Chapter 85: Celestial Realm

Chapter 85: Celestial Realm
Theodore
"I need you two to remember that in the celestial realm, only those who have the blood of the deity and are authorized and invited can come here," Rachelle explained, her voice echoing softly in the vast expanse around us.
Thaddeus and I barely registered her words. We were too stunned by what we were seeing.
The whole place was embezzling with an ethereal brilliance that seemed to shimmer in the very air we breathed. We stood on what appeared to be a floating bridge of translucent crystal, suspended high above an endless sea of stars that glittered like galaxies had been gathered below our feet. Above us, the sky swirled with cascading hues of indigo and gold, streaked with the faint trails of celestial creatures soaring like ribbons of light.
Towering trees with silver-white trunks and luminous violet leaves arched gracefully in the distance, their canopies pulsing softly with a life force we could feel vibrating through the ground. Each breath we took was laced with something... ancient and pure. Mana rich and unfiltered hung thick in the atmosphere. It shimmered in the light, sparkling like dew suspended in the air.
A sudden gust of that charged air swept over us, and chills danced down my spine. Thaddeus let out a shaky breath beside me, his eyes wide with awe.
"Do you feel that?" I whispered, watching a strand of mana coil through my fingers like liquid starlight before dissipating into the air. "It's like the realm is breathing."
Rachelle smiled gently. "That's because it is. The celestial realm is alive. Every root, every stream, every star above you responds to divine mana." She gestured forward, and with each step we took, the crystal bridge softly lit beneath our feet, recognizing us, guiding us.
In the distance, a colossal palace made of glowing marble and stardust seemed to rise from the horizon itself, crowned with spires that pierced the sky and flowed with rivers of golden energy. It looked less like something built and more like something dreamed into existence.
Despite its beauty, a quiet reverence hung in the air. It was the one that made our every movement feel sacred, like we were standing in the realm where fate itself was written.
"I can see why mortals aren't allowed here," Thaddeus murmured, barely blinking.
I nodded in agreement, trying to still the rapid beat of my heart. "It feels like just breathing the air could change you."
And maybe it already was.
Rachelle let out a soft chuckle, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "It would've been more fitting if she were the one to invite all of you herself." She glanced our way, her tone taking on a more instructive edge. "Also, just so you know, her earthly name doesn't work here. Only her spirit goddess name is allowed in this realm."
"Kiena," I said on instinct, only to feel the word catch in my throat, the sound twisting as if the realm itself refused to let it pass. I coughed and blinked in surprise.
Rachelle gave me a playful, knowing smile. "Told you so."
I scowled lightly, rubbing my neck as Thaddeus laughed under his breath beside me.
"Dumbass," he muttered with a smirk.
I shot him a sugary-sweet smile, all teeth. "Don't make me start on who's the dumbass between us, dear brother."
Thaddeus narrowed his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching in mock irritation.
Even now, no matter how old we got, it didn't take much to get under his skin.
"Mother's in the celestial garden. This way," Rachelle said, her voice light but purposeful.
She moved ahead, her steps graceful as moonlight on still water. Thaddeus and I trailed behind her, the echo of our footsteps swallowed by the polished floor of the palace. The hallways stretched endlessly, crafted from opalescent stone that shimmered faintly with threads of starlight.
The walls themselves seemed alive, humming softly with mana. It was soothing yet powerful, like a lullaby whispered by the cosmos.
As we passed through a grand archway, a gentle breeze met us, cool and fragrant.
The courtyard opened up before us, revealing a garden that could only exist in the realm of the deities. Flowers bloomed in impossible hues. Petals woven from silver flame, blossoms that pulsed with a quiet inner glow, and vines that sparkled like strands of constellations. The trees shimmered with ethereal bark, their leaves shifting colors with every angle of light, sunset gold to aurora green to deep twilight blue.
The air thrummed with mana, ancient and alive, curling around our skin like a gentle current. It made the hairs on our arms rise, and a chill danced down my spine, not from fear, but reverence. Every breath I took felt charged, like inhaling the stars themselves.
Even Thaddeus, ever composed, let out a quiet whistle beside me.
"This is... something else," he murmured, eyes wide with awe.
As we reached the heart of the garden, the landscape opened into a circular clearing, bathed in soft, celestial light. Suspended just above the flowering grass was a glowing cloud gossamer and translucent, like woven moonlight. Upon it sat a figure so breathtaking, so impossibly serene, that for a moment we forgot to breathe.
Her dress flowed like liquid stardust, rippling with every shift of the breeze. The silken fabric shimmered with colors too delicate to name, like dreams half-remembered. Her silver hair drifted upward as if gravity dared not touch her, glowing faintly with an inner luminescence.
Though her face remained veiled in radiant light, its warmth reached us, gentle but commanding. And when she turned her gaze toward us, the mana in the air stirred as if the very garden leaned in to listen.
Then came her voice, melodic and otherworldly, as she looked toward Rachelle with unmistakable affection.
(Ragriel, dearest.)
"Mother, greetings."
Thaddeus and I exchanged glances, wide-eyed when this godly deity was the Moon Goddess Herself. We didn't need to question it. As werewolves, we were able to distinguish Her. She was the one blessing us, giving us power during full moon.
"I know you already know our purpose here, Mother." Rachelle stepped forward, gesturing her hand in our direction. "Please, we are humble ask for your help and guide, Mother. Kiena is in danger right now."
Thaddeus and I bowed our heads before Her. "Moon Goddess, we humbly beseech for Your help," we said in unison.
"Please, we beg you," Thaddeus said. "You know Kiena's location. We wish to save her. You're our only hope, Moon Goddess."
I agreed. "We wouldn't forgive ourselves if something happens to Kiena," I said with my clenched hand. "Please, Moon Goddess."
Moon Goddess stared in our direction with Her fingers resting on Her chin. (I understand your trouble,) She said and appeared in front of us, causing Thaddeus and I to jump in shock. (And I am also worried for Kiena, too.)
Her silver wavy hair floated weightlessly around Her, as though it were suspended in the soft breath of the heavens themselves. With a graceful tilt of Her head, She extended Her hands toward us. The moment Her fingers brushed ours, a soothing warmth surged through me, like sunlight passing through crystal water.
Though Her face remained hidden beneath a veil of radiant light, the air around Her shifted with a gentle hum, and I didn't need to see Her expression to know.
She was smiling.
The energy of Her presence wrapped around us, calm yet immeasurable, as if the entire celestial realm paused to witness this sacred meeting.
(Thank you for loving and supporting my daughter. The relationship of you two is somewhat wrong because Kiena is still married, but I really appreciate that you have believed in her words.) I looked into the Moon Goddess' hands, feeling the warmth enveloping like a mother cradling her child. And that was enough for me to feel emotional because of Her presence.
"We will love her until our last breath," Thaddeus and I said in unison.
In that moment, our voices blended as one. No hesitation, no need for a glance or cue.
The bond between us pulsed like a single heartbeat, unspoken yet perfectly understood. It felt as though our thoughts had aligned completely, as if we weren't two separate souls but reflections of the same one.
Moon Goddess nodded. (I know.) She floated back. (I shall tell you where she is. You have to make sure that my daughter is alive. Do you understand?)
"I'll help them, Mother," Rachelle volunteered.
She shook Her head. "This is their fight, my dearest. And we cannot risk of you be added to be exposed." 
"But, Mother..." Rachelle creased her forehead. "Then I can work in the shadows. I am not going to sit down. It's my sister we are talking about. Please."
She sighed. (Of course, you will be stubborn.) She chuckled and caressed Her hair before turning at us. (Kiena...) She started. (Her location is...)