I learned that I had been unconscious for a mere two days, a revelation that itself carried a jolt of astonishment. To survive a grievous injury of such magnitude was staggering, but to emerge from it fully healed in just forty-eight hours was nothing short of miraculous.
Indeed, my body was entirely restored, barring a distinctive mark etched across one of my eyebrows, slicing diagonally like the iconic badge of a rugged, enigmatic character from the grand tapestry of cinema. It seemed that the designation "REALM OF GODS" was far from arbitrary; its mystical mending powers defied reason.
Summoned by the elder gods, I was beckoned to their presence for an undisclosed but evidently vital matter. The words reached me through a nurse in what could only be described as a hospital that rivaled palaces. The sheer notion that such lofty beings wished to converse with me left me dumbfounded. What could individuals of such supreme standing possibly desire from someone like me?
Adorned in a traditional ensemble befitting the realm's culture, I hastened my steps toward the resplendent TOWN HALL.
An aside about these structures: each realm, Earth 99 excluded, boasted a monumental town hall, serving as the dwelling for the most exalted figures. Its grandeur was unparalleled, housing residences that contained all necessities for a tranquil existence. Within its walls resided the paramount authority of every realm.
Anticipation grew as I approached the TOWN HALL, where the elite echelons of authority from each realm were said to convene. At least, that's what I had been informed.
Returning to the narrative at hand:
Never before had I held such importance in the eyes of anyone, and the weight of this realization settled heavily upon me. Even my neighbours were oblivious to my existence, and likewise, I to theirs.
The hospital where I had been admitted lay nestled on the edge of the realm. Unlike the spherical domains, Evermore stood as an exception—a flat expanse resembling a colossal slab of rock suspended in the cosmos. It lacked the customary rotation around a larger celestial body, maintaining a fixed position in space. This stationary state was enshrouded in a shroud of mystery, a realm where an enigmatic atmosphere prevailed. A cluster of clouds encircled it, orchestrating the rhythm of day and night, an extraordinary occurrence that defied explanation within the confines of Earth 99's understanding.
The town hall, situated at the heart of the realm, was a grandiose palace-like structure that stood out conspicuously among the surrounding buildings. My superior, who possessed greater access to various realms, had informed me that while every town hall across realms shared a similar architectural design, each one managed to maintain its unique identity. These structures were regarded as some of the most ancient technological marvels in the entire universe, or so the legends claimed.
Navigating the labyrinthine lanes and countless turns within Evermore, I found myself lost more than once. After what felt like hours of wandering, I finally arrived at the imposing town hall, drenched in sweat that clung uncomfortably to the clothes I had received at the hospital.
Despite being in the Realm of Gods, Evermore didn't exude a futuristic or advanced vibe. Instead, it radiated an aura of well-organized living with minimal crime rates, a surprising discovery considering its divine reputation. It seemed that everything was in perfect harmony here.
Exhausted, I approached the town hall's entrance. To my amazement, the guards recognized me immediately. It bewildered me; this was my first time setting foot in Evermore, so how did they know who I was?
Their stern words greeted me, "You are late. The appointment you were given started seven minutes ago."
Standing there, in that moment, felt like an accomplishment in itself, especially considering the possibility of becoming hopelessly lost in an unfamiliar realm.
I was escorted into the presence of the universe's most esteemed officials, and with every step I took toward the heart of the town hall, my heart grew heavier.
"What is this? Could it be the weight of authority emanating from those officials in the room?" I felt tension building within me, a harbinger of the challenging encounter that awaited me in the next few minutes.
The guard left me by the enormous door, assuring me that it would open when the officials deemed it appropriate.
I couldn't help but reflect, "Is it a universal truth that the more power one holds, the more one tends to become rude and arrogant?"
A long, towering stairway stretched before me, leading to the elevated platform where I now stood. The guard who had accompanied me departed, descending the staircase until he was a mere speck, barely visible from my lofty vantage point.
