God of Nothing

“Are you kids alright?” He asked, putting a hand on Lacey’s shoulder as both she her fellow student were slumped together in exhaustion. 

“Yeah. Give me a second, after that we can–”

As she was talking, Aleph noticed something alarming. Her injured hand’s atrophy had progressed massively, worse than his own had when he fought Atrophy. Her hand wasn’t closed as tightly now, allowing a menacing glow to escape her fingers.

“Let go of that thing, Lacey. It’s alright now.”

“B-but– ” She trembled, her hand wrapping even tighter around. Aleph had to pry it open, only to reveal a small crystal. It was a mana heart, black as night and, even while empty, emanated a sinister aura. It fell to the ground, empty and forgotten, as Lacey uttered out loud their foremost concern.

“Is Rayse…” 

There was a rush of movement at his side at this moment. Turning, Aleph watched as Lost launched herself to the air before he lost her in the explosion of white. Even without his vision, Aleph knew where she had gone. After helping his students up, he led them to the spot.

“Rayse!”

There, they found their fellow student lying in the dirt, tenderly being cradled by the demon king. Lacey tore through Aleph’s support with surprising strength, and was at her friend’s side in an instant. She fussed over him, fretting over every little nick and bruise. 

There was a gaping cavity in his chest, where blood flowed like tears. His vaunted spear, Unbroken, lay by his side, with a skewered crystal at its tip. He seemed like a hero, thoroughly defeated, but the smile on his face proclaimed him the victor. He turned to the rest of his friends, as his eyes rapidly lost colour.

“Master.”

“How are you feeling?” It was a futile question, as it was apparent they were witnessing his end. Still, Aleph felt the need to ask.

“I-I mean, I just fought a primal god and came away pretty well. Couldn’t be better.“ His eyes darted to his side for a second, smile widening by the second.

“Except for my mana heart, that is. Can’t even use the damn thing without hurting myself anyway, so it’s good that I’m rid of it, right? H-heheh– ack!” He spasmed violently, Lost pulled her arms around him, trying to settle him. She herself was trembling, though, something that seemed to amuse Rayse even more.

“Lost? You’re crying. That’s not like you.” He goaded. 

“Hmph, you’re an idiot, Rayse.” Lost replied, trying and failing to hide her whimpers.

“Sir Carrack, please…” Lacey was saying to the old commander who had just arrived.

“This is beyond me, lad. Maybe some of the light attribute members of my corps survived, I could–”

“It’s too late for that.” Aleph said numbly. He knew this look. He had seen it before. Even in defeat, Erebos continues to mock him.

“What’s with those faces? Cough, cough. Smile, everyone. We’ve won.”

…

He smiled one last time as his life expired, plastering the scene eternally into Aleph’s mind.

“S-sir Aleph. He… I can’t feel him. He’s gone.” Brandon uttered as he fell to his knees..

And there it was. The same scene, but with different actors, another ‘victory’ that rang exceedingly hollow. Aleph stayed rooted in place, shocked to stillness by the cold reality.

All sound vanished, all colors muted, all awareness of everything around him reduced to this child, laid down to his final rest.

It was Rayse. The first person to speak to him in millenia. The first to pull him out of the mires of what he now knew was immortal despair. The first to show that there was still something to fight for, something to live for.

All these thoughts spiral around him, as he resisted the urge to retreat to himself once again.

His eyes suddenly narrowed, as a metallic glint briefly passed through his eyes. His eyes zeroed onto that object, fairly far away now, perceiving it to be a lone dagger, discarded in the heat of battle.

Aleph’s eyes widened. The color in his eyes returned in vivid clarity. He threw one of his knives at the faraway object, as he pounced almost aggressively, at the mourning mass.

“Students. Lost. Attend me.”

