(??? POV)
I have dealt with much… so much, yet this is the first time that I have been awake and not been in pain or had a constant feeling of numbness.
Instead, I find nothing… It was so strange.
I am… afraid to open my eyes. The fact that I even still have any is nice… however, almost unconsciously my eyelids slowly open, and I feel practically blinded by the large amount of light bearing down on me.
Almost as quickly as I open them, I close them, and I again unconsciously move my right arm… I move my hand in front of my eyes. However, it's slow, shaky… I've seen nothing, but I can feel all of my limbs. I also felt taller…
Again, I open my eyes, and as my vision comes to focus, I find myself laying on my back, staring up at the sky, and I feel warm… I lift my hand towards the sky. I see the sun shine in the sky, and I see my hand. It's there. It's thin, but it's there.
I lift my other arm. As I simply stare at the fact that I have two hands, I begin to take notice of the sensations in my legs… I moved my feet slowly, and I find myself left in stunned silence… I feel the air in my lungs, no blocked airways or feeling as if I'm breathing in shards of glass.
In and out… in and out… I inhale and exhale. Over and over again, for the next few minutes I just lay there on my back breathing in and out, seeing the clouds move past me.
Strangely enough, the clouds themselves aren't static. While they are moving, their shapes are seemingly changing. I don't even see a sign of anything. I hear no thunder, and I see no lightning.
Turning my head away from the sky, I find myself staring at something else. I see a glowing pink and purple egg. It shines in a luminescent glow that somehow shines so brightly even in the day.
Moving myself onto my stomach, I crawl towards the egg, and as I find myself next to it, I simply stare and wonder what was inside. And it's not just that. The egg itself was doing something. I couldn't see it, but I could feel that it was doing something.
The surroundings were empty, just a field of grass, yet seemingly the fog around us began to lift, and as I stared at the surrounding, I looked on in complete and utter awe. The surroundings never seemed to end. In the distance, I could see mountains that seemed to scrape the sky. In another direction, I could see the faint outlines of rivers, and I was not even cognizant of the fact that I was able to even see that far before.
I placed my two hands onto the ground and pushed myself upwards into a sitting position, and as I slowly did so, I found no pain and no cracking of limbs or bones. Reaching slowly over towards the egg, I picked it up and found that it was lighter than I thought. The egg itself was the size of my stomach area, and as I held it, I found it to be emitting a warm sensation.
Trying to keep myself from damaging it, I held it as lightly as I could, and realizing that I couldn't stay here for too long, I placed it onto the ground. Looking towards my legs, I tried something I haven't done in a long time.
I tried to stand… and again I pushed myself upward, and slowly I stood on my two legs and tried to take a step forward and immediately fell down… but somehow the ground didn't feel hard. It felt just soft enough to land on. I didn't have anything to compare it to, but it was a strange sensation.
Again, I stood up on my two legs and took another step. Slowly and shakily, I put one foot in front of the other. It took two steps for me to fall down, yet again I found I suffered no pain. Somehow, I thought something was enjoying this process. I couldn't see who it was, but I felt someone there.
I looked towards the egg and found it still an egg and still sitting there, and as I stood on my legs once more, I walked over towards the egg, and as I picked it up, I found it almost beating, and as I held it close, I felt comfortable.
Rumble!
Somewhat shocked, I wondered where the sound was coming from until I realized that it was my own stomach. I almost laughed at the near absurdity of the situation, and for a moment, I wondered which way I should go until again I felt that feeling of being directed, and as I took one step in front of the other, I began walking north, and again I didn't know why I knew I was walking north, but I got the general feeling.
The area began to shift around me. Trees cleared the way, and I was wondering how such a thing was possible. I continued walking, and that walking turned into a faster pace, and that faster pace turned into running, and as I felt my feet hit the ground, I propelled myself forward faster and faster than I ever thought possible.
I made sure to keep the egg held as tightly as I could without endangering the outer shell, and as I did so, I could feel almost excitement radiating from it along with myself, and after what felt like minutes, I found myself at the base of a large stairwell…. I looked up towards it and found the entire place shrouded in mist.
