In the quiet confines of his cabin, Thomas closed his eyes, surrendering to the immersive dance of divine memories during synchronization. The transition was seamless, and his awareness expanded beyond mortal boundaries, intertwining with the essence of the deities.
Ares, God of War (65% Synchronization): The air shifted, carrying the scent of metal and echoes of battle. Amid ancient conflicts, Thomas felt the intensity of Ares' struggles. The memories were a whirlwind of clashes, the weight of armor, and the pulsating adrenaline of facing the unknown. Triumphs were jubilant, defeats bitter. As Ares, he led armies into epic confrontations, mastering the raw art of war.
Athena, Goddess of Wisdom (43% Synchronization): The transition to Athena's memories felt like entering a celestial library. The room transformed into a sanctuary of knowledge, where Thomas absorbed the wisdom of ages, the intricate dance of diplomacy, and the strategies that shaped civilizations. He witnessed intellectual discussions in her university down Mt. Olympus and the delicate balance of power.
Apollo, God of Light and the Arts (74% Synchronization): Under Apollo's influence, the room bathed in radiant light. Thomas felt the creation of symphonies and masterful brushwork. He stood on the celestial stage, conducting the movements of the cosmos. The memories revealed the joy of artistic expression, the inspiration sparking innovation, and the harmonious beauty Apollo brought to the world.
Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt (22% Synchronization): In Artemis' moonlit realm, Thomas became one with the wilderness. He felt the thrill of the hunt, the communion with nature, and the silent language of the wild. Artemis' memories unveiled the secrets of tracking, the exhilaration of a well-aimed arrow, and the sacred bond between the moonlit goddess and her untamed domain.
Hera, Queen of the Gods (50% Synchronization): Regal memories unfolded as the queen observed the relationships of others as her own was nothing less than a tragedy. Thomas glimpsed the intricacies of a marriage enduring eons, the challenges faced as the Queen of Olympus, her anger and hatred towards her husband's lovers. He understood the responsibilities of divine governance and the power that lay in unity.
Hermes, Messenger of the Gods (78% Synchronization): With Hermes, the room crackled with swift energy. Thomas experienced the rush of divine messages, journeys between realms, and the delicate balance of delivering tidings. Hermes' memories imparted the art of communication, the ability to traverse vast distances in the blink of an eye, and the importance of being a conduit between realms.
Hades, God of the Underworld (49% Synchronization): Descending into Hades' memories, Thomas felt the somber beauty of the Underworld. He navigated the realms of the deceased, understood the intricate balance of life and death, and witnessed the quiet power that governed the afterlife. Hades' memories revealed the responsibility that came with the stewardship of souls.
Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest (99% Synchronization): In the nurturing embrace of Demeter's memories, Thomas felt the cycles of life unfold. He experienced the bounty of harvests, the importance of fertility, and the delicate dance between life and death. Demeter's memories granted him an understanding of Earth's rhythms and the role of sustenance in the grand tapestry of existence.
Zeus, King of the Gods (31% Synchronization): Delving into Zeus' memories, watched as he was raised far away by his mother Rhea then united his siblings in a fight against their father, Kronos once they won the took over Mars and picked the tallest mountain and made it their home, Mt. Olympus. He witnessed as Zeus tricked his own sister Hera into marrying him after he already killed his first wife as many discussions, intrigues and an incalculable number of affairs. In fact majority of the Sky God's memories were with him with a different woman in his arms.
As he emerged from the synchronization, Thomas found himself seated in the familiar cabin, assimilating the mass of memories that ingrained in his mind. The synchronization was going fairly well and his affinity with the deities grew by the minute, soon he will complete the divinity under Titanos. Yet he knew there was more to do and closed his eyes once more.
The Hall of Gods shimmered with ethereal light as Thomas stepped in, his recent synchronization with the memories of deities still lingering in his mind. The divine air hummed with energy as he approached the center of the hall, where quests from various deities awaited him.
