Outside the tangible reality of the multiverse lies an infinite void of darkness. However, within the void, a tall office building shines like a beacon of light through the desolate gloom. The Multiversal Administration serves both as a system that maintains the multiverse and as a refuge for those who have lost their homes to the ravages of time. At the very top of the building sits the administrator's office. The Administrator created the multiverse and the administration to oversee it. Although he stands at the pinnacle of power and authority, he still yearns for a relaxing getaway.
*****
"Administrator, you called?" The secretary walked in.
"Yes, please take a seat." The Administrator gestured for the secretary to sit. "Queen Celestara, how long have you been here?"
"I have been part of the administration for exactly 102 billion years," Celestara said, "and I long ago left behind my honorifics. What made you bring them up again?"
"You are the first person I brought to this building. Back then, it was just the two of us and the whole multiverse." The Administrator reminisced.
"Back then, my universe was destroyed, and I had lost all will to live," Celestara said softly. "You came to me out of the blue and convinced me to help you."
"I have fought many Universe Rulers, but you still stand as the strongest." The Administrator smiled.
"All this praise—so tell me, what is it that you want me to do this time?" Celestara cut to the point.
"I am going on a vacation, and while I'm gone, this seat is yours." The Administrator stood up and pointed at his chair.
"...This is not funny," Celestara commented.
"It's not supposed to be, because it isn't a joke. I'm going on a vacation." The Administrator repeated himself.
Celestara stared at him for a moment. "Is it because Reality Breaker has found a suitable host?"
"That is certainly one of the reasons," The Administrator said, "but also because I do want to relax."
"Where to?"
"Universe 043."
Celestara's eyes widened for only a brief moment before returning to their usual blank expression. "The universe where both of the Ruler candidates died..."
"Reality Breaker found its host there, and I would also like to check it out for myself." The Administrator walked to a nearby window and looked out into the dark void.
"This sounds more like a business trip than a vacation," Celestara joked. "Nothing less from The Administrator himself."
"I hope that makes you more comfortable sitting in my chair." The Administrator smiled. "Is there anything else before I get going?"
"Here." Celestara tossed a small object to him. "This locks away most of your presence and power and lets you withdraw powers in small increments."
"Thanks."
"No need. Bring me a cheesecake when you return." Celestara stood up from her seat. "Have a great trip."
The Administrator nodded before teleporting out of the building. He flew deeper into the pitch-black void to gain distance from the office building. "The bringer of calamity, the destroyer of universes, the devourer born from the dark void—I summon thee, Reality Breaker!"
Celestara walked to the window and watched from afar. She reached out her hand, trying to grasp a future she knew wasn't possible. They had fought countless battles, worked through countless conflicts, and solved every issue in the multiverse together. And yet this time, they were both left to their own devices. Through the silent favor of her blue eyes, she whispered, "I want to go with you and be with you."
The fabric of reality started to bend when a giant black blade appeared from the darkness. Thousands of lightning bolts trailed behind the weapon as it fully revealed itself. The Administrator reached out his hand, and the large blade shrank to its normal size and flew into his grasp. He took a deep breath, fixed his suit, and disappeared into the darkness.
*****
"Looks like we are here." The Administrator stood before a blue planet known as Earth by its inhabitants. He transformed Reality Breaker into a small necklace before putting it on and diving straight into the planet's atmosphere. A protective barrier shielded him from the heat caused by friction. Although The Administrator's body could easily withstand it, he was more worried about his clothes. He traveled through the atmosphere with ease and proceeded to fly to the target location. The Administrator waved his hand, and his body turned invisible. "The next destination is called New York City."
Reality Breaker pointed its tip in a general direction as a way to guide The Administrator to the location of its desired host.
"Before we head there, I need to adapt myself to society first," The Administrator said. "Someone who can catch your eye must be an exceptional individual."
Reality Breaker swung up and down in agreement with The Administrator's statement.
He began to slow his speed when a cluster of skyscrapers caught his eye. The Administrator looked around for an empty alleyway for his landing. Moments later, he found a space between two apartment complexes and landed quietly upon this foreign land. He took a couple of steps forward to get used to the gravity of this planet. "This isn't too different from the office, I guess."
The sound of car honks, chatter, and sirens filled the air of the busy streets. It had been a long time since the Administrator had seen a world like this. He had witnessed the fall of many civilizations, the destruction of countless universes, and the faces of those who had lost their way home.
Reality Breaker points to a card on the ground and signaled him to pick it up.
"I think this is a business card... Ricardo Miller..."
Reality Breaker tapped on the name a couple of times and pointed back to The Administrator.
"You want me to take this name?"
Reality Breaker swung in agreement.
*****
Ricardo walked in the direction suggested by Reality Breaker while observing the surrounding architecture of the city. The large skyscrapers reminded Ricardo of the administration building, but with better design. He followed a crowd of people through the crosswalk to reach the other side of the street and continue his search. Reality Breaker then pointed to a store in front of him—a bakery.
