Chapter-2 Summoning

In a distant corner of the universe, a unknown light-years away from Earth, a yellow giant star radiated warmth and illumination across space. 

This star hosted a solar system comprising only four planets surrounded by moons of their own, the largest being a majestic blue gas giant surrounded by three moons. 

Among these moons, one bore a remarkable resemblance to Earth, with teeming life sprawled across its surface. 

The comparison extended to the abundant bodies of water that dominated the landscape. However, unlike Earth's continents, this moon boasted two large landmasses: a sprawling landmass akin to Africa and a smaller, Australasia-like Island on its southwest.

The alluring earth like moon's beauty was undeniable, making the desire to tread upon its soil or navigate its waters an undeniable urge. This moon held the promise of awe-inspiring adventure, an untamed realm awaiting discovery.

A figure, cloaked in white, gazed upon this distant celestial scene. The being was a woman, exuding an unparalleled aura of beauty. 

If the world just described was beautiful, then that women could be described as the epitome of beauty, as for any man or women to gaze upon would to know her, touch her and be with her. 

Adorned in an opulent, long gown featuring intricate golden embroidery, she stood in rapt attention, studying the holographic depiction of a distant world.

Her golden tresses flowed gracefully, draping onto the pristine white marble floor. Possessing golden eyes, plump pink lips, and flawless facial symmetry, she embodied a vision of absolute perfection.

Behind her, a voice sounded. "It is done, Supreme Goddess." 

Hearing this, a smile graced the women in white being referred to as Supreme goddess' stunning yet enigmatic countenance as she turned to face a woman kneeling before her. 

This second woman was equally captivating, with long green hair, black eyes, and a gown that appeared to be woven from golden feathers. 

Upon turning to see the women kneeling, Supreme goddess figure gently chided the kneeling women for kneeling.

"Athena, have I not repeated this countless times? Cease kneeling before me."

"Indeed, Supreme Goddess." Athena's voice resonated with the utmost reverence.

"This is not a mere query, Athena. Rise, for it doesn't align with my beliefs. You are a goddess in your own right, and akin to a sister to me."

"Understood, Supreme Goddess." Athena's response was accompanied by a faint smile. With her posture straightened, she took her place on the right side of the Supreme Goddess, displaying her unwavering loyalty.

As they conversed and walked forward, a doorway made out of pure white light appeared in front of and they walked through the luminous doorway. 

On the other side, they entered a grand hall of breath taking proportions. Carved limestone seemed to defy the laws of reality, emitting an otherworldly brilliance that enchanted the surroundings.

The hall's floor and pillars exuded a golden luminescence, illuminating the space with an ethereal glow. 

Elaborate carvings adorned the pillars, depicting mythical creatures in captivating tales of wonder. 

Graceful phoenixes danced with fiery plumage, while dragons, both Eastern and Western, exhibited their might and grace.

The grand hall's expanse was divided into three distinctive platforms, each connected by graceful staircases. 

This architectural masterpiece guided visitors to explore the heights and depths of its splendor. With every step upward, the sense of anticipation swelled, compelling adventurers to delve deeper into the enchanting layers of this extraordinary space.

Among the platforms, the lowest one bustled with a multitude of beings. Their appearances ranged from human to slightly different humanoid forms. 

Some bore skin resembling wood, others embodied water, and a few even defied human shape entirely.

The second platform featured an octagon-shaped magic circle, each of its eight vertices adorned with a large violet crystal. These crystals floated above the ground, slowly spinning in an entrancing dance.

On the highest platform, where the Supreme Goddess was yet to arrive with Athena, the Goddess of War, ten figures stood. 

Seven female figures on the right donned dresses representing the colours of the rainbow, their faces concealed by veils.

On the left stood two women and one man. The woman standing at the centre of the man and women, possessed reddish-blonde hair and red eyes. She tall with an expression filled with nothing but pride in herself. 

Her curvaceous form was accentuated by an emerald-red gown adorned with red flowers. This was Tiamat, the goddess of fire and light.

Beside her right, the woman with long black hair and green eyes radiated beauty. She looked to be so calm and composed that everything about her made a warm person.

