After the heartfelt breakfast and the emotional conversations that followed, the time had finally come for us to leave.

Seraphiel’s mother hugged her daughter tightly one last time, tears shimmering in her mismatched eyes.

"Promise me you’ll come back and visit again soon," she whispered, stroking Seraphiel’s hair.

"Don’t make us wait another three hundred years."

"I promise, Mom," Seraphiel replied, her voice thick with emotion as she hugged her back just as tightly.

"I’ll find a way. I swear."

Her father wrapped his arms around both of them, then stepped back and gave me a firm handshake, his silver eyes warm but serious.

"Take care of her, Aestrea. She’s our greatest treasure. If you ever hurt her, I’ll find a way to cross realms just to kick your ass."

I smiled and nodded.

"I understand. I’ll protect her with everything I have."

Seraphiel’s mother turned to me next, pulling me into a warm, motherly hug.

"Thank you again," she said softly. "For bringing her home. For making her smile like that. You’re always welcome here."

I returned the hug gently.

"Thank you for welcoming me so openly."

We stepped outside the floating home, standing on the crystal platform as the twin moons hung beautifully in the twilight sky.

The goodbyes stretched on for a few more minutes with more hugs, more promises, and more tears from Seraphiel’s mother.

Finally, Seraphiel turned to me, wiping her eyes.

"I’m ready," she said quietly, though her voice still carried a hint of reluctance to leave.

I took her hand and opened a portal with a snap of my fingers. The silver rift bloomed in front of us, leading back to the Divine Realm.

Before we stepped through, Seraphiel turned back one last time.

"I love you both," she called out.

"I’ll come back as soon as I can."

Her parents stood together, waving with teary smiles.

"We love you too, sweetheart! Come home soon!"

We stepped through the portal together.

The moment we emerged on the other side, the dry desert heat of the Far North greeted us once again. The blood-red sun was still high in the sky, but something felt... off.

I frowned slightly, checking the flow of time.

In Elyria, we had spent roughly one full day and night. But here in the Divine Realm, that translated to three full days.

The timing aligned perfectly with the audience Seraphiel had arranged with Goddess Horae.

Seraphiel noticed my expression and tilted her head.

"Is everything alright, my Lord?"

I nodded, still holding her hand.

"Yes. The time dilation worked in our favor. We’re right on schedule for the meeting."

She smiled softly, though there was still a lingering sadness in her eyes from leaving her parents. I gently squeezed her hand.

"We’ll go back again soon," I promised.

"After we settle things here."

Her wings fluttered once in quiet happiness.

"Thank you... for everything."

Seraphiel and I made our way toward the heart of the desert city.

The massive central temple grew larger with every step, its golden spires piercing the blood-red sky like a crown of divinity.

The air around it felt heavier, charged with that same pure, concentrated energy I had sensed earlier.

As we approached the grand staircase leading up to the temple’s entrance, a group of figures emerged from the shadows of the massive golden doors.

There were at least thirty of them, all women, moving in complete sync.

They were dressed in what could only be described as "priestly" attire, yet the clothing was far from modest.

Flowing crimson and white fabrics draped their bodies in elegant but highly revealing ways, with long slits running up the sides of their legs, deep necklines that exposed the curves of their breasts, and sheer panels that hinted at smooth skin beneath.

Golden accents and chains adorned their waists and wrists, jingling softly with each step.

Every single one of them wore a crimson veil that covered their nose and mouth, leaving only their eyes visible.

They stopped in a perfect formation at the base of the stairs, bowing deeply in unison.

One of them, a tall priestess with beautiful green eyes, stepped forward and spoke in a calm yet polite voice.

"Our Goddess has been expecting you, Lord Aestrea. She welcomes you and your companion into her sanctum."

I studied them for a moment before opening my mouth to reply.

"Lead the way," I said simply.

The priestesses rose as one and turned, forming two neat columns on either side of the wide staircase.

Seraphiel stayed close to my right side as we ascended. The marble steps were warm beneath our feet, humming faintly with divine energy.

Inside the temple, the atmosphere shifted.

The air was cooler, scented with incense and something floral.

Massive pillars lined the hall, each one carved with intricate scenes of Horae’s conquest and blessings.

Soft golden light filtered down from above, illuminating the space in an almost sacred glow.

The priestesses guided us deeper, their footsteps silent on the polished floor.

None of them spoke again.

