A week had passed since the day I finally said what Anathasia needed to hear. For the most part, I felt my doubts slowly ease around her constant presence.
The days that followed were far more comfortable, lighter, with a few arguments here and there. We openly talked about how we felt about things, disagreed when the other didn't like the idea.
Just like now. In which we were stuck in an argument about where to spend our semester break.
"The beach, it's near and we could basically just walk there. No public fare needed." Her arms crossed, her finger tapping impatiently.
"What's wrong with going to a mountain park anyway? It's only—"
"A few hundred miles away? Sure, totally practical. You said you wanted to save up, didn't you?" she interjected mid sentence, her stare deadpanned.
I paused, I couldn't deny her words. I was saving up, yes, but still...
"You can warp us there, can't you...?"
"No." her reply was firm.
"This argument is dumb and you know it. So why don't we just go with the beach?" A pause, then she continued. "I can warp us there as well."
"What's wrong with mountains anyway?" I retorted.
"What's so special about mountains then?" she shot back, her gaze full of judgement.
A crack of her fingers - one that felt like its echo sent a ripple through space itself.
Our surroundings shifted, the house vanished, replaced by towering trees and thick underbrush, my arm suddenly felt wet as the dew from the fern leaves nearby brushed against it.
"This again...?" I sighed, rubbing my temple.
The ground under my feet felt damp, soft even, the kind you find in humid places where rain was common.
For some reason, I was standing when I should've been sitting. But then again, it was Anathasia I was dealing with.
"See? While yes, this place is cool as well," she snapped a small branch from the shrubs nearby, then bent down to pick up some... mud?
"It's filthy, muddy, overall just not an ideal place to spend time in." She added, washing her hands with a floating sphere made from water, the surroundings didn't seem to reflect on it.
I glanced to my right, insects crawling around the forest floor, some even tried crawling up my leg. That was enough. I immediately went back to her side.
"...okay, I get the point..." My eyes scanned the surroundings, faint chirping of birds and wind rustling the leaves of the forest canopy, then back at her. "The beach it is..."
A grin tugged on her lips right after I relented, her posture relaxing like she'd just won an argument she knew she'd win from the start.
And just like that, we were suddenly back in the house. No weird sound, no build up, no flashy moves or suspense. Just an instant snap to reality.
I immediately went straight to the bathroom after getting back. She followed, then leaned against the door frame while loking at me.
"Now, what did I tell you?"
"Yes, yes, you were right, I was wrong. I'm sorry for ever doubting you miss 'Outer God'." I rolled my eyes. She had a way of pushing my buttons, I swear. And the way she used her godhood to win arguments was just plain unfair.
"Tch... Outer Gods should play fair for once." I mumbled under my breath, looking away from her.
"What was that?" she spoke up.
"It's exactly because I'm one that I don't have to play by anyone's rules. Heh." her smirk only widened, I wanted to wipe that smug look off her face.
"Tch, go back to where you came from then." I spat, finishing with washing my feet. "I don't know, maybe play with your fellow Outer Gods?"
"Oh, I could but someone would probably miss their favorite person~"
"Whose favorite?"
"Yours."
"In what universe?"
"This one."
"Keep dreaming."
"It's the undeniable truth, should I bring up that-" I immediately shot up, reaching out to cover her mouth with my hand.
"Okay, enough. No need to remind anyone." Her eyes lit up, clearly enjoying herself at my expense.
Still she—
"You basically said something along the lines of 'I love you' though? That says a lot doesn't it?" her hand made its way to my wrist, wrapped around it then playfully bit my finger.
"Don't deny it~" she added, her smirk still there.
I paused, letting out a long, exasperated sigh.
"Quit trying to flirt, we're supposed to plan for that beach vacation you want so bad."
"...fine." she relented, letting go of my hand but still reaching out to poke my cheek.
A-and she was pouting. Great, but I won't fall for it.
"That being said..." I trailed off, crossing my arms in thought.
"Some meats for a barbeque... a few drinks... a few foldable chairs, two pairs and a foldable table..." My eyes slowly drifted towards her, a smile forming on my lips.
She recoiled, her voice faltering.
"Oi... you're not planning on using me as some sort of object generator... are you...?" she tugged a shaky smile, backing away while I stepped closer.
"No...? I mean, Miss Outer God here has omnipotence... right? I'm sure making those wouldn't be a big deal for you, right..." I let my shadow loom over her, until her back was pressed against the wall.
