Chapter 586 – The Seed of Darkness
Even after his refusal, Nyx's eyes didn't lose their glow. If anything, her insistence deepened.
She remained close, her bare form unashamed in the darkness, and spoke again, her voice low and steady:
"I hear your words, Void Knight… but I still want it."
Her hands slowly came up to cup his helmet, her violet eyes searching through the unseen face beneath.
"I want the parasite."
The darkness around them tightened like a cocoon, as if isolating her plea from the rest of existence.
"If you plant it in me, if you put it here—" she tilted her head back slightly and opened her mouth wide again, the pale line of her throat exposed entirely, "—then it will mean something. It will mean I chose to trust you fully, with no way to turn back."
Her voice deepened, almost a whisper now:
"Put it inside me. Into my mouth. Do it yourself."
She stayed there, mouth open, eyes locked on him, her expression unflinching and resolute.
"If you truly think I am serious, then prove it. If you don't… I will never stop asking until you do."
The Void Knight stood silent for a long moment.
Nyx didn't close her mouth. Her violet eyes stayed fixed on him, unwavering, patient. There was no teasing left now—only determination.
Finally, he exhaled, the faint sound like a sigh inside his helmet.
"…Fine."
He raised his right hand.
White light began to gather in his palm, threads of magic weaving together like strands of silk.
The light thickened, condensed, twisting and folding until it took form: a pale, translucent larva, no bigger than half his palm. Its surface pulsed with a faint glow, a mixture of power and control, reinforced with his Laws.
Slowly, carefully, he extended his hand toward her.
Nyx tilted her head slightly upward, mouth still open.
He lowered his hand until the larva hovered just at her lips, then pressed it gently into her waiting mouth.
She closed her lips around it and swallowed without hesitation.
A soft light spread through her body the moment it entered her.
It sank deep, latching onto her very being, and for an instant the chamber filled with the whisper of countless threads binding together.
The parasite clung to her—not just her flesh, but her soul. It wove itself into her essence without consuming it, without harming it. A delicate connection, a bond formed at the deepest level.
Her body remained whole. Her soul did not dissipate.
Instead, a faint warmth spread from where the parasite had anchored, wrapping her core like a second skin.
Nyx closed her mouth slowly and exhaled.
Her lips curved upward in a slow, satisfied smile.
"There," she whispered, her voice softer now. "Now I belong to you, Void Knight."
She placed one hand gently against her bare stomach, feeling the lingering warmth.
"And I can feel it. The link between us."
Her violet eyes gleamed.
"Strange… I thought it would feel like chains, but instead, it feels…" she paused, searching for the word, "…safe."
Nyx stayed still for a moment, one hand pressed lightly over her bare stomach, her eyes half-closed as she concentrated.
Through the new bond, she could feel it—the presence of the parasite now anchored inside her. But what she sensed wasn't what she had expected.
A faint expression of surprise softened her face.
"…This…" she murmured quietly.
She could feel the intricate structure of it within her. It wasn't just a seed of control. It wasn't destruction waiting to be triggered.
Instead, she felt the weaving of dozens of carefully constructed spells, layered and interlocked like a tapestry.
"These…" Her voice lowered, reverent. "These aren't curses. They're protections."
Her eyes opened slightly, gazing at him, their violet glow a little brighter.
"Healing magic, defensive spells, barriers, regeneration… you've woven all of these into it."
Her fingers pressed more firmly against her stomach as if to confirm it again.
"Even though this parasite binds me, it's filled with magic meant to shield me, to keep me alive."
She laughed softly, almost incredulous.
"Void Knight… even when you bind someone, you give them protection."
The faint, amused smile on her lips this time was not flirtatious, but something quieter—genuine curiosity, almost admiration.
Nyx's fingers lingered lightly over her stomach as if tracing the faint glow of the parasite's bond within her.
Her violet eyes rose to meet the dark visor of his helmet once more.
"Tell me," she said softly, her tone quieter now, stripped of its earlier playfulness, "why did you do this for me?"
"You could have made it harsh, a chain, a weapon inside me… but instead, you filled it with protection. Why?"
The darkness around them was silent. For a moment, the Void Knight said nothing.
