Side Story 16: A Storm in Heaven. [Release Version] (Patreon)

Sparkling azure blue—that was the perfect description of this endless sea, brilliance radiating under a clear blue sky. Small movements could be seen as the water wavered softly up and down, creating waves with every second.

The calm quickly ended, however, as a rumble underwater caused the sea to shiver, trembling so much it looked like it could split apart at any second. And that it did, as a figure shot out of the sea, leaving a fountain of water as the silhouette of a woman flew up into the air.

Long, blue octopus tentacles framed her head like hair, giving the sight a comedic moment as it looked like an octopus flew up like an eagle. Her torso was covered in soft, pink skin similar to a human woman’s, only a marine green bikini was there to cover her tender chest. Her bottom was that of a fish, covered in an assortment of different colored scales so plentiful that it mimicked a rainbow. The female silhouette resembled a mermaid, a half human-half fish hybrid.

The woman fell from the sky, diving back into the water until her body was pushed back up to the surface as if she commanded the water to do so. She combed through her tentacle hair with her hands, squeezing the water out until it switched to seaweed and then into silky marine blue hair. The scales of her bottom slowly morphed into skin, turning her whole fishtail into a human woman’s, wearing the bottom part of her bikini.

Her wet body stretched and exhaled under the glare of the sun. Her appearance was so lovely that any normal man’s eyes would be enraptured by this sight. If she weren’t walking on water, most people would assume she was spending a day on the beach.

As much as my home can imitate the world’s oceans, it just doesn’t feel authentic enough. Haaa, maybe I shouldn’t have made that ‘no going down’ rule. How troubling.

The carefree thoughts of the woman brought a smile to her face, until she received a message from one of her angels, causing her serene smile to waver with a sigh. The droplets of saltwater started to merge with each other as this happened, transforming her bikini into a marine blue cocktail dress, while scales formed on her legs and a slim shark tail grew out of her rear.

Despite how fun-loving and casual she might appear; this was undoubtedly the leading goddess of Peolynca’s divine pantheon. The Ruler of the Depths, The Benevolent Mother of the Oceans, The Patron Goddess of the Merfolk, Nagas, and Levianewts, The Goddess of Order, Honor, and Traditions.

The Origin Goddess of Water, Plesia.

It is time, it seems. It is never easy in a position of power, even if I would like to believe we are all equals. How I would like to just laze around under the sun every day, Plesia complained without letting anybody see her distress, carrying around a deceptive smile.

Disregarding her personal wishes, the goddess simply conjured up her waterbed, sat on it, and summoned her administrative windows with the flick of a hand. Until her guest arrived, she had to fulfill her duty as a goddess … which was administrative work with her angels and aids.

“Hmm, Caedhul’s population is rising healthily … Hiehie, the youth of today are too reckless. Oh my, I say that every generation.” The water goddess inspected with a pleasant smile as she looked over statistics and videos of her followers. Whether it was joy or grief, she would look through them with an unfazed gaze, neither judging nor feeling much emotion besides, “This is the life of a mortal. Pleasant.”

Once she was done with her administrative work, she then turned to the next panel, now with an exasperated expression. “There are so many prayers every day. I know this is the most effective way to gain faith, but the young are far too wishful. I guess ‘the less you have, the more you want’ quote makes a lot of sense for them.”

Tirelessly, she worked through billions of prayers from her followers. Prayers also included the many spell casts that would be performed every day, as all System-based spells had chants that were constructed in a prayer-like way.

Although the gods receive the energy regardless of this fact, this way of forming a spell was an efficient and effective way to promote yourself to your faithful. “Oh, my Goddess …” and “My God, I call for you …” were all ways to imprint the idea of thankfulness and reverence into the minds of their followers.

“… Oh, she’s here,” she uttered as her windows disappeared, letting out a sigh before forming a smile befitting of, not a mere goddess, but the leading Origin Goddess.

