The Alien Within

Chapter 241: The Wormhole 3!

For a fleeting moment, Tessa allowed herself to wonder. What if she never returned? What if the wormhole consumed her, and the truth of the Universal Tree was lost forever? But she quickly banished the thought. Doubt was a luxury she couldn't afford. The path ahead was clear, even if it meant standing alone against the perils of the unknown.

.

Tessa donned the specially designed spacesuit, crafted from a blend of Beri Metal, Green Clay, and the rare Golden Cray Shaft. The materials, chosen for their unparalleled strength and flexibility, made the suit a marvel of engineering. Its shimmering white fabric gleamed under the spaceship's ambient lights, mirroring the smooth, metallic surface of the whale spaceship itself. The suit clung tightly to her form, though it was equipped with advanced controls on her forearms that allowed it to expand or compress as needed. It wasn't just a suit—it was a second skin, designed to withstand the most extreme conditions of space.

Despite its durable construction, the suit was astonishingly lightweight. It moved with her as though it were part of her own body, extending seamlessly to cover her entire form, including the slight curve of her pregnancy bump. Every detail of the suit had been meticulously planned, offering protection while still allowing her the freedom to navigate the unknown. With a steadying breath, Tessa activated the suit, its interior mechanisms humming softly as it adjusted to her shape.

She walked toward the exit arch, her boots clicking against the polished floors of the passenger space. Each step felt heavier than the last, not from the suit, but from the magnitude of the task ahead. Reaching the door, she paused. The controls for the staircases loomed before her, but she bypassed them. Stretching out the stairs was unnecessary—and too slow. Time was of the essence.

Tessa pressed the door's release mechanism, and it slid open with a quiet hiss. The void beyond stretched endlessly, illuminated only by the swirling, ominous presence of the wormhole. The wormhole pulsated with an eerie, otherworldly energy, its edges flickering between shades of violet and black. It was both beautiful and terrifying, a maw that seemed to beckon and warn in equal measure.

She turned to face the onlookers—an assembly of Zubo Deri-Legu people gathered behind her, their expressions a mixture of awe and trepidation. Nzak Deri had stepped out from the pilot arch, his normally composed demeanor shadowed by concern. The murmurs of the crowd hushed as Tessa spoke, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

"Wait for me!" she called out, her tone firm yet tinged with emotion. It wasn't a plea—it was a promise.

Then, without hesitation, Tessa leaped. She propelled herself into the void, her form slicing through the cold, thin air as she aimed directly for the wormhole. The crowd collectively gasped, their voices rising in a wave of shock and disbelief. Nzak Deri's eyes widened as he stepped forward, his hands gripping the doorway as if he might somehow pull her back. But he knew better. She had made her choice.

As her figure disappeared into the swirling vortex, Nzak Deri whispered under his breath, the words carrying the weight of a prayer. "May whatever god that is listening protect you." His voice was low, almost swallowed by the hum of the ship, but the sentiment was shared by all who watched.

Tessa's leap was more than an act of bravery—it was a testament to her unyielding resolve. Behind her, the Zubo Deri-Legu people stood in silence, their gazes fixed on the wormhole. And ahead of her lay the unknown, a realm where myths and legends converged, waiting to either welcome her or tear her apart.

Tessa entered the wormhole with surprising ease, but the moment she crossed its threshold, a torrent of energy surged through her body. It wasn't just a sensation—it was an assault. The vibrations were wild, chaotic, and unrelenting, as though she were tethered to a rampaging force of nature. The energy screamed around her like a raging storm, indifferent to anything it might shatter in its path. Her teeth clenched, her muscles tensed, and her every nerve felt like it was on fire.

With a quick motion, she pressed a button on her spacesuit. The suit responded instantly, its advanced systems absorbing and neutralizing the erratic energy. The overwhelming vibrations dulled to a slow, rhythmic shake, almost like the gentle thrum of a heartbeat. The pressure eased, allowing her to move freely again. The suit's adaptive technology was doing exactly what it was designed for—shielding her from the impossible.

As she drifted deeper into the wormhole, it was like floating through the fabric of time itself. Colors and lights twisted and stretched around her, forming surreal patterns that defied logic. Images began to materialize within the swirling vortex—faint, ghostly projections that felt hauntingly familiar. They resembled the visions that the Time God Zorath had once shown her, snapshots of alternate timelines and moments scattered across the endless expanse of existence.

But this time, they weren't just visions. There was a tangible weight to them, an undeniable pull. As she gazed at the flickering images, she felt an overwhelming certainty: if she were to reach out and touch one, she wouldn't just see that timeline—she would step into it. It wasn't a hunch or intuition; it was a reality waiting to happen, an outcome that loomed just beyond her reach.

Her breath caught as she saw one timeline shimmering more vividly than the others. It was a scene of devastation, a world crumbling under the weight of its own collapse. Another showed a utopia, a realm so radiant it seemed to glow with the light of countless stars. Each image was a doorway, a choice, a potential destiny. But Tessa knew better than to give in to the temptation.

Her instincts screamed at her to keep her distance, and she obeyed. She maneuvered carefully, doing her best to avoid the pulsating walls of the wormhole. The shimmering barriers weren't just boundaries—they were thresholds, brimming with energy that could thrust her into one of those timelines without warning. The thought sent a chill down her spine. This wasn't just about survival anymore; it was about resisting the siren call of infinite possibilities.

The journey through the wormhole felt eternal and fleeting all at once. Time seemed to lose its meaning, stretching and compressing in ways she couldn't comprehend. Yet, she remained focused, her determination anchoring her in the chaos. Each step forward, each moment she resisted the pull of the images, brought her closer to the unknown destination waiting on the other side.

Her grip tightened on the controls embedded in her suit as she whispered to herself, a mantra against the overwhelming forces around her. "Stay the course. Keep moving."