Melody was stunned by how long it had taken her to reach the realm of the gods. She had been traveling through the tunnel for what felt like half an hour.

  After a few more minutes, she felt herself slip out of the tunnel and into a wide area filled with clouds, blue skies, and warm light that seemed to just come from nowhere.

  She landed on the ground softly in a kneeling position.

  “So… did I make it?” She asked.

  The laughter of an old man came a few feet from beside her. “Welcome, Melody!”

  Melody turned to see an old man in a nice robe with long white hair and a beard. She smiled because she recognized the voice. She bowed her head. “It is nice to meet you, Dyluran.”

  He chuckled as he offered her a hand. “That was a better transition than most on their first try. At least it was better than mine.”

  Melody stood. “How was yours?”

  Lyuten giggled as she appeared. “He landed on his head.”

  Another goddess appeared and quickly hugged Melody. “I am so happy you are here! You should know who I am!”

  Melody returned the hug. “Nice to meet you, Auntie Ryten!”

  A noble-looking man appeared, dragging a wild-looking man in furs. “Dammit! Why did I have to drag you here, Kodela!?”

  “You know why, Maloras!” Kodela whined.

  Melody’s eye twitched when she saw Kodela, but her annoyance dissipated. She sighed. “Enough, I won’t do anything, though I can’t say I wouldn’t mind slapping you at least once.”

  Kodela tensed until Ryten and Lyuten rushed over, took him by the arms, and dragged him to Melody. “Go ahead!” They said in unison.

  “W-W-Wait!” He paused, then lowered his head. “Okay… I deserve it.” He raised his head. “Do it! As hard as you ca-!”

  SMACK! Melody slapped Kodela so hard his head nearly spun backward. She then proceeded to continue smacking him over and over again until her grievance was finally gone.

  “Ngh. Goofugu. Nff.” Kodela’s face was very swollen, and the puffiness made it hard for him to speak. Ryten and Lyuten carefully let him down to a sitting position, and Dyluran instantly divined the damage away from the regretful god. “I’m sorry.”

  Melody took a deep breath and let out a satisfied breath. “You are forgiven!”

  “Now, let us move to a more comfortable location.” Dyluran chuckled and tapped his staff.

  Their location was changed to a small, beautiful grove with a pond and a lovely table for them to sit at.

  Melody looked around.

  “Nova won’t be here,” Lyuten stated.

  “Oh, sorry. I wanted to thank him in person.” Melody commented with a smile.

  “You will be able to meet him in the upper divine realm.” Dyluran chuckled.

  “Upper?” Melody asked as they sat, Lyuten and Ryten flanking her.

  “Ah, you haven’t made it that far in the manual yet.” Dyluran smiled. “The divine realm you are in right now would be considered the ‘lower’ or World Divine Realm. This realm is closely related to the world it is connected to, and only the gods responsible for the world can access it.”

  “Free gods like yourself can also access it with permission,” Ryten added.

  “You will always have permission from me!” Lyuten snuggled Melody.

  Dyluran chuckled. “The next two are the Mid and Upper realms. The Mid realm is sort of the waystation for souls. You would be able to access it freely. You would find many Servant Gods there. The Mid Realm is more related to world clusters and accessible primarily by the gods of those worlds. The Upper realm is the original home of us Divine Gods. It is where we are born, raised, taught, and eventually decide what we want to do.”

  “What you want to do?” Melody asked.

  “If we want to manage worlds or who we want to work for as a Servant god,” Ryten stated.

  “Do you start as servants or just move straight to managing worlds? Lord Tulsen mentioned that you guys manage worlds to grow your power.” Melody curiously asked.

  The gods tensed for a moment before relaxing.

  “Something wrong?” Melody tilted her head.

  “Well, just mentioning his name can sometimes summon him.” Maloras sighed in relief that the man didn’t appear.

  “Is he really that bad?” Melody huffed.

  “Well,” Dyluran rolled his head, “It is just that we have never had a Divine God killed by anything other than the Gods of Tartarus, and Lord Tulsen killed three in his start.”

  “Is he a god?” Melody decided to ask the question that had been bugging her for days.

  The gods looked among themselves nervously.

  Dyluran cleared his throat. “Well, uh, he doesn’t like people revealing information about him. I don’t think he would mind us telling you, though.” He sighed and glanced around suspiciously. “The truth of him is that he is and is not a god. He is a special existence that baffles even us gods.”

