"The power of belief…"
Alex muttered thoughtfully, his eyes pinpointing the temples he could see from where they stood. He cunted more than a dozen of them just from this angle alone.
However, the one that caught their attention the most was the biggest one around: the temple of the Supreme One. Alex could see the distortion of space and perception around that temple. It made the Supreme One's temple visible from every direction in the city.
"Yes,"
Drakmor nodded, leading the group to one of the temples in their sight. They covered hundreds of meters with every step they took, shocking the pedestrians. Then again, it was the city for the awakened; it would be strange if powerful beings didn't come around once in a while.
"As a being progresses in the understanding of their innate laws, they eventually acquire the recognition of the universe to become the master of that concept. However, because different beings can share the same ability, someone else could reach the same heights."
"So they came up with the concept of belief?" Andrew asked curiously. "We've all heard of gods in our universes, right?" He turned to look at Alex, noticing him nod to his question.
"Indeed." The dragon acknowledged those words. "But all the gods you've ever heard about all come from Universe Prime. Even as isolated universes, we aren't completely isolated. The entire multiverse is an open system."
Alex and Andrew nodded; they knew this much.
Soon, the group arrived at one of the temples, looking up to take in its majestic appearance. Gleaming in golden radiance with an energy signature they all recognised as recognition of the universe (divinity), the temple provided a comforting environment for those who share similar laws to gain enlightenment.
In return, the people shared an imperceptible energy strand that moved towards the altar ahead and disappeared. Alex recognised those strands as the energy strands of belief that the people had for said god.
"Through trial and error, the very first of the gods found out that when a person has a certain level of faith in your power and what you stand for, they manifest a kind of energy from their existential framework." The dragon continued his explanation while Alex and Andrew observed the finer details of what was transpiring.
"This unique energy is replenishable and allows said god to have a stronger foothold in the concept they hold. So even if another being arrives with the same power, the possibility of surpassing them becomes impossible."
"So this can change depending on the region the god originates from," Alex added his observations. "If two different races separated by thousands of light years reach this concept, the one with the highest level of faith will have the seat of that concept."
"Exactly…" Drakmor turned to Alex, slightly surprised by his insights. "That's why these gods spread their influence all over the universe. And the more this influence spreads, the greater their authority."
"And because the multiverse is an open system, this influence reaches even those in other universes," Andrew added as well, not wanting to be left behind. "Good for them…" Though he felt a tinge of bitterness.
"Agreed." Alex nodded.
The dragon raised a brow. Looking at his apprentice, he immediately understood what made him bitter. With the kind of power this universe had, the beings of this universe barely suffered from the universal calamities.
"What about the Supreme One?" Alex turned to Drakmor. "He became the very first god and then a veilwalker. Why does he still have temples?"
"..."
Drakmor didn't immediately reply, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. He appeared as though he was having trouble deciding what to say. A second later, he opened his eyes, looked up and then replied.
"All inhabitants of this universe know the Supreme One was the very first being to become a god. As a primordial dragon — one of the many ancestors of all dragons — the Supreme One is still worshipped by the people.
"It has become something like a part of the people's lives. He became the godking, and as his influence spread, many attributes were added to his name until many myths of who he was came to life. Some people believe he is human, others believe he is a spirit, and many such concepts."
"Wait, wait, wait…"
Alex raised his hand, turning to face the dragon. This was information that was missing from the records he skimmed through. The origins of the Supreme One were completely erased, with only a few beings knowing exactly what he was.
However, hearing what the dragon was saying, some things were beginning to come to light. Born on Earth, there were records of the ancients who believed in a very powerful being. If what this dragon was telling him was right…
"You're telling me the god known as Almighty, All-knowing and the other 'Alls' is the Supreme One?!" Alex couldn't believe his own words.
"Yes," Drakmor replied with a soft smile. "The Supreme One is all that. He became a god, and his influence gave birth to these myths that have now become reality.
"But people outside this universe had a different interpretation of his power and nature, bringing about different stories and attributes to suit their purposes."
"..."
Alex remained wide-eyed for several seconds, his mind rapidly processing everything he had just heard. This was why there were so many inconsistencies in all these stories and myths. They all came from one being's influence and the belief people had in him.
'This is absurd!' Alex exclaimed inwardly. 'Just how broken is this guy to have such a level of faith from the people?!'
His perception of the Supreme One was that of a power-hungry veilwalker desiring the entire multiverse. And from the experience he had with the Supreme One's will at the time of his ascension, his impression of the godking was not very good.
But with so many beings having faith in his power, he realised he didn't truly know who this being was. There were just too many twisted views of who this Supreme One was.
'I have to see him for myself to truly understand who he is and what he stands for…' Alex thought seriously, clenching his fist in resolve.
The dragon noticed this behaviour, but revealed no expression. Inwardly, however, he was glad he was given the go-ahead to say what he did.
'The Supreme One is very exclusive, even to those close to him.' The dragon thought. 'But one thing is certain about him: He is very different from what the rest of the multiverse or even some of the gods think.
'Soon, Alexander… Very soon you'll see for yourself.'
"Let's move on," The dragon said, snapping Alex and Andrew out of their thoughts. "We still have a lot of things to see around the city."
"Y-Yeah."