From the Nothingness

Even if Destruction‘s role is the opposite of Creation, they have never seen Creation as their enemy or a rival.

After all, they were first created and meant to be by the God of Creation’s side. With every wish of Creation, Destruction will accomplish it. They’re able to destroy all things Creation orders them to—except for one.

To destroy the God of Creation themself.

That is one wish Destruction can’t grant, and one thing they aren’t able to destroy—even if they could’ve easily obliterated gods, worlds, and such. But to destroy Creation themself… it’s one thing they couldn’t do.

Destruction knows that Creation has been wanting to cease to exist for so long. Creation couldn’t make themself disappear and become nothingness, leaving their creations to their own fate. The closest thing to their death would be their slumber, with Destruction being the only one who guards and watches over the resting god.

But no matter how much Creation believe that everything would be better without them, Destruction believed otherwise. The reason everything came to existence is Creation themself, after all.

Despite the implications that come with their name, Destruction’s powers are a mere fraction of Creation’s capabilities. Destruction wouldn’t exist, if Creation hadn’t created them.

At first, Creation only created Destruction to be their first friend, and they continued to exist along with the other creations. The original intent of their existence hasn’t faded away by time—as Destruction remains by Creation’s side for as long as ever. They weren’t created with any particular strong goals or motives, as they existed to accompany the god’s solitude.

After years of watching the gods and mortals living their lives—Destruction finally wished for something on their own. Something other than Creation’s own wishes.

They wanted to see Creation happy, again.

Interestingly, the three of us didn't even need a name. We could simply call each other friends anyway. But in a way, having a name for my own felt pleasant.

It's been pleasant, watching those two. Kias and Eina. I'm not too particularly familiar with emotions those two express at times, and I hope to learn more about them.

They're so driven by emotions and lack of care, that it worries me. I couldn't exactly comprehend the way they're able to do things just because they feel like it.

Why am I not feeling anything? Maybe it's because I am not making myself feel anything. I'm just spending these days idly, watching my two friends create worlds and memories alike.

Meanwhile, I'm already burdened with this curse of possibilities and time. I could see that they would eventually create a big, greater world.

And they would soon face the tragedies I couldn't speak of. All the things that could go wrong.

I know we're all practically unable to die, unless Creation is slain, but still.

The thought of my two friends suffering makes me feel sick to the core.

Eina has been visiting Kias a lot recently.

I told them Kias would eventually wake up on their own anyway, but they wouldn't listen to me.

"Don't you worry about them?" was what Eina asked.

I do, terribly. I could see everything that could've turned wrong. But if I were to interrupt... I'm afraid I would mess up again.

So I didn't answer them. I just left them to visit Kias, knowing that I would be powerless against their whims anyway.

I couldn't just stop and tell Eina that Kias wouldn't wake up today.

Or maybe, perhaps, they're only visiting Kias just to lie down on their bed.

But whatever that reason may be... I decided to follow Eina, towards the abyss where Kias resided at.

It's almost as if Eina was there, just to hope they could be sleeping with Kias. I saw them lying their body next to theirs, saying nothing—but the longing look in their eyes as they looked at Kias' unconscious body had said enough.

They're not waking up anytime soon, Eina.

"I wish I could stay here," Eina spoke.

"I mean, you could."

"Yeah, but I'm not letting you deal with all those creations alone."

"..."

Eina sighed, as they wistfully wrapped their arms around Kias. "Ah, I'm torn..."

I became speechless. Or rather, I didn't want to say what came to my mind.

Within the vast emptiness that only someone like Destruction God could traverse, lies a sleeping god.

In complete silence and darkness, Destruction flew ahead to search for their Creation. It's been a while since they last met.

When Destruction sensed the overwhelming aura, they slowed down, and took slower steps towards Creation.

Sure, this aura and the red strings coming from a larger figure were a part of Creation's true form, but in reality, the one Destruction wanted to talk to the most, was further.

Wading through the seas of heavy presence, Destruction saw a small humanoid figure hovering in the air, resting.

