Dancing on the golden ashes

I looked around, taking in the sight of 4,999 beasts standing before me. It was overwhelming, their numbers stretching out like an unbroken wave, a testament to how far I'd come. And yet, I wasn't satisfied.

So close. Just one more.

I bit my nails, feeling an irritation bubbling inside me. I'd already taken in the entire village. There was nothing left here. But where do I go now? I could always hunt a random beast, but deep down, I didn't want just any creature. I wanted something... special.

My eyes scanned the beasts, watching as they interacted. Under my control, they lived in harmony, with no signs of infighting or struggle. It was unlike anything I'd seen with humans. They didn't lie, steal, or betray each other. Somehow, it felt right. Almost natural.

The thought left me feeling strangely calm, even peaceful, as if this was how the world was supposed to be.

No anger. No chaos. Just balance. The thought brought a small smile to my lips.

I knew it was naive—foolish even. People were nothing like beasts. But somewhere deep down, I couldn't help but want it. A world like this.

Even if it was just a dream, it was one my heart wouldn't let go of.

"Master," Omenpaw's deep voice broke through my thoughts. The massive Thunder Tempest wolf approached me, lowering his head with a quiet reverence. He stood beside me, his imposing figure exuding strength, yet his movements were gentle as I placed my hand over his head.

I patted him slowly, my fingers running through his fur. "What is it?" I asked, my tone nearly flat, but curiosity flickered beneath the surface.

"Sorry to intrude," he began, his voice laced with concern. "But when do we plan to leave? I am worried about sister Malrang. It has been a while since we left her here."

His words tugged at me as much as his obvious enjoyment of the ear scratch I gave him.

"Soon," I replied, keeping my tone calm even as my heart fluttered slightly at the mention of her name. "Very soon."

I looked into the distance, my thoughts wandering. I missed Malrang more than I wanted to admit. There was something about her—something that made her different from everyone else.

Perhaps it was because she was the first I had ever met in this world. Or maybe... she was the first who truly felt like family.

"First of all, we need to figure out where we currently are," I said, my voice steady as I squinted at the endless horizon ahead. The landscape stretched endlessly, offering no clear answers. "Hopefully, this is the same world as before." My gaze shifted to Omenpaw. "What do you think? Does this world feel familiar to you?"

Omenpaw lowered his head thoughtfully, his sharp nose twitching as he sniffed the air, his ears flicking back and forth, taking in every subtle nuance. He remained silent for a moment, his deep, golden eyes narrowing slightly as if he was processing something.

"I can't say for sure," he finally replied, his voice calm but tinged with uncertainty. "It feels as though I've been here before... but then again, perhaps not." His massive frame tensed slightly, the fur along his shoulders bristling just enough to betray his unease.

He glanced back at me, his gaze steady but cautious. "This world... it feels slightly different than the one I'm used to. Something is off."

"I feel the same way." I nodded in agreement. This world indeed felt different. Even if it had a system, there was something fundamentally off about it.

"Lee Ja-Ho, Pawpaw, come here," I called out sharply.

In an instant, the two men stood before me. Their half-naked forms were as imposing as they were uncomfortable to look at.

"Please," I said, my voice tinged with irritation, "transform into your regular shapes."

"Yes, Master," they said in unison, their deep voices resonating. Moments later, a massive lion and bear stood before me, their powerful forms towering over the rest of the beasts.

"Much better," I said, letting out a small sigh of relief. It felt more natural this way—less awkward.

"Now," I began, my tone serious, "tell me everything you know about this world we're currently in. And while you're at it, do you know anything about the person called the Creator?"

I looked at them expectantly, hoping they held some knowledge that could shed light on the mysteries of this strange place.

The two beasts exchanged a glance, their silent agreement palpable before Lee Ja-Ho spoke.

"Since it's Master asking..." he began, his voice steady but cautious. "We can say for certain you are no longer in the world you came from. Please, follow us."

Without hesitation, the two of them turned and began walking toward the massive tree, their towering forms cutting an impressive path through the crimson grass. I followed close behind, curiosity burning in my chest.

Moments later, we reached the massive tree and crossed the shimmering lake surrounding it. Pawpaw raised his massive paw and pressed it gently against the tree's surface.

What happened next made my eyes widen in awe.

