When suddenly I regained consciousness, still whole. Where was I? I did not know anything about it, I had landed in a place as idyllic as the Lost Idyll could have been if it had not succumbed to the embezzlement of this monster, whose goal was in the end totally unknown. As I got up, I looked around, which looked like a sort of very well-lit manor hall, with an entrance in the distance overlooking a lush green landscape. Lots of questions were going through my head, but I only wanted one thing: To know where I was and why I was there. Would I indeed be dead and would this be the so-called Garden of Eden? Why would it be a simple mansion, albeit highly luxurious? Venturing into this place, I saw a door other than the front door, open and leading to a balcony. Heading to that side door, I quietly poked my head to see what was there and saw two people sitting at a table admiring the landscape.

I barely had time to see who these two strangers were when one of them, male in appearance, called out to me. Stranger still, he called out to me by my real name. He then got up and came towards me. By the time he passed the threshold of the door and entered the hall, I had already shifted into a defensive position. I saw with astonishment that he found it funny, the fact that I was wary of him, and seemed to rehash the good old days. In a curiously kind way, he let me know that this place was safe from anything I could imagine and that I therefore had nothing to fear, either from the outside or from himself. This man, dressed in a classy way, seemed very familiar to me. I didn't know in what or how, but I felt like he and I had known each other for ages. Nonchalantly, he motioned for me to follow him and against all expectations, showed me around his mansion.

Although reluctant at first, I let myself be carried away and walked around the owner with, as a guide, this particularly convincing man. Sumptuous and neat bedrooms, other miscellaneous rooms, such as bathrooms and common living rooms, were spacious and completely new, as if absolutely no one had ever set foot there. The garden was also beautiful, all the fauna and flora that I had seen since leaving the Darkness Dimension were there, and more. A mysterious blur was visible in the distance and prevented to see the end of the horizon, as if the lands bordering this building were endless. Time passed quickly enough without my noticing it, and I almost forgot that I had suddenly appeared in this place following a multidimensional explosion. Along the way, I stopped, requesting the identity of the one I had followed without batting an eyelid. Looking at me in surprise, he smirked slightly and simply replied that he was in charge of the place with his wife, the one with whom he was having tea on the balcony on the ground floor before I arrived.

It is true that he was with another person before he joined me, and if I remember correctly, this person was decked out in a long and beautiful silky dress. Her face was hidden by a large hat hiding a dazzling light coming from the sky and imitating that of a star, which is part of why I couldn't see who she was exactly. I called on him, however, to tell me exactly who he was and why I was here. He could see that I would stay in my position and that I didn't intend to move until I had decent answers. He sighed then and indicated to me to follow him. I told him I wouldn't move without a response, but his look had changed, he was more serious now. So I resolved myself to follow him to a hidden room, away from the others, in which only a small dim light illuminated everything. He double closed the door and my doubts only intensified. Who was he ? What did he want from me? Where was I? The suspicious man finally pointed me to a sort of pedestal in the center of the room, topped with a shape like a compressed bulb.

Approaching cautiously, I saw nothing in the center of the form, it was only a pedestal that is most banal. It was then that the man asked me a question that I was not expecting.

Did you live well ?

I turned to him, puzzled. If I have lived well? I had never asked myself such a question. Would that mean that I was really dead? He was circling around the pedestal and talking about things that were surprisingly intimate to me. He knew too much about my life.

Inomite's death must have been difficult for you, right?

This sentence was too much. I then told him to repeat what he had just said, something he repeated casually. I propelled myself at him, but lifting his finger, he stopped me and took all power away from me. I was stunned, who was he after all ?! I had landed in an unknown place and then I was approached by someone who knew everything about my life. Seeing my incomprehension, the man asked me various small questions concerning me.

Have you ever wondered why you exist? Why are you ? What are you?

What were these questions? They are literally the ones I have always asked myself all this time since my deliverance from the Darkness Dimension. Puzzled as usual, I put my questions down. Instead of answering me, he preferred to present the central pedestal to me once again. It was definitely nothing special, it was just a marble pedestal, certainly stylized, but commonplace. Suddenly, a glow escaped from it and the form acting as a compressed bulb opened delicately. Surprised, I looked into his center and was stunned by what I saw. The interior of the bulb was a whole dimension and completely dark, to plunge the hand into it would be like plunging his hand in oil because the space here was so dark. But what shocked me the most was not this frightening darkness, it was something in the center of this chaotic emptiness, one thing alone, curled up, seeming to wait for someone to help her. This fragile little thing reminded me very well of something. Or rather someone.

