Chapter 2: A Goddess in Hiding

The streets of Tokyo were alive with movement. Neon signs flickered, cars rushed by, and people moved in every direction. But Akira only had eyes for one thing—the goddess who had just disappeared into the crowd.

He stepped forward, his golden eyes scanning every face. She had moved fast, but he was faster. His divine senses locked onto the faint trace of her energy. She was trying to hide.

Interesting.

Akira smirked and started walking. He didn't run. He didn't need to. The city may have changed, but its patterns were the same. People followed routines, habits. And those who ran, made mistakes.

A soft gust of wind carried a familiar scent—faint, but enough. He turned down a narrow alley, his footsteps silent. A few steps in, he saw her.

The goddess stood at the end of the alley, her back pressed against the cold brick wall. Her chest rose and fell quickly, eyes wide with shock. Long silver hair framed her delicate face, and her violet eyes glowed faintly in the dark.

"Who… Who are you?" she demanded, her voice trembling.

Akira tilted his head. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? You were watching me first."

Her fists clenched. "You're dangerous. What are you? A spirit? A demon? No… Something else. Your energy… it's too ancient."

He chuckled. "I could ask the same about you, little goddess. Who do you serve?"

She flinched at the word 'serve.'

So, she wasn't aligned with the ruling gods. That made things interesting.

"I don't serve anyone," she said, her voice firm but still unsure. "Not anymore."

Akira's smirk widened. "Then we might just get along."

She didn't relax. Instead, her body tensed, ready to run.

Akira sighed. "Let me make this simple. If I wanted to harm you, I would've done it already. But I have better things to do than chase after a scared goddess. So, how about this? You tell me your name, and I'll let you walk away."

She hesitated, her violet eyes locked onto his.

Then, after a long pause, she whispered, "Selene."

Akira nodded. "Selene… A fitting name for a goddess of the moon."

Her eyes widened in shock. "How do you—"

"I know a lot of things." His golden eyes gleamed. "But for now, I'll let you go."

She took a cautious step back, watching him carefully, before turning and disappearing into the city.

Akira chuckled to himself. "The gods have fallen far if even their own are running."

This world had changed.

And soon, he would change it again.