章 69: Epilogue

"God, You're there right?"

In the mysteries of nothingness, where all senses ceased to be, where there was no up, down, here, or there, Malique found himself suspended in an enigma. It was a void untouched by time, a realm of absolute blankness, yet his consciousness persisted.

How is it possible? If he had killed the very existence of the whole universe, how had he not perished alongside? How was still able to have consciousness? In a place where there is absolute nothingness, how can he still feel like he is somewhere? How is he able to have thought? How is he able?

Questions swirled in the abyss of his thoughts, each one more confounding than the last. How was it possible that he still felt, that he still knew he existed? If he had indeed brought about the end of the universe if he had slain the very fabric of reality, shouldn't he have perished alongside it?

He could feel his soul, an ephemeral ember in the vast expanse of nothingness. It was as if his essence had been unshackled from the constraints of the physical world, set adrift in a sea of oblivion. But how? How could there be consciousness in a place where there was no matter, no light, no sound? How could he think, ponder, and wonder in this absolute void?

The answers eluded him, slipping through the fissures of his understanding like sand through clenched fists. Yet, as he lingered in this unfathomable expanse, a profound realization began to dawn upon him. Perhaps, in the annihilation of all that was, in the obliteration of the universe itself, something fundamental had shifted.

He had challenged the very order of existence and defied the boundaries of mortal comprehension. In that cataclysmic clash with God, with the 'Holy Spear' as the conduit of their defiance, he had transcended the limitations of mortal form. His spirit, his consciousness, had become something more, something that could persist even in the absence of reality.

It was a revelation that both awed and terrified him. He was a solitary beacon of awareness in an ocean of nothingness, adrift in a cosmos of his own making. In this timeless void, where the rules of existence held no sway, he was both an explorer and a prisoner, a witness to the aftermath of his audacious act.

As he grappled with the implications of his newfound existence, Malique's thoughts turned to Lucifer, the comrade who had become the sacrificial guardian. Had Lucifer's essence, too, found a place in this enigmatic realm? Or was he truly alone in this expanse of infinite solitude?

The answers, if they existed, remained tantalizingly out of reach. And so, suspended in the mysteries of nothingness, Malique contemplated the unfathomable paradox of his existence—a consciousness without a universe, a thought without a physical vessel, a presence in the absence of all else.

What was the nature of God in this place? Was the Almighty also adrift in this void, a formless entity stripped of divine dominion? Or had God, too, transcended into something beyond mortal comprehension, a being of unfathomable power and purpose?

Existence itself seemed to warp and weave in this boundless emptiness. Questions about the very nature of reality, of divinity, of self, multiplied like fractals in his mind. Was this the aftermath of victory or the prelude to a new reality?

Had he become a god in this place, the master of his destiny? Or was he a mere echo, a trace of consciousness left behind in the wake of cosmic upheaval?

He pondered the concept of creation. If the universe had truly ended, what then was the purpose of his continued existence?

And amidst the silence of infinity, the enigma of nothingness, Malique began a journey through the labyrinth of questions, seeking answers that may forever elude his grasp.

"Am I not?" Came the enigmatic reply, a voice that echoed within the corridors of his mind.

God's presence, though unfathomable, was undeniable. But instead of answers, God responded with questions, each one a cosmic riddle.

"Tell me, mortal, how do you know that I am still alive? How do you perceive my existence in this formless expanse?"

"You are omnipotent, the all-powerful. You are omniscient, the all-knowing. You are omnipresent, existing everywhere. In this void, I know you still exist because your essence embodies these divine qualities," Malique, his thoughts flowing like the currents of a boundless river, answered with a voice that resonated with the essence of God's attributes.

"You have grasped the essence of my being. But tell me, did you truly believe that challenging the creator of all existence would end in your victory? Did you think that a mere creation could defy its omnipotent creator?" God, in His infinite enigma, acknowledged the truth of Malique's words.

Malique pondered the weight of God's questions, his thoughts weaving through the tapestry of existence itself.

"I knew the odds were against me," he admitted. "But I also knew that to challenge the divine was to defy the shackles of fate. We were not created solely as puppets for your amusement, were we?"

"Even if I were to explain my true intentions, Malique, you would not comprehend. But I will offer you this glimpse of understanding. In the vast expanse of creation, there are countless universes, like grains of sand on an infinite shore. Each one, I have crafted, each one bearing its destiny, its purpose," God's response was enigmatic, a cosmic sigh that reverberated through the void.

