Arin didn't know how long he stood there after Aelira disappeared.
Time felt… different in the Realm of Goddesses.
There was no sun to rise or set, no shadows stretching to remind him that moments were passing. The light remained constant—soft and warm—like the world itself had decided that haste was unnecessary.
Eventually, he sat down on the glowing surface, legs crossed, palms resting against the ground.
It felt alive.
Not moving.
Not breathing.
Just… aware.
"So this is my life now," he muttered quietly.
"Stuck in a god realm."
Strangely, the thought didn't terrify him.
If anything, his heart felt calm—lighter than it had in years.
He leaned back, staring up at the endless sky.
The silence wasn't empty.
It was comfortable.
Before he realized it, footsteps approached.
Light, measured, unhurried.
Arin sat up immediately.
Aelira emerged from the glow ahead, walking toward him along a faintly visible path. She looked the same as before—serene, graceful, untouched by time—yet something about her presence felt… warmer.
"You waited," she said.
"Didn't really have anywhere else to go," Arin replied with a small smile.
She studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"Come," she said.
"I promised to show you the Realm of Goddesses."
Arin stood, brushing his hands against his clothes out of habit.
As they began walking, the space around them slowly shifted.
The open glow softened, shaping itself into scenery.
Floating terraces appeared, suspended in the air like islands held together by light. Streams of shimmering water flowed gently between them, defying gravity. In the distance, structures rose—elegant, ethereal, and impossibly beautiful.
None of it felt artificial.
It felt grown.
"This place…" Arin whispered.
"It's incredible."
"It is our home," Aelira replied simply.
They walked side by side, their steps naturally falling into rhythm.
"Are all goddesses like you?" Arin asked after a while.
Aelira glanced at him.
"No."
That answer came a little too quickly.
Before he could ask more, laughter echoed through the air.
Clear.
Bright.
Carefree.
A figure came running toward them—barefoot, hair loose, eyes sparkling with curiosity. She wore green and gold, vines gently curling around her arms as though they belonged there.
She stopped abruptly when she noticed Arin.
"Oh?"
Her head tilted.
"This one's new."
Aelira sighed softly.
"Arin, this is Sylvae. Goddess of Nature."
Sylvae circled him slowly, unashamed, studying him from every angle.
"So small," she said thoughtfully.
"And yet… loud."
"Hey," Arin protested lightly.
"I haven't said anything yet."
Sylvae blinked—then laughed.
"I like him."
Aelira's expression tightened just slightly.
"Do not overwhelm him," she said.
"Oh relax," Sylvae replied.
"He's adorable."
Arin felt his ears warm.
"Is that… a compliment?"
Sylvae leaned closer, her eyes bright.
"It is."
Before he could respond, the air around them dimmed.
Not dark—
just softer.
Cooler.
A tall woman stepped out of the shadows, her presence quiet and heavy in the most comforting way. Her hair fell like night itself, and her eyes reflected distant stars.
She looked at Arin once.
Then looked away.
"…A mortal," she said calmly.
Aelira inclined her head.
"Arin, this is Noctyra, Goddess of Night."
Noctyra studied him again, longer this time.
"You should not be here," she said—not unkindly.
"I know," Arin replied honestly.
"But I am."
That earned the faintest curve of her lips.
"Hm."
Sylvae leaned closer to Arin.
"She smiles when she's interested," she whispered loudly.
"I do not smile," Noctyra replied flatly.
"You just did."
Noctyra turned away.
Arin couldn't help but smile.
They continued walking, the realm unfolding further—gardens suspended in light, libraries carved from crystal, lakes that reflected memories instead of faces.
Everywhere they went, Arin felt eyes on him.
Curious.
Watchful.
Interested.
At a quiet terrace overlooking a glowing sea, another goddess waited.
She sat at the edge, legs folded, gaze distant.
Her hair shimmered faintly, as though time itself moved through it.
Aelira slowed.
"This is Chrona. Goddess of Time."
Chrona turned her head slightly.
"A deviation," she said calmly, eyes resting on Arin.
"A fascinating one."
Arin shifted awkwardly.
"Uh… hi?"
Chrona studied him.
"You are temporary," she said.
"But your presence will leave permanent impressions."
"That's… deep," Arin replied.
Sylvae laughed again.
Chrona's eyes softened—just a fraction.
As they walked on, conversations flowed naturally.
Sylvae asked endless questions about the human world—rain, food, laughter, sleep.
Noctyra walked quietly beside Arin, her silence oddly comforting.
Chrona listened more than she spoke, observing his expressions carefully.
And Aelira—
Aelira watched everything.
She walked closest to him, matching his pace, her attention never fully leaving him.
At one point, Arin stopped.
"Can I ask something?" he said.
"Yes," Aelira replied.
"Why are you all being… nice to me?"
The goddesses paused.
Sylvae tilted her head.
"You don't like it?"
"No," Arin said quickly.
"I do. I'm just… confused."
Aelira looked at him quietly.
"You are not here to be worshipped," she said.
"And you do not worship us."
She met his gaze.
"That makes you… different."
Something warm settled in Arin's chest.
They reached a quiet garden, filled with glowing flowers that responded gently to Arin's presence, blooming softly as he passed.
Sylvae noticed immediately.
"Oh?" she murmured.
"They like you."
"That's not fair," Arin said.
"I didn't do anything."
Noctyra spoke quietly.
"Neither did we."
They sat together—on stone steps, on the grass, beneath the eternal sky.
No grand events.
No cosmic revelations.
Just conversation.
Just presence.
Arin laughed more than he expected.
Listened more than he spoke.
And slowly realized—
He wasn't alone.
As the moment stretched, Chrona stood.
"This moment will be remembered," she said.
Sylvae smiled brightly.
"I hope tomorrow comes quickly."
Noctyra glanced at Arin one last time.
"…Rest well, mortal."
One by one, they faded into light.
Only Aelira remained.
"You did well today," she said softly.
"I didn't know there was a right way," Arin replied.
"There wasn't," she said.
"That is why it mattered."
She turned to leave—then hesitated.
"You may walk freely tomorrow," she added.
"They will be waiting."
Arin watched her disappear, heart racing quietly.
Surrounded by goddesses.
Seen.
Accepted.
And for the first time since arriving—
He smiled, already wondering what tomorrow would bring.