Chapter 2.1: The Goddess that Fell from Riverside

“Are you sure, Goddess of the Moon?” I stared at him with resignation. My fingers are tipped with light that is poised to hit the Seraphim in front of me.

“What arrogance to pose that question when I’m standing in front of this device that’s about to launch me into space!” He laughed as he saw me wince slightly whenever his helpers hit random buttons that beeped inside.

Oh, I’m inside a tube-shaped machine… I’m standing on a circular floor with swirling colors, similar to the movement of stars and galaxies across the cosmos. It was a beautiful scene.

“Did Adustio also depart using this?” I inquired in complete innocence while gazing down. So captivating. I can feel the brightness reflecting in my eyes, which is not an unpleasant sensation overall.

“No… he’s not that fragile. He can enter and exit without assistance.” Crack. Because of this moron, something inside my skull exploded in rage. I cannot lash out at him at random since I need him for my plans… No, I cannot yet strangle him.

He even forced me to wear a white dress for this ceremony. My silver hair is curled nicely, and star bits ornament it. This is not a farewell, but a complete surrender to the devil himself.

I gripped my hand tightly while staring down.

Pat. Pat.

‘Huh?’

When I glanced up, Lupita was caressing my elaborately styled hair. I felt weak in the knees since I had no idea what triggered his abrupt shift in attitude. I clutched his hand involuntarily for support since I was afraid of falling and the tube was too small for me to fall properly.

“Wha—” I intended to ask him what he’s doing… However, the moron abruptly retracted his hand and reached back.

After I felt something hanging from my neck, he separated from me and regarded me with a cocked head as he finished putting the necklace.

“Your once-pale skin is now tomato-red; could you kindly calm yourself?” I blinked.

“Does our heart beat loudly while we’re agitated?” I asked back. He made a ‘pop’ sound with his lips and grinned slightly.

“Selene… We are composed of the identical substance that binds us to humanity.” He responded.

‘However, I believe my heart is beating—’

“This emblem will aid you when you arrive.” He indicated the necklace with his finger.

I inspected it by looking at it. It was a golden wing with a crimson jewel beautifully positioned between the feathers. It has a relatively basic design, but it is obviously utilized by the superiors, since they are the only ones with wings.

“Is this item yours?” I gazed at him with my customary intensity. Freezing and indifferent.

“Of course, it’s mine… I’m handing it over to you.”

“Why is there a pause?” I asked myself.

Ding.

I glanced to my side as I heard another sound… It seems to be the final button.

The helper left the machine and handed Lupita a little remote control.

After he told everyone to leave the room, it is now only the two of us remaining.

“You have 365 days on Earth to complete your goal… It’s quite a while, but that’s the longest amount of time a heavenly creature can survive without Riverside, so return before then—”

I nodded and rolled my eyes.

“This mentality must change, Luna. Mhm.” He counseled me.

“…”

“I’ll dismiss you immediately… See you next year, Luna… I hope you’ll return to me after that, my L—”

“Wai—”

A brilliant burst of light surrounded me. I instantly felt dizzy and float—y.

“AM I IN THE AIR?!” I asked the void.

After a while, the sensation of floating and falling overwhelmed my nerves, and I fell asleep.

‘What did Lupita say? Perhaps he has informed me where Adustio is.’ I had the strange feeling that I would forget these ideas when I opened my eyes.