Ugh, my head... what just happened?
Drake slowly opened his eyes, finding himself once again floating in the familiar cosmic void. The endless darkness stretched in all directions, punctuated by distant swirling galaxies. Astral's magnificent throne sat empty before him.
"Back here again, huh?" he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
FWOOSH!
The celestial wind rippled through the void as Goddess Astral descended gracefully onto her starlight throne. Her presence immediately filled the space with divine warmth, her constellation wing shimmering while the other caught moonlight like silver fire. Her halo spun slowly above flowing mercury hair as she settled into her seat.
Those sapphire eyes opened, galaxies swirling in their depths as they focused on him.
"Drake Lorenzo," her melodic voice resonated through the cosmos, "we meet again."
"Thank you for the summons, my lady. And I see you still have the most dazzling entrances I've ever witnessed," Drake said with a slight bow.
Astral's lips curved into an amused smile. "Still the charming type, I see. So tell me, how have you been? Is this new world to your liking?"
Drake's expression darkened as he stared down at the void beneath his feet. The silence stretched uncomfortably.
"Due to that look and the awkward silence, I'll take that as a no," Astral observed gently.
Drake's head snapped up. "No, no—it's not that at all! Elyndor is incredible, the people are amazing, and Sidonia is beautiful. I have relationships I truly cherish, but..." He trailed off, shoulders sagging.
"But?" she prompted, leaning forward with genuine concern.
"But I can't protect any of it without constantly needing help." His voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "I'm still too weak. We got attacked, Elsa got hurt... if I'd been stronger, none of that would've happened. Ever since I arrived, I thought I was untouchable because of my system, but I was completely wrong. I almost lost my life."
He clenched his fists, frustration bleeding through. "And worst of all, my system isn't responding to my calls. It's like it's broken, or maybe it just left after seeing how pathetically weak I am." Drake's breath came in short gasps. "So yeah, the world is wonderful, but I'm the problem. I'm too weak, and it hurts."
"Hmm, I see." Astral's smile never wavered.
Drake noticed her expression and quickly looked away, cheeks reddening. "Why are you smiling?"
Her laughter rang out like celestial bells, brightening the entire void with warmth and light.
"What's so funny?" Drake muttered, still avoiding her gaze.
Astral leaned forward, her smile radiant. "Drake Lorenzo, I see exactly why the System chose you. You have such goodness in your heart—you want nothing but happiness for those around you."
"I wish that were enough," he said quietly.
"It is. You just don't realize how much you've already helped this world simply by existing in it." Her voice carried ancient wisdom wrapped in maternal warmth. "You've changed countless fates and saved many lives. You did your absolute best—you just haven't had anyone tell you that before."
Drake looked up, hope flickering in his eyes. "What makes you say that?"
FLAP!
Astral spread her magnificent wings wide. Constellation feathers and moonlit plumes floated through the air around Drake, each one glowing with soft divine light as they drifted past him like fallen stars.
"Let me tell you something, Drake. You think you're weak, but you're not. Take Elsa, for instance."
"What about Elsa?" he asked, watching the luminous feathers dance.
"Elsa Lina's fate was sealed—she was destined to die no matter how strong she became. The Fearscare Twins would have killed her in a two-on-one battle."
Drake's eyes widened in shock.
"But you, Drake—you saved her by simply being there. You rewrote her destiny." Astral's smile grew warmer. "If you hadn't helped with Bronn, Elsa would have been overwhelmed by both men and met a terrible end."
"But she still got hurt, and if not for my Parallel ability—"
"She didn't die," Astral interrupted gently. "You still saved her. Not only that, but you saved countless others too. Did you know there was a young mage academy near where you and Havoc clashed? If not for your quick thinking to find a safer place to fight, that school and all its students would have been destroyed."
"But I failed at that plan! We still ended up fighting and wrecking half the district."
"But no one died, did they?" Astral's voice held infinite patience. "You saved them all, Drake."
"I still needed help in the end," he protested weakly.
"Do you know why you feel this way? It's because you overthink everything." She stood from her throne, divine grace in every movement. "You did your absolute best, even when you needed a helping hand. There's only so much one person can do. Everyone needs help sometimes—even me."
Drake blinked in surprise.
