The divine realm was shrouded in its perpetual twilight — a sky painted in gold and violet hues, where countless stars flickered like living souls. Akari stood before the familiar marble table, her hands resting on its smooth surface, still feeling the lingering weight of her narrow escape. Steam rose from the porcelain cup that the God of Reincarnation held, the same gentle smile resting on his lips.
"So… I'm not dead, right?" Akari asked cautiously, looking around. "Because, honestly, I really thought that teleport skill was just a flashy light show."
The God chuckled softly, setting down his cup. "No, Akari. You're quite alive. The Adaptability skill I granted you has evolved once more — it triggered an emergency teleportation to this realm before your life could truly be extinguished."
Akari let out a sigh of relief and flopped onto one of the cushioned seats nearby. "That's good. I was this close to becoming a main character who dies too early in her own story."
The god's smile deepened. "Ever the optimist, even in peril. But I'm glad. You've grown far stronger — though you now face a danger unlike before."
"Right, that Arima guy…" Akari's tone dropped as she recalled the black-armored man's piercing gaze. "He's from Japan too. Said he was working for the God of Destruction. I mean, what kind of job listing is that?"
Her words earned a low chuckle from the god, but his eyes carried quiet gravity. "Arima Takahashi… yes. He is one of your kind — another soul brought from your world. But his path diverged long before yours began."
Akari leaned forward. "Then tell me. How many of us are there? Reincarnated people, I mean."
"There are more than you imagine," the God began, his tone serene but weighted. "Many of the greatest adventurers in that world were once from your realm. Theo, the War Freak you've met — he was once a human, chosen by the God of War himself."
Akari's eyes widened. "Wait, Theo?! The war freak Theo?! He's a reincarnator too?! No wonder he hits like a tank in human form!"
The God smiled faintly. "Indeed. But unlike others, Theo wished to be reborn with no memory of his past life — to start anew, free from the weight of what once was."
"That's… kind of admirable," Akari murmured. "Guess that explains why he's weirdly humble sometimes."
"Many others share that fate," the god continued. "The Goddess of Fashion, the God of Death, the God of Magic, and the God of Swordsmanship — each has chosen a representative in the mortal world. Those chosen ones bear divine echoes of their patrons, just as you carry a fragment of mine."
Akari blinked. "So, I'm your representative?"
"Partly," he said with a knowing smile. "You were never meant to be one at first. But I… became curious about your soul. You were unique even among mortals — strong-willed yet bound by empathy. A balance of heart and chaos."
"Fifty-fifty, huh?" Akari grinned weakly. "Figures I'm half the plan and half the accident."
The God laughed softly. "You may say that. But your existence now has purpose, Akari. Especially because of Arima."
The mention of his name cast a chill through the divine air. The god's expression hardened as his cup vanished in motes of light.
"Arima was not always as he is now. Once, he was bright — full of hope and determination to protect others. But tragedy and betrayal twisted that light into darkness."
Akari frowned. "Betrayal? By who?"
The god's gaze drifted toward the heavens, where constellations shimmered like divine memories. "To understand him, you must first know the story of the Goddess of Creation."
Akari straightened. "The… Goddess of Creation?"
"Yes," the god said, his voice lowering, solemn and deep. "In the beginning, before mortals, before the laws of balance, there was her — the first to breathe life into the world. It was she who chose a young man from your world — a kind-hearted soul who had perished by accident. She made him her representative, a bridge between worlds."
He paused, his tone growing distant. "The world she crafted then was still pure — inhabited by heroes, gods, and mortals living side by side. Peace thrived, until one chosen of another god committed the first sin."
Akari leaned in, enthralled. "What kind of sin?"
"The chosen of the God of Fools," the god said gravely, "betrayed his patron. The God of Fools had gifted him the power to absorb the strength of what he killed. Blinded by greed, the man sought to transcend mortality — and slew his own god."
Akari gasped. "He killed a god? That's even worse than final-boss-level betrayal!"
The god nodded. "It was an act that shattered harmony. With his newfound power, he began to hunt other divine representatives, absorbing their might. The balance of realms trembled. The Goddess of Creation, desperate to restore order, reached into another future — your future — and chose a hero."
"Arima…" Akari whispered.
