"…So it was all a dream?"
Ayal whispered to himself.
He knew it was impossible — suddenly traveling to the world of gods, being chosen, being protected… none of it should be real. And yet, it felt more real than his own life.
It was the first time something beautiful had ever happened to him.
If it was only a dream…
Then why did it hurt so much?
Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I thought I should teach you a proper lesson… not something that would hurt you this much, Ayal."
A voice echoed in the darkness.
"What…? What are you saying?" Ayal looked around.
"Ayal… did you forget me?"
The room suddenly turned pitch black.
Before he could understand anything, light flooded the room again.
He wasn't standing.
He wasn't lying on a bed either.
It felt like he was floating in an endless space.
"It's been a long time since I saw you," the voice continued softly.
"Did you forget me?"
A figure appeared before him.
A god.
The very god who once sent him to the world of gods.
Ayal stared in shock.
"You… What are you doing here?"
The god smiled gently.
"Did you really think I would let you leave so easily?"
That smile… Ayal couldn't understand it.
"What's happening to me? Wasn't I in the god world? Why am I back in my world?"
The god laughed quietly.
"Who said you returned to your world?"
Ayal's eyes widened.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean… you are in the god world right now."
"…What?"
Ayal felt dizzy.
"So… I wasn't in my real world before?"
"That was a world of imagination," the god replied calmly.
"A world I created."
Ayal's heart trembled.
"So… everything was fake?"
"Yes. I created it."
"You did this to me?!" Ayal shouted. "You brought me there and now you're playing with me?"
The god's smile faded slightly.
"Do you not remember what you told me the last time we met?"
"…What did I say?"
"You said… if I ever became the God of all gods… you would stay with me."
Ayal's head throbbed.
"Did I… really say that?"
"You did."
Silence fell between them.
"I thought… I could teach you a lesson," the god said quietly.
Ayal smiled faintly.
"So now you're teaching me?"
"Yes," the god replied, looking away. "And I am happy."
Ayal took a deep breath.
"So I'm dreaming right now… aren't I?"
"Yes. You are asleep."
"Then… will I wake up?"
"If you wish to."
Ayal hesitated.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Ask."
"When I created that imaginary world… you were crying. I saw you wanting to return to your world. But when you were in a world just like your own… you were crying again. Why?"
Ayal looked down.
"…Because since I came there, many good things happened to me. Things I never had in my real life."
His voice trembled.
"In my real world… I never received those things. But there… I did. That's why I want to stay in a place where I can be happy."
The god looked at him silently.
"So that is your wish… To stay somewhere where you can have everything you never had?"
"Yes."
The god turned away.
"Where there is light… there is also darkness. No matter where you go… you must face both."
Before Ayal could understand, everything turned black.
"Ayal! Wake up! You have to wake up!"
A familiar voice echoed.
Ayal slowly opened his eyes.
"Where… am I?"
As his vision cleared, he saw someone standing before him.
Aira.
Tears were falling from her eyes.
"Aira… what are you doing here?"
"Are you okay?" she grabbed his hand tightly. "I'm sorry… This is all my fault."
"It's not your fault," Ayal said gently. "I accepted the Sword Duo challenge first."
She shook her head.
"No… It's because of me…"
Suddenly—
"Well, I'm glad you're awake."
A calm voice interrupted.
Ayal turned his head.
Professor Sun God was standing there.
"Professor? What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you," he smiled. "After all… you and my daughter seem to have quite a close relationship."
"W–What? No! We're just friends, right Aira?"
Aira couldn't speak.
She looked terrified.
Professor Sun God stepped closer and leaned near her ear.
"If you tell him anything… you know what will happen, my dear daughter."
Aira froze.
"Aira? What's wrong?" Ayal asked worriedly.
"I–I'm fine…"
Professor Sun God straightened himself.
"She's just upset after seeing you injured twice. Isn't that right, Aira?"
She nodded silently.
Ayal sighed.
"Aira, you should rest. You don't look well."
"Yes… you need rest," the professor added calmly.
Aira slowly stepped back, her hands trembling.
And Ayal couldn't shake the strange feeling
That something was very, very wrong.