Chapter 11:THE GATHERING AND THE TEST
One day later, Kael sat quietly on the far side of his farm, surrounded by calm winds and golden light. The world was peaceful—just as it had always been.
Then—
a voice echoed from a portal.
"Brother Kael, may we enter?"
Kael opened his eyes and smiled.
"Yes, my brothers. You are always welcome."
A portal of snowy, fiery lightning opened in the air. Amon stepped through first, his presence calm and composed.
"Just as I thought—you're still cultivating."
Kael looked up at the sky, smiling softly.
Zhornn followed, his voice deep and steady, carrying a quiet thunder.
"I'm always amazed by you, Brother Kael."
Blake stepped out last, flames dancing gently within his hair, his expression warm.
The three descended to the ground and approached Kael.
Kael stood and greeted them respectfully.
"Greetings, my dear brothers. Good morning to you all."
"Good morning, Brother Kael," Amon replied.
Blake and Zhornn nodded. "Good morning."
They looked at each other—and then laughed.
A simple, genuine moment.
"Let's go to the riverside," Kael said.
They all agreed.
In an instant—
they vanished.
---
They reappeared at one of Kael's riverside homes.
The river flowed endlessly, glowing with a soft golden light. It was calm… peaceful… perfect—like a reflection of the very origin of existence.
"Dear brothers, please sit," Kael said.
"Thank you, Brother Kael," Amon replied.
Blake and Zhornn followed.
"You're welcome, my brothers."
They sat together, quietly observing the river.
"Give me a moment," Kael said. "I'll prepare some food and drinks."
They nodded.
Moments later—
Kael returned.
Floating dishes followed him, gently lowering themselves onto a golden table. Fruits, drinks, and warm meals filled the space with a comforting presence.
"Brothers, please eat."
They sat together.
For a moment—
there was only peace.
Then Kael spoke.
"What can I help you with, my brothers?"
Amon smiled slightly.
"We came to visit you. You've become quite famous across countless universes."
Kael blinked, then smiled awkwardly.
"…I didn't know that."
Zhornn nodded. "It's true."
Blake leaned forward. "We wanted to spend time with you."
Kael smiled.
"I'd like that."
They nodded.
Then Blake added—
"Also… teach us your routine."
Zhornn crossed his arms. "Rule number one: don't sleep for 20 hours."
Blake paused.
"…Let's ignore that rule."
They all laughed.
---
They ate, drank, and enjoyed the moment.
No pressure.
No purpose.
Just presence.
---
Far away… in another universe
Within a silent cavern—
Drago stood.
His aura surged.
Qi gathered, compressed, refined—
Then—
Breakthrough.
From Core Formation — Advanced
To Core Formation — Perfection.
"…Finally."
A golden light descended.
The First Being and Yhach appeared.
"Congratulations, My son," the First Being said. "I am proud of you."
Drago fell to his knees.
"My Lord God…"
"What reward do you desire?" the First Being asked.
"…A decillion universes."
"Granted."
Infinite universes formed instantly before him.
"Thank You… my Lord God…"
"You are always welcome, My child."
They vanished—
but their warmth remained.
---
Back to Kael
Kael and the others walked across the river's surface.
The water held them gently.
Amon spoke.
"Brother… may we see your power?"
Blake smiled. "Foundation Perfection?"
Zhornn added, "Show us."
Kael nodded.
"Of course."
They looked toward a distant mountain.
Kael stepped forward—
then knelt.
"Our Father God…"
The others knelt instantly.
"May I test my power upon Your creation?" Kael asked.
"May we have permission, Lord?" the others followed.
Then—
He answered.
"Of course, My sons."
"It is your freedom."
Warmth filled them.
"My children… your happiness is My happiness."
"You do not need to ask."
"All that I created… is yours."
"Enjoy yourselves."
"Yes, Father God…"
His presence remained.
---
They stood.
Kael raised his hand.
The distant mountain trembled—
compressed—
shrinking—
until it flew into his palm.
Silence followed.
"…Effortless," Amon whispered.
"Perfect control," Zhornn added.
---
Then—
Kael smiled.
"Here's more."
He flicked his finger.
---
Everything stopped.
The river froze.
The wind ceased.
The world paused.
---
Only Kael, Amon, Blake, and Zhornn could move.
Amon looked around, eyes widening.
"…Time… stopped?"
Blake stared at his own hands.
"…I can still move…"
Zhornn's expression sharpened.
"You allowed us to exist outside it…"
Kael nodded slightly.
---
In the next instant—
they vanished.
---
They appeared within a vast golden galaxy.
Stars shimmered like flowing light.
Endless. Boundless.
Kael turned to them.
"Wanna race?"
Blake grinned immediately. "You're on."
Amon nodded calmly. "I accept."
Zhornn smirked slightly. "This will be interesting."
Blake added quickly—
"Whoever loses cooks."
Amon raised a brow. "…Agreed."
Zhornn nodded. "Fair."
Kael smiled.
"Alright."
---
"3…"
"2…"
"1…"
"Go."
---
They vanished.
At full speed—
they shot across the galaxy.
Space bent.
Light distorted.
Time itself struggled to follow.
---
For Kael—
they were standing still.
---
He arrived instantly at the other side.
He summoned a chair—
and sat.
Waiting.
---
One hour later—
Amon arrived.
He stopped mid-air—
then looked at Kael already sitting.
Silence.
"…You're already here."
Kael smiled. "Welcome."
Amon exhaled softly, then chuckled.
"…I expected this."
He summoned a chair and sat beside him.
"Let's wait," Kael said.
Amon nodded.
---
Five hours later—
Zhornn and Blake arrived together.
Blake dropped down, breathing out.
"…That was intense."
Zhornn crossed his arms. "Not bad."
Then they both saw—
Kael and Amon sitting calmly.
"…You've been here?" Blake asked.
Amon replied, "Five hours."
Blake blinked.
"…So fast."
Then Zhornn looked at Kael.
"What about you Kael?"
Kael smiled.
"I've been here since the race started."
---
Silence.
---
Blake stared.
"…That's not a race."
Amon laughed softly.
Zhornn shook his head slightly.
"…That's domination."
---
Zhornn spoke again.
"Blake and I are still at Qi Refinement — Early Stage."
"Our speed is only trevigintillion per plank time."
Blake nodded.
"…Still, that was fun."
Amon smiled.
"I agree."
Kael laughed gently.
"Let's do it again sometime."
They all nodded.
---
Blake looked at Kael.
"Foundation Perfection… is really something."
Amon and Zhornn agreed.
---
Then—
a voice echoed.
From a portal.
---
A glowing, flowing presence appeared—
like living water—
blue, green, and crystal clear.
---
"No…"
the voice said calmly.
"…that wasn't even negative zero percent."
---
They turned.
---
A figure stepped out.
---
"Aizriel."
---
"The Water Origin."
---
"…That was not even the beginning."