"Universe to Alex," Vexum waved a hand, then snapped his fingers in front of Alex's face.
Alex didn't react at first.
His thoughts had completely derailed after hearing what they just told him.
His mind blanked. It was too much all at once.
But then he blinked rapidly, shook his head, and slapped both his cheeks to bring himself back.
"Alright..." he muttered, taking a breath and trying to refocus, "When you say I'd beco the Sixth Creator… you an… what exactly?"
"Unlimited power, infinite control, reality-bending abilities, yadda yadda yadda," Maleth replied with a casual shrug, "You could rewrite planets themselves, heck, if you're bored, make Universal Descent V2, wouldn't that be sothing?"
Alex's expression imdiately darkened.
"Are you… planning to do that?"
His voice dropped, low and sharp.
His eyes scanned them one by one, and the weight of his gaze was enough to make even these beings, who stood above all life, pause for a mont.
The air thickened.
The room wasn't tense because of fear, Alex knew they were stronger than him by a wide margin, but there was sothing about the idea that unsettled him.
If they really could create another ga, another world, just like the one so many had suffered in…
That possibility alone made him consider what he'd have to do next.
If it ca down to it, he would stop them, no matter the cost.
"Relax," Vexum chuckled lightly, lifting his hands in mock surrender, "I'm more interested in sightseeing, honestly. The universes are vast, and I think I'll spend a good few centuries just exploring."
"h," Maleth yawned and stretched, "There's beautiful won scattered across every corner of existence now, might as well sample the goods while they're fresh, eh?"
"Do you ever think about anything other than that?" Octave sighed, clearly exasperated, "I'm more interested in finding a decent sparring partner. My knives haven't been challenged properly in ages."
Fwish! Slash!
A blade flew out of nowhere, sharp and fast, but Alex stepped aside effortlessly.
He didn't even flinch.
Octave grinned, pleased.
"That's what I like to see!"
Sylvaine smiled gently from where she stood, her presence calm and composed.
"I have a garden to tend to. There's beauty in the small things, I'd like to discover more of them."
As for Cael, he hadn't said a word, gaze distant and detached.
He didn't look bored exactly, just as if he already knew everything that would happen, and he was simply waiting for the rest to catch up.
"So," Vexum said again, this ti his tone more serious, "What do you think, Alex?"
"Will you join us? Beco one of us? Or are you going to return to your version of normal life?"
He tilted his head.
"Well… not that your life's ever been normal."
Alex closed his eyes.
The offer was tempting, ridiculously so.
He could rewrite the rules of the world, build or destroy anything with a re thought.
He'd be untouchable. Immortal. Beyond the reach of pain, fear, or loss.
But that kind of power ca with a cost.
If he accepted, he'd beco like them. Detached. Above it all.
Removed from the people he fought so hard to protect.
And maybe worst of all, he wouldn't be Alex anymore. Not truly.
Still, a dark curiosity crept into his thoughts, one that he didn't bother hiding.
"What's stopping ," he said slowly, opening his eyes and staring at them, "from accepting your offer, and then killing all five of you once I get that power?"
The reaction was instant.
Even Cael's indifferent eyes narrowed slightly.
There was no rage, no insult.
Just a subtle shift in the air, as if reality itself was listening in, waiting to see where this would go.
Vexum grinned.
"That's bold. But you just revealed your plan out loud. Not a great start."
"Yeah…" Alex exhaled through his nose, almost amused, "That's basically my answer, then."
He looked at each of them, expression firm.
"I'm already strong enough. I'll take care of the rest without becoming one of you."
It wasn't pride or arrogance that made him say it.
He simply didn't need more power. Not now.
Besides, despite their overwhelming strength, Alex didn't believe the Creators were truly evil.
Detached? Definitely.
Eccentric? Without question.
But sothing in his gut told him they wouldn't destroy everything for no reason.
Maybe that made him naive. Maybe it was a foolish gamble. But it was his choice.
"Well said," Maleth nodded, arms crossed, "If I had the option, I'd probably choose the sa. You've got guts, kid."
[You have refused the request to beco the Sixth Creator. Are you sure? This opportunity will not present itself again.]
[Yes] [No]
Alex didn't hesitate.
He selected [Yes].
[Very well.]
The ssage disappeared.
The realm around them remained quiet, serene.
"Alright then," Octave said, clapping his hands together, "Ti for the final topic, the Aftermath, right?"
"Exactly," Vexum said, straightening slightly, "As the only God left, Universal Descent and the 25 Worlds are now your responsibility. You're in full control."
"We've set up teleportation across all twenty-five worlds," Sylvaine added, raising her hand.
A soft pink crystal hovered above her palm, spinning slowly.
"Everyone can now connect and support each other. Universal Descent will remain accessible to all."
"Cri, war, death, it won't disappear," Maleth added, "It never does. But maybe now it'll be manageable. That's your job, kid."
"Are you satisfied?" Vexum asked, tilting his head with a knowing smile.
Alex looked at all of them, and then started to laugh.
A real laugh, genuine, unguarded.
His first in a very long ti.
"Yeah," he said, voice light for once, "That's enough for ."
The Creators smiled as well.
Even Cael, for the briefest mont, let a small smile tug at the corner of his lips before his expression returned to its usual calm.
"We'll send you back to the Fox Tribe Village," Vexum explained, "Figured that's where you'd want to go."
He stepped forward and gave a respectful bow.
The others ca to say their goodbyes.
"You're a God now," Maleth reminded him, grabbing Alex's two arms in a forceful handshake, "Which ans no more aging. Immortal, baby! You're stuck like this forever!"
Sylvaine gave him a warm hug.
"I hope to see the peaceful world you create. I truly an that."
Octave tossed a dozen knives at him, all gleaming with energy, Alex sidestepped every single one without effort.
"Perfect reaction," Octave grinned, "If the world goes soft, I'll be back for a duel."
Finally, Cael floated down from his throne and stood in front of him.
"Goodbye, friend," he said softly, offering his hand.
Alex shook it firmly.
He didn't know their full power or what they truly were, but maybe one day, he would.
Turning to leave, Alex paused.
"Before I go… can I co back here later?"
"Hm?" Maleth blinked, "What do you an?"
"Well," Alex said, glancing over his shoulder, "You all said you were going to explore the worlds, right? So that ans I can co back too, just to talk."
They all looked at each other, and then nodded.
"Of course," Vexum said, grinning, "Anyti."
All five of them snapped their fingers.
Fwish! Ding!
[You have appeared in the "Fox Tribe Village."]
Alex's boots touched the familiar ground of the village, and he didn't waste a single second.
He broke into a steady stride, heading toward Alera's house.
As he walked, voices called out around him.
"Oh my god, it's him!"
"Alex!
"He's here!"
"He did it!
"He actually fought those monsters and won!"
"I think I'm in love…"
"Don't be dumb, he's married to the queen!"
Alex smiled quietly, not stopping.
Their cheers and excitent filled the air, but his focus remained on one thing.
He reached the house. The door was unlocked. He stepped inside.
The mont he entered the living room, he saw them, five won, sitting together on the couch, chatting and laughing softly.
The light from the windows bathed them in gold.
Then they saw him.
Their expressions shifted in an instant, shock, relief, joy, and then all of them burst into tears.
Tears of happiness. Tears of reunion.
They rushed toward him all at once, wrapping their arms around him, sobbing against his chest, not caring about anything else.
And in that mont, Alex felt it.
Not power. Not glory. But sothing deeper.
This was ho. And he had finally made it back.
...
The end is very soon, only a few more chapters!
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