Sirithiele's lips pressed into a thin line, her arms crossed as she weighed his words.
"Why me? What makes you think I'd agree to this? You've already asked me to renounce my godhood."
Vastarael didn't flinch, "Because you're one of the few beings with the power and the knowledge to stand against him. You've seen the chaos the Krepsunas bring. And deep down, I know you care about the isles, even if you'd rather not admit it."
The goddess looked away, silent for a moment, before meeting his gaze again. "You're asking for a lot, Vastarael."
"I know. But if we don't stop him, no one will."
Sirithiele sighed, her defenses crumbling just enough to let a sliver of agreement show in her expression.
"Fine. I'll help you. But you owe me, Vastarael. Big time."
Before he could respond, a sleepy voice interrupted them.
Phaenora mumbled, her body stirring against his. She blinked up at him, her head still nestled against his chest. Her arms tightened briefly around his waist as she yawned.
"Veneri... you're so warm… were you talking about me?"
Vastarael chuckled, his golden eyes softening as he glanced down at her.
"Not this time, Phae."
Still seated on his lap, she shifted, straddling him slightly as she stretched her arms, her movements lazy and intimate. Her hands brushed his shoulders, her fingers tracing patterns over his hoodie.
"Hmm, you should always be talking about me."
Sirithiele's eye twitched as she watched the display, her irritation barely contained.
"Does she always behave like this?"
"Always. You get used to it."
Phaenora smirked, leaning closer to him, her lips brushing the shell of his ear.
"You mean you like it," she whispered, her voice dripping with playful seduction.
Vastarael didn't flinch or react, "If it keeps you happy, I don't mind."
"You're no fun to tease anymore. I'll have to try harder next time."
Sirithiele groaned, her frustration boiling over. Why were they actually so lovey dovey towards each other?
"Do you two ever have a normal conversation?"
Phaenora tilted her head, resting her chin on his shoulder as she looked up at him with an exaggeratedly innocent expression.
"Nope. Why bother when it's so much more fun to mess with him? Also, admit it, Veneri. You'd miss me if I stopped."
He chuckled softly.
"Maybe. But let's not test that theory."
Sirithiele, meanwhile, was silently fuming. The ease with which Phaenora acted around Vastarael, the casual intimacy they shared, it irritated her far more than she cared to admit. Crossing her arms, she turned her gaze to the frozen lake, muttering under her breath.
Vastarael caught her comment but chose not to respond, a small smirk tugging at his lips. Whatever tension lingered, he knew it would dissipate eventually. For now, he had the promise of Sirithiele's aid and a long, amusing journey ahead with Phaenora clinging to him like a mischievous shadow.
"Since the sun is rising, how about we explore the eight islands today? After all, we have a giant manta ray. And maybe we can figure out where the Frozen God would be."
"Not bad. I'm in," Phaenora raised her hand. "What about you, Minor Goddess?"
"I'm... in?"
"Mmm... seems she hasn't heard that phrase in the past, huh? Well, let's go then. First stop, the human kingdom on the first island of the isles!"
°°°°°°°
The manta ray ascended slightly, skimming just below the layer of clouds, its golden and blue bioluminescence shimmering like a celestial creature against the pale sky. Vastarael's eyes gleamed with purpose as they peered into the distance, his advanced vision sharpening the details of the terrain below.
The Erna Isles unfolded beneath them like a map painted by the gods themselves. Nine distinct islands stretched across the vast ocean, each unique in its features. From towering mountains to lush forests to glistening lakes, the Isles were a testament to the diverse beauty of Spheraphase.
As they approached Volxane Island, the First Island of the Erna Isles, Vastarael could already see signs of development below. The remnants of an ancient kingdom were scattered across the lush green landscape.
"Look," Vastarael said, pointing down. "That's Volxane Island. It's where Farrynelle and Xander were teleported during the Epoch Cycle."
Phaenora squinted, her eyes lighting up with recognition, "Is that… a human settlement being built?"
Below them, human settlers were hard at work. Makeshift homes made of wood and stone dotted the land, the sounds of hammers and saws reached them even at this height. A few humans paused their work, their gazes drawn skyward. Their faces turned from curiosity to awe as they caught sight of the manta ray, its massive wingspan casting an ethereal glow against the morning light.
"Is that… a Divine Creature?" One of them murmured.
"Could it be a sign from the gods?" Another whispered, falling to his knees in reverence.
"Let's not scare them," Vastarael said with a small smirk, maneuvering the manta ray higher into the sky. "They've got enough on their plate without thinking the heavens are watching their every move."
As they flew past Volxane Island, Vastarael's gaze lingered on the settlers below.
