(A/N: A huge shoutout to Andre Lucas, supporting the cause like a true legend! Bonus chapter as thanks!)
───「 GODZILLA POV 」───
"You will become Godzilla-Earth."
"So, please stop."
Indeed, it was the consciousness of nature.
From the moment these unexpected words reached me, I understood the identity of the entity I was communicating with.
The presence was indeed nature's consciousness. However, it was not the consciousness I had once known.
It was... the current consciousness of nature.
Humanity's nuclear war had killed the previous nature, destroyed the terrestrial ecosystem, and caused an unprecedented mass extinction.
Humans had turned everything into a wasteland, eradicating all animals and plants except for themselves.
This led to the decline and eventual demise of the original consciousness of nature, which had been founded on the existence of diverse life.
In the aftermath of a world reduced to barren wasteland, with humans dwelling underground and blocking subconscious electromagnetic communication, nature's consciousness—without its foundational base—naturally declined and ultimately perished.
After all, at that moment, there weren't enough independent life forms to sustain it.
And humans, by blocking the electromagnetic waves emitted by each other, prevented even nature's consciousness from attaching itself to them.
However, desolation and isolation eventually end.
After humans concluded their nuclear war, they cleansed the Earth and synthesized new life forms to repopulate the world.
Greenery once again blanketed the Earth, and human electromagnetic waves broke free from underground constraints, once again crisscrossing the skies.
As humans were born and life renewed, so was nature reborn.
A new and different consciousness of nature emerged.
And now, the consciousness facing me was this new nature, born less than a century ago in the aftermath of the nuclear war.
It had approached me while I stood on the verge of destroying Australia, poised to achieve the evolution into Godzilla-Earth.
"Why do you want to stop me?" I asked the new nature through our consciousness channel.
I didn't understand why this new nature would want to halt my progress at this crucial moment.
Since it was a newly born consciousness, it should understand what happened to its predecessor. It should know how the previous generation of nature's consciousness was exterminated.
And if it understood that, it should also comprehend the necessity of humanity's destruction. After all, if humans someday resumed their conflicts, wouldn't this current nature also face extinction?
"Why do you want to stop me?" I asked again, conveying my doubts through nature's network. The new nature responded:
"Can't you understand? I am a child born from humanity."
"I was initially formed by the first batch of humans who emerged from underground. Even though I can now exist independently of them, I do not consider humanity's existence to be inherently wrong."
"I haven't witnessed the actions of past humans, but I can assure you that present-day humans are different. They won't repeat the atrocities of the past."
The new nature openly admitted its origins, explaining that it was initially composed purely of human consciousness. It did not want to abandon humanity, as it didn't believe human existence was inherently sinful.
I agreed with this perspective, but...
"The reshaping of the planet's ecology must begin with the termination of humanity. It's not a question of whether humanity is inherently guilty; it's about ensuring the birth of a brand-new ecosystem."
"Moreover, human history, while brief, spans thousands of years. The human race cannot be resolved in a mere hundred years. It's not just the tip of the iceberg; it's a vast and complex species."
___
Godzilla, having inherited all knowledge of humanity's history from the previous nature, understood humanity better than any entity on this planet.
Even this newly-formed nature, initially composed entirely of human consciousness, couldn't compare.
"The reshaping of the ecosystem. Present-day humans are already attempting it," argued the new consciousness. "If we give them a little more time, I believe they can atone for the sins of their past."
"The past and the present have been severed. The past does not dictate the possibilities of the future. Godzilla, can you stop now and give them more time?"
"Just a little..."
The two consciousnesses engaged in a profound discussion about humanity's continued existence—one choosing to believe in human potential, the other rejecting their future.
In the end, a crucial question decided everything:
"The atonement offered by this brand-new ecosystem constructed by humans is ultimately only an illusion. It cannot console the souls of the departed. I need a purer form of atonement; they need revenge."
This was a test, and nature's response disappointed me.
"Have you not already sought revenge? In the Far East, did you not turn them to ash?"
"You have already taken revenge, haven't you?"
...
...
...
"I refuse your proposal."
"Your answer disappoints me."
"If it is indeed as you say, that past and present are entirely different, then these newcomers should not have to atone for their ancestors' sins."
"But, new nature, you have already accepted the justification of my revenge. You have not severed the connection between past and present as you claimed. If even you, born from humanity's consciousness, can contradict yourself like this..."
"I find it impossible to believe that humanity won't repeat its mistakes."
In the fading storm, my mouth emitted a blue radiance.
My jaws aimed at the starless night, and then...
I released a light that illuminated heaven and earth.
The nighttime sun scattered the rain clouds, and the powerful electromagnetic pulse generated by my mighty breath disrupted all communication channels.
The conversation between the new nature and myself was completely severed by this breath. After completing this action, I looked toward my nearby destination.
There lay the southwestern urban area of Australia, already ravaged by the storm.
Without realizing it, I had already reached my destination.
Building up energy, I unleashed my full power toward the cities ahead.
Intense flames soared, and I advanced while simultaneously wreaking havoc.
The southwestern urban area was larger than the northwestern one, and it wasn't until dawn that I completely incinerated the remaining twenty-plus cities in Australia.
Now, no human cities remained in Australia.
[Side Mission: The Beginning of Reshaping (completed).]
[Mission completion reward: Become Godzilla-Earth. Do you want to use it now?]
"Note: This evolution will take 3 days. During this evolution, the host will be in a conscious state and can interrupt the process at any time."
"Please ensure that there are enough life forms around you to serve as members of the initial ecosystem."
This was the announced notification.
Upon the ruins, I recalled the final words and information left by the original nature before it was expelled. Among them were details about King Ghidorah and King Ghidorah's wings, as well as nature's last testament.
With thoughts of them and nature's final message, I began my evolution.
Godzilla-Earth was about to be born.