Nature was hardy; even if a mere seed remained, a plant would survive. However, Natura knew that if there were no seeds, then nothing might ever grow again. It clawed at her heart like a hungry beast.
The moment she was released from the watery flower that protected her, Natura rushed to the wilted lily. She was truly thankful to whoever had saved her, but she had a duty to save the last remnants of nature, too.
Although her healing refused to work, she did not wish to admit that her final remnant had died. What was the point of living anymore? Then the scenery around her changed. She gasped as she found herself in the middle of the most beautiful Garden she had ever seen.
She looked toward the woman who saved her in admiration. Only those who were truly good could combat chaos to this level. Her gaze wandered to the pristine rivers, then vibrant forests, and colorful meadows.
However, when she turned to her flower, it was still dead. In the back of her head, she wished that the woman's ability would also revive it; however, what was dead could never come back.
A tear rolled down her cheek, yet she couldn't help but feel relief that this unknown woman was fighting on her behalf. She clasped her hands together as she stared in awe. Despite being thrown around like a ragdoll, the woman was unscathed.
Then something happened. She turned into a being of 3 heads and large wings. The moment she had become such a being she felt primordial fear grow within her heart. Yet she couldn't help but admire the woman who defended her from certain death.
In a moment, the elemental was submerged in the water, and then it disappeared; unfortunately, so did the beautiful garden. Natura was left in the desolate wasteland as she had been before.
She sighed, seeing the gardens filled her with hope, yet they were gone. Her gaze wandered to the wilted lily. She approached, and her hands glowed. Even if it killed her, she would pour her energy into it.
"Don't you dare die on me! You must outlive me!" Tears streamed down her face, yet she did not care. The woman did save her, and she truly was thankful, but if her nature died before her, then what would be the point of life?
Her life would be even more meaningless. 'Forigve me, hero. But without nature, there is no point in me living.' Natura felt her levels draining with each moment, her energy dripped away, but the flower refused to stand up again.
Her head felt light, and her hands shook. Yet her will would not falter. Nature was everything to her. "My life is meaningless... The hero wasted her time on me... But YOU WILL LIVE!" She gritted her teeth.
"Thou art Natura, I presume."
Natura's eyes widened in panic and fear, yet the powerful voice carried a single question. "Is this flower dear to you?"
She nodded, "Very much... and thank you for saving me... but what's the point? This flower was all that was left of my nature."
Octavia smiled. "What's the point of living? For me, it is to defy the fate that would take it away from you. Is that not what you, as goddess of Nature, should represent?" She moved her finger to the wilted lily.
"But..." Natura sighed. She knew that she should be defiant, yet it was difficult when nothing she ever cared about remained.
"No buts, that flower is not dead and neither are you." She felt a warm hand on her own; the goddess instantly relaxed.
Natura sniffled before she turned her head. "Who are you? You destroyed that elemental so easily..."
"I am Octavia, the Cherub. I am one serving Father Cedric and one in charge of leading the legions of Silver."
What Octavia had said made her realise who the woman was; she was one of the Angels that her big sister Fortuna worked so hard to contact.
"Fortuna..."
"Yes..." Octavia smiled as she placed her hand above the flower.
"Will thou abandon your title of the goddess if it means thou wilt have thy nature restored?"
Natura blinked in confusion, "I don't care about the damn title! I just want my nature back! I am a goddess of nothing anyway! All I ever cared about were my plants and animals... and yet it was all taken away from me."
There was no reason for her to cling to her title; she had only carried it because of necessity, yet she was now a goddess of nothing. Divine Nature was gone, and so was her very reason to be considered a goddess.
"Good answer. [Divine Water]" Octavia's hand glowed as a small droplet of water escaped her finger. The droplet hit the wilted flower, and then it exploded into a blinding ball of light. Soon the light faded, and instead of the dead lily, Natura saw a patch of greenest grass, and in the middle was her flower.
It was vibrant orange and beautiful, as it never struggled for survival. "H...HOW?!"
Natura's eyes widened as she crawled to the flower, then she blinked. She couldn't believe it, her hands rubbed her eyes as if she was dreaming, yet it was here. And not only was it alive, it was surrounded by the grass and other flowers.
Her head turned to Octavia. It was unbelievable. 'Who are you?', Yet she knew not to ask unnecessary questions. The only emotions she could feel in her heart were those of Joy.
Her lips stretched widely, "I... Thank you so much..."
"You needn't thank us, Natura. Thank Fortuna for sacrificing her own freedom to bring the help." Octavia rose to her feet.
"Wait, what do you mean?!" Her hands reached towards the heroine.
"Thou shalt see when thou meetest. But first." Octavia smirked. "You had accepted the truth and abandoned thy false title. Thou deserveth a reward."
Natura tilted her head in confusion, but in a moment she understood what Octavia was hinting at. The rainfall intensified. However, instead of merely eradicating the chaos, it had an additional effect.
Each droplet was that of [Divine Water], the Chaos could not abide in its presence, death itself would turn tail and run, and the chalk itself would bear life. After all, what was water but the lifeblood of all nature?
With each drop, patches of grass and flowers bloomed, in the land of void and chalk; nature once again would thrive, and Chrunus could do nothing to stop it.
Natura stared in disbelief, she was speechless, yet tears rolled down her face, but unlike other times she had cried, these were of happiness. She had gotten part of her Nature back, and it was all thanks to the heroine in front of her.
Her ears reddened for a moment before she pounced on Octavia, "THANK YOU. I don't know how to repay you! I will worship the very ground you walk. I will be your most loyal servant!" The goddess hugged her tightly despite being much smaller.
Octavia placed her hand on Natura's orange hair and patted her gently, "There is no need, we are all comrades, dear Natura."
"But..."
"Shhh... I would never let someone like you die for no reason. All those who embrace the truth of the Father shall receive the blessings." The rainfall restored more and more of her domain as they spoke.
Natura calmed down for a moment, "I still wish to thank you. So at the very least, I will do my best to help against Chrunus; he is far too powerful."
Octavia placed her hand onto Natura's head again, "I really wouldn't worry about Chrunus. He will be facing two of the most powerful beings in existence."
The former goddess tilted her head in confusion.
"Let me tell you everything as we head back, the legions of silver will clear out any elementals that remain."