Chapter 2: Gods Of Another World
….......
I slowly opened my eyes. At first, I thought i had gone blind.
There was nothing around me. No floor beneath my feet. No sky above my head. Just an endless darkness stretching in every direction like a sea of ink. Tiny stars glittered in the distance, scattered across the void like shattered diamonds.
And somehow
I was floating.
My long white hair drifted weightlessly around my shoulders as i slowly turned in place, panic beginning to crawl up my spine.
"H-Hello?" I called.
My voice echoed strangely, fading into the endless space until it disappeared completely.
No answer.
The silence was suffocating. I swallowed nervously and hugged my arms close to myself.
"Okay… this is officially creepy."
A soft light suddenly appeared in the distance. My body stiffened, The light slowly floated closer, glowing brighter and brighter until it resembled a small star drifting through the void. It circled around me lazily, almost curiously.
i took a cautious step back despite there being no actual ground beneath me.
"Who are you?! What even are you?!" The glowing orb paused.
"Would you believe me if I said I were a god?"
"…Not really." I stared blankly
The orb flickered. Then suddenly, Light exploded outward. I shielded my eyes as the glowing sphere stretched and reshaped itself into a human figure.
A man appeared before me. He was tall and elegant, with floor-length white hair that flowed like silk in an invisible breeze. Golden ornaments decorated his dark robes, shimmering softly beneath the starlight. His sharp golden eyes seemed almost unnatural, as if they could see through every thought hidden inside my mind.
The air around him felt calm. Cold.Endless.
"I am Tsukuyomi," the man said smoothly.
"Ruler of the night and all within it."
"…You're actually a god." I asked curiously
"I did warn you." he smiled knowingly
"I thought you were joking!" I said as A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"What would a god even want with me?" i asked cautiously.
Tsukuyomi studied me quietly for a moment before speaking.
"You truly are clueless, aren't you?" he sighed like he was already exhausted
"Hey!"
"Not that I blame you," he continued calmly.
"The truth was hidden from you your entire life."
"…Truth?" I frowned.
"Your real parents are not from Earth." he said simply
Silence.
Then—
"NANIIIIIIIIIIII?!" I screamed
Tsukuyomi visibly flinched and covered one ear.
"Please lower your voice." he begged. Not like there was anyone here to bother.
"My WHAT?!" I asked
"Your biological parents originated from another world," he repeated patiently.
"Due to certain circumstances, they made a deal with the Crown of Superiority in order to send both you and your brother to Japan."
My expression slowly stiffened.
"…The Crown of Superiority?"i tilted my head confused
"A council of gods that oversees the world you are about to enter." he explained.
As he spoke, glowing symbols appeared around them like constellations.
"There are currently four members. I, Tsukuyomi, god of night. Artemis, goddess of adventure. Tet, god of play. And Thalia, goddess of beauty."
I listened carefully, trying to process everything.
Another world. Gods. My parents. None of this felt real.
"…And we were supposed to return there one day?" i asked quietly as Tsukuyomi nodded.
"But events did not proceed as intended." he chuckled awkwardly
Yeah. Because some psycho from your world kidnapped my brother. I clenched my fists.
"Do you know who took him?" I asked hopefully.
Tsukuyomi's expression softened slightly.
"I do not." he said. My shoulders slumped.
"However," he added, "one of the others may possess more information."
A thought suddenly struck her.
"Wait. What about everyone back on Earth? My social status? School? People who knew us?"
"All memories involving you and your brother will eventually vanish from existence. " Tsukuyomi answered without hesitation.
"…That's terrifying." I sweatdropped
"It is necessary." he nodded
Gods really say horrifying things so casually huh…
Tsukuyomi slowly raised one hand.
"If your questions are finished, then we shall begin." Green light burst from his palm and surrounded my body. Warm energy wrapped around me like flowing water.
