Chapter 268: The Higher Realm Portal
The vortex pulsated with an almost sentient energy, its swirling hues casting an otherworldly kaleidoscope of light over the barren landscape.
Each swirl of color seemed to hum with its own resonance, creating a symphony of power that echoed like an ancient cosmic chant. The air itself felt alive, charged with electricity, making every breath heavy with purpose.
Tessa adjusted her hold on Justin and Jordan, their faces serene despite the chaotic energy crackling around them. The twins, nestled against her, exuded a calm yet commanding aura, their presence amplifying the portal's power with each passing moment. It was as though the vortex recognized them—not just as travelers, but as the very anchors of its stability.
Behind her, Bandel Blue hesitated, his normally quick and nimble frame rooted to the ground. His usually sharp instincts faltered as memories of Solaris' fiery wrath seared through his mind.
The oppressive heat, the overwhelming energy, the unrelenting power of the sun god—it all made his pulse quicken and his confidence waver. Yet, there was something about Tessa that stilled the storm within him. She was no longer just a protector, no longer just a mother. In this moment, she was a tempest—a force of nature that defied gods and fate alike. Bandel couldn't decide if he was terrified or enthralled.
"Tessa," he managed, his voice unsteady but loud enough to cut through the hum of the portal. "What if… what if Solaris hasn't forgiven me? The last time I was in his presence, I barely escaped with my life. I don't think I'd be so lucky again."
Tessa turned slightly, her blue moonlit eyes meeting his. They shimmered like liquid silver, carrying an intensity that made Bandel's breath catch. "You're Bandel Blue," she said, her tone sharp yet laced with wry humor. "The Thieving God who's outsmarted everyone from mortals to demi-gods. And you're afraid of my father having a tantrum?" She raised an eyebrow, her smirk disarming yet edged with steel. "Grow up."
Before Bandel could summon a retort, the twins stirred in her arms. Justin extended a small hand, and a spark of golden light leapt from his fingertips. The spark seemed alive, dancing through the air before merging with the vortex. The portal pulsed brighter in response, its swirling energy stabilizing further.
Jordan, not to be outdone, let out a soft giggle, his own hand producing a silver glow that intertwined with Justin's golden spark. The interplay of light and energy was mesmerizing, an ethereal display that left no doubt about the twins' divine lineage.
Bandel Blue's eyes widened as realization hit him like a thunderbolt. "Higher gods…" he whispered, his voice barely audible. His suspicions about the boys' heritage had lingered in the shadows of his mind, but now the truth stood undeniable.
They weren't just heirs to Tessa's extraordinary legacy—they were something far greater, something ancient and unfathomable. The energy radiating from them was unlike anything he'd ever encountered, powerful enough to stabilize the vortex and protect even him from the higher realm's terrifying energy.
Tessa stepped forward, her silhouette framed by the radiant portal. She paused at its edge, glancing back at Bandel. Her presence was commanding, a stark contrast to the swirling chaos behind her. "Solaris and Lunara will listen," she said, her voice firm, each word imbued with quiet authority. Her gaze flickered with a dangerous confidence. "And if they don't…" Her smirk deepened, a flicker of mischief playing on her lips. "They'll have more to worry about than just the sun and moon."
The sheer conviction in her words sent a shiver through Bandel's spine, but it also ignited a spark of hope within him. If anyone could face the celestial gods and emerge victorious, it was Tessa. He drew a deep, steadying breath and stepped into the portal after her.
The transition was indescribable. Bandel felt his physical form dissolve, his very essence swept into the current of energy that propelled them forward. The roar of the portal grew deafening, and the swirling light became a maelstrom of colors he couldn't name. It was disorienting, exhilarating, and terrifying all at once. For a moment, he felt like a speck drifting in the infinite void of the cosmos, a grain of sand in an endless sea of power.
Then, as abruptly as it began, it ended.
They emerged into a realm so breathtaking it seemed to defy comprehension. The sky stretched endlessly, a shimmering canvas of gold and silver streaked with rivers of light that flowed like liquid starlight. Stars hung close enough to touch, their brilliance casting a gentle glow over the landscape.
Towering crystalline spires dotted the horizon, each structure radiating a luminescence that made them seem alive. The air was warm and fragrant, carrying the delicate scent of celestial blooms that swayed in an unseen breeze.
At vantage point of this radiant realm, close to the now- closed portal, stood Solaris and Lunara. Their forms were awe-inspiring, their presence both commanding and serene. Solaris burned with the intensity of a thousand suns, his golden armor rippling like molten fire. Lunara, by contrast, exuded a calm, ethereal beauty, her silver robes flowing like water, her every movement a study in grace. They turned as one to face their visitors, their expressions inscrutable, their gazes piercing.
Bandel Blue felt his knees weaken under the weight of their scrutiny, but Tessa remained steadfast. She stepped forward, her twins glowing faintly in her arms, their divine energy a shield against the overwhelming power of the celestial gods.
"Mother. Father," Tessa began, her voice carrying across the luminous expanse like the toll of a bell. The serene authority in her tone silenced the celestial murmurs of the higher realm warriors, maids and servants, their divine energy vibrating faintly in the air. Her confidence was unshakable, her presence commanding. "I've returned."
Solaris, the sum god, father of light and guardian of the higher realm, froze. His golden eyes narrowed, his usually impenetrable calm betraying the faintest flicker of disbelief. Only moments earlier, he and Lunara had been discussing the sudden rippling disturbance in the divine fabric—a portal, vast and unfamiliar, had opened. Never before had such a phenomenon occurred without their sanction.
At first, Solaris feared the worst: one of his ancient enemies, perhaps long thought defeated, had returned to challenge his dominion, or worse, that the lower realms were under siege. The gathering of the higher gods had been swift, each preparing for battle, celestial energy shimmering in their hands like dormant storms. Yet as the portal stabilized and the figure stepped through, the tension evaporated in an instant.
It was Tessa.
The daughter they believed had ventured to Earth to face a dire crisis was now standing before them, unscathed, holding more surprises than any of them could have foreseen.