"Oh great Outer God?"
I leaned in, savoring how she was at a loss for words. She stammered, her lips parting only for her words to die on her throat before saying them.
I probably would've been reduced to ashes now if I did something like this to another Outer God... If there are any.
Her eyes darted off, seemingly searching for a quick escape, but found none.
"O-Outer Gods... our omnipotence s-shouldn't be used for mere convenience, y'know...?!" she exclaimed, a cute attempt, ineffective though.
"But you can use your powers to prove a point?" I whispered, my lips just a hairsbreadth next to her ear, her breath hitched.
She flinched, lips parting in a soundless whimper as her shoulders tightened.
Got her.
I pulled away, my hands on my pockets as I watched her gradually surrender, her posture slumping just a little.
"Ngh... alright... you win this time..." she whispers, shooting me a glare.
"I'll make you pay... mark my words..." she whispers, though I'm not really all that scared. She'll probably just teleport me somewhere or trap me in my dreams.
Probably. Or rather, hopefully.
---
Later that day.
"Ah~ summer really is here."
Standing near the water, Anathasia spread her arms to the sea breeze, her hair lifting with the wind as she took a long whiff, all while I was setting up everything we need on a small hut I asked her to manifest.
"Okay, barbecue set... meats are all good..." My gaze drifted across the skewers she'd conjured on the table earlier.
The smell of sea salt mixed with the faint sweetness of raw marinade drifted around the hut.
"Now for the fire... Athy!" I called out.
"What?" she turned, then sauntered toward me, all bright and beaming as she did. "Need something?"
"I forgot the lighter so..." Smiling, I clasped my hands together as I looked at her. "Think you could make us some [fire]?"
Her expression turned deadpan, her eyes drifted to the barbeque stand behind me, then back at my face.
"Oi... I know this was my idea, but are you seriously planning on making an Outer God your personal lighter?"
"Come on, please? I'll grill you everything you want."
"...tch, fine."
A snap. Then the inside of the barbeque stand behind me burst into flames, then instantly collapsed into smoldering embers.
I turned to her, reaching out to pat her head.
"Thanks," I said, my hand trailing to cup her cheek. "Having an Outer God as my girlfriend really does make things easier."
She simply stared at me like I was the worst guy alive and exhaled sharply.
"Whatever, now just get started with—"
A beam of whitish-yellow light suddenly tore from the sky, slamming against the sand just a few hundred meters behind her.
We both turned.
Someone stepped out from the fading column, a girl-another girl? One with long white-blonde hair, as well as amber eyes, exuding the same otherworldly aura as Anathasia, but... fainter? Not as overwhelming as hers, but similar.
I glanced at Anathasia. She didn't look threatened. Annoyed, yes.
"You know her?" I whispered, leaning closer.
"Yeah. It's the Third Outer God, Rania Eon Augthorth."
She stepped in front of me, almost instinctively.
"...That's a pretty long name… and title,"
"I know. It's lofty too."
"'The First Outer God doesn't sound any better-"
"Shut up."
The girl, or woman, approached, stopping just a few steps from us. She had a gentle, serene look; the kind you'd expect from a classical painting of Saint Mary. Kind. Soft. Warm.
Unlike someone I know—
"Diss me again and I'll send you to the edge of this universe."
"Sorry... wait, were reading my mind again?"
"No. Your face is loud enough."
Our banter was immediately cut off by the soft, almost melodic chuckle of the woman before us.
"My, it seems... Miss Anathasia here is truly enjoying hersel-"
"Shut it, Rania. What're you doing here on Earth? And drop the noble act. We both know you're just pretending." Anathasia cut her off so cleanly the woman froze mid-step.
"That's... harsh, Miss Anathasia, did we not have coffee together not too long ago—"
"Go back to Aegea already."
Arms crossed. No hesitation.
Rania stiffened.
"Ngh... aren't I your student...?" She actually sobbed.
I leaned closer to Anathasia's ear. "Isn't she an Outer God like yourself? Doesn't that mean she could—"
"Do the things I can? Yes, but—" she continued then—
"I could, yes." Rania took over, clearing her throat.
"Except," she continued, turning her amber eyes toward me. "I think Mr... Kyle? Was it? Here still hasn't grasped just how... far the gap between her and the rest of us, is."
Anathasia said nothing.
And that silence told me more than any explanation ever could.
I knew she was an Outer God, but I didn't understand what that actually meant until now.