Life After The End(LATE)

"Who are you people, and where the hell am I?!?" I yelled in a childish babble.

Taking everything in view, the first thing that struck me was the sheer size of the room. It was a colossal expanse of pristine white, adorned with delicate golden patterns that danced along the walls. The ceiling soared far above, stretching into an infinite void that seemed to defy my ability to comprehend its height.

Even the crib I found myself in was a far cry from the one I'm used to. The one I knew was crafted from plain wood, but this one was a magnificent blend of wood and gold. Intricate carvings of golden vines and flowers wound their way across the surface, creating a stunning display of artistry.

Beneath me lay a blanket that felt spun from clouds—silken, soft, and so fluffy that I could easily imagine sinking into it forever, reluctant to leave its embrace.

'Now that I think about it... who needs a crib made out of gold?!? Am I the bastard child of a king?'

As I glanced downward, I was taken aback to find five figures looming over me.

'The last thing I remember is sleeping in a bright pink room, and now I'm where? Am I dreaming? Why are there five monsters staring at me from my crib? This isn't even the same crib! What in the world is going on?!?' I roared in my head.

"Um, Sophia, what do we do? I've never taken care of a human child before. Ahhhhh! Look! He's talking! So cute!" the one with dark plum-colored straight hair and indigo eyes cooed.

The one who I assumed to be Sophia had a light green glow to her skin, making her look similar to a living plant. To add to her plant-like appearance, her dark brown, almost gray-colored hair looked similar to that of tree branches that flowed behind her out of sight. Her branch-like hair had a bright blue flower perched above her left ear, matching her eyes.

"How would I know? This is my first time seeing a human baby. I think you are supposed to play with it. Quick! Someone grab a ball!"

The vibrant blue slime girl standing beside Sophia suddenly dashed away, only to return moments later with a black and white checkered ball, its surface glistening with slime.

"What am I supposed to do with this ball? Do I drop it onto the baby and let him play- Oh no! I'm sorry! Quick! What do I do? Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!!!! The Queen is going to kill me for hurting him!" the slime girl shrieked as I called her an array of not-so-family-friendly words.

"What the hell is wrong with you all?!? Can't any of you take care of me properly?" I growled, frustration bubbling over.

'Oh no,' I thought as an unpleasant odor permeated the air.

"EWWWWW!" The five girls exclaimed in unison.

"Why would you drop the ball on his face, Claire?!? He can't even use his hands yet!" the first girl exclaimed, quickly grabbing a towel that hung on the railing behind me to wipe my face clean.

"You know what, Tenka, you figure out how to take care of him then!" Claire retorted, snatching the slime-covered ball and hurling it at Tenka.

"WHY YOU-" Tenka let out a furious roar, but her outburst was abruptly halted by a girl with strikingly large green eyes that sparkled like glass and light brown hair elegantly styled into a bun.

"That's enough! Someone fetch a diaper and some baby wipes, please!" the fourth called out, her voice cutting through the tension.

"Right away, ma'am!" the fifth person replied without hesitation.

Tenka muttered under her breath, "Wait until Tiffany leaves you little shit."

"I heard that," Tiffany stated as she was handed the diaper she asked for.

"Claire, since you made him do it, you need to remove his current diaper," Tiffany instructed, gesturing toward me as I unleashed a torrent of curses, thoroughly DISPLEASED with the slime covering me like a blanket.

"FINE!" the blue slime-colored thug whined as she leaned over the crib's railing, carefully reaching down to remove my diaper. After spending nearly five minutes painstakingly trying to remove the diaper, Tenka reached her limit.

"Come on, Claire! Just get that ridiculous diaper off right now! It shouldn't take this long!"

Within a second, Tenka yanked at Claire's hands, causing her to pull at the diaper and my legs in an uncomfortable way. Just moments after the diaper was finally removed, a sharp pain shot through my legs, prompting me to break down in tears.

"TENKA!" the fifth girl exclaimed, delivering a swift smack to the back of the purple-haired girl's head.

"Oi! Claire was taking forever, and I didn't mean to hurt the kid! Wait—Ow! Stop! I'm sorry! Please, let go of my hair, Natalia!"

Natalia, the fifth girl, had an appearance that resembled a blend of canine and human traits. Her fur was predominantly white, interspersed with a few black spots. Despite the thick coat of hair covering Natalia, there were no loose hairs.

A long, canine muzzle sat on her face, with a glistening, sleek, jet-black snout. Dozens of matching whiskers protruded from the sides of the snout, adding to her canine appearance. Atop her head, a mop of messy black hair partially covered her glassy aquamarine eyes, which sparkled with playful mischief as she dragged a protesting Tenka away.

