In an area filled with darkness that went on forever.
Yet in the center of it were golden balls of light that were slightly illuminating the area around. They drifted in slow steps around a golden throne that looked out of place.
It was similar to one used by rulers or kings and something that shouldn't be in the void. Yet the most striking thing was the man sitting on the chair nonchalantly without a care in the world.
The man had short golden hair that shined when the lights passed by with one leg crossed over the other. He had his face resting on his hand and his elbow on the throne arm. He was waiting calmly, like someone whose ride was running late but wasn't worried about it.
"Soon." One of the orbs bobbed closer. "It will be time for your awakening... I been hoping for this day for so long..."
Another sphere drifted forward and glowed with urgency. "Remember, Aether. You must not trust those monsters."
A third orb swayed up and down nervously. "They may look like a woman. But they have lost their humanity."
"The amount of damage they have cost is too much. Even when we try to rebuild, they will end destroying it all." Another one said.
The orbs began to orbit faster, their light producing golden streaks.
One broke from the pattern, hovering directly in front of the chair. "Which is why you must chain all of them and then make them pay for their sins."
Another golden ball moved up and down. "You don't need to be soft on them. Just treat them like the monsters they are."
"Once the plan is completed... and it succeeds... you just need to end them."
The last orb spoke with something that might have been hope. "And then everyone can finally be free..."
Aether's eyes opened slowly. His golden eyes glanced over spheres with the interest of someone watching dust in the afternoon light.
He sighed before asking. "Are you all done yet?"
The orbs froze mid-flight.
"You don't want to hear more?" One orb asked, its light dimming.
"No, I don't." Aether sat up a bit in his throne. "I'm tired of hearing about things I don't care about."
The golden spheres trembled, their light emitted flickered like candle flames in the wind.
A feminine voice emerged from one of them, softer than the others but no less insistent. "Aether, this isn't a joking matter. You understanding the plan is extremely important. One that will determine the future of the world-"
"World?" Aether's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Why should I care about this world?"
One of the orbs shook, its light flaring bright. "How could you not care about this world after living in it for ten years..."
"Living?" Aether questioned in a harsh tone before uncrossing his leg and leaning forward. "You mean how you bastards place me in a dream where I can experience it? Don't be ridiculous. That is not even close to me living."
The golden balls shook even more but Aether didn't wait. He reached out fast and grabbed one and the black empty space around them rippled like water when he touched it.
He yanked the ball closer to his face and its bright yellow glow lit up his eyes, making them shine like gold.
"Don't forget." Aether said in a gentle tone. "You bastards took me from my own world and forced me to be here."
The orb in his grip shuddered and quickly spoke. "We had no choice. A person was needed."
Aether laughed. First just a small sound, then the laughter grew until his whole body was shaking with it. Finally, he began to calm down but still smiling. "Well, I expected that response."
He released the orb, and it fled back to join the others. "I guess I should thank you guys for one thing. You let me live in a nice dream for a while." He leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers on the arm. "It felt good to be rich and have a family that actually cared about me."
The orbs pulsed with renewed energy. "See? Coming here isn't so bad, Aether! If you can save the world! Then you can fulfill any goal and desire of yours!"
"You can even go check on your old world!"
Aether hummed. "Regarding the plan I am curious. Aren't you guys being pretty harsh on those Witches?"
The orb quivered in the darkness before all at once. The dark space filled with angry voices shouting about the Witches.
"Too harsh? They deserve even more!"
"Those monsters destroyed the world and even after recovering. They didn't even try to do anything to help stop the harm they caused!" One voice shouted in rage.
The golden ball softly said. "Please, Aether. Don't even for a moment think they're anything less than monsters that should be chain!"
"Especially after they made so many people live through a nightmare." Each golden ball flashed brighter as they got angrier, their light pulsing with pure hate.
Aether didn't move an inch during all this yelling while his face stayed calm and tranquil. Only when their anger was at its loudest did the side of his mouth lift slightly in a small, knowing smile.
"I have to say, these Witches might not be so bad. If they were able to pissed, you all off this much." Aether said lightly.
Silence fell for a bit before they all quickly speak.
"Huh?"
"What... What are you talking about?"
"Aether, they are the ones who destroyed-"
"I know they destroyed the world." Aether waved his hand dismissively. "But I know you aren't telling me everything, and I don't like believing the one-sided bias of you bastards."
One of the orbs floated closer, its light dimming to something almost pleading. "We understand your doubt, Aether but you aren't ready for everything."
Another joined it. "But we can guarantee this. These witches have killed many and destroyed much of the old world. Can you really say they aren't bad? You who have lived in the fantasy..."
"Shut up."
The orb flinched back as if struck.
Aether clasped his hands together, fingers interlacing slowly. "I never said I wouldn't deal with the Witches but I just decided on a better route."
A pause and then hesitantly one of them asked. "A better route? Why didn't you discuss it with us..."
"Well, because I wanted to wait for this moment." Aether's smile widened. "The path I plan to take will drive you disgusting insects into the ground after all."
"What are you…"
He held out his hand, spreading them wide as if he was embracing them. "I will love all Witches. I will not suppress them like you all want but embrace them all."
The orbs froze in disbelief; it was to the point none of them were swaying and moving.
As if the words spoken were unimaginable.
Then they erupted.
They were screaming all at once with their voices overlapping in rage. They called him crazy, and foolish before shifting to scolding him on his stupidity and criticizing his stupid words.
Before then finally demanding he change his thoughts.
Aether let them rage for several seconds with a faint smile. Before clapping his hands together once.
The sound cracked through the void and stunned the orbs.
"There it is." His eyes shone with something fierce and alive. "That's the reaction I want from you all."
The golden light in his eyes intensified. "You bastards think you could take me away from my world, place me into this body, and have me continue acting as your lap dog?"
His laughter rang out again. "You pests have truly messed with the wrong person! I will rip apart that shitty script you made and walk a path that I want!"
The orbs screamed in rage, telling him to stop acting childish, petty, crazy, ignorant, and just to listen.
But Aether simply laughed harder.
Then cracks began appearing in the darkness. They were faint at first but then gradually grew before spreading full over like glass breaking. The golden orbs rage quickly turning into panic.
They realized what was happening.
"Please!"
"Aether, wait!"
"Follow the plan! You have to follow..."
"My only regret..." Aether says softly. "Is that you bastards don't have bodies so I can look at your expressions." He tilted his head, considering them with fascination. "Oh well, my only hope now is that you bastards somehow can see what I do. So, you can see how your hard work, sacrifices, and planning get buried."
He gave them one last beaming, beautiful and stunning smile.
"Now fuck off, you vermins."
The darkness shattered and the golden balls screamed once more.
And Aether laughed as every shattered.