Chapter 30 [Moonhaven]
The Divine Apostles stood in stunned silence, their minds reeling from the sudden and inexplicable transportation back to the familiar surroundings of the house where they first awoke. As revered figures, they were accustomed to receiving reverence and admiration wherever they went. But now, they found themselves in a bewildering and humbling situation - kidnapped in broad daylight.
Their confusion and disorientation were palpable, as they struggled to comprehend the events unfolding around them. The Apostles' usual aura of confidence and authority was replaced by uncertainty and vulnerability, leaving them feeling exposed and powerless.
Aether's eyes blazed with fury, his anger surpassing that of the other Apostles. The memory of being forced to kneel by the mere voice of their captor still seared his pride, and the injury he sustained only added to his indignation. The Apostles, once proud of their formidable strength, now felt helpless and powerless against the overwhelming might that held them captive.
Despite being provided with luxurious accommodations, the reality of their situation was inescapable - they were prisoners bound by unseen chains. Their freedom was contingent upon meeting certain conditions, a bitter pill to swallow for those accustomed to wielding power and authority.
Aether's anger simmered, a potent mix of humiliation, frustration, and determination. He longed to break free from their captor's grasp and reassert his dominance.
Currently, in the opulent hall, the Divine Apostles convened on a plush couch, engaged in a heated discussion about their predicament. Leo posed the question, "What do you think we should do?" Aether's response was laced with anger and frustration, "How the hell would I know?" His tone was harsher than expected, causing Leo's eyebrows to shoot up in surprise.
Leo retaliated, "If it wasn't for you and your friend, we wouldn't be in this..." But before he could finish, Blaze intervened, her voice calm yet authoritative, "We should not fight among ourselves." She accompanied her words with a chilly stare directed at Leo, effectively silencing him
Leo's gaze lingered on Blaze, noticing an enigmatic glint in her eyes whenever she looked at Aether. He wasn't the only one who had observed this subtle phenomenon; the others had too, but they chose to remain silent.
For Leo, this day was a milestone, one of the best days of his life. After awakening in an unknown location, he discovered his unique affinity for 'Storm magic', which significantly enhanced his physical strength and magical abilities.
He had reached the pinnacle of a B-rank mage and an A-rank warrior, teetering on the brink of entering the early A-rank mage realm. The Grand Temple of Asoka proved to be the catalyst he needed, as he became the first Apostle in his group to break through as an A-rank magic warrior.
Leo exuded confidence in his ability to engage in a fierce battle of physical strength with Aether or Karl Kroner, Apostle of the Jotuns God. However, his one vulnerability was his struggle to maintain efficient control over his mana.
Emma's voice broke the silence, "Karl, why do you look so calm, and what are you thinking?" She had noticed Karl's prolonged stillness, lost in deep contemplation. The other Apostles turned to Karl, eager to hear his thoughts, as he was the second strongest member of their group.
Karl emerged from his reverie, his gaze meeting the expectant faces. "Nothing much," he began, "I was thinking about the group that defeated us. We were crushed like insects, despite their restrained strength. It's humiliating that we, Apostles, were bested by a group of non-Apostles, with only one Apostle among them. I'm ashamed of myself, particularly my brief fight against the black-haired elf. I couldn't even withstand five exchanges before being defeated effortlessly."
Karl's words hung in the air, a mix of self-deprecation and introspection, as the Apostles absorbed the weight of their defeat.
Hearing that, Aether's voice dripped with arrogance, "It's not that we're weaker than them. Their Mana rank must be higher than ours. That's why they could defeat us so easily. And even if that's not the case, we were still at a disadvantage. At that time, we didn't know anything about their power, ability, race, capability, and strength."
The room fell silent until a chilly voice pierced the air, "Is that so?" The Apostles' heads snapped towards the speaker, their senses heightened as they realized they were still being observed.
Aether's eyes widened as a cold metallic touch encircled his neck, and he shuddered. His own shadow seemed to come to life, forming a dagger that pressed against his skin. A dark figure emerged from the shadows, taking the shape of Esper, the black-haired elf from Akarya's group.
Esper's voice was icy, "If you're so talented, why didn't you detect my presence? Did you think we used our full power during our battle? Let me enlighten you - our Mana Realm is similar to yours, around B-rank. You were defeated because you were weaker, plain, and simple."
