The Will of the Divine Mysteries didn't respond. Instead, he tilted his head skyward.
Aurora followed its gaze. "Mother..." she whispered, her eyes widening in disbelief at the sight above her.
The sun dimd and descended to the west, and an eerie blood-red moon, radiating a haunting crimson light, painted the sky as it rose from the east. In front of the moon, a baby lay cradled in soft, glowing light.
Yet, standing protectively between the moon and the cradle was Aerialia, clad in crimson armour lined with silver. The armour hugged her form tightly, her two radiant wings spread wide. Bands of pristine white cloth, resembling living bandages, moved around her body as though possessing a mind of their own, reminiscent of her usual attire.
Her hair billowed wildly, caught in the fierce wind. In her grasp was a massive, four-ter crimson greatsword, its edges glinting ominously under the glow of the Crimson Moon. Her fierce stance made her resemble a goddess poised to smite any who dared to challenge her.
"I finally have the chance to destroy you," Aerialia's voice bood across the heavens. "You will never ascend. And your child—" she gestured toward the cradle"--will suffer the sa fate before you can even touch her!"
Aurora trembled as she witnessed the scene above her. Fear gripped her as she took a step back. She had suspected what her ascension trial might involve, but facing her mother-even if it was only an imitation-was beyond what she had prepared for.
Suddenly, a firm hand grasped her right shoulder. Startled, Aurora snapped her head back and distanced herself, turning to see who had touched her.
She was an inky, shadowy being that resembled her but with a grotesque, distorted appearance. And it wasn't alone. Rising from the soil were nurous shadowy figures with similarly grotesque faces, their hollow eyes locked on her.
The once-vibrant garden had transford into a desolate, dead land. The plants were shrivelled, and the soil had lost its lustre, now dry and lifeless.
"Stop resisting," the shadowy figure hissed, stepping closer. "You are one of us-just another failure. Surrender, be reborn with us, or be consud."
The shadows closed in, their fearso presence growing, as Aurora stood frozen in dread.
Aurora snapped her head toward the position where the Will of the Divine Mysteries had stood, but to her dismay, he was gone. He had vanished as if he were a re fignt of her imagination. Yet, deep down, Aurora knew he wasn't.
Gritting her teeth, she focused on the decaying garden and Aerialia, who hovered nacingly in the sky. Her mind raced, trying to figure out how to handle the overwhelming situation. Suddenly, another hand pressed against her right shoulder. This ti, she didn't pull away because there was nowhere to run.
The shadowy hand seeped into her shoulder, rging with her body. "Stop fighting it. You're just another failure. We can complete you," the voice whispered, cold and insidious.
Looking down, Aurora saw her feet gripped by the shadowy figures, slowly lding into her flesh. She could feel her strength slipping away-ntally and physically. Panic surged within her. Raising her head, Aurora scread with all her might, "GET AWAY FROM !!" In an instant, the shadowy figure that had begun rging into her body burst forth from her back, transforming into two massive, inky-black wings-one larger.
The unexpected transformation left Aurora montarily stunned. But there was no ti to hesitate. She stretched her wings wide and soared skyward without second-guessing. Whoosh!!
Glancing down, she saw the tendrils of shadow still clinging to her, trying to drag her back to the corrupted garden. Aurora gnashed her teeth and flapped her wings with all her might, pushing herself higher and higher.
Driven by sheer willpower, Aurora knew she had to complete this ascension trial-no matter how daunting it seed. Too many people awaited her return, and there was no way she would let them down.
......
Observing as the intensity of the Vylkr and Divine energy on Aurora surged with increasing power, Orion frowned deeply. He turned his gaze to Ilse, about to speak, when she waved her hand dismissively as if already knowing what he intended to say.
"You can go ahead and summon her. I have no idea what's happening, but maybe she might help," Ilse said.
"Thank you," Orion nodded respectfully.
For Ilse to make such a suggestion ant she was growing more comfortable with their presence, which was a positive developnt for him and Paradise. She could also have been frustrated by the unfolding scene and wanted the perspective of another Divine Being.
Regardless, Orion preferred to believe it was the forr.