“W-what?” The demon king said, still in the middle of grieving. Aleph caught something overhead, as he busied himself with Rayse’s empty mana heart. The blade’s wicked gleam shone all over now, stunning the group into silence. “Oblivion’s knife? What are you–”

A collection of gasps was heard all around when he stabbed the dagger right through the crystal. He pierced it through the hole that Unbroken made and kept going until the heart was lodged cleanly in the middle of the blade. He didn’t even know if this would work, but all he knew was that, if it ever had a chance of working, waiting until Rayse was dead was not the right approach.

“The body submits to the soul, does it not? Then we have a chance.”

He replaced the mana heart, dagger and all, back into the cavity in Rayse’s chest, and began to link himself to the mana within the dagger. Beads of sweat quickly formed on his brow as he painstakingly tried to 

“I’ve not done this before. Not with any wherewithal, at least. And sadly, I’ve all but drained all my mana, but I believe it is worth an attempt. Everyone, channel your mana through me.”

It was soul forging. Just as he did with his exo suit, he was now attempting a similar thing to a living being. Like Oblivion’s ability to mold its body by shifting its soul into several different states, it may have been possible to resurrect Rayse by restoring his soul. 

He had technically done this before, of course, when he migrated into this world through a recently deceased man’s body. But that, even as it was subconsciously done, was possible with his full powers as a god. His mortal body has been wrung out completely, though. Still, he knew the feeling of the process better than anybody here, so he should be the one to lead them.

Everybody laid their hands on Aleph even as he focused his energy on the dagger. 

“Truly? The kid can make it?”

Carrack’s came through most strongly, a steady stream of power that came and went. His efficiency dwarfed everybody here by orders of magnitude that was only possible for the strongest mage in the kingdom.

“It’s working!” Brandon exalted. After Carrack’s mana was exhausted, most had come from him. Even Aleph was astounded at the young man’s hardiness. To have recovered this much in the minutes following the conflict was a massive boon. 

The wounds on Rayse’s body began to fade. Not exactly heal, but more like time was being rewound for it. Aleph was inwardly thrilled, but kept his intent focused on molding the boy’s soul.

“No… Something isn’t right.” Lost said curtly. 

“His hands are still cold... Why are they still cold!?” Lacey panicked. Aleph could hardly feel any power from her, and briefly considered refusing her help. Forget her atrophied arm, her mana veins would suffer a similar fate to Rayse’s if she continued. But her frantic eyes and forceful sputtering of her meager contributions were undeniable. Aleph too had been squeezing out any dredges of power that he could, after all. It would be wrong to deny this young woman of her desire.

“Not yet! Rayse! Keep fighting!” Lost’s remaining strength was the least out of everyone, but the quality was unmistakable. In her now was a budding godly authority, no doubt due to her activating Unbroken in Rayse’s hand. She had desired that most of all, the status to fell gods, to truly defeat them, and yet… Here she was, squandering it, pouring it out for a friend. Aleph knew not the fate that lay between these two, but here, in the dawn of a new age, he could no longer deny its legitimacy. 

Nevertheless, hope that burgeoned began to die down as it was clear that his efforts did nothing but restore Rayse’s body.

Eventually all their mana bottomed out, and all sat together in silence. With the sun in their faces and myriad days ahead. This somber group of five, gathered around a presentable corpse.

Aleph kept going though, confident in his theory. 

It must be working. Otherwise, why would his body knit itself back to normal? This magic isn’t one for healing, after all. That his body is being restored like this, it can only mean–

A hand laid on his shoulder stopped his magic weaving, placing him right back in the harsh reality of the present.

“Friend, enough.” A voice said, voice dripping with pity. “This child is lost.” He almost turned and took a swing at the newcomer, but held himself back. Refocusing his thoughts, he continued the soul forging.

Pow!

Lucky for him, Lost didn’t have any such reservations. She laid out the newcomer as soon as he saw who it was.

“You!” She shouted. “How dare you come here after all this time! You have some nerve–” Her rage left her a speechless, sputtering mess as she tried to summon whatever magic she could in her current state. The being just stared, his long flowing robes and perfect appearance unmarred by the sudden attack.

