Always tired author

Impossibles Yuka the brave is coming to Amazon Febuary 25th! Impossibles Yukako the uniter is out now! Link in bio!

Impossibles Yuka the brave is coming to Amazon Febuary 25th! Impossibles Yukako the uniter is out now! Link in bio!

Impossibles Yuka the brave is coming to Amazon Febuary 25th! Impossibles Yukako the uniter is out now! Link in bio!

Impossibles Yuka the brave is coming to Amazon Febuary 25th! Impossibles Yukako the uniter is out now! Link in bio!

Impossibles Yuka the brave is coming to Amazon Febuary 25th! Impossibles Yukako the uniter is out now! Link in bio!

Yukako, a young barrier user, lives on a secluded island protected by a magical forcefield, separating her kind from the humans for over a thousand years. The illegal union between her parents causes an all-out war that ends with the decimation of her family and her clan, leaving her the sole survivor. After the blood of her loved ones had been spilled, an ancient being visits Yukako to bless her with the same power that her legendary ancestor once wielded. Yuka the brave, the fiercest angel ever known.

Ten years later, after her angelic uncle raised her to adulthood, she must once again face the death of a loved one. With nothing left to lose, she destroys the forcefield that kept her trapped and flees to the mainland of New Uniting 3025 to escape the angel clan's wrath once and for all, leaving behind all she'd ever known.

On the mainland, Yukako makes a new, unexpected family: Elias Jones, a wide-eyed, optimistic human with a lot of love to give; Toma Brown, an eccentric, obsessive Anuah fanatic, and Yukako's ancestor's biggest fan; and Jackson, the gruff, foul-mouthed angel that lives to antagonise the group.

Together, they must work to free an island of magical beings. Though sticky day-to-day drama often causes the group to butt heads and bicker. But questions linger when they realise that Yuka the brave may not be who she said she was. The inconsistencies in her legend leave Yukako with the realisation that the woman she'd idolised for centuries may have been on the humans' side all this time.

Chapter 53. Hard-earned win

-2 years later-

In the same opening, surrounded by trees where they'd hidden from Nexus once before, the kingdom of Ocerania gathered alongside the deities to witness Ruby and Odeen marry. The summer breeze broke through the trees, casting a cooling billow across the calm, bright landscape.

Jasher assisted Safire to her seat, getting her situated around her pregnant stomach. He doted on her every move, slinking in beside her when a familiar face approached. "Is this seat taken?"

Alisha perched herself beside Safire, smiling warmly. In the time that they'd stayed with her, the three had grown close. "Gosh, you're really showing now, huh? It's been a while, we need to catch up again."

Safire chuckled warmly, rubbing her hand against her stomach as her other hand squeezed Jasher's. "Yes, we're to be wed soon, also. Jasher found a beautiful home on the outskirts of a nearby town that we've renovated and made our own. I finally feel like I have found a home. And Genis is beyond excited, painting the nursery already. I'm just lucky that Odeen found it in his heart to give us a... Uh- Jasher?"

"A nest egg." Jasher leaned against Safire's shoulder, rubbing her stomach with a pleasant smile. "He gave us quite a bit in gold and jewels to be able to find a comfortable home and settle down on Earth."

Alisha nodded in agreement, unable to hide the grin that spread. "I know... He gave me a bag of gold, too. I insisted that he paid for the damages already, but he said that he wouldn't take no for an answer, claiming it was for hosting them, being thrown into harm's way, and for being Ruby's friend. Apparently, Ocerania is doing well. Do we know when the Inbetween is opening to the mortals?"

Vatic invited himself to sit beside Jasher, groaning with the pain in his joints. "It should be sometime in the coming year. Nexus has been running himself thin, changing the laws and preparing the Inbetween for the two worlds. This will be the first time Ruby's seen him in weeks. I truly hope that everything goes according to plan today."

Jasher chuckled dully, nudging Vatic's side with his elbow. "Still planning to croak it after Odeen gets hitched, huh? Don't you ever know when to quit? I'm sure that Odeen would drag you back from the afterlife if you tried." Vatic shot him a cold glare, causing him to pull away. "Got it... not ready to forgive me yet – cool."

Aram stood beside Odeen, waiting for Ruby to arrive. He sank his left hand into his pocket, slyly pulling out a singular chip. The sudden crunch had Odeen flinch, spinning around to glare at him. "Seriously? I told you to leave them back at the castle. You have a problem."

"You're just jealous you didn't think of bringing some. You seem unnerved, my poor pet." He shoved a chip into Odeen's mouth, grinning wildly. "She isn't going to run off. She adores everything about you."

Odeen reluctantly began to chew, grunting with dissatisfaction. His heart fell when Nexus clambered up onto the boulder where the ceremony was to be held. He adjusted the uncomfortable tux nervously, standing on Ruby's side. "Odeen, Aram." He nodded his head welcomingly.

"Nexus... It's incredible to see you." Odeen's smile was undeniable. "I trust that things in the Inbetween are going well, considering the things I've heard. Congratulations if I haven't said it yet. You're going to change history."

Nexus straightened up slightly, sighing with satisfaction. "I think the three worlds have been separate for far too long. It has taken my attention away from Ruby, but it seems like you've got that handled."

He beamed with Nexus's compliment, stepping forward with his hand extended. "I hope after this, we get to see a hell of a lot more of you. Ocerania hasn't been the same since you left."

Nexus reached out, shaking Odeen's hand with a humble nod. Odeen jerked back when music filled the field, playing from Alisha's speaker and Ruby's charged phone. The first thing Odeen noticed was Sophie rushing to her seat after preparing her daughter.

He sucked in a harsh breath as the buildup carried through the open plain just before white began to crack through the trees, approaching steadily. He could feel his heart in his throat when Ruby's silhouette peered through the treeline, arm-in-arm with William, as they met the red carpet that led to the altar.

The crowd fell hushed and silent at how she seemed to glow. Serina stood in the far back, casting lights around Ruby's intricate wedding gown. Her hair was tied back in delicate plaits that joined into a high bun; light coiled curls cascaded down, framing her bright features.

When her eyes met Odeen's, every ounce of hesitation melted away. She smiled with tears pricking her eyes, increasing her pace enough to pull her father along beside her. Odeen couldn't hold back his tears once she came to the end of the carpet, giving her father a small kiss before he returned to his seat.

Ruby lifted her gown, climbing the boulder to come to Odeen's side, taking his hands with a look of pure joy and determination. Nexus inhaled, holding his head high with pride. Jasher and Safire squeezed one another's hands. Vatic leaned in, already sobbing pathetically. William offered Sophie and Vatic a tissue, despite holding his own tears back. Aram stepped back slowly, giving the lovers more room.

Odeen took Ruby's hands, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Ruby, we met through extraordinary circumstances. But that is to be expected when the woman you fall in love with is extraordinary. I knew you had a fire inside you – but I never knew the extent until you set my life ablaze." She chuckled weakly, fighting back the tears in favour of her makeup. "I have never had such fun in my life. I feel like I'm breathing for the first time in my life. You have made every second a new adventure that leaves me excited for the next chapter. I promise with this ring." He held out his hand for Aram to place the band in his palm, moving to slide it onto Ruby's finger. "That I will never let you chase after, or throw another deity into a parallel dimension where I cannot save you. Not that you'd need me to."

Ruby chuckled weakly, feeling Nexus step forward to dab under her eyes with a handkerchief. She leaned into the sensations before he stepped back again. "Odeen, when I first met you, I thought you were a tyrant and a buffoon. Now I see you're the single best person for me. You're a kind, gentle, and patient man, and someone so chaotic needs that to ground her. You're an incredible king, a loving partner, and soon to be the best father on any plane."

The crowd hushed as Odeen's face fell into seriousness. His eyes snapped down to Ruby's stomach before back up rapidly. "Are you?" Ruby nodded, squeezing his hands tightly. "We're gonna be?"

"I found out this morning." She sniffled weakly, fighting back the urge to laugh. "I wanted to tell you so badly, but I never had the chance. No time like the present, right?" She took the ring from Nexus, sliding it onto Odeen's finger. "We're gonna be parents."

Odeen's breath stuttered. He stepped forward, embracing Ruby tightly, pulling her into an overjoyed kiss before addressing the crowd with pride and excitement. "I'M GONNA BE A DAD!"

The small clearing erupted into loud cheers and claps. Safire and Sophie were both screaming with excitement, almost jumping in place. Vatic chuckled weakly, leaning back to wipe his tears away. "A bit unorthodox, but I'm happy for them."

The ceremony concluded with the traditional kiss before Odeen scooped Ruby from the ground. "She's mine now, deities!" He broke out into a sprint, heading toward the forest. Ruby chuckled, holding Odeen tightly.

Nexus jolted, taking off after them. "Hey! I didn't agree to that, I only just got back to Teralu, fucker! Wait until the ceremony is over! Odeen!" Aram rolled his eyes, fishing out another chip as he sauntered after the married couple.

Vatic pried himself from the chair with a pained grunt, clapping his hands to address the crowd. "The bride and groom have gone off to prepare for the reception, so if you would return to the castle, refreshments will be served shortly. Simply follow the decorations through the forest."

The area began to vacate, and everyone left excited and lighter. Serina approached Vatic once the excitement had died down. "May I have a word with you, Vatic?" He turned toward Serina with a sceptical nod. She led him toward the forest with a pleased hum. "You are quite the mystery, aren't you? All you wished for was for Ruby's safe return. You didn't ask for extended life like Odeen, or riches like Alisha and Jasher. All you wanted was to see the man you raised happy. That doesn't feel like a selfish wish to me."

"I need for nothing. As of today, I have completed my life's mission, and my promise has been fulfilled. I would have preferred the pregnancy announcement to be after the wedding, but Odeen is overjoyed."

"Yes, I know all too well about your death pact." She turned toward Vatic with a playful hum. "I've come to offer you a wish consequence-free." She vanished without a trace before Vatic, leaving him stunned and confused.

Until a familiar voice called to him. "Well, look who's here." Vatic turned back toward the voice, finding Osha standing in his full glory. Vatic's age had been reduced back to when they knew one another. He felt his youth run through his veins like a rapid river. "You've been a wonderful father to our boy, Vatic."

His eyes welled once again as his head hung, yet a smile crept upon his features. Proud and undeniable. "He's grown strong and true. He married a commoner woman today, Osha. Perhaps the times have changed."

He felt Osha's cold, yet welcomingly rough hand brush against his jaw, lifting his head slowly so their eyes could meet. "I've noticed the shift. Perhaps we might have our time in the afterlife. But I fear, though your promise is complete, you have a new mission before we meet again."

Vatic leaned his cheek into Osha's hand, inhaling the sweet fragrance of his king once again. "I trust they'll live a long and happy life together. But I also know that I want to be a part of it as well. Would you wait just a moment longer, sire? My mission is not complete yet."

Osha's features softened before he leaned down to capture Vatic's lips with his own, feeling time slow down for them in that moment. "I'd wait an eternity just to see you again. I've missed you so."

Vatic smiled, pressing his forehead against Osha's. "I've missed you, too, sire. More than you would ever be able to comprehend. We'll have our time soon." They shared in that moment for as long as the wish was upheld. Even after Osha vanished, Vatic felt the lingering sensations on his skin, causing his smile to never falter. "We will meet again."

