CHAPTER 501: 500. THE PATRONS

The Preserver aka Hindu sect’s Supreme God Vishnu strolled down the hall of Aetherion, he had made the report of the past week and was required to submit it to the Oracle.

His yellow with gold embroidery shawl billowed behind him as he walked in. The gold anklets tinkled softly as he walked and his gem studded bracelets clanked as he moved his arms. The deep black, curly locks waved ever so slightly with the wind and the soft almond eyes carried the sense of peace one would achieve probably after centuries of penance.

On his way he spotted from the corner of his eye the three people who sat at the gazebo in the garden. He glanced at them once before he kept walking, he didn’t want to disturb them.

He walked over and stopped in front of the large orange white doors that had the golden engravings of a huge tree.

The Preserver raised his arm but before he could knock the doors opened and he smiled before he entered.

The hall that splayed before him was so large that one would have to crane their head to see the ceiling which was made of glass dome filtering in the golden sunlight. The walls of the hall was filled with endless files and shelves. Various desks sat on either sides with various people manning each desk having their own department.

The Preserver smiled at a few who greeted him as he made his way to the largest desk that had thrice the amount of files as compared to the other desks.

The Preserver walked over and placed the file from his hands onto the desk with a soft sound.

The Oracle who sat behind the desk with the thick gold rimmed glasses looked up making the golden chains sway.

"Oh, Lord Preserver, have you come to submit the weekly report?" The Oracle asked.

"Yes, it’s been quite some while since I delved myself in the matters of human realm." The Preserver answered.

"Please have a seat." The Oracle gestured towards the chair across from him and the Preserver gladly took a seat.

"You’re working hard, Lord Preserver. I hope the host isn’t being too much." Oracle spoke and the Preserver chuckled softly.

"Humans are the kind of passionate essences of this universe after all, it is tiring to keep up with their fleeting existence. Even if they don’t stay for long, some have the kind of impression that lasts quite longer on beings like us."

There was a hint of nostalgia in the Preserver’s voice which the Oracle noticed but pondered over whether he should comment on it or not.

The Preserver noticed the dilemma and chuckled, "Why do you look so cautious, Lord Oracle?"

The Oracle straightened up before he cleared his throat, putting down the feather pen in his hand and entwined his wrinkled fingers before him.

"I understand that Lord Preserver loves humans dearly and often have been visiting the earthly realm whenever the ones who devotedly call for you. But this one is different, even if you come to grow fond of them, you mustn’t interfere."

The Preserver’s smile didn’t reach his eyes, he simply stared at the Oracle for a long moment before he said, "I know what you are implying, Lord Oracle. I assure you to not worry about it, it has only been two weeks since I have been looking after the candidate. Even if I do grow attached, her attitude is enough to tell me that I don’t need to interfere. She is very well capable of handling things on her own."

The Oracle exhaled through his mouth before smiling, "I apologise for jumping to conclusions. Lord Preserver is wise and compassionate, that’s why I couldn’t help it. I apologise again, if my words offended you."

The Preserver smiled again, this time his serene eyes lit up, "How could I be offended of the wise one’s words of advice? The Oracle works hard to keep the balance of the worlds and keeps the records of every fate. If I dare be offended then all these years of me holding my title are a waste."

The Oracle’s eyes widened before he laughed, slightly ashamed.

"Please don’t speak so highly of me, Lord Preserver. I am but carrying out my duty, you on the other hand are a God who is capable of altering the fates that I write. Your power is beyond mine."

The Preserver’s smile didn’t fade as he said, "Regardless, it doesn’t undermine your efforts, Lord Oracle. I shall send you some fragrant tea to relax."

"Oh, my. How thoughtful! I’ll enjoy it." He said and the Preserver rose to his seat.

"I shall take my leave now, have a good day."

The Preserver walked out of the grand hall of the Oracle before stepping into the hallway which faced the garden. His eyes drifted over to the gazebo again but he didn’t see the trio who were huddled there before.

Just as he turned his head ahead, he saw the three in the hallway. The Godess of Wisdom stood with her back leaning against the wall and arms crossed at her chest. Defender of Divine Glory sat on the veranda twirling a flower in his fingers while Giver of Gifts was looking out at the garden with a distant look on her face.

Goddess of Wisdom spotted the Preserver first and straighten up.

"Lord Preserver!" She spoke making the other two turn their heads in unison.

"Lord Preserver!"

The three rushed towards him at once and he stopped looking at the three.

"Greetings, Goddess Gaia, Goddess Athena and Archangel Michael. It’s quite a pleasure to see you three again today. How are you?" The Preserver greeted them with a cordial smile.

The trio looked anxious for a moment before Athena and Michael nudged Gaia to speak.

Gaia put on a warm smile as she asked, "Lord Vishnu, if it isn’t a hassle, may we request you to join us for some tea?"

The anxiety and the unspoken questions that were running through their eyes were as clear as the day and Vishnu couldn’t say no.

"It’d be my pleasure."

The three beamed before they escorted him to the gazebo where they had everything ready. Vishnu took a seat feeling the eager gazes of the trio. He waited patiently as he watched Gaia pour him some tea and he lifted the cup before taking a small sip.

His eyes drifted over to the three who kept glancing at each other.

"I understand that Goddesses and Archangel are worried about Reina." He prompted and the three blinked.

"Yes!"

"How is she?!"

"She hasn’t fought with you, has she?"

The three blurted out together making Vishnu smile.

"Reina is quite a fortunate human to have such loving Patrons," he took another sip watching them before he answered their questions.

"She is well and has been progressing well in her plans. And she hasn’t fought with me, we have cordial conversations from time to time and please be assured she is also developing her relationships with those around her."

