"Yes, goddess Aerialia, that includes you. I've already made my decision and planned on keeping it regardless of whether you are the 'goddess of the Hunting moon'," Aegis of the Arctic Deity responded.
Aerialia furrowed her brows and pondered deeply, "You know, for someone who isn't a real god, you surely dare to refer to my name and title as one," she responded, her eyes fixed on the enormous pair of large golden eyes.
An eerie stillness abruptly emerged in the surroundings. Even Orion couldn't help but slightly gulp when he heard Aerialia's words. He hadn't expected her to be so straightforward like that.
"I might not naturally be a god or a demigod who ascended into one, but does it make a difference whether I am one or neither?" Aegis of the Arctic Deity finally responded.
Aerialia nodded, "Yes, it does. White Flame was also a man-made god, and he was the reason why I could not enter this world with my children. So, yes, it makes a difference because, ironically, that is why I am still alive. Regardless, the one seemingly responsible for it dared to make a copy of me - a taboo. Including how you became a god is unheard of and unnatural, even under the Divine mysteries."
"So, as a goddess who has been affected several times by your kind, shouldn't this matter deserve my attention? I will do whatever it takes to find the information I seek. Or are you saying I should ignore everything that has transpired until now because you've decided not to speak about it? Or are you saying that if god Aerednir were present, he would also overlook how you attained such a form and be uninterested in it?" Aerialia asked.
Despite their surroundings becoming colder as time passed, Aerialia continued to speak, her unwavering eyes fixed on Aegis of the Arctic Deity.
"I take full responsibility for my actions, so I would appreciate it if you don't drag the name of my god into this, goddess Aerialia," Aegis of the Arctic Deity responded fiercely.
Aerialia shook her head and sighed, "I am not asking for much. All I want is for you to confirm your identity and how you became like this," she said.
"If that is all the information you want, goddess Aerialia, then I am sorry because you'll not discover anything from me," Aegis of the Arctic Deity responded, inwardly exhaling.
"You—" Aerialia wanted to say but quickly held herself back.
She remembered Orion's words not to take things too far, so she restrained herself from saying what she wanted and remained silent.
Aerialia focused on Orion and shook her head in defeat.
Orion nodded. Since none of their approaches had worked, it was time to move on to the next plan.
"I respect your decision, Aegis of the Arctic Deity, so I promise we won't bother you with any more questions," Orion said as he sat on the ground.
"What are you doing?" Aegis of the Arctic Deity asked, furrowing his brows in confusion as he witnessed Orion's actions.
"Nothing serious. I simply give up," Orion responded.
Aerialia also folded her wings and sat near the ground beside Orion.
Aegis of the Arctic Deity narrowed his eyes at Orion, "What do you mean, 'You give up'?" he asked, briefly focusing on Aerialia.
"It's simple. I believe that there is nothing more meaningful in this world than uncovering the secrets related to Naka and the man-made gods. So if there's no way I can ever learn about them despite coming across the opportunity to do so, then I see no reason to return to the surface," Orion responded confidently.
"What about your wives and your children? Do you not want to meet them again?" Aegis of the Arctic asked, his tone filled with incredulity as though he didn't believe anything Orion had uttered.
"I have thought about it carefully and concluded that this matter also relates to their safety. I've learned that there are Runaway Cities outside this territory, moving large contraptions of scraps and metals capable of housing hundreds of thousands to millions of people. They are also capable of warfare, and should they ever locate our territory one day, I am confident that we'll have the chance of victory," Orion responded.
"However, if I ever have the chance to encounter any figure like Naka or another man-made god-like White Flame, what victory or defence do I possess against them? Not all of them might be like you, Aegis of the Arctic Deity. There is no saying whether they would be as violent as White Flame or the situation we Naka or another man-made god-like White Flame, what victory or defence do I possess against them? Not all of them might be might encounter each other, so wouldn't it be foolish for me to ceaselessly hope for a fruitful encounter rather than lay my defeat here and now?"
"In other words, you have chosen to surrender prematurely and forever stay here until your death because it is not worth living here until you have confirmed my identity and my relationship with Naka," Aegis of the Arctic Deity said.
Orion nodded.
"You too? Do you agree with his decision?" Aegis of the Arctic Deity asked, shifting his attention toward Aerialia.
"Yes, I agree with his decision. Though it's because, unlike him, I have nothing to lose, so when he is dead, I can accompany you here until your soul extinguishes and then decide what to do with the rest of my life or whether I want to join you both. I am a god, so time isn't an issue," Aerialia responded, smiling lightly.
Despite Orion's less proactive approach, she had to agree to this due to their present situation.
Aegis of the Arctic Deity's expression wavered in disbelief upon hearing Aerialia's words. He didn't understand what was happening in the minds of the individuals before him. "You know I can send you out of this space, right?" he asked, quickly recovering his composure.
"Then I will come back. And even if you block the passage, as a warrior, I can survive for several days underwater without needing to refill my lungs, so that wouldn't be an issue because I will keep coming back," Orion responded without hesitation.
