The One

For the next few days, Zenzo cries and sits in his room, doing nothing. Jewel and Xander come by from time to time but can't help break his depression. Jimba only leaves his side to eat and go for a walk.

Everyone I knew is now dead. And if they stay around me, they will die because of my power. But I can't lie here forever. I want revenge, but I'm too weak to get it right now. I need to go for a walk.

He gets out of bed and heads out of the house. Xander and Jewel, working in the field, smile at each other. Zenzo wanders endlessly throughout the town, ignoring people as they greet him. He continues until he passes by a church. He gazed upon the cross at the top.

Where were you when my family was murdered?!

He walks into the church, which is empty, and sits in the pew.

"God. I deserve an explanation. According to the fortune teller, I fought for you to defeat the King of Fear. Why did this happen?"

Zenzo punches the pew in front of him.

"It's not fair."

He walks over to the altar and gets down on his knees to pray. Grabbing a rosary from the altar, he closes his eyes and clenches his hands around it.

"Lord. Please help me. I need the strength to finish what I started. I need the power to kill the King of Fear. I want nothing more. Nothing less. I need a way to find him. A way to track him. A way to hunt him. Right now, I have nothing—no leads, no clues, no crumbs. I need help, even if just this once. Please. I am begging you to help me find my way. Amen."

He opened his eyes and exhaled, an exhale that screamed I knew better. He begins to rise but is forced back to his knees.

Time seems to distort, twist, and turn as reality around him shifts. As the church is nearly sideways in his eyes, he sees a being walking toward him. Then. Everything went back to normal. Except for the omnipotent being standing before him. His golden eyes shone into Zenzo's soul. A cape flew behind him without wind, he wore a skin-tight suit with the number one on it, and his long flowing hair moved along with his cape.

"Are you...?!" Zenzo questions.

"I am."

Zenzo slams his forehead on the ground, bowing to him.

"I never thought you'd actually answer my call for help!"

"Yes. Ye of little faith are easily swayed by tragedy."

Without raising his head, Zenzo responds, "But Lord. Isn't that what tragedies are supposed to do? Sway people?"

"No. They are to make you stronger. To turn you into the person you are created to be."

Zenzo blinks, and he is in the pew sitting beside the being.

"All is not lost, young one."

"How? My family is dead."

"A family you forgot existed. Have you not found a new one among your companions?"

"I have. But that doesn't change how I feel about my flesh and blood."

"I was hoping you would react differently."

"Hoping? Who are you? Wouldn't God know?"

Zenzo blinks again and stands on a cliff at the highest point on Infrangilmundo. The being is sitting at the edge, staring at the sun.

"I am God, but not the God you know. I am God's vassal."

"So, you speak for him?"

"More than that. I protect the universe."

"The universe? What's that?"

Zenzo blinks again, and he is floating in space. The being beside him is now flying. There are many planets with various numbers of moons and rings around them. Stars are littered throughout, illuminating the infinite darkness.

"I am The One. And this is the universe. Infrangilmundo is but a tiny part of the solar system. Right now, the planet is still young, so there is much you have to learn. Your species does not learn of space for another two thousand years."

"Are you telling me the future?!"

"Yes. A version of it."

"Is the future subject to change? Are we not a part of God's plan?"

"You are. But it is not as simple as you think."

"I don't follow."

"The other me creates paths for you when he creates life. Each path contains infinitely smaller paths that branch off from the main path. Yet, the ending will always be the same."

"As in destiny?"

"In a sense. The journey, however, varies."

"With those other paths, I assume?"

"Correct."

The One uses his finger to draw on the stars in the solar system in a connect-the-dot fashion. He draws a line from one start to another, connecting the two.

"I connected two stars. From this star to this star is a path. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Now." He wipes the stars from existence with his hand and places a single star with his pointer finger. This star is nearly the size of a planet. "This star is you." He takes his fist and blows into it, letting his middle, ring, and pinky fly, creating many other stars around the one he labeled Zenzo. "These other stars are an infinite number of paths you can take. This is where choice comes into play." He moves two fingers and a thumb, pinching a planet, and flicking it far below the star labeled Zenzo. "This is your ending."

