The world continued to buzz with speculation about the mysterious anomaly Alex had caused.
Governments convened emergency meetings, and theories spread like wildfire. Yet, Alex remained indifferent to the chaos he'd unknowingly unleashed.
As the first rays of sunlight spilled into his Malibu villa, Alex stirred awake. Lily greeted him cheerfully in his mind.
[Good morning, Alex. Did you sleep well?]
"Good enough," Alex said, stretching as he rose from bed. "Although, I have no need for sleep, it's still good to keep myself from being human."
[You mentioned expanding Mín Heimr. Are you planning to explore another world today?]
Alex eyes sparkled. "That's the idea. I need a material strong enough to withstand the gravitational forces and radiation bursts from the black hole at the center. Something indestructible."
[To encase the black hole and build the floating mass around it? Clever,] Lily replied, her tone approving. [Synthesizing such a material on your own is possible, but without an existing concept, the process could take years of experimentation.]
"Exactly why I need to find a sample first. Analyzing something that already exists or gaining knowledge on how to create it will save time. Also, maybe I can gain more." Alex said.
The morning passed quietly as Alex scoured the internet, looking for inspiration or clues about worlds with advanced or magical metallurgy.
By the afternoon, he had made up his mind. With a flash of golden light, he vanished from his villa.
Alex materialized on a hill overlooking a town with peculiar houses built in the hills like a hole. Figures with small stature and big feet busy themselves on the farm and other chores.
For a moment, Alex marveled at the sight as Lily's voice sounded in his mind.
[Middle Earth? The shire?]
"Yes, I just imagined it as it was described on the book." Alex replied in a daze.
But his attention was drawn to a shift in the air, as he smiled knowingly. An imperceptible ripple of energy, a boundless presence had cast a gaze on him for a brief moment.
In a breathtaking realm that floated in the void. Enormous floating islands covered in emerald forests, interconnected by shimmering bridges of light.
Majestic creatures with beautiful feathers and scales, soared and galloped between the islands, their calls echoing throughout.
Elven palaces, carved from iridescent crystal, glittered in the soft glow. Below, a tranquil town bustled with life, its inhabitants, elegant elves busy about.
A being of pure energy stirred in a palace. Eru, observed the anomaly that had entered his domain. With a thought, he projected an avatar, a golden-haired elf child with glowing eyes, to confront the stranger.
Alex, who had been admiring the intricate details of the town, felt the presence approach from behind.
Turning, he found himself face-to-face with the elven boy, whose delicate features and otherworldly glow radiated immense power.
Before Alex could speak, Lily's voice sounded in his mind.
[That's the Universal Consciousness of this world, Eru.]
"It seems we're more noticeable than I expected," Alex said with a smile.
He bowed slightly and greeted the boy. "Hello, Your Excellency Eru. My name is Alex."
The elf studied him intently, his golden eyes filled with both curiosity and caution. "It seems you know of me, Your Excellency Alex," Eru replied, his tone polite but wary.
Alex chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Your Excellency Eru. I've not come to disrupt the order of your world. I seek knowledge in the essence of creation. While I wield great power, I lack your understanding of shaping worlds and life."
Eru's posture relaxed slightly, though the vigilance in his eyes remained. "What is it that you truly seek, Your Excellency Alex?"
Alex's expression grew serious. "I'm not certain yet. I'm traveling the multiverse to discover what I lack. For now, I wish to learn from your mastery of creation. Would you be willing to share your knowledge?"
Eru hesitated, a tense moment of silence enveloping them. Finally, he spoke. "If I grant you this knowledge, will you leave my world immediately?"
Alex smiled. "I give you my word I won't disturb your world. But may I observe its beauty for a few days before I go?"
Eru considered his words for a long moment. Finally, he raised a hand, summoning a glowing gem etched with intricate patterns. "This contains the knowledge you seek. Take it, and keep your word."
With a nod, Alex accepted the gem. "Thank you, Your Excellency. I'll uphold my promise."
Eru's avatar dissolved into shimmering golden particles, carried away by the wind.
As Alex held the gem, its energy resonated with his own, imparting the secrets of creation and world-shaping.
A sense of awe filled him as he realized the depth of knowledge it contained.
"Lily, this is going to be fascinating," Alex said, a grin spreading across his face.
[You've gained more than just knowledge today, Alex,] Lily replied.
Alex sat down to begin unraveling the vast knowledge in the gem, he witnessed the creation of a group of godlike beings, the Ainur, the one responsible of creating the whole world and its inhabitants.
He witnessed their creation of all things that was given life by Eru, he also witnessed the destruction of things, and wars caused by betrayal and manipulation.
Alex saw the past, the present and the future of this world arranged in a single canvas. How will he create his own? Alex's mind already racing with possibilities for Mín Heimr.