'So what exactly is energy?' Alex pondered this question. 'I already know what it is and its ultimate master. But what exactly is it? What makes energy… energy?'
He knew the universe was built on a set of principles and guidelines, most likely put together by the core and the reason why the chaotic energies from the true void became organized once inside the fabric of spacetime.
Thinking back to all he knew, energy had been the origin of all things. All forms of matter took shape from energy and returned to energy after their time ran out.
But why?
Why do things run out of time if energy continues to exist? Why not remain as they were? Pondering these questions, Alex began to feel something within his being. He was on the precipice of something profound.
He could feel it. It was close, yet exceedingly far from his grasp. Almost like he could reach out and take it, but his being could not make that leap.
There was no inertia.
The commotion happening in the distance all but faded, and unknown to him, a subtle aura was flickering from his being. Almost as if he was returning to his roots.
'Time itself is fixed and contained. There is no future because all things remain the same--energy.' Alex brought a hand to his chin, his thoughts running wild. 'Time travel is not a thing because what is forward is already present right here, right now.
'And we can't go back in time because there is no future.' It didn't make a lot of sense, but that was exactly what made it so complex.
If there was no future, then Alex going back into the past is his past self seeing his future, which doesn't exist. 'Otherwise, I should have received some clues from my future self a long time ago.'
The progression of events was matter returning to its original state. Speeding and slowing down time were possible, but only for so long.
Alex stared at his left palm in thought. He was infinitely closer to the answers he sought.
'Speeding up is just returning to roots much faster and slowing down is the reverse. So while time could be literally stopped, it also means there is no energy.'
Alex frowned slightly. He was missing something crucial here. The phrase he searched for was not the absence of energy in stopped time, but something else; something he wasn't grasping.
'No, that's not it.'
He turned around to gaze at Cassandra who was almost done disposing of the void creatures. Alex continued to observe her and her actions as his mind went full throttle.
'With every movement she makes, energy flows… time passes.' Alex mused. 'But what if the energy stops, will that mean time also stopped?'
This brought him back to energy as it seemed to be the key to deciphering his dilemma. Alex hadn't come across stopped energy anywhere in the universe.
But he had seen various zones where time seemed chaotic and the reason was energy.
'It wasn't flowing in a fixed loop. It could be disrupted, rendering it chaotic and unstable for living organisms to thrive.'
Any being lost in such a zone would find themselves dissolving into energy as their blueprint breaks apart.
'All this tells me time itself isn't real…that is why there is no future to go to.' Alex was finally seeing things for what they were. 'There is only one thing and one thing only, and that is energy.'
He who controlled the thing called energy controls all. So ultimately, what was energy? This was where Alex found his answer.
'Will…' Alex thought, the feeling within breaking apart like shackles. 'A paradox. Energy is the expression of will and will is the expression of energy. Sentience bore energy and energy bore sentience.'
A person with the will to succeed in an endeavour finds the energy to get it done. He willed, and energy flowed. When energy flows, time passes. It was simple and could ultimately be put in one phrase.
'I will, therefore I am.'
Suddenly, a profound aura burst off Alex. It was everywhere and at the same time nowhere. He was there, yet he wasn't. The aura caught the attention of Cassandra and the last void creature.
For a moment, Cassandra was confused. She felt Alex right beside her and at the same time far away. However, the void creature did something else.
SCREECH….!!!
The creature, despite rippled apart with so little left of itself, seemed to have lost it and rushed crazily at Alex, completely ignoring Cassandra.
"What the hell?"
Cassandra couldn't make sense of what happened, but she was also curious. She didn't even realize Alexander was close by.
After finally making it this far, Alex had once again grown stronger in another area she wasn't aware of.
'Just what is inside that head of his?' Cassandra gritted her teeth in slight envy. They were supposed to be the same beings--Veilwalkers, but Alex seemed to be something far more superior.
'No, I shouldn't think like that.' The catwoman shook his head. 'He gave me a home when I had none. Everything he learns, I will do as well.'
With her will solidified, she watched the void creature race towards Alexander.
Alex watched the void creature rush towards him, but he remained collected and composed, his thoughts elsewhere.
'So that is what the core of the universe and the multiverse should be.' A small smile graced his features. 'It showed us that vision and made us what we are…
'But that is not the end.' Alex clenched his fist. 'I'm not yet complete. There is one more thing to do.'
Finally, his attention shifted to the void creature that was almost on him. With so many parts of its body missing, it was a wonder how it was still alive.
Then he looked at Cassandra and smiled at her. He could see her thoughts as clear as day, but it didn't matter.
Alex closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath of the surrounding chaotic energies. Then he opened his eyes and expressed his will, his voice barely audible.
"Stop."