The city of Eldross never truly slept.
Even under demon occupation, its streets pulsed with quiet defiance. Lantern light spilled across cobbled roads, merchants called out their wares in lowered voices, and cloaked figures moved through crowds with practiced indifference.
Among them walked two women who did not belong—yet blended in seamlessly.
Mei adjusted the plain brown shawl draped over her shoulders, keeping her head slightly lowered as she moved through the market district. Her disguise was simple: muted colors, no ornaments, no trace of the quiet elegance she naturally carried. Just another traveler trying not to be noticed.
Beside her, Vael walked with far less effort.
She wore her disguise like a joke she was in on—dark tunic, leather gloves, hair partially tied back. Even toned down, there was something about her posture that suggested control. Awareness. Amusement.
Her sharp eyes slid sideways toward Mei.
"So…" Vael began casually, hands tucked behind her head. "Have you ever told Reider you're a god?"
Mei stopped walking.
Not dramatically.
Just enough for the current of pedestrians to shift around her like water around stone.
"…How do you know that?" she asked quietly.
Vael smirked, crossing her arms.
"Oh, come on, Mei. I've been around long enough to recognize divine energy when I see it."
Mei looked away.
The market noise suddenly felt louder.
"It's not something I talk about."
Vael arched an eyebrow.
"And yet," she said lightly, "you're traveling with a kid who keeps defying the laws of existence. Don't you think he deserves to know?"
Mei resumed walking.
"It's not that simple."
Vael tilted her head, clearly entertained but not entirely teasing.
"Really? Because to me it seems very simple. 'Hey, Reider. Guess what? Your adopted mom is a god.'"
Mei shot her a flat look.
"You make it sound ridiculous."
"Well," Vael replied, grinning, "it is ridiculous. But that doesn't make it untrue."
Mei's expression softened as she glanced down at the cobblestones beneath her feet.
"…I don't even know if I am a god anymore."
That made Vael's teasing falter.
"What do you mean?"
Mei's gaze lifted toward the sky above the city rooftops.
Clouds drifted slowly across the fading evening light.
"I lost most of my power a long time ago," she said quietly. "I've lived as a human for so long… sometimes I forget what I was."
Vael studied her carefully now.
The playful tone drained from her voice.
"And you never thought to tell Reider?"
Mei hesitated.
"I didn't want him to see me differently."
The answer came faster than she expected.
Vael's lips twitched.
"You mean you didn't want him to start calling you 'Divine Mom'?"
Mei groaned and shoved her lightly.
"Shut up."
Vael laughed, but her expression softened quickly afterward.
"Seriously, though. He should know. He trusts you more than anyone."
Mei wrapped her arms around herself unconsciously.
"…Maybe. But what if it changes the way he sees me?"
Vael sighed.
"Mei. Reider's not some normal kid. He's been fighting demons and outsmarting nobles since he could walk."
Mei bit her lip.
"I just don't want to burden him with it."
Vael stopped walking this time.
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"Or maybe," she said gently, "you don't want to admit that you don't know who you are anymore."
Mei's eyes widened.
"That's not—"
Vael cut her off with a small shrug.
"Look. I get it. Identity's messy. Especially when you've lived more than one life."
She stepped closer.
"But sooner or later, he's going to find out. Wouldn't you rather it come from you?"
The question lingered between them.
Mei stared down at the stone path again.
"…Maybe."
Vael's grin returned.
"Good. And when you do? Let me be there. I need to see his reaction."
Mei rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a faint smirk.
"Of course you do."
They resumed walking, tension eased but not erased.
After a moment, Vael spoke again.
"So… if you are a god… what exactly were you the god of?"
Mei hesitated.
Then answered softly.
"…Creation."
Vael let out a low whistle.
"Damn. That's a big one."
Mei gave a small, almost embarrassed chuckle.
"Yeah… but it doesn't feel like it anymore."
Vael nudged her shoulder gently.
"Well. You created a family for yourself."
Mei blinked.
"That counts for something."
Silence followed.
But this time it was warmer.
They reached the edge of a crowded market square.
Vendors shouted over each other. Lanterns flickered. The scent of roasted meat and spiced wine drifted through the air.
Vael leaned casually against a wooden stall.
"So… when are you telling Reider?"
Mei exhaled slowly, brushing hair from her face.
"…Soon."
Vael smirked.
"Good. Because I'm dying to see his face."
