Novels2Search

Chapter 3

The soul began to transform in the infinite void, where time and space intertwined into a seamless expanse of nothingness. The presence that had pierced the darkness now spoke with an authority that brooked no defiance.

"I am nameless, yet tasked with judging countless souls. Does my lack of name affect my purpose?"

The omnipotent being, its form shimmering with ancient wisdom, responded with a hint of humour, "Ah, nameless one, in this realm, your name is the Judge—a title that echoes through the corridors of time and resonates across infinite narratives. It matters not what labels others may bestow upon you; what matters is the integrity and clarity you bring to your judgments."

The soul nodded thoughtfully, sensing the weight and honour of being known simply as the Judge. "So, I shall be the Judge, wielding cosmic authority without the need for a formal introduction?" it quipped, a smile playing at the edges of its existential ponderings.

"Indeed, you shall be known as The Judge," the presence proclaimed, its voice resonating with a power echoing through the void's very fabric. "You are entrusted with a sacred duty: to evaluate and pass judgment upon characters from across all realities, dimensions, and the vast expanse of space-time."

The soul, now The Judge, felt a surge of purpose within him, a flame of determination igniting in the abyss. He was no longer a drifting fragment of existence; he had a role, a mission. The presence continued, explaining the immense responsibility and the tools at his disposal.

"Judge," the omnipotent being intoned, its voice carrying the weight of aeons, "the purpose of your existence transcends the pursuit of strength in the vast expanse of the omniverse. It is not about wielding power or asserting dominance but cultivating wisdom and discernment."

And remember," the omnipotent being added with a knowing smile, "the wisest among us often wield influence far greater than the strongest. Your purpose, Judge, is to embody this wisdom—to be the beacon of light amidst the infinite darkness, guiding souls with fairness and enlightenment."

The Judge, absorbing the weight of its cosmic charge, couldn't help but interject with a touch of levity, "So, I'm more of a cosmic sage than a cosmic bodybuilder?"

The omnipotent being chuckled softly, the sound resonating through the void like distant celestial laughter. "Precisely," it replied, "Wisdom carries a weight that no mere physical strength can match. Your journey will be to illuminate the path with insight, not biceps."

The Judge nodded thoughtfully, embracing the idea of wielding wisdom as its greatest asset in the unfolding saga of existence. With a wry smile, it mused, "I suppose I'll leave the heavy lifting to others, then."

The omnipotent being's smile widened, acknowledging the Judge's humour amidst the gravity of their conversation. "Indeed," it agreed, "Your strength lies in discernment and understanding. Embrace it, and you shall illuminate the cosmos with a brilliance that transcends mere physical might."

"A system shall assist you," the presence declared. "It will summon before you beings from the omniverse, those who span the spectrum of existence—from the weakest to the strongest, the wisest to the most cunning, the famous to the hidden. You will encounter those who wield power yet remain idle, those who misuse their influence, those corrupted by it, those inherently cruel, hypocrites, and those driven by an insatiable compulsion to do evil."

As the presence spoke, a shimmering orb of light materialized before The Judge. It pulsed with a rhythmic energy, casting a soft glow that dispelled the surrounding darkness. This was his assistant, a conduit through which the characters would be summoned.

"Through this system," the presence explained, "you will gain insights into the hearts and minds of those you judge. You will witness their actions, understand their motivations, and determine their fates. Your judgments will echo across the multiverse, shaping the balance of good and evil, justice and corruption."

The Judge reached out, and as his essence touched the orb, he felt an overwhelming rush of knowledge and power. The void around him began to shift, transforming into a grand hall filled with ethereal light and shadow. Thrones and pedestals appeared, upon which the summoned characters would stand, awaiting his judgment.

With a sense of solemn duty, The Judge took his place at the centre of the hall. The orb floated beside him, ready to fulfil its purpose. He could feel the weight of the responsibility settling upon him, but also the clarity and strength that came with his new role.

"Let the judgments begin," The Judge declared, his voice resonating with newfound authority. The orb glowed brighter.

But before the process could commence, the presence spoke once more, its tone grave and cautionary. "Do not let this power get to your head. This authority is not given to you for enjoyment or personal gain. Beware, and tread carefully in your judgments. For there may come a day when you too will stand before The Judge of the End, and your actions will be weighed in the balance."

The Judge nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the warning. Then, with a wry smile, he added, "Got it. No power trips, no ruling with an iron fist, and no throwing people into eternal darkness just because they cut in line at the supermarket."

The presence seemed to pause as if considering The Judge's humour. "Precisely. And remember, the supermarket incident is not justification for eternal damnation."

The Judge chuckled, feeling a bit lighter. "Alright, let's get this show on the road."

The orb shimmered and a voice emanated from it, introducing itself, {Greetings, Judge. I am Assistant, your AI companion. Together, we will ensure fair and thorough judgments.}

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The Judge nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and responsibility. "Nice to meet you, Assistant."

"Ah, before I go, let me introduce you properly to Assistant," the being announced, its voice resonating with a hint of amusement. "Assistant here is not just any AI. It's a marvel of the peak of technology plus magic the omniverse has to offer, capable of summoning characters from across realities faster than you can say 'Abracadabra.'"

Assistant, hovering nearby in the form of a shimmering orb, emitted a faint glow of acknowledgement.

"{That's right, Judge}," Assistant chimed in, its voice crisp and efficient. "{I'm here to assist you in every way possible—summoning characters, accessing information across timelines, and presenting it all in a neat holographic display. Think of me as your cosmic Swiss army knife, minus the corkscrew and toothpick.}"

The Judge chuckled, intrigued by the celestial description. "No corkscrew, huh? You're more useful than some fake products I've encountered."

