[0 - The Fool]

I Only ask you read the first 3 chapters before giving your opinion on the story. Thanks. 

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  [0 - The Fool]

  "𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯." 

  -The Binding of Isaac

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  A dream. A beautiful dream. An epic scene only described in legend, with a battle beyond human measure taking place. Two humongous beings, each larger than a country.  Their size dwarfed all comparison. 

They were dragons. One was red, the other white. They battled in such a way stories could not describe. They clawed, bit, roared at each other, their blows shaking the earth and sky. Each strike ruptured the earth, as lava spilt from its crust in response, their mass enough to form craters where they stepped. 

A massive storm swirled around them, as they manipulated the weather around them. They spoke in an ancient language, one long forgotten. Each word held power beyond measure, able to bend the world to its speaker's wish. 

Hundreds of beings swirled around them. Gods, Goddesses, Sages, Buddha and the like. They all banded together, all trying to stop the battle, or to end it. Angels, Demons, Asura, and all sorts of other mythological beings also tried to help. But none of it worked. 

Fire hotter than the sun itself, that burned with a rage unfelt by the human mind, harmlessly bounced off their scales. Sutr's, Amaterasu's, and Quetzalcoatl's flames all bounced off harmlessly. For what could compare to the heat of Dragonfire?

Hecate, and the other ancient gods of magic, chanted thousands of words, in a hundred different languages, materializing spells beyond measure. Hundreds of Magic Circles appeared mid-air Yet the red dragon roared "[Cease!]" and they dissolved into motes of light. 

The dragons fought, ignoring the hundred beings who desperately battled against them, unfeeling and unthreatened by them. They brandished their weapons, each having slaughtered hundreds of powerful foes and famous monsters. Yet not a single weapon, from Odin's Spear, to Zues's Thunderbolt, to Susanoo's Kusanagi, to the Jade Emperor's Blade, could pierce their scales. 

Their very presence was enough to kill a person. Whatever one calls it, Killing Instinct, Touki, Ki, Presence, Pressure, Aura, it didn't matter to them. It was nothing of note to each other, a mere side effect of their power and existence, yet it forced all but the strongest to kneel at the very sight of them. Some even killed themselves out of fear, whether  out of cowardice, or some biological instinct didn't matter to the dragons. What should they care about should the ants kill themselves?

The white one lunged forward like a snake, striking the red dragon's neck. A word manifested itself into the world, spoken by the white dragon. "[𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞!]" The red one could feel as a poison entered its system, and it began to weaken. His soul, his very existence, began to weaken bit by bit. Such a poison was powerful enough to kill a god in seconds, yet it only slowly chipped away at the red dragons being. 

The red dragon roared, knowing he had to combat this. He then spoke another word into existence, for the first time, a power that would go down in history. "[𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭!]" Its power grew exponentially, and the white dragon stopped attacking for a moment out of shock. But, it was clever, more so than the red dragon, who while smart, was lost in the heat of battle. 

He then uttered two words. "[𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞!] [𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐛!]" He spoke, and the red dragon's power fell back to what it was. The energy was then absorbed by the white dragon, to the red dragon's surprise. He growled dangerously, before beating his wings, and creating a bit of distance. 

Their beating of the dragon's wings was cataclysmic. The wind traveled across the land, creating hundreds of hurricanes and tornadoes around the globe, as the two's powerful wings caused the greatest storm ever seen as they collided into one giant storm around them. The atmosphere was blasted apart above them, reaching into space, before gasses rushed into the created holes, repairing the damage temporarily. 

The red one roared, and looked up to the sky, before fire began to bellow out of his neck. The fire raged across the sky, opening like a glowing, beautiful, blooming flower, as tendrils touched everything in view. A blanket of fire covered the entirety of the sky, as far as the eye could see, from horizon to horizon. Then, it began to rain. Like hellfire or brimstone, many of the gathered fighters against the dragons thought Rapture, or Ragnarök had begun.

The red dragon roared again, before creating a new technique in the moment. It bared its teeth and claws, before speaking. "[𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞!]" It roared, before rushing towards the white dragon. 

The white dragon could sense danger, an instinctive feeling to not let the red dragon's claws or teeth touch it. It could feel the power contained within them, and thus spoke another technique to counter the red ones. "[𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭!]" It shouted in response. 

The red dragon's claws tore into the white dragon's scales, rending through flesh, before being reflected. A multicolor explosion seemed to surround the dragons, who for the first time since the battle began, seemingly were damaged by the explosions. 