"I've missed you, my lord," Destruction said softly, considerate of the sleeping figure of them. "It's been a while since we've last talked. You've been sleeping all this time, after all."

As Destruction stood in the silence, the presence grew heavier, as parts of Creation's true form (that acted as a room for the sleeping god) manifested into tendrils, wrapping themselves around Destruction in an embrace, pulling Destruction closer towards the sleeping god.

"You're awake?"

Of course, Destruction was surprised. They didn't expect Creation to respond, let alone actually hugging them like this. They've been dead asleep for a while.

From an outerworldly god, Destruction found themself turning into a smaller human-like figure, akin to the deity in front of them. Afterwards, Creation themself got up, and pulled Destruction for a hug.

At this moment, they're no gods. Only two people who missed each other.

Destruction, of course, was quickly overwhelmed in joy as Creation practically strangled them in a hug, clinging tight to them.

"I'm back," Creation spoke, voice filled with exhaustion and relief, "I'm back from that hell..."

"Welcome back." Destruction patted Creation's back. "Have things gotten better over there?"

"Doesn't seem like it."

"Aw."

"If I were to be killed in that world... I'd let you become the second creator god, just like me. You and Time. I'd rather have it fall into your hands rather than have it disappear entirely with me."

"You trusted us?"

"The most."

A high honor, indeed, coming from an untrusting god like Creation.

"But Time... They had been wholly disconnected from all this. Are you sure they'd be alright handling this world?"

"They're handling it in their own way, I'm sure."

"Oh, okay..."

Destruction did trust Creation about that, but the idea of Time reaching a breaking point from handling this entire universe was a possibility. A possibility they had seen too much, from all the gods who broke down.

"Hey, Eina, I've got something to show you."

"Hm?"

Creation then took Destruction's hand, and flew towards the empty void.

At first, it was the two of drifting in the darkness, then there came a bright star in a distance.

More stars and constellations emerged in the skies, and even colorful galaxies. Right now, they're not at the top of all creations, but only a small part of a universe.

Oh, how much they missed running around as small, curious gods.

Comets and meteorites flew from a distance, and some took different shapes.

Destruction pointed at a transformed comet, trying to recognize its shape. "That's a whale?"

"Indeed."

"They're now... fishes? A bunch of fishes!"

"Mhm."

Right now, it's as if they're swimming in the middle of an ocean in the skies—marine creatures flew across the space, resembling comets.

"You know how an artist may sometimes get inspirations from dark experiences? This, too, is an example of that," Creation spoke, as they looked at Destruction, who's looking at the creatures that surrounded them.

"To think you're able to create something this wonderful, after that..."

"Yeah... I'm glad you liked it, Eina."

"Of course. What wouldn't I like, if it's from you?"

"The mortals?"

"I do appreciate and value them, as your creations. Though I admit they do annoy me most of the time."

Creation laughed.

"Not like it's my first time telling you that, no?"

"No, I mean... Something about you expressing annoyance, yet still feel love towards them... It's kind of funny."

"Ah, I get it now..."

For the person who had brought everything to existence, the God of Creation was often somewhere far away from their creations, hiding in the depths of the realm's ocean. So the God of Destruction and the God of Time, the second-in-command and the third-in-command, were the ones left to take care of the entire realm—from the gods that inhabited this place, to the glowing worlds that existed within this ocean of a realm.

With each passing moment that seemed almost eternal, Destruction worried about Creation's whereabouts. Whenever Creation went to hiding, they often claimed to be taking some time away to rest. Of course, being the one who physically brought every single thing to existence, along with maintaining each and every of them—Destruction could see how it took a toll on them. But one time, as Creation was about to leave to rest in the abyss, they seemed almost hesitant. And they even noticed Creation taking a long look at them too—they both knew something's off about Creation.

But before Destruction could say anything, Creation sunk themself into the depths—leaving Destruction staring at the ripples of water left behind, reflecting the light from the other worlds floating nearby, as they remained on the ship, alone.

