บท 41: Rebirth The Celestial Goddess (2)
Rasoul grappled with the whirlwind of events that unfolded before him. Everything happened in a flash, and he struggled to comprehend the newfound strength pulsating within him. Despite his attempts to summon the system, a deafening silence met his queries. Frustration crept into his voice as he tried in vain to pierce through the cocoon surrounding him.
'What in the world is happening?' he pondered, his mind racing to make sense of the surreal circumstances. 'System... System... Status...' His desperate calls echoed, but the silence persisted.
A chill ran down his spine as the realization struck him. 'Am I dead? Dead and clueless?' The weight of uncertainty pressed upon him, casting a shadow of doubt over his existence.
Suddenly, the cocoon bathed in a dazzling golden glow, catching Rasoul off guard. He squinted against the brilliance, shielding his eyes. As the radiance subsided, he cautiously opened his eyes to a breathtaking sight—a majestic forest teeming with towering, well-trimmed trees. No buildings or mansions marred the landscape; only a vibrant array of trees, each boasting unique colors and sizes.
Bewildered, Rasoul strolled through the sylvan sanctuary, seeking answers to the enigma engulfing him. Hours passed as he traversed the verdant expanse, and just when uncertainty threatened to overwhelm him, his gaze fixed upon an unusual sight—a cabin crafted from interwoven branches.
Without hesitation, Rasoul made his way toward the rustic structure. However, as he approached, a voice resonated from within, halting him in his tracks.
"You are finally here..."
"Not to be a buzzkill, but where I come from, if an unknown voice starts talking from a cabin in the middle of nowhere, we run. So, laters gaters, stranger..." Rasoul quipped, ready to make a hasty exit. However, before he could take a step, the voice spoke again.
"Rasoul, or should I call you Clay? You really shouldn't compare this to Earth's horror movies. This is the real deal, little one."
"Who are you?" Rasoul asked in a trembling tone. The voice's words had shattered his understanding of reality, and the sarcastic tone didn't help.
"So, you're not running anymore?" the voice teased.
"Who are you, and how did you know I'm from Earth?" Rasoul questioned, resigned. "I guess I'm dead again."
"You, my friend, are still very much alive and kicking. You're just far from home. And before you ask about returning to Earth, know that your time here is limited, so use it wisely."
"Where am I right now, and why am I here?" Rasoul inquired, deciding to play along with the mysterious figure's game and see where it led.
The voice responded, "You're in a place called Eternity. This is the core of the entire universe. When the Primal Universe was created, it formed a core that regulates various occurrences in the universe. I am the Master of Eternity. In other words, you can say I am the creator of the universe."
"Not that I'm bragging, but I'm pretty cool, right?" the voice added with a touch of humor.
"Yeah, that does sound cool, but you still haven't told me why I am here," Rasoul shrugged.
"Oh, it's simple, actually. You are the Supreme One destined to liberate this universe from the clutches of The Dark Ones. Since you've fulfilled one part of the Prophecy, the universe will grant you three wishes that can be used anytime," the voice replied.
"This is going to be fun. I always thought Aladdin was cringe, but whatever," Rasoul spoke in an excited tone.
"Hey, brat, I am not a genie, okay? I am an all-powerful entity with no equal," the voice clarified.
"Yes, all-powerful and living in a cabin. Talk about coincidences," Rasoul replied in a sarcastic tone. Despite his attempts, the mysterious figure remained inside the cabin.
"If that's the case, then I would like to use one of my wishes right now," Rasoul declared.
"Wish away," the voice replied.
"I wish for you to answer all my questions," Rasoul said for his first wish. His strategically brilliant mind was already at work. This wish caught the being inside the cabin off guard; he wasn't expecting such a request.
"Smart. I have to give it to you; this was an unexpected wish, but I will comply. What do you want to know?" the voice responded. The being inside the cabin was impressed by the young man's intelligence.
"My first question is, who is the Celestial Goddess?"
"I can't tell you that. The Celestial Goddess will inform you once she awakens her memories. It's privileged information that must only be divulged by the Celestial Goddess herself. What I can say, though, is that a being underwent a great sacrifice for her to be reborn in the Primal Universe. Because of that, should she regain her memory one day, she will have to make a choice, and you will have to support her no matter what," the Cabin Man answered.
"Second question, Who is this being that made this ultimate sacrifice for my dear Lara?
"You'll have to hear that too from the Goddess herself..." the voice replied again, ignoring the question posed to him.
