Zina stood in the meadow, her sandals softly pressing into the grass with each step. The breeze rustled through the air, carrying the sweet scent of flowers and fresh earth. She took a deep breath, feeling the sun's warmth on her skin, the world around her vibrant and alive. "Alright," she said to the system, determination lacing her voice. "I'll try to suppress my powers for now."
"Okay, goddess," the system responded supportively.
Zina closed her eyes, focusing on the energy within her. She instinctively stretched her arms out wide, her fingers reaching for something unseen in the air. The energy pulsed through her, raw and powerful. "Okay…" she whispered, trying to calm herself, but curiosity got the best of her, and she peeked open one eye. "Umm… how exactly do I suppress it?" she asked, her tone filled with uncertainty.
The system chuckled softly, its tone playful. "First, goddess, you don't need to stretch your arms like that."
Zina's face flushed immediately, her cheeks turning a deep shade of pink. She quickly dropped her arms, crossing them over her chest defensively as her sandals scuffed the ground awkwardly. "Th-that's not funny, you know!" she stammered, her voice filled with embarrassment.
"Alright, goddess," the system replied, still lightly amused but more serious now. "Second, you need to feel your body become one with the surroundings. Focus your mind, think calmly, and imagine floating gently, as if you were sitting on water."
Zina closed her eyes again, taking the advice to heart. She imagined herself floating on a calm lake, the water supporting her effortlessly. She let herself relax into the sensation, her breathing slowing as the energy within her began to stabilize. A soft, golden light started to emit from her skin, radiant but controlled. The power surged for a moment, like a wave building up, but then it began to settle down, gently fading into the background as if absorbed by the world around her.
When Zina opened her eyes, the golden glow was gone, and she felt… lighter. She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers, amazed at how normal they felt. "Whoa… I feel like a real human again," she whispered, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Way to go, goddess!" the system cheered.
Zina beamed with pride, her smile bright and warm as she stood a little taller. But curiosity quickly overtook her. "Umm, system," she asked, glancing up at the sky as if the answer might be written in the clouds, "how much power did I suppress?"
The system responded, "Approximately 0.001%."
Zina froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Holy moly!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. Her sandals scuffed the grass as she nearly stumbled back in shock. "I really did it!"
The system chuckled at her reaction. "Yes, goddess. You really did."
But as the initial excitement wore off, a new concern crept into Zina's mind. She furrowed her brow, looking down at the ground, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her dress. "But… if my power is that weak now, can I still sustain the universe?"
The system's tone softened, reassuring. "No need to worry, goddess. You just need to release a surge of power once a year to sustain the world."
Zina's jaw dropped, her hands flying to her head in exaggerated disbelief. "Whaaat?!" she exclaimed, her expression utterly over the top. She started pacing back and forth in the meadow, her sandals making soft sounds on the ground as she processed the information. "That's… a lot to take in!"
The system chuckled again, more gently this time. "It's not bad at all, goddess. At least you can take a break from maintaining your absolute power and live as a human temporarily."
Zina tilted her head, her fingers tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Take a break? But… I didn't even struggle to maintain my power." She looked up, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity, her head still tilted as if trying to see the situation from a different angle.
The system's voice remained calm and patient. "I know, goddess. The break I was referring to is from being too overpowered for the time being."
Zina paused, blinking as she processed the system's words. Then, slowly, a smile crept across her face, soft and understanding. "Yeah," she said, nodding slightly. "It was a nightmare trying to control that kind of power." She let out a small, awkward laugh, scratching the back of her head as she remembered all the chaotic moments she had already faced. "I guess a break would be nice," she admitted with a gentle smile, her eyes reflecting a sense of relief.
Zina stood in the middle of the meadow, her sandals making soft sounds as she shifted her weight. The breeze gently tugged at her long pink hair, and she took a deep breath, inhaling the freshness of the open fields. With renewed determination, she snapped her fingers, a playful smile appearing on her face. "Ah, where was I? Ah, yes," she said to herself, chuckling softly as she began walking again.
As her sandals pressed into the soft earth, the system's voice chimed in her mind, light yet inquisitive. "Are you going to walk aimlessly this time, goddess?"
Zina rolled her eyes with a small grin, shaking her head slightly. "No, I will try to find a village this time."
"Okay, as you wish, goddess," the system responded warmly.
Zina continued on her way, the landscape gradually changing as she left the lush meadow behind. The rolling hills of tall grass thinned out, giving way to an open field. The ground here was different—less vibrant, with only small patches of grass struggling to grow, their blades just inches high. The soil was dry and cracked in places, and the wind felt harsher, carrying with it the scent of dust rather than flowers.
Zina paused for a moment, looking around. Her eyes scanned the vast, nearly barren expanse. She tilted her head, her gaze thoughtful as she took in the surroundings. "Hmm… this place feels so different from the meadow," she murmured, her voice soft. She crouched down, touching the brittle grass with her fingers, feeling the rough texture compared to the lush softness she'd just left behind.
As she stood back up, a slight frown tugged at her lips. "It's so… dry. Almost lifeless," she said quietly to herself, a hint of sadness in her voice. The open field stretched far ahead, with nothing but the distant horizon to break the monotony. No trees, no flowers—just the endless expanse of dirt and short, struggling grass. The sun was high in the sky, casting a bright, almost harsh light on the landscape.
