[Tian] 2:59 (End of Book 2) (Patreon)

*********

“PATHETIC.”

Idu tossed aside Galgom’s body as he entered the chamber at the end of the hallway. The Pishitim waited for him. For the leader of the Void Pirates as he finally reached his goal. He chuckled, shaking his head.

“Honestly, I should’ve just dumped him in that false space outside of Elisium. I am sure Solium would’ve been more than happy to have a new plaything for a while.”

Idu paused, tapping a finger on his chin as his blade-hand returned to normal.

“Although, if Solium found our ship, he would’ve killed us all too,” he said with a shrug. “Oh, well. Too much of a risk, I guess. I could’ve at least dumped that traitor as a treat for some Voidbeasts to feast on. Alas, sometimes good ideas come too late.”

Idu’s metallic footsteps echoed in the cavern, eventually come to a stop as he paused right before the Pishitim. He couldn’t smile. But his visor flickered as he eyed his target. The core of Utana.

“So you are the God of this world, are you?” Idu said as he raised a hand. “I’m surprised. I’d have expected something more from a God.”

The Pishitim didn’t respond. Its focus was on the crumpled body of Galgom, lying lifeless just outside of the chamber. The core of Utana pulsed, its warmth washing over the corpse.

“You have redeemed yourself with your final act. May your soul rest in peace with the Elocunive, Galgom of the Cthseli.”

“Oh? I didn’t think you could talk.” Idu tilted his head curiously. “I was under the impression that system-worlds had mindless, unfeeling Gods.”

“You are correct, Idu of Babilim,” the Pishitim answered.

“Then how can you speak?” he asked, almost innocent-like in tone.

“Because I am not the God of Utana. I am simply its core. What you seek is the Elocunive, which you have brought to ruin by slaughtering the people of this world and bringing it to ruin.”

If Idu had eyes, he’d be blinking in shock right now. Instead, all he could do was stare at the Pishitim in utter confusion.

“What…?” He stumbled back. “You’re joking, right?”

“I am not. You may try to extract my power if you wish, but you will find nothing there you desire. Your own ruthlessness is what brought you to your own failure.”

“Liar…” Idu whispered.

The Pishitim just continued. “I speak only the truth. Give up in your quest to become a True God, Idu of Babilim. For it will only lead you to destruction. And when that happens, what little of your soul that remains will be erased from all existence forever.”

“LIAR!” Idu shouted, smashing the crystalline surface of the Pishitim.

There was a loud crack. The heart smashed open. Chunks of crystal flew outwards, and the machine spun around. But the Pishitim did not split open and crumble. The core of Utana was far more durable than breaking apart from a single strike.

Idu marched away from the core of Utana, sending a signal to the world above. A command that reached the army of machines and Void Pirates waiting for his orders.

“Extract the Pishitim’s powers. If there is anything of use, take it. If not, destroy it.”

He hung his head low as he walked off.

“And when we are done, I want nothing to remain of Utana. I want this world to be destroyed to its very last atom!”

The Void Pirates obeyed his command. They swarmed down below, reaching the Pishitim as it quietly watched these events unfold. It looked on as Idu prepared to leave— readying to obliterate all of this world.

Oh, Idu, but you are mistaken, thought the Pishitim. For Utana lives on as long as the Elocunive lives on. And the Elocunive will never die as long as its people continue to survive. You are… truly pursuing a hopeless endeavor.

And the Void Pirates began to raze the last remaining lands of Utana into nothingness. Until the world was completely gone.

*******

A young lady stood and watched the Sacred Beasts frolicking in the vast green fields. Dozens of white foxes ran after each other, playing together, feasting together, and learning together as the days went by.

But Tian could never join them. She was never accepted by the Sacred Beasts, even if she lived amongst them. Her master did everything it could for her to be accepted, but they refused to see her as one of their own. So she could only watch from afar as she always did.

“I am sorry it has to be this way, Tian.” A three-tailed white fox appeared behind the young lady.

“Master?” Tian blinked, looking back. She shook her head and hugged her knees. “I… am I not a part of nature, master?” she asked.

“The people of Ren are very much as part of this world as Sacred Beasts are,” her master explained. “This is our world, all the same. After all, even if our meridians are still blocked, we are connected to the same Dao. To the same Heavens. And it is forever our duty to ensure it pervades.”

The young lady pursed her lips. “So why don’t they accept me? Am I just not good enough?”

The white fox shook its head. “One day, you will find your own people, Tian,” said the Sacred Beast. “And when you do, you will learn that it is nothing to do with strength or purity. You will be accepted simply because you are.

“Your strength, your purity, and everything you have learned is taught to you not so that you can find your people. Rather, it is so that when you find them, you may have the power to protect them above all. That is all.”

Slowly, Tian nodded. “I… see.”

*****

Truth be told, I never understood what my master meant when it said that. But now, as I stand back in my world. Back in Jhisie. I finally understand the meaning of my master’s words.

After everything I have been through in Utana, I have found my people. Yes, they are Natifs. A race different from my own. But they are my people nonetheless. And there is nothing I will not do to protect them.

Kalmat, Nindran, Seiled, Beihal, Keshiy, Herder, and the rest of the Keepers of the Grove, Bluerage, Vidraf, Kallist, Skylar, Lurleen, and the remnants of Utana. They are my people.

They lie here, in Jhisie. My world. Brought over for safety. For sanctuary. Just as the Elocunive saved my life by bringing me to Utana, I save their lives by leading them here. There is so much that happened. So many losses. So much to grieve for. To prepare for.

But we do not mourn. Not just yet. Because though we may have faced down with the end of the world itself, somehow, those here Jhisie managed to survive. So, for now, we rest. We recuperate. And, whenever we are ready, we shall do whatever it takes to bring Idu down.

No matter what.

Author's Notes:

This took a little longer to finish than I expected. Honestly, it was one of the toughest books I had to write to date. I went through so much in the process of writing this book. But it is finished. And I know it is one of my lesser-known books, but I quite enjoyed writing it regard

I would like to dedicate this book to my Grandmother who passed away during the writing of this book. She died at just under 92 years old, 70 years older than me. She experienced so much in her lifetime. So much more than I can even imagine, honestly. And I would like for her memory to forever live on.

Rest in Peace, Oma Hwie Suryani

August 13, 1930 – July 19, 2022