Chapter 1.6 - Here

Taking pity on the boy's situation, Hikari stopped Calder who was about to make a statement and took the word to herself. 

"Adam, all of us have been where you are." She stood up, revealing to be much taller than expected. "Unfortunately you died to the people on Earth but you were chosen to inherit an Elemental power. You have a sacred duty and a second life."

Reaching his side she stopped and laid a hand on his shoulder. Adam had his head down and eyes fixed on the rock in front of him. He didn't ask for any duties, they couldn't just force him.

"If you give us a chance…"

"I don't want it." Adam interrupted Hikari. "I don't want a second life here, I want to go back."

As the boy talked, the Goddess squeezed his shoulder in an understanding way. A cozy warmth emanated from the Goddess but the Playboy remained indifferent.

"There's no going back, Adam. You don't have a body to go back to and your presence in the Material world is a danger to everyone in there."

"Why would I want to stay here? With you people that I don't even know?"

"Because you don't have anywhere else to go."

Bluntly, Calder answered. The old man lifted his eyes from the table to face the boy. 

"No one can see you in the Human dimension. Even if you manage to make them feel you, you'll just be slowing their healing process. Do you really want to sit and watch the suffering of the people you love?"

Calder's words hit deep in Adam's consciousness. The boy couldn't bear to see his mother and grandmother cry, especially if it was because of him. 

"You can care for them here. Keeping your Element alive and maintaining balance in the Universe." Gradually the old man's eyes filled with tenderness. "It's not much compared to what you lost, but it's better than forgetting them."

As he pondered the man's words, Adam's eyes drifted away. He didn't want to make things worse for his family but he also couldn't just leave them forever. But for the time being he would try to get to know that new world. 

"Hey!" Calder noticed the boy had calmed down but was still feeling down. "We are nice." The bearded man paused and covered his mouth from Hikari. "At least most of us…"

Adam gazed at the Goddess who just shook her head in silence. 

"I can show you all the best places for you to eat and have fun around here." Shu leaned over the table. Their smile illuminating their pale face. "I can also teach you to fly faster than Cal, huh."

With the last part the boy raised an eyebrow. He liked racing. 

"And I can teach you all the rest." Calder was the next one to make an attempt to cheer up the guy. "I was very close to the previous Earth God…" 

Calder kept his eyes glued to the table as he spoke. 

The sorrow in his voice made Adam curious. It made sense they knew each other, they even looked alike, when he thought about it. 

"We were friends for centuries, so I know your powers very well and I can teach you how to use them." 

Adam had been watching the old man closely and acknowledged his sincerity. 

"If you want too…" the Water God added. 

Once their gazes matched, the honesty of their bond was clear to everyone in the room even if Adam couldn't see it yet.

The Earth God looked around at the characters that were supposed to be his equals. They were so different from each other, it was like they just came out of the circus. Despite that, they all came together to try to comfort him.

"I'll accept the tour." Breaking the suspense, Adam winked at Shu before turning to Cal. 

"Because Grandpa must be a terrible guide." 

"No one knows the City of Spirits better than me. I got you." Shu replied and winked back at Adam.

Hikari nodded in agreement with everything that had been said and returned to her seat. Once everyone had settled down, she started. 

"Before you begin your exploration there's a few things you need to know, Adam."

"Just so you know, I'm not going to any "School for Gods" or whatever."

The Playboy based his knowledge on things he had watched on Earth. On the other hand, the other Gods had no idea what he was talking about but chose to ignore it. 

"You will have to train to control your powers." Adam sighed loudly, making the woman pause, then continue once he was done demonstrating his discontent. "The Elements are alive and wild, only with training you'll be able to control yours in order to not harm others around you."

The Fire Goddess was very formal, reminding Adam of his principal from high school. He liked to tease the principal when he was called to her office but he wouldn't dare mess with the woman in front of him. 

"Don't worry it sounds harder than it actually is." Shu's musical way of speaking made their sentences very soft to the ears. 

"Cal will be in charge of helping you transition, so save your questions for him." She took a couple steps back and stopped. "I'll follow up with you guys in a few days. Until then, don't cause any major disasters." 

With nothing left to be said on her end, a pillar of fire fell from the sky absorbing the Goddess. What remained of her presence were just fire flakes softly dancing where she used to stand. 

"Who left her in charge? Aren't we not on the same level?." The Playboy was upset for being shushed so bluntly. Who did she think she was? His mother?!

"We are, but she's been through a lot in her earlier years and now feels like she has to control everything." Shu said while sliding their thin body out of their seat to float above the table, like a main course. 

"Do I really have to do training?"

"I'm afraid so." Calder answered with a sad face. 

"But we can celebrate first! What do you say, guys?" Clearly Shu was a very unusual person. 

"Finally a good idea." Adam stood up pushing the chair back abruptly which made the Air Deity shout in excitement. 

"Got any places in mind, Cal? Cuz I do." 

Shu flew over to the Water God's side and started to play with his beard. 

"Stumble alley?" The old man sounded way more excited than expected. 

"I don't know what that is but it sounds wild, let's go!"