Quest from Skadi - Norse Goddess of Winter:
Objective: Confront and subdue the Frost Wyrm, a colossal ice serpent wreaking havoc in the celestial tundra hidden in the solar system.
Reward: Skadi's Crystal Shard - An artifact that grants ice manipulation abilities and resistance to extreme cold.
Quest from Ra - Egyptian Sun God:
Objective: Find the Solar Ankh, a relic lost in the celestial desert of Planatr Akhar, to amplify the power of the sun.
Reward: Ra's Solar Blessing - Increased regeneration, drawing energy from sunlight for vitality and the Sacred Solar Ankh.
Quest from Ganesha - Hindu God of Wisdom:
Objective: Buy the Celestial Lotus, a sacred symbol hidden within the cosmos, to attain spiritual enlightenment.
Reward: Ganesha's Insight - Wisdom beyond mortal comprehension and a connection to universal consciousness.
Quest from Amaterasu - Shinto Sun Goddess:
Objective: Quell the cosmic storm threatening to eclipse the divine sun.
Reward: Amaterasu's Radiance - Solar empowerment, transforming into celestial radiance for enhanced abilities.
Quest from Quetzalcoatl - Aztec Feathered Serpent:
Objective: Retrieve the Celestial Feathers scattered across the cosmic winds to restore balance.
Reward: Quetzalcoatl's Flight - Control over wind currents and the ability to soar through the skies.
Quest from Freyja - Norse Goddess of Love and Fertility:
Objective: Foster harmony among the divine beings by organizing a cosmic matchmaking event.
Reward: Freyja's Amulet of Love - Enhanced charisma and influence in matters of the heart, with the ability to inspire love and unity.
Back as the hall of gods, Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, sat with Thomas as the hall was adorned with ethereal roses and flowery scent.
As they conversed, Thomas grappled with the weight of Aphrodite's proposal. The idea of leaving a legacy, especially one that involved creating life, lingered in the air like an unspoken question. The two friends discussed it openly, contemplating the intricacies of existence and connection.
"Aphrodite, this quest of yours... It's a big commitment. Something that might stick with me for the long haul. I've been chatting with friends, my mom, Clarisse, and even some distant deities. Trying to make sense of it all but none of them seemed to be against it after I explained."
Aphrodite's presence, usually associated with tales of love and passion, now carried a more nuanced authenticity. Thomas had come to realize that she wasn't the one-dimensional deity history often painted her to be.
He had learned that some of the Olympian Deities, barring Zeus, haven't experienced parenthood in the traditional sense. Ares, a virgin who only had intercourse through his avatars. Athena, crafting life from stone. It's unconventional, to say the least.
Aphrodite, with an air of understanding, engaged in the conversation as two friends navigating the complexities of divine matters. She knew what she asked of him was difficult as she would disappear forever as her divinity is assimilated into him while Thomas will have to raise this child by himself. Even conceiving the child would be a challenge since she's only a remnant thought of her former self and doesn't possess a physical body nor enough divinity to create a avatar of meat and bones. So she decided to give him a bit more time as she parted with him with a soft touch of their lips.
Back in his room, with the essence of roses still stuck in his nose, Thomas contemplated the weight of choices. He was already over eighteen years old in body and his mind is older than human civilization after integrating memories of many different deities.
******
Heading to the mess hall in the first floor of the shuttle, Thomas sat across from Ye Kan, engrossed in a conversation about the the world his friend hailed from.
The hum of the ship's engines provided a subtle background score to their discussion.
Thomas, with a keen interest in Ye Kan's homeland, delved into the specifics. "Tell me more about the Golden Dragon Empire. What's the color of the sky in White Feather City? Are there unique constellations or divisions of continents that could help me identify your home?"
Ye Kan, while appreciative of Thomas' curiosity, couldn't shake off a sense of reluctance. Memories of a harsh upbringing echoed in his mind as he remembered the brutalities of his youth. "The sky in White Feather City is a majestic blend of azure and gold during the day, with the clouds forming exquisite patterns. As for constellations, there's the Silver Serpent and the Jade Phoenix, guiding lights in our night sky."
