Drawing on his unique ability to channel both energy types, Bart forces his body to resonate with the barrier's discordant frequencies. The dual forces surged through his system as he pushed forward, each step a battle against the chaotic energies threatening to tear them apart.

His enhanced sensitivity allowed him to find the narrow path where both life forces balanced perfectly, creating a temporary bridge through the impossible void. With one final surge of effort, he pulled them through the barrier's last layer, the screech of protesting energies fading behind them as they emerged into Decretian space.

The journey through the barrier had taken mere seconds, but the toll on Bart's transformed physiology was immense. His nerves tingled with residual energy as his body struggled to process the intense exposure to both life forces.

Yet there was no time to rest or recover - Ducia's weakening condition demanded immediate action. The alien environment of Decretia pressed in around them, its organic architecture and strange atmospheric pressure adding to the disorientation of their desperate crossing.

Bart staggered through the barrier, his muscles straining under Ducia's weight. The alien sensation of Decretia's life force washed over him in waves, mixing with his native Regalian energy in ways that defied everything he knew about the two worlds. The crossing itself felt like moving through thick syrup, each step requiring immense concentration.

The strange dual hunger that had started when he first found Ducia now intensified. His body needed both energies simultaneously, a sensation both exhilarating and terrifying. The girl in his arms remained unconscious, but her breathing had steadied slightly as they entered her native environment.

Decretia materialized around them in a blur of unfamiliar colors and shapes. The architecture rose in organic curves, so different from Regalia's rigid geometric designs. The air itself felt different here - heavier, charged with the alien life force that now called on him as strongly as his own world's energy.

Bart's vision swam as his body adjusted to the foreign environment. Everything he'd learned from the artifacts in the caves, every theory he'd developed about Decretia, paled in comparison to the reality. The strange garments he'd discovered now made sense as he observed the ethereal structures and flowing designs that surrounded them.

He tightened his grip on Ducia, forcing himself to focus on the overwhelming sensations. They needed shelter, somewhere safe where she could recover, and he could process the magnitude of what he'd just accomplished.

No Regalian had ever crossed the barrier and survived - yet here he was, his body somehow adapting to both worlds' energies in a way that should have been impossible.

The alien life force of Decretia surged through Bart's body, mixing with his native Regalian energy in ways that defied everything he'd learned about the two worlds' separation. His muscles trembled with a strange hunger as both forces intertwined within him, neither rejecting nor overwhelming the other.

Near his feet, Ducia's breathing steadied for the first time since he'd found her. The toxic effects of Regalia's energy were already fading as her body reconnected with its natural environment. The gray pallor of her skin began to recede, replaced by a healthier glow that seemed to pulse in rhythm with Decretia's unique life force.

Bart braced himself against an organic-curved wall, so different from Regalia's rigid geometry, as waves of sensation washed over him. His body craved both energies simultaneously - the familiar Regalian force that had sustained him since birth, and this new, compelling Decretian energy that called to something deep within him.

The dual hunger intensified with each passing moment. Where others would have collapsed from the opposing forces, his system seemed to adapt, even thrive. Every breath drew in more of the alien energy, mixing it with his native life force in a dance of impossible compatibility.

Through the haze of adaptation, Bart's scientific mind raced to understand what was happening. Everything he'd learned about the barrier, every theory about life force incompatibility, was being challenged by his own body's response. The artifacts he'd collected from the caves had hinted at the possibility of crossing worlds, but nothing had prepared him for the reality of existing in both.

He looked down at Ducia's recovering form, knowing that his unique ability to tolerate both worlds' energies had made this rescue possible. But as the strange hunger grew stronger, he wondered what price this gift might demand.

Bart stumbles through the alien landscape, seeking shelter in the strange organic architecture of Decretia. The curved structures rose around him like frozen waves, so different from Regalia's rigid geometrical designs. He found a recessed alcove where the building's sweeping lines created a natural hiding place, carefully laying Ducia down on the smooth surface.

The dual life forces continued their dance within him, each energy calling to him with equal intensity. His muscles ached with a peculiar hunger for both types of power, yet somehow his body accepted them both. The strange craving reminded him of his first discoveries in the caves - those mysterious artifacts that had hinted at Decretia's existence, but nothing had prepared him for the reality.

