I felt like I was living in a fairytale.
I think I deserved a long, relaxing break—so that's exactly what I did.
During the day, even though I can manifest things, I still give myself a full day's worth of work. I search for edible plant seeds and medicinal herbs, carefully observing what grows naturally in this world. I don't want to rely solely on what the goddess provides. I want to understand the foods of Bestia, get used to the changing weather and habitats, and learn about the clans that rule here.
I even started my own small garden, cultivating the plants I gathered. Maybe one day I can teach this to others who need it—just like when Juno struggled with their harvest. If I want to succeed, I need to think this through properly, strategize, and create a plan I can actually execute.
So I created a schedule and divided my days into three parts:
researching and studying this world,
brainstorming and refining my plans,
and finally, practicing my manifestations.
Most of my time is spent thinking.
Based on what I've experienced, this world is divided by dominion. Rocco rules the seas. Talon rules the air. But Aron and Gideon—what do they rule exactly? I've never been to Aron's kingdom, and Juno is unlike any other. It's made up of mixed groups of animals living together. How does that even work? Is it a circle-of-life system? A cycle of predator and prey?
Each clan is powerful in its own way. Talon can summon devastating gusts of wind—maybe that's why fire never existed here. Maybe they never needed it. Or never became curious about it the way humans do. I need to figure out how to help each clan without revealing myself. Not like a superhero—yet not entirely invisible either. More like an unseen helping hand.
And then there's Vera.
Eriu's archenemy.
In every comic book and fiction story, villains always try to learn the hero's weakness. I wonder if Vera knows Eriu's weakness—or mine. I need to be extremely careful. Villains always target love interests, which is exactly why love has been a no-go for me from the very start. I can't give her leverage.
Instead, I need to find her weakness first.
And if she has bats on her side, I doubt they're the only ones. That means I can't trust anyone too easily.
After long hours of thinking, I gather the fruits and vegetables abundance has provided and sort through them. Some remind me of foods from my world. I manifest pots and pans—clay and copper ones—along with wooden spoons, plates, and spatulas.
I set up my kitchen.
My stove is old-school wood and fire—the best Eriu's power can do, apparently. Palm-leaf fans hang from the ceiling to keep the smoke from building up. It's crude, but it works.
Every so often, I leave my refuge to explore, checking if I'm near any kingdoms or communities. So far, nothing. I see butterflies, insects, and bugs—but no animals.
No threats.
All the paths around me are clear, almost too clear. It's unsettling. When I first arrived in this world, I ran into hyenas. Then Rocco and Chance saved me at sea. Then Talon snatched me away.
So why now?
Why does everything feel… quiet?
I can't shake the feeling that something is off.
I'm collecting logs when I hear a rustle in the tall grass behind me. I turn—but the sound stops. Did I imagine it? I grab more logs, and the rustle comes again, closer this time. Something is following me.
I stop and spin around.
"Who's there?! Show yourself before I decide to kill you!"
A snake slithers out of the grass.
Is this the same snake that led me to the mountain peak to save Talon? I can't be sure. And how did it even find me?
"Are you following me?" I ask sharply. "What do you want?"
"Yes," the snake replies calmly. "I followed you because I thought I had seen you before. But I was mistaken. It wasn't me—it was a relative of mine."
That doesn't make sense.
"So your relative saw me, and you recognized me through that?" I ask. "Do you share visions or something?"
"Yessss," he says slowly. "Something like that. We snakes share senses. Our clan is deeply connected."
"Oh." I pause. "Then you know the snake I owe a favor to. I forgot about him—I never got the chance to repay it. Tell him I'm waiting to hear what he wants."
"I will," the snake replies.
I nod and start walking again—but I feel him still behind me.
I stop.
"Please don't follow me," I say firmly. "I don't appreciate it. Just because I was kind to you doesn't mean we're close. If you take one more step toward me, I will kill you."
Fire flickers in my palm.
The snake retreats.
When I return home, I imagine an invincible fence and dome forming around my refuge. I don't know if the manifestation worked—but I hope it did.
So I was wrong.
I wasn't truly off the grid after all.
The snake probably scared the other animals away. And this goddess power? It's either unreliable—or she's deliberately limiting me.
Either way, I'm done guessing.
I need answers.
I need to confront Eriu.