Then, in a tone lower than before, almost reluctant, he answered:
"…Because you're my responsibility now."
The words left him with a slight hesitation, as if he hadn't planned to say them aloud.
Nyx blinked, a faint shock in her expression, and then a slow, amused smile curved her lips again—not teasing this time, but softer.
"Responsibility…" she echoed quietly, tasting the word as if it was unfamiliar to her.
Nyx stared at him for a long moment, the playful light in her eyes dimming into something gentler.
Her lips parted slightly, then curved into a faint, warm smile—a smile that was rare for her, a goddess born of night.
"Responsibility," she repeated, her voice quieter now, thoughtful.
Slowly, she tilted her head, studying him as if seeing something new beneath that helmet.
"Void Knight… is that what you truly think?"
Her hand remained resting over her stomach, feeling the steady, protective hum of the parasite.
"You barely know me. You refused me again and again, and yet…" She paused, her expression softening. "…you still see me as your responsibility?"
For the first time, her words weren't edged with seduction or challenge.
They were simply curious, almost tender.
She stepped a little closer, the shadows curling around her like living silk, and looked up at him.
"You are… very different from the beings I have known. Most of them would have used this as a chain. You… you call it responsibility."
Her voice lowered, gentle.
"I wonder," she said softly, "if that is why you can kill things that even gods cannot."
Chapter 587 – The Face Beneath the Helmet
The darkness was still sealed around them, soft and weightless, like the inside of an endless night.
Nyx's violet eyes lingered on him, studying him with a gentleness that hadn't been there before.
"Since I am now your follower," she said quietly, her voice calm and curious, "I believe I am allowed one request."
The Void Knight tilted his head slightly.
"What request?"
Her lips curved into a faint smile.
"Take off your helmet," she said. "I want to see the face of the man I chose to follow. I want to know his name."
For a long moment, there was only silence.
Alex didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he stood there, motionless, as if weighing the request.
Then, finally, he let out a soft sigh.
"…Fine."
He reached up, his gloved hands finding the edges of his helmet. With a slow, deliberate motion, he lifted it away.
For the first time, the face beneath was revealed.
Black hair, slightly unkempt, fell across his forehead.
His eyes—black, calm, and deep—met hers without wavering.
There was no divine radiance, no attempt to appear otherworldly.
It was simply him.
Nyx's breath caught.
Her hand rose to her lips as her violet eyes widened.
"…More handsome than a god," she whispered.
She stared at him in wonder, almost forgetting the darkness around them.
"You…" She laughed softly, shaking her head slightly as if she couldn't believe it.
"You look like the god of darkness himself."
She lowered her hand and smiled, this time warm and genuine.
"Just like me—the goddess of darkness."
Nyx's gaze didn't leave his face.
For the first time since their conversation began, she wasn't teasing, or calculating, or testing. Her voice, when it came, was soft.
"Now that I've seen your face," she said, "will you tell me your name?"
Her violet eyes searched his black ones, patient, as if she already knew the answer could change nothing between them.
There was another pause.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"…Alex."
The name was simple, but in the sealed darkness it carried a quiet weight.
It wasn't the name of a god, nor a title. Just a man's name.
Nyx repeated it under her breath, almost reverently.
"Alex…"
She smiled again, this time with an expression that was softer than anything she had shown before.
"That name suits you."
Her hand lowered from her lips, fingers brushing lightly along her bare shoulder as she tilted her head, still studying him.
"Alex, the Void Knight."
Nyx stood quietly in front of him, repeating the name again under her breath.
"Alex."
She straightened, no longer leaning casually, no longer teasing. For the first time in this conversation, her expression carried the gravity of a primordial being.
The darkness around them deepened, thickening like a starless void.
She placed one hand gently over her bare chest, just above where the faint warmth of the parasite bond lingered.
Her voice rang out, clear and steady:
"I, Nyx, the goddess of darkness, swear on my existence—on the night itself—that I will follow you, Alex. My strength, my knowledge, my loyalty—all of it, I now give to you."
Her violet eyes glimmered as she held his gaze.
"You are now the master I have chosen. So long as I remain, the night will answer to you."
The darkness pulsed once with her words, sealing her vow.
For a moment, the weight of it settled over them like a silent sky.
