The One Who Writes Existence-Chapter 52: Cosmic Cluster

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Above the chaos below, hidden from the eyes of lesser gods, seven beings lounged effortlessly—watching, judging, and quietly amused.

The Main Gods reclined as though enjoying a serene day at the beach. Soft waves of divine light lapped against their seats, and faint whispers of celestial winds stirred the air.

Their presence existed in a pocket of reality beyond the battlefield, undetectable to the squabbling lesser gods beneath them.

Zephiron lazily stretched his arms behind his head, eyes trailing the scene below where Joy was still trying to snatch a mobile from Decay. "You know..." he began, turning toward Aetherion and Ignis, "they're acting a lot like you two."

Ignis, flames curling playfully from his fingertips, let out a casual chuckle.

"Yeah, I was just thinking the same." His grin turned mischievous. "Makes me want to post those special pics of you to everyone."

Zephiron froze mid-sip from his shimmering goblet. His relaxed demeanor evaporated as he shot Ignis a sharp glare. "You wouldn't dare."

Ignis simply winked. "Wouldn't I?"

Noctis, who had been quietly observing the banter, perked up with intrigue. "Wait... what special pics?"

Ignis, feigning innocence, waved a hand. "Ah, it's nothing."

"No, no," Noctis leaned in further, voice lowering like someone desperate for juicy gossip. "What pics exactly?"

But before Ignis could indulge him, a shadow fell over the group. A sudden pressure tightened the air as a powerful presence materialized right behind Noctis.

The moment Zar appeared, Noctis jumped in his seat, nearly toppling over. His heart raced as he spun around to meet the unwavering gaze of their supreme master. But Zar wasn't alone. At his side stood an unfamiliar woman radiating calm yet boundless energy.

Zar spoke in his usual composed but commanding voice with some humor tone. "Having fun?"

Noctis swallowed hard, straightened up immediately, and bowed his head. "M-my Lord."

Zar gave hint of humor as he added, "Continue your conversations later."

The atmosphere shifted, all casualness dissolving. But it wasn't Zar's sudden arrival alone that captured their attention—it was the presence of the woman beside him.

The seven Main Gods subtly exchanged glances, sensing her aura.

Then realization struck.

"She's..." Eterna whispered, voice barely audible.

Zar turned to them and confirmed what they had already suspected. "This is Astraia—the consciousness and soul of this multiverse."

As if on cue, the seven gods lowered their heads respectfully. Astraia returned their silent greetings with a gentle, radiant smile. Her presence felt like standing in the eye of a storm—serene yet holding infinite power.

Before anyone could speak further, Zar shifted focus. "Now, let's redirect the attention below."

He gestured toward Noctis.

Noctis, recovering from his earlier scare, rose to his full, majestic stature. His voice rang out like thunder across the planes.

"The winner, step forward before the ruler!"

The hall silenced instantly. The playful squabble among the lesser gods ceased, and all eyes fell on Zar and Astraia.

Decay's shoulders tensed. Slowly, with cautious steps, she made her way forward. Nervous glances from her fellow gods followed her as she stood before Zar.

Zar's voice resonated calmly. "Decay, as the victor of this trial, you shall receive your reward."

He raised a single hand, where strands of glowing cosmic energy gathered like threads of creation itself.

"I hereby grant you full dominion over a Cosmic Cluster."

Gasps echoed through the hall.

Even the Main Gods' eyes widened in surprise. The reward was beyond expectations. To have authority over an entire Cosmic Cluster—thousands upon thousands of interconnected universes—was to wield influence among lesser gods. It was a position of both power and reverence.

Decay bowed deeply. "I... I am honored, my Lord."

As she stood upright again, awe still in her eyes, Zar nodded slightly. "Carry it well."

Then, his attention shifted back toward the Main Gods.

"And now," Zar said, "we move to the main event."

His tone sharpened.

"Prepare yourselves, all seven of you," he ordered. "And bring the guardian with you. After twenty-four hours, your tournament will commence—as declared."

And with that, Zar gently grasped Astraia's hand. In an instant, both vanished from sight, leaving the gods in stunned silence.

But it was what they alone had seen—the hand-holding—that caught their attention the most.

"Did I just see what I think I saw?" Aetherion murmured.

Eterna, arms folded, gave a quiet nod. "Yes... our Lord held her hand before leaving."

Yet there was something else in her voice. Something sharp beneath her calm words. Aetherion narrowed his eyes at her, sensing something strange—was that... jealousy?

He brushed the thought aside.

Maybe I'm just imagining things.

Meanwhile, in a quiet castle, Zar and Astraia reappeared in a soft ripple of energy.

Astraia glanced at their entwined hands before quickly looking away, cheeks faintly tinged with warmth. Zar noticed but smirked instead of teasing immediately.

"Well," he said casually, "When are you planning to master your teleportation, Astraia? Or do you secretly want me to always hold your hand just to move you around?"

Astraia's gaze snapped to his, and though she tried to keep her composure, a flustered smile betrayed her. "Why don't you just teach me then?" she replied, voice soft but playful. "I'm a fast learner."

But just as he was about to follow through with a remark, an all-too-familiar voice cut into his thoughts.

["Oi, Zar. Did you seriously wake up your flirt-mode again? I swear, I only let you 'help' once with her, and now here you are, constantly throwing lines. She was literally born— cough —I mean, just formed her body yesterday!"]

Zar let out an exasperated sigh, eyes twitching. "What the hell is wrong with you? Can't you see how adorable her face gets when I tease her?"

For once, the System was silent. There was a pause, and then he said...

["...Yeah, you've got a point."]

Then System's tone shifted to a smug one.

["Anyway, don't mind me. Just continue your little date. I'm already recording this."]

The word date hit Zar like a hammer. He clenched his fists, glaring upward. "What did you just say?!" His voice was sharp, but Astraia was too busy giggling softly at his reaction to notice.

["Relax, man. Keep going with your 'romantic comedy' routine while I make this a cinematic experience."]

Zar's eye twitched harder. "You bastard... stop recording."

["Oh-ho, so you're admitting it is a date now?"]

Zar groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You... will regret messing with me."

The System's laughter echoed mischievously in his mind. ["Yeah, yeah. Let's see you try."]

As Astraia tilted her head innocently, watching Zar's silent internal argument with curiosity, Zar finally sighed and let it go—for now.

"You alright?" she asked gently.

Zar forced a calm smile. "Yeah... Just dealing with a something 'complex'.

[Fuck you!]

"Hmm." Astraia gave him a soft smile, unaware of the invisible chaos that accompanied her guardian.

Far away, back in the hidden celestial beach where the Main Gods remained, they were still processing the earlier scene.

Zephiron leaned toward Aetherion, whispering with suspicion, "You think there's something more between them?"

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AUTH here,

"Two ships, anchored in the same harbor, yet sailed away on different tides, leaving behind a sea of silence, where only echoes of what could have been remained."