Athena perked up hearing that, "Has she realised her feelings for Davian then?"

"Our child is growing up." Gaia wiped a tear from the corner of her right eye.

"Hard to believe for her to realise it so quickly though." Michael sighed as he picked up his teacup.

Vishnu smiled as they relaxed in an instant, "Well, it is hard to say if she has realised her feelings or not, but there has been some progress between them."

"Details, please!" Athena spoke as she leaned ahead and the others shared the same expression as her.

Vishnu found it amusing as he explained about Reina and Davian’s date.

"You told her about the previous candidate?" Michael asked.

"It is allowed," Vishnu said as he took another sip.

"Besides, as per the list of quests a big ordeal is coming up soon." Athena prompted and Vishnu nodded.

"I shall assign her that quest soon, she is already on the trail so, I’m sure she will make a plan to tackle it as well."

"It’s a relief!" Michael sighed.

"Well, it wasn’t like she would let her plans be foiled, for Reina her plans come before everything." Athena said as she sipped her tea.

Gaia frowned a bit as she said, "You shouldn’t make our child sound like a heartless tactician, Goddess Athena. She has been working hard for the greater good and we all know, if one gets swayed by emotions such great responsibilities tend to become a burden."

Athena sighed, "I’m not saying that she’s heartless, I’m just saying that it will be better if while saving the world she would also focus on her life."

Vishnu placed his empty teacup down before facing the trio. He didn’t say anything for a while hearing the trio exchange their fickle banter.

"But I’m sure Lord Vishnu would stop her if she makes the kind of stupid decision of ignoring her feelings for Davian." Athena told Michael.

"We shouldn’t dictate her like that though, she will eventually realise it." Michael said while Gaia looked at Vishnu who sat silently watching them.

"Shall I pour you some more tea, Lord Vishnu?" She asked as she picked up the teapot and he shook his head.

"I’m thankful, the tea was delicious." He said and she gave him an apologetic look.

"We apologise for being like this, Lord Vishnu. It’s just... we haven’t been able to rest properly being anxious about her for these past two weeks and have been thinking of asking you about her." She explained.

"I understand," Vishnu said.

"Ah, besides, Lord Vishnu," Athena spoke, "When was the last time you visited earth?"

Vishnu’s smile froze a bit before he answered, "... About two and a half centuries ago."

"Why do you suddenly ask of it?" Michael asked.

"No, I mean apart from all the other Gods and Goddesses it has always been Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva, the Eternal Ascetic who would visit earth for their devotees so, I was wondering-"

"Apologies but I am not allowed to interfere." Vishnu spoke with the firmness seeping into his words.

The trio understood the message and nodded. They had only thrice managed to gain the contact with Reina and everytime they had faced penalty. Now with the hurdles getting higher, they couldn’t help but worry about Reina. This was the last chance that this world had, if she failed then they wouldn’t be able to stop the destruction.

Lord Vishnu was called the Supreme God of Operating the Life on earths across all the dimensions while Lord Shiva was the Destroyer who kept the track of time and once a world’s time was up, he would go forth and destroy it to plant the seeds for the new world to begin.

But for the past 100 iterations of the world’s destruction and Reina’s rebirth it had been Lord Shiva who had allowed them to turn the time again and again. But the present cycle was the last one, if Reina failed then the would lose this world forever, there would be no chance of a new world forming here. It would be completely lost.

The trio had thought that being compassionate enough Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva would often send their avatars on earth across the universes to save humanity and probably if Reina was in trouble of failed then they would step in again. But with Lord Vishnu clearly refusing his involvement it was obvious that the world’s future truly depended on Reina. With Lord Shiva’s eccentricity being their only wild card in case of something going wrong. But then, again, destruction was what would remain for that case as well.

It was all complicated.

"I understand that you are worried about Reina but after watching over her for these past few days, I have understood one thing," Vishnu spoke making the three look at him.

"There are rare souls in existence who carry the divine will with such strength. She is one of those who will be able to save this world. Call it my prediction or the fate that is to happen but I have faith in her capabilities. I’m sure you all have it too."

The trio went silent and Vishnu rose to his feet.

"I’m glad that you invited me for some tea and chat," he said before looking at Gaia, "The tea was really good, Goddess Gaia, if I may request you to share some with the Oracle may you be willing to?"

Gaia blinked, "Ah, sure."

Vishnu flashed them a dazzling smile before he spoke, "Now then, I shall take my leave. Hope you have a nice day."

With that said, Vishnu walked away, his bare feet brushing over the grass like dewdrops before he stepped through the portal entering the Vaikuntha realm where he resided.

The trio watched him leave before the looked at each other.

"Their temperaments are kind of alike." Athena said.

"If it were him from the beginning who would have guided Reina then she might have progressed even more." Michael sighed.

"It’s fine, Lord Vishnu shares the same intentions as us." Gaia spoke.

"Yes, but, you do realise that his and Lord Shiva’s devotees follow them to their realms after their deaths. What if Reina insists that she likes them more?!" Athena asked.

Michael ran his hand through his hair, "Her original spirit shares the same roots as him though and if I’m not wrong then it was the Eternal Ascetic who had guided her spirit to Aetherion."

Athena nodded while Gaia looked at her hands before a determined expression flashed over her gentle face.

"It’s fine, what we’re worried about is a fleeting matter. We must prepare ourselves for when we return to our posts. They are making their moves now so, we must also be thorough with our preparations."

Her words broke through their earlier anxiety and they now looked at each other with a newfound goal in mind. The harder hurdles were going to be beginning with this quest, Reina must tackle them well lest she is willing to see the deaths of her loved ones.