The first step was covered in a type of stone that I've never seen before. It looked similar to marble but clearer. It was polished to almost perfect perfection. I felt bad that I would be stepping on it, as I didn't want it to get dirty. But as I placed my foot onto the step, it wasn't hard. It almost felt as if my foot was sinking into the step, yet it didn't look like that.
While my understanding of physical reality was being destroyed, I continued climbing the steps, and it felt as if it was going on forever with the mist enshrouding my path forward. But I didn't feel like I was in danger. I didn't feel safe, but I felt calm.
The world itself didn't seem dangerous, unlike the underworld or the dim lighting of prisons or basements or labs. Even amongst the endless amounts of mist, I could still see the sky. I could still see the sun, and at certain points I just stopped and stood in silence, and at others I sat down on the step and placed the egg next to me, making sure that it was standing up straight with no risk of falling.
I still felt hungry, but it wasn't the first time I've gone months without seeing food before. This makes no difference. I feel as if I could continue walking forever as long as I could see the stars. However, with such a thought, I found something almost scolding me for such a thought.
It was strange that I could feel such things wake up, scratching at the back of my mind. In these moments of quiet, I studied myself further. My skin looked clean and without problems, and my hair was actually there and was white for some reason. It was also much longer than I'm used to.
In some moments, I actually pinched myself to check to see if this was all real, and the fact that I could feel pain definitely proved that this was real or a very realistic illusion. Picking myself back up, I grabbed the egg and continued climbing.
The steps seemed to go on forever, but I didn't mind. Just being able to move was satisfying. Every step a reminder that I still have my legs.
And for like hours, I climbed those steps until I reached what I assumed was the top. However, it was entirely empty, just an empty flat land that seemed to extend for miles.
However, as soon as I tried to take a step forward, I found myself blocked. I kept myself steady so as not to injure the egg, and as I collected myself, I looked towards the emptiness and wondered why?
The force keeping me from the empty land then began to change into less of a wall and more like a pedestal. The energy began to glow and coalesce into the shape of a hand, and as I walked up to it, I felt the ground begin to slightly tremble as if preparing for something, as if it was excited.
And as I slowly reached my hand towards the pedestal, I placed my right hand onto it, and in that moment, the world shifted again. The energy exploded outward into a dome-like shape, and buildings began to form from the ground. An entire palace formed itself around me. The platform that I was on began to rise into the air until it just kept rising and rising until the clouds themselves were below me.
And as the palace finished its construction, I found myself standing at the top of the platform, looking down at it all, and the steps that I were climbing led directly up to the main entrance… I do admit due to the shaky ground, I fell over slightly. However, I fell on my back to keep the egg in good shape, and as I regained my footing, I saw a throne begin to form on the opposite end of the platform. The sides of the platform began to rise, or in this case, pillars of that same material from before formed a rooftop over my head, and as the roof formed over my head, I still found that it kept a skylight at the top.
I was slightly worried that I had just intruded upon someone else's house, yet again that feeling from before was seemingly correcting me, and it urged me to sit up on the throne.
As I saw the throne finish its construction, the back of which looked as if it was formed out of starlight, and it actually looked quite comfortable. I walked over to it and looked at it for a few moments before I sat down, and it was in that moment a large pulse of energy entered my body, and I understood…
The realm before me shook, and the entire area glowed in a radiant color. I could feel the individual beat of grass within the ground. I could feel the mountains striping the sky, as if they were my own fingers. I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin.
The realm itself welcomed me, and I felt as if I could change it however I wanted, and at that moment, I noticed something else. The sky wasn't just empty space. No, it was filled with energy.
Each one was different in terms of how it felt. One felt as solid as rock and the other as fiery as an endless inferno… six realms above my own, each one an embodiment of a new element. I felt as if I could reach up and touch them, but I kept myself lowered to the ground.
And as quickly as I felt these feelings appear, they disappeared, and I realized that this was simply a taste of what I could do. Eventually, I felt my area of influence shrink until I could only see the entirety of the palace. Make no mistake, this realm was mine, but my control over it could only extend so far.