With a flicker of bright light, Orion summoned the Crimson Greatsword into the room. Aerialia soon followed suit, appearing before them.
"What's happening to my daughter?" Aerialia asked instinctively, noticing Aurora's condition the mont she appeared. She turned toward Orion and Ilse, and just as she was about to speak again, her eyes widened in astonishnt at the newborn in Orion's arms.
"Is that...?" Aerialia asked, excitent lighting up her face.
"Yes, this is Liora. She finally decided to join us," Orion replied with a smile.
Aerialia squealed through her sealed lips, barely containing her joy. Her face flushed with excitent as her entire form trembled with delight.
Liora's eyes moved upward, locking onto Aerialia as she scrutinized her from above. Liora's gaze widened with emotion, and she stretched out her hand, reaching for the ethereal figure floating in the air.
Witnessing this, Aerialia felt her divine soul might dissolve into nothingness from the overwhelming display of affection.
Observing the scene, Ilse shook her head wearily. A faint sigh escaped her lips as she
understood Aerialia's excitent-after all, all of her children were extinct, and Liora, born a demigod with the direct bloodline of the One-winged race, represented hope for the race's restoration.
Still, with Aurora's complex identity, Ilse couldn't help but wonder why Aerialia hadn't tried to take possession of Aurora's body, considering she could be the perfect vessel for her
resurrection.
'Why am I even thinking about all this? I need to focus on my own children so they don't suffer the sa fate,' Ilse thought, shaking the idea from her mind. She had no room for distractions -only the responsibility of ensuring her children's safety and managing her current
challenges.
Beside her, Aerialia soon regained her composure and spoke, "I'm Goddess Aerialia, the creator of the One-winged race, your mother's mother, and your..." She paused suddenly, clearing her throat. "Ahem! I'm your ancestor, but you may call Goddess Aerialia when
you age."
At this, Ilse imdiately let out a chuckle. Orion followed suit, bursting into much louder
laughter.
"What are you both laughing at?" Aerialia hissed, her solemn gaze flickering between Orion
and Ilse.
Ilse quickly sealed her lips, glancing briefly at Orion before refocusing her attention
elsewhere.
"Nothing," Orion said, clearing his throat as his laughter subsided. "We just thought we witnessed sothing amusing." He turned his attention back to Liora. "Liora, this is your mother's mother, Goddess Aerialia. When your mother recovers and awakens, you can ask her
how you should address her," he said gently.
Aerialia's brow twitched. She knew that Aurora wouldn't let Liora address her as 'Goddess Aerialia.' Aurora would likely choose a much more familiar term, given their current
relationship.
Aerialia's shoulders slumped slightly as she realized the inevitable unfolding of the situation.
Suddenly, Orion received a report through his mask.
"Chief, the Vylkr artefact magical formation looks as though it will be completed soon," Seth's voice rang in his mind.
Stunned, Orion stood rooted in place. This confird his assumption that the Vylkr artefact's magical formation differed significantly from the last one they encountered. This ant they wouldn't have to worry about attracting Vylkr spawns or other Divine beings to their location. Even though they were protected by the Aegis of the Arctic Deity's false presence, this new information provided another level of assurance.
Suddenly, Seth sent another ssage, causing Orion to raise an eyebrow. Seth sought permission to bring Zarelia, the Dragmin he had taken under his care, into Paradise. When the Aegis of the Arctic Deity had created the Primordial Barrier, only those within Paradise could enter and leave as they wished. Those outside could not locate or enter it without permission
from Orion or Ilse.
"Is sothing wrong?" Aerialia asked, her curious gaze fixed on Orion.
Orion shook his head and explained the information he had just received to Aerialia and Ilse. After he finished, both goddesses exhaled in relief.
"That's good. This ans we don't have to worry about losing the Runaway Cities or the Vylkr alloys you worked so hard to secure for Paradise," Aerialia said.
"As long as the Vylkr artefact magical formation completes quickly, I'm certain that no god
will risk entering this territory, especially since this isn't the first ti this has happened,"
Ilse said, exhaling softly.
She was relieved not to have to face any Divine beings soon.
Orion nodded in agreent. "Take care of her. I need to go check on it," Orion said, handing
Liora over to Ilse.
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