★65
THIRD POV
Later that day, after dinner had settled and the island grew quiet, the women gathered by the onsen(hot spring) to bathe. Moonlight shimmered across the water's surface, reflecting off smooth stones and ripples of steam. Hinamatsuri, Elfaria, Annie, Mikasa, Rina, Sasha, Elaine, Anna, Aoi, and Alia relaxed in the warm shallows, the tension of the day slowly dissolving.
Elfaria crouched near the edge, delighted, her attention fixed on the gems. She scooped them up one by one, watching how they caught the light, their colours dancing beneath the surface. Sasha wandered over, drawn by the glow.
"Are these the gems Raiden dug up?"
She asked, curiosity bright in her voice.
"Yes… beautiful, isn't it?"
Elfaria replied.
Sasha nodded without hesitation. Elfaria laughed softly and placed a few gems into her hands.
Nearby, Annie and Mikasa were deep in conversation about something only they seemed to understand, their voices low and steady, leaving Hinamatsuri sitting quietly on her own, half-submerged, watching the reflections drift across the pond.
In the background, silhouettes moved and flickered through the steam. On the other side of the baths, Issei and the other kids darted about, half-naked and laughing as they scrambled from one pool to the next.
Their chaos was barely contained by the three babysitters, Ellie, Ana, and Zara, each wrapped in towels, calling out warnings and orders while trying, with limited success, to keep the situation under control.
Despite the noise and movement, the night felt peaceful, wrapped in warmth, water, and soft echoes of laughter under the stars.
As they turned a corner, Ryota collided with a man draped in a grey towel, water dripping over his flawless, pale skin.
The figure looked down, green eyes locking onto the little boy with a piercing intensity. Zara, catching sight of him, felt her face flush crimson and instinctively bowed, frozen in place.
"F.. forgive me, Lord Atlas. It won't happen again."
Without a smile, he replied.
"No problem. He's just enjoying his time."
He turned around and left. While the two maids kept chasing the other kids.
"You boys should stop running in the bath. You'll get injured."
"I wish to avoid incurring any wrath."
Ana cried as she chased the kids.
"Hmph, the little boys will never grow up."
Anna muttered, her voice light and girlish. Aoi, the timid girl, remained silent, watching.
Sasha grinned, leaning in with a teasing tone.
"Hmm, are you sure? What about 'that' boy you've always been thinking about?"
Anna froze, her cheeks flushing crimson as her composure cracked under the tease.
"Are you sure?"
Sasha whispered teasingly, sneaking up behind Anna and resting her hands on her shoulders, her tone laced with mischief.
"Should I call him and tell him how you feel?"
Anna froze, cheeks glowing red beneath the moonlight, words trapped somewhere between her heart and throat. Before she could stammer a response, the quietest among them, Aoi, suddenly spoke up, her voice trembling but clear enough to shatter the silence.
"I... I like Issei-kun... but I... I don't know if he feels the same way!"
The bath went still. Even the ripples seemed to pause. Everyone turned towards the little girl, wide-eyed. Aoi's gaze stayed fixed on the water, unable to meet their eyes, her reflection trembling on the surface.
"That's... that's new."
Sasha was the first to recover, a grin spreading across her face.
"Didn't see that coming."
"Well, Aoi is one step ahead of you, Anna. Girl up and confront that boy. I'm not saying it's Issei."
She added slyly.
Elfaria giggled softly.
"Aoi, congratulations."
Rina, the busty goblin chief, chimed in, smiling warmly.
"You're braver than Anna, you know. All that's left is to tell him how you feel."
One by one, the girls joined in, soft laughter, playful teasing, gentle encouragement filling the cool night air.
"As his mother,"
Hinamatsuri said proudly, her voice warm and steady
"I'm happy for you, Aoi. And I'm confident Issei will give you the love you seek."
Aoi's eyes widened, her face turning crimson. She hadn't expected such wholehearted support.
"Stop spoiling the kids, Sasha."
Elfaria muttered suddenly, her tone calm but her attention never leaving the gems glimmering in her hands.
