The Strongest in...

"So, am I dead?" Jain's voice sounded calm, almost emotionless, as he gazed at the floating sphere of light before him. The surroundings were a vast void, a formless and colorless abyss, where the only source of visibility came from the sphere's ethereal glow. Its light wasn't blinding but held an almost comforting presence, filling the nothingness with a softness that seemed to whisper ancient secrets.

"Yes." The sphere's response came, but not as spoken words. The emanated vibration seemed to fill the void, carrying a light and serene tone. It was as if silence itself had found a voice — something difficult to describe but impossible to ignore.

Jain remained expressionless, his eyes still fixed on the emptiness around him. There was something about the vastness of that place that seemed to invite reflection, though no clear emotion surfaced on his face.

"Why?" he finally asked, his voice lightly resonating in the echo-less abyss.

"It is the natural law of beings across all universes. Everyone dies, regardless of who or what they are." The sphere replied, its vibration taking on an almost solemn tone, as if reciting an unshakable truth. "Even God can die. When forgotten, divine existence dissolves, and death manifests as this void. A void where not even memories can survive."

Jain turned his gaze away from the void and looked at the sphere, his eyes now showing a glimmer of understanding—or perhaps resignation. He pondered for a moment before responding, his voice steady but laden with an almost instinctive wisdom. "It makes sense. People die twice in existence. The first is the carnal death, when the body finally reaches its end. The second is the death in memory, when we are forgotten by everyone who was ever part of our lives. Oblivion creates the void."

As he spoke, his eyes wandered again through the infinite expanse of space. The void seemed to pulse in response to his words, as if they resonated with the very fabric of nothingness itself. Jain then fixed his gaze on the sphere once more, and for the first time, something beyond apathy glimmered in his eyes—perhaps curiosity, perhaps acceptance, or something even deeper, impossible to decipher.

"So, who and what are you?" Jain asked, breaking the silence that seemed to wrap around the void like a heavy shroud. His voice carried a direct tone, but there was a faint undertone of curiosity.

The sphere of light remained silent for a few moments, as if deliberating how to answer. The surrounding void seemed to amplify that moment of hesitation, making the space feel even more oppressive. Then, finally, the response came, in a vibration that seemed to echo from within Jain's mind.

"A pseudo-god," the sphere replied, its light pulsing softly in sync with its words. "You may call me The Beginning."

Jain raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting into a mix of confusion and disbelief. It was a subtle reaction, but enough to reveal his perplexity. "Pseudo? So, a false god?"

"Yes." The sphere confirmed without hesitation, its light now flickering slightly, almost as if mirroring the rhythm of its explanation. "Essentially, I am a false god with the ability to create new 'stories.' I use souls to generate protagonists, shaping their journeys and destinies. These stories are shared with other pseudo-gods, who watch them just as humans watch videos, read books, or manga."

The sphere's sincerity was unsettling, its words carrying a neutral tone, as if it were explaining something mundane. There was no pride, shame, or emotion in its vibrant voice—just an objective exposition of its nature.

Jain remained silent for a few moments, processing what he had just heard. His eyes seemed to wander again through the void, as though searching for some connection between the sphere's words and the desolate surroundings. Then, he looked back at the sphere, his confused expression gradually giving way to one of intrigue.

"So, you create lives… just for entertainment?" Jain asked, his voice now tinged with faint incredulity.

The sphere glowed brighter for a brief moment but did not respond immediately.

"In a way, yes. But it's better for them to stay here for all eternity, until they stop thinking and become a complete void." The voice of The Beginning reverberated through the space, carrying with it a cold, inescapable truth. It was a cruel, yet practical logic: a life created for entertainment was preferable to an eternal existence in an infinite abyss, where minds would eventually dissolve into nothingness.

Jain let the idea echo in his mind. The image painted by The Beginning's words was disturbing — to float forever in a void devoid of sound, color, or purpose, until the very concept of being faded away, leaving only absolute emptiness.

This was everyone's fate, Jain realized. Heaven or hell didn't exist; they were merely concepts invented by humanity. Myths constructed to inspire fear and control, as fragile as the faith that sustained them. The idea of a singular, all-powerful God served more as a tool to shape behavior, a reflection of humanity's fear of uncertainty and mortality.

"Of course," The Beginning continued, "there are those who reject such notions. Atheists, for instance, who seek to prove the nonexistence of divine or paranormal entities. And, interestingly, those who fervently believe in their religions also strive to prove they are right. Be it Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, or any other faith, they all share the same impulse to validate their truths to others."

Jain pondered for a moment, his thoughts flowing slowly. Why do people insist on imposing their beliefs? It didn't make sense to him. "If someone doesn't share your ideals, why force a worldview upon them?" he murmured to himself, yet there was a clarity to his words. "No one should be compelled to accept a faith or a truth that doesn't resonate with their own essence."

