Donovan sat upon a golden rock in the Ninth Heaven, the highest plane within his novel's scope. His sharp, empty yellow eyes fixated on the location of the "Book of Fiction." He did not need to search for it—he already knew where it was. It was with Chasin.
He exhaled slowly, resting his cheek against his hand as his mind drifted into the abyss of memory.
[Flashback]
A younger Donovan stood in the darkness of a city at night, his small frame cloaked in invisibility. His gaze widened as he witnessed the scene before him—Ayzal's sword plunged deep into Kyrus' core. In the same moment, Kyrus disintegrated into atoms, scattering across the universe. The only thing that remained was a simple ring, clinking against the ground.
"Finally... he's dead… I… I killed the Creator." Ayzal's voice was sharp, tinged with a madness that sent a chill through the air.
"And this is just the beginning… Now, I will shape the world as I desire… a world free from the rule of the Creators and those who believe they control destiny."
Above them, the sky trembled, mourning the fall of its master. Yet Ayzal merely swept his robe behind him and strode away, as if the act had been no more than an afterthought.
Once Ayzal had vanished, Child Donovan hesitantly stepped forward. The ring lay before him, gleaming in the pale moonlight. He bent down, picking it up with careful fingers, his empty yellow eyes tracing over the strange, mysterious symbols engraved into its surface.
A tear fell onto the ring.
"What…?" Donovan touched his own face, startled to find that more were falling. "What is this…? Damn you, Kyrus… You lied… You… you left me." His voice was cold, yet the tears would not stop.
Kyrus' final words echoed in his mind:
Donovan, do you see this ring? If anything happens to me, I want you to distribute its pieces to the other Creators. This ring maintains the balance of their narratives… That is what must be done.
Donovan wiped his tears away. Emotions… they only lead to destruction. I must master them.
With a single bound, he left the ruined city, ascending beyond the story Kyrus had once governed. From high above, he looked down upon it, then firmly shut the book. "You will have a new Creator soon."
With a decisive motion, he broke a piece from the ring. A dimensional portal opened before him, revealing countless swirling stars. He cast the fragment inside, watching as the portal sealed itself. Then, one by one, he shattered the remaining pieces, sending each fragment to a different Creator.
Finally, he turned back toward the world Kyrus had left behind. "Rest in peace, my friend."
Five Thousand Years Later
Donovan stood amidst the Creators' "main stories," his eyes narrowing at an empty spot. He had slain one of the Creators four hundred years ago—he had known this day would come.
A new pillar rose from the ground, reaching the same height as the others. Donovan extended his hand, summoning sheets of paper that swirled together, forming a cover and endless pages. He cast one final glance into the abyss before pressing his palm to the story.
As he stepped inside, the void that had surrounded him vanished. He exhaled, deep in thought. Then, by his will, a second version of himself materialized at his side, and that copy created another, and another. They continued until the world of Authors was formed, trapping them within, alongside the tools they would use to write.
Donovan emerged from that world, standing once more in the void. With a single, resounding clap, the universe was born. It expanded endlessly, spawning more universes, which, in turn, created others. As each cosmos took shape, Donovan stretched out his hand and wove the cosmic web, ensuring balance.
Galaxies spiraled outward, stretching into infinity. Webs of reality wove themselves into place, binding all of existence in perfect harmony. Satisfied, Donovan reached out and plucked a single universe from the vast cosmic tapestry.
The sphere shimmered, pulsating with latent energy. Slowly, it shifted, morphing into the form of a young woman. Her rich brown skin gleamed under the cosmic light, her soft brown hair falling in delicate waves. Trembling, she sat upon his fingertip naked, gazing at him with wide, frightened eyes.
"W-who… are y-you?" she stammered.
Donovan's gaze remained impassive. "A difficult question… with an even more difficult answer."
She struggled to stand, her legs shaking beneath her, but soon, she steadied herself. "Please… tell me who I am… and why I'm here."
"You are something I created. You are the avatar of the universes, the guardian meant to maintain balance."
Her breath hitched. "I… I don't understand."
"You will, in time."
"Now," Donovan continued, "I will grant you omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, so that your task may be easier."
Golden light radiated from the young woman, engulfing her in brilliance. As it dimmed, elegant garments formed upon her body, tailored perfectly to her form.
"From this moment forth, your name shall be Asteria."
She blinked, then smiled. "Yes, my Creator. But… what should I call you?"
Donovan's gaze remained unreadable. "I do not concern myself with names. They impose limits. But for the sake of communication… you may call me Donovan."
"Okay, Mr. Donovan." Asteria giggled playfully.
Millions of Years Later
Asteria fulfilled her duties diligently, balancing the multiverse. In time, she fell in love with Donovan, and he with her. They married, sharing eons together, until the day she made a fateful decision.
"You sacrificed your omnipotence and omniscience… for the sake of the universes?" Donovan's voice was icy. His glowing yellow eyes bore into her. "I never asked you to do this."
"For the future," Asteria whispered, eyes brimming with unshed tears. "For those who will come after… you already understand, so why ask?"
Donovan exhaled slowly, then pulled her into an embrace. She clung to him.
"You've given up everything," he murmured. "Your strength… your existence… why do this to me?"
Asteria lifted her head and kissed him lightly, then smiled through her sorrow. "From the beginning of this universe to the end of time, I will love you—even in death."
Seventy years later, she lay on her deathbed, still youthful in appearance. Donovan sat beside her, gripping her hand tightly.
"If you want me to restore your immortality… just ask," he pleaded.
Asteria squeezed his hand weakly, smiling one last time. "From the beginning of this universe to the end of time… I will love you…"
Her hand fell limp.
Donovan remained still, staring at her lifeless body. Slowly, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then lifted her into his arms and transported them both to the Ninth Heaven.
There, he laid her to rest in a golden coffin and buried her in the highest, most sacred place.
"This… is the least I can do for you."
[End of Flashback]
Donovan stood from the golden rock, staring at the luminous sky of the Ninth Heaven.
"The past remains only in memories. I exist in the present… and the future awaits."
With his hands in his pockets, he turned away from Asteria's grave and walked forward into what was to come.
Then Donovan continued walking with calm steps, his voice flowing quietly as if he were addressing existence itself:
"In the end... even I... cannot guarantee my life."
He did not turn around, nor did he slow his steps, but his luminous eyes shone brightly, as if they reflected an undeniable truth, a truth that transcended concepts, even transcended fate itself.