Jonah's mind was unraveling. He stared in dreadful awe, unable to comprehend the vast horror before him. Limbs spiraled endlessly into the void, mouths babbled words that defied sound itself, and innumerable eyes gazed from the vastness of space. A cacophony of music—alien, abominable, deafening—filled his ears, threatening to rip his sanity apart.

He wanted to scream, to close his eyes, to look away. But he couldn't. It was as though his gaze was chained to the monstrous form, his very essence caught in its infinite web. His skull felt like it would crack, his brain melt into a formless sludge. The attention of the divine horror was upon him now—an omnipresent gaze boring into the fragile shell of his human soul.

It spoke.

Not in words, but in raw will—a command that demanded understanding, comprehension beyond the boundaries of mortal thought-

"I'm so sorry!"

-The voice cut through the maelstrom like a thread of light.

Jonah blinked.

He was back in his room, the horrific vision evaporating like smoke. But the numbness lingered—something in him had been touched, altered, by whatever that was. He sat motionless on the edge of his bed, staring at the wall as the memories of the past twelve hours began to piece themselves together.

The library.

A girl.

A connection that had felt as natural as breathing.

And now, impossibly—

She was here.

Jonah's head snapped toward the desk. She was perched on it, her legs swinging slightly as she smiled at him. Blonde hair with two pigtails framed her face, her blue eyes and warm expression marred only by an edge of nervousness.

He blinked again, and for an instant, the room dissolved. He was back in the void, staring into a monstrous being of incomprehensible proportions. A tidal wave of dread surged through him—

Her soft laugh pulled him back.

"I'm so sorry," she said again, wringing her hands. "I was really hoping you'd just...forget all that. It would've made this so much easier."

Jonah stared, his mouth dry. "What...what the hell was that?!"

She winced, an awkward blush creeping across her cheeks. "Okay, first of all—hi. Let's start with that. Second, I promise I didn't sacrifice your soul to an eldritch god or anything. In fact, it's kind of the opposite."

Jonah blinked, utterly at a loss. Despite the chaos churning in his mind, something about her—her genuine awkwardness, the way she fiddled with her sleeves—kept him grounded.

"Listen," she continued, her words tumbling out in a nervous rush. "I had such a great time yesterday, and I really didn't want you to find out this way. But, uh, you kind of...saw through me sooner than I expected. Which, by the way, is super impressive. Most people don't even get close to—oh no, I'm rambling. Aren't I?"

Jonah nodded dumbly.

She took a deep breath, straightening up as if bracing herself. "Okay. So. You remember how we met? In the library? I was looking at those Cthulhu Mythos books."

He nodded again. It had been amusing to see her pouting over the notoriously bleak horror genre.

"Yeah, well," she said, her expression shifting. "I wasn't pouting because I'm a fan. I was pouting because of all the errors. The truth is, Jonah..."

Her voice softened, and for a moment, she seemed almost shy. "The Eldritch Gods? The Old Ones? The Outer Gods? They're real. All of it."

Jonah's stomach twisted.

"And me?" Her gaze met his, and he could see the faint glow of something vast and ancient flickering behind her human form. "I'm Azathoth. Daemon Sultan, the ruler of the universe, the—well, you get the idea. And no, I am not an 'Idiot God,' thank you very much," she added with a sharp huff, crossing her arms indignantly.

Jonah gawked. Azathoth? The name reverberated in his mind like a gong. Azathoth was here—in his room—and somehow, she was this...this awkward, blushing girl?

She sighed, a faint smile returning. "It's a lot, I know. But we—those of us beyond mortal comprehension—can take forms like this. It's...not easy. Think of it like squeezing an ocean into a bottle. This form isn't perfect, obviously."

"Why?" Jonah managed to croak. "Why me?"

Her smile softened into something almost tender. She stepped closer, her presence washing over him like starlight. "Because I saw you," she said simply. "All of you. Your soul, your struggles, your passions, your heart. I've existed for eons beyond your understanding, but when I looked at you...I felt something I've never felt before. Jonah, I love you. And I want you to stand by my side for eternity."

Her words hung in the air, impossibly heavy yet somehow beautiful.

"But," she continued gently, "if that's not something you want—if you can't bear the thought of being with me in a higher existence—I'll let you go. I'll erase your memories of me, and I'll make sure your life is long and happy."

Jonah stared into her eyes, which now gleamed with the light of a thousand galaxies. "But," she added, her voice trembling slightly, "if you choose to stay...it would make me the happiest being in all realities."

She waited, her entire cosmic presence balanced on the edge of his answer.

