The Celestial Tree

[To be transported to Gods Valley, you must use the Talaria.]

With a flash of bright light, a pair of winged sandals appeared in front of me. They looked just like the ones Hermes, the God of Travel in Greek mythology, wore. Following the voice's instructions, I slipped on the Talaria, which featured large white wings on the sides.

[The Talaria will activate upon running.]

I took off running, and in an instant, I was soaring through the sky in an unfamiliar land. The wings on my sandals flapped gracefully as I glided through the air, but I found myself unable to control the direction in which I was flying. It was as if it were leading me somewhere.

As I flew, I marveled at the breathtaking beauty below. The landscape was rich and fertile, dotted with trees of every color—pink, blue, purple, and gold. Majestic mountains rose in the distance, but my view was suddenly obscured as I flew through a thick cloud. When I emerged, I saw that I was heading straight for a colossal tree, as big as a mountain. Its trunk stretching high into the sky, dwarfing the surrounding landscape.

The Talaria guided me directly through a large opening in the tree, where an internal structure lay. leading him into a structure known as the Celestial Arbor, a castle-like sanctuary that seemed to have been crafted from the very essence of the tree itself.

The inside didn't seem like it was built; it looks as if it was grown naturally. Maybe it was someone's ability. The walls formed from thick, intertwining vines that spiraled upward, creating an organic elegance. Luminescent flowers adorned the vines, blooming in shades of blue and violet, casting a soft, enchanting glow throughout the interior.

As I entered the tree, I was enveloped in a warm, golden light produced by the giant fireflies that inhabited the space. These ethereal creatures, each the size of a small bird, flitted gracefully through the air, adding to the magical atmosphere.

The winged sandals brought me to a giant white owl perched atop a sturdy branch.

"Welcome to Gods Valley, mutant," the owl said, its voice deep and resonant, reminiscent of an old man.

"What is this place?" I asked, still taking in my surroundings.

"You are inside the Celestial Tree, a place known as the Celestial Arbor."

"And what are you? The Celestial Bird?" Apparently, this magnificent tree was known as the Celestial Tree and the internal structure is known as the Celestial Arbor.

"I am Ovor, a sacred beast, tasked with guiding mutants like yourself on the quest to become a god."

Sacred Beast? So he's not a Celestial beast, "And what must I do to become a god?" I inquired.

"To gain access to a god's domain, you must consume the heart of a demigod."

"That's all?"

Their has to be more to it than just just killing a demigod god and consuming it's heart. Maybe it comes down to how powerful or how rare a demigod is.

"Demigods are powerful beings; you cannot hope to defeat one in your current state."

"I defeated the snake,"

I wanted to know just how much more powerful the demigod was compared to the snake.

"The snake and the Chimera were rank D celestial beasts. Demigods are far more formidable. I recommend you increase your power by consuming the hearts of even more powerful beasts before challenging a demigod. The inhabitants of Gods Valley fall into seven categories: Demigods, Guardians, Celestial Beasts, Sacred Beasts, Humans, Demons, and Mutants," Ovor explained.

According to Ovor, there are six demigods in total, each a servant of a current god. The demigod you defeat will determine the god you face for their title and domain. He proceeded to explain the categories into which the inhabitants fell.

"The Guardians are chosen humans granted divine power to protect the Celestial Beasts. Be cautious, as they can be very formidable, though they cannot increase their power by consuming celestial beasts, meaning they are unable to become gods."

"The Sacred Beasts, like myself, are tasked with guiding mutants."

"The humans in this world are just as ordinary as any other humans. They have the largest population of any race, but they are by far the weakest."

"Demons are humanoid monsters intoxicated by power; they crave destruction and chaos. They are in constant conflict with the Guardians, as they too seek the hearts of celestial beasts."

"The Celestial Beasts are the most valuable resource in Gods Valley. They are constantly fought over due to their immense power. They are ranked from S to E, with rank S being the strongest and E the weakest. Bare in mind, a demigod is said to be twice as powerful as S rank Celestial Beast."

"Mutants like yourself, are beings born with special abilities, hailing from many different worlds and dimensions, as no mutants are born here in Gods Valley."

As Ovor spoke, Hikari, Alina, and Katherine all arrived at the Celestial Abor.

"Banri?" Hikari called out in confusion. "How did you get here?"

"I defeated the snake."

From the look of them it seems they too were in a life or death battle. Alina had the same disgusted look on her face. What does it take to get a cute smile out of her? 

"Really?" Hikari responded, a wide smile spreading across his face. He is a good persons who care deeply about his friend's safety but Alina on the other hand might've been happier if the snake had killed me. I wonder if Katherine realized that I was gone? She was sticking to Hikari like a baby bird under her mother's wing. Ever since we've met I've barely even spoken to her.

"Welcome to Gods Valley, mutants," Ovor interrupted, turning his attention to the newcomers.

The owl explained everything he had shared with me before the others had arrived.

"The Kingdom of Quath is nearby. You can stay there as you search for celestial beasts. I will send one of the Sacred Beasts to guide you there, as you will not be permitted to leave with the Talaria."

"You mean the sandals?" Alina asked.

"Yes"

Right after a dear came forth. "I am Ivor" the dear said "I will guide you to the Kingdom of Quath, I must warn you, it is better to hide the fact that you are a mutants, the people here are very protective of the celestial beasts."

As we prepared to leave the Celestial Arbor, we followed Ivor, the Sacred Beast, who glided gracefully ahead of us. Ivor was a majestic creature, resembling a large, ethereal deer with shimmering white fur and antlers that resembled intricate branches adorned with glowing flowers. His presence exuded a sense of calm and wisdom, and the air around him seemed to hum with a gentle energy.

The group descended a winding staircase made entirely of thick, intertwining vines that spiraled down from the heart of the Celestial Tree. The steps felt alive beneath our feet, pulsing softly as if the tree itself was guiding them.

Hikari walked beside me, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in the beauty of the Celestial Tree. "Can you believe this place Banri?" he said, a grin spreading across his face. "It's like something out of a dream!"

Finally, we reached the bottom of the staircase, where the vines opened up to reveal a vast, sunlit clearing at the base of the Celestial Tree. The ground was carpeted with soft moss and dotted with colorful flowers.

Ivor stepped forward, gesturing us with his antlers toward the path that led away from the tree. "This way, to the Kingdom of Quath."