The waves then eventually settled—still and silent.

Gripping the gunwale, but not to the point Destruction themself could easily destroy it—Destruction could only watch the pitch-black waters beneath the ship. The ship that belonged to Creation.

As they stared blankly at the ocean, a familiar presence—that belonged to the God of Time appeared on the ship. With the faint footsteps, Destruction realized they even showed up in their humanoid form, too.

"What are you doing here?" asked Time, as they stopped by Destruction's side.

Destruction took a look at Time. "You've never shown up like this."

"..."

"..."

Time blinked, before asking in their usual monotone voice: "Did Creation leave again?"

"They did."

"And why are you staying here?"

"... Who knows? I don't even know myself," Destruction replied, looking back at the waters, and Time joined in.

Now that Time showed up, Destruction realized they might as well talk about what they just noticed.

"About Creation... What do you think they're doing down there?" asked Destruction.

"Rest."

"Yeah, right. But it feels... off."

"Like what?"

"Well, they looked... scared? Like I'm sure that's not the face of someone about to take a rest."

"Guilt, perhaps?"

"Yeah, could be that... But why were they even feeling guilty? We can take care of this realm just fine, right?"

"Just barely holding it together."

"Hey, now..."

As Destruction laughed Time off, Time only stared at them—in an almost nostalgic way. Like the time when it's just the three of them, with Creation and Destruction messing around with the creations together, while Time preferred to sit behind and watch, as they kept track of everything they had done together.

Nowadays, Time's several clones were doing the job, and they usually devoted their time to their own work, rather than spending time with the other gods. With Time showing up like this, in a rather idle time, Destruction could assume they already had their clones performing their roles. But why would they leave the clones just to come all the way here?

"So, about Creation..." Destruction scoured through their memories, going through years of recollections. "Oh, one time they did say they felt bad for leaving us behind. Then the apocalypse incident back then, and then..."

"Let me guess, they're avoiding the guilt of those events."

"Yeah... But eh, I have a feeling there's more into this. More of the things they have never told any of us."

"..."

"Hmm... Now that I think about it, have you ever visited Creation down there?"

"No."

"Oh, I see... I remembered going there sometimes, out of worry and all. And they always appear to be sleeping. Curled up and all, like some of the mortals out there. But when they came back..."

As Destruction realized something, Time looked at them with the same unblinking stare. Like they're memorizing everything Destruction was saying.

"Sometimes, they didn't look well-rested after coming back. But it's only a split of second that I saw it, and then they go back to doing their things here. You're supposed to feel somewhat refreshed after a rest, right?"

"Unless they didn't have a good rest."

"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about... I mean, isolating yourself alone with your thoughts, what do you expect from them?"

"Seems like they're still acting like themself."

"They are. But..." Destruction released their hands from the gunwale, popping their fingers. "I've decided."

"With?"

"I'm visiting them again, but this time, I'll pry inside their mind, too."

"Invasive."

"I'm just checking what they're thinking about, nothing more. I have a good reason to do this, anyway."

"..."

"Are you coming too?"

"Hmm." Time looked at the ocean, then they pressed their fingers against their temple and shut their eye—trying to perceive something.

"...What do you see?"

Time's eye snapped open, as they tensed up. They then muttered under their breath, "We should go."

"Where?"

Before Destruction made sure what Time actually meant, Time leaped down from the ship, plunging themself into the ocean. Destruction then jumped in, too.

As their humanoid forms transformed, adapting to the depths of ocean, they descended downwards until all that surrounded them was darkness—and the other's presence.

What exactly did Time see? They only panicked like this when they saw the things that they couldn't comprehend—like vivid visions of things that did not exist within this realm, clearly distinct from whatever they conjured from their own imagination. Creation, too, struggled to explain whatever Time happened to see—for Destruction, they had no hope in understanding those kinds of visions, for that Creation and this realm was their entire, only world.

Soon, as Destruction found their worries growing by a thousandfold—they sensed Creation's presence. They then soared towards them, as Time followed.