“The Astral Master has finally descended upon us?! I must meet them at once!”

  The Patriarch of the Primo Exorda stands up from his chair and shouts. The Elder has visited his abode to report about Eternus, the soon to be Astral Master. He described his boundless potential, something which he has never before seen with any other Primo Exorda, as well as the purity of his source essence. His birth marked the beginning of a new era. The Patriarch listened very carefully to the Elder’s report until he mentioned that the boy was the Astral Master. The Patriarch, after shouting his words, sits back down after realising what he did. He puts his hands on his pedestal and looks at the Elder.

  “What are the whereabouts of this miracle child?”

  “He just left the Celestial temple along with his parents. I believe you should be able to catch up to them in time if that’s what you’re wanting to do.”

  “No, it’s fine. I do not wish to make such a scene by leaving my abode. One day, I will grant this child and his guardians an audience. I must meet the Astral Master with my own eye. He could be the key to our society’s biggest thorn in our side.”

  “Are you referring to that organization which came up?”

  ‘Yes. Their recent actions have proved to be quite malicious. They’re on an endless hunt for the Astral Master, leaving no stone unturned. Activity from them has gotten more wild and dangerous. Fortunately, they are not targeting anyone within our society yet, but they are committing transgressions in other worlds. If we allow this to progress even further, everyone in the Astral Plane will start to blame us. They’ll rally up troops and march into our lands.”

  “That is a highly undesirable outcome, my lord. However, do not fret. Our elite forces are constantly making inspections and expeditions for the heart of their operations. They are also searching for the possible mastermind behind this organization. It won’t be long until we have uncovered all of the secrets.”

  “Good, that is refreshing to hear. Nevertheless, it would be great if we can have the Astral Master on our side. If what you said is the truth, even as a newborn child, this Eternus can grow at an exceptional rate. He will no doubt become a brilliant partner for the future of our people.”

  “That is a given. The Astral Master was said to be a benevolent and powerful warrior by the Benevolent Judge themself. We can do nothing but trust in our grand creator’s words.”

  .

  .

  Eternus stares at the golden light, almost as if it were purifying the entire space. The purifying light turned out to be the Benevolent Judge. The revered and legendary figure themself has appeared before him. Eternus’ first instinct is to get down on the ground and make a gesture of the utmost respect. The Benevolent Judge smiles and chuckles.

  ‘Raise your head, Eternus. There is no need to be so polite with me. After all, you’re quite the special child. It should be I who is to pay you such kind respects.”

  “Benevolent Judge… so it really is you. I am humbled by your presence. If I may ask, what made you appear before me? Where are my parents and the rest of the world?”

  “We are in a separate space away from your world. In here, time does now flow or move. Here, everything is infinite but there is also nothing at all. It is the most ideal location to have a private chat. Now then, why don’t I cut to the chase? I’m sure that you wish to be reunited with Cratos and Leana very soon. I won’t take up too much of your time. Well, time doesn’t flow anymore so I suppose I really aren’t taking any time. Silly me!”

  Eternus sits down on whatever solid ground there is and awaits the words of the Benevolent Judge. The Benevolent Judge clears their throat and claps their hands. The space that the two of them are in changes the environment to display a grand simulator. In this display, there are remnants of a strong city. This city has been destroyed to the ground and residents are running in all directions with fear in their eyes and/or movements. Coming out from within the smoke and ash are Primo Exorda. Eternus’ eye changes mood as he sees his own people committing such atrocious transgressions in the other worlds. This must have to do with the organization that his parents discussed with the Elder. The organization that is searching for the Astral Master, searching for Eternus.

  “You’re aware of the group of Primo Exorda that have been traveling to parts of the Astral Plane in order to find the legend of the Astral Master. They’ve been tirelessly searching without end. Little do they know that you have finally come. Well, now that you are here in this world, they will soon discover your secret. I trust that the Patriarch will not disclose your identity easily, but you should still proceed with caution. I have created the Primo Exorda to be excellent among everything else in the Astral Plane. The abilities of your people and knowledge they possess can only be challenged by the other four Primordial species and the Dragons. You will be dealing with troubles in your life. But I’m sure that you will overcome every obstacle in your path.”

  “If you say that you believe in me, then I must heed your words. I will take your advice to heart. But is this everything that you wanted to tell me?”

  The Benevolent Judge tilts their head and hums. They turn around and smile to themselves.

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  “Sure enough, you saw through me. There were more things that I wanted to tell you. However, this is far more dangerous than just a group of Primo Exorda. What I’m about to tell you may strike eternal fear into you. Are you still willing to hear me out despite my warning?”

  The Benevolent Judge glances at Eternus with a somewhat comforting smile. Eternus wonders what could be so important and frightening that the Benevolent Judge is warning him about the potential of danger and eternal fear. Nevertheless, if it has to do with his life, he has to listen to this regardless of the risks involved.

  “If I must… I will listen to what you have to say, Benevolent Judge.”

  “Good, I figured that you would listen. Now, please pay very close attention. This should be regarded as indispensable information.”

  Suddenly, the entire blank space fills up with an ominous sensation. A very disturbing sound, akin to a very old door creaking in the middle of the night, begins to play at the top. Eternus looks up and sees a giant crack in the fabric of the space. It’s pitch black, so dark and shadowed that it feels like staring at an endless black hole. Coming from within that black tear, several streaks of tarred and tainted energy crawl. The streaks of tarred energy spread across the entire space in a matter of mere seconds. Soon, everything is covered in a black shadow darker than any night sky. Eternus knows that he has seen something like this before in his inherited memories. An environment darker than the peerless void, an ominous sensation as if a beast is glaring into your soul, constantly feeling death take hold of your throat. There is no doubt about it.

