Light.
At its most fundamental level, light was electromagnetic radiation traveling through space as both wave and particle. Photons carrying energy across the void, moving at speeds that conventional understanding deemed absolute.
But that was merely surface understanding.
Light was also information made visible. The ability to observe and perceive one’s surroundings through electromagnetic interaction. It revealed truths while creating shadows that concealed them. It could be gentle warmth or searing devastation depending on concentration.
And at the deepest level, light was simply energy...Mana manifesting as electromagnetic force.
Which meant it could be understood and superseded.
When it came to Light as a Way of Existence, Noah had already superseded this path through his connection with Lumivara. Through the spark of Mana she had consumed, through observing how Light connected to his fundamental Way, he had gained understanding that allowed him to exert influence over this Sovereignty.
This was why even though a terrifying Pre-THE Existence had appeared with murderous intent, he did not consider the situation catastrophic. His Way of Mana and Hunger could exert tremendous effect against Light, even if the enemy was extremely advanced in her Sovereignty.
So the moment Stellara erupted with her Way, Noah responded.
Tendrils of purple lightning exploded from his body, but he was not forming anything long-ranged or close-ranged. Instead, he manifested extremely compressed concentrations of The True Expression of The Sovereignty of Mana and Hunger contained inside a weapon of mass destruction.
The concept of a nuclear warhead, reimagined through his Way.
A radiant purple statue materialized between them and Stellara. The statue resembled a rotund version of Noah’s current form with an enormous belly pulsing with compressed authority. Its expression mixed devilish malevolence with benevolent serenity, like some corrupted entity containing obliteration within stillness.
The statue’s eyes opened as white light washed over it.
And then it detonated.
This time, Noah was not containing the damage. He would unleash devastation without restraint!
BOOOOOOM!
The explosion was apocalyptic in scale. A sphere of purple lightning-infused Mana expanded outward with violent force, fracturing reality around the epicenter. The shockwave propagated for light-years in every direction, distorting space and shattering matter.
The two sides were pushed violently apart. Mountains crumbled, ancient trees disintegrated, and the ground collapsed into nothingness.
Noah patted Lumivara’s fur with measured urgency as he spoke. "Run far and run fast. Do not look back."
...!
Lumivara’s body transformed into pure light as she activated her Way to its fullest extent. Her form became almost intangible, moving at speeds approaching theoretical maximum of the very idea speed!
She was light! She was speed!
WAA!
Behind them, Stellara emerged from the dissipating explosion with shock transforming into fury.
"You would flee from judgment?" she called out, her voice carrying weight that pressed against existence.
She began a pursuit with terrifying determination!
Her body became wreathed in white brilliance so intense it seemed to burn away the space around her. She launched forward with speed that would have overtaken any normal Light-path entity instantly.
But Lumivara was no longer normal.
"Master!" Lumivara said with controlled tension. "Her Sovereignty is too developed! I cannot..."
Noah remained calm, his hands glowing with concentrated Mana that he channeled directly into Lumivara’s existence.
"Your Light is no longer solely yours," he said with measured certainty. "It is amplified by Mana’s infinite reservoir. Draw on what I provide without reservation."
Lumivara felt the surge of power- a surge of an utterly glorious Way of Existence flooding through her and her speed increased dramatically. Her Way of Light became supercharged by Noah’s contribution, surpassing her absolute limits.
Behind them, Stellara roared with frustration as the distance refused to close!
She was a Pre-THE Existence chasing weaker entities that barely had ties to their Sovereignties! What the fuck was this?!
They crossed through a region of floating crystalline formations that refracted light in dizzying patterns. Lumivara wove through them with instinctive grace while Stellara smashed through them with brute force, creating explosions of shattered crystal.
"You are merely delaying the inevitable," Stellara roared with cold certainty. "I have dedicated my existence to purifying the Way of Light from those unworthy to walk it!"
HUUM!
Lumivara hesitated briefly before complying. If The Master commanded it, she would obey.


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