Prologue

The palace was very quiet. Sunlight poured through the towering windows, painting golden patterns across the marble floor. I held my breath and walked quietly, passing pillar by pillar in the corridor, carefully keeping my footsteps from echoing across the silent halls. Divine guards stood on every side of these halls, their attention straight focused ahead. They were there to protect the Sky Palace, but fortunately, today they unknowingly stood between me and the one place I wanted to visit most.

Passing the countless chambers of the celestial palace lay a room few gods ever had reason to visit. I carefully pushed the door open just a bit and peeked inside, the room appeared empty. It held neither treasure nor sacred relics. Instead, a huge mirror stood in perfect silence, stretching from floor to ceiling.

I gently pushed the door open and slipped inside before anyone could notice. At once, the silence wrapped around me. Before me stretched endless visions of humanity, children chasing one another through fields, merchants shouting across crowded streets, travelers laughing around campfires. Lives so ordinary yet so endlessly fascinating.

Drawn by an irresistible curiosity, I hesitantly approached the glass. With hesitation, I reached out and placed a hand against its surface. To my surprise, my hand passed straight through it, as though the glass had never been there at all.

"WAHHH!!"

In an instant, I was startled at the sound of the door bursting open behind me. It turned out to be my older sibling, catching me right in the middle of entering the room.

"Eirya, how many times have I told you not to wander around the palace?" my sibling chided, though a sweet smile rested on their face.

"Oh, it's just you. You nearly scared me to death, you know!"

"Sigh~ I've lost count of how many times Lord Valther has scolded me because you're always causing trouble in the palace. And now, you've snuck into a room reserved for the high officials. Come on, let's leave at once." My sibling softly grabbed my tiny hand and pulled me along.

I pulled my hand back forcefully, breaking free from her grip. I slowly pointed toward the giant mirror I had seen earlier.

"What is it, Eirya?"

"Why do they look so happy, as if they have nothing to worry about? Unlike us, who seem so hollow and never truly happy?"

With a gentle smile, my sibling knelt down and reached for both of my hands.

"Those you speak of... are humans."

"Humans?" I asked, my face filled with curiosity.

"Yes, they are creatures so weak and fragile. Their lives pass in the blink of an eye, unlike us, who possess everything, knowledge, power, and vast, endless lives. Yet, precisely because of all their limitations, they learn to cherish every single second, whether in joy or in sorrow."

"Sorrow? But all I've seen them do so far is be happy."

"No, Eyria. Humans aren't always happy. They can feel despair, too."

"I see..."

"Alright, I think I should take you back home, right, Eirya?"

My sister walked toward the door first, but I suddenly called her again.

"SISTER!"

My sister turned back to look at me once more.

"I... I want to know what it feels like to be a Human!"

For a moment, she said nothing.

The gentle smile she had been wearing slowly faded from her face. The warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, piercing gaze that sent a chill down my spine. I had never seen my sister look at me like that before.

"No…"

Her voice was calm, yet carried a weight that left no room for argument.

"You will never be allowed to become human."

She took a slow step toward me, her eyes never leaving mine.

"Among the gods, such a wish is forbidden. To abandon your divinity for humanity is considered a disgrace, a stain upon the dignity of every god and goddess!"

Her expression hardened even further.

"If Lord Valther were ever to hear those words..."

Before she could finish, I heard footsteps echoing through the corridor.

A guard approached and bowed deeply.

"Your Highness Elaria, it would be best if both of you left this place immediately. If Lord Valther finds out, we guards will be the ones to be held responsible."

For a moment, Elaria closed her eyes. When she opened them again, the coldness in her face had vanished, replaced by the same gentle smile she always wore.

"Ah, yes.. I apologize as well for being careless about watching over my little sister, Eirya."

"Come on Eirya, let me take you home right away."

"A-Alright, Sister."

***

Time passed so quickly. Before I realized it, I had grown up and was now serving under Lord Valther. My life had changed completely at all. Every day was filled with the exact same routine, the same conversations, and the same scenery. As a deity, time was almost meaningless. Yet, because of that very reason, each day felt endlessly long... slowly turning into emptiness.

