Montana started talking and didn't seem exhausted even after two hours of constant blabbering. He told me everything about the current condition of my old race. According to his tale, Humans were at the edge of extinction. They were forced to leave the earth long ago because of ecological problems. The planet's Atmosphere became so dense that living beings couldn't breathe. There was no oxygen left. Basically, It turned into a Uranus Number Two. Ironically, the mentioned planet regained its Habitable atmosphere after a race called Pukeles terraformed it. After humans left the earth, they immediately approached the newly habitable neighbor. Unfortunately for them, Pukeles were very strict and denied their request to seek refuge at their new home. Because of that, these pitiful beings were forced to live on spaceships for eons. They also started living on other planets in the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies. I wouldn't say that it was an excellent way to live. Most of the time they became slaves and started doing physical and intellectual labor for their new rulers. A lot of people died on spaceships due to the void battles. The pirates were attacking them very frequently. They were defending themselves at the beginning, but It wasn't enough. 4508 ships were destroyed which were home to 6 billion humans. Only 3 billion of them survived and turned into slaves. Montana Mentioned that they were not in great condition and people died every day because of various reasons. Suffering and anguish ruled their existence and soon their trace would be gone from the face of the universe."I appreciate your concern, my lord." - Montana Bowed. " I do not expect your help. After all, we must find a way on our own. I, of course, thank you for granting me Immortality as a permanent representative of the Council. This itself is a very important gift, but I have fallen so far below. I cannot help my people despite my eternal youth and Knowledge.""Why can't you help them?""They do not want to follow me, my lord. Once I was a symbol of hope to them, now I'm nothing more than a clown in their eyes. They'd rather live in some dirty pits, serving as mere slaves than follow me and find a new home. It indeed takes a long time to find a new Habitable planet, but Patience is necessary."
"Did you try to explain that to them?"
"About a million times, my lord, but they are too stubborn. They are sarcastic and finding a new home for them is a mere joke. I do not know what to do. May I ask for your suggestion, my lord?"
"Montana, what if I gave you coordinates of a free, habitable planet? Would you be able to Gather all of humanity and Lead them there?"
"I believe so..."
"Will you or will you not?"
"Yes, my lord. I will do it. If you would do such a generous thing for us..."
"Good."
I called Despirus, the best cosmographer of my Empire telepathically. He soon appeared in the throne Room. He was wearing long, black robes of silk. He had a single, mechanical eye that glowed red weakly. He had most of his body parts replaced with metal parts and looked like a grotesque cyborg."How may I help you, my lord?" His voice was a mechanical growl."Take Montana with you and find a free, habitable planet that can store a few billion souls. Make sure that there won't be any geological problems or natural disasters that can endanger its inhabitants. Give him exact coordinates and an expeditionary fleet. Also, provide him with any necessary resources to Gather Humanity.""Gather Humanity, my lord?" - He was confused."Yes, Despirus. Find a planet similar to my homeworld, Earth.""Homeworld?" - Montana was shocked. - "My lord?! Were you a human once?""Indeed, Montana. A long time ago. Now go. You have everything you need to unite your race. You have my blessing. Consider it a task from the Almighty Emperor Harold. Do not fail me.""I will complete this task with my utmost respect and caution, my lord. Thank you for your blessing and this opportunity. I forever will be grateful to you.""Yes, you will be. You're free to go."He bowed once again and left the room with Despirus. The cosmologist's mechanic legs made hissing sounds, and Montana walked awkwardly, like an excited little boy. So that was what I needed to do to help my old race. It was so easy, I just had to make a simple order. I don't know why was I avoiding to do it for so many centuries. Perhaps I was afraid that They would do the same thing as before. They would destroy themselves if united. I was there when they kept slaughtering each other. I watched them destroy themselves. It was a sight that terrified me. Humans were very enthusiastic when the business came to killing each other. They found thousands of ways to do so faster or slower. I was forced to watch all of that for 25 years until I found the sword. Once I ascended, I