Karthzion's gaze slowly swept over the crowd, and Raka felt his heart thud hard in his chest.
It was an odd sensation; there was something about her that made it impossible to look away. She stood tall, her scaled tail swaying gently behind her, making Raka sit up straight.
Then, she smiled. He didn't know if it was some type of magic. Still, that one smile somehow transformed her intimidating presence into a much more approachable one. A sense of warmth spread through the courtyard as her voice carried over them all.
"Friends,"
She began, gracefully extending her hands, "People of Earth and Arche. Today, I stand before you not as a warrior drenched in battle, nor as a ruler who commands by decree, but simply as your host."
He couldn't peel his eyes away from her, and her voice was so unnervingly soothing. But he also noticed another thing.
'She talks just like those fantasy characters!'
Her voice was friendly but still carried the tone of someone who is a leader. "I deeply regret I couldn't welcome you sooner. The war demanded my full attention, and I couldn't abandon my people in their time of need. But now, the skies of Dravareth are clear, the battles have ceased, and finally, I can fulfill my promise to you."
She paused, letting the words sink in. Around them, soft murmurs began to surface within the crowd. Raka noticed his father gently squeezing his mother's hand, and even Melody looked much less stiff now.
'It looks like everyone is calming down,' he thought.
"You've shown courage in the face of unimaginable catastrophe," she continued.
"Our worlds collided, and many things have changed, yet you've adapted and thrived in this unfamiliar land. Your strength hasn't gone unnoticed. Today isn't just about welcoming you into Dravareth but celebrating your determination and bravery."
Raka had to admit he got goosebumps hearing her speak. Her way with words connected with everyone there, as if she were speaking directly to each person's heart.
But another part of him felt like something was off, though he couldn't pinpoint why.
"The gifts you've prepared," she said warmly, "I thank you all from the deepest depths of my soul. Today, we move beyond allies. We take our first step towards becoming family."
Applause burst out from the crowd, quickly spreading until the courtyard enthusiastically joined in. Sarah clapped eagerly beside him, eyes wide, and Melody wore a surprisingly genuine smile.
"Welcome, my dear friends," Karthzion finished, her voice gentle yet powerful, " Welcome to Dravareth, the land from which fire was created!"
She stepped back slightly, her body starting to glow with a soft yellow light that radiated a comforting warmth. The glow lit up the space around her, reflecting off the polished stone underfoot.
He couldn't even stop a smile from appearing on his face.
'Karthzion sure is something,' he thought, uncertain but strangely still captivated all the same.
'This wasn't exactly how I expected to give my gift, but I'm definitely not complaining,' Raka thought, shifting on his feet as he waited in the long line.
He glanced toward the stage where Karthzion stood quietly, feeling relief wash over him. 'Honestly, I'll take this over having to hand it to her personally any day.' The mere thought of standing before a literal goddess and presenting her with his small gift is almost enough to make him faint.
Finally reaching the front, he handed over his gift to the woman managing the tables. She accepted it with a polite nod and carefully placed it alongside the other offerings, many of which were visibly extravagant. Embarrassment crept up his neck for a second, but he quickly shook it off.
With that done, Raka stepped away and scanned the bustling crowd, looking for his family. Most people gathered around the buffet tables, relaxing and chatting excitedly.
Karthzion's decision to bring food was surprisingly thoughtful, he had to admit.
Approaching the buffet, he took a closer look at the various Dravareth dishes laid out. Enticingly displayed were skewered meats glazed in rich sauces, vibrant fruits glowing softly under the lights, and delicate pastries shaped into intricate designs he didn't recognize.
'Me hungy. Food Want.'
He soon spotted his family near the meat section. Sarah eagerly piled her plate high, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she drooled all over herself.
Before he could join them, Raka noticed Karthzion talking quietly with the lizard captain next to the stage. After exchanging a few hushed words, they both moved away, followed by a small group of guards.
It struck him as a bit odd. Why would she arrange such an elaborate feast and not even stay to enjoy it herself? But maybe gods didn't really need food. Or perhaps she had to talk with the embassy's administrator.
He shrugged to himself. 'Whatever, it's probably not a big deal.'
Brushing aside his previous thoughts, he turned back toward his family. Sarah noticed him approaching and enthusiastically waved a skewer loaded with meat. "Raka, you've gotta try this! It's amazing!"
