They had flown across a large portion of the city, and now they had reached a point where they would have to continue on foot.
As they walked, Aiden asked, "What do the ’Fourth’ and ’Fifth’ titles an? The ones you and Jorus carry."
Thera glanced at him with a slight smile. "Oh, those of us with the numbered titles are siblings. Jorus ca into this world before , so he’s the Fourth and I’m the Fifth."
Aiden scoffed. "That is sort of redundant. Titles should have more symbolic anings."
Thera laughed genuinely. "Here, they do," she said.
They continued walking through streets of Eden, passing towering structures of crystalline stone. Other gods moved about in the distance, so glancing curiously at Aiden before quickly averting their eyes.
Eventually, they reached a temple that looked as though it had been carved from the very fabric of the cosmos itself.
The structure was surrounded by swirling nebulae and distant stars, with constellations drifting slowly across its surface.
The temple felt surreal.
"This is Umgadi’s temple," Thera said as they approached.
Umgadi was at the center, and her presence felt commanding even though she was silent.
She was tall, with dark skin marked by glowing constellation patterns that moved slowly across her face and arms.
Her expression was unreadable. In truth it was hard to tell what Umgadi was thinking of at any point in ti.
"Welco, Dragon Vessel, I am Umgadi, The Second" she said in a really calm voice.
Aiden nodded in acknowledgnt.
There was a brief silence that followed right after.
Umgadi was not exactly the chatty type, but Aiden could sense no hostility from her either.
Thera stepped aside slightly, giving them space.
Aiden decided to cut through the formalities. "What’s the actual reason for calling here?"
Umgadi’s expression didn’t change, but after a mont, she spoke.
"The long and short of it is that you killed a god," she said. "Two, even."
Aiden replied just as quickly. "The death of those gods was the only retribution that fit their cris."
"Hm..." Umgadi muttered. "And what say you were these cris?"
Aiden replied, "Lucina directly ca after my wife and left her to the fate of death."
Umgadi’s constellation patterns slowed their movent across her skin, a subtle sign of her attention sharpening. "Why exactly would she do such a thing?"
Aiden exhaled slowly. "Lucina kept forcing my hand to grant her a boon. When I wasn’t forthcoming, she targeted one of my wives."
Both goddesses’ eyes widened at that revelation.
Thera laughed just a bit, shaking her head. "Jorus’s mistress was one ambitious, conniving witch."
Aiden glanced at Thera, then back at Umgadi. "Makes sense why Jorus held so much hate toward ."
Umgadi remained focused, continuing with the next bit of the conversation. "But how did Herxes get involved in this matter?"
Aiden shrugged slightly. "I don’t know the full details, but he ca along with her, and if i rember correctly, he wanted the boon as well."
Umgadi’s gaze bore into him for a brief mont. "Do you truly speak the truth, Dragon Vessel?"
Aiden scoffed and shook his head. "Give one reason why I would bother lying."
Thera stepped forward, with her amber eyes glowing as she watched Aiden.
"There’s no deception in his words, he speaks the truth," she said with certainty.
Umgadi sighed. "This is... disappointing. Jorus didn’t have the full facts straight"
"Or he did, but chose to go with a version that fuels his anger. How typical." Thera added.
Umgadi then turned , as though preparing to leave. "There’s no need to inquire further concerning the allegations about Va either," she said. "It seems this entire matter has been blown out of proportion."
She glanced back at Aiden briefly. "I apologize for this inconvenience, Dragon Vessel. I’ll leave the rest to Thera."
She took one step toward the temple’s exit.
"Wait," Aiden called out.
Umgadi paused and turned her head back toward him.
"Is that it?" Aiden asked, sowhat in disbelief. "What about the Chief of Gods who asked for ? In truth, I myself also seek an audience with him."
Umgadi spoke calmly.
"The Chief of Gods assigned us to look into the matter regarding the deaths of gods by your hand. He wanted us to discuss and reach an understanding with the Vessel of the Dragon, to be certain that the new vessel has not beco conceited or begun targeting gods for no conceivable reason."
She paused, then added:
"However, he himself is currently attending to a matter of great importance and may not be able to grant you an audience at this ti."
Aiden waved his index finger dismissively. "No, no, no," he said firmly. "I’m not simply going to take that."
Both goddesses turned their attention back to him.
"It was due to that invitation from him that I ca to Eden," Aiden continued. "And now that I’m here, I will be granted an audience with the Chief of Gods before I leave."
Umgadi’s expression remained calm, though her constellation patterns flickered slightly faster across her skin. She exchanged a glance with Thera, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
After a long mont, Umgadi let out another sigh.
"Very well," she said. "I will see to it that you are granted an audience with the Chief of Gods."
"But in the anti, Dragon Vessel, you will have to exercise so patience."
Aiden crossed his arms over his chest. "I’ll be here."
Umgadi inclined her head slightly in acknowledgnt, then turned and walked toward the temple’s exit.
Thera watched her go, then turned back to Aiden with a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Well," she began, "while Umgadi figures that part out, perhaps you should get a bit more familiar with Eden. After all, you are our guest."
Aiden glanced at her, then nodded.
Thera gestured toward the exit with one hand. "Co. I’ll take you to my temple."
With that, they both left Umgadi’s temple and began walking through the celestial streets of Eden once more.
——
——
anwhile, in another part of the city, within a grand temple adorned with mirrors that reflected infinite versions of the sa space, Jorus stood before Myria.
"I’ve co for a favor," Jorus said without preamble.
Myria tilted her head slightly. "What is it about?"
"The Dragon Vessel," Jorus said. "He’s already here in Eden."
Myria’s lips curved into a smile. "I’m listening."
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