They stood on the shore; the crashing waves were a reminder of the fateful encounter with King Aqua that had led to their current predicament. Lily couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia recalling the time when she had come to revive them. Yet their bodies were nowhere to be seen leaving her bewildered.
"Where are they?" she voiced her concern, her gaze scanning the vast expanse of the sea.
Eco, ever the wise companion offered a solution, "We need to venture underwater."
Lily groaned inwardly apprehensive about plunging into the depths. She turned to Will and Celestia hoping they had a means to survive beneath the waves. To her relief they nodded, indicating their ability to breathe underwater.
Taking a deep breath, they waded into the chilly waters sending a shiver down Lily's spine. However, as she descended below the surface an enchantment bestowed upon her as the Fish Slayer granted her respite from the biting cold. She chose not to rely on costly mermaid blood, opting for a different path.
The underwater world greeted them with an aura of mystery. The water veiled in darkness hid its secrets well. But Kenta emitted a radiant glow illuminating the path ahead.
After what seemed like an eternity they beheld a breathtaking sight—a majestic blue city with a towering white castle teeming with vibrant fish swimming in mesmerizing patterns. The entire city was a marvel crafted from corals casting an ethereal glow that bathed everything in otherworldly beauty.
Caught in awe and uncertainty Lily sought guidance.
Kenta spoke, "Place your hand upon the ocean floor."
Lily followed his instructions, her palm resting upon the soft sand. Tapping into her inner powers she activated Flow Master and Mother of Life invoking ancient forces that transcended mortal understanding.
Will be revived in 5 minutes.
As they ascended back to the surface their bodies breaking through the water's surface Celestia summoned gusts of wind drying their clothes with gentle breezes. With renewed determination they embarked on a flight towards Lily's residence, the domain of the Queen of Grasshoppers.
The lush forest greeted their arrival, but a peculiar absence struck them, there were no grasshoppers in sight. Kenta revealed that they might have returned to their own world a revelation that surprised Lily. In her world teeming with spirit flow they had made their home. Unlike the humans with their intricate systems, they were seen as monsters and upon realizing their son had been harmed they had withdrawn to their world seeking solace and healing.
"I merely grazed him with a fireball" Lily voiced her remorse her voice tinged with regret.
Kenta offered an explanation, "Your system possesses a destructive nature damaging anything it touches except for the formidable bosses lurking within the dungeons."
Lily's mind whirled with thoughts pondering the enigma of her powers.
How was it that her skills brought death to monsters yet those closest to her were not immune to the destructive influence of her system?
It was a conundrum that tested her resolve and sparked a quest for understanding.
With an inquisitive gaze she looked to Kenta and asked the pivotal question "How can we journey to their world and seek reconciliation?"
Kenta's smile radiated as he extended his right paw, a gesture that conjured a magnificent white portal before them. Suspended in the air it beckoned them to step forward and embark on a new adventure. Without hesitation they flew through the portal emerging on the other side into a breathtaking expanse of vibrant green. It was a world where everything seemed magnified in size and Lily couldn't help but feel like a mere speck in comparison. The dandelions now transformed into colossal puffballs towered several meters high evoking a sense of awe and wonder.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Lily's understanding deepened as Kenta explained, "In this world we must adhere to its natural rules to avoid being expelled."
Curiosity ignited within her, and she inquired, "How do we abide by those rules?"
Kenta's gaze shifted to a distance ahead where a myriad of dandelions floated along ethereal white paths resembling gentle wind currents.
"We travel using these dandelions and follow the winding streams of air." he replied guiding their attention to the aerial trails.
The sight of Arba gripping a dandelion instantly taking flight towards one of the paths prompted the rest to grab hold of their own airborne vessels. Lily grasped a dandelion and as it lifted off the ground, she soared in the same direction they had embarked upon.
Enveloped in the airborne journey Lily observed the enchanting world around her.