A refreshing breeze, carrying with it the promise of relief from the perspiration clinging to my skin, brushed over me. The panoramic view that unfolded before my eyes was nothing short of breathtaking. In Evermore, the absence of noisy vehicles was conspicuous. Here, nearly everyone possessed some form of extraordinary ability. Some aspired to be formidable warriors and skilled fighters, while others had harnessed their unique talents to earn a livelihood.
As I began to relax and appreciate the tranquil scene, a loud clicking noise startled me, originating from behind. I swiveled to face the colossal doors, which had initially appeared immovable. These massive portals were now slowly parting. Until the doors had fully opened, an impermeable barrier, seemingly composed of mystical energy – I presumed it to be soul energy – stood guard, ensuring no one could breach the threshold. Once the doors swung wide, the barrier dissolved of its own accord. It was a rather impressive sight.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the entrance. After a few strides, I noticed that the temperature within was neither hot nor cold, neither comforting nor uncomfortable. It defied simple description; it was merely neutral. The hallway extended before me, narrow and seemingly endless. As I proceeded calmly, an unusual alcove came into view. Upon closer inspection, it became apparent that this was where the hallway terminated, giving way to a vast, dome-shaped chamber beyond.
I could sense the presence of people within, although I couldn't see them at first due to the peculiar lighting—or lack thereof. To say there was "no light" would be inaccurate; instead, it was as if each corner of the immense hall was bathed in light, yet the occupants themselves remained shrouded in obscurity. It was as though they were absorbing the light, rendering themselves not invisible, but more akin to black holes that swallowed light and left an eerie, inky void in their place. To be even more precise, the rest of their bodies appeared normal; it was only their faces that resembled miniature black holes. I found myself in no position to question this surreal spectacle.
Naturally, a mere mortal like myself was left utterly stunned by the sight. I found myself incapable of uttering a single word. Could beings of such otherworldly nature truly exist? That was the question echoing through my mind.
"Referring us as 'creatures' is rather impolite, wouldn't you agree, Mr. Caldwell?" a voice, seemingly from thin air, chided gently.
In that chamber, there were no others besides myself and the 14 enigmatic officials seated before me. Thus, I had to deduce that one of them had spoken. It was an astonishing revelation – they could even pluck thoughts from my mind. Wasn't that an overwhelming display of power?
Whoever had spoken possessed an eloquent manner of speech. Their voice held a soothing quality, capable of warming the heart and making anyone feel at ease. I imagined it belonged to an elderly gentleman, well into his 90s. In an instant, my anxiety and fear of these mysterious figures dissipated. It was as if I had known them for a lifetime, allowing me to speak candidly.
"That was quite an intriguing duel you conducted in the arena," one of them remarked, although I couldn't discern which had spoken.
"Isn't that a bit too generous..." I paused, at a loss for how to address them. Should I call them "Your Highness"? "My Lord"? "Elders"? "Officials"? "Old Men"? In the end, I decided to simply continue my statement. "Even I must admit, it didn't quite match up to some of the more spectacular fights I witnessed before my arrival at the hospital," I fibbed, testing whether they truly possessed the power to read thoughts, or if my previous experience had been a fluke.
"Lying isn't very becoming of you, my young friend. And challenging our abilities isn't wise either," another among them retorted. I could distinguish the voice change this time.
And there it was, my answer – they truly could read minds.
Suddenly, a profound realization washed over me. To stand amidst the divine in their very realm was an immense honour in itself, but now, being summoned by the loftiest among them, I was overcome with a sense of awe.
"You've misunderstood, young man," a new voice among them interjected, a subtle note of mystery creeping into the atmosphere. "Not all who dwell here are gods. This place, now known as the Realm of Gods, received its name a mere million years ago, despite having been the birthplace of our universe tens of billions of years past. Ever since, the title of godhood has exclusively belonged to those selected from this sacred land. For a million years, none from outside these hallowed grounds were deemed worthy of ascending to godhood. However, the present circumstances may herald a change, for we have found an outsider, someone deserving to be the successor of the reigning deity. The future, for now, is set to diverge from the path we've tread for eons. Our universe is poised to evolve into something beyond even our wildest imaginations."