Chapter 40 - To Divine City

Chapter 40: Chapter 40 - To Divine City

"Don’t forget to bring the dragon egg, Vinny! We might need it!"

"I already got it!"

Later that morning, the trio stepped out of the mansion’s front doors and into the vibrant morning sunlight, feeling refreshed and ready to face the day.

Natasha walked beside Vincent with an extra bounce in her step, and a noticeable glow on her skin.

Maribelle came out last, humming as she stretched her arms above her head. "Ah, nothing beats the crisp morning air of the upper realms!"

"So, how are we getting up to the Divine City?" Vincent asked, glancing between the two women. "Are we taking a teleportation circle, or...?"

"Ha! Teleportation circles are for the lazy, V. We fly!"

"Of course we are..."

With a synchronized flap of their wings, all three of them shot into the sky.

Maribelle’s wings spanned wide and heavy, while Natasha’s possessed a majestic sweep. Vincent’s wings, although much smaller than theirs because of his half blood, flared out in answer to keep up with them.

As Natasha flew a few feet ahead of them, she looked behind at the mother and son with a competitive sparkle in her eyes.

"Tell you what. How about a race? First one to the edge of the last residential island gets to ask the losers anything!"

"Oh? A race? Count me in. It’s been a while since I’ve properly stretched my wings."

With Maribelle’s spark ignited, Natasha turned her gaze onto Vincent with a mischievous smirk. "What about you, V? Or are you afraid you won’t be able to keep up with real divine flyers~?"

"Afraid? Me?! Oh, you’re on, Nat! Don’t cry when I leave you in my dust!"

The three competitors hovered together in a straight line. Natasha hovered in the middle while holding her up to signify a countdown.

"Ha, ha, haaa. On the count of three. Three... two... ONE! GO–!"

BOOM!

The air cracked as Vincent and Maribelle launched themselves into the azure sky.

"Enjoy that headstart while you can!"

Once she was ready, Natasha shot forward and rocketed ahead, easily passing the two to take a decisive lead with expert, powerful wingbeats.

Maribelle glided smoothly right behind her in second place, while Vincent brought up the rear, struggling slightly to adjust his pitch against the high-altitude winds.

"Is that all you’ve got, boys and girls?!" Natasha laughed back over her shoulder.

"Don’t get cocky, Nat! I’m not the same baby bird you bullied all those years ago!" Vincent yelled back with a wild grin.

Tilting his body forward, Vincent channeled a condensed burst of divine power into his wings and exploded forward like a blue and gold comet.

He zipped right past Maribelle, causing her to wince behind the passing wind in mild surprise.

"Hahaha! My goodness, Vinny! Look at you go!"

Vincent pushed hard, closing the gap between himself and Natasha, but the red-headed warrior only smirked wider.

Tucking her wings tightly against her back, she plummeted into a dive before pulling up into a flawless ascending curve, leaving Vincent near-fully behind.

"Holy shit..."

With a triumphant spin in the air, Natasha touched down gracefully onto the edge of the last floating residential island. Vincent crashed down seconds later, skidding on his feet, followed shortly by Maribelle, who landed with effortless elegance.

Natasha struck a proud pose with her hands on her hips. "And the victory goes to me! A landslide victory! Look forward to what I might ask of you losers!"

"Man, you are ridiculously fast in the air, Nat."

"Experience, my dear V~"

"Whatever. I would say I lost because I was holding this egg, but that would make me sound salty."

Leaving the residential island behind, they took to the sky once more, swimming upward through the soft air currents.

As they flew, Vincent looked around in awe, taking in the endless expanse of floating landmasses, waterfalls cascading into nowhere, and the celestial skies that housed distant planets.

’Amazing... Some things never get old.’

"You know... This is my first time heading to the Divine City. What’s it like up there?"

"It is a realm filled with bustling life. A home to harmony and beauty," Maribelle explained gently, flying alongside him. "And a place where divine beings gather, conduct business, and research the unimaginable number of unknown worlds and realities."

"It’s also heavily militarized and regulated," Natasha added, her tone turning practical. "So try not to cause a scene, V. We need to manage our expectations today."

Maribelle nodded in agreement. "Nat is right, Vinny. Her Majesty is the absolute ruler over all domains; she observes, creates and destroys. If she is tied up with high-priority celestial affairs, we might just have to leave a formal request with her desk clerk and wait."

"Ah yes, the infamous ’waiting period’. I wonder how many people put in a request. On top of her being busy... Argh, dammit. I really hope we get the chance to see her..."

Seeking to lighten the mood, Maribelle drifted closer to Natasha mid-flight with a sly, playful smirk spreading across her face.

"By the way, Nat~ Even though the bathroom walls at home are quite thick... Mama still managed to hear some very... passionate vocal exercises this morning~"

"PFFTTT–!"

Natasha nearly missed a beat of her wings. Her head snapped toward Maribelle, red and embarrassed.

"M-M-MARI?! I—We—That was—I was just—!"

Vincent couldn’t contain his urges. He flew up to the opposite side of Natasha, leaned in close and cast her a devilish wink. "You okay over there, Nat? You look a little... choked for words."

"SHUT UP, V!" Natasha squeaked. Her face burnt so hot it practically steamed, causing both Vincent and Maribelle to burst into laughter.

"Oh! Vinny, Nat, look," Maribelle pointed ahead. "We’re breaking through."

They rocketed through a thick, blanket-like layer of golden clouds – and the Divine City finally revealed itself below.

At the sight, Vincent froze mid-flight, his mouth dropping open in breathtaking shock.

It was a colossal floating continent suspended in an endless sky of infinite celestial colors – pinks, purples, golds, and deep blues.

