"We can't leave her here, Sidus!" Ynos protested concern etched across his features.

Sidus, however, was resolute and pragmatic in his response, his tone unwavering. "Use your brain. What good are we to her? We can't even approach their fight! I'm not going to risk our lives by staying here; we are going to retreat."

Ynos clenched his teeth, torn between his desire to help their mother and the undeniable logic in Sidus's words. He reluctantly raised his head to peer at the sky where their mother waged an intense battle. He knew that his brother was right. The three of them were powerless spectators to a deadly conflict veiled by clouds, only punctuated by dazzling flashes of light and bursts of mana. Their presence offered no aid, only risking their safety.

Retreating inside the transparent shield protecting their mountain had at least spared them the immediate horrors of the external chaos. Yet, the world outside the shield painted a grim picture, akin to an apocalypse. Countless figures engaged in battle above, and distinguishing friend from foe was near impossible.

Their mother was fighting a horde of invaders and with their father gone, Grandfather nowhere to be seen, and Aether absent. The situation was growing increasingly dire.

"Damn it!" Ynos cursed, his frustration palpable.

Essie, their youngest sibling, spoke up with trepidation. "W-Where are we even supposed to go?"

The question hung in the air, and everyone turned their gaze to the sky and the tumultuous world around them, pondering the uncertain path ahead. Chaos reigned, and it seemed that no place remained safe.

After a protracted silence, Immy broke the deadlock with her suggestion. "How about we head to the mortal realm?"

"Mortal realm?" Sidus questioned, his disbelief apparent. "What are we even going to do there?"

Immy offered a measured explanation for her proposal. "Look around you. What is there to do here anymore? Nearly everyone's attention is focused here. They don't have much reason to pay attention to the mortal realm. We can lay low over there until things calm down."

Sidus hesitated, and it seemed as though he intended to contest the idea. Ultimately, he yielded to the soundness of Immy's plan. His gaze shifted to his siblings, observing their varied reactions. Essie appeared anxious, and Ynos sported a deep frown.

Breta's voice cut through the indecision, her tone assertive. "Sounds like the best chance we have."

Sidus sighed heavily, a realization of the gravity of their circumstances weighing on him. "So be it. We head to the mortal realm to lay low until everything calms down." He paused, shifting his gaze to Immy. "You lead the way."

Immy nodded, her expression resolute. "Okay, let's go!"

****

Leaving the mountain proved to be relatively straightforward, but traversing to the ocean presented an entirely different set of challenges. The ongoing clash between forces in the sky and on the land sent constant shockwaves rippling through their surroundings, hindering their progress and making it feel painfully slow.

Their journey was further complicated by the frequent appearance of Deities and Dragons. It was a daunting task to distinguish between friend and foe amid the chaos, but the group persevered through the uncertainty.

Sidus used his Darkness element to cloak them, although maintaining the cover amidst the elemental tumult was an arduous endeavor. Ynos took the lead, using his formidable dragon form to forcefully clear a path when needed, while Essie and the others provided support.

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"Behind!" Breta's voice rang out, alerting the group to a sudden threat. Sidus, acting swiftly, materialized behind a Deity that had launched an unexpected attack.

The Deity possessed a fearsome countenance with four arms and a demon-like visage. He did not speak, instead choosing to confront the group with swift aggression. As Sidus materialized behind the God, the Deity promptly sensed his presence and seized him by the throat with one of his powerful arms.

In a dramatic turn of events, Breta's spear, wielded with precision and determination, severed the Deity's arm, freeing Sidus from the menacing grip. Unfazed by his injury, the Deity immediately turned his attention to Breta.

Without hesitation, he rushed toward her, only to face another onslaught. Ynos, swift and mighty, lunged at the Deity, his jaws aimed for the God's neck. The Deity, perceiving the imminent threat, raised his three remaining arms in a desperate bid to shield himself. Ynos managed to tear two of the arms in the process, leaving the God wounded.

Breta did not hesitate either, her spear surged forward, impaling the Deity through the chest. Essie, taking swift action, harnessed her wind mana to target the Deity's neck. However, the determined God, with his remaining arm, managed to intercept the attack, resulting in a severe wound.

The Deity's demonic visage contorted with fury, his eyes blazing. Sensing imminent danger, Breta cried out a warning, prompting everyone to scatter.

"Dodge!"

A deafening explosion rocked the surroundings, uprooting the earth beneath them.

Despite the danger, the group showed no sign of relenting. Swiftly, they closed in on the God, their combined mana and divine powers suppressing his attempts to heal and regenerate.

It was then Sidus who struck the final blow, reappearing before the God and deftly using his tail to decapitate the formidable opponent.

"Come on, let's move! We can't afford to waste any more time!" Sidus urged, and the group pressed forward, determined to face the challenges that lay ahead.

****

In the beginning, the prevailing sensation was darkness. The inky abyss enveloped my existence, rendering me devoid of physical form or tactile perception. It was an unsettling state, hovering between the realms of life and death, a realm where the conventional senses held little relevance.

Yet, as I navigated the enigmatic boundaries of this ethereal state, something peculiar stirred within me. While I remained in a formless void, a connection with my surroundings endured, a connection defined not by touch or sight, but by an awareness of the cosmic forces that surrounded me.

I delved into this mysterious connection, focusing on the ever-present cosmic mana that swirled around my essence. As my focus deepened, the impenetrable darkness gradually yielded, replaced by something both wondrous and enigmatic.

At last, I began to discern the stars, each radiant point of light manifesting as a celestial jewel set against the cosmic tapestry of the universe. The stars were not mere dots of illumination; they were the beacons of distant worlds, the silent witnesses to countless cosmic dramas.

The vast expanse of space unfurled before me, its celestial wonders captivating my senses. It was as though I had transcended the confines of mortal existence and entered a realm where the laws and perception did not apply.

Yes, it was clear now. I found myself suspended in the boundless sea of the cosmos, a realm where the fabric of reality was woven from stardust and the echoes of distant supernovae reverberated through the timeless void.

'How did this happen?'