It was Marduk, Lord of Light, the overgod locked in eternal war against Erebos. He stood and patted himself down before bowing at the one that struck him.

“...Erebos’ spawn, Satanael. I welcome you into our fold.”

“You…” Lost was incensed, but by some miracle, managed to keep herself in check this time. After visibly struggling to bury her emotions, she managed to get out a couple words.

“Speak, Overgod. Tell us what You know of Rayse’s condition.”

Marduk stepped forward again, moving right past Lost. He knelt amongst the group that had been trying to revive the young hero, and checked his condition.

“Rayse’s soul has passed. No amount of healing can return him to us.” It was a sorrowful message, but to Aleph’s ears it felt patronizing. 

“Your efforts are producing an entirely new soul, one to house in the vessel you are painstakingly fixing.”

Aleph hesitated, instantly knowing this to be true. But he cannot stop. He dared not, because if not for this then what was left for him?

“Enough of this farce. Since all of you here have attained some sliver of godhood, can you not just wait for him to pass through the cycle of reincarnation? Maybe your so-called soul forging may work then.” The God continued, pleading His case to the group.

Aleph ignored His words, continuing to pour mana into Rayse. He could feel himself and his companions begin to hollow out, all of them beginning to tap into the ‘slivers of godhood’ that Marduk mentioned. The energy all over had seeped into them, only to flow all the way  back into the fallen hero. He felt the dagger strain at his touch, and he knew their time was running short.

This is too slow. We need to finish this soon, or our catalyst won’t hold.

“Lost. Can you connect me to my realm?” He asked, to which Lost fished out a fist sized gem. It wasn’t as bright red as when he first saw it. 

“Not sure… You’ve all slain The Herald of the Departed, so I’m not even sure if this still works.”

“Huh? Oh, gimme it.” Brandon said, suddenly perking up. He took the gem without waiting for a reply.

“This is from the tree guy, isn’t it? Pretty sure I can fire it up.”

A swell of energy burst forth, returning the gem to its sinister glow. Lost took it and stabbed it into the ground, where a bone white plant rapidly started to grow.

Marduk rounded on Brandon, his sorrowful appearance now carrying the undercurrents of a threat.

“The power of the Abyss abounds in you. Please, allay from using that fell magic, before–”

“Before what?” It was Carrack who interrupted him this time. He stepped in between the two before Marduk can grab a hold of Aleph’s apprentice. “Forgive my impertinence, Lord of Light, but if your powers aren’t up to the task, then we’ll use all we can. The kid deserves it.”

Marduk went still, though Aleph can still sense his seething. He cared not. The God had taken care of them all at some point, but here He was simply out of line. Rayse will live on, no matter the cost.

“Do you all not realize the danger in your actions!? You may have struck down His avatar, but this amount of needless expenditure does naught but point his ire unto this world once again!”

Marduk began to glow, swelling to twice the size he was before. Aleph felt fear creep up to him. They were definitely not in any condition to fight another God this day.

“The matters of the soul are beyond the divine! What you all are doing is heresy! Heresy of the highest order!”

A forlorn sigh echoed throughout the land, instantly breaking Marduk’s avatar.

Enough, Marduk.

It was Erebos’ voice from beyond. 

I… I tire of this world. Leave the mortals to their whims and attend me. There are countless battlefields to resolve.

Marduk stopped manifesting, returning to the kindly middle aged man he had always appeared to them as.

“This… This wasn’t how it was supposed to go…”

Okay, maybe not quite as kindly as before. The despondent God has, now inexplicably blocked by a being of equal might, suddenly seemed out of place.

“Leave, Marduk.” Aleph declared, still not looking away from his student.

“The age of Gods ceased for this world. Go play out your insipid campaigns elsewhere.”

