Universe 919 - Several years into the future in the main timeline.

In the void a white bird and me were looking at the happenings from afar under the guise of a cloaking spell.

Before us, men and women whose bodies radiated a black light and black smoke could be seen congregating around an imposing throne made of the blackest metal. They couldn’t be counted even by magical means, in this dark universe, their numbers were endless.

The man sitting on the throne had his eyes closed and everyone around him made sure not to make any noise for fear of waking him up. His anger was known to be the most virulent of them all.

The wish granting bird then looked at me and said, “This is him eleven years later after that day. He is still a simple God but with the help of all his minions he could evenly fight against several Ancient Gods like me at a time and manage to kill some of them while he’s at it.”

“Is he that invincible? In your case, isn’t he a wish away from being obliterated from existence? Why don’t you save us all the trouble and just kill him?” I said, visibly shaken by its words. An Ancient God was lifetimes away from my current self…and hearing that the alter ego of Kyle could contend with several Ancient Gods and still come out unscathed.

“Relax, it’s not like he will ever find you in your little paradise…besides, I haven’t been entertained enough for so long that I am starting to feel depressed. I am really betting that the future I see will not come to pass, …or do I really want ‘that’ to happen? Hehehe.” The bird said as its eyes flashed and a screen with the Kyle dark alter ego in the middle. We could now see the monster as if he was just in front of us.

“You devised a spell to stop time and slow it, which you gave to me, but not the one to actually see the future and even project oneself into it like we are doing now?” I asked with faith that I would be rewarded with some time related spells…I hoped.

“Hehe…I must keep all the good stuff with me, or else …when will I ever get to show off? Did you know, to devise a spell, it is easier if you reached the Ancient God level in said element. At that level, you create spells as easy as blinking an eye. That’s how easy it is. On that note, I am quite amazed that you managed to create a spell from scratch yourself with your measly God level…and it was a concept I’ve never heard of really. I believe that what you call ‘digitalization’ can be further improved when you reach the Prime God level and even further when you reach the Ancient God level. I’m still studying it myself and I tell you…you are very smart to have come up with it. While it’s created for lazy people, it redefines magic as we know it.” The bird said.

As I looked at the image in front of me, I didn’t have the time to feel good for myself while it showered me with praises. It was then that a vein popped in my forehead as I thought of something and said to the bird, “If I remember correctly, I never gave you the ‘Digitalization spell’. Who gave you permission to copy it from my memories?” I knew I had it. It had let such an important information slip that I couldn’t help of thinking of capitalizing on it. ‘Time’ related spells, here they come. Or so I thought.

“So petty. Beings at our level shouldn’t be so petty. After all I had done for you guys and will do in the future, you’re mad about such an insignificant thing? I thought I knew you. I’m really disappointed in you. I know what you’re after and I am sorry to say this but no.” It said with a smirk at the end.

“Why? It’s just a couple of spells. Aren’t you the one being petty?” I said. I almost had the urge to pout like a kid, but I didn’t. I still had a reputation to uphold.

“If you want to control time, be my guest. Just become an Ancient God and comprehend the Ancient Law of Time on your own. That way you’ll at least have a chance at eluding the Time Warden when you create havoc through time. I can afford to manipulate time as I please because when the Time Warden comes after me he can’t even begin to see my tail. It’s not even a game of cat and mouse. So far, none of us Codexes had been caught in all the multiverse.” It said, seriously.

“Wait…wait…there’s a Time Warden now? Who would be so bored to keep us from using time as we see fit?” I asked.

“A madman.” It said calmly.

At that, I had nothing more to add. Whether the so called Time Warden was real or not, I will surely find out myself someday. I hope that day won’t be my last…but then again, I will be a wish away from resurrection.

“Oh? I see we have visitors. Kekeke, why are you hiding over there?” A deep voice said.

At some point in time, the figure we were previously watching on the screen had opened the eyes and was intently looking at a place in the void, our position.

The throne seemed to teleport and zoomed towards our position.

The white bird’s eyes shone and our projections vanished as if we were never there.

I could swear the Dark Kyle had a surprised look when he saw my disappearing silhouette. ‘Of course, He should have killed me. So it made sense that I had no business being alive and kicking, let alone spying on him. I could swear I heard the bird’s snicker in the background. Did it bring us here just for this to happen? What is it concocting behind my back? To think that I fell right into its trap when I accepted to jump in time with it.’

***

Back on the little blue planet.

In a room that looked anything but humble, a woman was trying to give birth to twins.

In the room, there was a man who looked a little bit like the adult Kyle. He seemed exhausted as he held his wife’s hand with all his strength.

Apart from the midwife, there was also another man in the room. He looked scholarly and refined. He was clad in a white, spotless robe and there was an intelligent looking white bird on his shoulder.

Everyone present in the room was mentally exhausted.

Well, why on earth do I say that we are mentally exhausted?

Jenny Trost had been in labour for twelve hours.

Jonas Brightmoon was wondering whether he’ll ever become a father or lose his wife and kids at the same time.

The midwife was wondering whether this ordeal will soon be over or not. It had been ten hours since then.

And I and the white bird were having a conversation of our own because what we were seeing couldn’t just be said out loud or everyone would lose their minds or think me crazy.

Kelly was supposed to be born first, but his twin brother, Kyle, had put the umbilical cord around Kelly’s neck and then watched him as he choke.

Both babies were already conscious inside their mother’s belly. The difference was that one, Kelly, had his memories as well as a full set of instruction given by the white bird and me, and the other, Kyle was just like any other newborn, save for the two bloodlines, demonic and empyrean, flowing in his veins. Other than that, he was a clean slate.

But here he was trying to murder his twin brother before he was born.

How was I supposed to raise such a monster?

I am a God.

Which God do I pray to?