Exafanos erased the distance with nothing but his will. In an instant, he was already in the skies, right where Gordos and the other absolute existences were fighting a terrifying entity known as the Void Eternal.
Upon seeing Exafanos' arrival, a small smile formed on Gordos' face. He quickly approached, while the others were still busy launching relentless attacks against the Void Eternal. Yet it was clear—none of them could truly hurt the creature.
"Thank goodness you're here," Gordos said with a tone of relief.
Exafanos gave a slight nod. His gaze instantly locked onto the Void Eternal—a massive and intimidating figure.
"Where did that creature come from?" Exafanos asked.
Gordos looked at him seriously. "It appeared out of nowhere. Just like you, Exafanos. It wasn't created. It... was formed from the will of the void itself. Perhaps the void was disturbed by the existence of reality and the universe, causing its consciousness to awaken in order to rebalance everything."
Exafanos observed the Void Eternal cautiously. The entity had a humanoid shape, but its body was like an endless cluster of galaxies, stars, and spinning dimensions. As if the entire universe was trapped within its form. It was colossal—far beyond any imaginable scale—about a million times larger than the combined size of every sun in existence.
"Can you erase it?" Gordos asked, worried.
Exafanos fell silent for a moment before replying, "I'll try. But I can feel that the emptiness within it is absolute. If I erase it just like that, the balance of the universe could be disrupted. Because in essence… the balancer of everything is the void itself."
The Void Eternal, which had been absorbing reality, suddenly stopped. Its formless gaze turned directly toward Exafanos. It recognized that this newcomer was no ordinary existence.
Suddenly, the Void Eternal raised its hand. Instantly, the space around them was heavily distorted. Exafanos and the Void Eternal were now within a void—empty of light, sound, or form. All the other existences like Gordos, Ares, and the rest had vanished from sight. It was as if they had been moved to a different dimension.
"You... are an anomaly in this universe. Your power can erase anything. But why did you wander in that tiny world? That world of ants," the Void Eternal's voice echoed—not from a single point, but from the entirety of the void itself.
Exafanos looked at it, unfazed. "Because that's my will. And I don't need a reason to follow my will."
The Void Eternal was silent for a moment, then spoke again, "A being like you should be able to rule everything. Yet you surrender to personal desires that are... foolish. How about we work together? Let's erase all space, time, dimensions, and universes, and return everything to pure void."
"For what?" Exafanos replied briefly.
"To rebalance everything," said the Void Eternal. "All of reality—even beyond this multiverse—is too chaotic. I've tried patiently maintaining balance, but those wild existences keep destroying the order. They ruin, they fight, and they disturb the peace that should be preserved. Therefore, the void has decided to erase everything."
Exafanos sighed and looked around at the surrounding emptiness. "If everything vanishes and returns to the void... then what will the void do?"
The Void Eternal answered without hesitation, "I will merge once more with the vast emptiness. I will return to being part of the void."
Exafanos closed his eyes briefly. Then he opened them and spoke firmly, "I cannot agree to that. This universe is a beautiful work of art. Within it, there is life that respects, loves, and hates one another. There are stories, there is struggle. If all of that vanishes, then the void loses its meaning."
The Void Eternal fell silent. Exafanos' words echoed through the void. Until at last, it nodded slowly.
"You're right... The void and the universe need each other. Without reality, the void is nothing more than unnoticed emptiness."
"And if any existence threatens that balance, I will help you stop it," Exafanos promised.
The Void Eternal stared at him for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Very well. I will no longer absorb reality."
With a snap of its fingers, the surrounding reality returned to normal. They were back in the sky, in front of Gordos, Ares, and the other absolute existences.
Exafanos explained the agreement he had made with the Void Eternal to Gordos. The multiverse's creator nodded. "We will also help maintain order."
Suddenly, the massive body of the Void Eternal began to change. Light enveloped its colossal form. Its size shrank, and it started to take on a more humanoid shape.
From the cluster of galaxies and merging universes, emerged the figure of a stunningly beautiful woman. Her beauty was absolute—indescribable in words. Even the absolute existences were speechless as they beheld her.
Though she was a formless and boundless being, she chose the form of a woman. Not out of necessity, but because of her own will.
Gordos, Ares, and the other absolute existences were stunned. The figure who once threatened all of reality now stood as a gorgeous woman—full of dignity, power, and mystery.
...
To be continued...