I looked over towards the egg, and as I wondered what my next move would be, it began to crack and glow so brightly that I had to cover my eyes as it exploded in an endless radiance.
The egg broke apart. However, it then seemingly aided in what was forming, and as the glow subsided after a few moments, I found myself staring at something…
It glowed, as its very fur was seemingly an endless deluge of pink and purples… its eyes were filled with an almost mischievous amount of amusement, and every one of its movements, while as light as a feather, seemed to hold the strength of ages.
Not to mention the fact that as it finished forming its body, it grew as large as the throne I sit upon, and as it stared down at me, I could feel it. I could feel a connection…
For a few moments, we just stared at each other. For reasons why, I do not know. I assume it's mostly just due to my own lacking social skills. However, as I thought this, I could swear that the newborn animal was smiling at me…
"Hello." My voice echoed throughout the empty space. It was odd to hear the sound of my own voice, as I have not heard it in a very long time, at least in the form of verbal words… The being then began walking around the throne, observing me before nodding to itself, as if it had come to some conclusion.
The animal then began to shrink until it was barely the size of my palm, and as it jumped up onto the throne, I helped it make its way up to my right shoulder. And as it laid down against my neck, I hesitantly reached towards it with my left hand, and for a few moments, I hesitated. Yet the animal itself reached out and cradled against my hand.
I felt the soft fur against my hand, and it was, I admit, one of if not the best memories I've ever made. I felt my lips take an upward curve before even realizing that I was smiling… As I stared out past the palace, I just enjoyed the moment….
(Outside The Realm)
"It seems that he has survived the journey…" AMAZO observed as he ran calculations, each one holding enough data to create a singularity-level of artificial intelligence, yet each one with seemingly basic.
"I knew he would… Hell, the only reason he survived the soul surgery was that his sense of self was so strong that he has somehow managed to put himself back together… Although I do appreciate your artificial intelligence. It has made the process seemingly much more smooth… good work, by the way." The man sitting upon the throne watched as his newest charge spent time with his new friend… a smile on his face.
"In all honesty, anyone you take interest in is worthy of study. However, the great council will want answers…"
"I know they will, and to be honest I don't blame them in this case. I definitely went beyond the cosmic bureaucracy amongst us, but it was an emergency. And besides, as strong as we are, we are allowed to skip steps…" AMAZO seemed almost amused at this answer.
"In all honesty, given the data that I have been receiving, it's a wonder that he even survived the process at all. His soul had somehow managed to breach the barrier between realities all on its own. However, it seemingly had an effect of destroying his natural karma. I have checked his past lives. None of them deserve the treatment he suffered… At least until I found this." AMAZO then showed the man on the throne countless amounts of data and recordings.
As soon as the man on the throne saw the data, the realm began to shake and crack apart in rage…
As to why such a response was caused comes back to why this child suffered in every life… It was due to the nature of luck—specifically the lacking nature and structure in some universes.
Each one is created using fundamental blocks of reality and a non-reality, both existence and non-existence. Every concept known exists between these two extremes. Luck, however, is an anomaly, as it both exists yet doesn't exist. It is formless, yet it could be felt everywhere.
In this case, in a past life, the child was born and was created as a funnel for bad luck… Every universe is fundamentally different. Some handle various aspects of reality in different ways. However, it is systems like this that grind most cosmic beings to their core… the pure negligence of causing suffering for the few so that everyone else could benefit.
"Who was in charge of creating this universal structure?" the man on the throne asked the ever-changing machine.
"Based on what I have discovered, it was a rather natural creation. However, looking further back shows much more—that this was the creation of a rogue Multiverse traveler, a side project left alone to rot… I already have clones looking for his whereabouts, and are closing in on him fast… Based on the readings from this traveler, he was given a system that was created using various energies from the Multiverse, but in this case it focuses on the negative aspects of them. So essentially, his own system propagates the existence of such failed systems, ironically enough." As the machine was speaking, he was focusing on the various clones he had made of himself chasing down this traveler, and as this traveler was completely unaware of what was coming for him, the man on the throne calmed himself.