"Yes. Arima Takahashi. A young man of potential and kindness. The goddess blessed him with a power opposite of the traitor's — the ability to counter and nullify any divine corruption. Together, they defeated the Demon Lord who had once been the traitorous hero."
Akari's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Okay, that part's seriously epic. That whole arc needs an anime adaptation."
The god smiled faintly. "Indeed. It was a story of light triumphing over chaos. But even the brightest tales have shadows. After the victory, the goddess and her champion grew close… too close."
Akari's face turned pink. "You mean, like, divine-romance close?"
"Precisely," the god said simply. "Their bond became love — forbidden by the laws of the divine realm. It sparked outrage among the higher deities. The pantheon split into two factions: the Elites, who upheld purity and hierarchy, and the Activists, who believed mortals and gods could coexist as equals."
"That's… honestly kind of sad," Akari said quietly.
"The Elites prevailed," the god continued. "They ordered the sealing of the Goddess of Creation's power, and the erasure of Arima's existence. Their reasoning was that divine love tainted the order of realms."
Akari clenched her fists. "That's messed up! They punished love?"
The god's expression softened. "Even gods are not free from arrogance. When the goddess learned of their plan, grief turned to fury. She unleashed her divine essence, waging war against the heavens themselves."
He raised a hand, and visions formed in the air — of radiant light colliding with celestial fire, gods clashing in despair and rage. "It was the first Divine War. Thousands of gods and mortals perished. The goddess fell at last, her power sealed by her own kind."
Akari's voice trembled. "And Arima?"
"He was captured by the Elites, stripped of his strength. But as he watched the woman he loved fade before him, something broke within. The goddess, in her final breath, bestowed upon him a fragment of her essence — the seed of Destruction. She whispered for him to find her again… and then she vanished."
The vision faded. Silence filled the divine air.
Akari looked down, her chest heavy. "That's… actually heartbreaking."
The god nodded. "He disappeared soon after. Centuries passed, and now he has returned, carrying the curse and will of the fallen goddess. His goal is to gather enough divine energy to resurrect her — even if it means destroying the world to do so."
Akari swallowed. "So that's why he's kidnapping people like me."
"Yes. You carry the Adaptability — a power capable of evolving infinitely. To him, you are the key to unlocking the seals that bind her."
Akari's expression hardened. "He's not getting it. Not from me."
The god's smile returned faintly. "You truly are resilient. That defiance is your greatest strength. But, Akari, heed this — his path is not pure evil. He acts out of love, twisted though it has become."
Akari frowned. "You're saying he's the villain who just wants his waifu back?"
The god's lips curved. "If you must put it that way… yes."
Akari leaned back, letting out a breath. "Man, this world is complicated. Gods falling in love, heroes going insane, and I'm just trying not to get kidnapped every week."
"You bear more importance than you realize," he said. "Which is why I must give you something." He waved his hand, and a soft light enveloped her. "Another blessing — protection from divine corruption, and a small piece of my wisdom. When you awaken, check your status."
Akari blinked as golden motes surrounded her. "Another upgrade? Sweet! I promise I won't die immediately after getting it this time."
The god's laughter was light, almost fatherly. "I trust you will not. One last thing, Akari. Seek out the representatives of the Goddess of Fashion and the God of Death. They can aid you against Arima when the time comes."
Akari nodded. "Got it. I'll find them. And if the divine task force shows up, I'll cooperate — as long as they don't drag me into paperwork."
The god gave her a look of amused disbelief. "Truly a mortal of chaos. Very well, Akari. Time grows short. You must return now."
A familiar warmth enveloped her as the divine sky began to fade. "Wait—before I go," Akari said, giving a small smile, "thanks again… for saving me."
The god placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly. "Go forth, child of Adaptability. And may your path bend, but never break."
Light swallowed her completely.
The next thing Akari knew, her eyes fluttered open to a canopy of stars and the rustling of trees. The divine warmth had faded, replaced by the cool night air of the mortal world. She sat up slowly, clutching her chest.
"Okay…" she breathed out. "Divine soap opera, tragic love story, evil reincarnator trying to revive his goddess girlfriend… yeah, I definitely need breakfast before processing all this."
But despite her words, she smiled faintly. The path ahead was uncertain, but her resolve burned stronger than ever.
Whatever destiny had planned, she'd face it head-on — even if it meant defying gods themselves.
To be continued...