NOVPUB
Chapter 409: 409
A thought formed in her mind, a question she had never dared to ask before. She focused on the feeling of gratitude, of appreciation for his presence in her life. She then focused on the image of a heart, hoping he would understand the sentiment.
Up in his realm, Crepuscular felt the shift in the warmth, the sudden influx of emotion. He perceived the image of a heart, and a wave of surprise washed over him. He understood. She was expressing... affection.
He hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond. He focused on the feeling of warmth, of comfort, and amplified it, sending a wave of gentle heat towards her. In his mind, he projected an image of a protective embrace, a silent reassurance of his care.
Down on the deck, Xerosis felt the warmth intensify, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. The image of the embrace solidified in her mind, and a feeling of warmth spread through her chest. It was a feeling she couldn’t quite define, but it was pleasant, comforting, and... strangely intimate.
"Thank you," she whispered to the sky, knowing, somehow, that he could hear her.
In his realm, Crepuscular felt the sincerity in her voice, the genuine gratitude in her heart. A small smile touched his lips. He had never imagined that such a connection was possible, that he could share such intimate moments with someone.
With her mother, both were just curious to explore their bodies and after that the intial excitement wore off, but now it was different.
One day, while Xerosis was contemplating the vastness of the ocean, a new pattern emerged in the warmth. It was a slow, rhythmic pulse, a gentle ebb and flow that felt strangely... intimate. She focused on it, trying to decipher its meaning.
Then, a clear image formed in her mind: two hands, reaching out and gently touching. The image was accompanied by a feeling of tenderness, of deep affection.
Xerosis’s breath caught in her throat. She understood. He was expressing... love.
A blush crept up her neck and onto her cheeks. She had never considered such a possibility. He was her uncle, a god, a being of immense power. And yet, he was expressing a feeling that was deeply human, deeply personal.
She closed her eyes, trying to process this revelation. She thought of him, not as a distant, powerful deity, but as a being who cared for her, who shared his thoughts and feelings with her, who offered her comfort and support.
She then focused on a new image: two figures, standing side by side, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. She amplified the warmth, sending a wave of affection back towards him.
Crepuscular felt the shift, the new image, the wave of emotion that washed over him. He understood. She was reciprocating.
He projected an image of himself, standing beside her, the setting sun casting long shadows behind them. He then focused on a feeling of deep contentment, of peace, of... happiness.
While Crepuscular and Xerosis cultivated their unique form of communication, their interactions was seen by the other two gods.
They both noticed Crepuscular’s occasional absences, the subtle shifts in the sun’s intensity, the fleeting moments when his attention seemed to drift elsewhere. They exchanged knowing glances, a silent communication passing between them.
"He’s been... preoccupied," Mahu observed, her voice a soft whisper that carried a hint of happiness to it and a want like she was missing something.
Jaws grumbled, a sound like distant thunder. "Indeed. The sun’s warmth has been... erratic. A strange gentleness to it at times."
They had never seen him act in such a way. It was a side of him they had never witnessed before, a tenderness, a vulnerability that was quite unlike his usual proud and fiery demeanor.
Jaws let out a low rumble, "It seems our brother has found... something to hold his attention."
Mahu’s expression softened. A hint of a smile touched her lips. "Indeed. It’s... rather touching, in a way. He seems... at peace."
"He’s neglecting his duties," Jaws observed, though there was no real accusation in his voice.
Mahu shook her head gently. "Let him be, Jaws. He deserves this... connection. It brings him joy."
Jaws said nothing to that as he kept quiet and soon both his and Mahu’s attention was drawn.
Mahu specifically was the one being called. Mahu responding to the calling found herself before her step son Ikem, who was now at an altar built for breaching communication with them.
Mahu’s voice came from the Altar "What is it son?"
Ikem who got a response with a heavy and serious look on his face answered "I have got words from Ember that he is done building the seals"
Mahu looked at Jaws beside her who nodded "Proceed with the plan, each godling race is to get a hand on one of these seals. With the instruction and help given to Ember, each godling will have an intuitive sense on where the seal towers are to be planted"
"Understood mother," Ikem responded.
