As Zina floated in the air, her mind swirled with confusion and excitement. She turned her attention to the system, asking, "Um, how do I get down from here?"
The system's voice echoed calmly, "Goddess, you can control your power by simply thinking about descending."
"Okay, fair enough," Zina replied, a note of apprehension in her voice. She concentrated on the idea of coming down, but her concentration faltered, and her descent was anything but graceful.
With a sudden jolt, Zina found herself plummeting towards the ground, landing face-first in a heap of dirt. Her legs flailed, and her dress billowed around her in a rather undignified manner, leaving her sprawled upside down.
"Oww, that hurts!" she groaned, her voice muffled by the dirt. She tried to push herself up, only to end up with a face full of the very soil she had landed in.
The system's voice, which had previously been calm and detached, now had a hint of amusement. "Did you enjoy that?"
Zina, struggling to lift her face from the ground and brushing dirt from her eyes, managed a sheepish reply. "Well, no, not really…"
The system responded with a chuckle, "Awkward answer detected. Please try again."
Zina's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Okay, okay, no! Definitely not enjoying it!" She pulled herself upright, looking around with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "Can't a goddess get a little help around here?"
As she wiped dirt from her face, the system's chuckle echoed through the meadow, its amusement evident. The absurdity of the situation didn't escape her, and despite herself, she couldn't help but laugh a little at the whole ridiculous ordeal.
As Zina looked out across the expansive meadow, her eyes seemed to stretch beyond their natural limits, allowing her to see with unprecedented clarity. She could make out the tiniest details of the landscape, from the flutter of distant birds to the texture of the far-off mountains.
"How is this possible? This is incredible!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.
The system's calm response came through. "Because you are a goddess."
Zina's skepticism flared. "Nah, I don't think I am. It must be some sort of trick."
In her curiosity, Zina pointed her finger toward the distant mountains. "What's that area far off on the mountain?"
The system responded, "It's the Far East."
"Oh, cool," Zina said, still unconvinced. But as she pointed, she accidentally unleashed a burst of divine energy. The resulting blast was so intense that it turned the mountain into a fiery spectacle. Lava began to pour from the peak, turning the once-stolid mountain into a scorching, molten eruption.
Zina's eyes widened in shock as she watched the devastation unfold. "What is that?!"
In a mix of panic and embarrassment, she stumbled back, her hands flailing. "Did I do that? I didn't mean to—uh, oops?"
The system's voice, now laced with amusement, chimed in. "Awkward energy discharge detected. You might want to work on controlling that."
Zina looked at the now molten mountain with a mixture of horror and awe. "Okay, I definitely believe now. I'm a goddess with a very unpredictable power!"
As she tried to regain her composure, she couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. "Note to self: practice precision control. And maybe avoid pointing at things."
The system's voice interrupted the chaotic moment with a suggestion. "How about practicing by putting out that lava on the mountain? I could help."
Zina, still stunned by her unintended display of power, perked up. "Really? How do I do that?"
"Just point your hand toward the eastern mountain and think of it as if you're healing a wound," the system explained.
Zina nodded, concentrating hard as she extended her hand toward the now molten peak. She envisioned the healing process, trying to apply the same care she would to mending a cut. Slowly, she felt a surge of energy, and to her amazement, the lava began to recede. The mountain's fiery eruption cooled, and the landscape returned to its original state, pristine and untouched.
Zina stared in disbelief at the restored mountain. "Wow, that worked! But, uh..." she hesitated, scratching her head awkwardly, "I might have accidentally revived anyone who was there, too. My bad."
The system's voice responded, clearly amused, "Awkward revival detected. It appears you've inadvertently given life back to some potential mountain dwellers."
Zina chuckled nervously, looking at her restored handiwork. "Well, I guess that's one way to make friends. Next time, I'll try not to cause a natural disaster with my learning curve."
As she scratched the back of her head, she couldn't help but laugh at the surreal turn of events, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment as she tried to navigate her new divine responsibilities.
As Zina tried to regain her composure, she decided to explore the meadow further. She attempted to walk, but her feet remained a few inches off the ground, her body involuntarily floating.
"Why do I keep levitating when I'm trying to walk?" she muttered, frowning at her own reflection in a nearby pond. In an attempt to correct her movement, she twirled in frustration, only to end up upside down, her dress fluttering around her like a giant, ethereal parachute.
The system, always with its impeccable timing, let out an amused chuckle. "It seems you're still adjusting to your new powers."
Zina, her head now awkwardly pointing towards the sky and her feet dangling in the air, shot an exasperated look at the sky. "Great, not only am I a goddess with uncontrollable powers, but now I'm also an upside-down human fidget spinner!" She flung her arms around in wild circles, trying to right herself, but only managed to spin faster.
The system's chuckle grew into a full-blown laugh. "It's quite entertaining watching you adapt."
Zina, now spinning uncontrollably and making a dizzying vortex of her own dress, shouted, "Oh, fantastic! Good to know you're enjoying my suffering! Can't wait for the day when I accidentally summon a tornado just by sneezing!"
As she continued to flail and rotate, her voice came out in a series of disoriented squeals. "If anyone sees me like this, they'll think I'm some sort of magical top!"
