While Darien was still awestruck, the shimmering avatar trudged forward until it stood right before him.
It was no longer an enormous celestial giant, but even now, Darien had to tilt his head slightly to meet its vacant, faceless glow.
Like a mirror of light and gas, the being's surface reflected the boy's image back at him.
That was when he realized that he looked like himself even when he hadn't deactivated his illusory ring.
Quickly, Darien understood that such power and skill were petty here. In a place like this, everything would be stripped bare.
As the divine doll stared down at him, its body flowed softly like vapor. It appeared present, but not truly there.
Darien's idea of gods had never been of such a form, but the sheer pressure of power radiating from this being impressed him beyond words.
Steeling his nerves, he decided to demand its identity.
"Whose realm have I intruded?" the boy asked.
To Darien's surprise, the avatar answered quickly.