decided to leave the planet. It was the best decision I made and I never came to Regret it. I never missed my mother or my father. My infant Sister was just a burden. I was thinking about killing them once I gained power but I chose the easier way - to run away. They never truly cared about me, after all. They wouldn't miss me.I started thinking about Katie. When would she summon me again? I supposed that she was doing fine if she hadn't summoned me this long. If 30 minutes in her Universe are 2 seconds in mine, Probably a few days or a week Passed in her world.I could go there on my own as well, but I didn't Want to disturb her too much. Plus, I had no reason. What would I say? "I just wanted to check on you"? It would sound so stupid. I had a reputation as a ruthless god, I couldn't act so immaturely. My servants Decided to have a little feast. I attended it. I didn't necessarily need to eat at all as I was a god but It always felt good to eat. Though, it was hard for me to have fun. I just sat at the head of a large table and looked at everyone with empty eyes. I felt such a cold emptiness that I couldn't bear it. No joy or excitement awaited me. The only thing that I looked forward to was the unknown world I ventured to earlier. It was... Unnatural for me to wait for something. It was something new. I experienced everything during my 4 million years of life and this... Was new.Finally, the Similar Feeling came back once again. I was being summoned. I felt a little bit excited. I thought about what happened to Katie. Was she in danger? If she was hurt, I would destroy every demon in that cursed world. I was ready to draw the God Slayer sword.Soon a boring process of teleportation ended and I saw a sight much different than the one I had seen when Katie Summoned me for the first time. Instead of barren lands, I was looking at a wide green field. Nearby, a Small Lake was surrounded by Grass and Short trees. An entire Horizon was covered with green. It was a sight to behold. Who would have thought that a little seed could grow such beauty on nothing but ashes in such a short time? I was surprised and proud.I strode toward the edge of the lake. I was looking at my reflection for a while. I almost Forgot what I looked like and It scared me. I didn't remember when was the last time I put on my Armor made by Dwarves of Kole. They made it from the molten heart of a dead star, one of the most durable materials in the universe. I always liked armor. Not because of the protection they offered but the style. I cared about my style once. Now that I think about it, it sounds laughable. I was just a normal man once. I had trivial interests such as my looks, women, and drinks. I was having fun once. It seemed so distant and faint that I couldn't even believe that I was once having some joy. The emptiness has been with me for as long as I can remember.
Soon I saw Katie. She was not looking the same as before. Seemed like time passed quickly in that world. She was taller and her body was that of a woman. She had grown so much, but all I was seeing was a sad face and Tired Eyes."Harold!" - She Spoke with a grim smile."Little Summoner..." - I replied with a bitter Sadness.
"How are you?" - She noticed that something bothered me.
"I am fine, little girl. I see you worked hard. This place seems much more lively than the last time it looked. I am glad."
"I didn't do much, My lord. The seed you gave me did all the work. I was just here, eating the food from the device you left for me, and was lazy. I... Apologize. You must be disappointed..."
"Disappointed? For what reason did you make such an Assumption?"
"I... I couldn't save my people..."
"What Happened here?"
"The Demons... They killed everyone. All the humans and animals. The only thing alive on this planet is me and all these plants."
"Where are the Demons, Little Girl? Lead me in their direction at once."
"They Left this place years ago, my lord."
"Years... How long was I gone for, Little Girl?"
"15 Years."
"That is... Unfortunate. You must have been lonely."
"It is alright, my lord. Being lonely is much better than being dead. You saved my life a lot of times and I didn't show my appreciation properly. My lord... I thank you for your help. I'll be forever in debt with you..."
"Debt... If you want to pay that off go and pack your things."
"Pack... My things?"
"You are coming with me."
"Huh? Where, my lord?"
"To my universe. There is nothing here for you to cling to. If I leave you here once again, you will die of old age. Time flows differently in my universe. The first time I came here I stayed here for hours. Only two seconds passed in my world. An entire century may Pass in your world while I will have an endless feast. I do not want that to happen. I have done a lot of Terrible things, but I'm not a monster."
