It was around noon when, under a torrential downpour accompanied by fierce gusts of wind, a hooded rider sped along a country road that ran beside a river.

For several days now, he had been galloping continuously, stopping only to allow his horse to eat and rest briefly. Despite this, the steed grew ever more exhausted from the mad ride. Fortunately for that brave animal, this day would mark the end of that long and arduous journey or rather, the end of that frantic dash.

Indeed, the rider’s objective was to deliver something important and fragile to a safe place as quickly as possible.

Why so quickly?

Because the rider was an extremely busy person perhaps even overly so. He needed to complete the delivery at once in order to return to his daily work, which had undoubtedly piled up during his absence.

And that was indeed the case.

_________________________

Hour after hour passed relentlessly in the pouring rain. Luckily, the rider had been wise enough to take with him his large black cloak, which completely covered him and provided total protection against water and temperature fluctuations.

His package could only be grateful for that.

Alas, the cloak could not distract the rider from the boredom that weighed upon him during his journey. Moreover, his horse was gradually slowing down due to its increasing fatigue.

Finally, late in the afternoon, the rider caught sight of Eriana, his destination.

This small farming village belonged to the kingdom of Esthia and was home to about a hundred inhabitants, mostly humans. Yet a few notable figures also lived there, a family of dwarves running a forge, a talented half-elf shoemaker, and a captivating halfling bookseller. But the rider was looking for someone else in particular, a person presents in this rather insignificant village in the eyes of the world.

At last, the rider arrived before the large wooden gates that served as the village entrance and dismounted. Two guards stepped out from their sentry post and approached him.

Both men were clad entirely in leather armor and wore simple leather helmets that revealed only their faces. Each held a spear in his right hand, while a short sword hung from his belt. The only distinct difference between the two was that one bore more aged features and sported a thick beard reaching his chest, whereas the other was younger and completely clean-shaven.

—  Who are you here for? asked the older guard in a loud, guttural voice designed to be heard clearly amid the deluge.

At this question, the stranger slowly raised his head so that the guard could see his face, and especially his eyes. The guard’s reaction was immediate: he bowed at once.

—  Please forgive us, Professor.

—  I forgive you, the Professor replied softly and clearly.

The guard then straightened up, and the Professor offered him the reins of his horse.

—  This brave beast needs a long rest, he added, patting the horse’s neck, before resuming his journey under the astonished gaze of the second guard.

—  You haven’t seen anything, and I was never here.

The latter guard bowed as well and acquiesced to that request before turning toward his colleague, who had already gone to stow the horse in the nearest stable.

Wishing to avoid getting muddy on the village’s wet roads in the pouring rain, the Professor made purple plaques appear beneath each of his steps, levitating just above the ground.

After several minutes of this levitating walk, he finally arrived at a large half-timbered house in perfect condition.

—  About time…

Standing before the entrance door, he knocked three times with a ring-shaped knocker.

Knock, knock, knock.

A few seconds later, the door slowly opened to reveal a stunning young woman.

She had short, dark ash-colored hair and beautiful blue eyes. She wore a long dress of the same blue as her eyes and a leather belt from which hung a long, slender case along her right leg.

Not expecting any visitors in this foul weather, the young woman concealed her surprise behind a charming smile.

—  Good evening… How may I help you? she asked politely.

—  Good evening, Ophélia. It has been a long time.

The hooded man then slowly lifted his head to meet the young woman’s face, and their eyes eventually locked.

At that moment, Ophélia jumped in surprise, recognizing the individual before her.

—  Director Ogme? But… what are you doing here?

Ogme allowed a very slight smile to grace his usually impassive face.

—  Before I answer you, could you please let me in? I have just completed a long journey of several days to reach here, in this endless rain.

—  Ah! Yes, yes, come in. I’m terribly sorry, I forgot my manners.

—  There is no harm.

Slightly flustered by her awkwardness at this unexpected visit, Ophélia stepped back to let her guest enter.

The entrance led directly into a long corridor spanning the width of the building, with a staircase leading to the upper floor at its far end.

Once Ogme had crossed the threshold, Ophélia retrieved from her case a silver wand, the tip of which was set with a purple crystal about the size of a walnut, and pointed it at her guest. The purple crystal then began to glow softly, and within moments all traces of water on Ogme’s black cloak evaporated.

—  Thank you, Ophélia. For a moment, I truly thought I would end up completely charred.

The young woman pursed her lips slightly before replying to this slight barb.

—  Hmm! I have greatly improved since leaving the academy.

For a second, Ogme’s face displayed a very slight, satisfied smile.

—  And that can only please me.

Thus, on that positive note, Director Ogme followed Ophélia into the living room, whose entrance was situated in the middle of the corridor, to the right of the front door and facing the dining room.

The living room occupied half of the house and also housed the library, which extended along the wall opposite the entrance. A fireplace was located to the left of the entrance, centered on the wall, while a door and two windows led to the garden on the same wall’s left side. Two V-shaped sofas faced the fireplace, with a coffee table between them.