"All the way down there?"

"Yes. All these other stars are an infinite number of paths you can take to reach this ending. But no matter what, you will always reach this ending. This is your story."

"So even if I take the long way with many detours, I'll still be down there?"

"Precisely." The One takes his fingers starting from the Star of Zenzo and draws a trail that ultimately looks like a scribble a toddler drew. "No matter if you were to go this path that I am depicting." He says drawing the line downward. "You will always end up here." He finishes stopping his finger at the Star of Zenzo's ending.

"Okay. I get that. The question I have is. Why are you telling me? You've never shown up before. I have seen many people pray. Why now? Why me?"

The One uses his finger to circle the Star of Zenzo's ending.

"Your ending is to become the first true hero of Infrangilmundo. Technically, the second after me. You will become its protector."

"Me? The coward? ME?!"

Zenzo blinks and sees a spiritual version of himself fighting an entity in space.

"This was you five years ago."

"I'm 22. That was me as a child?!"

"Yes. No matter what path you take, you always end up..."

"At the end. How do I get there?"

"By defeating your Arch-Nemesis. The King Of Fear, Felelem Konungur."

The name causes Zenzo's aura to spread.

"Go ahead. Let it all out, my child. I can make sure everything is fine."

Zenzo's aura sends shockwaves throughout the universe, hitting multiple planets. Asteroids begin going in the opposite direction. Planets begin rotating clockwise instead of counterclockwise. The sun becomes the moon, and the moon becomes the sun. Zenzo starts to age in reverse, getting younger. Time itself begins to rewind. People who died came back to life. Zenzo screams as aura continues to pour out, hitting the entire galaxy.

The One smiles like a proud father watching the extent of Zenzo's power.

Zenzo's body de-ages until he returns to a baby, and his clothes float through space. The One glides to him and picks him up in his left arm. Zenzo places his hand on The One's face, smiling with no teeth. He does that adorable baby laugh you hear when a baby thinks something is funny.

"You will be the Greatest Human Hero the world has ever seen."

The One snaps his fingers, and the universe returns to normal, along with Zenzo, who is back to his normal age.

"Do you see now why I chose you?"

Zenzo looks around, noticing no harm has been done to the universe.

"I have the power to do all that?"

"Correct."

He looks at The One and says, "But I can't control it."

"You can. Your former self knows how."

"Then how can I regain my former self?"

"You will have to face your fears and battle enemies you normally run from. Only then can you regain your memories."

"But if I'm too scared to fight, how can I do that?"

"You will be forced to because you have no choice. Remember."

"I will always reach the ending."

"Even if you return home and do nothing. The fears you are hiding from will find you. The only answer is forward. This way, you can take the fight to them. Each enemy you defeat that you truly fear will contain a fraction of your former self. There are six fractions you must gather to regain your former power. That is also when your memories will return."

"But what do I do about the things I make stronger that hurt me after I beat the things I fear?"

"You will have to accept them until you can control it."

"Accept them?!"

"Yes. They are also a part of your journey. They will make you stronger, but fret not. Xander Greaves said he would help you with them. Did he not?"

"He did."

"You also have Jewel Yono and Jimba. Your family will help you."

"But how if I make them weaker?!"

"Did I not provide you with Jimba, who is immune to your power?"

"That was you?!"

"Everything is me. Everything is designed to get you to the ending. Though the directions you take are yours."

"So I can beat any six enemies I fear?"

"Correct."

"And each of them will unlock a fragment of my soul?"

"Indeed."

"Okay. But I have a question. Why not Xan or Joy? Those two are already powerful. If I understand correctly. They can have my power as well."

"There are numerous reasons why but the simplest answer is it is not their ending. The other me predetermined this long ago."

"Why? Why put us through all this if the other you are all-knowing?"

