Chapter 8: Time passes
"Who the hell are you?" she demanded, her voice a mix of surprise and accusation. The words hung in the air like a challenge, a declaration of the sacredness of the ground I now trod upon.
With a wry smile, I leaned against the doorframe, my eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, just the guy who made all of this," I said, waving a hand to encompass the entirety of the universe. "You know, the Omni-King. You're welcome, by the way."
Her confusion grew, the creases in her forehead deepening as she took in my casual demeanor. "The Omni-King? Here? Impossible! You must be joking!" she exclaimed, her voice a symphony of disbelief.
But the mirth in my eyes did not waver. "No joke, darling. I am indeed the Omni-King. The one who breathed life into the cosmos and shaped it with a whim. The one whose name makes the very stars quiver," I replied with a smirk, my confidence unshaken.
Just then, the sound of swift footsteps approached from within the sanctum, and the air grew thick with the presence of power. The female Glind's eyes widened, and she took a hasty step back, bowing deeply as Solara emerged, her pink eyes locking onto mine with an unmistakable spark of recognition.
"Kyle!" she exclaimed, her voice a melody of joy and reverence. She had matured significantly since our last meeting, her grace now a palpable force that filled the space around her. The glow of her skin had intensified, and her once youthful features had been shaped by time and wisdom into a visage that was both alluring and commanding. She rushed over, her robes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly, and wrapped her arms around me in a warm embrace.
The female Glind, her pupil, looked on in shock, her cheeks flushing a shade of red that matched the cosmos. "I-I apologize, my lord," she stuttered, her eyes darting between Solara's warm smile and my amused gaze. "I had no idea it was you."
Solara's laugh was like the chime of a cosmic bell, resonating through the chamber and soothing the tension that had briefly coiled around us. She pulled away from me, her eyes alight with affection and amusement. "Ah, Kyle," she said, "always so... unorthodox."
As she led me into the sanctum, the grandeur of the space took my breath away. The walls were adorned with mosaics that depicted the birth of galaxies, each sparkling tile a testament to her growing wisdom and power. The floor was a sea of starlit marble that stretched out before us, reflecting the soft glow of the floating orbs that served as light. The air was suffused with the scent of incense, a blend of cosmic spices that whispered of ancient ceremonies and sacred rites. It was a stark contrast to the last time I had seen the palace, which was a mere few hours ago for me but had changed so drastically in the millennium that had passed for the inhabitants of this universe.
Solara's eyes danced with excitement as she asked, "How have you been, Kyle? What brought you out to my temple?"
"Just a little nap," I replied with a casual shrug, my eyes twinkling with the mirth of a cosmic secret. "You know, the usual. A millennium's rest to let the multiverse do its thing."
Solara's eyes lit up with understanding, her laugh echoing through the chamber. "Ah, the perks of being the Infinite," she said, her smile warm and knowing. She gestured to the still-flustered female Glind, who had yet to recover from her earlier mistake. "Mora here has been a delightful pupil, eager to learn the ways of the cosmos. She's quite the quick study, I must admit."
Mora, now standing a little taller, offered a shy smile. "It's an honor to serve you, my lord," she said, bowing her head respectfully. Her voice was like the rustle of leaves in a gentle cosmic breeze, carrying a sincerity that was impossible to ignore.
I chuckled, the sound resonating through the chamber, a mix of amusement and the echo of untold power. "Don't worry about it, kid. I'm not one to hold grudges, unless you make it a habit," I said, my eyes holding hers for a brief moment. The implication was clear, and she swallowed hard. "But if you ever disrespect me again," I continued, my voice dropping to a murmur that seemed to carry the weight of the infinite stars, "I'll wipe you from existence faster than you can even dream of."
Her eyes grew wide, and she bowed even deeper, her forehead touching the gleaming marble floor. "Forgive me, my lord," she whispered fervently. "I shall strive to be worthy of your respect and serve you without question."
Mora's genuine apology brought a soft chuckle from Solara, who placed a gentle hand on her pupil's shoulder. "Rise, Mora," she said warmly. "The Omni-King appreciates your dedication. Remember, we all have much to learn from each other."
Turning to me, Solara's eyes sparkled with excitement as she filled me in on the progress of her apprentices. "Their training has been rigorous, Kyle," she began, her voice resonating with pride. "They've come so far in such a short time. Each one has embraced their role with a passion that would make any Kai proud."
"Sounds great," I replied with a nod, my curiosity piqued. "I'd love to see how you've been keeping them in line." A smirk tugged at the corners of my lips as an idea began to form in my mind. "How about a little spar?"
Solara's eyes grew wary, the smile on her face not quite reaching her eyes. "Spar?" she echoed, her voice tentative. "With me?"
"Who better?" I replied with a cocky grin. "The Supreme Guardian Kai of Harmony against the Omni-King. It'll be like a dance of the cosmos, a battle of wills that'll make the stars themselves weep with envy."
Solara took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered my proposal. The air in the chamber grew heavy with anticipation, the very essence of the cosmos seeming to hold its breath in anticipation of our clash. "Very well," she finally said, her voice steady. "Let us see what your power has become in your slumber."