The strange ripple of energy slowly faded from the celestial garden.
But the tension it left behind still lingered in the air.
Aerion stood at the center of the floating platform, surrounded by four incredibly powerful goddesses.
Aelira.
Seraphyna.
Lyria.
And now…
Nythera.
The mysterious goddess stood a few steps away from him, her long black-silver hair moving gently in the night wind. Her glowing violet eyes studied him with open curiosity, as if she had just discovered something fascinating.
Aerion rubbed the back of his neck.
"…Okay, this is definitely getting out of control."
Lyria laughed softly.
"You think?"
Seraphyna remained calm, though her eyes had not left Nythera for even a second.
Aelira's voice was steady but firm.
"Nythera."
The mysterious goddess tilted her head slightly.
"Yes, Sovereign?"
"You did not come here by accident."
Nythera smiled faintly.
"I rarely do."
Her gaze returned to Aerion again.
"I simply heard an interesting rumor."
Aerion sighed.
"Let me guess."
Nythera's violet eyes gleamed.
"A human who has somehow charmed three goddesses."
Lyria raised a hand casually.
"Technically he didn't try."
Seraphyna added calmly,
"That is correct."
Nythera chuckled quietly.
"Which makes it even more interesting."
She walked slowly toward them.
Her aura was strange—calm but dangerous, like dark starlight drifting through the night.
Aerion shifted slightly.
"…So what exactly do you want?"
Nythera stopped in front of him.
"Simple."
She folded her arms.
"I want to understand you."
Aerion blinked.
"…That's it?"
"For now."
Lyria grinned mischievously.
"Oh this sounds fun."
Nythera glanced at her.
"Oh, it will be."
Then she looked back at Aerion.
"You are from the Human Realm."
"Yeah."
"And humans enjoy strange social games."
Aerion raised an eyebrow.
"…Where did you hear that?"
Nythera smiled.
"I have visited your world before."
Lyria leaned forward slightly.
"Wait… really?"
"Yes."
Nythera's smile widened.
"And there is one game humans play that I found very interesting."
Aerion suddenly had a bad feeling.
"…What game?"
Nythera clapped her hands softly.
"Truth."
She paused dramatically.
"Or Dare."
Lyria's eyes lit up immediately.
"Oh I like this already."
Seraphyna tilted her head thoughtfully.
"I have heard of this game."
Aelira crossed her arms.
"…Explain."
Nythera looked at Aerion.
"You know the rules, correct?"
Aerion sighed.
"Unfortunately yes."
"Then explain it to them."
Aerion rubbed his forehead.
"Basically… someone chooses another person and asks them to pick Truth or Dare."
Nythera nodded.
"And?"
"If they pick Truth, they have to answer any question honestly."
Seraphyna nodded slowly.
"And Dare?"
Aerion groaned.
"They have to complete a challenge."
Lyria clapped excitedly.
"Oh this is going to be amazing."
Aelira looked skeptical.
"…This sounds like chaos."
Nythera smiled.
"That is exactly why humans enjoy it."
She looked around at the group.
"So."
Her violet eyes sparkled.
"Shall we begin?"
The five of them moved closer to the glowing pool at the center of the platform.
They sat in a loose circle beneath the endless night sky.
The stars above shimmered softly, reflecting across the water like scattered diamonds.
Aerion sat between Lyria and Seraphyna.
Aelira sat across from him.
Nythera leaned casually against a stone pillar nearby.
Lyria looked extremely excited.
"This is the best idea ever."
Seraphyna looked curious.
"I wish to observe human honesty."
Aelira sighed softly.
"…Very well."
Nythera clapped her hands once.
"Perfect."
She looked at Aerion.
"Since this was your realm's game, you will go first."
Aerion groaned.
"Of course."
Nythera pointed toward Lyria.
"You may choose your first target."
Lyria leaned forward immediately.
"Me!"
Aerion laughed.
"You volunteered too fast."
"I like chaos."
He shook his head.
"Alright."
He looked at her.
"Lyria."
"Yes?"
"Truth or Dare?"
She grinned widely.
"Truth."
