“But Aion, if you leave the academy, what will you do?” his mother asks.

“I don’t know, learn how to fish or paint or something.”

“So you have no plan,” she states plainly without disdain, yet he flusters.

“I-I’ll figure it out as I go.”

“I’m just worried for your future, Oni. You’ll become an outcast in our society, and the mortals tend to fear us. Please help me understand why you would make such a choice.”

He sighs wearily, making him look closer to his old age. “The nearer graduation draws, the more I realize it’s just not for me. I don’t want to be responsible for maintaining a galaxy, let alone the universe. Or deciding the fate of quintillions of mortals and millions of immortals. Just thinking about it makes me want to take a 10-year nap.”

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She pauses for a moment, considering his words. “So what do you want?”

“To live a simple life, like a mortal… To die someday.”

Her face softens as she draws him near, cradling him as if he were still her little Oni. “Responsibility can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It brought you to me.”

He closes his eyes and rests his head on her lap as her hand gently brushes his nape. “And I am proud to be your son… But I want to find my own way. I need to.”

Her hand gently squeezes his shoulder. “I understand.”

His body relaxes deeper, a huge weight lifted, but some tension remains. “Can you help me think of what to say to Dad? I know he’ll be disappointed.”

“You might be surprised. He didn’t step into Godhood right away either.”

“He didn’t?! He always makes it seem like he never had any doubts. Plus, all he talks about is his son becoming the next God.”

“Oh, he has doubts all the time, Oni. Being God comes with a lot of pressure. Just be honest with him like you were with me. He may be disappointed initially, but in time, I’m sure he’ll come to understand. He loves you dearly.”

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll tell him soon.” Aion drifts off to sleep, feeling at peace for the first time in centuries.