Then she smiled—genuine, unguarded.
"That's my promise."
Alex listened to her oath in silence.
When she finished, he nodded once, calm and certain.
"Then I'll give you something in return."
Nyx tilted her head slightly, curious.
"Since I also hold the Law of Darkness," he said, "I've already written something into the parasite inside you."
Her violet eyes narrowed slightly, watching him with interest.
"An outline," he continued. "A method. Everything I know about how to learn and progress the Law of Darkness is stored inside that parasite. You can access it. Use it to guide yourself."
Nyx blinked, and for a rare moment she seemed caught off guard.
"You… already did that?"
Alex gave a small nod.
"When I created it, I left more than protection. You wanted to follow me so you could complete your Law. This bond will give you a path forward."
Her lips parted slightly in surprise before curving into a slow smile.
This time, there was no teasing, no provocation—only genuine warmth.
"You really are unlike any other I've met."
She placed a hand lightly over her stomach again, closing her eyes briefly, and she could already feel it: a flow of structured knowledge, a faint impression of steps, a map of understanding written deep into the bond.
Nyx kept her hand resting lightly over her stomach, feeling the faint flow of knowledge that had been embedded into the bond. The longer she focused, the more she could sense it—threads of understanding, patterns, and paths hidden within the parasite.
She slowly opened her eyes again and looked at him.
"Alex," she said softly, her voice carrying a rare sincerity, "thank you… for doing this for me."
The words were simple, but from a being like her, they carried weight.
Her usual confidence and playful tone were absent. This was gratitude stripped bare.
"No one has ever given me a way forward," she continued. "Not like this. You didn't have to, and yet you did."
Her violet eyes lingered on his black ones, holding them without wavering.
"I won't forget this."
Nyx's fingers slowly traced downward from her collarbone, over the smooth line of her chest. The sincerity in her eyes softened back into something more playful, more provocative, as if she couldn't help herself.
Her lips curved in a slow, teasing smile.
"Even after everything I've said," she whispered, "you're still so calm. So controlled."
Her hands cupped her breasts again, kneading them lightly as she stepped closer, unashamed of her nudity in the absolute darkness.
"You've seen everything," she said softly, "but do you really feel nothing?"
Her fingers trailed further down, parting the shadows that veiled her most intimate place. She bared herself completely to him again, showing her untouched purity.
"Void Knight," she said, her tone dropping low, "are you truly not interested in taking my virginity? No one else has touched me. I've kept it all these ages… only for someone who might be worthy."
She tilted her head slightly, violet eyes locked onto his black ones, a playful challenge hidden behind their glow.
"Not even a little temptation?"
Chapter 588 – Mistress of the Night
When she finally realized that no amount of temptation would move him, Nyx let out a slow, soft sigh.
The teasing smile on her lips lingered, but there was a note of genuine amusement behind it now.
"Unshaken to the very end," she murmured.
With an unhurried grace, she began to dress.
But the way she did it was nothing less than deliberate:
The fabric of her dark garments appeared from the shadows, sliding up over her long legs like water, wrapping her thighs, her hips, and then gliding slowly across her bare skin. She pulled the cloth up over her chest, fastening it in place with the same calm, sensual precision that defined her every movement.
Every gesture was fluid, as if the darkness itself was caressing her body while it clothed her.
Even as the garments hid her skin again, there was nothing modest about it—the act itself was lewd, a performance meant for his eyes alone.
When she was fully dressed once more, she straightened, brushing a lock of black hair behind her ear.
"Then it's settled," she said softly, stepping close enough that her presence brushed against his armor.
Her violet eyes rose to meet his black ones.
"From now on, I will call you Master."
The word was spoken slowly, deliberately, carrying both respect and a quiet undertone that was unmistakably sensual.
"I am willing to be your mistress," she continued with a small, knowing smile. "Not a wife, not a goddess of the court, but yours alone, in the way that no one else can be."
Alex was silent for a moment after her declaration.
Then, with a quiet exhale, he said in a tone that was softer than usual, almost shy:
"…Don't call me that in public."
Nyx blinked, and for a heartbeat, surprise flickered across her face. Then her lips curved slowly upward into a teasing, playful smile.
"Oh?"
