CHAPTER 87: MISCHIEVIOUS GODDESS

’Life used to be boring.’

The thought rolled softly through the mind of Nyala, goddess of the Plane of Light, as she sat cross-legged upon a smooth, sun-warmed stone at the shore.

Her eyes half-closed, her lips curled into a faint smile, she let the radiant sea-breeze comb gently through her silken hair.

The Plane of Light stretched endlessly around her: skies painted in a bright eternal dawn, sands as white as powdered pearl, and an ocean glowing faintly with divine sheen.

It was her dominion, her very essence woven into the fabric of this paradise.

Holy energy here was absolute.

If mortals from the church could even touch a fraction of this mana, they would ascend into myths.

And yet... the goddess, eternal and unchanging, had found herself long starved of thrill.

Centuries upon centuries of quiet perfection dulled into monotony.

Until him.

Her gaze drifted toward the young man beside her.

Azel sat calmly with a skewer of meat in his hand, chewing slowly, the light of the Plane coursing invisibly into his core.

He did not resist it — his body drank it greedily.

Something only possible because of who he was.

He was a human, but not just a human.

He was hers.

Nyala bit into her own kebab, teeth sinking into tender meat seasoned with salt, fire, and memory.

Her eyes fluttered shut.

The taste was an explosion dripping with richness that no divine fruit nor ambrosial nectar could replicate.

Her heart melted once again.

’I haven’t had anything from the human realm in so many centuries...’

Her lips parted in a delighted sigh. ’So this is what I was missing.’

She had lived above humanity, and yet with one bite she remembered why mortals cherished food, laughter, warmth.

She remembered why she had watched over them in the first place.

"This tastes so amazing," she said at last, licking her lips with girlish delight.

Azel smiled faintly, watching her joy as though it was worth more than the heavens.

"I’m glad. It’s even better than you imagined when you caught a whiff, right?"

Nyala’s eyes sparkled. "Yes. So much better."

But then her pout returned, cheeks puffed slightly.

"You know, I smelt this once before. Through Rain."

"Through Rain?" Azel tilted his head.

"Yes," Nyala said, flicking her hair as though to emphasize the obvious. "I can manifest in her body a little. I can also share her senses. I’ve seen through her eyes, heard through her ears, even tasted."

"I see." Azel’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "So you could perceive the barbecue from her."

Nyala nodded once, her pout deepening.

"Exactly. She has enough money, but she was too stingy to buy one!"

Her irritation was genuine.

For centuries she had been deprived, and when finally close to indulging through Rain... the girl denied her.

A mischievous idea struck her.

Without warning, she waved her hand.

Holy light shimmered before them, forming a translucent screen.

Rain appeared on it.

The mortal girl was half-dressed in her room, only her underwear and bra covering her pale skin, her hands fumbling as she tried to slip into shorts.

Then, she froze — eyes widening as she realized the goddess and Azel were watching.

"Hey Rain~!" Nyala teased in a sing-song voice.

"KYAAAA!"

The squeal nearly shattered the screen as Rain dove off-frame, and Nyala dismissed the vision with a flick, laughter ringing like a bell.

"That was fun, wasn’t it?" she said, biting once more into her kebab.

"Yes," Azel admitted calmly, though inwardly he shivered.

If Nyala could conjure visions of Rain, she could just as easily expose him.

But before he could follow that thought further, her voice softened.

"Azel..."

"Yes?"

"Do you think I’m... easy?"

The words fell heavy.

He blinked.

Slowly, he turned, meeting her gaze.

And he saw something he would never expect to see on the confident goddess’s face, she was unsure.

A faint flush touched her cheeks, her lashes lowered.

"Why would I think that?" he asked gently.

"Because I approached you first," she said quickly, almost nervously. "Because I wanted to be your lover before you even asked. Because I keep... touching you."

Her voice grew smaller. "I don’t want you to think I’m desperate."

Azel’s eyes softened. "Goddess. None of that makes you easy."

She looked up, startled.

"It’s not your fault. And even if you did come to me first, I don’t see it as weakness. I see it as courage," Azel continued. "I’m just glad I got to meet you."

Her lips parted faintly. "H-huh?"

"Not just because of the magic, or the Plane, or anything else," Azel said with quiet honesty. "Just being with you makes me smile. And if being here eases your loneliness, that’s more than enough reason for me to stay."

For a long moment, the goddess stared. Her chest throbbed wildly.

She could not remember the last time she had felt so conflicted — hope, fear, joy, longing, all tangled into one overwhelming rush.

Then she dropped her half-eaten skewer and suddenly pulled him into her arms.

"I’m happy," she whispered into his chest. "I’m happy I met you too. I’m happy I belong to you. I’m happy that you treasure me and you’re not like the man Rain speaks of..."

Her embrace tightened. "I’ll give you anything you want. Just please, stay with me. Don’t let my life go back to its monotone self."

Azel raised a hand, gently patting her hair.

"Everything is fine just the way it is. We’re lovers, aren’t we? Eternal, until my soul passes on. I won’t be leaving anytime soon."

Nyala trembled. "I love you."

"I love you too."

The air around them shimmered.

[Hidden Quest Completed]

[Make A Goddess Fall In Love With You]

[Target: Nyala, The Goddess Of Light]

[Rewards are being calculated... it will take some time]

Nyala pulled back, her teary eyes brightening like a mischievous child’s.

"Now... let’s go swimming."

"Alright." Azel smiled, rising with her.

But she did not move toward the water.

Instead, her hand tightened on his. Her lips curved with playful intent.

"Wait—"

She spun him around and with divine strength hurled him across the shore.

"Whooo! Go hunny!"

Azel flailed as his body soared through the air.

SPLASH!

Water exploded upward, glittering under the radiant sun as Azel vanished beneath the divine waves.

Nyala clapped her hands together, laughter echoing.

Her heart raced, not from boredom, not from loneliness, but from the warmth of mischief, joy, and love.

"Mischievous goddess," Azel muttered as the water engulfed him.

And strangely, he was smiling too.