It was impossible, would it be a simple vision of past events? But how ? Questioned and doubtful, I turned to the man, and my doubts were satisfied. The man looked at me with an amused air, he seemed to see in me his own person, and for good reason. As if to finally answer my questions from earlier, he raised his right hand down and generated a hat. A straw hat, which he put on his head with dignity. I couldn't believe it, it was hard to believe, but this man whom I had asked a lot of questions about was similar to me, it was actually just me. I was definitely lost.

Your coming to this world is not trivial, your new residence is now this huge mansion above all worlds, we were both once destined to land here sooner or later. It's not a story of fate, we make sure to come here unintentionally.

My new residence? Not trivial? I wanted answers as to what was going on.

To tell you the truth, I myself don't know why I once appeared here, but this mansion is everything my being ever wanted. So to speak, the mansion is me and I am the mansion.

Reflecting on his words, it meant that since we were the same entity initially, I was also this place myself. But I had never heard of such stories before, it seemed incredible to me. That said, in view of all the adventures that I had lived and especially the torments that I underwent for so many times, the existence of other me no longer seemed so absurd to me in the end. Future Straw, as I called him, then indicated to me that the entity that had once taken him out of the Darkness Dimension was none other than himself, or somehow myself.

You never had to depend on anyone else, you were always sufficient in your incredible epic. Or should I say we have always been enough.

As I watched the pedestal with that sight of a still desolate me surrounded by darkness, I was pained. Future Straw motioned for me to plunge my hand into this bulb in order to give me energy, as it was the case from time immemorial. But I preferred to ask the man in front of me one last question.

Who is the woman who was next to me? Huhu, I see you still haven't noticed. Summon your Pepsi stands.

Interrogative, I summoned Pepsi Shooter, Pepsi Metalica and Pepsi Steel Goddess. However, only Pepsi Steel Goddess did not come. Instead, I got a more colorful version and a much bigger boobs. Although much more bimbo, this equally feminine Pepsi stand reminded me of an angel. Go find out why, but so, and it got her the name Pepsi Angel. Why had Pepsi Steel Goddess shrunk in this "younger" version? I don't know a bit about it, maybe Pepsi Steel Goddess only showed up then, or maybe she only showed up at the most dangerous times, at the way of Pepsi Modira. Anyway, I had all of my current Pepsi stands summoned and was waiting to find out why he asked me that. It was then that he told me to separate the two male Pepsi stands from Pepsi Angel. Once done, he walked over to her and observed her.

I had forgotten the pair she had in this form.

Without understanding the reason for this sentence, I punched him in the head to tell him to continue, annoyed. So he resumed and touched Pepsi Angel's forehead with the same finger as before. At this moment, Pepsi Angel staggered and fell backwards, I didn't know what he had done, but it worried me. When suddenly, Pepsi Angel lit up with a thousand lights, dazzling the whole room with its light, then slowly dimming. When I saw what was in the place of Pepsi Angel, I was struck by an indescribable torrent of emotions. Sadness, joy, despair and anger too. On the ground, unconscious, stood the one for whom I had caused all this madness. The one that made me regret existing when she disappeared, the one for whom my own life was less important, my dear, my sweet, my tender Inomite.

<< M-My head ... >>

The first thing I thought about was hugging her. Confused, she didn't understand why I was hugging her so tightly and suddenly. Behind my back, Future Straw looked at us, touched. As I stood up and helped her do the same, Future Straw explained the situation to us. During my final confrontation against the monstrous thing below, I had taken a large part of her powers with my lariat. Obviously, my gift of copying had morphed into a gift of absorbing power through touch, even though all my powers had been siphoned off. By touching her therefore, I absorbed a large part of her strength. In the process, I unwittingly recovered the sorry soul of Inomite the entity was devouring. She had yet been erased from existence, this monster probably revived his victims of nothingness then ate them greedily, it is a safe bet that some victims had died there is long, a long time already.

While recovering my powers, something must have happened with Inomite's soul, and when calling my Pepsi stands, I resurrected it as a piece of my own pure essence, or a Pepsi stand. I never expected to be capable of such a feat, but it was.

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So is it. Inomite was absorbed into your own existence and you were able to give her a chance to exist again, and as I just did, I gave her a new body by pulling her out of your pure essence. I was like you during this discovery, don't worry. Didn't you notice one of the Soda-powers that Inomite had?

It was unexpected, but I was with Inomite again, although she had a small scar on her right cheek. She was just as shocked as I was and didn't seem to remember her time of existence as Pepsi stand. Regarding Inomite's Soda-power that Future Straw had mentioned, I knew which he was talking about as well as why he was titillating my attention. As quoted in his description, Inomite's soul must have merged with me when I expressed all these moments of love to her, from her return to the Lost Idyll to the passage preceding the lariat.

