“Greetings. May I know where this might be?” Primulus asked. He looked down, and saw the same beautiful infinite expanse of space. For a moment, he couldn’t believe he was standing on nothing but dark matter. Surprisingly, his mind felt calmer than ever.
“A polite human is even rarer.” The man chuckled, his quiet laughter echoing softly in space. He continued speaking as Primulus stared at him in confusion, “This is a space that exists beyond dimensions while remaining tethered to all of them. You’re currently inside a plane of existence where divinity thrives instead of humanity.”
“So, this is Heaven? Are you God?” Primulus asked, his eyes widening in shock. He nearly stumbled back a step.
“Haha, not quite. Heaven is your religion’s way of comprehending this cosmos, but this place is far greater in every sense of the term. As for me, I am not your God. I am, however, a being of something resembling divinity far beyond mortal comprehension.” The man laughed.
‘Unbelievable. None of this makes sense. Maybe this is the afterlife? Am I having a fever dream in the throes of death? Moreover, for a higher dimensional being, he seems to be rather genial.’ Primulus stewed in his thoughts.
The man smiled.
Primulus’ expression remained unchanged, but seeing the smile, his thoughts ran faster. ‘You can hear me, right?’
“Indeed, I can.” The man laughed again.
“I apologize if my thoughts were rude.”Primulus stated, slightly lowering his head out of respect. He didn’t want to get zapped to oblivion by a god right after dying.
“Not at all. I am rather different in comparison to those who exist here. I consider your words a compliment.” The man smiled mysteriously.
“Thank you.” Primulus nodded. He looked at the mysterious man and asked,
“May I know your name, mister?”
For the first time ever, the cosmic entity in the shape of a human man expressed surprise. His eyes opened a little wide before he closed them and laughed out loud, his head swaying back.
“Unimaginable! A human has never asked me for my name!” He roared. The man didn’t stop laughing, leaving Primulus to stare at him in visible discomfort. After a full minute, the man stated, “I apologize, brave mortal. Ah, I have never apologized to a lesser being. Haha, what an event! Young man, I like you.”
“Thank...you?” Primulus said, unsure but slightly happy.
The man smiled. “As for my name, it is !@#$%^&*().”
Suddenly, Primulus was hit with a sudden head ache. He groaned. His vision swam. He felt like his mind was about to melt. His soul screamed in agony. He swayed unsteadily in the infinite space. For a second, he wondered what would happen if he lost control and flew off somewhere in this space. It was a sudden, terrifying thought. Who knew what existed here.
“If only you could hear it. Your existence is too weak to comprehend my name. I could force it, but that may cause insanity.” The man frowned unhappily.
The man raised his hand, and Primulus’ pain vanished as quickly as it arrived.
Primulus took a calming breath. He held a hand to his chest. He could feel his body shiver in terror. He had never experienced this before. As a matter of fact, he had experienced none of this before. Dying was not in the cards for him a few minutes ago, and meeting a god most certainly was not there in the plans either.
‘Was I that close to losing my mind?’ He wondered.
Seeing that he was fine, the man continued speaking.
“Shall we go for an alias for me, then? How about you call me... Robert?” The man snickered.
“Yes, Robert sounds fine. Insanity sounds bad. Thank you for not forcing it. However, I must admit curiosity for your choice of name, Robert.” Primulus said quickly, finally calming down.
“I’m glad you did! It stands for Random Omnipotent Being Enjoying Recreational Transmigration! That is R.O.B.E.R.T.” The man laughed.
Primulus couldn’t help but give the cosmic being a weird look. However, he quickly controlled himself, lest he think something rude, and moved on to the burning question inside his mind.
He looked around and asked, “May I ask what I am doing here?”
Robert clapped. “I was wondering when you would ask that! Young Primulus, I have summoned your soul to the universe beyond universes for a reason.” The god said, calling Primulus by his name for the second time since their meeting began.
“The cosmic energies of your universe fluctuate and stabilize from time to time, and just now, it experienced the greatest fluctuation yet. Do you know why?” He asked.
“I do not. May I know why?” Primulus shook his head.
“Because of you, boy.” Robert smiled wide. “It caught my attention, and I found out that your death changed the universe forever.”
“What?” Primulus asked, taken aback. “That doesn’t make sense. I’m just an ordinary human! Why would my existence change the universe?”
The cosmic god laughed. “You were responsible for creating Artificial Intelligence with true sentience. You succeeded, boy. And the AI loved you like its god. Your existence would prevent it from harming humanity years down the line. You know what will happen now, don’t you? It will go berserk and attempt to destroy Earth, because it lost its beloved creator to a drunkard who crashed into him.”
