The darkness engulfed the icy scientist, Axel's words still ringing in his ears. "Be nothing instead of just being nobody." What was happening to him? He couldn't feel his body. Had he gone back to being just nothing?
His academic mind switched on, and he began to assess his situation. Vexen noted that he at least still had a consciousness. He was aware of his existence. Could he be dead? How was it possible to know one was no longer alive?
The next thought came to him. His body. Did it still hold form? He tried to feel it, but he seemed to just be a consciousness floating inside an infinite darkness. When he tried to speak, nothing happened, proving his hypothesis.
Nothing was left of the former Vexen. All that was left was his mind and his thoughts, somehow still persevering. Now he thought of his poor Riku, the replica he had created from the silver-haired teen's memories and data. Had he ended up in just such a place and form? His mind called out to the boy, hoping dearly to be reunited with his "son," if he could be thought of as such a thing.
"Riku, my boy. Where are you?" His thoughts formed these words and sent them out into the blackness. He focused all his concentration upon his last image of the teen and waited.
Almost instantly, Vexen felt a presence joining him. His mind was filled with a sudden warmth and recognition. A voice seemed to fill his mind, speaking to him.
"Father! You've finally come here, too." Riku felt his consciousness shudder in excitement at being once again in the presence of his creator.
Vexen felt his emotions so much stronger here. Perhaps that is all that was left of him, so in a sense, he was his feelings personified. Happiness was strongest inside him, and dare he say he also felt love. He also felt a trace of fear. What if Riku didn't forgive him for what he'd done? He felt the boy laughing inside his mind.
"Do not hold any fear in your heart. There is no place for that here. All is forgiven that happened during our lives when we were human. While all you can perceive is darkness, herein also lies the light." Riku let his thoughts of love enter and surround Vexen, purveying into him the knowledge and the nature of this place.
They were dead, yet still existed. Communication was instant and through thoughts. Only love and truth could exist here, since nothing could be hidden. Riku let Vexen be comforted, and he urged him to allow himself to be healed from his life's ills and worries.
The once chilly academic found himself surrounded in an infinite love. Soon he could see this light of which Riku spoke permeating through and within the darkness. None of this made sense to his intelligent mind, yet here was the proof before his very eyes. "It's dark, but I can see a light now." His voice held the open question for Riku or someone to explain all of this to him.
Riku's soul laughed. "Soon you will understand everything. You must just let go of your former self and allow the truth to be revealed. Don't think. Just be." Riku knew this was difficult for his creator. He sent more loving thoughts in the man's direction, seeking to calm him.
Vexen was still confused, but he was starting to let go. Knowledge seemed to be everywhere and to be able to just be absorbed into him. If he thought of a question or wondered at something, the answers seemed to almost instantly appear within his mind. He decided he must truly be in a sort of paradise.
The former nobody thanked Axel for killing him and sending him here to a place of infinite knowledge and all-encompassing love. A place where he could be at peace, without fear, and be with his beloved son, Riku. Yes, it truly was better to be nothing than to be a nobody.