"He has waited for endless eras," Lin Ye said softly. "For someone who could see him."
He stepped out of the dome.
Behind him, Radiant Stilllight tried to follow, only to be forced back by an invisible power.
"Stand by."
Lin Ye did not turn back. Those were the only words he left behind.
He walked alone toward the darkness.
With every step, countless images appeared beneath his feet-histories that had never happened, civilizations that had never been born, possibilities that had never existed.
By the time Lin Ye stopped, those eyes had opened fully.
Their owner slowly emerged from the darkness.
He was a being whose figure bore a strong resemblance to Lin Ye's. The same cloak, the same bearing of one who carried others, but his cloak held nothing-no stars, no points of light, only pure darkness without a single mark.
He spoke.
His voice sounded so ancient that it seemed to come from before the universe was born:
"You came."
Lin Ye looked at him. "You were waiting for me?"
"For thirty-seven billion eras." The being raised a hand and pointed to his empty cloak. "I have been waiting since the moment they disappeared."
"They?"
"The civilizations of the Zero Era. The first beings at the dawn of the universe. Earlier than the First Era, older than those three hundred and seventy million, closer to the 'source' than anything you have ever seen."
Lin Ye was silent for three seconds.
"You are a Lord of Embers."
The being nodded, then shook his head.
"I once was. Now-I am merely a failed bearer."
He stepped forward and stood face-to-face with Lin Ye. Two similar faces, separated by endless eras, met for the first time.
"My name is Primordial Origin. The last Lord of Embers of the Zero Era.