The Silence of the Universe
The silence of the universe. It was an overwhelming silence beyond words. My consciousness had merged with the relic, allowing me to survey this world—no, the entire universe—as if it were one vast library. The stars' brilliance appeared like ancient script, and the swirling galaxies seemed like complex mathematical equations.
The woman in the robe stood quietly beside me. Her presence felt insignificant within the vastness of the cosmos, yet her presence was firmly etched into my consciousness.
“...What shall we do now?” Her gentle voice broke the silence. It was a whisper, yet possessed a strange power that seemed capable of reaching the farthest reaches of the universe.
For a moment, I couldn't find the words. For me, who had journeyed for two thousand years seeking knowledge, the sheer volume of knowledge now spread before me far exceeded anything I could have imagined. It was like being able to read every book in an infinitely vast library all at once.
Yet, I felt that merely acquiring knowledge was insufficient. Knowledge becomes power. But that power, if misused, could become destructive. The power of the words of creation was beyond imagination, and how that power was used was my responsibility.
“...First, I need to understand how to use this power,” I answered slowly. My voice was much deeper and more powerful than before. It was my voice, yet at the same time, it was the voice of the universe.
“That's right,” the woman in the robe nodded quietly. “This power has become a part of you. But if left unchecked, it could destroy you as well. First, you must learn to understand and control it. And then...” She paused slightly.
“And then... you must consider what you wish for this world's future.” Her words resonated deeply within me. For two thousand years, I had pursued knowledge solely for myself. But now, I had become the one who would bear the future of this world.
I gazed out across the cosmos. Countless stars, and the countless possibilities connecting them. Within those possibilities lay the future of the world. And that future would change greatly depending on my own choices.
In the silence, I took a slow, deep breath. Having crossed two thousand years of time, I stood at the beginning of a new journey.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