Finally, with a burst of focus and sheer determination, she managed to stabilize herself, landing back on her feet—more or less. She looked around, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment but her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, if nothing else, I'm giving you a show. Hope you're having as much fun as I am… or not!"
As the system's laughter faded into the background, Zina couldn't help but join in, her own giggles mingling with the sound of the breeze rustling through the meadow.
As Zina managed to stabilize her levitation and walked with greater control, she sighed wistfully, "I miss my sister. I really hope I can see her again."
The system responded gently, "Granted."
The world around Zina shifted, revealing a scene from her past life. She saw her former self, Tio, lying lifeless, while her sister wept in grief beside him. The sight of her sister's sorrow was unbearable.
"I hate it when she's mourning my death," Zina said, her voice breaking with emotion. She wished desperately to comfort her sister.
Using her newfound powers, Zina enveloped her sister in a gentle, magical embrace, soothing her with a calming presence. Then, Zina began to sing, her voice tender and filled with love:
"Hush, my sister, don't you cry,
Feel my presence, right beside.
Though the night is dark and deep,
I'll be with you in your sleep.
Though I'm gone, I'm not afar,
Guiding you like a distant star.
In your heart, I'll always stay,
In your dreams, I'll light the way.
Hush, my sister, feel my song,
In your heart, where I belong.
Rest now, let your worries cease,
Feel my love, and find your peace."
As Zina's soothing melody filled the air, her sister's sobs gradually softened, replaced by a serene calm. Her sister's face relaxed, her tears subsiding as she felt the comforting presence of Zina's love.
Zina watched with a bittersweet smile, feeling a deep sense of peace. "There, my dear sister," she whispered, "it's alright. I'm here with you, always."
The scene gently faded, and Zina found herself back in the meadow, her heart lighter and her spirit soothed by the tender moment she had shared.
Zina stared at the fading scene, her heart still heavy from witnessing her sister's grief. She shook her head in disbelief, "I still can't get over it. All this happened so fast, and it's still unbearable to watch my sister cry."
Her hands clenched into fists as she tried to hold back her tears. The system's voice, steady and empathetic, responded, "Sorry for your loss."
Zina looked up, a thought striking her. "I've been wondering... why do you respond so fluently, like a human?"
The system's response came with a calm assurance. "I am not human. I am the byproduct of your reincarnation. My purpose is to guide and assist you in your new role."
Zina took a moment to absorb this information. The realization that the system was an extension of her own rebirth, rather than a separate entity, added another layer of complexity to her situation. She sighed, feeling a mix of relief and confusion. "So, you're part of me... and you're here to help me figure all this out?"
"Yes," the system confirmed. "I am here to help you navigate your new existence as the goddess of creation. And I will do my best to support you."
Zina nodded, feeling a small sense of comfort amidst the whirlwind of her emotions. "Well, I guess that makes sense. Thanks for being here, even if it's in a... unconventional way."
With a deep breath, she tried to focus on moving forward, accepting the help and guidance of the system as she continued to adapt to her new reality.
As Zina walked barefoot through the meadow, her feet brushing against the soft grass, she mulled over the complexities of her new existence. The serene beauty of the world around her contrasted sharply with her inner turmoil. She decided to address one of her lingering questions.
"Are there any other gods or goddesses in this world?" she asked.
The system's voice, steady and informative, responded, "No, there are no gods or goddesses in the present. However, there were many in the past."
Zina's brow furrowed. "So why am I the only goddess here now? Am I really reborn?"
"Yes, you are reborn," the system confirmed. "This world is currently without divine presence, and it is beginning to fall apart. Without your power, this world could not sustain itself."
Zina's confusion deepened. "Why am I the only one needed? What happened to the other goddesses from the past?"
The system explained, "In the past, there were twelve goddesses who managed this world. Their combined powers were necessary to maintain its balance and the universe itself. Over time, their energy has depleted, leading to their gradual decline."
Zina's eyes widened with realization. "So, if I need to maintain this world, will I eventually die like they did?"
The system's voice was reassuring. "No, you will not die. You are the goddess of creation, and your power exceeds that of the twelve goddesses. Right now, your innate power is already supporting the universe effortlessly."
Zina looked around, trying to grasp this new concept. "I don't see how that's possible. How am I maintaining the universe?"
"Focus and close your eyes," the system instructed.
Zina complied, her heart racing with anticipation. She shut her eyes tightly and then opened them again. To her astonishment, she could see streams of radiant energy flowing from her being, extending outward and enveloping the world and the universe in a shimmering, protective cocoon.
"This is incredible," Zina said, her voice filled with awe. "I'm sustaining the universe without even wearing down!"
"Yes," the system agreed, "it's as if you are a battery, constantly providing energy to maintain cosmic balance."
Zina's eyes widened again. "That's harsh."
The system's response was calm. "It is the nature of your role. But your power is vast and enduring, allowing you to fulfill this responsibility with ease."
Zina marveled at the sight of her power, realizing the immense scale of her divine role. Her feelings of awe were mixed with a newfound sense of purpose as she began to understand the true extent of her responsibilities and capabilities in this newly reborn existence.