I felt a soothing presence around me. My body relaxed in the cool embrace. My palpitations stopped. I opened my eyes and found a kid staring at me.

She had brilliant blue eyes like Quentin, white marble hair with a blue tint, a small mouth and she gazed at me intently. I slowly got up.

“Who are you?” I asked softly.

“Umika. The 12th deity of the Water Shrine.” She said with an undeniable presence of pride in her voice.

“Thanks for saving me.” I smiled.

She smiled back. Quentin came towards us.

“You are- Umika right? The 12th deity of the Water Shrine. Did I summon you by any chance? How can I summon a deity despite being a ghost? How-”

He went on and on. Suddenly, I saw Adriel coming towards me. Quentin and the deity looked at him. He knelt besides me and grabbed me by my shoulders.

“Are you hurt?” He asked and scanned me from head to toe for any signs of injury.

“I’m fine.” I replied quickly and released myself from his grip on my shoulders.

“Who threw you from there? Who was that petty water user?” He shook me possessively.

That’s right, he can’t see Quentin and Umika. I looked wide-eyed and awkwardly at him. I was unsure of what to say. Not able to find a perfect lie. I gulped nervously. Yes, nervously because I don’t want him to know that I paired with a ghost just because I don’t wanted to feel vulnerable but if I lie, that will also make me sound vulnerable.

“It wasn’t intentional.” I murmured.

“Oh really? Come on don’t be an angel.” He put a hand on my shoulder.

“You are so worried about me.” I smirked because he was way more distressed than me.

“I- I will be worried of course. They could kill you.” He replied trying to uphold his poker face.

“Funny. I never knew you are that of a bleeding heart.” I poked him.

“I am not a bleeding heart! It is only natural for me to be concerned.” He protested.

“Bleeding-heart~” I teased him.

He clenched his fits. I know he probably wanna blow me away with a blow of wind, but he wouldn’t.

“We are in the enemy’s base right now, there’s no time to mess with each other.” He looked back, there was a group of people coming after us. We stood up and faced towards the people approaching us.

“Karma huh.” I scoffed.

He didn’t expect me to know about this and he was begrudgingly amused, he looked at me, “How did you know about Karma?”

“I have my own ways.” I whistled.

He looked at me and said, “Full of surprises aren’t you?” he looked up and down my body, “But, you are just that small to eavesdrop in any convo.” He smirked.

There it was, his usual way to irk me up but I composed myself quickly. His usual comment over my height is just hilarious. I sighed internally.

I looked back to Quentin and Umika, they were chatting on their own. Quentin, who was amused over this summon and Umika, who was- well annoyed with him­­­, it was written all over her pretty round face.

Suddenly, I sneezed.

“You are not even resistant to cold.” He mocked me.

Slowly, he removed his jacket and put it around me.

“Aren’t you being extra nice today?” I asked him.

“Well, can’t help if you noticed it today only, darling.” He replied.

His sarcastic responses and the way he jokingly said me ‘darling’ was riling me up. If I could send him flying across with the winds, I would have done it eons ago.

He stepped forward, towards those guys who stopped at a distance. In the midst, was perhaps their leader. He wore a tuxedo black coat and omitted an aura, a vibe of authority which was perhaps intimidating. He looked middle-aged, had a prominent scar on his left cheek. A golden earring hung on his right ear. His hair were parted carefully from the center and the left side was left loosely on his face in an attempt to cover up the scar. I back off a little and sat down, close enough to whisper to Quentin.

“Quentin!” I whispered, he was in a whimsical state of happiness and disbelief.

“Quentin!” I whispered rather audibly to others.

Adriel looked over at me, “Got a problem?”

“No.” I said firmly.

He looked at me for a while, to ensure I was not lying and went up to speak to the leader whom he addressed as Behemoth.

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“Care to explain, Behemoth?” He said in a low dangerous tone.

I felt shivers through my spine as I heard his voice. It was threatening. I have never seen this side of his. I shook my head and once again called to Quentin.

He broke from his thoughts and asked abruptly, “What?”

“Who’s that guy?” I pointed towards the guy at the center.

“Behemoth. He’s a hell of a beast.” He rested his face on his palm.

“Hell of a beast? That’s a nice intro.” I scoffed, “Does he have some beastly powers or something?”

“Alchemy.” He replied nonchalantly.

“Alchemy? I thought he would have a more bulky power.” I looked at him slightly disappointed.

“Well, he is extremely rich, that’s the main point. Whatever he touch turns into gold but of course, if he wishes to turn it then only.”

I was surprised. If I had a power like that, I’d bring an army to protect me, live my life buying companies, resorts, hotels. I’d have jewels stacked to the ceiling, a fleet of luxury cars, and a mansion on every coast. Instead, here I am—a petty necromancer. I was so jealous that I was worried if my face was turning green and my hands found my cheeks instinctively. ­

“I have no idea where she summoned from.” Behemoth shrugged casually.

My attention diverted towards the guys, the tension in the air was palpable.

“Are they bad guys?” Umika asked.

I looked at her curious expression, “More or less.”

She shook her head in understanding. If anyone were to see us together, we would like three little kids sitting together, casually witnessing a fight amongst some neighborhood aunts.

“What do you mean she got summoned? She was kidnapped!” Adriel yelled at them.

“Easy brother.” A man chimed in, “She’s just a toy, why mess up your relation with us?”

