After the scream - 1 billion universes remaining

"What's the matter, my child?"

Jason didn't know how to respond. He hadn't prepared any questions because he didn't even know who or what he was dealing with.

The creature standing before him was humanoid, but Jason had the distinct feeling it had never been human. By comparison, he, like Orion, had been a normal human long ago, before inheriting the title of Monarch. When someone ascended to that rank, they became their own race. And the creature before him didn't seem to belong to any race at all.

Jason had only ever felt this way with a few individuals: the Director and the various Unchained. They were creatures unto themselves, defined by nothing.

"You're very quiet, my child."

The man's words were barely a whisper, but the wind rose to carry them to Jason's ears.

"I'm not your child.

- You all aren't my children, but that's the closest term to describe our relationship.

- Does that apply to the Director as well?"

The man showed a dangerous smile at his question.

"You're feeling things out, Jason, when I'd have expected you to be more straightforward."

They must have been in a dream, but the space around them violently shook. The atmosphere grew heavy, and the distant sound of thunder rumbled.

"Who are you?"

The wind fell silent. The approaching storm vanished as if by magic, and the man's smile lost its edge.

"That's not the right question. You should be asking about yourself. Do you even know what you are, Jason, or what you represent?

- I have a feeling you wouldn't answer that."

Jason had felt it ever since he arrived. The man had had the chance to reveal everything when he first appeared in his dream. He hadn't done it then, and he wasn't likely to do it now.

There had to be something he needed, something only Jason could provide.

A flicker of amusement passed through the man's eyes at Jason's response.

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"You seem sure of yourself. Very well! Ask me questions, and we'll see if I feel like answering."

Jason didn't need to think long before asking his first question.

"Why did you bring me back to life?

- I can't answer that."

At least Jason now knew for sure it was him who had resurrected him. While he searched for his next question, the man relaxed against the back of the bench and pulled out a cup. He took small sips of Eternity while watching the stars glitter in the distance.

It was as Jason observed their surroundings that he found his next question.

"Does this place exist?

- It existed a long time ago. But as long as I exist, it can live on in people's dreams for a long time yet.

- What happened to it?

- I'd say it was the witness to a significant event."

There were no clouds above them, but it had begun to rain. As a crystalline droplet slid down his cheek without losing its shape, Jason asked another question.

"What do you want from me?

- Me? Nothing."

The man laughed, seeing Jason slightly taken aback.

"Bring me truths about this world if you want me to answer more of your questions.

- What kind of truths?

- You'll know once you find them.

- How can you be so sure that I will find them?"

The gentle rain had suddenly turned into a hurricane. Animals, trees, and even the water were swept up by the wind passing over Jason's head. Yet the bench they sat on remained completely still.

'I probably shouldn't have asked that,' Jason thought as he kept a close eye on the expression on the man's face.

To his surprise, there was no change in his expression.

"Have you ever heard of fate, my child?"

The moment the man spoke those words, the hurricane ceased. Everything that had been in the air and should have fallen to the ground remained magically suspended in the air.

The once verdant meadow had transformed into a grim, lifeless scene.

Before Jason could answer, the man continued as though oblivious to the change in their surroundings.

"Some people believe fate doesn't exist. Others believe it does."

He looked Jason directly in the eyes.

"And you seem to think I have the answer to that question.

- You don't?"

The man had a heartfelt laugh.

"I'll gladly answer that next time we meet. For now, ask your final questions. We don't have much time before this dream collapses on itself."

The space around them had already started to fracture. Jason could see the green fields in the distance disintegrating. Like a wave, the destruction was rushing toward them at high speed.

"How am I supposed to find these truths you speak of?

- Travel the world and uncover its secrets, my child. If you can't discover what you seek, it's because some beings want to hide the truth from you.

- And what should I do then?"

The man took his time to answer, even though there was very little time left. The wave of destruction was now just a hundred meters away. At its speed, they had only seconds before it engulfed them.

"Follow your instincts. If they don't want you to uncover their secrets, you probably never will. One last thing—my brother will one day host an auction in Promesse. The final artifact will be a bunch of keys that unlocks certain truths, but it's not meant for you."

The wave swept over the two men. Jason vanished in its wake, but the being beside him did not. He looked around as though expecting someone to materialize in the surrounding void.

"Aren't you going to show yourself?"

The void remained silent.

"Aren't you glad to see your brother after all this time?"

The man's mood darkened.

"Why won't you let this world die?! If it had been me, I wouldn't have even given you the choice!"

"Enough."

It took only one word for the man to fall silent. It was a man's voice, though no one had appeared, as if the void itself were speaking.

"One day, you'll regret this, brother. You'll regret it!"

No one answered him. The voice had vanished, like a mirage, leaving the man alone in the darkness.