CHAPTER 100: COMBINED PLANES

Nyala had been worried... very worried.

Even when a god or goddess invited you to their personal domain, the plane itself often carried a hidden toll.

None of them were meant for mortals, not truly.

They were fragments of divinity shaped into realms, carrying rules and effects woven from the essence of their rulers.

The Plane of the Goddess of Flames, for instance, bore the [Eternal Burn] effect.

Any visitor — even a chosen one would find their soul branded with a constant fire.

It did not matter that the goddess granted permission.

The cost of standing before her was that your soul would burn as you spoke to her, it was torture.

And the Plane of Ice was no different.

Kyone’s dominion carried the effect known as [Eternal Freeze].

It sounded gentle in words, almost serene. But Nyala knew the truth of it.

The more aura one dared to use in that place, the more their very soul would freeze.

Every swing, every technique, every breath of power spent meant that one’s soul crystallized further — until at last, it shattered entirely.

Which was why Nyala’s heart had been heavy.

Which was why she had paced her own plane restlessly, clawing at her dress until threads came loose, whispering his name again and again, praying he would not overextend.

Because even she, a goddess, could not trespass.

The rule was absolute.

One could not break into another god’s plane without invitation.

Even for her, the price of forcing her way in would have been too great.

So she waited.

And worried.

And cursed Kyone in a hundred creative ways.

When at last Azel’s figure returned to her side, her composure broke.

"I’m glad," Nyala whispered, curling into his chest before he could even greet her.

She buried her face against him, clutching his shirt with trembling fingers.

The lingering darkness that had shadowed her eyes — born of her jealousy and divine rage began to fade away.

Her breaths steadied as his scent reassured her, anchoring her to him.

"I’m glad you’re safe."

Azel smiled faintly.

His hand came up, steady and warm, to pat her back.

Nyala let out a sound almost like a purr at the touch, relaxing in his arms.

"Did you think she could kill me?" Azel asked, his tone confident, almost teasing.

"Yes," Nyala answered flatly, lifting her head just enough to meet his gaze.

Her voice carried no hesitation. Because the truth was not something she would soften, even for him.

"Yes, she could have. If a goddess wants you dead, all it takes is a flick of the wrist. Your soul would vanish before you could blink."

Her certainty should have weighed heavy. But Azel only chuckled under his breath.

"She’s right," Kyone interjected suddenly, stepping closer.

Nyala instantly snapped her head toward her, eyes narrowing into a glare that could have melted glaciers.

"It is dangerous to go against a goddess," Kyone continued, unbothered by the glare.

"All’s well that ends well," Azel said quickly, raising a hand as if to calm them both. "So why did the planes combine again?"

The question slipped out casually. But the reaction it caused was anything but.

Both Nyala and Kyone turned their heads toward him sharply, eyes wide.

"...What?" Azel asked, frowning. "Did I say something wrong?"

Nyala pinched the bridge of her nose. "I think I may have chosen a dumb husband."

Azel ignored that, choosing instead to look at the goddess who actually had some sense — Nyala.

"So, sweetheart," he said softly, coaxingly. "What happened?"

Her cheeks flushed at the endearment.

She playfully punched his chest, pouting, before sighing. "Didn’t I already tell you? Since you’re essentially my husband, you can command the Plane of Light."

Azel blinked. "...When the hell did you tell me that?"

"Oh." Nyala tilted her head innocently. "I’m telling you now."

"..."

Her grin widened as she continued. "If you receive a Mark of Ownership from a goddess, like the one you carry from me—" her tone sharpened, cutting toward Kyone, "or the one that bitch gave you forcefully..."

Kyone smirked, completely unashamed.

"...then you can command the planes. And if two goddesses share one husband..." Nyala’s expression soured again, "...the planes mix together."

Azel let out a long sigh and rose to his feet.

Nyala, stubborn as ever, refused to let go, clinging to his arm even as he moved.

"So that means," Azel said, adjusting his stance, "I can just teleport us back home, right?"

Nyala nodded.

The next moment, the air distorted around them, and in a blink they were no longer standing on the frozen battlefield.

Instead, the familiar warmth of the chamber where Nyala usually served him tea enveloped them.

Velvet curtains, golden tables, porcelain cups — this was home, or at least the closest thing Azel had found in her plane.

"Oooh," Kyone purred, glancing around with approval. "Did you bring us to such a luxurious place to consummate our marriage?"

Azel turned his head slowly toward her, deadpan.

Nyala immediately bristled, stepping in front of him protectively. "Unfair! He hasn’t even done it with me yet."

Kyone raised an elegant brow.

"Then why don’t we do it together?" she suggested without shame. "I wouldn’t mind sharing happiness with a fellow goddess."

Nyala froze, eyes darting to Azel.

For a moment, it almost looked like she was actually considering it.

"Absolutely not," Azel cut in sharply, his voice firm.

He raised both hands, trying to push them apart before the conversation spiraled somewhere irreversible.

"Enough. Nyala, please — get me another shirt. And you—" he jabbed a finger at Kyone "go wash up and change out of those beast clothes."

The two goddesses, to his dismay, obeyed in perfect synchronization.

Nyala dashed off, her face red but her steps quick.

Kyone only smirked, striding away with her usual confidence even though she didn’t know where the hell she was going.

Azel finally exhaled, dragging a hand down his face.

"They’re goddesses," he muttered under his breath. "But boy, do they act childish."

He leaned back against the nearest chair, shirt still missing, exhaustion weighing on him.

His astral body still ached, a lingering reminder of the cost of that battle.

He was fine but he really wanted to know... How did the original Hero move and how was she able to take down his Star Strike in an instant?

[Author’s Note]

Hehe we finally reached 100 Chapters fam 🖤