A veil of light appeared before her, quickly forming themselves into the figure of a slim woman with a set of white angel wings. Her light blond hair fluttered around as the face of a human woman formed. Her divine beauty and youthfulness were further accentuated through her white, gold dress, befitting of any aristocratic saintess.

“Greetings, Elder Plesia, and thank you for accepting my attendance in your realm,” the woman greeted Plesia with a curtsey, hiding the anxiousness that was clouding her face.

“Aurena, it is always a pleasure to see you, dear,” Plesia responded with a genuine smile, similar to the one she had before assuming her duties. “I heard you visited your father? How is he? Lazy as always?”

Although the Goddess of Light was here for urgent business, she couldn’t help but be swallowed up by the Goddess of Water's pleasantries, casting her worries away for a moment.

“At this point, that question should be obvious. He was having a good time,” Aurena answered with a shrug and an exasperated sigh.

Plesia couldn’t help but form a wry smile at the troubled goddess. “And despite your answer, you nonetheless took over some of his work, correct? Haaaah, Aurena, I’ve advised this to you so many times already, but you can’t always help him like this. He is around my seniority, so he is perfectly able to do his duty by himself.”

With a simple hand movement, a table with a set of teacups appeared from the depths of the sea, as warm tea water slowly filled them. Aurena bid her to sit, which Aurena graciously accepted, before continuing the small-talks, “How is your step-mother? Is she doing well?”

Aurena smelled her tea, enjoying the scent before taking a sip. “Elder Plesia, please, she’s ‘mother’ now. Father loves her very dearly so as his daughter I will accept her with open arms regardless of any trivial facts. It also helps that she too is annoyed about Father’s total lack of urgency and duty, helping us bond.”

“I can imagine.” After enjoying her tea for a moment, her smile disappeared, as she raised her eyes and looked at Aurena with weary eyes. “I unfortunately can already presume why you are here, dear.”

Those words instantly made Aurena frown, glaring at her tea as she responded, “I would expect nothing less from you, Elder Plesia. Your followers had a clear view of everything, after all.”

Both Goddesses couldn’t help but remember the scenes they saw from their followers. Aurena’s knowledge of how the fight went on was limited because the prisoners Hestia saved from Narube’s bandit group were quickly escorted away from the battlefield, however, she still could hazard a guess from the massive wildfire that something was off.

Since Hestia couldn’t level up nor did she evolve, Aurena couldn't keep herself updated on her status board without her followers being close to her. She didn’t know about Danterno’s interference at first, but after giving it a week of mortal time, she had decided to confront Plesia on this fact.

“Elder Plesia, I am here with the expectation that you will not hide any information from me,” Aurena started. “I know how our subordinates and followers would rank us, but I still understand my place as your junior. However, you have said that as ‘Origin Gods’ we are all equal amongst each other. That is why I require you to speak truthfully with me, just like how you would speak to Elder Crustacia and Zephira.”

Hiding her clenched teeth by sipping some tea, Plesia reluctantly answered, “… Yes, it would be hypocritical of me to go back on what my religion preaches. Ask me … dear.”

With unyielding eyes, Aurena glared into the older Goddess’ octopus eyes, unflinching from how they were morphing due to her wild emotions. “Did Elder Danterno bless my blessed candidate? The otherworlder I asked for your permission for?”

“…” The frustration wasn’t shown on Plesia’s face but her body morphing around wildly was enough for Aurena to understand the reluctance in the elder goddess’s next word. “… Yes.”

A white aura surrounded the Goddess of Light’s wings, swirling around wildly before calming down. “… I know that he hasn’t made personal contact with her yet. I also know there aren’t any rules against multiple gods blessing a single mortal … but I know he broke one rule.”

Aurena knew that she had to stay regal. She knew the elder Goddess well enough that too many breaches against form would be detrimental to her. This was Plesia’s home and she had to abide by her rules while she was here, and no one took formalities as seriously as the Goddess of Water.

