A Troublesome Matter

"What you just experienced, it's not something I can erase. It's a state of mind, a realm that belongs solely to you..."

I understood. There was no way to forget something so profound. Even if it were possible, I didn't want to let go of the memories—the love, the peace of holding her in my arms.

"So...does that mean it's a futile struggle?"

The pressure around me suddenly intensified as I was brought to my knees. In a matter of seconds, it threatened to overwhelm my senses.

'This is what it's like facing the World itself. I understand why no Gods dare to bring their real bodies here... It would be impossible to resist...'

I didn't desire to physically leave this world. It would reduce me to a feeble entity, a mere spectator. Even if I could return and be with Ais, it wouldn't be the same. She'd feel a constant need to ascend herself, burdened with this additional weight on her already laden shoulders.

I would choose death over something like this.

'Damn it...'

In less than a quarter of a second, these thoughts raced through my evolving mind as only the image of my beautiful golden haired beauty was left.

Yet, as I gritted my teeth and desperately resisted, I heard her next words...

"..but it's not like I can do nothing about it."

She vanished before my eyes. For a brief microsecond, confusion flickered as I struggled to speak, but before I could, my vision plunged into darkness.

--- Eve's POV ---

What defines strength?

You might presume you've grasped the essence of this concept. It's merely the force one can wield, stripped down to its most fundamental nature. But what transpires when you throw in elements like divinity, abstract concepts, and magic?

Is strength merely a gauge of proficiency in manipulating these elements?

This question has plagued my contemplations time and again, and I've yet to find a satisfactory answer. Why?

Consider an individual of formidable might.

A top-tier magician, unrivaled mastery over abstract concepts, the pinnacle of divine prowess...

The list can go as long as you like, and yet I pose this query: if you sever their destiny or employ time to erase them entirely, would you still deem their absolute death a testament to strength, or merely the fate of an unfortunate soul lacking an OP ability to grant them genuine power?

Numerous deities at my echelon exhibit such arrogance. They disdain mortals and lesser gods alike, dismissing their strength as not 'real'. It's as if they've conveniently forgotten instances where beings bound by destiny have upended their grandiose schemes without their foresight...

My contention is this: many gods, given the anomaly that is Ren, might have permitted him to drift into the void until he succumbed. No, it's best to say they would be scared of him turning against them, in case he got too strong.

Despite proclaiming themselves ethereal beings elevated above all others, they falter when it comes to back it up.

Ultimately, the emotions humans experience are not foreign to us. Are we truly so distinct merely because we possess strength?

Still mulling over this, I sigh as I release Ren's body and let it gently touch the ground. Though this solution is but a temporary reprieve, it was the best I could do.

Observing his pained expression as he kneeled, I understood the source. It wasn't the anguish permeating every cell in his body that distorted his face; rather, it's the reluctance to abandon her in solitude.

Perhaps, he may have not forgiven himself forever had I not managed to let him stay in this World.

Many Gods would say it is nothing but a weakness, yet I thought it was beautiful. Blindingly so.

"I'm somewhat envious," I mutter, gazing at the crimson sky which was now slowly returning to its original color.

For Gods who hold strength above all, I wonder how they endure eons of solitude, trusting none but their petty selves. Humans may be feeble, yet in their vulnerability, they find solace in one another's warmth in the cold and rely on each other in adversity.

If only we deities were not such self-centered entities...

"What happened to Ren!?" A voice abruptly shattered the contemplative silence, pulling my focus away from my somewhat depressing thoughts. The blonde-haired human, known as Ais Wallenstein, gazed at him from a distance with panic etched across her eyes as she crossed the distance separating them at an impressive speed.

I extended my hand, presenting to her the safeguarded essence, a beautiful force now sealed within.

As I saw her hugging his beaten up body, a reassuring smile accompanied my words as I tried to be as gentle as possible

"Don't worry too much; he's unharmed. Keep this for him and await for him to wake up on his own. His body went through a great shock, but I'm sure he won't let you wait too much. He knows how anxious you must be right now... I promise I'll explain everything."

'It appears a bit of tampering with Destiny is in order...'

The commotion undoubtedly resonated among the Ancient Gods, alerting them that someone had broken through the limits. The impending apocalypse loomed over this world if I refrained from intervening.

Oddly enough, despite the trouble, it was good news. If Ren ascended to Godhood using that technique alone, sidestepping a conventional enlightenment, overcoming the challenges post-ascension would be significantly more difficult.

I know more than anyone how talented he is, but his state of mind had always been chained by something deep, something neither I nor anyone else aside from her could fix...

With a subtle movement of my fingers, a metaphysical thread was severed.

Albeit no one in this World noticed, what was supposed to be certain and absolute death was completely destroyed.

Once again, how are you supposed to defend yourself against something like this?

Blood trickled down my lips as I once again sighed.

I wonder how much time do I have left...?