"As much as this is a hypocritical statement, I am not a fan of reincarnations. I can understand not understanding the ramifications of your effects on reality, but this is just a negligence of the highest order. What was done with the universe as you found this flawed system in?"
"It was a simple enough fixing. Barely any of the mortals within these universes even noticed. However, some will begin to notice their luck beginning to change, and while they may get slightly better or worse, it won't be as fatal or terrible as it was for this child." AMAZO then dismissed the data in front of them.
"I again thank you for your assistance, AMAZO. However, I recommend keeping this Multiverse traveler away from my wife. She is rather rabid right now. She is more likely to tear this person apart before we can learn anything." The machine agreed, as even he could see the rather angry state the goddess of life was in. However, she was beginning to rein herself in.
And as quickly as he appeared, the machine disappeared, simply disappearing into ever-existing data… Emilio continued to watch his new charge until the picture began to fracture and disappear, with the essences beginning to take their work beyond his charge's new realm.
While he himself admits the choice was made in a rather random flurry of emotion, he knew he made the right decision. Even with all of his cosmic senses and his ability to see into multiple futures, sometimes it just takes a gut feeling to know you're making the right choice.
"Good luck… may we see each other again." The man on the throne then disappeared.
(??? POV)
"-Pink? Starlight? Kyu?"
My attempts at trying to name my new companion are not bearing fruit.
The animal herself was rather vocal without even saying anything, as she was furiously shaking her head in disagreement, but I could still see the amusement in her eyes.
The naming process was quite difficult, even though I now know the gender of my new companion… however, I do admit it was a bit hard to straight up ask if she was a male or female, and I could almost tell that my awkwardness was again amusing my new companion.
For a few moments, I thought of a new name, and as I looked through the skylight on the roof, I saw the shining sun, even as it sunk lower and lower in the sky, causing a beautiful view to appear…
"What about… Haru?" The question was not met with a shaking head, but with a thoughtful expression, and for a few seconds, we just stared at one another until she smiled and nodded her head.
I smiled and continued to pet her, which I do find myself enjoying… thankfully she seems to also enjoy it, as she basically melts in my hand. I looked out onto the sunset, and again, my stomach rumbled, reminding me that I was still hungry, yet I am not able to locate a way down. As I walked away from the throne, Haru jumped down from my shoulder and stood near the edge, and I do admit, I felt a cold feeling in my chest seeing her so close to the edge. And as I walked over to keep her away, she simply sat there and looked at me expectantly.
I could still see the amusement in her eyes as I sat down next to her against the edge, my legs leaning over a very large drop. And as I looked down, I felt my stomach sink, as I never really knew that I could develop a fear of heights.
But as I looked over to Haru, she flicked her head over the edge, as if trying to sign to me to drop. I looked over at her with a confused expression until I saw her begin to smile, but this one was not very kind, as she stood up and walked over the edge.
"Haru!" Immediately, I jumped after her, and as the ground got close, I grabbed her and held her close to my chest, flipping over so that I would land on my back. And as I fell down the tall tower, I wondered if this was how it was going to end… until my descent began to slow down until it came to a complete stop as I landed in some kind of courtyard with trees all around me.
However, in the middle of the courtyard, I found a large table. The wood seemed more expensive than any jewelry I've ever seen, but that was not what drew my attention, but the woman sitting at the head of the table. To be more specific, she was a tree at the head of the table….
" You know, I began to think that you we're going to spend the rest of your life up there… it is an honor to meet you, my Lord. I am Lilywood." She did a slight bow with her head sticking out of the tree. And as I looked, I found myself slightly stunned, which is seemingly happening a lot today.
As she smiled at me, she beckoned that I sit down next to her, and in the next moment, as if it was there in the first place, I saw an entire feast form in front of me. A combination of fruits, vegetables, and meat, surprisingly. And as I looked down at the full plate, I wondered if I was even allowed to eat this.
" Do not be afraid. No one can hurt you here…. please enjoy." Lilywood's voice was an almost startling revelation, and as I slowly picked up my fork and ate a bite of food, I felt tears begin to leave my eyes. And as I continued to eat, I felt Haru on my shoulder while Lilywood watched on…
(A Few Hours Later)
" You know, I never expected the first person I would eat with would be attached to a tree." A bit blunt, but I was genuinely being honest.
