Volume 5 - Chapter ~3-5ish (Patreon)

Volume 5 - Chapter ~3-5ish

(Edit: As of 11/23/2025, chapter has undergone several revisions)

(Note: This chapter will probably get moved to be Chapter 3 or Chapter 4, to make way for more "important" starting chapters. However, since I had this chapter written up, I figured I'd share it with y'all)

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Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

A golden haired man sat patiently on the ground in the middle of a large, empty dirt arena, surrounded by high stone walls and an empty, blue sky overhead. The man’s breathing was calm and controlled, not a sheen of sweat visible on his body. His muscular, but toned build, was hidden inside a loose white silk shirt and a pair of comfortable black pants.

Seeing his cool, relaxed pose, it was difficult to imagine that this same man had just crushed an entire cadre of Dark Wraith Sorcerers, mere seconds prior.

The golden haired man inhaled, shutting his eyes.

Exhale.

“Constantine Lancaster.” Director Prime’s deep voice boomed out as he opened his eyes.

Prime allowed his anger to show, a sort of pent up, frustrated rage that he kept tightly locked up.

“You have some gall, infecting my people and playing with their lives as if it was your natural right.”

His words were met with no response, which did not surprise him.

He was still gathering his thoughts and getting used to speaking again after spending far too many years inside the First Gate. That time had proved immensely valuable, helping him settle the Draconic Blood that now flowed in his veins, finding an equilibrium that stabilized his current form.

Draconic Blood was an incredibly overpowering substance - the benefits that came with absorbing it were inarguable, but the risks that came alongside it were something he constantly had to prepare for.

Prime sighed quietly to himself. If Micheal’s hastily scribbled notes were to be believed, the Recorded Clone of Constantine that he was about to meet was from the man’s first year. The man probably hadn’t even infected any of his men by this point.

“Well. I guess I’ll figure it out as I go.” Prime shrugged, feeling unusually languid as the world around him froze.

Warm green light then began to surround the golden haired man, restoring him back to peak condition.

As the light faded away, the golden haired man opened his eyes, revealing a pair of vibrant, green pupils.

Thus ushered forth the golden haired man’s next Duel inside the Gate of Trials, one of the Five Gates housed within the Soul King’s Inheritance.

‘Here he comes.’ Prime steadied his heart, maintaining a somber, poised expression

Prime’s new opponent appeared and the next Duel began.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Standing before him was a human male, a young adult with brown hair and blue eyes, dressed in a pair of plain blue jeans, a white buttoned shirt, and a sturdy pair of brown leather shoes.

A split second after appearing, the two warriors locked gazes.

“…”

“…”

“…”

The moment ended.

“You… you can’t be here.” Micheal’s familiar voice echoed in the air as he stared at Prime, his words tinged with shock despite himself.

“You… where’s Tallanor- oh, hold on. Ohhh.”

Micheal’s Recorded Clone frowned as he examined his body briefly before returning focus back over to Director Prime.

“Well. I did not expect for us to meet this way, Prime.” Micheal’s Recorded Clone possessed the same knowledge, personality, skills, and experience that his original body controlled at the time he was recorded.

“…” Prime rubbed his forehead and let out a silent groan.

‘I suppose I should have known that this was a possibility…’

“Micheal. Are you…?” Prime’s voice trailed off as the Recorded Clone smirked back at him.

“Aware I’m a Clone? Yeah, that part wasn’t really hard to figure out.” The Clone grinned.

“Man, Prime, you have no idea how nice this is. Wow. No responsibilities. No worries. No stress. No fear. Oooooh, wow.” With a thump, Micheal’s Recorded Clone fell backwards and lay down comfortably in the dirt floor of the Dueling Arena.

Prime’s only response was a slight narrowing of his eyes.

“…”

“…”

The duo locked gazes once again.

“Hmm… alright, you look like you have a lot on your mind, Prime.” Micheal’s Recorded Clone sat up, resting his chin on his right knee.

Prime paused for a moment before replying.

“Yes. I have not spoken to anyone in a very long time.” The Director coughed lightly, before shaking his head and sighing. There was no point in complaining about the situation.

“It’s like trying to use a muscle that you haven’t used in forever. I remember how to talk, it just feels… strange.”

He couldn't quite put it to words, but there was a stark difference between the solitude of using his World Matrix Type Ability, and the solitude of the First Gate. Prime had long since grown used to the silence when he entered the World Matrix.

