The eye inside the Tree of Creation slowly opened.
Darkness spread through the garden like living ink.
Where it passed, flowers turned to ash.
The leaves of the Tree shriveled.
Even the stars above began losing their light.
No one spoke.
For the first time since his journey began, Nathan sensed an enemy with no anger, no hatred, and no desire for revenge.
It simply existed.
Origin took one step forward.
His expression was filled with regret.
"So..."
"...you finally woke."
The eye blinked.
A deep voice echoed from within the Tree.
"I never slept."
"I waited."
The bark split apart.
A massive figure emerged from the trunk.
Its body shifted constantly between shadow and smoke.
Thousands of broken stars floated beneath its skin.
Its face changed every second, becoming someone different each time Nathan looked.
A frightened child.
A grieving mother.
A dying soldier.
A lonely king.
Every face carried the same expression.
Despair.
Halo floated closer to Nathan.
