[THE VOID]
(??? POV)
"Uuuoohh... How long has it been?"
How long have I been here? Days? Weeks? Maybe months—or even years. I've completely lost track of time. It's frustrating that the only things I can do right now are listen to my own thoughts or sleep.
I don't even know what happened. The last thing I remember is studying for an upcoming exam. During my studying, I decided to take a short nap, and the next thing I knew I was in this seemingly endless void.
At first, when I woke up, I thought my mom had tidied my laptop because it was nighttime. So I went back to sleep. The second time I woke up, I was still in the same void. I thought I was trapped in a very long lucid dream. However, as time passed, I realized I wasn't waking up to my phone's alarms. I have about seven alarms set at ten-minute intervals, but I didn't hear a single one.
That's when I started to panic. I was in denial, hoping this was all a dream, so I tried calling my parents, my sister—anyone. When that didn't work, I became angry and started screaming and cursing, hoping someone would hear me. When that failed, I began begging and pleading for help, praying with all my might for a miracle. But nothing happened. Eventually, I sank into depression—sad that I would never see my family and friends again, that I wouldn't finish my college degree, and that I wouldn't achieve my goal of becoming a nurse to support my family. After some time, reflection, and tears, I finally accepted my situation. I understood that my old life was gone.
Having gone through the five stages of grief, I tried to entertain myself by doing random things—by which I mean literally listening to my own thoughts. I imagined scenarios some might find cringeworthy: recalling embarrassing moments or dreaming about fulfilling my life goals. You know, typical, everyday scenes. I tried singing out loud and recalling good memories from my previous life. Unfortunately, it quickly became dull and boring—agonizingly so. And here I am, stuck in this place for who knows how long, completely unable to do anything meaningful.
"This can't get any worse, can it?"
While I was despairing from boredom, I noticed something out of place in the empty void. A white spot appeared on the horizon and slowly came into view. Curiosity took over, and I tried to approach it. If something bad happened, I would simply back away when I felt it.
Sadly, fate can be cruel. A powerful force suddenly began to pull me toward the white spot. I tried to resist, but the suction was too strong. As I was dragged toward the horizon, the white spot grew larger and brighter—so bright that I had to close my non-existent eyes.
Little did I know that if I had kept my sight open a moment longer, I would have seen a giant silhouette standing in the light.
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[⭐ Starry Space (???'s Realm) ⭐]
(??? POV)
"Uuuoohh... Where am I?"
As my vision cleared, I saw a sight I will never forget—one that will be etched in my mind forever. Instead of the usual void, a cluster of stars appeared.
A vast expanse of space glimmered with a dense cluster of stars, each shining like a brilliant gem scattered across dark velvet. Their combined light created a radiant glow: some stars burned blue and white in youthful intensity, while others shimmered in soft golden hues, marking their age. The cluster looked almost like a cosmic jewel box suspended in space—a breathtaking reminder of the universe's beauty and mystery.
"Huhuhu... It's beautiful, isn't it?"
While I was admiring the scene, I heard a voice behind me. It drifted like a whisper carried on the wind—soft, melodic, and almost otherworldly, as if it echoed from somewhere beyond the veil of reality. Each word lingered in the air, calm yet unsettling, drawing listeners in with a quiet power that felt both soothing and haunting, like a secret half-remembered from a dream.
"Huhuhu... Don't be afraid."
When I turned, I saw who had spoken. Once again, I received the shock of a lifetime. An androgynous figure of radiant starlight stood suspended in space, their form shimmering with shifting constellations that blurred the line between flesh and cosmos. Planets traced silent orbits around them like jeweled guardians, their glow casting soft halos that danced across the figure's celestial frame. Neither wholly masculine nor feminine, they embodied the boundless balance of the universe itself—mysterious, eternal, and impossibly beautiful.
"Wow... Uuuhhh, excuse me for my rudeness, but may I know who you are?"
I may not appear nervous—perhaps because I lack a physical body—but I was actually feeling quite anxious. Even in my previous life, I was very introverted, so I had interacted with very few people and struggled to start conversations. I worried that they might find my presence irritating.
However, judging by their expression, they did not seem to mind me. In fact, they appeared amused by my inner struggle, as if watching a short, funny video on social media—laughable and easily dismissed. I should have noticed this and relaxed, but I closed my non-existent eyes, so I couldn't tell if they were angry or not.
"Huhuhu... You don't need to worry about me being angry with you. I am Aurelis Caelion, a fragment of eternity woven from starlight and silence. Planets orbit me like whispers of forgotten worlds, and constellations drift within my form. I am neither he nor she, but the balance between all things—light and shadow, beginning and end. To behold me is to glimpse the horizon where the heavens breathe."
As they introduced themself, I felt a commanding presence—an aura both regal and untouchable, as if they were a monarch of the cosmos crowned in light. Their presence inspired awe—majestic and formidable, like a living constellation whose gaze could silence entire worlds. Yet beneath this grandeur lay a gentleness, a benevolence that softened their brilliance and invited wonder rather than fear. Their voice carried a warmth that reassured, but now and then a subtle spark of mischief glimmered in their star-born eyes, reminding me that even the most celestial beings delight in mystery and play.
