I Guard The Book That Slays Gods

The creature's mouth glowed like the night sky, and Raiden's eyes followed the ethereal light within as his head swayed gently back and forth.

The creature's throat descended like a never-ending tunnel, and strangely, the deeper Raiden ventured to explore its nature, the more welcoming the space became. The air grew warmer, filled with a fragrance infinitely more pleasant than the world above.

Raiden looked to the others, who were completely absorbed by the inner radiance, mesmerized as Noelle and Levi ran their hands along the glowing teeth, experiencing their deceptively soft yet blade-sharp surface.

Everything appeared delightful, but it had been over three hours since they'd stepped into the Leviathan's mouth, and Raiden still hadn't sensed any movement that would suggest the beast was in motion.

"Are you sure we are moving?" Levi asked, stepping nearer to Raiden.

Raiden shrugged his shoulders, glancing left as Leo pressed his hand against the teeth.

"I'm not feeling any vibrations that would suggest we're moving," Leo said, also facing Raiden.

Raiden let out a sigh. He believed they had no option but to believe they were moving. "Let's have faith, I guess."

As soon as Raiden spoke, Levi moved nearer. "Have you noticed that we can't use our abilities here?"

Raiden looked at him, his calm expression becoming puzzled. "Really?"

Levi nodded firmly. "I wanted to keep my presence hidden in case Chrono had something planned." He rubbed his head. "I've tried about a dozen times now, but nothing."

Levi's words seemed odd to Raiden, since just a few feet away, Noelle was casually producing flames from her finger to light her aether cigarette.

"Then how is Noelle doing that?"

Before Levi could speak, Ash spoke up quickly. "I think it's because the flames are made of mana."

Levi and Raiden both turned toward her. "So only mana works."

The realization hit Raiden as he reached toward his eyes. "Perhaps that's why I can still see."

No sooner had Raiden spoken than violent vibrations coursed through the creature's mouth, making them all desperately seek shelter. Raiden's pulse quickened as he held Ash's hand in a firm grip, his feet pressed hard against the tongue for stability.

The leviathan slowly began opening its mouth before them, and rays of light pierced through the widening gaps, stabbing sharp pain into Raiden's eyes. He instinctively covered his eyes against the sunlight while his thoughts raced, desperately trying to understand what was happening.

"You have arrived," the leviathan's deep, cold voice resonated through their minds.

Raiden cautiously uncovered his eyes, keeping them narrowed. But before he could take in their surroundings, the leviathan extended its massive tongue, slowly sliding them out of its mouth and onto a coastal shore.

Raiden swallowed hard as waves of peace and stillness washed over him. His body tingled with tranquility, as though every burden had suddenly vanished.

Before them lay an enormous field carpeted with flowers of every kind. The meadow extended beyond sight, its colorful blooms becoming a distant shimmer, while at their backs rolled a vast blue sea.

What drew Raiden's eye most, however, was an enormous gazebo constructed of gleaming white stone throughout, from its towering pillars to its expansive roof. The structure dominated the center of the isle, spacious enough to accommodate well over a hundred people.

Raiden stood motionless, drinking in the vista while trying to understand the peaceful sensation within his body. Before he knew it, the others had made their way down to the ground, leaving him and Ash alone on the creature's tongue.

Ash pulled on his hand as she climbed down, breaking Raiden's trance entirely and drawing him along.

"Summon me when ready," the leviathan said the moment Raiden and Ash stepped off its tongue.

They stared as it slowly retracted its head through what looked like an invisible boundary at the ocean's rim, the rest of its massive form concealed beyond the barrier. The instant its head withdrew completely, the gaping hole in the barrier closed with sudden finality.

MK had his hand in his pocket as he walked toward the barrier. He extended his hand through it, and strangely, his hand emerged several feet to his left instead. When he wiggled his fingers, the distant hand moved in perfect synchronization.

"So it's true… only leviathans can enter absolute domains without invitations," he said with a smirk, pulling his hand back before walking toward Noelle.

The barrier didn't bother Raiden; to him, it was perfectly logical. But something nagged at him. Clearly, the gazebo behind them was their intended meeting place for the alliance. So where was the Sleeping Star, the domain's owner?

"Just so you know," Chrono said, turning toward the gazebo, "no one knows where the Sleeping Star is."

Raiden's gaze followed Chrono as he approached the gazebo.

"We'll be stuck here today and tomorrow with nothing to do." He faced Raiden. "The alliance can only be formed on the third day."

Raiden's mouth opened slightly in shock. "What? Why are you just now telling me this?"

Chrono halted and pressed his hand to his head. "You're feeling it too, aren't you? The tranquility and calm?"

He faced Raiden again with an unreadable expression. "In this place, we can't lie." Chrono's smirk widened. "But that doesn't mean we have to tell the truth either."

Raiden's eyes narrowed as he touched his chest. He could sense it; every breath he drew made him calmer still. It was as though all his concerns had melted away.

He watched Chrono alongside his allies approach the gazebo, their faces bright with contentment. "So this is Solace Isle," he said quietly.

Ash dropped his hand and made her way to Noelle and MK. While the others began exploring the island, Leo separated from the group and walked over to Raiden.

"I believe the Sleeping Star is the gazebo," Leo said, his gaze lingering on it in the distance.

Raiden looked toward it for a moment, weighing Leo's suggestion. "Yes, I agree."

Something continued to bother Raiden, though. The absolute domain felt too plain and vacant—something was unsettling about it. "I think it's this way because the Star is sleeping."

Leo turned to him with a puzzled expression. "What do you mean?"

"It's only a theory, but I believe this place seems empty because the Star is sleeping." He took a few steps forward, knelt down, and ran his fingers over the flowers.

Their velvety texture felt absolutely genuine—this was reality, after all. "There's nothing here but flowers, peaceful feelings, and the gazebo."

He got to his feet and looked at Leo. "For someone as powerful as the Sleeping Star is supposed to be, this domain seems too basic. Something feels off."

Leo's eyebrow lifted subtly. "When I think about it, it does make sense." He gazed at the ocean. "It's like this represents what peace looks like in his dreams."

Raiden maintained a serene expression while watching Leo. Obviously, Leo had come to him with something significant to discuss, but he couldn't seem to find the words. It was evident in how Leo avoided making eye contact entirely.

Raiden could tell how to help Leo feel comfortable enough to speak, but he also didn't want to push him.

"It's amusing to consider that there might be animals or humans living on the real island at this very moment, completely oblivious that they're in an absolute domain," Raiden said with a relaxed tone as he approached Leo.

Leo's eyes went wide as the implications hit him, and he placed his chin in his hand. "You know, this world is really frightening."

"In what way?"

"Our own homes might exist within absolute domains, and we'd be completely unaware."

Leo's observation hit Raiden like a wave of shock, his heart rate accelerating. "I think you're right, Leo."

He looked at Leo. "There's no way to find out without an invitation, considering Leviathans can't transport us through land-based domains."

"True," Leo said, nodding as he continued watching the calm ocean.

Raiden studied him quietly for a moment, giving Leo room to collect himself and speak when he felt comfortable.

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air for a moment until Leo abruptly faced Raiden. For the first time, their eyes truly met.

"Can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course," Raiden said with a gentle smile. "I'm listening."