Part I: The Encounter with the Double
Arius breathed with great difficulty, his voice coming out raspy and broken:
— I... I cannot comprehend what is happening… Am I in a nightmare?! I don't understand anything...
Then he raised his head, looking at the double with wandering, unfocused eyes:
— If it was you who created me... what is the meaning of my existence in the first place?
The double smiled coldly, leaning slightly forward:
— Do you mean to say that this is your second question, Arius?
Arius screamed suddenly, his body trembling:
— No! No, it is not the second question... Wait! Please, let me process what just happened!
The double leaned back in his chair, turning his head slightly to the side, his smile never leaving his face:
— Take your time... but remember, I do not like to wait for long.
Arius stepped back a few paces, his hand on his head, breathing slowly as if he were drowning in thick air. The voice inside him was trembling:
*I was made by someone... This is unbelievable... Does it mean that everything I've been through, or everything I will go through, is in his hands? Is he the cause of all my suffering? Was everything just a game? Damn it... what do I do now?*
He took a long, deep breath, then walked slowly back to the table, sitting down quietly as he tried to control his shaking. He raised his eyes to the double and said in a low but clear voice:
— My second question... Are you truly the one who entirely owns my destiny? Are you the cause of all the suffering and pain I have endured throughout my life? Were you controlling me as if I were a toy? Answer me... please.
For the first time, the double's smile vanished, and his features shifted into something closer to seriousness. Silence enveloped the place for moments, until Arius felt as though time itself had frozen. Then the double spoke in a low voice, yet it cut like a sword:
— In fact... theoretically, yes. I can control your destiny however I want, and whenever I want.
He paused for a moment, then raised his finger:
— But what happened to you in the past, or what will happen to you in the future... I never did it. Because when I designed and created you, I threw you out to lead your own destiny. Which means everything that happened to you, or will happen to you, is the result of your own decisions... and I have nothing to do with it. All I do is... merely watch you. Specifically until now.
Arius trembled; he opened his mouth but found no words. He stared at the double with wide eyes:
— Do you mean... that everything I have been through so far was just... randomness?
The double moved his head slowly:
— In a way. But if you were a character in a story, it would be different. You walk exactly along the path of the written narrative... but at the same time, you are the one making the steps inside it.
Arius sat in silence, trying to digest all of this, while above the double's head, another green light erupted—the absolute truth. There was no longer any room for doubt.
The double was not lying... every single word he had said so far was true.
The room became quieter than death itself, and Arius felt that what he had just heard was greater than any battle he had ever fought in his entire life. The last green light was slowly fading, leaving Arius in a heavy silence that filled every part of the void around him. His hands were on his forehead, wiping away the sweat, his heart beating so fast it felt as if it wanted to burst from his chest.
— Alright... my third question... Is... this your true form? — his voice trembled slightly.
The double laughed with a mixture of gentleness and coldness, as if his laughter pierced through time and space simultaneously:
— I expected a stronger question, but I will answer you. The truth is, I do not possess a fixed form. I am all forms, but I used this form that resembles yours to bring the picture closer to you... As for reality, I do not possess a form at all.
Arius became bewildered, his eyes widening:
— What do you mean by that?
The double approached slowly and placed his finger on Arius's lips, gesturing for silence:
— The questions are over, my dear... Look, the last green light has appeared.
Arius took a hesitant step forward:
— But I haven't had enough questions yet...
The double laughed, a sharp yet quiet laugh:
— Don't be hasty, everything is beautiful in its own time. Alright... before you leave, I will give you some advice... because everything that has just transpired between us will be erased from your mind, for a reason that will happen soon. Therefore, this advice will remain instinctive within you, even if you forget everything.
Arius leaned forward with curiosity:
— And what is that advice?
The double sighed, then began to speak very slowly, as if his words were being printed inside Arius's mind before he even heard them:
— First: Never give your trust to anyone who leads you toward the light, only for you to discover that they are the lurking darkness.
— Second: Never be blinded by vanity, for you may see yourself above everyone, only to discover that you are among the lowest of the low.
— Third: Do not reject an opportunity toward righteousness, lest you become among the people of misguidance and misery.
— And finally: The three cannot overcome the one, but the one is capable of overcoming the three... yet it is a fall caused by his own actions.
Arius trembled, trying to grasp the ambiguous meanings, his voice coming out laced with confusion:
— Wait... what is the meaning of all this?