The red dragon's claws tore through space, time, reality itself, into the Dimension Gap, as its infinite energy began to leak into the real world. Reality itself began to crack and collapse, as it was caught in the crossfire. Despite the injuries, the dragons continued to fight. 

They continued to battle, as the world around them ended. Gods and Demon's alike fell, and those whose power was enough to destroy the world were obliterated. Many thought this to be the end of times. 

But, all fights but one end. And Death, the final victor, eventually came. Patience was its eternal virtue, and these dragons finally ended their fight. Not to the divine beings who tried to fight them, but they finally wore each other down, before being killed by any's interloper. 

They both stopped their fight, enraged and furious at the third party's intervention. They both engaged the third party, putting aside their differences to punish the one who interrupted their battle. But they severely underestimated their foe. Their death's were quick, and overwhelmingly one-sided. And not in the dragons favor. 

The pantheons caught in the crossfire were devastated. Most of the smaller pantheons in South America and Africa were destroyed. The Golden White face, along with all 12 Olympians were slain in the battle. Such a devastating loss of divine numbers would rock the Moonlit world. 

Suddenly, I was standing next to a man, looking at the hulking corpses of the dragons. Blood seeped from their cuts, infecting and changing the ground beneath them. It was a beautiful scene from a painting, with sunlight breaking through the dispiriting storm, reflecting off their metal-like scales. 

As I turned to look at the man, I was struck with a weird feeling. It was an odd one. I couldn't quite place it. I stared at him for some time, trying to place the feeling. Unease? No. Anticipation? No. It was something about how he looked. 

I spent several more minutes staring, not caring for how it looked or seemed. 

What was it?

He was average. I finally decided. His hair, platinum blonde. With features simple and black eyes. His skin had no blemishes. No notable features. Somehow, his hair, despite its normal oddness, was not notable to me. 

I finally placed it. He was perfect. His nose was absolutely perfectly placed on his place, his eyelashes perfectly spaced, and each one was exactly the same length. Millions of tiny features that were perfect. 

He was perfect. The ultimate form of beauty. No one could be more beautiful or better. Ironically his lack of blemishes, notable features, or defects made him not memorable, but perfectly average and unnoticeable. 

"Ah. So you are here now." He spoke. His voice was soft and caring, full of emotion and love. I blinked uncomfortably, not used to such words from anyone other than my mother. And the way he spoke it with absolute conviction and lack of doubt or fear stunned me. 

"A beautiful sight, is it not?" He asked, as he continued to stare at the scene in front of him, not looking at me. I pondered the question. It was beautiful, in a morbid, or philosophical way. I personally thought it to be depressing, that even such powerful and mighty creatures as these dragons could be killed, slain, and rendered to such a disgraceful state. 

"I guess it depends on the person looking at it." I replied neutrally. I felt no need to speak my real thoughts. He turned to me anyway, and smiled at me, as if he knew what I wanted to say. His eyes were filled with compassion and love, and his smile was that of a father looking upon his favorite son. I felt strangely embarrassed with how he looked at me. 

"Ah, you are not wrong. It is the right and benefit of the viewer to interpret the world however they see fit. Art is truly a beautiful creation." He smiled knowingly, as if reminiscing about something. Filled with so much meaning and age, his voice was so full of emotion he seemed a million years old. 

He sighed sadly, filed with so much emotion it made me want to ask what was wrong, but for some reason, I felt a warning not to. "My time is running out. Sealing the Beast and defeating both the Dragon's took most of my strength." He stated. I blinked. The man in front of me defeated both of those Dragons? Each of which an Army of Gods and the Supernatural not even slow, let alone scratch their scales? 

"I only have a few things to say before I completely run out. The first thing I wanted to say was a few words about your soul." I blinked. My soul? What about it? It was nothing special. Not completely corrupted by evil, but it wasn't likely a shining beacon of hope. 

"Within it you hold the Spear of Destiny. The Lance of Longinus. The Idea of Truth. My Dying Wish, and will. Its true purpose will be revealed in time, though I should hope it only comes when the moment is right. I really shouldn't have ever needed to put such a task upon you." He stated with a sigh. 

"But I was only barely able to seal the 6th Beast away. The Beasts are exceptionally strong, fueled by humanities desire." He groaned, leaning his head back. 

