Luki and Hestia climbed the stairs of Orario's great wall, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the stone steps. The ascent was long and tiring, and Hestia soon began to feel the strain weighing on her small legs.
— Luki… I swear… if this climb isn't worth it, I'll throw you off the top! — she grumbled, panting, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.
Luki, on the other hand, remained silent, his gaze fixed on the top of the wall. Halfway up, he had the idea of turning this into a surprise and decided not to reveal his plan.
— Hey! Are you even listening to me? — Hestia huffed, crossing her arms. — You could at least carry me, you know?!
Luki gave her a brief glance, seriously considering it for a moment, before dismissing the idea and continuing his climb.
After what felt like an eternity to the goddess, they finally reached the top. A fresh breeze welcomed them immediately, a relief after the exhausting ascent. Hestia leaned against the parapet, catching her breath.
— That… that was horrible… — she muttered, still trying to steady her breathing. — I should've taken an elevator…
Luki, meanwhile, remained silent, gazing at the horizon. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with vibrant shades of orange and violet. The sight was breathtaking, a stunning contrast to the bustling city below.
Still sulking, Hestia looked at him with a pout.
— Well? What was so important you had to put me through this torture?
Luki only smirked faintly and pointed ahead without saying a word.
Hestia, still frowning, lifted her gaze, ready to complain again… but the instant her eyes met the view before her, the words vanished from her mind.
The sky above Orario was a spectacle of vivid colors. Warm tones of orange and gold blended smoothly with violet and deep twilight blue, while the first twinkling stars began to appear.
The silhouette of the Tower of Babel, imposing and majestic, stood against the blazing sky as the wind carried with it the distant sounds of the living city.
Hestia's eyes sparkled, perfectly reflecting the spectacle of lights and colors. Since she had descended to the mortal world a few months ago, this was the first time she had seen something so beautiful.
Time seemed to slow down. Her heart, still racing from the climb, now beat in a gentler rhythm, as if it wanted to follow the serenity of the sunset.
— Wow… — Hestia whispered, unable to say anything more.
While the little goddess was enraptured by the sunset, Luki also watched the scenery, though his thoughts wandered in a different direction.
'Sunsets in animations always seem more vibrant, more magical… But still, nothing compares to seeing one for real.' He frowned slightly. 'When was the last time I did something like this? When I was 15? Maybe 14. I was never the type to go out just to look at scenery.'
The truth was, though he acknowledged the beauty of the scene before him, his mindset was still that of someone used to the immediacy and intensity of the digital world. Processed images, saturated colors, artificial light effects, they always seemed more striking. The natural spectacle was beautiful, but it didn't leave him in awe.
His eyes drifted toward Hestia.
And in that moment, he realized—the true wonder wasn't in the orange sky, but in the woman before him.
The glow of twilight outlined her silhouette sublimely. The golden light highlighted the delicate features of her face, while soft shadows emphasized her curves. Resting casually against the stone parapet, she seemed almost ethereal, like a painting capturing the essence of divinity and femininity all at once.
Luki swallowed hard.
'Maybe I…' His fingers twitched instinctively, his hand starting to rise toward her, as though something invisible was pulling him. But at the last moment, he hesitated.
'Am I being too hasty? Maybe that's too intimate. Or maybe I'm just nervous and overthinking.'
He studied her again, memorizing every detail. The dark hair falling over her shoulders, the blue eyes reflecting the shifting sky, the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed calmly.
A small spark of determination lit within him.
'But that's why we're here… to deepen our relationship. If I hesitate now, I'll just be running away like a coward.'
Luki took a deep breath, steadying his resolve. His heart beat faster as he slowly approached Hestia until their shoulders brushed side by side. Her warmth was palpable, and the closeness only heightened the subtle tension in the air.
Then, unhurried, driven by a mix of courage and desire, he lifted his right arm and gently wrapped it around her waist.
The sensation was immediate.
The softness of her clothes beneath his fingers, the subtle curve of her body pressed against him, the comforting warmth of her presence. It was the first time he had held her like this, in such an intimate yet casual way.
Hestia, still lost in the sunset, blinked at the unexpected gesture. Her body stiffened for an instant, as if her mind needed a few seconds to process what was happening. But then, without hesitation, she relaxed.
A small smile blossomed on her lips.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world, she raised her arm and wrapped it around him in return, resting her head against his chest.
When Luki realized how comfortable she seemed, he allowed himself to relax as well. With a quiet sigh, he pulled her closer, resting his head lightly against hers.
Time seemed to slow down.
There, bathed in the golden glow of the horizon, the two remained together in silence, simply feeling each other's presence. A gentle breeze brushed their skin, carrying the faint scent of the city and the sweet fragrance of Hestia's hair.
It was a moment that could only be described as pure romance, a scene worthy of lovers. But in that instant, there was no need for fiery passion or unnecessary words.
All they felt was peace and tranquility — the kind only found in the arms of the one you love.
...
After a few minutes, the sun had completely set, and darkness took over Orario. Without electric lighting, the city below was illuminated only by the flickering flames of torches and lanterns, casting a soft and scattered glow. High up on the wall, where they stood, only the stars and the moon offered the faintest clarity, leaving the surroundings draped in shadows and blurred silhouettes.
