Years pass…
In the far reaches of the void.
A strikingly beautiful young woman, Delicate yet approachable despite the immense power she embodies. Wandered the edges of the ever expanding void. Almost as if taking an afternoon walk in her own backyard.
Her skin is pale, almost glowing, with long, jet-black hair that falls softly around her shoulders. A finely carved ankh pendant rests against her chest, representing the symbol of life. Her eyes are dark yet oddly warm, carrying centuries of understanding and compassion rather than coldness. Dressed in simple black attire. Tank top, jeans, and boots. Modern and simple, with a silver eye marking lightly traced around her right eye, similar to the eye of Horus.
Though she radiates the quiet authority of an Endless, her presence feels gentle, comforting, and human.
(Pov - Unknown)
Across the empty expanse of the void, far past where light had only shone countless years ago, a pulse flickered. Faint at first, bright the next. It felt ancient.
As she floated forward drawing closer to the source, a sphere emerged, massive, so much so that as she looked the top and bottom had no end. Deep violet, pale blue, and hints of green energy swirled in different directions. The sphere or better yet seal hovered and pulsed like a heartbeat.
Raising a brow, she mutters. "Interesting."
As an Endless, surprises are very rare, but this? This was unusual enough to draw even her attention. She stepped forward examining the sphere for a better look and idea of what it is.
After a short while she questioningly says. "Is this a seal?" Her expression turns into puzzlement. "Why is there a seal here?"
Squinting her eyes to take a better look she sees countless small runes, frantically going in different directions. Almost as if a swarm of ants scramble to protect their nest.
The surprise in her eyes deepened. "It's keeping something or someone in. But why? What could be so dangerous a seal of this size needs to be placed."
Her expression fades into one of pondering. After what felt like minutes yet only being a fraction of a second, she takes a deep breath. "Well it couldn't hurt to look." Then smiles.
With that she takes a step forward. The runes that face her seem to die just long enough before life surges through them once again.
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(The Darkest Cello Music - "Beginning to End", by Aimee Norris) Listen to it while reading for a full experience.
(Pov - Unknown)
The interior was vast, large enough to fill galaxies inside, but still, it felt closed, and oddly enough lonely? A cage made of raw Eldritch power. She walked deeper. Her footsteps were soundless, but the void around her trembled, recognizing her authority.
And then she heard it.
A cello.
Slow, heavy. A sound coated in nostalgia as well as grief. The bow dragged across the strings with delicate care, drawing out notes that lingered while making the void tremble. The melody was lonely, painfully so, yet strangely intimate, as if it were meant not for the audience but for the one solely playing it.
It had been a very long time since she heard music that made her stop walking.
She followed the sound, tracing each mournful note of the strings back to the source. The sphere's interior dimmed and brightened with the rhythm, as though the music controlled the very space around her.
The path opened into a clearing of soft light. There, sitting on a floating slab of black stone the size of a mountain, was a figure.
Tall, unimaginably so, even making the black stone look small in comparison. Wrapped in wave after wave of visible vibrations. Vibrations so powerful they pushed her back half a step, before managing to plant her footing, stabilizing herself.
His back was turned to her, shoulders hunched forward, fingers guiding the bow with a tenderness that showed a lifetime of practice. The cello he played wasn't wood, it was shaped from condensed planets and solar energy that flowed through the groves, like molten lava. Each note and sound resonated with each sweep in a way no mortal instrument could match.
She paused, watching.
Even with how tall he looked, she could see his features. From the way he dressed, the style of his hair, even the faint calluses staining his hands.
Everything was new and mesmerizing to her.
However the thing that caught her attention the most were his eyes. The deep blue eyes, waves of white that flowed side to side was captivating. Yet that's not what she focused on, no it was the hollow eyes that held nothing but loneliness.
A loneliness so strong and powerful even she couldn't stop herself from shedding a tear. It was so strong to the point it was painful to even be around him.
The final note sounded, rising, then fading into the void.
There was a long silence.
Only after a few seconds to compose herself did she allow herself to speak.
"You play beautifully." she said.
The figure froze. Slowly, he lifted his head, not from fear, but disbelief. After a few seconds he shook his head as if what he heard was nothing but an illusion.
He turned.
Hollow eyes met hers, for once widening.
"Someone is here?" he whispered, yet even a whisper sounded with deafening force. Voice cracking as though unused. His grip on the cello tightened. "How?"
She stepped closer, her expression softening. "Because my curiosity brought me here."
He stared at her, truly stared, as if trying to decide whether or not she was real.
"Who… who are you?" he murmured.
She gave a small bow of her head. "I am Death. One of the Endless. Or as people like to call me, Lady Death."
The void around them churned, reacting to her name.
Erik's lips parted slightly, then closed. He didn't know what to say, or think of anything to say. He hadn't spoken to someone since the beginning of time.
After a moment of silence Lady Death continued. "May I have the pleasure to know your name?"
"Eranthis Rauk Imu Kôrath" Erik finally spoke after coming back to his senses.
Lady Death paused for a moment, a flicker of surprise flashed from her eyes.
"I see, that explains why you play so beautifully." Lady Death flashes a smile of warmth. "Eranthis Rauk Imu Kôrath, the originator of sound, the first born. Yet I still have one question if I may."
Erik stays silent and gives a small nod for her to continue.
Lady Death's smile fades a little, turning more serious. "Why are you here, sealed away?"
From her question Erik's expression flickers with rage, the air starts to tremble from the pressure.
Lady Death stiffens from the sudden change thinking she said something she shouldn't have.
Erik, seeing Lady Death's sudden change, takes a deep breath and answers. "Because of them."
A little confused Lady Death tilts her head. "Who are they?"
Erik gives a short chuckle full of mockery. "The so-called Great Old Ones."
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Hey guys hope you enjoyed it. If you have any questions or concerns, leave a comment. Let me know if there are any spelling mistakes, I'll try to get them fixed as soon as possible.
Also the first volume will only have around 10 chapters. Once it reaches volume 2 that's when the real concept of this story will start. So I hope I'm not boring anyone with this. Im trying to not make it boring and give a good amount of screen time showcasing the mc and some of his power. As well now with Lady Death's appearance, introductions and some friendship needs to be built. I don't want to rush anything and ruin it all.
Last thing, some might be confused about the fact of how all these beings came to be. In this novel there is no higher power above the Eldritch and Endless, all multiverse level threats were born around the same time. For example God or Yahweh, came into existence around the same time. But yes some beings are stronger than others. However i dont think I will go too much into this part of the novel. Who knows, maybe in the future.
Take care and see you all tomorrow.