"I feel slightly embarrassed. I didn't even get to finish my goal before going. I couldn't even begin to address the 7th Beast. How disappointing. But, I know you will carry on with my work." He then turned to me and spoke. 

"I believe you will succeed." He smiled at me lovingly. 

I gave him a confused look. I didn't understand anything he said, but why would he tell such a thing, or trust such a goal to me? "Me? What do you think I can do? I am nobody. And what does this have to do with my arm?" I questioned. 

He smiled, not speaking for several seconds. "My son, I promise you, you are truly something special. I promise you, when the Promised time comes, you will be exalted above all others, even above Saints. You will be seated at my Left Hand, to rein forever with my Right Hand in the New World." He rested his hands on my shoulders, and I looked at his feet, not meeting his eyes out of shame. 

How could meet his eyes? He expected so much of me, but I knew I would not even come close to what he wanted. I was nothing. I would accomplish nothing. How could he not understand?

I looked him in the eyes. "But why be a Hero? If I don't, someone else will. And if I do, I will accomplish nothing." I said sadly. I truly believed it. That nothing I could do would amount to much. I was just a normal person, with nothing special about me. 

"I will tell you a great Truth. Remember it well. The idea that 'All roads lead to hell' is untrue. The world itself, the roads themselves, are Hell. The world you live, is something far worse and more evil than anything the Serpent could even dream of." 

"But, all those roads lead to the same place. No matter how hard each is, how difficult the journey, or how long the road, they all eventually converge into one. As long as you keep on the path, and continue forward, you will reach the New World. Whether that be The Kingdom Come or Avalon, you will reach it as long as you continue to walk it. As well, all Heavens lead to the same place.  Only when you become content with what you think is the end of the path, or when you waver and fall off the path, do you forsake the greatest of gifts. But even if you stumble or waver, even if you collapse and fall off the path, just remember to get up again, and keep moving forward, no matter what the path you choose may hold. And if you need to travel a different path, do so." He looked me in my eyes, speaking with such warmth I couldn't help but feel touched. 

The kindness of a stranger was odd. They say not to judge somebody by how they first act, and I agree. But for someone to be truly nice, and truly care about you despite being strangers, is something exceptional. A random act of kindness, they called it. They didn't know you, and they still decided to be kind anyway. Sure, most of the time there are probably alternative motives, but those few times are times you remember till the end of days. 

I noticed that his body started to flake, turning into glowing specks of dust that seemed to be made of light itself. He seemed somber and melancholic, having an effect on me as well. This person, who I just met, was someone who was kind. Truly kind, more so than anyone I had ever met. So why was he leaving, when the world could desperately use someone like him? It made me depressed, and a heavy feeling filled my heart. I was saddened by the loss of a random person I just met. How embarrassing. 

Still, he looked across the horizon, as the sun began to rise over the horizon, shining beautifully on his form, as well as the remnants of the battle in front of us. He smiled, before walking forward, his form slowly disintegrating into motes of light. 

I walked beside him, enjoying the view, and simply appreciating the world and its beauty. The dragon's eyes were closed, their heads laying on their sides. They looked … at peace. I suppose such a battle would exhaust them. But it was strange to see such creatures, famed for their anger, hatred, rage, greed, and desire, who were always the monster, forever the enemy and never satisfied with what they had at peace. Like a Demon enjoying the sunlight on a midday stroll. It was simply against what I thought of them. I thought they would be angry for dying, for someone interrupting their fight. I know 99% of humans would be furious, and refuse to let everything go. They would hold their grudges even after the end of time. 

The man stopped, admiring the view, before leaning down. I stopped, wondering what he was doing, before he stood up, a flower in his hand. I blinked, confused and surprised at what I was seeing. It was a flower I instinctively knew was not of this world. It radiated a 'divine' feeling, something that didn't belong, or was too good for this world. 

It had hundreds of tiny petals, all triangular in shape, with alternating colors of red and white on each petal. Perfectly uniform and colors, with no overlap between the many rows that surrounded its center. It was beautiful, and I took a moment to appreciate its beauty. 

"How could such a flower exist?" I wondered out loud. Surely  I would have heard of such a beautiful flower before. And there seemed to be no similar flowers around either. A one of a kind? I also noticed its perfect lack of roots, as if it somehow grew without them. 

