"Two thousand seven hundred years since the night of slaughter… yet the echoes cling to me still. They gnaw at my soul, reopening wounds I had thought long scarred."
The Heavenly Realm shone with its eternal radiance, but even its light could not banish the shadows within me. Memories — sharp as shattered glass — pierced my silence.
If I had been stronger then… would they still walk beside me? Or should I have perished with them, as I once longed to? This solitude—what purpose does it serve? My hand clenched, knuckles paling as a bitter breath escaped my lips.
A stir of sound pulled me back. My gaze lowered, drifting past clouds of silver toward the mortal realm. There, Earth gleamed — a blue-green jewel alive with fleeting life. Markets brimming with chatter, parks echoing with laughter, children scattering pigeons in delight. Fragile creatures, yet vibrant in their brevity.
"Strange little beings," I murmured. "So bound to their small struggles… and yet, there is beauty in it. Almost enviable."
A faint smile brushed across my face. To walk among them… to share their joys and sorrows, even for a moment… would it not be refreshing?
Then, I saw him. A boy, scarcely thirteen, hunched over a swing, scribbling with fierce intent into a notepad. My chest warmed at the sight.
"There you are…" I whispered, voice softening. "Always so diligent. You remind me of someone… someone dear."
For an instant, I imagined descending — reaching out, speaking with him. The thought filled me with warmth, until—
"Lord Endymion! So this is where you've been hiding."
I jolted upright. "A–Aaliyah! Must you always appear without warning?" Hastily I smoothed my robes, heat creeping up my cheeks.
My attendant floated beside me, wings glowing against her dark hair, eyes bright with mischief. Hands on her hips, she leaned forward with a smirk.
"My, my… watching mortals again? If anyone else saw you, they might think you were a stalker."
I groaned. "A stalker? Truly, Aaliyah, is that the best your imagination can conjure? I am observing as befits a Guardian Deity."
"Observing? Hm. And why only that boy?" she asked, her tone playful but her eyes sharp with curiosity.
I looked back toward Earth, lips curving into a faint smile. "…Because he is not just any mortal. He reminds me of—" I stopped, shaking my head. "Never mind."
Her smirk softened into a knowing grin, but she changed the subject. "Well, keep your secrets. In any case, Father Arcanus has summoned you. He demands your presence in the prayer hall." Her eyes sparkled. "What mischief have you caused now, my lord? Perhaps he's finally stripping you of your title."
I chuckled, lips twitching. "Mischief? Always so quick to assume the worst. No, this is… different. At last, Father has answered my prayers."
Excitement surged in me, though I kept my composure. "Come, Aaliyah. Let us not keep him waiting."
A shimmer of light, and we descended to the temple courtyard. White marble paths gleamed under divine essence as incense curled through the air.
At the great doors, carved with ancient prophecies, I turned to her. "Wait here for me."
"Yes, my lord," she said softly. Still, worry lingered in her gaze.
The doors parted, and I stepped into the chamber's dim glow. Divine power pulsed through the air, heavy with the weight of ages. The doors closed behind me with a whisper, leaving Aaliyah outside, murmuring a prayer for my safe return.
**********
The prayer hall's vastness dwarfed me, silence echoing like the hush of eternity. Golden light streamed through towering windows, glinting across painted nebulae on the domed ceiling. Every carving shimmered faintly with celestial energy, as though ancient prophecies themselves were watching.
At the centre of this radiance sat Lord Arcanus. Long white hair and beard cascaded down his shoulders like rivers of silver, a crown of celestial blue resting upon his brow.
His trident pulsed faintly with reality itself, each breath of its aura making the very marble floor hum. To stand before him was to feel the weight of eternity pressing down.
I steadied myself, bowed deeply. "O mighty Lord Arcanus, Supreme God of Reality, Creator of the Omniverse… I bow before you in reverence."
His voice, when it came, was as vast as the void. "Rise, Endymion. My son, I have heard the stirrings of your prayers. Tell me… what is it you seek?"
I looked up, my heart pounding against my ribs. "Father… I wish to walk among mortals. To understand them — their joys, their struggles. I believe only then can I fulfill my duty as Guardian with true purpose."
A pause. His ancient eyes, once kind, now sharpened, calculating. He stroked his beard slowly, as though weighing not my words, but my soul itself.