Mei shook her head.
She should have known that wouldn't be the end of it.
Vael crossed her arms again, eyes gleaming mischievously.
"By the way… did you notice who Reider picked to go with him?"
Mei frowned slightly.
"…What?"
Vael leaned in.
"He took Eryndra. Not me. Not you. Eryndra."
Mei paused.
Her expression shifted almost imperceptibly.
"…So?"
Vael gasped dramatically.
"So?! Mei, he literally chose to spend time alone with the woman who openly flirts with him every chance she gets!"
Mei's eyes narrowed faintly.
"…You think she's flirting?"
Vael burst out laughing.
"Oh, Mei. Sweet, innocent Mei. That girl has been on the hunt since the moment she met him!"
Mei crossed her arms.
"…I don't see what's so special about her."
Vael's grin widened dangerously.
"Ohhhh. Someone sounds jealous."
"I am not jealous."
"Sure," Vael replied smoothly. "It's just a coincidence that you suddenly look like you want to set something on fire."
Mei sighed.
"Whatever. I just don't get why he wouldn't take you. You're the strongest."
Vael shrugged casually.
"Oh, I get why."
"Why?"
She flipped her hair back with exaggerated confidence.
"If he took me, he'd actually have to deal with me. And let's be real—he's not ready for that."
Mei blinked.
"…Deal with you how?"
Vael's smirk turned devilish.
"I mean, if we were alone together too long… something might happen."
Mei's eye twitched.
"You're unbearable."
Vael laughed.
"Oh, but you love me for it."
Mei rubbed her temples.
"…Maybe a little."
Vael suddenly wrapped an arm around Mei's shoulders, tone shifting once more.
"But honestly," she said quietly, "do you think he sees any of us that way?"
That question landed differently.
Mei hesitated.
"…I don't know. He doesn't react like a normal person."
Vael nodded slowly.
"Yeah. Sometimes I feel like he sees the world from somewhere slightly… outside of it."
Mei's gaze softened.
"…Do you think he even understands what love is?"
Vael considered that seriously.
"I think he does," she said at last. "He just doesn't know what to do with it."
Mei's chest tightened slightly.
"…I hope he figures it out before it's too late."
Vael leaned her head briefly against Mei's shoulder.
"Well. Someone's going to have to make the first move."
Mei shoved her off lightly.
"Not everything has to be about romance, Vael."
Vael stretched lazily.
"Maybe not. But it would be hilarious watching him struggle with it."
Mei snorted.
"…That's true."
Vael nudged her again.
"And if he does fall for someone, who do you think it'll be?"
Mei stayed quiet.
The crowd noise faded in her ears for just a moment.
Then she smirked faintly.
"…Not Eryndra."
Vael burst out laughing so hard she nearly doubled over.
"Ohhh, you are jealous!"
Mei turned and began walking away.
"I'm done with this conversation."
Vael hurried after her, still laughing.
"Wait! We haven't even talked about your odds yet!"
"There are no odds!" Mei snapped over her shoulder.
Vael winked as they disappeared into the crowd.
"We'll see~"
But beneath the teasing and laughter, something heavier lingered.
Mei's thoughts drifted as they moved deeper into the city.
Creation.
The word echoed in her mind.
Once, long ago, she had shaped landscapes with a thought.
Breathed life into forests.
Sung stars into being.
Now she walked in borrowed clothing through a conquered city, worried about whether her son would see her differently if he knew.
Was she still a god?
Or just a mother clinging to what remained?
Vael glanced sideways at her again.
"You're thinking too much."
Mei sighed softly.
"…Probably."
"Don't," Vael said simply. "He won't look at you differently."
"You sound very certain."
"I am."
Mei raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Vael smiled faintly.
"Because Reider doesn't worship power."
That was true.
"He respects control. Resolve. Honesty."
She nudged Mei lightly.
"And you've got those."
Mei's lips curved slightly.
"Since when did you become the wise one?"
Vael smirked.
"I've always been wise. I just prefer being annoying."
Mei laughed softly.
For a moment, the weight on her chest eased.
But as they moved through the city, one thought remained clear:
Soon, she would have to tell him.
And when she did—
Nothing would be quite the same.
Far beneath Eldross…
The earth hummed faintly.
Ancient stone corridors stretched into darkness.
And something buried deep below the capital pulsed once—
As though sensing the approaching storm.