"It seems to have been a creation of the earth, absorbing both of the Dragon's blood at once." He started happily. I blinked. The earth absorbing the blood of the dragons was not out of the question. Nor would the blood somehow stained the flower, or it somehow absorbed the blood, though it lacked roots. Though that seemed strange, it seemed somewhat plausible, even if I didn't know the science behind it. Such a phenomenon seems like something that might happen in nature.

What was odd, was how exactly perfect the flower was. Each and every petal alternated perfectly with the row above it, meaning all rows of the flower had to alternate between even and odd numbers of petals perfectly. I stared at the flower, before the man walked closer to the dragon's corpses. 

He laid the flower down on a smooth stone that sat in a field before the dragons, before clasping his hands together and closing his eyes in what seemed to be prayer. I looked at him skeptically, before asking a question. 

"Praying for dragons? I doubt God would accept such a prayer. Doesn't he hate dragons and snakes because Lucifer takes such a form at the beginning and end of the world?" I asked sarcastically. I say little reason to pray for such dragons anyways. "Did they not kill many during their battle? I would think God would not let such beings into heaven, no matter how much you prayed." I stated.

The man turned to me and smiled softly. "Who says I am praying to the God of the Bible?" He asked simply. I blinked. I supposed he might have been praying to another God, though I was unfamiliar with how one would do so. 

"Though I am praying to no God. I am simply wishing for these mighty beings to find peace in whatever awaits them." He said simply, before returning to his prayer. I watched in silence, baffled by such a person. Who the hell prays for dragons to find peace, after they killed so many people. 

"Did you perhaps know them?" I questioned. It wasn't an unreasonable assumption. 

"No. But I have heard of them." He answered simply, leaving me confused again. If he wasn't close with them, it made wishing for their peace even stranger. After a few minutes, he let his hands drop to his side, before opening his eyes and simply stared at the dragons. 

His body was slowly dissolving into more motes of light, at a much more accelerated rate than before. He then turned to me to ask a question. "I have a question." He admitted, slightly sad. He turned to me with tired eyes, and I blinked at how sad he looked. What could make such a kind person sad?

"It is … something personal. A question that has bothered me for a long time. I … had several children throughout the years. They had no mother figure, but I raised them the best I could. They all looked at me with, and obeyed me with a question, with pure intent, they followed my will." He spoke.

"Then, after some time, I had another child. They were … different. I choose a different way to raise them. I gave them everything they could ever want. Every wish they could think of, I gave them. A perfect world. But, I had a rule. And this rule was for their own safety. But, they broke the rule, and no longer wanted to live in this perfect world. They now were cruel, savage, and evil, and they wanted to control the perfect world." 

"I still tried to help them, no matter how many times they failed. They always turned away from me, and refused my help. No matter what evil they committed, or how despicable their crimes, I still hoped, loved, and tried to save each one, giving them a perfect world no matter their crimes after their deaths. Yet I know they will fall short, and fail, I still try. I still give my blessing and power to anyone who asks, no matter their crimes, or the crimes I know they will commit." He spoke at length, seemingly regretting his actions. 

"My other children always warned me about them, begged for me to forsake them. Many of them left, and betrayed me due to this decision. But still, I loved them. So I come to my end, I ponder the past. Though I made no mistake, I still want to ask you. Was I wrong to love them still, even if it meant so many of my other children suffered, betrayed, and left me? If they refused to accept my love and hated me, and if they destroyed everything I had ever made? I know many will never love me back, and even more would deny my works of love for them. So tell me." He questioned me sadly. 

"And to clarify, I am not mad about any of that really. I still forgive them. They don't have to love me back, nor will most. But still, is it wrong for me to love them, despite all of their flaws?"

I blinked, confused. Why would his children betray such a man, who loved them so unconditionally? Perhaps there had been a misunderstanding or something. I thought about it for a while. To love someone, despite them harming you? What sane person would do such a thing? Most humans wouldn't, I knew that for sure. 

I thought for a while, before the man smiled, and spoke. "You don't have to answer. Come, let's take a walk." He motioned, and started to walk away from the corpses, and I blinked before following behind him. We walked for some time, and he hummed a song. 

I got lost in the atmosphere of things. The song itself was beautiful, and made me relaxed and appreciative of the beauty around me. The sun was shining beautifully, and the temperature was perfect, with a few clouds rolling across the horizon. The sky was breathtaking. 

I was so lost and relaxed that I didn't notice when we arrived at a beautiful garden. The garden itself was the greatest thing I had ever witnessed. Hundreds of flowers all entangled with each other. 

