The Empyreal Gem Master

The Choir of Ruin and Primordiality.

A vast expanse of space stretched outward, holding colossal structures the size of planetary bodies—each uniquely forged from the musings of Ruin or the Primordial Cosmic Tao.

Decimated castles the size of suns could be seen alongside scattered golden and crimson towers pulsing with Ruin and Primordial Cosmic authority, with multiple Cosmic Realm beings actually surrounding such areas as they resonated with the Cosmic Authorities there!

The figure the White Ascender had sworn revenge on stood perched atop a massive pillar, born of Ruin itself. His weavings revealed a realm of power so intense that the very space around him quaked and tumbled, as if his presence defied the laws of this place.

After all, this was the Infinite Cosmic Tower.

And it was in the name—Cosmic.

Once one began to surpass the stage of cosmos, they started to exceed the limits that the tower could contain. But an entity at the stage of Cosmic Filament was perfect to lead the assault on the Apex of the Infinite Cosmic Tower.

And that was exactly who Alexander had to kill.

He smiled, humming quietly to himself as his three bodies ascended through the Tao Domains—rising faster and faster with every second.

Beyond the Choir of Ruin and Primordiality, Alexander’s core features of the Peacemaker and the Investigator finally came into view at the very peak of the tower. And what they saw caused his will to slam into an invisible wall, unable to extend any further.

The wall was…a sea.

A small, multicolored sea at the very top of the tower.

It looked like a sea, but it wasn’t. Not truly.

It pulsed with radiant, ever-shifting colors, waves rolling with the very light of the cosmos itself. Describing it was impossible—it wasn’t just beautiful, it was sacred.

This was the region halting the progress of all who sought the top.

Even Alexander couldn’t push his will into it. A unique force, the same energy that wrapped around the left, right, and base of the tower, permeated this peak completely.

It was into this dazzling, forbidden sea that the Crimson Ruinborn was trying to pass—for the second time.

Alexander’s attention zeroed in as the being’s records streamed to him—smooth, ordered, and precise.

BZZT!

But not too long after…

Chaotic waves of crimson Ruin exploded around the Ruinborn as he looked up sharply—like he could feel the weight of someone’s gaze.

But he turned his head to the side after a moment, expression clouded. No matter how far he stretched his awareness, no matter how far his will reached, he sensed nothing.

Not even the Crimson Authority of Ruin could locate the presence that lingered.

Still, the sensation didn’t leave him.

It stuck.

His expression grew grim as he rose from the crimson pillar where he had been seated.

Alexander, still watching from afar, tensed slightly.

The perception of a Cosmic Filament Entity wasn’t something to scoff at. Even if they didn’t understand his terrifying Enneagram, they might sense its effects somewhat if they were of a higher realm.

And the Crimson Ruinborn had felt something.

He couldn’t name it.

But it was enough.

From his robes, he pulled a crimson medallion and spoke into it with chilling calm.

“Bring the last of the Cosmic Realm Entities we have managed to recruit. The assault on the Apex of the Infinite Cosmic Tower begins now.”

…!

With those words, his forces stirred. Those who had already gathered and those still on their way began their movement.

Even the simple gaze of Alexander had triggered a change in the Ruinborn’s perception, pushing their plans to the next stage.

And now, as the Crimsin Ruinborn prepared to break free, Alexander asked himself:

Was this being truly the first?

Hadn’t others—entities who had reached the Cosmic Filament Realm—already reached this point? Already tried to escape?

The question buzzed through his mind as activity erupted through the tower’s upper layers. The more powerful the Cosmic Realm entity, the more violently they stirred.

Many had only ever moved along the sides—left, right, bottom—but once they reached the power to ascend directly up, near the apex…they realized the truth.

They were prisoners.

And no being who had forged an entire cosmos within themselves would take kindly to living in a cage.

None of them wanted to feel like birds trapped in a gilded prison! No matter how wondrous it may have been.

Because of this, hundreds of Cosmic Entities began surging upward—under the Crimson Ruinborn’s command.

And uniquely—due to the terrifying speed and power Alexander now possessed, enhanced by a certain Gem Constellation—his three bodies were also approaching what could be considered the tower’s upper layers.

As he crossed through…

“Ooh?”

The weavings of the Peacemaker and Investigator picked up another group of beings nearby—headed in the same direction.

A small Dwarven woman led them, twin hammers slung on her back. Within the hammers, illusory cosmos shimmered.

She spotted Alexander and waved him down, halting her companions.

“Friends! Have you also heard the words of the Unweaver? I haven’t seen you around before—do you belong to any Coalition?”

The Cosmic Realm Dwarf was friendly, cheerful even. Alexander’s foremost body waved his hand, shaking his head.

“No Coalition. But I’ve heard of the Unweaver and his attempt to forge a path through the Apex. I want to help. I’m Alexander, and these two are Asmo and Deus.”

…!

A simple introduction.

Alexander—his first body. The second, a bulkier, tanned clone named Asmo. The third, leaner and scholarly—Deus.

Alexander. Asmo. Deus.

Sometimes, simplicity said everything.

The Cosmic Dwarf grinned, nodding as she introduced herself and the other nearby beings.

“We’re all about to risk our lives to try and climb out of the tower once more. Let’s do it together and have a drink while at it. This will be the most glorious fight of our existence!”

They were hopeful. United in purpose.

But Alexander remained silent.

He didn’t want to dampen their spirit by revealing that the being they were depending on to break through the tower…was the one he had come to kill.

Whether the Crimson Ruinborn succeeded or not, his fate was already sealed!