Chapter 34: The Light Realm
The Unexpected Encounter
A brilliant, all-encompassing light illuminated the heavenly realm as Meriella entered it. The radiance was so intense that it blinded her, and she struggled to adjust her eyes. As her vision slowly returned, she saw General Leghorn standing before her. Her voice was monotonous, and her words were devoid of emotion. "Meriella, it's time you've joined us here. We've been awaiting your arrival," General Leghorn said.
Meriella's eyes widened as she took in her otherworldly surroundings. She lifted a hand to her face, shielding her eyes from the intense light. "Where am I?" she asked softly. General Leghorn came into focus, and Meriella noticed the name "Lucille Leghorn" etched on her uniform. Panic set in as she remembered the events that led her to this place. "I killed someone! That's why I'm here, right?" Meriella exclaimed, a tremor in her voice.
General Leghorn ignored her comment and guided her to a room filled with nothingness. The emptiness was overwhelming, and Meriella's eyes strained to find something, anything, to focus on. Suddenly, a bright white light appeared, and a thunderous voice spoke with authority. Meriella was stunned, and her eyes locked onto the light. She stuttered, "Are... are You God?".
The voice, resonant and ancient, responded, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end". Meriella's mind reeled as she tried to comprehend the majesty before her. "Why am I here?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. The Light began to explain, but Meriella's thoughts were interrupted as the Light disappeared into a room with a throne. The throne was surrounded by a sea of glass, like crystal, and four living creatures filled with eyes in front and in back.
The Light took His place on the throne and spoke, "See, child, you have my celestial orb imbued within you. I have been watching you, and because you embody the essence of strength and sensitivity with your natural motherly instincts, though you have no children. Your core is pure, and you care deeply for those around you".
Meriella listened intently as the Light continued, "I've tested you to see if death by your own father's hands would kill your purity, but you've remained humble and steadfast. So, I've granted you these gifts: extraordinary abilities that lie dormant until needed".
A tiny, cute creature with a scroll appeared before Meriella. The creature handed her the scroll, and Meriella's eyes widened as she read the contents. Her powers were intrinsically linked to her emotional state and the circumstances around her. The abilities included:
* Celestial Orb Enhanced Abilities: Meriella's physical prowess was amplified by the celestial energy orb, allowing her to perform feats beyond human capabilities.
* Acrobatic Agility: She possessed incredible agility, enabling her to navigate complex environments with ease.
* Gravity Anomaly Creation: Meriella could manipulate gravity, creating localized anomalies that allowed her to move objects or herself in extraordinary ways.
* Portal Creation and Closure: She could open portals to traverse vast distances instantly and close them to prevent pursuit or protect others.
* Enhanced Kicking Techniques: Meriella's kicking abilities were significantly enhanced, allowing her to deliver devastating blows with precision and power.
Meriella's mind reeled as she tried to comprehend the extent of her abilities. "But why do I need all this? Why me? Why am I here?" she questioned, the words tumbling out. "I knew there was something different about my abilities and this core. Once I levitated and completely transformed, but I never understood it".
The Light responded, His voice echoing through the vastness, "Remember when I told you the shadows are moving?". Meriella's eyes widened as she recalled the words she had spoken to Terrchel. "That was You?" she asked, a sudden chill running down her spine. The Light replied, "Yes, in your subconscious mind".
Meriella's confusion deepened, and she expressed her concerns about the old lady's death. The Light reassured her that she was not responsible for the woman's demise. The Light explained that the woman's actions had led to her own death and that she was tainted. She knew about the power that scroll possessed because of her bloodline, but she forsook her people and chose a different path, thus when she gazed her eyes upon the sacred text of the Vulgate, she died.
"But she blamed me! She called me a holy water user or something like that," Meriella interjected, a fresh wave of guilt washing over her.
"Foolish people spew foolish words," The Light responded gently. "Nothing was your fault; everything was in my intention". Meriella was mortified, hugging herself in awareness, remembering the woman's screams.
"What does 'the shadows are moving' pertain to?" Meriella asked, her voice laced with a lingering confusion. "I remember scouting Terrchel, and when I spoke to him, those are the words I whispered, but it's as if I spoke without knowledge".
The Light's voice deepened, resonating with cosmic significance. "It means the time is near for the takeover. There's been a darkness rising in Arcadia, and now I will entrust you with knowledge". The Light raised His hand, and Meriella's golden eyes burned white, and her hair glowed silver as the knowledge was being poured into her spirit.
"I understand now," Meriella breathed, the weight of newfound comprehension settling upon her.
"Good child," The Light affirmed. "I will send a helper at the right time. Do as you were instructed through wisdom, and I will be here watching". He paused, then added, "Also, give this teleport gun to Commander Leghorn; it's high time he upgraded his gear". Meriella giggled, a surprising sound in the ethereal realm, and opened her portal back home to the base, knowing she truly did need a gun to do what was necessary.
With a newfound sense of determination, Meriella opened a portal back to her home base. As she stood at the shimmering threshold, her hair whooshed with silver sparkles, and General Leghorn's voice echoed through the Light Realm. "Meriella, wait!" she exclaimed.
Meriella turned to her, a faint smile on her lips. "Lucille?".
"Your teleporting will take you three days to arrive in the human realm," General Leghorn explained, her voice firm but with a touch of urgency. "You've been dead for a while, so it's not like when you teleported with your physical body. So get comfy on the spiritual ride home".