< You clearly know, Pearl won't leave Nathan behind... You are aware that the Twinkles' loyalty is on par with the dragons. Even though she hasn't yet bonded with Nathan, she favours the boy, and before he betrays her, she will do anything to protect him >
< What meaning does it have to let her die to a bunch of ants, after all the efforts we put in to save them? All these years, we tried so hard to find compatible mates and interbreed them... but failed at every turn. >
< Don't think I'm unaware that you were also frustrated, because their foals only inherit a third of their bloodline and space affinity. At first, I was surprised that you allowed Pearl to follow him, but I felt elated, hoping that with her by his side, you would give them special attention.>
< But what are you doing, put the boy aside, if Pearl dies, only Lily will be the last of their kind, a once dignified race known to be the favourite steed for deities, see no hope for rejuvenation— >
"Enough!" The middle-aged man finally spoke, his voice mighty and authoritative, sending ripples through the shrine.
< It's not enough! > Katarina yelled back, fiery like a hot paprika.
" You are in sacred grounds; give them the respect they deserve. Being her descendant doesn't absolve you— if anything, you should conduct yourself with higher standar—."
< And whose fault is that? > She stamped her foot while glancing at him, furiously.
Sighing, the priest finally opened his eyes. Within them, galaxies roamed like water, ethereal and otherworldly. The black candles flickered left and right as if they were happy to welcome their ruler, while the golden ones diminished their light, afraid of what had awoken.
The calm, indifferent priest was no more. But surprisingly, he responded with calmness that can soothe the soul.
" Little girl, for how long have you been following me?"
< Almost a million years? Why are you bringing that up?>
" And for how long have you known that boy?"
< That's beside the point. >, she swayed her right hand, for words alone didn't seem enough to emphasize her point.
< And stop calling me little girl, you are only a few thousand years older than me.>
< Uncle Fred, I don't care what your goals are, but that boy cannot die before I have my revenge.>
" Oh! Why not show the same level of concern for the other variable then? She has been held hostage this entire time since she went back." Lord Frederick raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
" Aren't you afraid that she might be killed? When that happens, what about your silly revenge? After all, in the prophecy, they are both mentioned, not that boy alone."
< Her life isn't in danger at the moment. >
The Lord shook his head at her stubbornness.
" I have told you many times, get rid of such silly ideas. Revenge... Do you think you are the only one who feels wronged or wants those bastards dead? even your grandma won't wage war on another member of the court of Kings carelessly. Not to mention it's not just one member but more than half of the court."
Katarina gazed at the altar, clenching her fists, her anger fuming once more; the little sense of decorum she had when she first entered the shrine was long gone.
< That's because she is scared like the rest of you. All she cares about is her divine Kingdom and whatnot. Where was she when mom and dad were brutally murdered? Where was she when I was being chased for a thousand years, before you came to rescue me?>
< Do you know how hard it was surviving, the onslaught of the gods, while I was just a 5th step favourite.>
< Seeing everyone you love, fall while protecting you. Watching their faces filled with mockery, while they tortured Dad, and that bastard who raped mother, in front of the clan.>
Her hand clenched into a fist and slammed hard on the nearby pew, reducing it to rubble.
Taking heavy breaths, she glared back at him while pointing at her own predicament.
< I even lost my body, a price I'm still paying a million years later. Whose is that to thank for?>
< Do you know how many times I prayed that Grandma would come to our rescue? Where was she? What's the point of being one of the strongest gods if you can't even protect your own lineage?>
Katarina's fury was evident; it took a lot of restraint not to smash the altar into pieces. After calming a bit, she refocused her fury on the man before her.
< I'm not going to let those bastards die so easily to a stupid calamity. If that boy is the key to avert it, I'll do anything to save them. Those bastards must die in my hands. I will not allow either you or Grandma to stand in my way of revenge.>
The priest sighed.
'I have failed you, my goddess.'
The priest stood up, walked towards Katarina, and tried to calm her down in a comforting tone.
" Little girl, being a variable can mean many things. Just because the prophecy becomes unclear due to their presence, it doesn't mean they can stop it."
" Among the few remnants of the old world, only the three of us can be called allies and a family. The rest are either our enemies or our enemies who masquerade as friends. "
" Why hold on to this enmity? When they have strength in numbers. The heavens are just; their atrocities will one day be paid for. It doesn't have to be you to pay the price. "
" Look at yourself. You still have a month before your body recovers."
"Isn't that a joyous occasion? Don't waste your million-year effort on a fleeting dream that can hardly be achieved. If the variables can't even survive in a world filled with a bunch of ants, then they aren't worthy of your attention."
"You even lowered yourself to act as their AI assistant," Lord Frederick shook his head in disappointment.
" If such news were to spread, how laughable would that be. A descendant of the court of Kings, following a lowly human. "
Glaring at him, Katarina pushed away the hand he was patting her head with.
< If you're so adamant, then I'll use one of the blood promises you owe me.>
Lord Frederick, displeased, darkened his eyes. The atmosphere inside the shrine became chaotic, simultaneously hot, cold, and chilling. Everything seemed attracted to him, like a black hole, leaving no room for escape.
Despite the performance and show of strength, Katarina remained unfazed.
" If you use it on that boy, I won't grant it. Katy, you must think long and hard before you make such decisions. Of the seven, only two are left. You can't use a blood promise made by a Seraphim for a mere skyborne."
" If you continue to be this careless, then I'll be forced to strike that boy down."
Katarina laughed at the ultimatum. A laugh twinged with sadness and desperation.
< Even my own uncle is bullying me now.>
< Hah! >
< Very well then. >
She moved to the entrance, a dangerous glint of resolve flashing in her eyes.
< There's more than one way to make you intervene, Uncle. Since you like playing by the rules, then I'll play by them.>
While phasing through the door, an angry shout reverberated for miles.
"Don't you dare! "
Pausing outside the door, Katarina responded in a harsh, distant tone.
< You leave me no choice... my Lord. >