"The other me likes to remove knowledge from themself to ensure they do not know the paths you will take. They even see fit to ensure that I do not know absolutely everything. That information would probably hinder my decision to step in and help at times like this. By removing information from us, we get to enjoy watching our creations take the paths you choose to take. When our creations return to us, we return our memories to ourselves to answer any questions our creations have. Followed by sending them on their way based on how they lived."

"So, everybody gets to talk to you in the end?"

"Indeed."

"Is my family dead?"

The One smiles.

"When I returned the universe to normal, I thought about leaving them alive when you brought them back from the dead. But I also pondered whether or not you would want them back. Do you want them to live a life of pain and misery because of who you are? Or do you want them to enjoy a peaceful eternity?"

Zenzo's heart beats as irregularly as a secret knock at the door. What is the correct answer here? The One nods his head in that way that says, Now you see the choice I had to make.

"Which would you choose, Zenzo? I will let you make the decision, but know that I cannot change their ending."

Zenzo's throat becomes dry, and he swallows to moisten it.

"A life of potential pain and misery, versus a peaceful eternity. And if I bring them back, I'm selfishly subjecting them to more pain and misery. One that they didn't ask for. I can't answer that question without seeing or speaking to them."

The One snaps his fingers, and he and Zenzo arrive at a home with Zenzo's family. There is a version of Zenzo there with him.

"This is their current eternity with a version of you there until you replace it."

Zenzo walks through the house and sees his mother reading a book to his baby sister. His father is cooking dinner while his younger brother helps. His older brother is repairing a hole in the wall. Tears run down Zenzo's face as he watches the alternate version of himself help his older brother with a face of true happiness. All of them look truly happy.

"Would you like to speak to them?"

Zenzo tries to speak, but no audible words come out as he bursts into tears.

"I...I..."

The One hugs Zenzo. Tears run down The One's chest, soaking his suit.

"These are the decisions that both versions of myself must make when we bestow blessings. One blessing drastically affects the bigger picture and can affect the choices others have on their journey to their ending. It is a difficult decision, but one you must make as my champion."

"Will I lose Xan and Joy?"

"I cannot answer that."

"The answer to that affects my decision."

"You know what your answer is."

Zenzo inhales as he holds his answer in his heart. When he exhales, he says, "Let them live a peaceful eternity."

The One rubs Zenzo's head.

"This is why you are my champion. Xander and Jewel would have chosen to bring them back. And they would have lived miserable lives, being tortured by Felelem Konungur until they killed each other. Everyone has their part to play in this universe. This is yours."

Zenzo nods his head.

"Okay. How do I find Felelem Konungur? Wow. I didn't lose control hearing his name this time."

"That is because I let you release your pent-up anger and animosity on the universe before I returned it to normal. And you will know where Felelem Konungur is once your memories return."

"Okay. I have one more question."

"Speak."

"Say I were to decline to be your champion. Deny your ending. What would happen?"

Zenzo blinks, and they are back on Infrangilmundo. The world is on fire and burning to the ground. People are being murdered in the streets and suffering from the most heinous crimes in broad daylight. Xander and Jewel are both dead and hung by their lips from a cross. Their bodies have been mutilated with countless lacerations, and their body parts hang separately from them. Jimba, Betsy, and Hippo are being eaten alive. Their home is turned to ash. At the center of all the chaos is an entity. His archnemesis. Felelem Konungur. It laughs, though its mouth does not move. It barely has a form, yet it caused so much terror and devastation.

"This is a world ruled by fear. Powers run amok, and people fight and kill over anything as small as a mistake."

"How did Xander lose?"

"There were others stronger than him. If I had to rank all the people on Infrangilmundo in terms of power, Xander is indeed top five. But he is not the strongest."

"WHAT?!"

"Furthermore, Xander is only top five because there are not many powers available to your species yet. In the future, there will be many powerful forces available that will push Xander further down the list."

"But that doesn't make sense. Xan can use all their powers. He only has to fight them once."

