Chapter Three: The Creator's Domain
Ethan stood amidst the celestial expanse, his gaze fixed on the planet he had come to think of as his first masterpiece. He had officially named it Primara, a fitting tribute to its fledgling inhabitants, the first sentient species he had ever created. The Primara species had progressed remarkably in a relatively short time. They were beginning to cooperate, innovate, and adapt to their environment, but Ethan knew their journey was just beginning.
Still, he couldn't spend all his time watching over them. He leaned back, stretching his arms as if releasing tension. The divine space he inhabited was beautiful but barren—a stretch of glowing platforms and infinite stars. It was tranquil, sure, but it lacked warmth, personality, or anything resembling a home.
Ethan opened the Almighty Creation System interface again, curious. Over the past days—or what passed for time here—new features had gradually unlocked, likely in response to his progress with Primara. A notification blinked at the top of the interface.
New Feature Unlocked: Creator's Domain
His eyebrows lifted. "Well, that's interesting," he said aloud.
He tapped the notification, and the interface unfolded into a sprawling set of options. The system described the Creator's Domain as a personal sanctuary—an isolated space where Ethan could customize his surroundings, store tools or resources, and even conduct experiments separate from the planets he created.
"Well, I guess even gods need a place to kick back," he muttered with a grin.
The interface guided him to a blank section of space and prompted him to begin. Unlike planet creation, this domain wasn't bound by rules of logic or natural order. It was his space, and he could design it however he pleased.
Ethan started with the basics: a large floating island surrounded by a shimmering golden sky, filled with shifting auroras and drifting stars. He sculpted towering trees with crystalline leaves that glowed faintly in the dim light. A clear, tranquil lake sat at the island's center, its waters so reflective they mirrored the cosmos above.
He added a modest dwelling near the lake—a cozy cottage made of smooth stone and polished wood, complete with a roaring fireplace and wide windows overlooking the expanse. It wasn't extravagant, but it felt…right. Familiar.
Once the domain was complete, Ethan stepped back and admired his work. A soft breeze rippled through the trees, and the gentle sound of water lapping against the shore filled the air. He smiled. "Not bad. This'll do nicely."
Ethan's rest didn't last long.
As he settled into the comfortable chair inside his cottage, the system chimed again, pulling his attention back to the interface. A new notification blinked:
New Planetary Slot Unlocked.
Additional System Features Unlocked: Species Creation (Advanced).
He sat upright, his curiosity piqued. "More planets, huh? Guess it's time to expand the family."
Selecting the new slot, Ethan was presented with another blank sphere—untouched, lifeless, and ready to be molded. He rubbed his hands together, his mind racing with ideas. Primara had been a temperate, Earth-like world, but now he wanted to experiment with something different.
He opened the Planetary Sculpting menu and adjusted the parameters, increasing the axial tilt to create harsher seasons and introducing volcanic hotspots to add dramatic terrain features. He placed towering mountain ranges that pierced the sky and vast deserts that stretched endlessly, their golden sands shimmering under twin suns. Oceans were scattered sparingly, creating isolated pockets of fertile land surrounded by harsh, unforgiving wilderness.
He named the planet Drakenwald, inspired by the harsh yet majestic landscape he had crafted. It would be a world of survival and perseverance, a place where only the strong and resourceful could thrive.
Next came the creation of its inhabitants. Ethan opened the Advanced Species Creation menu, which offered far more customization options than before. He could now design species with specialized adaptations, unique cultural tendencies, and even varying levels of intelligence or magical affinity.
"Alright, let's try something new," Ethan said, tapping into the genetic editor.
He envisioned a species that could thrive in Drakenwald's extremes—humanoids, but distinctly alien in appearance. Their skin was a dark, slate gray, resistant to the harsh sun and bitter cold. They had elongated limbs for climbing and navigating rough terrain, and their eyes glowed faintly, adapted for both bright sunlight and the darkness of volcanic caves.
Ethan decided to name them the Thraxxi. Unlike the Primara, who were generalists in their abilities, the Thraxxi would be specialists—masters of survival and endurance. He gave them sharp claws for self-defense, a heightened sense of smell for tracking prey, and a natural resilience to toxins and extreme temperatures.
When it came to their intelligence, Ethan opted for a cautious approach. He didn't want to create a species that advanced too quickly; instead, he focused on giving them a deep sense of community and cooperation. They would survive by working together, their society built on mutual reliance and respect for their harsh environment.
As he finalized the design, the system prompted him with a question:
Would you like to grant the Thraxxi a Systemic Gift?
Ethan paused, considering his options. The Primara had already received Basic Tool Proficiency, but for the Thraxxi, he wanted something different. He scrolled through the list of gifts, eventually settling on one labeled Elemental Affinity: Heat.
This gift would grant the Thraxxi an innate connection to heat and fire, allowing them to withstand searing temperatures and even manipulate small bursts of flame under extreme duress. It wasn't full-blown magic—more of an evolutionary quirk—but it would tie them closely to the volcanic nature of their home.
"Let's see what you do with that," Ethan murmured, confirming the selection.
A ripple of energy flowed toward Drakenwald, and Ethan watched as the first Thraxxi materialized on the surface. They emerged in a rugged mountain valley near a cluster of hot springs, their glowing eyes scanning the rocky terrain with cautious curiosity.
From the perspective of the Thraxxi, their world was one of fire and stone. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur, and the ground beneath their feet radiated warmth from the molten rivers that flowed beneath the surface. They moved in groups, their sharp claws gripping the jagged rocks as they navigated the treacherous terrain.
One of them, a female named Virek, crouched near a pool of bubbling water. Steam rose around her, and she reached out a hand, feeling the intense heat radiating from the spring. Her body didn't flinch; the warmth was comforting, familiar.
As she turned to rejoin her group, a low growl echoed through the valley. Her head snapped toward the sound, and her glowing eyes narrowed. In the distance, a shadow moved—a hulking predator with thick fur and massive tusks.
The Thraxxi froze, their bodies tense. They had no tools, no weapons—only their claws and their wits. Virek stepped forward, her gaze never leaving the beast as it prowled closer. She clenched her fists, and for the first time, a faint flicker of heat pulsed through her palms.
Ethan leaned closer to the interface, his breath catching as he watched Virek's confrontation. The Thraxxi's elemental affinity was beginning to manifest, though in its earliest, rawest form.
"This is going to be fun," Ethan said, his lips curving into a smile.
With two planets and two species under his watch, the vastness of his role as creator began to sink in. He had barely scratched the surface of what the Almighty Creation System could do, and already the possibilities felt endless.
For now, he would focus on the Primara and the Thraxxi, guiding them slowly and carefully. But as he glanced at the interface, he noticed another notification waiting for him.
Additional Planetary Slots Unlocking Soon.
Ethan's grin widened. "Looks like the family's about to get bigger."
He leaned back in his chair, the cosmic winds brushing softly against him as he began to imagine the worlds—and civilizations—that were yet to come.