"As a future hero of this realm, you shall receive blessings from every member of the Crown of Superiority." he said
My body suddenly began dissolving into sparkling particles.
"Huh?! Wait—"
Tsukuyomi sighed tiredly
"It seems the others have grown impatient."
His expression turned serious.
"Listen carefully, Shiori. The other gods… may not be as easy to understand as I am."
"That sounds worrying."
"Some of them possess rather difficult personalities."
"That sounds MORE worrying." I panicked internally
"For my sake," he said gently, "please try to remain patient with them."
I hesitated before smiling awkwardly.
"…Okay. Since you asked nicely.
The god gave a small nod.bThen my body vanished completely.
When i opened her eyes again, i found myself standing inside an enormous temple.
Massive marble pillars stretched toward a ceiling hidden in clouds. Golden flames flickered along the walls, bathing the room in warm light.
At the far end sat a woman upon a throne.
Her long purple hair cascaded over white robes while her heterochromatic eyes—one gold, one violet. She watched calmly.
Even sitting down, her presence felt overwhelming.
"Welcome, child," the woman said gracefully. "I am Artemis, goddess of adventure."
"I-I'm Shiori Komori." I bowed respectfully
Artemis nodded approvingly
"It seems Tsukuyomi already explained the important matters, so I shall elaborate further."
The goddess rose from her throne and slowly walked toward the center of the room.
A beam of light shone down upon her dramatically.
Way too dramatically.
"In an age where peace once flourished," Artemis began,
"humanity is now threatened by creatures known as Phantoms." Images appeared around us. Monsters.Burning cities. Screaming people fleeing through ruined streets.
"The weak live in fear. Nations crumble. Lives are stolen everyday." Her gaze sharpened.
"That is why heroes from other worlds are summoned. To uncover the truth behind humanity's destruction… and put an end to it."
I stared silently at the floating images.
This world sounded awful.
"Now then, give me your hand" Artemis said suddenly.
"Huh?" I blinked
"So I may determine the blessing most suited to your nature." She explained
I cautiously stepped forward and placed my hand into the goddess's palm. A soft glow spread between us. Artemis's eyes widened slightly.
"…PFFT—"
The goddess suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha—! I-I'm sorry—!" He choke on her laughter.
The hell?!
"I've simply never seen such a depressing lifestyle before!" He laughed
I froze as Artemis laughed harder.
"A shut-in otaku with nonexistent social skills? Amazing! Truly remarkable!"
A vein bulged on my forehead.
Is this woman seriously laughing at my entire life?!
"A-Ah… wonderful," Artemis sighed while wiping tears from her eyes. "Nothing relieves stress better than comedy."
This bitch… I gritted my teeth as The goddess finally composed herself.
"Very well. Your greatest strength lies within your mind. Therefore, I grant you the Power of the Mind."
"…Which does what exactly?" I asked
"It is a personal mental domain unique to you. A library, an inventory, and an infinite space existing within your consciousness." She explained
"So basically… hallucinations?" I stated blankly
Artemis twitched. "…No."
"Sounds fake."
"It is not fake."
"Mhm."
The goddess inhaled slowly. "Anyway, my duty is complete." Without warning, a massive hole opened beneath my feet.
"Wait—WHAT?!"
"Begone."she waved her hand in a shooing manner
"YOU BIIIIIITCH—!!"I plummeted screaming into darkness, the Wind roared past my ears.
"WHY DOES EVERYONE HERE LOVE HOLES?!"
"Hello." I turned midair. A boy was casually falling beside her.He looked around her age, with short platinum-blond hair and glowing heterochromatic eyes filled with amusement. He waved cheerfully.
"Um… hi"
"…WHY ARE YOU SO CALM?!"
"I'm Tet," he introduced casually. "God of play."
"…Cool! HELP ME!" I yelled
"You humans are loud."he puffed
"I AM FALLING TO MY DEATH!" I screamed
Tet blinked.