Aerion thought for a moment.
Then he asked,
"…Who was your first crush?"
Seraphyna blinked.
Aelira raised an eyebrow.
Nythera smiled slightly.
Lyria groaned dramatically.
"Oh come on!"
"You chose Truth."
She leaned back with a sigh.
"…Fine."
Her ocean-colored eyes glanced toward Aerion.
"Technically…"
She paused.
"…it might be you."
Aerion choked slightly.
"…Wait what?"
Seraphyna looked thoughtful.
"That was faster than expected."
Aelira hid a faint smile.
Nythera chuckled softly.
"Interesting."
Lyria shrugged.
"Well you did show up and immediately start causing emotional chaos."
Aerion rubbed his neck awkwardly.
"…That wasn't my intention."
"Too late."
Lyria pointed at him.
"Your turn again."
Aerion sighed.
"Okay okay."
He looked toward Seraphyna.
"Seraphyna."
She nodded calmly.
"Truth or Dare."
"Truth."
Aerion thought carefully this time.
"…What did you think the first time you kissed me?"
The question made the air suddenly very quiet.
Lyria leaned forward.
"Oh this is good."
Seraphyna looked completely calm.
But a faint pink color touched her cheeks.
She answered honestly.
"I was curious."
Aerion blinked.
"…Curious?"
"Yes."
She met his eyes.
"I wished to understand why the others seemed drawn to you."
Nythera smiled.
"And?"
Seraphyna spoke softly.
"…Now I understand."
Lyria laughed loudly.
"Oh wow."
Aerion covered his face again.
"Can we please stop talking about my kisses?"
"No," Lyria said immediately.
Nythera raised a hand.
"My turn."
Everyone looked at her.
She pointed slowly.
"Aelira."
The Sovereign looked unimpressed.
"…Truth."
Nythera smiled like a predator who had just spotted an opportunity.
"Very well."
She leaned slightly forward.
"Aelira."
Her violet eyes glowed faintly.
"…When did you realize you liked him?"
Aerion nearly fell backward.
"…WHAT?"
Lyria gasped dramatically.
Seraphyna looked extremely interested.
Aelira remained silent for several seconds.
The wind moved softly through her silver hair.
Finally she spoke.
"…The night we watched the stars."
Aerion's heart skipped.
Lyria covered her mouth.
"Oh my god."
Seraphyna whispered quietly,
"That explains the energy shift that night."
Nythera smiled.
"Fascinating."
Aerion was completely red now.
"…This game is dangerous."
Nythera looked delighted.
"And we have only just begun."
She turned her glowing eyes toward him.
"Aerion."
He froze.
"…Yes?"
"Truth."
He groaned.
"Of course."
Her smile widened.
"…Which of us kissed you the best?"
The entire garden went silent.
Lyria leaned forward eagerly.
Seraphyna watched carefully.
Aelira's silver eyes narrowed slightly.
Aerion's brain shut down completely.
"…I refuse."
Nythera tilted her head.
"You cannot refuse Truth."
Lyria laughed.
"Oh he's dead."
Seraphyna nodded calmly.
"Statistically speaking, yes."
Aerion buried his face in his hands.
"…Why did I agree to this game?"
Nythera leaned forward slightly.
"Answer the question."
Aerion slowly looked up.
Four goddesses were staring at him.
Waiting.
The stars above flickered softly.
The air felt heavy with anticipation.
He opened his mouth—
And suddenly the entire sky trembled.
A strange pulse of power rippled through the realm.
Everyone looked up at once.
Nythera's expression changed slightly.
"…Well."
Aelira stood immediately.
"That energy…"
Seraphyna whispered,
"Something has entered the realm."
Lyria frowned.
"…That wasn't part of the game."
Aerion looked between them nervously.
"…Guys?"
Nythera's violet eyes glowed brighter.
"…It seems our game has attracted attention."
The wind grew colder.
The stars dimmed slightly.
And far above the floating islands—
A shadow began forming in the sky.
The game of Truth or Dare had only just begun.
But now…
Something else was watching.
And Aerion had a terrible feeling that the next question might be far more dangerous.