The molten rivers of Ignatius's domain simmered quietly under a dim glow, the air thick with heat and silence. Sara wandered through the fiery landscape, her golden hair catching the flickers of light. She had been restless since her last encounter with Ignatius. There was something about the way he looked at her, his quiet intensity that made her heart race. She shook her head, trying to focus on the task ahead.
Ignatius was nearby, his form silhouetted against a towering spire of molten rock. His amber eyes flickered as he worked to stabilize the volatile terrain. Sara hesitated before approaching, her usual confidence faltering.
"Need a hand?" she asked, her voice lighter than she felt.
He glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. "If you're offering, I won't refuse."
Sara moved closer, her hands instinctively channeling divine energy to cool an unstable magma flow. As they worked side by side, an unusual quiet settled between them—a silence that wasn't awkward but rather charged with something unspoken.
"Why are you so focused lately?" Ignatius asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Sara froze, caught off guard by the question. "What do you mean?"
"You've been different," he said, turning to face her. "More determined. More… thoughtful."
She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Maybe I'm just tired of everyone underestimating me."
Ignatius studied her for a moment, his gaze piercing. "It's not just that, is it?"
Sara sighed, her resolve cracking under his scrutiny. "Maybe I want to prove that I can be more than just the mischievous Chief God. That I can actually… matter."
"You already matter," he said softly, his words carrying a weight that made her heart skip a beat.
Sara looked up at him, her usual wit failing her. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the heat of their surroundings paling in comparison to the warmth between them.
But before either could speak, a familiar voice broke the moment.
"Well, isn't this cozy," Lucifer drawled, stepping out from the shadows with a smirk.
Sara jumped back, her cheeks flushing. "Lucifer! What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," he replied, his crimson eyes glinting with mischief. "But it looks like I interrupted something."
Ignatius shot him a warning glare. "Do you have a reason for being here, or are you just here to annoy us?"
Lucifer chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Fire God. I'm here to check on Sara's progress. But clearly, she's in good hands."
Sara groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You're insufferable."
"Thank you," Lucifer said with a grin, clearly enjoying himself.
As the Devil God departed with a final wink, Sara and Ignatius exchanged a glance, their earlier moment lingering between them like an unspoken promise.