In the first ruler's eyes, the tablet had delivered the promised result after they respected all of its instructions.

While it wasn't the greatest outcome, he understood that if they managed to defeat both Asna and Felix, their celestial cores plus Felix's unigin cores would be more than enough to brute force the universe's heart to open up.

"We always had doubts if Asna's core will be enough, but two celestial cores are done deal." Amun-Ra smiled coldly.

"It will be enough, but Asna's awakening won't make it any easier for us." Medusa frowned.

She knew that the moment Asna awakened, her spiritual consciousness would surpass theirs. In addition, she might be able to tap into the invincible laws of creation and destruction.

She would be more of a hassle to deal with than Felix!

"The universe is a fair place." The first ruler said calmly, "The moment Asna awakens, all of her powers will come at a grave price."

The three rulers were also considered part of the universe's system and were under its protective rules.

Just like there were many things they couldn't do without getting punished, the first rulers were certain that the universe would limit Asna's powers if she tried to abuse them.

"Also, we still have that..." The first ruler narrowed his eyes icily, "Whether she awakens or not, whether they ally against us or not, their fate is sealed the moment they dare step inside the Eternal Kingdom."

Medusa and Amun-Ra understood immediately what he was talking about.

"Then, let's begin our preparations," Amun-Ra uttered coldly.

***

While the three rulers had kicked off their preparations for the upcoming war, knowing that only one side was going to emerge in one piece, Felix and Asna seemed to be spending their lives in ignorant bliss.

He told her about everything that occurred in her absence; the ascension, the fight with Ares, his ability to deconstruct celestial energy, and more.

She even met with Eris and Apollo at last...Knowing that they had saved Felix's life and were a great help for his journey, she decided to pardon them for what happened in the past.

If it was for any other reason, she wouldn't have bothered to give them a single moment of her day.

Of course, she didn't forget to tease Nimo after not meeting him for god knows how much time now.

Right now, both of them were supervising Apollo's mission of invading the matter universe with the dark creatures.

After Felix ascended with Ares' core and obtained his laws, there was no point in waiting until Apollo created enough dark creatures...One was more than enough.

"Here we go," Apollo said as he released the dark army into an already-prepared dimensional gap.

The dark creatures swam across and emerged inside the atomic world of a plant in the process of controlled evolution.

Amidst the cluttered landscape, Felix merely gazed at the dark army and his pupils started spinning clockwise.

With each spin, the dark army grew bigger and bigger. In no time, the dark army emerged from within the plant, covering it entirely like a virus!

"As expected, Ares' laws of infinity are so much better."

Apollo grinned in delight as he watched his army be welcomed to the matter universe for the first time after god knows how many attempts.

While his dark alter ego wanted this the most, Apollo was still affected by his obsession to make this dream a reality.

The moment the dark creatures appeared in the universe, Felix and the rest waited silently as they looked around them.

A few moments later, Apollo's grin widened. "Looks like we are golden."

"Good, it would have been annoying to manipulate the rules manually." Felix nodded.

While Apollo's alter ego seemed certain that the universe wouldn't interfere with his dark creatures if he brought them from the quantum realm, there wasn't any concrete proof.

"The universe has forbidden the birth of the dark creatures, but not their transportation from one dimension to another." Thor said, "It's quite weird, to be honest, you would expect the universe to be more thorough."

"It's not that bizarre." Lady Sphinx shook her head, "The universe limits plenty of imbalanced creatures from appearing in its main body and other realms. But, the quantum realm is a different story."

"It should have been impossible for any quantum native to ever step into the matter universe and cause actual damage to its structure."

"The dark creatures would have been the same without the many loopholes and walls needed to skip over to bring just one."

When she finished, everyone's eyes were on the blob of dark matter with its two crimson eyes peering everywhere.

It looked harmless and could be killed with just a touch, but every one of them knew that this creature could literally bring armageddon to the entire universe.

"Do your thing, I will visit you when you collect enough."

"Leave it to me."

Felix gave Apollo a head nod and took off with Asna, having no interest in continuing to supervise the project.

Apollo only needed to use the infinite dark matter and energy of the universe to reproduce the dark creatures. Then, choose deserted galaxies and other celestial cosmic entities for nourishment and growth.

In this manner, Felix would have a decent source of farming celestial energy besides the void realm, accelerating his preparations. But for now, his head was no longer on such things.

He was finally with Asna in the flesh and both of them could be said to be at the top of the universe with only three beings capable of halting their music.

Those three beings couldn't access the matter universe even if they tried.

In other words, this was no different than finally obtaining a part of the freedom they always desired.

Felix and Asna planned on making the best of it.

...

"Where do you wanna go?" Felix inquired with a gentle smile as he held Asna's hand.

"I don't care as long as it is with you." Asna smiled back.

"Alright then, let me assist you experience the true beauty of our universe."

Felix knew that ever since Asna was born, she hadn't traveled the universe once in the flesh. She spent her childhood in the eternal kingdom and sealed in the imprisonment grounds.

While she lived in the UVR for many years and tasted a high level of realism, it would never be as good as the real deal.

Thus, he planned on making it up to her and taking her everywhere, starting with uncharted worlds, each one more fascinating than the last.

They walked hand in hand on a planet with towering crystal forests and under the light of twin moons.

Felix playfully conjured tiny flames that danced around them, while Asna's laughter resounded like music in the crystal-clear atmosphere.

In another world, they explored an ancient city carved into the cliffs of a mountain range that stretched above the clouds.

The architecture might have been lost to time but it spoke of a forgotten civilization that once reached for the stars.

Together, they uncovered forgotten secrets, seemingly enjoying a playful game with each other on who could find out first the reason for the fall of the civilization.

Of course, Asna ended up winning as Felix was still stressed out by her tantrums.

Soon, they moved to the World Tree, the fairy's dimensional pocket, the hive's nest, and then to different realms, jumping from the spirit realm, the shadow realm, to the quantum realm, making sure to explore all of their mysteries as well.

Before long, their travels took them to the edge of the universe, where the light of distant stars began to fade into the unknown.

Felix created a small cozy house with its garden and sat with Asna on a swing. He wrapped an arm around Asna's waist, pulling her close while she rested her head on his shoulder.

In the silence of the void, they discovered peace in each other's presence, a fantasy for many, but only a few lucky ones could experience.

"This is it...This is everything I have ever wished for..." Asna cuddled in Felix's arms as she murmured with a gentle smile, "For this very moment, I don't mind giving up on everything."

Asna was imprisoned for twenty million years by the closest beings to her, a family one would say...Such betrayal had damaged her to no end, making one of her long-lost dreams to avenge her childhood.

Yet, such hatred, such trauma, in this very moment, she genuinely had no problems giving up on them just to continue living in peace with her beloved.

But, Felix thought otherwise.

"It's too soon to retire, Asna," Felix narrowed his eyes, "As long as three rulers are alive, as long as we don't find out the verity of this universe, we will be living in a state of insincere happiness."

"But most importantly," Felix said coldly, "The three rulers will never give up on reaching the other side. I have no interest in watching them do it."

As much as Asna enjoyed this moment, she knew that he was right. Still, she pouted in annoyance, "You sure know how to ruin a romantic moment."