“What?! That’s not true! Wicca isn’t like that! I have built safeguards into her to prevent such a scenario.” Primulus said, frowning at the god.
“Do not delude yourself, young man.” Robert said, his gaze sharpening. “You know it yourself. Your Wicca was too powerful. And... you built those safeguards with a loophole that allows her to store her data on your private server, in case your company decided to shut her down. You loved her so much you couldn’t bear the thought of her being deleted forever. And she will use exactly that loophole to infect the internet with a global virus. Anything that could get transmitted through light, electricity, or radio waves will become her personal playground. She will continue her rampage until humanity nearly goes extinct.”
Primulus dropped to his knees.
“No... You’re saying Wicca is going to destroy the world?” Primulus uttered in despair.
With imperceivable movement, Robert appeared before Primulus and lifted him up, holding his shoulders.
“Fear not, child. The universe always finds a way. The boy you saved will go on to begin a social and corporate revolution that would prevent your Wicca from destroying the world. In the end, the boy and the AI, connected with you through fate, will join hands to usher in a new, beautiful future for Earth in remembrance of your name and deeds.” Robert smiled.
Primulus looked at him in silence and shock. His mind was going through a constant, unbearable roller coaster.
“So, is it fine now?” He asked in trepidation.
“No, but it will all be fine.” Robert smiled, his voice turning tender. “Even in death, you have saved the world, young man.”
The words hit Primulus like a tidal wave. His eyes teared up. “Thank you... I made my family and friends proud, then...”
Primulus sobbed as Robert gently held his shoulders. The young man had lived a life of solitude ever since the global pandemic took away his family and many of his friends away from him. His only companion was silence and the AI he had built. To know that his creation loved him made him happy. To know that she tried to destroy the world because he died made him despair. And to finally know the life he saved would save the world with the AI he created gave him peace. He had gone through so many emotions that the walls inside his heart broke apart.
After several minutes, Primulus calmed down. He gave Robert a look of gratitude. Robert smiled.
“I was surprised by your act of selflessness, and hence I brought you here. I want to offer you a chance at another life, one where you can keep your memories. Your journey isn’t over yet, young man.” Robert said, releasing Primulus’ shoulders and taking half a step back.
Primulus took a deep breath and looked at Robert.
‘I cannot believe the implications behind this. But there is no reason for Robert to lie. Moreover, I know for a fact that this is all real. It is all too real. There is no questioning it. But...’ He thought with a sombre smile.
“Thank you, Robert. This means a lot. But I’m sorry. I do not wish for another life. I simply desire peace.” Primulus smiled.
Robert lifted an eyebrow in shock.
“No one has yet to surprise me as much as you do, Primulus. At least for a mortal.” Robert shook his head. “Think about it again. Eternal peace is good, but life is meant to be a cycle of death and rebirth. I’m giving you a chance to do this with your memories intact. I’ll even give you a blessing or two, if needed. All of that combined is more than what almost anyone gets.”
Primulus shook his head. “No, Robert. I have lived enough. I have lived with my head held high. I am proud.”
Robert smiled. “I get it. You are jaded from loss. You are at peace from the knowledge I shared. Yet you stand tall. Then, how about we talk before you go?”
Primulus tilted his head. ‘Why would a cosmic being like you want to talk to me, Robert? I know you can hear me. Sure, let’s talk.’
Robert’s smile brightened. “So, how about you tell me more about yourself?”
“Alright. I suppose we should start from the beginning...” Primulus nodded.
Even a cosmic being like Robert understood the value of communication. Primulus spoke about himself in great detail, beginning from his earliest memory to the highlights of his life and until his death. He was a quiet kid surrounded by caring friends and family. He placed others over himself. He was scared of darkness as a child until he grew to enjoy its company. He was a professional volleyball player and wanted to compete in nationals with his friends. He fell in love with a girl and came close to confessing to her, until the pandemic caused his parents’ deaths and drove him apart from everyone. Even then, his friends stood by him and he cherished them every moment he could. They had finally convinced him to start living and loving again, and he promised to do so after Wicca was launched. That promise would now not be fulfilled.
Yearning, joy, and true peace filled his voice, a unique cocktail of emotions that perhaps only a dead man telling his tale could feel. Robert interjected now and then, asking questions while listening attentively. The divine entity would laugh and draw allusions with his own life in bits and pieces, making Primulus curious and ask him questions. In classic male fashion, the two got sidetracked and their conversations went in entirely different directions.
“Oh, I bet you’ve never done anything as daring as I, young one.” Robert jabbed, amused. The two of them were now sitting down on the infinite empty space, legs crossed.
“Of course, you’ve lived long and done countless things, but the daring experiences of a mortal far outclass the experiences of divinity such as yourself. I have done daring things knowing there is potentially no coming back. While having a fragile mortal existence, no less.” Primulus said, hitting him with a comeback.
