When she opened her eyes what greeted her was not the soft embrace of the bed or the gentle warmth of the morning sun
But rather a cold corpse and the uncomfortable sticky feeling of being bathed in blood
As the cold corpse lay beside her, the sticky, clinging sensation of being drenched in blood smothered her skin. But before her mind could fully grasp the situation, the acrid stench of burning flesh and decaying corpses overwhelmed her senses, stunning her
After recovering from the horrible stench. She quickly determined the cause as she knew this smell all too well. Since she had once been hailed as the Goddess of War and Slaughter
Yes, this was the stench of War. Of Destruction and Death
Yet there was no sound to be heard around her, only the eerie crackling of smoldering remains. The battlefield was eerily still. It was over. Everything was already long over
Nothing was left
Slowly, she rose, her body stiff and aching, her eyes scanning the desolation around her. What met her gaze could only be described as a living embodiment of something worse than hell. Since even the demons of hell would recoil at the sight before her
The ruins of a once great civilization were now nothing more than scattered debris. The Empire's so called Everlasting Alliance, shattered beyond recognition. And the ground? It was littered with the corpses of different races, each marked by their own unique deaths
She didn't need to ask who was the one responsible. The frozen, burnt, and torn remains told her everything. She was the one responsible for their demise
But thankfully a small mercy for her, perhaps—most of the dead were angels, demons, and monsters. But it didn't stop the gnawing guilt and disgust
Could the Great War of Destruction, or even the age of Chaos, compare to this sight? She wondered
But there was no time to linger on such thoughts. She needed to assess the situation, to prepare for the final battle. To help him.
Him.
Suddenly, her heart seized with panic, and she jolted upright, frantically looking around. But all she saw were corpses, a sea of blood, and the darkened sky, veiled in smoke and ash
Where was he?
She couldn't afford to be a burden to him—not again. He had already sacrificed too much for her. She couldn't allow him to carry more for her, especially after everything they had lost
Driven by desperation, she ran. Her body screamed in protest, but she ignored it. Only focusing on running as fast as she could while cursing the sheer size of the World of Chaos, a universe broken beyond reason. A world where the gods had thrown every concept into a single chaotic creation
Here, titanic beings like Giants, Dragons, Demons and Monsters roamed freely, some large enough to eclipse mountains. Leviathans that could dwarf moons and entire planets lurked beneath oceans deeper than any she had known. And the sky– overshadowed by the 13 moons that rivaled stars. The scale of it all defied every law of her former universe
This was the legacy of the Age of Chaos–the aftermath of the near extinction of the gods. Their deaths had left behind untold amounts of energy, twisting reality itself
But those thoughts were fleeting. Her focus was singular. She needed to find Him before it was too late
But as she ran she quickly realized that she had reached Heavenhold, the once proud stronghold of Heaven, now a ruin–a shattered weapon that was once capable of slaying gods, cleaved in half and reduced to nothing but rubble. Its fall had been the death knell for the army of Heaven, leaving them vulnerable before His onslaught
Knowing that she was close she pushed herself further until she encountered strange corpses. Golden figures made of starlight, human-shaped but faceless, with wings like angels. They were Archons–the twisted creations of G.O.D. Chaos, the puppets he used to destroy the World Tree. These machines had done more to ruin the world than any war, as they cut off the Will of the World itself
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mary crested the mountain of corpses and reached the heart of the battlefield. The stench of blood and decay hung thick in the air, but it was the silence that unnerved her most
There, amidst the carnage, stood a lone figure
He was clad in white—pristine, unstained, untouched by the devastation surrounding him. His stillness was unnatural, like a statue carved from the light of a long-dead star
Mary's breath came ragged, each inhale scraping against her lungs. She steadied herself as she approached, dread coiling in her chest
"Ethan" she called out, her voice hoarse and trembling
At the sound of her voice, the figure flinched—just slightly—but he didn't turn. His gaze was fixed on the mangled body at his feet
It was a corpse. At first glance, it seemed to be an Archon, but something was wrong. Its lower half was missing, its body riddled with innumerable wounds, blood pooling in dark rivers beneath it
And then it hit her
It wasn't an Archon. It was G.O.D. Chaos, the very being they had been hunting for what felt like a lifetime. Disguised, defeated, and caught in a desperate attempt to escape. Ethan had faced it–alone
Her heart almost stopped as the realization sank in. The final battle had already begun, and she had been absent
Then anger surged through her, hot and unrelenting. Without thinking, she stormed forward, seizing Ethan by the collar
"Why did you do that?!" she demanded, her voice breaking under the weight of her fury and grief. "You promised me!"