  “The Malevolent Judge, or so that’s what you call it. They will be your biggest threat in your life. No doubt they will sense how different you are and seek you out. Anything that can raise its curiosity… it will hunt down. As you currently stand, nothing will save you if you were to encounter it.”

  The black tear at the top of the space is then ripped apart by a giant dark arm. Another arm grabs the other end of the black tear and rips it away even further. Eternus’ instincts are telling him that this is no simulation. What he’s currently seeing is-

  “The real deal, yes. You are correct, Eternus. You should know, nothing I can do is able to replicate how you would experience it. It’s an existence equivalent to my own, after all. I am rather surprised, though. You’re not dreading with the same fear and despair that any other being would be feeling. Normally, anyone who even feels its presence would cower and dig themselves into a hole. It’s not uncommon for people to end their lives either. It’s certainly better than being consumed by it, after all.”

  Eternus looks back up at the black tear. He had a feeling that was no ordinary simulation. It wasn’t one to begin with. He’s staring at the Malevolent Judge, a figure feared for its ruthless nature and overwhelmingly tainted power. Eternus watches as its arms extend out of the black tear, allowing for its body to cross over. The Benevolent Judge also watches this, but with a calm expression on their face. A low, bloodcurdling growl echoes throughout the entire void. Eternus is then greeted by a pair of arms coming out from the void. They grab hold of him and lift him up in the air. However, Eternus does not panic nor cower. He knows that being at the Benevolent Judge’s side means his life is guaranteed. If push comes to shove, surely they would save him. Now, the Malevolent Judge crosses over into the void. It’s a gargantuan, tainted amalgamation of several different kinds of darkness. If Eternus weren’t a Primo Exorda, such a being might be out of his comprehension. That is how majestically different and powerful the Malevolent Judge’s appearance is. Then, there’s that comically large and devilish smirk. From the moment Eternus laid his eye on it, to one of his inherited memories, and even in several depictions of it in murals and ruins, that devilish smile has always been the most defining feature of the Malevolent Judge. It’s enough to drive even the most sane and powerful sages into a stage of pure madness. It stares at Eternus with its heavy gaze, but he can’t see any sort of eyes on its body at all. Really, it doesn’t even need eyes to see Eternus. Such a thing is beyond it. It can sense and feel that Eternus is not terrified of its presence. Such a thing brings it entertainment and widens its smirk even further. The Benevolent Judge watches on the sidelines, waiting to see what will happen. The Malevolent Judge turns around slowly and acknowledges the Benevolent Judge’s presence. It turns back to Eternus and curiously inspects him.

  Suddenly, it swipes its arm out and Eternus’s source is now in its grasp. The Benevolent Judge takes its hands out of its pockets, but they do not move from their spot. The Malevolent Judge stares into Eternus’ source as if it were a delectable snack. Such pure source essence was rare to come across. This little Primo Exorda has to be the one. There’s even a trace of them as well. Certainly, they’re something incredibly special. It would be a waste to pick an unripe fruit from its tree. There is still more room to grow and develop. The Malevolent Judge returns Eternus’ source back to his body and inner being. Eternus comes back to consciousness and processes everything that just transpired. The Malevolent Judge releases Eternus from its grasp and allows him to drift freely in the void. It smirks at him again and floats towards the black tear. It willingly enters the exit and recalls all of the tarred and tainted energy back to it. The black and darkness of the void disappears instantly and turns white once again. The black tear at the top is no longer visible. It’s gone completely. The Benevolent Judge floats towards Eternus.

  “It has decided to spare you for the time being. You’re quite the fortunate person, Eternus. It’s not often that it deems it necessary to allow someone to develop. It must be due to that. After all, Infiroa acted in the same manner as well.”

  “Headmaster Infiroa? Has he also met the Malevolent Judge like this? How did he react? And… what are you referring to by ‘that?’”

  The Benevolent Judge simply shakes its head and laughs.

  “I’m afraid that I can’t disclose that right now. It would be best if you were to discover this yourself. It certainly wouldn’t take long. I guarantee in less than 100 years you will figure it out. Until then, I bid you farewell. May good fortune find its way to your doorstep. We’ll meet again another day.”

  In the blink of an eye, Eternus appears back in his world. His parents, the gorgeous environment, and the pleasant air have returned. It certainly didn’t feel like any time had passed at all, just like the Benevolent Judge said. Everything is just how it was before. But now, Eternus has been exposed to some critical information. Meeting the Malevolent Judge so soon was not something he was expecting at all. It’s certainly a being worthy of its name and status. He has a feeling that this is not the last time he will come across it. The future has a way of slapping people in the face, after all. Eternus tries to look ahead with a positive gaze. He can’t dwell on this for too long. If he is to combat these kinds of forces, he has to get strong. He has to get incredibly strong fast. There’s a rule in the Astral Plane that everyone knows: The strong and powerful have the most influence. The words and actions of the weak hardly matter in front of strong people. If Eternus is to become the Astral Master, influence his path, and survive against the Malevolent Judge, he has to become strong, stronger than everyone else.