"Huh? Oh, come on!"
Sasha retorted with mock indignation.
"I'm sure you've got feelings for someone too. Maybe Asteri... or Atlas?"
At that, the mood shifted. Hinamatsuri, Annie, and Elfaria all stiffened instantly. The steam from the hot spring seemed to thicken, the quiet tension almost comical.
Elfaria's face turned scarlet as she lowered her gaze, fingers fidgeting with the jewels. She didn't need to look up to know that Sasha's words had hit home.
Because everyone knew, Hinata was in love with Asteri. And admitting it aloud… would mean stepping into a silent, unspoken rivalry.
As if on cue, Ata broke the silence, tripping over his own foot. His towel loosened, and he tumbled into the pool with a loud splash. Hinamatsuri reacted instantly, pulling him out and scanning him carefully for any injuries.
"I'm.. I'm so sorr, Lady Hinatsur.. I didn't know when he ran off."
Ellie bowed, pleading.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of him."
The remaining boys giggled before sprinting away. The two maids ran off following them.
"Are you alright, Ata chan?"
His eyes were teary, but he held the dam.
"I...I'm.ok...I wasn't paying attention, that's all."
He reassured and tried to escape, but Hinamatsuri held him tight, his back pressing her jugs, his face reddening. The sensation calmed down while she was also playing with his long white hair.
"That's what you get for playing rough."
Anna scolded, her cheeks tinged pink as she pointed a finger at Ata, who looked sheepishly guilty.
Seizing the playful moment, Sasha leaned closer to the little girl.
"Perhaps 'Ata' is that boy."
She teased, her voice light but mischievous. Anna froze, her mouth opening to respond but no words came out, her blush deepening.
"Unfortunately, I can't make the decisions for Asteri. It's up to him to decide who he wants. I don't mind competing with anyone to get him. Everyone is free to join… so don't worry, Elfaria. I won't hate you for that."
She offered a warm smile, eyes gently closed. From their respective posts, Atlas and Elaine sensed a faint, unidentifiable intent emanating from her, subtle yet undeniable.
Anna shook her head, trying to regain her composure, while Elfaria peeked up from the gems, curiosity flickering in her eyes. Hinamatsuri shifted uncomfortably, glancing between Anna and Sasha, unsure how to react to the teasing.
Sasha grinned knowingly, enjoying the playful tension, while Annie and Mikasa exchanged amused glances, whispering to each other but careful not to interrupt. The warm light of the bathhouse reflected off the water, casting soft ripples across their faces, while the faint scent of herbs and steam lingered in the air.
The laughter and chatter faded slightly as the girls absorbed the moment, the playful teasing settling into a calm, gentle atmosphere. Hinamatsuri's gaze drifted upward, noticing the first hints of falling snow outside, the flakes catching the light like tiny crystals. But it's not winter, not yet.
Before she could react, Aoi, who had been quiet until now, looked up in awe.
"Heh… it's snowing?"
Her small hands reached upward, catching delicate flakes that drifted down, each one shimmering faintly in the pond's reflection.
Abruptly, the area above them stiffened, the very air solidifying as if caught in a frozen prism. Time seemed to hesitate; even the wind ceased its flow, and the ripples across the bathe stilled mid-wave.
Cracks began spidering across the suspended, icy veil, jagged and glimmering like shards of crystal under moonlight. Everyone capable of sensing the abnormality tensed, their breaths shallow, as the fragile, frozen space groaned under invisible pressure.
Then, with a sudden shatter like the breaking of impossibly strong glass, the frozen expanse exploded outward in a cascade of sparkling fragments.
From the fractured void stepped a man, his presence immediately commanding attention. Draped in a light blue and white haori that seemed to shimmer with an inner light, he had long, flowing white hair that brushed past his shoulders, and his eyes were closed, serene yet radiating latent power. Each step he took was deliberate, measured, as if the world itself bent slightly to accommodate his weight.