-5 years later-

The castle bustled with excitement as Ruby rushed down the hallway, dragging a heavy satchel behind her, and two sets of small footprints pitter-pattered behind her. "Alright, do we have everything ready? Does everybody have enough clothes? What about your location trackers?"

Lights flickered above their heads, and the sounds of modern luxuries filled the castle walls as Odeen picked up the satchel, slinging it across Aram's back. "Ruby, dear. We're going for a few days. Not months."

"Oh, come on! I just want to be prepared. Is that a crime? Nexy, Ora, who wants to go by melodies?" Behind Ruby stood a fierce-looking four-year-old, bouncing and holding her hand high. Her fiery red hair laid in ringlets, mirroring her father. The bright, green-eyed two-year-old behind her copied his sister's movements excitedly, his blonde hair slicked back and neatly combed began to stick up from his small fingers playing with the gelled ends.

Ruby chuckled warmly, taking to her knee to brush the strands down. "Alright, that's three for melodies, two for tears." She scooped her children into her arms, smirking at Odeen. "Clearly, we know who the winner is."

Odeen scoffed, rolling his eyes dramatically. I told you, the melodies give me motion sickness." Ruby merely sneered before calling upon the travelling tears in reality to pull them from the ground beneath. "This isn't over, Ruby! Aram, quickly."

"Just admit defeat, Odeen, the melodies are actually cooler than the tears. Even I'm jealous that an ex-mortal can use them, but I can't." He tore a hole into the Inbetween, stepping inside without a second thought.

Odeen mimicked his words tauntingly before turning back to find Vatic waiting in the corridors. "You sure you're not coming with? Nexus will be happy to see you. It's just for a few days."

Vatic held up his hand, shaking his head with a polite dismissal. He remained youthful and spry, yet his priorities remained the same. "While the offer is tempting, the trading matters with Earth must be tended to. Go enjoy your vacation, sire. Ocerania will still be here when you return."

Odeen nodded, turning to enter the portal to the Inbetween happily. Ruby watched the kids run off to play, surrounded by mortals and deities who worked tirelessly to create homes, jobs and lives between the two worlds. Three enormous portals sat around the widened platform, letting in all who sought a new life, and populating Ruby's new world flourishingly. Safire stepped from the crowd, drawn by Odeen's unmistakable hair. "RUBY!" She screeched.

Ruby braced herself when Safire threw her weight into her arms. "Haha, hey! It's good to see you, too, Fire. Jasher! Glad you two could make it. Where's Opal? She's usually your shadow!"

Jasher approached, shaking his head with visible amusement. "She took off with Genis to go explore. Have you seen Nexus yet? This place looks amazing, it feels like we haven't been in here for centuries."

"We were here last year." Safire scoffed, taking Ruby's hands. "He's been running around, claiming that things need to be perfect for his announcement. Apparently, he has a surprise for you."

Ruby rolled her eyes, looking around the populated world he'd created. "I assume he's in the centre square. I'll go and find him. We can catch up later, alright?" Ruby was gone before they even had the chance to argue.

She appeared right behind Nexus, knowing his signature melody off by heart, approaching him from behind to wrap her hands around his eyes, blocking all vision. "Guess who!"

Nexus scoffed, turning around to embrace Ruby without a second thought. "The most obnoxious mutual union a deity never asked for, obviously. I'm glad you made it on time. I was just about to do the announcement."

Ruby chuckled, squeezing Nexus in her arms securely. "You're growing, but you're still so short! Just a little longer." She taunted before pulling away when his words registered. "Wait – what announcement?"

Nexus grinned, pulling Ruby toward an enormous, cloaked figure. "Ladies, gentlemen, and deities! If I could direct your attention this way for a moment, I'd like to take this moment to thank my wonderful mortal union for being present today!"

Ruby let out a small huff, crossing her arms in amusement. "I thought I was the most obnoxious, but alright. So thematic, Nexus."

He took hold of the corner of the heavy, velvet cloth, revelling in the fact that all eyes were on him at that moment. "Ruby, you singlehandedly saved the world with your quick thinking, wit, and the pure inability to admit when you're outnumbered." She held up her middle fingers toward him. "This is for you, though now I feel you don't deserve it."

He pulled back the cloth, and what hid beneath took Ruby's breath away. A colossal statue of pure gold had been constructed directly in the heart of the Inbetween, depicting Ruby crushing the aether gem beneath her heel confidently. She covered her mouth in awe as Nexus leapt down from the podium. "What do you think?"

"It's a bit dramatic, don't you think? Gee, at least it's not a duck." She taunted, but she couldn't hold back her appreciation, pulling Nexus in for a crushing hug. "But I love it. This really makes me believe that I belong here."

Nexus smiled warmly, squeezing Ruby right back with a cheeky sneer. "You do belong here. Even if you make it hard to love you, I can't help it." The sounds of applause had been drowned out to them, entirely engrossed in their own world.

The day kicked off with a grand celebration of life, love, and overcoming adversity. A celebration to remember where all three worlds were free to come and go as they saw fit. Later that night, as the party wound down, many returned to their home dimension, and more chose to stay and live in the beautiful landscape of the Inbetween.

Ruby and Odeen had already made it to their bed in the constructed hotel that was made specifically for when they visited. The nights in the Inbetween were cool and calm, yet Ruby felt as though she couldn't breathe. The warmth that surrounded her was overwhelming to the point that she felt herself sweat. Her eyes snapped open in shock, and within the dimly lit room, the culprit was easily found.

Nexus met the harsh, unforgiving ground the moment Ruby kicked him from the bed, staring down at him with rage-fuelled eyes. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Nexus?! How dare you enter my marital bed!"

Nexus groaned, rubbing his head in annoyance as he returned to his feet, brushing down his robes with insult. "Me?! Aram started this, so why the hell are you snapping at me for it?"

Ruby's neck creaked back to find Odeen well and truly asleep with a muscular arm draped across his side. Aram peered up from Odeen's side, shushing them. "Could you two please quieten down? My pet's asleep, and he shouldn't be disturbed. He needs his beauty sleep."

Ruby's eye twitched with the unfiltered anger that boiled through her veins with no outlet. "FUUUUCKING DEITIES!"

Chapter 52. Gross

As promised, Serina returned a few days later, at the peak of the harmonic and harmony period, to remove the magic that Safire and Ruby held. She also returned the stolen portion of Ruby's soul. The four learned to live together, albeit awkwardly, on Earth within Alisha's apartment while Ruby, Safire, and Jasher worked through their issues and began to heal. The road to forgiveness was not guaranteed, but they began, regardless.

-6 months later-

Mr Brightside by The Killers played from Jasher's cheap phone on the breakfast table while he and Safire shared a hearty breakfast of pancakes and eggs, before the morning scuffle began. "RUBYYYY!"

Alisha's screech cut through the calm atmosphere of the kitchen. Genis was busy devouring half the breakfast table while Safire chuckled playfully. "She never learns to keep her hands off of Alisha's clothes."

Jasher shook his head, offering Safire his fork, full of egg. "Just try, I know it's not bright red, but it's richer than the eggs on Teralu." Safire groaned, taking a bite. To her surprise, the creamy texture of the sunny-side-up egg was delightful to her taste buds. "I told you." He chortled with her pleased expression.

Ruby burst through Alisha's bedroom door in a stunning, velvet blue dress. She scrambled to the breakfast table to steal a handful of pancakes. "Sorry, guys, gotta go! The audition is looking for a new lead. OH, Jasher, good luck with your job interview today!"

Ruby broke through the front door when Alisha ran to the doorway, wearing nothing but a simple white bath towel. "Ruby! Stop stealing my fucking clothes, you bitch! I went and got yours, SO WEAR THEM!"

Ruby chuckled, breaking through the hallway. "I love you, Alisha! I owe you one big time!" Alisha growled, slamming her front door behind her. Ruby broke through the streets in a sprint, choking down the dry pancakes frantically.

Nexus leapt through the melodies, coming to her side with a weak huff. "Must you give her something to scream about every morning? I thought you were supposed to care about your mortal friends."

Ruby shoved a pancake into Nexus's mouth, slowing her pace to a brisk walk. "Come on, you're not really best friends until you piss one another off endlessly. Plus, I'm not mortal anymore. Hey, if you can float, why do you walk all the time? I can't get the hang of floating, but once I do, I'll never walk again!"

The packed streets of New York were in for a shock with the floating pancake drifting behind Ruby. Nexus grunted, chewing on the bland disk. "It's far more comfortable to walk. You'll learn that soon enough. Your legs cramp when all you do is float."

Ruby pushed open the gate to the running track, chuckling in amusement. "We'll see who's right. If I get my own way, I'll float for the rest of my life. My feet will never touch the ground again!"

Nexus rolled his eyes, but something stopped him before he could respond. Ruby didn't sense it yet, but her eyes caught a sight she never thought she'd see again. On the far side of the running track, perched against that same slab of cardboard was the vagabond woman who'd warned her before her life changed so drastically.

Ruby swallowed the lump of dough thickly before she approached with caution, unaware of the stiff silence that surrounded them in the track that was normally overpopulated. She knelt before the blind woman, smiling sweetly. "Wow... I never thought I'd see you again. It's me, Ruby, the one who answered the call of the Inbetween."

The woman's milky eyes widened with shock as she reached her crooked, leathery hand out to brush against Ruby's cheek. "My goodness! You've come back? How was your time in the Inbetween, my dear?"

Ruby chuckled sweetly, leaning into the woman's palm. "I went further than the Inbetween. And it was a magical time. I met that redhead... he was a pain." She giggled gleefully. "But I also regret coming home. I'm sorry, I have nothing to offer you this time."

"Worry not, young deity." Ruby's brows furrowed in confusion. "I am here to offer you something this time. A soul as pure as yours does not deserve to be separated from the one she loves. Would you like to return to Teralu, Ruby Maise?"

Ruby stood slowly, scanning the area now that she had realised the silence. She exhaled with a noticeable grin before looking down at the woman. "It's not very nice to trick people, Serina."

The woman groaned, returning to her feet slowly before she shifted into her true form. Nexus's jaw hung slack when Serina stood before them in her true glowing glory. "My, you are fast. It's good to see you again. I've come with wonderful news. After looking into the magic I took, I have found a way to undo your wish with another. I have visited all who fought against Genis, and I must say, they do not disappoint with their wants. But you said you wanted to be selfish with this gift, so I ask, do you wish to return?"

Ruby bit back her excitement, exhaling sharply. "I want nothing more than to go home, but the consequences for making wishes so drastic would be catastrophic. How do you know you have what it takes?"

Serina scoffed in insult. "Ruby, my dear, I have nothing aside from my title. I would like to introduce you to someone. Bellarina!" A soft glow formed beside Serina as a tall, beautiful woman suddenly stood beside her. "This is my dearest Bellarina, she's dying, Ruby. And her last wish is to do something good for the mortals. She wants me to split her soul in twain and gift it to you and Safire, effectively severing your bonds forever."

Ruby's breath hitched when Bellarina smiled tenderly, taking her hands. "You'd do that for us?"