"Only if he fully understands them. Xander is intelligent, but his knowledge only goes so far. Often limited to what he saw them do. If he were born in a future period where knowledge is in abundance, he would likely have a chance to be the strongest if he worked hard enough. He lacks imagination, which is one of the three fundamentals of creating a power. In this universe, you need imagination, determination, and aspiration. In rare cases, powers are born through desperation or are bestowed by another. Some powers require specific bodies to house them. The fortune teller you met. She is one of the few who can house a powerful power such as Lunar Manipulation. If a human tried to use it, gravity would rip them apart from the inside out. If one tried to use the opposite of Solar Manipulation or Sun Manipulation, most would combust before they ever got a chance to use it."

"So if Xan tried to use their powers..."

"He would die. That is his weakness. His body is limited to human limitations."

Zenzo sighs.

"So this is all up to me."

The One places his hand on his shoulder.

"I chose you because you are capable. Master aura. Master your power. And you will be unstoppable. At the end, I will grant any single wish."

"And what is aura?"

"Aura is one's essence or life force. It is found in all things."

The One snaps his fingers, and the aura in the universe becomes visible and looks like sky-blue stars infinitely scattered throughout the galaxy.

The One has a single line of golden aura around his silhouette.

"When you see a single line of aura around your body, that symbolizes aura mastery. For example, when you use yours, it spreads and erupts. This means you have a lot of aura, but no control. Aura is broken down into three categories. Reat, Vörn, and Teho. Reat is your offense, Vörn is your defense, and Teho is your special capabilities. Your power falls under Teho. The reason you can survive attacks from the insects you make stronger, is because you have an abundance of aura placed in your Reat and Vörn. While your power is spectacular, it is unrefined and needs harnessing. That is where you will find mastery. But you can only master your power, by using it."

"This is a lot to take in, but who better to hear it from than you?"

"I am glad you are open to the idea of this. Acceptance of duty is the first step to greatness. When I was put here to protect the universe, I was like you. Unsure of my purpose in the grand scheme. But I know that I am necessary. I know that I am needed to stop the existential threats from other dimensions, realities, and galaxies. That is my purpose. I conserve my energy for beings who threaten all existence. Where you and the heroes after you, will protect Infrangilmundo."

"Do you fight threats like that often?"

"More than I like to admit. The other me seems to love watching me fight."

"I hope I get to see you fight one day."

"If you complete your task, I will let you spectate someday. Is there anything else you need to know?"

Zenzo exhales, scratching his head, being put on the spot about this question.

"And how do I train Reat and Vörn?"

"I assure you that you do not need any more. To train Reat, you use your aura while exerting force. To train Vörn, you use aura while withstanding force. It is rather simple. Your power, however, currently benefits from you being weaker."

"But I don't want to stay that way."

The One smiles like a proud parent.

"Naturally."

Zenzo looks at The One in his golden eyes.

"I think I'm ready to return. I have work to do."

The One gives him a round of applause, and as he blinks, they return to the church. The One hugs him as he says, "Save the world, Zenzo. Infrangilmundo is counting on you. Conquer your fears."

They separate, and Zenzo nods his head.

"I shall see you again when your journey comes to an end, and not a moment sooner. Tell Xander his purpose-"

"Is to kick your ass," Xander says walking into the church.

The One's eyes shift from Zenzo to Xander, who walks down the aisle.

"I assume this is about your wonderful evening?"

"You know what this is about."

"I am perplexed. Did you not enjoy yourself? I assure you, she is free to do whatever she pleases. I have told her many times."

Xander, for the first time, pulls out his weapon. A glaive. Spinning it around, he prepares for battle.

"Xan, WHAT THE FUCK?! You can't fight God!"

"I can."

"YOU CAN'T WIN!!!"

"I don't have to."

The One places his hands behind his back.

"Is this what you desire?"

"I want you to stop pretending like you don't know why I'm here and fight me."

"Battle is pointless. The outcome will never change."