With a flick of his wrist, Esper played with the dagger, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I can kill you in an instant, and you're powerless to stop it. But, alas, I have no authority to kill you... yet. You're our guest, after all."
As quickly as it began, the tense moment ended. Esper withdrew the dagger and sheathed it, his personality shifting like a switch had been flipped. A wide grin spread across his face, and his voice took on a joking tone, "Hey, don't look so glum! I'm just messing with you, Aether! You're not so bad for a defeated Apostle."
Esper's gaze swept across the Apostles, his expression unchanging, devoid of any hint of emotion. "Anyway, let me introduce myself. I'm Esper, 19 years young, and from the Origin Elven Race. I have been sent as your guide during your stay, our guest." His broad smile seemed to suggest he was enjoying a private joke.
Of course, they were not fooled to understand what here 'guests' mean
"So would you like to introduce yourself? Apostles of Gods"
The Apostles' silence was short-lived, as Karl's introduced in his measured tone, "I am Karl Kroner, of the Jotun race." His introduction was met, the way for the others to follow suit. One by one, they spoke up, their voices a mix of caution and curiosity.
"I am Leo, from the Beastman Race," declared Leo, his tone confident.
"I am Aether Valeria, from the Human Race," added Aether, a hint of arrogance creeping into his voice.
"I am Emma Frost, from the Demon Race," said Emma, her tone prideful
"I am Blaze, from the Dragon Race," finished Blaze, her tone icy
Esper nodded enthusiastically, his grin still plastered on his face. "Good, good! I'm so glad we're all getting along famously! It's not every day I get to host a group of esteemed Apostles.
"Lucky you, today's a day of days! Oh dear, I almost forgot - the main event's about to kick off!" Esper exclaimed, slapping his forehead in a comically exaggerated gesture. With a flourish, he swept aside the curtain and flung open the massive door, revealing a sprawling balcony. The Apostles' curiosity was piqued, and they followed Esper with bated breath, eager to uncover the mystery.
As they stepped onto the balcony, their jaws dropped in unison. Before them lay a breathtaking panorama that defied imagination.
The Origin Island Sky were shrouded in an inky blackness, as night itself had descended upon the land. Yet, amidst this darkness, a tapestry of twinkling stars unfolded above, their brilliance intensified to an otherworldly degree. It seemed as though the celestial bodies were converging, their light coalescing at the heart of the Origin island.
Two full moons, resplendent in their glory, cast an ethereal glow upon the landscape. The city, bathed in a kaleidoscope of colors, shimmered with an soft, ethereal light. This luminescence didn't emanate from conventional sources – no fires, torches, lamps, or bulbs were in sight. Instead, the very essence of the environment radiated light: plants, trees, objects, and even some buildings glowed with an soft, gentle illumination.
Suspended orbs, like celestial bodies, hovered in mid-air, casting a gentle glow upon the surrounding areas. The overall effect was nothing short of enchanting, as if the city itself had become a living, breathing entity, alive with a soft, pulsing light that seemed to reverberate with an essence of magic.
In the heart of the Elven Empire, the Capital City of Moonhaven unfolded like a celestial tapestry, woven from the very essence of starlight and moonbeams. As the lunar rays caressed the city, a mystical alchemy occurred: trees, plants, and structures crafted from an enigmatic material began to radiate a soft, ethereal glow. This phenomenon transformed the city into an exotic, dreamlike realm, where arboreal sentinels released luminous energy, bathing the surroundings in an soft, gentle light.
As the 5 Apostles beheld Moonhaven's nocturnal splendor, they were entranced by its unparalleled beauty. Veterans of countless journeys to diverse and wondrous cities, they had never encountered a place that rivaled Moonhaven's heavenly allure. This city was more than beautiful – it was an earthly Elysium, a divine sanctuary where the very essence of Origin elves and nature converged.
Moonhaven's beauty was so captivating that even the most malevolent of hearts would hesitate to desecrate this sacred land. The Apostles, mesmerized by the city's splendor, couldn't fathom the existence of such a paradise. It was as if the city had distilled the quintessence of elven magic and the natural world, creating a realm that embodied the sublime and the divine.