“M-my friend, I–”

The white bone tree had fully grown, finally connecting Aleph to his realm. He had only expected a portal to his well, but Lost managed a direct connection. After giving her a brief look, Aleph ‘touched’ the power within and beckoned it to him, returning at last to his full glory.’

“Enough.” 

This time, the world stood still. Not Marduk’s coming, nor Erebos’, had thus far produced such a result.

“Now I see why Lost was so wary of you. You look at us with kindness, but ultimately think us mere pawns for your eternal battle. Let me be clear, Marduk: I came here not as Your tool, but as a man looking for death. What I found instead was life anew. A life that I wish to live with these people. Will you get in the way of that?”

“W-without my backing, this world will not–”

“This world is mine.” Aleph declared, and with the declaration was a gale of wind that seemed to scatter the message all over the world.

“I claim it as my spoil, as is my right as the victor.”

“B-but–” Marduk sputtered, wildly looking around. “You aren’t even–”

“I renounce my right to claim the land.” Lost declared. “I’m sure Rayse feels the same.”

““We renounce it.”” The others followed suit.

“How regrettable.” Marduk said at last. “I had earmarked you as my champion to finally break the stalemate with Erebos, but alas…”

His sad state was almost unbearable, but the words were anything but. A bright golden light shone from him briefly, escaping into the sky before vanishing. His avatar flopped to the ground, revealing yet another familiar face.

“Your Majesty!” Carrack shouted, running to Marduk’s side with no hesitation. Only the presence of God no longer inhabited the vessel, leaving only His agent behind.

“Carrack?” Vaynard said. He tried to stand, but his body’s condition was still as it was. Carrack tenderly carried him towards the others, where he joined their vigil.

“I thought I was finally… What happened?”

Aleph was glad he survived, but was all in all more annoyed at Marduk’s hypocrisy.

“Bastards. All of them are bastards…” He muttered under his breath. He tried to return to his task, when he heard a welcome sound.

“A-ha!” A triumphant voice called out. It was Brandon’s.

“Child?”

“I found him, master.” He beckoned at the tree of all things. “He’s here.”

A humanoid shape pulled itself out of the tree and walked towards them. It looked like Rayse. He walked gingerly, as if not used to the wooden body. He settled between Lost and Lacey, grabbing one hand from each.

“When Lord Marduk said his soul was no longer with us, I figured… Anyway, the herald I fought just pulled out souls willy nilly as some sort of defense, so I didn’t realize it would be so hard to find a specific one.”

Aleph looked from Brandon to the wooden Rayse as surprises kept coming. Rayse was busy inspecting Lacey’s mummified hand like some sort of mime, pointing and shouting wordlessly about. Lacey sobbed and giggled in tandem, waving her near lifeless arm like some sort of trophy. Brandon laughed along with them, making the scene even more bizarre.

“...Are you sure, child? With your powers, you could have brought your mother back, too.”

“...We already had a talk, master. She’s doing well over there, hahaha. Besides, I broke the herald’s mana heart. I still had the mana from it, but I can’t do much with what I’ve got left.” 

“Thank you.” Aleph said, putting as much gratitude as he could in the statement. All three of them had grown disproportionate from the time he’s known them, but Brandon most of all. He was a worthy first apprentice, and more than deserving of the title of hero.

“Naw, it’s nothing. Better put his soul back in, though, before it vanishes.”

Aleph chuckled to himself. He’s still an awkward young man in other respects, though.

“Hmmm.”

Aleph felt the tug of the spell this time, eager to resolve. He poured everything he could into it, letting the power from his realm bleed into him this time. The difference was immense, as Aleph completed the spell on his own. The magic felt familiar to him now, as he regained his godhood. His instinct finished the spell for him, filling in the gaps of his knowledge with a more intimate memory of living through it.

The wooden Rayse hugged his fellow students before growing immobile as his soul returned to its vessel. His mana heart glowed brightly as he did so, until the cavity closed up completely. The light managed to escape through his skin, with a light that rivaled the morning sun. And with that final flash, the new age has finally begun.