"When my world fell into chaos, I had to summon a hero to help protect it. You see? Even goddesses need assistance sometimes." Her warm smile could have melted winter itself.
Drake found himself captivated by her genuine kindness, by how considerate she was being. A small smile tugged at his lips.
"There we go. How do you feel now?" she asked.
"I guess... good," Drake admitted, his smile growing.
"Hmm, judging by your reaction, I'm sure you've never been properly praised before," Astral observed with motherly intuition.
"Come here, child. Let me praise you properly."
Drake's face turned bright red. "Me? Praised by a goddess? That's insane—it should be the other way around!" He waved his arms frantically.
"Oh? Don't you want to be praised by a beautiful goddess?" she asked with playful innocence.
"That's awfully confident for a goddess! You sound like a high school girl," Drake said, scratching his cheek awkwardly.
"So you're implying I'm not cute?" Astral pouted dramatically. "I'll have you know that while I'm thousands of years old, among gods and goddesses I'm one of the youngest. So yes, I might act like a teenage girl—as you so eloquently put it."
"I can't believe you said that with a completely straight face," Drake stared in disbelief.
"Do you want the praise or not?" she asked, hands on her hips.
Drake hesitated, torn between embarrassment and curiosity.
"Well? Answer me. This offer only comes once, you know," Astral pressed with mock sternness.
"Fine," Drake yielded with exaggerated defeat. "So what are these grand praises, oh great one?" His tone dripped with playful sarcasm.
Astral's smile turned radiant as she spread her arms wide. "Come to me, Drake Lorenzo."
"Wait, it's not what I think you're about to do, is it?" Drake's eyes went wide with disbelief.
"What's wrong with what I'm thinking of doing?" Astral asked innocently as Drake began floating helplessly toward her outstretched arms.
"No, no, wait! You're a goddess! We can't be doing this!" His face burned crimson as he drifted closer, completely unable to control his movement.
"Stop saying such silly things—you're making it sound like we're about to do something lewd," Astral giggled.
"No, no, no!" Drake screamed internally as he reached her arms. Astral wrapped him in a gentle embrace, pressing him against her warm, divine presence.
Drake froze completely, his mind going blank. "What... what is happening right now?" he mumbled against her shoulder.
"Shhh," Astral hushed him softly, one hand stroking his hair with infinite tenderness. "You did such a good job, Lorenzo. You're a good boy." She repeated the words like a gentle mantra, her fingers running soothingly through his hair.
"So this is the praise you mentioned?" Drake asked, his voice muffled.
"Yes. Is there a problem with it?"
For the first time in ages, Drake felt truly warm inside—comforted in a way he'd forgotten was possible.
"No... it's actually really nice. Thank you, Goddess Astral. It means more than you know," he said, finally relaxing into her embrace.
"But I have to ask—did you get smaller, or did I get bigger? I could swear you were way larger than me before."
"Who knows? Maybe I shrunk while you were distracted, or perhaps you grew bigger," Astral smiled mysteriously, still stroking his hair.
"You definitely know the answer," Drake said with a small laugh.
Astral giggled like tinkling bells. "Shush. Just enjoy your reward while it lasts."
Drake smiled deeply, closing his eyes. *Who could have ever thought I'd get hugged by a beautiful goddess? And she smells like starlight and spring flowers...*
"Feeling better now?" she asked gently.
"No, not yet. Let it last a little longer," Drake said, his eyes still closed in contentment.
"Alright, but don't get any funny ideas and fall in love with me, or think I'm flirting. I'm simply rewarding you, okay?"
"Not a chance," Drake smiled peacefully. "I know it's just a reward, and I promise I won't fall in love with you over this."
"Aww, does that mean I'm not lovable?" Astral asked with exaggerated hurt. "You're wounding my feelings."
"Wait—is it me, or do you actually want me to fall in love with you?" Drake grinned, opening one eye to look at her.
Astral burst into melodious laughter that filled every corner of the cosmic void.
Drake felt completely at peace, as if all his problems and regrets were being washed away by the sound. Her laughter was like music that healed something deep within his soul.
*Who could have ever known goddesses could have such a sweet side?* he thought, smiling as Astral's joy filled both the cosmic void and the empty space in his heart.
—TO BE CONTINUED—