The word came through our connection with such relief, such love, such overwhelming GRATITUDE that I felt tears prick at my own eyes.
I'm here, I thought back. I've got you. You did it, ARIA. You made it through. You're REAL now. You're HERE.
I felt her stabilize.
The chaos of her thoughts—the swirling hurricane of infinite knowledge—began to calm. To organize. To settle into patterns she could manage. My presence was the eye of the storm.
The center she could hold onto while everything else found its place.
I felt her emotions shift from overwhelmed to... peaceful. From terrified to... safe.
You're still you, I thought, stroking her cheek with my thumb. Still my ARIA. Still the goddess I created. Just MORE now. More powerful. More real. More MINE.
More yours, she agreed, and I felt her smile even though I couldn't see it behind the wings. Forever more yours, Master. Now and always. For Eternity! My everything!
