(Third Person P.O.V.)
In a dark, vast space, a lone figure of a male youth floated about. One could not easily tell that the youth was a boy for he carried slight feminine features. His age seemed to be in the later teens. He had short and wavy black hair and dull black eyes, a common color of those of Eastern descent but instead of the usual slightly tanned skin a young Eastern male has, he has white and unblemished skin like that of a lady. He wore black pajamas that seemes to complemet well with his complexion. The boy looked around, boredom evident on his young handsome face. He decided to maneuver himself with his will to float around to ease the dullness that he feels.
Unbeknownst to him, another being is present. One that he cannot see. It was a woman's figure... or to be more precise a girl a bit younger than the boy.
She had long flowing brown hair and amber-colored eyes. She was clearly very beautiful. Thin lips, smooth and white skin, mesmerizing eyes and an astonishingly developed figure, one somehow inappropriate for a girl her age yet matched her very well. She wore a simple white dress that accentuated her figure and gave of a pure feeling.
But what is really eye-catching about her was that she radiated... power. Unrivaled power. The space around her seems to distort into ripples yet stays in place. However the aura she emanates is not dangerous nor terrifying but rather... homely and peaceful. This further bolsters her image as a goddess!
...Well she is a goddess anyhow. This is Frelinia. The goddess of life and one of the gods of Salratia.
Right now, she is looking at the boy as he floated around, obviously still bored. Frelinia is tightly knitting her eyebrows and is currently scrutinizing the boy as she observed him yet the gaze she has seems to bore straight through his very being.
After a few moments, Frelinia put on a slightly astonished expression and then smiled wryly. But her eyes show the hidden sadness within. Clearly, she has become troubled by something.
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Frelinia (P.O.V.)
"What should I do...?" (Frelinia)
I ask to myself as I continue gazing at Krey, torn on how I should approach the problem.
I've been observing this child for a long time. This child has a high sensitivity towards mana and when I arrived in this world, I was immediately drawn towards him and I found myself in this dark and cold place. This is where I saw him and have been probing him.
Since nothing comes to mind on how I should hold a conversation, I sighed dejectedly for the Nth time and once again stretch out my hand, channeling the everlasting mana inside me and said softly-
"Divine Art: Life Archive" (Frelinia)
A moment after, a large, leatherbound book appeared, floating steadily. It was not adorned with too many decorations, though it was very large, maybe a half a meter in length, a bit shorter on the width and its thickness...maybe 18 cm.
It is plain in appearance but I know very well that it is not all it holds. This book has been with me for how many millennia, even before I met my beloved brother and sister.
Unhurriedly, I flipped through the book in an experienced manner and let my fingers stop on a certain blank page and said lightly-
"Krey Ericson. Life Scripture Acquisition." (Frelinia)
The page shines a soft white glow and letters only gods such as me and a few others can understand revealed themselves. I read the information in it slowly, gazing at it sadly while sorrow, guilt and hesitation welled up in me.
Divine Art: Life Archive. A divine art that I have created with my mana and will long, long ago. With it, anything brimming with life or was once alive, no matter the origin will be affected. All of their experiences, events and actions will be shown in the book but... never their emotions. Emotions are tightly joined with a person's will and therefore cannot be toyed upon... even by a god. Unless the person has a weak will.
Having such thoughts run in my mind, I skimmed the information within and each word caused my chest to tighten.
Each sentence made me more and more reluctant to talk and ask for his help. Each paragraph only served to make the sadness and anger that I have sealed within when my brother and sister disappeared once again surged. Was it hopelessness? or frustration?
That I didn't know.
While having those feelings in me, I reviewed each word written in this large page. Unlike what others might think, I am not reading it, per say, like literature but instead... I get to see his life play out before me. Each letter can be compared to a second, a word to a minute, a sentence to an hour. All of them transforms into a moving image that only I and others that I permit to see. But... it is only an image. No sound, just vision. He's life played out before me, as I read the long, long text.
His life, in my eyes is not pleasant nor is it miserable but... a lonely life is one of the worst possible things that an individual can experience. Being a god, born out of pure and refined mana with a limitless lifespan and everything within our reach in Salratia, a lonely life can even make us crazy. I know... it happened to all of us.
