Chapter 407: Point of no return

As I drifted through the boundless cosmos, passing celestial bodies of incredible scale and majesty, an unusual tranquility enveloped me. The traumatic events of my recent past seemed distant and muted as if the cosmic tapestry itself had welcomed me into its gentle embrace.

It was a surreal sensation, one that defied explanation. The grandeur of the cosmos extended before me, a breathtaking display of wonders that stirred a deep fascination I had harbored since my earliest memories. A fascination that transcended my very existence and now found its ultimate fulfillment as I traversed the heavens in this formless state.

I marveled at the effortless way I navigated this celestial realm. No longer confined by a physical body, I moved with a fluidity that mirrored the seamless ebb and flow of the universe itself. Teleportation, a once conscious and calculated act, now occurred naturally, akin to an instinct or an inherent part of my essence.

The inherent stillness of my emotions, their suppression in the face of such celestial grandeur, perplexed me. I knew I should feel a sense of disorientation, even anxiety, as I ventured into this unknown realm. Yet, all I experienced was a quiet sense of acceptance, an acknowledgment of my place in this cosmic dance.

My journey took me through stars, each one a dazzling spectacle, born from the collapse of gaseous nebulae. I witnessed the radiant birth and eventual death of these celestial bodies, an eternal cycle of creation and destruction. I observed the far reaches of the universe, galaxies beyond count, each one a universe unto itself, filled with stars, planets, and the untold wonders of the cosmos.

Amidst the silent beauty of it all, I felt a profound sense of belonging. As though I had found my true home among the stars, existing in harmony with the cosmos. It was as if the universe had beckoned me, revealing its enigmatic secrets, and offering a serene refuge from the chaos and strife I had known before.

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Lost in an inexplicable state, I couldn't gauge the passage of time. It was as though I had transcended the constraints of reality, drifting from one enigmatic place to another. Then, an imperceptible shift in the cosmic mana enveloping me drew my attention. This change, though subtle, was discernible thanks to my heightened sensitivity to the cosmic energies. It was as if the cosmic mana itself had taken on a sentient quality.

A smooth, ancient voice reverberated through my mind, echoing with a weight of eons. "You are not supposed to be here," it intoned, and a shiver ran down my spine.

Instinctively, I scanned my surroundings, my senses on high alert, yet found nothing tangible. In an effort to steady my racing thoughts, I cautiously extended my consciousness toward the cosmic mana and hesitantly asked, "Hello?"

The voice responded, its tone carrying an air of wisdom and authority, "It is not your time yet to join us, young Dragon."

My inner thoughts whirled with a mix of awe and trepidation. Could it truly be the cosmic mana communicating with me? Was I on the brink of madness? Hesitant but compelled, I inquired, "And who are you?"

In a surprising departure from the expected enigmatic response, the voice replied with calm assurance, "I am your predecessor, young Dragon."

His words stirred a torrent of emotions within me, and I couldn't restrain my curiosity. "The previous cosmic pillar? But you're dead?"

The voice chuckled softly. "Haha, indeed, I am."

Silence hung in the air, and when the voice offered no further explanation, I couldn't hold back my rising anxiety. "If you are the previous cosmic pillar, and you are dead, how am I able to converse with you? Wait! Am I dead?"

With a measured cadence, the voice replied, "Hmm, I suppose physically you are."

The realization crashed upon me like a tidal wave. "I...I was dead." The notion had been lurking in the recesses of my mind when I could no longer sense my soul space, but hearing it stated so bluntly was a jolt to my very being.

"Wait," I stammered, "you said physically?"

"Indeed," the voice affirmed calmly. "Your body no longer exists. It has been torn apart into shreds, along with your soul space."

I struggled to maintain composure, my emotions roiling beneath the surface. "But, if my body and soul space are gone, how am I still here? Is this the afterlife?"

"That is because you are a cosmic dragon," the voice explained with a serene gravitas. "Your soul space is the cosmos itself."

"The cosmos?" I hesitated, my understanding faltering.

For a moment, the voice remained silent, as if gathering the words to elucidate the cosmic mysteries. Finally, it spoke, "When a Cosmic pillar dies, we return to the cosmic mana. That's why your current form is shapeless and formless."

"Doesn't that mean I'm truly dead?" I queried.

The voice released a sigh, its tone filled with patience. "No, child, you have a choice to make. You may merge with us, returning to your origin, which would, in essence, render you 'dead.' Many before you have made that choice. Alternatively, you can choose to go back."

"Go back," I muttered, "How can I do that?"

The voice chuckled softly, as if expecting my response. "We have been watching you. Brave but reckless, intelligent yet naive, proud and yet humble, strong but not enough. You are a bundle of contradictions, young Dragon."

Before I could respond, the voice continued, "You must choose, should you wish to return. Your body will be reconstructed, but you will only be able to wield cosmic mana. You will no longer possess a soul space, but you won't require one. You will become a true extension of us, an embodiment of the cosmos."

The voice paused, letting the weight of its words settle in the void. "Now, little Dragon, what will you do?"

"I—"

With a sense of serenity, the voice responded, its words imbued with a soothing cadence, "Take all the time you need, little one. In this realm, time is something we have in abundance."

I couldn't help but seek reassurance, my voice trembling as I asked, "Are you absolutely certain that I won't have access to other mana elements?"

The voice's response was unwavering, a declaration of my cosmic destiny. "You will perceive them, they will acknowledge you, you will witness their existence, but you shall no longer command them. Your sole conduit will be cosmic mana, a force befitting your stature as a Cosmic Dragon. It is more than sufficient for you."

The weight of this revelation settled upon me, and I contemplated the path ahead, knowing that my choices would forever alter the course of my existence.