At that very moment, Atlas's form solidified. His clothing wove itself into place, armor and robes snapping to their positions as his eyes met the intruder, the air around him taut with anticipation.
The shards of frozen space still drifted around them, glittering like fractured glass, reflecting the pale light of the moon and the bathhouse flames. Even in silence, the room seemed to hold its breath, every heartbeat echoing against the sudden, palpable threat.
<
"Who are you?"
The intruder remained utterly silent. A tiny, almost fragile hand reached up and rested on Atlas' shoulder. The moment it made contact, a strange paralysis spread through him, rooting him to the spot.
"Calm down, Atlas. I called him."
A voice said, calm but carrying undeniable authority.
As Atlas turned, his eyes fell on a small figure standing behind him, the little boy, Ata, completely naked, his golden eyes wide and unblinking.
The sight stunned everyone around; mouths opened in shock, and even the whispers of the pond's water seemed to halt in disbelief.
"W..what?"
"He's.. flying?"
"I...I called him?"
Everyone had a question but couldn't read the room as Atlas or Elaine.
<
"Welcome back, Young Master."
"Y..young Master? That's.."
"Lord Asteri?"
Their thoughts aligned. Ata turned with a smile.
"I...I'll explain, but this isn't the appropriate place. The night is still young. Why not have a quick meeting?"
He stammered. He's not the Misfit Scourge or Angelic Devil in this new persona.
Atlas immediately covered his nudity with his shirt. Ata's face burned in embarrassment.
"Thank you...Atlas.."
He wisphered.
Everyone, including Hinamatsuri, Elfaria, Annie, Mikasa, Sasha, Atlas, Towa and few others, was seated. The demons were in spirit outside the hall. Glace was standing behind Ata, or should I say Asteri, who was sitting dressed in white and gold. Sitting on his throne, which was manipulated to his liking. Everyone was silent until Ata spoke up.
"I... I want to start by apologising to you all.. including Elaine."
They shifted their gaze towards her.
"Don't blame her. It was part of my plan."
FLASH BACK
ASTERI TOLD HER HE'LL BE BACK BUT NOT AS HE IS. ALTHOUGH HE'LL STILL BE THE SAME.
ATA'S POV
"That was my plan, but something happened along the way.
See, when I left for the Spirit Dragon World, everything was over. The whole world was massacred by a single individual and his wyvern."
Atlas, Elaine, and Hinamatsuri were surprised.
"Wyvern?"
"You just can't instinctively know they're in danger. How did you know? Forgive me."
Elaine asked. Ata sighs before responding.
"I just heard a voice in my head. Like a cry for help. It happened once, and it was unidentified, so I decided to check it out."
No one responded.
"As I was saying, the two wiped off life on the world, and I was late, but I managed to save someone. Where's Athena?"
"She's asleep."
Glace replied.
"Ok. I'll bring her over tomorrow."
"A wyvern rider? Or perhaps a wyvern in human form."
Atlas muttered, struggling to grasp the concept.
"I'd choose the latter. He calls himself Wyrm Lord, and he's a Dark God."
I replied evenly.
Elaine and Atlas rose from their seats, their expressions a mixture of shock and indignation.
"Why didn't you take me with you? I know I might not offer much, but two versus two is better than two versus one."
Atlas protested.
"He's right, Young Master. My—no, our sole purpose is to protect you, and you went there by yourself."
Elaine added, her voice sharp yet concerned.
I said nothing, letting their protests fade into the tense air.
"You guys are right, but you think I was expecting such a foe? While the Kiryu Ruler is at most White Dwarf Tier, I did let my guard down on not knowing a threat of such a magnitude would show up. Give me some space. A whole world perished because I didn't leave here in time."
The two settled back into their seats, silence stretching between them.
"At least you saved someone…"
Towa finally spoke, her tone soft but carrying weight.
Ata didn't answer her directly, his gaze distant as his voice continued, weaving through the quiet room.
"The battle was fierce from the beginning, I had Glace take her to my world. The whole world was cursed, and my Arts were sealed. I had no choice but to use that."
