She stood before holding that smile. Whether it was genuine or rely a mask, I couldn’t tell.
"Eren. It’s nice to finally et you."
Her voice carried a softness that felt almost maternal. But I remained guarded. Every muscle in my body tensed with anticipation.
She resembled sothing divine. A goddess perhaps. Or so ancient being far beyond mortal comprehension.
And considering my rather spectacular history with divine entities, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was another elaborate trap. Another manipulation. Another sche ending with my execution.
Pervy Lord was the sole exception to that rule. Every other god I had encountered or heard about was nothing but trouble wrapped in holy light.
So I decided to be blunt.
"So you were behind all of this. You were the one orchestrating those nightmares where I was trapped in an endless loop. And you actually believe I’ll fall for these cheap tricks designed by the gods? If that’s what you’re planning, then save your breath. Whatever sche you’re cooking up, count out."
Her smile faded instantly.
"Eren, you’re wrong on both counts. I understand that everything you’ve experienced must seem incredibly mysterious and painful at the sa ti. But please, give a chance to explain."
"A chance? Did you not hear what I just said? These sweet tactics, this gentle manipulation, I’ve seen it all before. So don’t waste my precious ti. I have serious trust issues with anything associated with divinity."
She stood in silence for a long mont. Then spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper.
"What if I told you I’m not a god? What if I’m simply here to tell you about the hardships you’ve endured? The hardships she endured? All those visions you witnessed. Or perhaps more accurately, all those things she was making you see."
My heart dropped into my stomach.
The weight of her words pressed down on like a mountain. And yet, looking at the tears forming in her eyes, sothing inside whispered that she might be telling the truth.
"Explain yourself. Who exactly are you? And what did you an by that last part?"
Her expression shifted. From the verge of sobbing to a gentle, lancholic smile.
"I was once a goddess. Just like her father."
I couldn’t help the disgust that twisted my features.
"Isn’t that the sa thing? You obviously had connections with those divine bastards. Maybe they kicked you out for being an evil creature and now you’re in your redemption phase, helping them with whatever plot they’re running. I still don’t trust any entity associated with gods. And let’s not forget that lovely title you carry. The Witch of Calamity."
I crossed my arms defiantly.
She actually laughed at that. A soft, tired sound as she wiped the tears that had begun falling.
"You really are quite the overthinker, aren’t you? But I must decline both accusations. My connections with the gods, and that title you ntioned. I don’t actually hold that na. Perhaps in those dreams, you misunderstood certain details."
Now I was completely lost. My confusion must have been written clearly across my face.
She recognized it imdiately.
"How about we try this approach instead? I will explain everything I can, and you simply listen. Please. I’m asking you to hear out before throwing more accusations my way."
I sighed heavily.
"Fine. Say whatever you need to say. But I’m not promising I won’t interrupt. I have an extrely important match waiting for , and the mont I catch even a whiff of deception, I’m gone."
She offered another small smile. Drew a deep breath. And began her tale.
"First, allow to clarify who I am. My na is Liora. I was once a goddess who chose exile from the heavens because I stepped beyond our sacred domain. You see, divine law strictly forbids any god from involving themselves with the mortal world and its inhabitants."
She paused to let that sink in.
"Those who violate this law are stripped of their power and authority. Forced to beco wandering spirits that eventually fade into nothingness. Either with ti, or whenever the they decide to erase them."
Suddenly, so many things began making sense.
This was why Pervy Lord said he couldn’t accompany to this world. He had done sothing to maintain surveillance over .
So fragnt of himself embedded within my being. But he couldn’t directly interfere.
This also explained why he chose specifically. He had no authority over the people of his own world.
The divine laws prevented him from ddling with them. So instead, he selected a foreign entity. Soone from another domain. Soone he could control without facing any consequences.
The puzzle pieces were finally falling into place.
But many gaps remained.
"Why would you do sothing so extre? Only soone completely insane would willingly give up godhood."
"Alia."
She paused after speaking that single na.
"It was all because of that poor girl."
I felt my entire body stiffen.
"Alia’s father was like . A god. And he was my closest friend among all the divine beings. He was the happiest deity in the entire celestial domain. Also the luckiest. Because the Almighty God itself had blessed him with a child."
Her eyes grew distant with mory.
"That little girl beca his entire universe. The most precious treasure he had ever possessed. She was born with divine power flowing through her veins, yet she remained mortal. Still missing that ethereal godly aura that would have made her one of us."
A sad smile crossed her lips.
"I still rember watching him transform overnight. The jolly, carefree god who made everyone laugh suddenly beca deadly serious. He would approach constantly, asking how to be a good father. What he should do. How he should raise this adorable creature."
She chuckled softly.
"Everyone who used to laugh at her jokes was now laughing at his endearingly awkward attempts at parenting. He beca the center of attention throughout all of heaven. Every eye was drawn to that precious father-daughter duo."
Her smile turned bitter.
"Ah, yes. Every eye. That was precisely the problem. Not all those gazes held warmth. So carried sothing far more sinister. Jealousy. Envy. Resentnt."
Her voice darkened.
"And what followed was the inevitable outco of such poison. Fate played its cruel hand. That innocent girl’s destiny was sealed the mont the Almighty God made a devastating announcent."
She closed her eyes as if the mory physically pained her.
"They claid they had been deceived by an unknown entity. That the child was never truly a blessing bestowed by them. They declared that the girl was cursed. A seed of ruination that would eventually destroy heaven itself. They said she carried a terrible affliction. Anyone who associated with her would die. And the deaths would never stop until she herself was eliminated."
I felt ice spreading through my veins.
"What happened next was nothing short of a massacre. Alia’s father refused to accept this verdict. He stood against the judgnt with every fiber of his being. And so the battle began. All the gods of heaven united against a single father defending his daughter."
Liora’s voice trembled.
"He fought with everything he had. Clashed against every single being he had once considered family. Friends he had laughed with for eternities. Companions he had trusted with his existence. All of them turned their weapons against him."
A tear escaped down her cheek.
"And what did he receive in return for his love? Betrayal. Death."
She paused to compose herself.
"I still rember that final mont. He was kneeling on the battlefield, body burned beyond recognition from countless holy attacks. His regeneration had completely failed. He was dying. And yet he held Alia in his arms. That little girl crying in confusion and terror amidst all the chaos."
Her voice cracked.
"He kissed her forehead and spoke his last words to her. He said he had failed to protect her. Failed to make those fools understand how wrong they were. Failed to show them how pure and sacred his daughter truly was. He told her those morons weren’t worthy of her presence."
Liora wiped her eyes.
"Then sothing changed in his expression when he said the last line. Even through all that agony. Even with his body crumbling to ash. He smiled. And he made a promise. He swore that even after death, he would continue fighting. Fighting until justice was delivered to his daughter."
She looked directly into my eyes.
"Then he placed Alia in my arms. And with his final breath, he spoke my na."
"Liora."
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