Chapter 5: The Boundary
The astral plane rippled with energy as six of the greatest beings in the multiverse gathered in the astral waters.
"He finally did it," the World Phoenix said to the Reaper.
"Yes, but at what cost? He may have repaired the throne, but every action has a price," the Reaper replied in a whisper.
"I think this is going to be so much fun. Nothing fun ever happens around here anymore," the Celestial Book chimed in.
"I'm sure someone would have fixed the throne eventually. It's just logic," the Builder said in a cold monotone voice devoid of any emotion.
"Who invited him? He's no fun," the Celestial Book laughed, rattling nearby universes.
"Shut up! Do you feel that?" Legion said. "Something's happening."
And then a box appeared in front of all the greater astral beings.
System notification: Administrator has risen from his throne. System Administrator has separated the malignant timeline from the rest of the multiverse.
"Something is wrong with the flow of time? He's cut this timeline off from the rest of the multiverse," the Keeper finally said.
Just then the World Phoenix let out a painful howl.
"And the fun begins," the Celestial Book said enthusiastically.
System notification: Aspects of the greater astral beings have been cut off from the main timeline.
"He's cut us off from the multiverse!" the Reaper said with a scowl.
The World Phoenix's true form swirled with red, orange, and bronze energy, forming shapes that no human mind could comprehend.
"What's happening to the World Phoenix?" Legion said with a scared undertone.
"It seems after Jason sat the Sundered Throne and cut us off from the rest of the multiverse, it changed the World Phoenix," the Keeper said.
Just then black flames burst forth so huge they could cover entire galaxies.
"The World Phoenix is trying to destroy this timeline!" Legion let out in a thunderstorm of energy.
"We have to stop her before she destroys us with it," the Keeper said.
"How do we stop her?" the Builder asked.
The Keeper stopped all of time.
"Just before she destroys this universe, I must reset it, and someone new will have to assume her role," the Keeper replied.
Just then all of the greater astral beings looked at the Builder.
"You want me to take her place?"
"We want you to rebuild the universe after I reset its base functions," the Keeper said.
"What will happen to the World Phoenix?" the Builder asked.
"She will be sanctioned to outside this timeline until we can reconnect this timeline with the multiverse and reconnect her with the main World Phoenix function. Until then, she will exist as the Boundary," the Reaper said.
"I make no promises this new timeline will be like the last," the Builder said.
"As long as we are not destroyed, you have the authority to do as you please, Builder," the Reaper said.
"Are we ready?" the Keeper chimed in. "She's almost done destroying everything."
"I'm ready," the Builder said.
"THIS IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN!" the Celestial Book let out a powerful laugh heard through all time.
In an instant, everything collapsed in on itself. An entire universe was folded and condensed into an atom, and then a huge bang! In an instant the universe was recreated; stars arose and died, forming galaxies in an instant. Time was rushing forward, 14 billion years condensed into a microsecond.
"It is done. You have rebuilt this universe," the Reaper said to the World Builder.
The World Builder glowed with silver flames.
"I feel new."
"You are new," the Builder added. "I need to show you something."
They appeared at the very edge of the universe where light can no longer penetrate, and then a mass of swirling eyes and tentacles formed in the darkness.
"Why did you bring me here?" the Builder said.
"Don't recognise it?"
"No."
"It's the World Phoenix — well, what's left of the World Phoenix. When the Keeper reset this timeline, the World Phoenix also underwent change. She's reverted back to her sub-functions. She's now the Boundary."
Then the Keeper appeared.
"We have sanctioned her, but we fear even that won't stop her from getting out and finishing off what she started," the Keeper of Time said.
"You, as the World Builder, must ensure this never happens. If she escapes her sanction before we can reunite with the main multiverse and our main counterparts, we will be lost forever."
Then all thrree greater astral beings disappeared
To be continued 😁