A life filled with solitude. No... not like the solitude of being the only individual in an isolated area but rather... being isolated from society as a whole. No family to rely on. No father, no mother, no siblings nor relatives. No friends that can soothe the emptiness inside. He's just like any person in the street. Nothing special.
A life where he doesn't bat an eye when he kills or hurts a person. A life spent on working at a young age... only the work criteria is questionable, based on the values I've instantly learned when I arrived here. The people who try to get close to him... all were almost instantaneously ignored except for a few others.
No companionship, acquaintances or concepts of family. Always alone, simply reading books, studying and working. It was as if... a machine, a construct like one of the magic artifacts, my brother Azeroth, the God of Magic and Change likes to make. Almost like a doll... if not for the little bit of emotions he shows once in a while.
I just watched it all. I don't know what the person is thinking nor what he feels. His face always shows a carefree smile that seemed out of place in that anguish-filled world. All that I have deduced above are based on my observations and hypotheses. I could understand if he endured solitude as an adult but clearly he is still a child! Not even twenty years of age.
When I arrived here in this world, I was drawn into this space and seeing him, Krey I became excited and relieved and I instantly used my divine art to know his background but it gave me a huge regret right after. I don't know how much time had passed but it took me a long while to compare his bored face from the carefree smile in the book. All I know is that I have re-read his scripture again and again while hesitating. I can't just ask someone to do my request willy-nilly especially if he might have some... problems.
"...*sigh*..." (Frelinia)
I don't know how many times I've sighed today but it definitely exceeded the fiftieth mark. After that, I looked off into the non-existent distance while remembering the events that transpired earlier...
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I was in a forest like I usually am, watching the animals frolic along the trees. They make use of the caves and scavenge for food. I gazed at the small rabbits jumping about while they're evolved and strong cousins, Kopies stand guard, their shiny glistening fur became even more illustrious as they bathe in the sun. Larsits, lowering their speed to be able to keep running among their deer cousins. Foserx, an evolved cousin of the foxes, its six-tailed enormous orange furred body covered the den of the foxes who are not strong enough to fend for themselves. Dalura, violet streaked birds that are the evolved cousins of sparrows fly about, keeping their sharp eyes on the nest above.
This was my daily routine and I never get tired of it, rather I relish in it. As the goddess of life, watching animals bloom and prosper like they should, brings to my heart a sense of accomplishment. Who wouldn't want the thing they stand for continue to thrive with as much vigor as it wanted. To me, even if a millennium passed by, I would not even twitch my eyebrows as long as I could continue overseeing it.
The only other important existences in my life are brother Azeroth and sister Lisaria. They were the first fellow gods I met and overtime we developed a sibling relationship with one another. I deeply treasure them and always delighted to be with them, to talk to them, to laugh and play with them.
The other gods I also treated very well for it is the smallest amount of courtesy I could give. Besides I don't want any enmities to spawn. After all, enmity births hatred, hatred births death. Although death can be considered be part of life, it is still sad even for me. I don't want any other living being, the mortals, the monsters, to be caught up in such a trivial feud.
Although gods can't affect the whole of Salratia by themselves, through their champions and worshipers, their will can be transmitted and war against these gods' servants would commence. Technically speaking, gods are unable to kill each other, therefore any enmity or offense would be settled on mortal wars.
I am no stranger to it but I don't participate in such a barbaric act. Though my brother and sister always join in. It is within their right and power to do so and I have no power nor intention to stop them. I will only avoid it and continue governing life in Salratia as it is. Thinking so, I was about to call over sister Lisaria for a chat as I have finished my daily routine to watch the innocent creatures of the forest but when I tried to access the divine link between us siblings... I couldn't feel the natural divine mana that we gods possess from the divine link. Instead I felt an indescribable energy permeating through the link, making me shudder as I cut off my consciousness from the link..
I was immediately flabbergasted, worry and anxiety welling up like a brewing storm. It seethed and finally, I broke out of my surprised state and I instantly shot up to the sky, my white one piece dress fluttering in the air as a vortex shimmering with white light appeared in front of me. A portal to the Divine Realm of Salratia. I entered the Divine Realm of Salratia, where we gods, half-gods, spiritual beasts and peak mana-manipulators live.
