### Chapter XVII: The Messenger of the Divine

Raelen sat alone, the quietude of Alyssa’s realm easing the ancient tensions within him. But as he gazed over the tranquil landscape, a faint stirring deep within his consciousness alerted him to a presence. It was subtle yet undeniable, like a whisper carried on the wind from another world. He stood, focusing his mind, and felt the air begin to shift. The fabric of reality trembled as something emerged from beyond the veil of existence itself.

From the stillness, a figure coalesced, draped in robes of deep indigo that seemed woven from the night sky. Her eyes shone with a luminescence that defied mortal comprehension, casting an ethereal glow. As she stepped forward, her presence alone caused the world around her to hum with a quiet, cosmic energy. Raelen instantly recognized that she was no ordinary visitor; she was something far beyond even the most powerful mortal he had ever encountered.

“Raelen,” she spoke, her voice soft yet resonant, echoing with an authority that made the earth beneath them quiver. “I am Asha, an avatar of She Who Rules the Celestial Veil, the Outer Goddess of the Multiverse.”

Raelen studied her, his expression guarded yet curious. “Why have you come here?”

Asha’s gaze held his firmly. “I am here to fulfill my purpose—to guide you to a truth that even you, in all your wisdom, have not yet fully grasped. The powers that stir within you, Raelen, are not born of mere chance. They are the legacy of a bloodline whose origins are as ancient as creation itself.”

She extended a hand, inviting him to sit beside her. Reluctantly, he complied, his gaze never wavering from her radiant form.

“You carry the blood of the First, Raelen,” she explained, her tone reverent yet intense. “Your lineage traces back to an age when the multiverse was still in its infancy. The Outer Gods, of whom my mistress is one, forged reality itself, setting the stars in motion and binding time to its eternal march. The multiverse we know—the countless realms and worlds—is but a fraction of what they govern.”

Raelen’s brow furrowed. “So, you’re telling me that my power... is divine?”

“Not merely divine,” she replied, her eyes narrowing. “It is primordial. In each of the Outer Gods’ domains, there exists a hierarchy, a structure as vast as the cosmos itself. At the peak are the Primordials, powerful beings closest to the Outer Gods themselves. They rule over the divine realms, second only to the Outer Gods in power. Beneath them are the Celestials, and then the Demigods—the least in rank but still forces of unimaginable might.”

Asha’s gaze sharpened as she spoke. “The Outer Gods each govern their own multiverses, weaving order into the chaos. They created subordinates to maintain balance, to prevent one universe from spilling into another. My mistress, the one who saved you, is one of the three Great Outer Gods. But her dominion has been under siege.”

Raelen’s eyes narrowed, his hand unconsciously tightening around his staff. “You mean an invasion?”

Asha nodded gravely. “Yes. Her own kin—her brothers, two other Outer Gods who control separate multiverses—have long coveted her realm. They see her universe as fertile ground for their expansion, a place where their influence could spread unchecked. They nearly tore her dominion asunder once before, and now, they have resumed their war. They’ve sent their servants—Demigods, creatures who can destroy worlds effortlessly—to prepare the way for a full-scale invasion.”

Raelen’s heart thundered at her words, a mixture of anger and newfound resolve swelling within him. “Then why was I spared? Why would she risk saving a mortal like me?”

Asha’s gaze softened, her expression one of profound empathy. “Because she saw in you the potential for power unmatched by any mortal, perhaps even a power that could rival the Primordials. Your bloodline is unique, born of a forgotten age. Its origins lie in the earliest spark of creation, and it possesses a limitless potential that even the Outer Gods cannot fully understand. By saving you, she was taking a gamble—one that could ensure the protection of her realm, her people, and her purpose.”

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She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper, as if sharing a closely guarded secret. “The Outer Goddess believes that your power, if awakened, could turn the tide in this war. That is why I am here—to help you understand the depths of your potential and to awaken that which lies dormant within you.”

