Kael Veyris followed Aurelion through the golden streets of Aurelia.
The city was beautiful.
Golden trees surrounded elegant buildings, crystal bridges connected floating islands, and countless races lived together beneath the warm sunlight.
Yet Kael noticed something more interesting.
Everyone seemed happy to see Aurelion.
An elderly elf waved from a nearby shop.
A dragon wearing the clothes of a merchant bowed his head.
Several children ran past them before suddenly stopping.
"Elder Aurelion!"
Aurelion turned.
"What's wrong?"
"You're back! You promised to tell us another story!"
Aurelion laughed.
"Did I?"
"Yes!"
Kael looked at his friend.
"I didn't know you were a storyteller."
"I'm full of surprises."
"Apparently."
The children noticed Kael standing beside him.
One little girl pointed at him.
"Who's that?"
Aurelion placed a hand on Kael's shoulder.
"This is Kael Veyris. He's my friend."
The children looked at Kael curiously.
"Is he strong?"
Aurelion grinned.
"Very."
"Stronger than you?"
Aurelion looked at Kael.
Kael looked back.
A moment of silence passed between them.
"...Unfortunately," Aurelion admitted.
The children burst into laughter.
Even Kael smiled.
For once, nobody was asking him to save a universe, defeat a cosmic entity, or explain the mysteries of existence.
He was simply visiting his friend's hometown.
And he liked it.
Eventually, Aurelion led Kael away from the busy streets.
They followed a narrow path through an ancient forest until they reached a small wooden house beneath a golden-leaved tree.
Compared with the Imperial Castle, the house was tiny.
It had a little garden, a stone pathway, and flowers growing beside the windows.
Kael examined it.
"This is where you live?"
Aurelion nodded.
"Whenever I return home."
"You could have built a palace."
"I already have access to one."
"An entire kingdom, perhaps?"
"I have one of those too."
"An infinite castle?"
Aurelion laughed.
"Kael, not everyone wants a castle that takes three days to walk through."
Kael considered that.
"Fair enough."
Aurelion opened the door.
Inside, everything was simple. Books filled wooden shelves, a fireplace stood against the far wall, and several old photographs rested on a table.
Kael approached them.
One photograph showed a younger Aurelion standing beside three other people.
Another depicted him sitting beneath the same golden tree, smiling more openly than Kael had ever seen.
Kael picked it up.
"You look different here."
Aurelion glanced at the photograph.
"I was younger."
"That's not what I meant."
Aurelion became quiet.
Kael continued.
"You look like you had fewer worries."
For several seconds, Aurelion said nothing.
Then he smiled faintly.
"I suppose I did."
Aurelion sat beside the fireplace.
Kael took the chair opposite him.
"Those people in the photographs," Kael said. "Who were they?"
"My family. And some of my oldest friends."
"Were?"
Aurelion nodded.
"They lived ordinary lives. They grew older, built families, and eventually passed their responsibilities to the next generation."
He looked toward the window.
"I couldn't stop time for them. I could have changed countless things, but that would have meant taking away their right to live their own lives."
Kael understood.
He had created realities where entire civilizations flourished without his interference. He knew that protecting people did not mean deciding everything for them.
Aurelion continued.
"They taught me that strength isn't measured by how much you can control. Sometimes, it's measured by what you're willing to let others choose."
Kael smiled.
"That's a lesson worth remembering."
"I learned it the hard way."
Aurelion leaned back.
"And when I met you, I discovered someone who understood."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Even though I can create practically anything?"
"Especially because you can."
Aurelion laughed.
"You have enough power to make every world obey you. Yet you still allow people to disagree with you, make mistakes, and choose their own futures."
Kael glanced at the photographs again.
"Because a world where everyone obeys me wouldn't be much of a world."
Aurelion smiled.
"That's exactly why you're my friend."
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
Aurelion stood and opened it.
An elderly woman with silver hair stood outside, carrying a basket of freshly baked bread.
"Aurelion! I heard you returned."
"I did, Mira."
Her eyes moved toward Kael.
"And who's this handsome gentleman?"
"My friend, Kael."
Mira studied him for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"Wonderful. You're both coming to dinner."
Aurelion blinked.
"Tonight?"
"Of course, tonight! I've already invited the neighbors."
"You haven't even met him!"
Mira looked at Kael.
"Do you like bread?"
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
"Then there's no problem."
She turned and walked away before either man could object.
Aurelion slowly closed the door.
Kael looked at him.
"You're afraid of her."
"I'm not afraid of her."
"Your expression suggests otherwise."
"She's been doing this for eight hundred years."
Kael laughed.
Aurelion pointed at him.
"Don't you dare create an excuse to leave."
"I wasn't going to."
"Good."
Kael glanced toward the golden tree outside.
For once, he had no desire to disappear into another reality.
He wanted to stay.
To eat dinner with ordinary people.
To listen to stories about Aurelion's childhood.
And perhaps learn a little more about the friend who had stood beside him through countless ages.
Aurelion smiled.
"Welcome to Aurelia, Kael."
Kael returned the smile.
"Thank you for inviting me."
Outside, the golden leaves danced in the evening breeze.
And somewhere in the distance, Mira's voice rang through the neighborhood.
"EVERYONE! AURELION BROUGHT A GUEST!"
Aurelion closed his eyes.
"...This is going to be a long evening."
Kael laughed.
For the first time in a very long while, the Primordial Nothingness was looking forward to dinner.