"You are supposed to answer my question. Why do you keep dodging them?" Rasoul asked in a slightly angered tone.
"You are not strong enough to know this. You have to become strong fast if you want to dabble in the celestial business," the voice replied.
"Right, then what can you tell me about celestials? Who are they and how strong are they?" Rasoul asked.
"Celestials are the most powerful beings in this dimension," the voice answered.
"What do you mean by this dimension?" asked Rasoul.
"That is above your pay grade. Ask the next question, brat," answered the voice.
The voice knew he had inadvertently revealed something that shouldn't have been disclosed to someone like Rasoul. He understood that one day, Rasoul would ascend to become the strongest individual in the entire universe. Yet, an inkling told him that the person before him was destined to be even more formidable than they appeared. Recognizing his lapse in judgment, he swiftly corrected it.
"Worth the shot. Anyways, who are this Dark Ones I keep hearing about? And would they come after me anytime soon?"
"Finally, a good question. The Dark One is an entity born from negative energy, known as Anti-Matter. Its sole purpose is to cleanse the universe, making way for Anti-Matter to reform and start anew. The only counter is for the universe to select a hero who will fight for its existence. You, my friend, are that chosen hero. However, there are races and forces out there that will stop at nothing to impede your rise. They will make their move once they sense your presence. Understand that the Dark Ones are more brutal than you can imagine. Tread carefully if you wish to grow old."
"How do I locate these people?" asked Rasoul.
"That can't be answered. You'll have to use a wish for that," the voice replied.
"That's okay. I will find another way," Rasoul responded.
"Another question, why did they sense Lara's awakening but not Sabrat's?"
"That is because your subordinate, Sabrat, hasn't awakened yet. He is still in the process, and soon he too will awaken. As more and more subordinates awaken, your enemies will multiply. I hope you will be ready for when that happens."
Rasoul was confused. Despite not being in the Martial world for long, he hadn't heard of anything called awakening. He knew changes occurred when one ascended to higher realms, but this awakening was unfamiliar. So, he decided to ask, "Last question. How can I awaken my subordinates? Can I get a roadmap?" Rasoul inquired.
"I can't answer that. You will have to discover it by yourself," the voice said.
The Prophecy mentioned the Supreme One having subordinates whose hidden powers would awaken to help save the Primal Universe, but it didn't delve into the awakening process. Lara's awakening seemed more than a coincidence, or perhaps not. Her sister had ensured that...
"Alright Gandalf, how can I go back? I've been gone for quite a while, I presume. My friends will be worried," Rasoul said, recalling his current location.
"I don't know about friends, but a friend is worried sick about you right now," the voice replied in a mischievous tone, displeased with Rasoul's Gandalf reference.
"What do you mean by that?" Rasoul asked, not catching on to what the old man was implying. But before he could press on with his questions, the golden radiance enveloped him again and transported him back to the cocoon. The cocoon immediately shuddered and began cracking. A few minutes later, Rasoul's hand emerged from the cocoon as he gradually stepped out, completely naked.
Before Rasoul could make heads or tails of what was happening, a soft and welcoming hug enveloped his body. He felt two soft melons on his chest, sending a jolt of pleasure through his body. His little brother started responding.
******
At the same time, in the cabin inside the forest that Rasoul had just visited, a very handsome man with pure white hair, around the age of 60, smiled and said in a tone many would consider shameless, "Show them, tiger. Great Grandpa expects great things from you..." His laughter echoed far and wide in the Forest world. The voice Rasoul had the recent conversation with belonged to his great-grandfather, a being who transcended beyond the realm of celestials and was meant to cross into higher dimensions. However, he chose to guard and protect the core.
Having lived for countless years alone. Rasoul was unaware of his great-grandfather's existence. Soon, Rasoul would have to make a series of decisions, and he would need his great-grandfather's help. Their meeting would occur sooner than they both could have expected.
****
Back in the ringworld, Rasoul and Lara continued their hug for a few minutes before Rasoul cleared his throat, signaling Lara to break the embrace. When she did, her cheeks reddened a little.
"Didn't know you were that excited to meet me, both of you, I guess," Lara said as she glanced down at Rasoul's body.
Rasoul immediately realized what had happened, but it was too late to salvage it. He swiftly equipped new clothes before turning to the system, attempting to divert his embarrassment elsewhere. However, he nearly dropped on his backside when he saw the messages...
Ding...
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