Upon entering the living room, Ogme noticed a man with striking large blue eyes, robustly built, with short brown hair, dressed in a simple beige shirt and brown trousers. This man was seated on the back sofa, polishing a fine-quality sword while enjoying the warmth of the fireplace.

Seeing that her husband had not noticed the hooded man, Ophélia cleared her throat gently to call his attention.

—  Hmm! Volden, dear, we have a visitor.

The man looked up toward his wife, then turned to the hooded man beside her.

—  Oh!

Volden then set his sword aside and quickly rose to greet his guest.

—  Please excuse me, I wasn’t expecting anyone, he apologized.

—  There is no harm done. After all, I did not announce my arrival.

The two men shook hands in greeting, and once that was done, Ogme removed his hood, thereby revealing his face to Volden.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

It turned out that the unexpected guest was an elderly elf, his long light-blond hair neatly styled behind his pointed ears. And, notably, this elf possessed almond-shaped eyes like a starry night sky, with white pupils that glittered like full moons.

Seeing these unique eyes, Volden jumped in surprise, for he had just recognized his very special guest.

—  You are Ogme, the Deity of Knowledge and Understanding?! But… what are you doing here… on such an evening?

The Deity smiled at Volden’s perfectly predictable reaction before swiftly resuming his naturally impassive expression.

—  If I have come here, it is because I have an important request to make of you.

A complete silence fell over the room, broken only by the crackling of the fire.

Volden and Ophélia were in shock, for one of Ilnolia’s six Deities had personally asked them for help. Moreover, it was Ogme, the Deity who rarely traveled and spent most of his time managing his academy and the Great Library of Agnos, the largest library in the world, the fruit of his divine work.

Once they had recovered from their emotions, Volden wished to know more about the Deity’s request, despite his hesitant manner.

—  And… what can we do for you?

In response, the Deity removed his black cloak that entirely concealed him, revealing his slender and elegant elven build, clad in a long dark-blue robe. The robe’s sleeves were adorned with fine gold trimmings, and it was secured by a leather belt from which various pouches were hung around his waist. The robe was magnificent, accentuating the Deity’s natural beauty.

But the most striking element in the scene was the baby nestled against Ogme’s chest, held in place by a white scarf.

Both Ophélia’s and Volden’s eyes immediately fell upon the child, who slept peacefully as the Deity freed him from the scarf and offered him to Ophélia.

The young woman gently took the baby, but the infant gradually began to stir, gazing at her before being returned to the Deity.

—  Is this… yours? she asked, her voice tinged with hesitation.

Ogme then adopted a slightly offended air.

—  Do you really think I have time to concern myself with such matters?

—  Uh… on second thought, no. But… if he isn’t yours, then to whom does he belong?

Ogme paused before replying.

—  He is the son of a close friend, but that person… is unfortunately unable to care for him at the moment and the same goes for the father.

At this, Volden broke his silence.

—  So, if I understand correctly, your close friend is a Deity and, therefore, this child is a Nephilim?

The Deity kept his surprise to himself, for Volden had been entirely correct.

—  That is absolutely right. And if I have come all this way, it is to entrust him to you.

That sentence sent an unpleasant shiver down Ophélia’s spine, as she gently rocked the baby in her arms before coming to an abrupt stop.

—  Why did you choose us? she asked weakly, almost in a whisper.

—  In general, I try to keep an eye on my former students. And so…I recently learned that you had ended your career as an adventurer and had settled in a quiet place in order to have a child…

Ophélia sharply interrupted the Deity.

—  To then take him from us and return him to his rightful parents when they have time to care for him!

A heavy silence fell over the living room, only to be swiftly broken by Ogme, who replied to the young woman in a calm and measured voice.

—  That is not part of the plan. In truth…

Ogme paused again as his gaze fell upon the baby, who was beginning to stir slightly in Ophélia’s arms.

Indeed, the child had awoken because the heavy atmosphere displeased him. It was only once he had been soothed by the gentle rocking that Ogme resumed speaking.

—  …his parents are no longer of this world.

At that most unexpected news, the couple’s faces turned horrified, and many questions arose in Volden’s mind.

—  But how… is that possible? How can one kill a Deity? Who is powerful enough to do that? And why would anyone do such a thing? What could be gained from killing one?

Ogme then answered in a monotone voice, carefully choosing his words and information.

—  As far back as I can remember, whenever a Deity loses their mortal body, an unceasing rain falls over Ilnolia for several days… His mother… was not a powerful combat Deity and… she must have faced someone far superior to her and to her Guardian…

A new silence settled in the room, a silence that spoke volumes about the current situation.

The young couple had just learned that a Deity, a being capable of changing the world with powers beyond the reach of Ilnolia’s inhabitants, had been slain. Such an event had not occurred for several centuries.

Once this information was digested, or not, Ophélia broke the heavy silence with a worried air.

—  And the baby? Is he in danger?

—  Normally, no. His parents have ensured that his existence remains a secret… Even I was not aware… So, normally, we are the only ones who know of him.

The young couple exchanged glances for a few moments before turning their attention back to the baby, who was slowly beginning to open his eyes toward Ophélia.

