The Guardian gods-Chapter 440

Xerosis’s blush deepened, her thoughts swirling with a mixture of confusion and amusement. This version of her uncle seems a bit unhinged, she mused internally, trying to reconcile the childlike demeanor with the immense power she knew he possessed. The casual mention of his... origins, combined with the touch of melancholy in the child’s voice, painted a rather peculiar picture of the God of Nature.

The spirit consciousness, seemingly oblivious to Xerosis’s internal turmoil, continued, "We have been expecting you for a while now."

Xerosis’s brow furrowed. "We?" she asked, genuinely confused. "I don’t know that many people here." Her mind raced, trying to think of who might be waiting for her in this hidden realm. She had come seeking her uncle, but she hadn’t anticipated meeting anyone else.

"You will know them soon enough," the child-like clone of Ikenga replied, his smile returning to its full brilliance. "For now, why don’t we head down so you can fully experience the realm?" He gestured towards the vibrant world below, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. The invitation was clear, an offer to guide her through the wonders of her uncle’s domain and introduce her to those who awaited her arrival.

Xerosis, still slightly bewildered by the encounter with the realm consciousness, decided to accept the invitation. "Alright," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "Lead the way."

The child-like figure beamed, clapping their hands together. "Excellent! There’s so much to see!" With a skip in their step, they turned and began to descend, floating gently towards the valley floor. Xerosis followed, her initial apprehension slowly giving way to a sense of excitement. She dissolved into her blue smoke form once more, reforming as she landed gracefully beside the spirit consciousness.

The tour began. The child, who introduced himself simply as "Ikenga’s child" a title Xerosis found both amusing and slightly unsettling, proved to be an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. He led her through the whispering forests, pointing out the unique flora and fauna that thrived in this magical realm. He showed her waterfalls that cascaded into pools of crystal-clear water, where fish with scales like shimmering jewels darted among the smooth stones. He introduced her to creatures she had only heard of in legends: six-legged deer with coats of pure white, birds that sang melodies that seemed to weave magic into the air, and butterflies with wings that shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow.

Ikenga’s child seemed to know every hidden grove, every secret waterfall, every breathtaking vista. He narrated the history of the realm, sharing stories of ancient spirits and the powerful magic that flowed through the land. He explained the delicate balance of nature, how every creature, every plant, played a vital role in maintaining the harmony of the ecosystem.Xerosis listened intently, her initial reservations about the strange child fading with each new wonder she witnessed. The spirit consciousness, despite their unusual origins, was clearly dedicated to showcasing the beauty and magic of their home.

They explored meadows filled with flowers that glowed with an inner light, their petals unfolding and closing in time with the rhythm of the realm’s magic. They climbed gentle slopes to reveal panoramic views of the entire valley, the tapestry of green stretching out beneath them like a living map. Ikenga’s child even showed her a hidden grove where fireflies danced in the twilight, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of light and shadow.

As the day progressed, Xerosis found herself relaxing, enjoying the tour and the company of her unusual guide. The initial awkwardness of their meeting had dissipated, replaced by a comfortable camaraderie. Ikenga’s child, with their boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm, was doing their best to ensure that Xerosis had a memorable experience. He seemed genuinely delighted to share the wonders of the realm, their joy in its beauty infectious.

Osisi and Boros remained in the shadows, their presence concealed, their forms blending seamlessly with the realm. They watched in silence, their gazes locked onto Xerosis as she followed the child through Ikenga’s vast and ever-growing domain. Their interest was not in her journey itself, but in what it represented—the key to ascension. If she could carve a path forward, perhaps they could too.

Yet, for all their patience and discretion, the consciousness of the realm seemed to be aware of their intent. It never once acknowledged them nor guided Xerosis in their direction. Whether this was an act of indifference or deliberate avoidance, they could not say. But it was clear: if they wished to unravel the mystery of ascension, they would have to find their own way.

As the tour of Ikenga’s realm neared its conclusion, the child, who had led Xerosis so playfully, came to an abrupt halt. Xerosis stopped just behind him, sensing the shift in the air. The once cheerful and carefree energy surrounding the child was gone, as if stripped away in an instant. In its place was a quiet gravity, something ancient and knowing.

The child turned to her, his gaze sharp, his voice steady.

"For those we are going to meet next, you need a steady and calm mind," he said, his words slow and deliberate. "Never let your emotions guide you, else there is no going back for you, and your path of ascension ends here."

The weight of his words pressed against her like an unseen force. She understood now—this next meeting was not just another step in her journey. It was a threshold, one that, if crossed carelessly, would consume her entirely.

Xerosis opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, the child simply waved his hand. In response, the ground beneath them shifted, splitting apart like the surface of a still lake disturbed by an unseen force. From the depths of the realm, something new emerged—a world layered upon the one she stood in. It bore similarities to Ikenga’s domain, yet something about it was profoundly different.

The energy that bled from this place was unlike mana. It was purer, stripped of elements and definitions, existing beyond the familiar forces of magic and power. It was raw, untouched, and absolute. The child remained silent as he stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the new realm without hesitation.

Xerosis lingered, staring into the open gateway. A strange unease crept into her mind, a whisper at the back of her thoughts warning her of the unknown. But there was no turning back. Swallowing her hesitation, she followed him in, and just as she did, the portal sealed itself shut behind her.

The first sight to greet her was unexpected—deer. But these were no ordinary creatures of the wild. The energy they radiated sent a deep, resonant warmth through her, a feeling she had not experienced since the underworld. It was familiar, almost nostalgic. Her eyes widened in realization. These were the children of Wardenwild—beings tied to an ancient guardian, an agent of her mother who had long since ascended to a spirit.

The last she had heard of Wardenwild, he had been stationed on the southern continent, his watchful presence keeping Murmur at bay, ensuring that no dead souls fell into his grasp. To see his kin here meant that this place was tied to forces far greater than she had anticipated.

Yet, despite this strange sense of familiarity, Xerosis could not shake the feeling that she was being watched. A chill ran down her spine as she surveyed her surroundings. The presence of the deer comforted her, but there was something else—many things, hidden yet aware of her. Her senses, sharp as they were, barely registered them. These entities bore no magical signature, no trace of mana or spiritual resonance, yet they were undoubtedly significant to this place.

Then, she saw them. Hanging from the towering trees of the spirit realm, apelike beings clung to the branches, their piercing gazes locked onto her. They murmured amongst themselves in hushed voices, their fingers pointing in her direction. The sight of them stirred a memory within her—her cousin, the apelings. There was an eerie resemblance, though these creatures carried an ethereal presence, as if they had long since transcended mortal existence.

The beauty of the spirit realm was undeniable. Majestic elemental treants roamed freely, their massive forms pulsing with the essence of nature itself. They acknowledged her presence, some even waving at her with slow, deliberate gestures that she could only interpret as a form of greeting. Their faces, if they could be called that, twisted into what she perceived as smiles.

And yet, despite the breathtaking scenery and the presence of beings tied to her past, comfort eluded her. Something was off. Perhaps it was the subtle but undeniable shift in the child’s aura, or maybe it was the ever-present weight of unseen gazes pressing down on her. A quiet voice at the back of her mind whispered that she did not belong here, that she was an intruder in a realm beyond her understanding.

But it was too late to turn back now.