"Lock her in her room until we're finished!" Tiffany commanded, her voice echoing as a door swung shut, muffling Tenka's desperate pleas for help.

"Sophia, could you please check if his legs are alright?" Tiffany inquired, clutching a handful of baby wipes in her left hand.

The plant girl raised her light green hands above me, closing her eyes in concentration. A soft glow enveloped her hands as she gently moved them back and forth, murmuring incantations.

"Thank the founder, he's alright. If that wretched troublemaker had harmed this poor child, I would have torn her apart without a second thought," Sophia remarked, her face radiating kindness and compassion.

Tiffany smiled warmly as she bent down, saying, "Alright, let's get you all cleaned up, little one." In just two minutes, she efficiently tidied both me and the crib, removing every trace of the mess. With a sense of accomplishment, she fastened a fresh diaper and wiped her brow, a satisfied grin spreading across her face.

"All done! That took a bit longer than I expected, but honestly, it wasn't too bad at all!"

"Uh, Tiffany, you've got something on your face," Claire pointed out, indicating a small brown and green smudge on Tiffany's cheek.

"What? Where? EWWW! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!" Tiffany shrieked, her voice rising in panic as she dashed around in circles, flailing her arms wildly.

"Hold still, for goodness' sake! I can't clean you up if you keep moving! You know what? GET SLIMED!" Claire declared, transforming herself into a vibrant blue ball of slime and launching herself at Tiffany. Upon collision, the slime burst forth, drenching the now-screaming girl in a cascade of goo. Instead of splattering everywhere, the slime enveloped Tiffany entirely, gliding over her skin and meticulously cleansing every inch. Once it was finally removed, it left her sparkling clean.

"Done! See? Nothing to worry about." Claire stated with a salute and a goofy smile on her face that was barely visible from where I was.

"Thanks, Claire!" Tiffany said, turning to me with a soft, soothing voice. "Now, let's get you up and out of there, little one."

Wrapping me snugly in the bright blue blanket adorned with whimsical cloud patterns that lay beneath me, Tiffany gently lifted me from the crib, giving me a clearer view of my caretakers and the charming room surrounding us.

All the girls present, presumably as well as those who had left, were dressed in classic maid outfits. Their white apron-like dresses draped over black underdresses, playfully brushing their knees. Delicate frills adorned the hems of their dresses and the shoulder openings. Each girl wore sleek black lace-up shoes complemented by soft cotton socks.

"With so many maids around, I must be royalty!" I beamed.

"See? Look how happy he is to get out of that tiny crib! Now that he's set, let's get him to his family," Sophia exclaimed, her face beaming with delight.

Tiffany cradled me gently, her hands supporting my back as she swayed me softly. After passing through a titanic-sized door large enough for a giant to stroll through, we found ourselves in a vast corridor. Towering windows stretched far above, reaching heights that seemed to touch the sky, but the architecture did not captivate me.

What truly took my breath away was the kaleidoscope of colors streaming through those windows.

Each light sparkled and merged with the next in a harmonious dance, presenting a breathtaking display of the entire color spectrum. It was as if the world itself was putting on a vibrant light show, showcasing its vitality for all to witness. No words could adequately capture the beauty of this spectacle; terms like "perfect" and "divine" felt utterly inadequate to convey the extraordinary artistry required to create such a magnificent scene.

An expansive vista unfolded beneath, revealing a vast forest extending far beyond what the eye could see. Countless trees, each unique, danced gracefully in the gentle breeze, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that felt like a treasure trove of nature's diversity. The forest was a vibrant tapestry of colors, showcasing an array of colored bark ranging from deep green-brown to fiery orange, rich red, and sunny yellow. The leaves shimmered in an enchanting spectrum of blues, imbuing the entire landscape with an ethereal charm that seemed almost fairytale-like.

"Isn't it stunning?" Tiffany remarked softly, momentarily pausing as she exited the room to absorb the breathtaking scenery.

Everyone who calls this manor home agrees that this place is magical, far more so than any spell or power. The warmth of the colors and the heart put into creating this extraordinary realm resonates deeply with all who truly understand love.

As we strolled down the corridor, the rhythmic sound of heels echoed around us, accompanied by a diverse assembly of beings—giants, humans, elves, beast folk, fairies, and many others whose names I didn't know.

Some of these inhabitants had elongated, pointed talons and eyes resembling those of dogs, while others appeared more human, walking upright on two legs. Among them was a moving rock formation, screeching as it glided across the floor. The one unifying feature among this eclectic group was the maid outfit that each wore.