Jonah sat silently, the weight of her words pressing down on him like a star collapsing. She loved him? Enough to give him eternity by her side, standing above gods and mortals alike? It was overwhelming—terrifying, even—but as the initial shock subsided, his thoughts began to untangle.

What did he have here, really? A life of mediocrity? An existence filled with moments of joy drowned by loneliness, misunderstanding, and frustration? He thought of the countless hours spent in virtual worlds, the only places where he felt like he belonged, like he mattered in some way. Now, the woman—no, the being—before him was offering him a reality more fantastical than anything he'd ever dreamed of.

He glanced at her, at Aza—Azathoth, the Daemon Sultan—and saw no deception in her eyes. For all her cosmic power, her gaze was gentle, filled with a sincerity that seemed almost...human. And she loved him of all people.

The thought should have been absurd. Yet deep down, Jonah felt it too. Despite the madness of the past day, despite the impossibility of it all, there was a connection between them—something real in the midst of incomprehensible vastness.

He took a deep breath, his decision clear.

"I...I want this," he said quietly. His voice grew a little firmer as he met her gaze. "I want you."

Aza's eyes widened, shimmering like the night sky. "You will?" she asked, her voice trembling with joy. "Oh, thank you, Beloved! You won't regret this!"

Before he could say another word, she wrapped him in a warm embrace, holding him tightly as tears of joy slipped down her cheeks. "I promise, Jonah, you will never regret this. Being eternal is quite enjoyable—with the right company."

Jonah barely had time to process her words before she leaned in, capturing his lips in a kiss. He froze for a moment, uncertain and inexperienced, but the warmth of her touch quickly melted away his hesitation. He returned the kiss hesitantly at first, then with growing confidence.

As their connection deepened, he felt something surge within him—a flood of... something, ancient and boundless, merging with his very being. He pulled back, breathless and wide-eyed.

"What was that?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Aza giggled, her cheeks glowing faintly with delight. "Let's call it my wedding present," she said. "I've started your ascension process! Don't worry; it's nothing too intense just yet. You've got some perks now—like immunity to insanity, for one. Also, you'll be able to recognize Eldritch beings on sight. Might get a few minor headaches at first, but those will fade."

Jonah blinked, trying to absorb her words. "I'm...ascending?"

She quickly raised her hands, her tone reassuring. "Wait, wait! Don't worry—you don't have to be like me, an Outer God. You can be a Great Old One or even just an Elder God if that feels more your speed."

She paused, her brow furrowing in thought. "Oh, right. I should probably clear this up—Lovecraft really butchered our hierarchy. I swear, he must have had some kind of grudge against us. I mean, I do my best work while sleeping, and he turns me into a cosmic spaghetti monster? Ridiculous."

Jonah couldn't help but chuckle at her exasperated tone.

Shaking her head, she continued. "Anyway, here's the deal. The 'gods' fit into three basic categories. Outer Gods, like me, work on cosmic scales and are the most powerful. Then you've got Elder Gods, who are more terrestrial and the least potent. Great Old Ones are the middle ground, traveling among the stars to handle planetary or stellar systems. Each role has its ups and downs, but the choice is entirely yours. Whatever you decide to become, I'll support you."

Her expression softened, her voice growing wistful. "I just hope you'll let me show you the universe one day. We've put so much work into it...it would mean the world to me to share it with you."

Jonah rubbed the back of his neck, still reeling. Ascension? Cosmic gods? Aza—Azathoth—was casually discussing these things like they were the most normal topics in the world. He could feel the enormity of what she'd said hovering over him like a storm cloud, but his mind refused to process it all at once.

Aza tilted her head, studying him with a concerned expression. "You're overwhelmed," she said gently.

"No kidding," Jonah muttered, running a hand through his hair.

Her smile returned, soft and understanding. "You don't have to think about any of this right now, Beloved. It's a lot, I know. How about...we just rest for a bit? You've had a pretty big day."

Jonah glanced at her, grateful for the reprieve. "That...sounds good, actually."

She reached out, taking his hand and guiding him toward the bed. "Come on. Let's cuddle. I promise, no more existential revelations tonight."

Jonah hesitated for only a moment before climbing into bed beside her. As he lay down, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. Her presence was soothing, warm in a way that felt almost otherworldly.

"You're safe," she whispered, her voice like a lullaby. "My Love... at long last... I'll protect you, Jonah. Always."

Her words wrapped around him like a blanket, and despite the swirling thoughts in his head, Jonah found himself relaxing. His eyelids grew heavy, and before he knew it, he was drifting into a deep, sleep.

