1 Chapter 1 - Illumi & Gaia

Erebus, known as the God of Darkness and Shadows.

Similarly, the world was also shrouded in darkness and shadows since the very first beings came into the world. And thus, the world was called, Erebus. The world of darkness and shadows.

However, Erebus was not a home for any undead, vile or dark creatures. But a variety of life. Even in darkness, life flourished and prosper.

Their light and guide came from a very special plant that emits different colors of light and grew to reach the zenith, like tower of babel. Its light gave off heat and warmth that fueled life to move forward.

It was called, Sol Fos.

Treated as a source of light and warmth, it was sacred for every life. Thereby, extremely protected, parallel to the most priceless treasure ever seen on land.

And due to its importance, it also caused a tragedy. War always revolved around Sol Fos for it was limited, or should be said, fixed in number.

As a plant life, it also has a cycle of birth and death. And like any other plant, it also bloomed and bear fruits, scattered seeds everywhere. But from the very beginning, to the current era, all historical books recorded that there were only 99 of them around Erebus that could exist. All with different combinations of colors and characteristics.

Fortunately, after a Sol Fos completely died out. It would leave a very special crystal called Sol Core, that could emit radiant light, but no aurora. It needed to be recharge at the top of Sol Fos every 3 years to maintain its function. Or otherwise, it would become but an ordinary crystal. By then, It has no other uses, and merely a decoration.

Hence, Sol Cores were important treasures for every force. And they conduct a pilgrimage every three years to reach the top of Sol Fos to recharge the Sol Core. This tradition became a symbolic event for all beings on Erebus.

"And a week from now, a pilgrimage will start. All people with bravery, courage, and extraordinary skills to face the challenges on the path shall be chosen. It is both an honor and a responsibility." A man with a lire said eloquently to the other people within the common-class cabin of a flying giant ship made of steel and iron.

At the corner most seat of the common-class cabin, a man wearing a black windbreaker, denim, and rubber shoes. He was completely out of order, from the cloaks, robes, coats and animal skin tunic of masses, was listening attentively.

He has an unbelievable expression on his face.

"To think, I would traverse to this unscientific sunless, gloomy world..." The man sighed to himself. "Honestly, how did this world even have a life with the absence of the sun?!"

Indeed. This man was not a native of Erebus. But from a world called Earth. He came to Erebus after encountering a disaster that he thought would be the end of everything. Who would have to that it was merely the new beginning?

"Just accept it already, stupid master. You cannot return to your homeworld in your current state." A childish, sweet voice echoed in his mind. "Traveling into the space-time tunnel needs strength and at your current level your body will be shred into pieces."

His was called Illumi Aether. An extraterrestrial explorer in his previous life. At his time, mankind had already fully controlled the solar system and spread to the neighboring planetary system, in the early stage of outer space exploration.

He was the most unfortunate one as he was the only one that stumbled upon a suspecting blackhole. Inside, he found a cube of incredible wonder. It illuminated the dark expanse like a beating heart, giving life to the lifeless space and color to the darkness.

The moment he touched it, the cube fused with him and they both disappeared into the abyss of endless darkness and terror. When he awakened, he was already at Erebus. At a forest, surrounded by luminous flora. Luckily, no beasts had found him before he woke up or he would never wake up.

The man smiled bitterly and nodded. "Yeah, yeah... At least, I have you, Gaia."

"Hmmph! Stupid! You won't get anything from me with flattery, stupid master. I need energy, you know right?" Gaia replied shyly, with a strong and proud tone for a cover-up. "I can only help master if I have energy. I have already used up all my remaining energy after ensuring your survival in the Chaotic Space."

Gaia, the elf that lived within the crystal-like cube that the man named Cube of Creation, for the cube has the ability of absolute creation. It could create anything that existed and those that didn't. All it needed was enough energy. With enough energy, it could give birth to a new universe or dimension if wielded.

Thus, it was what nagged him at the moment. Luckily, the Chaotic Space that could grind anything that entered it into chaotic energy blessed him instead. As he traveled across the Chaotic Space, the cube protected him and tempered his body and soul while he was in stasis. If not, he had already died from the pain that no mortal or transcendent could bear.

His Mortal Body was transformed into a Divine Body known as, Chaotic Body. A physique that could refine everything, similar to Chaotic Space. An ultimate novice package.

With such a physique, Illumi didn't need to worry about being poisoned or inflicted by any curses as his body would automatically absorb it for his nourishment. Besides, he now has unparalleled strength and speed. He could lift thousands of tons of weight and move at the speed faster than sound.

In other words, he has become a Superman. He only lacked a red cloak and red underwear outside his pants. Well, he was also unable to fly.

"Gaia, you said this world has many kinds of energy present in the air right?" Illumi asked.

"I know what do you want to say. But as the sole owner of the Cube of Creation, I can only siphon energy from you. Unless it is a kind of ownerless and materialized pure energy." Gaia interrupted.

"You mean, you are not eligible to absorb free energy from the air?" Illumi complained in his heart. "What kind of setting is that? Are you not the almighty creator of things?"

"Yes. Because I am too powerful and so the prohibition was also powerful." Gaia replied pointedly in his mind. "If you are as powerful as a god, then you can be almost invincible with my help. But you are a wimp, so don`t complain to me about your weakness!"

Illumi could only sigh at his own incompetence and could not argue as he knew that Gaia was right.

Bored looking at the dark sky outside the window beside his seat for a long time, Illumi decided to take a nap until he arrived at his destination. He stood up from his seat and went directly to the lower deck where the sleeping cabin was located.