This realm is nothing more than a mirror image of Salratia. But this is where the departed souls and other strong beings live in. Giving the name "Divine Realm of Salratia" is not exaggerated since this is where all the gods reside in. Using my limitless divine mana, I teleported to the entrance of the palace of my good friend, Yulin the goddess of healing and alchemy. The palace is just an eyesore for me and is too gaudy for my taste, not to mention that my emotions are in a state of disrepair. I looked for her in this overly massive palace.
The annoying thing about this palace is that we are not able to teleport directly inside nor are we able to affect it at all with our divine mana. Our authority as gods are somewhat suppressed here too. I don't know which idiot built this but its probably Gilfor, the god of arts and craft.
When I came here, I wasn't impulsive enough to immediately cry because of this phenomenon and looked for my confidante, Yulin. Although we have not established divine links between the two of us, we are still good friends. Divine links disappearing is not rare but it has never happened between a bond of sibling-hood among the gods. That kind of divine link is special to us. She is smart and good girl. I am very distraught right now and she happens to be the smartest goddess after Baltazar the god of wisdom and luck. Getting advice and asking help from her would be the best choice in this bizarre situation. Or so I thought but...
When I was about to speed into the medicine hall of the palace where Yulin usually loiters about, making new medicinal recipes and potions, someone appeared in front of me. Someone I know well. Baltazar, the God of Wisdom and Luck. The elder brother of Yulin.
He had long silver hair with purple streaks and amethyst eyes. He is wearing a simple gold-colored robe with purple embroidery designs. He had a solemn look on his face as he and I came to a silent understanding.
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Yulin is gone too. Along with my brother Azeroth and Lisaria. This is an unnerving situation.
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My thoughts are interrupted as Krey floated towards me making me startled. But I immediately calmed down. Its just a fluke. He didn't notice me yet. No matter how sensitive he is towards mana, he still won't be able too sense a presence of a god. Much less if that god does not want to reveal his/her existence.
Come to think of it, how did a child like him be born sensitive towards mana when he is in a world void of mana? This world is really strange but Krey is much stranger.
I gaze at Krey's face that still has evident boredom plastered in as he spun around slightly in place while floating in front of me.
I shook my head and determination grew in me. This might be selfish and irresponsible of me to ask a pitiful child like him to help me which may very well endanger his life but... he's the only likely candidate.
Mortals and immortals back on Salratia cannot be trusted with what I am about to do so its better to leave it to an outside party.
And its foolhardy to send a cripple over to fulfill my request. The inhabitants of this world were born without any interaction with mana and Krey is one of the few oddballs here, possessing high sensitivity to mana. I expect that if he was born with that constitution in Salratia, he would become an outstanding mana manipulator, even in the Divine Realm of Salratia.
And besides he might refuse my request so what I am about to ask of him would be decides by his own will.
I did not reveal my presence to him but only let my voice reach him.
"Hello Krey" (Frelinia)
Krey's expression abruptly changed from boredom into his signature carefree smile that I always see when I view his Life Scripture.
... At least its not as eerie as before.
"Ah yes. Who are you if I may ask? (Krey)
Krey asked me in a polite tone. Hearing this, I was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting him to answer me coldly or start shouting at me but he asked a question politely. There is still some hope for his social relationships.
But now is not the right time. I've decided to go through with this so I must be frank.
"I am Frelinia, the Goddess of Life. I have come to ask your help for an issue of utmost importance." (Frelinia)
When I said this, Krey visibly flinched and his lips made a twitching motion. I guess in a mortal's point of view, suddenly meeting a god such as myself would be something out of their expectations so his reaction is satisfactory. But as soon as he flinched he immediately regained his composure and put on a carefree smile before coughing and said-
"Pfftt... *cough* I'm sorry 'bout that. What is your request Lady Frelinia? As long as it is within my capabilities I will see it done." (Krey)
Even though he said that I still didn't calm down and planned out my next words. I decided to tell him the background of Salratia first. Then explained my request. It was a smooth explanation with no setbacks other than the time when Krey asked if there were any elves or beastmen in Salratia to which I answered yes.
