He finally did it. He fulfilled his desire for revenge, and yet he still felt empty. He was not satisfied with destroying the universe, and now that he thought about it, he realized he did not do it for his planet.
Lying there in the void, he could not help but wonder why he did all this. Was it just for fun, or was he doing the universe a favor, sparing it from pain and suffering?
Recalling a distant memory of his first love, as they sat under a beautiful willow tree, hugging her with one arm as her head rested on his chest watching the distant skies, he tried to recall the feeling. But his darkness crept into his mind, and all he could think of was death and annihilation.
Putting all his will and power into the lost feeling and touch of his beloved, he held his head as he tried to push all the darkness away.
Striver watched all of this happen with a distant expression, his thoughts only on why the Creator did not want him dead. He could feel the Creator's will in the silent void, instructing him not to take his life.
Layla was not any better. Her killing intent still skyrocketed, making the empty void tremble. They had lost, he had won, and now all life was gone.
Ultimate was still struggling to remember. In front of the duo, he was completely casting out their existence.
Then he remembered something—the words she had said:
"When one does evil for so long, it begins to look normal. Such is the life we live in."
Those were the words his love had told him. He remembered them, though vague but clear.
Sighing internally, he said, "Kill me before I'm consumed completely." His voice was calm, but the sadness was not hidden.
Striver and Layla looked at him coldly and said, "We can't kill you, for the Creator does not wish for your end."
Hearing this, Ultimate could not help but give a bitter smile and said, "I'm corrupted, and my evil will continue to grow until there is nothing of me left. I already destroyed everything, so do the same."
Layla looked at him coldly and said, "We still cannot, but that doesn't mean we will leave you be."
Saying this, Layla made a time vault—one that exists in the past, present, and future. A prison that puts its victims in a space of nothingness, where they do nothing but watch, unable to interact with the universe.
Ultimate could barely react before he was placed inside. He wanted to break free, but he couldn't, for he knew how dangerous he was. His darkness was already taking control of him, and before he knew it, he was gone—nothing but a memory.
Striver watched everything happen, not feeling anything but anger, though he did not let it cloud his judgment.
Seeing Ultimate vanish, he finally looked away and concentrated on the vast emptiness of the universe. "Layla, what do you see?" he asked.
Surprised by his question, she responded, "A vast, empty, and broken universe."
Striver smiled at her, making her even more confused. But his next words made her speechless.
"I see a new beginning."
Putting his hands together as his eyes and fiery hair glowed red, he made a burning flame—one so hot it could stop the flow and order of life. Then he threw it, causing a huge explosion that restored the expansion of the universe. As the fiery flames spread, causing the universe to quake vigorously and spontaneously, they were gradually reabsorbed by the universe. All broken systems, stars, galaxies, planets—even the universe itself—began to restore.
The mass energy reformed everything, and in a short minute, all was restored except life.
The new universe was similar but different in many ways. There were more galaxies, more planets and solar systems, with a new, profound power that spread across the universe—ancient and dangerous.
They shimmered and shined in the darkness, making the emptiness vanish. A new order was put in place, and all laws of the universe changed slightly. It was now a new beginning.
The Creator's voice rang out in the universe, spreading joy and warmth everywhere as life began anew. "My children, flourish once more."
Various previous plants and creatures were recreated, along with new ones, increasing diversity.
The Creator was so pleased that Layla and Striver began to float in the air as an invisible presence washed over them, embracing them.
"Thank you," the Creator said as the presence of embrace left them. Both were surprised, but also happy.
"I have noticed the difference in the laws of this universe, and I understand your choice. But darkness does not rest. It will spread. So watch over the new universe and keep the darkness at bay."
Striver nodded as he sensed the Creator's presence vanish. Layla looked at him, surprised. "Since when were you that powerful?"
Striver simply glanced and gave her a smile, replying, "I was always this powerful, just limited myself unconsciously. But not anymore."
Hearing his words, she couldn't help but be surprised, but she quickly threw it out of her mind.
"What now?" she asked.
"Now we prevent the darkness from spreading while, of course, traveling the universe visiting all planets," Striver said, still smiling.
Layla had no objections to his idea.
Vanishing from their spots, they left to protect and explore.
In the starry space, a crystal could be seen floating. It was the crystal Ultimate had gotten from the planet of lizards.
Its previous color was replaced by an insidious power, turning it black from the darkness. Breaking apart into many pieces, they each floated in different directions, heading toward the closest life.
Then a voice suddenly rang out, one so dark and dangerous, revealing that Ultimate was completely gone, swallowed by nothingness. All that remained was insanity—an existence that should not exist, but it was trapped, forced to watch life grow and spread.
He said again, in a deep voice sounding like dying stars, "You are right… it's merely the beginning."
The End