The Beginning
At the beginning of time, the terms God and Goddess did not always exist.
These two words implied beings with infinite might, strength, and invincibility.
Words invented by primitive lifeforms to describe power beyond the grasp of underdeveloped minds.
The Gods and Goddesses were neither indestructible nor infinite.
Bestowed with a drop of divine elixir from the Immortal Tree of Life, they were beautiful catastrophes who pursued the path of cultivation and eternal life.
Some were monstrous, some beautiful, some peasants, and others even royals.
Simply put, they were enlightened creatures of formation.
***FloraFauna Realm***
The ginormous trees groaned and croaked, softly humming with magic as they intricately spread apart like the unfurling petals of a delicate flower. From the gaping mouths of the ancient trees, marched out two streams of uniformed men with an emerald case on their shoulders.
Stoic and brimming with purpose, the men strode towards a mesmerizing body of blue-green stream continuously replenished by an enormous waterfall.
In the center of the stream grew a gorgeous lotus flower with three resplendent hues. The neon glows of red, blue, and green showered the region in an enchanting purple radiance.
From the nearby forest, the faint roars and growls of wild beasts resounded, giving the atmosphere a dangerous and chilly vibe.
The men passed through the gloomy forest, the blanket of autumn leaves crunching beneath their heavy steps, as they arrived before the stream.
"We give the daughter of the Earth Goddess our blessings and best wishes."
"Princess Yusria, please accept our gift!"
From the stream, green vines stretched out their limbs and wrapped around their legs. The group of men stepped into the stream and placed the emerald case on the lotus flower. Then they stepped back, and the vines unwrapped and retracted into the stream.
With a gentle sway, the neon petals swirled and folded inward, as the lotus rose out of the stream and stretched into the sky. The droplets of water on its petals glistened in the sun as it left behind hills, mountains, trees and broke through the gray-blue clouds.
A heaven above the Mortal Realm, the FloraFauna Realm was the second purest realm after the God Domain. It boasted abundant magical energy and vitality, making it the ideal place to enter a state of mediation.
In this realm, residents resided in trees and magical tree houses adorned with leaves and various flowers. With 95 percent of its landscape overflowing with vegetation, exotic foliage, and medicinal herbs, the fragrance of sweet and aromatic herbs always permeated the air.
Trees of every nature grew wider than two waterfalls combined, and stretched as far as the neon blue-pink sky. However, the tricolor lotus stretched even higher than all the trees combined, and from a bird's eye view, numerous blue green globes representing stellar stars and planets could be seen, as it broke the firmament of sky and entered the Flora Domain.
The exclusive abode of the Sky God and Earth Goddess and their divine children.
At this moment, in a field of cherry blossom trees, a young girl with knee-length ink-black hair and violet eyes was chasing after a cluster of butterflies. The silver veil covering her face fluttered as a shower of white-pink petals rained down on her head.
"Little flurries, come and play with me!" Yusria cried. Her chubby hand snatched at the nibble moths, but like always, she grabbed only empty air.
"You should stop trying, they're not that easy to catch." Laila sat up and ran a hand through her hair. She plucked a few pink petals and held them to her nose, inhaling a lungful of the sweet fragrance.
Yusria stomped her foot in frustration and returned to her sister's side. "I don't believe I'll never catch one. One of these days..."
"You'll get wings and fly with them. You said that like a thousand times. Now if you're done playing around, we should go home." Raising to her feet, Laila clutched the book she always seemed to carry and strode out of the field.
Yusria glanced at the cluster of colorful butterflies and gritted her teeth. "Just wait! One of these days, you'll willingly land on my hand!" She vowed, and chased after her sister.
A meadow of lilies, tulips, lavenders, and rosebushes stretched between the Flora Palace and the Cherry Blossom field. Yusria stretched out her hands and giggled. She loved the soft strokes of the delicate petals. It was gentle and soothing, and felt as if her mother was showering her with love.
Maybe it was because her mother was the Earth Goddess. It would explain the attraction she felt towards moths and flowers.
"Finally here?"
"Yes, father!" She arrived later than her sister, as she lost herself in the beauty of nature. "We went to the Cherry Blossom field!" Yusria raced into the Palace Hall and leaped into her father's arms, wrapping her arms around his neck as he laughed and picked her up.
Sky God Lucien dotingly rubbed his daughter's head. "And I see you had fun?"
"Um! I still couldn't catch a butterfly though..." She pouted.
"Haha! No matter, I'm sure you'll catch some when you grow wings." Striding through the emerald hallways, Lucien stepped into the Realm Hall, where globes of the numerous planets under the Flora Realm swirled in miniature forms. In the center of the blue orbs, a giant tricolor lotus rotated in silent grace, as an emerald case rested on its petals.
Lucien waved his hand, and the emerald case flew through the hall and settled on his open palm.
"Father, did the realm kings send you a present?" Yusria curiously asked.
"Yes, they sent a present. But not for me. For you, Yusria."
"For me? Why?" She never met the Realm kings, and even if she had, it wasn't her birthday.
Lucien lowered his daughter to the ground and stroked her head. "Isn't it obvious? It's because my daughter is the most beautiful girl in the Seven Heavens." He said with a hint of pride. "Now, go and see what's inside. Don't forget. You need to be ready in a few hours to attend Crown Prince Zeonen's coming of age ceremony."