The soft glow of the celestial garden slowly returned to normal after Lyria's breathtaking dance.
The glowing droplets of water had vanished, and the floating lanterns around the garden gently swayed again in the night breeze.
Yet the strange shadow above the stars still lingered somewhere far away.
Watching.
Waiting.
Aerion leaned back against the stone edge of the platform, still thinking about the dance he had just witnessed.
"…Okay, I'll admit it."
Lyria smirked beside him.
"Admit what?"
"That was amazing."
She crossed her arms proudly.
"Of course it was."
Seraphyna nodded calmly.
"The dance displayed perfect control of elemental water."
Nythera chuckled softly.
"It was quite captivating."
Aelira simply smiled faintly.
Lyria stretched lazily.
"Well, now that my performance is over…"
She pointed dramatically toward the group.
"…the game continues."
Aerion groaned.
"Why did I agree to this."
Nythera leaned forward slightly.
"Because it is entertaining."
Lyria suddenly pointed straight at Aerion.
"Your turn!"
He blinked.
"…Wait, why me again?"
"Because I said so."
Seraphyna tilted her head.
"The logic is acceptable."
Aerion sighed.
"…Fine."
He looked around the circle.
Then pointed at Nythera.
"You."
Nythera smiled slowly.
"…Truth or Dare."
Aerion smirked slightly.
"Dare."
Lyria clapped.
"Oh this will be good."
Nythera's violet eyes gleamed.
"Aerion…"
She leaned forward slightly.
"I dare you…"
Aerion braced himself.
"…to cook something for us."
He blinked.
"…What?"
Lyria looked confused.
"That's it?"
Nythera nodded.
"Yes."
Seraphyna spoke quietly.
"Cooking is a common human activity."
Aelira seemed curious now.
"…You can cook?"
Aerion scratched the back of his neck.
"…A little."
Lyria leaned forward eagerly.
"Oh this I want to see."
Nythera smiled.
"The dare is simple."
She pointed toward the palace kitchen visible across the terrace.
"Prepare a meal."
Aerion stood up slowly.
"…For four goddesses."
Nythera corrected him.
"Five."
He sighed dramatically.
"…Great."
A short time later…
The palace kitchen looked very different from the calm celestial garden.
Golden lights illuminated the large marble counters.
Strange glowing ingredients floated gently in glass containers.
Crystal knives rested neatly beside enchanted cutting boards.
Aerion stood in the center of the kitchen.
Staring at everything.
"…This is the fanciest kitchen I've ever seen."
Lyria sat casually on the counter swinging her legs.
"Well?"
Seraphyna stood beside a cabinet examining the strange ingredients.
"Humans normally cook with fire."
Aelira leaned against the wall.
"There is a flame crystal if needed."
Nythera watched quietly from the doorway, her violet eyes glowing with amusement.
Aerion rolled up his sleeves.
"Alright."
He looked around the room.
"Let's see what we've got."
He opened several containers.
Strange glowing fruits.
Shimmering herbs.
Even something that looked like golden rice.
"…Okay this might actually work."
Lyria grinned.
"Oh he's serious."
Aerion grabbed a knife and started chopping ingredients carefully.
The goddesses watched with fascination.
Seraphyna spoke softly.
"His movements are precise."
Aelira nodded.
"He appears practiced."
Lyria leaned closer to Aerion.
"You're hiding talents from us."
Aerion smirked slightly.
"Humans have many skills."
Nythera chuckled.
"Impressive."
Soon the kitchen filled with warm aromas.
Aerion cooked carefully, combining spices and ingredients together.
He used the flame crystal to heat a large pan.
Golden light flickered across the room.
Within minutes the air smelled incredible.
Lyria sniffed dramatically.
"…Okay wow."
Seraphyna looked intrigued.
"The scent is pleasant."
Aelira stepped closer.
"You truly cook well."
Aerion laughed.
"Don't praise it until you taste it."
He finished preparing the dish and placed it on a large plate.
The food shimmered slightly under the kitchen lights.
"Alright."
He crossed his arms.
"Dinner is served."
Lyria immediately grabbed a fork.
"Oh yes."
She took a bite.
Then froze.
Aerion raised an eyebrow.
"…Well?"
Her eyes widened.
"…That's really good."
Seraphyna tried it next.
Her calm expression changed slightly.
"The flavor balance is excellent."
Aelira tasted it as well.
A small smile appeared.
"You have surprised me."
Nythera tasted the dish last.
Then laughed softly.
"Well."
She looked at Aerion.
"You passed the dare."
He bowed dramatically.
"Thank you."
Lyria suddenly pointed at him again.
"But the game isn't over."
Aerion groaned.
"…Of course it isn't."
Lyria grinned mischievously.
"My turn."
She looked directly at Aerion.
"Truth or Dare."
He sighed.
"…Dare."
Her smile widened instantly.
"Oh perfect."
Nythera leaned forward with interest.
Seraphyna watched calmly.
Aelira folded her arms.
Lyria leaned closer to Aerion.
"Aerion…"
Her voice dropped slightly.
"I dare you…"
He waited nervously.
"…to feed one of us with your own hands."
The kitchen went silent.
Aerion blinked.
"…That's romantic."
Lyria smirked.
"Exactly."
Nythera laughed softly.
"Oh this is fun."
Seraphyna looked thoughtful.
Aelira raised an eyebrow.
Aerion sighed.
"…Alright."
He picked up a small piece of food.
Then looked around the room.
Four goddesses stared back at him.
Waiting.
"…This game is trying to kill me."
Lyria laughed.
"Choose."
Aerion slowly walked forward.
But just as he was about to choose—
The flame crystal suddenly flickered.
The lights in the kitchen dimmed.
The air grew colder.
Aelira immediately turned toward the window.
"…That presence again."
Seraphyna's eyes narrowed.
"It has moved closer."
Nythera's violet eyes glowed faintly.
"…Interesting."
Aerion looked confused.
"…Guys?"
Outside the palace windows—
The stars dimmed once more.
And the massive shadow in the sky slowly shifted across the heavens.
Watching them.
Waiting.
The game of Truth or Dare had become something far more dangerous.
And it seemed…
Someone else wanted to join.