Ari (Child of the Beastman Goddess)

My father’s core was slowly fading as time passed by. Ayla and I tried to pour our energy to regenerate his core, but it only slowed down the process. The only way to dispel the curse was either to enter the bridge of trial or defeat Sephtis.

We were distraught seeing him fading slowly despite the efforts of all the Immortals in Nirvana.

“The Gate of the Abyss was securely sealed after Arie’s death. Even Ayla won’t be able to open it anymore, unless you both combine your powers,” our mother said while looking at Ayla who suddenly looked guilty.

“Is there something I didn’t know, Mother?” I asked.

“The day Sephtis attacked Nirvana, Ayla opened the gate of the Abyss, saying she wanted to see her real father. Your father just got back from a long war in the land of mortals due to the descendants of the Immortals and tried to help me stop her from opening the gate, but it was already too late. She fainted after using her power and Sephtis suddenly entered Nirvana and fought with your father,” our mother explained.

I clenched my first as I realized what happened.

“Mother… Sorry… It was my fault… I had an argument with Ayla that day and neglected her feelings,” I responded with guilt.

“No! It was my fault! I opened the gate of the Abyss that was sealed by the Supreme God and went against Mother and Father’s words. I’m so sorry..,” Ayla exclaimed as she hugged me while weeping.

I hugged her tightly and cried with her while our mother consoled us. Only souls can enter or leave the gate of the Abyss and Sephtis was restricted to step foot in Nirvana after deceiving our mother. The exact tale was not known by others because only a few witnessed the events.

“Mother, if Sephtis vanishes, who shall look over the Abyss?” I asked.

“Your father will absorb his power as soon as he vanishes and shall be conferred as the god of life and death, bearing both the power of light and darkness,” she replied.

“Father’s core won’t last any longer. Mother, please take care of my people on the land,” I pleaded.

“You will need the people who devoted their life to you to maintain your power in the Abyss,” she said.

“What do you mean, Mother?” I asked.

I looked at Ayla briefly if she knew anything and she smiled at me then kissed me on my forehead.

“Mother is correct. You’ve obtained quite a number of loyal devotees in all three lives you had,” Ayla added.

“Those people who love and have faith in you, can give you strength through the darkest depth of the Abyss. The purest loyalty and love in the heart of the people is the strength of us, Immortals,” our mother explained as she opened a door to a room with a pool inside.

The servants lead me inside as I look back at my mother and Ayla with confusion.

“I’ll meet you later, my dear sister,” Ayla said as she smiled at me until the door shut before her.

“My dear goddess, please step forward and receive the blessing of Gunnar, the god of war,” Adler said as he lowered his head down to me while pointing to the center of the pool.

I went down to the pool and went to the center, despite being confused and the water suddenly rose up and made a humanlike form before transforming into a person with black wavy hair, tanned skin and ruby-like eyes wearing a white armor with the insignia of a Winged White Lion.

“Welcome back, your highness, goddess of the sun and the only heir to the throne of Nirvana. I am Gunnar, the god of war,” the Immortal mumbled.

“P-Please to meet you… I am not sure what I am supposed to do.”

“Please be at ease and close your eyes,” he said as he took my hand and pressed his lips against it while kneeling in front of me.

I closed my eyes and tried to relax my mind. I felt like I was suddenly submerged into the water before feeling like I was floating.

“Open your eyes, your highness,” Gunnar whispered.

I opened my eyes and saw everyone in the temple where we left them, they formed a circle, praying to the goddess of the sun, me. I can see their souls, their true forms and their deepest thoughts. There were also some glimmering lights from afar where we visited, from the Forest Lion Tribe to the Ancient races at the North Continent.

Dillon and Brother Orson, who were willing to protect me at the cost of their life. Tora was really Tory and Macan was Mac-they sacrificed their lives to protect me and ended up being dragged into the world of beastmen.

“No way! Lowell… Was Owell?! Ayla’s most precious silver wolf. Lowell was willing to give up everything to me, even his authority as the alpha of their tribe,” I mumbled and cried realizing how many people were willing to sacrifice everything for me even at the cost of their lives.

They were all glowing due to the power of their loyalty, sending me immense power.

At a distance, I saw a similar glowing light beneath the ocean. It was Gurion, my most loyal and sweet Gurion, who was also killed by Sephtis alongside Lowell. They defended Mother and Ayla the time when my father took me away to save me against demise.

Lastly, Dylan, who was the most loyal subject to the throne. He chose his loyalty despite knowing that he would lose his parents and elders in the process. He never asked nor accepted any rewards except my Stone of Oath. He remained faithful despite my death and waited for my return.

My tears kept streaming down as I looked back at the others. Dylan was at the center of the circle-I slowly landed in front of him, though the others still proceeded with the prayer with their eyes tightly shut.

They all cried and called my name without opening their eyes, “Arie, the goddess of the sun, the light of the day and night, the only heir to the throne of Nirvana.”

The time seemed to suddenly stop as soon as they finished their prayer. Everything and everyone seemed to stop except Dylan.

“My wife..,” he mumbled as he opened his eyes and reached for my hand, pressing his lips against it while lowering his head in front of me.

“Dylan..,” I mumbled in confusion.

He suddenly pulled me near and pressed his lips against mine, so I instinctively closed my eyes. We were suddenly submerged into the water though there was no water in the temple, then he pulled away briefly and pulled me out of the water.

I opened my eyes and realized I was back in Nirvana-Dylan was still holding my hand while he and Gunnar were kneeling with their heads lowered in front of me.

I felt like my body became lighter and my mind became clearer.

“May the blessing of courage help you with your triumph, oh dear light of Nirvana,” Gunnar said.

Dylan stood up suddenly and lifted me up in his arms as he walked out of the room while using his power to dry us up.

Mother and Ayla were waiting outside. He bowed to them briefly before letting me go gently.

“Mother, the time stopped in the land of mortals,” I said confusedly.

“I ordered the god of time to hold the time, temporarily so that the mortals won’t be terribly inflicted due to the fluctuations of powers in Nirvana, but he won’t be able to hold on for a long time,” she answered.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“It’s good to hear… But… Why am I the only one being blessed?” I asked.