NOVPUB"As a consequence, however, it will also become difficult for its residents to return to the Material Realm. Still, they will not face rejection. The Material Realm, as the first cosmic structure, does not discriminate," Iyraith Zi'ria replied.
Orion nodded in understanding.
"Are there any other questions you wish to ask?" she asked.
"Yes, I have one more question," Orion said.
Orion explained everything about Sylvalis's current condition to Iyraith Zi'ria.
"I see. She's indeed a unique case. She was influenced by the Primordial Tree construct used to awaken your gifts. This allowed her to resist death, and during the formation of the Mysteries of the Twelve-Step Stairs, she became intrinsically linked to it, causing the Mysteries to register her as a localised Will. Unlike other Wills, she's free to act and move as herself. I have a solution for her condition."
"Right now, the border between the two Cosmic Trees needs a guardian. Initially, I had other plans for it. But since the Mysteries of the Twelve-Step Stairs is still young, it will take time before it can manifest a proper Will."
"We can designate her as the localised Will within that boundary. She would ensure the roots remain forever intertwined and beings remain within their domains unless permitted otherwise."
"However, she can also act as a bridge, temporarily overstepping into another cosmic structure's boundary. Later, she can still take on the official role as the boundary's localised Will. I'll leave that choice to you," Iyraith Zi'ria said.
With all that had happened, who knew if there would be a better time for Sylvalis to assume that role without something catastrophic occurring?
Orion realised that if they faced a dire situation they couldn't escape from, Sylvalis, acting as the localised Will of Paradise Mysteries, could help them escape. But the problem was that she wasn't aware of this role.
That meant the situation would need to become more severe than they could handle before her instincts might trigger it. Thankfully, they were competent enough to avoid such a disaster.
"There's no reason to wait. Let's do it now," Orion said.
"Once the Divine Cosmic Tree is complete and its Mysteries have formed, I will finalise everything," Iyraith Zi'ria said.
Orion nodded. He looked forward to the birth of the Mysteries of the Divine Cosmic Tree.
Iyraith Zi'ria even claimed that the Cosmic Tree would contain countless realms—enough to house divine beings, Spirit Beasts, and generations to come.
This thrilled him, especially considering how the White Flame would influence them.
"There's one last thing I want to inform you about," Iyraith Zi'ria said.
Orion listened attentively.
"I wasn't sure whether I should tell you this.... but since I've already warned you of the dangers of crossing into another cosmic structure, I see no reason not to tell you this as well," she added.
"This is about your status as... an anomaly. An anomaly is an error in existence, unbonded by the laws of natural order. A weak anomaly cannot fully resist the influence of a foreign cosmic structure. But a powerful one can. I'm still uncertain whether this applies to the Spirit Realm, which is why I warned you earlier, to stop you from making any rash decisions."
"So even if I completely master a law and ascend as a true god, I still might not be able to resist the Spirit Realm's influence?" Orion asked.
"Yes. The Spirit Realm is too ancient. And because of your nature, there will be those who hunt you, fearing the threat you pose. However, if you become strong enough, you'll gain the ability to control your nature, switching it on or off at will," she explained.
"But if you ever plan to return to the Spirit Realm, or any foreign cosmic structure, do so with a clone. You may be unbound as an anomaly, but that freedom comes at a heavy cost."
Orion nodded. "I promise I won't act recklessly."
He had always wondered how the Omnithriallians, despite their strength and ability to break into the heavens, had lost the war so decisively.
Now, with Iyraith Zi'ria's explanation, he finally understood why. Even if the first race, the Celestiarchs, had been given the same level of freedom as the Omnithriallians, they would have lost just as easily if they had stepped into the domain of the ancient gods.
Fortunately, they were now within the Material Realm—the other side of the main cosmic structure—and their enemies were far weaker.
"There are other things I must share with you, things that cannot be explained properly with words. I'll impart them to you directly," Iyraith Zi'ria said.
As they spoke, Iyraith Zi'ria continuously transmitted information to Orion about the Divine Cosmic Tree as it was being created. One piece of knowledge was about how his divine nature would be influenced by the Mysteries of the Divine Cosmic Tree.
Even without his anomaly status, he would still be able to cross boundaries using it. However, that was even more dangerous; it would place him at the top of any cosmic structure's elimination list.
Thankfully, his connection to it was something he could disguise at will, since he wasn't the Mysteries themselves.
Other insights included various authorities similar to those of the Divine Mysteries and the Mysteries of the Twelve-Step Stairs, customised by Iyraith Zi'ria herself.
This opened a new gateway of thought for Orion, making him wonder:
Was a true god really the apex of a cosmic structure?
Or was it the Mysteries?
Firstly, the Cosmic Structure was a completely self-contained reality with its own fundamental laws, spiritual framework, and governing Mysteries.
Secondly, Mysteries referred to a conceptual framework that governed a cosmic structure—in simpler terms, the beating heart of a cosmic structure. Due to its nature, it possessed its own Will, consciousness, and purpose, all of which benefited the cosmic structure itself.
This was what made the Paradise Realm unique compared to other cosmic structures. Unlike the main cosmic structure, where the Divine Mysteries manifested from the heavens, the Paradise Realm possessed two: one for its Material Cosmic Tree and the other for its Divine Tree.
This ensured that no matter how powerful the gods became, it would be nearly impossible for them to act freely within the Material Cosmic Tree.
Knowing divine beings' resilience and cunning, Orion also approved the formation of sub-mysteries intricately linked to the Divine Cosmic Tree's Mystery. If goddesses like Avarielle and Margona could deceive the Divine Mysteries, then clearly one was not enough to govern a domain filled with beings like them.
Lastly, a true god was a divine being who had fully ascended beyond the lesser divine state by anchoring their existence to a cosmic structure and being recognised by its Mysteries.
A true god from one cosmic structure would be weakened or outright rejected by another unless they were disguised correctly. Ascending within a new Mysteries would gradually sever ties to one's native realm.
This was why the Divine Mysteries reacted so aggressively after Aerialia severed her bond with it and forged a new one with the Paradise Mysteries and others who had followed her path.
The manifestation of a true god was dependent on their complete mastery of a law and the transformation that followed. However, their strength would falter when faced with the influence of a foreign cosmic structure.
Although both divine beings and anomalies utilised Primordial energy and each had their own strengths and limitations, it was apparent which stood higher.
Orion realised that true strength came from being an anomaly, as a being who rebelled against preexisting systems to ascend by their own means.
He was certain that if he had not been a forerunner of the Mysteries of the Twelve Step Stairs, the realm itself could have sensed him as a threat and eliminated him.
In other words, had he continued ascending rapidly within another cosmic structure, not only would he have been targeted by more powerful Divine Corps, but he would also have drawn the attention of even more dangerous entities.
Orion concluded that, as an anomaly and a Mystery-level being, his capabilities would surely far surpass those of ordinary true gods.
Though he appreciated that Iyraith Zi'ria had chosen to share this information with him, he now understood why she had kept it hidden until they reached this place.
"The Divine Cosmic Tree will soon be completed," Iyraith Zi'ria said.
Orion opened his eyes and focused on the tree. Its bark was now fully formed, and branches began extending sideways and outward into the Void.
As the branches continued to grow, Orion found himself at the edge of the far side of the bark. Fiery fruits emerged on each branch, protected by glowing leaves.
Suddenly, the fruits detached themselves and fell.
They exploded one after another, each eruption transforming into a separate realm.
Each realm contained endless skies, floating islands, and lush paradises. Some realms were tailored to specific laws, designed to remain hidden from mortal sight for eternity.
...
Author's Note: I think that's enough lore.