Their crimson veils hid their expressions, but their eyes remained fixed ahead as if nothing else interested them.

We passed through several grand chambers , each one more grandiose than the last, until we reached a set of enormous double gates at the end of a long corridor.

The gates were made of solid gold, engraved with flowing runes and images of the goddess.

The priestesses stopped on either side of the gates, bowing their heads once more. They remained completely silent, making no move to open the doors.

I raised an eyebrow.

After a few seconds of stillness, I stepped forward and tapped the gate lightly with my knuckles.

Thud...

The massive gates swung open forcefully on their own, as if pushed by an invisible hand. Golden light spilled out from within, bathing the corridor.

Just then, a delicate yet extremely sultry voice drifted out from the chamber beyond...

"Oh my... I didn’t expect the legendary Aestrea, God of Karma, to be so fierce~"

The voice was beautiful, being feminine, confident, and carrying an undercurrent of playful power. It echoed softly through the hall until it reached to my ears.

Seraphiel tensed slightly beside me, her wings twitching. I remained calm, stepping forward into the chamber with her at my side.

The inner sanctum was breathtaking.

A vast circular room with a domed ceiling that seemed to open up to the red sky itself.

Golden pillars encircled the space, and in the center stood a raised dais with a grand throne made of shimmering crystal and gold.

Seated upon it was a woman of extraordinary beauty.

Horae.

She lounged elegantly on her throne, one leg crossed over the other. Her long, flowing hair was a cascade of shimmering silver and gold, changing colors subtly as she moved.

Her eyes were a striking amber, glowing dimly with a hint of what seemed to be interest on her eyes.

She wore a regal yet revealing gown of white and crimson that clung to her figure, with strategic cuts and drapes that accentuated her curves without being vulgar.

A golden crown rested lightly on her head, shaped like intertwined vines and blooming flowers.

"Welcome, Aestrea," she welcomed me with a strangely seductive tone.

"I’ve been looking forward to this meeting. The God of Karma himself, walking into my humble domain. To what do I owe the honor?"

I stopped a respectful distance from the dais, with Seraphiel standing right beside me.

"I’m here because I felt the aura of three beings that I’ve been looking for here in this place. And of course, I want to know where they are, or why their aura was here."

Horae tilted her head, her amber eyes sparkling as she looked at me.

"Straight to the point. I like that." She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. "But answers are never free, are they? Especially not from a goddess."

The air in the chamber grew slightly heavier, though her smile never wavered.

I met her gaze without flinching.

"Then name your price."

Horae leaned back on her throne, her amber eyes narrowing thoughtfully. For a long moment, she said nothing.

Her gaze slowly traveled over me, from the top of my head, down my face, across my shoulders and chest, lingering on my arms, my torso, my legs, and back up again.

It was a slow, appraising look, almost hungry in its intensity. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Finally, she let out a soft, blissful sigh.

"You’re really handsome..." she murmured, her voice dripping with genuine appreciation.

"Probably the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen in my entire life."

I raised an eyebrow at her words, slightly taken aback by the sudden compliment.

Horae smiled wider, a playful, almost predatory glint in her eyes.

"Heh~ Because of that, I... just want to have a fight with you. And if you win, I’ll tell you everything you want to know."

I was a little confused at first.

A fight?

After all the buildup, that was her condition?

But then I looked closer.

Her amber eyes had changed.

The playful amusement was still there, but beneath it burned something fierce... a wild, battle-hungry gleam that reminded me strongly of Zeva and Yara.

The same kind of untamed excitement for combat.

I understood instantly.

A small smile curved my lips.

"Alright," I said.

"I’ll fight you as much as you want."

Horae’s grin turned sharp and delighted, like a predator who had just found worthy prey.

She rose gracefully from her throne, the golden fabric of her gown flowing around her like liquid sunlight.

"Oh, I was hoping you’d say that~"

Rustle...!

The air in the sanctum suddenly changed as I felt a strong divine energy flow through the walls, reinforcing them considerably.

The golden light grew brighter, more intense, as if the temple itself was preparing for the coming clash.

Seraphiel tensed beside me, her wings flaring slightly in readiness, but I raised a hand to calm her.

"This one’s mine."

Horae stepped down from the dais, her bare feet silent on the polished floor. Her amber eyes locked onto mine with pure, exhilarating hunger.

"Then let us begin, God of Karma."