---
Heaven Realm
The skies above the Heaven Realm shimmered with gold and pearl clouds as Ren soared through them, cradling the unconscious Irin in his arms. Her hair fluttered gently, and the faint glow from her goddess energy still flickered around her, though dim. Worry etched deep in Ren's eyes, but he held her close, never loosening his grip until he reached the towering crystal palace.
He stepped into a grand, marble-carved bedroom and gently laid Irin on the silken bed. Heaven's finest doctors rushed in, summoned by his earlier call. Their robes billowed as they moved swiftly to check her pulse, aura, and divine power lines.
Ren stood by, tense. "How is she?" he asked sharply.
One of the doctors bowed. "She's alright, my Lord. She merely exhausted her divine energy. Using her Goddess power drained her—she'll awaken soon, but she must rest."
A breath escaped Ren's lips. Relief.
Not long after, Fiona entered the room, her steps brisk but graceful. Her eyes instantly sought Irin on the bed, her expression filled with sisterly concern. "Is she alright?" she asked.
Ren turned to her and bowed with formality. "Yes, Lady Fiona. She is safe now."
Fiona moved to Irin's side, brushing hair from her forehead and adjusting the blankets. "You've done more than you know," she whispered to Ren, then took the role of caretaker, never leaving Irin's side.
---
Ruler's Chamber – Heaven Realm
Later that day, Ren stood before the three esteemed Ancestors of the Heaven Realm in their radiant chamber of light. The walls pulsed with ancient runes and divine history. Ren bowed deeply.
"I bring news… the Goddess has returned. Irin… she is the one we've been searching for."
Gasps echoed.
The First Ancestor clapped his hands with joy. "Marvelous! Ren, you have done what even the Truth Pond could not reveal. You brought her back from the claws of the Blue Moon Kingdom."
Just then, the large ornate doors creaked open. Xander strode in, regal in his robes, his presence commanding. All turned to him and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty," Ren greeted.
Xander narrowed his eyes. "What did I hear? She… she is the Goddess?"
"Yes," Ren confirmed. "Irin is the true Goddess reborn."
The Second Ancestor shook his head in disbelief. "Fate is strange indeed. We could not find her in the Truth Pond... and yet she was here, among us all along."
The Third Ancestor chuckled. "Perhaps the pond saw what it was not yet time to reveal. And now… she has awakened."
But Ren remained quiet, his heart heavy with suspicion. Lia… why didn't you tell us what you saw? What are you hiding…?
Another Ancestor's voice broke his thoughts. "We must prepare a grand ceremony. The Goddess shall be re-inaugurated in the eyes of all realms!"
Xander gave a forced smile. "Yes... we must celebrate this moment."
But inside, he was still reeling. Irin… a Goddess?
Ren smiled faintly, hiding his unease.
---
Blue Moon Kingdom – Dylan's Quarters
In the heart of the Blue Moon Palace, Dylan lay unconscious on his massive bed. His breathing was steady but shallow. Around him, servants moved like shadows, adjusting cloths, dabbing cool water, keeping vigil.
An old Demon Ancestor Zerath wisdom inspected his wound, his fingers hovering over Dylan's chest.
"He's out of danger," the old demon finally said. "The Goddess's power neutralized the purple venom… but Liora's final strike—her power—left a deep impact near his heart. Look."
He pointed to Dylan's birthmark, still glowing faintly.
"It flickers... his soul flame is unstable. Until that fades, he cannot fight. Keep him in bed. Watch his movement. He must not leave this chamber."
Xizi and Ruther bowed solemnly. "Understood."
---
Irin's Bedroom – Heaven Realm
The curtains stirred softly as Irin blinked her eyes open. Her lashes fluttered like wings, and the first face she saw was Fiona's. Tears rolled down Fiona's cheeks as she embraced her sister tightly.
"You're awake!....Goddess " Fiona whispered with trembling relief.
Irin smiled warmly. "I'm always your little sister, no matter what happens."
Just then, the door creaked open and Lia entered, hesitant. Her steps were slow. Guilt painted her face.
Irin's smile faded the moment their eyes met.
Fiona noticed the shift. "What's going on?" she asked.
Lia forced a casual smile. "Just a little disagreement… like always," she said softly, brushing it off.
Fiona eyed them both, unsure, but eventually left the room to give them space.
Once the door closed, Irin's tone changed. "Who are you, really?" she asked sharply.
Lia's face dropped. "I'm your Lia," she said quietly, stepping forward.
But Irin moved back.
"Why did you try to push me away from both the Heaven and Demon Realms? Why are you always interfering?"
Lia's eyes glistened. "Because of your safety. You don't understand—"
"No," Irin cut her off. "Heaven and Demon Realms want my power. But… do you want it too? Are you just another who used me?"
Lia shook her head, voice breaking. "No! I'm not like them!" She laughed bitterly through tears. "I sealed your power not to use you—but to protect your spirit. I wanted you to stand on your own, not become a puppet of any realm. Not Heaven. Not the Demons."
Irin's gaze trembled.
Lia continued, tears falling. "A true Goddess shouldn't choose a side. She must be the bridge between both… to end this war, to restore peace."
Silence.
Then Irin's defenses melted. She rushed forward and hugged Lia tightly.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I was wrong… I will stand not for any side—but for peace."
Lia hugged her back, whispering, "Then you are the true Goddess I always believed in."
---
Xander's Chamber
Meanwhile, Fiona stood in Xander's private chamber, ordering the maids, "Prepare for a grand ceremony. The Goddess returns."
Xander, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "Make it… grander than anything the Heaven Realm has ever seen. Do as your queen commands."
The maids nodded and exited.
Xander moved to Fiona and gently helped fix her hair accessory, brushing a loose strand behind her ear.
"I'm sorry," he said softly.
Fiona blinked. "What?"
"I never wanted to hurt our people. Or Irin," he said, sincerity in his tone.
Fiona smiled, touched by his words. "Then be a great king… and a great husband."
Xander smiled, leaned in, and kissed her forehead gently. "I will."
But then he added something that froze her smile.
"I want to fix everything I broke… starting by arranging a marriage between Ren and the Goddess."
Fiona's smile disappeared.
"You… what?"
Xander's eyes were firm. "Only this bond can unite both worlds. The Goddess must marry Ren."
---
To be continued...