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I was drifting in space with Errai in front of me.
"You've been staring around ever since we left."
He said, drawing my attention.
"What can I say, this is my first time."
I replied honestly.
I couldn't tell where left or right was anymore, only that I was turning in a random direction at once. All around us, draped in the vast cosmic blanket called space, hung countless spherical structures.
Universes, he said. Each universe carries a spiralling glow, galaxies, some few, some innumerable, some none. Each galaxy has a planet where Stars live. This made me wonder just how many Stars are out there, in the vast cosmic realm we live in. Not to mention this is a mere Superworld and a Hyperworld is much bigger.
I shook my head, dismissing my thoughts, focusing on the food on my plate. The deeper I strained my eyes into that endless darkness, the more I saw radiant orbs upon orbs, universes scattered like seeds across the infinite space.
"It's big."
"You think so?"
He asked, coming to a halt.
"Why are we stopping?"
He didn't answer immediately and he gently placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Be calm. No matter what happens, don't freak out. Ok?"
"I...ok."
"Good. Now take a deep breath."
The moment I inhaled, the world moved.
The space began to fold and everything shrank at a terrifying pace. My vision spun, stars smeared into streaks. Then the truth slammed into me: it wasn't the world collapsing, it was us tearing away from it.
Before I could even exhale, we had broken through, and the Superworld dangled far below, no bigger than a universe.
"All of those were in there."
He pointed at the Superworld.
"And all of this was in here."
He gestured to the space around us.
I looked around and saw the same vast spheres as earlier, but these were different. A radiant veil wrapped around them, and their translucent shells revealed the universes within, the galaxies glimmering like fireflies inside crystal globes.
"We're living in a Nest and unfortunately, my Superworld isn't one of these."
"So, we were wasting time all this while?"
"No, I wanted you to see this scenery."
"No problem."
I switched into Etherium and saw all the Superworlds had countless thin threads form all around the sphere.
Each thread is linked to a higher and purer form of what it represents. Each Superworld has links connected to a single Major Concept.
(I don't know how else to put it but that's how it is.)
'Major Concepts, Archetypes.'
Major Concepts exist in the Nest. It servers as a container holding each reality.
"Are you ready?"
"For another leap?"
"Yes."
Without waiting for an answer, we drifted outside the Nest.
I've adapted to the pace and didn't experience any distorted vision. We ejected outside the Nest, and just like a Superworld, it was wrapped in a thin veil. It was transparent, and the Superworlds were all visible.
Other than that, the Nests hovered slightly above the endless white desert. We looked like ants beside one of the enormous structures.
"That one over there is mine."
He pointed toward it, but they all appeared identical.
I couldn't see what distinguished his from the rest. Perhaps there was something I was failing to perceive.
"Mine's not actually a Nest. It's a Hyperworld. If you look closely, it's not transparent."
I looked once again and said the structure wasn't within close range.
"How did you expect me to see that far from the beginning?"
"Hahaha, I know you'll find it."
He laughed jokingly as portal opened before us.
"It's a long walk so the portal is needed."
"You could've used it in the first place."
I stepped in and a cold breeze washed over me.
Before me is a city with a huge palace at its centre. We were on the edge of the city, the floor spread out leading to the city.
The landscape was ordinary, dotted with rocks and scattered trees like Earth.
Unlike Elyvra, this place had a sun, the first I'd seen in the Star Realm. It seemed white, yet its radiance defied any colour. All around, identical portals were fixed to the ground, waiting to be activated and we just emerge through one of thousands of them.
"Welcome to Phoros, the city where I live. Let's go."
He led the way, and I followed.
"Those portals are connected to various worlds and cities. Stars from other worlds too use them to get to me."
He explained as we made our way into the Phoros and I saw the Star civilisation from the outside world.
Stars of different sizes, shapes, clothing and Constellations I did not recognise were roaming around. Some had wings and were flying, going about their daily lives. Others were talking, entering and exiting buildings, and a small one was running about.
(Shapes? Yeah, not all Stars have humanoid forms.)
Just when I spotted them, they saw us and rushed towards us.
"Lord Cepheus."
The group of little ones approached us.
"Who's this person?"
"Is this your friend?"
Questions came flying all around. I was struck, my mind running on thoughts.
'They really are adorable.'
I admitted.
Innocent, cute little gods. I stretched out my arms and cupped her face, squishing her cheeks between my palms.
'So this is how it feels... I can do this all day.'
I couldn't resist the temptation.
"Ow..."
"Does it hurt?"
I asked, letting her go.
"Did I get it wrong?'
"No...everyone keeps doing that to me."
She pouted. Making that face only increases the urge. My fingers are twitching, I need to do something.
'Now I can see why Ela couldn't resist me.'
Instead of squishing her little cheeks, I creased her azure hair.
"You're just so cute."
"Hahah, Aya has always been the squishy one."
One of them laughed, pointing at her, Aya.
'Aya. That name...'