Of course, you will no longer have access to Pepsi Angel and its evolution Pepsi Steel Goddess. Does this suit y...

Before I even let him finish, I let him know that pulling out a Pepsi stand or two was nothing compared to reuniting with the one I loved more than anything. Future Straw was smiling, probably because he too had cut the Future Straw before him by then.

Well, that was what I expected. Oh, I need to talk to you about something too.

I was all ears. He then motioned for me to group Pepsi Shooter and Pepsi Metalica together, which I did. With a wave of his hand, he separated Pepsi Shooter from Pepsi Modira, which confused me, and put them side by side.

Join your hands to each other. Inomite, stand to the right and give your hand to Pepsi Metalica. Straw, do the same with Pepsi Modira, so that Pepsi Shooter in the center of the five of you. Okay, let's get started.

He then began to chant indescribable and implausible words. Without realizing it, we began, Inomite and I, to chant the same thing. Hand in hand, together, with my Pepsi stands in line, they all began to shine as they have many times in the past. But there it was different. It was a glimmer that I had never perceived, something that I never knew how to describe despite my countless intellectual skills. I suddenly felt my hand melt into Pepsi Modira, as it did with Inomite and Pepsi Metalica. Once those two Pepsi stands were gone, we found ourselves in the hands of Pepsi Shooter. Even he was puzzled. From one moment to another, Future Straw intensified his words and picked up the pace. We suddenly felt a great wave run through us, extremely powerful, like an electric shock. I also saw Pepsi Shooter arching back, as in tremendous pain, as did Inomite. Future Straw then suddenly opened his arms, and closed them crossing them.

As by telekinesis, we were carried away by his gestures, and during his knockdown, I was struck by Inomite and she by me, crushing Pepsi Shooter. At the end of the ritual, we had crossed each other, without damage, and we looked at each other with a puzzled look. As for Pepsi Shooter and the others, they had disappeared who knows where, only Future Straw seemed to know.

Do you feel something run through you?

Indeed, my body was burning with new energy like no other before. Inomite felt a drastic change in her. In wanting to summon Pepsi Modira or Pepsi Metalica nothing came, it was as if all had really disappeared, even from my being.

Try with Pepsi Shooter.

I called Pepsi Shooter and something unexpected happened. My whole body was seized with a titanic desire to explode, and when I unconsciously released all my energy, a new being appeared. In every way similar to Pepsi Shooter, there emanated from this entity an immeasurably suffocating power, even to me. He possessed one of the most overwhelming charisma, his mere presence instilled and forced respect and admiration.

I think you'll find a worthy name for the ultimate evolution of your very first Pepsi stand.

Asking him what he had done to us, he replied simply.

I just awakened your true potential. Pepsi stands are manifestations of our essence and our being, this new Pepsi stand is the representation of your heyday, no more and no less. In him are concentrated all your old Pepsi stands and exploits, you are this Pepsi stand, he is you.

All my talent and my thoughts were thus gathered in this most sparkling entity, it was fabulous. But something remained in my head, that of why all this.

You must be wondering why all this is happening to you suddenly, without warning. Tell yourself that this is the reason for your existence. Level up and become the most powerful entity of all worlds in order to rule them, you can sum it up as your goal. Xenochronia's explosion was only the trigger for your final ascension.

The reason why I am, why I exist, I had apparently found. He hadn't detailed who this thing named Xenochronia was, although I thought I guessed it. I didn't know how to thank Future Straw, but he gave me a nod of self-satisfaction, so that I knew he didn't need any recognition. Then suddenly, he clapped his hands.

Guess the site visit is over! I hope you enjoyed this, especially you, Past Straw.

He winked at me at the mention of that nickname. It was a bit awkward, but good-natured. However, I did not understand why he said that. Visit finished? We were still in this famous guided tour? What did that mean? He then walked to the door of the room and looked at me.

I am proud of the progress I have been able to make. Consider all this as a gift from me, for your good continuation. Increase your domination over the worlds and ESPECIALLY, take good care of Inomite. Cherish her and she will give it back to you.

Inomite and I looked at each other in a accomplice look. Then a voice was heard from outside, in the hallway leading to the room in which we were.

Have you finished ?

It was a woman's voice, no doubt the woman Future Straw was with before I arrived here.

Yes honey, we're done. I arrive.

Behind him, I saw the woman in question, still with her parasol, hiding her face, and this beautiful dress. She was resplendent, and seeing my admiring expression, Inomite was a little jealous. It was then that the woman bared her face slightly, so that I could see the below. Not far from her smile, I saw a scar. On the right cheek. I finally understood the why and how, and turned to Inomite who was dubious. The instant Future Straw left the room, he muttered something that only I could oddly hear.