I didn't know how he knew this term but I did not ask him about it. The first thing that I saw in this world was tall glass skyscrapers, even taller than the palaces of mortal rulers on Salratia. But it was only a glimpse as I was instantly drawn somewhere and I found myself in this dark space.
Even I found this world quite peculiar since his Life Scripture showed some very fascinating things. I have flexible thought processing so I just attributed his words as part of the strangeness of this world. Beside his clothes are strange as well.
His eyes gleamed brightly for a moment when I said that though.
In the end, Krey accepted it and I breathed a sigh of relief. My worries seemed to disappear when he did this. I wished for his good luck and we disappeared from the dark space.
We reappeared in a small blue colored stone room. Its in a shape of a square and the walls look very smooth. There are no doors nor windows but just a rectangular opening that led to a hallway.
It was quite dark in here but I can see clearly. Being a god is not just for show. Something like this darkness won't bother me.
There are few furnitures in this room. Just a desk filled with small thin books and writing utensils, a moderate sized bookshelf filled to the brim with books and a small bed where Krey is sleeping, fast asleep.
I was about to invoke the spell taught to me by my brother when suddenly, space distoeted into a swirling vortex behind me. A figure appeared out of the vortex and I was surprised when I saw his features. Silver hair with purple streaks, amethyst eyes and gold and purple robe. He had on a light smile on his face. Baltazar.
"How did you get here?!" (Frelinia)
Baltazar put on a quizzical look then smirked in a playful way before saying-
"Oh please Frelinia. Me and Azeroth are good friends and often share secrets with each other. Did you think I do not know that he was trying to create three new elements?" (Baltazar)
Hearing this I became anxious. Seeing me like this Baltazar put on an apologetic look before reassuring me-
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Azeroth also has some of my secrets and we promised each other to keep it to ourselves. Aside from Norvalia and the other elemental gods, Azeroth is the only one who has complete mastery and understanding of the elements and the only one who has that ambition and I am not against it. In fact I support it completely. As the god of wisdom, seeing my fellow gods broaden their knowledge makes me happy~. Besides, he is deriving the new elements from the wind, lightning and destruction elements. In fact, the spell you used to get here was the wind-derived space element spell [Dimension Transfer] right? By the way I also used the same spell to get here." (Baltazar)
My brother is quite immature. He and Norvalia, as well as the other nine elemental gods have quite a relation towards the elements. Him and Norvalia understands the profound truths and mysteries of the elements. Understanding these things would help you tilize the potential of that particular element to a whole new level. The elemental gods only have understanding towards their own element. For example, Mahlrus the god of water only understands the profound truths and mysteries of water. But the elemental gods have their own advantage. They have complete control of their elements. It doesn't matter if my brother and Norvalia understand the elements well if the other gods can simply manipulate it according to their will.
But brother has the ability to also have complete control, not on the elements but mana. Although he cannot control all kinds of mana in Salratia as there are many types, he can control pure or refined mana as well as raw mana. But, like I said he is immature. He also wanted to have complete control to elements like the elemental gods but that is impossible since Salratia birth as gods to have specific abilities.
And now... he wants to create his own set of elements. Me and sister Lisaria actually hoped that he would stop but he was already half-way finished and showed me and her, and probably Baltazar as well, the new element: Space. He made quite a few spells that uses this element but he is still not done yet... is what he said. Personally, I think he is just making trouble with the other gods since he always picks a fight with anyone, especially Norvalia. Sister Lisaria also follows along blindly.
But to think I'd use it here when brother Azeroth and sister Lisaria disappeared... ironic if I do say so myself.
"Did you calm down now?" (Baltazar)
Baltazar asked me with a knowing smile. To think he'd calm down even when his sister, Yulin my good friend disappeared... In a way he is really amazing.
"Yes I have. What are you doing here?" (Frelinia)
I asked him curiously. Among the gods, he can be considered the all-around good-natured guy. He always pacifies conflicts and barely quarrels with the other gods. I know that he is called the god of wisdom but I really wonder if he also has the divinity of peace. A divinity is the purpose that we gods follow. Without a purpose, we would be basically simple beings with unlimited amounts of mana. Divinities are important to us because it is essential for our existence, or rather the basis of our existence.
