Sirithiele

Phaenora has on chance to save Vastarael but knowing Thyrexxa, she did it for one reason and one reason only.

Vastarael was supposed to die in another time and place rather than the Lake of Miracles. So if he died again, she would lose her first chance and by doing so, she would potentially risk permanently killing him before that time came.

So, she decided to try another option; stalk the woman that showers in the lake every winter solstice, ask her about her 'pet' and solve the issue without killing it.

Phaenora didn't trust Thyrexxa at all. Why? Because she was an unpredictable bitch.

Despite this, something told her that killing the Bioluminescent Manta Ray was going to be something that she would deeply regret in the future. It was a very strong premonition that she couldn't get rid of.

And so, she decided to do this the peaceful way, by stalking a divine being as she descended from the heavens and shower.

Nexuses used to live in Mopheria, the Pantheon of the Gods. The fact that all Nexuses don't live there is a mystery to them.

There's a very good reason why Nexuses stay on the mortal plane and not on their own divine plane in Mopheria. Although Vastarael didn't know the full reason yet and his parents never mentioned it to him or his siblings, he was sure that sooner or later, he would figure it out.

But now... they were hiding in bushes close to the lake shore, waiting for her to land down and shower in its waters. Vastarael and Phaenora crouched in the dense bushes by the lake's shore, their breathing muffled by the gentle rustling of leaves in the night breeze.

Vastarael leaned back slightly, resting on his elbows as he smirked. His eyes gleamed with mischief under the moonlight.

"So, what do you think she looks like?"

Phaenora shot him a glance, her sapphire hair shimmering faintly as she turned her head.

"Who?" She asked, though the sharp edge in her voice betrayed that she already knew where this was going.

"The woman, of course," Vastarael replied with exaggerated nonchalance, a sly grin creeping across his face. "I mean, think about it. She's a divine being like me. Perfectly sculpted. Flawless. I've only seen gods, and those are my mothers and also, she'll be naked."

She hissed, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson as she smacked his arm.

"Veneri! Do you want to get smited? We're talking about a divine being here, not some... bar maiden!"

Vastarael chuckled, rubbing his arm dramatically as if her slap had actually hurt.

"What? I'm just saying what we're all thinking. You're the one who dragged us out here to spy on her while she's bathing, remember? What does that make you?"

Phaenora's jaw dropped and she spluttered for a moment before regaining her composure.

"This is reconnaissance! I'm trying to figure out if she has any connection to the manta ray. You're the one turning this into some perverted escapade!"

"Recon," he repeated mockingly, his grin widening. "Sure. That's what I'll call it when she catches us and blasts us into oblivion with divine wrath. 'Oh no, Your Holiness, we weren't peeping—just some harmless reconnaissance!' I wonder how she'll react."

She groaned, burying her face in her hands.

"I regret everything. Why did I bring you along? You should have just waited further out."

"Because you'd be bored to death waiting out here all night without me," he quipped, tossing a small pebble into the lake and watching the ripples spread. "Admit it, Phae. You love my company."

"Phae?"

"Well, since you call me by my past name, Veneri, then shouldn't I have a nickname for you too? Phae."

Phaenora hid her lips with her hand. Right now, her smile was too wide for her to hide.

"Do you like it?"

She nodded.

"I see. Well... I'm glad you do, Phae. Right now, I'm by your side, helping you stalk a woman while making your cheeks turn red."

"You're insufferable," she shook her head, finally giving in to the faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

He noticed the hint of a smile and leaned forward again, his tone suddenly softer.

"Seriously, though. If she is as powerful as you think, what's your plan if she doesn't want to talk?"

Phaenora hesitated, her playful demeanor fading as her expression turned contemplative.

"Then we leave. We don't fight her, and we definitely don't anger her. We're here for answers, not a battle."

"You've really thought this through, haven't you?"

"I have to. This isn't just about me… it's about you too. And no matter what happens, I'm not losing you. Not again."

Her words hung in the air and for once, Vastarael didn't have a quick retort. Instead, he reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You won't. Seriously, no need to worry, okay? What dream you had about losing me... that won't happen. Okay?"

"Oh? What is this?"

Both Vastarael and Phaenora froze, their eyes darting to the shimmering surface of the water. Rising from the lake, stepping as if on an invisible staircase, was a figure of impossible beauty.

She was tall. Her skin glowed faintly. Long, silken hair, a shade that shifted between silver and opalescent lavender, cascaded down her back.

Her eyes were pools of molten bronze and her lips curved into a knowing smile. She wore a gossamer dress that seemed divine, clinging to her voluptuous form in ways that made Vastarael and Phaenora momentarily forget how to breathe.

"My, my... What do we have here?" Her gaze roved over Vastarael and Phaenora, her eyes alight with curiosity. "Two beings of such extraordinary beauty... Are you gods?"

Phaenora stiffened, her heart hammering in her chest as the woman's words sank in. She quickly glanced at Vastarael, who was gaping slightly. His handsome features caught the goddess's attention and she tilted her head, her smile growing.

"You," the woman said, pointing at him, "are simply stunning. That golden gaze, that ethereal aura... Surely you must be a child of Mopheria? A child of a high ranking god?"

Vastarael blinked rapidly, his mind scrambling to catch up.

"Uh, well, I mean—"

"And you," she interrupted, turning her attention to Phaenora. Her gaze softened as she took in Phaenora's striking beauty, her luminous sapphire hair and delicate features.

"Such elegance and radiance. You could rival any muse in Mopheria's halls. Surely, you two must be of divine blood? Did you escape from Mopheria?"

Phaenora felt her cheeks heat, but she kept her composure, quickly masking her panic. She thought they were gods. And considering their current situation, playing along might be their best and only option. She shot Vastarael a quick glance that said;

'Follow my lead.'

Clearing her throat, she offered a faint smile, tilting her head as though amused.

"Well... we weren't expecting to be noticed, but yes, you could say that. We are the children of the higher ranked gods. From the Aeterium bloodline."

The woman's smile widened.

"I knew it. Only divine beings such as Aeterium could radiate such power and beauty. But why are you here, lurking in the shadows? Surely not to spy on me?"

Vastarael recovered quickly, his smirk slipping back into place as he leaned slightly forward, his tone smooth.

"Of course not, Lady...?" He trailed off, allowing her to fill in the blank.

"Ah," the goddess said with a laugh that sent shivers down their spines. "I am Sirithiele, the Goddess of Moonlit Waters. This lake is my domain."

Vastarael nodded. A goddess huh...

"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Sirithiele. We didn't mean to intrude. We were merely... enjoying the beauty of your sacred lake. We heard of it from the rumors of other gods and decided to check it out."

Phaenora resisted the urge to elbow him. He was laying it on a little thick, but Sirithiele seemed to buy it, her gaze softening further as she stepped closer. Vastarael rose to his feet. Phaenora followed suit, brushing off her dress as she stood beside him.

"Your beauty rivals the lake itself," Vastarael added, his voice dipped in charm. "It's no wonder this place feels so divine. It truly is magnificent."

Sirithiele's cheeks flushed faintly and she waved a delicate hand.

"Flattery from one so stunning himself... Truly, this night is full of surprises. I did not expect such a handsome god such as yourself to come to my lake. Would you like to take a shower with me, both of you?"