Flames, they raged with furious beauty and divine glory as an ancient indignation fueled their emergence. They were like a raging tide set free from the shackles of tyrants, swallowing entire worlds in their blistering presence. And yet, they seem to hold no intent to kill and destroy. They only wish for the worlds to know their pain, the struggles they had to endure in their long-forgotten imprisonment. The Flames were alive, and they too seek a freedom unique to them alone.
Within a dark and desolate universe lacking any sort of vitality, a man with long white hair clad in a pitch black armour remained seated upon a throne made of ash. All around him many different living beings who quite distinctly lacked the breath of life within them knelt toward him in reverence and worship, seeking peace and safety in his presence. None dared raise their heads toward him as seeing him was a privilege that only a few are afforded. Thus none of them could see the black-red flames that had erupted from his body.
None but a single woman whose body did not seem quite like the others'. Her body was made of ash and crystals that seemed to mimic the body of a human, but there was a slight difference. It was subtle, but a keen eye would spot the distinct separation of parts of her body, especially at her joints. Those who could see this would recognise her for what she was—a doll.
The doll wore an elegant black and white robe befitting a queen. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, exuding an aura of suffocating control as though a single word from her was enough to make everyone end themselves if she so wished. But she did not care about such a power. At the moment, her face was filled with panic as she rushed toward the man on the throne, her eyes looking alternately between the black-red flames surrounding the man and the sudden strange phenomenon on his chest.
The pitch black armour began corroding from the centre of his chest as though devoured by the flames. It left a gaping hole the size of a fist that was eerily empty, not even showing a glimpse of the man's internal organs. But in the moment, even more black-red flames erupted from within that hole like a divine stake meant to pierce the man's very soul. These flames were even more intense as they carried an undeniable Will to burn all things. But with a simple cold snort, the man easily tamed the raging flames, condensing them into a dark ruby encrusted upon his very body.
"Are you okay?!"
The doll asked in worry and helplessness. She could not help him even when she was so close as she could feel the flames would have burnt her to nothingness if she so much as touched it. The man nodded silently, his eyes, like a drop of moonlight, gazed gently into the dolls' which resembled his own. It was as though the moon had blessed them with its final essence, a cold yet unyielding will to survive. The doll, thinking he was once again hiding the gravity of the situation from her, became furious.
"Who was it?! Was it that damned skeleton?! Only he uses powerful flames in this universe! Wait for me here! I'll make sure to drag him into the Wailing Abyss this time!"
The doll was enraged as her saviour was attacked right in front of her and she could do nothing about it. Although she was more powerful than before, she still felt incredibly weak and powerless during the times that actually mattered. Even after ravaging the universe and being called the Apocalypse Doll, she never once felt satisfied. Her previous failures haunted her constantly in this new life. But just as she was about to turn around and leave, the man held her hand and pulled her to him.
"Don't bother. None of them are powerful enough to wield this flame. Besides, this flame had been with me from the beginning, burning me endlessly. I am the ash left in its wake. However..."
The man touched the dark crimson jewel on his chest still blazing with a terrifying power. It glowed mysteriously as though responding to him. The man could feel its excitement and its longing. The ethereal lines all around him, visible only under his gaze, all trembled as well. He thought back to the recent unusual activities within the universe, especially how the other leaders were gathering. His eyes glowed with a deep crimson light as he saw more and more threads being formed, destroyed and formed again. The universe was changing, but the changes were not limited to this universe alone.
"The Flames have come to bathe us once more. But do not think for a single second that I will leave you two unpunished. This body made of ash is a testament to your sins. Karma shall judge you, Uriah, Yulaiah."
Hearing the man's words, the doll trembled and fell silent. It was not her place to speak on these matters, especially when it involved those people. But regardless, she prayed that three of them would resolve their grudges peacefully. It would be a long time before they meet, but perhaps in that time, some answers would come to her. And hopefully, they would be answers that could help her grow stronger. Because only in this life did she realise that in order to do anything, especially to attain one's wishes, she only needed absolute power.
As the man's words echoed within the hallowed ashen halls, the legion of ashen beings dispersed into a tide of grey as they went to different corners of the domain. The stretches of impossibly vibrant life amidst the laws of absolute and perpetual death made it a grand sanctuary whose walls must ever be protected. For that which is false, in a world that should have none, remains all too true.