“Sorry, ladies. It seems you’ll have to stay a night here. The guards still aren’t letting anybody out to Voca City. Do you have enough coins on you?” He sticks his hands in his pouch. “Here, let me—“

In a minor panic, I oppose, knowing what’s coming next. “I—it’s alright, Mr. Oswald! I can pay for a room.”

“That’s unacceptable, and after I told you we’d be able to go today.” Fishing out six silver coins, he forces it into my hand.

There’s nothing but good intent from him. So I sigh, thanking him with reluctance. “I’ll be heading off then. See you in the morning, Mr. Oswald.”

The Goddess follows behind as I separate from him. Eyes on the coins, I thought about the Goddess slipping out at night. Perhaps these coins can be of some use to her. When we’re no longer in his scope of view, I whisper, “Here. Have these coins.”

“Is there a need for coins at this rate? It almost seems like everybody pays for you.” She bemuses while pocketing the coins.

“It’s not like I want them to.”

“And to think, this is a problem.”

‘It’s not like I want to make it a problem…’

The inn isn’t far, and it’s easy to spot, as it’s the widest building in this town. It lives west of the marketplace. Stones stack the exterior, laying as a foundation. The builders embedded three windows with thick glass and dark wood frames into the stone wall. A lantern hangs above the sign, shining at the words “Eli’s Inn”.

As the sun sets for the day, it glares at the dark wood inn. I push the heavy door open with more force than usual. Resisting, the door creaks and whines.

Inside, like most inns, it functions as a bar and restaurant on the ground floor. Tables lined up to the left side where the kitchen and bar counter resides. The extravagant collection of alcohol behind the bar foretells the innkeeper’s affection. A hallway leads to the rooms and stairs. Another counter sits in view of the front door.

Flames burning through the oiled wick, the lanterns inside shine against the dark wood, which seems to suck in any light.

From what I’ve seen, Mr. Roost’s radio is the only object that runs on electricity. Elora still operates on gas, like all other towns and cities in the west. I wonder if Voca City will be the same? It is the elves’ capital city, and they have maintained a positive relationship with the orcs.

Humans, however…

“What a delectable smell,” the Goddess says, breaking me out of my thoughts. She nudges me further inside, helping me to not stand like an idiot in front of the entrance.

“Good evening, Sister. My name is Eli,” the innkeeper greets. “Are you planning to stay the night?”

He stands behind the middle counter with a furtive smile, his palms rubbing against each other. It’s a pose I see many people do when they try to sell me something.

“Yes, how much is it for two rooms?”

He shakes his head, a motion to the upcoming words that makes me sink into dismay. “Don’t worry about paying, Sister.”

‘Please, don’t start this again.’

“No, it’s okay. I can pay for it.”

Mr. Eli refuses to listen, and hopelessness hits faster than expected. The loss with Mr. Oswald stains my spirit. The Goddess would chuckle at this situation, but she’s silent. One glance at her got me worried, as she’s not even smiling. Her brows dig downward, a fearsome combination of her glares.

Six silver tossed onto the table, sliding to the tip of Mr. Eli’s fingers. He scowls, eyes on the coins, then on the Goddess.

“It’s three per person for one night, isn’t it?” After a moment of silence, she declares, “Actually, since you said she can have the rooms for free, I suppose I’m only donating to your goodwill.”

His brows creased so much it could pull his whole face down. Grumbling something under his breath, he sticks his fingers on the coins and pulls it into his palm.

Mr. Eli grabs the room keys and hands it to me with a precarious smile. “Here you go, Sister.”

Both keys dropped on me. I stare at the two metals in my palm, forcing a chuckle. “Thank you, Mr. Eli. We’ll be on our way.”

I steer the Goddess away from Mr. Eli, walking upstairs and to my room. Inside, I reach for the lantern stamped near the door, igniting the flames within. It provides minimal lighting, accompanied by the setting sun that’s prying through the window.

The Goddess removes off her cloak. Beads of sweat trickle down her temples and cheeks. It must’ve been stuffy with her hood up all the time. Fresh, cool air blows into the room as she cracks open the window. The drapes rustle against the wind.

She peeks through the blinds, spying on the townsfolk. Her fair skin glistens against the light, with no blemish in sight. Her hands were so soft when she held mine. It makes me curious on how soft her face is.