She nodded tenderly, squeezing Ruby's hands. "I could not partake in the battle, I have been of no use, and my greatest accomplishment was being known for never creating a gift for my brothers and sisters. Now, I have a chance to be great. I beg of you, let me do this before my death."

Ruby nodded weakly, bowing her head low to Bellarina. "Thank you. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Serina, if you were to grant our wishes, what would you have to sacrifice to make it happen?"

"I was getting to that. Gosh, she's so impatient. Isn't she, Nexus? I have only one thing to my name, my status. And I need a deity who's fierce, strong, protective, and has good morals. I see no one other than Nexus to take my place. But he can't without a body. Unless I wish for the portals to stabilise." She grinned, turning to Nexus. "Would you take my place?"

Nexus stepped back, looking between Serina's soft smile, Bellarina's tender expression and Ruby's eager, silent pleas in shock. "Me? I don't know. I've messed up so many times already... how could I?"

Serina nodded in agreement. "You have messed up a lot. But more than that, you have succeeded far more. Nexus, take my word for it, you've grown far more than you'd believe." Ruby snorted, earning a shielded elbow from Nexus. "Take on my position. I have no doubt that you'll make the right decision when it comes to the mortals, the deities, and their separation — or lack thereof."

Nexus took a shaky breath before nodding eagerly, holding his hand out to Serina. "I agree. I want to see the worlds come together as one." Serina took Nexus's hand, inhaling deeply. "I wish Odeen and Jasher's life spans to increase, matching their partners' extended lives." The black orb came into existence. "I wish for Ruby to be allowed to return to Teralu." It glowed brighter as Ruby stepped closer. Serina chuckled playfully. "I wish Aram had an endless supply of potato chips... that idiot. And I wish that Nexus would take my place as head deity."

Ruby winced at the blinding light. When she opened her eyes again, all deities were gone, and the once-empty field was bustling to life again. Her breath hitched as she jumped back, entering the Inbetween. She felt oddly lighter, fuller, and stronger as she came to Nexus's body. His arms hung limp by his sides, and three portals sat where two once stood, secured to podiums that could never be shifted. Ruby's empty landscape of a planet now flourished, all three worlds feeding off of and into one another. Ruby's world was a beautiful mixture between Earth and Teralu, spanning green fields and lush waterfalls throughout the endless scape.

Nexus inhaled suddenly, scaring Ruby half to death. "You asshole! I nearly met my second life then! Damn, I thought being the next head deity would make you grow a little, but it seems not. The short hairstyle's cute, though."

Nexus grunted, his joy at having his body back diminished immediately. "I do not mean to cause alarm, but I cannot feel my arms." A soft, repetitive, guttural croak echoed around them. Ruby tried to hold back her laughter. Once Nexus snorted in amusement, neither of them could hold back the pure burst of amusement.

"They're hanging limp like little noodles! Haha, I need to take a photo of this, Nexus! Say limp arms!" She held her phone up, snapping a few photos out of sheer entertainment. Serina cleared her throat, standing behind Ruby with no prior warning. Ruby shrieked in terror. "FUCK! Fucking deities! Wear a bell!"

Serina shook her head, stepping aside to pull Ruby's attention to the portal that opened into her old bedroom. Her smile fell fast as she approached it, her joy welling into something else, pain mixed with happiness and excitement. Serina pat Nexus's head. "Your feeling will come back soon. You've held the portal for eons. Go, he's waiting for both of you. He just doesn't know it yet."

Nexus grinned, being the first to step into the portal without fear. But Ruby hesitated, squeezing her fingers. Serina stepped closer, looking down at her with a small head tilt. "I don't know about this... 6 months with barely any contact. I don't know if he's going to want to see me after everything had settled down and he's had time to realise how much I threw his life into a tailspin..."

Odeen sat bored within the throne room meeting, pushing his quill side to side while Vatic droned on endlessly about the improvements to the economy. Aram sat on the arm of his throne, almost inhaling all of Odeen's dinner while the terrified council members watched the floating food disappear.

Vatic and Aram stopped simultaneously, capturing Odeen's full attention. Their eyes were locked on the door, causing him to stand from the throne in a frenzy. "What is it? Who has returned?"

Aram shook his head in disbelief. "It's Nexus... but he's not alone. There's a new sensation. It's something brand new. It can't be Ruby, her signal is much weaker than this, but it... feels like Ruby. It can't be. Whatever Nexus is playing at, this is cruel."

Odeen didn't need anything more than that. He sprang to his feet, running to the door to throw it open. Vatic merely tapped his papers into order, smiling weakly. "It appears I got my wish granted. That is all for this meeting today, gentlemen. Odeen has a prior... engagement."

The king ran through the halls frantically, knocking over the maids and servants on his way, barrelling through the corridors. "Sorry, sorry! I'm so sorry!" He never slowed his pace, ripping through the halls to come to Ruby's old room. He threw the door open with force, finding only a shocked Nexus standing within the empty room. "Oh... Sorry, I thought-"

"Fucking oaf! Are you alright? Who just slams doors open when they swing inwards?! You could have broken her nose!" Odeen's heart skipped a beat as he pulled the door closed behind him, finding Ruby collapsed to the ground, holding her nose in pain. He'd slammed the door into her.

Odeen raced to her side, pulling her hand away to check the damage. Ruby laughed bitterly, half of her face bright red from the impact, the other half red from embarrassment. "This is not how I wanted to reunite."

Odeen took her face into his trembling hands, shaking his head weakly. "I love you, too." He whispered, pulling her up into their second kiss. Her eyes widened with shock before her expression melted into adoration, wrapping her arms around his neck and delivering a far more passionate kiss.

Nexus grunted, turning his head away. "Gross."

-End of The Rubber Duck King-

Chapter 51. Xion's wisdom

Ruby's body was thrown to a harsh, colourless ground; identical to the one she had ripped Genis from. The silence of this plane left a ringing in her ears, and her heart's beating thumped in her ears. She could hear her muscles move, and the flowing of the blood through her body rang in her ears tauntingly.

She scrambled to her hands and knees, looking around the empty battlefield that once held colour and sound crisply, now laid empty and devoid of life. Panic set in fast when she realised that Genis was effectively gone. "No... no! I have to make him pay!"

She stood suddenly, only now noticing the burning pain in her leg. She shifted her gaze down to find that one of Genis's blades stuck from her upper thigh, leaving her to stumble back and collapse again. "FUCK!"

The blood that should have coated the blade was eerily absent, alongside the violent pain that came with the wound last time. She took hold of the blade, trying to tear it from her flesh with an agonised scream.

"That's not going to work." An oddly gentle, distant voice spoke to her sympathetically. Ruby's head whipped around violently, trying to find the disembodied sounds. "Do not fret. Genis is somewhere far away. I've taken you here so that we may speak finally. The blade in your leg, do not pull. Twist it out." Ruby shot her glare around, the voice seemingly surrounded her. "Or leave it there and remain incapacitated."

That didn't leave her with many options. She sighed in defeat, gritting her teeth before she turned the blade, wincing with the pain as the barbed wires began to wrap and coil around the blade. When she finally had leverage, she was able to tear it out, finding not a speck of blood on it. "Am I dead?"

The voice chuckled, seeming closer now. "Well, you're not really alive right now. But you're not dead, either. You've certainly surprised me more than once, Ruby Maise. Or is it Ruby Bates? You are one walking mystery."

Her brows furrowed apprehensively. "Bates is my stage name. I don't tell just anybody my true identity. Who are you? Are you another deity that's planning to hurt me and my family?"

"Oh, I'm a deity, alright. But I am not here to hurt you. If anything, I'm here to help you. Why bother asking who I am when my power flows freely through your veins? Genis must not win this battle; he has to fall, but the only thing that can kill a deity is time. That's why I felt such relief when you created a new world just to fight with Genis."

Ruby stumbled to her feet, finding the pain from the wound entirely gone. Her system flooded with relief and regret simultaneously. "There's also the aether gem... I learned that the hard way – Nexus is..."

"Fine. Nexus is fine. I know far more about what I preach than you, young mortal turned deity. Though he lives, he is trapped somewhere that he cannot escape alone. But that does not take precedence right now. You must find a way to destroy Genis. The power you wield now is not enough to kill him."

"Nexus is alive?" Her breath wavered, fighting back tears of utter release. "Oh my God, He's alive? Where is he? Where can I find my mutual union?" Her expression hardened when silence answered her questions. "Tell me where I can find him, you bastard!"

A dull chuckle came from her brazen audacity. "You sure fear nothing. Alright, I cannot overshadow this fight with the knowledge of where Nexus is being kept captive, but once your mind is free, you'll be able to find him. You'll be able to find Nexus where the prison laid in the palm of the being who walked between as you did. Until then, you must fight Genis with the gifts you have inherited repeatedly. The strength of deities, the agility of the Inbetween, the gifts passed on from timeless beings, and the power you and Safire created as one. Where two wholes meet and become one, there is nothing that can sever."

Ruby held her head, the information overloading her all at once. "What the fuck are you talking about? Just tell me where Nexus is, so I can free him, you idiot! I can't fight this battle without him... Xion." Her tone cut deep.

Xion began to flicker into reality, wearing a proud grin. He stood before Ruby, not transparent, but not physical either. A murky in between of physicality and spirituality. "I wondered if you realised who you were speaking with."

"Aren't you meant to be dead?" He could not hold back the laughter of pure amusement when Ruby crossed her arms, popped out her hip and rose an accusatory brow toward the ancient deity.

"Quite the brazen mortal. I have to give those who came after me my condolences. I once said no human would ever be able to stand in a deity's glory, yet here you are. The descendant of my creations, so proud, so egotistical. I did well with creating you."

"Stop deflecting and answer the fucking question, Xion. Without your useless riddles, without twisting the commentary to point back to me. All I need to know is where Nexus is being held and how to kill Genis for making me think he's dead."

"You don't listen, do you? You cannot kill Genis. Deities can only fall to time. Nexus is being held in my prior prison. Where I died. He has plenty of time for you to find him. But this... bland and depressing landscape, is your world. Your rules, Ruby. Do with that as you will, master of the melodies."

Xion bowed his head as he vanished, leaving Ruby to scoff coldly. "That didn't help! Fuuuuck, how am I supposed to take this on alone?" She hung her head, feeling lost and hopeless.

She recalled all she'd come to love. Nexus's bickering, Odeen's warmth, and even the sensation of wholeness that Safire gave to her. "This isn't over yet." Her eyes snapped open as she stepped forward, calling upon the melodies.

She was ripped from the plane and brought to a dark, decaying cave deep within her undeveloped world. Genis was waiting patiently for her arrival with a twisted grin. "I thought you left me behind. Good to see this isn't over."

He stood, cracking his neck with a bitter chuckle. Ruby never wavered, seeming to stand taller with more confidence. She balled her fist up before landing a brutal strike to the cave wall, cratering it beneath her fist. Genis stepped back with the sudden ferocity of the once meek mortal. "Do you know the only thing that can kill a deity? Time."

He felt a cold chill rip through him when Ruby's lips turned up into a sadistic grin. "So Nexus is fine, and I get to spend as long as I need hurting you. A lot. Tell me, when Nexus said that Serina caused them to 'lose a lot of deities', what did he mean?"