Before her power would go wild, she took a deep breath and calmed her energy down. Reining in her anger was just business as usual at this point, as she has done this many times to keep her outer appearance of a refined, elegant, and sophisticated Goddess to her subordinates.

Even if everybody knew this truth, especially Kargryxmor, she had to take care. She was their Goddess, after all.

“Elder Plesia, I saw one of his followers there. Your brother had unrightfully influenced this follower of his, guiding him towards the blessed Kargryxmor and I have chosen to grant her a blessing. I have heard from Elder Zephira.” Aurena finally dropped the first piece of evidence to prove her point. “I watched the vision of my blessed’s fairy companion. I have heard her part of the story and saw what she saw. I know Elder Danterno had altered my blessed’s Profile without her consent. That is another rule broken, making it two.”

First, the gods weren’t allowed to directly influence events in the mortal realms outside of punishing broken divine taboos. Secondly, gods were only allowed to reward their blessed if they perform a certain task or fulfill a requirement, for example, acquiring enough followers for [The Light] or fulfilling a Divine Quest.

“I acknowledge them … Thirdly, since you were the blessed’s patron goddess, he had to approach you first to discuss the authority he would have over her progress and her task as a blessed,” Plesia responded meekly. “However … you must understand that she has accepted neither of you as her patron god yet, as your blessings came before she made a choice of faith. Consent is needed. Even if you have marked her as your future Champion, before she consciously makes the decision to become your follower, she isn’t yours. This rule was not broken, if that was what you were leading up to."

There was also the case of Hestia having usurped Kargryxmor’s and Aurena’s blessing, so her allegiance was up in the air at this point.

Aurena’s displeased expression grew. She put her teacup down and pushed it aside to lean forward on the table. “I know he is your brother, Elder Plesia, but you can’t possibly expect me to accept this argument. You are the eldest and you also accepted your role to keep everything organized and peaceful amongst us six. I’ve used actual effort and resources to ensure the soul transfer to work, so I apologize if I sound angry about the fact that Elder Danterno would try to steal her away like that!”

Plesia looked at the youngest Origin Goddess, closed her eyes to think, and then spoke, “I understand. I will talk with him.”

“No!” Aurena responded defiantly. “You say that I coddle my father too much, that I ought to stop to give him less chance to slack off. I understand familial love very well, but I expect you to do what you preach, Elder Plesia. Your hatred for rule-breaking is known to us, and your brother broke two rules. Not only that, but I do have a third—‘Never cause dire conflict between Origin Gods.’”

Aurena stood up. “He caused Hestia mental anguish without putting up safety procedures. The girl was traumatized. Elder Danterno had all the means to ensure she remained sane during the power transfer, but he didn’t. Negligence. Failure of administrative work. If you ask me, I do not enjoy watching my blessed stifle her growth because of fear caused by your brother! … I expect a trial.”

With those words said she bid herself farewell and disappeared in a stream of light, leaving the Goddess of Water to contemplate alone. The silence lasted for a whole minute, the sea was calm and no waves could be seen. It was so calm that one would think the sea had died.

But the second that minute finished, the teacup in Plesia’s fingers rattled, shaking violently as the liquid began to spill. The sparkling azure blue underneath her quickly turned dark blue, as a monsoon clouded the clear sky, blocking the sun and turning the realm of Plesia into a chaotic storm.

A shadow emerged from the depths of the oceans, humongous enough that it could even dwarf a leviathan. A deep growling could faintly be heard as the water rumbled into action, releasing tidal waves into the horizon.

“**** ********** ******** ********  *********!”

Plesia’s and the giant beast’s eyes began to shimmer like the black abyss.

*************************************

“How did it go, Goddess Aurena?” a deep voice resounded in the divine realm of Aurena, as a stream of light appeared before him, immediately materializing the form of a winged woman.

