Chapter 35

Within the Light Realm, far away from any of the established territories, there is believed to be a small garden. Though it’s spoken of only in rumor there are plenty of people who genuinely believe it to be true. A garden full of flowers with blue petals, while they shine during the day it’s believed visiting that small haven at night is the best time as the petals themselves seem to glow under the moonlight. Within that small realm of wonder it’s also believed if one looks hard enough they’ll find something even rarer than the flowers, and far more ephemeral.

A bright red moon hung in the night sky, creating a mix of red in the sky, and blue on the ground as countless flowers filled the small space, small blue lights resembling fireflies filling the area culminating around a singular person. The small orbs were drown to the gold that accompanied the blue within the Lost Garden.

The glowing aurete belonging to a woman dressed in lavender robes, simple robes she wore wherever she went. Her long flowing golden locks tied in a low ponytail with a red ribbon, her matching eyes staring up at the moon as she took in the moment of solitude, let the spring bleeze tickle her skin.

No one save two others knew how old she actually was, the few that witnessed her saw her as a human sized pixie, others the mother of all living things. Perfection personified, with even her voice melodic, light and soothing like the whispers of spring.

“Eiri.”

That was the name she went by to those who knew her, but to everyone else she was the Celestial.

Eiri turned to meet Kasia's eyes, the woman standing a few feet behind her. Eiri’s eyebrows lowered slightly as she turned to face the Arch Deity of Shadow fully.

“It’s rare for you enter the Upper Realms, much less approach me.”

“I have business with you.”

“That so.”

The woman eyed each other, both could feel the shift of Mana in the air as their magic started to manifest, each one waiting for the other to make the smallest movement, to give the other a reason to take action.

“That’s quite enough you two.”

Naro and Eiri glanced to their side to noticed a young man standing nearby, when he had gotten there was anyone’s guess. The young man had messy silver hair that fell to the bottom of his neck, his outfit was strange, at least for their realm, as he had a fondness for otherworldly clothing.

For the person he was a simple ensemble of a blue button up shirt, black slacks, with a pair of black sneakers he stood out more than the other two.

“Now what are my favorite sisters doing?” the man said.

He never sounded serious, it always seemed like he was in the middle of telling a joke, his alto voice rising and falling as if he was going to deliver the punchline at anytime.

“...stay out of this, Naji,” Kasia said, glancing at him.

“Can’t do that, Kasia. Unfortunately I am the Arch Deity of Neutrality, if one of you dies I gotta pick up your slack till someone else takes over.”

“...Brother you would just find a way to escape responsibility,” Eiri added.

“Well you’re right about that!”

A laugh escaped from Naji and Kasia eyeing the man sighed before turning away from the two, she walked away from them realizing it wasn’t worth the risk of the Deity of Trickery getting involved.

“Never mind. I’m finishing what I came here to do and leaving.”

Eiri watched Kasia walk away and resting a hand on her hip shook her head at her sister’s attitude.

“It’s a constant with her.”

“Well it is partially your fault,” Naji said ‘looking’ over at her. “I’ll go talk with her.”

“You’re too soft Brother.”

Naji raised a hand to Eiri as he walked away following after Kasia.

It wasn’t difficult to figure out where Kasia was, she only came to the Upper Realms for one reason. Walking to East he came across a wooden door sitting in the middle of the field. With a smile he opened the door and walked through. On the other end of it he found an evening sky, two orange suns hanging over a large graveyard with what dozens upon dozens of gravestones.

Every single one of them had been taken care of, the only age on them showing was wear from age. There were no death dates on them, no names, just blank stones. Kasia was easy to spot, standing in front of the most recent one, easy to tell about the state of the soil.

“...what do you want brother,” Kasia said as Naji stopped behind her.

“Whose grave is that?”

“Alir.”

“Ah he was the most recent right? Amazing how you remember each one's name.”

“...again, what do you want, brother?”

“Just curious about something…you killed another recently, right. What are you planning to do with that one?”

“...him. His magic is very limited, I barely feel our connection. His potential appears meaningless and I have others I can use so I intend on leaving him to his own devices. He shouldn't arrive for a few years still.”

“I see,” Naji said. “Well sister do me a favor and be careful…I appreciate that you make a grave for each reincarnation…but one day one of these may be yours if you keep this up.”

Kasia knew very little about her brother, given all the years they spent together, he was the Deity of Trickery for a reason. She could never read him since his eyes were always shut and he controlled his body language well, his voice never gave away his true feelings either.

It was believed Naji was able to see the present and future perfectly; however, due to his love of surprises, he disliked knowing all the answers and kept his eyes shut.

That was the rumor that surrounded him, so in the centuries she knew him, she never saw his eyes open.

Standing here now, with him behind her, she wondered if his advice was a friendly warning or if his eyes were wide open, and this was a comment that foretold her future. She didn’t bother to turn around and look to confirm when the thought came to mind.

“Your advice is noted, Naji.”

She glanced back only to see Naji walking away from her, hand raised.