Chapter 3 - The Unknown Gods

"Come here, sweetie. Let's get you some fresh air!"
As his mother gently picked Yasu up and carried him out into the open air, Yasu's eyes widened in awe at the beautiful sight that greeted him.
The property was a veritable paradise, with colorful flowers blooming in every direction and the sound of birdsong filling the air. In the distance, he could see a large glass conservatory, designed for cultivating a verdant garden all year long.
A tall wall encompassed the property, stretching around it and marking the boundaries of his parents' home and the surrounding forest. The forest itself was the only thing visible outside the walls, as they lived far away from the nearest city.
As Yasu looked around the lush landscape, his mind began to whirl with a mixture of wonder and surprise.
His thoughts raced: "Just how rich are my parents? This place is insanely well-made. I mean, the flowers are practically glowing, and the birds are singing a whole freaking orchestra. This is like a fairytale or something.."
He didn't know much about social classes and the like, but even he knew that such a place as this was far from affordable for commoners. The property was the mark of the wealthy and powerful, and Yasu couldn't help but wonder if his parents were, in fact, nobles in disguise.
Over the years, Yasu grew and thrived under the loving care of his parents. Despite the occasional clumsy accident here and there, his mother and father were always patient and understanding.
If Yasu ever accidentally stepped on some crops during a gardening session with his mother, she would simply chuckle and wave him off, saying "Ah, don't worry, love. Plants can always be replanted." Her kind voice soothed Yasu's guilty conscience.
Likewise, if Yasu ever dropped a mug, his father would just give a warm smile and say "No harm done, buddy. Just be a bit more careful next time, alright?"
Yasu smiled faintly with his eyes closed, relieved that his parents were more affectionate and forgiving than in the past.
As the night carried on, Yasu found himself restlessly tossing and turning in his bed, unable to find the sweet embrace of sleep. 
"Ugh, why is it so hard to sleep?!" With a sigh, he decided to get up and seek some fresh air. 
Wandering past his parents' room to the main door, his curiosity was immediately piqued by a faint glow coming from the direction of the conservatory. He tiptoed closer, his heart a mix of apprehension and intrigue.
As he drew closer, he realized that it was a shrine, a hidden sanctuary hidden away from the main house. Yasu took a hesitant step forward, drawn to the mysterious building like a moth to a flame.
As Yasu pushed open the door to the shrine, his eyes immediately fell on a sight that he never expected to see: his mother, Kasumi, kneeling before an altar, completely enraptured in prayer.
The gentle glow of the crystals set into the shrine's walls cast a warm, ethereal light across her figure, illuminating her hair and framing her face in a halo of brilliance. The familiar purple hue of her hair took on an almost supernatural quality in the shrine's peaceful atmosphere.
Yasu approached her cautiously, his footsteps nearly silent against the smooth wooden floor. He stood a few paces behind her, unwilling to disturb the peaceful scene, but entranced nonetheless by the sight of his mother in prayer.
His mother, Kasumi, seemed to sense his presence, and without turning her gaze away from the altar, she spoke softly, her voice carrying a tranquil serenity within. 
"Yasu," she said gently, "couldn't sleep, could you?"
He was taken aback for a moment, wondering how she knew he had come, before he found his voice, soft and hushed. 
"No, I...I couldn't," he admitted, his eyes still glued to her form, still slightly disbelieving at the spectacle before him.
"So much for being sneaky. At this point, she can see the future soon." He expressed his thoughts sarcastically.
His mother turned her head slightly, offering a gentle smile over her shoulder. "Come, sit with me," she said, gesturing for him to take a seat by her side.
Yasu did as she urged, crossing the short distance between them and sitting beside her. As he settled down, he cast a curious glance around the shrine, his eyes skimming over the various symbols of worship placed throughout.
"What...what are you praying for, Mom?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, afraid to disturb the peaceful aura that hung in the air.
Kasumi cast her gaze back to the altar, her expression one of deep reverence and devotion.
"I am praying that The Spinster of Destiny may continue to weave the threads of our lives with peace and kindness," she said, her voice soft but firm. 
She then reached out and gently touched a symbol of The Spinster of Destiny with a slender fingertip, tracing its outline reverently. 
Yasu watched his mother carefully, her gentle touch against the symbol of worship a stark contrast to the confusion in his mind. The name "The Spinster of Destiny" had never been mentioned before, and the thought of an entity with the power to shape their destinies piqued his curious nature.
He couldn't hold back his question, his voice quiet and uncertain. "Mom...who...who is The Spinster of Destiny? "
Kasumi kept her gaze focused on the symbol of The Spinster of Destiny, her finger tracing the outline with a reverential touch. 
"The Spinster of Destiny," she said softly, "is one of the Nine Gods. They are Anya, The Wellspring, Kaelen, The Crimson Blade, Lyra, The Silent Shadow, Ignis, The Forgemaster, Celeste, The Guiding Star, Mortis, The Great Unraveler, Terra, The Earthshaper, and Aura, The Radiant Heart. Each reigns over different aspects of existence," she finished, her voice filled with solemnity.
As Yasu listened to his mother speak, a thought struck him like a bolt of lightning. Could The Architect, the entity responsible for his second chance in life, be one of the mighty gods his mother was currently praying to?
He couldn't help but smile at the thought, and before he could stop himself, he asked a question that surprised even himself. 
"Can...can I, um, can I pray with you, Mom?"
Kasumi turned her gaze upon Yasu, her eyes widening in surprise at his unexpected request. She studied him for a moment, taking in the hopeful expression on his face.A soft, warm smile spread across her features, and she nodded.
"Of course, my love," she said gently, gesturing for him to join her in front of the altar. 
"I would be honored to pray side by side with you."