Tau's words hung in the air like a challenge. "Now that you can move, I feel like we should get everything out of the way," he said, his gaze piercing through me as if expecting a reaction.
"You died."
The statement was blunt, without embellishment. I met his gaze, my mind racing with thoughts, yet my expression remained neutral. Tau seemed to wait for a response, but I offered none. The silence stretched, until he finally continued.
"We're currently in the Paradox station. Don't bother trying to look around; you won't register your surroundings." His words were matter-of-fact, but my mind struggled to keep up.
The phrase "I died" echoed in my thoughts, a constant reminder of my new reality. I felt like a machine, waiting for directives, as Tau's words washed over me. He fell silent, allowing me time to process the information.
Time lost meaning in this strange place. An hour passed, or maybe it was just a moment. Finally, I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper.
"So, I died, huh?"
The words felt foreign on my lips, but Tau's expression remained serious. He nodded, as if confirming a suspicion. I felt a shiver run down my spine, but my emotions remained numb, detached.
What did it mean to be dead? And what lay ahead in this mysterious Paradox station? Tau's expression turned solemn as he began to explain, his words dripping with an otherworldly gravity.
"In case you're unsure of what's happening, I'll clarify," he said, his voice low and measured. "Some individuals have failed to grasp the situation, even when given hints. This is neither hell nor heaven. Those realms are domains ruled by the gods and goddesses of our previous world."
He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing, his eyes clouding over like a stormy sky.
"They were among us in the beginning, but chose to protect and ensure that the prayers of our world do not go unnoticed. However, this place...the Paradox station...is different. It exists beyond the realms of the gods, a realm where the fabric of reality is twisted and distorted."
Tau's gaze seemed to bore into my very soul as he spoke, his words echoing through the chambers of my mind like a haunting melody.
"You see, when we died, our consciousness was transferred here, to this station. It's a nexus, a crossroads of sorts, where the paths of those with a strong enough existence converge. A place where the boundaries between worlds are blurred, and the laws of reality are mere suggestions."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as the weight of his words settled upon me, like a physical presence that I couldn't shake off.
"But why?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart racing with a mix of fear and curiosity.
Tau's expression turned enigmatic, his eyes glinting with a hint of secrets unspoken.
"Ah, that's the question, isn't it?" he said, his voice dripping with an air of mystery. "Why are we here? What purpose does this place serve? The answers, much like the station itself, remain shrouded in mystery."
"But what matters most is the matter of existence," Tau said, his voice filled with a sense of wonder.
"It has no definite limitations, yet it's not clearly defined. It can change depending on the world, making it a fluid concept that's both fascinating and unsettling."
Tau paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing, his eyes gleaming with an inner intensity.
"Those with a strong enough existence are not necessarily dead," he said, his voice low and measured. "Even a live person may be drawn into this realm, their consciousness transcending the boundaries of life and death. However, the Chinese and Japanese sides have some...let's call them 'crazy Supremes.' Beings of immense power and wisdom, who have mastered the art of existence with the help of the world's Supremes - for even they alone are not enough."
His words dripped with awe, as if he was sharing a treasured secret.
"With the concept of reincarnation and transmigration, known throughout the world, these Supremes became authors. They shared stories of long-lost friends, or even narrated their own tales, enriching their existence with each passing moment. For the more knowledge we gain, the more our ways of using existence expand. And that leads to more ways for us to grow stronger."
Tau leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone, as if he was sharing a hidden truth.
"You see, existence is like a canvas, waiting to be painted with the vibrant colors of our experiences. And those who master the brushstrokes of existence can create worlds, summon realities, and defy the very fabric of time and space."
His words hung in the air like a challenge, beckoning me to explore the mysteries of existence.
"But be warned," he said, his expression turning serious, like a storm cloud gathering on the horizon. "This path is not for the faint of heart. The journey of existence is fraught with peril, and those who embark on it must be prepared to face the unknown, to confront the depths of their own soul."
Tau's eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if searching for something.
"That is why we developed to the point where our legend is known throughout the world," he said, his voice filled with pride. "Our organization, the EA - Earth Transmigration Army - has become synonymous with power and wisdom along with a famous supreme like Truck-kun being the most loved and hated."
He smiled, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.
"And now, we're ready to take the next step. To transcend the boundaries of existence, and forge a new reality."