Supreme Ethereal Atomarch

Chapter 1 :「Prologue」

In an indescribable “location,” a young boy, who would soon enter his twenties, stood after awakening. The boy glanced around, displaying slight confusion on his face. It was natural, after all, he was experiencing something entirely new.

He was confused. Not because he found himself in an unfamiliar place, but due to the vast emptiness that stretched as far as his eyes could see.

From his earliest recollections, the boy had never slept beyond the first month of his birth. He had always been conscious, longing to experience sleep once more. Now, perplexed, excited, and mostly curious, he found himself unable to recall how he ended up in this place. Considering the impossibility of forgetting, according to his calculations, he deduced that he must either be in a dream or have recently emerged from one.

The boy, whose reddish hair lightly swayed without any breeze, had no memory of what sleep or dreams felt like. Understandably so, as almost 20 years had passed since his last slumber. Anticipating a significant event that could explain his current situation, his azure eyes surveyed every aspect of the boundless void, while his mind analyzed all available information. It was then that he heard a voice, unlike anything he had ever encountered before.

“I must admit, Arthur, I am thoroughly impressed. But that is precisely why I am interested in you,” spoke the voice, resonating throughout the world─that wasn't metaphorical in the slightest. It originated from behind him. Arthur swiftly turned around, his eyes fixating on the voice’s source—a being, if one could even call it that. The figure emitted such a radiant glow that it was difficult for him to sustain direct eye contact. Nonetheless, the void remained as dark and vacant as ever.

“Am I too brilliant for your gaze?” the luminous entity said, seemingly in a sarcastic tone.

Following the unnecessary remark, the intensity of the light diminished significantly, allowing Arthur to comfortably engage in conversation while maintaining eye contact. Or so he thought.

“ …. “ Arthur stared silently for a brief moment, contemplating the appropriate reaction after thoroughly analyzing the figure’s appearance from head to toe, out of habit.

“What’s the matter? Can’t you see me now? Is something wrong?” the entity responded, puzzled.

The red haired boy blinked, snapping out of his contemplation. “No, nothing’s wrong,” he replied, his voice steady despite the unusual circumstances. “It’s just that your presence is so extraordinary, it’s hard to comprehend.”

Whether it was fortuitous or unfortunate, the individual he conversed with appeared to be a young girl of similar age. The girl chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the vast emptiness. “Ah, don’t worry. I understand. I can be quite dazzling for mortal eyes. But fear not, your vision shall adjust as we converse.” She said

As she spoke, Arthur felt a subtle shift in his perception. The overwhelming brightness became more tolerable, allowing him to perceive the intricate details of the girl’s form even more. The entity possessed an otherworldly elegance, with shimmering iridescent skin and flowing robes that seemed to merge seamlessly with the surrounding void.

His curiosity grew with each passing moment. “You mentioned my name earlier. How do you know who I am?”

She smiled warmly. “I have been observing you for quite some time, Arthur. Your ‘life’, your thoughts, your desires, everything about you was extraordinary.”

Despite the gentle vibes she was emitting, her aura set off Arthur’s instincts, warning him of the potential danger he faced. However, those concerns only lingered for a few seconds. Nonetheless, he decided that he had wasted enough time playing around and promptly requested an explanation.