As we arrived at Aquaria's home, the reality of what had just transpired finally settled in. We had managed to hold our own against divine beings that sought to eliminate us – a feat that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
"Here we are," said Aquaria softly as she unlocked her door, revealing a modest yet cozy apartment within. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll get some water for both of us."
I gratefully accepted her offer and sank into one of the plush armchairs in her living room. Gazing around at the homely decorations and personal touches, I felt an odd sense of warmth and familiarity – something I hadn't experienced since my arrival in the Heavenly Realm.
As Aquaria returned with two glasses of water, she caught me observing her surroundings. "It's not much, but it's home," she said with a small smile. "I've spent many years collecting trinkets from various worlds to remind myself of my journey."
"You've done well for yourself," I replied sincerely, taking a sip of water. "It's a beautiful place filled with character."
Aquaria blushed slightly before clearing her throat. "Anyway, we should discuss our next steps after tonight's events. With those minor gods targeting us, we can't afford to let our guard down."
My mind raced with questions and concerns as I agreed with Aquaria. The attack had been unexpected and brutal, raising doubts about what other dangers and enemies lurked in the shadows. I didn't understand why they were targeting me, but I was glad that I had met Aquaria.
I might not have made it through tonight if it hadn't been for her help. That made me worry, though. What if I was putting her in danger just by being around her? While it was great that I was helping her, I didn't know how death worked here. I also thought that all the killing was made in other worlds.
"Do you really think that it is wise for me to stay with you? They might send more people here, right?" I asked, not wanting to put her in danger, but she shook her head.
"No, you are right where you belong. These people are after us both, and it is more than likely because of your ability. I don't really understand how you can do it, but your power is very scary. I mean, for me, it really doesn't matter. I am always going to be a Starless. There is no moving up that way, but we could earn our way?" Aquaria suggested.
I looked at her, but then I tapped my head. "What about when you are gone with the champion?"
"Easy, you do other jobs. Something tells me that this target is a three-star, and he will be a somewhat easy guide. I should be back within 2 weeks, and in that time, you will be able to get a bunch of jobs done! I know that Mana is important, but you know about the frozen worlds, right?"
"Yeah, Zeus told me that I was the only one that might be able to handle them," I said, and she nodded, leaning back and taking a drink.
"Yeah. Now that is a trip. Imagine being able to be the first person to ever save one of those worlds?!"
I couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement at the prospect. "That would be incredible, an accomplishment unlike any other."
"As long as we stay together and support each other, I know that we can achieve great things," Aquaria said with conviction. "We'll face whatever challenges come our way and overcome them, one step at a time."
Her words were inspiring, filling me with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Perhaps, together with Aquaria, I could make a difference in this strange new world – not just as a divine hitman, fulfilling my duties to maintain balance, but also as a true savior, saving worlds from the brink of destruction.
With the events of the night still weighing heavily on our minds, we spent the rest of the evening discussing strategies, potential jobs, and our aspirations for the future. Then it was time for bed.
"Um, so where do you want me to crash? I can sleep on the chair," I offered, but she shook her head and blushed.
"I don't have a spare room, but you are more than welcome to share my bed. I am sure that you can keep your hands to yourself, right?" She asked with a teasing smile, and I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
"Of course," I stammered, "I promise to be a perfect gentleman."
Aquaria laughed gently at my awkwardness. "Don't worry, I trust you. Besides, we both need a good night's sleep after tonight's events."
With that settled, we prepared for bed in comfortable silence, the familiar routines of winding down providing a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos we had experienced. As I slipped under the covers on one side of Aquaria's bed, I couldn't help but appreciate the small moments of reprieve like this – a shared connection in an otherwise tumultuous world.
The following morning, we were awakened by the pale light of dawn filtering through the room's curtains. Despite our late-night conversation and battle, both of us felt surprisingly refreshed, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Over a simple breakfast, we continued discussing our plan for the upcoming job involving the assassin target. It was crucial that we had every detail accounted for before setting out on such a dangerous mission, especially now that we knew there were other forces working against us.
"I called in the report, and it looks like everyone is staying quiet about this. People are looking into it, but the Heavenly Realm is a big place. There are also other worlds that we inhabit. Since your job is in two days, I think we should go talk to Hilda, and see if we can get some extra information about the job for you. My job is the day after, but I think the world you are going to is a CCS, so it has less than a year to kill the target,"
Aquaria explained as she chewed on a piece of toast.
"A CCS?" I asked, not completely remembering the anagram Zeus had used.
"Ah, sorry. It stands for 'Critical Chaos Situation.' Basically, it means that if you fail to complete the job within the allotted time, the entire world will be destroyed by chaos," she clarified, her expression serious.
I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me as I remembered what Zeus had said now. "Wow, so no pressure then?"
Aquaria reached across the table and placed a reassuring hand on mine. "You'll do fine, Halberd. Remember, we're in this together – you won't have to face these challenges alone."
With our plan set and determination burning bright within us, Aquaria and I spent the rest of the day gathering supplies and preparing ourselves mentally for the trials that awaited us in our respective missions. As the sun began to set, we shared a quiet meal together, enjoying each other's company before embarking on our separate paths.
When morning arrived, it was time for me to leave for my first assignment. As I gathered my things and prepared to step out into the unknown, Aquaria pulled me into a tight embrace.
"Good luck, Halberd," she whispered, her voice filled with equal parts concern and confidence. "Remember everything we've talked about, and trust yourself. You have the power to make a difference."
With a final nod of encouragement, I left Aquaria's apartment and headed toward Helena's place. Aquaria had given me directions, but I hoped no one tried to bother me on the way. Despite everything so far, I couldn't help but feel hopeful. With allies like Aquaria supporting me, perhaps there was hope for not just myself but for all of those affected by the chaos and turmoil of the Heavenly Realm.
As I ventured forth into the unknown, ready to face whatever lay ahead, I knew that I had already taken the first crucial steps towards embracing my destiny as the Divine Assassin – a force for good in a realm fraught with peril and uncertainty, or something like that.
Being with Aquaria was almost like a high, but now it was starting to wear off as I got farther away from her. I really hoped that my bad luck didn't start up again, but something told me there was something special about Aquaria.
Hopefully, I will make it through the day. I was just trying to do my job and not lose my soul!