The omnipotent being nodded sagely. "Indeed, Assistant is equipped with knowledge spanning the cosmos. It can peer through the fabric of reality itself, extracting truths, lies, and the occasional embarrassing childhood memory."

Assistant glowed brighter, seemingly proud of its capabilities.

"{And if you ever need a quick joke or a morale-boosting meme, I've got those too}," Assistant added with a touch of digital cheerfulness. "{Because even amid judgment, a bit of humour can lighten the cosmic load.}"

The Judge grinned, feeling reassured by the Assistant's versatility. "Good to know. I'll keep that in mind when things get... cosmically heavy."

The Judge, now fully aware of the weight of his responsibility, stood at the centre of the grand hall, surrounded by the shimmering light of the summoning orb and the lingering presence of the omnipotent being.

"Judge," the omnipotent being's voice echoed once more, imbued with solemnity, "remember that your judgments must transcend personal bias. You must judge not from your perspective, but from the viewpoint of the beings you summon and the situations they faced."

The Judge nodded solemnly, understanding the importance of impartiality. "I will strive to see each case from their perspective, to understand their motivations and the complexities of their choices."

Assistant, ever logical and precise, chimed in with a reminder, "{Judge, it's crucial to analyze each character's intentions and actions within the context of their universe and circumstances. This will ensure fairness and justice in your judgments.}"

"Indeed," the omnipotent being agreed. "Each being you judge exists within their reality, shaped by unique experiences and challenges. Your task is to discern the truth beneath the surface, to untangle the threads of their lives with wisdom and empathy."

The Judge felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination. "I will approach each judgment with an open mind and a compassionate heart," he declared.

"As you should," the omnipotent being affirmed. "Remember, your decisions will resonate far beyond this hall. They will influence the balance of the multiverse itself."

The Judge, standing resolute in the grand hall, absorbed the final words of guidance from the omnipotent being. As the presence prepared to depart, a mischievous glint appeared in its ethereal form.

"And remember, Judge," the omnipotent being intoned with a hint of whimsy, "if you ever find yourself tempted to misuse your power, just imagine the chaos if I were to intervene."

The Judge raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Are you suggesting you'd step in and take over the judging?"

The omnipotent being chuckled softly, its presence shimmering. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. But I might drop by for a celestial cup of tea and critique your judging skills from time to time."

The Judge laughed, a weight lifting from his shoulders. "I'll hold you to that. A celestial critique could be just what I need."

With a final nod of farewell, the omnipotent being began to fade from view, its voice echoing faintly in the hall. "Until we meet again, Judge. May your judgments be just, your heart compassionate, and your tea always celestial."

As the presence vanished into the depths of the void, The Judge turned to Assistant with a grin. "Well, Assistant, looks like it's just you and me now."

Assistant, the AI companion, interjected with a logical tone, "{Judge, as you are still a novice in this role, I suggest we begin with characters from one of the most famous and expansive universes: Harry Potter. This timeline offers a rich tapestry of individuals spanning naive heroes, Manipulative side characters, naive villains, and everything in between.}"

Assistant, always composed and logical, continued with a gentle reminder, "{Judge, as you begin your journey in this role, it's crucial to approach each character with impartiality and clarity. Take, for example, Luna Lovegood in different timelines. In reality, she remains the quirky and kind-hearted girl we know. However, in another timeline, circumstances led her down a darker path. She became an insane seer, driven by visions of power and control. Eventually, she rose to become a tyrannical queen, ruling with an iron fist over a vast magical empire.}"

"{Luna Lovegood discovers Tom Riddle's diary, unwittingly trapping his malevolent spirit within her mind. Using her seer abilities, initially dismissed as eccentric, Luna harnesses Riddle's knowledge to rise as the Queen of a magical empire within two decades.}"

"{In the end, despite her ascension to power and her alliance with Tom Riddle's trapped, her journey took a tragic turn.}

{Later on, as Harry Potter finally succumbed to old age, Death and Fate found themselves faced with an unexpected predicament. Harry, the Boy Who Lived, had lived a long and fulfilling life, yet the prophecy that had once defined his existence remained unfulfilled. Voldemort, though powerless, had not met his end.}

"{Part of Voldemort, still alive and trapped by Luna, had evaded his destined end. To restore balance, Death and Fate erased Luna, undoing her unintended influence. Luna's final words resonated with her signature whimsy and unconventional wisdom, 'Well, I suppose I've managed to stir up Death and Fate in this world. Hermione always did say I was a bit loony, didn't she?}"

After a moment of thoughtful silence, The Judge leaned back in his cosmic chair, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Fascinating," he mused aloud, his voice carrying a mix of admiration and intrigue. "Luna Lovegood, a soul whose whimsy and curiosity inadvertently altered the course of destiny itself. So destiny can be altered."

The Judge pondered aloud, his voice carrying a hint of scepticism, "Can Death and Fate truly alter timelines, Assistant? Or are they bound by the threads they weave?"

Assistant, ever logical, responded with precision, "{Judge, Death and Fate's influence extends only where they are sentient. In those realms, their actions can steer destinies, but they remain beholden to the rules that govern existence. In Luna Lovegood's case, She issued a quest that was the priority, her quest for crumple-horned Snorkacks could have led her entire empire to an existential crisis, as finding crumple-horned Snorkacks was considered taboo, risking the very fabric of their universe.}"

"Snorkacks?" the Judge chuckled, shaking their head. "Well, I've heard of seeking rare creatures, but risking the universe for a Snorkack hunt is quite eccentric and dangerous, isn't it?"

With a renewed sense of understanding of some special taboos, The Judge turned his focus to the first case, contemplating the intricate interplay of cosmic forces and mortal whims that shaped the multiverse's unfolding narratives.

The Judge nodded in agreement. "Very well. Summon the first character from Harry Potter."