Chapter 38: Rumors of the Black Horizon
Marcus tightened the straps on his pack, double-checking that everything was in place. The group was preparing to leave the inn, their supplies packed, their gear secured. Boruk and Ragn were deep in discussion about the safest route back to the orc stronghold, debating whether to take the main road or cut through the old forest path to avoid potential bandits. Vira was sorting their rations, muttering about how little they had left after their last dungeon delve.
Marcus was physically present, but his mind was elsewhere.
Black Horizon Industries.
The words echoed in his head like a curse.
He hadn’t thought about his old world in a long time—not because he didn’t care, but because what was the point? He was here now, in a different world with different rules. He had accepted that.
But now?
Now he was being forced to ask questions he wasn’t sure he wanted answers to.
What happened to my world?
When did it happen?
Why did it happen?
And most importantly…
What was Black Horizon Industries?
What role had they played in destroying his world?
Stem, his ever-present system, responded without hesitation. Its voice was calm, clinical, devoid of emotion.
“Your ‘old world’ was in the process of its ‘restructuring.’ A step in a process where a system, god, or gods, governing a universe allows the inhabitants of a world to be eliminated, making way for new life and possibilities.”
Marcus’ breath hitched. “Eliminated?”
“Correct.”
His jaw clenched. “You’re telling me my entire world was wiped out to make room for something new? Like… a reset button?”
“A restructuring is a necessary step in the universal cycle.”
A cold chill ran down his spine. The words were too clinical. Too absolute. There was no malice in Stem’s tone, no intention behind the destruction—it was simply a fact.
A law of existence.
Marcus forced himself to steady his breathing. He needed more.
“When did it happen?”
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“Time is not linear.”
Marcus scowled. “That’s a non-answer.”
“It is truth. When you step into a dungeon, you are witnessing a world at any point in its existence. Time, as you perceive it, does not govern interdimensional collapse.”
Marcus ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Fine. Then tell me why. Why does this happen?”
“Because all things must end.”
He exhaled sharply. "That’s it? That’s the grand reason? ‘Everything dies eventually?’”
“Correct.”
Marcus let out a bitter laugh. "So my entire world was erased, and the only explanation is ‘because that’s how it works’?”
Stem did not reply.
Marcus swallowed back the rising anger and forced himself to focus. “Black Horizon Industries. What did they do?”
There was a brief pause before Stem answered.
“Black Horizon Industries attempted to prevent the destruction of their world. In doing so, they may have contributed to its demise.”
Marcus froze. His mind raced.
They tried to stop it.
Did that mean they knew?
Did they understand what was coming and fight back? Were they the last line of defense against whatever this "restructuring" was?
Or…
Did they cause it?
His hands tightened into fists. “What were they trying to contain?”
Another pause. Longer this time.
Then Stem spoke again.
“There are echoes in this world of something called ‘The Black Horizon.’ Its followers perceive it as a calamity they can stand against.”
Marcus felt his stomach drop. “No…”
The pieces were falling into place, but the picture they created was horrific.
Did that mean this world was doomed too?
His voice was barely a whisper in his mind. “Stem… is this world going to end as well?”
For the first time since their conversation began, Stem’s tone shifted. It was subtle, but there was something… gentler about it.
“As stated, most worlds undergo extinction events. However, I do not know what the future holds for this one. Cross-referencing available data, I cannot determine an immediate threat.”
Marcus exhaled, the tension in his chest loosening—but only slightly. “That makes me feel better… but I can’t shake the feeling that they’re connected.”
Stem hesitated before answering.
“Patterns exist across multiple realities. Myths repeat. Gods rise and fall. Worlds end and begin. Many cultures tell stories of inevitable destruction—Ragnarok, The Twilight, The Great Collapse. Some claim a cycle of death and rebirth. Others, an endless war between order and chaos. It is possible that ‘The Black Horizon’ is merely another name for a phenomenon that has occurred across countless worlds.”
Marcus’ fingers twitched. If that were true… then what was his role in all of this?
“Oi! Marcus, you there!?”
Boruk’s voice yanked him out of his thoughts. Marcus blinked, realizing that the group had stopped moving. They were staring at him.
“Uh… sorry.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was lost in thought.”
Boruk huffed. “Sorry to bore you, but I was trying to warn you about the dangers we might face on the way home.”
Stem’s voice cut in privately.
“I can display information on any monster we encounter. His analysis is insufficient.”
Marcus’ eyebrows shot up. “Wait… like an ‘inspection’ skill?”
“Correct.”
A slow grin spread across his face. “That’s amazing.”
Boruk waved a massive hand in front of Marcus’ face. “There he goes again. Vira, what’s wrong with him?”
Vira hesitated before smoothly covering for him. “Oh, um… he’s still processing everything from our last delve.”
Boruk grunted. “Whatever. Just make sure he’s paying attention when we’re on the road.”
As they left the inn, Vira caught up to Marcus, lowering her voice. “You need to be more careful.”
Marcus frowned. “What do you mean?”
She gave him a knowing look. “Getting sucked into conversations with Stem. If you zone out like that in front of people, they’ll start asking questions.”
He sighed. “Yeah, I get it.”
To his surprise, Stem spoke up.
“I will limit communication to times when you are alone or in dire situations.”
Marcus blinked. "You actually listened?”
“Correct.”
Vira smirked. “Guess I’m your system’s voice of reason now.”
Marcus chuckled. “Seems that way.”
As they continued down the road, Marcus’ mind churned.
The Black Horizon.
The fate of his old world.
The echoes of destruction across realities.
He didn’t have all the answers yet.
But he would find them.
No matter what it took.
