The girl just smiled at me, but didn't respond.
"I don't understand. None of what you're saying adds up. I mean, what's the point of telling me all of this? What do you stand to gain from it? What's your end game?"
"I don't have an end game, Leon," she replied. "I just came here to warn you."
"You came here just to warn me, huh?" I murmured skeptically. "Sorry, but I cannot simply take your word for it. As my mother once taught me, one should never trust strangers, even if they appear amiable. And to be perfectly honest, you don't exactly exude friendliness. So, pray tell, what is your real motive for being here?"
"Heh, you're quite obedient, aren't you?" the girl quipped. "Taking your mother's word as gospel and all."
"Nah, not really," I replied, recalling the memory she had just shown me. "I mean, I literally screamed at my mother." Ignoring my self-deprecation, I pressed on. "So, what's in it for you? What do you stand to gain?"
That was what I'd been thinking about all this time. Did she really share all of this with me for my benefit? I highly doubted that someone like her would be so foolish. It was clear that she had an ulterior motive, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that she stood to gain something from this exchange. I needed to be certain about her intentions before I fell into her trap, so I was being cautious and probing, making sure not to play into her hands recklessly.
"Don't be so suspicious. I'm just looking out for your well-being, nothing more, nothing less. Can't a lady have some genuine concern for a cute boy like yourself?"
"You can't just go around expressing your concern for someone you've just met, can you? And even if your concern is genuine, it's completely unnecessary."
Even as we spoke, my mind was still racing, trying to decipher the true motive behind the girl's actions. Was she genuinely trying to warn me about the impending catastrophe? It seemed illogical. Why would someone go out of their way to share all of this with an incompetent nobody like me? There had to be more to it.
"What do you really want from me?"
"Who knows, maybe I just wanted to have a bit of fun with you," the girl replied, a playful glint in her eye.
"You're not making this any easier for me to trust you," I replied dryly.
"So cynical, Leon. I like it," she said with a smirk. "But I assure you, I have no ulterior motives. You can choose not to believe me, but that won't change the fact that what I said is true. The world is in danger, and you need to be ready for what's to come."
Our conversation was starting to feel like a pointless game of cat and mouse and I was starting to feel frustrated. It seemed like no matter how many times I asked her, she wouldn't give me a straight answer. So I decided to change the subject.
"If that's the case, can I ask you something else?" I inquired.
"Sure thing, as long as it's something I can actually answer."
I locked eyes with her, studying her for a moment before asking the question that had been weighing on my mind.
"Are you...a god?" I asked tentatively. It was a strange thing to ask, but given the circumstances, it seemed like a possibility. She had mentioned trying to stop a god's game herself, after all, and her failed attempt to stop it only added to my suspicions that she was some sort of divine being.
The girl simply smiled at me, an enigmatic expression on her face.
"Something like that, I suppose," she replied, neither confirming nor denying my suspicion that she was a god. I was left feeling even more confused than before.
"In that case, could you at least tell me your name?" I asked, hoping for some clarity.
Leaning forward in her chair, she whispered her name to me. But just as she spoke, a strange, high-pitched noise distorted her voice, making it impossible for me to catch what she had said.
"It seems our time together has come to an end," the girl said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "I would have loved to chat with you some more, but I suppose we'll just have to catch up the next time we cross paths."
As she stood up from her chair, I suddenly found myself falling to the ground as my chair disappeared. The girl leaned over me, placing her hands behind her, and gazed at me with a warm smile on her face, one that reminded me of an affectionate older sister. I looked up at her from my seated position.
"Well, for the meantime, it's time for you to wake up."
Suddenly, I felt like I was being lifted out of deep water, as if I was rising to the surface of an ocean.
The girl stood up straight and waved her hand, before gradually becoming hazy and indistinct.
"Hey, hold on a second!" I called out to her, but my hand went right through her as if she was made of mist.
"Goodbye, Leon," the girl said as she began to fade away. "I hope to see you again soon. Who knows, maybe I'll pop up when you least expect it." With a final mischievous grin, she vanished into thin air, leaving me alone and bewildered.
And then, my vision began to blur and fade to blackness. But before it did, I saw a disturbing image of the Republic of Acuna consumed by raging flames. It was only a fleeting glimpse, however, as darkness swiftly enveloped me once again.
***
As the girl opened her eyes, she discovered that she was seated on a white throne intricately adorned with gold. The inky darkness that surrounded her moments ago had been replaced by a brilliant white expanse.
"Whew, that was tougher than I expected. Reading his thoughts and pinning down his soul was no easy feat, but at least the groundwork is laid out now. What do you think, Selena? Did I do well?"
The girl turned to the woman standing next to her. The woman was stunning, with snow-white hair and white eyes that shone in the bright surroundings. While her striking appearance would turn heads, her most noticeable feature was the pair of large white wings sprouting from her back.
"Certainly, my Goddess," responded Selena, her voice as impassive as her expression. "However, may I inquire as to why you have selected that particular mortal? Are there not numerous potent mortals and spirits from which to choose?"
"Oh, Selena, that's certainly true. But where's the fun in choosing a mortal who already has power and influence? There's nothing quite as amusing as watching an underdog rise to the top, is there? Mortals can surprise us with their strength, if only they take that crucial step to seize it. Like a clever little pawn on the board."
"Forgive me for questioning your judgment, my Lady, but would it not be a time-consuming process to develop this mortal into a suitable pawn?" Selena inquired, her tone betraying no emotion. "Are you certain that investing in this boy as your pawn is the wisest course of action, considering he will not possess the necessary strength from the onset?"
Meeting Selena's gaze, the girl declared, "Indeed, you have a point there. But that's precisely why I'm going to keep a close eye on him. Will he step up and seize the opportunity to become someone great, or will he remain a lowly pawn forever? It's a game of wait and see, and I can hardly contain my excitement!" Her voice rang out with a note of anticipation, as if she were eagerly anticipating the outcome of some thrilling event.
"Forgive me for pointing this out, my Lady, but you seem to be displaying your unbecoming habit of drooling on the floor," Selena observed, her tone devoid of any emotion.
"I can't help it if I get a little over-excited," the girl admitted with a giggle. "In any case, our little exchange marks the start of something grand, the prelude to the prelude of what's to come. And let me tell you, I'm positively itching with anticipation!" Her voice carried a hint of mischievous glee as she let out a hearty laugh. "Fu ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
The girl laughed uncontrollably, as if there were no end in sight, even clutching her stomach in mirth. Meanwhile, the woman beside her gazed on with an unchanging expression, though there was a hint of exasperation in her demeanor at the girl's behavior.
"Pardon me, my Lady, but I must remind you that such boisterous behavior is unbecoming of a goddess," Selena remarked with a composed tone. "It would be best to maintain a dignified demeanor at all times."
The girl's response was a sharp "Excuse me?!" in a tone that suggested she was taken aback by the comment.