Genis swallowed thickly, conjuring his blade, but his eyes fell upon her unwounded leg. He dropped the weapon in disbelief. "We lost them... while they recovered. Why are you still alive? I know I struck you."

"You did. But this world belongs to me. My world, my rules." Her eyes darkened before she reached into the crater, pulling the wall down. Genis yelped when he was buried beneath rubble without warning. The heavy, crushing weight collapsed on top of him without buffer. Ruby approached the debris heap, perching herself back against the pile. "That was anticlimactic. Shall we try something more fun?"

Genis grunted with pain, unable to answer when his lungs were compressed. The next sensation he felt was the wind ripping through his hair as he spun helplessly through the air. The flash of colour ripped past consistently while Ruby waited slightly back from where Genis landed with a devastating crash.

Once the dust had disappeared, she chuckled in genuine amusement. "Yeah, that feels so much better." Ruby slammed her shoe down against Genis's back, sighing with satisfaction. "But it's not enough... Mortal unions are important, but mutual unions? Two deities – bound by the soul. That requires more punishment."

She took the disoriented deity by the hair, dragging him forward as she stepped through another tear, bringing Genis to the riverside in her world that matched the one they stayed at in Teralu. Only hers was devoid of colour.

She dropped Genis by the banks before kicking him in, watching his body get dragged downstream by the violent rushing waters. She ran her hands through her hair with a disgruntled sigh. "It's just not enough..."

Genis was thrown from the water, hitting the trees bluntly by the melodies. Ruby approached with a slight, cocky sway to her step. "I know." She grinned, calling upon the magic from within. She held the white hole up to him, taunting him with her slow movements while she crafted the perfect weapon.

Throwing the back of the magic-crafted bazooka across her shoulders, she let out a maniacal laugh. "I'LL JUST BLOW YOU TO PIECES!" Genis felt his body grow lively when Ruby pointed the weapon at him, wasting no time to tear a hole into the depths of the Inbetween, an uninhabited, dark area where he had been hiding for eons.

But he never leapt through it. He reached in, pulling something out with force. Genis returned to his feet, holding Alisha up as a human shield. "I call this insurance. Go ahead, Ruby. Fire!"

Ruby's eyes widened with panic, her body tensed with the sight, causing her to pull the trigger without thought. She acted immediately, aiming the weapon down. The shell exploded at her feet, throwing her back violently.

She hit the ground with brutality, smoking with the fire that'd enveloped her for a split second. "Ow..." She coughed weakly, dragging herself to her knees as Genis approached, holding Alisha by the back of the head, her hair bawled in his fist triumphantly.

"Don't give me that look, Ruby. We're going to become such wonderful friends." Genis sneered with her scowl, pulling on Alisha's hair to make the mortal sob. "Return us to Teralu, we'll collect Safire, and we'll be on our way. This is the only way your little human friend makes it out of this alive."

"Genis, she's innocent! She hasn't done anything to you, so there's no reason to use her! Just let her go, and I promise that I'll let you go, alright? I won't follow you, and I'll let you go."

Genis chuckled sadistically, conjuring a blade to hold to Alisha's throat. "That won't do. You've proven to be a bigger threat than I anticipated. I should have merged you two when I had the chance. I hold all the power now. Return us at once."

Ruby exhaled weakly, hanging her head while Alisha whimpered and sobbed pathetically. The scene changed without them having to move when Ruby called for the melodies to take them. They returned to the battlefield with Ruby bowed by Genis's feet. "HALT!" She called out, fighting back tears. "He wins... there's an innocent mortal... Safire." Ruby's eyes moved to meet her other half while she staggered to her feet. "We have to go..."

Safire backed away, but Genis held his blade toward Alisha's throat, threatening to cut. Her pathetic cries and pleas cut through Safire's fear, leaving her to take one step away from Jasher. Odeen dug his heel down, terrified but unsure of how to help. Serina stepped forward, unwavering. "Ruby, what is the meaning of this? End him!"

"STAY AWAY!" Ruby hissed, holding her hands up toward Alisha calmly. "It's okay. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise, you're going to be okay. I'll get you back home." Alisha could hardly see Ruby through the tears, yet her words resonated, leaving her to nod weakly.

Jasher's pained pleas cut through the crowd as Safire trudged toward Genis cautiously, her eyes locked on Alisha. "I'm so sorry that you got dragged into this... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry for everything... Ruby, I made a mistake..."

"Silence." Ruby's cold stare met Safire as she led her other half ahead. Genis backed away a few steps, watching as Aram and Odeen instinctively took a step forward. Vatic held his hands at his side, lost on what to do. The stand still locked all the warriors in place. Ruby turned toward Safire, conjuring the white hole in her left hand to hold it close to her chest, out of sight of Genis.

Safire's brows furrowed in confusion when Ruby held her right hand out toward Safire. "Two halves of one whole can never be severed. If you're truly sorry, take my hand. Corrupt it again. This war isn't over." She whispered.

Safire swallowed thickly, hesitating for only a moment. She looked at her gloved, decayed hand before recalling all the lies and manipulation that Genis had put her under. She tore the glove from her hand. "I am good."

She reached out, clasping Ruby's hand fast. Genis's eyes widened when thunder cracked above in the clear sky. Ruby's hair began to billow wildly as the white began to dye black violently. Time seemed to slow as Genis's blade dug against Alisha's throat. Ruby's voice cut through the booming chaos faster than Genis's hands could move. "I WISH!"

Chapter 50. You'll pay

Ruby stood within the war room, and all eyes fell on her as Odeen prepared his men alongside Hendricks for war. She cleared her throat weakly when a tear through reality ripped open beside her, deities pouring in one by one to fill the massive room to its brim.

Serina was the last to file out, standing beside Ruby with Hendricks and Odeen. "What we're going up against is unprecedented. You'll be facing an enemy you can't see, one who wields raw, aggressive black magic, and one who has weapons that can destroy your mortal souls. Mortals, it will be up to you to ensure that your deities remain safe from the destructive gem that Genis wields. Each deity will choose one mortal to tag. If you feel something grasp your shoulder, just know that you have been chosen by a deity. This will be the being that will protect you. In response, you must be their shield to the harmless rays that would leave them eradicated."

Serina nodded weakly as the deities chose their men. A chill ran through the room when the mortals had their first experience with the unknown. Nexus addressed his brothers and sisters. "While what we're going up against is unknown, we have the numbers. Three against hundreds. What we're aiming for is to end Genis quickly through Ruby's finishing strike, and keep Safire and Jasher at bay. Odeen and Vatic will take on the mortals. Ruby and I will take on Genis. Your job is to filter fire and ensure that their hands are too busy to stop our final attack."

Odeen took Ruby's shoulder reassuringly as Hendricks turned his attention to his men. "You're scared, rendered petrified because of the attacker being invisible. I want to let each of you know that you're free to step away from the battle; you do not need to fight today." Ruby frowned in confusion, turning to Hendricks, who merely held his hand up toward her. "But know, each of you who choose to sit out on this battle will be held as traitors and slain for abandoning your king. Is there anyone who wishes to stand down?"

The silence ran thick, nobody daring to abandon their kingdom when the price was so high. Ruby took a stiff sigh of relief. "Good. We're running out of time, and with the harmonic period beginning in mere days, there's no time left to stand and talk. We need to get the jump on Genis. And there's only one way that we'll succeed."

Ruby stepped aside as Serina passed through the open portal alongside Odeen and Aram. "We need to go straight to him. You'll all be sent to the Inbetween to wait for the signal. If Nexus and I cannot get Genis to stand down, you'll be our only chance of making it out of this alive. I wish you all the luck. Hendricks."

Hendricks nodded stiffly, looking Ruby up and down cautiously. Nexus stood behind her with a threatening glare. "You really do look like her, but you two are nothing alike. Men, with me." He disappeared into the portal.

Once the room was empty, she stifled a shaky sigh. Nexus took her shoulder tenderly, swallowing the fear that crept up inside him. "We're going to see the end of this. I promise. I'll make sure you live to see another day."

She smiled weakly, moving in to wrap her arms around him securely. "I'll do the same for you, my friend. Alright, let's get going." She held her hand out, and Nexus stepped forward, entering her body. Her eyes dyed a vivid gold when he took hold, and his body fell backwards through a tear, landing against the field before the cave where Safire and Jasher had been abandoned.

"GENIS!" Ruby took hold, calling for the deity with no fear. Her eyes scanned the immediate area tensely. Safire broke out of the cave from a sprint, standing at the mouth of the entrance with wild, panicked eyes.

Jasher met her side, staring at Ruby from their safe haven. "She's here already? The harmonic period isn't upon us yet. How are we going to contact Genis and tell him about this? He just left."

His rapid-fire questions fell on deaf ears as Safire took a step toward Ruby, her face warped with something resembling regret. Before she ever had a chance to talk with her other half, Genis's voice called from across the field to Ruby's left. "You're early. I barely had time to prepare my gift for you."

Her jaw clenched at the sight of Genis approaching with such a pleasant smile on his face. "We both know that you're not going to win in a confrontation between us. I suggest that you stand down and surrender, or I'll have no choice but to unleash what we've had time to prepare."

"Oh, yes. Your army's worth of deities and mortals." Ruby halted with the sudden chill that ripped through her veins. "I'm well aware of what such a tiny brain could come up with in the time we spent apart. Aren't you curious about what I've been up to?" He closed the distance between them swiftly, standing before her with his blade at the ready, yet he never attacked. "It's a show stopper."

"I guarantee it's something sick and twisted. If we're being honest here, I have exactly what you've described. What makes you think yours is better? I still have the full power, and Safire has nothing. So what is it you're truly after?"

Genis cracked a wide grin, sighing in satisfaction. "You never fail to amuse me, Rubes. I'm not looking for anything special. I already have Jasher and Safire wrapped around my finger because they believe that Nexus was the one who killed their little friend."

Ruby jerked, not expecting such a blatant confession so suddenly. "When Nexus knocked me through that wall, I could easily take down the support for the hut and bring it down upon his head. But what I'm really after is my darling brother. Have you seen him?"

Genis's head tilted to the side in amusement when Ruby hung her head suddenly. "Awe, don't give up the battle so soon, just because I admitted that you had the bad guy pegged so wrong-"

His speech was cut off when her arm ripped forward, taking a tight grasp of his throat to squeeze without mercy. Her head turned back up to meet his eyes, hers now a fierce golden. "You found him..."

Genis's grin only stretched further with the realisation that Nexus had possessed Ruby the entire time. "You never – fail to fascinate me, brother." His voice came out raw and hoarse from Nexus's grasp.

He was thrown back into the centre of the field as Nexus felt himself losing control. His eyes wide with pain and anguish, hearing Ruby's scream from within him. "He's egging, Nex, he's egging! Don't give in to him. He wants you mad! You have to fight that bastard. If you're blinded by emotions, you'll become sloppy!"

Nexus refused her taking over, straightening his back confidently. "We'll see about that. Release the Inbetween army!" Portals began to tear through reality, surrounding the battlefield from every angle. Safire took Jasher's hand, the decay creeping up her arm when she began to cast a protective barrier.