Xander stops spinning his glaive and swings it in the air. It creates a shockwave that cuts the church in half. The One raises an eyebrow.

"Very well. What are the stakes?"

"You know what I want if I win. If I lose. I'll accept whatever duty or purpose you have for me."

"So it shall be."

The One snaps his fingers, and they disappear. Zenzo is left in the church.

"XAAAAAAAAAAN!" He screams, falling to his knees. "What the fuck, Xan... You've done some crazy shit, but this takes the cake. That didn't seem like Xan at all. Or like me...is he a different person on the inside?"

The One and Xander face off on a beach beside the ocean. The sun shines brightly, and the aroma of salt water is potent. The wind tickles their core as it passes by, loftily unaware of the calamity approaching.

"Now that Zen isn't here. Can we talk like men?"

"Talk? You came to fight."

"Why? Tell me why."

"It was part of a bigger plan, Xander. One that even I cannot change."

Xander raises his glaive.

"Do not lie to me. I know you have the power to change things. I want change."

"Then fight for it."

Xander spins his glaive above his head and slams it down on The One. It is blocked by The One's finger. The force of the attack sends a shockwave through the planet that creates an earthquake.

"You will have to do much better than that."

Xander pulls his glaive back, spinning it in circles while spinning his body to strike The One's neck. The One used the back of his finger to stop the attack, and the shockwave pushed the ocean four miles into the sky. As the wave rises, Xander rapidly slashes with diagonal strikes. Each collision with The One's finger buried them deeper into the planet as it destroyed the ground beneath them. Xander continued until they were a mile deep into Infrangilmundo. He stops and jumps off the wall of dirt behind him and swings his glaive, sending a shockwave that eradicates the mountain of dirt behind The One. The wave can now be seen descending upon them.

"Effect Stacking: Number 4; Frozen Abyss!"

Xander's glaive turns to ice, and he swings it as the wave from the ocean is about to drown them. An ice slash projectile that is a mile wide emits from the glaive as he swings it horizontally. Everything the slash touches freezes in it's tracks instantly. The wave, the sand, the dirt, the entire ocean. Everything behind The One became an arctic wasteland.

"Let it go, Xander. Look at the harm you are causing to the environment."

"Effect Stacking: Number 16; Acceleration!"

Xander's golden aura surrounds his body as his attack speed improves to the speed of light. He jumps back, twists his glaive vertically with his fingers, and slashes at the speed of light. The One's eyes watch each attack as if in slow motion. He moves to the side to dodge one attack, observing Xander's form when he attacks. Nodding his head in approval, he smiles. He blinks, and a chair appears behind Xander. The One flies over to the chair to sit down, while time has yet to adjust to the speed The One is moving. To Xander, he is fighting The One, who is dodging faster than the speed of light. To The One, however, Xander is fighting an afterimage. Thousands of attacks occur before Xander realizes he's not hitting The One.

"Do you understand now, Xander?"

Xander stops moving, his chest tight as he breathes heavily. He turns around and throws his glaive down. The One appears behind Xander.

"And here I thought this fight could not get any more serious. You know that attack will kill you. The person you got it from does not use it himself."

Xander squats and flexes his muscles. He puts his right fist out with the palm facing the sky. Xander slowly pulls his fist in, and while he does, the air distorts, the ground trembles, and swirls of golden aura that resemble strings pulled from the fabric of the universe gather into his fist. His arm shakes as if a jackhammer is tied to it, and the aura he pulls in causes thunderstorms to shake the heavens. The ground beneath him turns to ash, and everything in the vicinity is pulled into Xander's fist as it inches closer to his side. Xander's life flashes before his eyes as he ages rapidly, putting his entire soul into a single attack.

"Tales of 1,000 fists. Number 0: Infinity."

Xander turns and swings at The One. Time stops. The One shakes his head in disappointment, seeing Xander's body. A body once built for perfection wilted, withered, and defiled by old age. A face that won the hearts of many of his maidens, wrinkled and decrepit. An abundance of aura blessed by The One himself, exchanged for a single attack. One that would never work. The moon cries a sad song that cannot be heard. Time returns to normal.