Her violet eyes sparkled as she leaned slightly forward.
"I agree… but only on one condition."
Her tongue traced slowly across her lips before she whispered:
"You let me kiss you first."
Before he could answer, she stepped toward him, slow and deliberate.
Her bare feet made no sound in the darkness as she closed the space between them.
Nyx had already seen through him. She understood.
She knew that tonight, he would never order her to do anything. That wasn't who he was. He wasn't the type to use this bond or his strength to command her.
And so, with a knowing smile, she leaned in closer.
Her face rose until it was just a breath away from his.
Her violet eyes locked onto his black ones, and she let the tension linger there, savoring the moment.
Then she kissed him.
The contact was slow, unhurried—a gentle kiss from a goddess who had lived since before the stars, a kiss that carried no teasing, no demands.
Only a quiet promise.
When she finally pulled back, she whispered softly against his lips:
"This is my choice, Master."
Her smile returned, softer this time, as she stepped back slightly, her eyes never leaving his.
Nyx's lips lingered close to his for a moment after the kiss, her violet eyes half-lidded, watching him in silence. Then, with a soft laugh barely louder than a breath, she whispered:
"You know…"
She pulled back just enough to see his face clearly, still smiling in that quiet, genuine way that rarely appeared on her.
"I love the way you are."
Her voice had no teasing in it now.
It was simple, honest, and carried a weight that came from someone who had seen countless ages pass yet had never spoken those words to anyone else.
"Unshaken. Calm. And yet…" she tilted her head slightly, "…kind, even when you don't realize it."
Her eyes softened as they stayed locked on his.
"That's why I chose you."
For a moment, the darkness around them seemed to still, as if even the night itself was holding its breath.
For a few seconds, he just looked at her.
Her words lingered in the stillness of the darkness, soft but heavy.
Then Alex spoke quietly, his voice steady but lower than usual.
"…Thank you."
Just that. No more.
It wasn't a dismissal, and it wasn't awkward—it was simple, sincere, as if those two words carried everything he wanted to say without needing anything else.
Nyx blinked once, her expression softening even further.
She nodded slowly, accepting it as if it were the most honest answer she could have received from him.
And for the first time in a long while, the goddess of darkness smiled without a trace of teasing, as if those two words had been more than enough.
Alex lifted the helmet back into his hands.
Without a word, he placed it over his head, locking it into place with a faint, metallic click. The smooth, black visor hid his face once again, restoring the faceless image of the Void Knight.
Nyx watched the motion silently, the last faint smile still on her lips.
When the helmet was secure, she exhaled softly and raised one hand.
The darkness that had sealed them away for so long began to thin, threads of shadow unraveling like mist.
Light seeped back in around them.
The council hall slowly came back into view—the vast chamber filled with gods, dragons, angels, elves, and immortals, all still waiting in uneasy silence. Every eye was fixed on the spot where the two of them had disappeared.
The veil of night dissolved completely, leaving Nyx and the Void Knight standing side by side.
Chapter 589 – Return of the Night
As the last threads of darkness faded, Nyx stepped forward, her bare feet making no sound against the polished floor of the council hall.
The goddess who emerged from the veil was no longer the gentle, sincere Nyx who had been alone with him a moment ago.
Her playful, calm demeanor had returned—her lips curved into a faint smile, her violet eyes carrying that same ageless mischief as if nothing had changed.
The room was silent. Everyone stared.
Nyx was the first to break that silence.
She smoothed her long, dark hair back over her shoulder and spoke in a tone that was light, almost lazy:
"Did you all wait long?"
The simple question carried the same unshaken composure she had always shown in public, as if the private conversation that had taken place inside the darkness had never happened.
The only thing different was the faint sparkle in her eyes—a secret amusement that no one else understood.
The silence in the hall finally cracked as voices rose, one after another.
Gods, immortals, angels, and dragons all spoke at once, their curiosity breaking through their composure.
"Void Knight—what happened in that battle?"
"How did you defeat it?"
"What did you talk about with Nyx?"
Questions echoed across the chamber, overlapping, urgent.
Alex turned slightly to face them. His voice came out calm, steady, and unhurried, cutting through the noise.
"We were just having a normal conversation."
The room stilled at the simplicity of his answer.