  “That…” Melody furrowed her brow. “Isn’t much.”

  Dyluran shrugged and laughed. “Not much I can do about it. Anyone who is not a friend of the man knows not to reveal much about him.”

  Melody pouted.

  Lyuten then shot to her feet. “Now then, let’s get to godly training!”

  Melody giggled at her Nana’s attempt to get away from the subject. “Oh, I do have a question.”

  “Hmm?” Lyuten tilted her head.

  “Can Free Gods maintain worlds, too?”

  Lyuten smiled and shook her head. “It is impossible for Free Gods to become anything other than that. It is because Free Gods are mortals who ascend.”

  Her words shocked Melody. “So, none of the Divine Gods can be Free Gods?”

  Lyuten nodded. “That is what makes individuals like you special. In truth, you are as powerful as myself.”

  “Um, how powerful exactly is that?” Melody tentatively asked.

  “I am considered a Senior, Grade-8, goddess. Dyluran would be an Elder, Grade-5, god.” Lyuten explained.

  Even with Melody’s godly level of mental capabilities, she was a little confused.

  Ryten noticed and stepped forward to help explain.

  There were three main categories, each having nine sub-levels.

  The main categories were Junior, Senior, and Elder.

  The subcategories were Grades 1 to 9.

  “So, does that mean Dyluran is almost an Omni god?” Melody asked.

  Dyluran chuckled. “Not quite. I still have a long way to go. Just raising your grade can take tens of or even hundreds of thousands of years.”

  Lyuten was teary-eyed that they hadn’t gotten to the training yet.

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  Dyluran sighed while smiling. “It seems we have kept you long enough. Go with Lyuten to learn how to control your power. I will handle your education and go over the manual later.”

  “Thank you!” Melody cheerily said, heading off to work with Nana Lyuten to learn how to control her power.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Prince Matthew sat in a pew in the temple. Three months had passed since Melody went to the Divine Realm to train her power. Initially, they thought she would only be gone for maybe a week or two, but Annabelle, who was in the process of taking over the temple as the Saint and Pope, received a message from the gods that Melody would be delayed.

  Someone leaned against his shoulder, her raven black hair brushing his cheek.

  He chuckled and brushed her cheek. “Miss her that much?”

  Violet pouted. “How couldn’t I? I thought she would only be gone for a little bit, and then we would go on adventures.”

  “Adventuring with a goddess? Sounds boring.” He chuckled.

  Violet laughed. “It could be, but I wouldn’t mind.” She sighed and leaned against him.

  “I wonder how she will react to our engagement?” Prince Matthew asked.

  “She would probably be happy that her brother and friend got together,” Annabelle stated as she approached.

  She was wearing a fine white robe and a small hat. Annabelle had a warm smile on her face.

  “That or she’ll think it’s weird.” Violet joked, but the two present knew she was nervous about it.

  During the months of Melody’s training, Violet and Annabelle stayed in the capital. Annabelle remained at the temple while Violet was given a space in the palace, so the two kept running into each other. Over time, a bored Violet decided to help Matthew with his work. This eventually turned into hanging out, which evolved into dating, and about a week ago, they got engaged.

  Violet was worried Melody would disapprove of their marriage, which Prince Matthew knew was a ridiculous idea.

  “Hm?” Annabelle perked up.

  “Did they say anything?” Violet stood and asked.

  Annabelle smiled. “Yes. It seems Melody has finished her training and will be returning-.”

  “MELODY!” Rui rushed into the temple along with Okan, Gaia, Autumn, and many other Forest Spirits.

  Annabelle giggled. “Soon. She will return soon.”

  Rui had grown several feet taller as she had evolved into a Dryad Princess. Gaia, who was a Dryad Queen, had been helping Rui to train and get stronger. Rui now looked like a teenager at the start of puberty.

  “Welcome, everyone.” Annabelle welcomed them all.

  Prince Matthew stood from the pew and went to see everyone, along with Violet.

  “Violet!” Rui bear-hugged Violet, lifting her up. “Congratulations on your engagement! I’m sorry I couldn’t come to the party!”

  Violet laughed and hugged Rui. “Thank you, Rui.”

  The two were then picked up and hugged by someone bigger. “I’m so happy for you, Violet!” Melody had appeared so quietly that no one noticed her arrival.

