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Mid Afternoon - Mid Winter : Atlas | Bahamut

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"My lord," Gently bowing as she entered my room, Chloe spoke through a smile. "Everyone's things have been prepared. I sincerely apologize if we made you wait."

I was quick to wave her off with my wing. "Don't worry, I only just wrapped up my work anyway. Go ahead and meet me outside while I take this to Mother's office."

Cheerfully nodding, she promptly trotted out of the room just before I made my way to Mother's office with a few stacks of papers pertaining to the construction of Eikasía, Hera's underground city.

*Vwoom* But while my mind had yet to switch gears, the moment I stepped into Mother's cold office, memories of my childhood resurfaced, and my thoughts slowed.

"Are you done already?" Speaking warmly, Mother gave me an oddly surprised look.

"Yeah, Hera and I scanned a majority of the city when we were investigating the cult, so these were easy to do.

" For the most part, the papers were asking for permission to build certain structures, asking for advice, or raising questions about structural integrity, all of which I could easily answer after having seen it all in person.

"Ah, that must be why Hera wanted me to forward those to you." Grabbing the stack of papers, she curiously looked through several of them before eventually looking back up at me. "So, are you planning to head to the Cabinet now?"

Nodding, I walked over to her and gently pressed my head into the bottom of hers.

"I'm not sure I'll be back before the festival begins since Hera will probably want to run me around like a workhorse, so if not, I'll see you whenever we get to Atlas.

Are you planning on staying at this estate or the-"

"We will be here." Cutting me off, she let out a soft sigh. "Haah, unfortunately, our new estate on the outskirts hasn't been finished yet, and probably won't be finished for a number of months. With the construction of Eikasía, many of the architects we normally hire have been preoccupied."

She seemed both excited and disappointed. "What a shame..." After glancing over the design in some of the papers, I was honestly excited to see how it'd turn out. -But it looks like that'll have to wait...- "In any case, I'll head out now, before I make everyone wait too long."

"Haha, alright, sweetie. Be safe~." Standing up and gently embracing me, her smile warmed.

"Ah, actually, I have something for you." -I almost forgot.-

"Hm?" She immediately tilted her head as she watched me pull something out from under my wing.

"If you ever need me to come to you for anything, use this to reach me." Handing her a tiny, human-sized tablet, I turned on the screen to reveal a keypad. "If you just type '4856' into that keypad, it will notify me, and I'll come back in an instant."

Her eyes instantly glowed as she took the tablet. "H..How do I type it in?"

"Just tap a bit of electrically charged water onto one of the numbers.

Like this," Quickly showing her how to use it to ensure she wouldn't accidentally destroy the tablet when she needed me, her expression slowly lit up.

"I only have one, so please be careful not to lose it, and be sure to keep it with you.

" -Now that Father's awake, I'm a little less stressed about it, but.

..- "If something happens, please don't hesitate to type in that code, okay? "

Hastily nodding, she looked down at it like she was holding some priceless artifact. "I'll take care of it, I promise!"

"Haha," I honestly wanted to laugh. "When I get the chance, I'll try and make a few more so Father and Krystallo can have one, but for the time being, I need you to at least watch over Father with it, okay?

" -After his dragon sleep, he shouldn't get pushed around by anyone under the ancient stage, but you never know what might happen. ..-

Eventually wrapping up our talk, we finally exchanged our farewells, and I made my way outside to see Chloe, Maria, and Krystallo all waiting for me.

"Apologies for making you fine ladies wait."

""Pft-!""

Chloe and Maria almost choked at my joke before Krystallo held her head up with pride. "It's okay, I'll forgive you for the low-low price of a taxi ride across Bahamut."

"Why, of course! Anything for the princess." *Flash* Quickly changing to my fenririan form and growing in size, I laid down and lowered my wing to let them on my back in a jokingly posh manner that Chloe and Maria were both quick to play along with.

But Krystallo was too stunned to move. "Wha-.

