The array develops a crack at the center, yet my eyes remain on the fox.

  Another minute goes by of showing it that I can bear its gaze. If this is a test, I am determined to pass so I can go home.

  Even if I tell Xing'er to flee, she wouldn't get far before she is struck dead.

  Compared to the being in front of us, Xing'er is like an egg facing a chicken.

  What I am sure of is that this fox god does not intend to kill us. At least not yet.

  If it wanted to, the previous attack would have had more power.

  The fox takes a single step in the air, creating a wave of wind that blows in all directions, fully shattering the array shield.

  Xing'er groans flinching from the pain that has come with a broken array.

  "'Hold on Xing'er. I'll reward you with anything you want when we leave this world.'"

  "'O...okay.'"

  If I had my techniques, I'd have stood a chance. Not a winning one, but I'd survive long enough to distract it so that Xing'er can flee.

  The fox steps even closer, this time, it does not release its energy, confusing me even further. It goes its mouth, and for a moment, I embrace myself, bidding my shortlived second life goodbye.

  If a blast comes from it, we will be obliterated without even ashes to scatter.

  But to my greatest surprise, a small golden ball of light leaves its mouth to float in our direction at a slow pace.

  The ball comes closer to us before stopping above Xing'er's head which is within my reach.

  Even more confused, I dare to speak. "What do you want?"

  It raises its large paw and brings it above me. 'Does it want to kill me for speaking? I should prepare for-' My endless thoughts are interrupted by the sudden vision that fills my mind.

  I hear and see flashes of lightning spread across the whole sky, darkening the world beneath it. Thunder rumbles in the distance like wounded lions, welcoming the bolts of lightning that fall upon the land like hail.

  It strikes everything in its path, from trees to animals, killing everything.

  Death spreads out. Beasts try to flee. Others attempt to fight back. But the lightning bolts are too powerful for any of them to resist. I catch sight of large beasts as the phoenixes flying through the sky trying to shield the weaker animals from the lightning. But they only receive fiercer bolts that tear through their wings and split open their bodies.

  The chaos that is now crawling in the air as these beasts fight to survive pierces my heart.

  I feel as if I'm watching demons suffer against an invisible enemy.

  In the vision, I see this nine-tailed fox sending blasts of energy towards the sky. It manages to cut through the dark clouds, lessening the lightning that is busy killing its kind.

  For a moment, it looks as if the fox might win. The air settles and the lightning fully stops. But before the beasts can have a moment to breathe, a large hand appears. It covers the whole sky as if this world was merely a ball. With its might, it comes breaking through the ground, crushing the fox and everything in its path.

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  This marks the end of the vision.

  When I open my eyes again, I'm back to the present with tears trickling down my cheeks.

  I have just witnessed the destruction of a whole world. The being that has, or will, destroy this world is far more powerful than the fox or me.

  The fox takes back its paw and starts turning to leave.

  "Wait!"

  It stops.

  "Are you just going to wait for death? Can't you leave?"

  It diverts its gaze from me to look down below us. I follow its eyes, only to see many beasts quietly grazing in different open areas.

  The fox is trying to tell me that they are too many to just move, if moving was at all even possible.

  Angry, I grit my teeth. This feeling of helplessness is too bitter. I thought that being a god meant not having to deal with wars, but it seems as if being one is not enough. If a world can be destroyed so easily, then what should I do after uniting the third star?

  'Strength. I need to grow stronger to protect whatever I love. There are stronger beings than gods. Now that I have seen it, solving the hatred between humans and demons is merely enough. If a being more powerful than a god-king comes to destroy my world, how will I fight it?'

  "I understand." I lower my head slightly. "I will protect your child. When I become more powerful than your enemy, I will come back to help you. I just hope I won't be too late."

  The fox lowers its head in return as we come to an agreement.

  With its strength, if it wanted to leave, it would have. But since it is the protector of this world, it has responsibilities towards those under it. Sacrificing itself for them is an honorable death.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  With a barrier protecting us, Xing'er flies among the rocks floating in the space that encompasses all worlds.

  I have never been here, so the sight is quite new and thrilling.

  The deathly silence here is deafening. I cannot even hear the beating of my heart or Xing'er's movements as though the void is devouring everything.

  She continues maneuvering her way through the spatial rocks, some of which are larger than herself, with such precision.

  In the silence, I observe and feel the energies from different rocks before concluding that each and every rock here, at some point, belonged to a world.

  It can only mean that the small world will be among the many that have been destroyed.

  So, why do these beings destroy them?

  The beast world had no threat. So why kill innocent beasts just because they have the power to?

  'I have much to learn. I am grateful for this experience though. I can now prepare for the worst and grow much stronger than I ever thought I could.'

  "'Zhuren, look at that.'"

  Following Xing'er's line of sight, I spot a small out-of-shape rock that is clinging to a bigger one. Unlike the rest we have come across, this small one emits a strange aura.

  It is overflowing with this raw energy that I fear if I were to touch it, I might explode.

  "Can we take it with us without touching it?"

  "'I can store it in my limitless bracelet. You purchased it for storing things like this.'"

  She carefully separates the small rock by manipulating the energy around it. "'Look! I've done it!'" she beams cheerfully.

  I pat her mane. "Thank you, Xing'er."

  She chuckles storing it away, and then proceeds with our journey.

  Several weeks must have passed since we started this travel. We have passed many desolate worlds with no life. Not even a single plant. There has been much to learn. Much to see. Much to appreciate. And much to feel sad over because of the number of worlds I have seen destroyed.

  Thankfully, we didn't meet anyone on the way or it'd be so troublesome having to explain ourselves.

  According to the body's memories, there are soldiers who patrol the void, charging and arresting trespassers.

  Even though I am now a god, I still need permission to enter the third world. But because of the broken state of my body, the barrier around the third world does not react.

  Finally. I am back in my world.