“You are a toy, bastard!” I shouted casually and lift my middle finger to him with a smug expression.

“Vulgar.” Umika commented.

“Deserved.” I whispered back.

Adriel laughed at the other guy, who was obviously riled up by now. Behemoth held him back and signaled him to not do anything rash.

“Well,” he laughed, “She’s quite skilled to put bastards like you at your place. Nice move.” He clapped with a smirk on.

I looked at Quentin and whispered, “What should we do now?”

He darted at me, “What do you intend to do now.” He huffed in annoyance.

“I’m bored.” I protested childishly.

He motioned me to stay quiet and I turned my attention towards those guys.

“I need an explanation.” He demanded.

“Explanation? I have never seen her before in my life.” Behemoth replied and crossed his arms over his chest.

“So, who was the men who kidnapped her?” Adriel’s voice dropped dangerously.

There was an uncomfortable silence. All the men from the opposite party exchanged glances amongst each other.

Adriel turned towards me. His expressionless face gazing at me with unusual softness behind his ravenous black eyes.

“Lovisa. Who kidnapped you?” He asked softly.

I looked at Quentin. He took the hint and answered, “Blizzard.”

Right, I forgot his name. I turned to Adriel and replied, “Blizzard.”

He turned to Behemoth, “Where’s this fella?” He asked trying to maintain his composure as if he could erupt at any given moment.

I could see right through his expression. He was as dangerous as lurking around an active volcano that could engulf you in any moment.

“Blizzard.” He called out, his eyes scanning for him in the sea of faces.

“He’s not here.” Someone shouted from the crowd.

I don’t know if there could be a more perfect moment than this, but suddenly the nearest building was on fire and there was a huge sound of explosion.

Everyone was alarmed. I got up and so did the other two monkeys with me. The next moment, we saw icicles coming out from one of the floors.

“Could it be those two?” Quentin asked in bewilderment.

“Yeah, I guess.” I saw the dangerous combination of fire and ice at play and in the midst of it we knew was a shapeshifter struggling.

“You petty human are struggling with fire and ice.” Umika sighed.

“Can you do something?” I asked her skeptically.

“I don’t have a choice.” She shrugged proudly, “A goddess has to save the humans.”

“No one’s dying here.” Quentin chimed in.

We three looked at each other and thought of the same thing – do nothing.

We looked back at the mayhem. Ashes and ice sparks in the windy night cutting across the full moon. Water ability users controlled the raging fire. There were voices filling the otherwise quiet night.

A dragon flew out of the building. Standing close the edge were two familiar faces. Walter and Blizzard. Both the parties suffered significant damage.

Hold on—a dragon! I have never seen a dragon. I was speechless and happy and excited. My eyes might have twinkled at seeing a dragon. I suddenly felt someone nudging me. For lord’s sake, Umika.

“You have never seen a dragon?” She teased, “I have got many dragon friends, what a pity.”

She kept on flaunting, telling little tales about her dragon friends.

“But,” she added, “This is not a real dragon, he’s a human.”

I looked at her in disbelief. Not finding the right words to get out of my throats.

“I think he’s a shapeshifter or something.” She looked intently at the fake dragon.

A wave of realization washed over me. I have been so excited that I forgot Yannick exists.

“Can a shapeshifter turn into a dragon?” I muttered under my breath. It’s quite admirable to be honest.

“It’s my first time witnessing such a phenomenon, but I guess he has seen a dragon before.” She shrugged like usual.

I was dumbfound. Why, out of everyone, am I the only person to miss all the things? But, at least I have seen a shrine god. I looked at Umika. She is just like a little kid but she has that divine aura. Her white-blue marble bangs covered her little forehead.

I glanced at Quentin. He was just looking at Umika. Must be a lucky guy to summon a god but I wonder why he has been awfully quiet than before.

Adriel came over to me, striding with his long legs. He grabbed my shoulders gently, “Stay here. I am going to calm down Yannick.”

I nod my head in understanding. He flew, a blow of wind following his direction. Guys are impossible to understand.

My eyes followed his figure. He flew effortlessly and went on one of the buildings behind Yannick. They were not audible to me. But, Yannick did respond to him. I stretched my arms.

“Let’s go back.” I announced and started to walk away.

“Where?” Umika caught up to me and Quentin followed behind closely.

“To my home.” I replied.

“Why should I go with you?” Quentin spoke with irritation visible in his tone.

“Fine, don’t come.” I retort back.

He rolled his eyes as I momentarily stopped. I looked at Umika, “You’re not going back?”

“You want me to go back?” She looked at me puppy-eyed.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, “You won’t go back to the shrine?”

“Can I join you?” She pleaded, “Pleaseee...”

I let out another sigh. “Why do you want to join me?”

“Remember why I was summoned?” She asked.

I gave her a skeptical look. Quentin drew in closer eagerly.

“Gods are not easily summoned. However, if a god wants, they can be summoned accidently by the user under the same shrine.” She paused and looked at us, “I am the most mischievous deity in the shrine, and I want the extraordinary. Quentin is a capable ghost, he could open the gates of my shrine, and you on the other hand are a weak necromancer.”

The word ‘weak necromancer’ tore through my heart, “Thanks for the reminder.” I mumbled. But she is just here for fun, because I’m weak and dependent.

I looked at Quentin. He is cooperative, but not a person I could get along with. If only Olivia was here... But that’s how life is. On the contrary, I’m having a God at my side.