The calm of the sanctuary wrapped around Aetherion like a comforting blanket, the flames of the Primordial Flame flickering softly in the distance. He stood alone, allowing himself a rare moment of peace. But as he began to fully transform back into his true form, letting the full power of his Primordial nature surge through him, a strange sensation crept over him.
Suddenly, without warning, a force beyond his control gripped him. It wasn't like the familiar pull of Voidbreaker—this was something else, something ancient and powerful. Before he could react, the sanctuary around him blurred and twisted, and the next thing he knew, Aetherion was no longer in his realm.
His eyes blinked open to a brilliant light. He was no longer in his sanctuary, nor even in the mortal realm.
"Where…?" he began, but the answer came quickly from the system.
[You are in the High Heavens, Aetherion, specifically in the Divine City, the center of power for many gods.]
Aetherion's heart skipped a beat. He knew of the High Heavens, a realm above all others, where the gods themselves resided. To be here, in their domain, was dangerous—especially for someone like him.
The brilliant city unfolded before him—massive structures of gold and white marble, with spires that reached into the clouds and streets paved with shining crystal. The air itself seemed alive with divine energy, radiating power that made Aetherion's senses tingle.
[Be cautious, Aetherion,] the system continued. [This is the Divine City, where the gods live and hold council. Each deity, including Boltia, has a domain in the High Heavens. You must be careful not to attract their attention.]
Aetherion's gaze scanned the city, anxiety creeping into his chest. "How did I end up here?" he whispered. "I didn't open a rift."
[It wasn't you,] the system explained. [Some force in the High Heavens brought you here. But, as a protective measure, I have automatically suppressed your power to that of a lower god. This will prevent the other deities from detecting your true Primordial nature.]
Aetherion let out a quiet breath of relief. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than having the gods realize who—or what—he truly was. If they knew he was a Primordial, he would face dangers far beyond anything in the mortal realm.
"Good," he murmured. "Keep it suppressed."
The more Aetherion observed, the more he marveled at the architecture and design of the Divine City. The spires glowed with a soft golden light, and shimmering streams of divine energy flowed through the streets like rivers. The air itself carried a hum of power, and everywhere he looked, he saw gods and goddesses walking, speaking, and going about their divine business.
But none of them seemed to notice him—at least, not yet.
Suddenly, a group of gods approached him, their eyes gleaming with curiosity. They were a diverse bunch, each one exuding a different kind of divine energy—some were radiant with the power of the sun, others held the aura of the earth, while others seemed connected to the flowing rivers or the endless skies.
One of them, a tall god with flowing silver hair and glowing eyes, greeted him with a smile. "Welcome to the Divine City, newcomer. I don't think we've met before."
Aetherion forced a polite smile, his mind racing. "No, we haven't. I… arrived here unexpectedly."
The god chuckled. "Many of us do, at one point or another. The High Heavens work in mysterious ways. I'm Altrion, god of the stars," he said, extending a hand.
"Aetherion," he replied, shaking the god's hand, though his mind was focused on maintaining his aura as a lower god.
As Aetherion exchanged pleasantries with the gods, they didn't seem to notice anything amiss about him. The system's suppression of his power had worked, and to them, he appeared as just another lower-tier deity, perhaps a newly ascended god or one from a distant realm.
A goddess with glowing green eyes and flowing vines in her hair approached, her aura filled with life. "I am Nerona, goddess of the forests," she introduced herself warmly. "It's rare to see a new face in the Divine City. Where do you hail from?"
Aetherion hesitated for only a moment before answering, choosing his words carefully. "From a realm far from here. I am still... learning the ways of the gods."
Nerona smiled, seemingly satisfied with his answer. "Ah, a traveler from afar. Well, you'll find the Divine City a welcoming place, though it has its... complexities."
Another god, who wielded the power of storms, grinned. "Perhaps we'll see you in council soon enough. There are always discussions to be had—after all, the mortal realms are ever in need of guidance."
Aetherion gave a polite nod, though inside, he was beginning to feel the weight of his situation. Being among these gods—being in the High Heavens—was risky. He needed to tread carefully if he was to avoid suspicion.
As the group of gods moved on, leaving Aetherion to explore the city on his own, he took a moment to absorb his surroundings. The Divine City was immense, with towering buildings that seemed to reach into infinity. Everywhere he looked, gods of various forms and powers moved about, their conversations filled with divine matters, from the state of their domains to the workings of the mortal world.
Despite the grandeur and beauty of the city, Aetherion felt uneasy. He knew that somewhere in the High Heavens, the goddess Boltia ruled over her domain. The mere thought of encountering her sent a shiver down his spine. He had come too far to be discovered by her—or any of the other powerful gods.
"System," Aetherion whispered as he walked through the streets, "how long can I keep my power suppressed like this?"
[For as long as necessary,] the system responded. [But be cautious. The more you interact with these gods, the greater the chance that someone may sense your true nature. Your power is beyond that of even the gods in this city.]
Aetherion nodded to himself. "I'll avoid drawing attention. I just need to find out why I was brought here… and how to leave."
As Aetherion wandered deeper into the Divine City, he noticed how each part of the city seemed to reflect the nature of the gods who resided there. Some areas were filled with lush greenery and vibrant life, while others were cold and rigid, crafted from stone and steel. There were temples dedicated to various domains—fire, water, earth, air—each one pulsing with divine energy.
But despite the apparent peace, Aetherion couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching him, something ancient and powerful. He paused for a moment, glancing around, but saw nothing out ofthe ordinary. Still, the sensation lingered, making him uneasy.
"System," Aetherion whispered under his breath, "I have a strange feeling—like something is observing me."
[You are in the heart of the High Heavens,] the system replied. [It is possible that some ancient presence has taken notice of you, but with your power suppressed, they should not detect your true nature. Remain cautious, but there is no immediate danger.]
Aetherion nodded, though the warning didn't entirely ease his nerves. He continued walking, blending in with the other divine beings around him. Despite the beauty of the city and the calm of the gods, Aetherion knew that this place held immense risks. Even with his power suppressed, the High Heavens were not somewhere he could linger for too long.
Just as Aetherion was considering his next move, a new group of gods approached him. They were dressed in formal robes of shimmering white and gold, their faces unreadable but their presence commanding.
The lead god, whose eyes glowed with the light of the heavens themselves, smiled warmly. "Aetherion, is it? We heard of your arrival and your impressive introduction to the city. The council is always interested in meeting newcomers, especially those with untapped potential."
Aetherion felt a flicker of alarm at the word "untapped." He kept his face neutral, bowing slightly. "I'm honored, though I'm still adjusting to this new realm."
The god chuckled. "No need to worry. The city is vast, but we all have our place here. The council will likely call upon you soon enough, especially once you've found your footing."
Aetherion nodded, playing along while mentally assessing the situation. If the council of gods summoned him, it could be a way to gather information, but it also posed the risk of revealing his true power.
After exchanging more pleasantries, the group of gods departed, leaving Aetherion standing alone once again.
He sighed inwardly, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He needed to tread carefully in this city of gods. Too many eyes were watching, and if his disguise failed, the consequences could be catastrophic.
"I need to find a way out of here," Aetherion muttered to himself. "Before the wrong god takes an interest."
The chapter ends with Aetherion looking over the vast city, knowing that his next moves must be precise. His time in the Divine City was limited, but he had to find answers before he could make his exit.