Nexus jumped back, leaping into the centre to come before Genis. He summoned Ruby's staff, twirling the crimson blades in fury to create a saw blade effect with the weapon. Genis shuffled back, watching the chains slice through the ground as though it were made of butter. "Fuck you're so much fun!"

"Attack me back, you coward! Where is that power that you stole from us?" Genis scrambled to his feet, a moment too slow. His cheek took the full lash of Nexus's chain, drawing blood to the surface. He stumbled back, touching his face to find the wound.

"Oh, that old thing? I don't have it with me anymore." Nexus grit his teeth, squeezing the staff before he separated from Ruby, giving her body back to her. They stood side-by-side in front of Genis while Hendricks' black magicians began to work on bringing the shield down.

Odeen stood on the outside of the shield, watching Ruby with fear and anxiety. "Come on... bring it down already." His eyes met Safire's from the outside, her expression growing resentful with the sight of him.

Vatic took Odeen's hand, pulling his attention away from Safire. "I'll worry about her. All you have to do is ensure that Jasher is taken care of. If you begin diverting your attention between Safire's attacks and Ruby's safety, you will fall. Just focus on the traitor Jasher."

Odeen's face hardened with a stiff nod. "You're right. I'll only be Ruby's way if I become a burden with my attention. Just remember, the moment you take Safire down, you tap out of this fight."

"I'm aware. I wasn't nicknamed the silent death for no reason. I am the best black magician around. If it were me, this shield would be down already." Odeen stifled a laugh, but the moment the protection shattered, he broke out with the army, running toward Jasher.

Nexus and Ruby stood, stuck in a standstill with Genis. Each awaited his attack eagerly, yet he never made a single move, merely watching them with that sadistic grin sprawled across his face in amusement. Even when he was surrounded.

Ruby stepped forward cautiously, even pulling away when Nexus grabbed her arm to stop her. "I'm assuming this is some kind of intimidation tactic, but it isn't going to work on me, Genis. I will be taking you down today."

Genis quickly surveyed his surroundings, letting out a deep, rumbling chuckle. "While I'm beyond amused, I must admit that you truly have the wrong man." He held his hands high, bowing his head. "I don't have the aether gem."

Nexus's eyes widened when the world around him became blinding with a horrific crimson light. Ruby whipped her head back in shock to find Nexus collapsed to the ground, his form beginning to dissipate into dust. "NEXUS!!!" She ran to his side, unable to stop the disintegration of her mutual union. "W-what did you do?" Her voice wavered with pain.

Serina turned her pained expression away, choking back the tears that pricked in her eyes. Ruby turned her head toward the cave to find Jasher wielding the stone tightly in his grasp. "You – YOU IDIOT! Genis killed Rufus!"

Safire halted with the information, turning a pained expression toward Genis, who merely shrugged. "He was the only one in my way; I had to ensure that he had enemies I could control." Her knees grew weak, causing her to collapse as Odeen threw Jasher to the ground, incapacitating him fast. The aether gem skidded into the cave, entirely forgotten about.

Ruby turned back to Nexus, holding the remainder of his form frantically. "It's okay, it's alright... I can fix this before it's too late!" She fought back tears, returning the white hole to its original form. "I can fix this for us. I just need to let it go wild again... I need to let go of control." Her hands trembled as tears stained her flushed cheeks. "Why isn't it working?! Come on! Just turn black again! I wish Nexus would wake up! I wish he wouldn't disappear!"

The world became blurred through Ruby's tears as her arms grew lighter when Nexus faded from reality before her. "No.... no, no, NO! Nexus! I'm sorry! I can fix this... I can... I just need to... I can't breathe..."

She hunched forward, holding the white hole to her chest to sob and whimper with the grief that overtook every cell in her body. She turned her head to the sky, leaving every soul on the battlefield to feel her pain. "NEXUS!" Her shriek was heard for miles, scattering birds and causing the deities to collapse in shared mourning.

Genis let out a singular, amused chuckle, watching the show with heightened amusement. "That's a bit dramatic for a deity you met a meagre week ago. I know mortals are pathetic with mortality, but I had higher hopes for you."

Ruby's expression shifted to something darker. She let the power go, staggering to her feet to sway weakly. "He was the only one I could trust... You'll pay for this. I blame you, Genis. And you will pay with blood!"

Ruby lunged forward, taking Genis back with the force of her own body. Something deep and fiery awoke within her as she called upon the melodies that searched for a new master, taking control for herself in the name of Nexus, throwing Genis through the ground with her following. The tear through reality ripped past, leaving no one able to follow where she'd taken him. Odeen scrambled to his feet, keeping his foot placed against Jasher's back. "Ruby?!"

Chapter 49. No regrets

Ruby and Odeen returned to the Oceranian kingdom, finally feeling as though they were in control of this battle. Nexus and Aram lingered behind them, prepared to attack if anything came too close to their mortal unions. Aram let out a stiff yawn, wrapping his arm around his brother to lean his full weight down on him. "You should carry me. My legs hurt."

Nexus clicked his tongue, smacking the chaos deity's arm from his shoulder. "Will you, for once in your arrogantly long life, cease touching me?! I will not tell you again! Stop touching me!" He almost screeched.

Aram froze for a moment, contemplating his next move, before he snorted, having to hunch forward. "Oh, Nexy! You're so adorable! Haha, do you really think that you're big enough to talk to big bro like that? Aw, I wanna pinch those adorable cheeks!"

"Touch me and I will kill you myself without the need for Genis's intervention. And I promise you that it will not be swift and painless like he'd make it. I will purposefully tear you to shreds cell-by-cell. Agonisingly."

Aram swallowed the lump that swelled in his throat audibly, stepping away with a nervous chuckle. "Wow, you've grown utterly terrifying in the time we've been apart." He began to smirk arrogantly. "Too bad your body hasn't caught up yet."

"THAT'S IT!" Aram didn't hesitate to break off into a sprint, blowing past Ruby and Odeen with Nexus hot on his heels, fuelled by rage and the need for vengeance.

Ruby chuckled at the sight, calling out to Nexus. "Tear him to shreds after the battle! We still need the meat brain to fight, remember? God, this is worse than when it was just Nexus and Genis."

Odeen cleared his throat, the landmark of his rubber duck statue coming into view slowly. "So, I want you to be honest about something. Is our god just a novelty toy in your world?"

She nearly tripped over her own feet with the question. "What? I've told you about a hundred times now, yes. But just because it isn't a god doesn't mean you should get rid of it. Think of it as a gift from our favourite overpowered, annoying, clingy deity. One that put Ocerania on the map. That's pretty fucking special if you ask me. I'd proudly be the rubber duck king if I were you."

He chuckled, finding amusement in the title. "Odeen, the rubber duck king. I like it. Thanks, Ruby, even though this is a massive blow to my beliefs. I appreciate your kind words, regardless. Though I am curious, if not gods, what are they used for?"

She hiccupped with the barrage of questions. "Well – you see... uh. Rubber ducks on Earth are seen as toys. Specifically, bath toys for kids. Funnily enough, they're so popular that the brands began to release ducks in all sorts of varieties. Cowboys, Christmas themes, and even kings. Just like the crystal duck you gave me during the fire festival."

"I don't know if you're still trying to make me feel better, as that made me feel worse." His shoulders slumped while he approached the gates. Ruby chuckled, patting his shoulder before they were let inside without question.

"It'll be alright, Odeen. If anything, it gave us something in common, right? Better to have one quirky commonality than nothing at all. We owe it all to Nexus and his interference. We should thank him by naming one of our children after him."

Odeen's entire demeanour lit up when Ruby spoke about their future children, but her attention was soon ripped from him when she caught sight of a familiar guard. "BENADIN!" She shrieked, sprinting forward to leap into the air, wrapping her arms and legs around the defenceless guard in an overjoyed attack of familiarity. "I can speak Oceranian now!"

Odeen and Nexus shared an irksome glance before Odeen approached, prying Ruby off Benadin by her shirt collar. The guard took a moment to collect himself before bowing his head toward his king. "Sire, you sent Vatic home to prepare the troops before you. I have ensured that the task was completed."

"Good. The more we have in the way of this threat, the better. I'm sure that you're aware that the man who was ruling in my absence was a clone by now. Prepare the changing chambers and my battle armour. We only have a matter of hours left before the deity army arrives."

Benadin broke out in a visible sweat, barely processing Odeen's words. "Vatic mentioned something like that. So it is true then? We are going to war with gods in the coming hours?"

"Yes. The faster we prepare the defence, the less time they have to create a plan of attack. Genis has undoubtedly sensed Nexus's soul returning to this plane and warned Safire and Jasher. Your job will be to protect the deities from the weapon. Do not engage with Jasher or Genis. They possess weapons that will tear through your soul and destroy it in moments. One more thing, you won't be able to view the target. This is why we're having the head deity come to explain how you will be utilised in battle. Henricks and his army will be arriving shortly, too."

Benadin paled, shaking his head with fear. "Y-you're kidding me, right? That sounds like a suicide mission... If you've managed to gain Hendricks' army, then this is a battle we might not see the end of. How did this come to be?"

Odeen walked ahead, leaving Ruby behind to take Benadin's hand. "Well, turns out I'm actually half of Safire's soul. Less now, since she stole a good portion from me. But the deity behind us is the reason that we're all about to face our real makers."

Benadin's fearful eyes turned back, looking right through Nexus. The fact that he couldn't see the deity made the situation more terrifying. Nexus growled, staring at her hand in Benadin's. "He isn't the one for you. I don't like him. He isn't tall enough for you, and I can sense... something. He likes redheads."

Ruby snorted, hunching forward slightly to burst into heavy laughter. "Don't worry, Nexus, it isn't like that. I'm just happy to see a familiar Oceranian face. And to be honest, I like redheads, too."

That seemed to quell Nexus for the moment, but he did step forward to swat their hands apart, activating Ruby's shield and scaring the life from Benadin. The seasoned knight let out a horrified shriek, scurrying forward to stand by Odeen, only to slam face-first into Aram's back. The deity grunted with the blunt force. "Fucking mortals. Always so fast to freak out."

Ruby giggled, enjoying this more the second time around. She passed Benadin from his place on the ground with a playful hum. "Careful there, they're everywhere." She whispered the last part, getting great amusement from the panic so clear on his face.

Nexus wrapped his arm around Ruby's neck, ruffling his hand through her hair. "That's my girl. I've never been prouder than I am right now. Taunting mortals just because you can see and hear things they can't."

"Get off of me, you clingy bitch." Ruby shoved Nexus, who only clung more. For the first time, they shared the joy of connection that was pure and enjoyable to both of them, and Odeen relished the sound of her happiness.

They were taken to a large room filled to the brim with armour and weapons lining every wall and shelf. Aram seemed to be in his element. "Fuck yes! We need one of these in the Inbetween! Nexus, take notes for me!" He ran forward, scooping a duelling sword from the wall. "This place is amazing! Come duel with me, Odeen."

"I'll pass this time. Though ensure you survive the battle, so I can show you my skills in combat, and remind you exactly why you chose to bond with me. For I am not known to lose in battle." Odeen pulled a blade from the wall that resembled a Roman gladius, twirling it between his fingers. "I may be slightly rusty as of late, however."

