Abyssal Lord of the Magi World

Just like the Beyonder's nature was able to evolve during their first conversation, he felt the same happening with the Samsara Thearch.

The white eyes of the Beyonder grew sharp as he focused on the question that Zatiel had just made since he felt it was the key behind this one sudden change.

"We cease to exist when we accept the path others had laid down for us. From that point on, whether we are alive or not, it doesn't matter. We are just puppets, and an invisible entity moves our strings, making us think those are our choices when free will faded a long time ago."

A burst of energy emerged from the Beyonder's physical manifestation as he uttered those words, as they carry the core belief behind his fight against The Creator.

The intent behind those words was so strong that reality itself began to change. It was imperceptible for everybody else, but Zatiel could see the changes in the fabric of reality and its effect on the Empyrean Pillars of the Verse.

Zatiel's eyes grew sharp as he stared at the Beyonder, and deep down, he admired his enemy. The willpower and resolution in this one's path were something he had never seen before in his life.

However, no matter the admiration he felt for the gloriousness of the Beyonder's mission, Zatiel's willpower would never wane when the weight of his entire universe lay on his shoulders.

"You are wrong!"

Zatiel's voice burst with power, stopping the change in the fabric of reality and clashing against the monstrous aura of the Beyonder.

A sea of silver flames emerged from Zatiel's eyes as he stared at the Beyonder. He could never accept the mentality of this one since it would mean insulting every sacrifice he and his friends made to achieve their utopian universe.

"I understand why you loathe The Creator. After all, he made you with the sole purpose of perishing under my hand.

However, the decision that you made after understanding the true nature of reality was no longer under his control, yet you still sacrificed every single person who put their faith and trust in you."

The Beyonder stared at Zatiel for a moment before a cold, evil smile appeared on his face.

"Hahaha, I can not even remember the names of the ones that lead my army, so why would I feel anything at their demise?"

Zatiel's eyes grew eerily cold as he heard the words of the Beyonder.

"I remember the admiration of the one named Nihilak when he spoke about how you would lead him to the tower at the center of reality, so you must have promised them a great future."

The Beyonder shrugged his shoulders, showing his evident disinterest.

"Ants move faster when they detect sugar. I just gave them a goal so they would work better, but they would have never crossed the Oblivion Gate with me. I would have consumed them before marching against the Eternals if they were still alive.

Everything in this Verse must become food for my journey. That is their purpose."

The way the Beyonder spoke showed clearly how, from the bottom of his soul, he saw everything as food.

Zatiel only shook his head, and his interest began to fade. While he and the Beyonder were entities that understood the nature of reality and gazed upon the Creator's Path, that was where their similarities ended.

"I say it again: you are wrong. But don't worry, I will give you the answer right before killing you."

No more words were needed, and Zatiel waved his hands, disintegrating the physical manifestation of the Beyonder in front of him.

Zatiel stood alone on his throne, gazing once again into the Daybreak Universe. His mind and soul were so powerful that he could see every Neo-Demon, Eldar, and Depravita at once.

'Those were the people I am fighting for, the ones that gave me the strength to go beyond my limit.'

That thought was enough to exemplify the difference between the Samsara Thearch's mentality and the Beyonder's. While one saw everything as meaningless food, the other saw it as the reason why he was fighting.

Zatiel took a deep breath as his soul force grew more and more power, and soon, his eyes began to glow with white flames as he used the power of the White Sun Pupil to gaze into the future.

Images flashed through Zatiel's eyes as he saw the future the universe would attain if he carried on with his plan.

In it, he saw his friends and loved ones full of happiness and drive as the ideology of the Daybreak Universe spread across the entire Verse, achieving a reality where the only ones who would have to face danger and death were those who chose that path.

No one would have to fear losing their loved ones due to a sudden twist of fate, and they could follow their dreams, regardless of what they were.

Tears fell from Zatiel's eyes as he felt a sense of accomplishment that could not be described with words.

'Power is not a tool to rise above everyone else. Its goal is to protect the weak and those who deserve happiness.'

Zatiel smiled as he closed his eyes.

"THUMP!"

A powerful heartbeat echoed inside the room, annihilating space-time.

The Samsara Thearch's power was rising higher and higher as he allowed every single drop of it to burst without any form of restriction. He was preparing his soul and body for the next fight and would only rise from his throne once he had unleashed everything.

...

Five days were less than a blink of an eye for life forms that had lived for millions of years.

When the time came, the Daybreak Universe warriors flashed toward the Cosmic Wall border, where the Samsara Thearch was already waiting for them.

Ezequiel, Orgullo, and Venganza were in the lead, and the eyes of the trio narrowed as they focused on Zatiel and felt not even an iota of this one's aura.