After the Scream - 1 billion universes remaining

The Singularity had left Jason to begin its ascent. Could it reach the top of this staircase? Jason doubted it. To reach the top, it had to exist in the first place. The dream of these climbers was often something unattainable, even for a Monarch. The simplest example was the Singularity that Jason had encountered because even the Monarch of life could not create a companion for it. They appeared regularly out of nowhere, their genetic code indecipherable as if they did not come from this world.

They were one of the mysteries that Jason might now be able to decipher. But today, he didn't want to know the answer to their existence but to his own. He summoned a translucent staff in his hand and approached the staircase. The weapon must have been about two meters long without any particular pattern on its surface. Once he set foot on one of the steps, he struck it with the base of his staff.

The staircase shook violently under the attack. Jason could have broken it, but he had no intention of doing so. The Monarch had not revealed itself, so he continued, each attack more powerful than the last, sending cataclysmic tremors through the other steps. The staircase now pulsed like a heart, the people climbing it beginning to panic at the phenomenon. Despite the tremors, no climber was injured, as if they were protected by the universe itself.

But after a few seconds, the bridge stabilized. Its creator had appeared beside Jason. The Monarch of Dreams resembled a Singularity, its body reminiscent of a dragon. Its immense head, however, was just a mass composed of countless globular eyes. There was no mouth or even a nose on its face, just billions and billions of eyes scrutinizing Jason with curiosity.

"Interesting. I can't draw you into a dream," the Monarch announced calmly, its powerful voice resonating through the void.

- "And if I lower my defenses?" asked Jason, suddenly appearing very serious.

- "Interesting," was the creature's only response.

A long silence settled between the man and the Monarch, Jason observing the staircase stretching at his feet and the Singularity staring at him, its gaze filled with curiosity.

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It was Jason who finally broke the silence by asking his host: "What is at the end of the staircase?

- Its beginning.

- Isn't that cruel?

- I give them hope, and they give me power. If they show a tenacity that I consider sufficient, then they will fall asleep forever. A beautiful dream is better than facing a harsh reality.

- Isn't it up to them to make that choice?

- Is life fair? The strong eat the weak. I could exploit them without anyone coming to reproach me. If one day a stronger Monarch than me came to deliver justice, wouldn't they use the fact that they are the strongest to impose their will? If they complain about being weak, then let them put in the effort to become strong instead of begging me."

Jason did not approve of his words, but he did not disapprove of them either. He cast one last look at the Monarch in front of him and at the distant stars before deactivating his defenses. "Let's go," he finally announced.

In his field of vision, the void slowly gave way to a green meadow. Animals grazed by the edge of a river. After a few seconds, the void had completely disappeared, as had the Monarch of Dreams. There was nothing but this peaceful environment. Everything here seemed to be in harmony, the tranquility of the place reminding Jason of the Lakes of Eternity. He wanted nothing more than to sit on the ground to admire the stars and meditate to calm his mind.

But he had not come for that. He knew that this dream was not the creation of the Monarch but of someone else, far more powerful than the latter. Jason set off, walking along the river. He could admire the local fauna along the way. A bird landed on his shoulder. 'What a magnificent species,' thought Jason. It had resplendent white plumage, a shimmering golden beak, and azure blue eyes that reminded Jason of the seas of his home planet.

Jason had now been walking aimlessly in the same direction for about thirty minutes. At the turn of a forest, he finally found a sign of someone's presence in these places. Indeed, a small house stood by the river. Not feeling anyone inside, Jason continued on his way. A few hundred meters away stood a bench. It had nothing special except that a person was sitting on it.

The man was contemplating the stars sparkling on the horizon, looking dreamy, as if lost in thought. But Jason was no fool. He had brought him into this dream. The man must have been aware of his presence even before Jason approached. The bird, which had stayed on his shoulder until now, flew off and landed on the stranger's shoulder. Without even uttering a word or turning around, the man signaled Jason to approach and sit beside him on the bench.

Once seated on the bench, a single glance was enough for Jason to confirm the identity of the man beside him. His entire being radiated around him. His dazzling smile and sparkling eyes full of life alone proved his identity. He was the man Jason had seen in his dream. He was probably the Director's brother.

"What is it, my child?"