Ruby looked around, running her hand across the wall. Archery, blades, shields, and assorted spears lined each wall, yet nothing called to her. Nexus followed her closely behind, clenching the hem of her shirt in his fist. "Anything capture your eye?" He asked curiously.

"Nothing yet. I want something that I can use long-distance and close-range. Something that someone with no prior fighting experience can wield without the possibility of dying by her own hand. If only you hadn't tamed the magic. Even wild, it was my greatest asset."

Nexus raised a curious brow. "Even now, it's your greatest asset. Instead of wishing for the weapon that you need in the moment, you can just morph the power into the shape of that tool at will."

Ruby held out her hand, focusing clearly on the specifications she needed in her arsenal, yet all that appeared was the same staff, bearing the crimson chains at one end. "See? Unless I can envision what I need, it doesn't help. This is a close-ranged weapon."

Nexus hummed, tilting his head in intrigue. "Not necessarily. If you could get a good spin on that staff, then release the chains, you have a long-range weapon of mass destruction to deities."

Ruby hummed, twirling the blade around before swinging it up, releasing the chains. They flew haphazardly through the air, narrowly missing Aram. "Seriously?! Again? Did it feel that good to cut me? You hugged me!"

Ruby and Nexus both winced, sharing in the relief that washed over them when it missed Aram. "Sorry! I don't think I should be flicking deity-wounding chains around the battlefield. Too dangerous."

Nexus snorted, taking the staff from Ruby. "Well, you forget that I'm able to join you, and leave as I wish. I'll take hold of your body when you need me to. But what I saw with Serina, you're incredible in the moment. I think for you, just holding this immense power is enough. A plan will come to you in the moment. And I have no doubt it'll be badass."

"Don't say badass. What are you, grandpa, a boomer? But you might be right there. When we faced Serina, I was completely out of my depths. We faced a horde of deities and your boss, and still came out on top."

"I really hate that I bonded with you. Have I mentioned that?" Nexus squeezed her shirt, leaning his jaw against her shoulder. "Mainly because I hate that I'm worried sick while trying to reassure you. This might be the last time we're together like this. I don't want it to end."

"You might have said something similar a few times. I hate that you bonded with me, too, and I hate that I bonded back in the mortal way. I went from despising your presence to finding you oddly adorable. Like an older brother. Or in your case, a little brother."

"I am eons ahead of your measly little life span!" Ruby chortled, nudging Nexus's side playfully. He hesitated for a moment before pulling Ruby closer. "It's not just mortally. Our souls have synchronised equally. It is the first recorded mortal union ever seen. We are each other's deity union." He admitted.

Ruby's smile faltered for a second before it returned pleasantly. "I guess that helps, but I genuinely like you. I know when you bound to me originally, you hated it. Every second. But I don't feel that way. I'm glad that I bound back."

Nexus choked on the tightening in his throat, moving to bury his face into Ruby's shoulder. "I'm glad we bound together, too. Mortal unions are never wrong. You're the only human turned deity for me. I'll never find someone so special in a billion limitless lifetimes."

She wrapped her arms around him protectively, laying her jaw against his head. "The fact that your voice has done nothing but waver with every syllable, I have no choice but to believe you. We're going to win this, and we're going to stay together. I already know how I'm going to make that a reality, so just take a few deep breaths for me. I won't let anything pull us apart." She squeezed him securely, staring off into the distance with determination. "Any of us."

Chapter 48. Let's kill a deity

Ruby stood by the open portal with trembling hands, knowing once she entered, she'd find herself back on Teralu. William approached her from behind, sucking in a harsh breath. "Are you sure you want to go in there?"

"I have to." She hung her head weakly before feeling Sophie's hand rub across her back reassuringly. "Thanks for believing me, guys. I know this isn't easy on you, but I won't be coming back."

Sophie's face fell serious for a moment. "Are you sure we can't go with you? I mean, I don't have all that much here on Earth. That and living in a castle sounds pretty motivating." William nodded in agreement.

Ruby's expression hardened when she turned to face her parents. "Are you both nuts? I'm not going to allow you to come to Teralu with a war on the horizon. We're going to speak with Odeen's mortal enemy, the fate of three dimensions lies in our hands, and the battle that approaches is too dangerous. You're both staying on Earth. It's safer here."

Sophie wiped a stray tear from her cheek, stepping closer to pull Ruby into a tight embrace, choking on the pain that welled in her throat and tightened her chest. "You'd better be safe, my darling. I love you so much. When this is over, maybe one of the deities can bring you to visit."

Ruby's gaze shifted to Nexus, sharing his regretful expression. "I think when this is over, I won't have access to the deities anymore. But I can promise you one thing: I'm going to fight like it's my last day. I love you guys."

William moved in to wrap his arms around the two, holding them securely in his arms. "You'd better. I don't like the thought of sending my daughter off to possibly die, but I know that you're a strong young woman. You'd better wipe the floor with that fuckers face."

Ruby chuckled bitterly, scrubbing away her tears. "Okay, now I hear how we're alike. I'm going to be alright, dad. I have a pretty great team behind me. And if we can gain Hendricks' army, our chances of winning increase. Just be okay for me. Goodbye, guys."

She reluctantly stepped away from her parents, rubbing her arm as Odeen, Vatic, Aram, and Nexus stood by her side. "I wish you knew how much you both mean to me. I hope we get to see one another someday. Goodbye..." With that, Ruby stepped into the Inbetween and directly into the next portal into Teralu, turning back to watch the portals close over. The last image of Earth she got to see was that of her parents' grief. "Be okay for me..."

Serina stayed back on Earth, watching over Ruby's parents quietly for a moment before she exhaled gently and tore open another portal into the Inbetween. "Come on, you two. I need to get to Teralu, so you both need to return home."

Sophie scrubbed away the mascara stains on her cheeks to turn her gaze up at Serina in desperation. "You're going to do everything you can to keep her safe, right? You won't kill her when the fighting is at an end."

Serina was taken aback for a moment, but she soon cleared her throat nervously. "This I can swear. I'll be by her side through the battle, and when we inevitably win, I will take the power from her at the peak of the harmonic period. She will become a normal deity after that, and live a good and long life with her chosen beloved."

William squeezed Sophie in his embrace, exhaling with concern. "You'd better make good on your promise, then. If I find out that you failed, I'll find you in the afterlife and cause you the same pain."

Serina merely tilted her head to the side, humming in amusement. "You mortals are certainly more brazen than you once were. And more durable, too, it seems. Regardless, Ruby won't go down without a fight. I've learned that the hard way."

William scoffed, stepping into the portal with a gentle chuckle. "Yep, that sounds like my girl. Stubborn to the very end, and always prepared to fight for what's right. That's my girl."

Ruby and Odeen approached the kingdom of Cyrus before sundown, the chill in the air sending Ruby into deep shivers. "I didn't think the weather would turn so quickly. We were only gone a few days."

Odeen nodded in agreement, wrapping his arm around her shoulder to share his body heat. "Think about how cold it would be where Safire and Jasher are. The closer to the hemisphere they get, the colder it grows. Surely it'd be snowing."

"Are you trying to scare me off? I'm going to face them no matter the weather. I'm afraid of nothing. I'll look Safire dead in her backstabbing eyes and end this once and for all. By any means necessary. Nexus and Aram have entered the castle. Are you ready to face my actual father?"

"He's no father of yours. The man we abandoned back on Earth is your father. This man here is a monster who raised your other half. Barely." Odeen stood in front of the intimidating gates of Cyrus, calling to the guards with a tone of authority. "Kind Odeen of Ocerania, I demand an audience with King Hendricks this instant!"

Ruby chuckled dully, looking up at him in awe. "My, my, such a commanding tone, Odeen. I didn't think you had that in you." The gates opened with a dull clang, sending her back a step with the sudden loud noise.

Odeen chuckled in amusement, entering the gates easily. "My, My, such a fearful expression, Ruby. I didn't think you had that in you. If they were to attack, they'd have a war on their hands. I doubt they're going to harm us."

Ruby swallowed thickly, following Odeen closely behind. The cold, betrayed eyes that fell upon her left her feeling hollow and empty. "I'm guessing the citizens of Cyrus know about Safire going missing."

"How could they not? She's their monarch. And since you share such a startling similarity in features, they're going to assume you're Safire, so stay an arm's length away from me the entire time we're here."

"Yes, I learned that the hard way after my first escape. People do not take kindly to Safire and her daring escape." Ruby stayed in Odeen's shadow all the way to the doors of the castle. They parted as though they were waiting for Odeen.

Unlike the Oceranian castle, where the throne room was deeper within the walls, Cyrus's castle opened up directly into the throne room, giving Ruby no time to mentally prepare before she came face-to-face with the middle-aged, sharp-eyed man who stared at her past Odeen with rage.

He sported long, greying hair, a sturdy build, and nearly jet black eyes filled with hatred and contempt aimed at her. "You dare set foot back within my homestead, Safire? After everything you've put our people through. Why bring the oaf when you know nothing will quell my rage?"

Odeen held his arm out protectively, shielding Ruby from Hendricks. "I'd watch your tongue and the way you talk to Ruby Maise. Safire is not with us; she's taken a fancy with my knight and fled with a being from another world. A deity. They plan to end the three worlds using a rare gift, and your daughter has rejected our marriage."

Hendricks scoffed with amusement, shifting to stand from his throne. He stepped down and walked across the plush, velvet carpet that lined his throne room to stand before Odeen, matching his height and intimidation. "You expect me to believe such a blatant lie?"

"I expect you to listen when plain Oceranian is spoken to you. Lest you forget, my kingdom was the one who began prosperity on this plane. We still command respect, even if you think you've stolen the title of capital." Odeen scowled.

Hendricks scoffed. "Aside from the fact that you have no proof that the woman behind you is not in fact my daughter, you dare speak to me as though I'm not overshadowing you in exports? Cyrus has grown far more than Ocerania in the past ten years, so I suggest you keep silent."

"I won't." Odeen spoke through gritted teeth, almost snarling. "Your daughter has caused nothing but pain and misfortune for us. For what? This?" Odeen stepped aside the moment Ruby conjured the white glowing staff that was once a powerfully unstable magic.

Hendricks raised his brow, beginning to laugh bitterly. "What?" Neither of them had taken into account that Hendricks wouldn't be able to see her power physically due to his being an outsider to the Inbetween.

Ruby let the magic fall, sighing in frustration. "Fucking annoyance. Are you going to help us bring your brat down a peg, or shall we do something that you're really going to regret?" Odeen physically relaxed, taking a few steps back as Henricks turned a horrific shade of red.

"You brazen little imp! How dare you talk to your father in such a manner!" He raised his hand in anger, yet Ruby never flinched. Hendricks soon felt a tightness grip his wrist, wincing with pain as the force pushed back against his arm so far he feared it might break.

Then a voice cut through the shocked silence, almost as though it was a soft echo that barely reached his ears. "Hendricks." A form wearing angered golden eyes began to flicker in and out of reality as the disembodied voice continued to emanate. "You dare try to strike her in front of me?!"