For a moment, he didn't respond. Then, in a voice heavy with weariness, he spoke:
"Mary..."
But her rage only ignited further
"Don't 'Mary' me!" she snapped, shaking him. "You promised to protect them—and you've already failed. And it hasn't even been that long since you knocked me out and faced Heaven's army alone!" Her voice cracked with the intensity of her emotions. "You swore we'd bear the consequences together!"
Ethan remained silent, his shoulders sagging under the weight of her fury. But before he could respond, the air around them thickened, heavy with an overwhelming presence
They both felt it
Four figures, each radiating an unfathomable power, descended upon the world. Their forms shone with a brilliance that defied comprehension, each embodying the essence of existence itself as their mere presence accelerated the death of an already dying world
The Celestials had arrived
At that realization Ethan's expression hardened as he turned to Mary
"Mary, listen to me" he said urgently
"How can I listen" she shot back, tears streaming down her face as she realized their time has already come "when you keep—"
But her words were cut off as Ethan pulled her close, his lips capturing hers in a kiss filled with love and desperation
For a brief moment, the world seemed to disappear. The chaos, the carnage, the impending doom—all of it faded into nothingness. Even if she knew that now wasn't the time she wanted to stay in that moment forever, to hold onto him and never let go
But it ended too soon
Ethan pulled back, his hands cupping her face, forcing her to look into his eyes
"I won't ask for your forgiveness" he whispered, his voice trembling. "I don't deserve it. But I hope, someday, you won't hate me for what I'm about to do"
Hearing his words her heart clenched as a notification from the Akasha System suddenly appeared in her vision
'Akasha system'
//Notice from your inbox//
-You have recieved a gift
-From "True Owner of The Akashic Records"
//You have obtained *True Reset*//
[True Reset]:
-Upon death reset all of existence and create a new branch timeline
-You will keep all memories of the previous timeline
-Your soul will be seperated to ensure the soul will be safe and protected
-Your soul will remain unaffected by time and space, ensuring its endurance across eons
-Your memories will be wiped every 200 years to prevent deterioration and to ensure mental stability
Mary's blood ran cold. Her fingers trembled as she tried to read further, but Ethan pulled her back into another kiss, this one more fervent, more desperate
She could feel his warmth, the weight of his sorrow, and the wetness of his tears against her skin. For the first time, she saw him as he truly was—broken, vulnerable, and unbearably human
When he pulled away, his face was etched with anguish. His voice was barely audible as he whispered, "I'm sorry, Mary. I've failed you. I've failed everyone. But please… please, keep moving forward. One day, all of this will be over, and you'll be okay. I promise"
His lips brushed hers one last time
And then he stepped back turning his back to her as he faced the blinding light
The Celestials loomed closer, their presence suffocating. The ground beneath them trembled as their overwhelming power bore down upon the planet
"You don't have to forgive me" Ethan murmured, his voice raw with regret as he took a step towards the approaching threat. "But I hope… one day, you'll understand"
Mary's chest tightened as she reached for him, but he was already stepping into the light, his figure growing faint against the approaching storm
In that moment, she realized—he was saying his final goodbye
And that she wasn't ready to let him go
**************
Her eyes snapped open, taking in the sight of a sterile, white ceiling. It was unfamiliar, yet somehow, she knew it all too well—this was the ceiling she always saw after collapsing
A thin sheen of sweat clung to her forehead, but she didn't move. She remained still, lost in her thoughts
She was in the hospital again, after yet another collapse
Her body had always been fragile. So when a much stronger version of her soul, along with millions of foreign memories, suddenly invaded her mind, the strain was too much for her. She collapsed, and it happened again and again, each time sending her back to this familiar bed. Extended hospital stays had become routine for her daily life
There were no parents waiting for her, no friends to visit. The only people she saw were the doctors and nurses, who had long since grown used to her constant and sudden admissions. There was no pity in their glances anymore—just a matter-of-fact professionalism
-'Another nightmare?'
