Chapter 7

That is all that happens during the day. At night, Papa returns as well.

"Aw! My cutie!" he exclaimed as he picked me up, engulfing me in his large, warm embrace.

He always acts like a kid when he sees me, and I guess that's what being a parent means. Despite myself, I accepted his embrace, letting out a tiny huff as he squeezed a little too tightly. It wasn't uncomfortable, though—it was warm.

"I think I'm getting better at this whole parenting thing," he laughed awkwardly, his voice soft with pride.

Before I could react, Mama snatched me from his arms, cradling me against her chest with a triumphant grin. "But she still likes being with me more!"

Papa froze for a second, his face shifting between confusion and mock hurt before he laughed. "Leena, you're acting more like a kid than Aleena!"

Mama pouted, her voice sharp but playful. "So what if I am? You do it too!"

Meanwhile, I just chuckled at their warm banter. They were ridiculous—silly, stubborn, and so full of love. As my laugh filled the room, they both stopped arguing, their eyes softening as they looked at me.

Feeling their gazes, I paused awkwardly, suddenly aware of how intently they watched me. "Heh... heh... he!" I tried to save face with an innocent giggle.

Their arms encircled me in a shared hug, Mama and Papa holding each other with me nestled between them. The warmth I felt at that moment—how could I describe it? It was like being wrapped in the gentlest light, a comfort I hadn't known I'd missed.

---

That was just the prelude to the night. It wasn't over yet.

Once they both drifted off to sleep, their soft breathing echoing through the room, I opened my eyes. Carefully, I wiggled free of the blanket and teleported outside. The cool night air greeted me as I hovered in the sky, the city below humming with a quiet sort of life.

It was strange. This world was alive even at night, glowing with artificial lights and strange machines. Elmestine had been different—quiet under the moon, lit only by torches and the occasional mage's lantern.

I didn't patrol out of duty, not exactly. A part of me couldn't shake the feeling that danger might lurk even in this "future." My goddess instincts hadn't faded, and old habits died hard.

Tonight, however, something was off. My senses prickled as I scanned the city. Near the edges, where the lights thinned out, I saw it: ripples in the air, as if reality itself were bending. People stood far back, herded away by uniformed men shouting orders.

"Attention! Attention! Monsters are emerging from the Gate! Do not enter Sector 5! I repeat, stay out of Sector 5!"

A Gate? I thought, frowning. A massive tear shimmered in the distance, like a jagged scar in the world. From its depths crawled monstrous creatures, twisted and shadowy, with claws that gleamed like obsidian.

For a moment, I considered intervening. Clearing this up would be simple—just a flick of magic and these abominations would cease to exist. But before I could act, a group approached the Gate.

Adventurers.

I hovered quietly, watching the team gather with practiced precision. They wore matching coats with armor underneath, weapons gleaming under the streetlights. A leader barked orders while two heavily armored warriors stepped to the front, shields raised. Behind them, archers readied their shots, and a girl holding a glowing staff—the healer—murmured prayers.

"It's like an adventurer's guild," I muttered to myself, hovering closer but staying hidden. They'll take care of this. I don't need to interfere.

And yet, I couldn't look away. As the monsters lunged forward, the adventurers fought back with shocking strength and coordination. Blades flashed, arrows pierced the air, and magic flared bright as the team pushed the creatures back.

The fight brought memories rushing back—memories of the war against the Demon Lord. I saw my friends standing beside me, weapons raised, our hearts united as we faced impossible odds. For the briefest moment, I could hear their voices, see their smiles... and then it was gone.

Tears stung my eyes, and I blinked them away.

I still miss them, I thought, a faint smile tugging at my lips. I guess a part of me still wants to go home.

Suddenly, a sharp scream pierced through my thoughts. One of the monsters, faster than the others, had broken through the adventurers' defense. It sprinted toward the healer, claws poised to strike. She froze in terror.

The adventurers shouted, scrambling to intercept the beast, but they wouldn't make it in time.

My smile disappeared. My chest tightened, and a familiar heat spread through me. You insolent creature...

The monster exploded.

A burst of magic shredded it to pieces, its dark remains scattering like ash. The adventurers stumbled back, stunned by the sudden destruction. The leader gawked at the healer, assuming she'd done it.

"Alia! That was incredible!"

The girl, trembling, shook her head. "I… I didn't…"

One of the archers, a young woman with sharp eyes, frowned and turned her head in my direction. My heart skipped.

She sensed it.

Quickly, I turned invisible, holding my breath as she scanned the empty sky.

"Arid? Did you sense something unusual?" the leader asked.

She narrowed her eyes, her grip tightening on her bow. "Someone helped us and escaped."

The leader chuckled, relief settling over him. "Well, whoever they are, they saved Alia's life. Probably a wandering mage passing by."

"No," Arid muttered, her voice low. "Something terrifying just helped us."

---

I teleported back home and slipped under the blanket, my heart still racing.

I released too much death aura—that's what tipped her off. Would they think I was a monster? I pulled the blanket tighter around me, trying to push the thought away.

"No," I whispered to myself. "It's fine. They probably didn't notice anything…"

But even as I lay there, wrapped in warmth, my hands still shook. For all my godly powers, I realized something strange:

I was scared.

It was ridiculous—a goddess afraid of being seen. But I didn't want to lose this life, this warmth.

"Just sleep," I muttered softly, closing my eyes. "It's fine. Everything's fine."

And for the first time in centuries, I fell asleep not as a goddess, but as a little girl afraid of the dark.