The new expression he displayed was complex, yet neither hostile nor frightening.

The Nephilim baby released his arms from the cover and slowly stretched them toward this new face, as if reaching out to caress it.

It was then that Ophélia noticed the raven-blue, shiny hair and the silvery eyes of the baby, clear signs that he was indeed the son of a Deity and thus, a Nephilim.

That simple, innocent action of the baby brought a broad, tender smile to Ophélia’s face, and the baby, in turn, smiled with his mouth agape.

Following this, the atmosphere in the room lightened, and the young woman turned to Volden, who also smiled. With a determined air, Ophélia then addressed the Deity Ogme.

—  Alright, we will take care of him.

Ogme’s face relaxed slightly, and he bowed before the young couple.

—  Thank you for accepting my request, and on behalf of his parents, thank you very much.

Seeing Ogme bow, Volden wished to reassure him by confirming his wife’s words.

—  Don’t worry, Deity Ogme, we will take good care of him. By the way, what is this little fellow’s name?

Ogme straightened up before answering.

—  His parents named him Elwyn. He is two months old, and he was born on the fifteenth day of the second month of summer.

Upon hearing his name, the Nephilim baby tried to turn his head toward Ogme.

Noticing this, Ophélia called out to him.

—  Elwyn, are you alright?

The baby then turned his head toward Ophélia and looked at her with an inquisitive expression, then stirred slightly.

—  That reaction impressed Volden.

—  He recognizes his name already at his age?

Ogme then turned to Volden.

—  Indeed, his level of awareness is far more advanced than that of a human baby… Incidentally, this reminds me that I have a few little things to give you, so that he may enjoy a better quality of life.

Ogme rummaged through the pouches hanging around his waist and retrieved a small purse, which he handed to Volden.

—  This is a small financial compensation from me and his parents.

Volden’s right hand dropped lower than he had expected under the weight of the purse.

—  To each his own idea of ‘small compensation’…

Ophélia smiled at her husband’s reaction, while Ogme completely ignored it, too occupied with searching his belongings until he eventually found something after several seconds.

—  And I have something else for him.

At that moment, Ogme produced from another pouch a rather ordinary bronze ring, which he handed to Ophélia.

—  What is that?

—  It would be much simpler if you gave it to him directly.

The young woman complied, taking the bronze ring from Ogme’s hand and bringing it closer to Elwyn.

Once it was about twenty centimeters away from the Nephilim baby, his eyes changed color and turned blue. This sudden change surprised Volden, though not as much Ophélia.

—  It’s a concealment ring! she exclaimed.

—  That’s exactly it. As long as he remains within the ring’s effective range, he can pass as an ordinary human in the eyes of most of the world.

Volden then interjected on the Deity’s words.

—  Do you really believe we can hide his true nature from the world?

Ogme grew pensive.

—  The most important thing is that people do not, for now, discover that he is a Nephilim. So, if any doubts arise, we’ll simply say he’s just a half-Entity.

—  I see. And for his origins, what should we say?

—  The truth. You say that I entrusted him to you because he lost his parents and that you know absolutely nothing about them.

Ophélia sighed slightly.

—  Pfft… That means we’ll have to spend our time lying about everything and everyone…

Ogme’s expression grew tense upon hearing the word, lie, as dishonesty is his greatest enemy as the Deity of Knowledge and Understanding.

—  Indeed, it is likely to be difficult to live with, but it is a matter of his safety, and yours.

Volden then turned to the Nephilim baby.

—  And what about him? Will we have to lie to him as well?

—  It is impossible to lie completely about this matter. He is aware that he is a half-Entity. I have thus locked away a large part of his memory until he is ready to know everything.

—  And… when do you suppose that will be? asked the young woman, with a certain curiosity.

—  When I deem it appropriate. In the meantime, I will come to see you at least once a year to monitor his progress and give you advice on managing his various powers.

Ophélia regarded Elwyn thoughtfully.

—  That’s true… he possesses the powers of a Deity…

—  Yes, but there is no need to worry about that now. It will be several more years before he can do anything.

A long silence then settled to allow the young couple to absorb all this new information.

Meanwhile, Ogme looked out the window and noticed that it was growing late. He then decided it was time to depart and put his cloak back on before handing Ophélia the baby’s travel scarf.

—  With that, I shall leave you with little Elwyn.

Surprised, Volden turned to Ogme.

—  You’re leaving already? In this rain?

—  I’m going to explain your current situation to the village chief and then head to the inn before returning to Agnos tomorrow morning. Hopefully, it will have stopped raining by then…

—  You know, we have lodging for you here if you wish.

—  That’s very kind of you, but I have already taken enough of your time. And I think you need to come to terms with the situation you find yourselves in now.

—  If you say so…

The young couple then escorted Ogme to the front door of the house and watched him depart in the rain before closing the door behind him.

Volden and Ophélia then proceeded to the living room and sat on the sofa with their Nephilim baby sleeping peacefully in Ophélia’s arms.

Gradually, they began to comprehend everything that had occurred on that unusual evening.