[TIMESKIP]

When Jonah woke, the room was bathed in soft morning light filtering through the blinds. For a moment, he lay still, enjoying the warmth of the bed and the steady rise and fall of Aza's breathing beside him.

Then it all came rushing back.

Slowly, he turned his head. Aza was nestled under the covers, her blonde hair spilling across the pillow. She looked so peaceful, so human, that for a brief moment, he could almost convince himself that everything from last night had been a bizarre dream.

Almost.

He shifted his gaze to his desk, where his small mirror caught the morning light. Sitting up carefully so as not to disturb Aza, he leaned forward and stared at his reflection.

His face looked the same—dark, tousled hair, tired brown eyes—but there was something different. A faint glimmer hovered in his pupils, like starlight trapped in their depths. It was subtle, but once he noticed it, he couldn't unsee it.

His heart began to race. This was real.

He glanced back at Aza, who murmured something in her sleep and nuzzled deeper into the pillow. The enormity of it hit him all over again: he wasn't just some ordinary guy anymore. He was engaged to Azathoth, the ruler of the universe, the being at the center of all creation.

Jonah pressed his palms against his face, trying to steady his breathing. This wasn't a dream. It wasn't some wild fantasy his brain had conjured up.

It was real.

And somehow, he wasn't afraid, at least not anymore.

Sure, it was overwhelming, but as he thought back to her words—her gentle embrace, the way she looked at him with such sincerity—he felt a flicker of calm in the storm of his thoughts.

She really did love him. And despite everything, he believed her.

Carefully, he turned back to Aza, lying there as if she belonged in his world, in his bed, in his life. A small smile tugged at his lips.

"Guess I really am engaged to an Eldritch god," he muttered under his breath.

The thought should have been ridiculous, but instead, it felt...right.

Suddenly without warning, a flash of light filled the room, cutting through the morning stillness. Jonah squinted, shielding his eyes as a surreal vision unfolded before him. Tendrils, endless and paradoxical, spiraled and flowed in impossible directions, weaving in and out of fleshy orbs that pulsed with an unsettling rhythm.

Yet unlike the vision from the night before, this one didn't shake him to his core. He felt no overwhelming terror, no sense of his mind being unmade. Instead, he observed it with an almost clinical detachment, as if his newfound ascension was already granting him resilience.

The tendrils twisted together, forming what appeared to be a portal. A ripple of energy spread outward as a figure stepped through.

Jonah blinked. Of all the things he might have expected—a grotesque monstrosity, an unholy abomination—it certainly wasn't her.

The new arrival was a young woman dressed in an immaculate white navy uniform, the golden trim gleaming as though freshly polished. Her demeanor exuded confidence as she casually rested a polished Japanese katana against her shoulder.

"Yog?" Aza stirred beside Jonah, sitting up and rubbing her eyes as she took in the scene. Her voice carried a mix of surprise and irritation.

The newcomer smirked, brushing a strand of black hair from her face. "I'll take it from here, Aza," she said with an amused lilt before turning her attention to Jonah. "Well, well. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Yog-Sothoth. Yes, that Yog-Sothoth—the Gate, the Key, and the Guardian of the Cosmos."

Jonah could only stare as she continued, clearly enjoying his bewilderment.

"Let me clear up a few things for you. Yes, I'm basically a time lord. Yes, I'm aware of Doctor Who, and yes, I'm a Whovian. No, I don't know exactly what is going to happen—I just know what can happen. Oh, and this outfit?" She gestured at her pristine uniform, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "I just came back from another universe. There was a bit of a time-space hiccup. Long story short: the Japanese were the winning side in an alternate World War II. Don't think too hard about it."

Jonah blinked, his brain doing cartwheels as she went on without missing a beat.

"And the sword?" Yog-Sothoth held up the katana, admiring it briefly before giving him a cheeky wink. "I like turning my powers into weapons. Sue me."

A laugh escaped her as she finally paused, giving Jonah a moment to process.

Jonah opened his mouth to respond, but his words seemed to get stuck somewhere between disbelief and resignation. He turned to Aza, who was now fully awake, stretching and watching Yog-Sothoth with the air of someone used to this sort of thing.

"Yog is...eccentric," Aza said with a sheepish smile.

"Fun is what you mean, O Daemon-Sultan," Yog replied with a mock bow, the grin on her face growing.

Jonah wasn't entirely sure how to respond to the absurdity of the situation. He was still adjusting to the idea of being engaged to Azathoth, and now he was meeting another cosmic entity, who, by all accounts, seemed to moonlight as a time-traveling action hero.

Yog turned her full attention back to Jonah, her expression shifting from playful to intrigued. She studied him with a sharp, knowing gaze, like a scientist examining a fascinating specimen.