I couldn't help but wonder how a living rock formation could wear a maid outfit without seeming out of place.

"Don't be scared, little one. While some may look scary, I promise they are all nice people. Even Tenka has a warm side. Once you take the time to understand them, try not to judge a book by its cover." Tiffany gently rocked me as Sophia and Claire peered over her shoulders to look at me.

"Now that I think about it, what's his name?" Claire's face began to morph peculiarly, the sides seemingly melting and dripping onto the ground.

"He looks like a Victor to me," Tiffany made various faces that did NOT amuse me.

"His name doesn't matter because he is SO cute!" Sophia chimed in, her flower starting to glow softly above her head.

'I look like a Victor? What is that supposed to mean? Is that a compliment or an insult?'

The air, filled with the sounds of my diehard fans adoring me, changed subtly. A wave of nothingness washed away everything. Claire and Sophia's playful voices receded into nothingness, along with the hurried footsteps of the numerous maids bustling about. I floated in an empty void, with only my body in sight.

"Tiffany? Sophia? Claire? Hold on. This is my original body. What is-" My words were abruptly interrupted by a strangely familiar voice on the tip of my tongue.

"Al-" a voice called out.

"?" I responded, puzzled.

"Alpha," the voice repeated, resonating through the void.

"What? Who are you? How do you know about—" I began to inquire, but again, I was interrupted.

"Listen to me, beware the "Witch Of Envy." She is the one who shall open your world to theirs," The voice warned.

"Wait. Time out. This is so sudden. How do I know who this "Witch" is when I don't know what she looks like? And what is this other world?" I questioned.

"I can't help you look for her when even I, myself, do not know what she looks like. What I can tell you is that she is the only owner of the "Authority Of Divine Bewitching." As for what this Authority does, I'm not quite sure, but even if it did know, I couldn't tell you. I can only deliver warnings and small bits of advice or point you in a certain direction towards something you want. My role is too important to show vast amounts of favoritism. However, I can and will show you more than I did last time," the voice stated.

"What is an "Authority?" Also, you said you can only point me in a direction for an outcome I wish? What exactly is your "role" in my life? And what do you mean "last time?" Have I met you before?" I questioned.

"An Authority is a special power that one receives once they have reached a state of understanding in a specific field of power. The "Authority Of Divine Bewitching" must relate to deceiving or manipulating...

My role is that of a spider, weaving the paths that every being is destined to traverse. The Gods themselves are no exception, except for "them..."

It seems you have forgotten the last morsels of wisdom I shared, given that you are asking such a question. So since you don't remember me from last time, no, I have never met you," the voice mutedly stated.

"Now, for what I have promised you: Beware the "Witch Of Envy" and the "One Who Became Corrupted By The Miracle" as they will be both your greatest allies and most heart-wrenching enemies. The threads have been spun; however, just because they have been woven doesn't mean that a singular path is the only one. Depending on the choices made in life, a person's thread could be snipped, extended, or unraveled and rethreaded," the voice numbly stated as the pitch-black void encased me began to flicker to life as various scenes played out before me.

In one such scene, a hazy female figure gracefully lifted the hem of her dress courteously.

"Good evening, Lancelot. I am |(@+H€£¡N€|. It is a true pleasure to make your acquaintance," the woman's voice echoed before the vision transitioned once again.

This time, the imagery shifted to reveal a massive, pulsating orb of flesh, its surface a swirling blend of red and purple. As the vision zoomed out, it became clear that this orb floated in the vastness of space, overshadowing the moon that floated nearby.

The vision delved deep into the orb, unveiling a complex maze of fleshy passageways teeming with grotesque, similar creatures that trudged through the corridors, emitting primal roars that echoed ominously. The scene paused at a magnificent door adorned with bones, where the door creaked open to disclose a throne room of flesh, dominated by a singular, imposing throne upon which a figure sat.

A shadow, dark as night, covered the figure, obscuring it from my view, save for the gleaming left boot. This gunmetal color glistened ominously in the light emanating from a fleshy pit behind the throne.

Suddenly, a massive, orange-red fleshy hand emerged from behind the throne, grasping the top of the colossal seat. After a brief pause, a triangular shaped head slowly came into view, its face covered with irregularly shaped yellow-orange spots.

Surrounding the head were enormous dark red spikes arranged in an uneven yet strikingly symmetrical manner, resembling a mane. The pointed tip of the triangular head served as the creature's nose, while a gaping maw, dark red in color, hung open, allowing dark green saliva to drip down.

