Empyrean Zielle is a floating city in the sky. Located among the clouds. It stands majestically behind a transparent dome that reflects sunlight like a rainbow illusion.
Its buildings are tall and feature a blend of cream, ivory, and silver-white colors, adorned with gold and crystal glass ornaments. This creates a contrasting view against the backward world below.
In every corner of the city, there are floating hanging gardens held aloft by magnetic forces. Meanwhile, fountains flow in the air from one gravity cube to another, forming beautiful shapes.
Unlike the sorrowful and fluctuating condition of Sylvaine Macarena. The sky over Empyrean Zielle is always bright blue. Free from pollution and storms. It is maintained by an artificial system that regulates the weather according to desire.
It truly is a realm cherished by the stars! Once again, unlike Sylvaine Macarena, whose existence has been cursed.
The inhabitants, the Allerick Gildas, always appear clean and tidy. Enchanting with hair and iris colors resembling the hues of the sky. They wear pastel-colored attire that harmonizes with the limitless kingdom. They move swiftly and silently along blue energy tracks that connect various districts through advanced and eco-friendly air trams.
At the heart of the capital stands Ami de Cour. A giant palace adorned with colorful crystals and precious metals. This is where the royal family resides and governs. Maintaining order and perfection for Empyrean Zielle—a world that seems like paradise to many, but for those living within it, feels like a gilded cage.
However, what many do not know, especially the Mavka Caliginous residing in Sylvaine Macarena, is that Ami de Cour is not the main entity that is at the core of Empyrean Zielle.
The true core of Empyrean Zielle actually lies in a place of worship called šventykla, whose existence is hidden in the forest on the city's outskirts. That is where the true essence of their world resides.
*
There are several šventykla throughout Empyrean Zielle that serve the same function. They are no different from mosques, temples, monasteries, churches, cathedrals, synagogues, and the like in the ancient universe. They are places to worship something revered by many people.
Although the concepts of divinity, blessings, miracles, and the supernatural no longer exist in the Remeant Bumi Universe. Tshe Allerick Gildas continue to worship something they believe to be a representation that channels the powers of the stars.
Thee Vangelis.
And today, something strange suddenly happened to Thee Vangelis. Whatever happens to him could have an impact on the entire Remeant Bumi Universe.
News of the oddities surrounding the divine object worshiped by all the Allerick Gildas soon reached the ears of Saren. The 54-year-old man, who held the position of spiritual leader in Empyrean Zielle, promptly set aside other matters on his agenda. He intended to make a visit to Supernal; the location where Thee Vangelis resides.
*
"Welcome, A Dhuine Uasail Saren," greeted a sagart, or cleric, who guards and lives in the šventykla. Welcoming the arrival of their priest.
Drap drap drap. Saren continued walking without slowing his pace at all. He asked, "How is Thee Vangelis?"
The sagart answered, "He hasn't improved at all. He has been in this condition for three days. All the high-ranking sagarts have tried to offer prayers and praises, but it has been to no avail."
"Has he said anything that might be a clue?" Saren inquired.
The sagart shook his head. "He just keeps complaining of pain and cannot move freely at all. I'm worried that this condition could affect our world as a whole."
"The low beings living in Sylvaine Macarena must not realize that something is wrong with Empyrean Zielle. Immediately send someone to increase propaganda in their slum lands!" commanded Saren.
The man following behind him quickly pulled out a SpectraTab and relayed the orders of the great leader to the administration office of the sagarts.
"A Dhuine Uasail Saren," he called.
"What's going on? Don't say anything unimportant in a situation like this!" was the response, accompanied by a cynical glance.
"Things like this have never happened in the three thousand years of Remeant Bumi Universe's existence. Don't you feel that something is odd? What if—"
"CLOSE YOUR MOUTH!" Saren shouted. His voice trembled with barely contained anger. "I am the one who will determine whether this event is strange or not. And how we will handle it as the chosen Allerick Gildas, all of that must be kept secret from those cursed Mavka Caliginous."
The sagart swallowed hard. His body quivered slightly. He hurriedly pressed his palm against his chest as a sign of respect. "Alright, A Dhuine Uasail Saren."
*
Supernal.
"HAAAAAAAKKHH! KHAAAAAAAKKHH! HAAAAAAAKKHH!!!"
There was someone who appeared to be a teenager of unclear gender. Looking very restless and in pain on a luxurious pink bed. His face and whole body were drenched in sweat despite the constant cool air of Supernal.
Three sagart stood around him. Reciting praise verses.
But it was all pointless. It did nothing to diminish the strangeness afflicting the noble object.
"Strengthen the essence defense walls throughout Šventykla Casa Araceli! Do not let anyone realize this event is happening. All of you, leave now!" Saren commanded.
Four men dressed in white clerical uniforms slightly bowed and quickly stepped out.
Now it was just him and the sacred object. He crouched beside the bed. Taking the trembling hand of Thee Vangelis who was in pain. "Eliseo, what is happening to you?"
"Saren… Saren… Is that you, Saren?" asked Thee Vangelis. His face seemed forced to look up. Tears kept streaming from his eyes as they were difficult to close.
The noble and majestic Thee Vangelis appeared to be confronted with something stronger than himself.
But what could be more powerful than an apostle besides God Himself? Yet, God had left this world three thousand years ago.
What is he really experiencing? The same question continuously haunts Saren's mind. It seems that even his spiritual side would not be able to confront whatever has caused Eliseo's condition to be like this. The only thing he can do is...
His grip on Eliseo's palm tightened. He intended to channel "reiki" with the hope that it would help stabilize the condition of the Thee Vangelis.
"How do you feel now?"
After a while, Eliseo's uncomfortable sighs and labored breathing seemed to diminish. He began to return Saren's grip. His neck felt freer, allowing them to look at each other.
"…"
"What? What do you want to say?" Saren leaned closer to Eliseo's lips.
A whisper escaped from his pale pink lips.
"Sylvaine Macarena...? Do you mean this is all because of Sylvaine Macarena? What's going on with Sylvaine Macarena?!"
"Psst psst psst."
Saren tensed up. His heart raced faster. He stared at Eliseo, who was still lying there with half-open eyes. It seemed that his awareness had not fully returned.
"Impossible."