'A neutral essence inviting my own to share intent…'
The unknown entity wanted to speak with him. That was… unexpected, if he was being honest.
That essence exuding from the entity was so much like that of the corruption, yet fundamentally different. This observation got him thinking.
Would other existences' essence feel vile and sinister to him, or was that simply what the entity's essence was? He quickly scrapped that hypothesis when he thought about the Omnisoul's essence.
Taking a careful look at the entity, Alexander found it challenging to describe it. It had no humanoid features. Moreover, the entity was not a solidified existence, but a formless mass of warping essence.
That made him extremely uneasy… especially with how ominous its essence felt. A shudder ran down his spine just thinking about the entity.
'Me and my growing ego. Why did I not just shut up and be grateful I got everything easy?'
Unlike the Omnisoul's fractured state, Alexander could tell that the entity before him was whole. Granted, he had no means of telling. But the fact that he felt extreme danger to his existence was very telling.
And as formless as the entity was, Alexander could feel the gaze of the entity on his existence, roaming and creeping.
Following the example of the formless entity, Alexander spread out a neutral form of his essence, devoid of any links that could be used to invade his existence.
The two neutral essences overlapped with each other, creating a rough and chaotic domain where they could share intent… or have a conversation. And for a few moments, no intentions were shared.
"Why are you here?"
The formless and dreadful entity asked, its intent sending ripples through the created domain. Alexander shuddered when the intent reached him.
'Such twisted intent!'
His guard was already raised to the absolute limit, his senses and eyes focused on every warp and twist on the formless entity's form.
"Why can't I be here?"
Alexander shot back, having no intent to simply reply. He needed to be careful about what he shared, as this was his first time interacting with an existence outside his familiar surroundings.
"..."
The entity did not immediately reply, seemingly mulling over Alexander's response. Since it was formless, there were no hints or signs of how the entity felt… if it felt at all.
"What happened to the reality that had been here before?"
The entity posed another question, promptly stirring Alexander's deductive reasoning.
Was the entity somehow connected to the Omnisoul? Was it something like a sibling to the Omnisoul? Was that why its core essence felt familiar to the Omnisoul?
'No… the corruption did not exist before. If anything, this entity feels like it shares a connection with Cthulhu. But that wouldn't make sense. Cthulhu had been part of the Omnisoul from the very beginning.'
It felt more like the entity was another reality whose guardian of destruction succeeded in absorbing and assimilating its heart.
'That can't be good…'
Many theories and suspicions flashed through his mind in no time, giving Alexander all the time he needed to think of a reply.
At the same time, he straightened his posture while he domineeringly held his spear behind him. He had to project strength, lest he be underestimated for being too cautious.
"Why do you care? You're not related to said reality, are you?"
Alexander once again shot back. Unfortunately for him, he still had no way of extracting information from the entity. Hopefully, the entity decided to be benevolent enough to share.
The absolute silence of nothingness was already bad enough, but when the entity remained silent for a few moments longer than before, Alexander became a bit worried.
He slightly shifted his feet, tightened the hold on his spear and got ready to respond the moment the formless entity tried something.
After what felt like an eternity of deafening silence, the mysterious and formless entity spoke again… and this time, it was not a question.
"That reality had been present just moments ago, only to disappear and you in its place."
As the entity spoke, the chaotic domain they had created began to twist and ripple, as though it was on the verge of collapse. Moreover, the ominous essence it emanated grew more potent… more foreboding.
"I don't know your origin, but you've crossed into matters you should have ignored…"
"I see…" Alexander coldly muttered, a dark expression marring his face. "You were… No. You are the entity responsible for plunging that reality into chaos, causing it untold death and destruction, aren't you?"
Dread was instantly replaced with indignation, the spear in his hand trembling. The formless entity might not have explicitly said so, but there was no need to.
Why else would it show interest in the Omnisoul? Why else would it sound displeased? Why else would it be here?!
Suddenly, the fist around his spear tightened even more, his destructive essence emanating from his existence. Angry could not begin to describe how he felt at this moment.
"W-Why…?"
His intent came out strained and uneven, barely containing the boiling rage within. He did not care what kind of existence it was, or what horrors went on in its existence; he only wanted to understand why.
The formless entity did not seem to react to his boiling rage, its ominous form warping and twisting as it had from the beginning. This only made him angrier.
"As an absolute, you should know… There is only one way to become stronger." The entity flatly replied. "And getting in the way of another absolute is not acceptable."
"Ah… so it boils down to getting stronger, huh."
Alexander laughed derisively, berating himself for not figuring out such a blatant and vicious law of existence.
"Turns out there are different grades to infinity." This he muttered to himself, conscious enough not to give his new status as an absolute away.
Alexander's eyes ignited with the essence of his existence as he looked at the formless entity, "Do you not consider what happens to the life forms that call that reality home?"
"Such a strange existence you are…" The formless entity muttered, sounding almost amused. "Why would you allow parasites to roam your existence, syphoning your essence for their worthless existence?"
Alexander was momentarily taken aback and snapped out of his blinding rage. Letting out a sigh that came out as misty essence, he posed another question. He might be angry, but information was still valuable to him.
This was a new stage, and he had to tread carefully.
"Wasn't the reality you're asking about carrying such worthless existences? Why would you sully your existence with them?" Alexander asked, feigning mockery.
"..."
Alexander remained guarded, hoping he had not blown his cover as a greenhorn. Fortunately for him, the formless entity responded after a moment of silence.
"There is no reason to follow what naturally formed realities do… All that matters is your own power."
'So that's what it is…'
Alexander swiftly grasped the entity's intent. The Omnisoul was a naturally formed existence… one that was born out of nothingness, while an existence like his was different.
'So what I did is not unique after all…'
Despite his thoughts, Alexander felt that there was more to that simplification; there had to be. After all, he only achieved his status as an absolute because the Omnisoul had been wounded — apparently by the entity before him.
'But this begs another question. If absorbing and assimilating realities was all it took to increase an absolute's power, why had it not done so? Why assist that abomination?'
Something was not adding up. There was still a lot he didn't know. But he could not afford to push further. Putting his convoluted thoughts aside, Alexander decided to end their conversation.
"So what now? You claim I stole your food, and I doubt you will be convinced otherwise."
"Indeed… Setting things up and waiting had been the most challenging aspect of my grand plans. But since you're here in its place, it's only right that you take its place. Devouring existences like yours is far more preferable than natural realities."
"Devouring my existence, huh." Alexander's radiant eyes flashed with murderous intent. "I'd like to see you try…"
Widening his stance, Alexander crouched as he prepared himself to fight another absolute, his spear trembling in anticipation. His essence flared around his body like raging flames, ready to respond to his needs.
But the formless entity did not move, seemingly staring at him as though it was considering its options. Well, it would have to think twice.
"You didn't devour that reality, did you?"
"What?"
Alexander was caught off guard, not expecting such a question. Why would that hold any significance?
"I have not sensed any trace of that reality's essence from you… "
"Why does that matter?" Alexander narrowed his eyes. "You'll get your answers should you win."
"Very well spoken…" The formless entity seemed pleased, the odd change in demeanour putting Alexander on edge. "But did you really think I wouldn't see you for what you are?!"
"!!"
"A natural reality disappears, and you emerge in its place? Such phenomena are sporadic but not impossible. And I must say… existences like yourself are a true delicacy!"
'Fuck me.'
________