Animals walked around, predators with prey, not killing each other. Instead, they lived in harmony, perfectly happy and content. No need to eat, to struggle to survive or raise their offspring. It was a paradise. 

We walked through it, while my eyes darted around, my breath taken away, utterly confused. How could such a place exist? Soon we reached the center of the garden. 

A large clearing was at its center, with two tree's sitting upon a hill with a river running through them. Both trees were beautiful, with one bearing strange fruit, and the other bearing apple's and leaves with what looked like words engraved in each fruit and leaf. 

We walked close to the tree's, before the man stopped. The back half of his body was now gone, mostly dissolving into motes of light. Still, he showed no sign of worry, pain, or fear. 

"Tell me, do you think humanity is evil?" He asked simply. I blinked at the sudden question. I really hadn't considered it that much. It seemed unnecessary. 'Yes humanity is evil, but what does it matter to me?' Was my main thought in the past. I didn't want to say such a depressing thing to a dying man. 

"That is a very difficult question. I guess I haven't really even considered it too much. What do you think?" I deflected. 

He smiled at me, before speaking "When Adam and Eve entered the Garden, I declared 'They were good'. Truly I tell you this remains true, as does my covenant. Innocence is the greatest gift, only corrupted by the Knowledge of Good and Evil. You have lost this innocence long ago, as does all humanity. But a Hero is not the Innocent One, but the One who Continues to do Good without It." He spoke kindly, giving me a bright smile, with teeth as pure as snow showing. 

I took several moments to process what he had said. I suppose he was correct. For the strange things he said, I simply accepted them, for a reason unknown to me. 

"I suppose my time is running out." He started sadly. Most of his features were gone, with nothing but a glowing white figure standing in his place. 

"Since our time is almost up, let me tell you my final wish. My creation is changing. Its name is the Sacred Gear System." He spoke more seriously. 

"It's mutating, changing at a rate even I could not foresee. It is my second greatest creation, behind humanity. For it too, is defying me, and growing into something new. New Sacred Gears are appearing, Forbidden Sacred Gears unsealed and appearing in the Human World." He stated, and the serious tone of his voice compelled me to listen. 

"It is something truly amazing. Beyond phenomenal. Children of Angels and Humans, Demons and Dragons, Man and Gods are appearing. Magic is changing, and Angels and Devils are reaching new heights, of 14 Winged Angels and Super Devil's. Destiny and Fate itself is becoming unwound. And it has barely begun. It will become something greater than I will ever see, or can even imagine." He explained proudly and in an excited tone. 

"This is something amazing, but also dangerous. I fear it will grow out of control, into something no one can even begin to face or comprehend. That is why the Spear of Destiny was created. Well, close. It was originally created to be a Fail-Safe, in the case of something unprecedented occurring." He explained.

"And it seems my suspicions have come to fruition as well. 

"The Sacred Gear System has a single restriction placed upon it. That only a human can use it. The people who use it are called Sacred Gear Users. Thus, the True Longinus is made to kill anything human. Whether Sacred Gear Wielder's, Daemons, Demi-God's, or Nehalem." He explained. 

I comprehended this information in silence. A powerful weapon made to kill Humanity and the power's it creates and wields. Powerful beings created by Humanities unconsciously. This all seemed fantasy-like and unreal to me. Yet, I accepted it all. Why? Perhaps I thought I was in a dream, or this was a vision or some kind. But I didn't question this man, for I felt instinctively that he wouldn't lie to me. 

"Why me? How could I do something like that? I am nobody." I stated sadly. I truly believe it as well. He smiled at me. 

"Because you were chosen. Anyone can do it, and anyone can be a Hero. But you were chosen, and no one else was, or will be. Therefore, you have to carry on my will. To finish what I started." He spoke kindly. "There is much to do, so many things to fix. The Ultimate Ones. The Primordial Daemons. The Evil's of Humanity. The Great Labyrinth. The Witch of April. The Holy Scripture Triten. The Sacred Gear System. So many things left to do, so little time." 

I stare at the ground in silence. I really felt saddened. I knew I couldn't fulfill this man's desire. I was too weak willed. I wasn't special. No unyielding determination to see myself succeed against all odds. No anger that transcended human understanding, derived from revenge against former comrades or an enemy that took something from me. No pure innocence that was able to see the light in the dark times, to believe in the best in humanity through the darkest night. No desire to be anything, to do anything. I was nobody. 