" I never imagined that I would be next to someone eating at all. I used to be amongst the great trees in another realm…. Every day, we would simply enjoy the grace of the Sun on our shoulders." I looked up at her, slightly worried that I might have just kidnapped someone from their home. But as if understanding my worries, Lilywood simply smiled.
" If there was anyone that would say no to such an opportunity, they were a fool… I was amongst dozens who wished to be placed here…"
"… I don't understand. Why would you want to leave?" The question was met with some silence as she seemingly pondered her answer. And as she did so, she began to climb out of the tree, her body almost entirely uncovered other than by some leaves. And as she sat down next to me, she began to explain.
" My people are strange to say the least. We are spirits of nature, of the great trees that provide life to realms across reality. It is an honor to be planted in a new realm, as we not only gain strength, but also our own slice of the pie, so to speak… I was chosen, and I would never say no. Our goddess gives us all the choice. I was just a lucky one who got picked." I could tell from the joy in her voice that she was being genuine, and I found my worries beginning to recede.
As I tried to think of an answer, I didn't realize that the woman sitting next to me was entirely naked, and while I wasn't uncomfortable, it was very good to look at. I just wondered if she had any clothing.
Again, she smiled, as if reading my mind, and as she stood up and behind me, she lowered herself onto my back, hugging me, specifically my neck.
" You know you're allowed to stare, right? I am as much yours as you are mine. We are connected now. And trust me, I enjoy the looks." Before she could say anything else, Haru came to my rescue and tried to bat the woman away. However, the tree spirit was only amused by this as she began to hold me a bit tighter.
"….Well, I have never been in the… I've never been in close proximity with naked women for such a long period or at all…. However, if this is how you want to look, I will not say that there's anything wrong with it." Lilywood chuckled in my ear before beginning to hum something in my ear.
" I thank you for the compliment, but again, if you wish for me to clothe myself, then simply ask…"
" I can't do that… be who you want to be. You may be connected to my realm, but I won't tell you what to do… I don't know if I can." Lilywood then let go, possibly because she was uncomfortable or because Haru looked like she was going to bite her any second.
As the woman reintegrated herself into the tree, she smiled at me. " I'll be here whenever you need me. Now, if you excuse me, I have to keep this realm in order. This place is honestly a mess. And by the way, my Lord, it's OK to ask things from people. It is not control. It is simply reality. I would also recommend you check out the library. There's something very important there. See you soon." She then retreated into the tree and disappeared, and I do admit I felt sad seeing her go.
Haru then climbed on top of my head, as if taking her place and appointing in the direction of what I assume is the library with one of her paws… Chuckling to myself, I began to walk throughout the palace. It was both majestic and somehow homely at the same time. The whole place was built to specifications that embodied warmth and majesty.
There was as much sophistication as there was nature. Vines spread across the walls, and there were plants almost everywhere, yet they weren't ugly. I found myself at peace, just roaming the halls.
For a moment, I just imagined filling the hallways with paintings or various designs. This whole world was like a blank canvas. The problem is, I didn't know how to paint or draw.
But my own inadequacies aside, Haru then stopped me in front of a large door, and as I placed my hand on the door, it glowed with a green energy, and instead of opening, it just simply disappeared, as if it was never there… And as I stared into the entrance area of the library, I found that it was definitely designed with the color green in mind.
At the back of the area, there was a chest with it, basically glowing and saying, "please open me." For some reason, I get the feeling that this was trapped or it was going to have giant teeth inside of it, but even I don't know why I was thinking that.
Haru then jumped off my head and ran over to the chest, and as she sat next to it, she beckoned me closer. Obliging her, I walked over and placed my hand on the chest, and after a moment of hesitation, I opened it. And before I could even realize it, a yellow substance then leaped into my mouth.
Cough! Cough! "What the… Haru, please tell me I didn't swallow anything weird." The animal just walked over to me as if checking to see if I was OK, and after a few moments, whatever jumped into my throat made its way to my stomach, and the second it did, I felt something change, and then I immediately felt the urge to throw up.