Nexus's form finally became visible to the terrified king, his wrist starting to make cracking sounds, the bones threatening to break. He grabbed Nexus's arm, wincing with the pain. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't know!"

"You did know. We told you, and you didn't listen." His voice wavered with the blinding rage that boiled through his veins as he stepped forward, throwing Hendricks back. "Now you deal with me."

Ruby was swift to step in, taking Nexus's hand reassuringly. "Easy guard kitty. I think he got the message. As you can plainly see with your own two eyes, we're fighting with and against deities. Beings that aren't from Earth or Teralu. But we need mortals." Nexus hung from Ruby's neck protectively, glaring daggers at Hendricks.

He pried himself back to his feet, still lost in the state of shock. "You're telling me that Safire has been surrounding herself with such creatures for the sake of destruction on our world?"

Ruby shook her head. "It's slightly more nuanced for her. Genis's ultimate plan is to rule over all three worlds. Safire's end goal is to absorb the last of her soul. Me. I am from another world, but my soul belongs to her. It's a long story, but I am a fragment of Safire's soul that was sent away many years ago."

Hendricks ran his hand through his hair, still trying to grapple with the knowledge that was being thrown at him. "And just what is it you want me to do? That girl has always been a problem child. I cannot get her to listen to me out of fear, just because I show my presence."

"We don't need that." Ruby's tone came out calmer than before. "We simply need mortal shields for Genis. He possesses a gem that can destroy deities, and my immunity to that is officially out the window. I've become a deity."

Hendricks cleared his throat nervously, rubbing his temples. "I do not understand. You want me to put my army in harm's way, simply to protect you? What would be in it for me if I agreed?"

Odeen scoffed coldly. "You won't be harmed. The deities are tasked with defeating Safire. I'll be taking on my knight with my own deity, and Ruby, alongside Nexus, will fight Genis themselves. All you need to do is use your immune bodies to protect the deities from the blasts. If you want something in return, how's continuing to live sound?"

Hendricks hummed in annoyance, sucking in a harsh breath before exhaling just as sharply. "I see you've done your research well. yes, I'd prefer to continue living. Very well, let's kill a deity."

Chapter 47. Floating trinket

The weather on Teralu had taken a drastic turn suddenly, leaving Jasher, Safire, and Genis to seek shelter. They found themselves held up in a small cave while Jasher attempted to start a fire, but the shivering of his body made it almost entirely impossible. Genis clicked his tongue, leaning against his arm impatiently.

"We should be on the move still. I cannot believe how fragile human bodies are. If you two were deities, we wouldn't have to stop for something so pathetic as a temperature drop. We have to get to the hemisphere."

Safire hissed, whipping her head toward Genis. "What is going on with you lately? It seems like you have a vendetta against Jasher and me. If you have something to say, direct it at me."

Genis stared at Safire with the look of sheer shock plastered across his face. "I'm just – a little stressed. Knowing Ruby and Nexus are out there with something against us has left me feeling a little on edge."

"I don't want your excuses. If you're going to be unbearable, then go ahead and find the hemisphere yourself. I'm getting really tired of you moping around since Ruby left. What was the other half of my soul better than me?"

"No, of course not! Look, I think I've bitten off more than I could chew. Why don't you two make yourselves warm and comfortable, and I'll go ahead a bit to see if there's a closer cave. Maybe some time apart might be good for all of us."

Safire's eyes narrowed before she slumped against the wall, left shivering with the lack of clothes. "You go and do that." Genis sighed in annoyance, standing up suddenly. As he approached the exit, he let a few stray sparks loose from his fingers, igniting the flame into a roaring fire for them to use for warmth.

Jasher turned back to Safire with a soft expression, extending his arm out invitingly. "Ignore him. He's probably upset that you didn't have the chance to absorb Ruby's soul in its entirety. Now we have to face Serina and Nexus without any magic on their level. He's on edge."

Safire shook her head, shuffling closer to Jasher. "It's not like we're powerless. I still have my magic, Genis has an ace up his sleeve, and you're getting very good with your new divine weapon. I don't understand what's going on with him, but once again, I'm not the one who's needed. It's all about Ruby."

Jasher gazed down at her with pity before he stood without warning. "No–no way! Ruby wouldn't even exist if it weren't for you! Everything that she accomplishes is only because you were forced to sacrifice your soul! Her accomplishments are yours. You're smart, beautiful, strong, and independent. You are needed, Safire. I need you."

Her pain melted into relief as she fought back the urge to cry. "Do you really mean that? I mean, Ruby isn't all that impressive. She's only harbouring the power that exists because of Nexus. Her usefulness lies solely because I was forced to give up what was mine. In the grand scheme of things, this isn't my fault. She should have never been taken from me in the first place."

Jasher grinned, kneeling beside her with earnest. "Exactly. I know you think it's unfair that it seems like Ruby is preferred, but if you stop and think about it, you're the one who's preferred. Genis is doing all of this so you can have your full soul back for the harmonic period. Honestly, I wish you'd keep it. It's not like Ruby would be dead. And you'd finally feel whole. Maybe you'd stop comparing yourself to everyone when you felt complete... and you'd start to see yourself the way I see you. Perfection."

Finally, tears began to stain Safire's cheeks, touching the aching in her chest. "Oh, Jasher. That's the sweetest thing anybody's ever said to me. I wish that I'd taken her soul, but I don't blame you. I know it seems bad, but her soul belongs to me. I never said Nexus could take it... are we the bad guys, Jasher?"

He was silent for a long while before exhaling sharply. "I think in their story, we are. But that doesn't mean that we're bad guys. It's a nuanced situation that we're navigating as a really messed-up team. But we're doing it for the right reasons. Ruby is your soul, wayward, controlling a walking corpse. That's not healthy. You both need to come together again."

Safire's breath stuttered, pulling her knees to her chest. "And what happens if Ruby's soul is stronger than mine? I have the majority of it right now, but maybe that last piece would overshadow me entirely."

"And maybe you two will merge and become one new human. The way I see things, Ruby is your fighting side. She's brazen, bold, and strong. But you're the independent one. She couldn't come meet you without Odeen; you left everything behind for your freedom. You're smart, talented, and even though your confidence is bruised, you keep going. You're the stronger personality. Fire, you won't be overshadowed. You'll become whole."

Safire wept against her knees, her voice coming out broken. "I really liked her. I thought that we could have a life together side-by-side. But Nexus and Serina ruined that. He wants her as a battery, and she doesn't even know it. Serina just wants us both dead. I can't survive being torn from her a third time... If we ever find them again, I will force her to stay with me."

"I'll be right by your side." Jasher knelt beside Safire, running his hand across her cheek. "No matter what you choose, I'll fight by your side. I'll bring Nexus to his knees for Rufus, and I'll rip the remainder of Ruby's soul from that husk if I have to. I won't let you suffer, Fire."

She smiled weakly, leaning into his palm despite the tears. "With you by my side, there's nothing I can't handle. Jasher, I don't want to marry Odeen; he isn't the one I love... You are."

Jasher was taken aback for a moment, staring at Safire with wide eyes filled with disbelief. "I love you, too." He ran his hand from her cheek down toward her jaw, tilting her head up to meet her eyes. "I love you so much. I have always loved you. We'll kill them all, take what's yours, and live together in peace and harmony for the rest of our days."

His voice grew lower and more tender until he was left whispering sweet nothings to her. They leaned closer to one another, closing the gap between them to share their first kiss in the cramped, dark cave. A home, a freedom they'd created together.

Back on Earth, Ruby stepped through the portal from the Inbetween to the open field. William and Sophie stood, clinging to one another. They could not see the deities that surrounded the field, yet they knew what surrounded them.

Odeen stood swiftly, facing Ruby with a wild gleam that faltered ever so slightly when he saw the reluctant couple. "Vatic..." Odeen muttered, nudging his second in command with his foot. "She brought her parents."

Vatic barely gave a half-hearted glance before grunting with pain when he tried to stand again. Alisha stood by the fireplace, running over to the portal excitedly. "You both came! I know this is all a little overwhelming, but they're harmless! Come meet everyone."

Ruby shifted uncomfortably, stepping into the field slowly. William and Sophie followed Ruby's path to not run into any of the deities. She brought them toward Odeen, standing at his side, cautiously. "Mom, dad, this is Odeen. He's the king I was telling you about."

Odeen was nearly sweating from the anxiety he felt, holding out a trembling hand toward her parents. "It's an honour to meet the people who raised his beautiful young woman. She's made a fine addition to my castle."

Vatic slapped his forehead, intervening fast. "She isn't being treated like property, I assure you. You both have raised a bright and fiercely intelligent young woman. We from Ocerania have to admit that our lives have been greatly improved by Ruby's presence."

William's eyes narrowed into a sharp scowl as he gazed at the two men with malicious intent. "I see. And which of you is the one my daughter is infatuated with currently?" Vatic took one brisk step to the side, throwing Odeen under the bus entirely. William stepped closer, sending the king back half a step. "You better be treating her like a queen already. And do so as long as she's away from my care. God help you, I will find a way to get to the other world if you don't. I'll smell your fear the day you fuck up."

Odeen cleared his throat, laughing nervously. "I see where your daughter gets her incredibly unwavering stance from. You seem to be just like her, and nobody but Ruby, Nexus, and you have ever spoken to me like that before. I am well out of my depths. Ruby..."

"Leave him alone, Dad. He's been really great for me lately. If it weren't for him, I would not have gone to meet Safire, and by extension, I would not have come home. Nexus would have killed me, if not Serina."

William's eye twitched before he turned back to Nexus with the look of murder, sending the deity off swiftly. "Well, I should hope that this king of yours will continue to do that for you. For his sake, he'd better."

Ruby's blood ran cold when Aram leaned in extremely close to William's face, studying his features closely. "Whoa, that's Ruby to a tee! Is this a mortal thing? Do daughters take after their fathers?" He chuckled dully. "Odeen, do you take after your mother?"

Odeen rubbed his temples, sighing in annoyance. "I wouldn't know. She died in childbirth; I was raised by my father and Vatic. Please get away from Ruby's father before you frighten him."

William jerked back toward Sofie, his head whipping around the immediate area. Aram shrugged, uninterested. He approached Alisha nonchalantly, digging around in her jacket pocket. "Can I fucking help you?"

He grinned, fishing out the granola bar he knew she was stashing. "Nope, I found what I was looking for. Thanks for the treat, mortal." Ruby's parents were spiralling into panic attacks at the sight of the floating bar.

Alisha's nose twitched with irritation, sighing away the anger. "Glutton. I hope you go back to the Inbetween and never get to try food again. William, Sophie, this is Odeen's deity. He's the biggest asshole you'll ever meet, but unfortunately, he's here to stay. He likes messing with mortals, so I'd be cautious. He won't hurt you, but he will probably scare you."

Ruby chuckled, shaking her head in bemusement. "He is a bit of an asshole, but so is every other deity we've met so far. Come on, guys. Let's sit by the fire. I'll let you get to know the people I'll be calling my family from here on in, and we can enjoy the last of the morning before I have to go back."

They were quick to agree, taking Ruby toward the fire with Odeen close in tow. Alisha stayed behind, leaning against Nexus. "Why are you so short, by the way? The others are huge compared to you."