Through the haze of adaptation, Bart studies the alien world around him. The architecture seemed to pulse with its own rhythm, channels of Decretian concentrated life energy flowing through the very structures themselves. The artifacts he'd collected over the years suddenly made more sense - the curved shapes, the flowing designs, all of them reflected this organic integration of energy and form.

Ducia stirred slightly, her color improving now that she was back in her native environment. Her features matched exactly those he'd seen in their holographic communications, but now she was real, tangible, and slowly healing.

The strange garments she wore, so similar to those he'd found in the caves, shimmered with traces of Decretian energy. As his vision adjusted to the alien environment, Bart realized he could actually see the life force flowing through the city - ribbons of energy that would have been invisible to normal Regalian eyes. His unique ability to perceive both worlds' energies revealed Decretia's true nature, a sight both beautiful and overwhelming.

The alien architecture curved around Bart as he found a sheltered alcove, gently laying Ducia down on a smooth surface that seemed to pulse with Decretian life force. Her eyes fluttered open briefly, focusing on his face with a mix of confusion and recognition.

"You... from the messages," she whispered, her voice barely audible. The familiar features he'd seen so many times in holographic form are now animated in real life, though weakened by her ordeal.

"I'm Bart," he said softly, watching as awareness slowly returned to her eyes. The dual energies continued their strange dance within him, but he noticed that Ducia's color was improving now that she was back in her native environment.

Her hand reached up weakly, touching his face with trembling fingers. "How... how are you here? No Regalian can survive the crossing."

Bart caught her hand as it fell, noting how the contact sent waves of both energies coursing through his system.

"I'm different," he explained, though the words felt inadequate to describe his unique condition.

"I can feel both life forces."

A small smile curved Ducia's lips before her eyes closed again, exhaustion claiming her. But this time her breathing was steady, her body beginning to recover now that it was reunited with its natural energy source.

Bart settled back against the organic wall, marveling at how the structure seemed to respond to their presence, adjusting its temperature and luminescence to provide comfort. Everything here felt alive in a way that Regalia's rigid architecture never had.

As he watched over Ducia's recovering form, he realized that their first real meeting was nothing like the scenarios he'd imagined during their holographic communications.

The alien life force of Decretia continued its strange dance with Bart's native energy as he slumped against one of the organic walls. His muscles trembled with exhaustion, each breath drawing in more of the foreign power that both sustained and drained him.

The unique ability that had allowed him to rescue Ducia now tested the limits of his endurance. His vision blurred as the two forces warred within him. Where the barrier's energy had once felt like a distant hum, it now resonated through his entire being.

The sensation reminded him of his first discoveries in the caves, but magnified beyond anything he'd experienced before. His body craved both energies with equal intensity, yet the prolonged exposure was taking its toll.

Through the haze of fatigue, Bart studied the strange architecture around him. The flowing lines and organic shapes seemed to pulse with Decretian life force, so different from Regalia's rigid geometric designs. He could see now why the artifacts he'd collected had such unusual forms - they reflected the very essence of this world.

Time was running out. Despite his unique ability to tolerate both energies, Bart could feel his strength ebbing. The dual hunger that had seemed so exhilarating at first now threatened to overwhelm him. He needed to return to Regalia before the strain became too much, but the thought of leaving this fascinating world behind made his chest ache.

With a great effort, Bart pushed himself to his feet. As he steadied himself against the wall, he took one last look at the alien landscape. He knew this wouldn't be his final visit to Decretia - the pull of both worlds had become too strong to resist. But for now, survival means returning to the familiar embrace of Regalian energy.

The alien architecture of Decretia blurred around Bart as he made his way back toward the barrier crossing point. Each step felt heavier than the last, the dual energies warring within his system. The strange hunger that had initially energized him now drained his strength, making the journey back increasingly difficult.

Through his fatigue-clouded vision, he could make out the shimmering wall that separated the two worlds. The barrier's energy patterns seemed more volatile now, responding to his unique ability to channel both life forces. The organic curves of Decretian buildings gave way to the familiar geometric patterns of his home world, visible through the translucent veil between realms.

