Rheanne stared at the small dimensional tear Brandon had just opened in the air.

’...That’s my dimensional storage skill. How did he?’

She looked up at him in surprise "How?"

Brandon gave her a gentle smile and pulled her closer, resting his forehead against hers.

"Seems like I can copy the skills of the women I have sex with..." he said softly.

Rheanne’s eyes widened even further.

For a moment, she was completely speechless. Then a wave of pure relief washed over her face.

"T-That’s a huge relief..."

She hugged him tightly, pressing her body against him as fresh tears welled up in her eyes.

"I was so scared..." she whispered into his neck.

"I was terrified of how you would protect yourself after I’m gone. Because you can’t replenish your ether without me... I didn’t know how you would survive alone."

Brandon wrapped his arms around her, "Now you don’t have to worry about that."

Rheanne pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, cupping his face with her hands.

"You got all of my skills, right?" she asked urgently. "Everything?"

Hugging her back, Brandon nodded "I did."

And since they had sex nonstop, he copied her skills completely.

A bright smile appeared on her tear-streaked face.

"You weren’t lying when you said you have unlimited ether," Brandon chuckled, gently brushing a strand of white hair behind her ear.

She smiled warmly and kissed his lips again.

"Yeah..." she whispered against his mouth. "I’m very happy now... You will survive well even without me."

She rested her forehead against his and closed her eyes as she held him close.

"At least... I don’t have to leave you completely defenseless. That was my biggest fear. Now I can ascend with a lighter heart."

Brandon hugged her tighter, burying his face in her hair.

They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped in each other’s arms as they shared one final, peaceful moment before the inevitable.

Rheanne eventually pulled back slightly and looked at him with soft, loving eyes.

"These four days... they were the happiest days of my life. Thank you, Kael. For everything."

Brandon’s gaze lowered with heavy guilt.

He closed his eyes for a moment, "Sorry... It was because of me-"

"No, Kael."

Rheanne gently cupped his face with both hands, lifting his head so he had to look at her.

"This ’Godhood’ is something you gave me. I will act on it and fulfill my purpose."

Brandon stared at her, and the guilt he had carried for years... the knowledge that he had pushed her toward this destiny weighed heavily on him in this final moment.

Rheanne smiled gently and brushed her thumb across his cheek.

"You showed me what it means to live."

"You gave me a family, laughter and love. Before you, I was simply... existing. Fighting, protecting, moving from one tower to another. But you made me feel alive, Kael."

She leaned in and kissed him softly, "So don’t apologize. I’m not angry with you. I’m grateful. Even if it means I have to leave... I’m grateful for the time we had."

Brandon pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as close as physically possible.

"I don’t want you to go. I thought I was doing the right thing... but now I just want to be selfish. I want to keep you here with me."

Rheanne hugged him back just as tightly, "I know."

"I want that too. More than anything. But... this is my path now. And I will walk it proudly, knowing that the man I love is safe and strong."

She pulled back slightly and looked into his eyes, "I will watch over you."

"From wherever I end up... I will always be watching over you and our family. So don’t carry guilt, Kael. Carry me in your heart instead."

---

Wearing her usual clothes, Rheanne stepped out of the room and walked downstairs.

In the living room, Freya, Amelia, and little Selene were sitting.

Selene was sitting on the carpet playing with a wooden toy, while Amelia sat nearby watching her with a gentle smile.

Freya stood up the moment she saw Rheanne and walked toward her without hesitation, pulling her into a tight, sisterly hug.

"I am so happy, Sister Rheanne. You are officially in our family now."

Rheanne let out a soft chuckle, hugging her back "Thank you, Freya."

She pulled back slightly, looking into Freya’s eyes with a gentle but serious expression.

"Before that... I want you to do something for me."

"Just tell me what you want, Sister Rheanne."

Rheanne nodded, "Send a word to your brother. Ask him to deliver my message to the Emperors and all the major powers."

She paused for a moment, then continued with quiet authority...

"This Goddess Rheanne will ascend to Godhood today, leaving this mortal world. Everyone should gather at the Holy Land before this evening."

Freya blinked her eyes in confusion "W-What...?"

---

The sun was setting in a blaze of crimson and gold, painting the sky over Sanctum in breathtaking hues.

Thousands upon thousands of people had gathered outside the Grand Temple, the heart of the Holy Land.

The wide plaza and surrounding avenues were packed shoulder to shoulder.

Common citizens, pilgrims, merchants, soldiers, nobles, and even entire delegations from distant kingdoms stood together in a sea of humanity.

Torches and glowing lanterns had been lit, casting flickering golden light across the massive crowd.

Whispers rippled through the gathering like wind through wheat.

"Today is the day... the Goddess is ascending..."

"I heard the message from the Emperors themselves. She will leave the mortal world and become a true God..."

"A miracle... we are witnessing a living miracle..."

"Will she bless us one last time before she ascends?"

Some people wept openly. Others prayed on their knees.

Children were held high on shoulders so they could see. Vendors had long since given up trying to sell anything; everyone was here for one reason only.

On a raised platform near the temple steps stood the most powerful figures of this era.

Emperor Valerian Bleaufort of Eurasania, Emperor Aldric of the Cene Empire, and the Emperors who were able to come on short notice.

High nobles, archbishops, and representatives from every major power were present.

The entire world seemed to have paused to witness this historic event.

Inside the Grand Temple’s private sanctuary, Rheanne stood in the center of the chamber wearing her most elegant white and silver robes.

The green pendant Brandon had given her rested against her chest, glowing faintly.

She looked radiant... and heartbreakingly beautiful.

Brandon stood beside her, dressed in simple black attire.

Freya stood on Rheanne’s other side with a trembling smile on her lips.

Amelia held little Selene in her arms, and the three-year-old looked around curiously, sensing something important was happening but not fully understanding.

Rheanne turned to look at them.

A soft smile spred on her lips as she reached out and gently touched Selene’s cheek.

"Thank you... For giving me these beautiful years and letting me be part of your family."

Freya stepped forward and hugged her tightly, unable to hold back her tears.

"You will always be part of this family. No matter where you go."

Amelia joined the hug, holding Selene between them. The little girl reached out and hugged Rheanne’s neck.

Finally, she turned to Brandon.

Rheanne stepped close and hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder.

Hugging her tightly, he whispered "We will surely meet again, Rheanne."

"I hope the same."

Outside, the crowd’s whispers grew louder as the light around the temple began to shift.

A soft, divine glow started emanating from the Grand Temple, signaling that the ascension was about to begin.

Rheanne pulled back slightly and looked into Brandon’s eyes one final time.

"Take care of them," she whispered. "And take care of yourself."

Brandon could only nod, unable to speak past the lump in his throat.

With one last gentle smile, Rheanne turned and walked toward the central altar of the temple, where the light was brightest.

The time has come.