Chapter 12: The Call

"Primordials, heed my call, by my will, you are summoned. Assemble at the third layer of space. The hour has come to forge that which must be."

Lex's voice echoed throughout the universe, deep and resonant, carrying the weight of absolute authority.

The words reverberated in the core of every primordial. It was a call that could not be ignored, a summons imbued with purpose and absolute authority.

Vastoth, who was in the ninth layer of space, was deep in contemplation of the delicate intricacies of spatial law when the voice tore through his mind.

His colossal, whale-like form went still, and the rippling void around him froze for the first time in thousands of years.

He immediately moved his massive body, creating distortions in the surrounding void that stretched and twisted with his movement.There was no hesitation in Vastoth. The one who had given him his domain, the vast expanse to govern and study, had spoken.

"The third layer," he murmured, his deep voice blending with the eerie sound of the space. Without another thought, Vastoth began his journey, the void bending and folding as he traversed through it with a clear objective in mind.

Meanwhile, Timorath who finally found the river of time was abruptly Startled by the voice, his meticulous control of time faltered, and the steady flow of moments he had so carefully tamed began to tremble and disperse, rippling unnaturally as the voice shattered his contemplations. He frowned, his face evident with irritation.

Time itself whispered its secrets to him, yet even it could not predict why Lex chose this moment to call. Timorath felt the significance of the summons, but he did not depart immediately. "After eons of silence, why now?" he muttered, his voice tinged with anger.

He stood at the edge of the river of time, watching the fragmented paths of time ripple before him. "He summons us to the third layer? Very well. But I will arrive in my own time."

He stepped into one of the tributaries, and vanished into a swirl of gold and silver light, he moved with deliberate slowness toward the third layer.

Kismetor, who was perching on a fading star, stopped as he muttered " Am so bored, in this endless universe there is nothing to entertain me." With a sigh, he plunged his beak into the star, ripping free a chunk of molten energy and swallowing it lazily.

As he was savoring the taste, Lex voice came suddenly, booming through his mind, cutting through the monotony.

Kismetor froze, the light of the dying star reflecting in his restless eyes. "Creator," he said, a flicker of interest breaking through his boredom. "About time something happened."

He unfolded his radiant wings, and immediately left the dimming star behind, and flew toward the third layer with a chaotic energy rippling where he passed through. "Let's see what the Creator wants."

Eryndral stood over her star forge, the roar of fire and molten metal dimming as the voice filled her mind. "The Creator's voice." Her fiery eyes flared, and her molten body surged with energy.

There was no question, no doubt. If the Creator had spoken, it was not for her to hesitate or question. "The third layer," she said softly, the flames around her intensifying as if sharing her resolve.

Without a second thought, Eryndral stepped forward, leaving her forge to cool for the first time in eons. Her fiery form blazed brightly as she streaked toward the third layer, a comet of molten power cutting through the void.

In the cold expanse of the deepest void, Vyrinox uncoiled, his serpentine body stretching lazily.

"So, He returns," Vyrinox thought, his voice a quiet hiss in his own mind. "And here I thought He had forgotten us."

Unlike the others, Vyrinox did not rush. He slithered through the void, his movements graceful and slow. "If the Creator has waited eons to speak, he can wait a little longer for me to arrive," he murmured, a faint smirk curled through his thoughts.

The primordials moved, each in their own way, some cutting spatial tears through the void with brute force, others gliding effortlessly through its folds.

Some traveled alone, their thoughts silent and focused, while others briefly crossed paths, exchanging words before continuing. The vastness of space trembled under their power, and the layers between realms rippled as they converged, answering the Creator's call after eons of silence.

Lex, stationed at the third layer, sat upon a throne forged from pure Origin Energy. It radiated an overwhelming pressure, its mere presence dominating the vast hall of a palace unmatched in scale and strength.

Scattered around the vast space of the hall were seats forged from the rarest and most precious materials in the universe.

Each one bore elaborate designs, a testament to Lex's unparalleled craftsmanship. Though secondary to the throne, these seats radiated an unmistakable aura of significance.

Lex sat in silence upon the throne, his gaze fixed unwaveringly ahead. The aura surrounding him hummed softly with energy, poised and expectant for their arrival.

After minutes the first to arrive was Vastoth. As he approached the third layer, his large eyes caught sight of a grand palace.

Despite its grandeur, the palace seemed insignificant in comparison to the vastness of his body. He drifted closer, his every movement constantly warping the fabric of space around him.

As he neared the palace, his form began to transform abruptly. His body contracted and reformed, gradually taking on a humanoid shape. The transformation was abrupt, jarring, and disorienting.