"All of the Great Old Ones that threatened this world are gone," he continued. "That was my goal. Nothing more."
There was a pause as the hall absorbed his words. Odin and Zeus exchanged glances, and even Surtr narrowed his eyes.
"And what will you do now?" someone asked.
Alex's answer was immediate.
"I'll go back to my normal life."
For a moment, disbelief flickered across several faces.
"No one will know my true identity," he said firmly. "Not the gods, not the mortals. That's how I want it to stay."
His black visor swept slowly across the silent hall.
Then he stood still again, offering nothing further.
The council chamber stayed silent after his final words about returning to his normal life. Then Alex's voice broke the stillness once more, deeper this time.
"One more thing."
Every gaze fixed on him.
"Don't think it ends here just because I've killed the ones on Earth."
His tone sharpened slightly, though his expression remained hidden behind the black visor.
"The Great Old Ones… they don't just exist here."
A quiet murmur rippled through the hall.
"This planet was only one battlefield. Beyond this world, beyond this star system, there are more—far more."
He paused, letting the weight of that sink in.
"I've removed the threats here. That's all I came to do. What exists out there… is your problem."
A heavy silence followed.
Odin's grip tightened on Gungnir.
Zeus's jaw clenched.
Even Surtr, always unshaken, lowered his gaze slightly, thoughtful.
And Nyx just stood silently beside him, her calm violet eyes fixed on his profile, as if already knowing he would say such a thing.
"Protect this planet yourselves," Alex said finally.
"I've done my part."
Without another word, his form blurred, and he was gone.
The vast council hall remained silent for a long time after his departure.
For a long moment after Alex vanished, no one in the chamber spoke. The silence was so deep it felt like the hall itself was holding its breath.
Then the voices came.
"Nyx."
Zeus was the first to speak, his voice heavy. His sharp blue eyes fixed on her.
"What did he tell you in that darkness?"
The goddess of night glanced at him. Her usual playful expression had already returned, lips curving faintly.
"Nothing more than what you already heard," she said. "That he killed the Dreamer. That Earth is no longer in danger from the Great Old Ones."
"That's not what I'm asking," Odin said, his tone like thunder, his one eye narrowing.
"What did he say about himself?"
Nyx's gaze drifted from one god to another.
"Nothing he didn't want me to know."
"Did he make an alliance with you?" Freyja's voice was sharp now. "You walked out of that darkness different than you went in."
Nyx smiled softly, folding her arms loosely across her chest.
"What I choose to do with my loyalty is none of your business. You should be asking yourselves why someone like him doesn't care about power, or titles, or control—only about keeping this world safe and then leaving."
The council fell quiet again.
"You're saying he truly intends to vanish?" asked one of the Seven Immortals.
"That," Nyx replied, "is exactly what he intends. And from what I have seen, he will succeed. You will not find him unless he allows it."
Her violet eyes softened slightly as she glanced at the empty space where he had been.
"He's different from all of you. That's why he can do what you cannot."
The hall remained thick with tension, questions still hanging in the air.
Dozens of divine gazes were locked on Nyx, but she showed no sign of pressure.
She gave them a small, calm smile—one last look at the assembly of gods, dragons, angels, and immortals.
"I've said all I need to say."
Darkness began to swirl at her feet, rising like mist. It climbed around her form, smooth and silent, wrapping her in a living night.
Her violet eyes were the last thing visible before the shadow closed completely.
"If you want answers, find them yourselves," her voice echoed softly.
And then she was gone.
Only a faint ripple of darkness remained in her place, and the council was left staring at the spot where she had stood.
Chapter 590 – The Return Home
After leaving the divine council, Alex teleported directly to Earth. The cold stillness of the council hall was replaced with the familiar warmth of home.
As soon as his boots touched the floor, a presence washed over him. Multiple presences, in fact—the comforting aura of the women who had been waiting.
The living room door slid open.
The first to see him was Ciel. She was already moving before he had fully stepped in, silver hair flowing behind her like a stream of light. Her golden eyes softened instantly as she smiled, full of relief and quiet happiness.
"Welcome home, Alex," she said, voice gentle, like music only he could hear.
