Chapter 3.6: What is not seen

The atmosphere was magical and celestial.

It carried a sensation capable of flooding the heart with happiness and bringing anyone to the verge of tears.

Before Edén stretched an immense chamber that seemed to stand at the very center of the galaxy.

The cosmos itself adorned its walls, floor, and ceiling.

At the center floated six radiant spheres, each one held by a hand covered in mysterious engravings.

Within them were the kanji for water, fire, earth, air, light, and darkness.

—At last… I’ve made it —Edén declared, determination burning within his eyes.

…

Edén continued walking slowly toward the center of the chamber.

He could not even bring himself to blink.

The sight had left him completely speechless.

A mixture of nostalgia and fear stirred within his heart.

But something immediately caught his attention.

Standing among the six spheres were two imposing statues.

To the right rose the statue of a strange angel.

It appeared to be carved from a radioactive green stone—Moldavite.

Its appearance was both beautiful and terrifying.

Its human face shone between the celestial splendor of its wings and the infernal presence of its horns.

Both hands were extended before it, as though they had once held something that was no longer there.

Beneath its feet rested the symbol of Yang.

To the left stood the statue of a dragon.

Although its body belonged to a beast, its face was warm and human.

It was carved from a blue-green stone—Alexandrite—but the color began to shift around its hands.

One hand reached gently toward the angel.

The other, covered in claws and hidden behind its back, held a mask.

And beneath its feet rested the symbol of Yin.

…

—Looks like whoever designed this place had excellent taste in art —Edén said with a laugh.

—Thank you —a solemn voice replied.

A violent chill ran down Edén’s spine.

He spun around immediately, but there was no one there.

“Where…?”

Edén turned his head in every direction, searching the chamber without success.

—Here —the voice answered.

Edén could not determine where it was coming from.

It seemed to echo from every direction at once.

“Did it just read my thoughts…?”

—Yes, I did.

—Who are you?! Show yourself!

—I am right here —the voice replied sincerely.

—That’s impossible! I’ve looked everywhere, and there isn’t a single trace of anyone!

—I am precisely here.

—I am everything you can see…

—And everything you cannot.

—What the hell is that supposed to mean?

—I am everything and nothing at once.

—The beginning and the end.

—Are you one of those drug-addled philosophers or something? —Edén asked contemptuously.

—HA, HA, HA! You possess remarkable audacity. I like that.

—Then what the hell are you supposed to be? Do you have some kind of invisibility power?

—Hmm… That is a difficult question to answer.

—I have been known by many names —the being continued—. Some call me the Big Bang.

—Others, the creator of the world.

—The origin of all things.

—Chaos.

—God.

—I see…

—Then are you the one responsible for all of this?

Edén’s gaze became cold and sharp.

—Me…? No, no. You are mistaken.

—I have no interest in the world.

—Whether you live or die…

—It makes no difference to me —the being answered coldly.

Edén let out a faint smile.

—Some god you turned out to be…

—You’re even more disgusting than I expected.

The being’s laughter engulfed the entire chamber like a raging storm.

—It has been a very long time since I encountered such a contemptible creature —the god confessed—. This will be truly fascinating.

—You are remarkably intriguing…

—Edén Yomi.

Goosebumps spread across Edén’s skin the instant he heard his name.

—It seems things are about to become very interesting —the being said in a disturbing voice.

…

The spheres of darkness and fire began to rise for no apparent reason.

—W-what’s happening?

—It seems fate has some truly fascinating things in store for you —the being explained—. And throughout this adventure called life, fire and darkness shall be your companions.

Edén’s eyes opened wide as two different energies began flowing through his entire body.

—This is…

—Zenka —the being answered firmly.

—These two elements have answered your cry for help.

—They shall be the ones to aid you in fulfilling your purpose.

Edén immediately raised his head.

—You knew…? —he murmured.

—I know everything you think and everything you do.

—Nothing escapes my sight.

—Then, if you know what I intend to do, why would you grant me the power to stain my hands with blood?

—Entertainment.

Edén stood speechless upon hearing such a cold response.

—Entertainment…? —he repeated with a nervous laugh—. You have to be joking…

—What kind of god are you?

—The concepts you call good and evil do not exist to me.

—Everything that happens within this world is merely the consequence of your own actions.

—You will be the ones to decide whether light or darkness ultimately rules over your world.

—To me, you are nothing more than tools created for my entertainment.

—You bastard… —Edén growled, clenching his fists in fury.

—I hope you prove highly entertaining, Edén Yomi.

—Wait, you bastard!

CLAP!

With a single clap that reverberated throughout the entire chamber, Edén was hurled across space and time.

…

Silence once again took control of that place.

—Hmm?

The remaining spheres began flickering erratically.

—You never cease to surprise me, human…

At that very moment, the young boy had taken his first step toward the divine.

His humanity had begun to slowly slip away, like grains of sand falling through an hourglass.

And the eyes of God would watch every step he took.

A god who had just added another piece to his macabre game.