Astrionis, having completed the construction of the floating island, embarked on the next phase of his grand task: the merger of the surrounding planets. He ascended beyond the atmosphere of Ajitha's cherished planet, surveying the cosmic canvas before him. Five planets orbited Ajitha's world, each home to a diverse array of beasts, categorized by their tier of power. These beasts, devoted to perfecting their physical forms, represented a spectrum from the Beastlings, who were in the early stages of development, to the formidable Beast Emperors, whose might was almost unparalleled.
The task of merging these planets was formidable. Astrionis, with his deep understanding of celestial mechanics, faced the challenge with unwavering determination. He hovered at the heart of the celestial convergence, his presence an embodiment of divine authority. His hands moved with practiced precision, channeling the boundless power of the cosmos. The very fabric of space seemed to ripple in response to his command, bending to his will.
Astrionis began by aligning the planetary orbits, bringing each planet into harmonious synchronization. His incantations resonated through the void, creating a symphony of cosmic energy. The first planet drifted gracefully towards the south pole of the envisioned sphere, its surface radiating a soft, ethereal glow. As it settled into its designated position, Astrionis guided the next planet into alignment, each one fitting into the celestial grid with seamless perfection. The boundaries between the planets began to dissolve, melding into a unified whole that represented a hierarchy of power levels.
With a flourish of his hands, Astrionis conjured massive walls along the borders of each newly formed region. These walls, adorned with intricate arcane runes, shimmered with a magical luminescence. He constructed four gates within each wall, their designs resplendent with vibrant magical energy, allowing for passage between the different power levels. Each gate was a work of art, etched with symbols of strength and knowledge, serving as both a literal and figurative threshold.
At the northernmost point of the new world, Ajitha's favored planet glided into position. This planet, a sanctuary of divine beasts, a medicinal garden, a pristine lake, and a grand palace, was the crowning jewel of the spherical world. It stood in serene majesty, its features unmarred by the cosmic upheaval that had redefined the surrounding realms.
Astrionis then turned his attention to the creation of teleportation portals. Each power level was equipped with its own portal, glowing with a soft, inviting light. These portals formed a network of interconnected pathways, allowing effortless travel across the newly merged world. A final portal was positioned within Ajitha's palace, ensuring that the lord could traverse his domain with ease and grace.
As the last incantation faded into silence, Astrionis surveyed his creation with a sense of profound satisfaction. The new planet was a masterpiece of divine engineering—a spherical realm where each latitude held a distinct power level. The regions flowed naturally into one another, the walls and gates marking the progression of strength and knowledge. At the northernmost point, Ajitha's cherished planet stood as a beacon of serenity and majesty, its features untouched by the tumultuous forces that had shaped the surrounding worlds.
With a contented smile, Astrionis whispered to himself, "It is done." The celestial energies around him began to dissipate, their purpose fulfilled. The merged planets now formed a harmonious world, a testament to divine will and cosmic power, ready for Ajitha's grand vision to unfold.
Aricen stood amidst the celestial expanse, his gaze sweeping over the newly-formed world he had crafted. The majestic structure before him, a harmonious convergence of planets, bore the mark of divine ingenuity. His heart swelled with pride at the sight of the intricate power levels and seamless connections, each one a testament to his mastery over the cosmos. Yet, the immense energy he had expended in this monumental task began to take its toll. His vision wavered, and his legs felt as though they could no longer support his weight. Exhaustion overcame him, and he collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
"I've pushed myself too far," he murmured, struggling to steady his breath. The celestial energies that had once surrounded him now dissipated, leaving him drained and weakened.
As he lay there, the enormity of the next task Ajitha had set before him weighed heavily on his mind. "The formation," he whispered to himself. "Ajitha's vision demands a formation of unparalleled complexity. Even with my mastery of advanced creation laws, this will be the most time-consuming project yet."
He closed his eyes, replaying in his mind the intricate details Ajitha had outlined. The formation needed to harmonize celestial and terrestrial energies, meticulously calibrated arrays essential for stabilizing and empowering the new world. The task required not only immense skill but also specific materials that were still missing.
"Some of the materials for the formation are still missing," Aricen thought, frustration creeping into his voice. "Ajitha has yet to provide them. Without those key elements, I cannot complete the specific arrays needed to ensure the stability and power of this creation."
With a labored effort, he rose to his feet, leaning heavily on a nearby rock for support. "I'll need to speak with Ajitha," he said aloud, his voice echoing in the stillness of the cosmos. "He must understand the urgency. This formation is crucial for the success of his vision."
Determined, Aricen made his way back towards the grand palace situated at the northernmost point of the world. The path leading to the palace was a picturesque vista of the pristine lake, divine beasts grazing in serene tranquility, and the fragrant blossoms of the medicinal garden. Each step was a testament to the divine beauty that surrounded the palace, a fitting residence for Lord Ajitha.
