Even though the number gets reduced drastically from layer to layer, the suffocating aura of power only increases with height. Nobody dares to create any disturbance or disrupt the order here. This is the way things have been for ages.
The various heights are because of the various entrances for different power levels into the tower. These entrances are present on different floors of the tower. So when the barrier around the tower is removed, the participants can have easier access to their various floors.
Gehald himself stood in the air calmly among the Sovereign band. There are hardly any other Elven sovereigns among the ten thousand or so sovereigns because the fertility of most elf races is low, and they don't think highly of such a brutish act as the trial of heaven.
Besides, they don't need to be here. The Life trees of high elves produce life essence that can be used as a substitute for Origin essence. But he is here because he needs Origin essence.
He is standing alone because he is not a people person. The aura of slaughter around him also deterred anyone that wanted to approach. He doesn't care anyway. His gaze remained fixed on the sky-reaching tower. That's where he will get what he wants to achieve his goal.
"It is almost time." He said to himself.
Gehald could feel his heart beating wildly in anticipation. He had been waiting for a long time. He clenched his fist and steeled his heart for what was to come. The hurdles to overcome during the trial of heaven aren't a mystery. Well, most of it isn't. So he is confident of victory. Only the last hurdle could be somewhat difficult because it will be a challenge opened to the manipulation of the will of the realm.
He tried to calm himself down but failed again and again. Suddenly his body went taut, and his beating chest calmed down. A threatening presence washed over him like cold water. The danger sobered him up, but he wasn't alarmed too much. It was just an instinctive reaction of his body.
He knows there will be Origin gods coming to the tower today. They aren't here for the trial but the meet-up with the realm lord. He had heard about this because it is a well-known tradition. Every supreme race must send a representative, but the invitation is extended to all origin gods from High Heaven.
"Today will see numerous Origin gods coming in." Gehaldirah thought and adjusted himself. With this knowledge in mind, he decided to feast his eyes on them.
Being around Origin gods as a lower life form is like being subjected to a muffled sense of calamity. Such wanton release of their aura is enough to quiet the populace around the tower, but for a rare moment since Gehald's arrival at the tower, his eyes showed emotions, emotions of longing. He promised himself again that, with time, he would reach their level of power and eventually surpass them.
-----
Up at the top of the tower, visitors from afar continued to arrive. A large hall has been opened for this special event. Origin gods would descend to the landing pad right outside the hall, a short distance from it.
They exchanged greetings and laughs. The realm lord is currently absent, and the main event hasn't started yet, so these powerful individuals form circles based on friendship and interests.
It was this cordial atmosphere that Dylganihl met with on his arrival. He had taken his time on his journey to the realm tree but still made it early. He decided to meet up with some of his friends and check on the dragon race because he still had a little more time.
After checking on the well-being of his race, he decided to come to the tower with the representative of the dragon race. By then, he had changed to his humanoid form. Except for his crystal clear horns, crystal scales on his face, red iris, and his very tall height, he didn't look that much different from a young giant of order.
As soon as he landed at the tower, someone shouted. "Ohh, here comes the little tyrant."
He grinned and shouted back, " I know it's you, Yudalf, don't let me see your face here."
"What will do, little Tyty? Kiss my ass?" His friend asked with a grin that showed his gleaming teeth.
A burly humanoid with a small flame burning between the two black horns on his head stepped forward. He stood 10 meters tall, the same height as Dylganihl. He is dressed in a bright red regal robe that covers his full figure.
This yudalf had a wide grin that exposed his sharp teeth. Dylganihl recognized him as a particular dragon friend of his in a humanoid form. The two of them are here to attend the meeting of representatives that occurs every origin cycle at the tower of heaven.
"Yudalf, my dragon friend, how have you been?" Dylganihl said as he approached him with wide-open hands. The two giants embraced and laughed. Their voices boomed.
"I have been fine, my good friend. How is your father the monarch of Fire and Lightning?" Yudalf asked when they separated.
"That old man? He is doing well for his age. He has some problems with his hearing, but it is manageable." Dylganihl replied. Yudalf couldn't help but laugh again. How could a world god possibly be deaf? That's just hilarious.
"Is that so? Maybe he has an injury in his ear. I heard he attacked some people in the Immortal lands. They probably injured his hearing." He said when he could finally stop himself from laughing.
"You think so too? I thought I was the only one. I have to trust myself more." Dylganihl said seriously.
"I also heard that when the monarch left, those people found some things missing."
"What do you mean? Where do you even hear such things?" Dylganihl pretended to flare up, except he was grinning. "Are you accusing my father of distracting those people while I visited their secret realm?"