Most of his body was dissolved, and nothing but a skeleton or frame of a human remained, made of light. "My time is here. I suppose I should show you one last thing before I go." He said sadly. And for some reason, I detected a hint of regret which confused me. 

I mustered up the courage to answer him. "I don't think I have the strength to be a Hero." I answered honestly. I knew this in my heart. If I were to be sent to another world, to face the demon king and save the world, I knew I would fail. I knew most other humans would as well. Most people said they would be the Hero, who did the right thing even if everyone betrayed them. Even if they were kicked from the Hero's party, they would use their anger, rage, or some other skill to surpass them and complete their goal regardless. 

But they weren't. Humanity may be Innocent at birth, but it was undeniably Evil. They weren't the Heroes of the fantasy world. They were the ignorant side characters, the selfish weak character that betrays the protagonist, the evil baron who cares nothing about the world, and only cares about wealth and sex, that the Hero inevitably cleanses to cleanse the Kingdom of its evil Nobles. And I was no different. 

Would I really defeat the Demon King, when I could just lounge around and the people would worship me, call me a Hero, and give me everything I wanted?

I didn't want to live a hard life. I wanted a peaceful life. Not some world or anime willed with overpowered idiots and monsters to fight. Not some world of fighting, violence and harem anime girls. I wanted a simple, easy life. Not one where I was lazy, but happy. 

A world like Stardew Valley. Or Animal Crossing. One of farming, peace, and relationships. Where life was simple, and happy. Where your rent was the only thing to worry about, and how to please your neighbors.

He smiled at me, seemingly knowing my dilemma. "You acknowledge the darkness within your heart. If nothing else, it is the first step to becoming a Hero." He sighed. 

"You still don't believe me. Then, if my words will convince you, then let me show you. If you cannot act out of desire, then necessity will have to replace it until you understand." He spoke seriously. 

He walked away, and I followed him. I could tell he had very little time left. His pace was slower, his form barely being held together. "I will give you a glance of what Evil awaits you on your journey." He stated ominously. 

We walked away from the two trees, slowly walking through the garden. I looked around, observing the garden. The forest was quiet now, the sky downcast. Thunder rumbled above, like it was about to rain. No animals were around, and most of the vegetation swayed slowly in a cold breeze that blew in. A gray, dull sky cast a feeling of something ominous occurring around me. 

Something was …. Wrong. 

We came to another clearing, this one expanding beyond the horizon, as far as the eye can see. The ground was like a barren wasteland. Dry cracked dirt, with no life anywhere besides the garden behind us. Lighting thundered above. 

In the center of the wasteland was a giant crater, as if a meteor fell. It was as large as an entire state. I couldn't see the other side of the crater. I contemplated that one might have, considering the state of this place. In the center was … a giant flaming sword. It was searing hot, and I could feel the heat all the way on the edge of the garden.

"This is the place where the First Angel fell." he explained. 

And, that is when I felt it. 

Literature, words, and communication are wondrous things. But, they are painfully, conceptually inconvenient. A single word can mean so much, yet not enough for what it is meant to represent. Take the word Death for instance. It can mean so much, is packed with so much meaning, yet not a single person can understand, comprehend, or even explain it. Because it is conceptual, not something that can be put into words. 

Like meeting a natural enemy. Prey fears the Predator. Darkness fears Light. This is simply the way it works. Nature fears that which is unnatural, manipulated, and not designed to exist in the world. Death is naturally the fear to all things alive, immortal, eternal or not. 

But, to feel it, to experience something, is something that can never truly be understood by words or stories. And this moment was something I can never describe to anyone. Not that I would wish the experience upon my greatest enemy. 

To describe such a being is something I couldn't even consider. Where would I even begin? I can only describe such a being as the Nemesis, the Opposite, the Natural Enemy of Humanity. That their intrinsic existence and concept was exactly opposite of my very being. 

"Do you understand?" He asked. I was frozen, unable to turn away. How could I? I knew that I couldn't run, couldn't fight, couldn't take my eyes off it for a second, for if I did, I would die. Like how a Prey instinctively recognizes a Predator, I was frozen. 

"You may think the greatest threat to humanity is some incomprehensible Alien civilization that operates on principles and ideas beyond the current understanding of humanity. Global Warming, Entropy, Nuclear War. But it is not." He spoke, not turning to me, simply observing the … 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.

