CH 16: Beyond The Abyssline

The next day, classes resumed, and Cateleya continued her lessons about the world beyond their continent.

“Now look at this…” Cateleya said softly, waving her hand again.

The glowing map zoomed outward, farther and farther, until the entire vast world came into view. Countless shining continents floated within an ocean of stars and magical currents. But then, something stood out: a dark, jagged line circling across the light-filled map like a scar. Beyond that line was nothing but endless blackness.

“This,” Cateleya said, her tone growing solemn, “is called the Abyssline. The Gods also call it the Abyssal lane, the Abyss world, the end of worlds. It is the border that separates our known continents from what lies beyond… the void area.”

Isao tilted her head, squinting. “Er… why is it dark? Cuz, you know, it’s called void and nothing exists there?”

Cateleya smiled gently but shook her head. “No, Isao. It’s dark because this map—this vision—was gifted to me by the gods themselves. And even they did not reveal what lies beyond the Abyssline. It isn’t that nothing exists there… it’s that we aren’t meant to see it.”

Sylveria, curious despite herself, leaned forward. “Can you explain the Abyssline more, Lady Cateleya? The name sounds… intriguing.”

Cateleya giggled softly. “Of course, my dear. The Abyssline is not a simple boundary of land or sea. It is said to be a rift—a barrier between realms. It marks where our world ends, and another begins. The gods once told me that beyond the Abyssline lies something they call ‘The Realm of the Absolutes Gods’”

The room fell silent.

Sylveria, Isla, and Isao stared in stunned disbelief.

“Absolute… gods?” Isao repeated slowly, blinking. “Wait—there’s, like, regular gods and absolute ones?”

Sylveria’s brows furrowed. “I’ve read hundreds of holy texts, but none ever mentioned the existence of such beings.”

Even Isla looked faintly curious, her usually calm eyes narrowing slightly. “Then the ones worshiped here… are they not absolute?”

Cateleya’s lips curved into a mysterious smile. “No, child. The gods who rule our continents are what we call Divine Keepers. They are powerful—beings who govern the laws of creation and magic within their realms. But even they bow to the will of the Absolutes.”

“Then… what are the Absolute Gods like?” Sylveria asked quietly.

Cateleya turned her gaze to the dark expanse beyond the glowing line on the map, her eyes distant and knowing. “No mortal knows. Not even a saint like me. The gods say the Abyssline is not meant to be crossed—and that beyond it lies the truth of existence itself.”

Isao gulped. “...That sounds scary.”

Sylveria frowned. “It sounds like forbidden knowledge.”

But Isla, as calm as ever, muttered under her breath, “Or maybe… it’s just another world waiting to be reached.”

Cateleya smiled faintly, hearing her words. “Perhaps, Isla. Perhaps.”

“What I know is…” Cateleya began, her tone growing calm and profound as the glowing map shifted once more. The continents aligned in two perfect halves—one bathed in light, the other veiled in shadow.

“The right side of the world—what we call the Realm of the Absolute Gods—consists of fifteen hundred continents. The same number as the left side, which is where we live. Together, they form the full world of three thousand continents.”

Sylveria and Isao’s eyes widened, while even Isla’s normally unreadable gaze flickered in surprise.

Cateleya continued, her hand gracefully tracing the border between the two halves. “However… the time there flows differently than ours. Much faster. Centuries there might pass as mere decades here. The beings who dwell in that realm are said to be incomparably strong—warriors and magi who have transcended mortal limits.”

She turned her eyes to the class, her golden irises reflecting the dim glow of the floating map. “That realm is governed by the Absolute Gods—the true creators of everything you see. They shaped all three thousand continents and breathed life into the laws that govern our existence.”

“Then why are they on the other side? Can’t they come here?” Isao asked innocently.

Cateleya smiled faintly. “Because they chose not to. When they created the gods who rule each continent on this side—the left side—they bound themselves with divine law. They restricted their own presence to prevent interference. They wanted this realm to unfold freely, without their authority dictating every fate.”

Sylveria furrowed her brow. “So, the gods we worship are merely their creations?”

“Yes,” Cateleya said softly. “The gods of this realm—the ones you pray to—are only fragments of their creators’ will. Watchers of fate. Caretakers of balance.”

Isao tilted her head. “Then who rules with the Absolute Gods?”

At that, Cateleya’s expression softened into something reverent. “The Elder and Ancient Dragons.”

The three froze.

“Dragons!?” Isao exclaimed. “You mean… like those giant, fire-breathing legends?”

Cateleya nodded with a small smile. “Indeed. They are not mere beasts. The Elder and Ancient Dragons share dominion with the Absolute Gods over the right side. Their wisdom is said to rival the creators themselves.

Sylveria leaned back in her seat, trying to process the vastness of what she’d just heard. “That’s… W-well... I don't know what to say."

“Unbelievable…” Isao muttered, her head spinning at Cateleya's words.
 

Even Isla, who rarely showed any reaction, blinked slowly, her tone quiet and dazed. “Three thousand continents… time flowing differently… gods and dragons…”

Cateleya chuckled softly at their overwhelmed expressions, the glowing map fading into golden mist. “I know it’s a lot to take in,” she said gently. “But remember this—our world, vast as it seems, is still just one piece of something greater.”

She looked at each of them in turn, her eyes filled with calm authority.

“And someday, whether through fate or your own choices… you may find yourselves walking beyond that line.”