The double smiled a serene smile, then began to fade away:
— You will know... when the time comes.
Suddenly, the entire place began to collapse—the walls, the floor, the light... everything was turning into an endless black void. Arius's sense of demise completely overwhelmed him, as if every perspective and reality he knew was vanishing before his eyes.
Finally... everything disappeared. Absolute silence, complete void, and Arius stood alone, his heart beating in an infinite darkness, waiting for whatever would come after this eternal void.
## Part II: The Awakening and Return
Arius rose slowly, his eyes heavily taking in the scenery around him, only to find himself fallen among mountainous rocks behind the city. The cool breeze stung his face, and the scent of the wet forest wafted through the air. Above him, he caught sight of Arlin and Wang sitting near his head, awake and looking bewildered.
— Presidential brother... what happened to us? — Arius said in confusion.
Arlin sat up and replied in a calm voice, as if she were trying to gather her memories:
— I don't know... all I know is that I woke up here... as if I had just been asleep.
Wang added:
— Me too... I don't know how we got here.
Arius contemplated the space around him, catching the sound of the moving trees, when suddenly a faint voice reached them from amidst the shadows:
— Who is there? — Arlin said sharply.
Arissa emerged from between the trees, a sly smile etched on her face, as though she knew a secret they did not.
— I was very close, — Arissa said in a calm, arrogant voice. — Now, permit me to leave; I have urgent matters to attend to.
— Go then... — Arlin replied, not truly understanding what was happening, yet allowing her to disappear.
With astonishing speed, Arissa flew into space and vanished in an instant, leaving the three standing in stunned silence.
After a few moments, Arius, Arlin, and Wang decided to return home. When they entered, they found Raymos, Lina, and Yuna sitting and waiting for them, their looks somewhat tense.
— Tell us, did you catch that person? — Raymos asked seriously.
The three looked at each other in astonishment, then replied:
— What person are you talking about?
Raymos looked shocked and confused, shouting:
— The person who came to us here, the one you chased!
Arius scratched his head in wonder:
— I don't remember anything about that... It seems you are imagining things, Raymos.
Lina, Yuna, and Raymos exchanged glances, bewildered by the inability of Arius, Arlin, and Wang to remember what had happened, as if the events had never taken place at all.
Then Wang said simply:
— I'm hungry... what do you guys think about sushi?
Everyone agreed, even Arius and Arlin, despite the mystery surrounding the situation. They began eating sushi together, as if the moments of chaos and strange memories had never occurred. They laughed, exchanged casual conversation, and the atmosphere was filled with temporary peace and comfort.
And so, the day passed as if nothing had happened, leaving in Raymos's heart a feeling of confusion and disbelief; yet deep down, he knew that something bigger and deeper was happening behind the curtain of these quiet moments.
## Part III: The Energetic Army and Nahira's Visit
After several days had passed since that mysterious event, Arius had finally succeeded in reorganizing his great energetic army. The summoning was no longer chaotic as before; instead, it became organized and controlled with striking precision.
Dark, with his expertise in building energetic structures, had created massive settlements—akin to complete cities—within the inner world he fashioned. Every single soldier of Arius now had their place, their home, and their space to live in. The energies of the soldiers no longer clashed; instead, they harmonized as if they were the breaths of a single entity.
Arius stood there, on one of the high ridges inside his inner world, looking out at those cities sparkling with green and blue energy that stretched to the horizon, teeming with life and order.
He said quietly and with satisfaction:
— Good... it took time, but we did it.
At that moment, Dark and Raynos bowed before him in a deep gesture of respect, as if they were standing before a true lord.
Arius smiled faintly and said:
— I leave the rest to the two of you. Maintain order... and do not let chaos return again.
Dark replied in a low voice carrying strength:
— As you command, my lord.
Then Arius exited the inner world, only to find himself in a rainforest. Rain fell upon his shoulders, and the sound of thunder rumbled in the distant horizon. He raised his head toward the sky and said to himself in a cryptic tone:
— I think... it is time for the real drama to begin.
The scene gradually faded, opening next in the vastness of space, between the galaxies.
Nahira and her assistant were flying through space at a speed faster than light, heading toward the world of Karma. Galaxies passed around them like fiery sparks, and their voices blended with the roar of the cosmic wind.
The assistant said hesitantly:
— My lady... tell me, what is the reason for our visit to King Karma at this time? Has something dangerous happened?
