The air grew thick as the ancient figure stepped into the light. His body was humanoid, draped in ragged robes that seemed to shift between realities—made of time itself. His eyes, unlike anything mortal or divine, reflected no stars… only void.
Akarshan whispered, "Who is that…?"
Even Ravanaari looked confused. "He… feels older than Father…"
Ash narrowed his gaze. "You're not part of this universe."
The figure chuckled softly, voice like the grinding of ancient stones. "Correct. I am Naasiru, a Remnant of the First Cycle… a Supreme Being from before even your existence."
The entire hall froze.
Naasiru raised his hand, revealing a faded emblem etched into his palm—a spiral devouring a sun.
"In the beginning, there was not one Supreme Being… but many. We ruled universes across the void. But madness comes for all. One by one, they fell into entropy. You, Ash, were born from the final spark of rebellion—one of us who rejected the cycle… and created life to defy the void."
Ash clenched his fists. "I created this world to break the loop… to make something that mattered."
Naasiru smiled. "And yet here you are, wrapped in another prophecy, surrounded by followers, trying to stop destruction again. The cycle repeats, no matter the form."
The gods murmured, disturbed.
Sarina asked, "Why reveal yourself now?"
Naasiru stepped closer. "Because Ash has broken fate. His rebirth was never meant to happen. His memory was meant to return in a thousand years, not now. Something accelerated it… and that something, or someone, must be erased."
Ash looked at his friends. "You're saying they are the flaw?"
Naasiru said nothing.
But his eyes flicked toward Sarina.
Akarshan stepped forward. "If you lay a hand on any of us, I'll—"
"You'll what, mortal?" Naasiru's voice shook the chamber. "You think this is a tale of good versus evil? This is a battle of cosmic law. If Ash defies it again… the entire multiverse will collapse."
Ash's aura flared, golden and dark. "Then let it collapse."
The chamber quaked. Time bent slightly around him. The gods gasped.
Naasiru stepped back, stunned.
"You…" he whispered, "you've begun Awakening Phase II. You're regaining your true form."
Ash's voice turned calm but absolute. "I choose my own cycle now. If you want to stop me—come."
Lightning crackled through the sky.
Naasiru vanished in a blink, but not before muttering, "We are not finished, Ash. The Old Ones will rise… and they remember you."
The chamber remained silent.
Sarina reached for Ash's hand.
He took it, breathing heavily.
And whispered, "Now we face enemies even I forgot existed."
---