During my breaks, I would always visit the garden located at the highest level of the Sky Palace. To get there, I had to pass through the very same corridor, the one where my curiosity had once led me to sneak into that forbidden room. Without realizing it, I would always stop in front of that door. Unlike before, however, the entrance was now sealed shut behind a powerful magical barrier, making it impossible for anyone to enter. My gaze would linger for a moment every time I passed that door. Every time I stared at that door, my sister's words echoed in my mind once more.

Tap Tap

Tap Tap

Tap Tap

Tap Tap

"Hey, Eirya!" someone called out from the distance. A young man with vibrant crimson hair came running toward me, his thick, layered white cloak billowing behind him with every hurried step. By the time he reached me, he was completely out of breath.

"Kael, could you not run around in a place like this? Lord Valther will definitely scold you if he sees you running like that in the corridor. Besides, weren't there any guards to warn you, huh?"

I turned back around and resumed walking down the long corridor without waiting for him, and Kael quickly caught up, stepping right alongside me.

"Sigh~ I'm sorry Eirya, but I already told you not to leave me behind once you finished the tasks your sister assigned to both of us," Kael said with a disappointed look on his face.

"Haha, what's wrong with being alone anyway? Is my sister, Elaria, really that scary?"

"She is scary, you know! It's not like she'll scold me directly, but whenever I make a mistake, she loves to subtly jab at me with that fake, wide smile on her face."

"Hey, who gave you permission to talk about my sister like that?!" I quickened my pace, leaving Kael behind.

"Ehh, Eirya, wait for me!"

***

When the two of us arrived at the garden, we walked over to the spot where I usually rested alone. A cool breeze drifted across the garden, gently rustling the flowers and teasing the loose strands of my hair. I leaned forward against the stone railing, staring at the endless bluish mountains stretching far into the distance, blending seamlessly into the bright sky.

"Ahh... It's so refreshing" Kael said with a satisfied sigh, spreading his arms as he welcomed the cool breeze.

We both stood in silence, enjoying the view.

"Kael..."

"Eirya..."

"Umm, you go first, Ei..."

"No, you go ahead."

"Alright," Kael said, pausing briefly before speaking again. "Eirya, I heard there's going to be a celebration for your hundredth year. Is that true? Also, they say Lord Valther himself wanted to make your hundredth celebration truly memorable.

Kael gave a small smile.

"And from what I've heard, he's also prepared one special wish for you. Whatever you ask for, as long as it doesn't violate the laws of the heavens, he will grant it. What are you going to ask for... Eirya?"

“A wish?”

Hearing Kael's words, I could only lower my head. My fingers clenched into fists against the stone railing as the faint smile on my face slowly faded.

If only...

In the deepest depths of my heart, there was only one wish that had remained unchanged for years.

I remained quiet for a few moments.

"Kael..."

"Yeah?"

My lips moved, but my voice stuck in my throat.

"What do you think..."

I paused for a moment, hesitating to continue.

"If someone were to ask for something they shouldn't ask for... what would happen?"

"What is that you want to ask for, Eirya?" Kael tilted his head, his face full of curiosity.

"That door. Every time I pass by it, I'm reminded that behind it stands a massive mirror reflecting a life we've never once experienced... a human life. A life filled with laughter, tears, hopes, and regrets. A life that feels so short, yet seems so much more alive than our eternal lives.”

I turned my gaze toward Kael, holding back the tears that were slowly welling up in my eyes.

"So... if I'm granted any wish at all, would I be allowed to feel what it's like to live as a human?"

The silence between us stretched on. Kael could only look at me with pity in his eyes, unable to find the words to say.

"I'm sorry, Kael. I got carried away. I know you won't answer me... but I never expected you to. I just wanted someone to listen to my nonsense." I wiped away my tears.

"We should end our conversation here for today. I'll see you at the celebration."

Without waiting for Kael's response, I turned around and walked away, leaving him standing there in silence.