A purest white light devoured the surrounding world in an instant.
Atlas found himself enveloped in a pure and sacred world and as empty as absolute nothingness.
It was a strange feeling, but at the same time, comfortable.
Atlas allowed himself to be gently rocked, clearing his mind of all thoughts.
Time passed undisturbed until an emerald glow chased away that feeling, and an ethereal voice roused him from that dream.
"Hehehe... little boy. You've finally arrived. It's been a long wait..."
It was impossible to tell whether the voice belonged to a man or a woman, but the voice was so serene that all remaining worries vanished, calming his mind in an unsettling way.
"... It's been so many years, but I can finally see this wonderful world again. Alas, it seems that my mistakes have caused a lot of problems... who knows what he's up to this time..."
'Who is he talking about?!' Atlas thought, confused by the being's words.
"Well... don't worry, sooner or later, you'll find out what I'm talking about..."
Surprised by the answer, Atlas cried out instinctively: 'Can you read my thoughts?
"Of course... I can hear your every thought... I know what you desire... I know how much you have suffered... I know everything... and if you want, I can fulfill your deepest wish... but..."
'Heck... I knew it wouldn't be that easy...'
"... Hehe... Silly boy... even nothingness was born from something. Every single element in the Universe has a point of origin... I know you were aware of this in your subconscious before you embarked on this journey... Fortunately for you, I'm not a demon, so you can rest assured... however, I'm also not... one of those so-called saints... who is inclined to bestow a gift so immense that it would compromise the balance of the Universe, so if you wish to obtain this power, there will be a price to pay. A price so enormous that your heart and mind will be subjected to an immense challenge."
The young man had been preparing for this eventuality for years, and aware of the situation that awaited him, he tried to get the answers he longed for: 'I would do anything to change my life... but how can I accept such a burden from a stranger? Who are you?'
"Hehehe..."
There was a brief silence, and then a chuckle accompanied a distorted voice: "At least you're not stupid. You can call me Nihilir... that's all you need to know. You will get the answers you want if you can survive in this twisted Universe enough."
Atlas found his name a little weird and a little familiar for some reason but didn't comment.
"However, I would not have expected that you would be willing to come to terms with a demon to fulfill your wish. Fortunately, your soul is pure and in the right. I am grateful for that. Moreover, although burdened by your selfish gain, you remained yourself and never gave up. I cannot ask for anything more..."
Atlas did not know what to say, feeling his own soul bare and helpless in the hands of that being.
"Mmm... I can't tell you everything now. First of all, you are not yet worthy of knowing it, and furthermore, knowing it would do no good to you..."
Atlas had many questions, but he did not interrupt it and continued to listen.
"My proposal is quite simple... we will help each other from now on. I can't leave this place, so you will be the one resolving my requests in Oblivion from time to time. So, will you accept?"
Atlas did not immediately answer its request and instead tried to clarify one of the many doubts in his mind: '... Before I agree... I would like to know one thing...'
The young man wanted to continue, but the voice interrupted him: "I know what you want to know... You are wondering why you, of all people... Simple, Atlas. In this world, you are the only worthy of my power..."
'Why?' Atlas asked with insistency.
"... Hehehe... the laws that rule over the Universe always try to maintain balance. Nothing can be perfect. A primordial gift demands a price of equal value. What makes you unique in the eyes of the Universe is your existence... and as you may have realized, the price you paid was heavy. Dear Atlas... you must understand that fate is one of the fundamental laws of all creations... it is so arcane that it can even exceed the limits imposed in this small Universe."
'You didn't answer my question at all...'
"Unfortunately... I cannot give you a proper answer yet. The only thing I can do is to somehow alter your fate and let you find the answers you are looking for. So, are you willing?"
'I... I...'
"Often is better to remain ignorant..." Nihilir could clearly sense immense sadness and confusion in the young man, so he tried to appease his restless soul: "I understand that it is a difficult decision. From your point of view, nothing makes sense from my explanation, but after all these years, you finally have a chance to rise again. So don't let this torment you."
'You're right... it's useless to think about the past... it's useless to remain bound by worries. If I can change my destiny and rule over my life, then I will not let myself be defeated and seek the answers with my strength.'
Indeed, that being's words brought him back to reality, but his burning desire for answers also roused him from the darkness.
"Hehe... perhaps fortune will lead you exactly where you hope to go... and give you what you most desire. So... what have you decided? Do you wish to obtain the power taken from you by the cruel fate?"
"Yes!!!" Atlas did not think about it for a moment and answered loudly.
BOOM!!!
Suddenly, a black cloud emerged from the young man's body, invading the void.
The emerald light that reigned supreme in the void wavered intensely as darkness invaded the area, but this was not his world, and just as it had appeared, the cloud dissolved.
Excruciating pain was wearing him down from within, and even his soul was going mad with pain.
His cries spread out into the void but were immediately swallowed up by a sweet sound that soothed even his pain.
"Atlas... the worst is over. Yet, prepare for the worst... the laws of the Universe will be cruel to those who dare oppose them..."
Nihilir's words shook him to the core, but the young man found an ounce of courage: "I am ready..."
"Hehehe... WELL!"
There was a brief moment of silence, and then that suave voice reappeared, but this time, it was anything but gentle. In fact, it was magnificent and dignified: "Atlas, your mere existence is an affront to the laws of the Universe. You chose to free yourself from the chains that plagued you to follow a new path. Words from deep within your soul sealed the contract. I will grant your wish... rise!!!"
The green light enveloping the void began to flash intensely.
Beams of lights as thin as strings tangled around his body, generating a brilliant cocoon in the shape of a precious emerald.
The young man's body was motionless. Only his eyes were free to aim for the spectacle that was taking shape around him.