The Strongest Of All Beings (Mongu)

Chapter 10: A New Beginning

The stillness of the void had finally faded, and as Mongu's golden energy shimmered into the fabric of the universe, the oppressive weight that had been holding him in its grasp lifted. The infinite void of Quadrant dissolved into an expansive field of light, far more vast than anything Mongu had seen before. He stood alone at the center of this new existence, the stars above him now mere specks, distant and unimportant in the grand tapestry of the cosmos. The silence was deafening, but it carried a strange sense of peace—one that Mongu had never known.

He had passed the Trial of Existence. He was no longer just a participant in the grand game of power. Mongu was free. Free from the constant battle for strength, free from the weight of endless choices. For the first time, Mongu could simply exist.

But even in this stillness, something stirred within him—a sense that this was not the end of his journey. It had only just begun.

From the edge of this expansive, quiet world, a figure emerged—small, familiar, but ancient. The figure's presence was like the embodiment of time itself, a being that had seen countless generations pass and entire worlds collapse into dust. Mongu instinctively knew who it was.

The Ruler of Three Realms.

"You have come far, Mongu," the Ruler said, their voice as soft as the winds of forgotten worlds, but carrying the weight of countless millennia. "Your strength is undeniable, but strength alone does not define you. It never has. Your true power lies in your heart, in your understanding of what it means to be alive."

Mongu looked at the Ruler, his tail swaying slowly, but his eyes focused and resolute. The golden light that enveloped him pulsed in response to the words. He had been through so much—faced countless trials, made choices that had shaped not only his destiny but the destinies of those around him. But now, he stood before the one who held the knowledge of all existence.

The Ruler continued, their gaze never leaving Mongu. "The Trials of Existence were not the final test, Mongu. They were only the beginning. The worlds you have visited, the beings you have encountered—they all were preparing you for what comes next."

Mongu's ears perked up. "What comes next?" he asked, his voice calm but filled with the echoes of his journey.

The Ruler extended a hand toward the stars above, and the heavens themselves seemed to respond. The entire universe shifted, bending to their will as they summoned forth an image—a distant realm, unlike anything Mongu had ever seen. The image shifted through landscapes: vast forests, sprawling cities, oceans of liquid light, and skies filled with burning constellations.

"This is the next chapter of your journey," the Ruler said. "This is the world of the Fates. A realm where the threads of all lives, past and future, are woven together. And now, Mongu, you must decide: will you take the mantle of the Watcher of Fates, the one who guides the course of all things, or will you remain as you are, choosing your own path through the ever-changing tapestry of existence?"

Mongu's heart skipped a beat. The Watcher of Fates? Was this his next trial? The responsibility of weaving the very threads of life? To control the destiny of others?

He glanced at the Ruler, whose eyes bore into him with an almost imperceptible sadness.

"The choice is yours, Mongu. You can choose the path of power, the path of control, and shape the fate of the universe. But remember, with this power comes a price. You will forever be bound to the fate of others. The weight of their destinies will be yours to carry, and every choice you make will have consequences far beyond what you can imagine. You will become more than what you are now—more than the strongest of beings."

Mongu thought about the journey he had been through—the Trials, the lessons, the sacrifices. Strength had never been the end goal for him; it was the wisdom, the understanding, and the choices that shaped him. The memories of those he had encountered—the mortal warrior, the celestial being, the demon, the innocent—and the lessons they had imparted filled him with a sense of clarity.

And in this moment, Mongu knew. He could not become the Watcher of Fates. He had fought for his own identity, his own freedom, not to be bound by the strings of destiny.

He turned to the Ruler, his voice steady. "I will choose my own path. I will not be a Watcher. I will continue to live as I am, guided by the lessons I have learned, but free from the chains of fate."

The Ruler nodded, a faint smile playing at the edges of their lips. "You have chosen wisely, Mongu. To live freely, without being shackled to the paths of others, is the true essence of existence. And though you may not be the Watcher of Fates, you will have a role in the great dance of life—one that no one else can fulfill."

The Ruler stepped back, their form beginning to fade into the light. "But remember, Mongu. Every path you choose will shape the world around you. The world is still in balance, and your journey will always be one of discovery. Your choices will echo across the realms."

Mongu nodded, understanding the weight of their words. But at that moment, he was at peace. The universe stretched out before him, vast and infinite, and he knew that his journey had not ended. He had learned what it meant to truly be strong—not through power alone, but through the choices he made, the wisdom he carried, and the heart that guided him.

With a final glance at the Ruler, who had now faded into the light of the cosmos, Mongu stepped forward into the unknown, ready for whatever awaited him.

The universe was vast, and Mongu was no longer just a participant in the grand game of existence. He was a being of purpose, of choices, and of endless potential. His journey had led him to this moment, but it was only the beginning of something greater.

And so, Mongu continued forward—his heart steady, his spirit unbroken, and his path unknown.

The stars shone brightly above him, and with each step, he embraced the endless possibilities of the universe.

To be continued...