"They are in there?" Ricardo asked.
Reality Breaker nodded, pointed to him, and drew a circle in the air.
"I'm not going to buy a cheesecake just yet; let me enjoy my vacation," Ricardo whispered loudly, trying to avoid unwanted attention. "On that note, I probably need some sort of currency to purchase items."
Reality Breaker pointed inside the bakery, where a young man pulled out a card and handed it to the lady at the counter.
"Let me make a call really quick..." Ricardo found a corner and pulled out a crystalline device. Moments later, an image of a young man with golden hair hovered above the device.
"Hey Administrator, how's the vacation so far?" the young man greeted.
"Aurion, I need your help. You know those cards that people use as a replacement for currency?" Ricardo asked.
"You mean credit cards?" Aurion replied. "What of it?"
"I need one..." Ricardo said awkwardly.
"Done. Check your left pocket—the password is Queen Celestara's birthday. Have a great rest of your trip!" Aurion winked and left the call.
"Why Celestara's birthday? Why not mine?" Ricardo reached into the left pocket of his suit to take out a black metallic card. He threw the crystalline device into his pocket dimension before walking back to the bakery. He pushed on the door and walked inside; the fragrance of baked bread filled the cozy environment of the small bakery. A middle-aged woman greeted him from behind the counter. Ricardo hesitated for a moment before stepping up to the counter. "I would like an order of strawberry cheesecake, please."
"Great timing—this is our last slice of the day. Do you want it here or to go?" the woman asked politely.
"For here, please." Ricardo reached for the card given by Aurion and handed it to her.
The woman swiped the card and returned it to Ricardo. "Would you like a receipt?"
"Um, no thanks..." Ricardo took the card.
Moments later, a teenage girl walked out from the back and handed Ricardo a beautifully plated cheesecake. "Here is your cheesecake. Enjoy!"
Ricardo thanked her before taking the plate from her hands and sitting down at a table in the corner. "Might as well enjoy a dessert while we wait. You want some?"
Reality Breaker poked his hand, signaling Ricardo to drop his fork.
"What's wrong?" Ricardo asked. "Is there something with the cake?"
Reality Breaker swung in disagreement before pointing to the door.
"Our target is coming?"
Reality Breaker nodded.
"But what does that have to do with me eating this cake?" Ricardo refuted.
The front door opened, and a girl with black hair made her way into the bakery.
"Alasia!" the teenage girl called out.
"Hey Claire, did you miss me?" Alasia asked enthusiastically. "Sorry, I was gone for a while."
"Of course I missed you. Ever since you left, I don't have any good reason to slack off at work anymore," Claire complained.
"Don't worry, I'm back now, aren't I?" Alasia said. "Can I get the usual?"
"Um, about that, I didn't know you were coming back today, so I sold the last slice..." Claire glanced at Ricardo.
"Oh..." Alasia sobbed. "I guess... I will just... come back tomorrow then."
Ricardo looked down at his necklace and whispered, "I hate you and everything you stand for."
Reality Breaker pointed at the cake and then pointed to Alasia.
"I am the creator of the multiverse, and you want me to comfort a human?" Ricardo objected.
Reality Breaker moved its tip up and down in agreement.
"Fine, only because she is your host." Ricardo gave in to the pressure. He stood up and walked toward the black-haired girl. "Excuse me, I apologize for ordering the last slice, but I haven't touched it yet. If you don't mind, you can have it."
Alasia jumped to face Ricardo. "Really?"
"Y-yeah." Ricardo gestured at the table he had been sitting at.
The two of them sat down across from each other, and Ricardo moved the cheesecake to Alasia's side.
"Thank you!" Alasia exclaimed. "What's the total? I can pay you back."
"No need. You must really like cheesecake, huh?" Ricardo asked.
"Yes! The cheesecake here is amazing!" Alasia cut off a small piece with her fork. "How about I leave you half, so I don't feel bad about not paying you back."
"T-that works, sure," Ricardo said.
"My name is Alasia, by the way," she introduced herself. "What's your name?"
"Ricardo."
"Your accent doesn't sound like you're from New York," Alasia pointed out.
"I'm here on vacation," Ricardo explained. "It's my first time in a big city."
"If you want, I can show you around after this—it's still pretty early in the afternoon," Alasia offered. "If it doesn't interfere with your plans, that is..."
"Sure, that sounds lovely," Ricardo accepted. He sensed a flow of psychic energy emanating from Alasia at that moment. None of the other people Ricardo had met that morning had any traces of psychic energy.
"Here." Alasia handed him the other half of the cheesecake. "It's delicious."
Ricardo smiled and picked up his fork for a bite. "Alasia, do you believe in aliens?"