As the sun began to cast its golden glow, a man found himself standing before an enigmatic tombstone.
Strangely devoid of inscriptions, this tombstone held a silent story waiting to be told—a story that belonged to the man himself.
Part I
Two decades prior, Nolan's mentor, on the threshold of death, imparted the wisdom of science while cautioning against its perils. Specializing in the study of the multiverse, Nolan believed in a cosmos of countless universes, each a drop in the vast ocean of existence. His pursuit faced the challenge of measuring the immeasurable within the confines of a human lifespan. Undeterred, Nolan initiated the Infinite Gateway Project, seeking to unlock the door to the multiverse, disperse cosmic threats, and illuminate a brighter future. Science, both blessing and curse, defined his journey as a scholar of Eruditio, unafraid of the unknown.
Part II
Invited to a cemetery rendezvous by Lillian, Nolan initially questioned the appropriateness. However, amid the resting place of scholars, he discovered a tradition of contemplation. As they conversed through the night, Lillian revealed her willingness to sacrifice everything for a deeper understanding of the multiverse, uncaring of fame. Nolan, initially unsettled, found solace in her perspective. As dawn broke, Lillian proclaimed the light theirs to claim—a sentiment Nolan struggled to comprehend.
Part III
On a cosmic scale, the fragility of the human body paralleled a piece of paper. Nolan, engrossed in the construction of the Infinite Gateway, faced a daunting challenge: without coordinates, any venture through a dimensional rift risked atomization. The breakthrough came with the cry of his infant daughter—coordinates, he realized, were relative. Placing an amulet beside her, Nolan found his anchor to guide him through the unknown.
Part IV
The Infinite Gateway's activation resonated across the multiverse. Nolan and Lillian, now astral entities, delved into the cosmos, only to discover the futility of their mission against the advancing Calamity. Lillian's sacrifice revealed a new path, and Nolan, guided by the anchor, pressed forward.
Part V
Sixteen years passed. Nolan, untouched by time, executed his mission, scattering his soul across the multiverse as beacons to lure the Calamity. Yet, the loneliness and pain of isolation weighed heavily, and the agony of soul-splitting surpassed understanding. Despite his sacrifices, Nolan could not witness his daughter Layla's growth. However, as the Calamity's destructive power was absorbed and led into the Void, fulfilling his promise, Nolan prepared to reunite with Lillian.
In the darkness of the Void, a distant voice called out, and a light emerged. Layla's voice penetrated the emptiness, urging Nolan to wake up.
As the sun shone on his face, Nolan heard his daughter's voice echoing in the distance. His journey was over.
This is where the story concludes.
In the quiet embrace of the dawn, standing before a nameless grave, Nolan reached out and embraced the warmth of a familiar feeling—the feeling that belonged to them.
