Hot Spring Talk

He had kept quiet, whenever Grand Elder Sei appear. It had started when Aya and Eiji died because of him. He had failed and feel like he wronged Grand Elder Sei.

"Its been a long time, old friend" said Grand Elder Sei, after dipping inside the hot spring for few minutes.

He just nodded.

"Why won't you talk like before?"

He still kept quiet. He doesn't know what to says nor know how to say it. The guilt had been gnawing his heart for as long as he can remember.

"Is it about Aya and Eiji's death? I do not blame you for that"

He glare at Sei.

"I may not killed them with my bare hands but they died because of me. How can you not blame me?"

"It is the cruel twist of fate. It is as you said, you didn't kill them yourself nor did you plan on it. It's the choices of others that lead them to their death."

Sei lift his head and look up at the dimming sky. He continued,

"I still remember the first time I met you. Lying on the side road, with no memories or name.. I had taken you in as my family and we dine, fight and sleep together like brothers. As I get married and grow old, I notice that you were ageless, an immortal. It was after Aya had gotten married and couldn't conceive that we agreed to wipe everyone memories about you, and you assumed a new identity. As their only son. Do you remember how hard we tried to force everyone to forget about your existence, Yakesh Kor? You called that as a reset skill. But some of those priest managed to keep it in their record and had gone into hiding.. I heard they had started to sing that song again these past few decades, to remind people about you"

He scoffed at that.

"Those bunch if rats. Even when I told them not to."

"They don't want to people to lose their hope and fear. The saving grace of this world."

"Those were some bittersweet memories.. As I had told you before, I do not blame you. Your face is not cursed, people choose to curse themselves upon seeing you. Either way, I am happy that you had finally given up being a bachelor and make your own family. She is a lovely woman."

"It was just a joke at the beginning. Didn't expect that I would fall for her for real.."

"To be honest, I didn't know if anyone could stand equally by your side. But now, I'm not Sure if you can stand equally by her side"

Grand Elder Sei laughs.

"You heard the second prophecy huh?" He asked Sei. Sei put the folded towel on top of his head.

"Indeed I had. She is indeed your intended"

"And how sure are you she is that?" He asked interested with Sei thought on this.

"The prophecy wording had enough hints as it is. A child is born with the grace of sun

But It'll burn like a blazing flame

With the blessing of gods, nature, sun and moon- the grace of sun: I assumed it's the color of her hair. Yellow is already rare here, but to have gold hair like a sun? Only she and the other daughter of hers had those. With the blessing of gods- I saw the ancient artifact on her hair and arm. That one is called "Stone of heaven", not anyone can wield it unless they are blessed by the god or if they had the blood of celestial beings. Nature and moon: the color of her eyes."

"Sharp one indeed. Yes, I had the same suspicion. And she is from another world.. she can acquire things from other world easily. She herself doesn't know who she really is"

"My God, is it for real?"

He shrugs. "She dragged me to find the goddess. She said something about revenge.."

"Well, whatever that is, I congratulate you for your new family and be good to them, protect them well"

"I will."

Sei nodded. It was then they felt the surge of oppressive power at the direction of hill to the south of the Iiana secret garden.

"This?!" In a blink of an eye, he had a clothes on him and teleported toward the direction. There, stood a glowing man carrying his wife on his arm. Anger boil within him, and he shoot toward the glowing man. At the last second, Sei had hold his hand, stopping few inches away from the glowing man.

The glowing man put down Iiana and brushed his hair. He sighs.

"The balance is off again. Sorry about that. You guys better take care of the chaos to come"

And just like that, he was gone.

"Why did you stop me?" He glared at Sei.

"That was the Urie, the God that govern this world."

They both glance at the sleeping form of Iiana that had lain on the lush grass that seems extraordinary soft and greener around her.

"Then, it is confirmed. She is the one"