With the soul of Henry Ries snatched by the unnamed expert who claimed mastery over souls, Thomas wasted no time. Efficiently, he orchestrated his brother's relocation to a secure destination, procuring a manor in Moonlight City of Ceilea Star. The weight of responsibility pressed upon him heavily as he contemplated the gravity of the situation.
In the ensuing weeks, Thomas retreated into solitude, rarely uttering a word and seldom leaving his quarters. The words of the transcendent being echoed incessantly in his mind, driving him relentlessly towards rigorous training. No longer could he afford to view this as a mere game; the enemy had turned its gaze upon his family, igniting an insatiable thirst for power within him.
From that pivotal moment, Thomas dedicated himself to honing his existing skills and mastering the newfound knowledge bestowed upon him. He delved into his training with unwavering determination, not forgetting to undertake quests to assimilate the divine essence of the deities into his own being.
The initial weeks of training passed swiftly within the confines of the Ries Manor. The servants, diligently hired by Kallana, observed peculiar occurrences unfolding within the estate. Their master, Thomas, emerged from his quarters with heavy, weary eyes, as though deprived of rest for an eternity. Strange cries, reminiscent of newborn infants, echoed from his private chambers, yet none dared to venture further to investigate.
Within his room, Thomas grappled with an unexpected challenge: changing the diapers of a newborn baby nestled in a cradle beside his bed. But this was no ordinary child. Its eyes and hair shimmered with ever-changing hues, a manifestation of its enigmatic charm. Despite its tender age, the infant exuded an aura of power that stirred protective instincts in those around it.
Thomas himself underwent a profound metamorphosis, his very essence perpetually shifting in tandem with the changes in the infant. The aura of charm surrounding him intensified manifold, suffused with the laws of love and beauty bestowed upon him by Aphrodite. The child, a tangible manifestation of Aphrodite's final wish, was conceived seven days after Thomas's encounter with the transcendent being.
Given Aphrodite's diminished state, the methods for conceiving the child were limited. Thomas chose spirit intercourse, requiring Aphrodite to be fully assimilated into the core of his soul. She taught him a technique to form a divine icon, a humanoid manifestation of his true spirit, within the depths of his soul. This union granted him mastery over her domains and initiated a complex process.
From there, she received his true spirit's essence and formed a divine embryo within her soul. After a maturation period of seven days, Nova Ries was born.
Though the method was intricate and somewhat beyond his comprehension, Thomas followed Aphrodite's instructions diligently, and they proved successful. While the process was more intimate than he would have preferred, he now had a baby girl by his side.
Aphrodite was not the only deity he assimilated during those weeks. Thomas underwent the assimilation of every deity of the Titan ancestry, completing the Titanos divinity and ascending to the status of a high god of the material realm. With this newfound power, he gained control over every domain of the Greek gods and extended his reach to other pantheons and individual deities.
However, Thomas soon realized the limitations of their power within the material world. As deities of this plane, their abilities were most potent here, but would be heavily suppressed upon ascending to higher planes.
As eight months passed, Nova grew to resemble a three-year-old child. During this time, Thomas secluded himself in his quarters, devoting himself to raising and educating his child along with Alexander and his bride who were bewildered by the little girl. Nova quickly learned to read and write, aided by her innate knowledge of celestial dialects and the memories inherited from the collective divinities within Thomas.
Thomas kept Nova's existence a secret from everybody except his closest people until she was old enough to emerge into the world. Her titan nature ensured her rapid growth, which would only begin to slow down after reaching her early teens.
Five days before the fated day of elections, Thomas stood in his quarters, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders as he prepared for the pivotal debate between the sovereign candidates later that afternoon. With meticulous care, he slipped into a sleek, tailored suit, the fabric draping over his frame with effortless elegance. Adjusting his tie with practiced precision, he spared a final glance at himself in the mirror, ensuring every detail was perfect.
Amidst his preparations, the soft patter of footsteps reached Thomas's ears, drawing his attention away from his reflection. Turning, he was greeted by the radiant presence of his daughter, Nova, her eyes alight with curiosity and innocence. "Daddy, where are you going?" she inquired, her voice filled with youthful wonder.
Thomas's heart swelled with warmth as he scooped Nova into his arms, relishing the comforting weight of her small form against his chest. "There's an event tonight, sweetheart," he explained, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "And you, my dear, will be joining me and your uncle Alex." Nova's laughter bubbled forth, filling the room with pure joy, and Thomas couldn't help but smile at the sound.
Setting Nova back on her feet, Thomas watched with fondness as she scampered around the room, her excitement palpable. With a gentle smile, he headed to the main hall, Nova trailing eagerly behind him. As he opened the large doors, the servants who had been bustling about paused in their tasks, their eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected sight of the young girl.
"Nova needs formal attire for the occasion," Thomas announced, his tone filled with pride as he glanced down at his daughter. Nova beamed up at him, her excitement evident as she eagerly awaited her new outfit.
Whispers rippled through the room as the servants exchanged curious glances, speculating about Nova's sudden appearance in their master's quarters.
The news of Thomas, one of the strongest sovereign candidates, having a child seemingly out of nowhere would undoubtedly spread like wildfire throughout the demon domain.
Thomas paid no heed to the rumors swirling around them, his focus solely on ensuring Nova was properly attired for the occasion.
With loving care, Thomas selected a charming outfit for Nova, the delicate fabrics and intricate designs reflecting her youthful spirit. As he dressed her, their interactions were filled with laughter and affection, creating a heartwarming scene that lingered in the minds of the servants long after Thomas and Nova had left the room.
Despite the whispers and speculation, Thomas felt a swell of pride as he looked upon his daughter, a testament to the love and joy she had brought into his life. And as they made their way to the meet with his brother, Thomas couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for the future that lay ahead for them both.