being who seemed to command the very essence of reality? Every shadow, every flicker of movement, was a reminder of her vulnerability. For a long moment, she paused in a narrow side street. The neon glow of distant magical sigils, remnants of a once-thriving metropolis, danced across the walls. She pressed her hands against her trembling chest, feeling the rhythmic pounding of her heart. In that fragile moment of solitude, doubt crept in. Could her abilities, as formidable as they were, ever truly outmaneuver Sevios? Then, driven by both fear and defiance, she whispered to herself, ¡°I will find a way. I must.¡± With renewed determination, Celis activated Illusion Magic once more. This time, the ghosts of her own form spread out in a wide arc, flooding the alley with multiple, indistinguishable images of herself. They moved with deliberate randomness, a chaotic dance meant to confound her relentless pursuer. For a fleeting moment, the alley was filled with a dozen Celises, each one a decoy in the intricate ballet of evasion. But even this was not enough. As she watched the illusions scatter, Sevios¡¯s eyes seemed to narrow, his awareness slicing through the trickery. ¡°Futile,¡± he murmured, his voice carrying an almost imperceptible edge of triumph. In that moment, Celis realized the enormity of her predicament. With every escape attempt, the gap between her and Sevios only seemed to widen¡ªnot in distance, but in power. His ability to manipulate space and time was unparalleled, and every illusion, every blink of light, was rendered meaningless in the face of his dark control. Her legs, heavy with fatigue, began to betray her as she moved deeper into the maze of Eldoria¡¯s alleys. Every step was a battle against exhaustion. The distant sound of pursuing footsteps and the whisper of dark magic weighed on her. Yet, amidst the overwhelming odds, a singular thought persisted in her mind: How can I escape a being who controls all dimensions? In a final, desperate bid, she prepared to activate Phantom Blink¡ªa rapid, short-range teleport designed to throw off her captor. The sensation was like a flicker of light at the edge of darkness, a split second where reality itself seemed to bend around her. But before she could fully manifest the escape, a violent surge of energy slammed into her. The pressure was unbearable, and for a moment, everything around her blurred into a cacophony of sound and darkness. As she tumbled onto the cold, hard pavement, Celis¡¯s world became a whirlwind of pain and disorientation. Every moment was stretched out in agonizing detail as she struggled to regain control of her body. The city¡¯s ancient stones offered no comfort¡ªonly the harsh reminder of her isolation in a world that had long forsaken her. And then, as she lay battered on the ground, a haunting clarity filled her mind. Sevios was not just a pursuer; he was the embodiment of destiny, an unyielding force that bound her fate. His words, echoing in the emptiness of the night, were a chilling promise that no matter how far she ran, there was no escape. Yet, even in that crushing moment of despair, a spark of rebellion ignited within her. Celis clenched her fists, her eyes hardening with resolve as she forced herself to rise. Though her energy was nearly spent, and the odds stacked impossibly high, she refused to surrender to the darkness. The night was silent, save for the sound of her ragged breaths and the distant, ominous echo of Sevios¡¯s laughter. With a final, determined look at the labyrinthine streets, she whispered a promise to herself¡ªa vow born from desperation and defiance: I will not be your prey. I will fight until every last dimension trembles at the thought of my defiance. And with that, Celis resumed her desperate flight through Eldoria¡¯s twisting maze, each step a defiant rebellion against the overwhelming power that sought to claim her. Awakening in the Temple of Eternity Darkness pressed in from all sides. Celis¡¯s body ached, her breaths shallow as she pushed herself up from the cold stone floor. The temple walls were inscribed with ancient runes, pulsing softly with the immense mana surrounding her. She had escaped Sevios¡ªat least for now¡ªbut her situation was far from safe. Her fingers trembled as she traced the glyphs etched into the ground. The mana here was overwhelming, so dense it felt like it had a will of its own. It seeped into her skin, into her very soul, threatening to drown her in its infinite depths. Yet, she could not leave. Her abilities were spent, and her pursuers were undoubtedly tracking her every move. A cold sweat trickled down her neck as she steadied her breathing. She had to recover. Then, a whisper. Not from outside, but from within. Devour it. Celis gasped, clutching her chest as a sharp pain shot through her. The voice was ancient, primal¡ªlike the echo of a forgotten force lingering in the depths of her being. It spoke not in words, but in instinct. Her body reacted before her mind could protest. A surge of hunger unlike anything she had ever felt consumed her, and the mana in the temple trembled. It spiraled toward her, drawn in by an unseen force. Celis¡¯s vision blurred as an unbearable heat erupted within her, her veins igniting with raw, untamed energy. Then¡ª Power. