The Dark Rabbit (Novel Complete)

Part 15: The Avatar's Burden (Ethan's POV).

Part 15: The Avatar's Burden (Ethan's POV).

I felt like something had altered inside of me as Aria and I made our way across the broken landscapes of our new reality. At first, it was just a slight change, a murmur deep within my thoughts. However, as the days went by, the murmur got more audible, and until it was a roar, I couldn't ignore it any more.

The truth came to light when I was sitting in a forest glade, reflecting quietly on a crackling fire. As the flames danced, I caught a glimpse of the Dark Rabbit, its enigmatic figure contorting into an image I knew all too well. I had become an embodiment of the same thing we had hoped to comprehend and manipulate, and the realisation hit me like a tonne of bricks. It was clearly my own shape.

I was taken aback and gasping for breath when the realisation struck me like a physical blow. In an instant, Aria had rushed to my side, her worried eyes scanning my face for clues as to what had transpired. Nevertheless, I was at a loss as to how to explain it to her.

I struggled to come to terms with what my elevated status meant in the days that followed. I was overcome with an electric buzz—an overwhelming surge of energy and possibility that drew me in. As if it were a second heartbeat pounding in sync with mine, the Dark Rabbit's existence within me compelled me to welcome the anarchy and devastation it symbolised.

The appeal of my new abilities was irresistible, but I couldn't escape the nagging thought that I was becoming nothing more than the Dark Rabbit's clone of the Ethan I once knew. The battle to maintain my humanity against a creature devoid of compassion and mercy was a constant struggle, fought solely within my own mind.

To her credit, Aria's support for me was unfaltering. Her steadfast support and encouragement helped me face the demons within, and she served as a poignant reminder of the light I had previously known and the love that had gotten me through the worst of times.

While we were cuddled under a starry sky, having a lengthy chat, Aria told me the truth about the architect's sacrifice. She elaborated on how they had sacrificed everything to start the cosmic reset and build a new universe apart from the old one. They had given up more than just their physical selves—their consciousness—to merge with the new world.

As I listened to Aria's comments, a strong feeling of humility overcame me. The architects had sacrificed all for the sake of their ideal world, one where harmony and anarchy might coexist. Now, for some reason, I was selected to contribute to that equilibrium, to embody the power that the architects had aimed to harness.

Despite my growing sense of responsibility, I couldn't help but wonder if the architect's sacrifice had more depth than what Aria had disclosed. During peaceful moments, when my own thoughts had diminished in volume, I would occasionally catch a glimpse of their voices speaking to me from beyond the curtain; the meaning of their words was mysterious and difficult for me to interpret.

The genuine essence of their message became apparent when we discovered a secret stockpile of the architect's writings concealed within the remnants of an old temple. As they neared the end of their journey, the architects had a profound realisation: the Dark Rabbit was essential, and chaos and devastation were crucial parts of the cosmic cycle. Their eyes had witnessed the impending doom of the cosmos and all life within it in the absence of the Dark Rabbit's guiding light.

The architects had left behind one last message before they passed away: a call to embrace the dark rabbit and its place in the cosmic dance. They had realised that the universe could only flourish if it could hold the delicate equilibrium between order and chaos, creation and destruction.

A wave of insight washed over me as I read the architect's words. I suddenly realised that I was the Dark Rabbit's avatar. I was not an evil power out to destroy everything in its path, as my anxiety had led me to believe; rather, I was an essential check on the universe's tendencies towards order and stasis. My strength was an asset, not an imposition, that I should use to benefit the cosmos as a whole.

Unease had crept over me like a veil, and no matter how much I welcomed my new job, it wouldn't go away. Even the most resolute individuals might feel the crushing weight of the Dark Rabbit's overwhelming strength. I was prepared to be on the lookout at all times, resisting the need to give in to the irresistible appeal of devastation and anarchy.

The love and support of those around me, however, brought me comfort even in my darkest hours of uncertainty. Aria, who was always there for me and gave me strength, believed in me no matter what, even as she saw me fight the evil that had taken up residence in my soul. I was surrounded by the ferocious and unfaltering loyalty of the other travellers who had come along for the ride—this mishmash of outcasts and rebels who had become like family.

Piece by piece, we continued our journey through the broken landscapes of our new reality, in search of the ancient world's shards and the secrets they may hold about the cosmic cycle. In our struggle against death and decay, we took great pleasure in the mayhem and devastation wrought by the Dark Rabbit's might.

Even in the midst of it all, I knew that our fight was far from over. A fresh universe, made possible by the cosmic reset, has emerged, ready to be rewritten in the big cosmic cycle. In my capacity as the Dark Rabbit's embodiment, I was well aware of the critical role I would play in influencing that cycle and preserving the precarious equilibrium between order and chaos that is essential to life.

A feeling of purpose enveloped me like a blanket as I gazed out over the expansive landscape of our new existence. In addition to my previous persona as Ethan, the rebel and outcast, I had transformed into a celestial being with a purpose in the grand scheme of things.

Despite my newfound strength and purpose, I couldn't escape the feeling that there was a great deal more to discover and understand. We had only just started to scrape the surface of the cosmic mystery that the architects' message had hinted at. Furthermore, I was aware that we, as the heirs to their heritage, would have to solve that mystery.

We continued on through the broken landscapes of our new reality, and I could feel the gravity of that obligation pressing down on me. However, I was also filled with excitement, a rush of anticipation for the obstacles and revelations that were yet to come.

I had faith that our love and devotion would carry us through any difficulty, and I knew that we would be stronger for having faced adversity together. And I was certain that no cosmic power could stand in our way, despite the Dark Rabbit's strength at my command and the backing of my loved ones.

I looked up at the stars with a smile, prepared to welcome whatever fate the cosmic cycle had in store for us, as the sun dipped beyond the shattered horizon of our new globe. My quest had just begun, and I was Ethan, the Dark Rabbit's avatar.