The architecture was beyond his mortal comprehension: towering spires of sparkling white marble inlaid with intricate gold ornamentations, grand waterfalls flowing off the edges of the floating landmass into misty abysses below, and massive, glowing light-runes suspended silently in the air like ethereal lanterns.

All around were divine beings with proud white wings flew gracefully between grand towers and buildings, while others walked casually through lush, glowing gardens and grand plaza thoroughfares on the ground below.

"Woah... This place is unreal..."

Far off in the center of the continent stood an enormous, white grand cathedral palace, towering magnificently over the land like a shimmering beacon.

Maribelle pointed toward the giant structure with a fond smile. "That giant one right there? That’s where we’re headed. Come now, baby, there’s no time for stopping and staring!"

"R-Right."

They angled themselves downward, flying rapidly toward the palace at the heart of the city.

As they touched down on the courtyard outside the palace’s grand outer gates, several guards standing at attention immediately snapped to a bow.

"Welcome, Commander Natasha!" one of the guards announced with deep, formal respect.

"It’s good to see you, Lady Natasha!" the other greeted next.

Natasha dropped her relaxed demeanor, her face hardening into a short, professional nod. "At ease," she spoke curtly, walking past them without missing a beat.

Vincent leaned over toward her and whispered teasingly, "Look at you. So you actually do have friends around here, huh?"

"Hmph. They are not my friends, V. They are my subordinates."

"Haha. Honestly, the only real friend Nat has ever made around here is Dee. I do hope you two make up soon."

"We aren’t even fighting, so there is nothing to ’make up’ about, Mari!" she grumbled, her tsundere nature flaring up full force.

They stepped through the grand archway into the palace’s lobby – a cavernous hall lined with thousands of plush waiting chairs meant for those waiting for a chance to meet with Her Majesty.

However, the immense room was almost completely empty, save for one single, pathetic figure slouched deep into a chair near the front of the room.

Upon closer inspection, Vincent realised who it was.

It was the old Way-Guide responsible for his initial accidental summoning. He was currently relaxing back with a golden mug of booze.

"Hic..."

A wave of fury poured over both Natasha and Maribelle. They immediately stormed over and surrounded the slouched old man.

"YOU!" Natasha glared daggers down at him.

"Vinny told me what happened, and now we find you’re drinking again?!" Maribelle scolded. "Do you have any idea what kind of mess you created?! You ruined my son’s life by flinging him into the wrong world with your carelessness!"

"Heeeee–!"

Vincent stepped up beside his mother, looking down at the pitiful old man. "Tisk tisk tisk. For shame, old man. For shame..."

"I... I already put in a request to meet with Her Majesty to explain the error... and I’m currently waiting for my turn!" He pointed a shaky finger toward the front of the hall.

Leaving the trembling old man behind, the trio walked over to the wide front desk, where a desk clerk was sorting through floating stacks of glowing paper.

With a mother’s rage, Maribelle slammed her hand on the counter. "We require an immediate emergency audience with Her Majesty regarding a misplaced summoning link and a dimensional error concerning my son, Vincent Winters. The requester is former Way-Guide, Maribelle."

"I strongly advise you to expedite this," Natasha added, her crimson eyes flashing dangerously. "The requester is Commander Natasha."

The clerk swallowed hard, almost immediately recognising both famous figures.

"L-Lady Maribelle! Commander Natasha! I... I will submit the priority queue request right away, but... Her Majesty’s schedule is booked solid for the next three centuries! Please do not expect a response!"

The clerk quickly began tapping his light-quill, writing out the detailed request as stated by Maribelle and Natasha.

"Well," Maribelle sighed, turning to Vincent. "We might as well take a seat while we–"

FLASH!

Suddenly, a giant golden seal embedded in the center of the desk flashed with blinding celestial light.

The clerk stared at the glowing seal in utter disbelief. "W-W-What...?! H-How...?! Her Majesty has... granted entry?!"

Even the old man at the back dropped his mug in shock.

"So soon?" Maribelle blinked, genuinely surprised. "She never takes walk-ins..."

The clerk scanned the golden text floating above the desk one last time before confirming. "Wait... it states here... that only the one named Vincent Winters is permitted entry inside."

"M-Me? Alone?"

Maribelle placed a reassuring hand on her son’s shoulder, smiling warmly at him. "You’ve got this, Vinny. Go on."

"We’ll be right here waiting for you, V."

"... Alright."

The flustered clerk hastily bowed to them and gestured toward a set of towering golden doors. "P-Please follow me, sir!"

He guided Vincent down a long corridor lined with towering statues of ancient deities.

Reaching the massive double doors at the very end, the clerk bowed deeply to Vincent. "She’s right inside. I wish you the best of luck, young man. From your request, may Her Majesty grant what you seek."

With a soft wave of his hand, the clerk flew back down the corridor, leaving Vincent standing alone.

’Welp. Here goes nothing.’

CREAK...

As he touched the colossal doors, they slowly swung open on their own, revealing a gorgeous throne room bathed in ethereal light.

Sitting high above on a grand, towering crystal throne was Her Majesty.

Vincent felt his breath being stolen away.

It was no wonder for him why everything about this place felt and was so big. She was a gigantic Goddess. Right on the cusp of being titan-sized huge.

She wore a low-cut, glistening white gown that showcased an immense cleavage. Multiple pairs of humungous white wings fanned out majestically behind her, while a glowing double halo hovered serenely over her head. Her ethereal, white-glowing eyes and shimmering silver-white hair radiated supreme authority – yet held an intoxicating underlying warmth.

When she gazed down at the stunned young man, a mysterious, tantalizingly captivating smile touches her divine lips, and when she spoke, her voice echoed through the grand hall like the harmonious melody of a celestial choir:

"Welcome, child of Maribelle and Dustin Winters."