Chapter 26 - Goddesses' Exchange

Amidst a realm veiled in mystical enchantment, where every aspect seemed touched by the divine, there stood a resplendent crystal palace, its majestic form rising like an ethereal beacon in the heart of this enigmatic place. Within its sacred confines dwelled an otherworldly woman, a vision of peerless beauty that seemed to be woven from the very fabric of magic itself.

Her presence, veiled in an aura of sanctity and celestial power, held an allure that defied mortal comprehension. None, not even the most malevolent of spirits, could fathom defiling her celestial image, for she personified an ethereal purity that remained untouched by the taint of darkness.

With a countenance of celestial grace, she delved deep into an artifact, its ancient glyphs and symbols swirling in mysterious patterns as if whispering secrets from forgotten epochs. As her eyes met the arcane revelations within, the very essence of the realm seemed to respond, amplifying the aura of mystique that surrounded her, and beckoning those with the heart of an adventurer to uncover the secrets hidden within her sacred realm.

A hushed sigh escaped her lips, a stark contrast to the innocent visage she portrayed—a demeanor that held an essence akin to that of a celestial being.

Within her grasp lay an artifact of ancient enchantments, a mirror-like relic infused with arcane energies. In the shimmering depths of its magical glass, an apparition manifested—a handsome man caught in the midst of a ludicrous expression, as if the boundaries of reality and illusion blurred into one.

At the cusp of mystical convergence, another enchanting woman, equally resplendent, glided into the sacred chamber, her entrance akin to a dance of sunbeams.

"Sister! Are you still entwined with that mortal?" The intruding woman exuded a fiery personality, a mystical opposite to the tranquil aura of the one immersed in observing Luke.

The gentle goddess glanced fleetingly at the fiery woman who had stormed into her sacred chamber, then seamlessly returned her gaze to the mirror artifact. Her ethereal essence remained undisturbed, akin to a celestial mother tenderly observing her cherished offspring.

"Sighed. I cannot help but be filled with concern for him," she confided softly.

"What!? Sister! 'Tis the first time I witness such a revelation from you. Even when fate subjected you to myriad trials, never did you exhale a sigh!"

At this juncture, it becomes evident that the gentle lady was the one who ushered Luke into the mystic realm of Eldoria.

She, an ethereal being transcending the mortal realm, had ascended to the lofty heights of divinity—an enigmatic figure, draped in regal splendor, and hailed as the embodiment of celestial grace and gentleness among all the divine pantheon.

But as the celestial spheres trembled with foreboding, a cataclysmic event unfurled, and mysterious beings, shrouded in an aura of otherworldly enigma, materialized, setting their sights on all intelligent life.

Countless realms succumbed to their arcane invasions, forcing the divine beings to converge in a cosmic alliance. They embarked on an interminable struggle against these enigmatic interlopers, hoping to diminish their ominous presence.

Alas, their efforts yielded meager respite, for the malevolent entities persisted, seemingly immune to the passage of time and divine intervention. Undeterred, they intensified their ethereal assaults, plunging the mystical realms into a precarious dance of light and shadows.

In the midst of the celestial upheaval, divine beings set forth in search of disciples and apostles, hoping to forge an ethereal legion, a new generation destined to vanquish the elusive beings encroaching upon their sacred realms.

Amidst this mystical quest, the gentle goddess traversed the veils of existence, drawn by an unseen force to the dying presence of Luke. Gazing through the currents of time, she discerned an intertwining of destinies, as if their souls were celestial kin, united by an ancient bond.

Yet, in her benevolent essence, she harbored no desire to mold Luke into a mere weapon. Instead, she longed to witness him grow, like a sacred reflection of herself, basking in the embrace of happiness and embracing his divine purpose.

In her mystical wisdom, she recognized her sacred duty, even if it meant weaving Luke's destiny with threads of transformation.

Resolute in her intent, she orchestrated a subtle metamorphosis in his life, a metamorphosis that would ripple through the tapestry of existence, empowering those around him to ascend to newfound strength—a formidable force equipped to confront their most formidable adversities.

Yet, the gentle goddess was mindful of preserving Luke's life, ensuring he remained ensconced in peace. She knew the potential for growth existed not only within him but also in those he would touch, like stars gathering their luminescence from the celestial dance.

And thus, the ethereal presence of the internet cafe emerged—a mystical convergence of realms where knowledge flowed freely, connecting minds across vast expanses. It became the conduit through which divine energies intertwined, propelling individuals towards their highest potential, all while affording Luke the tranquility of a life undisturbed by imminent peril.

Fearful of the prying eyes of other divine beings or the malevolent intentions of her adversaries, she carefully concealed Luke within a distant realm—one shielded by a cloak of weakness, a sanctuary of safety. In this sacred refuge, he could dwell comfortably, shielded from the tempestuous storms of the celestial realms, while continuously growing stronger.

In the sacred tapestry of existence, the gentle goddess harmonized the symphony of destinies, creating a harmonious melody that would resonate throughout the mystical realm of Eldoria. A melody where growth flourished, and the spirit of unity prevailed, ushering in a new era of divine transformation.

