Chapter 193: Higher Dimension!

Chapter 193: Higher Dimension!

As the gathering swelled, Dzek stood at the center, his golden aura radiating power and authority. He had bluffed his way into dominance, but for now, it didn't matter. What mattered was the legacy he had just begun to forge.

What the onlookers didn't realize was that Dzek was, in fact, the weakest lesser god on Base 137. His newfound energy, though potent in raw numbers, was far from stable. The legacy bestowed upon him by Solaris coursed through his veins like an untamed storm, wild and unfamiliar. He lacked the experience to wield it effectively, and it would take a considerable amount of time before he could fully master its intricacies.

For now, Dzek was a glass cannon—a figure of immense potential but fragile execution. Every move he made required intense focus, as even the slightest misstep could cause the energy within him to spiral out of control. Yet, his recent actions had struck fear into the hearts of those around him, painting him as a figure of unparalleled might.

The lesser gods, who prided themselves on their strength and dominance, were uncharacteristically silent. Each of them weighed their options, watching him intently but making no move. None dared to challenge the man who had just obliterated one of their own in a single, fiery strike.

Dzek's victory wasn't just physical—it was psychological. The sheer audacity of a temple priest rising to the rank of a lesser god and immediately dispatching a peer had left them reeling. The fear of the unknown—of whether his newfound power might even rival theirs—kept them in check.

Dzek, fully aware of his precarious position, capitalized on their hesitation. He stood tall, exuding an air of confidence that masked his internal turmoil. Inside, he knew the truth: one miscalculation, one concerted attack, and he would be exposed. But for now, perception was power, and he intended to wield it to its fullest.

"I see no one else is eager to test their strength against mine," Dzek said, his voice laced with mockery. "Wise choice. The legacy of Solaris flows through me, and with it comes the will of the gods themselves. Challenge me, and you challenge Solaris!"

The crowd stirred uneasily. Lesser gods exchanged wary glances, their pride bruised but their survival instincts overriding any desire for retaliation.

Behind the scenes, Dzek's mind raced. I need time, he thought. Time to understand this power, to control it, to ensure no one sees through this bluff.

As more Kaelrians gathered, the story of his ascension spread rapidly, growing more exaggerated with each retelling. By the time it reached the far corners of Base 137, Dzek was no longer a mere priest turned lesser god—he was a symbol of divine wrath, an enforcer of Solaris's will.

But Dzek knew the truth, and it both terrified and exhilarated him. He was walking a tightrope, with the weight of the sun god's legacy on one side and the crushing expectations of his peers on the other. One wrong step, and he would fall. For now, though, he basked in his newfound status, determined to turn this momentary fear into a foundation for lasting power.

As the crowd slowly began to disperse, murmuring amongst themselves, Dzek allowed himself a small, triumphant smile. He had survived the first test. The road ahead would be treacherous, but if he played his cards right, the weakest lesser god on Base 137 could rise to become something far greater.

———

Kaelrian Planet – Higher Dimension – Lair of the Higher Gods

While chaos brewed on Base 137, Tessa and Bandel Blue found themselves navigating an entirely different kind of turmoil. Encased in the protective aura of Solaris's energy, they traversed a plane far beyond anything they had known. Without that divine shield, the raw, untamed energy of the higher dimension would have reduced them to nothingness.

This was the Higher God Dimension, a realm that defied conventional understanding. It was not so much a place as it was a state of being—intangible yet reachable for those with sufficient strength and divine essence.

The duo marveled at their surroundings, though a quiet fear gripped them. The higher dimension, while tethered to Planet Kaelria, seemed wholly separate, an enigma woven into the fabric of the universe. Its beauty was overwhelming, and its danger was palpable.

Soon, they arrived before a vast expanse: a lake unlike anything they had ever seen. The water shimmered in a surreal purple hue, radiating an energy that was both captivating and terrifying. This was the Lake of the Sun, a reservoir of raw divine power. Its surface rippled gently, but the energy emanating from it seemed alive, crackling and pulsing as if seeking a target to devour.

Tessa and Bandel Blue instinctively stepped back, their senses warning them of the lake's untamed power. Even standing at a distance, they could feel the energy threatening to pull them apart.

Solaris appeared behind them, his towering presence commanding their immediate attention. "WAIT HERE," he instructed, his voice reverberating with authority.

Without hesitation, Solaris removed his godly robes, his golden skin glinting in the ambient light of the higher dimension. He strode toward the lake, his bare feet meeting the glowing surface. Instantly, steam rose from his body, as if the lake were both burning and purifying him. Yet, a serene expression crossed his face—it was clear that to him, the lake's touch was rejuvenating rather than painful.

Tessa and Bandel Blue watched in awe and disbelief. To Solaris, this lake was a sanctuary, a source of renewal. His lost energy replenished, and his stamina surged as he immersed himself deeper into its depths.

For a while, Solaris simply basked in the lake, his godly form radiating an even brighter glow as he absorbed its energy. Tessa and Bandel Blue stood at a respectful distance, their nerves taut as they tried to process what they were witnessing.

When Solaris finally emerged, droplets of the lake's radiant water clung to his body, evaporating almost instantly. He donned his robes with an air of casual authority, turning to the pair who had waited patiently.

"NOW, LET US GO AND SEE YOUR MOTHER," Solaris declared, his tone firm yet oddly warm as he smiled at Tessa.

Tessa's face flushed as she quickly looked away, avoiding Solaris's exposed form. She couldn't help but feel embarrassed by his lack of concern for modesty.

Bandel Blue, meanwhile, clenched his fists, suppressing the urge to comment. He wanted to say, Shouldn't a higher god show a little more decency in the presence of others? But he knew better than to voice such thoughts aloud. Challenging a higher god, even on something trivial, was tantamount to inviting disaster. Instead, he averted his gaze, silently fuming.

Once Solaris was fully dressed, the trio began their journey deeper into the higher dimension. The air seemed to hum with power, and the path before them shimmered as though it were made of liquid light. Every step brought them closer to an encounter Tessa had long awaited—an encounter with her mother, whose existence was shrouded in mystery.

Tessa's heart raced. Questions swirled in her mind, each one more urgent than the last. Who was her mother in this realm of gods and mortals? Why had Solaris brought her here now? And most pressing of all—what truths awaited her in this enigmatic, awe-inspiring world?

With every step, the higher dimension seemed to shift and warp around them, as though responding to Solaris's presence. Tessa and Bandel Blue followed closely, their awe mingling with trepidation. The road ahead promised answers, but it also carried the weight of uncertainty.