Standing in an open field, with countless flowers and trees behind him, Aetherion looked around the place he had been training in for the past few years—his personal training ground.
He turned slowly and began to walk, a melancholic expression on his face, as if reminiscing about all the memories he had made here.
He remembered the very first time he came to this place, when Gaia held him in her arms as a baby and showed him around, explaining every corner, every tree, every thing this land held.
As he grew older, he began to explore it more deeply.
He saw animals—some he recognized from stories, others born from his own divine energy.
Birds flew overhead, some glowing faintly with divinity, though lacking true intelligence.
He smiled faintly, remembering how he had nurtured the land, grown beautiful trees—some silver, some golden, some of vibrant colors—until the forest looked like a living rainbow.
This peaceful, timeless realm… it had become his sanctuary.
His home.
And now, it was time to leave.
Sadness welled in his chest.
His breath grew shallow, his heartbeat quickened—not from fear, but from the ache of parting.
It felt like leaving behind a sacred piece of himself, knowing full well that he wouldn't return for a long, long time.
After all, war was coming.
And this haven existed only because he remained detached from the affairs of the other deities.
As Gaia had warned him, once he stepped out into the divine world, he would no longer be able to return here—not for a while, perhaps not ever.
Still, as the emotions settled, a small, quiet smile crossed his face.
Acceptance.
Resolve.
His feet carried him forward, step by step, until he stood before Gaia's palace—simple, yet majestic.
And there she stood, the primordial of the Earth, his caretaker, his guardian.
She radiated beauty and a calm, comforting presence.
The thought of leaving her now… it hurt.
"I guess I always knew this day would come,"
he said softly as he approached her.
"So, it's finally time, huh?"
Gaia said, her voice calm but touched with emotion.
"You be leaving this place."
He gave her a small, wry smile.
"Yeah, you know… I have to go save my siblings, defeat my father… just another regular day for me."
His attempt at humor made Gaia chuckle gently.
She looked at him for a long moment, then said something that caught him completely off guard.
"You do realize I'm coming with you, right? I'll be visiting—and staying there."
He blinked, stunned.
He hadn't expected that.
For a moment, he simply stared at her, absorbing the unexpected warmth of her words.
As Aetherion's eyes widened further, genuine surprise bloomed across his face.
He hadn't even considered the possibility that she might come with him.
Gaia, noticing his expression, burst into laughter.
"Haha, Aetherion! Did you really think I wouldn't visit you? I told you I can't interfere—who said I can't stay and watch?"
she giggled, pointing at him teasingly.
"Haha! I thought you were smart, but it turns out you're an idiot!"
Aetherion scowled playfully.
"Tch… shut your mouth. I knew that."
But he hadn't.
Not really.
Deep down, he had assumed she would disappear from his life once he left this sacred place.
Yet now, even though embarrassment prickled at him, a warmth bloomed in his chest.
It was relief.
He was glad.
Glad that this chocolate-loving primordial wouldn't vanish from his life.
That someone so steady—though a little eccentric—would remain close by.
His lips curled into a soft smile as he looked at her laughing.
"I'm glad I'll get to keep seeing you, Gaia,"
he said, the words slipping from his heart before he could stop them.
Gaia's laughter halted.
She blinked, visibly surprised—and then her cheeks began to glow faintly gold.
'Even a primordial could be flustered, huh?'
Aetherion chuckled inwardly, amused by the rare sight.
"Hmph. Whatever," Gaia mumbled. "I can't just leave you alone. Who knows what kind of stupid thing you'll get yourself into."
She turned her head to the side, cheeks puffed out as if sulking, her glowing ears betraying her emotion.
Aetherion laughed now, gently poking her cheek.
"Haha, it is embarrassing, huh?"
"You—!"
she huffed, swatting at his hand.
They locked eyes and burst into shared laughter.
Aetherion's heart felt lighter, more rooted—more ready.
"But truly,"
he said again, sincerity in his voice,
"I'm glad I'll still see you, Gaia."
This time, Gaia didn't turn away.
She smiled warmly, her expression soft and almost tender.
"And I'm glad too, Aetherion," she replied. "I want to see what you'll become. I want to stay near you to witness it."
Aetherion blinked, surprised.
Her words caught him off guard, flustering him.
She… really said that? Even his ears turned a shade of gold.
He cleared his throat and quickly tried to redirect the moment.
"A-anyway… It's time. The plan needs to be set in motion."
As the seriousness returned, so did the transformation.
His form began to shift—his golden hair with green streaks turning to a deep earthy brown, his skin darkening to a beautiful, warm tone, as if carved from sacred soil.
His silver eyes remained, but now glinted with a calm steel, burning with purpose.
His body grew more defined, muscular, solid—as if the Earth itself had forged him.
This was his Divine Earth Form.
"Can you open the portal, Gaia?"
he asked, his voice resolute.
Gaia gave him a gentle smile and raised her hand.
A swirling green portal shimmered to life in front of him, humming with natural energy.
Aetherion stepped toward it—but paused as he heard Gaia call out.
"Aetherion,"
she said.
He turned his head.
"Don't worry. You've got this,"
she said simply, pride shining in her eyes.
"After all, you are the brat I raised. The one I trained. Hohoho~,"
she laughed confidently.
Aetherion smirked, shaking his head with mock exasperation.
With a final wave, he stepped through the gate.
Gaia stood there alone, watching the portal shimmer until it vanished.
The realm felt quieter without him.
Still, she whispered with confidence,
"Don't worry. When you win… you can come home again."
And in that sacred, timeless garden, the primordial mother smiled to herself—lonely, yes, but proud.