Chapter 2: Where am I?

All of a sudden, my awareness was drawn into the world.

Arthur: (Inner thoughts) And I was kneeling???

As Arthur gazed ahead, he was mesmerized by the breathtaking sight of a seemingly infinite ocean of universes, each one squirming and pulsating as if they were alive. The sheer magnitude of the spectacle left him awestruck, unable to move or speak.

And then, out of nowhere, the sea of universes began to emit a strange, otherworldly sound that seemed to reverberate through every fiber of his being, as if trying to communicate something to him.

???: "My kin, welcome, it's been quite a while since you were here. You've been missed."

???: "I'm a grateful creator."

Arthur: (Inner thoughts) I couldn't speak, the words coming out of my mouth were mine but I couldn't control them!

Arthur: (Inner thoughts) Never mind that, the almighty creator??? No, it couldn't be. None of this made any sense.

That same voice that was mine but not spoke in my head.

???: (Inner thoughts) My creator wouldn't dare show affection for me or any of the other lesser gods. ???: (Inner thoughts) Yes, Proélefsi was our maker, more powerful than any of us, but there was no interest in the politics of the other gods. Of course, I understood that. ???: (Inner thoughts) As Proélefsi's last son, I had to.

Proélefsi: "Unfortunately, you can't stay and chat, I have a task for you."

Arthur: (Inner thoughts) Who is this? Where exactly am I????

???: (Inner thoughts) Of course, I couldn't stay. I'd be lying to deny none of stung, to be back in this wonderful realm, amongst everyone I'd missed for so long.

???: (Inner thoughts) Proélefsi especially, their warmth. The warmth they gave everyone. It was unlike anything else.

Proélefsi: "The demons, they're becoming a nuisance. A dangerous threat."

???: "Do you mean Aplistía Theé? My lord."

???: (Inner thoughts) Aplista I'd heard once entertained the entire realm with his ability to toy with emotions, never succumbing to them. Now my brethren spoke of him as a decrepit fallen fool along with the rest of the pathetic fallen gods who'd fallen into sin and failure. No better than the demons, horrible, ruthless creatures.

Proélefsi: "Perhaps. Whichever Fallen God is sending demons is no fool. If one of the Fallen wished to cause simple chaos, they'd have already shown themselves."

Proélefsi: "No, instead they cower in the shadows."

???:(in rage) "Unacceptable, we can't let those monstrosities gain any ground!!!"

Proélefsi: "Hm... Can I count on you?"

???: "Of course My lord, I won't let you down."

Proélefsi: "Good, now go, and worry not I will watch over you. Always."

???: "Thank you."

The vision pulled me (Arthur) out of Proélefsi's chambers and toward the portal that connected all the realms.

Arthur: (Inner thoughts) I didn't know how I knew that but I just did. It was almost like an old memory, one I'd just found again!!

???: "Looks who it is, my brother!!!"

???: "Aeson, by Proélefsi it's good to see you."

Arthur: (Inner thoughts) It was good to see Aeson hadn't changed a bit since I last saw him. Still, my favorite since he was the least dramatic of my siblings. Arthur: (Inner thoughts) How did- I knew him. I knew all of this. It all felt like, home. Never mind all that, were those wings??? Were we both angels??

Aeson: "How'd Proélefsi react to your arrival?"

???: (Inner thoughts) Had Proélefsi meant me to meet with Aeson without telling me?? Why??? He didn't deem to share it seemed. ???: "Calm and benevolent as always. But it was good, I'd missed our creator."

Aeson: "No doubt any of us would feel the same after being away from heaven for so long. I'd wish we could talk more brother but, it's not worth risking any attention from the others." Aeson: "I have a favor to ask you, brother."

Aeson: "The midén thráfsmata must be retrieved."

???: (Inner thoughts) midén thráfsmata. After Proélefsi created the mortal realm, some unused power of Proélefsi was left behind in the form of midén ýli, the zeroth matter. ???: (Inner thoughts) As time went by, midén ýli got condensed and formed a midén thráfsmata, the zeroth shards. ???: (Inner thoughts) If Aeson wanted that back here in heaven. That wasn't a good sign. Proélefsi strictly kept the power separate. said it should not be used under any circumstance. ???: (Inner thoughts) To consolidate it was dangerous, bringing it here would protect it, but it was a risk, a risk Aeson believed in. ???: "I'm on it. What do you need of me?"

Aeson: "The shard I need you to retrieve little brother is in the outskirt forests of the Arailt Kingdom."

???: "Worry not. I'm on it."

???: (Inner thoughts) That look in his eyes said enough, this was a grave situation. It was my sworn duty to protect heaven, and without so much as a second thought, I went through the portal.

Arthur: (Inner thoughts) The world swirled around me, and my head spun around and around. By the time everything stopped, I was ready to vomit!

Arthur: (Inner thoughts) Then, there it was, that beautiful landscape. The rolling hills.

"Mortal Realm"