Lucian stood silently, his expression cold and calculating as he regarded the trembling creature before him. Zephyron's gaze was equally sharp, his eyes narrowing as he examined the pitiful beast, no longer screaming, but quietly whimpering. The air in the room felt heavy, a weight of fear and anticipation lingering in the chamber as both father and son waited for answers.
"Tell us," Lucian said, his voice as smooth and unyielding as steel, "everything you know about the universe and mana."
The creature's body shook at the command, its multiple eyes flicking between Lucian and Zeph, overwhelmed by the crushing presence of both. It knew there was no escape from this. With a trembling breath, it began speaking, its voice still quivering with fear.
"The universe… the gods call it 'Veria'," the creature began, its voice weak and hoarse from hours of pleading and agony. "It means… life. Veria is a living thing, full of life... teeming with countless beings and races. As its name implies, life in this universe is vast and endless."
Zeph's brows furrowed as he listened, intrigued. He had encountered many strange and powerful beings in his short time here, but the enormity of what the creature was describing was beyond even his comprehension. Veria—a universe named for life itself.
"There are… various kinds of Terran species," the creature continued, finding its voice, though still shaking. "They occupy different planets, different stars, spread across the vast expanse of Veria. There are those who can fly, others who live in water, or even in acids. Some thrive on land, while others live beneath the surface of their worlds."
Lucian's gaze sharpened, his mind processing the vast diversity of life in Veria, trying to piece together its significance. "Terran species," he muttered to himself, considering the idea of creatures similar to humans, yet shaped by their worlds in unimaginable ways. He had suspected as much, but this only confirmed the scope of it.
The creature hesitated for a moment, as though weighing its next words, but then it continued, its tone regretful. "I… I have even feasted on beings that look like you... on another planet."
Zeph's eyes darkened instantly, his face twisted in a glare that could burn through steel. The creature, realizing its mistake, recoiled in horror, visibly shrinking under Zeph's cold gaze. It hurried to correct itself, words spilling out in a rush.
"There are gods, monsters, and various beings who control the growth of populations," it stammered, desperate to change the subject. "The gods—they are always hungry for power, always scheming, always trying to get more people to worship them, to come under their influence."
Zeph's gaze didn't soften, but his curiosity flared once more. Gods—power-hungry beings that meddled with the lives of lesser creatures, manipulating them for their own gain. It reminded him of how he and Lucian had bent the wills of others to serve their purposes, but on a far grander, cosmic scale.
The creature's fear only deepened under their combined scrutiny, its voice growing more frantic. "I… I've never understood why they do that," it said quickly. "Why they don't just consume the people outright—eat them and leave their bones behind."
Lucian and Zeph's glares intensified, their silent fury like a crushing weight upon the creature's mind. It realized its mistake once again, shrinking in terror as it fumbled to appease them. "I-I mean, I don't know why they do what they do!" it stuttered. "I… I don't share their ways!"
The air between them felt colder as Lucian's mind worked through the implications of the creature's words. The gods, these beings of immense power, fed off worship and controlled the lives of the countless inhabitants of Veria. But if creatures like this one existed, creatures who preyed upon the gods, then what sort of balance held this universe together?
Lucian said nothing for a long moment, his piercing gaze studying the creature as though considering whether it was still useful. After a tense silence, he finally spoke. "And mana," he said, his voice low and dangerous, demanding more answers. "What is mana in this universe?"
The creature flinched but answered quickly, eager to please. "Mana… mana is the lifeblood of Veria," it whispered. "It flows through everything. It brings life and death. It makes the planets, the stars… and it created us."
Zeph's eyes widened slightly as the creature's words sunk in. Mana wasn't just a force to be harnessed. It was more than that—it was the essence of life itself, a fundamental part of the universe's existence. It shaped worlds, stars, and life. It was the very blood of creation.
The creature, sensing that it had said something of importance, continued. "Mana… it is in everything. The gods use it to shape the universe to their will. The planets are born from it. The stars burn because of it. And we… creatures like me, we are brought into existence by it. Without mana, there is no life."
Lucian's mind was already racing, the implications vast. If mana was the key to creation, then mastering it could mean far more than power—it could mean control over life itself. The creature's existence, the gods, the diverse forms of life in Veria—all of it was shaped by mana. And if Zeph's soul was a shining beacon of energy, then his connection to mana was far deeper than they had ever imagined.
Zeph turned his gaze back to the creature, his mind now buzzing with questions. "What else do you know of mana?" he asked, his tone sharp, demanding more.
The creature quivered, clearly overwhelmed. "I… I know it governs all life. The gods hoard it for their purposes. Beings like me… we take it from others to survive. Without mana, there is no existence. It flows through all things, even you." Its eyes darted toward Zeph, terrified.
Lucian exchanged a glance with Zeph, his calculating mind already piecing together what this meant. "So," he mused quietly, "the very foundation of this universe is mana. And those who control it… control everything."
Zeph nodded slowly, still processing the enormity of what they had learned. Mana, gods, and creatures of the cosmos—the universe of Veria was far more complex and dangerous than either of them had first thought.