“It’s strange—and beautiful,” he added, shifting his gaze between several thriving purple crystal trees. They were rooted sporadically in reddish-brown earth, surrounded by patches of glittering violet soil that seemed to nourish them.
“Are those glowing trees sentient?” he asked, carefully scrutinizing the luminous soil.
"Of course. What did you expect?" Lady Cat meowed. She replied calmly. "Most plant and animal life here is not entirely organic…"
“Ah, I see.” Skylar cut her lecture short and followed up immediately. “Then what about the glowing things?”
"You mean the luminescent species?" she asked.
Skylar nodded.
"If you think they’re strange, they’re not," Lady Cat continued. "A large percentage of life in our world is luminescent. Unlike somewhere else, it’s a common sight here."
She stared up at him meaningfully from his lap.
She’s already concluded I’m not from this world… and she’s right. But can an artificial intelligence like her understand that I come from the world of her creator? Maybe there is a possibility we could interact IRL one day.
Skylar returned her stare briefly, then he raised his head to observe the deathly sky above the ruin.
“Why does the scene up there look different from the one outside?”
"Raftelia, explain it to him. He’s new to our world," Lady Cat said, her tone once again layered with implication.
The golden rat behind them—who had been watching their exchange intently since the start—startled, then quickly straightened herself. After adjusting her posture, she launched into an eager explanation.
She squeaked, "Sky, you see… the heaven here is artificial. Unlike the natural sky outside, this one was built. Its the works of the gods. We call it a celestial heaven."
“Wait.” Skylar interrupted, pointing at the sky beyond the ruin.
Gray, star-like bodies hung as if ready to fall. Crescent-shaped and ringed celestial forms floated among enormous, melting rocks drifting like meteors. A deathly gray cloud—tattered like an old blanket full of holes—spread low over the land.
“You’re telling me that was created?” he asked, letting out a short chuckle. “Not natural?”
"Yes," Raftelia squeaked. "According to ancient records, there were beings in the past who mastered the crafting of heavens…"
“Crafting the heavens,” Skylar repeated. “Is it the same as the one back in that chamber?”
Lady Cat watched him with amusement as Raftelia answered.
"Not really," she shook her head.
“Then explain.”
"The one in the chamber is a simpler version. It’s commonly used as a vault for enclosed spaces and is called an inner heaven. Most of the time, it’s much cheaper to construct…"
"That’s your own evaluation?" Lady Cat meowed. She cut in.
Skylar immediately defended her. “Shouldn’t it be cheaper? The scale is far smaller. And she said most of the time, not always.”
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He glanced back at the furiously blushing Raftelia, her head lowered, then returned his attention to Lady Cat.
“So basically,” he continued, “the rotting sky here is an artificial heaven called a 'celestial heaven', and the one installed in a room is an 'inner heaven'?”
"Yes," Raftelia squeaked. She confirmed. "Celestial heavens are constructed in open spaces. The area they cover is called a domain, or a zone if it’s small—like this one."
“This place is small?!” Skylar exclaimed.
"It’s just a sacrificial site, nothing more." Lady Cat replied nonchalantly. "There are far bigger ones behind us."
I think I understand what the developers are up to. They must have deleted the species capable of this from the lore at some point. It’s just too grand. And this place is considered small?
Wait… isn’t the sky above the lair somewhat similar? No—that one is just fog... its dimension is on another level. You couldn’t just craft a heaven over it unless you were divine.
But there are gods in this world… maybe it’s a god race they are referring to.
After a long stretch of contemplation, Skylar looked over his companions one by one.
None of them have slept since we left the lair… and I’ve already slept several times already. They’re clearly stronger than me. Maybe by a lot.
I should check my stats now. That serpent isn’t lurking nearby… for now.
He gestured in the air.
Click.
[ Attributes ]
Constitution : D+
Perception : C-
Spirit : D+
Intelligence : E+
Energy : Natural
...
Are my stats leaping… or crawling?
I won’t know without comparison.
My Intelligence leveled up.
So my ability to utilize energy has improved. Before, I relied purely on brute force.
So the chemical energy is gone… replaced by 'Natural Energy.'
Does that mean my muscles no longer rely on chemical processes?
This green energy feels… different.
Like there’s more to it.
It can even manipulate that black gold with infinite resistance…
"My mate, what are you staring at?" Lady Cat interrupted.
"Just checking something." Skylar dismissed the window. "How far are we from the center?"
He noticed Lady Cat had been staring at the spot where the status window had been.
Can she see it?
That shouldn’t be possible unless this simulation is complete trash. And that flower bitch… she knew my past. How is that even possible?
"We’re almost there. Just a few more hours." Lady cat replied. She opened her mystical eyes, which had been closed for some time.
Elsewhere — in front of the wolf lair.
The wolf lair sparkled violently atop a green sea of clouds.
Beyond the bridge, giant snakes poured forth in countless numbers, slithering toward the land beyond.
Millions of them—arrayed like a military parade—stood in disciplined rows behind a colossal green serpent. Golden striped tattoos adorned her smooth, glistening body, reflecting the blue moonlight that shone high above.
The majestic serpent turned to observe the rushing horde.
She hissed.
The army split instantly into two. The rear division paused, then turned back, retreating across the bridge toward the glowing lair shrouded in fog. There number was needed; those left was enough.
Uncle is brave. He’ll enter the ruin.
I’ve wasted too much time on those useless cretins… but I should still make it before he escapes my grasp.
"Creeeeep… hiss…"
Uncle… you are mine.
Under the heavens’ glow, the green serpent waved her hands and gave a silent command. Her golden tattoo glowed, announcing the might of nature.
Wait for me. I’m coming to bring you home.
With a final, chilling hiss, her form blurred—and vanished, not really; her speed was just beyond any a man can observe.
The remaining army surged forward like a raging river, moving at speeds several times faster than sound. Sonic booms tore through the air, completely obscuring the lair behind them.
“That thing…” Skylar muttered as the car slowed. “It feels familiar. Like I’ve seen it before.”
They had reached the center of the ruin.
Before them stood a massive structure composed of enormous rectangular blocks. Tall vertical square pillars supported horizontal square slabs, forming door-like frames. Dozens—no, hundreds—of these frames formed concentric rings around the central point.
As they drew closer, the sacred vestiges of the structure came fully into view.
And Skylar knew—
They had arrived. And he is also certain, the structure is what he has seen before; at least a run down one.