Takumi stood in the middle of the temple, galaxies swirling around him, stars flickering like distant memories. The gravity of the moment was hitting him, but, in true Takumi fashion, he couldn't help but think, Did I just sign up to become a walking universe?
The figure's cryptic words still echoed in his mind. "You must embrace the full spectrum of your power—the ability to create and the ability to destroy." Easier said than done.
The air in the temple was heavy with anticipation, and Takumi knew this was supposed to be his big awakening moment. A huge shift in his destiny. And yet…
"Where's the instruction manual for becoming a cosmic entity?" he muttered, glancing around as if some ancient guidebook might conveniently pop out of the swirling stars. "Because I feel like I missed the memo on how to suddenly 'reshape reality.'"
The galaxies didn't answer, of course. Instead, the weight of what he had just agreed to sank deeper into his chest. If embracing both creation and destruction was his path to stopping Nihlus, there was no room for hesitation.
But even as the thought settled, Takumi felt a flicker of doubt. He had spent his existence creating life, building worlds, and guiding civilizations. Destruction was… different. It was final. Could he really embrace something so opposite to everything he stood for?
As if sensing his hesitation, the swirling stars dimmed slightly, their glow softening.
Embrace it, he reminded himself. That's what the figure said.
Takumi clenched his fists, summoning the remaining energy within him. He could feel it—faint, but there—tugging at the edges of his consciousness. The power to create and destroy, intertwined like two sides of the same coin. He just needed to tap into it.
"Alright," Takumi muttered, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. "Let's do this. Time to unlock my inner universe."
As he focused, the galaxies around him began to pulse in time with his heartbeat. He could feel the energy growing, slowly at first, then stronger, more intense. It surged through him like a tidal wave, filling every corner of his being. He was connected to everything—the stars, the planets, the very fabric of space itself. He could sense the raw potential, the infinite possibilities of creation… and the equally infinite capacity for destruction.
And then, in typical Takumi fashion, he felt it: a sneeze.
"Wait… not now…!" he groaned, but it was too late.
He sneezed.
In an instant, a nearby asteroid exploded, bursting into a million pieces that scattered across the cosmos like cosmic confetti.
Takumi stared at the empty space where the asteroid had once been, blinking in disbelief. "Okay, I guess destruction's easier than I thought."
A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. It wasn't exactly how he'd imagined his big cosmic awakening going, but hey—progress was progress.
But as the laughter faded, the reality of the situation crept back in. This wasn't just about blowing up space rocks. He was gearing up to face Nihlus again—the Nihlus, who had wiped the floor with him and the other gods. And this time, he had to be ready.
The thought sobered him quickly. He needed to master this power—fully. There wouldn't be any second chances.
"Alright, Takumi," he said to himself, rolling his shoulders. "You can sneeze and destroy things. Great. Now let's see if you can create something again."
He closed his eyes, focusing on the warmth of creation—the feeling of bringing something into existence. It was a familiar sensation, one he had known since he first discovered his godhood. Slowly, carefully, he reached out with his mind, gathering the stardust and energy around him.
The particles swirled, coalescing in front of him, until, in a flash of light, a small, glowing planet appeared. It hovered in the air, spinning slowly, a tiny but perfect world.
Takumi grinned, a surge of pride swelling in his chest. "Still got it."
But then, just as quickly as the pride had come, the planet began to wobble. Its orbit shifted wildly, the surface cracking, and within seconds, the entire thing imploded in on itself.
Takumi groaned, rubbing his temples. "Alright, maybe I don't completely have it."
As the fragments of his failed creation drifted away, Takumi found himself laughing despite the frustration. There was something absurd about trying to harness the raw power of the cosmos and accidentally turning planets into space debris.
But beneath the humor, there was a deeper determination. He was learning, slowly but surely. Each small failure brought him closer to understanding the balance between creation and destruction. The figure had been right—this wasn't just about power. It was about accepting both sides of himself.
Takumi flexed his fingers, feeling the energy pulse through him again. The power was still there, waiting for him to master it. He just had to keep pushing.
As he was about to try again, a sudden shift in the air caught his attention. He spun around, eyes narrowing, as a faint ripple passed through the temple, distorting the stars around him. It was subtle, but unmistakable—something was coming.
Before he could react, a massive figure materialized at the edge of the chamber, stepping out from the swirling galaxies. Takumi's eyes widened in recognition.
"Nihlus," he muttered, his voice a low growl.
But this wasn't Nihlus—not exactly. The figure standing before him was a projection, a shadow of the Voidbringer's true form. Still, the malice in those glowing eyes was all too real.
"Takumi," Nihlus's voice echoed through the chamber, dripping with mockery. "Still trying to play god, I see."
Takumi clenched his fists, instinctively summoning the energy within him. "What do you want, Nihlus? Here to gloat?"
Nihlus's projection tilted its head slightly, amusement flickering in his voice. "Gloat? Hardly. I simply wanted to see how far you've fallen. It's fascinating, really. Watching you struggle to reclaim what little power you have left."
Takumi gritted his teeth, the anger building in his chest. "You haven't won yet."
Nihlus's laughter echoed through the chamber, cold and biting. "Oh, but I have. You're already broken, Takumi. It's only a matter of time before you're nothing more than a memory, just like the worlds you failed to protect."
Takumi's vision blurred with rage, but he forced himself to stay calm. Nihlus wanted him to lose control, to lash out recklessly. But Takumi wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.
"Get out," Takumi growled, his voice steady but dangerous. "You're not welcome here."
Nihlus's projection faded slightly, but the mocking grin remained. "I'll leave, for now. But remember, Takumi… you can't hide forever. When we meet again, you'll be nothing. Just like the stars you cling to."
And with that, Nihlus vanished, leaving Takumi alone in the temple once more.
Takumi stood there, fists clenched, his heart pounding in his chest. The encounter had rattled him, but it had also reignited something deep within—a fire, a determination that burned brighter than before.
Nihlus was powerful, yes. But Takumi wasn't going to back down. Not now. Not ever.
He turned back to the swirling galaxies around him, the flickering stars a reminder of what he was fighting for.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, cracking his knuckles. "Time to get serious."
With renewed focus, Takumi closed his eyes, reaching deep within himself once more. This time, there would be no mistakes. This time, he would fully embrace the power he had been given.
Because next time he faced Nihlus, he wouldn't just be a god.
He would be something far greater.