"Heh, there isn't anything." The End shook his head in disappointment. "I was expecting God to bless you with powers above my own because I've already won." He said it casually as his shadows enveloped everything.
I pressed the side button, resetting the world.
"Aaack, what the hell?"
I hadn't noticed that my blood was spilling onto the ground, coloring my world crimson. I died in that timeline. But I reset; therefore, everything would start over again, but nothing happened to the wounds. I looked down and saw my legs, still in a horrid state, still broken and bruised, and still bleeding. I died in the first reset.
"Oh, you poor thing," The End laughed at me, and his shadows grew.
"I've seen enough."
I pressed the button and reset everything once again, only to die in the same fashion. This time he was able to break through the wall of light and kill me in a swift moment; a shadow pierced through my chest.
"Don't you get it?" He cackled, and his laughter echoed throughout the room. "The God of Time has abandoned you! No matter what you do, the end result is the same: me, standing over your lifeless corpse. You are just a puppet in the end. A pawn to be thrown away when needed."
He laughed, and his laughter echoed.
"And now, you're all alone. You're no longer special."
His shadows wrapped around my legs and dragged me into the abyss.
"No one is here to save you. You can't win. It's impossible."
I could hear him from the darkness.
"But hey, at least you'll get to see your precious friends again."
"Shut up," I shouted, but my voice was weak, and The End's laughter just grew louder.
"That's right, keep fighting, keep trying. It'll only make your suffering that much sweeter."
I couldn't hear anything anymore, and the darkness faded into nothing.
I opened my eyes, and everything was the same. The world was still burning. The End was still waiting for me. And I was still broken.
But I got back up and limped towards the door. My legs screamed at me to stop and rest.
"You're not done yet," The End's voice echoed.
"Shut up!"
I screamed, and everything grew silent. The pain dulled, and the weight of the world felt lighter.
I made it to the door and pressed my hand against it, but before I could open it, the door burst open, and I was forced to take a few steps back.
A dark figure, surrounded by flames and ash, stood in the doorway. It was The End; he was standing on his own two feet, and he was glaring at me. He was still injured, but not nearly as much as I was. His shadows swirled around his body and slowly started healing his wounds.
"I will admit," he laughed, "you had me worried for a moment. I didn't think you would last this long. But now, you are too weak to fight me, and your world is destroyed."
"It's time for me to finish this." He said, walking forward.
"Not just yet."
A voice echoed, and a ball of light landed in front of me, blinding The End. It was Rose. She was here, but why?
"Rose?" I called out to her.
"We'll have time for pleasantries later, but for now, we must leave." She said as the ball of light lifted me off the ground. "I can only take you and the world core."
She looked around and found the world core floating in the center of the room.
"Hold on."
She shot a beam of light at the core, and it began to float next to me.
The End got back to his feet and charged towards me, but the ball of light flew towards the door.
"Wait!" I shouted, and the ball of light stopped.
"What are you doing? We have to go."
"Not yet."
I pointed at the world core, and she flew us towards it.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes," I said as my hands wrapped around the core, and it shattered.
Everything froze.
Time had stopped.
"What have you done?" Rose gasped.
"I destroyed the world. I know it doesn't make sense, but please, trust me on this. Just do it."
"You're insane," she said. "You're not thinking straight. Just come with me, and we can start over."
"There isn't time."
I grabbed her hand and pulled her close.
"This world is lost, but you can save everyone else."
I held her tightly and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you for everything."
I smiled and pushed her away.
"Now go."
She tried to grab me, but I was too far. Her light began to fade, and so did she.
"No, I can't lose you," she shouted, and a beam of light shot out from her and wrapped around my waist, but I pushed it away.
"No."
"It's okay, I'll be fine."
"That's a lie."
"I promise."
"Please."
Tears streamed down her face.
"I love you."
"Stop, please," she pleaded.
"Thank you."
I smiled.
"For everything."
The light faded, and she disappeared.
The world returned to normal, and The End's shadows enveloped the world.
"I told you," The End laughed. "You're too weak. You cannot beat me. No one can."
"Maybe, maybe not."
I coughed.
"What are you doing?"
"Something really stupid."
I grabbed hold of the ball of light, and time stopped again. I had less than a minute left.