  Everyone cheered and rolled together for a big group hug. Prince Matthew watched warmly at Melody’s return.

  Melody shrunk to escape the bundle of hugs and rushed to her brother. “Matthew!” She hugged him.

  He chuckled and hugged her back. “Welcome back, Melody.”

  “I’m so happy you and Violet got together!” She backed away from him.

  He saw she looked the same, but her aura was massively different. It was like sunbathing under a warm sun with a cool breeze, ensuring you wouldn’t get too hot. It was comforting to be in her presence.

  “So, what’s new with you?” He asked.

  Melody grinned. “I found my element.”

  “Element?” Rui knelt and hugged her sister from behind.

  Melody nodded. “Most every god has an element. It kind of makes up who they are and what their power is. Nana Lyuten’s element is Nature, Auntie Ryten is the Arcane, and Uncle Maloras is Souls.”

  “What is your element, then?” Gaia asked.

  “The Cycle.” She beamed up at her mother.

  Gaia was stunned. “You mean the Cycle of Life and Death?”

  Melody nodded. “Yes. There is no life without death, and death brings about new life. The Cycle does not discriminate between good and evil, but…” A sinister smile came to Melody’s face. “My Cycle also follows the notion of Karma. The greater evil you do, the sooner death will knock on your door.”

  Prince Matthew swallowed hard. He was glad that he strove to be a good ruler.

  Melody giggled and patted her brother’s head. “No need to worry, you have a hella-good Karma.”

  “Wait, you can tell?” Violet asked.

  “Yup!” Melody smiled. “Now,” she snapped her fingers, and they were outside the capital city.

  “What?! How?!” Prince Matthew was shocked.

  Melody took a deep breath and moved away from them all. She grew in size, not stopping at her old eighteen-foot height but getting bigger and bigger.

  “Just how big is she getting!?” Violet cried.

  Melody slowed down and stopped growing around; what Matthew could guess was about a hundred feet tall.

  Prince Matthew could hear cries of panic from the walls and city. How was he going to calm things down?

  A comforting golden glow radiated from Melody, and she spoke. “My fellow people of our world. I am Melody, the newest goddess of our world.”

  They all felt reassured at her presence now, her kindness and warmth washing over them all.

  “I am the Goddess of the Cycle. Life ends in death. Death brings new life. The Good shall strive. The Evil shall cower.” Melody gave the most stunning smile she had ever given. “I look forward to living with you all!”

  The years that followed Melody’s return led to the unification of all nations, with Violet and Matthew at the head as Empress and Emperor. With support from the Temple, Annabelle at the lead, and the Gaian Alliance, led by Gaia, the new Song Empire experienced decades of peace and prosperity.

  As the years went by, Melody spent less and less time in the world, rapidly increasing her influence with the people. However, her power was growing too much, reducing her available time with her loved ones. This was one of the shortcomings of being a Free God. You could travel the many worlds of the grand universe, but your time in each world was limited.

  After about a century, the daughter of Violet and Matthew and the son of Annabelle and her husband attended a farewell gathering at the Grove.

  Charlie had golden blond hair like Annabelle, and his wife, Allison, had raven black hair like Violet.

  “How are you two settling in?” A fully grown Dryad Queen, Rui asked.

  Charlie smiled. “Quite well. I thank you for your hospitality.”

  The Grove had grown quite prosperous with its connection to human society. There were all kinds of races now in the Grove and many new types of Forest Spirits who were blends of mortal races.

  “When will Melody be arriving?” Allison was excited to meet the goddess. She first met her when she was still young, so her memory was unclear.

  Rui elegantly laughed. “Not to worry, she is coming now.”

  A flash of light came and went, leaving a beautiful, fully adult Melody standing before them.

  Both Charlie and Allison were stunned.

  “Melody!” Rui rushed over and hugged her sister.

  Melody giggled. “Seems you will never fully grow up.”

  Rui laughed. “I will forever be your little sister!”

  Charlie cleared his throat and stood. “Y-Your grace, I-.”

  Melody snickered. “Your grace?” She shrunk down and hugged the pair. “Why are you being so stiff. You are the children of my closest friends, my family.”

  Allison giggled. “Mother did warn us that Melody liked giving hugs.”

  Charlie chuckled. “That she did.”

  Melody backed away. Rui, who also shrunk down, joined them at a nearby table.

  “So, where will you go, Melody?” Charlie asked.

