The god's domain would usually reflect an emotion a god would feel in some manner. Some would shift and change colors, some would gain or lose plantlife, and many would be beset by earthquakes.
Yet Laleyn's realm was tranquil as ever, despite a powerful emotion she felt. The emotion that was foreign to even lesser gods, much less the greater goddess like herself.
The emotion of Fear and Terror.
The lake rippled as she hugged her knees tightly.
Despite being a greater goddess, she was clumped up and on the verge of tears merely due to a simple fact. She had messed up and let the Devourer notice her. Due to her stupidity, she almost failed Peron.
If it wasn't for Runas, Laleyn would have jeopardized everything.
"Agh! How do I explain this to the Chief!" She dragged a finger over the water. Runas will report everything to the Chief.
She inhaled deeply, "Please give me another chance, I promise I will be more careful!" She whimpered into the void.
She pushed her face between her knees as she sighed. Even if the devourer was powerful, it shouldn't have caused such a reaction in her.
Yet when she felt the blazing gaze peering into her. It was cold yet scorching. No matter how much she tried to wrap her head around it, she had failed. It was an incomprehensible sensation for a goddess.
When she had noticed the Devourer staring at her, she froze up, and only due to the quick action of Runas was she able to cut the connection.
With a heavy exhale, she pushed herself up. She wanted to observe her Azure, yet she knew it was now impossible. Runas had told her to cease any observation, even if it seemed possible.
Yet, she couldn't help but worry for her child. Azure was one of her favourites, yet she was next to an entity that even gods feared.
I am so worried! Something better not happen to you, Azure! She squealed; Laleyn had noticed her blessing shrinking away anytime it had grown more powerful, yet it did not dissipate fully. Azure had to get away from the elven girl as soon as possible, otherwise her blessing would stagnate.
What was even worse was that recently, an entity that sent shivers down her spine appeared next to her Azure. "Summoned by the Devourer, I suppose." Her head slumped in defeat. The entity was enigmatic, yet every god could sense the sheer magnitude of its strength.
It was as if the Sun itself had descended upon the world.
It scared her.
A greater goddess was afraid; it was rather comedic. Someone whose very name instilled the terror in the hearts of mortals had shivered from that very emotion.
"I guess there is no point in worrying. Runas will figure something out." She lifted her head up toward the full moon that shone upon her realm. She admittedly was not the smartest, nor the wisest; those roles went to Runas and Peron, respectively.
However, what she had in abundance was love for all her children. Many considered them monsters, yet to her, they were all darlings that needed a mother's love. Yet one of her favoured children was in the presence of two entities that made gods soil themselves.
With a quick head shake and slap on her cheeks, she calmed down. She had to trust in the Chief and Runas, even if she had messed up royally.
After a moment of silence, she disappeared from her domain and found herself in the same palace where the greater gods met before.
The floating thrones were empty as they were for the majority of the time, yet two thrones were filled. In one sat Runas, and in the second her Chief.
"Laleyn, you are here. Come sit." Peron was gentle, despite her mistake; he had not shown anger when speaking. Instead, his voice consoled her. After all, the Devourer was an unknown, and it was expected to make mistakes.
"Yes, venerable elder. I have come to discuss the Devourer as requested… and my failure."
"Failure? That's not what Runas had relayed to me." His voice rumbled through the city of glass.
She leaned her head to the side as she blinked in surprise. The two gods stared at her as she reappeared on her throne. "But."
"You were noticed, yes. While technically a failure, you still obtained precious information. The Devourer is capable of tracking us." Peron closed his eyes, "It's a rather terrifying prospect."
"I could have ruined everything. I don't think I am the right fit for the mission." Her head slumped forward.
"Laleyn, do you trust me that little as to believe I had made a wrong choice?"
The goddess widened her eyes as she stared at Peron, "Of course not, venerable elder!"
Runas raised his hand to gain the attention of the duo. "Lalyen, you did not fail. You do not specialize in illusion nor stealth. You can't be expected to hide perfectly, we are not dealing with a mortal after all."
Laleyn hid her smile; the chief was truly the most wonderful being in existence. He had deserved all the admiration she could bestow.
She rubbed her hands together as she shyly looked up. "Thank you."
"Do not thank me. Now we must decide our next move. We do not want the Devourer to assume we are hostile. I had never seen Runas more terrified in my entire existence!" Peron's laugh echoed through the domains.
"But, what do we do then? Venerable Elder. That entity is far too powerful, and not to mention the second being that she had summoned!"
"I am well aware that the second being is familiar to me. Or more precisely, it is similar to the World Soul, Valerie."
Laleyn tilted her head in confusion.
Instead of Peron, it was Runas who continued, "Valerie is the name we had given to the World Soul of this world. She is incredibly powerful, capable of even beating most of us; however, what separates her from us is a singular fact."
He let the silence reign for a moment. "She is the reason the mortals are capable of using mana. We do not know how she does it, but it's only due to her that mana can be exploited."
Laleyn nodded. The entity they spoke of sounded incredible, perhaps one of the goddesses that had been assigned a special role. "And why is she similar to the entity?"
"The Entity, the Devourer, summoned is also a World Soul. However, it is infinitely more powerful." Peron leaned forward and closed his eyes, "Frankly, we had underestimated the Devourer. Someone capable of calling upon someone that powerful is not to be fought at any cost. Even I would die if I attempted to fight the entity, and the Devourer is even more powerful."
The gasp echoed as Laleyn shrank back in her throne, "What do we do?"
Runas interjected, "We attempt to negotiate and figure out what that 'Elf' wants, we want to parlay. Perhaps the Devourer will be willing to listen. After all, World Soul would not answer the summons of just anyone."
The greater gods, for the second time in existence, had to walk on eggshells due to the presence of an entity unbound by their will. Laleyn did not like it, yet the venerable elder had decreed it to be so.
"I trust you with my whole being, Venerable Elder." Laleyn saluted in an exaggerated manner.
The chuckle echoed around her, "Likewise, that is one of the reasons I had picked you for the mission of dealing with the Devourer."
Runas leaned forward. He was truly one of the most trusted coworkers of Peron, thus Laleyn respected him deeply.
I probably can't observe my Azure anymore.
"Laleyn, you needn't worry. You will be able to interact with your daughter soon. But please, do not rush, we have not told about the world souls to anyone else." Runas interlocked his fingers as he brought them to his face.
The goddess of misfortune nodded enthusiastically; the fact that both Chief and Runas trusted her enough to bestow upon classified information was music to her ears.
Peron stood up on his throne and raised his hand toward Laleyn. "Laleyn, you may wait in your domain until Runas requires you. I do not want the Devourer to find you. If we lose you, we would be severely weakened."
Elder's logic was spotless in her mind; he had once again decided to protect her. He is worried about me! She brought her hands in front of her chest as she squealed.
"I understand! Chief! I will wait in my lake until Runas needs me. And thank you for putting my mind at ease, I started to really beat myself up for my failure!"
With her heartfelt exclamation, she disappeared in a golden flash, leaving Runas and Peron alone.
The two gods turned to each other. "Runas, anything new about Red Dawn?"