"In three hundred years, this place will become a flourishing human kingdom," he remarked. "But for now, it's still in its infancy."
Sirithiele nodded, "That's good to know. It might be helpful in the future."
The manta ray turned gracefully in the air, heading toward the Second Island, known for its iconic Lake of Miracles. From above, the island looked almost untouched by time. Snowless mountains encircled the island, their majestic peaks standing guard around the shimmering lake at its heart.
The Lake of Miracles gleamed like a jewel, its crystalline waters reflecting the sky. East of the lake hundreds of kilometers away was a massive human settlement, its residents bustling with activity.
"That city," Vastarael said, his voice tinged with melancholy, "will become the Frozen Ruins in the future. The Frozen God's arrival will turn it into a desolate wasteland and the Blizzard's Wrath will kill everyone in it."
Sirithiele frowned, "It's hard to imagine such a beautiful place falling to ruin."
Below, the humans caught sight of the manta ray and the reaction was immediate. Children pointed and cheered, their laughter ringing out as they tugged on their parents' sleeves. The adults, however, seemed more cautious, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear.
"Is that… a flying beast?"
"No, look at its glow. It's a divine being!"
"Do you think it's a good omen?"
"Let's hope so," another muttered, crossing herself with a prayer to the gods.
Sirithiele watched the humans with a thoughtful expression.
"They're so… fragile," she murmured.
"Fragile, maybe," Vastarael replied, "but resilient. They'll adapt, even after the Frozen God strikes. They always do."
The manta ray circled the island once before Vastarael guided it onward. The wind rushed past them, carrying the salty tang of the ocean and the distant cries of seabirds.
The next island was... creepy.
It was a stark contrast to the lush greenery and vibrant life they had passed so far. As the manta ray glided closer, the first thing that struck them was the dense fog that clung to the island like a suffocating veil.
The mist was thick and red, almost like blood, swirling in the air like something alive. It emanated from horrific, twisted flowers that seemed to bloom out of the very earth itself.
Their petals were not the soft, delicate reds of a normal peony. Instead, they were a sickly mix of deep black and dark reds, with jagged edges that resembled the teeth of some massive beast.
The flowers—if one could even call them that—were enormous, growing in clusters that formed vast fields across the island. Their long, green stems twisted unnaturally, as though the flowers themselves were trying to move, reaching toward the sky in search of some hidden sun.
The entire island, barely larger than a small kingdom, was blanketed by this red mist. The only thing that seemed to stand out amidst the creeping fog was the unnatural stillness. No sounds of animals or birds. No movement of trees. The flowers seemed to grow unchecked in their horrifying beauty, but the island felt dead, absolutely devoid of any life beyond the strange flora.
"Here. This is where Narisva, Farrynelle and Xander would be after crossing the Fallen Bridge."
"The Crimson Curtain Peonies," Sirithiele frowned. "They are flora from Dimensium that turn living beings into flowers. This place… it's nothing but death. The mists, the spores, the flowers... we better leave."
Sirithiele crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing as she looked down at the spore-filled air.
Vastarael ran a hand through his white curls, his mind racing as he looked at the distance between the two islands.
The Fallen Bridge was there but the extremely tall wall of permafrost did not exist at all. In fact, the Fallen Bridge was just an ice tunnel.
"The Fallen Bridge, the path that was supposed to connect this island to the Lake of Miracles Island, still exists. It should connect the two islands. Sirithiele, how was the Fallen Bridge created?"
"I don't know. I've been in the isles for only two decades and I've never moved this far," she admitted. "It must have existed even before I came here, perhaps eons ago. That frost is Primofrost, one of the seven universal elements."
"Seven... elements?"
"I can't tell any of you that since it's a....Hidden Truth. The forbidden information will kill you."
Vastarael frowned. Hidden Truths existed even eons ago and they were all sent to the Erna Frozen Isles to solve the Hidden Truth behind it. The more he looked at the Fallen Bridge, the more questions he had.
When was the Primofrost wall created? Who created that tall one thousand meter ice wall surrounding the Lake of Miracles Island? And why would be seal the island from the ocean?
And most importantly, what was the real reason behind the Fallen Bridge?
"Don't think about even going close to the Fallen Bridge."
Vastarael turned to face Sirithiele, who was looking at the Fallen Bridge below them.
"If you do, we will all die. My divine instincts are telling me that."
"I see..."
Vastarael knew that the instincts of a divine god are absolute. If she said that they would die, he would definitely not go there, even if he wanted to.
They flew to the fourth island. Vastarael looked at the Fallen Bridge one last time with a declaration on his resolve.
'One day, I'll figure out what secrets you're hiding.'