"My lord..."
"Why didn't you summon me before?"
"There was no need for me to do so. Demons couldn't penetrate the barrier you left for me. I... Was Scared. I thought about calling you dozens of times but Then I realized... It would be stupid to disturb a divine being such as yourself and It was a blessing that you even answered my prayers..."
"You are a stupid little girl... Now go, take whatever you need. We're going."
"Alright, my lord..."
"Stop calling me that. I am Harold. I am neither your god Nor a lord. I am your friend."
She didn't say anything. Her eyes Spoke. Two brown Grateful Eyes Stared at me with such warmth... It was a good feeling. Helping someone after all those years. All I have been thinking about Ever since I started the conquest was how to become the strongest. I never had any mercy or pity for the weak. I suppose my blood was running cold. I lost my feelings... My humanity. I ascended beyond the realm of Mortals. So that's how gods see beings below - Small, weak, and Fragile. Why would they care about them?I was killing them for Centuries because they were selfish and Ruthless. They Had the Power to create a utopia. There was no need for people to die, and yet they chose that kind of world. Instead of a perfect civilization they chose Barbarians. I never thought I'd End up like them. What have I been thinking about All this time?! My entire being was dedicated to becoming better. To be More Kind. To help Everyone. Instead, I became... A monster. I was so busy building an empire... I should have changed. I realized that in that moment. Katie... Helped me understand what was wrong with my life."My purpose..." I whispered to myself. "Was to Help people. To guide them towards the light in the darkness. When did I lose myself?!"I looked at Katie. She was walking near the lake, gathering small items and Smiling. This... Little girl. What makes her so special... I do not know. But I knew that If I Kept her by my side, I would become the God I wanted to become."Harold!" She was calling to me. "Can I ask you a question?""Yes, Of course."
I walked in her Direction with Slow steps."What's your World like?""It's not exactly a world. It's an entire universe. And it's mine."
"How did you make it yours?"
"That's a long story. Maybe One day I will tell you..."
"Alright. I think I took everything. I'm not leaving anything here... Except for my homeworld."
She was on the edge of tears. I was feeling her Frustration and Sadness. She was Mourning the souls of the dead that she failed. I could understand."What happened is the past, Katie. Do not Blame yourself. You couldn't do anything to Save them. You are nothing but a mere child.""What if I summoned you? Would you be Furious?"
"No."
"Then I failed them. If I Just asked for your help... They would still be alive. I shall Blame myself for that for as long as I live."
I couldn't say anything. There was nothing I could Reassure her with. It was indeed her Mistake.But I also made my share of Mistakes and I had no right to Judge her. I just Drew a magic circle with My fingers and Cut a Portal in Space-time that was leading to my Universe."Katie. As I said, what happened is the Past. Let it go. Now a new future awaits you. If you will come to my universe, you should not blame yourself for your people. That's a must. You will have a new Life, new People, and a new universe. You will start everything from the beginning but this time I shall not leave you alone. I will be your guide, friend, and Parent If I must be. I shall help you in any way I can.""Thank you, Harold." Her tone was low. She was sad and Shy at the same time. I could read her thoughts. According to them, she didn't deserve such a gift, but still was grateful for me. Such a Good Person. Deserving of everything.""Step into the portal.""O.. Okay..."
She went towards a Blue round portal. She was hesitating. Looking behind and on the ground. It is hard to leave your home behind. I know it.But she Acted Just like me and Made the Decision. She stepped into the Portal and Left everything behind. I felt proud of this Little Girl. She has grown so much.I followed her Behind. She was not the only one who was going to start a new life. I was Also Excited to see how much I would change. The time of war has ended. There is nothing else left to conquer. I decided to Leave the Multiverse alone for the time being. I wanted to create a Utopia first.It was quite unnatural for me. This Sudden change of heart... Was I becoming weaker?I left useless thoughts behind and Walked into the portal. New life Awaits. New Decisions. New me. A Humble and a Kind God. I was Excited.