The massive explosion from the core sent the void creatures hurtling through the void like leaves caught in a thunderstorm.
The abrupt release of the energies contained within the core was more powerful and forceful than Alex had expected. The void creatures had a lot of difficulty regaining control over their bodies.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the explosion was not enough to hurt them. Being made of a similar essence spared them the pain and injury that would have otherwise wreaked havoc through their bodies.
'Who knew destroying universe cores was that easy.' Alex noted thoughtfully. 'Then again, it's probably the reason they have protection spheres and one of the reasons we were made.'
Several seconds after the explosion, the void creatures regained control over their bodies and came to a halt. They were no longer close to one another, separated by such a vast distance that Alex could fit his universe in there and then some.
Still, such distance could be easily covered by entities at their level — distance was not a problem when they could materialize anywhere they wished — so long as they knew the destination.
Suddenly, all five void creatures turned to 'look' in Alexander's direction, their bodies emitting those eerie and predatory clicks. They were not pleased. Someone dared to destroy what they desired.
"Come on, then." Alex stretched his right hand to the side, swiftly condensing another white spear. "Don't keep me waiting."
As soon as the words left his lips, the void creatures disappeared.
Instead of attacking as he expected, the creatures came to stand just outside his invisible domain, surrounding him like they did the hulmite.
Alex furrowed his brows in thought. He realised the creatures were not just intelligent, but they were also cautious. They didn't just attack blindly — they could tell that going in further would be bad news for them.
The familiar clicks began once more as the void creatures had a discussion about what to do. Alex observed closely, but he couldn't decipher anything through facial expressions as the creatures had none.
They were creatures made of an essence that opposed his own. Alex couldn't read their thoughts and even if he could, there was no way to understand what they were saying.
'Would things have been different if the essence around me was that of the universe's unique signature?' Alex wondered, but deep down he knew. 'No…I would be strong enough to stand against them like I've always had… But that was the end.'
Alex knew each universe had an energy signature embedded in the core. This unique signature — call it divinity if you will— separated one universe from the other.
When a veilwalker fused with their universe's core, that signature becomes their signature as well. They become the universe and the universe becomes them.
The universe would no longer be just an amalgamation of wills carrying out a fixed set of functions, but an amalgamation of wills capable of independent thinking and decision-making.
The veilwalker would be the one to make decisions and changes on behalf of the universe. They could strengthen existing laws, lock down the universe, speed up time, and so much more.
A veilwalker would be essentially taking over in expressing the will/duties of the existing universe.
'But because I am my own universe, I'm not part of the shared existing system. In that sense, these void creatures… these system-destroying viruses can't touch me.
'They can still touch a veilwalker fused with a universe core, but they can't touch me if I don't want them to.' This realization brought a ray of hope he didn't know he sought.
It was like his existence manifested the white essence as an antivirus against the void creatures and whatever in between.
This newfound understanding made Alex wonder if his light abilities from the beginning all led to this very moment. Maybe the universe granting him the power over light set all this in motion.
'Doesn't matter.' Alex chuckled softly. 'The goal hasn't changed.' A smile lit up on his face.
Since the creatures showed no intentions of attacking, Alex decided to try out his theory. Without hesitation, he expanded his domain and as he expected, the void creatures backed off.
The domain grew until it was approximately 100 km in radius. All five creatures came to a stop as soon as the domain expansion came to an end, standing right outside it.
'Let's try this as well…'
Alex extended his left hand towards one of the void creatures and attempted to exert his will to obliviate the creature. For a moment, the surrounding energies wrapped around the void creature to exert his will.
However, the void creature's figure subtly vibrated and the energies were quickly dispelled. He couldn't exert his will on the creature.
'As I thought…They're not like the others. Fighting them would have to be done the old-fashioned way— through physical contact.' This wasn't much of a problem. 'Unfortunately for them, my essence is the bane of their existence.'
A small smile graced his features. With how things had turned out, Alex and the void creatures could remain like this for all eternity and nothing would change.
They were literally in a sea of energy— running out simply wasn't possible. The only change that could happen was if the void creatures abandoned their desire to kill Alex or Alex took the initiative to leave.
'We can't have that…' Alex smiled mischievously. 'I want to test some things out. So no one will be leaving.'
Alex twirled his spear around and let it go. The light spear then dispelled into lights that fused with his domain. What he planned on doing didn't require a weapon.
He closed his eyes to take a moment to prepare himself. He was no longer in a suppressing domain and was at his full strength. However, this was his first time facing god-level void creatures.
As soon as Alex reopened his eyes, his domain shrunk and came to form a blazing aura around his body.
The void creatures wasted no time and practically teleported to him, their presence threatening to crush Alexander to oblivion.
With fingers pressed tightly together, forming a sharp, unified edge, the hand of the void creature that came face-to-face with Alex moved like a blade through the void.
It aimed to pierce through Alexander's head with deadly precision. Naturally, it wasn't going to be that easy.
Alex snicked and caught the hand with a resounding boom, easily dispelling the carried momentum. His aura took care of the other void creatures as he willed it to form arms that caught their strikes.
"Got you."
He only needed one of them. The rest he would handle later.
BOOM…!!!
His aura exploded once more, blasting the void creatures back — except one.