Behind her came Morgan, Reyne, and Airi, with Hanabi peeking from behind, grinning as always. One by one, more figures came into view, every single one of them someone who loved him with all their heart.
"Alex!" Hanabi cried, running up to him with playful energy.
Morgan followed, slower, silent but unable to keep her eyes off him. Reyne crossed her arms, expression proud but the warmth in her gaze betrayed her feelings. Airi stood near Ciel, looking relieved, her blue eyes soft.
From the far end of the room, Mircella and Ileana stepped gracefully, silver hair and red eyes reflecting the lights in the house. Nefertiti followed with her queenly poise, black hair and gold eyes calm but welcoming.
Vira approached with Yuka already running ahead of her. The little girl called out with her small, bright voice:
"Papa!"
Then came Mary and Mira together, their similar eyes shining, followed closely by Iris, shy as ever with her blindfold hiding the faint blush on her cheeks.
Aphrodite walked with bare elegance, unabashed and smiling, while Athena and Artemis came next, slightly behind, proud but gentle, their expressions softening when they saw him.
Finally, Amaterasu herself entered, calm and dignified, but even she couldn't hide her warmth as she carried Yuka to his arms.
The room became a sea of familiar faces.
Amaterasu's lips curved into a serene smile. "She missed you."
"Papa!" Yuka cheered again, hugging him tightly as he picked her up.
There was no judgment, no jealousy here. Every single one of these women loved him, and they knew that love was shared among them all.
Ciel stood closest to him, her hand brushing gently against his sleeve.
"Welcome home," she said again, softly.
After Yuka clung to him for a long moment, Alex set her gently down, and she immediately went to Vira, who knelt to hug her.
The women gathered around, every pair of eyes on him.
Ciel touched his arm, her golden eyes searching his hidden face behind the helmet.
"Alex," she said softly, "you came back… but what happened there? With Cthulhu… and the council?"
Alex looked around the room, meeting every gaze. Slowly, he nodded.
"It's over," he said, his calm voice carrying through the room.
"Cthulhu is dead. The last of the Great Old Ones that threatened Earth is gone."
The room fell silent.
Even Aphrodite, normally bold and playful, looked at him with wide pink eyes.
"You killed it?" Athena asked, disbelief in her voice. Artemis, beside her, stayed quiet but leaned forward.
Morgan's sharp blue eyes studied him, her lips parting slightly.
Reyne, arms folded, let out a breath, a flicker of relief on her proud face.
"It's finally done…" she murmured.
He told them everything.
How the seal broke.
How the ion bomb detonated, the force redirected into himself.
How he fought, how Cthulhu tried to consume him, how each piece of himself had been a trap.
And finally, how he had detonated every hidden parasite within it, destroying it from the inside.
By the time he finished, the room was heavy with the weight of his words.
Hanabi, always cheerful, bit her lip, tears welling up in her red eyes.
"That's… insane… but so like you," she said quietly.
Mary clasped her hands together, her expression trembling between fear and awe.
Mira, standing behind her, smirked proudly, but there was genuine admiration in her purple eyes.
Ciel tightened her hand around his sleeve.
"Alex… you risked everything," she whispered.
"I had to," he said. "If I didn't, none of us would have peace. Not you, not this world."
Vira, holding Yuka in her arms, met his eyes.
"And after all of that," she said softly, "what did the gods say?"
Alex let out a small breath, almost like a sigh.
"They wanted to know what I would do next. I told them I'm going back to my normal life. That no one will ever know my real identity."
Aphrodite let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
"Even after all that, you just want peace."
Athena and Artemis exchanged a glance, and even they smiled faintly.
Amaterasu simply whispered:
"Welcome home."
As soon as Alex finished speaking, the room stirred. The tension that had gripped them broke all at once. Ciel was the first to move, wrapping her arms around him and resting her cheek against his chest. Morgan followed, silent but close, pressing her pale forehead briefly against his shoulder. Reyne stepped up next, her proud expression softening as she laid a hand on his arm.
Then the others followed. Airi's soft, shy arms wrapped around his side. Hanabi leapt onto his back, hugging him tight. Nefertiti and Ileana came close, their elegant poise slipping for a moment as their hands touched his. Mircella nestled herself into his other arm, clinging to him like a sister who had been waiting far too long.
