Chapter 269: The Twin Higher gods!
Solaris had his mind spinning into overdrive, but Solaris wasn't the type to react openly, though his sharp eyes betrayed his thoughts.
His gaze flickered between Tessa, the twins she cradled tenderly in her arms, and the towering figure of Bandel Blue, the thieving god whom Solaris tasked with monitoring Tessa and had lost track of her and induced the anger of Solaris, and who had been absent from the higher realm for a while.
Questions clawed at his mind. How had Tessa, a godling born of their essence, survived the overwhelming, volatile energy of the higher realm without their protective blessing? Who were the infants in her arms, their small forms radiating a strange yet familiar aura? And why was Bandel Blue—a former ally and theiving god, who had drawn their ire and vanished without a trace—standing by her side like an ally, or perhaps, a protector?
More importantly, how had they breached the realm unnoticed?
Solaris opened his mouth to speak, his voice poised to demand answers, but Lunara, his beloved companion, moon goddess and goddess of life, had already moved. Her crimson robes billowed behind her as she broke through the crowd of stunned onlookers, her eyes wide with excitement and disbelief.
"Are those… my grandsons?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. It was as though she'd been handed the stars themselves, her radiant expression softening the tension lingering in the air.
Tessa nodded, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. She had trusted Lunara to break the silence and redirect the moment away from Solaris's impending interrogation.
"When did you…" Lunara's voice faltered as her gaze fell on the infants. Her hands hovered just shy of touching them, as if they were the most precious treasures she had ever seen. "When did you… put to bed? How could this happen without me being there to help?"
"Mom, it's fine," Tessa assured her softly, her smile warm as she handed the twins over. Lunara's hands trembled as she took them, her movements reverent. She cradled them with a tenderness that seemed almost otherworldly, her aura glowing with maternal joy. The twins, though silent, gazed up at her with wide, curious eyes that seemed to mirror galaxies.
Solaris, though still silent, stepped forward, his imposing figure outlined against the shimmering light of the realm. His piercing gaze never left Tessa, his mind still racing with questions. The gathering observers looked on, their whispers now subdued, each trying to piece together the significance of what they were witnessing.
"Who are they?" Solaris finally asked, his voice low but resonating with authority. "And what is Bandel Blue doing here? I thought since he had lost you, he won't bother to return"
Before Tessa could answer, one of the twins cooed softly, the sound like the tinkling of starlight. Lunara smiled, her focus entirely on the babies as she pressed her cheek against one of their soft, glowing heads.
"They're perfect," Lunara whispered, more to herself than anyone else. She looked up at Tessa, her eyes brimming with warmth. "But you still owe us an explanation, my daughter. You've been gone too long… and you've brought more than just yourself back."
Tessa took a deep breath, her gaze flickering to Bandel Blue, who gave her a small nod. The weight of her journey, the secrets she had uncovered, and the sacrifices she had made were about to be revealed.
"I promise," Tessa began, her voice steady but filled with an undercurrent of emotion, "I will explain everything. But first, let's head inside, there are somethings that shouldn't be exposed here."
Solaris exchanged a glance with Lunara, his questions momentarily shelved. "Very well," he said, his tone softening. "But you will answer, Tessa. Soon."
The onlookers began to disperse, their curiosity piqued but tempered by the unspoken understanding that whatever had brought Tessa back was far greater than any of them could imagine. And as Tessa followed Lunara, who was still cooing over the twins, Solaris remained behind, his eyes lingering on Bandel Blue.
"How did you find her…?" Solaris asked, his tone sharp, his eyes narrowing as he turned his attention to Bandel Blue.
"She found me," Bandel replied, his voice calm yet guarded, refusing to elaborate further.
Solaris raised an eyebrow at the cryptic response, but before he could press further, the soft shuffling of feet drew everyone's attention.
The twins, only a month old, slid down from Lunara's cradling arms with uncanny grace. Justin, the older by mere seconds, toddled forward with an effortless balance that defied his tender age. His bright blue eyes sparkled with an intelligence far beyond his years as he walked towards Solaris, his tiny figure radiating an air of authority that silenced the room.
"Grandpa," Justin began, his voice clear and steady, startling everyone except for Tessa and Jordan, who merely exchanged knowing glances. "Stop interrogating Uncle Bandel. He's a good man."
Solaris blinked, utterly taken aback. His jaw tightened as he tried to process the sight of his infant grandson standing and speaking—not in baby babble but in a tone and diction that rivaled that of a seasoned elder.
Justin continued, his little hands gesturing as if addressing a court. "Mom needs to undergo your inheritance again so she can face Erodius. Time is running out, and she can't afford delays."
The room was utterly silent, save for the faint hum of divine energy swirling in the air. All eyes were on Justin, who seemed completely unbothered by the audience.
"And while we're on the subject," Justin went on, fixing Solaris with a gaze far too serious for a one-month-old, "you should know what happened to her on Zubo. She faced trials far beyond anything you could imagine—enemies, alliances, and dangers none of you have prepared her for."
The words spilled forth with an eloquence that left the gods speechless. Justin detailed Tessa's experiences on Zubo, narrating events with startling precision, though carefully omitting key elements like the Tree of Life and the portal.
Solaris's eye twitched. This… child—no, this infant—was standing before him, speaking as if he were scolding a wayward subordinate. And the strangest part? He was making sense.
Lunara, who had been quietly holding Jordan, stifled a laugh behind her hand. The absurdity of the moment wasn't lost on her, though she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
Tessa, meanwhile, remained calm, her arms crossed as she watched her son with an amused smile. "Justin," she said softly, "maybe give Grandpa a moment to process."
Solaris cleared his throat, his imposing figure momentarily shaken. "I… I don't understand," he stammered, glancing at Tessa. "How… How is this possible? He's just a month old!"
Jordan, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up, his tone calm and measured. "Grandpa, we're not ordinary children. You should know that by now."
Solaris's mouth opened and closed as he struggled to find a response. For the first time in centuries, he was at a loss for words.
Justin, unbothered by his grandfather's bewilderment, placed his tiny hands on his hips. "Grandpa, are you listening? Mom doesn't have time to waste. If she's going to face Erodius, she needs your power—and your support."
"Are they both higher gods?" Solaris noticed something and turned to Tessa.
Tessa nodded.
Solaris let out a long sigh, running a hand over his face as he tried to compose himself. 'My daughter has some hidden strength that I cannot guage and as for my grandsons, they seem even to be the most impressive and surprising, they seem to be even on par with me, what exactly is going on?' Solaris pondered.
Justin grinned triumphantly, his bright eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He could see the subtle acquiescence of Solaris. "Good. Now let's get started."
As the two surprised higher god grandparents watched in stunned silence, it became clear to everyone in the room: these twins were far from ordinary.