The end is just the beginning. You know it better than anyone.

The couple left on these words and disappeared around the corner of the door. As Inomite rushed outside to see where they were going, I looked at my hands, then at the pedestal.

<< T-They disappeared ! >>

I had understood his message and all the others. Looking fervently at the compressed bulb of the marble pedestal, I observed this thing so lonely I once was, surrounded by darkness and nightmares. Decided, I plunged my hand into it and parted the thin film that covered the surface of the globe. Generating a high comforting light, I brought hope and salvation to the one below, very frail and desperate. In my optimism, I felt the power of this new Pepsi stand that had been offered to me. Because of his status as the ultimate Pepsi stand and being the final form of my very first Pepsi stand, I convincingly named him Prime Pepsi Shooter. After removing my hand, I saw the little being disappear and the film covering the globe of the compressed bulb reform. It echoed my independence, I understood the last line of Future Straw more and more.

The bulb having closed, I left the room and stood in the middle of the hall of the manor. This was where my home was now, a sumptuous mansion, shiny new but with a warm subdued atmosphere. With a quick glance, I saw this famous balcony, now empty. As I went to look, I saw a letter on the table, scented with a scent reminding me of Inomite.

<< I welcome you to your new home. You went through many hardships before getting here, but tell yourself that all your ailments and problems are now over. This place, beyond all worlds, is devoid of all the concepts that have hurt you so much.

You are not fooled, I think you guessed who was the woman accompanying your other you, as well as the person at the origin of this letter. Know that I love you and that I loved you the mere moment you saved my miserable existence. I will never thank you enough for what you have done, so cherish me until I can no longer be able to, hoping that this moment never comes. >>

- Your future wife, Inomite Kami -

This letter moved me, a real aura of love emanated from it, the one that seemed so fragile to me seemed to have grown up terribly. Turning the letter over, I saw another word, this time from Future Straw.

<< PS : Small clarification on what exactly this place is.

This mansion, which we named the same as you would, is beyond any world you may have visited. Being a manifestation of your being just like your Pepsi stands, your thoughts come true there. Everything that is and is not in the lower worlds converges there as well, including things like the Cults that you have observed here and there. You embody these Cults, both positively and negatively, do not forget it, so it is normal to warn you that your Dogmatic Axiom skill is now useless to you. After all, the Cults are now in you, they are a part of you and are only extensions of your being.

In doing so, you know pretty much everything about your new home. Hoping that the rest of your life will be filled with happiness with your dear companion. >>

- Yourself, Tristan Kami -

By "beyond the worlds", I understood what Future Straw was saying. I had also forgotten the existence of Cults with all these events, but it was good to know. So to speak, this mansion was a giant Pepsi stand, the thought made me laugh. Finishing reading the entire letter and putting it back on the table, I sat down on one of the two chairs, the one where Future Straw had previously sat. I saw Inomite protrude from the doorway, and told her to join me. She also sat down, albeit timidly, on the other chair, the one borrowed by her other her a short time ago. Both seated, we gazed peacefully at this infinite landscape of greenery which loomed up to a horizon that we could not perceive. After all his adventures, I could finally ask myself without having a question scrolling through my head like a torpedo, it was a paradise as I had imagined it when I arrived, although in a slightly more different way. Inomite was staring at me, wondering what she had. She suddenly moved closer and rested her head on my shoulder. Surprised, I did the same and we spent moment contemplating this magnificent setting.

During the years that followed, if at least the concept of time existed here, we lived as a quiet couple. I loved spending time with Inomite, visiting this illustrious mansion, remodeling it to my liking, we did what we wanted with it. I was particularly surprised when Inomite, after all careful preparation on his part and without my knowing it, asked me in marriage in the quiet gardens bordering the mansion, if we could call this a marriage despite the fact that there were only two of us. I had no idea that the request had come directly from Inomite for my other me, and after a wistful laugh, I hugged her and nodded with all the power my voice could offer. Our existence might seem bland, calm and trouble-free to everyone, but every moment we spent together was a moment we cherished from the bottom of our being. Without my determination, I would never have reached this new idyll. Without Inomite, this idyll would have been incomplete. Her simple presence thus filled me for incalculable time, a happiness beyond the pleasures of which I would never tire.

A long time later, as we were having tea, seated around the balcony table, observing the landscape as usual, we received visitors. A visit that brings back many memories. Inomite and I looked at each other with a accomplice air, and even before the thing having entered our home emerges from the doorway, I called out in a loud but welcoming voice.

My dear Tristan Kami, I was waiting for you.