The two Stars' eyes widened, but they didn't interrupt him.
"I relied on my Ultimate Skills, and I used that to restore my skills for the time being, and I was able to win."
Silence was observed before Elaine spoke up.
"A curse, you say? I've never heard of such."
"It's a feather from the Violet Vortex. I was at its mercy the whole time."
The two froze, trembling and covering their mouths at the mention of the title. Noticing that, Elafria asked a question.
"I noticed the change in atmosphere. Who's the Violet.."
Ata raised his finger, silencing her.
"It may not be his real name, but uttering such a name triggers a catastrophic disaster. He's one of the prominent figures among the Dark Nebulas."
"Dark Nebula?"
She asked, ignorant.
"I promise to disclose my status once I get stronger, bear with me until then."
No one spoke again until Towa asked another question.
"Why aren't you in your adult form?"
"Lady Elara sealed off my darkness. I had to dig deeper because Wyrm was capable of neutralising all attacks and absorbing all Mega Art attacks. I was able to manifest my dark aura, which he greedily absorbed, and I used it to defeat him. I had a little conversation with the Violet Vortex before he disappeared."
The two were out of surprises by now and could only watch.
"Anyway, I'm like this cause I've broken the seal Lady Elara placed upon me. It'll take at least a month or so before it resets. While in this state, I can't use most if not all my Art. I'm basically like a newborn Star, a Dwarf. I can only handle Nova Arts."
(Antares is still a Dwarf Star by the way.)
"Good thing you're back."
Towa smiled.
"I did save someone, but it's not enough, Towa. Sorry for answering late."
Ata's voice was quiet, laced with a weight he couldn't fully shake off.
"No problem."
Towa replied, her eyelids drooping as a yawn escaped her. The tension in the room seemed to ease slightly with her calm response.
Ata's gaze softened, and he offered.
"Looks like someone's sleepy. You can use my room for the night. I assure you, nothing… unusual will happen."
The comment caused a ripple of heat across the group. Several blushed visibly, and Elaine immediately rose, her expression sharp.
"I disagree. The Young Master is too young for that. Perhaps once you regain your powers, it could be considered."
"What? H-hey! I wasn't talking about…"
Ata's face flamed red. He waved his hands frantically, trying to dispel the misunderstanding, but his sigh betrayed a mix of embarrassment and resignation.
"Well, the demons are here. We can just teleport back."
Towa said as she stood, her movements graceful but purposeful.
"Ok, we'll need nations to export our gems. It'd be great if you could lend a hand."
She added, her tone firm yet cordial.
"I must lend you a hand, so don't worry."
She concluded, giving a reassuring nod before stepping out of the hall, leaving a hushed silence behind her.
Ata looked around, his gaze sweeping over the group.
"I don't think I have anything else to say. If anyone has, now's the time."
No one responded. The hall grew still, the only sound the faint rustle of fabrics and the soft exhalations of those present. Ata gave a measured nod, dismissing them all.
One by one, they departed, leaving Hinamatsuri standing alone, the quiet settling around her like a gentle weight, the night stretching ahead with its own unspoken promises.
"I'm sure you deserve another apology, Hinata. I always tell you my plans, yet I decided to exclude you this time."
She waved her arm in disapproval.
"N.. never mind. I knew you were the one all along."
He flinched, not expecting to be busted from day one.
<
"How do you..."
"The dragons told me."
"D..so you guys can communicate? That's an improvement. Anything else?"
She hesitated before answering.
"No."
<
"What will you do as of tomorrow? Will you let the kids know it's truly you?"
"I'll admit these past days were fun, but I don't want to keep a bad memory from them. I'll tell them tomorrow and maybe they'll let me play with them again."
She nodded.
"Wait, so if you knew all along, all the things you did like pining me so hard against your chest and the likes..are..."
His face was red, but Hinata simply smiled. She clears her throat before speaking with her eyes closed.
"Your cuteness deserves more."
His face lit up more, and he ran off the hall to his room and closed his door.
To be continued...