Gigantic insects dotted the sky, their wings glimmering in the azure expanse. Sunlight cascaded upon her warming her cheeks and filling her spirit with a sense of serenity and exhilaration.
After what felt like an eternity of wondrous flight they descended upon a vast flat grassy landscape. In the distance towering green hills commanded attention, their emerald peaks stretching towards the heavens. Tall blades of grass several meters high greeted them at the forefront, a testament to the residence of the Queen of Grasshoppers.
As they approached the majestic grass an imposing line of large grasshoppers materialized before them their collective gaze fixated on their arrival. Suddenly their eyes shifted to Kenta, and they humbly bowed in acknowledgment.
Kenta's voice resonated with assurance "She is approaching to offer her apologies."
Guided by the grasshoppers they ventured through the towering grass, their path leading them to the summit of the verdant hills. There seated regally was the grand figure of the Queen of Grasshoppers accompanied by a smaller grasshopper with closed eyes their connection unmistakable.
The grasshopper's gaze met Lily's and with grave importance it proclaimed,” Only you can save him."
Accepting the weight of the moment Lily nodded resolutely and approached the ailing grasshopper. Drawing upon her healing powers she poured her energy into the creature hoping beyond hope for a miraculous outcome. And then after a moment that held the entire world in suspense the grasshopper's eyes fluttered open a spark of life reigniting within.
"Mother what are you doing here?" he questioned his voice filled with both confusion and relief.
The queen turned her gaze towards Lily gratitude emanating from her every word. "Thank you for your invaluable aid" she expressed sincerely.
A pang of remorse coursed through Lily, and she wasted no time in expressing her heartfelt apology.
"I never intended for this to happen. I believed it was a mere scratch" she confessed her voice tinged with remorse for it was now evident that her actions had caused him to fall into a perilous state of unconsciousness.
With their mission complete they bid their farewells to the Queen of Grasshoppers and returned to their own world. Lily's gaze shifted to her quests and her eyes were drawn to one in particular, the Holy Grail.
"Bring the Holy Grail to Hephaestus" she read aloud a sense of urgency in her voice.
Curiosity ignited within her as she questioned, "Where does Hephaestus reside?"
The system promptly responded, "On Olympus."
A pang of unease tugged at Lily's heart.
If Hades and Poseidon had fallen into captivity, she feared that other Greek gods might have suffered the same fate.
"Is there anything else we need to retrieve?" she inquired, hoping for a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.
Kenta offered a solution, "If it is we can summon him instead."
They waited patiently and after a few moments a white portal materialized before them. Stepping out from the portal was a middle-aged man adorned with a beard and a disheveled cap atop his curly dark hair. His pale skin and dark eyes exuded a sense of wisdom and experience.
With reverence they bowed before him as Lily presented the Holy Grail. "I have come to deliver this from Pope Xystus." she declared.
Hephaestus nodded solemnly retrieving a black scroll and several other scrolls of varying colors.
He handed them to Lily explaining their purpose "The black scroll is for you and the others are for those you trust. You will need them very soon."
Grateful Lily accepted the scrolls and carefully stored them within her space ring.
Seeking confirmation, she asked, "And where is Zeus?"
Hephaestus shook his head, his expression heavy with concern.
"Wherever the others have ended up." he responded cryptically.
Once again, they bowed respectfully to Hephaestus as he stepped back into the portal which vanished promptly thereafter.
The following day Lily and her companions embarked on a relentless search for the missing man. They scoured every corner with unwavering determination, yet their efforts proved futile. It seemed as though he had either found sanctuary in a well-hidden place or had ascended to the heavens concealing himself alongside the deities.
To lift the spirits of her friends Lily distributed bracelets to Violet and the other girls who had participated in the beauty competition. As she explained the bracelet’s functions excitement and enthusiasm surged through their ranks.
Meanwhile the absence of Camelia and Fergus throughout the day did not come as a surprise to the rest of the group.