Nahira did not turn to him; her eyes were fixed on the horizon, and her voice was as cold as ice:
— You will know everything in due time... do not rush.
Minutes passed like eons until they arrived at the world of Karma.
The sky there was as black as eternal night, and Karma's palace floated in the midst of a vortex of purple energy, surrounded by magic circles that rotated without end. At the palace gate, the Grand Master was waiting for them. He bowed slightly and said:
— Welcome, my lady Nahira... The King has been expecting you for a long time.
She stepped forward with firm strides, her assistant behind her, silent as her shadow.
She entered the royal hall, and Karma himself stood up from his throne, his eyes gleaming with a rare excitement:
— My dear Nahira... what is this great honor? It is not customary for you to request to meet me yourself.
She said to him with a sly smile that hid a heavy intention behind it:
— In fact, I have come for an important matter... and I would like you to help me, if possible.
Karma replied with a broad smile, his voice carrying his familiar arrogance:
— Of course, ask whatever you wish... and it shall be granted before you immediately, my dear.
Nahira laughed softly, in a tone combining allure and mystery:
— You are generous as always, Karma... Well, the matter is that—
Suddenly, the scene cut before she could finish, transitioning us to Planet Earth, in the Sixth World.
## Part IV: The Approaching Storm
The weather was peaceful, and the garden was wet with morning dew.
Arlin was lying on a chair, sunbathing quietly, while Wang sat beside her, eating carelessly. Lina was working in the garden, organizing the plants with care, while Raymos continued his combat training in the courtyard, his sweat pouring, his eyes focused on an invisible target. As for Yuna, she was inside, washing dishes while quietly singing an old song.
After moments of tranquility in the garden, the door of the house opened slowly, and Arius entered with heavy steps, his clothes dripping with water as if he had just emerged from a mysterious storm. Drops of water slid from his hair to fall onto the garden floor, leaving a clear trail.
Wang raised his head from his plate and looked toward him with a half-sarcastic smile:
— Here comes the hero at last, the perpetually missing one.
Arlin turned toward him from her spot on the chair, looking at him with eyes half-sleepy from the sun, and said in a tone mixing curiosity and reproach:
— And where were you this time, Arius?
He answered her with absolute coldness and calmness, without changing his expression:
— Not far...
Arlin laughed softly, saying:
— You always say that, as if you go beyond the universes and return to tell us you were "not far"!
From inside the house, Lina was sitting in front of the computer, working silently, but she turned toward the window when she heard his voice and said, tilting her head slightly:
— Brother... I truly wish to know what you do every time you disappear, only to return as if nothing happened...
Arius approached her quietly, his features enigmatic this time; it was not his usual warm smile, but a serene smile that carried something of sadness and farewell all at once. He placed his hand gently on her head and said in a low voice:
— Do not worry, my dear... it is the last time.
She looked at him with surprise and anxiety:
— I hope what you are saying is true, brother...
Suddenly, he leaned toward her and lightly kissed her forehead. Her face flushed instantly, and she stepped back a little, saying in embarrassment:
— B-brother! What is wrong with you?!
He said with a cold, calm smile:
— What? Is it not natural for me to kiss my beloved sister?
She replied, laughing shyly:
— Maybe... but why so suddenly? You embarrassed me! At least tell me before you do something like that...
Arius laughed softly and walked past her toward the kitchen without answering, while the atmosphere in the house was a blend of family warmth and an unjustified mystery radiating from his presence.
In the kitchen, Yuna was standing before the sink, cleaning dishes quietly while humming, when she suddenly felt two soft hands covering her eyes from behind. She froze slightly and said with a smile, recognizing the owner from the very first touch:
— What is going on here? Is this you... Arius?
He laughed softly as he removed his hands and said:
— How did you know, Mother?
She turned toward him, and when she saw his wet face and his clothes clinging to his body, she said in a tone combining reproach and tenderness:
— Because I always feel your presence... even if I don't see you.
She looked at his wet clothes and said anxiously, putting her hands on her waist:
— You troublemaker... you will catch a cold like this! The weather is sunny outside, so how did you drench yourself in water?
Arius smiled as he sat on the chair in front of her and said:
— Don't worry, it's simple. Just... sudden rain.
Yuna sighed, then walked toward the adjacent room, saying as she went:
— Stay where you are and don't move, I will bring you warm clothes right away.