The First Gate, however... it simply felt different, in a way he couldn't quite put to words.

Within his own World Matrix, there was a sense of control, an awareness that he could step away back into reality at any point in time... something that didn't exist in the First Gate, where stepping away would mean ending your journey on the spot.

“I get that.” Micheal's Clone nodded. Anyone who stayed in Tallanoran’s First Gate for any meaningful period of time would feel the same.

“I assume you’ve been through the First Gate?”

Prime nodded.

“How long did ya last? You tell me your time, I’ll tell you mine.” Micheal’s Recorded Clone grinned.

Prime chuckled despite himself.

“I can’t imagine- for a Recorded Clone, you could not be more different from your original.”

The smile on the Clone’s face gradually died down until his appearance returned to the somber, serious nature that Prime had come to associate with Micheal.

“It’s a matter of circumstance.” The Clone shook his head.

“I’m just a Clone, and I’m aware of that fact. That makes it easy to let go. The main body doesn’t have that same luxury.” The Clone explained.

Prime held up a hand, interrupting the Clone.

“Are you certain this is something you should share with someone like me?”

The Clone of Micheal paused and stared intently at Prime for a few moments, before shrugging.

“We’ve come to an understanding, have we not? The past between us is messy, but what’s important now is the future.”

Prime responded with a slow nod.

“Besides. Both me and the main body believe you to be a man of rather tortured integrity.” The Clone smiled shamelessly.

Prime snorted again.

“So…” Micheal’s Recorded Clone slowly got to its feet before he squinted at Prime.

“Did I give you a certain notebook?”

Prime quirked his head for a moment before his eyes widened and the man nodded.

Micheal’s Clone grinned.

“Yeah, don’t forget, I’m just a Clone. I know all about Micheal’s plans, but I’ve got no idea if any of them worked.” The Clone went on,

“Here’s hoping.”

Prime smiled.

“Well, I can tell you what else you've-“

“No.” Micheal’s Clone held up a hand.

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

Prime furrowed his brows and studied the Clone for a few moments.

“I’m a Clone and I’m okay with that, but I know anything you share with me I won’t remember. If that’s the case, I’d rather not have any answers then be forced to have them and forget.” The Recorded Clone let out a winning smile.

“I see. I’m sorry, I didn’t think about that.” Prime genuinely hadn’t even considered the thought.

Micheal’s Clone shrugged back.

“Hey man, easy come, easy go. Now that I’ve taken off the mask of worries and burdens the main body carries, I’m kinda glad I don’t have to put it back on.” The Clone gave a small smile.

“But enough of that!” Micheal’s Clone interrupted Prime before he could reply.

“Instead, let’s make use of this rare opportunity.” Micheal’s Clone got back to his feet, an evil smile appearing on his face.

“I should at least do something to help out the main body.”

Prime raised an eyebrow as he watched Micheal's Clone pull out a pair of wooden swords.

“I might just be Micheal’s Recorded Clone, but my skills are real.” Micheal's Clone threw the wooden sword at Prime, who belatedly caught it.

“How advanced is your Sword Mastery?” Micheal's Clone nodded.

“Oh and do remember I’m just a Clone. You don’t need to worry about anything you say or do in here.”

Prime chuckled.

“I wasn’t worried nor did I forget, but alright.”

A stream of red energy washed over the wooden blade as Prime called upon his Advanced Tier Sword Energy. The volatile power vibrated, shuddering in the air.

“Still just Advanced?” Micheal’s Clone raised an eyebrow back.

Prime tilted his head to the side and silently gave the Clone an exasperated look.

“I’ve been a bit busy, no? From fusing Draconic Blood into my veins, to investigating the Beasts of Providence, to a battle against Orion Thunderfist that lasted 142 days from my perspective.”

Micheal’s Clone held up his hands in defeat.

“Alright, alright, that’s fair, you got me.” The Clone kept smiling either way.

“But you have time now, right?”

Prime nodded.

The Clone’s smile began to look vaguely evil.

“Excellent! Then come, let us discuss.” Micheal’s Clone began to stalk towards Prime like a Praying Mantis eyeing a piece of food.

“It would be impossible with anyone else… but with your World Matrix Type Ability, Prime…” The Clone’s eyes gleamed.

“I’m not letting you leave until you’ve begun your first Master Class evolution.”

.