Inside the room, Abyss sat on the old, slightly dirty bed, still looking as relaxed as ever. Star, however, remained standing, his arms crossed and his brow furrowed in thought. He was struggling to figure out how to explain everything to Abyss without worrying him too much. He knew that if he just dumped all of this on Abyss suddenly, his friend would almost certainly make the wrong decision.
The room itself was bland compared to other inns and taverns. It contained only a bed, a chair, a table, and a closet for those who wanted to stay longer. Dust coated the floor and furniture, each piece worn smooth from years of use and placed without much care. A few lanterns burned softly, their yellow light leaving the corners in shadow. From the small window, the starry night sky shone with such beauty that anyone who glanced out would find themselves entranced.
Abyss, noticing Star's silence, leaned back against the headboard and asked casually,"So, what was it you were going to tell me?"
Star still unsure how to start, takes a deep breath and says to him self " screw it, lets just go with the flow. "
In a more serious tone, he began, "Today, after we parted ways and I went to see Rose—"
Abyss cut him off with a lazy grin. "Don't tell me you're about to announce you're marrying Rose or something."
Star's face turned red instantly. "W-What?! No, no, no—you've got it all wrong!" he stammered, his expression as red as a tomato.
Abyss smirked, unbothered. "Hey, man, you admitted yourself that you left me behind to see your crush."
Star spluttered. "Yeah, I did, but I—I—!" Finally, in frustration, he shouted, "Screw you, man!"
Abyss chuckled lightly. "Do you feel better now?"
Star blinked at him, confused. "What…?"
Smiling, Abyss leaned forward slightly. "I know you've been worried ever since you came back. And I know it's because of what you're about to tell me. You've been racking your brain over how to put it into words. Am I right?"
Star's face softened, his voice quieter now, almost shy. "Yeah… maybe."
To Star, Abyss was more than just a friend. He was like an older brother, someone he trusted beyond all else. Abyssfelt the same way, for him Star wasn't just a companion; he was family.
Abyss's smile faded as his tone grew serious. "You don't need to worry about worrying me. Just tell me what happened."
Star drew in another breath before speaking. "When I was with Rose… a message came. From the Divine Realm."
Abyss's eyes sharpened, his voice curious. "And what did it say?"
Star explained the what the message said in his own words. "It said:A problem has occurred that endangers all the gods. To discuss it, a Roundtable Gathering will be held, and it said our presence is especially required."
Since Star and Abyss were the strongest of all gods, they were some what also considered their leader. Especially Abyss since he was a bit stronger than Star.
Abyss leaned back, deep in thought. "So that's what's been weighing on you. Hm. I'll admit, it's a troubling situation."
He glanced at Star knowingly. "Let me guess—you're worried because the message called for both of us. And you think I won't go, since I skipped the last Roundtable Gathering."
Star frowned. "Yeah… but tell me if I'm wrong."
Abyss's tone grew sharp, his voice louder now. "So what if I refuse? You know my reason. Why are you even bothering?"
Abyss's reason was simple, yet heavy. He believed that if both of them left, the world would collapse from within. Innocent people would suffer, wars would break out, and countless lives would be lost. The thought of it terrified him. Maybe it wouldn't happen here, maybe their world was stronger—but the stories he'd heard from other gods haunted him. Worlds had fallen before, even under the watch of the Original Six gods. One such world had been utterly destroyed.
Abyss had a deep, unshakable attachment to this world and its people. He cared for them more than anything else. If given a choice between keeping his divine status or living as a mortal in this world, he would choose the latter without hesitation. His godhood meant nothing compared to his love for the world he had come to call home.
Star's voice held a trace of irritation now. "You can't skip this one. This isn't a normal gathering—it's a Roundtable. You know how dangerous even the mention of that is. You already skipped the last one, and I had to carry the weight alone. I forgave you then, because I understood—we had just arrived in this world, and someone had to stay. But this time, I won't budge. You have to come. That's final."
Abyss clenched his fists, anger flashing in his eyes. "I will not leave the world. I won't risk it being destroyed."
Silence settled between them, heavy and suffocating.
Star exhaled slowly. His voice softened. "Please, Abyss. Even if you stay, this issue threatening to you as well and it might even become a threat to this world to. And if your concern is leaving the world alone… then we can make new gods to protect it."
Abyss's eyes narrowed. He thought for a moment before shaking his head. "Leaving the world to others isn't an option. Even if they're obedient, we don't know what they'll do in our absence. And if they make changes. And even if we do make new gods a leave them with the care of this world, when we come back, they will still be able to make changes to the world, I want only you and me to be the one's look over this world and no one else, So no Star. I won't allow it."
Star hesitated, then pressed further. "What if… we made it so they only hold godhood while we're gone? And when we return, we take that power away and turn them back into mortals?"
Abyss blinked, taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"I mean exactly that," Star explained firmly. "Temporary gods. Caretakers, nothing more. When we come back, we return them to normal. That way you and I can be the only guardians of this world. Please, Abyss—I'm begging you. Consider it."
Abyss frowned deeply. His heart wrestled with doubt, but at last, he gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. I'll go. But hear me, Star if anything happens to this world, anything at all… I'll never forgive you."
Star stepped forward, his expression earnest. "Nothing bad will happen. I promise."
Trying to lighten the mood, he muttered under his breath, "Finally convinced this idiot…"
Abyss's head snapped up. "Who the hell are you calling an idiot?!"
Star burst into laughter. "Okay, okay, fine—you're not an idiot." He smirked. "Feel better now?"
Abyss paused, then gave a small smile. "…Yeah. I do."
"Good," Star said with relief, before grinning mischievously. "Though you are still an idiot."
"Why you—!" Abyss lunged at him, and soon both of them were laughing, their earlier tension melting away.
But neither of them knew that the decision they had just made would change their lives forever—and not in a good way.