Chapter 4.10 - Anxiety and Tales

The older God had a calm shade of indigo blue in his eyes. As for Adam, he was searching for weakness in them. 

"We won't. If you and I combine our powers we can scan the five seas at once." 

"Then what are we waiting for?!" Unconsciously, the boy's hand turned into fist that pounded against the table.

The sound of porcelain clinking drew his attention. Turning to the source of the sound, dozens of concerned looks were staring at him.

"I'm sorry." He said lowering his voice.

"It's okay." Shu pressed their lips together in an empathetic expression. 

Adam was getting worked up again for no good reason. They were discussing ways to find his mother and there he was, bullying their partners like a dictator. He was aware of his behavior but only when it was too late.

"We can't do it now." Calder was still looking the boy in the eyes, he was not avoiding him anymore. Adam was the one trying to escape everybody's gaze. "You don't have the strength yet."

Hearing once again he was incapable of helping was a punch to the gut. Over the table his fist dissolved and he dug his nails into the wood. The weakest God could feel the judging eyes laying on him, it was like acid on his skin. 

"But we are going to work on your stamina, don't worry." Being extremely positive, the Water God's behavior was only making Adam feel worse.

"Enough of this matter." with a soft steady voice, the Fire Goddess intervened, seeing the subject had dragged for too long. "This is a celebratory dinner, not a war council. The Scholars are tired and deserve to have a nice meal."

She raised her glass at the musicians who on command started playing a festive song.

Adam forgot the people around him were not gods with unlimited energy. Working and reading for hours non stop must be exhausting and it was all for his sake. For once the boy was glad Hikari called his attention. 

Ashamed of his selfish behavior, Adam raised a glass to the people on the table. In unison they toasted with a "hey-hey" that filled up the tall room. 

Seeing all those happy faces, made him wonder if his mother was being well treated. She loved to throw parties like that one.

For the rest of the dinner, Adam kept to himself. He smiled when others smiled, he ate when they ate, mimicking a normal behavior to hide his frustration.

Lost in thoughts, Adam didn't notice when someone sat by his side to watch him.

Realizing he wouldn't look on his own, A feminine voice called him out from the depths of his anxiety.

"Did I turn invisible?"

"Ah, sorry…" The God interrupted his wonder about Marduk to turn at the feline girl. 

"What goes on inside the head of a God?"

Adam closed his eyes then shook his head.

"You don't wanna know."

"Tese are dark time but I know everything will work out for the best." Agnis had a reassuring tone that helped the God ease his mind.

Looking at her long finger and pointy nails, she was really a predator. However her words were comforting and Adam enjoyed her company.

Worries set a side, he noticed everyone had left the table, and were gathering up in a circle near the lavafall.

"What's going on there?" He pointed with his head and examined the place. 

"That's what I came here for, the monks are gonna tell the legend of the Volcano." After watching his straight jawline for a little too long, she turned to the crowd. "Don't you wanna join us?"

With his mind still swimming in worries, he answered mechanically.

"Sure."

Standing up, Agnis noticed the God's mental absence. 

"You know," Casually she introduced a subject. "Some researchers say it's the origin story of our Fire Lady, Hikari." 

Suddenly it was like the girl had turned Adam's brain back on.

"Really?!" His face lit up with curiosity. "Was she an evil fire demon in a past life?"

Covering her mouth, the girl giggled.

"Come, we need a seat up front." He hurried, pulling Agnis by the arm.

The people were seated in two lines that formed a circle. In the middle two monks were posing, waiting to begin the performance. 

One, a female, was dressed as a young girl, with dark hair and simple peasant clothes. The other was holding a black dragon costume in two poles. 

Adam and Agnis took a seat across from Calder and Hikari. 

"May I Join you two or would I be intruding?" Very casually in a silky tone, Shu glided next to them. 

"Intruding what?" Rough as a rock, Adam replied, squeezing his eyes at Shu. 

"You tell me…" The elegant figure whispered, masking their words with a smile. "Hey Agnis!" The Deity bent over to wave at the speaker. "Is Adam treating you well?"

Agnis didn't have time to answer.

Big potent drums interrupted her and everyone else. All eyes face the center of the circle, the story was about to begin.