Mary approached timidly, Mira pushed her in thought forward with a smile until Mary hugged him, her cheeks red. Iris came next, quiet and blushing, and after a brief hesitation, placed her hand lightly on his shoulder. Vira's eyes softened as she stepped closer, handing Yuka to Ciel so she could embrace him too, her green hair brushing against him. Aphrodite pressed herself against his other side without hesitation, while Athena and Artemis both kissed his cheek in turn. Lastly, Amaterasu approached with a serene smile, leaning in to kiss his forehead, whispering something only he could hear: "You came back to us."
For a moment, he was surrounded by warmth. Hands, soft voices, the touch of lips on his face and head—all of them there, all of them alive, all of them relieved. It was the home he had fought for.
Yuka, watching from Ciel's arms, tilted her head slightly. Her black eyes narrowed as if she were thinking very hard about something. Then she asked in her clear, childish voice, "Papa… will I get a new mama?"
Yuka's small black eyes blinked up at him, innocent but serious as she repeated her question. "Papa… will I get a new mama?"
Alex let out a slow sigh, his shoulders softening. He reached out and gently patted Yuka's head as all the women watched silently, curious.
"She's talking about Nyx," he said finally. His voice was calm, but there was a trace of weariness in it. "The goddess of darkness. She asked to follow me after everything that happened with Cthulhu. She made a vow, and now she's one of my followers."
The room stirred with quiet whispers. Ciel tilted her head slightly, golden eyes watching him closely. Morgan crossed her arms, silent, but her blue eyes were fixed on him with sharp interest. Reyne arched an eyebrow, while Hanabi grinned in that playful way she always did when something interesting came up.
"She was at the council?" asked Nefertiti, her voice smooth and elegant.
Alex nodded. "She was the one who gave me the information about the last Great Old Ones. She was from that era. She knows what they were like. After I killed Cthulhu, she swore loyalty to me."
Vira, holding Yuka again, narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "So that's why Yuka noticed something," she said.
"She called me her master," Alex continued. "And… she's very persistent."
Aphrodite let out a soft laugh. "Persistent, hmm? That sounds like trouble."
Yuka tilted her head back to look at him again, small fingers clutching at his clothes. "So… Nyx-mama?" she asked in the same innocent tone.
The room went quiet again, waiting for his answer.
Alex hesitated before answering Yuka's question. "Yuka…" he started, but the little girl's black eyes stared up at him intently.
"I can feel it," Yuka said in a small but certain voice. "Even though I've never met her, Nyx-mama loves Papa. Just like everyone here."
The room went quiet again. Her words weren't loud, but everyone could feel the strange weight behind them—an instinct sharper than any normal child.
Alex blinked, surprised. "You've never met her."
Yuka shook her head. "I just know." She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest.
Before anyone else could speak, Mira stepped forward with a sly grin, her purple eyes glinting. Her body shimmered, and Mary, who had been standing beside her, suddenly went still. The soft, shy nun's appearance shifted—the sweet blue-haired girl now transforming into Mira's voluptuous, lustful form.
With a smirk, Mira ran a finger along Alex's arm. "You know…" she said, voice low and teasing, "if this Nyx really swore loyalty to you, we should invite her here. I'd love to meet her."
Her grin widened as she leaned close, her breath brushing against his ear. "Imagine it, Alex… me, you, and this mysterious goddess of darkness. I can already tell she'd be fun to play with."
Ciel sighed softly but smiled, already used to Mira's antics. Morgan narrowed her blue eyes but said nothing. Hanabi snickered, while Airi blushed and hid her face behind Ciel's shoulder.
"Of course," Mira added, pulling back just enough to look at him with a wicked grin, "I'll behave if Mary's watching. But just so you know, I fully approve of another mama joining the family—especially if she's beautiful."
Yuka peeked out from his arms and pouted slightly. "I still haven't met Nyx-mama," she said again.
Yuka peeked out from his arms and pouted slightly. "I still haven't met Nyx-mama," she said again.
She tugged at his shirt and looked up at him with her big black eyes. "Papa… I want to meet Nyx! Please, Papa, I want to meet her!"
The others exchanged glances, curiosity and interest growing in the room at Yuka's sudden insistence.