The colossal tree groaned softly, and its bark began to shift, parting in the middle as if it were alive. A massive entrance was revealed, glowing with a celestial light. Inside, the space was unlike anything I had ever seen. It wasn't just a hollow trunk—it was an endless expanse of stars and cosmic energy, as though we had stepped directly into the heart of the universe itself.

In the very center of the space sat a small figure.

At first glance, it appeared to be an elderly person, their frail form no larger than that of a child. Their face was lined with deep wrinkles, a testament to countless years of life. But as I looked closer, I noticed the details that marked them as something far more extraordinary—a pair of rat-like ears perched atop their head, twitching slightly as we approached.

"Great Elder!" Lee Ja-Ho and Pawpaw both dropped to the ground, their massive forms bowing low. Their heads pressed to the ground, refusing to meet the gaze of the ancient being before us.

Taking their cue, I stepped forward and inclined my head respectfully. "Lee Gaon greets the Great Elder as well," I said, my tone calm and measured. Whoever this being was, they had clearly earned the reverence of even the strongest beasts in this land.

This was no ordinary creature. This was someone who had lived through ages—someone who might hold the answers I sought.

"Rise. You serve a new master now; don't embarrass yourselves before the Great One," the elder spoke in a low, weak voice that carried a manly undertone. Despite the frailty of his tone, it held an undeniable authority.

"Yes!" Lee Ja-Ho and Pawpaw quickly stood, moving to stand at my side.

The elder's eyes locked onto me, their gaze piercing as if seeing straight through my soul. "I understand you must have questions, Lee Gaon," he said. "And yes, I can give you answers. After all, what do I have to lose? You've already taken over this place."

His form blurred for a moment, and suddenly, a suffocating wave of killing intent washed over me. The air around me felt as though it turned to ice. Before I could react, I felt a sharp pain in my neck, and my vision tilted.

I watched in horror as my own head flew into the air, detached from my body.

Darkness engulfed me.
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But then— I gasped, and I was back in the same spot, standing as if nothing had happened. My head was intact, and there wasn't a single drop of blood in sight.

The elder hadn't moved an inch.

Realization dawned on me. All of that—my death—was nothing more than an illusion conjured by his overwhelming killing intent. The sheer power behind it was enough to make me shiver despite my attempts to stay composed.

I forced myself to stand tall, meeting his otherworldly gaze with resolve, my fear slowly subsiding.

The elder gave a small nod of approval. "Good. You look like a strong leader. I'll feel at ease leaving my people in your hands," he said, his voice calm yet commanding.

Then, for the first time, the elder opened his eyes.

I froze.

His eyes were unlike anything I'd ever seen—fully black, yet scattered with countless tiny white spots, like stars glimmering in the night sky. It was as if the universe itself resided within them, an endless expanse of celestial beauty and mystery.

"Come closer," he said, gesturing with a hand barely larger than a child's. Despite his size, the weight of his presence was immense.

I stepped forward, my movements careful as I approached him. Standing next to him, I realized just how small and fragile his body appeared. He barely reached my knees.

"Tell me, child," he said, his cosmic gaze locking onto mine. "What would you like to know?"

"First of all, I can feel you're extremely powerful. Why didn't you just kill me and free your people?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity.

"Heh... I'm too old for that," the elder replied with a faint smile. "I noticed you the moment you entered this world. I can sense that you have a good heart. You wouldn't put my people in danger without a good reason, would you?"

"That..." I hesitated, unsure how to respond. His words struck me, leaving me momentarily speechless. In the end, I decided to move on. Shaking my head slightly, I shifted topics. "Thank you for your kind words, Elder. But as you mentioned, I've come to realize this world isn't the same as the one I came from."

The old rat turned away, his gaze lifting to the endless void above. "Yes and no," he said softly. "You see, this world was once one with the one you came from—until that person split it in half..." A deep sigh escaped him, his frail form almost vibrating with the weight of his words.

His hand moved gracefully, and suddenly everything around us shifted. The inside of the tree transformed into an endless expanse, a breathtaking view of the world below us. We stood above it all, as if suspended in the heavens, looking down on a vast, unfamiliar land.

In the distance, a figure clad in shadows raised their hand. A massive black sword materialized in the void, its ominous presence radiating an oppressive aura that pressed down on everything around it. The crushing pressure made me gasp for air.