Wearing a white gown embellished with golden leaf embroidery, she was Luxuria, the Goddess of Love, Prosperity, and Family.

The lone man on the first platform appeared to be in his forties, boasting brown hair, a long beard, and green eyes.

He stood as tall as the surrounding women, his blacksmithing attire revealing his muscular arms. This was Hephaestus, the God of Smithing.

As a pure white light-made doorway materialized at the highest hall's center, all ten figures turned their attention toward it.

When the Supreme Goddess emerged, the seven figures dressed in rainbow bowed in respect, while the Tiamat, Luxuria and Hephaestus smiled with a node filled with respect.

Athena moved to stand beside the trio of deities on the left too. The Supreme Goddess smiled warmly and addressed the group with her melodious voice.

"Athena has informed me that all preparations are complete."

Hephaestus stepped forward, his smile apparent as he replied.

"Indeed, Supreme Goddess Rebecca. 'It' has been successfully constructed, and all the Divine crystals are in readiness."

"Excellent. Thank you, Hephaestus, for your dedication and hard work," she responded with a gracious smile.

She then directed her gaze to the beings on the lowest platform, eliciting cheers from them.

"All hail the Supreme Goddess Rebecca," they proclaimed in repetition, showing the love and respect to the women. 

The seven figures to her right also smiled beneath their veils as her attention turned to them. Her focus then shifted to the second platform.

"If all is set," She slowly raised her arms to the sky and whispered, "Then let us begin," before beginning to chant a spell in an obscure ancient tongue.

On each of the vertices the eight divine crystals, which had been gently rotating, had now begun to spin more quickly. White light also began to fill the octagonal magic circle.

The octagonal magic circle brimmed with white light, and eight pillars of radiant brilliance formed within it, extending to the hall's towering ceiling. 

Thunderous sounds echoed, though no actual thunder accompanied them, leaving only the majestic pillars of white light.

Gradually, the supreme goddess ceased her incantation, lowering her outstretched hands. The pillars of light also began dissipating. 

As the eyes of all peered through the dissipating light on the divine hall's second platform, they could see that, now eight figures stood encircled by the fading light at the once empty platform.

They were now fully visible to the spectators on the first and second platforms, their appearances offering a mixture of elegance and vigour.

As the last echoes of the magic circle's light dissipated, the eight individuals took in the altered landscape before them.

"What the heck?! What is this place?! What just happened?! Where in the world I am?!" Question like these spewed out of their mouth one after other.

****

After what felt like an exhausting eternity within the confines of the shop, which in truth were only thirty minutes, Karna emerged outside the shop, his visage etched with the weariness of an arduous journey. 

His right hand clung to a handbag that proudly displayed the bakery's name, encasing a precious box of confection.

"At last, it's done," he muttered to himself, though the mere thirty minutes spent within the shop seemed to have expanded into an eternity, stretching his perception of time like a rubber band straining under tension.

Gazing at the bag he held, a subtle yet genuine smile managed to pierce through the veil of fatigue. The cake he had chosen was a work of culinary art—a chocolate-infused masterpiece adorned with intricate designs etched from dark chocolate. 

Its exquisite allure had depleted his savings considerably, yet the thought of sharing it with his parents ignited a wellspring of joy within him.

Strolling towards the parking area, where his bicycle patiently waited, he was once again met with the sun's unrelenting assault on his senses. 

The sun hung high, a blazing orb radiating light and heat, as if vying to be the center of attention.

Just as he was about to divert his gaze from the sun, an unexpected surge in its brilliance nearly blinded him. 

Reacting instinctively, he lifted his hand to shield his eyes, inadvertently causing the bag to slip from his grasp and plummet to the ground.

An unsettling feeling crept over him, intensifying as his surroundings gradually transformed into a blinding white expanse.

The world around him transformed into an all-encompassing sea of white brilliance.

In the next instant, everything around him turned a stark white, and Karna found himself immersed in a brilliant void. His bewildered gaze landed on the bag lying on the ground, the sole remnant of his presence.