Thomas nodded, storing away these details for future reference. "It sounds beautiful. I hope to see it one day."
However, Ye Kan's enthusiasm was tempered by the shadows of his past. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to return. My father's actions, like making me witness executions at a young age, they were... harsh. It's a different world from what you've seen here."
Thomas, ever empathetic, assured Ye Kan. "You've grown beyond those experiences. Should you ever decide to return, you have the strength to reshape the path. And remember, I've secured a position for you at the city management in Pantheon. You have a place here."
Shifting the conversation to the art of cultivation, Ye Kan eagerly shared insights into the practices of his world. Thomas, inquisitive as ever, studied the cultivation manuals provided by Ye Kan. As he examined the diagrams, a profound wisdom emanated from the young deity.
Ye Kan watched in amazement as Thomas, with uncanny precision, pointed out flaws in the techniques. The deity's fingers traced over the scrolls, and he picked up a quill and ink. In an unexpected display of brilliance, Thomas recreated the diagrams, enhancing them with divine runes.
"Great," Thomas exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with confidence. "I've improved the flow of energy and added missing elements. Your family's technique will now seamlessly draw in natural energy, melding with the elements."
Ye Kan sat in sheer disbelief, his shock evident. "How... how did you do that?" The young immortal cultivator struggled to find words to articulate the awe he felt. It was a rare sight to witness someone effortlessly modify a foundational technique of a powerful clan.
Thomas leaned back, a casual smile playing on his lips as he observed Ye Kan's astonishment. He chuckled lightly before explaining, "Well, it's not that complicated, really. It's about understanding the flow of energy, the balance between body and spirit. These diagrams, while traditional, sometimes lack that finesse. Adding a touch of divine runes here and there just helps to harmonize everything."
Ye Kan was still processing what had just happened. He had spent years studying these techniques, and here was Thomas, effortlessly making improvements. "You make it sound easy, but this is... incredible. I've never seen anyone modify a cultivation technique like that."
As the journey continued through the vastness of space, Ye Kan, the young immortal cultivator, turned to Thomas with a curious gleam in his eyes.
"Thomas, could you tell me more about the demon domain? I've heard of it, but details are scarce," Ye Kan inquired, his interest piqued.
Thomas leaned back, considering how to encapsulate the essence of the demon domain in a few words. "The demon domain is a realm affected by a powerful force known as the sin force. It's a manifestation of the darker aspects of the celestial being's heart. Inhabitants of the demon domain are, in essence, beings corrupted by this force. Demons, once celestial entities, became something else entirely under its influence."
He paused, knowing that the topic of the demon domain was complex, and Ye Kan seemed genuinely intrigued.
"Now, we're heading to Ceilea Star, home to the Violet Moon Demon Empress. It's one of the significant strongholds within the demon domain. We're meeting her to discuss matters related to the balance between our realms and potential cooperation."
As Thomas finished his brief explanation, Lulu entered the bridge, her wings folding gracefully as she approached.
"Brother, how's everything going?" Lulu asked, her eyes reflecting both concern and curiosity.
Thomas ran a quick check on the shuttle's systems and observed the trajectory towards Ceilea Star.
"We're on course, Lulu. Estimated time until landing is approximately two hours. The shuttle is performing well, and all systems are within optimal parameters."
Lulu nodded in approval, her gaze shifting to the holographic representation of the star they were approaching.
"Good. Keep me updated if anything changes," she said before giving a thoughtful look to Ye Kan. "And how are you finding the journey so far, Ye Kan? Space travel can be quite the experience."
Ye Kan, still absorbing the information about the demon domain, responded, "It's unlike anything I've ever imagined. The vastness of space, the celestial bodies, it's both breathtaking and humbling."
Lulu smiled, appreciating the sentiment as she herself was in love with the view of space. "Indeed, space has a way of putting things into perspective. If you have any questions or if there's anything you'd like to discuss, feel free to ask. We're here to make your journey as comfortable as possible."