THE HEAVENLY GARDEN

The warm feeling of the celestial force from the blue grass beneath me as I laid on it, spread through my body like the glow of a hearth in winter. When I'm here in Gaia's garden, it seems like all my problems get washed away.

I've spent over 5,000 years training to discover my celestial aura. My father as well as Gaia says it'll come, that I just need more time. But time feels like a joke when you're immortal.

 The Phoenixes played lazily in the sky, their golden feathers shimmering against the brilliant blue scenery, and the gentle hum of the river echoed through the valley, weaving into the birdsong.

 Here, I thought, everything feels right. I remained laid on the soft grass, letting my eyes follow the majestic rise of the golden trees that stretched endlessly upward, their leaves glittering in the sunlight. Gaia's touch was everywhere in this garden, her power woven into every root and branch. 

 The flowers bloomed in perfect harmony, each petal a reflection of her divine energy. It was a sanctuary, a place of perfect peace.It was also the one place where I didn't feel like the failure that I am.

 The celestial energy from the garden flowed around me, its warmth soothing the constant ache i feel inside. Here, I didn't have to face the expectations of Mount Lyrota, or the weight of not knowing my place among the gods.

 In Gaia's garden, I was just… here. Existing.But I knew that this peace wouldn't last.

 "The beauty of this place never ceases to amaze, does it?" Gaia's voice floated toward me, as soft and soothing as a summer breeze.

 'Speak of the devil', I sat up and thought to myself as she approached, her long green hair flowed like a river down her back. She was the embodiment of grace, elegance and beauty.

She was draped in a gown made from woven flora, the vibrant colors shifting as she moved and different colors of petals spiralled around her. She's said to be one of the oldest gods in the infinity realm, yet her beauty is unmatched and her skin is flawless, I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking she's a young goddess.

 She's the goddess of creation and earth, she's said to be the only goddess among the gods and goddesses to have both Celestial and divine aura.

The garden is called the heavenly garden. Gaia created it using her Aura,making the garden overflowing with both divine and celestial Aura.

 In her hands, she carried a bowl of mountain berries, the red ones, my favorite.

 "Still trying to chase me away with those?" I teased, accepting the offering.

The berries were sweet, their flavor bursting on my tongue with a refreshing tang.

 Gaia smiled knowingly as she sat beside me, her eyes twinkling with that familiar warmth. "You can't hide out here forever, Santaliel."

 "I'm not hiding," I said, though we both knew that wasn't entirely true. "I'm resting and I've only been here for a few days."

 "Resting from what, exactly?" Gaia asked, her voice calm and soothing 

 I sighed, leaning back on my elbows as I popped another berry into my mouth. "From everything," I shrugged. "Mount Lyrota, the constant training, the way everyone looks at me like I don't belong."

 My gaze drifted to the shimmering surface of the crystal-clear river that snaked through the garden. "In here, I don't have to pretend, I don't look at those scornful faces. I can just… be."

 Gaia's expression softened, her voice gentle. "No one belongs perfectly, Santaliel. Not even the top great gods. You're still trying to find your place, and that's okay. But you won't find it by running away or hiding out here. I love it when you're here but I don't want you leaving your responsibilities behind."

 I frowned, staring down at the berries in my hand. "I've been training for 5,000 years, Gaia. That's longer than some gods have been alive. And yet, nothing. No Celestial aura, no role. It's like I'm just… empty."

 "You're not empty," Gaia said firmly. "You are simply still growing. You haven't yet seen the full extent of your power, but that doesn't mean it's not there."

"Maybe." I bit into another berry, though the sweetness did little to ease the bitterness inside me. "Or maybe I'm just not meant for this. Maybe I'm not like the others."

 Gaia let out a soft laugh, and I couldn't help but glance at her in surprise. "None of us are like the others. That's the point. Each of us has a unique path, and it takes time to discover it."

"5,000 years seems like a lot of time."

"Not for a god." Gaia reached out, brushing her hand over the soft blue grass beneath us. "This garden took millennia to grow, to thrive. Every blade of grass, every tree, every flower, none of it happened overnight. It took time, patience, nurturing."

 "I'm not a garden, Gaia," I muttered, though her words lingered in my mind. "And besides, I don't think anyone's interested in waiting around for me to figure out what I'm supposed to be."

 "They'll wait," Gaia said, her tone unwavering. "And when you do figure it out, they'll see what I've seen all along."

 I didn't respond. What could I say? Gaia's faith in me was comforting, but it didn't change the gnawing doubt that had settled in my chest for centuries. I was supposed to be more than this.

"At least practice your cultivation while you're here," Gaia urged. "You can't unlock your celestial aura by lying around, no matter how beautiful the view."

 "Right. Cultivation." I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "That's going so well, too."

 Gaia smiled softly, standing and brushing off her gown. "You'll get there, Santaliel. Just… don't give up."

 I stood up beside her, the weight of her words pressing against my thoughts. I wanted to believe her. I wanted to believe that, somehow, I'd figure it all out. But it was hard to keep that hope alive after so many years of nothing.

"I guess I'll head back to Mount Lyrota, then." The words came out reluctantly, my feet dragging as if the very idea of leaving the peace of the garden weighed me down.

 "Stop running away from your responsibilities," Gaia called after me, her voice gentle but firm.

 I paused, glancing back at her and smiled. "I'm not running. I'm just… walking away."

 Gaia watched me, her gaze full of something I couldn't quite name. Maybe it was hope. Maybe it was pity. I didn't want to think about it.

With a wave of my hand, I summoned a portal, the shimmering energy swirling before me. I hesitated for just a moment, feeling the pull of the garden behind me, before stepping through.