Azhini groaned as a sharp, unfamiliar pain pierced through her temples. Her body felt heavy, as though it had been stretched thin across a tightrope. She instinctively tried to move, but her limbs seemed to resist her efforts, sluggish and disoriented. Every muscle screamed in protest, and her vision blurred as if she were staring into a fogged mirror.

  But then, as if something shifted within her, the pain slowly faded away. It was replaced by an almost surreal sense of calm—an odd tranquility that made her think she was floating, or perhaps, that she was no longer tethered to her physical form. She took a deep breath, which felt less like an inhale of air and more like absorbing the very essence of the space around her.

  Blinking rapidly, she tried to make sense of her surroundings. The dim, ethereal blue light that bathed the area almost looked liquid, swirling around her like a slow-moving ocean. It wasn’t the soft glow of an ordinary light source; it was as if the light itself had a life, a pulse, with the same rhythm as her heartbeat.

  Panic surged in her chest. Her head jerked upward, scanning the strange place she found herself in. The landscape was...otherworldly. There were no walls, no ceilings, just an endless expanse of this glowing blue atmosphere that seemed to stretch on forever. Her breath caught in her throat. She was no longer at the mansion, wasn’t in the same world she had known. What is this? Where am I?

  Her roaming eyes finally settled on a throne placed in the centre of the Nexus. There, standing before her, was a man. A man dressed completely in white, from head to toe, like some sort of celestial figure or a character from an otherworldly myth. His smile was wide, and his eyes twinkled with something that she couldn't understand , like he knew something she didn’t.

  He waved at her. "Hi!" he said again, his voice far too casual for the surreal moment.

  "You look a bit lost," the man said with an air of light amusement, as if this situation was the most normal thing in the world.

  Azhini blinked at him, speechless, her mind scrambling for anything that could explain this.

  "Don't worry. It's just kinda jet lag. You'll get used to it soon," he said, flashing a wide smile, as if he were offering a comforting promise.

  Azhini raised an eyebrow, trying to shake off the disorientation from her sudden plunge into this strange new world. The ethereal blue hue of the surroundings made everything seem otherworldly. She nodded silently, still trying to grasp the reality of her situation.

  “Welcome to the Nexus,” he said with a dramatic sweep of his hand, gesturing to the vast expanse below. “This is the main center that guards the peace and balance of the nine kingdoms you can see from here. I’m Sam, in charge of making sure that peace stays intact. Well, as much as I can, anyway."

  Azhini glanced around, feeling the weight of the moment.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  “You see, lass," Sam continued, "the kingdoms, they look peaceful, don’t they? Serene from here, right?" He motioned toward the distant lands, shimmering in the soft light. "But don't be fooled. They’re not. Great leaders are born there—each one capable of tremendous potential. But unfortunately, that doesn’t mean peace. I mean, look at it this way: even two swords can't sit quietly in a scabbard. How can nine swords expect to?"

  Azhini couldn’t help but place her hand at her head, she could perceive the probably upcoming headache.

  "These nine rulers are unpredictable, wild. Too wild. It's all I can do to keep my beauty sleep undisturbed." He sighed dramatically. "Worrying about them is aging me faster than I’d like to admit." He leaned in closer with a mischievous grin. "But here's the thing, Azhini. I have a secret weapon to deal with them."

  Before Azhini could react, Sam flicked his fingers. In an instant, an unfinished diadem appeared, hovering in the air before them. Its design was beautiful, yet clearly incomplete, as if it were waiting for something—or someone.

  Azhini blinked, perplexed. “What is it?”

  Sam chuckled, as if he’d read her thoughts. "I know what you're thinking: How is this trash going to bring peace?" He waved his hand dismissively. "Hahaha, don’t worry. It definitely won’t—at least, not yet."

  Azhini frowned, intrigued despite herself. "Then why show me?"

  “Ah, well, here's the catch,” Sam said, his voice dropping a bit. “Each of the nine rulers has a gem, a precious stone, and they guard it with their lives. If someone collects all the gems and completes this diadem…" He paused for effect, eyes gleaming. "That person can wear it and be considered the conqueror of this entire Cosmos. And when that happens, all the beings under this Cosmos will obey their command."

  Azhini’s eyes widened, the gravity of his words sinking in. “You mean… whoever holds this diadem controls everything?”

  "Exactly," Sam replied, nodding. "They could bring peace. End all wars. Save countless lives." He looked at her closely, his expression softening. "But here's the problem: I already have a job. And while I’m keeping things in balance here, I can’t also bear the weight of being the conqueror. I have my limits. So…"

  He extended the diadem toward her, his voice now earnest. "Are you willing to take it? If you complete it, you could save so many lives, bring stability to this broken Cosmos. You could be the one to do it."

  ---

  "No I am not"

  "I am not doing it, I am not willing," Azhini said firmly, shaking her head. "I don't even know how I came here, but I have to go. Please, send me where I belong. Thank you."

  Sam's smile faltered for just a moment before he burst into a dramatic laugh. "No, no, no, my dear. That’s beyond my power." He placed a hand on his chest and spoke in a mock-serious tone. "I think you don’t quite understand the situation." He spread his arms wide, gesturing to the vast expanse around them. "I am only in charge of these nine kingdoms. I can send beings between them, sure. But as for sending you somewhere that doesn’t belong to these nine realms..." He shook his head sorrowfully. "I’m afraid I’m powerless to do that."

  Azhini’s frustration flared up. "Then what should I do now? I have friends, patients, and my own life to live back there. Even though this place is creepy, you seem like a good person. Can you at least tell me who can send me back?" In a placating tone.

  Sam gave her a long, teasing look, then leaned in close, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Hahaha, you are right. I am very kind-hearted." He paused for a moment, enjoying her puzzled expression before whispering in her ear, "Let me tell you who has enough power to send you back… The Cosmic Conqueror."

  Azhini felt a wave of frustration sweep over her, and she glared at Sam. "So?" she asked, her tone sharp.

  Sam simply smiled, clearly enjoying her irritation. "So," he replied, dragging the word out.

  Azhini’s fists clenched. "I have no choice from the beginning, do I?"

  "Hey, I am not that cruel you see. You can also wait here patiently with me for years, then there may be another individual come here and also willing to take this task, successfully become a cosmic conqueror and you can plead them to send you back"

  Azhini muttered a string of curses under her breath, silently scolding him. Sam, oblivious to her displeasure, simply beamed at her.

  After a moment of internal conflict, Azhini sighed deeply. Her shoulders slumped in resignation, but there was a flicker of determination in her eyes. "Okay then, Sam," she said, her voice steady but resigned. "I am willing."

  Sam’s grin grew wider. "Good choice. Let’s see how well you do with the weight of the cosmos on your shoulders."

  Azhini shot him a sideways glance but held her tongue, already steeling herself for the challenges ahead.

  ----