Chapter 328: Tharla’s domain
Chapter 328: Tharla’s domain
With the colossal tree Goddess guiding us, we quickly made our way through space and approached the massive planet. An almost invisible barrier surrounded it, but we easily phased through it as the Goddess continued unhindered.
The world below us slowly came into view, and we found ourselves flying toward an enormous floating island. All sorts and manners of celestial castles adorned it, with countless beings exuding a divine aura walking about.
As soon as we appeared, they all ceased their activities and respectfully lowered their heads. Tharla paid no attention to their gestures and guided us toward a specific area, devoid of any buildings but instead dominated by a vast forest.
The place was of unparalleled beauty and enchantment. As we ventured into the forest, a sense of tranquility washed over me, as the air became laden with the soothing scents of blooming flowers and ancient trees.
The forest boasted an immense diversity of flora, with towering trees that reached toward the heavens, their branches intertwined to create a verdant canopy that filtered sunlight into a gentle, dappled glow. These ancient giants stood sentinel, their trunks adorned with moss and lichen. Faint rays of sunlight broke through the canopy, illuminating the forest floor in patches of ethereal radiance.
Underneath the towering arboreal guardians, a vibrant undergrowth thrived. Soft moss blanketed the ground, providing a cushioned pathway as we walked, its emerald hues reflected the evergreen nature of the forest. Delicate ferns unfurled their fronds, creating a tapestry of luscious greens that swayed with every whisper of the wind.
Flowers of all shapes and colors bloomed in abundance, their fragrances mingling in the air. Majestic orchids with petals like stained glass, with vibrant lilies and irises that added bursts of color to the tapestry of foliage. The forest was a living canvas of nature's artistry, with wildflowers carpeting the ground in a riot of colors, from fiery reds to gentle pastels.
My eyes easily spotted the crystal-clear streams that meandered through the forest, the water elements' soothing melodies echoed amidst the ancient trees. The water, pure and invigorating, sparkled as sunlight danced upon its surface. The mana seemed to nourish the land, sustaining the flora and providing sanctuary to a variety of creatures, from delicate water lilies to playful frogs and minnows.
As I glanced about, I could see the forest humming with life. Birds flew from branch to branch, their melodious songs harmonizing with the rustling leaves. Squirrels scampeed through the canopy, while a few gentle deers grazed in serene clearings. Butterflies, with their delicate wings adorned in a kaleidoscope of patterns, flit from flower to flower, adding a touch of enchantment to this mystical realm.
Within this divine forest, Tharla's presence was palpable as we appeared. Her essence suffused every leaf, every blade of grass, and every gentle breeze. It was a sanctuary of harmony and balance. And as we entered her realm I could not help but be captivated by its ethereal beauty and the profound sense of peace it bestowed upon me.
"Welcome to my humble abode," the Goddess's voice resonated, causing the very forest to tremble in harmony with her words.
As the oldest among my siblings, I took a step forward and expressed my gratitude, saying, "We appreciate your hospitality."
The Goddess chuckled lightly and acknowledged each of us, "So you are Aether, then we have Sidus, Ynos," before pausing to look at Breta, "And little Breta." Her words caused a visible unease in Breta's demeanor.
Tharla's curiosity was evident as she observed the young Goddess, and I quickly felt compelled to break the silence. "Shall we begin?" I proposed.
"Oh, of course," Tharla acknowledged my suggestion with a nod and proceeded to explain, "We are currently in what the mortals refer to as the heavenly domain. It is separate from the mortal plane, hidden from their sight. We try to minimize direct interaction with mortals, as it tends to lead to complications. However, certain minor deities struggle with this restraint and occasionally interfere in the mortal realm. Hence, our presence is not entirely unfamiliar to them."
I nodded and waited for her to continue. Breta seemed interested to hear what she had to say, but my two brothers, on the other hand, had bored expressions on their faces. Thankfully, Tharla didn't seem to mind.
She noticed the differing reactions among us but remained unfazed. She continued, her voice carrying a hint of amusement, "Now, as for your purpose here, you have been brought to Everwyn to aid in its restoration. This world has suffered a great calamity, following a large scale battle and the balance between its natural forces has been disrupted. It is your task to help restore harmony and stability of the mana in this realm. We have already cleaned the everything and healed what needed to be healed, all that is left is to restore the mana to its previous state."
"What do you mean by restoring the mana to its previous state?" Breta spoke for the first time since we came.
Tharla paused before answering with a smile, "Our friends here," She said motioning to me and my siblings, "Are the closest entities to the mana elements. Although we have tried our best to restore everything to its original state, they should be able to sense that some problems remain," she said before glancing at me.
I slowly nodded in agreement. She was right, although the world itself seemed stable with no apparent problems, I could sense that the flow of mana, wasn't right. It was all messed up.
Tharla's smile widened as she noticed my agreement. "You Dragons possess a unique connection to the elements. Your innate ability to sense the flow and balance of mana makes you invaluable in this restoration process. And that is why you are here. By working together with us, you can identify and we can rectify the areas where the mana flow is disrupted or imbalanced."
"I understand, we are happy to be of assistance," I answered with a nod.
"Great! Now I know It isn't much, but please accept these as a small gift," she said and waved her branches causing the ground of the forest below us to shake before it split open. Small trees grew out of the ground, each one holding a colorful fruit that emitted an appetizing scent. The appearance of these trees effectively grabbed Sidus and Ynos's attention.
I nodded in gratitude, appreciating Tharla's gesture. "Thank you for your generosity," I replied, acknowledging the significance of her gift. My siblings, couldn't contain their excitement as their gazes were drawn to the colorful fruits
With a sense of wonder and curiosity, they approached the trees, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. Breta seemed intrigued as well.