'Yes, it's getting more common these days'
-'Maybe it's because we're getting close'
'Maybe'
-'You should rest to prepare for tommorow'
The voice in her head was hers—or rather, some future version of her. At first, she had struggled to make sense of it all. Something about being cursed with the power to relive her life every time she died?
It kind of reminded her of that one character from Re:Z*r*, was his name Subaru? Anyway his ability was called Return by Death. She couldn't quite remember the details but she was sure that it was pretty similar
But this wasn't exactly the same. There were no save points or checkpoints. Just death, and then… starting over. Still, there was no way she'd die thousands of times like him. Right?
Anyway, as she was saying, this voice had shown up in her head, spouting all kinds of doomsday warnings about the end of the world. The world's going to end, and you need to prepare to be transmigrated into a new one, it had said. Something about magic, swords, adventure, and a chance to achieve anything if she succeeded
The memories it had shared with her didn't help—they came to her in flashes, sometimes nightmares, other times glimpses of a world beyond her understanding
But did she believe it?
Well… not really. But what did she have to lose for trying it out?
She had nothing here. No family, no friends, no close connections at all. Just the nurses, who exchanged a few polite words with her on a good occasion, but even they could only be considered acquaintances
And if she did make it to that other world, she could have it all—friends, a loving family, a warm home. Maybe even happiness. Most importantly, she would never have to be hungry again. Her future husband was supposed to be super rich, which meant she could eat whatever she wanted whenever
The very thought of that made her smile. But there was no time to dwell on the loneliness of her current life. Tomorrow was the end of this world—and somewhere out there, a bright, clear, hopeful future was waiting for her
She could feel it in her bones
With a shaky breath, she pushed herself up from the hospital bed, her body instantly protesting. Her legs trembled, weak from disuse, and she stumbled, grabbing onto the bedside table for support
Her limbs ached, the strain of even standing felt almost unbearable. Would this mana thing they talked about atleast let her live normally? she wondered, a bitter smile crossing her lips
Taking a moment to steady herself, she glanced towards the wall clock. The time read 1 AM
It was already May 5th—her birthday
And it was the day that humanity's first batch would be sent to a different world
Thankfully, she was prepared
But she still needed to check her appearance. Slowly getting up, she made her way to the closet, selecting the clothes she had set aside to try. After dressing up, she quietly exited her room and descended to the first floor, heading toward the large mirror meant for patients who had fully recovered and were ready to re-enter society
In front of the mirror stood a girl, radiating beauty and charm in a way that captured the eye. Her reflection gave off an air of innocence, paired with a subtle arrogance that only made her more alluring. She appeared docile, yet there was an underlying confidence to her stance, a strength simmering beneath the surface
Her black nightgown, simple yet elegant, left her long, slender legs and white thighs exposed. They were flawless—legs that seemed to take one's breath away with their perfection
She looked up at her reflection. Golden eyes, like molten gold, stared back at her, framed by long, straight black hair that faded into silver at the tips. The most distinctive feature was the singular silver strand of ahoge that playfully curled around her head, almost like a halo of some sorts
Her arms were delicate yet smooth, her pale skin was flawless and glistening with a perfect sheen under the soft glow of moonlight spilling in from the window. Her figure, still youthful, was just beginning to show the curves of a woman—her breasts and hips were neither too large nor too small, though she suspected that they would fill out perfectly as her body fully matured
At just eighteen years old, she was already beautiful, but she knew her body had more to grow. In this new world, where strength and beauty were intertwined, she would become even more stunning with every step she took toward power. It was a place where you could sculpt yourself through effort and dedication, and she looked forward to seeing how far she could go there
She stood at five feet eight inches the ideal height since her height gave her an edge over most girls her age. With her balanced proportions and mature aura, she already recieved envious glances from other girls from all ages
Satisfied with her reflection, she reminded herself that there was little to prepare for tonight. Tomorrow would bring a new beginning, a world where everything would change. For now, she needed to rest. But before heading to bed, she wanted to ensure her body was in good health, like the nurses always told her
