“As an offering, you can give me a tour to your petty human world. Feel grateful for this opportunity.” Umika blabbered.

“Why should I give offerings to you?” I retort.

“Because I’m a goddess, dumb.” She replied haughtily.

“I am not even born under the Water shrine, I’m born under the Death Shrine so there’s no need for me to worship you.” I justified.

“Death Shrine. Are you born under the blessings of Goddess Banshee?” she inquired.

“Yeah.” I replied.

She burst off laughing, “Banshee? She is a fool and a weakling.” She teased.

“But Banshee defeated you several times according to the myths.” Quentin chimed in.

“She was just lucky, and I have defeated her 6 times, she only defeated me 5 times.” Umika pouted angrily.

“That means you are on an equal pace with her.” Quentin shrugged.

“I’m not!” Umika protested, “Moreover, I’m cuter, she’s just an old hag who looks like a teenage girl.”

“And you look like a kid.” I commented.

“Impudence! How dare you talk like this to a god?” She was pretty pissed off. Her bright turquoise eyes flared up.

She looked at us. We looked at her. We were not afraid by an inch.

“I will take back my blessings!” She threatened.

“You need to ask Goddess Banshee if you need to neutralize my power and not that I care much, I’m just a petty necromancer.” I shrugged.

She looked at me, pissed off and then turned to Quentin, “I was the one who blessed you with Water manipulation, no?”

“The blessing has turned to hex, you need to go to some death deity.” Quentin brushed her threat away.

Her cheeks turned pink, she was pouting real hard, “I’m going away you petty mortals.”

She walked away a bit. We watched her silently go away.

“You need to open the portal to go away, goddess.” Quentin said sarcastically.

Umika turned towards us abruptly, “You’re supposed to stop me!” She grumbled.

Before we could answer anything, there was something huge coming towards us and in a blink, it crashed above us. It was red as hell could ever be. There was no time to run or speak anything. I could feel the uncomfortable heat radiating from it. I closed my eyes and then, there was something cool, something comforting that dispelled the heat. I opened my eyes to see my reflection in front of me. My teal eyes gleaming in the reflection but my hair were quite messy. I groomed my hair with my hands and then touched the reflection, it was cold water.

“Sit down.” Umika commanded.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

I looked at her in confusion but I did as told. Then, the water barrier expanded in the surroundings, extinguishing the flames and the smoke rose from the extinguished flames, a reminder of its presence. The water barrier then divided into thousand tiny droplets hanging in the air like diamonds reflecting the moonlight. It was spectacular!

Before we could get a clear view of the front, Umika did a hair flip so she can look more like a goddess, maybe. I never knew Gods can be like this until I met her. In my opinion, she’s quite ordinary with extraordinary powers.

The smoke cleared. In front of me was the whole Karma headquarter surrounding us, I wonder who attacked us. Was it Walter or someone else?

But then my eyes met with Adriel’s. Was he crying? Why? He’s looking so vulnerable, so scared, I have never seen him like this. Why is he so let down and kneeling defeated on the ground? Why is Behemoth besides him? Did he do anything to him, is he the reason why Adriel’s so miserable right now? Questions, questions and questions. But really, get that monster’s paw off his shoulder. I hope he’s not possessed or anything because he is not the Adriel I ever knew. My eyes then roamed from face to face. All of them looked as if they’re at a funeral. Who died? Did anything happen while we were arguing?

I was strangled in my own train of thoughts and questions when Umika spoke up, “Come out, Sorath.”

Sorath? As in Sorath the demon? I don’t remember much about him, but he’s a fire demon that was sealed by the dew goddess—Umika. Why is he here?

A weird bright red and black kestrel flew in front of us and transformed into a tall man, hovering in the air and then he landed gracefully on the ground. His red eyes were a stark contrast against Umika’s blue eyes.

His laughter filled the air, “Look who we have, a little kid.”

Everyone grew wary of his presence. Even Quentin was quite alert and ready for anything. I watched Adriel get up and run towards me past Umika.

“You ok?” He asked in a desperate voice, “Are you hurt anywhere?”

He leaned a bit and I felt his cold palm on my cheek. I was momentarily frozen and I almost blushed but I quickly regained my composure and shoved his hand away, “Yeah, but you look as if you’re mourning for someone.”

He rubbed the nape of his neck sheepishly, not meeting my gaze.

“Tell me, what happened?” I insisted.

Before he could speak anything, there was a loud grumble from the sky. Thousands of portals opened, giving way to hungry demons flying and circling above us. They soon started to attack us. Adriel quickly pulled me behind him. His tall figure guarding me. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. But he’s acting adorable so I can’t help it but why can’t I do something good. Did I just admit his adorable? God. No!

“They are a lot many.” Adriel remarked, “Guess I’ll just use this [Fierce Skybreaker].”

There was a flash of strong wind, his black messy hair flew back as the winds forced their way angrily as if tearing the sky. Some demons backed off just in time, others got caught up in the wind and were either tossed away or slashed by the force of the gust.

“Good one.” Umika praised him.

“Don’t think you have won yet, kids!” Sorath called out with a twisted grin, “Be prepared to witness my Kingdom of Cinders.”

The dark night sky was illuminated and there was a huge city on fire visible in the sky and the structure came falling towards the Earth.

Umika retaliated with equal force with her Valiant teardrop. A teardrop fell from her skin which radiated immense energy and soared up in the sky and took form of a giant mermaid made from her teardrop. The mythical mermaid made from her teardrop. The mermaid charged towards the falling infernal structures and a wingblade emerged from her body.

It was a huge collision. Everyone protected them in barriers to withstand the impact. Adriel wrapped me in his arms and made a barrier from wind’s strong embrace. I could feel the air spin along with my head. My muscles tensed immediately from the close contact and I yelled, “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Woah, calm down.” He reassured me, “You don’t wanna let the impact hurt you, no?”

I relaxed slightly, his voice was unexpectedly soothing and soft. This dumb guy just made me blush twice... twice! He was quite warm and I was still somewhat drenched from the series of unfortunate incidents from before, so I felt comfortable in his warm embrace but why? A part of me wants to pull away, but I don’t. Hell I don’t! But I’m sure if I were capable enough to protect myself, then I would have pulled without a single thought... right?

I could feel his chest rising and falling slowly. Why am I acting like a silly teenage schoolgirl? I am so helpless and delusional. I sighed in resignation.