"The mortal world?" he murmured. "They are fragile things, Endymion. Puny, desperate, clinging to sparks of life that fade too quickly. Why tether your spirit to such fleeting shadows?"
I held my ground, though a tremor quivered in my chest. "Because, Father… those fleeting sparks shine brighter than stars. Their passion, their will to endure… I envy it. And I wish to learn from it."
Arcanus leaned forward, eyes narrowing. The hall darkened with his shadow. "Curiosity is a dangerous seed. Left unchecked, it grows into rebellion. I have seen gods fall to lesser temptations than this."
His words struck me cold — not just warning, but judgment. Yet still, I pleaded, "I will not falter. You raised me well, Father. I swear upon your name — I will never stray."
For a long breath, silence crushed the chamber. Then, with a gesture of his hand, the weight lifted. "Very well. You may go." His voice was even, but beneath it lingered a thread of warning, like the rumble before a storm.
"Two conditions bind this gift. First — you will never reveal your true identity to mortals. Not a whisper. Not a hint. Second — should Heaven call, you will return without question. And you will not walk alone. Aaliyah shall accompany you."
He struck his trident to the floor, the thunder echoing through the chamber as though sealing an unspoken pact.
Relief poured into me, loosening the tightness in my chest. I bowed low, joy sparking behind my composure. "I accept, Father. Your will shall be done."
As I turned to leave, I felt his gaze burn into my back — sharp, lingering, unreadable.
And for a moment… I wondered. Did he grant my request out of kindness? Or was I merely playing into a design he had already foreseen?
But my heart, reckless and eager, drowned the doubt. For the first time in centuries, I allowed a smile to spread. "At last… the mortal world awaits."
**********
Outside the prayer hall, Aaliyah was pacing back and forth, her wings twitching with every step. The celestial light glinting off the pearly gates caught the worry etched across her face.
Hah… so impatient. I wasn't gone that long, was I?
The golden doors behind me boomed shut as I stepped out, a smile tugging at my lips. Her head shot up the instant she saw me.
"Lord Endymion!" She flew at me, voice sharp with worry. "What happened in there? Why did Father summon you? Don't tell me he stripped you of your Guardian title!"
I couldn't help but chuckle. Her panic was almost… adorable.
"My, my… always such a worrywart. Do you really think you can be rid of me so easily? I'm afraid you're stuck with me for another millennium at least."
She puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms, her irritation almost theatrical. "This isn't funny, my lord. Stop dodging the question. What truly happened?"
The concern in her eyes softened me, but teasing her was simply too tempting. I leaned closer, lowering my voice as though sharing a delicious secret.
"Relax, little dove. Everything went better than expected. In fact, I have news. Guess who's going on a trip?"
Her brows knit. "A trip? Who's going where?"
I let out a dramatic sigh, tilting my head toward the clouds.
"Father has granted me leave to descend to the mortal world. To walk among them, to understand their lives. And naturally, you're coming with me."
Her wings froze mid-beat. The look on her face was priceless.
"What?! We? Without even asking me? You always drag me into your reckless whims! What about my duties here? Honestly, sometimes you—" She stamped her foot, cheeks glowing faint pink. "You really annoy me."
I grinned. "So you don't want to come? You'd rather stay here while I enjoy the mortal world alone?"
She faltered. A blush betrayed her irritation. She turned her face away, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers.
"I didn't say that… I just… next time, at least ask me first. So I can prepare myself."
A chuckle slipped from me. She really is too easy to fluster.
"Duly noted. But truth be told, I'd be lost without someone to keep me out of trouble. So pack your celestial bags. We leave immediately."
She let out a long, resigned sigh, though a smile tugged at her lips. "Babysitting a deity in the mortal realm… what an honour. Fine. But if things go wrong, I'll be blaming it all on you."
I raised my hands in mock surrender, laughing. "Blame away. I promise you, you'll enjoy this more than you think."
Her gaze lingered on me a moment longer, and when I reached for her hand, I felt her still. Warmth bloomed between us, soft but undeniable. She quickly looked away, cheeks blooming red.
"…Yes, my lord," she murmured, barely above a whisper.
I turned my eyes downward, back to Earth. To him.
My dear friend… at last, our paths will cross. Wait for me.
With a flick of my hand, divine runes spiralled to life beneath our feet. Light wrapped around us, swallowing the courtyard whole. And in the blink of an eye, the heavens vanished.