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced. The dense mana no longer suffocated her; it became a part of her, feeding her strength instead of crushing her under its weight. She could feel it¡ªevery thread of energy within the temple bending to her will. It was intoxicating, overwhelming, and terrifying all at once. Her knees buckled as her mind caught up with what was happening. Mana Devourer. A forbidden ability. One that should not exist. She had heard whispers of it in old legends¡ªof a power so unnatural that not even gods could erase it. A force that could consume mana itself, turning the universe¡¯s energy into one¡¯s own weapon. But no being had ever awakened it. The probability was infinitesimally low, so close to zero that it was nothing more than myth. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. And yet¡ªshe had done it. Celis¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps as she pressed her trembling hands against the cold floor. The weight of her newfound power settled over her, but she had no time to revel in it. A pulse of danger rippled through the air, and she turned sharply toward the temple¡¯s entrance. Sevios was here. The doors trembled before shattering into dust, and the overwhelming presence of the ruler of the First Universe filled the sacred space. Golden eyes burned with something between amusement and intrigue as he stepped inside, his aura suffocating. The very air around him twisted and bent, as if reality itself feared his existence. Celis¡¯s pulse pounded in her ears, but this time, she did not step back. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over her before his lips curled into a knowing smirk. ¡°Interesting,¡± he mused, taking a slow step forward. ¡°You¡¯ve awakened something even I cannot erase.¡± Her fingers clenched into fists. ¡°Stay back.¡± Sevios chuckled, the sound both rich and dark. ¡°Or what? Will you try to fight me, little fugitive?¡± A flicker of doubt crossed her mind, but then she felt it¡ªthe mana around her bending to her will. For the first time, she was not helpless before him. The realization steadied her, gave her a sliver of confidence. She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze with unwavering defiance. ¡°I won¡¯t let you control me.¡± His expression darkened ever so slightly, though the amusement remained. ¡°Control you?¡± He took another step, closing the distance between them. ¡°Celis, you were never meant to be free.¡± A surge of power burst from her palm, tendrils of stolen mana lashing out like whips of pure energy. The temple trembled under the force, the very walls cracking under the raw pressure. For the first time, Celis attacked Sevios. And for the first time, he looked genuinely entertained. His hand moved, impossibly fast, fingers brushing through the mana she had unleashed as if it were nothing more than air. The energy dissipated, unraveling in his grasp. He sighed, almost disappointed. ¡°You¡¯ll have to do better than that.¡± Celis bit her lip. It¡¯s not enough. I need more. The temple¡¯s mana continued to swirl around her, filling her veins, making her stronger. But deep down, she knew it still wasn¡¯t enough to truly stand against him. Not yet. Sevios studied her for a long moment before shaking his head. ¡°I could take you now,¡± he said casually. ¡°But where¡¯s the fun in that?¡± The pressure in the room lessened, but the intensity of his gaze did not. ¡°You¡¯ll come to me when you realize the truth.¡± Celis held her breath, unwilling to ask what he meant. He turned away, as if the battle had already been decided. ¡°Enjoy your fleeting rebellion, Celis.¡± His voice was calm, confident. ¡°Because in the end, you belong to me.