Chapter 253: Journey to Planet Kaelria: The Path to True Godhood
After consuming the Universe Tree sap, Tessa and Gastro found themselves facing a critical dilemma: the need for a direction to channel their boundless energy.
Godhood wasn't just about having immense power—it required focus, a specific domain to harness and refine that energy. A Sun God like Solaris drew strength from the sun, while a Moon Goddess derived power from lunar cycles. A Healing God wielded influence over wellness and sickness, and a War God thrived amidst the chaos of battle. Without such a defined purpose, energy would stagnate, grow unstable, and ultimately harm its host.
The sap of the Universe Tree granted incredible vitality, but it offered no direction. For Tessa and Gastro, this meant that unless they found a way to align their newfound energy with a purpose, it would become a double-edged sword, slowly unraveling them.
Fortunately, Tessa's inheritance of Zorath's ancient knowledge illuminated the solution. She realized she needed to reclaim her divine inheritance from her parents. Only by receiving her Solar and Lunar inheritance could she channel the sap's energy effectively, allowing it to trickle into her system in a controlled manner, preventing denaturation.
Gastro, loyal and patient, chose to remain by her side. His decision to trust Tessa was critical. Had he gone his own way, unaware of this vital knowledge, his newfound power would have become a ticking time bomb.
As soon as Tessa boarded the whale spaceship, Nzak Deri appeared before her like a phantom. The Deri-Legu officer, along with his kin, had watched the events unfold—the clash with the mercenaries, Gastro's transformation, and the aftermath. Though some details escaped their comprehension, they trusted Tessa, their Machinery Goddess, without question.
Tessa gestured toward Gastro. "Nzak, this is Gastro, one of my closest friends. Treat him as you would treat me." Her words carried an air of authority as she motioned for Gastro to join her at the pilot panel.
Gastro nodded at Nzak with a smile, but the officer's eyes betrayed unease. A seed of discomfort lodged within him—was this newcomer usurping his position? Though he nodded back politely, a silent tension lingered in the air.
Tessa noticed the subtle shift in Nzak's demeanor but chose to ignore it. She quickly redirected her attention to the 40 prisoners from the Clover Manufacturing Company's Mercenary Group.
"These individuals will serve as laborers for our construction efforts," she announced matter-of-factly. "I've embedded surveillance energy within them. Any attempt to flee or rebel will result in immediate death. Nzak, show them their quarters and ensure they understand the consequences of disobedience."
The mercenaries hung their heads in despair. The realization that they were under constant watch, with their lives tethered to Tessa's whim, crushed any hope of escape.
Once Nzak issued orders to his fellow officers and directed the prisoners away, he returned to Tessa, his demeanor more subdued. Folding his hands in front of him like a dutiful subordinate, he asked, "So, where do we go from here?"
Tessa's eyes gleamed with purpose. "We're going to Planet Kaelria—my home."
Gastro, overhearing the conversation, stepped forward, curiosity evident in his tone. "I thought we were heading to Earth?"
Tessa turned to him, her voice calm and casual. "We will. But first, there's something I need to do on Kaelria—something that will benefit you as well. It won't take long. I just need to see my parents, collect a few things, and then we'll leave."
Gastro hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded. Trusting Tessa had led him this far, and she hadn't let him down yet. He decided to follow her lead, confident that her choices held deeper meaning.
Nzak Deri's voice rang out, breaking the quiet resolve that had settled over the crew. "Set course for Planet Kaelria!"
As the whale spaceship hummed to life, Tessa stood at its helm, her gaze fixed on the distant stars. This journey to Kaelria wasn't just about reclaiming her inheritance—it was the next step in a grander journey toward godhood. For Gastro, it was a chance to solidify his loyalty and unlock his potential. For the prisoners and the Deri-Legu crew, it was a path forward, one that intertwined their fates with the enigmatic and powerful woman they now followed.
The vast expanse of space stretched endlessly before them, a tapestry of glittering stars and swirling nebulae, filled with the promise of trials, triumphs, and the unknown. This was no ordinary voyage—it was a quest, a journey to the mysterious planet Kaelria, a realm whispered about in legends and shrouded in secrets.
Tessa sat quietly in her cabin, her hands resting protectively on her rounded belly. Her gaze lingered on the viewport, where the cosmos unfolded like a living, breathing entity. It had been nearly three years since she had left Earth behind—a lifetime ago, or so it felt. The different time shifts across realms had warped her perception of days and years, yet she could measure her journey in the growth of the child—or children—within her.
By her calculations, it had been four years since her baby began to grow: one year on Earth, three years in space. She marveled at the strange yet undeniable reality. Time moved differently in the cosmic void, but her maternal instincts told her the Niöhöggr baby—or babies—were nearing their time to arrive.
She chuckled softly, lost in a whirl of memories. There was a time, not so long ago, when her greatest worry had been navigating the hallways of Riverdale Academy without revealing her alien nature. Then came the fateful day the world discovered her secret, and her life spiraled into chaos. Battles with the SSG, confrontations with shadowy forces, and the struggle to protect those she loved had shaped her into the fortress of resilience she now embodied.
Her thoughts drifted to the milestones that had brought her here: meeting Ikehara, the enigmatic warrior; facing Rhemon and the deadly thirty; and forging alliances with the green Rhemonics. Each challenge had pushed her to the brink, yet she had emerged stronger, tempered like steel in fire.
But her journey was far from over. Her brother remained in Rhemon's clutches, a burden that weighed heavily on her soul. She vowed to rescue him, no matter the cost. And then there was the Bandel Blue, a precious resource she needed to retrieve from Kaelria before continuing her mission.
A small smile graced her lips as she looked down at her belly. She could feel the lives stirring within her. The movements were stronger now, a sign that her instincts were right—she was carrying twins. She felt their energy, a vibrant pulse that resonated with her own.
"Is it time?" she murmured to herself, her voice trembling with both anticipation and trepidation.
A sharp pang shot through her, sudden and fierce, like a snowball hurled in the sweltering heat of summer. She clutched her abdomen, her breath hitching as the realization dawned on her.
The twins were ready. The time had come.