The Alien Within

Chapter 220: Back to The Kaelrian planets' Higher plane

Tessa awoke with a sharp intake of breath, her consciousness snapping back into her body like a rubber band pulled taut and released. The familiar ache of fatigue coursed through her limbs, but she paid it no mind. What mattered more was the emptiness she felt inside—a void where her power once resided.

Before, when she was obtainnig the sun legacy prior to entering the lower realm evaluation grounds, she had reached the incredible milestone of 20,000,000 Kaelrian Joules, a feat that had taken extraordinary effort and sacrifice. But now, all of that accumulated energy was gone, siphoned away by the decision of hers to leave through gate of the Lower Realm of power.

Although, she had expected that, still, her heart sank for a moment, but it quickly steadied. She wasn't the least bit concerned. Tessa knew the secrets of power—paths to strength that others could only dream of, thanks to the vast knowledge she gained from the diseased- time god Zorath. She would recover, and she would ascend even higher. It wasn't arrogance; it was certainty.

As her vision cleared, she found herself surrounded by the soft golden glow of her family's chamber. It was a place designed for healing, its walls pulsating faintly with celestial energy. Standing before her was her father, the sun god- Solaris, his usual air of confidence replaced by something unusual—hesitation. His piercing gaze softened as he took in her fragile state.

Solaris had been briefed about her exploits in the Lower and Middle Realm Evaluations. The reports had not been flattering. Word had reached even the Upper Pantheon of how his "foolish daughter" had squandered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, allegedly over a flimsy excuse. The disdain of others weighed on him like an anchor. Hovi, the Xanthex level god, and revered son of Elmas of the eagle faction, had personally called Solaris, not to offer advice, but to berate him and also inform him of his god voice oath for his apparent failure as a parent.

Yet, amidst the cacophony of criticism, Solaris had chosen not to jump to conclusions. He hadn't known her much since they just met within the space of a few days which could be weeks on the lower plane of Planet Kaelria and years on earth. His daughter had always been unconventional, but she was also fiercely intelligent. He decided to reserve judgment until he heard the truth from her own lips.

Lunara, on the other hand, had been far less patient. Tessa's mother had endured the barrage of scorn directed at her daughter for days, and her tolerance had run thin. She was done listening to the voices of detractors. At this moment, all that mattered was her daughter's well-being.

Lunara knelt beside Tessa, her fingers gently stroking her hair, a soothing motion that spoke of a mother's love. "You're awake," Lunara said softly, her voice trembling with relief.

Tessa blinked a few times, her vision finally sharpening. The first thing she noticed was her baby bump—evidence of the Niöhöggr child she carried. It seemed like a lifetime ago that she had accepted this burden, and yet, here it was, an undeniable part of her existence. The second thing she noticed was the intensity of her parents' gazes, their eyes silently asking a dozen questions: How are you? What happened? Why did you do it?

"I'm fine," Tessa began, her voice hoarse but steady. "It's… a long story. But first, I need to find my friend- Gastro. He came with me from the Lower Realm, and I need his help to stop Rhemon and Erodius."

At the mention of Erodius, Solaris visibly stiffened. His composed demeanor cracked, giving way to raw fear. "Wait," he said, his voice laced with urgency. "Are you saying the forbidden god-level being we're to face on Earth is… Erodius? Is that confirmed?"

Tessa nodded silently, her expression unreadable.

Solaris ran a hand through his hair, his movements uncharacteristically restless. "Erodius…" he muttered, almost to himself. "That cunning, ruthless god. No wonder none of the higher-level gods have intervened. They'd rather turn a blind eye than risk provoking him. This is… this is worse than I imagined. A being like him doesn't just destroy; he dismantles everything. His ability to plot and make sinister plans with his twisted mentality is off the charts"

Lunara, usually the calmer of the two, was equally shaken. "Tessa, dear," she said, her voice breaking slightly. "Maybe it's time to let Earth go. Let us all stay here, and forgo this war. We don't have to sacrifice ourselves to face this alone."

Tessa's lips twitched into a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. Her parents, two of the most powerful higher gods on this planet, were terrified. She couldn't blame them. Their fear was justified; Erodius was a nightmare incarnate, a forbidden god level being whose name struck terror even in the hearts of deities. But Tessa… Tessa wasn't afraid. She couldn't afford to be.

The knowledge she now possessed was a game-changer, a weapon unlike any other. Erodius was powerful, yes, but to her, he was a stepping stone—a necessary hurdle in her ascent. Still, she couldn't reveal her plans, not yet. For her parents' sake, she would pretend to be weaker than she was.

"You two can stay, but I can't stay," Tessa said finally, her tone firm but gentle. "I've seen too much, learned too much. If I don't act, millions will die. I won't let that happen."

Solaris and Lunara exchanged a worried glance, their fear for their daughter warring with their pride in her resolve.

"You're so much like your mother," Solaris murmured, a bittersweet smile playing on his lips. "Stubborn to a fault."

"And brave," Lunara added, her hand still resting on Tessa's shoulder. "Too brave for your own good."

Tessa looked at them both, her gaze steady. "I'll need your support when the time comes. But for now… trust me."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of her words settling over them like a shroud. Finally, Solaris nodded, though the tension in his jaw remained. "We trust you," he said. "But promise us one thing: if it gets too dangerous, you'll call for us."

Tessa hesitated, then nodded. "I promise."

She knew it was a promise she might not be able to keep. But for now, it was enough to reassure them—and that was all that mattered.