After so many years wandering the mortal realm, I had forgotten what the warmth of a home felt like. It has been so long since I entered my home
After my family died in the mortal world my only home vanished until the Heavenly King and Queen Adopted me ,Even if they were rulers of the Sacred Realm, to me… they were simply my godparents.
The moment I stepped into their grand but gentle home, I felt something I had never felt in all my years below.
Peace… finally, peace.
But my heart refused to settle.
Because if the Ashura King had already stepped into the Black Realm, then war was only a matter of time. And if war began… he would surely fight my godfather. The Ashura King was two stars behind him, yes—but his Ashura bloodline made him dangerously powerful.
I've already lost my real parents… I don't want to lose them too. I must do something. If only I weren't a banished goddess… I might have already become a godhead by now. But I'm still so far—even from the White Realm, let alone the Golden.
"Arielle, what are you thinking so deeply?"
My godmother's gentle voice cut through my thoughts. "You still remember that you have parents too, right? You haven't returned home in so many years.
Do you know how much I missed you?"
" I missed you too, godmother."
She cupped my cheeks, her touch warm. "Let me look at you. You didn't get enough food in the mortal realm, did you? You've grown so thin. Let mother make you eat more so you can gain some weight."
"Let her take breath first," my godfather said with a soft chuckle.
"She just stepped into the Sacred Realm and you already started complaining."
"Godfather… you know how much I missed you all these years?"
"Godfather also missed you, Arielle."
I hesitated before asking, "Godfather… is it true? Has the Ashura King reached the Black Realm?"
He nodded. "Yes. Since he has reached that realm, I can no longer detect the Netherworld."
"So… will he start a war?"
"No, I don't think so," he assured. "He may be in the Black Realm, but he is still two stars behind me. It will take nearly three thousand years to close that gap. And by the time he does, I'll already be at four stars. Don't worry, child. Your father is still alive—no one can defeat me in the Three Realms."
Godmother clapped her hands lightly. "If your conversation is finished, let's eat. I've prepared all of Arielle's favorites."
"Thank you, Mom."
"Mom?" She blinked. "Oh… is that a short form of mother?"
"Yes."
"Child, where did you learn these strange words?"
Godfather leaned forward. "What about me? What is the short form of father?"
"Dad… or papa."
"Ohh, it sounds cool!"
"Now that names are settled," godmother said, "let's eat before the food gets cold."
"Yes! Finally, all my favorite foods are here!"
"Eat as much as you want, but slowly."
"Okay!"
I tasted the first bite, and warmth spread through me.
"Mom… this food is really very tasty. After so many years, I can finally eat with satisfaction."
"Eat as much as you want, child."
While chewing, I noticed them staring at me—smiling too gently.
"…Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Why are you smiling, Arielle?" godmother asked softly.
"Nothing. It's just… after so many years, eating a family dinner feels like a dream."
"Arielle… we also feel like it's a dream," godfather said. "It would be wonderful if we could live like this every day."
"Don't worry, Mom. Arielle will never stay away from home for long again. We can eat together and spend time together every day."
"Thank you, Arielle, for being our daughter," godmother said.
"Remember… Mom and Dad will always love you, no matter what happens in the future."
I froze.
No matter what happens?
Why do they speak like that…?
"Dad… why do you talk like this?"
Their eyes shifted away
"Why do you look like you're hiding something?"
My heart tightened. "You… you haven't added something in the food, right?"
My vision blurred.
The room tilted
"Why…? I feel sleepy suddenly
Godmother's voice broke.
"We're sorry, Arielle…"
"Your godparents… didn't want to do this. But we have no other choice…"
"take care ", my child.
( Eternal hell abbys, Netherworld)
Zariel
Eternal Hell Abyss, Netherworld
Zariel stands at the edge of the dark balcony, staring into the endless void.
"I don't know how to calm myself," he muttered. "After Nine hundred years… what am I supposed to feel? Excited? Scared? Both?"
"Will the Princess even recognise me? I've changed so much. I have become an ordinary human boy her follower ,her right hand man and her friend to Ruthless, cold and Three Realms most feared Ashura King .
Time changed everything except how I feel about her.
"I've waited so long for this day that it almost doesn't feel real....
Nine centuries passed. I just want to see her once , I've waited centuries. One more night feels impossible."
He turned to the demon god standing beside him.
"Tomorrow… everything I held on to for eight hundred years will be in front of me. I just hope nothing ruins it."
The demon god sighed. "Why are you overthinking so much? Tomorrow we're just going to the Sacred Realm. And you—don't do anything that will put the Princess in trouble."
"Okay, okay, I won't do anything which troubles her,"
The demon god gave a small laugh. "It still feels like a dream… after eight hundred years, we're finally going to meet the Princess again."
Ashura King straightened. "By the way… did the Sacred Realm reply?"
"Yes," the demon god answered. "A messenger came. The Sacred Realm has approved the peace negotiation."