"…You do realize I'm a god, right?"
"That doesn't help if I DIE, genius."
"You're interesting." He grinned as A strange symbol flashed beneath his feet.
"I shall grant you the Power of Insight."
"…What does that even mean?!"
"You'll figure it out eventually."
"THAT'S NOT HELPFUL!" Tet laughed softly.
"Until we meet again, Shiori Komori."
Then he vanished.
"…I hate gods." I cried internally.
A second later she crashed through clouds and slammed face-first into solid ground.
"OWWW…" I Groan painfully as I pushed myself upright. Another temple surrounded me.
At the center stood a breathtakingly beautiful woman beside a marble fountain.
Light practically radiated from her skin.
Her face was partially hidden behind a heavenly glow while luxurious white furniture surrounded her like a royal lounge.
"Greetings, mortal," the woman said smoothly. "I am Thalia, goddess of beauty, the one responsible for sending you into the new world."
Thalia slowly examined her reflection in the fountain before glancing at me.
"Oh my gems… you're gorgeous."
"You look exactly like your mother."Thalia narrowed her eyes bitterly.
"Such beauty wasted on terrible taste in men."
"…Excuse me?" I blinked confused
"Your father lacked status, wealth, elegance. honestly, what was she thinking?"
Something inside me just snapped.
"Hey," i said flatly. "Don't talk about my dad like that, you slut."
Silence.
The atmosphere froze instantly. Thalia's eye twitched.
"…What did you just call me?" She asked, dating me to speak.
Honestly? was done. Completely done accomodating this bullshit.
"You heard me," I snapped. "You gods drag random people into your world to solve your problems while you sit around mocking them from fancy chairs!"
Thalia's expression darkened.
"You insolent—"
"And your personality is uglier than your makeup."
The goddess visibly trembled.
"No amount of lipstick can fix THAT." I yelled.
For a moment, pure fury twisted Thalia's beautiful face.
"You uncultured brat!" she hissed. "I revoke your title as Hero!"
"WAIT WHAT?! THAT'S NOT FAIR!" I pointed.
"I care not."
Dark energy exploded around the goddess.
"Rot wherever you land."
Another hole opened beneath me.
"NOT AGAAAAAAIN—!!"
….......
"Sorry. I did not expect her to go that far."
I suddenly stopped falling.
"…Tsukuyomi!" The moon god stood beside her, looking mildly exhausted.
"I underestimated how poorly Thalia handles insults.
"She started it!" I grunted
"…Yes. That does sound like her."he nodded
I crossed my arms angrily.
"So what now?"
Tsukuyomi sighed softly.
"This is as far as I may assist you directly."
He gently placed a hand over my head.
"You may suffer a minor concussion upon arrival."
"…Minor?"
"Probably."
"PROBABLY?!"
"But you will survive."
That somehow wasn't comforting.
Tsukuyomi's expression softened slightly.
"Listen carefully, Shiori. The world ahead is dangerous. Even with your abilities unsealed, you are not invincible.You may struggle. You may fail. And yes… you can die."
The seriousness in his voice erased her sarcasm.
"So do not act recklessly."
"…Understood."
"One final thing," he added. "Your appearance may differ slightly once you arrive."
"…How slightly?" I asked
Tsukuyomi smiled mysteriously.
"You shall see."
"That answer scares me."
"Since Thalia revoked your status as a Hero," he continued, "the restrictions normally placed upon summoned humans no longer apply to you."
His golden eyes glowed brightly.
"Therefore, I, Tsukuyomi, God of Night, grant you complete freedom within this realm."
The darkness around them shimmered beautifully.
i stared at him quietly before giving a small smile.
"…Thank you."
Tsukuyomi returned the smile gently.
"Until we meet again, Shiori Komori." Then he vanished.
"WAIT WAIT WAIT—"
Shiori fell screaming through the darkness and slammed headfirst into the ground.
Everything faded to black.