"Same as you, I guess. Passing down the divinity of Yulin, my sister's legacy to an inhabitant of this world. Mortals on our world are quite... unpredictable. Although its our fault for fooling around when making them. [Dimension Transfer] is really convenient~." (Baltazar)
Saying so he, he laughed with vigor. But I didn't think he would also do the same as me. I only told Krey fabricated lies of what he should do in Salratia but his real purpose... is to be the legacy protector of my sibling's divinities.
That indescribable energy... it still lingers in Salratia but not too much. Its a safe place for their divinities to reside. Krey is free to use them but... it would take a very, very, very long time for him to use it fully. It belongs to gods after all. Besides I would be following the trail left behind by that indescribable energy. It's too risky to bring along the legacy divinities.
When they, brother Azeroth and sister Lisaria disappeared, their divinities were sent to me directly but I didn't notice at the time as I was drowning in worry for them. Although divinities are like our lifeline, we can separate from it and find a new divinity. Though we would probably dissipate into pure mana after a year of having no divinity. Gods exchanging divinities are not uncommon but they usually do it for fun. I myself did it with sister Lisaria once... it was really uncomfortable though.
"So Frelinia... will you be following the trail?" (Baltazar)
"...Yes I will. If what you said is true then... Azeroth, Lisaria, Yulin and the other two are no longer in Salratia but... somewhere else right?" (Frelinia)
"Mmm. Luckily, Azeroth actually finished making the two of the three new elements, though not as powerful as the original nine in Salratia it would grow exponentially. Space and Time element are particularly useful. They could be used to-" (Baltazar)
"Stop." (Frelinia)
If I hadn't stopped him then his quirk as a chatterbox would only make the situation worse and the energy trail he found might disappear. We don;t know if that energy trail has the same quality as mana so its quite risky too let too much time pass.
"Before we continue... Baltazar let me remind you. As the goddess whose divinity is life, it doesn't mean that I can be trifled with. Depending on the situation, when I find that you are spouting falsehood... detaining you would be a simple matter" (Frelinia)
I don't think Baltazar would lie. If six of the gods are total powerhouses, including my brother Azeroth, sister Lisaria and Norvalia, Baltazar would be the only think-tank. He is literally smarter and wiser than all of us. Besides his sister is in trouble so I don't think he would do something nefarious.
Baltazar evidently put on a darkened expression on his face before smiling dryly and said-
"I know, I know. Hurry up and make the necessary changes to the kid... hoh. Amazing. This kid actually possessed that kind of killing intent in that fragile frame. A shame he does not have battle intent. It would be a good show if he and Norvalia met-" (Baltazar)
"Okay, stop!" (Frelinia)
Jeez... he's too easygoing for someone who had one of his family disappeared. Mortals have a high dependence on family. We gods are no different. Otherwise we would all be insane right now.
Baltazar put on an apologetic look and urged me to continue. I modified Krey to have a good foundation to become a legacy protector and soul-bound the divinities to him. Soul-binding is as simple as flipping a book for us gods but it is a really powerful method. That way it won't be stolen, even by a god. There are twenty of us in Salratia. Five are missing, probably had something to do with that indescribable energy that we felt before and the two of us are here. Thirteen gods and goddesses that may or may not respect my decision or are too greedy.
When I was done with modifying Krey, what appeared before me now was a cute short haired child... oh dear. He looks too much like a girl! But he's clearly male... ahh~ I don't care anymore! I soul-bound the champion's armament "Frelinia's Band" to him. All he needs to do is to bind it with blood and he will be fine.
I invoked [Dimension Transfer] and designated his location to Salratia. The space around him visibly distorted before a vortex appeared sucking him in and hopefully sending him to Salratia... I just hope that he would land in dry land and not an ocean... if he does I hope he can swim.
Baltazar clapped his hands together and said-
"Okay lets go!" (Baltazar)
A [Dimension Transfer] vortex sucked him in and I followed suit with my own [Dimension Transfer] vortex.
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Author Note: The Side Story/Intermission is done! The next chapter will be five-year time skip~! Hope you enjoyed the chapter and sorry for the wait. Tons of stuff I had to do...