Paths of Creation

Three days later.

Akasha and Scathach were preparing breakfast while Milim and Gaia played in the living room.

Scathach smiled as she watched Milim and Gaia, happy and healthy, but her expression hardened when she looked at Akasha. He noticed but chose to ignore it.

"If you're still upset because I let what happened to them happen, then I apologize," Akasha said quietly as he cooked.

Scathach glanced at him indifferently and didn't respond. The next few minutes passed in silence until Akasha decided to break it.

"Velda asked me not to interfere with the world's destiny," Akasha said, pausing. "And I broke my word by preventing Gaia from being corrupted."

"Did he really ask you to let his daughter suffer?" Scathach asked, her eyes turning slightly red.

Akasha said nothing more. He placed the plates of food on the table and called the children to eat. "Milim, Gaia. Wash your hands and come eat."

"Yes, Dad!" / "Kyuu!" the two responded happily as they began to run.

Akasha smiled and turned to look at Scathach. "It may seem cruel, but it was the original destiny of that little dragon to die," Akasha revealed to Scathach.

Scathach looked at him for a few seconds, sighed, and finally nodded. She approached Akasha and hugged him.

"I'm sorry, Father. It's just... I've grown very fond of those girls in the years I've been here. I don't know what I'd do if they were gone," Scathach told Akasha as she wiped the tears that fell from her face.

Akasha smiled and, after a brief struggle, reluctantly returned the hug.

"It's good that you care for them. I'm glad you've let go of that constant feeling of self-destruction thanks to them," Akasha said as he straightened the wrinkles in his tunic, adding, "And that dark, grim side of yours."

In the end, he earned a punch on the shoulder as he laughed, and soon everyone sat down to eat.

---

"Alright, before I leave, I'll give you some gifts I finished recently," Akasha said as he brought out several large boxes wrapped in paper.

Milim and Gaia were sitting on the sofa. Milim wore a pastel pink pajama, while Gaia had a purple blanket wrapped around her. Scathach, on the other hand, wore her characteristic purple dress, a smile on her face.

Akasha pushed the longest and thinnest box toward Milim and a small square box toward Gaia. "Go on, open them," Akasha said with a smile.

Milim eagerly tore into her gift, and Gaia followed, opening hers. Soon, Milim pulled out a beautiful black spear with pink details that made it stand out. Gaia, meanwhile, pulled out a green ball that she began to chew on.

Milim's eyes sparkled as she hugged the spear and then launched herself at Akasha, kissing him on the cheeks, leaving him sighing.

"That spear is called Apollyon. Your father and I created it. It's a weapon you must take care of with love, little one," Akasha explained with a smile.

Milim nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. Clearly, it affected her to know that her father, whom she never got to meet, had been part of this gift.

Akasha looked at Gaia, who was still chewing on the ball. "Gaia, that ball is a skill I created for you. Break it so it can fuse with you," Akasha told her.

"Kyuu!" Gaia responded as she exerted force with her claws, causing the ball to explode into fragments that flew and merged into her.

"Your skill will take a few days to assimilate into your soul, little one. As for you, Milim, the weapon is bound to you from birth. You should ask Scathach to teach you how to use it," Akasha said, the last part clearly spoken with amusement.

Milim nodded, clearly unafraid. "Thank you for the gift, Father. I'll take good care of it," she said with a tender smile on her face.

Akasha nodded as he kissed her and Gaia on the forehead. "Take care while I'm away, okay? Listen to Scathach, please," he warned seriously, making the two nod like little chicks.

"I'm leaving now," he said and hugged them both for a while, catching them off guard. After a moment, he let go and turned to Scathach, who was watching with a smile.

Akasha approached and hugged her as well. "Don't get used to it. This is just a farewell gesture," he said as he let go. He ruffled her hair, making her swat his hand away with a pout.

"Take care, Father," Scathach said, her voice clearly sad. "And don't say you have everything under control. Remember, you're not invincible," she said seriously. She meant it.

Akasha nodded, his expression serene. "Don't worry, nothing will happen to me."

---

Night fell.

Akasha left the house. In the end, he had to wait until night because Milim started crying when she saw him leaving. He had already put her to sleep, so now he was finally leaving.

At that moment, Scathach came out of the house, wearing her purple pajamas and slippers.

"When will you be back, Father?" she asked, looking directly into Akasha's eyes. He sighed as he gazed at the forest in the distance.

"You know when I'll return. Your new skill allows you to see it," he said, not directly answering Scathach's question.

"And you know perfectly well that it doesn't work on you, idiot," Scathach said, annoyed, making Akasha laugh.

"Hmm, I'd be lying if I gave you an exact time. Maybe one or two," Akasha said, making Scathach raise an eyebrow.

"Okay, that's not too long. Anyway, go, go before Milim wakes up," she said quickly before rushing back inside.

Akasha sighed, clearly hearing her sobs as if she were right beside him. "I thought that of all people, you would understand me."

"I guess time in this world has taken its toll on you," he said to himself as he walked out of the forest. His footsteps echoed in the silent place.

---

After leaving the forest, with a gesture, a soul appeared in the void before Akasha. It was a soul of crimson red and dull yellow, with hints of white.

Akasha's finger glowed golden before a beam shot toward the soul, and soon bones, organs, veins, and skin began to form.

Finally, a man with bright, messy blonde hair that resembled flames stood before him. His facial features were sharp and serious, with deeply tanned skin. His body was adorned with patterns of black, red, and gold.

The blonde man opened his eyes, revealing deep black eyes filled with wisdom, experience, and pain. The man looked at Akasha with a mix of awe, reverence, and doubt in his eyes.

"There's no point in overthinking it, Goetia. The answer is already in your mind," Akasha said as he walked away to sit near the cliff.

Goetia said nothing as he knelt. "Oh, my lord, it is a pleasure to meet you," he said with reverence and sincerity in his voice.

Akasha dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "Forget that. Come, sit beside me," he said, gesturing for Goetia to sit next to him.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Goetia walked over slowly and sat down. Just then, he noticed his missing limb. He stared at it for a while until he heard Akasha's voice. "You can undo it if it makes you feel better."

Goetia nodded and made the arm disappear, feeling better. He looked back at Akasha. "Thank you, my lord," he said as he gazed at the surrounding landscape. He quickly realized this wasn't Earth.

"No, this isn't Earth. This is the world I decided to live in after traveling away from my own. Though now I must leave," Akasha explained simply.

"My lord, if I may ask... why have you summoned me?" Goetia asked.

"Balance, Goetia," Akasha said, his tone devoid of emotion. "This world has no balance. Anyone, even a slime insect, can become a god here."

Goetia nodded. He had seen it with his clairvoyance, which he still retained in some way.

"That's why I called you. I need the Beast of Pity, as well as the Human King. I want you to protect this world, to protect the humans," Akasha said, his tone indifferent. "I want you to eliminate any threat to humanity."

Goetia nodded. "I will fulfill the task you have entrusted to me, my lord. I will protect the humans and maintain order in the world," he declared in his deep, low voice.

Akasha nodded. "I've granted you some abilities suited to this world. You also retain all your previous skills," he said as he stood and straightened his tunic.

"I will await the day I see you again, my lord," Goetia said as he also stood, his face still stoic, showing no unnecessary emotions.

Akasha nodded with a small smile on his face, and then he disappeared from the world.