Darkness. The same darkness I experienced before—it surrounded me—drowning me in oblivion.
This is the same place I met Absceline, the so-called God, who told me I was the supposed 'chosen one'. But why did I come back here? Did she transport my soul into this realm again?
"Emmeline. I see you've awakened, quite early in fact."
I looked up to the nothingness above me, curious. Apotheosis was gone from my right arm, I could no longer feel their connection, I must've used up all my Ether.
But that's just an assumption. It could be from Absceline doing something I'm unaware of.
"Awakened, quite early? You say that as if you're surprised, God."
A silence befell upon the void-like realm, until she responded, "Indeed. I cannot control the fate of the chosen one, the strings of destiny cannot exist, or bind you to its shackles. Humanity is the sole creator of the supernatural, and you exist apart from it."
Huh. What was she trying to say? I didn't quite get it.
"What do you mean by that?"
"The world wasn't created by God or any supernatural entity. This world was formed out of natural cause, some call it the Big Bang, while others have many different names. Humans were constructed from the stars over the course of billions of years and multiple star lifetimes, as science suggests."
"Then how do the things happening right now exist? And how am I talking to you, some deity in a void of nothingness!? And how can something like the strings of destiny even be real, if everything is created by a natural cause?!"
"It's all simple, Emmeline. It is from humans. Humans are the creators and painters of the universe. When humans become intelligent, they become creative. When creativity was formed, then so were plans, ideas, and reason. Together, as a collective, humanity began to paint the world in their beliefs, and in science. Fate has never existed, it was created by the idea of a human. Reason has never existed, and it too was created from the idea of a human. Ideas and beliefs are what create this world."
Was all of this true? Was she saying even possible? No… what am I saying? After all that I've seen, why don't I believe her?
My whole life, I've been trying to find the true meaning of existence, and why we are here, only to have the beans spilled by some all-knowing entity.
"This whole time… I've been trying to discover the true meaning of life, and you're telling me… there was no meaning to begin with?"
"I'm afraid not. Humans are what give meaning to life."
For some reason, that felt comforting. For others, scary maybe; knowing that their ideas and belief are what shape reality.
But I wasn't scared. I was actually, relieved. The truth, and meaning of life, were given to me.
It is up to us to choose our meaning.
But there was still one question left unanswered…
"What did you mean by saying I was outside the realms of the supernatural? I still don't get it."
"You, Emmeline, aren't affected by the collective consciousness. Destiny, manmade laws, and scientific theories, all of it doesn't shackle you to its essence. All users of the Final Element are separated from the collective, following their own logic values. You are one of many."
I cringed my face in utter confusion, laughing a bit awkwardly.
"Ehe…hehe, I still don't get much of that, but it does seem pretty useful. I'm assuming you were surprised by me awakening apotheosis so early because you can't see my destiny, is that it?"
"Naturally. You're the only form of entertainment I have within my library because I do not know the outcome of your journey. Will you die like the other wielders of Apotheosis, or will you succeed and save your era as the others did? Your own destiny lies within your hand child, so craft it."
She sounded enthusiastic in the way she was speaking. It sounded like I was the only person who could entertain her after probably thousands of years. God knows how long she's been waiting for the next wielder of Apotheosis to show up and give her joy.
"Hehehe." I giggled at her.
It was honestly pretty cute.
"Oh!"
Then all of a sudden, I remembered something.
"This realm… it's the abstract domain, right? Last time we met, you said this is the realm where all abstract concepts go."
"Mmm. That is correct."
I balled my fists, pumping my arms in excitement.
"Now that I have ether, I should be able to perceive it, right?"
"I'm afraid that isn't the case here."
I lifted my brow, dropping my arms in disappointment.
"Ehhh? Why not?"
"You haven't awoken your Cognizant yet, so it's far too early for you to start trying to peer into the abstract domain."
"My… Cognizant?"
"Emmeline, I've brought you here for one good reason, and that is to prepare you for what's to come. The creature you defeated is only a newborn in comparison to the other shade spirits. You must know Ether and what's it capable of."
Only a newborn? She's comparing it to some newborn baby, despite the trouble a level 4 Wizard went through to even kill it? That's unreal.
"Tell me what I must know! And no more cliffhangers like last time! Explain what a Cognizant is, it sounds really important!"
"Hahaha, you seem to know me more than my worshipers in the Magus Association. But worry naught, I will bestow this knowledge upon you, and make you the greatest wizard this world has ever seen."
Finishing her words, a bright light flashed before my very eyes. I covered them with my hand, squinting my eyelids to see the blinding illumination.
"Huh?" The light vanished in seconds, and in front of me was a floating crystal.
The same crystals I destroyed to kill that Wraith.
They were abstract concepts given tangible form.
"This is the knowledge I bestow upon you, Emmeline. The knowledge of the Cognizant. You may have the power to destroy these crystals, but if you touch them, you'll also gain the information needed to guide you through your life."
I approached the crystal, a bit hesitant at first, but placed my trust in Absceline.
After all, she was the first person- or well, entity, to help me understand what's beyond the normal standards of reality.
"So all I need to do… is touch it?"
"Indeed. Do you trust me?"
"Of course I do."
"Hesitating is a sign of distrust."
"It isn't that! I'm just… worried is all."
I sighed, closing my eyes to relax myself.
"Alright, here goes nothing."
Extending my hand forward, I leaned my head back and placed my palm against the crystal.
"Huh?"
But nothing happened… maybe this was some sort of test? What's going on?
"I-I don't feel anything- Uwaaahhh!!!"
But all of a sudden, my mind went haywire. Information flooded my brain, too much of it! I couldn't pull away. My muscles contracted, similar to experiencing an electric current flow.
From my outside appearance, it looked like I was having a seizure. I collected countless pieces of information, from minuscule details, and its origins. After some time, I finally pulled away, feeling my soul ache.
"Haaah! That was scary!"
I took a deep breath and recollected myself.
"…It didn't make sense at first, but now I understand."
I was staring at the crystal in front of me, shocked, but also grinning at my discovery.
"I was wondering how I was obtaining all of this information as a soul, considering I have no brain, but it's simple. It was through my cognizant."
I smiled at this new discovery, chuckling to myself.
"Cognizants are voids that store Ether beyond our mind, body, and soul. These voids can be accessed at any given time, even as a spirit. Skilled wizards and other awakened can reform their destroyed bodies from their cognizant, even if they were spiritually killed. If what I saw was correct; cognizants are what hold one's history, information, and emotions. Without it, we will perish."
"Excellent, Emmeline. You bear witness to the fundamental truth beyond the scope of mind, body, and soul. All that is left is for you to act."
"For me, to act?"
"Yes. Access your Cognizant, and bring forth your Ether. Normally, one Cognizant is easier to access in physical form, given its connection with the brain, rather than the soul, but expert Wizards can do both in body and soul. You have the potential."
"So all of this is a test, huh? Being trained by Apotheosis… and now God themselves, this feels like some fever dream. Why are you helping me exactly? Didn't you want some 'Grand Wizard' to do the job?"
"Huhuhu. My reasons are beyond your understanding."
"Cut with the negative theology crap! Try me, I bet you I could understand it much easier than you give me credit for."
"The time will come. But for now, you must learn. You must grow and become stronger because if you are not, humanity will fall. If humanity falls, then I too will fall. And then the world will perish, permanently. No form of recovery could ever bring us back."
I was gonna speak… but her words shut me up. I could only grit my teeth, and look down at the realization of my situation.
"None of this… is fair."