Duality (DxD) (Part 1)

Ch 165 - Meeting A God (2)

As fast as Jin and Inari disappeared, they reappeared in Takamagahara, a place known as the "Plain of High Heaven." It was a realm in the Shinto religion, where the divine kami resided. It is a place supposed to be untouched by the flaws of the mortal world, where the essence of divinity flows through every element, creating a landscape of unparalleled magnificence.

As Jin looked across the lands, appearing in the air with Irari, floating without using his own energy. He could see such mythology was true. The second religion Jin knew, the first one he ever knew of, was just as real as the Christian religion. Though Jin had seen a small part of the Underworld and without a doubt, he could say Takamagahara looked much better. Likely more so than even the heavens of Angels.

The sky above Takamagahara was an endless sea blue. More vibrant than any sky you could see on Earth and deeper than any sea or ocean. It was a pure blue without a single flaw. The light of the otherworldly heavens wasn't from something like a sun. But instead, the realm was lit up by a divine radiance, a golden luminescence energy that was infused into the sky.

Not only the skies seemed divine, but even the grounds seemed heavenly. Vast, boundless plain, unlike that of earth. A divine energy radiated from it. Mountains seemed to be made of the purest gold, their peaks in clouds of silver and crowned with the light of the heavens. Rivers flowed with waters that sparkled like liquid crystal, meanding through the landscape, their banks lined with emerald green trees, their leaves glimmering like precious jewels.

However, nature wasn't the only thing that resided in Takamagahara, this was the realm of the Kami. Palaces were wonders beyond mortal comprehension. They looked to be crafted by divine hands from the finest materials, fit for gods and goddesses. Just like the divine, their structures soar into the heavens even while residing in them. Roof tiles shimmering in the sky of gold and silver. The walls were of polished jade, each palace was an architectural masterpiece, something Jin marvelled at. All the while Inari watched him and gave a small giggle, moving through the air.

These palaces were surrounded by vast courtyards paved with stones of pure crystal, reflecting the light of the pure blue sky. Grand gates, immense and imposing statues, their presence marking the threshold between the mortal and the divine.

Everything seemed perfect. The gardens of Takamagahara were the perfect standards of nature. An eternal spring where every plant, tree, and flower exists in a state of perpetual bloom. Sakura trees with blossoms that never fall; rivers of purest silver, groves of sacred trees; lotus flowers of every imaginable colour.

It was beautiful. But even that felt like an understatement passing Jin's mind. Even the energy felt peaceful. The divine energy was in every breath of air, every rustle of the leaves and every beam of light. Just like on Earth, it circulated, Jin felt it. He felt connected to it in every breath.

But he also saw something odd, a single cloud in a cloudless sky. Seeming to fly by with a monkey on it. One carrying a staff.

Jin: Is... Is that Sung Wo Kong? {I'm... I'm not even surprised he's real. If I'm to use any logic, as a monkey man, he must be a Youkai.}

Inari: Ah yes, he does like to fly around here. The empty blue skies are peaceful to him. Oh~. Do you have such interests as to become a Buddha?

Jin: I wouldn't know the first thing about it. Though I have no interest. I consider myself more of an atheist.

Inari: An atheist?

Inari said confused. She was a Kami, a literal goddess. Jin knew of Angels, Fallen Angels, Devils and the existence of the divine. He was currently in a mystical realm and had been to the Underworld. He was supernatural. It was hard to understand how he could be an atheist.

Jin: It's not really about not believing in you. You're right in front of me. But that's also the point, you're right in front of me. I've seen you. You don't become any less god-like because I've seen you, but there's no faith needed because I have seen you. Right now in front of me, you're just a very beautiful lady.

Jin said as he always knew religion as faith. It was faith in someone you couldn't see or meet. It was faith in teachings made from one so high up, that you could only pray to get a glimpse of their divine radiance.

Meeting a god took all the faith out of religion because it was no longer a belief, but instead a fact. A fact that they existed. Believing in them no longer required faith and religion without faith was the practice or lack of practice for an atheist.

Inari: You find me beautiful~. You wouldn't be the first to say such a thing.

Jin: I would be surprised if I was.

Jin retorted as Inari gave a soft giggle. To her, Jin was a cute young pup. He seemed absolutely adorable, even the way he spoke was direct and honest, but kind and friendly. Something adorable to Inari.

Inari: Well I'm liking our little talk, I hope you don't need to remain silent during your work.

Jin: No need to worry, we can continue talking as I work. {Though I'll likely need my tails out. I'll need to control my energy perfectly, I can't let my work be dwarfed in comparison to the architecture around it.}

Jin thought as he had seen creations he marvelled at. Creations made by the hands of actual gods. But gliding through the air, Jin and Inari arrived at her residence.

The residence of a Kami, a goddess.