I walked towards The End and pressed my hand against his chest.
I would not fail this time.
"What are you doing?" The End's voice was panicked.
"Just watch," I smirked.
"Stop, what are you doing? You can't do this."
He screamed, but it was too late.
"Heh, there isn't anything."
I laughed and shattered the core.
The world disappeared, and everything went black.
"Hey," a familiar voice spoke to me. "Wake up."
I opened my eyes, and everything was different. It wasn't a void or a world burning in flames; it was a beautiful room.
I had successfully fended off The End.
"Is this Heaven?" I asked.
"No, silly."
It was Rose, and she was lying right next to me.
"This is the world you created," she said as her arms wrapped around me, "and no one is ever going to take it from you."
"How do you know that?"
"Because," she laughed, "if they try, we'll be here to stop them."
"Together," I smiled.
"Forever."
She giggled and pulled me in for a kiss.
"So, where are we going to live?"
"How about the castle."
"You mean your old home."
"Yeah, it's perfect."
"What if people see us?"
"It doesn't matter. Besides, I like the view."
I teased her, and she punched my shoulder.
"Come on, let's go."
"Okay."
We both got out of bed, and I realized that I was no longer injured, but my clothes were a little torn.
"You can use the shower first."
Rose laughed.
"You're the best."
I ran towards the shower.
"Hey, don't forget," she said, running after me. "You owe me a date."
"Of course," I smiled.
"Good, I can't wait."
"I know."
I kissed her forehead.
"Me either."
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
The end of this reality came fast as the world, or alternate universe, collapsed. It was the end.
"You're a monster," The End growled, but I didn't respond.
"You have no right to speak."
I spat at him, and he glared at me.
"You're lucky that God has taken a liking to you; otherwise, I would've killed you where you stand."
"Heh, keep dreaming."
"Watch yourself, child, or I will destroy you."
"No, you won't."
"I'm done here."
The End turned around and left the room.
The world fell into ruin forevermore.
"You have to choose," the God of Time's voice echoed. "It's your call."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you want to save this world or not?" he asked.
"I do, but it's impossible," she replied.
"Nothing is impossible with me on your side," he exclaimed.
"I understand," I said, and the God of Time smiled.
"Good. Now, what do you say we get started?"
"Yeah, let's do it," I agreed.
"Perfect."
The End began to watch time pass as he sat on his throne.
---
I awoke to a dark void.
I couldn't wrap my head around what had caused it. It was like a blink of an eye. I was just here now.
I couldn't save them.
I'm so weak, dammit!
But I've done too much to restart now. I couldn't protect them, even when I was engulfed in the void. I've no idea what happened to them before I died.
"Then you'll hear me out?" he continued. "I was trying to speak to you about a second chance, but you didn't hear me. So here I am, the God of Time. I have reincarnated multiple people. Do you want to start all over again?"
A week had passed since I was reincarnated into my own world as a baby. I was just a child with knowledge of this world. I grew quickly for a newborn baby, but that was to be expected.
I made sure to avoid sharing my knowledge.
I would save this world.
Six years have passed, and what do you know? I excelled in magic. I learned how to recreate nuclear fusion radioactive waves. It would only reach the span of one place. I hadn't learned how to widen its range.
At ten years old, I learned to regulate my magic and control everything around me to bend to my will.
I was growing quickly. At age seventeen, I was 6'2", and the magic I created could recreate human lifeforms. I was able to see the past and future alike. I learned of the dark magics that could render time useless. I wasn't able to use this magic yet, but what I could use was already above the rest.
Of course, I kept it a secret between me and my god, Xero.
"Shun, get ready for school. Don't act like a sloth, please. I don't want to have to make up an excuse for you being late," Mom scolded.
"My bad, I was just changing into my school uniform," I replied, scratching my neck.
I wasn't surprised that Mom called me out.
I asked Mom if Dad would be home tonight.
"Yes, I know what he said, but I don't know, because he's always late."
I frowned.
She patted me on the back, saying, "Kiddo, it'll be alright," and I half smiled.
I arrived at school with time to spare.
"Shun, is that you?" Luna frowned, looking over to the side where Cecilla was standing.
She was my upperclassman in school; therefore, she had more privileges. She wore her purple hair long. Her clothes were a long black skirt, black boots, and a red T-shirt.
