The sun was high in the sky, but inside the small abandoned church I now called ho, the light was dim—gentle, filtered through dust and colored glass. I sat in the old wooden chair beside Ethan’s bed, watching him sleep.
He looked peaceful now.
So different from the way he had looked lying unconscious in the Guild infirmary just two days ago—bloodied, broken, but still gripping his sword even in his sleep. He was still clutching it when I found him. Still ready to fight, even after his body had given up.
I rember how my heart dropped when I saw him. I rushed to his side, shouting his na, but he didn’t answer. The healers told he would be okay, that he was strong, but I still cried. I couldn’t stop myself.
He’s my first. My first familia mber. My first adventurer. And... maybe, maybe sothing more I don’t quite understand yet.
I leaned forward a little, brushing a lock of ssy black hair from his forehead. His face twitched, and I smiled.
"You’re always pushing yourself too hard," I whispered. "You act like you’re fine, but I can see it... the weight you carry."
He was reckless. Too reckless. Diving deeper into the Dungeon even when I warned him, ignoring his wounds, always brushing it off with that sa infuriating smile.
And yet...
The growth in him was terrifying. Not just strength. Not just stats. But will. Purpose. The way he faced that monster—Ethan fought like soone who had everything to lose and everything to prove.
When I checked his falna again yesterday, I nearly dropped the ink.
S-rank growth. S-rank abilities. So fast. Too fast.
A part of was overjoyed. Another part... was afraid.
What if soone stronger, more powerful, with more resources—what if one of the big familias saw his potential? What if they tried to take him away from ?
They would. I knew it. Loki, Freya, Hephaestus... they’d want him. He was already more than most Level 2s, and he hadn’t even leveled up yet.
I clenched my fist.
But he chose . A forgotten goddess with no reputation, no temple, and no followers. He joined my familia when no one else would. He stayed by my side even when I had nothing to offer him.
"Don’t go," I whispered, before I could stop myself.
As if he heard , he stirred slightly in his sleep.
I laughed softly under my breath and sat back again, hugging my knees to my chest. The church was quiet. The air slled like old books and fresh herbs. Peaceful.
But my heart wasn’t.
I thought about the girl the adventurers had ntioned—the one who carried him to safety. A tiny girl, stubborn and fierce. Soone who risked everything to bring him back. I didn’t know her, but I already felt a strange twist in my chest at the thought of her.
Would she take him away too?
"Ugh... stupid," I muttered, bonking my head softly against the wall behind . "You’re acting like so jealous high school girl..."
But I couldn’t help it.
He was mine, wasn’t he?
No, not like that. Not yet. Maybe not ever. But he was my familia. My adventurer. The first person who gave purpose in this world.
That had to an sothing.
Right?
I looked at him one more ti, watching the way his chest rose and fell slowly. He would be up soon, asking questions, getting ready for another dive, pushing himself like always.
But for now, I could just... sit here. Watch him breathe. Be here, in this mont.
"I’ll protect you, too," I whispered. "Even if I’m just a useless goddess with no power. I’ll do whatever I can to stay by your side."
And for the first ti in a long while, I felt... content.
Even if the future scared . Even if the Dungeon was rciless. Even if the world tried to pull him away from —
—I’d fight for him, too.
Because he was my light.
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