Hestia let out a deep sigh, feeling the cool night air fill her lungs. A small smile touched her lips.— That was really wonderful… thank you for bringing me here.
— Unhum… — Luki replied, calm and steady.
She tilted her head to look at him. Even in the darkness, because they were so close, she could see him with the faint light the stars provided.— I didn't know this place existed. How did you think of it?
He took a while to answer, as if pondering. Then, with an almost lazy simplicity, he said:— Can nOT reaLLy sAy.
Hestia smiled.— I see.
Silence settled between them, but it was a comfortable silence. In that moment, words felt unnecessary.
Luki shifted his gaze toward Hestia. Even in the dimness, he could feel her presence beside him, so close and natural. It wasn't an overwhelming or consuming sensation, but something gentle, as if he were exactly where he was meant to be. Hestia, in turn, felt the warmth of his body against hers. With the vast, endless sky above them and the quiet city below, everything seemed in perfect harmony.
Without realizing it, the two slowly leaned toward each other, guided by something they didn't need to understand. The silence of the night was profound, and in Orario's darkness, with only the faint starlight brushing their faces, everything felt calm and natural. The cold night air seemed gentler, more pleasant, and the darkness, which could once have felt oppressive, now seemed the perfect backdrop for the moment they shared.
— Luki~ — Hestia called softly, her voice carrying emotions she couldn't put into words.
— Hestia… — Luki murmured, his voice low, almost as though he were forcing himself to hold onto rationality.
Trying to reach Luki, who was considerably taller, Hestia rose onto her tiptoes. But she didn't mind; the world around them seemed to have vanished, the only sound the quiet beating of their hearts. Their eyes closed without them realizing, as if the moment had completely taken hold of them. Seeing her close her eyes, Luki felt compelled to do the same, surrendering to instinct.
The peace that wrapped them was filled with a soft desire to be closer. There was no rush, no hesitation, only the quiet certainty that this moment was meant to be. Without words, they drew nearer, close enough to feel each other's breath and warmth — something pulling them to close the gap even further.
When their lips were just about to meet…
BRRRUUUUM!
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble, throwing them off balance. Hestia, standing on her toes, was the most affected.— Hestia-sama! — Luki caught her tightly, stopping her from falling.
— What's happening?! — Hestia pulled back slightly, frightened, her wide eyes darting around in panic.
The shaking seemed endless. The ground of Orario quaked violently, making the air itself vibrate around them. Large cracks split open in the pavement, and chunks of stone and cement broke free from nearby walls. Houses began to collapse, their foundations shattering as if made of paper. In the distance, panicked screams echoed as chaos engulfed the city.
The horizon itself was unsettled by a turmoil no one could explain. Even the imposing Tower of Babel, a symbol of power and stability, was not spared. Its walls, once seemingly unbreakable, began to fracture. Deep fissures spread across its structure, and chunks of stone and concrete rained down.
From the top of the tower, a massive piece, the size of three to five entire floors, broke off in terrifying fashion. The fragment, colossal in scale, plummeted like a comet toward the ground, visible from every corner of the city.
BOOOOOM!
With a deafening crash, the enormous piece of the tower slammed into the ground beside the structure, creating a crater that swallowed several nearby houses. The impact sent a massive cloud of dust and debris into the air, and the noise was so tremendous it felt as though the earth itself were splitting apart.
The tremor threw the entire city into total panic, the sounds of collapsing buildings blending with the desperate cries of its citizens. Then, just as suddenly as it had come, the earthquake ended — with a final rumble that defied logic. The ground stilled, and an eerie silence fell over Orario, as if even the city itself was in shock.
But the trail of destruction throughout the city was undeniable, a stark reminder of the uncontrollable power that had just been unleashed.
Luki and Hestia were still breathless, even though they had done nothing. Their bodies remained entwined, seeking comfort in each other after the terror. Fear and confusion were clear in their eyes.
— What was that? An earthquake? But how? Something like this has never happened before. — Hestia asked, her voice trembling.
— I don't know… — Luki answered, disbelief etched on his face. He was still trying to process what had just happened, fear mingling with bewilderment.
For a while, they simply held each other, trying to calm down. The world around them seemed to have slowed, and neither knew what to do or even what to think. Chaos still echoed throughout the city, but at that moment, all that mattered was that they were there, together.
— Are you okay? — Luki asked softly, concern in his voice.
— Yes… and you? — Hestia replied, pulling back. But uncertainty still lingered in her gaze.
— Uhm… — Luki muttered, unsure of how else to respond. The shock was still heavy, and the sense that something far greater was happening hung thick in the air.
They fell into silence again, both lost in their own thoughts. What should they do now? What mattered most? The situation was spiraling out of control.
And then, as if struck by the same lightning bolt, reality hit them both at once. Their eyes widened together, and without another word, they straightened suddenly in panic.
— Our home!!! — they cried out at the same time, worry flooding their faces.
And as if nothing else mattered, the two bolted, rushing down the stairs without a thought for the worst, or perhaps because they feared the worst had already happened.