Vastoth stumbled slightly in his new humanoid form, but he immediately stabilized himself, and his newly formed hands trembled. A chill ran down his spine, and sweat formed on his brow, an unfamiliar sensation for a being like him. The experience left him both awed and unsettled.

He moved forward, and stepped through the entrance of the palace. Inside, his gaze fell upon the scattered seats, each radiating a distinct energy.

Then he looked toward the other end of the spacious hall and he became speechless at the sight of Lex seated on the throne made of pure Origin Energy.

"What a powerful aura, even looking at him is hard." Vastoth thought.

Lex's gigantic form was surrounded by an almost imperceptible glow, the laws of the universe bending around him. The surroundings grew heavy under his calm command, as though reality yielded to his will.

What struck Vastoth most was Lex's gaze, serene, all-knowing, and also carrying an intensity that seemed to pierce through time and space itself.

For a fleeting moment, Vastoth, master of spatial law, felt so small… and so insignificant.

It wasn't only power he saw in Lex; it was the unshakable presence of a being who had not only created the universe but who understood and controlled it in ways he could never fathom.

It was awe-inspiring, but he controlled himself and he sat on a seat radiating spatial laws as he waited for the arrival of others.

The second to arrive was Eryndral. Her blazing, fiery form streaked across the void, illuminating the entrance of the palace as she descended.

As she neared the grand gate of the palace, her flames flickered and condensed, her form changing into that of a humanoid female figure engulfed in controlled fire.

The transformation left her slightly disoriented, but she quickly steadied herself and entered the grand hall.

Her gaze immediately locked onto the seats scattered across the hall, each radiating a unique energy crafted from the rarest materials in the universe.

The gleam of precious metals and gemstones awakened something primal within her—deep, insatiable greed.

Her molten lips parted slightly, but she instantly realized where she was; she became embarrassed that she was salivating at the sight of these rare metals.

Her instincts screamed caution, and the fear of overstepping curbed her impulses, though her greedy gaze lingered on the seats. She clenched her fists, trying to quell the temptation.

Vastoth, already seated and watching her, raised an eyebrow in disbelief. For a being of her stature and renown, to be so visibly swayed by greed in this sacred moment was baffling.

"Eryndral," he rumbled, his deep voice laced with astonishment, "Even here, in His presence, you let such base desires surface?"

Eryndral shot him a sharp glance, her fiery eyes flaring for a moment. "I am merely appreciating His work," she retorted, though the faint flicker of embarrassment in her flames betrayed her words.

Lex watched the scene unfold with quiet amusement, a faint smile playing on his lips, though it was concealed by the glowing mist that occasionally drifted across his face.

The mist, a deliberate creation, was there to enhance his grandeur, giving his presence an air of mystery and authority.

Eryndral, feeling the weight of the moment, approached one of the seats that radiated with the energy of fire laws. Her flames had dimmed slightly, as if mirroring her inner turmoil.

She sat gracefully, her expression respectful, though her mind churned with embarrassment. "I disgraced myself," she thought, the memory of her momentary greed burning brighter than her flames.

She cast a glance toward Lex, wondering if he had noticed. His glowing visage revealed nothing, yet she felt the silent weight of his amusement.

One by one, the other primordials arrived, their immense forms descending upon the third layer. Some of them came alone, their movements deliberate and silent, while others arrived in pairs or small groups, their presences rippling through the void as they neared the palace.

The transformation awaited them all. As they stepped closer, their vast, incomprehensible forms began to shift, condensing into humanoid shapes.

For many, the transformation was jarring, stripping them of the limitless power they had wielded for eons. Those who were prideful buried their arrogance deep within, forced to accept this moment of vulnerability.

Kismetor, whose chaotic energy flared in protest, grumbled as his vibrant bird-like form condensed into a humanoid figure with shimmering, feathered hair. "This form feels… strange," he muttered, casting a wary glance toward Lex.

His irritation dissipated when he caught sight of Lex's powerful throne, its overwhelming presence alone silencing his rebellion.

Timorath entered shortly after, his normally ethereal figure flickered as he adjusted to his newfound form. He said nothing, but the furrow of his brow betrayed his frustration at feeling momentarily powerless.

Vyrinox slithered into the hall alongside Umbryal, his serpentine body twisting and shrinking into a tall, humanoid figure with serpent-like features.

His eyes narrowed as he studied the palace. "He makes us lower ourselves," he hissed quietly to Umbryal, though he made no move to resist.

One by one, they took their seats, their expressions ranging from cautious respect to begrudging submission. The grand hall grew heavier with their presence, however none dared to meet Lex's gaze directly.

The glowing mist around his face moved with an almost playful rhythm, concealing the faint smile that lingered as he observed their reactions.