**********
The air crackled with energy as Aaliyah and I materialized amidst the chaos of a mortal street. Sound, colour, and motion crashed against us all at once—horns blared, vendors shouted, and a thousand footsteps rattled across the ground like a living heartbeat.
"Ah, we finally arrived…" I spread my arms wide, drinking in the vibrant frenzy. "Welcome to India, Aaliyah—land of saints and sages, where stories older than the stars still whisper in mortal hearts. Right now, we stand in Mumbai, the jewel of their world."
Before she could answer, a three-wheeled contraption shot past us, screeching its horn. Aaliyah jumped back with a startled cry, wings twitching.
"By the heavens! What was that beast? And the stench it leaves behind!" She wrinkled her nose, fanning the black smoke with a delicate hand.
I laughed softly, watching the swirl of mortals rushing past. "Not a beast, little dove. Merely a carriage of their own creation. Ingenious, if inelegant."
She huffed, wings rustling. "A cacophony of noise, smoke, and sweat. And look at them—swarming like ants in a hill. How do mortals endure this chaos?"
Her disdain only deepened my smile. For every honk and shout, there was another scene that softened the edges: a balloon vendor tying a string to a laughing child's hand, a vendor passing steaming chai to weary workers, children sharing street snacks with sticky fingers. Their laughter rang through the polluted air like a hymn of survival.
"Because, Aaliyah," I murmured, "even in their flaws, they shine. Mortals are paradox. Fragile, yet resilient. Selfish, yet selfless. Their struggles weave a tapestry of life no heaven can imitate."
She tilted her head at me, suspicion narrowing her eyes. "Your words drip with poetry, my lord. But tell me truly—did Father truly send us here for this? Or is there another reason you've dragged me into this madness?"
I offered her nothing but an enigmatic smile and began strolling into the crowd. "Patience, little dove. Answers come with time."
Despite her protests, curiosity soon softened her glare. She gawked openly at skyscrapers piercing the clouds. "These towers—do they reach to the heavens themselves? And those thunderous creatures rushing past—are they demons in disguise?"
I chuckled. "Marvels of mortal ingenuity. Their towers are homes and workspaces. Their 'beasts' are machines. Every one of these creations speaks of their minds—the most intricate among all creatures save the gods. They shape fire, air, stone, and water not with divine hands, but with sheer will. Truly remarkable."
We wandered deeper until the street opened to a park, a breath of green amid the concrete. Aaliyah's eyes widened in wonder as she stepped onto soft grass. Children played hide-and-seek around a fountain, a stray puppy barked at fluttering pigeons, and a vendor sold flowers beneath a sprawling banyan tree.
Her lips curved into a smile, her earlier annoyance fading. "This place… it is pleasant. Quiet. Almost peaceful." She pointed eagerly at a flock of pigeons taking flight. "And look at them—so free, unbound by heaven or duty."
I glanced at her fondly. "See? Even you can find beauty in the mortal realm."
Her wings twitched nervously. "But what if they see us?"
"No need to worry. I've veiled us with invisibility. To them, we are but whispers in the breeze."
As she relaxed, I quickened my pace, slipping behind the ancient banyan tree. Its roots twisted like the veins of the Earth itself. Aaliyah followed, puzzled.
"Why hide here, my lord? What is so special about this place?"
I smiled, eyes fixed on the swing beneath the banyan's shade—where a boy sat alone, scribbling furiously in his notebook, his brows knit in thought.
"Because, my dear Aaliyah…" I whispered, heart quickening. "We have finally arrived at our destination."
**********
The sunlight filtered gently through the banyan leaves, scattering dappled patterns across the little park. The laughter of children echoed faintly, yet my gaze was drawn elsewhere. There, on the swing, sat a boy apart from the world—hood pulled low, headphones dangling around his neck, a notepad balanced against his knees. His pen flew as though it carried the weight of his soul.
I leaned against the ancient tree, my arms folded, my voice barely a whisper.
"Fascinating… truly fascinating…"
Aaliyah shifted beside me with a sceptical arch of her brow. "What's so fascinating, my lord? Another stray cat?"
Suppressing a chuckle, I lifted a hand and pointed. "Not a cat, Aaliyah. That child."