‘But I would never tell her that. I shouldn’t even think of such a thing. Still…’

The Goddess is a beautiful woman, entrancing me. Yet her sharp tongue cuts through her appeal from the surrounding people. She ruses and stokes their anger with ease.

I hesitate at the upcoming words, but it’s much easier now than before.

“Goddess?”

Her wandering eyes focus and direct themselves at me. She waits in silence for my next words.

“This is a foolish request, but can you let me speak for you?”

A smile rolls onto her lips. It gives me a bit of a relief that she’s not angry, though I’m still worried.

“So you’re putting me into another silent oath? Or maybe you’re trying to get early experience as a Saint.”

“Oh, no! I didn’t mean it like that!” I raise my hands in panic. “I just…”

There’s a lump in my throat that wasn’t there before.

“You just what?”

The Goddess is not amused by my continued silence. Still, it helps me push through this sudden hurdle.

“I don’t want people to bear any ill will towards you.”

Her brows furrowing, she retorts. “Why should I care about how they feel towards me? What will that do for me?”

‘What will it do for her? What can a mortal provide to a Goddess?’

I have no answer, so she lays it out for me.

“Nothing, that’s what. Just like how you’re prancing around the issue.”

It’s true I don’t want people to think of her with adversity, yet the Goddess sees through me.

“I wish you weren’t so curt to others.”

She doesn’t answer. Her glare refuses to lie off of me. I can’t sense her presence, yet the air is heavy. It’s enough to chain me to my current place. I couldn’t even raise my head, eyes locked on the tan wooden floor.

“Hah…” she sighs. “Whatever. I’ll be taking my leave for the night. See you in the morning.”

I can’t look at her as she leaves, despite the air lightened again. My breath held all the way until she’s close to the door. At the sound of the door clicking, I sighed. As my lungs deflate, so does my spirit.

‘I made the Goddess upset… I…’

“I’m sorry—“ One hand covers my mouth, but I realized too late.

A single word drips into my ear. “Why?”

It’s enough to send shocks throughout my body. From our first meeting, the Goddess has always kept her presence in check. The only time I’ve ever felt it is when she touched me.

Yet she lets go of that control. Her presence creeps into every single thing in the area, pressing down with an overbearing force. It creates knots in my stomach. Knees trembling from the immense weight, I muster all the strength I can gather to hold myself up.

“Why are you apologizing?” She continues, her voice rises with every uttered word. “Is it because I’m upset? Are you backing down on your statement? This is the third time. Now, tell me. Do you think you’re in the wrong?”

The Goddess says it’s the third time, knowing full well of the other times she’s had to lecture me. Only this time, my pursed lips refuse to open. Cold sweat trickles down my cheeks, warning me of the consequences if I say anything wrong. My pounding heart is deafening enough to burst my eardrums. Not wanting to make the Goddess wait any longer, I shake my head in response.

My skin feels as if it’s twisting and turning as her presence drills into me. It’s trying to sink into my bones, into my very core. My throat tightens up with strength I never knew I had. It’s making me lightheaded from the lack of oxygen. Every fiber of my being is telling me to run away, that it’s dangerous to stay here any longer.

She huffs out a sigh. “Then don’t tell me you’re sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The Goddess heads out into the hallway.

…

The moment the door closes, my knees buckle, and I collapse onto the floor. Barely holding myself up, I try to control my breathing. It’s difficult. Each breath taken is short and jagged. The knot in my stomach crashes against every inch of its border, creating a hot sensation that rises all the way to my throat and—

“Eugh!” I clasp my hand against my mouth, holding in whatever I can.

It feels like a God’s blessing, but the intention isn’t the same. The way she glared at me. It was pure, unfiltered ire.

‘Is this how immense her presence can be? It’s scary.’

I force myself up onto the bed, grabbing onto the sheets. Eyes closed, I attempt to recollect my thoughts. ‘No, I shouldn’t be afraid. The Goddess did not strike me down.’

“Do you think you’re in the wrong?”

“Then don’t tell me ‌you’re sorry.”

Those words linger. The initial rush slows, and what’s left is a throbbing headache. It’s almost hypnotic, a deadly mixture when combined with fatigue. Without fighting back, I let it lull me into slumber.