"Countless universes, each with its fate, all shaped by your hand. But what is your ultimate goal, Almighty?" Malique's thoughts swirled, trying to fathom the scope of God's revelation.

"By the end, all creation should be given good treatment," God's response was both cryptic and profound, a riddle that transcended mortal comprehension.

With a mere thought, God set the wheels of existence in motion. Reality itself began to shift and reform, and Malique felt himself being drawn away from the abyss of nothingness.

In an instant, he was surrounded by unfamiliar surroundings, a new beginning in a place beyond imagination. The questions that had plagued his existence lingered like a distant echo, a reminder of the mysteries that would forever define his journey through the cosmos.

As awareness gradually seeped into his being, Malique found himself bathed in a surreal landscape. Above him, a sea of clouds billowed like ethereal waves, their gentle undulations reminiscent of a celestial dance. Below, the sensation of soft grass tickled his senses, a verdant tapestry stretching infinitely in all directions. His eyes, adjusting to the newfound clarity of vision, beheld a vast expanse of land that seemed to stretch beyond the boundaries of comprehension.

But it was not just the bewildering surroundings that left him in a state of perplexity. Memories, like fragile threads woven through the fabric of his consciousness, fluttered before his mind's eye. Yet, they were elusive, fragmented, as if the very act of remembering was an intricate puzzle. The canvas of his recollection was dominated by blankness, a void that seemed to devour the moments of his past.

Amidst the haze of forgetfulness, however, there were fragments, shimmering like stars in a night sky. Names and faces, intertwined with a sense of profound camaraderie and history, emerged from the obscurity of his thoughts. These were his dear friends, mentors, and companions—each title inadequate to capture the depth of their connection.

Lucifer, the one who had once been the Morning Star, radiating with celestial brilliance.

Michael, the steadfast archangel, a warrior of unyielding resolve.

Asmodeus, the embodiment of temptation and desire, is a complex and enigmatic presence.

Beelzebub, the Lord of the Flies, is a symbol of transformation and renewal.

Hadraniel, the flaming seraph, a guardian of celestial secrets.

Raphael, the healer and guide, a source of wisdom and solace.

Sathanas, the embodiment of adversary, a force that challenged the boundaries of order.

Abaddon, the destroyer of illusions, a harbinger of revelation.

Camael, the angel of divine justice, is an enforcer of cosmic balance.

Zadkiel, the angel of mercy, a beacon of compassion and forgiveness.

Jophiel, the angel of wisdom, a seeker of hidden truths.

Uriel, the illuminator of paths, a guardian of knowledge and enlightenment.

Belphegor, the lord of indulgence, is a symbol of earthly pleasures and excess.

Mammon, the guardian of wealth, is a representation of material abundance.

Gabriel, the messenger of divine will, a herald of cosmic destinies.

The names whispered through his thoughts, each one a testament to the profound journey they had shared. Faces, once radiant with celestial splendour, gazed at him with a familiarity that transcended mere recognition.

As he stood amidst the uncertainty of this new existence, the figures not far from him came into focus. They were fellow humans, their expressions mirroring the warmth of recognition. They waved in his direction, their smiles welcoming him to their midst.

Despite the profound disorientation that gripped his being, there was a sense of kinship, a shared humanity that transcended the enigma of his past. In their eyes, he could read the echoes of experiences and shared moments that were now veiled in obscurity for him.

Questions swirled like a tempest within him. Who was he in this new form? How had he come to be here, in this place that felt simultaneously like home and an alien world? And most importantly, what had happened to the celestial existence he once knew?

The journey ahead was fraught with mysteries, an exploration of both the external world and the depths of his own identity. The canvas of his life had been wiped clean, and he stood at the precipice of a new beginning—a human existence filled with questions, discovery, and the promise of forging new bonds in a world that felt simultaneously known and uncharted.

クリエイターの想い
Aki_Kure

To my wonderful readers,

As I mark the completion of my first-ever novel with this final chapter, I'm deeply grateful for your unwavering support. This journey has taught me the value of time management, the art of managing expectations, and the importance of learning from experimentation. Again, I apologize for the shorter chapter count, as this work was my initial foray into storytelling. Your encouragement has been my driving force, and I look forward to sharing more adventures with you in the future.

Warm regards,

Aki Kure

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