The room atop the Babel tower was bathed in the soft glow of ambient light, filtering through the glass walls as Thomas sipped on the molten golden nectar, contemplating the events that had unfolded during the grand celebration. His gaze wandered beyond the city, eyes fixed on the distant void that seemed to hold untold secrets.
As the door opened, the rhythmic click of heels echoed through the room. A crimson-haired maiden, clad in a black-golden dress adorned with blood-red veins, stepped in. Clarisse, an enigmatic presence, joined him at the balcony, overlooking the city sprawled beneath.
"Thomas, I take it you enjoyed the party?" she inquired. He nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"What are you going to do now?" she asked, her crimson eyes reflecting a concern that cut through the ambiance of the room.
Thomas sighed, setting the glass aside. "I don't know. There's so much to do." His voice carried uncertainty, a rare vulnerability in his usually confident tone. "I've founded a company, focusing on bringing inventions from my workshop to other cities. Gadgets, harmless ones for now. I've shared some crafting secrets, too, the less dangerous ones."
He spoke of his plans, of a commitment to elevate humanity's capabilities. The room hung in a brief silence, punctuated only by the distant hum of the city below.
Clarisse, sensing a desolation in his voice, offered a comforting pat on his shoulder. "What about there?" she pointed to the empty space beyond the balcony. "Are you still going to look for your dad and brother?"
Thomas nodded resolutely. "Of course. It's a promise I have to keep. Tomorrow, I'm calling everyone to the briefing room. There's something else, Clarisse. That transcendent being, the one with silver eyes, holding the universes from colliding..."
His voice trailed off momentarily, his eyes fixed on the dimensional rift in the distance. "He's not just connecting realms for supremacy. He's forcing races into perpetual conflict, making the weak strive for strength. It's not about an easy harvest. He wants to fortify every race, ensuring a grand harvest when the universes finally collide."
Thomas leaned against the balcony, staring into the cosmic abyss. "I've been thinking about it. It's a cruel plan, but maybe we could use it in our favor. Sure, It's a path paved with suffering and death, but sometimes, that's the only way to transcend our limits."
Clarisse joined him, her gaze following his into the vast expanse. "It's a harsh reality, Thomas. But you've always been one to find a way, to overcome. What's your plan?"
Thomas's expression turned resolute. "I'll make allies, those who understand my motives and will fight alongside me. Also, I'll find my family, reunite them. The journey is just beginning, and I want to ensure that not matter what happens, we're ready, not just as individuals, but as a united front. Once it's done I will restore the immaterial world so the circle of reincarnation can be rebuilt."
Amidst the profound conversation, Clarisse's laughter danced in the air, infusing a lightness into the room. "You're already sounding like a god," she teased, her laughter infectious. Thomas, his stern demeanor momentarily softened, joined in her amusement. "Well, I am a god, even if a lower deity. I'll grow stronger," he affirmed, a glint of determination in his eyes.
The atmosphere shifted, and a subtle romantic tension hung between them. Without words, Clarisse leaned in, closing the distance between them, and their lips met in a brief but passionate kiss. Thomas, momentarily taken aback, quickly embraced the shared moment. As they pulled away, a smile played on Clarisse's lips.
"No matter what your plan is, I'm with you," she declared, intertwining her fingers with his.
Thomas felt a warmth in his chest, a reassurance that echoed beyond the cosmic uncertainties. "Fine, I should stop worrying for now," he agreed, a genuine smile gracing his features. "What do you say we go on a date tonight? There's still time until midnight. I recall the movie theater on the eleventh floor, using a projector of my design. It's doing quite well."
"Only if we go now," Clarisse insisted, pulling him into a warm hug. With a swift movement, she indulged in a quick bite on his neck, savoring the unique taste of his divine blood. As she pulled back, she noticed molten drops on her lips, a testament to the divine essence within him. "God's blood sure is tasty. Now, let's go."
The pair raced to the elevator, the anticipation of a long-awaited date propelling them forward. In the movie theater, they shared moments of laughter, watching movies that spanned genres. From the vast shopping mall of the Babel tower to casual strolls and funny conversations, the night unfolded in an array of shared experiences.
As the clock neared midnight, they found themselves back in Thomas's abode. The date had transitioned seamlessly from cinematic wonders to genuine moments of connection. Thomas awoke the next morning, the crimson-haired beauty peacefully resting in his arms, a tangible reminder of the shared laughter, the stolen glances, and the warmth of the night they had both longed for.