??? POV

At the hands of two who saw it all

Really there was nothing better than a monster. Its loyalty showed no end and was forever willing to lay down its life to protect what made it. Plus, some were endearing, seeking comfort from the creator and controller. Well, that's what my creatures did. A gelatinous red cube that burned any who touched it, besides those born in the Nether. It was based on my own creator's design, a green gelatin monster that roamed the Center Realm. I used to wish to meet it.

Now, I'll get my chance.

I was watching over a few of my creations, and I determined their name to be magma cubes, as they adventure out into the dry lava-filled realm. One of the smaller ones was tucked protectively in my arms. This one is too small to be on its own and would reside with me in the fortress until it grew. Its big eyes stared up at me, and I couldn't help but pet its head.

"Have you named it yet?" A voice spoke near me. I scowled, setting the slime down to see who broke the silence. A person cloaked in black and red stood near, leaning against a netherrack structure.

"Rage," I addressed.

"Jordan," He answered, pushing himself off the wall to stand near me, "He looks like his name would be something sophisticated."
"It's a magma cube," I shot back, "Naming it means attachment which is foolish."

"You don't know that. Your father named all his wither guards," Rage pointed back to the fortress where several hovered.

"Not my father. He's merely my creator. In fact," I also motioned to the fortress, "I'm just a piece of him. Nothing more or less."

"You still on that?" Rage deadpanned, "Seriously, it's been centuries. I may have only been your protector for decades, but I'm tired of hearing about it."

"You shouldn't deny the truth," I countered.

"You shouldn't have blinders on."
"Enough," A new voice rang out, quieting both of us. Rage bowed to the newcomer, before slipping into the shadows and disappearing. The man was guarded by black skeletons, and I didn't dare look away from his bright white eyes. He walked up to me, then passed me, choosing to look out over my collection of magma cubes. I watched in a slight panic as he picked up the smallest one, looking it over.

"You've perfected your craft," he finally said, petting the little cube. My heart rate steadied to normal.
"I'm going to take a few with me to the Center Realm," I spoke proudly, but it quickly dissolved when I heard him sigh.

"It is still a few years away," He spoke, still not looking at me. I could feel my frustration building. Any time I brought up my destiny he always avoided the subject, choosing to teach me creation instead of what really needed to be done.

"Shouldn't I prepare? You've never allowed me to train. My counterpart could possibly be there now, befriending them and gaining trust." I walked in front of him, trying to go into his line of sight, but he turned.

"He isn't." He only said.

"How do you know," I demanded in a raised voice. It was an immediate regret as I watched his grip tighten on the helpless magma cube still in his grasp. I held my breath as seconds passed, but soon his grip loosened and the cube fell, bouncing safely on the ground.

"We don't have to do this," He turned to me finally, voice an even tone, "Even if you win, what would it be for? The satisfaction of succeeding? We will never be respected or loved. Our only comfort is these monsters."

"I am the future God of the Nether. I am to be feared, not loved," I answered, but my words held nothing. I shouldn't feel the desire to seek comfort, or the need to protect, but yet I still knelt and cradled the little magma cube. It could take a lot of damage, I made sure of it, and checking him over proved that he was unharmed.

"If you so wish to prepare," the man spoke with dejection, "then I'll allow it. Here is your first lesson. When the time comes to collect the pure souls, allow the number to be even between you and the counterpart."

"Why's that?"

"It wouldn't be a fair fight otherwise."

I frowned, not quite following. The whole purpose of the fight was to defeat him, so I would need to consume more than him. Sometimes I felt as though my creator was trying to sabotage the prophecy.

"What do you know about the prophecy?" The man asked, practically reading my mind.

"I know it by memory," I said with confidence. Taking a breath to steady, I began.

"The colors bleed to bring monochrome

As the two gods wake from their catacomb

Fated to fight until one reaches demise

And one who will become the catalyze"

"My brother and I are too powerful to fight in the Center Realm, we would bring destruction far beyond repair," The man said, repeating lines he spoke dozens of times, "Your counterpart was made to aid in the fight against me. I knew what I needed to do and to protect what I've made, I created you. Without you, the Aether God would have taken our world by now, destroyed everything we've made, and allowed his creatures to roam the Nether. I thought making monsters for the Center Realm would sate him, but I assumed wrong."

"I won't fail you."

"I know. I know," He placed a hand on my shoulder, "When the time comes, take only half the souls. Not only will it create a fair fight. It will show that you are stronger than him. Stronger than the Aether God."

"I understand," I moved to be out of his reach, clutching the magma cube to my chest. The thought of losing everything made me both fearful and angry, but I couldn't let it blind me from my goal. I was going to make the Aether God and his creation pay. I was going to make the creatures containing what I need suffer.

Fun Fact: I listen to Misery by Written by Wolves for inspiration