In the Forest of the Creator.
A solemn silence enveloped the vastness. The titanic roots of the ancient trees seemed to breathe, as if the forest itself were holding its breath.
In the center, a dozen guardians held a massive luminous barrier that pointed toward the heavens.toward the Red Moon, which still burned faintly in the distance.
Then, Alcanor appeared out of nowhere.He walked calmly, hands behind his back, as if time itself parted to let him pass.
Alcanor: You may deactivate the barrier. (serene voice) I have recreated the concept of "Cold." Everything has returned to its original state.
The guardians bowed reverently. The barrier dissolved into a cascade of golden light that faded toward the horizon. One of them stepped forward.
Guardian: My lord… could you tell us what happened out there? What caused such a powerful erasure from a lower plane?
Alcanor: (looking at the Red Moon) It's simple. An anomaly with the potential to break even this forest. —He extends his hand, encompassing the immensity of all creation— The supreme and eternal gods of the upper celestial plane of the Blue Moon were the only ones unaffected, but they felt the void of the lost concept. That means we are only halfway there, to the moment when Null awakens his true power. (smiles) And when that happens… the system and all of creation will tremble.
A burst of energy materialized beside him, time itself cracked.It was Alanai, whose eyes shone with curiosity and slight exasperation.
Alcanor: (sighs) What are you doing here, Alanai?
Alanai: (crosses her arms) And you still ask?! I felt a massive distortion throughout creation and then… an entire major concept disappeared! I tried to track it, but my omniscience doesn't work there.
Alcanor: That's normal. I knew because I saw it directly.
Alanai: And who was it? It could erase the concept across all moons… and almost reached this forest if the guardians hadn't acted.
Alcanor: (soft laugh) Someone you wouldn't imagine. The anomaly, Null. He's starting to awaken.
Alanai: (surprised) I see. Makes sense my omniscience can't reach that point. I just hope he doesn't try to take my place! If he does, I'll destroy him, anomaly or not. (sighs, then jokes) Well then, goodbye, my little love.
Alcanor: (sighs) Do you really have to invent a new nickname every time?
Alanai laughs and disappears in a flash that shattered space itself.
Alcanor sighs, regenerates the space, and then sits beneath a crystalline tree, gazing toward the Red Moon. His eyes —infinite, impossible— open, and his omniscience and the All-Seeing Eye merge. Thus, he observes Null and his companions directly, through layers and eras.
Alcanor: This will be interesting, without a doubt.
Meanwhile, in the Frozen Hell.
The cutting wind returned.Azrael and Nevaeh took refuge inside a cave, shivering.
Azrael: (grumbling) Damn it… why did everything suddenly turn into a frozen hell again?
Nevaeh: (sighs) At least that monster isn't here…
Deeper inside, Null lay on the ground, unconscious.Azrael watched him and sighed.
Azrael: I still can't forget what happened that time —when Null became pure anomaly. shakes his head— This guy isn't normal at all. Words like "logic" or "coherent" don't apply to him.
Nevaeh: (nods) What matters is that he saved us. That's enough. Null is still on our side, right?
Azrael: Yes, but… (looks down) If he returns to that state, we must be careful. Alcanor was clear: that anomaly can erase even large-scale concepts.
Nevaeh nods silently.Suddenly, Null moves. He gasps in exhaustion, touches his head, and sits up.His eyes, normal once more, blink for a moment.He remembers fragments. Then he suddenly stands.
Null: Where is the Devourer?!
Azrael sighs and hits him sharply on the head.
Azrael: Silence! That monster no longer exists. You… (pauses) You don't remember?
Null: (confused, rubbing his head) Remember what…?
Azrael and Nevaeh exchange glances.
Azrael: It doesn't matter. Let's just say… we defeated it together. End of story.
Null: (sighs) I'll believe you. I don't want to think anymore with this headache.
Nevaeh: (smiles softly) I'm glad you woke up, Null.I wish I could cook something, but… (looks at the freezing air) Without fire, we can't heat anything again.
Azrael: (smiles, stroking her hair) Don't worry. Let's just rest. We've earned it.
Null stays thoughtful.Then, he raises his hand, and a system window opens before him.
System:
You have defeated the Devourer of the Glacial Void.
Rewards obtained:
– Element of Ice
– Roar of the Devourer of the Glacial Void
– Hardening
Unique: Transcend to Purgatory (can only be used once)
Another window appears, this time distorted.The code flickers, glitching, with impossible characters moving outside the frame.
Glitched Window:
ANOMALY
ACCEPT or ACCEPT
Null: (raises an eyebrow) No cancel option?
He tries to close it. Nothing — the window reappears, this time with more intensity.It keeps reappearing again and again, until he sighs, and accepts.A glitch runs through his body, his soul, his entire existence.The air crackles with white noise. Null trembles for a moment, then falls to his knees.Finally, the process stops.
Null: (panting) What the hell was that…? —He looks at his hands, they're no longer flickering— they're normal again.
He sighs, nervous, and accepts the rest of the rewards. Then, he walks toward the other two.
Null: Let's go. It's time to move on to the next phase.
Azrael: (watching him cautiously) Next phase? Another dimension? Another layer of the Red Moon?
Null: (nods slowly) Another layer… more complex. And more dangerous.
Nevaeh: (swallows) Now I'm scared.
Azrael: (smiles reassuringly) Don't worry, Nevaeh. I'll protect you.
Null: (closes his eyes) Transcend.
A blinding light envelops them.The frozen hell disappears.And when the light fades.They are no longer anywhere that can be understood.Only darkness.And the feeling that the universe is watching them.