Chapter 23: The World Beneath the Azure Moon
The sky stretched endlessly above them.
A sea of stars shimmered across the heavens while an enormous azure moon hung silently in the darkness, casting silver light upon forests that seemed untouched by time itself.
Two figures walked through the night.
One possessed white and red mix hair.
The other radiated an ethereal beauty that could make entire civilizations kneel without realizing why.
Vlox and Astraith.
Neither of them belonged to this world.
In truth, neither of them truly belonged to existence itself.
Vlox was the creator of the Omniverse.
Every reality, every timeline, every law of existence had originated from a mere thought of his.
Astraith walked beside him with a gentle smile.
Her silver hair danced in the wind while her golden eyes reflected countless worlds.
Despite her overwhelming power, she appeared completely relaxed.
Both of them were invisible.
Not merely hidden from sight.
Their existence had been erased from the perception of reality itself.
No mortal.
No god.
No dragon.
Could sense them.
They were travelers exploring worlds simply because they enjoyed witnessing the stories unfolding within them.
Ahead of them stood a massive forest.
Towering trees stretched hundreds of meters into the sky.
Strange glowing mushrooms illuminated the ground.
Mana flowed through the environment like rivers of liquid light.
Astraith smiled.
"This world is beautiful."
Vlox nodded.
"It is young."
The forest suddenly trembled.
Several monsters emerged from the darkness.
Gigantic wolves covered in crystalline armor.
Each creature possessed enough power to destroy entire armies.
Their crimson eyes scanned the surroundings.
Astraith watched them curiously.
"Crystal Fang Wolves."
"You already know their species?"
Vlox smiled.
"I created the concept of wolves."
Astraith laughed softly.
"Fair point."
The wolves suddenly became alert.
A massive magical presence descended upon the forest.
The pack immediately lowered their heads.
Fear.
Respect.
Instinctive submission.
A dragon emerged from the clouds.
Its scales shone like emerald gemstones.
Massive wings covered the moonlight.
The creature’s roar shook mountains.
Yet Vlox merely glanced upward.
To him, the dragon looked no more threatening than a small bird.
Astraith tilted her head.
"Cute."
The dragon would probably have died from embarrassment if it heard her.
The beast landed upon a nearby cliff.
Then something unexpected happened.
A tiny blue slime bounced toward the dragon.
The slime was barely larger than a melon.
Compared to the gigantic dragon, it looked insignificant.
Yet the dragon land in front of the slime.
The slime bounced happily.
Astraith blinked.
"Interesting."
The slime possessed unusual energy.
Not powerful.
Not yet.
But unique.
It carried limitless potential.
The dragon and slime disappeared into the forest.
Astraith watched them leave.
"I think that little one will become something special."
Vlox smiled.
"Many legends begin small."
They continued walking.
Hours passed.
Eventually they arrived at a kingdom.
Gigantic walls surrounded the city.
Magical barriers shimmered above the gates.
Thousands of adventurers moved through the streets.
Merchants sold enchanted weapons.
Mages demonstrated spells.
Children ran through the marketplace.
Life.
Simple and ordinary.
Yet beautiful.
Astraith smiled as she watched the people.
"Sometimes I prefer worlds like this."
Vlox looked at her.
"Because they struggle?"
She nodded.
"Because they dream."
For a moment neither spoke.
The sounds of the city filled the air.
Laughter.
Conversation.
Music.
Things so insignificant on a cosmic scale.
Yet somehow precious.
Vlox wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Astraith leaned against him.
The creator of existence and the celestial dragon stood together in silence.
Watching.
Listening.
Enjoying.
Not as gods.
Not as rulers.
Simply as travelers beneath the azure moon.