"Damn you, Cecilla!"
She cursed at Cecilla, who stood on guard.
Cecilla laughed at her response and pushed her cleavage on me.
"Cecilla, this is uncomfortable. Wait, you too, Luna."
Both of them pushed their cleavage onto my arm.
This is normal, I guess.
"I'll walk him to class, you witch," Luna replied.
"Such insolence shall be your downfall. I will be taking Shun to class," Cecilla barked.
As the two were determined to take me to class, I slipped past them, leaving them at the door.
"Wait, please, Senpai, don't leave me."
Time halted when she said that.
This was dark magic.
"Oh shit, what do I do?" I asked Xero in a hushed voice.
He replied, saying, "There isn't a chance you'll beat her."
I frowned.
"Senpai, I've been stalking you ever since you were five. I sneaked a sniff of your panties in the locker room. I watch you shower and bathe. I watch you eat and sleep. I even copy your rituals that you do before you eat. I love you so much, Senpai. I won't let that bitch over there take you from me," she smiled.
This was getting creepy.
It was then that time began again.
It began to darken once more.
A man stood on top of a pile of bodies.
What the hell!
Blood soaked the ground.
I was face-to-face with The End.
This isn't good, I thought.
I learned of a man powerful enough to destroy the Omniverse within a blink of an eye or even faster.
But why did he show up?
"I have long awaited this scene in my dream. A goddess against me, a pure weakling. Oh God, thank you."
He looked up at the heavens, spewing words from his mouth.
"This is your end," he said, and he smiled.
I thought I'd met someone with the same features.
I tried to pry my memories for an answer.
I was blank.
I couldn't remember.
A shadow enclosed me as I was stuck in thought.
I realized this, and the world of darkness was cast aside.
"Damn, you're stronger than I thought, but this holds no candle to me. Therefore, I will leave you to your devices until I sense a darker presence. I will kill everyone once more. Therefore, the presentation is that you lose everything."
He smiled, leaving me with nothing but myself.
"Senpai, what's gotten into you?" she asked.
I had passed out momentarily.
"I need you to end," I cried before losing full consciousness.
"Oh no, Senpai wants you to die, witch."
"Oh no, he wants Luna to end her life with those fake breasts of hers."
"Shut your mouth, witch."
They bickered on and on.
"What's this racket, Shun?"
She began to drag me.
I awoke to a white ceiling.
The smell of coffee drifted around my nose as I sat up from the bed.
I was destined to lose everything, wasn't I?
I would lose everything.
I would go insane.
I felt a tear run down my face as I bit my lip.
But no matter what I lose, I will still fight.
That is the way of life.
I lost my family last time, but I'd do it all over again.
As many times as I reset, I will restart again.
I will save the world, even if I die thousands of times.
I will be the one who stands victorious.
I will not shiver like a coward.
I will be superior.
I will rewrite this script someday.
I will.
I already know this much, but how would I reach it?
That will be my goal: surpassing my limits.
I will become the Angel of Death.
"Don't use this too much. It will take your soul if you are not careful. It is my duty as the God of Time to pass down this heirloom."
Xero handed me a small gadget.
It was an old watch.
"With this, I am done."
Xero took his exit.
Let's see where this goes.
I pressed the side button, and time stopped.
It began to wind backward.
The timeline was resetting.
I would wake up before the tragedy, and I would repair the rift in space that allowed the man in black to destroy the world.
If that would fix my timeline, I'd seal him away in a different timeline.
This is the end, Shun.
"Who are you?" I asked.
The voice of a man in his prime.
I was shocked when he called me again.
I'd never felt so intimidated.
I couldn't even move.
I felt chills running down my back.
It was terrifying.
"Oh, Aaron, you don't have to intimidate the girl. I'm sorry for my stupid son. He meant to say, let us be best friends."
Why couldn't I shake the feeling that it was the truth?
"I think we can negotiate a price for your goal of becoming an Angel of Death, if you'll hear us out."
"I am indeed offering you a price above all else, but there is a catch to it. I need your assistance so we can fix the anomaly that created multiple alphaverses," he explained.
"Why do you need me to do this?" I asked.
"It's you who we're fighting against," he replied.