Upon reaching the grand palace, Aricen was greeted by Reginald, Ajitha's ever-dutiful butler. Reginald's attire was impeccable, and his demeanor was marked by a quiet efficiency. "Lord Ajitha is currently away, attending to urgent matters," Reginald informed him with a respectful bow.
Aricen's shoulders sagged momentarily, the weight of his fatigue evident, but he quickly regained his composure. "Thank you, Reginald. I have urgent matters to discuss regarding the formation. Do you know when Lord Ajitha will return?"
Reginald's expression softened with empathy. "He should be back by the end of the day. In the meantime, you are welcome to rest and recover from your exertions. I will ensure that Lord Ajitha is informed of your need to speak with him as soon as he returns."
Aricen nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Reginald. I'll take your advice and rest for now. The formation is crucial, and I need to be at full strength to complete it."
Reginald gestured towards a comfortable seating area within the palace. "Please, make yourself comfortable. If you require anything, do not hesitate to ask."
Aricen settled into a plush, elegantly adorned chair, allowing the tension to slowly drain from his body. As he closed his eyes, the palace's serene ambiance provided a much-needed balm for his weary mind. The rich, velvety cushions and the soft glow of the ambient light seemed to embrace him, offering a brief respite from his exertions.
With a sigh of relief, he whispered to himself, "Just a little longer. We'll make this vision a reality."
In the tranquility of the palace, Aricen allowed himself a moment of respite, knowing that once Ajitha returned, they would discuss the necessary materials and finalize the crucial steps needed to complete the formation. Until then, he rested, reassured that his efforts would soon contribute to the grand vision of their cosmic endeavor.
Ajitha's mind raced with disbelief, the weight of Althaea's revelation pressing heavily upon him. "Repeat that, please," he said, his voice tinged with both skepticism and urgency. "This is something serious. Don't make light of it. You're one of the strongest races in the universe, revered and respected. How could such a mighty race leave their home for something as seemingly insignificant as us humans?"
Althaea's gaze remained steady, her expression a blend of patience and solemnity. She sighed softly, her ethereal aura casting a faint, shimmering light. With a graceful motion, she wove intricate patterns in the air. The space around them responded, and materializing before them were two elegant chairs and a finely crafted table, all seemingly carved from the very essence of Yggdrasil itself.
"Please," she said, gesturing to the chairs. "Let us sit and talk. It's a matter of great significance, and it deserves a proper setting."
Ajitha, still grappling with the enormity of what he had just heard, sat down in one of the chairs, its surface surprisingly warm and comfortable, as if it had been imbued with the essence of the ancient tree. He regarded Althaea with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
Althaea settled into the other chair with a graceful fluidity, her posture dignified and serene. The table between them was adorned with a delicate luminescence, casting a gentle glow that illuminated their faces.
Ajitha's brow furrowed in disbelief. "How can that be true? I was among those who visited. As far as I know, no one had ascended to a level strong enough to travel through space and reach your kingdom."
Althaea's eyes, glowing softly with a deep wisdom, met Ajitha's. "Consider this: if your civilization had never encountered us before, how did humans come to know of our existence? Did not the tales, the stories, and even descriptions of us elves appear in your folklore long before humanity first ventured beyond Earth?"
Ajitha's mind raced, grappling with the implications of Althaea's words. He recalled his childhood, the stories and books filled with tales of elves and their fantastical realms—stories that had fascinated him even though, at the time, Earth was still in its infancy regarding interstellar travel and cultivation.
"How could that be?" Ajitha asked, his voice tinged with bewilderment. "We were barely aware of space, let alone of beings such as yourselves."
Althaea's gaze was steady, her expression a mix of patience and gentle reproach. "There are truths that transcend the confines of your world's understanding. Our influence has touched many corners of the universe in ways not always immediately apparent. Your ancestors may have had glimpses of our existence through means beyond their immediate comprehension."
Althaea shook her head and said, "Even I don't know the whole truth regarding this. The previous elf queen, Godmother, might have known about your origins, but she passed away a hundred star cycles ago, which, according to your Earth time, is about three thousand years. I was appointed the new queen after that. At that time, I was just a child, but she had spoken to me about humans."
Ajitha leaned forward, curiosity piqued. "What did she say about humans?"
Althaea's eyes took on a distant look as she recalled the memory. "She told me of a colossal being with a huge shell on its back, carrying a planet. My mother decided to investigate. Do you know which planet it was?" She paused for effect. "It was Earth."
Ajitha's eyes widened. "How is that possible? Are you saying Earth wasn't from this galaxy but was brought here by someone?"