"It's important to maintain your body and check your condition regularly, especially as a patient" Their advice echoed in her mind
As for the nightgown she wore, it was a birthday gift—her first one ever. She didn't know who gave it to her but she still cherished it, having never received something so personal before. The fabric felt familiar somehow, but she dismissed it, assuming it was just her mind playing tricks on her again
Then realizing the time, she quickly changed back into her hospital gown, careful not to draw the attention of any night staff. Slipping under the covers, her mind began to drift, and before long, sleep claimed her once again
****************
She was awakened by the warmth of the morning sunlight streaming through the window, accompanied by the soft, familiar comfort of her hospital bed
'At least it wasn't a nightmare this time' she thought with relief while getting up and looking for the remote to turn on the TV. Today was the day. The day that will bring her to a world full of hapiness
Dressing herself in the elegant black gown once more, she reached under the bed and retrieved a hidden glass bottle, along with a bar of milk chocolate. Settling back on the bed, she unwrapped the chocolate, savoring every bite of the chocolate bar as she stared intently at the TV screen waiting
It wasn't long before she sensed it—the disturbance in the space around her. Closer than ever, as if the air itself vibrated with tension. But she wasn't the only one since anyone could tell that something was wrong. After all, the Earth was already unraveling. Constant earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, and volcanic eruptions—every conceivable disaster was happening all at once, the world was literally tearing itself apart
Tectonic plates crashed into each other with violent force, trying to become a single, fractured mass. It was chaos, but it still hasn't even begun yet
She could feel it—a massive wave of mana enveloping the planet. Dimensional gates cracked open all around the Earth, unleashing hordes of monsters that poured through like a flood, as breaking news flashed across the TV: new species were discovered, gates appearing everywhere, a tower rising impossibly high into the sky, seemingly materializing from nothing
Then came the true horror. Gigantic eldritch beings descended upon the land, their monstrous forms blotting out the sky, eyes—thousands of them—gazing down like cursed sentinels
The First Calamity had arrived.
The Cursed Eye.
The One Who Brings the Night.
These creatures, born from humanity's deepest fears of being watched, judged, scrutinized—fear of failure, fear of attention, fear of judgement—had crawled from the Abyss itself. And if the Abyss had opened, she knew the other Calamities were not far behind it
She sat quietly, watching as the world crumbled. A meteor shower lit up the distant sky like a deadly firework display, followed by the launch of missiles, nuclear bombs detonating in their futile attempt to fight back. But it was too late
As if in response, the sun and moon accelerated unnaturally, racing across the sky as day and night passed in mere minutes. The heat from the sun grew unbearable, while radiation from the sky began to saturate the atmosphere
Watching everything unfold she calmly picked up the glass bottle beside her. And drank it down slowly, letting the liquid work its way through her body, while feeling its cold burn. Then, she laid back on the bed, her thoughts tranquil amidst the chaos around her. It would all be over soon
Using the mana she had only just awakened, she carefully strengthened the liquid's properties within her body. With precision, she weakened her own immune system and shut down her central nervous system, numbing herself to the world's pain. Finally, with the last of her strength, she drained the blood from her own body, using mana to guide it away
As the mana faded, so too did her vitality. Her eyes fluttered open one last before closing as her body became still
Her transformation was subtle yet striking. Her once beautiful, vibrant features remained, but her hair turned ghostly white. Her skin, previously fair and smooth, was now as pale as the moon, drained of life. The once–elegant black gown was now stained, a pool of blood seeping from her body, spreading across the bed sheets like a morbid blooming of a flower
Yet, despite the grim scene, her face was peaceful—almost serene. She looked as though she was merely resting, a faint smile still faintly etched on her lips, as if she were lying in a sunlit meadow, free of care
If anyone saw her like this, they might have thought she was merely taking a quiet nap under the shade of a tree on a nice summer day. And somewhere in a far away realm the same peaceful look could be found in Ethan, the one who rested within the garden of eternity, lying in his coffin—waiting. Waiting for the promised one who would one day join him on this cursed reality