Out of respect, The One catches the fist so it can land. When he catches the punch, the entire planet splits in half as everything behind The One is sent into space. The shockwave destroys the ozone layer and flies into space, destroying two planets along the way to a black hole it creates, which destroys several hundred more stars. A deafening silence consumes what's left of Infrangilmundo. The One's cape tears off and flies away, and he smiles. Tears run down Xander's face when he falls to his knees.

"Fuck you." These are the last words he says as he hits the ground and dies. He looks around at the irreversible damage Xander has caused to the universe and himself. He can't help but be disappointed because Xander was his original champion. If only. If only he could control his emotions. If only he could have a little more faith. He would be the one to defeat the King of Fear. The One picks Xander up in his arms. At the snap of a finger, everything returned to normal. Xander came back to life in his youthful body, and they are back on the beach as if nothing had happened.

Xander wakes up and says nothing. He exhales as he signals to be put down.

"I'm sorry."

"All is forgiven."

"My duty is to take care of Zen and ensure he stays alive, right?"

"Correct."

"I will see to it. I will protect him with my life," He says, taking a knee to bow to The One.

"Ensure Jewel survives as well."

"It is done."

Xander rises and turns to walk away.

"We can go back whenever."

"I know."

"Then why are we still here, my lord?"

"You said we were here to fight."

Xander's eyes grow wide.

"It is not a fight until I throw a punch."

Xander closes his eyes.

"Yeah. I deserve this."

He turns to face The One. When he opens his eyes, The One levitates in the air and spreads his arms wide, palms facing him as a radiant gold aura emanates from his body. The One released his aura and turned the entire world into a paradise. A world without poverty, famine, and crime. A world with lush plants and bountiful harvests of fruits and vegetables. Every hint of hate and animosity fades from the hearts of those who feel this aura. Some people become saints upon being touched by God. The One thoroughly washed their sins away, immediately creating a wave of happiness.

Xander becomes hysterical at the sight.

"This sight alone. This feeling alone. Was worth the fight! THANK YOU!"

Xander's head is removed from his body as the punch from The One connects. His soul stands beside his body and watches himself die. Xander laughs.

"I fucked up."

"Yeah, you fucked up." A voice from behind him says.

He turns to see himself watching himself die. That version of himself turns to watch and says, "Haha, you fucked up!" That version turns to another and says, "They fucked up!" This process continues endlessly.

"He fucked up!"

"Dumb ass fucked up!"

"Stupid ass fucked up!"

"Crazy ass fucked up!"

The One's punch killed him, however, it brought him back to life at the same time. This, in turn, created a loop of him dying infinitely. He feels the pain each time, yet it heals as he resurrects. And then he feels it again. This happens a few million times before he is back on the beach. The One has a smile and a hand on Xander's shoulder with a face that says, You'll get there someday.

Xander screamed, "THAT WAS AMAZING!"

The One stops for a moment, and he does something he hadn't done in millions of years. Laugh.

"I love you, my child. Now get to your duty. Your actions have consequences starting now. I will no longer fix the things you destroy."

Xander awakens in the church with Zenzo holding him. Tears hit Xander's face as Zenzo cries.

"I thought you were dead!"

Xander grins.

"I did die! A million times!"

"What?!"

"Yup! One punch was all it took to kill me a million times. There might have been more deaths than that, but that's when I lost count! I'm no good at counting past a million!"

Zenzo continues to cry, and they turn to tears of joy when he laughs.

"Xan, you're a fucking idiot!"

"YUP!" Xander yells as he gets up and laughs with Zenzo.

He takes a knee and bows his head before Zenzo.

"Zenzo Alabaster Leonidas. I, Xander Ares Greave, dedicate my life and soul to you. I will protect you and Jewel Octavia Yono with everything I have. No matter the cost."

Zenzo hugs Xander.

"Shut up you big dummy."