Origin Ocean
With a sharp crack, the void tore open and lex stepped out of it. His gaze swept over the Origin Ocean, taking in its boundless expanse, unchanged and eternal, and without hesitation, he began to float towards the center of the Origin Ocean.
After a breath he arrived at the center of the Origin Ocean, he flicked his index finger and then.
Rumble!!
The ocean trembled as if struck by a massive earthquake. The shimmering waters parted, and at the heart of the Origin Ocean, an island slowly rose from the depths. It wasn't massive, but its surface area was about the size of planet Earth, forming steadily where the waters had split.
At the heart of this island stood a two-story building with smooth, modern looking building, a stark contrast to the ancient, chaotic energies surrounding it.
A lush garden sprawled behind the modern building, vibrant with cosmic herbs and rare plants. Some of these plants were impossible to find outside the ocean's surroundings; they didn't even exist in other parts of the universe due to their specific growth conditions.
Each plant thrived, their colors shifting subtly under the starry light of the origin ocean.
Lex slowly descended onto the island, and as he did, his body transformed. He regained his previous human appearance, but his temperament shifted drastically compared to how it had been in his former life.
His new physique was unremarkable and ordinary. His height and build were neither imposing nor fragile, reflecting the man he had once been.
Yet, subtle differences marked him now. His skin, though plain, seemed to radiate a faint, almost unnoticeable glow, as if the stars themselves whispered beneath its surface.
His eyes, once merely curious, now glowed with infinite depth; they looked as if galaxies were swirling within them, revealing the vastness of his knowledge and authority.
His posture, calm and grounded, exuded an aura of unshakable authority without any hint of arrogance, as if he embodied the universe itself, which he indeed did.
Even his hands, still roughened by the memory of mortal work, held a quiet strength, capable of shaping reality with a simple motion.
While his form echoed the simplicity of his past life, it now felt like a vessel too small for the immensity of his power.
He stepped into the building, his steps slow, faint traces of nostalgia flickered across his face. The memories of his mortal past brushed against his consciousness, but just as quickly as the emotion appeared, it vanished, buried beneath the vastness of his being, as though it had never existed.
He moved through the building's sleek, modern halls, his fingers grazing the smooth surfaces.
The simplicity of the structure reminded him of a time when life was unburdened by universal responsibility.
He walked into the garden, its vibrant cosmic herbs and rare plants swaying faintly as if greeting him. Lex knelt and studied a flower, its colors still shifting gently under the starry light.
His movements were slow, methodical, resembling those of a mortal deeply immersed in the small joys of life.
After exploring every corner of the island, Lex stood at the garden's center, his gaze thoughtful. He extended his hand, the air rippling around him as he whispered a silent order. The laws of the island flared to life, and they instantly bent to his will.
A ripple of unseen energy spread outward, altering the very fabric of the surrounding space.
From now on, anyone who set foot on this island would be stripped of their powers, reduced to a mortal state. It was not punishment but purpose—this place, Lex had decided, would be a sanctuary of humility.
No matter how great their strength, they would feel the fragility of existence, as Lex once had.
Satisfied, he turned back to the building, the ripple of laws fading into the tranquil hum of the Origin Ocean. The island, now shrouded in an invisible aura of serenity and vulnerability, reflected Lex's peaceful resolve.
...…
At the same time in the Divine realm.
A humanoid figure sat cross-legged in front of towering monolith, its surface reflecting faint, shifting patterns of space itself.
His expression changed between; deep contemplation, fleeting frustration, and moments of quiet satisfaction. Occasionally, he would rise, taking measured steps toward the monolith.
But no matter how hard he tried to walk, he couldn't take a step forward. From another perspective, he seemed as if he were rooted to the same spot, but he could sense the space around him stretching infinitely.
This figure was Vastoth, the primordial and the embodiment of spatial laws, he was immersed in a challenge he had embarked on for thousands of years.
The monolith stood as both a test and a reward, it was a physical manifestation of space's deepest cosmic truths. It radiated an aura that pushed even someone of Vastoth's caliber to his limits, demanding complete mastery before it would yield its secrets.