Althaea looked at him with a mixture of sympathy and solemnity. "Did I say Earth came from another galaxy?" Ajitha opened his mouth to speak, but Althaea continued, "My mother said the planet you call Earth came from another universe."
Ajitha stood up in shock, then sat back down heavily. "What basis did she have for concluding that Earth came from another universe? Did someone on Earth tell her? And when exactly did Earth appear here?"
Althaea pondered for a moment before answering. "She said Earth appeared here close to four million years ago. No one told her Earth came from another universe; she reached that conclusion when she first met the being who brought Earth here and saw humans for the first time."
Ajitha's mind raced as he tried to process this staggering revelation. "Who was this being? Why did it bring Earth here?"
Althaea sighed, her expression a mix of sadness and frustration. "That is something my mother never fully explained to me. She only mentioned that the being had immense power and a purpose beyond our understanding."
Ajitha shook his head, frustrated by the enigmatic answers he was receiving, but something Althaea had mentioned piqued his curiosity. He pressed on, hoping for clarity. "What did you mean when you said that the previous elf queen thought humans were not from this universe just by looking at them? Was there something special about them at that time?"
Althaea gazed at him, her eyes shimmering with ancient wisdom. "There is indeed something special even now about them. Have you never noticed it?" With a wave of her hand, she created projections of three small individuals. The first was an elf, the second a creature with a huge muscled body, horns, and a tail, and the third a spiritual being, looking somewhat transparent.
"The elves and other beings that resemble us," she began, pointing to the elf, "cultivate mana to create mana channels and a mana vortex within themselves, growing stronger through this mystical energy." She then gestured to the creature with the muscled body, horns, and tail. "The beasts, on the other hand, channel their mana primarily to enhance their physical bodies. In this process, they gradually gain intelligence, becoming formidable in strength and shedding their beastly nature."
Finally, she indicated the transparent, spiritual figure. "Spirits or spiritual beings cultivate using spiritual power alone. Their focus is solely on fortifying their spiritual essence, becoming more potent in the ethereal realms."
"But you humans," she continued, turning her gaze back to him, "are unique. You have the potential to cultivate mana to ascend in tiers, use body cultivation techniques to strengthen your physique, and also harness spiritual energy to empower your spirit. This multifaceted approach makes you versatile and exceptionally powerful."
Ajitha was shocked by this revelation. Althaea continued, "No other being in this universe is capable of honing all three aspects like you do. Some species that can strengthen two aspects at the same time are regarded as powerful races, but when humans appeared, it changed everything. The physique everyone dreamed of achieving at their highest cultivation tier was given to mortal humans."
Althaea made the projections vanish and continued, "Due to such a peculiar race appearing and the strength it showed at that time, the elf queen regarded humans highly. She also initiated interactions between our races. Soon, many other races learned about humans and visited Earth to interact with them."
Ajitha, puzzled, asked, "Then why do humans have no record of all this? Did they all forget these events? The elves, dwarves, and other races became just fantasy beings to us. And why did all the other races stop their interactions with humans?"
Althaea shook her head. "Even that remains a mystery to us. The information about your race was concealed, almost as if humans suddenly vanished from the cosmos. My godmother mentioned only that something happened around 6,000 years ago that caused you to disappear, but she believed you would reappear, more powerful and glorious than before." Althaea's expression turned somber. "When my godmother died 3,000 years ago, she told me that when humans reappeared, I must reconnect with them. She had never seen such a powerful race as yours. But when you returned only a hundred years after her death, I was shocked, because she had predicted it would take much longer."
Althaea continued quietly, "I was happy to know that you returned. I was going to meet you, but when I saw you from afar, all I saw were mortals who had just ascended and were very weak. I had reservations about whether you were the same humans my godmother spoke of. Yet, we elves decided to support you. When the dwarves learned of your return, they also came to help you regain your previous glory, which even you had forgotten about."
Ajitha fell silent, understanding what was coming next. Althaea said, "But instead of rising quickly with mutual support, humans began to fight among themselves. The powerful dominated the weak, exploiting and even killing their own kind. This internal strife eventually led to a disaster that made Earth uninhabitable."
She sighed deeply. "With Earth destroyed, the surviving humans had nowhere to live. The strong ones scattered into space, leaving the mortals behind to die, as they couldn't survive outside of Earth. The scattered ones also perished, fighting other races for survival, leaving only a few thousand humans alive."
Ajitha's mood grew heavy. He asked dishearteningly, "Why did this all happen? What made humans change from what you described we were in the past?"
Ajitha stood there, stupefied by the flood of information. Seeing his condition, Althaea said gently, "Don't worry about the past that you don't know. You may get to know it when the time is right."
Ajitha nodded, grounding himself in the present. "Yes, I must focus on the present. I believe that I will get to know when the right time comes." He took a deep breath adjusting his mood he said "So let's start our conversation for which we really came here."