¡± Then, as if he had never been there at all, he was gone. Celis collapsed to her knees, her body trembling¡ªnot just from exhaustion, but from the weight of his words. She had power now. But would it ever be enough? A Glimmer of Hope Celis¡¯s body trembled from the aftermath of the Mana Devourer¡¯s awakening. Every inch of her skin buzzed with the raw, untamed energy she had just absorbed. She¡¯d gained a power beyond her understanding¡ªyet it felt like a double-edged sword. The weight of it pressed on her chest, a constant reminder that she now held a dangerous and forbidden ability. The temple was still and silent, the once vibrant runes etched into the walls dimming as if the ancient magic within them was now afraid of her. She had just barely escaped the crushing presence of Sevios, but her victory felt hollow. For a moment, she was free¡ªbut she could already feel him, watching, waiting. He had let her go. But for how long? Celis pushed herself to her feet, her knees buckling under the strain of her exhaustion. She had barely enough strength to stand, but she couldn''t stay here. She couldn¡¯t let Sevios track her down again. Her eyes scanned the temple, searching for a way out. There had to be something¡ªsome means of escape. Her hands trembled as she grasped the walls for support, her fingers tracing the strange, glowing symbols. The air felt thick with mana, as though the very atmosphere itself was alive. She could still feel the pulse of the Mana Devourer, flowing through her, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Not yet. Her gaze turned toward the shattered entrance, where the door had once stood. Sevios had come for her, but now he was gone. Or so she hoped. But she couldn''t be sure. She closed her eyes, letting the energy around her swirl and gather in her chest. She would leave. She had to leave. With a determined breath, Celis stepped toward the center of the temple, where the mana was most concentrated. Her hands began to glow with energy, and she focused, pulling it into herself. She felt it, the surge of power from the Mana Devourer coursing through her like a living current. The temple¡¯s magic bent to her will as she reached out for the rift she would need to escape. The air around her pulsed and crackled as she wove the spell. Her heart raced, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a semblance of control. She could escape. She could get away. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. A crackling rift appeared before her, its edges shimmering with unstable power. The world beyond it seemed distant, dark¡ªa place that promised safety, or at least a momentary reprieve. She stepped toward it, ready to leave the temple and the looming threat of Sevios behind. But then, it happened. A ripple in the air, a pulse of overwhelming power. She froze. No¡­ From the rift, a figure emerged¡ªtall, imposing, and impossibly calm. His golden eyes gleamed, as though the universe itself bent under his gaze. Sevios. His presence filled the temple once more, suffocating, inescapable. ¡°I thought you were smarter than this, Celis,¡± Sevios¡¯s voice came, smooth and dangerously soft. ¡°Did you think I wouldn¡¯t find you?¡± Her heart pounded, but she refused to show fear. Not again. She had power now. She had to be able to stand her ground. ¡°You can¡¯t keep me here, Sevios,¡± she said, her voice steadier than she felt. ¡°I¡¯ll escape, no matter what it takes.¡± Sevios¡¯s lips curled into a smile, a twisted mockery of affection. ¡°Escape?¡± He took a slow, deliberate step forward, the ground itself seeming to bow to his presence. ¡°My dear, you¡¯re already in the place you belong. You were never meant to escape.¡± Celis¡¯s blood ran cold at his words. His tone wasn¡¯t just one of control¡ªit was the voice of someone who loved her with a terrifying, consuming force. The type of love that could break the world in its wake. She steeled herself against the rising panic. ¡°I don¡¯t belong to you,¡± she spat, her fists clenched, glowing with mana. ¡°Oh, but you do,¡± Sevios said softly, his voice dripping with something like adoration. ¡°You always have, and you always will. You can¡¯t run from me, Celis. You¡¯re mine, in every sense of the word.¡± Her heart raced, her mana flaring as she gathered the energy to strike. But before she could act, Sevios raised a hand, and the very air around her seemed to crush in on her. A suffocating pressure filled the space, and Celis¡¯s vision swam with darkness. It felt like her lungs were being squeezed, her heart gripped by an invisible hand. Sevios¡¯s laugh echoed, low and dangerous. ¡°Do you feel that? That¡¯s me. I am the world that surrounds you, Celis. You can¡¯t escape what¡¯s inside you. You can¡¯t escape me.¡± With all the strength she could muster, Celis struggled against the overwhelming force, her body aching under the pressure. She had to act. She had to¡ª And then, just as suddenly as it had come, the weight lifted. Sevios was gone. The space around her returned to normal, though the residual feeling of his presence lingered, like a shadow. Celis sank to her knees, gasping for air. Her heart was racing, her head spinning. The rift she had created, her only hope for escape, flickered and sputtered, fading away. ¡°Celis,¡± his voice whispered from nowhere, filling the very air. ¡°You can run, but you will never be free. I will always find you. Always.¡± She collapsed to the ground, her body exhausted, her mind reeling. Sevios¡¯s love, twisted and terrifying, was not something she could escape. Not yet.