Michael was in no rush to fight the Primal. His body was still getting used to the changes, and it would probably take a while to finish everything.
Nonetheless, he told the Rebels to check the Beginning and observe the Primal. If the Primal split up, Michael would attack them, but not before that. Not now, at least.
He left the Will's home in the sky above the Origin Expanse and returned to his territory.
The energy permeating the Untamed Jungle was several times denser than it used to be as an Ancient Region. This didn't surprise Michael as the Origin Expanse's Pillar, the Expanse System, provided Michael with enough intel about everything revolving around the Origin Expanse. Michael was also fully aware of the things he could do with the Expanse System, the Expanse's Essence, and the Origin Expanse. If it was his plan to expel everyone from the Origin Expanse, Michael could do so. That was an easy task. He could also provide his Subordinates with enough Essence to return their Lord Powers. But Michael didn't do that. There was no need to return their Lord Powers. Not at this point, at least.
For now, taking care of the issues ahead was more important. He had to tell the God Curses what he'd learned.
[Talk to us!] Fenrir roared for the Xth time. The Beast God Curse had been tormenting Michael the moment he returned from the Will's office in the sky. He, just like Jormungandr and Hel, wanted to know what had happened.
[I'd appreciate some information as well. You are much stronger than you used to be. Our presence within you is only a fraction of what it used to be, yet it feels like we are growing stronger without doing anything. This Essence…]
"That's the Expanse's Essence. Just like many thought, the Expanse and the weave are two sides of the same coin. The Will ceased to exist. It dispersed shortly after transferring the Origin Expanse's ownership to me."
[That…sounds weird. Does that mean you've replaced the Will? You are the owner of the Origin Expanse now?]
"That's a fat yes to both questions. The Origin Expanse is in my grasp, and so is its Essence. Did you guys know that the Origin Expanse produces as much Essence as the weave?"
[No, but doesn't that mean you have access to far more Essence than all the Primal put together?] Jormungandr asked, to which Michael responded with a glimpse of the Essence that had been infused into his body, followed by his estimation of the Essence his body would consume as long as Godly Faith continued growing.
[Fight the Primal now!] Fenrir roared in excitement when Michael opened his memories to share everything that happened since they were separated by the Will. Apparently, six months had passed since his disappearance, and a few things had happened. News of the new ownership in the Origin Expanse spread far. The rumors spread like wildfire, and it was shocking, to say the least.
Not everyone was surprised about the turn of events, but the majority of Awakened was taken by surprise. Many Awakened didn't even know Michael. After all, he was a human from a faraway place. Almost no one from backwater galaxies and billions of galaxies spread across the cosmos didn't know him, but that was fine. Not everyone had to know Michael. There was no need for that.
Still, news spread like wildfire until they reached the Altors Union, the Thorn Merchandise, whatever remnants of the Supreme Human Alliance, and various other organizations who had considered going against Michael's words when it came to his decision about the Supreme Human Alliance.
They changed their mind quickly, unwilling to go against the new owner of the Origin Expanse. After all, they were still in need of the Origin Expanse. Many beings in the Core, inner region, and even medius zone of the universe could gain access to energy without the Origin Expanse. However, the weave produced less energy thas the Origin Expanse.
One reason for that was that the weave was unwilling to split as much Essences into origin energy as the Origin Expanse. It would much rather create new lifeforms and objects to expand with its Essences, which also included more galaxies, stellar systems, and planets. The Origin Expanse, on the other hand, had always been creating origin energy in the hope of creating powerful Awakened. Awakened powerful enough to solve the Will's problem. That wasn't necessary anymore, but Michael didn't see a reason to stop creating origin energy. He may not be in need of anymore energy, but the Expanse's Essence storage was filled to the brim. There was no reason to stop the Origin Expanse's way of working.
Breaking the system without any reasoning would be foolish. He didn't want to use the Expanse System too often either way, but he would access it if changes or his intervention were needed. Still, he hoped it wouldn't be necessary.
[Don't ignore me and fight the Primal!] Fenrir roared, but Michael clicked his tongue in annoyance as a response.
[There is no need to rush into anything. The Primal are still fighting each other, but it shouldn't take long before they find out about the things that happened in the Origin Expanse. I'm curious how they'll respond to the changes. Will they keep running away in the hope of escaping your iron-tight grasp?] Jormungandr commented
Michael shrugged. "I don't know. But what I know is that I can help you with something.]
[Help us?] Hel asked.
"Yep."
[With what do you want to help us? Our mission has been completed. We helped your soul expand, strengthened you, and installed our Divinities inside your Soul Sphere. I don't think we have anything else to do, especially given your newly acquired powers.] Hel pinpointed the obvious, but Michael only smiled.
"So, you guys want to stay inside me for the rest of your lives? I expected y'all to be more eager to leave my body."
[Leave your body… You mean…] Fenrir forgot about the fight with the Primal.
"Yes, I can break your seals and free you. I'm not sure what will happen with your Divinities because my Divinities are stronger than yours, but there shouldn't be a major issue. After all, I'm not connected to the weave. The Origin Expanse is equivalent to the weave."
[You're willing to do that?]
"Of course. So, how about it?"
[Yes!]
[I would appreciate that.]
[Since you no longer need us, that would be great.]