  Melody shrugged. “Well, I have made a few adventures throughout the cosmos, so I think I will continue, but with my closest friends.” She beamed.

  Then, Violet and Annabelle appeared beside Melody, looking to be in their early thirties.

  “M-Mother!?” The couple shouted.

  Violet laughed and took a seat. Annabelle giggled and joined them.

  “But how!?” The pair asked.

  Violet shrugged. “Seems having a strong connection to a god can lead you to becoming Valkyrie of said goddess.”

  “I still prefer angel.” Annabelle laughed.

  “We will be leaving this world to go on the grand adventure we always wanted to: seeing the infinite number of worlds in existence and helping those who need it,” Melody answered.

  “The Gods of Tartarus are a patient yet relentless force. Plenty of worlds need help, and we will go to answer the calls.” Annabelle stated.

  “Um,” Allison jumped in, “did father also become a Valkyrie?”

  Violet huffed. “He prefers Angel.”

  As if in the queue, Matthew appeared. “Didn’t think the marriage vow of, ‘In this life and the next, our souls shall be connected,’ would be so true.”

  “Father!” Allison rushed over and hugged him.

  Matthew smiled and hugged her. “My little girl, so grown up.”

  The reason why Allison was so excited to see her father was because he passed away from old age twelve years ago.

  Matthew joined them at the table. “So… where is Maple and Bell?”

  The two Forest spirits, who had also become connected to Melody, came over from visiting the forest spirits.

  “Sorry for our tardiness.” Maple, who was now a fairy the size of a full-grown woman, glided over.

  Bell was a stout woman, still wearing her blue cap. “I just had too many grandchildren to play with, which took a bit too long.” She beamed.

  Melody closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again. “I am short on time. Let’s get the party started.”

  “Melody had too many people to say goodbye to.” Maple sighed.

  Melody sighed. “My family wanted too much time.”

  “How is Gaia doing, now that she has begun her ascension to becoming the next World Tree?” Violet asked.

  “Quite well.” Melody laughed.

  The party that followed was boisterous and full of singing and dancing. But before long, the time had come.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Melody finished giving out hugs and kisses to her loved ones and joined her Orracons, the true name of what Annabelle, Violet, Matthew, Maple, Bell, Aroo, Fenny, and her many other familiars had become.

  Melody stood elegantly. “I love you all and wish you happiness and prosperity for ages. May this world be blessed.”

  Those present cheered their farewells, and Melody and her group ascended the tunnel of light to reach the divine realm.

  “We’ll come back and visit, right?” Annabelle teared up.

  Violet laughed and hugged her friend. “Of course we will! At least we saw our kids were getting along.”

  “That is true.” Annabelle smiled.

  “So, where are we heading next?” Maple asked.

  “I got a call from Lord Tulsen, who said there was a job for us,” Melody stated.

  Violet groaned. “This is going to be a pain, isn’t it?”

  Melody giggled. “He said this one shouldn’t be too bad. There were no potential ascenders in the world, so the world needs some outside help.”

  Violet still looked skeptical.

  “I meant what I said.” A dangerous chuckle from beside them.

  Violet nearly jumped out of her skin as Lord Tulsen appeared beside her. “Where the hell did you come from!?”

  A dangerous grin came to his face. “My hearing is pretty good.” He stated as he held up a packet of documents for Melody. “Some information to get you started.”

  Melody quickly read through it. “Let’s see… Low magic fantasy world, industrial age technology…”

  “Anything on the pawns of Tartarus?” Bell asked.

  Melody shook her head while getting a reluctant smile. “Lord Tulsen wouldn’t make things that easy for us.”

  Lord Tulsen chuckled. “Of course. As a Free God who also battles the Gods of Tartarus, you need to grow and become independent.”

  Melody sighed. “Alright, we will check it out.”

  Lord Tulsen snickered. “At least you are better than Eric when it comes to World Traveling. I wish you all the best of luck.” And he vanished.

  Violet sighed in relief.

  “You really need to stop skirting the line with Lord Tulsen.” Maple snickered.

  “Shut it,” Violet stated.

  “Well, onto to saving another world!” Melody raised her fist.

  “Aroo!” Aroo arrived to carry them. She was massive with golden fur. She licked Melody’s face happily. “Are we going?” The Divine Bison asked.

  Melody pets Aroo’s head. “Let’s go.”