.." Looking me in the eyes, she wore a look that could only be described as unbridled disbelief.

"How do you grow so much bigger every time you leave the nest?

! Are you taking illegal elixirs or something?

!" Hopping up onto my head, she gave me a few firm stomps before looking down into my eye with a pout.

"Why can't you let me in on your secrets? I want to grow strong too, you know..."

"Haha, you are already strong Krystallo, far more so than you seem to think." Looking back at the large cloud-like soul stuffed in her comparably tiny reserve, I wanted to scoff.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"But that doesn't change the fact that you and I are brother and sister, yet you're a god and people still treat me like a child..." Sitting down, her expression slowly darkened. "I know Mom said I shouldn't be, but.. I'm jealous..."

Seeing genuine pain creep into her eyes, I felt my chest tighten a bit and turned more serious.

"Look, Krystallo..." Lowering my tone, her eyes snapped to me.

"If you really want to get stronger, I can make that happen, but not only will it be difficult, if you don't truly want it, and only seek it to satisfy your jealousy, you will only find yourself miserable. .."

As I grabbed her things and covered everyone in so many layers of magic that they would barely even notice us moving, Krystallo's face turned troubled and she fell into thought.

-Good...- Eventually spreading my wings and taking to the air, I didn't say a word, leaving just a soft breeze to comfort her while we flew.

But while I expected it to take some time, after about half an hour, she finally spoke again whilst looking over the vast land of central Bahamut beneath us. "I guess I just.. want to feel worthy of being your sister..."

My stomach churned instantly.

"When we were young, it didn't matter.. I didn't know any better.

. but as time has passed, the gap between us has only widened.

.. I want to ask to spend more time with you, but am afraid you'll turn me down like Mom, saying it's too dangerous for me to go with you.

.." Almost wincing as she looked at the ground, her tone slowly turned solid.

"So if strength is what I need to go with you on your trips, then I will train like no one ever has. .."

Feeling guilt simply destroy my insides, I looked down at the ground and tried to distract myself for a moment.

But there was nothing I could do. "I know I'm probably just being ignorant and naive, but even if the trip puts my life at risk.

. I want to come.. I want to see the world you live in and be able to say I deserve to stand next to you in it.

.. I'll make it happen even if I have to grab the devil's hand-"

"Stop." Steadying myself, I used my aura to ease her mind before quickly speaking.

"That's not something to joke about..." Seeing her hang her head, I softened my tone.

"If you wish to walk with me on this path, you can.

. but I also want you to experience a normal life.

.. As much as I hate to admit it.. the way I live isn't meant for most people.

Not only is it dangerous, it's taxing, and comes with an immense amount of responsibility. "

"I don't care! I've lived enough of a normal life to know it's not what I want..."

"Then I will show you the life I live, and you can decide what path you want to take, okay? If you wish to follow in my footsteps, I will do everything in my power to guide you... I just.. don't want to put you at risk like I did Father..."

Slowly realizing the magnitude of what I was saying, she fell silent.

"You know I love you, Krystallo. I'd burn the world to protect you if I had to. So.. please don't forget that..."

Gently nodding, she glanced at me before looking back at the ground. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't be..." Over the last ten years, I had constantly been run around without the ability to spend much time with her. "If anything, I should be the one saying sorry to you..." But having the ability to redeem myself in that aspect came with risks. -I can't risk Odin setting his sight on her...-

So, from that moment forward, I amplified my divinity's presence several-fold, ensuring there wasn't a single god on Delphi that didn't know exactly where I was, and in turn, where to not wander.

But while my divinity's presence was now so thick that even Krystallo seemed to jolt from its sudden change, I tried my best to keep my nerves calm. "Let's just focus on having a good time during the festival, okay?"

Looking back at her, I watched her expression quickly warm. "Okay..."

And at last, the tightness in my chest finally eased. -But, even though it's what she wants.. bringing her into my world...- Looking at the seemingly distant, stormy clouds over the horizon, I felt nervous. -Is this really something I should do..?-