For thousands of years, Vastoth had been comprehending the monolith's mysteries, steadily closing the gap between himself and ultimate mastery.
Now, only 50 meters remained, a seemingly short distance, yet a chasm that could only be crossed with the final piece of understanding.
But the closer he came, the more the space around him; shifted, twisted, and resisted his progress, as if guarding the monolith's secrets with unwavering determination.
Sweat formed on his brow as he hesitated, his hands clenched at his sides. He was so close, the ultimate truths of space Law dancing on the edge of his comprehension.
The air around him shimmered, and the space itself seemed to buzz, awaiting his next step.
...
Meanwhile, Vyrinox soared through, dense, shifting clouds, his serpentine form cutting through the mist with ease. His body bore the marks of a recent battle, deep scars that glowed faintly as his natural energy worked to heal them.
He clenched his scaled fists, his eyes glaring with anger as he muttered, "Damn Timorath… next time! Next time will be different."
The memory of their clash still burned in his mind, a fight over the so-called "BlessedLand," a rare location where the laws of the universe could be felt and comprehended with exceptional clarity.
Vyrinox's thoughts churned with frustration as he flew, replaying the battle constantly in his mind.
"Before the Celestial Mandate, none of this would have happened," he thought bitterly. "DAMN, the Celestial Mandate."
Before its existence, comprehending the laws had been as natural to them as breathing, it was so effortless and instinctive. But now, the Mandate had imposed restrictions, slowing their ability to master the laws.
While they could still comprehend them, it took far longer, requiring effort that many of the primordials had never experienced before.
This made places like the "Blessed Land" invaluable. In such locations, the laws were so abundant and clear that comprehension became faster than even the time before the Mandate.
However, these lands were extraordinarily rare, scattered across the Divine Realm. Their rarity had turned them into coveted prizes, igniting fierce competition among the primordials.
Battles for control of these lands were now a common occurrence, leaving even powerful beings like Vyrinox with battle scars and simmering grudges.
Vyrinox's frustration deepened as he contemplated the vastness of the Divine Realm itself. The realm was so expansive that traversing it was a monumental challenge even for someone of his power.
The restrictions imposed by the CelestialMandate only worsened the situation. Tearing through space within the Divine Realm was almost impossible now without an extraordinary mastery of spatial laws or immense strength.
And to gain that strength, one needed time, effort, and mastery over laws, a cruel paradox that left many of the primordials seething.
His thoughts turned darker as he pondered on the origins of the Celestial Mandate. Many primordials resented the Mandate, their frustrations growing with every perceived limitation they stumbled upon.
Vyrinox, however, felt his resentment go further. Hidden deep within his heart, buried under layers of pride and fear, was a bitterness directed not just at the Mandate but at Lex himself. Though he would never dare voice it aloud, the resentment lingered, festering quietly. "Why would the creator limit his first creation like this?" That is the thought he had about Lex.
Vyrinox flew forward in an unknown direction, his scars aching and his mind restless, he resolved to return to the BlessedLand. Next time, he thought, things would be different.
Next time, he would claim it, no matter the cost, well unless the cost is death, he is not foolish enough to actively seek death.
As Vyrinox muttered curses under his breath, he suddenly felt the unmistakable twisting and bending of space around him.
He froze mid-flight, his serpentine form shimmering as he instinctively transformed into his humanoid shape. His serpentine eyes glimmered as he focused on the distorted space, perceiving the phenomena with startling clarity.
His mind raced, piecing the indications together. "Blessedland…" he muttered, his lips curling into an eager grin. "An undiscovered blessed land."
Excitement lit up his face as the realization took hold. His resentment from moments ago was replaced with a surge of expectation.
Without hesitation, he moved toward a towering mountain where the concentrated space phenomena swirled like a chaotic vortex.
Every step closer filled him with both thrill and caution. If this truly was a blessed land, it could mean unimaginable opportunity…or fierce competition.