The Shadows of Zero
In absolute darkness, a cold metallic voice echoed from the depths of Karen's soul:
"Simulated… yes. One of the Manager's experiments."
Karen — or should we say Diablo, Emperor of Asar — felt time and space melting around him.
The voice continued:
"As a king, there are things you must know… truths no mind can endure."
A crimson light appeared in the void.
The voice spoke again:
"Diablo the Emperor… this world is the creation of your mind. A simulation… to control you."
His mind began to burn.
The mirrors shattered.
The voice spoke one last time:
"You were dead… from the very beginning."
Silence.
Only darkness.
Only Karen's heavy breaths.
A figure stepped forward — tall, cloaked in black, a mask shaped like a goat's head with shining horns.
Aria whispered:
"That's… Manager Zero."
---
Karen stood frozen.
Manager Zero approached slowly, the edge of his coat dragging on the ground, like bone scraping against stone.
With a cold, insane tone barely hiding twisted excitement, he spoke:
"You… are fascinating. You breathed… where you shouldn't. You created us."
But behind that cold voice was something else — a strange warmth, a twisted, lonely kindness.
Another voice rose from the shadows:
"Come back, Diablo… it's not over yet. I… am waiting."
Karen's heart weighed heavy.
Was this his enemy… or a reflection of himself?
Then…
Time froze.
Even Manager Zero stood still — powerless.
Something arrived.
Something beyond gods, death, time.
A presence Karen couldn't comprehend, whose name he couldn't even think.
It was… The Creator.
And the Creator spoke:
"Aria… you do not belong here. Return to your world. There, people still speak your story. In this place… Karen was only ever meant for one thing… and now it's over."
Aria faded away.
Manager Zero vanished.
Karen… was left in silence…
Forever.