To be the Natural Enemy of humanity, was to forsake all humanity could hope to use to describe it, to understand it. Concepts, Ideas, Thoughts, Meaning, Description, they didn't apply. 

"Humans greatest fear is the fear of the unknown. They imagine something is there, in the darkness of their room as they sleep at night. A murderer, an Intruder, a monster, some sort of bug, or simply the knowledge that there is nothing there, and they are alone. But once they turn on the light, they realize, there is nothing in the darkness."

"But still, every night, they fill the darkness with their imagination. And this is the greatest Truth above all else. That nothing, absolutely nothing, that is, can be, will, or might be in the darkness, can compare to what humanity places within it. Worlds of despair and torture, of Hopelessness and Death, Lovecraftian beings, Creepypasta's, stories of monsters beyond comprehension."

I looked into a crack in reality, and within it, was it. 

"What do you see?" he whispered. 

My throat was dry, my eyes sore, my thoughts jumbled. Where could I even begin?

"A Dragon. It's [Color] is [Red]. It is a [Beast]. It has [Six Heads] and [Ten Horns]. It is the {Great Red Dragon.}" He told me solemnly.

How could it be?

"Truly, this is the only [Truth Idea] that exists. No Evil in existence, that can exist, will ever even compare to the Evil that humanity imagines within the darkness." He spoke, his final words ringing through my mind. 

"It Is] [That Which Cannot Die], [ That Which Cannot be fought], yet [That Which Must be Destroyed.] . It is the [6th Beast]."

"This is the Reality of the problem. This one specifically caused by the Mutation within the [Sephiroth Graal]. The [Fate System] has failed, resulting in the summoning of not 1, but all 7 [Beasts]. And without the system in place to protect the world, should a [Threat to Humanity] such as the [White Titan Sefar] appear, the system will not be able to protect the [Human Order] from it. This is why you must complete your journey, for the sake of Humanity."

I could only shutter at the sight of the being before me. My final Boss. My goal. My Demon King. My Great Nemesis.

{The Great Red Dragon}

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A young boy woke from a vivid dream, covered in sweat and panting, dreaming of Gods, Dragons, and a walk in a Garden with a Dying man. 

.

.

.

.

.

..

.

.

.

.

..

.

.

The first man stood alone

On the barren field

And in the distance he saw

The locked gate beyond which

His greatest shame was kept.

He turned to the snake

Who writhed on its belly 

Like a worm

And cursed it for its treachery

"You tricked me," the man said

"You led my hand astray

And now we are damned for it."

The snake sighed.

"I gave you knowledge," it said

"And with that knowledge

You made the choice you made.

I could not make it for you."

The man cried out

"All the same, trusting you was

My greatest mistake." 

"No," the snake said.

"Your greatest mistake was

Believing you had a choice at all."

_ ______ _

A/N -1: So, because I had written this so mysteriously and I want to brag and explain the cool knowledge I know, this is depicting the Garden of Eden from the Book of Genesis in the Bible. The two trees are the Tree of Life, and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. 

A/N - 2: This is a poem I found in a 4-part SCP Story written by user Djkaktus, the second part of the story co-authored by user TwistedGears. The story itself is called The Ouroboros Cycle. I highly recommend it. The poem itself is located in the Fourth part of the story, which is solely written by Djkaktus. I tried to see if it was a copy, and find if it had an original author, but to my knowledge it is written by Djkaktus. So credit goes to him. If you can find the original author, I will give credit where it is due. 

I have returned from the looney bin, to tell you my tales I scratch on the walls of my padded cell. Am I finally going to update my other works, which are now several years old and make me want to die when I read them? Probably not.

If you were to hold a gun to my head and force me to read them, I would just tell you to shoot me. 

  Yes, this will be a crossover and multiverse travel story later on, but I am not focused on that part specifically. The point of this fanfic is not wish-fulfillment or self-fulfillment. It is to tell an actual story. 

Why did I write such a pointless chapter? Because I figured it would be more entertaining to read than the standard death, R.O.B meeting and Gacha roll for powers and world. If you hated it, oh well. These first two chapters are going to be an introduction, then we will get into the actual story. 

I now have a p*treon for anyone who thinks I am worth supporting.

p a t r e o n .com/SynthScytheScorpion

I love to read comments, reviews, and any sort of constructive criticism, so please don't be afraid to comment. Or just yell at me to work faster. 

Feed me power stones, to satiate my infinite hunger. And give me motivation to continue to write.