His muscles trembled with exhaustion as he approached the crossing point. The experience of being in Decretia had changed him fundamentally - he could feel it in the way both energies now flowed through his body, neither fully Regalian nor Decretian, but something unprecedented.

The artifacts he'd collected from the caves had never hinted at the possibility of such a transformation. Bart paused at the threshold, taking one final look at the alien world behind him. The flowing lines of Decretian architecture, the strange play of their life energy through the very structures themselves - it all called something deep within him.

But the increasing weakness in his limbs warned him that he couldn't stay any longer. With the last of his strength, he stepped toward the barrier. The dual energies surged within him one final time as he prepared to cross back into Regalia, knowing that this journey had irrevocably altered his understanding of both worlds - and of himself.

The barrier's energy patterns swirled and shifted as Bart pushed through, his muscles trembling with exhaustion. Each step felt like moving through thick syrup as the conflicting forces pulled at him from both sides.

His unique physiology resonated with the chaotic energies, creating a temporary path through the impossible void between worlds. With a final surge of determination, he broke through to the Regalian side, the alien sensations of Decretia still singing through his transformed body as reality stabilized around him.

Bart slumped against the curved wall of Richard's workshop, his body still thrumming with the dual energies from his journey through Decretia. The strange hunger for both life forces lingered, though the Regalian energy was slowly becoming dominant again. George hovered nearby, monitoring his friend's vital signs with their makeshift equipment.

"The readings are stabilizing," George said, adjusting the dials. "But your body's reaction to the dual exposure is unlike anything we've documented before."

Bart closed his eyes, processing the extraordinary experience. The memory of Decretia's alien architecture, the flowing lines and organic shapes, remained vivid in his mind. But more than the physical differences, it was the profound sense of connection to both worlds' energies that had changed him fundamentally.

"It's not just tolerance anymore," Bart explained, his voice rough with exhaustion. "My body craves both energies now. Like they're both essential parts of me."

Richard approached with a steaming cup of strengthening tea. "This transformation could be permanent. Your unique physiology appears to have adapted to handle both life forces in ways we never thought possible."

"The barrier crossing changed something in me," Bart admitted, accepting the cup with trembling hands. "I can feel both worlds now, all the time. It's as if I exist in both places at once."

George and Richard exchanged concerned looks as Bart struggled to articulate the profound shift in his being. The successful rescue of Ducia had opened new possibilities, but it had also irrevocably altered their friend. As the Regalian night deepened around them, they all understood that their quest to unite the two worlds had just become far more personal - and far more complicated.

Days passed in a blur of tests and observations as they studied the changes in Bart's physiology. His body continued to resonate with both energy types, creating patterns that defied their scientific understanding.

Each morning brought new discoveries about his transformed state, while each evening left them with more questions than answers. The dual hunger for both forces remained constant within him, a perpetual reminder of his unique connection to Ducia's world. When the message finally came through their hidden communication system, Bart's heart raced with anticipation and relief.

The holographic interface shimmered to life in Bart's workshop, Ducia's familiar features materializing before him. Her color had returned to normal, the deadly effects of the Regalian life energy no longer evident in her appearance.

"You saved my life," she said softly. "I needed to see that you made it back safely."

Bart leaned closer to the projection, still feeling the lingering effects of both life forces coursing through his system.

"How are you recovering?"

"Better now that I'm back in Decretia's energy field. But Bart, what you did - crossing the barrier - it should have killed you."

Her eyes searched his face through the holographic connection. "How did you survive?"

"My body reacts differently to the energies," Bart explained, remembering the strange dual hunger he'd experienced.

"Instead of rejecting one or the other, I crave both. Being in Decretia was... incredible. I could see the life force flowing through everything, the way your architecture pulses with it."

Ducia nodded eagerly. "And I saw how your Regalian energy patterns interact with your structures - so precise, so geometric. But Bart, the breach I created..."

"It is dangerous," he finished. "I can feel it even now. The life forces are mixing in ways they shouldn't. If we don't seal it soon, both worlds could be affected."

Ducia's expression grew grave. "There's something else you need to know. The breach isn't just mixing energies - it's growing. And according to our readings, it's not the only one. Across the barrier, more tears are appearing, and each one carries a unique energy signature... one that matches yours."