Chapter 70: A Taste of Divinity

There had been a light drizzle at dusk, but by nightfall the rain had already let up.

That was why quite a few puddles had formed in the streets and alleys of Duskhaven.

And it was in one such alley that Nerez stood, watching the moon reflected in the water.

"You do realize there is a fountain in a small plaza not far from here, right?"

The voice came from the puddle, which had already stopped reflecting the moon and was now reflecting the beautiful face of the goddess Selene.

"Yes. In fact, I passed by it while I was looking for an alley with puddles."

"And you noticed there was no one around, didn't you?"

"Yes, I didn't see anyone nearby. An ideal place to contact you, just as you're implying."

"And yet you still decided to walk a fair bit farther in search of a puddle?"

"Exactly. I feel that a dirty puddle at my feet suits you far better than a reflection in that fountain."

"..."

"Besides, I even have a mirror with me. I could have reflected the moon there without any problems."

"..."

"..."

"All right, I admit leaving those children with you was a bit forced. But it was the only way to get you attached to them."

"Attached... If it weren't for their condition, I would have already left them at the nearest orphanage."

"Their condition?"

"We had better discuss it in person."

At Nerez's words, the moon seemed to shine brighter. In the next instant, a beam of light descended from it and became Selene.

"Very well, lead the way," the goddess replied with a smile.

***

Selene stood with her arms crossed beneath her chest, watching the two children sleep in one of the beds inside the inn room.

"They only seem tired," Selene finally observed. "From what you told me on the way, they were on the verge of death..."

"Remembrance."

"Remembrance?"

"It's a small skill I used on them. Right now, their souls are remembering when their bodies were healthy," Nerez explained. "It's quite useful. Not only can I regenerate a missing limb, but with its proficiency at A, I can also create bodies from scratch. It takes a tremendous amount of spiritual energy, but that's nothing that... well, that. It takes a tremendous amount of spiritual energy."

"That doesn't sound like a small skill at all..." This time, Selene was the one who let out a sigh. "Just what one would expect from one of Eryndea's three absolute gods."

"Although it hasn't removed the effect of the blood you said they drank. That became bound directly to their souls."

"Well, that was to be expected. Mortals drank ritual blood directly from a sacred vessel. It seems their existence is going to be tied to blood from now on... Mm, that gives me an idea."

"An idea?"

"Before anything else," Selene replied with a smile. "How about accepting my proposal once and for all? If we leave them as they are, they will end up dying one day and come bother you directly in the Underworld."

"I have ways to keep that from happening," Nerez answered. "But it's true that we can't leave them in an orphanage considering their situation. And leaving orphaned children to fend for themselves would leave a bad taste in my mouth..."

Once I find a place that sells breath mints, I am going to save myself so much trouble.

"You see? There is no other choice but for us and the children to help each other."

"Having you take them, or leaving them with the visiare, is also an option..."

"That Underworld race you favor so much?" Selene asked. "Unless they keep the children inside a barrier, I think the blood would cause problems for them there too. And like I said, the moon is no place for mere mortals. There are creatures there that are not under my control, after all."

Nerez crossed his arms and closed his eyes for a few seconds to think.

"All right," he said at last. "We'll give them the means to protect themselves."

"Wonderful!" Selene exclaimed, clasping her hands together. "I'm thinking of calling the new race Children of the Night. What do you think?"

With all this blood business, they are looking more and more like vampires, but I am going to keep quiet.

***

The next day, or rather, the next night, the children were once again inside the temple of the moon.

Corenio and Munia exchanged glances. Both wore new clothes and shoes, and after the bath the temple priestesses had given them, they were clean from head to toe.

"Munia, now we really are going to stop being mortals!" Corenio exclaimed, clenching his small fists in excitement. "Are you ready?!"

"Yes... I'm not sure this is the best idea, but we already drank the blood, so there is no other choice," the little girl replied.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure nothing happens to you!"

"But you're the one who gets me into trouble in the first place..."

At that moment, the double doors of the ceremonial chamber swung wide open, and Nerez entered with Selene following close behind.

Selene carried a vessel quite similar to the one from the temple of Etresa, except this one contained crystal-clear water.

Once they reached the center of the chamber, Selene set the vessel on the altar and beckoned the children closer.

"So this is the idea you came up with while talking about blood..." Nerez sighed, pulling off one of his gloves.

"Exactly. Considering the situation, don't you think this is the most fitting way to grant them our blessings?"

With that, Selene picked up the small knife on the altar and pricked her index finger. Immediately afterward, she handed the knife to Nerez, who did the same.

Each of them let a drop of blood fall into the vessel. The two drops spread through the water just as it began to glow.

The vessel now seemed to radiate moonlight on its own, while the water formed black whirlpools that shone with glimmers of different colors, as if they were tiny universes.

Selene handed the vessel to the children, and they took it together.

"Corenio, Munia, this is your last chance to turn back," she told them with a smile.

The two children exchanged one final glance, then brought the vessel to their lips and drank at the same time.

Selene nodded in satisfaction and moved over to Nerez as the children themselves began to glow.

"We have shared our own blood with them..." Selene began, wearing a mischievous smile quite similar to Ily's. "They are practically our children now, don't you think?"

"..."