As the creature moved around the throne, more of its imposing form came into view, towering nearly as high as the gigantic throne itself. Its dark purple tentacles, extending from its back, writhed with a life of their own, their jagged barbs glinting menacingly in the dim light.

A cluster of dark purple spores rested in the creature's right palm, rhythmically pulsating with each subtle movement. Its left hand resembled a mass of throbbing purple muscle akin to a network of tubes. The creature's slender, humanoid waist and abdomen were covered in striking yellow slash mark tattoos. Its legs resembled a canine's, yet they were fleshy and muscular, with throbbing purple veins. From its knees, barbed spikes jutted outwards, pointing menacingly upward.

The hidden figure stood as his creature revealed himself, letting me finally see who was before me.

The figure was draped in a dark blue robe similar to a scholar's attire, with broad white lines that cascaded down the fabric, intersecting in an X shape across the center and extending outward. Jet-black trousers clung to the figure's legs, seamlessly connecting to the dark blue, nearly black greaves that covered its feet.

Each greave had fiery red-orange lines that snaked down viciously. The same jagged lines were on its bone-white mask, where wisps of color seemed to escape like ethereal gas or vapor.

Flowing behind the figure was a mass of tangled, dark orange hair that swayed gently, adding an air of mystique to the scene.

"Have you come to experience what it means to accept a Miracle, my old friend? Or have you come to stop the will of the Miracle Creator?" A heavy male voice questioned.

"I have come to put down a dear friend lost in madness, nothing more and nothing less," Another voice coldly stated.

"Then it is with my most pleasant pleasure to greet you. Welcome to my sphere, Heretic. For you, who has defied "The Miracle" must now be wiped clean from the multiverse," the masked figure declared with chilling finality.

The monstrous creature beside him unleashed a feral, thunderous roar that reverberated through the air, shattering the vision and severing the connection entirely.

"The "One Who Became Corrupted By The Miracle" and his loyal "Bastard Watchdog Of Finality" are two who shall enter your life in the near future. These two will be the biggest personal hurdle for you to overcome due to the deep connection you will have with the two. However, this next vision dwarfs the last two in personal importance," the voice mutely stated.

The atmosphere around me erupted into chaos as a colossal cloud of smoke obscured my sight. Debris, dust, and grime swirled violently, and labored breathing pierced my ears. Sinister laughter filled the space in the ensuing moments, only to be overshadowed by a primal roar reverberating through the air, dwarfing the laughter in its intensity.

"I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'LL KILL YOU," a heavily angered voice echoed.

Suddenly, a gigantic, fur-covered hand swept through the thick smoke, unveiling a monstrous creature.

A thick coat of dark brown fur covered the creature, resembling a heavy blanket that shimmered under the radiant sunlight. Its razor-sharp claws, gleaming like obsidian, flexed menacingly with each powerful movement of its enormous paws. Towering ebony horns twisted skyward, giving the impression that the beast was reaching for the heavens, reveling in its own terrifying majesty. A long, whip-like tail struck the ground with a resounding thud, sending shockwaves through the earth beneath it.

Behind this nightmarish creature, massive wings, akin to those of a bat, spread wide with an unsettling elegance, evoking a deep sense of dread within me. Its piercing crimson eyes, as red as blood, cut through the haze, locking onto me with a predatory intensity as if contemplating the myriad of gruesome ways to rend my flesh, each more horrifying than the last.

"THIS IS IT! THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED: A FIGHT TO THE DEATH WITH NOTHING STOPPING ME FROM GOING ALL OUT! COME AT ME, LANCELOT! BE MY EVERYTHING!" The beast roared in delight as it charged at me, ending the vision.

"Now for my advice: Understand the meaning of having a heart. Once you do so, learn to steel it to survive the insurmountable path ahead. Additionally, seek out the "Lakes" and speak to their guardian. Should she permit you to take her "test," proceed without hesitation," the voice mutely warned.

"Hold on. Wait. This is all happening too quickly. Please show me the visions again! If they are as important as you say, please show me again!" I cried out.

"I am unable to do that. I've shown too much for someone supposed to be a neutral entity. For you, who has such a heavy burden to carry, you have more help than any other. The Great Sage Merlin, Sol Invictus Leon, "Lord Of The Shadows Mason," and so on. Take heed to my warnings and beware of these three individuals, for they will be your biggest hurdles along your destined path," the voice cautioned, as an unseen weight pressed down on my eyelids, causing them to slowly close while I fought to comprehend the gravity of what I had just heard.

Unbeknownst to me, no matter how long I struggled to grasp the message's implications, my future was already set: a tapestry woven with threads of regret, sorrow, and devastation.