Nexus's brow twitched, swatting Alisha's arm from his shoulder with a cold scowl. "I'll have you know, I'm millennia younger than my siblings. I will grow to their height, but most deities start off as fully grown adults, and grow past that."

"Awe, so you're a little baby! That's so cute." His glare deepening shut her up. "Anyway, I was wondering if you could do the song thingy? I need to go home and get ready for my afternoon shift. I've said goodbye to Ruby already, and I want her to spend some time with her parents."

Nexus grunted in annoyance. "Am I an overglorified taxi service now?" He never hesitated, shoving Alisha back into an oncoming portal he'd called. She hit her bed back-first with a dull groan. "Thanks, you self-serving asshole..." She grunted, sitting up.

Her eyes met one of her trinkets floating in mid-air, leaving her brows to furrow in confusion. "What the? I thought I met all the deities when I went through the Inbetween. The only one that wasn't there..." She sucked in a sharp breath of realisation as Genis leaned in closer toward her, exhaling a heated breath across her face with a twisted grin. She leaned back with wide, panicked eyes. "Oh no..."

Chapter 46. Meeting the parents

Ruby found herself standing on the front porch of a modest suburban home at the crack of dawn. The roses in her hand felt sharp and jagged, and the glistening sweat bead on her brow dared to drip as her trembling fingers braced to ring the doorbell. Alisha was kind enough to watch over the Earth field filled with rowdy deities so Ruby could focus on saying goodbye to her parents.

She finally pressed the button, wincing at the sharp tone that cut through the silence. There was hardly enough time to swallow the lump in her throat before shuffling was heard from behind the door.

A middle-aged woman with long, greying black hair and sharp hazel eyes answered the door with a pained expression that quickly warped at the sight of her lost daughter standing before her. "R-Ruby?" Her voice carried a slight tremble of shock.

"Hi, mom. I know you're probably beyond confused, and scared, and unsure... But it's really me. I don't know how to explain where I've been this whole time, but I want you to know that I didn't leave because I wanted to."

Ruby stifled the urge to step back when her mother approached, wrapping her in a warm and tender embrace, shedding pained tears. "I thought that I was never going to see you again."

"Sophie? Who's at the door?" Ruby's father, William, froze dead in his tracks when his eyes fell upon Ruby, leaning over her mother's shoulder with a tight, awkward smile. "My girl... Where have you been?"

"It's a long story. I hope you both have time, because I brought proof with me." She was invited in instantly, almost ripped toward the living room. She perched herself down on the floral armchair that sat in front of the couch stiffly, while her mother set the roses in a vase. "Where do I even begin?"

She felt a tight tug internally, the sensation she came to know as Nexus's attempts to take over. "Knock that off. You said you'd do as I tell you to, so be patient and wait for me to give you the okay." Sophie and William looked at one another quizzically before Ruby sucked in a sharp breath.

"Well, it all began on the day that I went missing. I was taken to another world called Teralu. There I met a king, a knight, a princess, and three – four? A thousand deities who were trying to help, or trying to kill us. As crazy as that sounds, it's the truth. I wasn't technically born on Earth. I was born on Teralu as Safire. Nexus, one of the good deities, tore my soul in half when your child died in utero, and because of my forced sacrifice, you got to live your dreams and become loving parents."

Sofie felt tears prick at her eyes, lost in confusion. "Ruby... Have you gone sick? I don't know how you found out that you passed away for a short while in utero. I was told it was a miracle that you came back, but the rest makes no sense. How could you just show up after weeks with such an unbelievable story? Don't you see how badly you've hurt us?"

Ruby nodded her head weakly, brushing her fingers through her hair. "Yes, I know it is incredibly difficult for you to believe. I have evidence." She slipped her phone from her pocket, unlocking it to open up the camera roll. She slid her phone to her parents from the coffee table that sat between them. "I have to go back, and I don't think I can return afterwards."

William picked up the phone, scrolling through the copious photos and videos. Odeen and Jasher are speaking rapidly in a foreign language, the interior of a massive castle, odd and terrifying creatures and plants littered her albums, yet he couldn't grasp it. "This is ridiculous. You can't think that we'd fall for this. When did you change so much? You used to be our good girl."

Ruby groaned, rubbing her temples. "This is why I brought Nexus with me..." She stood suddenly, sending her parents back against the couch with shock. "Go ahead, you menace, they're not going to believe me otherwise."

Nexus took hold, causing her irises to bleed golden. He held out his hands, tearing a hole into reality beneath Ruby's parents, dropping them into the Inbetween, where Serina waited patiently.

Ruby leapt into the portal, staring down at her shocked, frightened parents. "It's terrifying the first time. But that man over there." She gestured to Nexus's body, still holding the portals apart. "Caused all of this. And now, for a short time, he's living inside me."

Nexus stepped out, prying himself from Ruby's body. Sophie screamed as though she was living in a real-life body horror. "Calm down, Ms Maise. I am Nexus of the Inbetween. A young and immature deity. Your child did die that day, and I resurrected her with Ruby's portion of Safire's soul. There's a lot you don't know, but we must return to the second portal, back to Teralu."

William stumbled to his feet, staring at the vast, dark cosmos that surrounded him suddenly. It seemed like the Inbetween was swirling around him rapidly as he swayed on his feet. Ruby stepped forward, ready to catch him if he fell. "Dad? I don't belong on Earth... I need you to support me."

His eyes met her desperate expression with pain and turmoil. "You said that you can't come back?" His voice came out breathy. When Ruby nodded weakly, his expression hardened. "Then you're not going. You may not be the soul of my daughter, but you are my blood. Your body is our daughter, we raised you as our daughter, you will always be our daughter! How can you ask us to just let you run off to another world?! Look at your mother! You!" He pointed toward Nexus. "You brought her to us because you wanted her to live, right?" Nexus's eyes darkened, locked in a tense stare-off with William. "Would you send her to a dangerous world?!"

"NO! I don't even want to fucking send her back! She is so fucking stubborn, prepared to face a deity who can eradicate all other deities with a mystic gem, and Ruby has ascended to deity! She's in more trouble back there than she is here! I don't want to let her go! But I don't get that fucking choice."

Ruby's jaw fell slack as she stared at Nexus in disbelief. "I – was going to leave the Genis issue a secret, but alright then. You had that bottled up for a while, didn't you? Feel better now, you fucking idiot?"

Sophie slowly returned to her feet, staring at Serina with terror before she moved to take Williams' hand. "We're sorry, Ruby, odd... terrifying creatures... I can't in good faith let her go. She's my baby."

Ruby felt a tug on her heartstrings, hanging her head in shame. "I have to fight back, mom, I don't have a choice. If Safire has any trace of my power when the harmonic period arrives, Genis will rip it from her. He won't tell her that she's still magical. He will destroy all three worlds, and the only people in his way are us. I can't let the world's down, and I can't sit back and wait for everyone I love to die. For Odeen to die..."

Sophie's face softened as she scrubbed at her eyes. "Odeen? Ruby, none of this is making any sense, and I'm so scared. Why won't you be able to come home to us after this is done?"

Ruby's shoulders drooped as she stifled a dull chuckle. "Because I'm going to stay on Teralu with the love of my life, and Nexus is probably going to return home to the Inbetween."

"You knew?" Nexus furrowed his brows, stepping closer to Ruby. "You knew this whole time, yet when I wanted to spend time together with you while we were separated, you pushed me away."

"Of course I did, Nexus. Don't you understand anything?" She fought back tears, scrubbing at her eyes. "Knowing that soon, we'll be ripped apart to live separate lives made spending time with you so difficult. I'm gonna miss you too much. It hurts, but I know you belong here, I belong on Teralu, and my parents belong on Earth..."

"Don't push me away." Nexus spoke with a deeply serious tone, forcing Ruby into a hug, stunning her instantly. "Please don't push me away when our time together is so finite. I thought that you were avoiding me to spend time with Odeen. Had I realised how you felt, I would have thrown you over my shoulder and brought you somewhere private so we could talk more."

Ruby tilted her head in confusion, hesitantly wrapping her arms around Nexus. "It's always weird when you're the one to initiate the hug. But it's nice, too. I thought that deities could feel their mortal unions' emotions?"

Nexus pulled away from Ruby with furrowed brows. "What made you think that? No, we can't feel your emotions, but we can sense when you're in imminent danger. Nothing about emotions, though. You have to tell me what you're feeling."

"But – Genis said that he was able to feel Safire's emotions. Has anyone seen either of them hit one another? Now that I think about it, he couldn't tell she was going into heatstroke either. Oh my God, Genis isn't soul-bound to Safire at all! That lying rat!"

"Obviously not. Who told you that he was?" There was a moment of silence before Nexus hung his head. "That bastard really spread his lies far and wide. Shit, no wonder Safire believes everything he says."

"But we might be able to leverage this in our favour!"

"AHEM!" William cleared his throat obnoxiously, calling Ruby and Nexus back from their solo conversation. He crossed his arms defiantly across his chest. "You may think that we're going to allow you to go, but this Genis fellow sounds far too dangerous."

Ruby chuckled in amusement, casting her glowing white hole, a small orb glowing in her palm, to hold it up to her parents. "He's not the only one who's dangerous. I'm going to face him. With or without your permission. I just wanted to say goodbye, thank you, and I love you both... I'm gonna miss you."

Sophie approached Ruby slowly, taking her wrist to hold it close. "You've always been so independent and strong. I don't know what this thing is, but you seem more confident and whole than you ever have. If you're going to leave no matter what we say, the least you could do is introduce us to your new family. The ones who will be staying with you, and protecting our little girl."

Ruby sniffled weakly, running into her mother's arms. "Oh, mom! Of course, I'll introduce you to everyone! They're all staying with Alisha in this quaint little field. You're going to love Odeen! And Vatic is someone so interesting and surprisingly fun despite his stuffy get-up. Aram, we could do without, but we are a tight-knit family. I know once you meet them, you'll approve, dad. Just meet them."

William exhaled weakly, hanging his head for a moment. Ruby dissipated the magic, stepping forward cautiously. He spoke low and slow. "I changed your diapers, I kissed away your ouchies... and now you want to go somewhere we can't follow? They'd better take good care of you, my little girl."

He started to choke up, sending Ruby into a cascade of tears. "They take amazing care of me, dad. They have from the beginning. I love you so much!" She ran into her father's arms, embracing him tightly. Sophie moved in to embrace them both as well, breaking into pained sobs.

Nexus stayed back, staring at the tender scene with wavering breath. Serina approached his side calmly, watching his face closely. "Well, this is a development I wasn't expecting. How could a mortal return their deities' union? I suppose, the mortal can become a deity herself."

Nexus turned to Serina with a quizzical expression, causing her to chuckle. "The very first mutual union in history. Is it any surprise that you two were the ones who pioneered such a path? Ruby is your mortal union, but somehow, you're now hers as well. I might need to rethink separating you both for all eternity. Maybe." Nexus's breath stuttered with relief, shock, and gratitude. "But first, I must know more. Don't get your hopes up yet, Nexus. Let's finish the battle that approaches first. Keep this from Ruby for now."