She followed my gaze, her wings rustling. The moment her eyes landed on him, they widened slightly. "…That boy. The one you're always watching from the heavens. Don't tell me you brought me all this way for him? My lord, is the great Guardian Deity truly reduced to a common stalker?"
I exhaled sharply. "For the heavens' sake, Aaliyah, I am not a stalker. He is… different. There's a spark about him, something I cannot explain. And today, I intend to befriend him. With your help."
Her wings bristled, and she crossed her arms like a mother bird shielding her chicks. "Have you forgotten Father's command? You can't just waltz up to mortals and reveal yourself!"
I tilted my head with a mischievous smile. "Father forbade revealing who we truly are. He never said anything about friendship. Words, my dear Aaliyah, can be very… flexible."
Her glare could have cut through diamond. "Flexible? You're twisting the law into a pretzel! What's your plan—descend in celestial robes and terrify him into being your friend?"
With a flourish, I summoned light to swirl around me. "Watch closely."
Closing my eyes, I wove a string of spells. Light flared around me, and the air rippled with magic. The brilliance faded, and I stood in a sleek black suit, sunglasses perched on my nose, striking a pose like a hero from some mortal film.
"Behold! Men in Black!"
Aaliyah's silence lasted only a second before her deadpan glare dropped like a hammer. "You look less like a hero and more like a suspicious abductor. The boy will run screaming before you say hello."
I tugged at the lapel of my jacket, frowning. "…Hmm. Perhaps you're right."
The light flared again. This time, when it dimmed, a boy stood in my place—slim, youthful, clad in a white hoodie and blue jeans, blue hair tousled playfully across his forehead.
I flexed my fingers, smiling with satisfaction. "There. Much friendlier."
Aaliyah groaned. "Now you resemble a child yourself. What's next? You'll beg him to share his crayons?"
I wagged a finger at her. "Approachability, Aaliyah. That's the key. And you, my dear, will play my sister."
Her cheeks flamed pink instantly. "S-Sister? Why not a friend? Or—" She stopped, pouting. "This is awkward."
I grinned knowingly. "Sister is less suspicious. Now, come on."
She muttered under her breath but finally lifted her hands, chanting softly. Light swirled around her, reshaping her into a little girl with twin ponytails tied by pink ribbons, dressed in a simple black frock. She looked every bit the picture of innocence.
My eyes softened. "Marvellous. You're beautiful, Aaliyah."
Her blush deepened as she looked away. "Stop saying such things. Let's just… finish this quickly."
I took her hand gently, feeling the warmth of her fingers. Together, we stepped out from the shade of the banyan tree. My heart beat faster with every step.
The boy kept writing, oblivious to us, his pen racing as though recording secrets only he could see. I inhaled slowly.
This is it. After centuries of watching from afar… destiny brings us face to face.
**********
The park was alive with a sweet symphony of birdsong, harmonizing with the rustling leaves and the laughter of children in the distance. Squirrels darted across the grass, and sunlight dappled the ground in golden patches.
But amidst the liveliness, one boy sat alone on a swing. He couldn't have been more than thirteen, dressed in a black hoodie and loose pants, his notebook balanced on his lap.
His pen twirled between his fingers, tapping against the page as if urging the words to come. Then, with a groan, he scribbled furiously, only to slash it out in frustration. Another page ripped free, crumpled, and landed among the growing pile scattered beneath the swing.
"Not good enough…" he muttered, shoving the pen against his lips. "No… this still isn't right…"
I exchanged a glance with Aaliyah as we approached. The ground around him was littered with crumpled papers, each one a fragment of some world he was struggling to shape. My lips curved into a playful smile as I bent down, plucked one of the discarded balls, and tossed it in my palm.
"Hey, Earth to paper-thrower! You know this counts as littering, right? The park's starting to look like your personal trash can."
The boy jolted, as if I had pulled him out of a dream. His pen froze mid-tap, his wide eyes snapping up to meet mine. For a moment, he just stared, startled and speechless, as though he couldn't quite decide if I was scolding him or teasing him.
Beside me, Aaliyah tugged gently at my sleeve, her curious gaze fixed on him.
"Brother, don't scare him already."
The breeze stirred then, carrying a swirl of fallen leaves between us—a fleeting dance of gold and green, almost as if the world itself was holding its breath. And in that quiet instant, I knew.
This meeting… this chance encounter beneath the banyan tree… was no accident. The Meeting of Two Realms had just begun.
**********