Meanwhile, the fiery woman approached the gentle goddess, drawn by the currents of curiosity and concern.

"You even bestowed upon him a fraction of your origin qi. Do you not harbor the desire to anoint him as your apostle?" The fiery woman inquired, her words carrying a mix of astonishment and intrigue.

The gentle goddess met her inquiry with a composed gaze, withholding her response, yet conveying volumes through her enigmatic eyes. The fiery woman, guided by unwavering trust in her sister, constructed the meaning behind that cryptic look.

"As expected of my sister. So you are laying the foundation for the future, aren't you? Indeed, bestowing him with your origin qi will enable him to ascend in strength effortlessly. When he reaches the realm of divinity, he could become a wellspring of your divine power.

Moreover, the origin qi's potency against the enigmatic beings is undeniable. By imparting it to him now, he can hone its mastery and wield it with unrivaled precision. Truly, you possess an uncanny ability to discern the future! That's my sister! Hahaha," the fiery woman exclaimed with admiration.

The gentle goddess cherished her fervent companion, appreciating the depth of their bond that transcended words. No explanation was necessary, for their connection seemed woven in the fabric of time itself. With a smile that held the power to shape destinies, she acknowledged the fiery woman's perception—a smile that could sway the tides of nations.

The gentle goddess expressed her concern, "This child remains plagued by fear. He trembles at the thought of venturing beyond his confines. Though he may not realize it, I can perceive the lingering traces of trauma."

"What? What a coward! Why did you choose him, sister?" the fiery woman exclaimed with surprise.

The gentle goddess paused, her voice carrying the weight of reminiscence. "Do not forget that we, too, were once mortal. Can you recall the days when we grappled with the fear of starvation, haunted by the specter of death? He bears the same burdens.

Just as we underwent transformation, so can he. He adheres steadfastly to his principles and ideals, without a trace of disdain for anyone. He holds the potential to bring about change.

And there's... something intriguing about him, I must admit."

In her words, the gentle goddess intertwined compassion and wisdom, drawing from the depths of their shared mortal past to shed light on the path Luke might tread.

The fiery goddess fell silent, her heart awash with melancholy as she reminisced about their shared mortal days. In the depths of her being, she acknowledged that without her sister's presence, she might have met her demise long ago, never ascending to the exalted realm of divinity.

As her gaze returned to Luke, a resolute determination surged within her, burning like the brightest flame. "Then we must aid him in becoming stronger," she declared with unwavering resolve. Her desire to nurture disciples or apostles waned, but supporting her sister in raising this extraordinary individual became her newfound purpose.

In response, the gentle goddess smiled serenely, her aura suffused with celestial tranquility. With poise and grace, she addressed her fiery sister, "Indeed, you have arrived at the opportune moment. I am in need of your assistance."

The fiery goddess beamed with confidence, ready to offer her unwavering support. "You can ask me anything, sister," she affirmed, placing her thumb over her heart with pride.

With a sense of purpose, the gentle goddess proceeded to lay out her plan, each word infused with mystical significance.

The gentle goddess revealed her request with an air of mystery, "Can you veil my presence for three mortal days? I must venture forth to upgrade the internet cafe."

The fiery goddess was taken aback, her concern evident. "What!? Sister, that's perilous! Why must you undertake this task yourself? Have you forgotten that we are forbidden from directly interfering in the mortal realm?"

The gentle goddess calmly explained her reasoning, "I must handle this matter personally, for I committed an oversight. When the child was at death's door, his thoughts were fixated on the internet cafe. I granted it to him and bound it to his soul, infusing it with my origin qi. Hence, I can safely access it by teleporting to where my origin qi resides."

Regret tinged her words, "However, my knowledge of an internet cafe was limited, leading to some errors in its creation. Now, I venture forth to rectify those flaws and upgrade the establishment. Rest assured, I will not venture beyond the realms or encounter anyone during my absence."

She sought her sister's aid to maintain her mystical veiling, ensuring her absence from the divine plane would not be detected during her mission in the mortal realm.

Reluctantly acknowledging her sister's determination, the fiery goddess nodded, knowing well that the gentle goddess would not undertake anything reckless.

"I shall not reveal your absence to others," she affirmed, her commitment to safeguarding her sister's mission unwavering.

With a sense of anticipation, the gentle goddess felt a spark of excitement within her, reminiscent of her mortal days. Wearing a warm smile, she bid her sister farewell before vanishing into the cosmic currents, her presence veiled from the celestial realms.

Left alone in the sacred space, the fiery goddess could not quell her ceaseless worry, her heart laden with concern.

"Sighed, sister is truly strong-willed," she murmured with a mix of admiration and anxiety.

In a bid to ease her own fears and maintain a semblance of stability in the divine realm, she summoned forth a celestial clone—a breathtaking doppelgänger emanating an aura identical to the gentle goddess. This clone, an embodiment of her sister's essence, exuded the same divine grace and wisdom that brought solace to the fiery goddess's heart.