[Ash, your Nexus has begun to exist.]
[You can now access your Nexor.]
Ash wanted nothing more than to open his Nexor and see what kind of power he had awakened, but he stopped. There were far more pressing matters in front of him.
"'You' couldn't have called me here just to awaken my spark or whatever; there must be something else planned, right?"
Believing in God or not, Ash was sure of one thing: if someone needed this much human sacrifice to awaken just someone's powers, there must be something else that 'They' were planning.
And he would be damned to believe otherwise.
A loud, thunderous laughter rang in the void, and Ash felt as if his skin were being peeled right off his body.
He was so weak he couldn't even endure 'Their' laughter. A pathetic display that only amused 'Them' further, especially since he had dared to question 'Their' intent.
"MUHAHAHAHA!!"
"You are right, child. You asked me a question in the beginning… what kind of god I am. Let me tell you, I'm certainly not a good kind."
The moment these words entered his ears, something primal awakened within him.
Ash wanted nothing more than to run away from the presence, but his entire being was beyond his control. He felt bound to his place, unable to move a muscle.
"Fear not… I don't plan to harm you."
Ash wanted to scoff at 'Them,' but he controlled his urges.
"Why should I believe you?"
"You would have died long ago if not for me."
'T-That's true…'
Nodding, Ash spun around, scanning the endless void in every direction....
"What do I have to do?"
"I couldn't ask more from a little one… just sacrifice the whole kingdom to me, and you shall have my blessing."
The words were said so casually that Ash almost forgot he had to react. He was about to ask whether this was the requirement to pass the trial or not, but stopped when a thought appeared in his head.
Everything was right in front of him; he just hadn't connected the dots until now.
'Wait a damn minute… I'm still dreaming, and He is a god of my dream… so, why am I afraid of Him?…'
Feeling bold, Ash was about to let arrogance take over when something clicked for him.
He could still be killed with a mere flick of 'Their' finger.
"Wise…"
These words confirmed his fear. How could he hope to contend with this being when his own mind wasn't spared from 'Them'?
"Is this the way to pass the trial?"
Ash asked, his tone humbled all of a sudden.
"No written words exist to follow for the end of this trial. One must find the way for themselves."
Hearing these words, Ash shook his head; if it weren't absolutely necessary, he wouldn't sacrifice the innocent just for the sake of some evil god's blessing.
He was better than this, or at least assumed himself to be.
Smirking, Ash asked 'Them' something:
"You are a god of time and space… so if your power is all-powerful, you already know the answer I would give, right?"
If Ash could have seen 'Their' face, he would have been terrified of how big of a grin had appeared on the boundless face of the being. 'They' were filled with ecstasy, for 'They' had found the one they were looking for.
"I'm more than aware."
"Then why feel the need to ask?"
If 'They' were to know the answer, there was no point in wasting any time. There was no reward 'They' could offer that would make Ash sell out his morals.
"Exactly for the reason you experience life despite knowing of death. It is simply my duty to ask."
"Well, no arguing with that… What do I do now?"
All of a sudden, there was nothing more to say. He had enough questions to overwhelm the other side, but Ash remained silent.
Heeding 'Their' words, he would find the meaning for himself.
"Now… We do this."
Along with these words, a snap echoed in his ears. Suddenly, a calm voice whispered in his mind.
[Personal Quest: ■■'s Request has arrived.]
[Do you want to accept it?]
[Yes / No]
Hearing this, Ash turned his head—assuming 'They' were there—and asked.
"What is this…? I told you I won't sacrifice others for your sake."
"There is no penalty for failure… but if you succeed, the reward is far more than can be imagined. I don't see any loss here."
'They' said, 'Their' tone betraying the emotion 'They' were feeling.
Ash wanted to decline the offer then and there, but knowing he was standing in front of a god, he sighed and nodded. As the god had said, there was no loss in accepting it, so he didn't feel any burden either.
[You have accepted the personal quest: ■■'s Request.]
With the notification, another panel appeared explaining the contents, but Ash ignored it for the time being.
"It seems our time has ended…the time here flows differently than what is considered normal. Don't panic when you feel something different."
"Wha—"
Before Ash could ask the reason, another snap echoed in the void. The sensation of falling overwhelmed him once again, and with a sharp cry, he felt as though he were waking up from a nightmare.
Ash opened his eyes and looked around.
Instead of a green forest and cold moonlight, he found himself surrounded by gray, rough stone. The moonlight was replaced by the slight glimmer of a torch burning in the corner.
'Where am I?'
Questioning his surroundings, Ash turned his head and found himself behind metal bars. Only this time, the cell was massive, with numerous other inmates occupying it.
Even with these differences, there was one thing that hadn't changed: the giant was beside him, sleeping peacefully.
'Shit… did I sleep through it all the way…?'
Ash cursed the god for not explaining the time dilation before. If he had known, he would've kept his questions short and escaped from that void sooner.
'Now, how am I supposed to escape from this prison?'
Slumping on the ground, Ash almost lost hope when he remembered that things were different this time. Now, he had awakened his power. But before learning about his Nexus, he first skimmed through his personal quest panel.
[Personal Quest: ■■'s Request]
[Description: ….]