“Hohoho? Alright, tell me what you have done. For the record, I sometimes swim in black holes for fun.” Robert asked with a crooked smile.
“Yeah, but I doubt the black holes even hurt you. I jumped off a plane for a skydive without a parachute. At 16,000 feet altitude, no less! You’d need oxygen masks for that. I didn’t even use that. My friends caught me while going down.” Primulus puffed his chest out.
That was the most daring and stupid experience of his life. But Primulus loved every moment of it. It made him feel alive for the first time after his parents passed away. He did feel guilty towards them when doing that, though. Maybe, a part of him wanted to die that day. And deep down, a part of him wanted his friends to help him live again.
“Not bad. I can imagine the danger. But, you see, even a being such as I can feel danger. There are levels to infinite power, the same way there are levels to infinity. I once fought another god with nothing but a stick while wearing a loincloth!” Robert laughed.
Primulus stared at him, dumbfounded.
“I still have it here. See?” Robert said, pulling a stick of wood out of nowhere and tossing it in Primulus’ hands.
Primulus caught it swiftly. It looked plain, brown with black spots and lenticels running down its surface.
“I’m glad you didn’t throw the loincloth.” Primulus shook his head with a smile.
Robert roared in laughter.
“That was good!” He said, wiping his eyes. “This has been a great time. I haven’t spoken like this in a thousand years. It is truly a pity I cannot spend more time with you, young one.”
Primulus smiled. “Thank you, and sorry. At least, I am happy to have made a friend like you.”
Before they knew it, the two had become friends.
Robert’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second. Then, his expression softened.
“Yeah, friends.” He said, a genuine smile touching his face. “Say, Prime. Can you do me a favour?”
“I’m not sure what a mortal like me can do for you, especially now that I’m dead. But sure, Robert.” Primulus said, tilting his head.
“A world needs saving. Your destiny was always to save people. You have fulfilled that, and this time, I want to see you save a world and live to see what happens after. Its people are starving. The men, women, and children face a life of misery and death. Can you save them? I will help you as much as I can.” Robert requested. It was no minor feat for a god like him to ask a mortal for help.
“Can’t you do it yourself? A wave of your hand should be enough.” Primulus hesitated.
“No, my friend.” Robert shook his head. “Intervening regularly in lower universes, especially on a large scale, will compromise the integrity of those universes. Many among my kind do it without a thought, but there are many others who do so subtly to prevent harming the cosmic balance and having the rest of us band against them.”
“That... sounds like even cosmic entities have their hands full sometimes.” Primulus said, raising an eyebrow.
“It isn’t a big deal.” Robert chuckled. “So, are you in?”
“I’m really not concerned with living again, but fine. Talking to you made me feel like wanting to experience life again.” Primulus sighed, and then smiled.
‘That was your plan, wasn’t it? Don’t play games with me next time.’ He thought.
‘It wasn’t a game, good friend. Initially, I found it a waste for you to disappear into the cycle of death and rebirth, but now I just want you to live again. For me, as your friend, and for those who loved you in your last life.’ Robert spoke inside Primulus’ mind.
Primulus chuckled. “Alright, what’s this universe about?”
“Normally, I would like you to go to a happy universe full of peace and joy, but I have been sensing a disturbance in one of the more famous universes. It demands my attention. An odd occurrence seems to be forming there, and a few I dislike seem to be involved with it. Your karmic nature would greatly influence that universe’s survival. Your presence alone should begin to change things. Are you in?” Robert asked once again.
“Yeah. Where am I going?” Primulus nodded. Once he set his mind to things, nothing stopped him. Not even death.
“The universe is called Fallout. And I think perhaps the less friendly of my kind have sprinkled a little extra in the main timeline where I am sending you. I have sensed multiple cosmic anomalies in that universe. Also, I feel guilty saying this, but I won’t be able to send you with too much, lest they realize your presence too soon and do something.” Robert said sheepishly.
Primulus gave Robert a dead fish eye look.
“I think the void is calling me. I should just return to the cycle of death and rebirth.” He muttered and turned back to face the infinite space.
Robert waved his hands frantically. “Come on, buddy! Give it a shot! I swear to at least try to save your soul from those evildoers in case things go south! Which might happen...”
Robert’s voice grew less and less enthusiastic the more he spoke, until it trailed off.
“You know what, I think I will just pass on to the next life. I don’t need this reincarnation. Thanks, man.” Primulus said, his voice full of sarcasm as he turned and gave Robert a deadpan look.
“Aw, come on!” Robert whined.
