Infinite Mana In The Apocalypse novel Chapter 4077

Chapter 4077: Action and Inaction! I

Action and inaction...two sides of existence’s most fundamental choice.

Sometimes taking action leads to glory, advancement, transformation. Other times, doing nothing proves equally wise, even salvatory.

Existence itself seemed built on this paradox: that movement and stillness could both be the correct answer, depending on circumstances invisible until after the choice was made.

Consider the tale few knew of the one who would become Duke Whisker, though at the time he was merely an Honored Living Existence among many.

Years ago, when the boundaries between Folds were less defined and travel between them more common, Whisker had faced such a choice.

A delegation had come to him...dozens of winged mice, each one bearing the stellar light that marked them as Honored Living Origins.

They were of the Astral Rodentia lineage, an ancient bloodline that traced its origins back to the Earliest Folds.

Their wings weren’t physical but conceptual, allowing them to fly through ideas as easily as space.

"Brother Whisker," they had said, their collective voice creating waves that suggested opportunity.

"The Transcendent Elemental Folds hold unprecedented chances for advancement. Living Fire Elementals are teaching their mysteries to those brave enough to endure their trials. Come with us...together, the Astral Rodentia can rise to heights we’ve only dreamed of. Our Towers can continue brnaching into unfathomable Gardens!"

..!

Whisker had been lounging in the Origin Folds at the time, content in his steady accumulation of power. The offer was tempting...Living Fire Elemental mysteries could accelerate developments uniquely. But something in the eagerness of his kin made him pause.

"I’ll remain here," he had said simply. "The Origin Folds still have much to teach."

They had looked at him with expressions mixing disappointment and pity.

Whisker chose comfortable stagnation over glorious risk. They departed without him, their wings carrying them toward what they believed would be transformation.

Three days later, Whisker felt their existences shatter.

Not fade, not diminish.

They shattered like glass struck by a hammer of annihilation. The sensation ripped through him with the particular agony of recognizing that he was now alone!

The dozens who had gone were the last of the Astral Rodentia besides himself. An entire lineage, reduced to one member through a single catastrophic choice.

The rage that filled him transcended emotion to become force!

Dismay at their loss, fury at whatever had destroyed them, and a crushing weight of survivor’s guilt combined into something that demanded expression.

Now he faced another choice: remain still and safe, or act and risk joining his lineage in oblivion?

The rage won.

Whisker had entered the Transcendent Elemental Folds with the fury of someone with nothing left to lose.

What followed was three days of conflict that rewrote the relationships between Origins and Elementals as he sought to understand what had happened. A single mouse, empowered by grief and rage, had made Living Fire Elementals bleed manna for the first time in many years!

From that conflict arose Duke Whisker...his Purity elevated through battle to heights that touched the rank of Dukes!

His inaction had saved him.

His action had transformed him.

Both choices had been correct, in their time, in their moment.

---

In the Transcendent Spirit Folds, another being contemplated the question of action versus inaction.

The Great Usurper’s consciousness spread across the Folds like oil on water, invisible but present, touching everything while being touched by nothing.

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