Raelen looked away, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The weight of Asha’s words settled over him like a shroud. He had always known that his powers were extraordinary, even feared. But to learn that his very existence was bound to a lineage as old as creation—that was a truth he could scarcely fathom.

“Tell me,” he said finally, his voice a low rumble. “What must I do?”

Asha’s expression softened, a glimmer of respect flickering in her gaze. “First, you must understand the nature of your powers. They are bound to the laws of existence, capable of both creation and destruction on a cosmic scale. But there is a technique, a form of attunement, that you must master to unlock these abilities fully.”

She closed her eyes, her form emanating a soft glow. “You must learn to connect with the essence of the universe itself, to feel the flow of time, space, and matter as one continuous stream. In this way, you will be able to reach beyond mere magic or force and tap into the primordial energies that define reality.”

Raelen nodded, the gravity of her words settling in. “And the invasion...?”

Asha’s gaze darkened. “The other Outer Gods have already sent emissaries to various planets within this multiverse. They are biding their time, testing the strength of each world. They seek to undermine your mistress’s influence, slowly eroding her power until they are prepared to strike.”

She paused, her gaze sharpening. “Soon, one of those emissaries, a Demigod, will arrive on this world. He will be the first to test the strength of this realm, to measure its resistance. If he succeeds, others will follow. And once the Primordials are unleashed, even your might would struggle to stop them.”

A surge of determination coursed through Raelen’s veins. “Then I will not allow them to succeed. I’ll master these powers. I’ll become the force they fear.”

Asha placed a hand on his shoulder, her gaze steady. “You must remember, Raelen, that power alone will not be enough. The Demigods are cunning, relentless. They will stop at nothing to see your world fall. But with your strength, your knowledge, and the gifts you have yet to awaken, you may stand a chance.”

Raelen closed his eyes, centering himself as he began to reach out, feeling for the dormant power that Asha spoke of. He could sense it now—a pulsing, endless reservoir deep within him, bound to the very fabric of his being. It was the essence of creation itself, the power that had shaped worlds, held the stars in their orbits, and defined the flow of time.

He opened his eyes, meeting Asha’s gaze with newfound resolve. “Teach me, then. Show me the path.”

Asha nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips. “Then let us begin. I will guide you, but the journey itself is yours to undertake. You must learn to listen to the currents of the universe, to feel the rhythm of existence. Only then will you be able to wield the power of your bloodline without fear.”

---

Days turned into weeks as Asha trained Raelen, guiding him through the meditations and attunements necessary to unlock his latent abilities. She taught him to read the signs of cosmic forces, to feel the heartbeat of the multiverse pulsing beneath his feet. He learned to focus his mind, drawing energy not only from his own reserves but from the vast, untapped potential of reality itself.

In time, Raelen began to wield new powers—abilities that transcended magic and touched upon the essence of creation itself. He could feel himself becoming something greater than mortal, ascending to a state that surpassed even the most powerful mages of legend. And as he grew stronger, he could feel the presence of his enemies looming ever closer.

One evening, as Raelen completed another intense attunement, Asha approached him, her expression grave. “It is time,” she said, her voice filled with quiet urgency. “The Demigod has arrived. He will test the strength of this world, and if he finds it wanting, he will bring ruin upon everything you hold dear.”

Raelen rose, his expression steely with determination. “Then let him come. I will show him the power of my bloodline—the power that cannot be extinguished.”

Asha placed a hand over her heart, bowing her head. “Remember, Raelen, this is but the beginning. The Demigod is merely a harbinger. If you defeat him, others will come. And when the Outer Gods themselves take notice, they will send their most fearsome warriors.”

Raelen nodded, feeling the weight of his destiny settle upon him once more. “I am ready. Let them come. For I am Raelen, and I will stand as this world’s protector.”

With Asha’s guidance, Raelen prepared himself for the coming battle.