“Well, and also not. Elder Plesia did not seem well, but I’ll have to send her the proof for the trial,” Aurena responded to her black dragon accomplice. “Kargryxmor, has anything happened yet? Did you receive a missive while I was away?”

“No, I haven’t. Even with God Danterno’s interference, I should be able to know when she evolves or levels up, as she has my blood. Rest your worries,” the black dragon answered. “The vision from the wyverns had been very fruitful. She might be young, but she has a tenacious mind. I presume the garm and fairy she’s keeping around must be supporting her right about now.”

“Hmm, that is true,” Aurena agreed before summoning her administrative windows. “… Have you seen that stain on her Profile?”

The goddess pointed at the [Divine Inferno] title in Hestia’s Profile, visibly showing disgust at it being there. She already knew Danterno had blessed Hestia the moment she entered Plesia’s domain. She had only posed that rhetorical question to Plesia to drive the conversation in her favor.

Kargryxmor looked at her with a quizzical look, before sighing and nodding. He then opened his own admin window to inspect Hestia’s profile. “… I must admit, God Danterno is probably the most creative of all Origin Gods when it comes to gifting power. He knows exactly what skill to combine to create a Unique skill fitting for a person. Even if it seems like a power decrease at the moment, the potential is immense.”

“… Embarrassingly,” Aurena scoffed, unable to disagree. “If he wasn’t so fixated on making his philosophy a reality, he would be such a better god. Those wishing for power would flock to him and he wouldn’t be in such a pitiful state.”

“An idiot,” Kargryxmor just performed blasphemy, but Aurena couldn’t help but agree. The black dragon then turned back to Hestia’s profile, feeling a sense of pride whenever he looked at it, although he would never admit it to anybody. “Her racial skills had evolved prior to her evolution. God Danterno furthered her mutation from her mother’s bloodline and unlocked further mutant evolutions, which would just entice her more than our evolutions. Unbelievable. What a fine jest that even he wasn’t safe from her usurpation, hahaha!”

A frown appeared on the God of Dragon’s face, prompting Aurena to continue speaking, “It becomes more concerning the more I think about it. I believe we still have no idea how she was able to sever our connection with her, right? Then how was she able to do it to Elder Danterno? She once again broke the bond from a godly blessing …”

“… I knew that person was untrustworthy.” Kargryxmor scorned the third person responsible for Hestia’s rebirth in Peolynca. “Might it be wise to consult him?”

Maybe it is time to talk with Father properly. The last time he simply glossed over my issue, and I accepted it, however this time I really need his help. If he ignores me this time, then I’ll just call on my sisters and mother for help. He can’t possibly ignore all of us, right? The Goddess of Light took a moment to deliberate on the situation before coming to a conclusion.

“No, he outranks me in seniority, and he isn’t as approachable as Elder Plesia and Father. Talking with him would just be a headache. For now, the situation seems to be in control after Hestia broke Elder Danterno’s influence on her. Let us watch for the time being,” she decided before mumbling in a growl fitting for a wrathful beast. “ … And see to it that Elder Danterno finally learns how to control his stupidity.”

And with that, the two white and black figures disappeared, leaving the realm in silence.

*************************************

“Hahahaha! I must say that should be enough to impress her, ha!” a boisterous voice spat out, similar to an active volcano. “Mortals love power, and I’ve given her so much. Not only did I fix her custom spell, but I also merged redundant skills together and made them stronger for her! This should be enough to make her worship me!"

Thankfully, [Holy Magic] wasn’t locked by Aurena. Made it easy to just merge it with [Fire Magic] to create [White Flames]. Should keep the power of FIRE … while keeping the healing properties of her holy magic.

Danterno, the God of Fire, was proud of the skills he had made for Hestia, taking into her previous advantages and disadvantages, and turned them around to merge into skills she could use without any problems. He knew if she continued training and practicing, those skills would show their full worth in time.

