"You ready?" I asked the Ice dragoness as we left the cave she called home behind.

I could see the reluctance in her gaze as she looked back at it. Although she had been trapped here for a while, this place had been one she called home as well, and I was sure it wasn't easy to let that go.

"Yes, I am," she answered hesitantly.

"Are you sure you don't want to take anything back with you?" Immy asked, referring to the various sculptures left inside.

Lost nodded with a small and replied, "It's okay, they can serve as proof," she said.

Ynos, puzzled tilted his head and asked, "Proof?"

Lost nodded and continued, "Yes, proof that Lost was here… That I was here."

"Oh," His response was lackluster, but she didn't seem to mind.

"But they are so pretty!" Essie argued.

Lost chuckled at that and said, "It's okay, I can always make more!"

"That's the spirit," I nodded before turning toward the others, "Alright then, everyone stays close, let's go."

With that, our group now bigger by one, took off and made our way out of the planet. Our forms left behind a faint trail of mana as we went. I turned my gaze downwards one last time glancing at the large mountain, 'I wonder if I'll ever come back here.'

****

"Are you sure about this, brother," Sidus's solemn voice resounded in my mind.

"I'm sure we'll get there… eventually…" I answered, lacking any conviction.

"I doubt we are going the right way, isn't that the ruined planet we just passed by before?" He said.

"I-I'm sure she knows where we're going…" I replied, slowly losing whatever confidence I had left.

Breta who was flying to my left had a strange expression on her face as she glanced at the ruined planet we just passed. Even Essie and Immy seemed to notice the problem. The only one that didn't look like he cared was Ynos. He was flying alongside Lost in the lead with a bored look on his face.

"The Cosmic mana is not talking to you?" Immy suddenly asked as she joined in, pushing Sidus out of the way. He glared at her but didn't do anything.

"No… That's why we are just following her," I said.

"Someone is coming," Breta suddenly said.

All of us felt the presence she was talking about and turned to face the newcomer. Lost who was taking the lead slowed down as well, while little Essie quickly jumped on top of my head.

"A God?"

The figure approaching us was colossal. He appeared human, yet his immense size and the overwhelming divinity emanating from his being indicated his identity as a deity.

He towered over me, surpassing even my considerable size. I was the largest among us, yet he dwarfed me in comparison. I wondered if he might be as large as my grandfather.

Everyone tensed up, poised to react should he prove hostile. His face was concealed by a peculiar white mask, making it challenging to discern his features. There were no visible weapons on him, and he wore only a loose white robe.

It was then that Lost's aura suddenly flared. She pivoted towards the deity and streaked forward like a meteor. Before anyone could react, she reached him. I hesitated for a moment, about to teleport, but held back.

Sensing no imminent danger from him, I trusted my instincts and observed. Indeed, the deity appeared surprised by Lost's sudden approach. He lowered his colossal head to study her as she halted beside him. With a gentle gesture, he moved his finger and patted her head.

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The Ice Dragoness appeared jubilant, a wide grin spreading across her face. The two conversed for a while before she gestured towards us. The Deity nodded in response, waving us over.

"You know him?" I asked Breta.

She rolled her eyes and replied, "Why would I know him? Just because I'm a Goddess doesn't mean I know all of the other Deities."

"Whoah, okay, I was just asking," I answered.

"Do I go for his head?" Ynos asked.

"What? No! He looks like Lost's friend. Be nice, let's go."

It didn't take long before we were standing in front of the massive God. His large frame would have been intimidating once upon a time, now, however, It only looked like a bigger target.

"This is Zephyrion, he is my friend!" She says, introducing us to the masked deity.

He lowered his head and gave us a bow, "A pleasure to meet you, I'm Zephyrion, God of whispers and hidden truths."

We all returned the bow, and I took the lead to speak, "Pleasure to meet you, I'm Aether the Voidwalker, these are my siblings, Sidus, Immy, Essie, and my friend Breta."

Zephyrion nodded and replied, "I have heard of you. The Voidwalker, The Silent Shadow, The Wall, and The Golden Spear."

Hearing that, Sidus turned to look back at Immy with a smug expression on his face. She clicked her tongue and pretended not to see him.

"You have?" I answered, surprised. Did news of us travel all the way to the other side of the universe, I wondered.

"Your reputation precedes you," He said, pausing to look at Lost before continuing, "Though it's a blessing to see little Lost, safe and sound. Please follow me, I hear you were planning to visit Aynezh."

"Yes, thank you."

With that, the veiled Deity turned and flew the opposite way from where we were going. Sidus looked at me with a gaze that screamed, I told you so, but I tactfully chose to ignore it.

The journey was spent in silence. Lost was flying next to Zephyrion, and Ynos seemed to be in a bad mood because of that. Thankfully, it seemed like we weren't that far off Aynezh.

"Whoah, is that it?!" Essie's voice sounded in my mind.

"I guess it is," I answered.

"It's different!" She added and I couldn't help but agree.

Aynezh wasn't a planet, no it was a vast flat piece of land. Its size was enormous, but it was flat, akin to a board. In the middle of it was a tall pillar that pierced the sky and was faintly glowing with a multicolored light.

"Welcome to Aynezh," Zephyrion said as he led us to the strange plane.

Lost appeared exhilarated to return home, her aura pulsating as ice mana swirled around her, causing her scales to take on a frosty hue.

As we drew nearer, we gradually passed through an imperceptible barrier, and my eyes widened in surprise at the abundance of mana in this place. Though my connection to it was not as strong as before, I couldn't help but feel astonished.

'What kind of place is this?' I wondered as I studied the tall pillar in the distance.