Mistress Of The Evil Forest-J-N 5: End of an era.

Jennifer Nova is a woman of commitment.

That is perhaps a result of her growing environment, but she likes to believe she always has it in her. Back in the early twenty-seven hundred years, humanity had seemingly reached its peak.

Technology reached a point where it had handily prepared humans to start exploring the universe, this time not through telescopes and planet-bound instruments but through ambitious missions carrying spacecraft. Miraculously, mankind had managed not to blow itself up, and the average quality of life across the planet skyrocketed by the year.

At a point where living humans were the happiest, some sort of complacency naturally took over.

...And that was when the threat struck, plunging the world into a bitter wasteland. Darkness enveloped the planet, but not without a single ray of light shining through—Jennifer Nova.

Jennifer had worked for the better part of a thousand years, ascending the realm of mortals as she persevered, so much so in the timeline without Aurora, and still so in the reality with her.

Now, with things seemingly fallen into place, she can finally take a well-deserved rest.

Roughly ten days after the dome is broken, Jennifer—no, Neveah wakes up to a softly lit ceiling.

''...''

Her surroundings are soaked with a solemn color, almost as if moonlight has infiltrated every corner of the room. Here, only the distant bustle of the world is heard, sinking her senses into an endless abyss.

The first thing that comes to Neveah's mind is Yggdrasil, and thankfully, the sparkling egg still cozily lies beside her.

''Good morning.''

Following the calm voice, the goddess's gaze falls upon a figure by the side of the bed—an eerily beautiful woman whose silhouette seems to melt into the shadow.

Still with that thin smile, still with those unfathomable eyes—it's her Aurora.

''...Isn't it evening?'' Neveah replies, somewhat used to the strange way her old friend talks. ''Anyway, seeing you like this... everything is still fine, right?''

''Maybe?''

''What do you mean 'maybe'?''

Aurora lightly shrugs, darting her gaze out the window.

''I've told my past... rather, current self what I needed to. Now, it's all up to her.''

''...''

Somewhere in her ever-serene voice, Neveah hears something akin to hope. Perhaps this is what they have been reaching for after all.

Letting out a sigh, the young goddess takes some time to drag herself off the bed, getting her joints moving and muscles contracting after days of inactivity. Even though her body is of divinity, nothing can stop it from getting a bit rusty after a while.

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As Neveah refreshes her appearance in front of the dressing mirror, something catches her eye—she looks a lot better, maybe thanks to the ten-day nap she just took. So even a goddess can seem disheveled when lacking rest.

'I guess sleep really does matter.'

''Right?''

As always, Aurora, who definitely can read thoughts, interrupts her inner monologue.

''Reading thoughts is not a thing, you know? Consciousness is still very much something incomprehensible to me.''

''You... okay, let's not do this anymore.''

Resigned, Neveah stands still for a few seconds, then turns back to the bed. Knowing that her responsibilities are temporarily nulled, all she wants is another season of hibernation—this time, a proper, whole season.

And, as if knowing this beforehand, Aurora gently pats the bed, seeming just a tad smug.

Yet, Neveah has something else to ask of Aurora.

''Are you really okay with it?''

''Hm?''

''The convergence. Won't the current you fizzle out in the end?''

The two have been companions for centuries. Neveah knows more than enough to realize that the Aurora she knows—as a being—is much, much greater than the other version of herself.

So, Neveah doesn't fear losing her friend. If it were so, she wouldn't be so calm right now.

But if this Aurora doesn't disappear... then wouldn't there be a chance that the other one does? By then, lots of people would miss her, and for this person who has swum all the way back to this point... she wouldn't want it.

''I'm not sure. I've never been there, nor did I ever witness a convergence... but I have a feeling it will go well.'' Aurora chuckles. ''Either she disappears... or I do. Maybe we will both come out of it unscathed. Who knows.''

''...''

At the end of the day, there's nothing Neveah can really do. No, perhaps she does.

''...!''

''Just a hug before you go out.''

A hug.

People are reluctant to hug Aurora. They fear the bottomless void inside her, that it will sink them down to realms of no return. However, Neveah is different—she adores making contact with this person.

There's a whirling, bubbling aura around her body that makes for excellent hugging material. She is comfortably cold—just like a hug pillow untainted by human heat.

Most of all, the young goddess relishes Aurora's dumbfounded reaction every time. If this isn't affection, then what is?

Such is the question Neveah asks herself every now and then.

'Has it been three... no, four hundred years?'

Drowning in the endless work, Neveah hasn't learned of her admiration for her long-time partner for so long. Thinking back, maybe this love is just right.

Jennifer Nova had always been fascinated with stars and planets since she was a child—it is the reason she headed down the road of science in the first place. She didn't find their existence incredible—she was mesmerized by their beauty.

So, to have someone who resembles the very body of the universe so deeply in front of her... how can she resist further?

''Oh.''

Yanking herself and Aurora onto the bed, the young goddess decidedly climbs on top of her target. Still that never-breaking composure, still that thin smile—Aurora seems as mysterious and eerie as always. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

And Neveah intends to break that today.

Just, one time before everything changes. One time before the end of this era.

''...Are you very surprised?'' Neveah mutters, caressing her partner's cold cheek. ''I...''

Unexpectedly, what comes out of Aurora's mouth is a chuckle.

''See? I told you reading thoughts wasn't a thing.'' She says. ''Though, I can't say I didn't anticipate this at all.''

''So you knew. And you still didn't make a move. Both of us are cowards, huh?''

''No way. You didn't even have time to rest. It wouldn't be just for me to force that out of you, would it?''

''...''

No matter what it is, Neveah doesn't care all that much anymore. That intention is reflected clearly on her face, in her fiery orange eyes, and even without them, Aurora can understand it all.

They have been together for the better part of a thousand years.

So, there needs no more words between the two.

Neveah's bleach white hair glistens under the aurora borealis's light as she leans down, pouring onto and tainting the pitch-black rivers flowing below.

Their breaths join, heat shared, and the two become one... just for this night.