822 The Guardian of Heaven’s Gate As Tiki bounded effortlessly up the stairs, the group found themselves ascending toward the unknown realms of Heaven. The air grew thinner, carrying with it a sense of anticipation and excitement, mixed with a tinge of apprehension. None of them had ever set foot in the fabled realm above, and the prospect of what awaited them was both thrilling and daunting.

Ren glanced around as they ascended, taking in the surroundings with a sense of wonder. The stairs seemed to stretch endlessly into the heavens, disappearing into the clouds above. The sheer scale of the ascent was awe-inspiring, reminding him of the vastness of the world they inhabited.

As they climbed higher, the sky above gradually shifted, taking on hues of deep indigo and violet as the stars twinkled overhead. Evie clung tightly to Ren, her eyes wide with excitement as she gazed up at the celestial display.

"This is incredible," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the rushing wind. "I never imagined we'd be climbing stairs to Heaven." she chuckled. Ren nodded in agreement, his heart pounding at her nearness. The journey ahead was filled with uncertainty, but he felt a sense of confidence and happiness travelling with her. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he was ready to face them head-on with her by his side.

But their ascent was not without its obstacles. As they climbed higher, dark shapes began to emerge from the shadows, swooping down from the skies with menacing intent. Flying beasts, their wingspan wide and their talons sharp, descended upon the group with ferocious speed.

Elena, Desira and the others sprang into action, their weapons flashing as they met the onslaught head-on. With swift and precise movements, they dispatched the creatures with ease, their attacks fueled by powerful magic.

Ren and Evie only watched as their companions fought, marveling at their skill and prowess. But even as the flying beasts fell beneath their blades, more continued to descend from the skies above. The creatures seemed to be endless in number, their relentless assault threatening to overwhelm the group.

However, they were still no match against Elena and the warlords. Ren glanced around, and observed the situation. The flying beasts had the terrain advantage, their ability to maneuver in the air giving them a distinct edge over their grounded opponents. The limited size of the stairs posed a significant challenge for direct combat with the flying beasts. If it were only players ascending these stairs, they would need to max out their levels or devise a strategy to counter these formidable foes. However, with the presence of the OP NPCs by their side, Ren didn't have to worry about such concerns. Riding on Tiki's back, he could afford to focus solely on the journey ahead without the burden of worrying about the dangers lurking around them.

"We need to keep moving," Iraelyn shouted over the din of battle, her voice barely audible above the roar of the wind. "We can't afford to stay here and fight them to no end."

Her words were met with nods of agreement from the others as they redoubled their efforts to ascend the stairs. Tiki bounded forward with renewed vigor, his powerful strides carrying them ever closer to their destination.

But the monsters were relentless in their pursuit, their numbers seeming to swell with each passing moment. Gritting her teeth in annoyance, Desira leveled her staff towards the beasts, channeling her magical powers. With a silent incantation, she unleashed a potent blast of magic that tore through the flying beasts, reducing them to nothingness in an instant.

'Looks like reaching Heaven won't be that easy,' Ren thought grimly, his gaze sweeping over the chaos unfolding around them. The monsters here were strong and high-level, their attacks coordinated and relentless.

But despite the odds stacked against them, Ren found himself filled with a sense of confidence. He and Evie were surrounded by OP NPCs, their companions skilled and powerful enough to handle whatever came their way.

If it were only players, he doubted that they could ascend past this point.

As they continued their climb, the group pressed onward while defeating enemies left and right. As Ren and the others continued their ascent, their surroundings began to change. The beasts that had been harassing them seemed to thin out, their attacks becoming less frequent as they climbed higher and higher. "The beasts seem to have stopped attacking us," Vivi observed, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Perhaps they've finally given up," Iraelyn speculated, her eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger.

"It could mean that we're nearing Heaven," Malifira suggested, her tone filled with a mixture of anticipation and caution.

But just as they began to relax, a powerful gust of wind nearly knocked them off Tiki's back. They clung to the lizard tightly as the clouds parted, revealing a blinding light that engulfed the sky.

"What's going on now?" Desira demanded, her teeth clenched in frustration as she struggled to maintain her balance.

"Ugh . . . This rocking is making me feel queasy," Azazel chimed in, doubling over as he retched over the side.

As the winds subsided and the light dimmed, they found themselves face to face with a sight that sent shivers down their spines. Floating before them was a colossal eye, its form shrouded in a radiant aura that seemed to emanate from its very being. It had three wings protruding from its back, each adorned with intricate patterns that glowed with an otherworldly light. Its eye, glowing with an intense brightness, seemed to pierce through their very souls as it regarded them with an unfathomable gaze.

Despite its angelic appearance, there was an undeniable sense of dread that washed over them as they beheld the creature before them.

It was clear that this was no ordinary being; it was a divine entity, one whose power surpassed anything they had ever encountered before.

Ren's heart pounded in his chest as he gazed upon the creature, his mind racing with a flurry of questions and concerns. What was this creature? Why was it here? And most importantly, what did it want with them?