The forest opened into a wide plain the sky streaked with silver clouds Ryo walked casually his satchel bouncing at his side the wolf pup darting through the tall grass Behind him Serath still shaken from earlier followed with lowered head
Ryo glanced back So how far's this High Kingdom? Don't tell me it's one of those places you can only reach by trials of worth or hidden portals I'm not in the mood for riddles.
Serath hesitated It… is not a place one simply walks to The High Kingdom sits at the axis of all realities It is where gods rulers and beings outside creation gather.
Ryo raised an eyebrow Sounds crowded Do they at least have decent bakeries?
Serath almost stumbled Bakeries…? You jest yet He stopped mid-sentence as the air shimmered.
Ahead a circle of towering stone arches rose from the ground glowing with runes older than worlds The center of the arches swirled like liquid light
Serath dropped to one knee The Gate of Crowns… it opens only for those recognized by the Crown itself Even I cannot command it.
Ryo walked up whistling He touched the light casually and the gate flared so bright that Serath shielded his face When it dimmed the arches had reshaped into a grand staircase spiraling upward into nothingness.
Ryo muttered Not bad Almost as shiny as my bread crust yesterday.
The wolf pup yipped and leapt onto the first step tail wagging.
Serath stared awestruck No one has ever opened the Gate so easily… You are already beyond the scale of gods
Ryo shrugged Guess that makes me special Or maybe the gate just likes me.
As they ascended reality rippled Each step was a different world one filled with endless oceans another with burning skies another with towers of living glass Serath struggled to keep pace his armor cracking with every shift.
Ryo meanwhile munched on another roll These stairs are basically a sightseeing tour Kind of nice.
Halfway up the air twisted A voice not one but thousands layered together echoed
Ryo… why do you walk this path? You have no need You are