The God Realm seemed to hold its breath, an ominous silence settling over its vast expanse. Preparations for the ritual were underway, but even in the midst of their duties, Sara couldn't deny the undercurrent of tension that lingered between herself and Ignatius—not from unease, but from the unspoken emotions simmering between them.
It was late evening when Sara finally allowed herself a break. The celestial gardens called to her, their soft glow offering a rare moment of solace. She wandered through the paths, her fingers brushing against the luminous petals of starlight flowers.
"Escaping your responsibilities, Chief God?" a familiar voice teased from behind her.
Sara turned to find Ignatius leaning against a nearby tree, his arms crossed and a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Maybe," she admitted, a small smile tugging at her lips. "But don't pretend you're not doing the same."
He chuckled, pushing off the tree to join her. "Caught me. Though, to be fair, I came looking for you."
"Why?"
"Because you've been running yourself ragged," he said simply. "And someone has to make sure you take a moment to breathe."
Sara tilted her head, studying him. "You're awfully persistent."
"Only when it comes to you," he replied, his tone light but his eyes serious.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked away, focusing on the shimmering path ahead. "You're impossible."
"I've been called worse," he said with a shrug, falling into step beside her.
---
They walked in silence for a while, the tension between them growing heavier with each passing moment. It wasn't the oppressive weight of duty or impending danger—it was something far more personal, far more intimate.
As they reached a small clearing, Sara paused, her gaze fixed on the night sky above. The stars seemed brighter here, their light dancing across the heavens.
"Do you ever think about how small we are?" she asked softly.
Ignatius raised an eyebrow. "Small? You're the Chief God, Sara. You're anything but small."
She shook her head, a wistful smile on her lips. "I don't mean in power. I mean... in the grand scheme of things. The stars, the universe... it's all so vast."
He stepped closer, his voice low. "And yet, you still shine the brightest."
Her breath caught at his words, her heart pounding in her chest. She turned to face him, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other, the air between them charged with unspoken feelings.
"Ignatius," she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
He reached out, his hand brushing against hers. "You don't have to say anything."
"But I want to," she said, her words tumbling out before she could stop them. "I want to tell you... that you're the reason I feel like I can do this. Like I'm not alone in this."
His eyes softened, and he stepped even closer, his hand moving to cup her cheek. "You're never alone, Sara. Not as long as I'm here."
Her resolve crumbled, and she closed the distance between them, resting her forehead against his. Their breaths mingled, the world around them fading into nothingness.
"Ignatius..." she whispered, her voice trembling.
He didn't respond with words. Instead, he tilted her chin up, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was both tender and fierce, filled with the emotions they had kept at bay for far too long.
When they finally pulled apart, Sara's cheeks were flushed, her heart racing. Ignatius smiled, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek.
"We should probably get back," he said softly, though his voice was tinged with reluctance.
Sara nodded, her own smile breaking through. "Probably."
As they made their way back to the palace, side by side, the tension between them had shifted. It was no longer a question of if, but when. And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Sara felt truly at peace.