God Quest

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

Just as the voice spoke, a pair of winged sandals appeared before Banri. Following the voice's instruction, he slipped on the Talaria, which featured large white wings on the sides.

[The Talaria will activate upon running.]

Banri took off running, and in an instant, he was soaring through the sky in an unfamiliar land. The wings on the sandals flapped gracefully as he glided through the air, though he found himself unable to control his direction.

As he flew, Banri 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 his view was soon obscured as he flew through a thick cloud. When he emerged, he saw he was heading straight for a colossal tree, as big as a mountain.

This magnificent tree was known as the Celestial Tree, its trunk stretching high into the sky and dwarfing the surrounding landscape. The Talaria guided Banri directly through a large opening in the tree, 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 Celestial Arbor was not merely built; it was grown, with 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 he entered the Celestial Arbor, Banri 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 Banri 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?" Banri asked, still taking in his surroundings.

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

"And what are you? The Celestial Bird?" 

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

"And what must I do to become a god?" Banri inquired.

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

"That's all?" Banri asked, surprised.

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

"I defeated the snake," he countered.

"The snake and the Chimera were rank D celestial beasts. Demigods are far more formidable. I recommend you build 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.

"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." 

"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."

"Mutants 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 arrived inside the Celestial Tree.

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

"I defeated the snake."

"Really?" Hikari responded, a wide smile spreading across his face.

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

The owl began to explain everything he had just shared with Banri.

"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"

Soon 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 Banri, Hikari, Alina, and Katherine prepared to leave the Celestial Arbor, they followed Ivor, the Sacred Beast, who glided gracefully ahead of them. 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 their feet, pulsing softly as if the tree itself was guiding them.

Hikari walked beside Banri, 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, they 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 with his antlers toward the path that led away from the tree. "This way, to the Kingdom of Quath."