Parting With Mother Nature

Golden light flared from Gaia's hand as she swung her arm, unleashing a colossal wave of energy that streaked across the desolate lunar landscape. 

The beam seared through the airless void, disintegrating everything in its path until it vanished into the infinite expanse of space.

Forreal flinched, her body trembling as she stumbled backward, instinctively raising an arm as if to shield herself. 

The destructive force missed both her and Surreal, yet the sheer intensity of it left her legs weak.

"Relax, Forreal," Surreal said with a faint chuckle, his eyes closed once again, his expression serene as though the world—or rather, the moon—hadn't just almost exploded. "If she wanted us dead, we'd already be floating dust."

Forreal stared at him, her fear plain on her face. "How can you be so calm?! She could still kill us!"

"Not quite," Surreal replied, shrugging as his extra arms folded neatly in front of his stomach. "The little story I told has rendered us untouchable. Gaia can only kill those who pose an active threat to Earth. And since I've clearly explained my intentions, we're no longer considered a danger."

Forreal's voice cracked as she gestured wildly. "You want to claim the Reality Core! How does that not make you a threat?"

She then realized that she had said more words than needed.

The effect of the drink was still on the table.

Surreal tilted his head, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Ah, but I have no malicious intent. That's the key, you see. Intent matters. As long as we don't say anything that gives mother nature to murk us, especially in this state—living for another is not that far from reach."

Gaia, towering above them in her human-like form, sighed heavily. Her glass-like limbs, golden blood still swirling within them, shimmered faintly as she sank back into her massive chair. 

"You may not be a threat, but that doesn't mean I've given you permission to claim the Reality Core."

Surreal raised a brow. "And why's that?"

Gaia's gaze bore into him, her tone icy yet controlled. "While it is true that allowing an insider to claim the Reality Core is the only way to prevent a foreigner from seizing it, I cannot simply hand it over to you. First, I must ensure that your future aligns with the Reality Core's purpose. Words alone are insufficient proof, even with the constraints of truth." 

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Second, I hate you."

"Ah, I can see why," Forreal unintentionally commented.

Gaia continued. "The extreme measures you've taken to secure this audience prove that you are reckless and dangerous. I cannot entrust the Reality Core to someone so unhinged, he would sacrifice the majority of Earth's population just to have a direct audience with me.

"Such a bold and maniacal individual, no matter how good the reason, will still need to be taken a hold of the consequence. To give the permission to claim the Reality Core to someone like that, I would rather have mosquitoes as the entire species that live on Earth!"

Surreal nodded, unbothered. "Fair points. But I'll still do my best to protect this Earth, whether or not I have the Core. That shall be something that I will uphold regardless of your opinion."

Gaia exhaled slowly, her regal composure returning. "That remains to be seen."

With that, Surreal rose from his seat, his extra arms extending to conjure a shimmering portal. 

The swirling black energy rippled as it stabilized into a gateway back to Earth.

Before stepping through, he glanced over his shoulder at Gaia. "I spared the plants, you know. Despite your role as the embodiment of nature, you've always had a soft spot for flora. It would've been cruel to take even that from you."

"... I see." Gaia's expression softened ever so slightly. "And thank you… for the cloak," she said quietly.

Surreal's smile widened. "Anytime."

As the two of them stepped through the portal, the chaotic battle on the moon faded behind them.

They reappeared amidst the ruins of a once-massive city, the skeletal remains of skyscrapers casting long shadows in the dim light. The air was thick with the scent of ash and decay, a stark reminder of humanity's absence.

Forreal immediately turned to Surreal. "Okay, what was that about at the end?"

Surreal gestured for her to walk with him as they began navigating the rubble-strewn streets. "Gaia is a divine entity, in a way. That means anything a mortal gives her is considered an offering. The quality of the offering depends on the sincerity and effort put into it."

Forreal frowned, glancing back at the portal's faint afterimage. "So the cloak that she suddenly wore just now is your offering, huh. Why did she thank you for it though? She hates you."

"I knitted it myself," Surreal said casually. "Put my heart into every stitch. So, to Gaia, it's precious."

"That's… actually kind of thoughtful. I mean, weirdly thoughtful for you."

Forreal then suddenly recalled that she noticed a moment where Surreal would suddenly knit out of nowhere within the timespan of the honeymoon.

The cloak must be from that time.

Surreal chuckled. "What can I say? I just couldn't bear the thought of the image of mother nature being reduced to a near-naked figure. It felt... undignified. For such a graceful being to resemble humans so much and show that much skin for absolutely no thematic reason. It left an ick on my eyes."

"You barely open your eyes."

"And thank goodness that I do."

Forreal froze mid-step, realization dawning on her. "Wait… we're still under the effects of that truth drink, aren't we?"

"Yup," Surreal replied, grinning. "Since I've drunk quite a lot of it… For the next week, you can ask me anything, and I won't be able to lie."

She smirked, folding her arms. "Oh, this is going to be fun. So, were you serious about—"

Surreal raised a hand to cut her off. "Before you get any ideas, I can always just keep my mouth shut, you know."

"Ugh." Forreal rolled her eyes but didn't press further. After a moment, she asked, "Speaking of divine beings..." She hesitated, then continued, "Do deities and spirits exist? Like, real ones? You know, mountain god, youkais, demons, and the likes?"

Surreal's grin didn't falter. "Of course."

Forreal tilted her head, intrigued. "Then where are they? Why haven't we seen any?"

Surreal stopped walking and turned to face her fully. 

"They were killed during Judgment Day."

The words hung in the air, heavy and final, as Forreal stared at him, her expression caught between disbelief and dawning comprehension.