In another universe, a seemingly innocent conversation will have profound implications for one George Peterson.

A beautiful middle-aged woman with deep emerald eyes, long brunette hair bound in a clasp of gold and emeralds appeared from thin air in the pantheon.

“Vera, did it work?”, a young woman with deep sea green hair and sparkling sapphire eyes asked.

“Vera? So formal, daughter.” Vera chuckled as she took a seat, propping her sandaled feet up on a small pillow that appeared out of nothing. Emerald and gold patterns threaded through her long white dress, which accentuated her figure as she reclined in the seat.

“Sorry, mother. Did it work?”, the daughter asked.

“Yes, the System agreed to redirect all Reborn to the Starter Area in the Domain of Earth.”

“You really think a Reborn is needed to save her? If the prophecy is about her then she will not die in the Starter Area, right?”, the daughter asked while reclining further in the soft brown leather chair, which was one of many scattered around the open pantheon.

Vera considered. “It is hard to say, but even if she isn’t the one, there is a chance the Reborn himself may be able to correct a problem that has long festered.”

“Really? What did you have in mind? You know one Reborn is unlikely to be able to change the Empire significantly.” The daughter said with some surprise.

“Actually, this one could with just the tiniest of pushes.”

The daughter gasps, “Even you can’t interfere or the System….”

Her mother waved her concerns away, “I have been doing this for eons dear, give me some credit.”

The daughter blushes. “Of course. When will the Reborn arrive?”

“If everything goes as planned, he should be arriving very soon.”

The daughter shivered. Even with her powers as the Goddess of Water, she could not influence or predict the arrival of a Reborn from another universe, but then she is not her mother.