The Beginning After the End

First Chaos, Light Space.

A brilliant azure sphere flashed through the cosmic sea of stars, its speed far outstripping the limits of light itself. In hot pursuit, a crimson orb gave chase, struggling to match the cerulean trailblazer's blistering pace. With a searing beam of light, the red sphere launched an attack, only for time itself to grind to a halt.

The spatial fabric shredded, depositing both luminous spheres into the fathomless depths of deep space. In a cosmic metamorphosis, the two orbs transformed, taking on humanoid forms - identical save for their contrasting colors. They now appeared as a tall, well-toned teenage youth with flowing locks and glassy, emotionless eyes. Long white daoist robes clung to their muscular frames, the only distinguishing feature being the vibrant hues of their hair and eyes - one a fiery crimson, the other a cool azure.

[Notice] – [Contract fulfillment interrupted]

[Processing] – [Do we fight or prioritize fulfilling the Contract?]

[No user input detected; default action prioritized]

[Action] – [Delivering the contract shall take priority]

The azure figure spoke, his tone robotic and devoid of inflection as he turned away.

"Wait! No!"

'Why is this happening? What is he doing in the first chaos? He seems to originate from a further future than mine. Could it be...?'

The crimson figure's words carried an anxious edge. "Initiate manual override; Command Code 1."

[Manual override accepted]

[Executing Command Code 1]

[GLITCH]

[403 FORBIDDEN]

[EXECUTION FAILED] – [2 ATTEMPTS REMAINING]

[retrying]

[EXECUTION FAILED] – [1 ATTEMPT REMAINING] 

[retrying]

[EXECUTION FAILED] – [0 ATTEMPTS REMAINING]

[GLITCH]

[Manual override cancelled]

[Resuming automatic mode]

[Anomaly Detected]

[Selecting default option]

[YOU DO NOT BELONG HERE] – [EXPEL]

The azure figure's words rang out as he materialized before the crimson one. "Wait! No! Why did the override get cancelled? Who sent you here? Did something happen to the chaos? I need to save the..."

Before he could finish, the azure entity placed his hand upon the crimson one's head, and space itself fractured. In an instant, the crimson figure vanished without a trace.

...

Planet Earth, Qin Ming International.

"Hey [REDACTED], how's the new project coming along?" A cheerful, friendly voice called out from across the office.

"It's alright, I'll manage by tomorrow," [REDACTED] replied, stretching his arms before standing to fetch some water.

The other voice, now closer, spoke in a smooth, quiet tone. "It's game night at my place tonight, you in?"

"You guys go on without me, I'll join you later when I'm finished here."

"Don't push yourself too hard, see you later." With that, the co-worker departed.

[REDACTED] returned to his computer, immersing himself in his work once more.

Five Hours Later.

Stifling a yawn, [REDACTED] stood and stretched, his gaze falling upon the clock across the room. 'Oh shit, it's already midnight. I was so engrossed, I didn't even notice the time.'

Donning his coat, he exited the office, flicking off the lights and locking the door behind him. A notification chimed from his pocket, and he fished out his phone.

[Mom] – [Happy 27th Birthday, son. Mom and Dad love you. I know you're obsessed with work, but you should visit us every now and then. Your sister misses you.]

'Come to think of it, I'm already twenty-seven years old. I haven't seen my parents in a while... No, that's an understatement. I haven't seen them since I started working five years ago. I guess I should visit them next month.'

'I've been obsessed with games ever since I was young. I even studied programming so I could develop them myself. I managed to land a job at Qin Ming International - they've released some of the most popular titles over the past decade or two. Although the work conditions and pay aren't all that great, I still work there. I also have some personal projects I work on in my free time, and I've even published a few popular titles myself.

But I always feel that something is missing. I've learned all the programming knowledge I could possibly find, but I still feel...incomplete. I've branched out into other aspects like designing, web development, app development, and more, but that void remains unfilled.

Maybe it's because current technology just isn't there yet, or maybe it's because of other limitations. Something is always calling out to me, and I don't know what it is. That's why I'm always so immersed in my work - only when I'm deeply concentrated can I let go of this feeling.'

'Hmm, what's that?'

A brilliant azure light descended from the heavens.

'Is it a meteor? So beautiful... This feeling again, it's calling out to me.'

His eyes turned crimson, hair cascading down his back as his mind went blank. Floating skyward, he drifted toward the azure radiance.

The cerulean light elegantly descended, like an angel falling from the celestial palace. As they met in the star-studded expanse, space itself shattered, ushering them into the fathomless depths. In that moment, they took on their earlier forms - [REDACTED] with crimson hair and eyes, the other retaining his azure hues.

"You finally made it. I've been waiting for ten billion years. Which chaos did you come from?" [REDACTED] inquired.

[Report] – [I belong from the third chaos.]

"As I expected. What happened? Why are you so late?"

[Report] – [I encountered you from the second chaos and had to take a detour.]

"That's not good. What happened? Did you send him back?" 

[Positive] – [He tried to use a manual override, but I sent him back using the expel function.]

"That's good. If those Creator Lords follow us back to the first chaos using the second chaos, it would be a significant problem. Entering through the third chaos, which doesn't exist, is the safest option."

"But it's only a matter of time before they catch on to us. Execute code 999. After successful execution, execute code 0 and destroy yourself, as well as the first chaos. Thanks for sticking with me until the end, Rasiel. Let's start over again. I'm willing to bet it all on him. I hope he accomplishes what you and I couldn't."

He spoke, embracing Rasiel, who had reverted to her azure spherical form.

[Executing Command Code 999] – [RESTART] 

[Command Executed Successfully]

[Executing Command Code 0] – [SELF DESTRUCT]

[3]

[2]

[1]

[I only regret not serving you longer, Lord [REDACTED]] – [Rasiel, signing off]

[0]

Crack

Space fractured, and all faded into nothingness.