Danterno had always loved theorycrafting skills to give his blessed. It was a sign of power and evidence of his existence. If people knew of what blessings he could give others, it was just free marketing for him. He smiled as he dreamed of the potential Hestia could benefit him. He had not a single worry ever since he blessed her, neglecting to monitor her afterwards, as he fully believed she would love the gifts he gave her with his [Divine Inferno] blessing.

“Ahhhh, that custom spell is so powerful. I had to change a few words of her chant and also rewrite the whole magic circle, but the results have come out perfectly. Mhmm, reincarnators from another world are so unique,” Danterno murmured in satisfaction. “Hmmm, she might be a dragon, but would it be possible for me to finally get a race to pray to me as if I were their patron god? That would be incredible for my growth!”

Danterno was confident of the possibility of a golden age for his religion, anticipating that Hestia’s presence would break down the foundation of his church and rebuild it, making it stronger than ever. “Fire consumes fire,” might be an aggressive religious mantra in general, but its true meaning was related to rebirth and regrowth.

Consume the current status quo of his church, and then recreate it with her at the helm of everything, growing the flickering flame into a mighty inferno. Both [White Flames] and [Corrosive Fire] were made for her to show the world that fire mages could do more than just destroy. He personally wasn’t sure what the young dragoness would do with them, but he was confident that it would benefit him in the end.

He even made sure to help her even more by strengthening her racial abilities, to ensure that she would become strong and useful for the future. He couldn’t go too overboard, of course. He couldn’t show too much favoritism.

Hmm, should I make her into a Champion or Saintess? A Saintess might be good, but would she like preaching about me? Hahaha, maybe! Maybe she’s so thankful she would! Hahaha! My subordinate gods can’t stop me. It went all under the radar, and once she’s strong enough, she’s just defeat their blessed to break the mold. It’s a fantastic plan, but that was obvious for Danterno, God of Fire!

He burst out in laughter, slamming his hand in the molten lava in hysteria. Those were his thoughts on the situation, unaware of the consequences that his action would have.

Danterno then began to stretch after his crackle, recovering from his sour mood of his current faith. He was hopeful and now that he had finished the tasks for the day, the god opened his admin window to finish watching what happened after he blessed Hestia. He had no time previously.

“Whew, sis’s followers are pretty strong, though. That is some great water usage there, I have to admit. Hmm?” The video suddenly stopped progressing, freezing on the spot without showing any intention of continuing. “Wha-what is this?! Is my administrative window malfunctioning? Fuck, guess I’ll have to repair it for now … Huh? It’s not broken?”

Danterno’s raging inferno body grew smaller, flabbergasted that he couldn’t continue watching although his windows still worked. Nothing was out of the usual, which made his flame slow down as he needed to think.

“Damn … whatever, I’ll check her status board. There was no message that she died so everything should be alrig-HUH?!” Danterno blurted out as a blue screen appeared before him.

<[Divine Inferno] was usurped by individual [Young Spark Inferno Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]. Your connection with this individual has been severed, Origin Administrator Danterno>

What?!

He refreshed his windows, he restarted them with different settings, he even asked his aides and angels to check it for him. He tried everything and the more he failed, the more his realm grew warmer. The raging hellfire has finally been unleashed.

“HOW DID A MERE MORTAL USURP MY CONTROL OVER MY OWN BLESSING?! INSOLENT INSECT!” His fire was unrelenting at this point; none could stop him now that wrath has overtaken him …

“GIRL, THE MOMENT YOU APPEAR BEFORE ME, I WILL MAKE YOU REGRE-!”

… Actually, one person in this world could smother this flame.

“S-Sis?! Why does she want to talk with me-SHIT! FUCK!” The image of Kushlek’zar and the saurians flashed in his head, instantly making him understand that something was up. “… Sis can’t be that mad at me, right?”

With that single ray of hope, the God of Fire moved to answer the Head Origin Goddess’s summons, unbeknownst to Danterno, he was about to head into a torrential storm.