Seeing his sister so excited did make him curious. Raka quickened his pace, and the delicious aroma made him realize how hungry he was.
…
Once the sun had set, Karthzion stood silently beneath the embassy grounds, accompanied by her subordinates.
Their attention was fixed on their completed project: the Sunpiercer, a two-pronged spear whose jewel glowed blood-red, eerily reminiscent of a setting sun.
A mage stepped back from the bunker wall, inspecting it carefully before speaking.
"Goddess, the cloaking enchantments are complete. None of the Sunpiercer's magical energy should be detectable above ground." He hesitated slightly, adding, "Unless there is someone who possesses a very high-level detection skill, but that's extremely unlikely here."
Karthzion quietly scanned the bunker walls with her divine sight, carefully examining each rune and enchantment until she was satisfied.
She nodded, dismissing the mages and soldiers with a wave. They bowed respectfully and left without another word.
Now, only Karthzion and the Captain remained, standing quietly in front of the Sunpiercer. The silence stretched for a few moments until the Captain broke it.
"Goddesss," he began cautiously, his scaled fists tightening slightly. "I apologize if thisss is out of line... but is this really the right decisssion? These people trust us… they trust you."
Karthzion sighed, her eyes never leaving the Sunpiercer. "I don't enjoy resorting to deception, nor enjoy using the Earth people as bait," she finally replied. "But it's necessary. We have no choice if we're going to protect our own people."
Unconsciously, her hand hovered over her stomach. Clutching the right part of her stomach, where there was a hidden injury that still hadn't fully healed.
"The Sinners have grown powerful, far more powerful than I anticipated. And with the other gods busy clawing at each other's throats, we can't afford to lose any more Dravareth lives."
The Captain looked ready to say more but stopped when he noticed Karthzion's conflicted expression.
The unmistakable hint of guilt in her eyes.
"If we must use underhanded methods to ensure victory, so be it," Karthzion continued quietly. "We won't allow the Sinners another victory. Our people's lives depend on it."
The Captain bowed his head solemnly. "I understand, Goddess."
Nothing more was said. The two exited quietly, their footsteps echoing softly, leaving the Sunpiercer hidden and silent beneath the embassy grounds.
Suddenly, a magical circle flared to life in front of the newly constructed building, flames swirling upwards dramatically before fading away.
From within the fiery glow emerged Karthzion, her scaled tail swaying gently as she took in her surroundings.
She paused and examined the building's interior closely. It carefully blended Dravareth's distinct designs with Earth's architecture.
The embassy had constructed this place specifically for her in just a few short hours. The care and detail evident in every corner caught her off guard, making her fists clench briefly before she forced herself to relax.
'Stop,' she told herself firmly. 'You have no choice. Your people depend on this.'
Stepping inside, she was surprised to see all her gifts neatly arranged inside. Nearby was a table filled with food, still warm thanks to a heating lamp.
She quickened her steps, intending to quickly pass the pile of presents, but something caught her eye.
Among the extravagant gifts—some nearly as large as chairs—was one small, modestly wrapped box. Its simplicity and small size made it stand out to her.
She hesitated but slowly approached it. She picked up the small box. It wasn't anything fancy—just plain red wrapping paper with a slightly crooked bow glued to the top. But the very plainness of it intrigued her.
She carefully opened the box. Inside was a small mug, normal-sized by human standards yet almost fragile-looking in her larger hands.
Lifting it gently, she turned it to see writing in English. Although she wasn't completely fluent, learning another language was child's play for a goddess like herself.
Her eyes widened slightly as she read the words:
"World's Best Goddess."
Beside the words was a simple, somewhat crudely drawn Dravareth insignia. The roughness of the drawing made her pause, and she was unexpectedly touched by the gesture. Her breath caught slightly as she ran a finger gently over the insignia.
She noticed then that there was also a note inside the box. Carefully setting the mug down, she unfolded the small piece of paper and began to read:
"Dear Goddess Karthzion, I hope you like my gift! Sorry if it's too small, but I put a lot of effort into it. I just wanted to thank you for creating this embassy. Because of you, my family and I can finally live safely again. I don't know any other gods or how they act, but based on what you've done for us, I think you're the best one.
Thank you for saving me."
Karthzion didn't move. She stood there silently, looking at the note held gently between her fingers.