At the mention of Aya, she came to mind. My first friend...before I could think with my heart, the thought Aya wasn't Aya made me stop for a moment.
I can't be emotional towards someone with a mask.
"What's your name, mister?"
One of them hesitated, voice small and uncertain.
"Um… ah… Antares…"
I replied, my voice barely a whisper.
"You forgot to add your Constellation."
Errai whispered.
'Ah, right. Now I wonder if I should let the world know who I really am. The Paragons, my Constellation. Now that they've asked, I can't afford to lie to these little ones.'
I straightened, clearing my throat before answering.
"Antares of Scorpios."
I said, pulling out of a dramatic pose that just came to mind. They were staring at me with wide, almost comically cute eyes, like I'd just forgotten the most obvious thing in existence
The words hung there, settling like something real.
"Scorpios? That's a weird Constellation name. I've never heard of it."
The words came out with genuine curiosity, a hint of uncertainty. They exchanged glances, brows slightly raised, as if searching for meaning in something unfamiliar.
"Me either."
"It's an ancient Constellation from another place. So young Stars won't know about it."
I replied. Sensing their attempt to bridge the gap between understanding and ignorance, to make something foreign feel less distant.
"Oh, you're not from Elyvra?"
The question was tentative. Trying to place me somewhere familiar.
"I am…"
"Hey, is it appropriate to have lectures in your free time?"
Errai burst in, cutting through the moment.
"No."
They answered in unison.
"Good. How about you go and play and I'll have Antares come answer your questions when it's time, okay?"
"Yeah."
"See you later, Lord Cepheus and Mister Antares."
They waved and ran off.
"Young Stars. So full of energy."
"Yeah. When I was their age, I was locked up in the Palace with Ela. They're happy, I wish I had that life."
"Pre-five hundred is still among the Young Stars. It's still a Dwarf rank. But you my friend..."
"I'm different."
I finished it off.
"I can't be like them and I can't be like anyone. I'm starting to understand why Ton is lonely. As a Prodigy, no one in the room can match him so he'll be left behind even though he's ahead of them in several aspects."
"And you think you're like that?"
"I know I am like that."
"You know that but you can also reshape your future."
"Free will. Freedom."
"Yes. It's possible. Someone once taught me to follow my heart, and I replied that we didn't have one. Follow your feelings, she added, and I said we were gods, we didn't need them. Do you know what she said afterwards?"
"Beats me."
"Make one."
He replied shortly.
"Even though it'll be going against our nature?"
"Yes."
"That's so Ela-like."
"Unfortunately, Lady Elara wasn't the one. But Elara was the one who raised us. We're here."
After passing through the city, Cepheus's Palace stood all high and mighty, blessing the entirety of Phoros.
'Us? Does Errai once have a close friend?'
"I didn't know it was floating."
I said, gaze up to the palace.
The palace was suspended mid-air, threads of red light wrapping around it like an octopus. Several angels and Stars flew onto the Palace. I don't know if he saw it but those guys were chasing someone.
"Angels? Let's go."
One of the threads landed in front of us, and its true feature came into view. The threads formed a staircase made of red light.
Without wasting time, we stepped onto it. Despite the long climb it appeared to have, it took only two steps before we reached the surface of the Palace. It was strange—though the thread contained hundreds of stairs, we arrived instantly.
"Don't ask. I'm too lazy to climb."
He whispered.
Before the gleaming majestic Crystall Palace, the Angels and Stars were standing waiting for Errai.
"Sloth King..."
"I know. I'll take it from here."
He interrupted, walking past them.
"Alright then. Excuse us for now."
They turned and left as fast as they came.
"Let's go."
He invited me into his palace.
Unlike the exterior, the interior was made up of white tiles in all directions. Furniture, paintings, tables and chairs made of gold were fixed around the hall.
"Purity. I love this."
"I prefer white over crystals even though it's the Goddess's signature."
"Yeah. What was that earlier?"
I asked as we made our way into the grand Palace.
"The stairs, the Angels, what? Be specific."
"As king, you subjects ought to bow to you. It's general stuff both in the Star Realm and the human world."
""It is a law. I forbid such gestures. I created and govern Osterra and many other worlds, but that does not give me the right to make the Stars that spawn here my subjects.
I am merely their protector and the one maintaining the world. Trust me, if I had known the Supergods had so much to handle, I would not have awakened as one."
"Are you really that lazy?"
"More than you know. I have a lot of bots working for me, maintaining my worlds. All I do is sit…"
"There you are, Cepheus."
A voice called from behind. I recognised the presence immediately.
"What do you want, Fafnir?"
"Why the question? It's not as if I'm here to claim what you owe me."
"Which is nothing."
Errai replied, keeping his back to him. Fafnir continued speaking, ignoring my existence.
"I'm only making an example. Could you give us a moment, Lord Antares?"
His expression changed suddenly, replaced by a polite smile.
"I'll roam around for a bit."
"Make yourself at home."
Errai waved before I left. I could eavesdrop but it's not my thing so I left to explore the palace.
To be continued...