I felt my entire stomach beginning to retch as I threw up a black substance that seemingly screamed as if it was being burned alive, and as I backed away, Haru stood in front of me as if guarding me, but it was not necessary as it disappeared with a sizzling crack.
For a moment, I just wondered what the hell had just happened until I realized how light I felt now, like a metaphysical weight had just been taken off my shoulders… In fact, I hadn't felt such a levity in a long time.
Haru walked up to me, still sitting on the ground, and placed a paw on my upper right thigh and looked directly up at me with a concerned look, and as I smiled back, Haru took a deep breath and exhaled as if relieved. She then returned to the chest, but she did look at it with a bit of frustration in her eyes.
I took a moment to gather myself and stood back up and walked again over to the chest. This time when I opened the chest once more, three weapons appeared and floated above me. The first was a triangular-shaped nail that had attempted to become a sword, yet failed, but it glowed with an ominous red light. The second was a more majestic weapon, but this one looked more similar to a larger needle than a sword. But the last was entirely different. It had no form, but it was most definitely a sword, and as all three of them floated above me, they turned towards me and turned into pure energy before landing on my body, specifically my lower right arm.
I felt a slight tingling sensation, and after the light faded, I saw that they had formed a tattoo, a trio of swords. Before I could even react, other objects appeared from the chest.
The first looked like a green bead, the second a large cube that glowed with strange green symbols, the third a small purple card, the fourth strangely enough was a smaller box, the fifth was different as it was just a small seed, but it glowed in multiple small lights, the final two were a golden ball and a twin-colored flame with 1/2 being black, the other white.
Every single item other than the box and the golden ball then integrated themselves within my body, and all of them felt entirely different. The only ones that stayed remained floating in front of me. Haru then gestured for me to pick up the golden ball and swallow it, and trusting my new friend, I did as it was instructed.
And while I was expecting it to taste awful, it felt as if I was tasting pure and utter contentment, and in that moment I saw a line extending from my body. In fact, I saw multiple red lines. All of them began to fall away and disappear, integrating themselves within me.
In that moment, I felt safe, like nothing could touch me. Haru somehow looked as if she was making a smug expression, and as I picked her up in my right hand, I checked the chest for anything left, and inside I found two books. The first one looked as if it was taken straight out of a tree trunk, and the other looked more similar to a scroll than a normal book.
And as I grasped the two of them, they glowed in that same golden light and entered my mind, and as it did so, I felt as if liquid power coursed through my veins. In that moment, I felt invincible.
And as I was lowered to the ground, I checked my body once more and found that I looked much healthier than I did before. While I wasn't amazing looking, I could clearly see the definition between my muscles, and somehow my hair had gotten slightly longer.
Haru, as she sat and stared at me, licked her lips for some odd reason. Maybe she was still hungry… In this case, I knew that I needed to rest, and it would reveal the next step.
And to be honest, I was exhausted, and as much as I wanted to check out the rest of the library, I realized that it was entirely empty. All the shelves were empty, but I could tell that they wanted to be filled.
However, as if realizing how tired I was, Haru then grew in size, and as I placed my hand on her back, I smiled in thanks. Thankfully, there was a bedroom next to the library, and as it opened, I was slightly afraid to close my eyes…
Haru then smiled and laid down next to me, and as she placed a paw on my head, I found myself getting sleepier…
"Good… night… Haru." I say, as I am taken by the realm of dreams…
….
….
"Good night… my master."
(Bit of a set up chapter decent amount of exposition here, but just to get a lay of the land. Essentially, if I were to compare the size of the realm to anything it would be the size of New York State it will grow as he grows stronger and I'm going to be honest with you guys. He doesn't have a lot of metaknowledge if any so feel free to recommend where he should go on his journey. In the next chapter, we shall delve into the basics of cultivation while exploring a bit more of the realm. I should be able to get more chapters out once I finish moving the process is almost over. In terms of the cultivation system, I was thinking of using the Top-Tier Providence cultivation system since I really like that story however, I may sprinkle in a couple more feel free to recommend.)