After the scream - 1 trillion universes remaining

'He will be here soon.'

I can feel it.

My whole body trembles, but I have learned to hide it over the years.

This fear is instinctive, like prey before its predator. Even though I know I have nothing to fear, the fear remains, lurking in the shadows.

I step out of my house, built long ago, to breathe in the fresh air. I could fly or teleport, but nothing compares to the pleasure of walking.

I tread on the damp earth, my feet sinking gradually into the landscape.

Nature stretches as far as the eye can see, populated only by a few peaceful animals, a small forest, and a calm river.

A river winds through the idyllic scenery, and I stop by it. Shimmering fish swim at its surface, and its water is incomparably clear. I lean down to fill the two cups I carry under my arm.

This river is not made of water but of Eternity. I created it long ago so that each sip would never taste the same.

It is one of the few ways I have found to deceive eternity.

I walk across the river and continue on my path.

As I start crossing the forest, a bird lands on my shoulder.

'Magnificent new plumage,' I think quietly.

The last time I saw it, its feathers skillfully blended blue and white, but now only white remains.

As usual, it falls asleep on my shoulder.

Even in its sleep, it produces a divine whistle that repels all negative emotions.

After half an hour of walking, I pass by a bench. It is one of my first creations, along with the cups I hold in my hand. Its rustic appearance holds an emotional and nostalgic dimension that I prefer to save for special occasions.

It won't be useful today. Today will be like every other today: quickly forgotten in the annals of time.

But giving up is not the solution.

As always, I finally approach my destination. It is a vast plain with two folding chairs set up to observe the outside like film directors appreciating their best creation.

In front of these two chairs is a thin membrane.

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Despite its fragile appearance, it is impenetrable.

My brother is already there, sitting in his chair, impassively watching the universes stretching out before him. It has been so long, too long, since I last saw a hint of emotion in his eyes.

I sit down in my chair, which has "Anything" inscribed on its back in my best handwriting.

I hand him a cup of Eternity before taking a sip from mine.

"Which universe do you want to observe today?" I ask him, full of enthusiasm at the thought of discovering new universes and their inhabitants.

"As you wish," he replies.

I sigh at his lack of enthusiasm, though I shouldn't be surprised. He has given me the same answer the day before, and the day before that, so long that I can't remember the last time he gave a different response.

"Let's go for... universe A-931842!" I announce with motivation.

But I lie to myself, and deep down, my brother must know it too. Motivation left us both an eternity ago. No action will free us from the prison in which we are trapped.

Well... I found a solution, but I don't want to think about it.

We watch in silence as my creations proliferate, die, ally, betray, and live their short, so short lives to the fullest.

Once his cup is empty, my brother waits for me to finish mine before leaving, gazing longingly at the twinkling stars on the horizon.

He will soon have to return to the darkness so that I can survive one more day.

I take the opportunity to finish my cup as slowly as possible, taking several hours. I stopped contemplating the scenery and distant stars long ago. Instead, I spend these hours studying my brother's condition.

He is dying too.

We both know it, but neither of us can do anything about it.

We can create life and destroy it with a snap of our fingers, but it no longer matters.

My brother then leaves, returning to the endless darkness at the edge of the forest. I know I should hold him back. Tomorrow he will have lost more of his humanity.

But I cannot force him to stay.

I cannot force him to kill me.

For now, I continue to refine my plan, promising myself to save him.

Once my brother is swallowed by the darkness, I find myself unconsciously making a promise out loud:

"I will put you back together, piece by piece. I will do it even if it costs me everything and takes an eternity."