"Now, you may be wondering why you are here in my realm of stars. Or perhaps you want to know why you were in the empty void to begin with."
Yes—I wanted to know why I was brought here. More than anything, I wanted to understand why I was trapped in the void in the first place. There are billions of people in the world, yet out of all of them, I was chosen to suffer in blackness and silence. Why me? I hoped they could answer that.
"To begin with, you were supposed to be gone right now—not dead, but gone. Those two terms mean different things. The VOID is not a safe place for mortal souls to survive. After all, if you die, your soul should either enter the pearly gates of heaven or begin the cycle of reincarnation. However, if your soul were in the VOID, it would have been erased from existence or even merged with the emptiness of the VOID. Therefore, I said that you should be gone, not dead."
"... What?"
I was shocked—terrified—by the revelation that I was supposed to be erased from existence. I couldn't help opening my non-existent mouth, unable to form a sentence. The thought alone sent an uncontrollable shiver through my entire being. I thought the situation was a mistake, but this was even more insane than I'd imagined. I wanted to ask how I survived, but I was still too horrified to speak.
"Huhuhu... You want to know why you survived in the VOID? I could answer that quite easily. The answer will give you a pretty good surprise."
I waited for their reply. I hoped everything could be settled from here. I was dying to know what they would say.
"The answer to this question... in all honesty and sincerity, with all my vastness and greatness, I do not know. I have not the faintest idea how you survived the VOID. So, in conclusion... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯"
"Pardon me for my rudeness but... What?"
To say I was shocked would be an understatement; I was stunned and confused by their answer. I thought they might say something like, "I rescued you from your despair," or "You are fated to meet me." But no—they genuinely didn't know how I survived. Now I had to wonder why I was chosen instead of one of the billions of others. Why choose me, someone insignificant, instead of the talented or the strange—those with unusual goals in life?
"Are you all right there, little lost one?"
I didn't know anymore. I was too tired to think. I just wanted to lie down and sleep until I woke up in my room, as if it had all been a very unusual dream. But deep inside, I knew this was not a dream or a nightmare—it was my new reality. Thinking about it only made me more confused and lost, and I felt despair creeping back in.
As I was about to cry, I felt a warm, soothing sensation wrap around me. It was Aurelis's hug—like the quiet warmth of sunlight after a long night: steady, calming, and suffused with gentle radiance that eased every burden. When they embraced, it felt as though the vastness of the cosmos folded around me, forming a protective cocoon of starlight and serenity. Their hug carried no weight, only a soothing stillness, as if time itself paused to let me rest in infinite peace, safe within the arms of eternity.
"Shhh... Shhh... It's okay, little one. Cry to your heart's content. I know this is hard for you to accept, but please know that no matter what happens, I'm always right here beside you."
As they spoke, I heard the voices of both my parents—my mother's tender, caring voice and my father's reassuring, guiding tone. The words flowed like a lullaby, offering comfort and safety while beneath it lay a resonant strength, firm and unwavering. Every word felt protective and empowering. I began crying with all my might. I cried as loudly as I could, releasing all the pent-up emotions I had bottled up—my frustrations, my guilt, my hopelessness, my despair, and also my joy, my relief, my gratitude, and my sincerity.
"Have you calmed down now, lost one? Or perhaps you wish to be alone for some time?"
"No need for that; I'm calm now. Uhhh... Thank you for being by my side. I don't know what to do right now. I feel... lost. Why did I get sucked into this place? Why did you save me?"
I asked Aurelis about my rescue. Why are they so kind to me—someone who is ordinary, with no special skills, a normal life, and average abilities? What makes me special—worth rescuing? Did they see something in me? I didn't know, but I thought they were about to say it.
"Huhuhu... Do you remember when I said no mortals can survive the VOID?"
"Ahhh... Yeah, I remember that."
"Well... There are certain individuals who possess specific characteristics and traits that enable them to survive the vastness of the VOID. You, lost one, are one of those individuals. I am genuinely surprised that a very ordinary mortal has these qualifications; it is truly a miracle. Hence why I saved you from the VOID."
"!!!"
That was an eye-opener. To realize I was one of those who could pass through the void—that I was actually very special—was both thrilling and terrifying. It was thrilling because I finally understood how I survived; terrifying because there might be others like me stranded out there, alone and agonizing in the silence. Nevertheless, I asked the most crucial question I needed answered.
"So, why did you save me?"
"Huhuhu... Now we're getting to the exciting part. I'm here to present you with an offer of a lifetime. You may decline if you wish, but I wouldn't recommend it."
"And that offer would be...?"
"Oh, you know, nothing much. Just an opportunity to travel the infinite multiverses."
"WHAAAATT!!!"
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(TO BE CONTINUED...)