MMORPG: Rebirth as an Alchemist-Chapter 829 The Path Ahead: Navigating Gods and Secrets

            As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an ethereal glow over the celestial city, a commotion erupted in the streets. Azazel, ever the troublemaker, found himself being chased by a legion of tiny, menacing creatures. These diminutive guardians resembled evil eyes, their malevolent gazes accentuated by tiny wings reminiscent of the giant eye guardian they had faced before. However, unlike their towering counterpart, these creatures were numerous and armed with spears, ready to subdue any intruders.

Ren's frustration was evident as he watched Azazel's antics once again landing them in trouble. "Azazel, you idiot! What have you done now?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with exasperation.

Desira and Malifira, however, seemed amused by the spectacle, marveling at Azazel's audacity. "That's Lord Azazel for you," Desira remarked with a smirk, while Malifira chuckled in agreement.

But Elena wasted no time in urging them to flee. "We don't have time for this! Let's get out of here!" she shouted urgently, her tone brooking no argument.

Without hesitation, they turned and sprinted down the streets, their footsteps echoing against the cobblestones. The guardians, with their tiny wings flapping furiously, attempted to pursue them, but the group's determination and speed proved too much. They dashed out of the city gates and onto the open road, their hearts pounding with adrenaline as they put distance between themselves and their pursuers. In their haste, they left the chaos of the celestial city behind them, their laughter mingling with the rush of wind as they raced towards their next destination.

As they rode on Tiki's back, the group engaged in a heated discussion about their next course of action. Ren took the lead, explaining the significance of finding the Goddess of Gossip and how she might hold the key to uncovering Lorelai's whereabouts.

"We need to locate the Goddess of Gossip," Ren started, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "She could be our only chance at finding Lorelai."

Desira couldn't help but be taken aback. "There's a goddess of gossip?" she exclaimed, her disbelief evident in her tone.

"Yeah, that's what I've been asking before too," Elena chimed in, nodding in agreement.

"There are so many gods and goddesses here," Evie added. "Even mundane things have gods and goddesses apparently, like feelings and insects."

Desira snorted in amusement. "Typical of them to make everything sounds important."

"I wonder if there's a goddess of food?" Vivi mused aloud.

"Or a god of war?" Iraelyn suggested, joining in on the speculation.

"Knowing what those angels said, I wouldn't even be surprised if there's a god of fart or a goddess of laughter," Elena finished, her tone tinged with amusement.

"Enough of that, let's just focus on finding Lorelai for now," Ren interjected, his voice carrying a sense of exasperation.

"Ren is right," Azazel added seriously. "Let's find Lorelai first and see if there really is a god of evil in this realm."

"If anything, you're the god of evil here," Ren quipped.

Azazel laughed and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Oh right! I am the lord of the Netherworld! So that would make me really the God of Demons, right?"

"Then I'm the goddess of beauty," Desira chimed in with a playful grin.

"If anything, you're the goddess of jealousy," Malifira remarked, her tone mocking.

"Huh?! And you're the Goddess of Envy!" Desira shot back, her retort quick and sharp.

Malifira simply shrugged. "Fine with me. It's the truth anyway. I am the Warlord of Envy."

"Guys, focus," Ren reminded them, his voice firm.

"Right," Azazel and the others immediately straightened their backs as Ren shot them a menacing look.

"If we're going to find Lorelai then we need a map." Malifira reached into her bag and retrieved a map of the Heavenly Realm that she had purchased from the Crafter shops. Unfurling it with a flourish, she pointed to Whispering Peak, their ultimate destination. It lay a considerable distance away, nestled amidst a series of territories governed by various gods and goddesses.

"What catches my attention are the territories we have to pass through," Malifira remarked, her finger tracing the intricate lines on the map. "Each one is governed by powerful deities, and navigating through them won't be easy."

Ren nodded in agreement. "We'll have to tread carefully. Let's bypass the areas we can and slip through the ones we can't," he suggested. "That way, we'll minimize the risk of attracting any unwanted attention and won't waste any time in fighting those gods."

"But what if they do notice us?" Evie interjected, her brow furrowing with concern.

Azazel shrugged without a care. "These gods and goddesses thrive on extracting offerings from mortals," he explained casually. "Whether it's a quest, sacrifice, tribute, or even our life, they won't hesitate to demand something from us as long as they're entertained."

Elena grimaced at the thought. "So, we'll need to be prepared for anything," she concluded, her voice tinged with apprehension.

Iraelyn's expression hardened. "We'll face whatever challenges come our way with a powerful punch," she declared, her eyes blazing. "We should stay true to our mission and find Lorelai," Evie commented. "We're not here to fight the gods," she deadpanned.

"Evie's right," Ren seconded. "The sooner we find Lorelai and rescue her, the sooner we're out of here."

"But . . . one thing left me baffled," Elena interjected. "It seemed that whoever took Lorelai didn't let the others know, especially considering that no one knew Lorelai in that last town we were at."

"That must be the case," Malifira agreed, thinking as well.

"Someone who wanted her power would definitely not share her with others, unless they wanted to bring war upon themselves with the other gods," Azazel stated matter-of-factly. "That works for us since we can focus on a single enemy."

"So, whoever took her knew that she had become a half-demon and is keeping her existence a secret," Desira concluded, her words carrying weight.

Ren nodded in agreement. "That's why we have every right to suspect that it might be one of her parents — the one who gave her angel blood."