Zina sighed softly, her shoulders drooping slightly as she took in the emptiness around her. "I wonder… could this place be revived too?" she thought aloud, her fingers instinctively tracing small circles in the air as she pondered the idea.
But then she shook her head, dismissing the thought for now. "First things first," she said, her voice more determined. "I need to find a village."
Her sandals made a faint scuffing noise against the ground as she resumed walking, her pace steady but thoughtful. Despite the desolate landscape, she kept her chin up, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Even in this barren land, there was a spark of hope in her heart.
As Zina continued her walk through the barren field, the once refreshing breeze turned into a scorching wind. She could feel the sun's rays beating down on her, and for the first time in a while, the heat began to seep into her skin. She wiped her brow and slowed her pace, feeling an unfamiliar sensation—a dryness in her throat.
"I feel… thirsty," Zina murmured to herself, frowning slightly.
The system's voice gently echoed in her mind, almost teasing. "That's the price for suppressing your godly power, goddess."
Zina sighed, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense," she admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. Then, a spark of realization crossed her face, and she perked up. "Wait… since I'm the Goddess of Creation, why don't I just summon a glass of ice water?"
With newfound excitement, Zina stretched her right hand out in front of her, fingers spread wide. She closed her eyes, focusing on the image of a tall glass filled with crystal-clear water, ice cubes clinking inside, condensation forming on the outside of the glass. She could almost feel the coolness in her mind as she concentrated.
Then, with a faint shimmer of magic, her thoughts became reality. The air around her hand swirled, and suddenly, a perfect glass of ice water materialized in her grasp. Zina's eyes snapped open, widening in awe as she marveled at what she had just created.
"Woaaow… amazing," she whispered, her voice filled with childlike wonder. She held the glass up to the light, watching the water sparkle and the ice cubes bob gently. Her gaze remained fixed on the drink for a moment, as if she couldn't quite believe it was real.
With a smile spreading across her face, Zina raised the glass to her lips and took a long gulp. The icy water flowed down her throat, instantly quenching her thirst and cooling her overheated body. She let out a contented sigh, closing her eyes as the refreshing sensation washed over her.
"Yeah, that hits the spot," she said with satisfaction, a bright smile lighting up her face. She turned the glass over in her hands, admiring it one last time before it began to dissolve. The glass faded into shimmering particles, vanishing into the air like dust blown by the wind, leaving no trace behind.
Zina stood there for a moment, savoring the feeling of being refreshed. She stretched her arms above her head, her movements light and relaxed. "I feel refreshed again," she said softly to herself, a satisfied smile lingering on her lips as she resumed her walk across the field.
As Zina continued her walk through the open field, her eyes caught sight of something in the distance. She squinted, trying to make out the shapes that seemed to rise from the horizon. The further she walked, the clearer it became—a village, nestled between rolling hills and tall trees, its rooftops peeking out amidst the greenery.
A smile spread across Zina's face, her heart swelling with excitement. "Finally… I can meet people properly in this world!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with eagerness. Without a second thought, she broke into a run, her sandals lightly tapping against the uneven ground as she dashed toward the village.
Her pink twin tails bounced with each step, and her dress fluttered in the breeze as she ran, a rush of exhilaration coursing through her. It had been so long since she felt the simple joy of running toward something new, something unknown. The village seemed to draw closer with every stride, and her anticipation grew.
But just as she was starting to pick up speed, the system's voice gently echoed in her mind. "Careful, my goddess. For now, your body is vulnerable to injury."
Zina, her smile unfading, waved the concern away as she continued to sprint across the field. "Nah, I'll be fine! Don't worry about it!" she called back with a playful tone, her confidence unshaken. She couldn't help but laugh softly to herself, the lightness of her heart evident in every step.
Her smile widened, the wind rushing past her, and the village growing ever closer. There was a new adventure waiting for her, and nothing could slow her down now.
As Zina neared the village, her excitement began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of unease. The once-vibrant energy in her steps slowed, her sandals now softly tapping against the dry earth. She noticed something unusual—a quietness, almost unnatural, that hung over the village.
Drawing closer, she saw the state of the village more clearly. The buildings were worn and cracked, roofs sagging as if barely holding together. The ground beneath her feet felt parched, the small patches of grass she had seen before now withered and brittle. Dust hung in the air, stirred by the faintest breeze, and a sense of abandonment clung to the surroundings.
Zina's eyes widened as she caught sight of the villagers. They were moving slowly, their bodies thin and frail, skin stretched tight over bones. Their faces were hollow, eyes dull, and their clothes hung loosely from their emaciated frames. She saw a young boy, no older than seven, stumbling as he tried to carry a bucket, his legs wobbling under the weight. A woman nearby leaned weakly against a wall, her hand pressed to her forehead as if struggling to stay upright.
Zina's heart sank. "What... what happened here?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. Her feet came to a halt as she took in the scene around her. The laughter and anticipation from moments ago were gone, replaced by a heavy feeling in her chest.
She clenched her fists at her sides, the weight of her responsibility as a goddess suddenly pressing down on her. But just as she was about to take a step forward, a thought hit her, stopping her in her tracks.
The air was thick with desperation, and as she looked around, the gravity of the situation became clearer. She had wanted to meet people in this world, but not like this. Not in a place so full of suffering. What could she do? Could she...?
She bit her lip, unsure of her next move.