The Edward Paradox

**The Edward Paradox** is an Arc 6 Shadowverse novel written by BackwardComet. First revealed on December 10th, 2023, the novel was released on January 21st, 2024.

## Description

It’s been five years since the events of Realms Collide, and Kyle Turner has been living a depressed, apathetic life, secluded from the outside world. But when two familiar faces show up at his door and warn him of a new threat, Kyle accepts.

The job involves a new universe, Universe 23X, that revolves around the late Edward York. If this universe is to continue to exist, it could cause an incredibly deadly paradox that would wipe out the Shadowverse Realm, and Kyle is the only one who can stop it. Originally excited to reunite with his partner, when he gets into the universe Kyle realizes there is something very, very wrong. Now he must face a new threat, something much deadlier than Perceverous ever was.

## Plot

### Part 1: In the Beginning

Kyle Turner is an apathetic, depressed version of his original self, traumatized about Edward York’s death and the Realm Collision. He is recognized everywhere he does and lives secluded with only a butler in a large mansion to keep him company. One night, a Cult of Perceverous member attacks him, and after brutally beating the man, Jim and Bill York arrive at his house. They tell him they need him for something important.

The three drive to New York City and arrive at an old Scorpia base that Jim took over. Jim explains that a universe—Universe 23X—has formed, and it has caused a paradox as it seems to be a loop of all events occurring from 2017-2025 with Edward and Kyle. Jim explains Kyle is the only person who can destroy the universe and stop the paradox, but Kyle refuses—he has hope he’ll be able to see his friend again. When he is about to jump into a portal to the universe, he shoots Jim and trains the gun on Bill, screaming that he is done with this life and wants to go back. Kyle goes into the portal.

### Part 2: Return of the Agent

In Universe 23X, Kyle goes on familiar adventures stopping Dr. Lucas Cluck, Hypno, and Admiral Deathmantle—but there is something different in each adventure. Cluck commits suicide, Hypno is encountered early, and Admiral Deathmantle is working with Hoot. All of them warn Kyle about the universe, but Kyle has lost his memory and doesn’t know what they are talking about. He finds his house bugged and a note saying that ‘Edward is a LIE’. After reconciling with Edward, the two go to stop Cluck like in Ashes of the Dark, but Agent 12 and Big Güino are absent. They make their way through the base, but Kyle encounters a secret room containing Program Z’s digital consciousness, the Spirit Staff, and The Oracle, which Kyle is drawn to touch. He recalls his memories in a white Void and remembers a specific one about a ex-Scorpia agent called X-23 who impersonated Edward. Realizing Edward is X-23, Kyle tries to escape but ends up getting shot by X-23 and falls unconscious, waking up in a black and white Realm, face to face with Perceverous.

### Part 3: Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

Jim and Bill attempt to reach Kyle, but their portal is destroyed. Jim proposes a second, more dangerous option: using Warped Portals to power it. Bill hesitates, but later complies. As Jim is trying to go through, he encounters a entity called Legion which blocks him from traveling.

Meanwhile, Kyle is in shock as his worst enemy stands in front of him, but realizes that this is not Perceverous. The creature introduces itself as Perceverous-9, and says that Kyle is in Realm-9. He berates Kyle for traveling through the portal because of his guilt, and reveals that it created Universe 23X as a reward for its creator, X-23. Kyle is in shock when X-23 walks through a door, alive and well. Soon after, a portal opens and the room is swarmed by X’s as Perceverous-9 reveals they are in Realm-10 instead. Kyle fights the X’s off and kills X-23 for good, before jumping through the portal only to realize that it was a trap. He is now stuck in a black void with no one coming to help him. As Perceverous-9 mocks him, Kyle realizes that he is alone, and its all his fault.

In an epilogue, Jim tells Bill they need to find ‘him’, a Time Corps agent. Meanwhile, Legion, the entity from before, prepares an army to go to war with Perceverous-9.

## Development

On December 10th, 2023, the book was officially confirmed for the two year anniversary of Realms Collide. More information was late revealed on December 19th.

Two teaser excerpts have been revealed since then, one on December 24th and another on December 31st. On January 10th, 2024, the official description was revealed.

On January 19th, the book’s first draft was announced complete and a release date was set for January 25th, 2024. However, two days later, the book released on January 21st instead.

## Reception

For the Shadowmeter reception, the book currently stands at an 86%, indicating “very positive reviews”. It was praised for its writing and plot, but criticized for its length and accused plot holes.

## Trivia

* Despite the logo referencing it being a “Shadowverse Story”, in technical terms the book is not, rather it is a story building installment of Arc 6.

## Refrences

1. ↑ https://shadow-earth.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000000044708
2. ↑ https://shadow-earth.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000000045092