Alex descended slowly until his feet touched the ground. The spatial pressure around him remained active, holding the three survivors from each race in place. They floated several meters above the surface, suspended like specimens awaiting examination.
He approached the first group, three dark creatures whose forms flickered between solid and ethereal states. Their immortal nature had been confirmed by his analysis, but that didn't mean they couldn't experience pain.
Alex extended his hand and wrapped spatial threads around one of them.
"I will ask once," Alex said. "How did you discover this planet's true nature?"
The dark creature's hollow eyes met his gaze. For a moment, defiance flickered across its distorted features. Then its body convulsed as the spatial pressure intensified, compressing its immortal form to the breaking point.
"I will not break," it hissed. "We cannot die."