He was about to turn and leave when he heard Mahu’s voice "This is a very important moment, make sure each godling’s race is ready to deal with any misshapen that may arise. If the towers works as it was planned, our counterparts won’t stay quiet and easily let things play out"
"Understood, Mother," Ikem responded. This time, he felt her presence fading, and the treasure offered at the altar crumbled into dust. The sight made Ikem sigh.
Each communication with the gods came at a great cost. Recently, they had been spending heavily to maintain contact, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
Leaving the room with the altar, Ikem made his way to his throne room. He settled onto his throne and waved his hand, causing fragments of mirrors to float from the throne and assemble into six massive mirrors before him.
From the mirrors appeared the figures of the other six demigods.
Maul, his brother, was visible alongside his daughter, who was pouting at him and pointing curiously at the mirrors.
Ikem smiled at the sight and greeted, "Hello, nephew. You were still sucking your thumb the last time I saw you."
The young princess flushed with embarrassment at Ikem’s words and quipped, "If you’d visited me more often, you’d have noticed how much I’ve grown."
Ikem laughed warmly. "True, and I apologize for that. How about the wolf I gave you? Has he been a good companion?"
The princess beamed and moved closer to the mirror. "Forget about that hungry wolf! Uncle, I was wondering if you could make me a unicorn, too."
Ikem raised an eyebrow at her request, while Maul coughed and grabbed one of the horns on his daughter’s head, pulling her gently away. "Never mind her. I don’t understand why she’s so obsessed with unicorns."
Ikem chuckled. "I don’t mind. I’m unfamiliar with this ’unicorn,’ but I’ll talk to her later and find out what it is so I can make one for her."
Before Maul could reply, a voice interrupted.
"Ursula, how about it? Are you ready to have a child? Ikem seems to be great with kids."
Tide’s teasing voice drew everyone’s attention. Ursula rolled her eyes at him but said nothing. Instead, her gaze rested on Xerosis, who seemed to be avoiding her eyes.
Ursula’s expression sharpened as she squinted at Xerosis, then turned her attention to Roth, who was laughing at Tide’s joke.
"Xerosis has a look I recognize—the look of someone in love. Who might that be, Roth?" Ursula asked, breaking the silence.
Everyone froze, their eyes wide. Even Roth looked startled as he glanced at his sister, who now had a shy expression and was covering her mouth.
Flowua, who had been lounging with a bored expression moments earlier, perked up with sudden interest. "Who is it?" she asked eagerly.
Xerosis said nothing, prompting her brother to press, "Is it a mortal, Sister? Did you fall for a mortal?"
Ikem couldn’t deny his curiosity. A wine cup appeared in his hand, and he took a slow sip. He wasn’t the only one intrigued; Tide and Maul tried to appear indifferent, but their perked ears betrayed their interest.
Still, Xerosis remained silent. It was Ursula who finally answered.
"It’s no mortal," she said, her tone firm.
All eyes turned to Tide, whose expression shifted to one of alarm. "It’s certainly not me!" he blurted defensively.
"Xerosis seeing her cousins get even more wild in their assumptions said ’Enough, it was no mortal or Tide either. It was our uncle Crepuscular.’
Jaws dropped. Ikem nearly choked on his wine, sputtering a bit before regaining his composure. Maul’s usual stoic expression cracked into something resembling disbelief. Even Roth, normally unfazed, stared at Xerosis with wide eyes.
Silence descended, thick and heavy. Then, Flowua, Ikem’s glare bouncing off her like rain off a rock, muttered, ’Another bloodline coupling. You know among mortals, that is considered forbidden, everyone is now taken except for me, Tide and Roth.’ Still muttering to herself she continued ’I don’t even want to think of Tide that way so Roth then.’ She said as he turned to Roth who responded with ’Huh’ In confusion.