He turned his gaze to the sphere, a glimmer of understanding crossing his expression. "I see," he said calmly. "So, I am the soul destined to become your newest protagonist?"

"Yes." The Beginning responded without hesitation. Its light seemed to shine more brightly for a moment, as if emphasizing the importance of the statement. "And for that, I want to grant you something special: certain rights, a wish, and the choice."

Jain remained silent, but his eyes glimmered with curiosity and a hint of caution. He knew that what followed would shape his next existence—or perhaps something even greater.

"Can the wish be anything?" Jain asked, his voice laced with caution as he considered the infinite possibilities this might entail. Ideas began to form in his mind, but he knew he needed to understand the conditions before making a decision.

"Yes," The Beginning replied, its light glowing more intensely, as if emphasizing the magnitude of the answer. "But there is one rule."

Jain raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is that rule?"

"The wish must be specific."

"Specific how?"

The light of The Beginning flickered for a moment, and beside it emerged an abstract figure, a representation of infinity that seemed to pulse with an undefinable energy. "Let's take, for example, the wish to 'have unlimited power.' What exactly would unlimited power be? Infinite energy? Omnipotence? The power to be a god? What does 'unlimited power' mean to you?"

Jain crossed his arms and fell silent for a few seconds, reflecting. Finally, he shook his head and murmured, "That's too vague."

"Exactly," The Beginning agreed, its tone remaining calm, almost instructional. "Even wishes that seem straightforward, like 'I want to be a god' or 'I want the power to control space-time,' are dangerously vague. What kind of god do you want to be? The Supreme? The god of lightning? Of speed? Or, if we're talking about controlling space-time, what exactly do you want? To travel along the timeline? Teleport to any point in space-time? Or manipulate the temporal flow around you?"

As it spoke, visions of these possibilities began to manifest in the void around them. Jain saw figures of gods from different mythologies—imposing beings of golden light and entities shrouded in lightning. He also witnessed temporal distortions—timelines folding, travelers crossing eras and spaces, portals opening to unknown locations.

"Most people don't think deeply when they wish for something," The Beginning continued. "They're impulsive, driven by dreams or obsessions. There was once a protagonist who wished for Naruto's Rinnegan from his pseudo-god. He didn't think through the details; he simply wanted that power because it was something he deeply admired."

Jain watched as the images dissipated into the void, absorbing the words of The Beginning. He now understood the importance of being careful.

"So, heed my advice," said the sphere, its light pulsing gently in an almost paternal tone. "Be specific. Think about what you truly desire, define the details. Don't limit yourself to the wish, but to the meaning behind it."

Jain nodded slowly.

"And what about the choice?" Jain asked, his curiosity now even more piqued.

"Ah, that," The Beginning replied, its light wavering as if on the verge of revealing something significant. "Well, there are three worlds where I would like to work with you."

As it spoke, three smaller spheres appeared before him, each emitting a faint yet distinct light with its own hue, whispering the promise of unimaginable adventures. The Beginning paused for a moment, allowing Jain to take in the vision, before continuing:

"Perhaps you know them."

The first sphere glowed intensely, beginning to change shape. In an instant, it transformed into the image of a stylized skull accompanied by a crossed sword behind it. A dark energy seemed to emanate from this representation, as if carrying the weight of ancient battles and powers beyond human comprehension.

"The world of Shinigami, Hollows, and other mystical races. A place where souls dance between life and death, while colossal forces contend for the balance of the universe. The original protagonist of this world is Ichigo Kurosaki. This is the world we call: Bleach!"

The second sphere began to shine, its vibrant orange hue growing brighter as it molded into something familiar. Within seconds, it transformed into a sphere with four stars engraved at its center, radiating a powerful and ancient aura.

"The world inhabited by Saiyans, extraordinary humans, androids, gods, and the strongest beings in the universe. A place where power knows no bounds, and battles shape the fate of galaxies. The original protagonist of this world is Son Goku. This is the legendary universe of: Dragon Ball!"

Finally, the third sphere glowed, its light taking on a warm golden tone. At its center, the shape of a skull wearing a straw hat appeared, adorned with a red ribbon that seemed to flutter in the wind, even in the midst of the absolute void. There was something intriguing about this sphere, a feeling of freedom and defiance.

"The chaotic and grand world of pirates, where dreamers face treacherous seas as they battle a corrupt government and search for a legendary treasure. A place filled with camaraderie, ambition, and rebellion. The original protagonist of this world is Monkey D. Luffy. This is the world known by the name of the greatest treasure of all time: One Piece!"

The Beginning paused, allowing the three spheres to float between him and Jain. The light of each pulsed gently, as if awaiting the decision of the new protagonist.

"Now, it's up to you to choose, Jain," said The Beginning.