"Hmm," she mused, circling him slowly. "So you're the one who managed to steal her heart. Congrats, kid. That's no small feat. Oh sorry, guess I should also call you my King now."

Jonah felt himself flush under her scrutiny. "Jonah is fine as well... thought that title does sound cool to be called not gonna lie." 

Yog's grin returned. "You're already adapting faster than I expected. Most mortals would still be curled up in the fetal position after what you've seen, but here you are—upright, coherent, and even starting to see through our fields after just one night. Impressive."

Jonah shifted uncomfortably. "Uh...thanks? I think?"

Yog laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Oh, don't be so modest! You've got potential, Jonah. And you're going to need it if you're sticking with her."

Jonah glanced at Aza, who offered him a small, reassuring smile.

He then stared at Yog-Sothoth, still trying to process her presence in his room. She had a commanding energy, like a cosmic hurricane that also happened to have excellent taste in uniforms. 

"So, uh," Jonah began, glancing between Yog and Aza. "Why exactly are you here? Did you just pop in to...check me out?"

Yog chuckled, crossing her arms. "Tempting, but no. I'm here because I just finished helping with a little project your fiancée has been working on for you."

Jonah blinked. "Project?"

Aza sat up fully now, her smile widening. She looked excited, almost giddy. "Oh, Beloved, I've been waiting for this moment!"

Yog smirked. "She's been pacing the astral plane for weeks, practically vibrating with anticipation. It's been hilarious to watch."

Aza shot Yog a mock glare before turning back to Jonah, her excitement undimmed. "Jonah, I know this whole ascension thing is a lot. And let's be honest—it's going to take a long time before you're ready to fully become an Eldritch god. Millions of years, at least."

"M-millions?" Jonah stammered, his eyes going wide.

Aza placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry! Time flows differently for us. You won't even notice most of it. But I wanted to make sure you had something to do in the meantime—something fun, something you'd love."

Jonah tilted his head, his curiosity piqued despite himself. "What do you mean?"

Aza's smile turned playful. "Well, Yog and I did a little...experiment."

Yog chimed in, clearly enjoying Jonah's confusion. "You're a total nerd, Jonah. Don't deny it. Anime, video games, fantasy novels—you're obsessed with them."

Jonah frowned, crossing his arms. "I'm not obsessed. I just...appreciate them."

"Sure you do," Yog said, smirking. "Point is, we know how much you love those worlds. So, Aza had this brilliant idea—one I couldn't resist helping with."

Jonah glanced between them, his stomach doing nervous flips. "What idea?"

Aza clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling. "We turned them into real worlds!"

Jonah froze. "What?"

"Actual worlds," Aza continued, practically bouncing on the bed. "The settings from your favorite anime, games, books—they exist now, out there in the multiverse. I used a power I have to...how do I put this? Manifest them."

"Give them form," Yog added. "Think of it as taking the blueprints from those stories and turning them into actual places with people, cultures, and histories."

Jonah's jaw dropped. "Wait, you're telling me that worlds like...like the ones from Dragon Ball Z or Final Fantasy are real now?"

Aza nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! And my surprise for you, Beloved, is this: I want you to travel to them. Explore. Have adventures. Live out the stories you love so much. You can be the hero—or the villain, if that's your thing. It's your choice."

Jonah stared at her, his heart pounding. "You...you made these worlds just for me?"

"Of course," Aza said softly, reaching out to take his hand. "I love you, Jonah. I wanted to give you something that would make you happy. Something to help you find your place in this vast universe we're going to share."

Yog rolled her eyes, though there was a hint of affection in her tone. "She's hopelessly romantic, in case you hadn't noticed. But yeah, she's serious. The worlds are real, and you can visit them. Consider it a...trial run for your future godhood."

Jonah's mind raced. He thought back to all the nights he'd spent dreaming about being part of those stories, imagining himself as the protagonist in the worlds he loved so much. And now...it wasn't just a dream. It was real.

"I...I don't know what to say," he whispered.

Aza leaned in, her voice gentle. "Say you'll go, Jonah. Say you'll let yourself enjoy this gift. There's no rush. You can take your time to decide, but I think you'll love it."

Jonah's lips twitched into a small, stunned smile. For the first time since this whole ordeal began, he felt pretty dang excited.

"Okay," he said, his voice steadier now. "I'll do it."

Aza's grin lit up the room. "Oh, Beloved, you're going to have so much fun!"

Yog smirked. "Good choice. Now, let's talk logistics and where you'll go first..." 

(TO BE CONTINUED)