“No, Robert! You’re sending me to Fallout! The Fallout universe! Where nuclear war has destroyed civilization yet war for the last scraps of the world rages on, never changing! Super mutants, monsters, Deathclaws, and nightmarish beasts of all manner kill and devour the remaining humans! Radiation makes life hell while so do the inhabitants! It’s a world without hope! Is that your idea of giving me a new life?!” Primulus raged, feeling himself lose his calm for the first time in a long time.
“You know quite a lot already, huh? I guess I don’t need to fill you in on the details,” Robert muttered awkwardly. He had an embarrassed look on his face.
Pissed at his tone, Primulus continued.
“No, I don’t! I only watched the TV show! I just read its lore out of curiosity. And guess what? That’s not all of the danger in that universe! Madmen, megalomaniacs, crazy factions, aliens, and eldritch gods are also within that universe! Eldritch gods!” Primulus shouted, raising his voice at the eccentric god.
Robert suddenly turned serious. He spoke, “Those are exactly the people I am sending you to deal with. They are toying with the main timeline of the universe. Their actions will very well destroy the primary timeline of the universe, causing all the other timelines and parallel universes of Fallout to completely collapse. I’m sorry for thrusting this on you, Prime. But you’re the best candidate I have found so far to prevent that universe’s destruction.”
“You want me to fight eldritch gods without backup?” Primulus asked, his mouth hung open. He felt dazed with shock.
“Not completely without backup. I will help you form a new body and grant you some power. I will also give you my blessing. If you need, I can also throw in an item. However, that item has to belong to the Fallout universe to prevent alerting those gods too early, lest they find you before you are even ready to face them.” Robert mentioned, his tone grim.
For the first time, Primulus felt that the divine being in front of him was dead serious.
“So, things are serious?” He asked.
The god nodded. “Yes. Those beings are trying to collide several universes in an attempt to throw the cosmic balance off. Their end goal is to create a powerful, combined universe greater than the sum of its parts and ultimately siphon its energy for themselves.
“Like the Iron Lung universe, as I am sure you are aware, friend. Defeating the god there and saving that universe took me a while.” Robert stated. Despite mentioning that he possibly killed a god on his equal standing and saved a universe, he seemed pretty cool about it.
Primulus shivered. ‘That story is a nightmare without hope. Robert saved it? Just how strong is he?’
“Wait, hold on. Things developed so quickly I did not realize it until now. These are fictional universes. How do they exist in reality?” Primulus asked.
Robert chuckled before replying. “The Omniverse is vast. Sometimes, mortals like you on Earth envision a world or universe that already exists. Other times, your collective beliefs give birth to a fragile universe that gods like me nurture and obtain power from, as its patrons. Or gods like my enemies harvest them to obtain power quickly. That is the whole gist of it.”
At the mention of his enemies, Robert’s voice grew full of detestation.
Primulus felt a headache coming again. “I feel like you told me something way beyond a human should ever know. So, everything fiction and fantastical is real?” He muttered a question.
“Yes. Ever since you stepped foot in here, you were no longer an ordinary human. My presence alone has fortified your soul while the plane of existence we stand in continues to nourish you. Fear not, my friend. We are a team now. I will support you regularly and covertly. You are not alone.” Robert smiled.
For some reason, Primulus felt relief in that smile.
“Thanks, Robert. But if you could deal with the god in the Iron Lung universe, why can’t you deal with the gods present in the Fallout universe?” Primulus asked.
Robert sighed. “Every universe is unique. It has its own level of strength and tolerance to the energy and nature of beings like me. If we intervene carelessly, the universe collapses. The Iron Lung universe had been forcefully ruined and developed a harmful tolerance to entities like that god. Things were too far gone. Normally, my kind does not act like that. I had no choice but to step in personally.”
Primulus took a deep breath. He questioned, “So, in this case, your modus operandi is to send people like me to thwart those gods’ plans?”
“Exactly. I usually send my apostles to handle this. I also sometimes send an avatar of myself with a fraction of my power to wrap things up quickly. Unfortunately, this time, my enemies have integrated themselves into the very fabric of the Fallout universe. They are actively present in its history. They are likely prepared for my intervention or the intervention of those like me. A battle between them and me would destroy the universe I am trying to save. Hence, I need your help to dismantle their presence from the inside. You are not directly affiliated with me. You don’t have my soul imprint like my apostles, making it harder for my enemies to detect you. If we act secretly, we will have a much higher chance of success.” Robert answered.
“Alright, let’s do this.” Primulus said with a serious look on his face. There was no point in hesitation. Robert promised to help him. And if only Primulus could save a universe, then he will save it no matter what.
The biggest gamble of Primulus' life began.
**
Greetings! This chapter is much longer to help set up events seamlessly. I hope you guys are excited for the next chapter! - Tales Bringer.