The Boundless Journey

As Arial looks towards the dragon in Max's lap. Max gets a little curious about what she has to say about the dragon. He has a ton of questions regarding the dragon.

"The dragon on your lap, is a Soul Dragon. It is one of its kind in this entire cosmos, as it was born in your soul realm", says Arial.

"What do you mean by it was born in my soul realm", Max asked, confused by what Arial said.

"What I mean is that, the dragon's existence came into being inside of your Soul Realm. How it happened, is something that even I don't know. The Soul Realm is a mysterious place where even the Gods don't have control."said Arial.

'To think that there would be a place in the world where even the Gods don't have control', thought Max.

"So what's his name and what was the thing he was stuck inside of", asked Max.

"Since it was born inside the Soul Realm it has no name or family to speak of. Actually if we take into consideration the place it was born in, his only family is you. Also regarding the thing he was inside of was also something unknown to me", said Arial.

Looking at the dragon in his lap, Max couldn't help but related to him. No one to protect, no one to love, all alone in this cruel world.

"Max lifted the dragon by his shoulders and gave him the name Echo" as soon as he said that name. A bond was created between Max and Echo. This bond , mysterious and strong.

"Hmm.. Interesting.. What made you name him Echo?",asked Arial curiously.

"Well just like how an echo represents eternity or forever. Our bond will also last for an eternity.So I thought that the word Echo suites him",Max answered.

"Seems like your bond will truly be long", Arial smiled gently as she spoke those word. It seemed as she had just blessed the two of them with her grace.

Arial paused for a few moments while the two were deep in the new found bond they had just formed. Arial gave them a gentle smile while she admired the two of them.

"So what now??", Max asked Arial with a little concern in his eyes.

Closing her eyes for a few seconds, Arial then replied to Max's question."Now that your soul has left your previous universe. I can't bring you back to your universe right now. As it will take a lot of divine energy. So I will be sending you to a different universe altogether."

"What do you mean by different universe, are you refering to isekai like in the anime, manga?..Also what do you mean by can't send you right now" Max asked excitedly. As Max was a fan of different forms of manga and anime he was very much familiar with the concept of isekai or reincarnation into a different world. He always wanted to do such a thing.

"Yes, I am referring to that same concept. Though I won't be sending you to a fantasy sword and magic kind of world. This universe is a universe which is the most similar to your universe" pausing for a moment Arial continued.

"Currently I have used a lot of divine energy to bring you to this place and sending you back to your original world with your destiny line might distrub the balance of that universe. As when a person is reborn they have no destiny line but since your destiny line has not faded away you can't go back to that universe. But if you gain enough strength then you might be able to sustain the backlash which comes from entering your original universe" Arial explained.

A tear rolled down Max's cheek, he had thought that he would never be able to see Elia ever again. He had hoped for something like this to happen but those were just stupid ideas at that time. But he needed to become strong to sustain a backlash. As it was the idea of crossing universes then the term backlash shouldn't be taken lightly. He needed to train when he reach his new world.

"Tha.n.k you so much. This is the first time I was looking forward for the future" as more tears came from Max's eyes, Max wiped his tears in embarrassment. He got very embarrased by the fact that he just started crying in front of someone. After spend so much time all alone he grew more colder, trying to be tough and show no emotions.

"Please try to restrain your emotions, we have a lot more to deal with", said Arial.

Finally, composing himself Max was ready to move forward.

"I have looked into your life and the things you have been through are very sad and cruel . Even then you stayed positive and helped others. That quality is rare to see in any human. Even I am impressed by the fact you didn't turn to the dark side."

Max started to blush a little as this was the first time someone had praised him. He briefly remembered his parents praising him when they were still alive. That was the only time he remembered being praised by something.

"For the deeds you have done and also the final selfless act that even defied your own destiny should not be left unrewarded. So I will give you one wish", as soon as Arial said those word, Max started to think a lot of different things he could ask for but before he ask for anything,"But you cannot ask to be bought back to your original world" Arial says firmly.

'Damn it, I thought I found a loophole and I could return back to my world and see her again. Alas, My wish has to wait. What else can I ask for then?Hmmm...Wait maybe I can ask for that.' thought Max.

"Let me ask you one question before I make that wish. Are there multiple worlds like a multiverse",asked Max.

After Arial though about answering the question for some time. She spoke,"Well, I can just say this that tere do exist different universe in this cosmos".

Hearing those word Max started jumping excitedly,"So I wish for an ability which allows for me to travel between those universes".

The idea was the most absurd idea anyone can think of.

"Hmmm... I don't think that I can grant you an ability like that your body won't be able to handle that kind of ability. So the better option would be thatvi give you an divine artifact".

"What's a divine artifact?",confused by the new term Max asked.

"Look every different universe has there own way of defining a way to measure power. The name of those stages would be different but they will mean the same. Just like how your worlds have different languages but still some words have the same meaning. In the cosmos we gods have ranked the artifacts in five ranks.

Common < Rare < Epic < Legend < Divine. This divine artifact is from the mythical age and was first wielded by the Goddess of Time. He created this artifact for traveling between Universes. But due some reason it was lost. I happen to acquire it by luck."

Arial paused for a few seconds and spoke again," The divine artifact will be giving you will be attached to you soul so it can be used anytime, anywhere you want. The artifact's name is Traveller."

"The Traveller, it has a cool name to it.", said Max.

"Althought it is a divine artifact there is a limit to how you can use it. This artifact will randomly chosen which universe you can travel to. Also the divine artifact will need to recharge after every time you use it. It will absorb the energy in the atmosphere and convert it into divine energy. This process can take upto 10-15 years to complete."

'Hmmm.. so I wont be able to return back to Earth immediately. I will need to wait about 10-15 years. Even then it will depend on my luck if I will return or not. Well its not what I hoped for but this might be the best option I can have right now.'

"Alright I will wish for the divine artifact 'The Traveller'.",said Max aloud.

Arial closed her eyes with a gentle smile on her face and lifted her hand above her hand. A blinding light started on her palm. As Max and Echo covered their eyes, from the gaps in their fingers they could see something emerging from the light.