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ANTARES'S POV
Behold an otherworldly interior of the building. The walls, ceiling, floor and anything the eye catches is a pink crystal glow just like the door. From the door lies a descent hall, holding a dual staircase on the right and left, both leading to something mysterious below.
My eyes were sparkling pink, but I wasn't impressed by its nature because where I just left is far superior to what's here and probably what's down below.
"Come on."
She took the lead, and I followed.
From the staircase, they appear to be clouds down below, and something immediately came to mind.
'Clouds only exist outside. Does this mean..'
"Are we outside?"
"Nope. This is just part of my creation in the Palace."
She mentioned that we are living in a Palace, but this...clouds are supposed to be outside the building, not inside. What's going on?
I kept thinking about this weird thing, and gradually, we made our way through the clouds. It wasn't thick or obscuring, as I thought. It was clear from all angles, so it wasn't all blinding.
Right after the visibility was stabilising, the space below us started to clear, revealing the ground and structures in faint detail.
Then, without warning, a winged creature swooped past, cutting through the air before my eyes. I recoiled instinctively, heart skipping a beat, but I didn't run. Ela's here, she'll protect me.
She found it utterly amusing, her laughter ringing out light and clear, filling the space around us.
"This was to be expected, but don't worry, Anta chan. You're safe here."
She gave a gentle reassurance, her voice calm and steady, and we stepped forward together, leaving the cloudy atmosphere behind.
The staircase stretched endlessly before us, each step fading into the mist above, as if the path itself had no beginning or end.
This place reminded me of the realm beyond the pink crystal doors. Floors, halls, and buildings stretched in every direction, each with its own set of stairs, yet the spiral staircase we were on remained unbroken, endless.
As we descended, I noticed more winged creatures all around, going about their daily routines with effortless grace.
"Are they Stars too?"
I asked, pointing toward them.
"No. These are Angels."
She replied.
"Angels."
I repeated.
"They're part of my creation as well."
I turned fully, my eyes widening as they locked onto the first species I had ever truly seen, marveling at their ethereal forms.
They were varied in form, yet all wore flowing white robes and bore white wings. Some had halos or glowing orbs hovering above them, while others carried objects I couldn't begin to recognise.
The deeper we descended, the more angels appeared, filling the space with a quiet, otherworldly hum. I should have felt exhausted, but strangely, I didn't.
After a while, the endless spiral staircase finally came to an end.
"Every day, you go up and down at least twice a day?"
I asked, astonished.
She shook her head gently, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Can't you see I have wings?"
She pointed, and the bunch of white feathers spread out before contracting.
Each movement, a handful of pure white fathers was raining, and instead of littering the floor, it made it look more beautiful and highlighted that a winged Goddess was once there.
'She's so cool.'
I admired, eyes wide.
"I need one too."
I added eagerly, longing to be like her. She giggled softly at my excitement, the sound warm and gentle.
"Don't worry. With time, you'll make one. Now, let's go."
Beyond the stairs stretched a vast, empty expanse of crystal, its surface catching and refracting light in soft, dancing patterns.
In the distance, a single door awaited us, its presence both inviting and mysterious.
Unlike the previous door, this place wasn't crystal. It was made of a foreign translucent glass-like structure.
"As for the boring stairs, the Angels can ignore them by flying. However, from the clouds upwards, flying is prohibited."
"Why?"
"It's part of my Order."
"Order? What's that?"
"It might be a bit complicated for your little head right now. When you're older, I'll explain it properly. I'll also tell you about the Star Realm."
"Star Realm."
I repeated under my breath.
"That's where we live. It must be really big."
"Yes, it's big."
She said with a faint smile.
"So big that no mind can truly comprehend its size."
The doors opened without a sound, smooth and flawless, and we stepped through into another vast, translucent crystalline structure that shimmered softly around us.
Just like the preceding floor, it was flooding with angels, but unlike the previous space, the Angels here are getting younger.
"What does this mean?"
I asked, noticing the subtle change in theirappearance.
"The angels above are purely servants. They manage my Domain."
She said calmly.
"The ones here, however, have free will. They can choose what they do."
"O…ok."
We moved deeper into the translucent hall. One by one, the Angels we passed lowered their heads in quiet respect as we walked by, each bow directed at Ela.
Their movements were smooth and reverent, and I couldn't help but glance at her, realising just how important she truly was.
After a few turns deeper into the building, I spotted someone my size. An angel child was running about with a few others, their laughter echoing softly through the crystal halls.
Something stirred in me—an odd thump, like a heartbeat. Not that I had a heart. It was simply the closest way to describe what I felt.
"Who are they? They look like they're having fun."
I said, the excitement in my voice was impossible to hide.
It was the first time I'd seen beings my size, moving and playing so freely. Anyone would feel happy in that moment. I certainly did.
"Yes. This is where young Angels and young Stars stay for a time."
She explained.
"Most of them are taken here from their worlds to learn, to train… and to play while they grow."
It sounded pleasant enough, yet one word caught in my mind like a thorn.
'Taken.'
"What happened to 'free will'?"
The question slipped out before I could stop it. I watched the children run past us, laughing without a care, and for a moment the joy in the air felt… complicated.
"Sorry. You still don't understand how the system works."
She said gently.
"Unlike other species, Stars don't have families. No parents, no siblings, or any bonds like that. They appear in random places. I take in some of them, and the rest are cared for by the Supergods."
"Ah… I think I get it. It sounds like a long chain of things my tiny head can't handle."
I clutched my head and exaggerated a pained expression.
She laughed softly.
"How cute. It's a lot to take in, but someone will help you through it. Aya-chan, come here for a moment, will you?"
She called out to a nearby Angel, her voice calm and warm.
The girl—Aya—nodded and ran towards us. She was about my height, dressed in a white-and-gold gown that shimmered softly with each step. Her hair was short and snow-white, framing a pair of deep violet eyes that seemed far older than her face.
Behind her, wings unfurled in a delicate blend of iridescent hues—gold, white, and faint prismatic colours that caught the light like glass.
"Will you show Anta-chan around and explain the basics to him?"
Aya nodded immediately.
"You can count on me."
She said with quiet confidence.
"I'll come get you later. Have fun."
Ela gave a small wave before turning away, her presence fading into the vast crystalline hall.
I watched her go, expecting the familiar knot of awkwardness to settle in once we were alone. It didn't come.
Instead, there was a strange ease in the air—like this moment had already happened somewhere before, and I was simply stepping into it again.
To be continued...