Arius sat silently, looking at the place around him—at the warmth emanating from the kitchen, at the sounds of the family outside... A calm expression crept onto his face, but in his eyes, there was something else: a deep sadness, as if his heart knew that this beautiful scene might be the last before something greater began... something from which there was no return.
Yuna returned carrying fresh, dry clothes, carefully pressed. She approached Arius, who was still sitting on the chair, his hair dripping water, his features drowning between calmness and internal turmoil.
She said with a soft smile:
— Come on, take off these wet clothes before you get sick, my little one.
He raised his head toward her, slightly surprised, and said in a low, hesitant voice:
— Mother... I am no longer a little child anymore.
Yuna laughed softly, then leaned toward him, speaking in a warm tone that pierced his heart:
— I know that, my son. But... allow me to help you this time, for I have missed seeing you like this... just as you were in the past, when you used to smile whenever I helped you put on your clothes.
She began changing his clothes gently, as if she feared she might hurt him. During this, a clear tear fell from her eyes, striking his shoulder. She paused for a moment, then wiped her tear quickly, laughing softly:
— Look at me... even now, I cannot see you as anything but my little child, no matter how much you grow.
At that moment, Arius could not contain himself; he sprang from his place and knelt on the ground before her, embracing her tightly, tears flowing silently and searingly from his eyes.
Yuna trembled in his arms and said anxiously as she patted his head:
— Arius? What is wrong, my son? Why are you crying?
He said in a broken voice, holding her even tighter:
— I am sorry... I am so sorry, Mother... for everything.
Yuna was bewildered by his sudden apology, and her confusion deepened from his tone, which was filled with regret, as if he were apologizing for something that hadn't happened yet.
— My son, what are you saying? What are you apologizing for?
But he did not answer; he only continued his embrace, as if he feared this moment was the last thing connecting him to peace.
And outside...
The weather changed suddenly.
The sky, which had been clear moments ago, turned into a dark canvas of black clouds, and the wind began to blow with a strange force that made the garden leaves fly.
Wang stood up from his place, saying sharply:
— This is not normal weather...
Arlin raised her head quickly, feeling a chill run through her body. She said in a low voice:
— No... this is a sensation that cannot be mistaken... It is the aura of a royal presence.
Suddenly, the sky above the garden split open with a line of golden light, and through it descended the Grand Master himself, with his customary majesty and the grandeur of his energy, which forced everyone to stand up automatically. Wang and Arlin rushed toward him with quick steps and bowed before him in respect.
Arlin said in a formal, low voice, placing her hand on her chest:
— Welcome, my great Grand Master. You have honored this humble planet with your coming... What is the reason for this sudden visit?
He answered her with a calm smile that nevertheless carried a clear weight:
— In fact, the matter is urgent. Lord Karma wishes to meet you all; there is a highly important issue that cannot tolerate delay.
Wang raised his eyebrows in surprise and said:
— And what is the reason exactly, Father?
The Grand Master smiled faintly, placing his hand behind his back:
— You will know when you arrive... the details cannot be spoken here.
At that moment, Arius emerged from the house in his new clothes, his face still bearing the hidden traces of tears. The Grand Master looked at him with his deep eyes and said in a calm yet commanding tone:
— Lord Arius, your presence is also necessary. I was sent specifically to escort you personally.
The atmosphere froze for a moment, then Arius said without any hesitation, in a firm tone:
— Very well... I will go.
Arlin and Wang were surprised by his immediate acceptance, for they knew that Arius did not obey orders easily. However, the Grand Master smiled with satisfaction and said:
— Then everyone is ready... excellent.
He raised his hand to the sky, and a massive energetic portal formed before them—a vortex of golden and blue light spinning with astonishing speed.
Raymos stepped forward and said enthusiastically:
— I also wish to go.
The Grand Master turned to him and said with a slight smile:
— No matter... Lord Karma will not object to your presence.
Then he said in a loud voice that filled the place:
— Let us enter.
They all entered through the portal, their traces vanishing from the place as the gate closed behind them as if it had never existed.
In the next instant... they found themselves standing inside the great palace of Karma, where the corridors were illuminated with the colors of the energy of the Ten Worlds, and a solemn silence reigned, broken only by the echo of their breaths, while on the distant throne sat King Karma himself, smiling as he said:
— Welcome... you are late.