In the Beginning C11 Visitors

Third Perspective.

Perched high on a branch of the Chaos Tree, Matthew sat serenely, his eyes closed in deep meditation.

Whoosh

A silhouette darted past the pinnacle of the Irminsul tree, a towering giant standing a mere five kilometers away from the Chaos Tree in the Garden of Astasia Mansion, where Matthew remained immersed in meditation.

"That's Mathias Cross Luminaire, the young Lord of Cross County and the son of the Duke of Luminaire," remarked the figure, a young man adorned in a flowing white robe with a laurel wreath atop his head. He smiled as he gazed at Matthew from a distance.

"Hmm? The son of Kastir and Astasia truly lives up to his reputation. Despite having graced this world for 693 days, his physique appears malnourished, resembling that of a four-year-old mortal," observed a young woman's voice. In an instant, she materialized beside the young man, donned in a simple tunic-like garment made of linen or wool, cinched at the waist and reaching just above the knees.

"Indeed," affirmed the handsome young man. "In the Heavenly Realm, where each day spans 72 hours, even a mortal infant brought into our realm undergoes accelerated growth, maturing into a 6-year-old if they lived 693 days here."

"As a day in the Heavenly Realm comprises 72 hours, the 693 days there equate to 2079 mortal realm days," he continued, elucidating the temporal difference between the two realms.

"In the mortal realms, a day unfolds over 24 hours, whereas in the Heavenly Realm, a day extends to 72 hours, equivalent to three mortal days," he clarified.

"Could it be that the Goddess of Kindness and Love isn't treating her son well?" chuckled the young woman.

"Who knows?" mused the young man, his faint smile lingering. "To be honest, it's a stroke of luck for that young brat named Matthew to have survived this long despite being a disappointment. Even if his treatment isn't favorable, he should count himself fortunate to still be alive."

"Right," concurred the young woman with a smile.

As they conversed, Susan emerged on the same tree branch before them.

Upon seeing them, Susan inclined her head slightly and inquired, "Who might you be, trespassing in Lady Astasia's territory?"

Unfazed by Susan's appearance, the young man adorned with a laurel wreath atop his flowing blonde hair introduced himself with a smile, "I am Apollo Asteria Olympian."

Susan, slightly taken aback, widened her eyes in surprise. The young woman standing beside Apollo gracefully presented herself, "I am Artemis Asteria Olympian. A pleasure to meet you, Archangel Susan, under the protection of Goddess Astasia."

Expressing her astonishment, Susan questioned, "Forgive me for asking, your highness, but what brings the Prince and Princess of the Kingdom of Olympian to the Kingdom of Elysians, especially within Lady Astasia's territory?"

Apollo maintained his smile as he responded, "We are not here by accident or without purpose. Our presence is intentional—we've come to extend greetings to our cousin, Lady Astasia."

Susan expressed surprise, asking, "Cousin? The Goddess is related to the Royalty of the Kingdom of Olympian?"

Artemis smiled and explained, "The Cross family has distant ties to the Olympian family. The Cross family in the Kingdom of Elysians is a branch descended from the long-lost Cross family in the Kingdom of Olympian."

Susan, with furrowed brows, remarked, "It's been quite a long time, possibly thousands of years, and Lady Astasia doesn't seem anywhere close to being your Highness cousin."

Apollo, smiling helplessly, suggested, "Let's set aside the details for now. My purpose here is to meet your Goddess Astasia."

After a moment of contemplation, Susan nodded, thinking, 'I need to inform Lady Astasia about this. These two visitors are royalty from another kingdom, after all.'

Susan vanished from Apollo and Artemis's sight.

---

Third Perspective.

Astasia gazed out of the window when Susan suddenly appeared beside her. She inquired, "What are the intentions of those two young gods entering my territory?"

Having heard Lady Astasia's inquiry, Susan promptly informed her, saying, "My Lady, the two young gods just a few kilometers away from here are a Prince and Princess from the Kingdom of Olympian."

Astasia was notably surprised and queried, "Oh? What are the royalties from another Kingdom doing here, especially in my territory?"

Susan nodded and replied, "That's precisely what I asked them. They mentioned they came here to meet with you, my Lady."

"To meet me?"

"Yes, and they also claimed to be your cousins..."

"Cousins? Well, perhaps distant relatives, considering the Cross family's historical ties to the land of the Kingdom of Olympian. However, it should have been thousands of years ago..."

"I have come to inquire whether my Lady will accept to meet them?"

"Hmm... I wonder why they decided to meet me. Alright, let them in," Astasia said thoughtfully.

---

Matthew's Perspective.

Engrossed in meditation, I felt a profound calmness in my heart until an unsettling sensation struck me—someone was scrutinizing me from a distance.

Who is it? Servants or angels, perhaps? I pondered, feeling the distant gaze upon me.

Well, I'll ignore it. Meditate calmly. Servants or angels, their disdain doesn't concern me. I'll focus on my goal—strengthening my mental focus and strength!

As I contemplated, a deep calm enveloped me, soothing my senses.

The surroundings, the howling wind, the brushing wind against my face, and rustling leaves, gradually faded into nothingness in my perception.

In my mind, it was just me and the world of Nothingness...

"Oh, young Matthew? It's been a while."

Engrossed in my meditation, my own voice echoed in my mind.

Wait! Who is it?

I exclaimed, realizing that I wasn't the one who spoke. However, the voice was unmistakably mine.

Opening my eyes, I found myself still in the meditative state, surrounded by the world of Nothingness, where not even darkness and light seemed to exist.