The closer we got to the boundary, the brighter everything became, until with a sudden flash, the void disappeared and we were above a clear blue sky. The air smelled clean, unpolluted, and the wind felt cool and refreshing against my skin.
I jumped off the fish creature's back and hovered beside it, letting my gaze sweep over the lands below. The forests stretched endlessly, lush and vibrant, teeming with life. Animals moved freely through thick grass, rivers glimmered like ribbons of silver, and the sun cast golden light across everything.
The creature beside me let out a soft sigh.
"Come," it projected into my mind.
I followed at a leisurely pace, flying alongside it. It closed its eyes, drifting as if savoring the sensation of being outside the void.
The void was impartial, cold, and unwelcoming. It hadn't been designed to care about anything.
Our flight remained quiet, interrupted only by the occasional exhalation from the creature. After a while, something massive appeared on the horizon, a palace of pure gold, floating high above the clouds. I stopped midair, marveling at the sheer scale. It was enormous, more akin to a small planet than a building.
"This is the home of the Council of Gods," the creature projected again. I glanced at it and then back at the palace, my mouth dry.
Gigantic guards stood at the gates, clad in golden armor, long spears in hand, banners fluttering with the sunlight. As we approached, the guards' voices boomed in unison, shaking the air.
"Identify yourselves!"
I slowed my flight, glancing at the creature beside me. It moved forward, its form twisting as bones and sinew cracked and reshaped into something humanoid. Golden hair flowed around a perfectly defined figure, eyes closed as if savoring the breeze. Its face was beautiful to say the least.
Damn. Would, definitely would
Then it opened its eyes, and a beam of deep purple light shot from its hand, striking the guards in the head. Surprisingly, they didn't flinch. Instead, they parted, letting us pass.
"Welcome, Goddess Ramona," they intoned, bowing deeply.
Ramona turned to me, her frown sharp.
"Are you coming or not, void daemon?"
I didn't hesitate. I nodded and followed, giving a courteous bow to the guards as I passed. My smile was probably foolish, but whatever.
Inside the city, I couldn't help but stare. Gods of every shape and size moved among golden streets, some floating gracefully through the air. A hawk-headed god was deep in discussion with a six-armed deity whose multiple faces twisted in anger and amusement simultaneously.
"The city of gods was founded three thousand cycles ago by the three Godheads," Ramona explained as we flew, "to act as a place of rest for gods after long journeys through the void, or as a place of residence."
I tilted my head toward a spire in the distance, enormous and shimmering in golden light.
"Cycles?" I asked
"Voids years." She said
"Anyway that spire… is where the Godheads reside, and it's where your new identity will be registered. You can't stay here unless you're properly registered," she added, voice firm.
I raised a brow. "Border security?"
"Bo..Bouder what?" Ramona asked, confused.
"Ah, never mind," I waved my hands quickly. "I just thought out loud."
She nodded and continued leading the way, and I followed. The golden houses and streets passed quickly as we approached the spire. I even caught sight of two gods arguing; one's eyes flashed red with rage while the other spat some spittle at him.
We were barely five steps from the doors when they swung open, as if expecting us. We floated inside and stopped before a tall receptionist desk. A figure with blue spectacles glanced down at us, expressionless.
"New registrations?" he asked flatly.
Ramona gave me a slight push.
"Yes, I wish to register," I said, letting a little chuckle escape.
"Age?" the receptionist asked.
"How do you count that in the void?" I replied, glancing around at the grand hall.
He sighed, stepping out from behind the desk and motioned for me to follow. I looked at Ramona briefly; she gave a slow, approving nod.
He led me to the second floor, where a crystal ball sat on a pedestal, shimmering with silver light. It was completely transparent, yet it seemed to hum with latent energy.
"Place your hands on the crystal and infuse it with your energy," the receptionist instructed, flipping through a massive tome.
I did as told, feeling the pulse of divine essence move from me into the crystal. It vibrated gently under my hands, then a holographic screen shimmered into existence.
Name: Carl Anderson (Adam)
Age: —
Divine Position: None
"OK,now. Infuse a slightly larger amount of your essence into the crystal ball" said the receptionist.
I did just that and the world around me started melting. I looked around me and everything faded away. The world became dark and faces appeared laughing in front of me.
"Weakling"
"Cuck"
"Stupid"
"Fool"
"Coward"
They said simultaneously over and over again. I held my head and memories from back home flooded my head. When I ran away and didn't help Aiden while he got hid skull bashed by gangsters or when I forgave my girlfriend Larissa's cheating. I gritted my teeth
Aiden didn't deserve what happened to him I should have tried to protect him, and that b**ch and that bast**d deserved the worst revenge I could concoct. With those thoughts the space I was in froze and the faces stopped talking. I looked up and the whole world was quiet but was trembling slightly. I started walking in a random direction and the space trembled more violently. I took more steps and it started peeling and I could see the room I was previously in. With a flash I was in my body again.
When I looked at the interface floating in front of me again.
Name: Adam
Age: —
Divine Position: God of protection, God of swift judgement. I blinked
"What the hell?"