—Fragmented Memories in the Void
There is no time in the Void.
No warmth. No pain. No voice.
Only a name, echoing from nowhere:
"Matt..."
His soul drifted through nothing.
Unformed. Unspeaking.
Yet... alive.
Shards of memory drifted like broken constellations. He floated past the scent of burned stone. A lullaby in an ancient tongue. A mother's trembling hands. A blade that never drew breath but always knew blood.
He was not yet reborn.
But he was not forgotten.
The Whisperer found him first.
A voice deeper than fear.
"You were sentenced by gods who lie. Erased for being possible."
Matt's essence stirred.
"What are you?"
"I am the space between truths. The power cast aside. I am Void."
"Are you real?"
"Real enough to offer you a choice. Remain here—unmade. Or take my flame and begin again."
A flicker of silver-black fire spun into the dark. It wrapped around Matt's fragmented soul like armor.
He felt pain.
Then weight.
Then breath.
The Void spoke again:
"I will not control you. But I will follow. Your rage is mine. Your mercy... is your own."
"Why me?"
"Because you burned beautifully."
Matt fell.
Through layers of light.
Through dimensions sealed by godblood.
He fell toward Earth.
Toward a life without memory.
Toward a war he would spark again.
And as he fell, the stars did not weep.
They watched.
---
End of Flashback Arc.
Matt Salurga's origin is complete.