Little Pink Starfish

Facing the bonsai, Aiden rested his chin on his hand.

Inside the smooth pot was a ridiculously tiny sapling.

It had always been like that. A sapling placed in a pot too small for its species, filled with poor-quality soil that suppressed the nutrients necessary for growth, constantly keeping the plant stunted. Its roots trimmed and branches pruned to achieve the intended shape, the result was a miniature-like tree inside the pot.

He ran his index finger across the surface of the bonsai. The bark looked beautiful on the outside, but the nutrients within were pitifully lacking.

Just for something like this…

Aiden closed his eyes.

So many souls were used for something like this?

His index finger drew ripples as it penetrated into the bonsai.

It was an unpleasant sensation. The feeling that came when touching the essence of something.

Everything in this world is made of souls. Not only living beings with individual consciousness, but even objects are made up of souls. Broken down into particles smaller than molecules. What ordinary humans could never perceive, they call souls.

The souls that had soaked into shattered stones were broken apart and redistributed, becoming the tough skin of some animal. Similarly, the souls of those called Saints were sometimes used to form beautifully winding valleys. The bonsai was also infused with countless such souls.

He dug into this quilt-like patchwork of stitched souls and extracted a part that had once been human.

Found it.

Aiden opened his eyes.

He withdrew his finger from the sapling.

A tiny sphere sat on the tip of his index finger. As Aiden gazed at it, a smile spread across his lips. Countless fragments like this gather to form a single entity — such is the principle of this world. Aiden found that unbearably deceitful.

Life and death should suffice just once.

Yet such filthy experiences must be repeated over and over.

<It is ready.>

The voice of the ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames’ came from behind.

Aiden rose and turned to face her.

She was holding Jeong Hangyeol’s shoulders.

No, it wasn’t quite Jeong Hangyeol yet. Though the appearance resembled the old days Aiden remembered, the eyes were unfocused, and the self was hazy. Strictly speaking, it was closer to a shell that merely took the form of Jeong Hangyeol. The exterior resembled him, but much was still missing inside.

<There’s not much time left.>

“Indeed.”

Aiden approached Jeong Hangyeol.

Jeong Hangyeol’s vacant eyes shifted toward Aiden.

“…Who?”

His pale lips parted to ask. Aiden smiled wryly and shrugged.

“Well, who do you think I am?”

It no longer mattered.

“Open your mouth, would you?”

At Aiden’s words, Jeong Hangyeol mechanically opened his mouth.

Aiden placed the soul sphere into it.

“Swallow.”

Jeong Hangyeol obeyed. His throat moved, and for a moment, a spark of life returned to his eyes.

But that was all. His gaze soon grew cloudy again, and his expression blurred.

“Still too soon, huh.”

Muttering, Aiden carefully observed the soul structure forming inside Jeong Hangyeol. Naturally formed beings — creations of the ‘Savior Who Is One and All’ — had souls manufactured so smoothly that no cracks could be found.

But Jeong Hangyeol’s inside resembled a clumsily stitched patchwork. Like a child awkwardly sewing together scraps of old clothes found around the house. Aiden sighed. It was still far from being called a complete existence.

<It’s been a while since I’ve seen you so cautious.>

Supporting Jeong Hangyeol’s faltering body with one arm, the ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames’ spoke.

<Do not worry. His soul is being restored successfully. As you know, only a few fragments remain.>

“I know.”

Aiden smiled.

“You may not quite understand, but when a human body suffers a major wound, it leaves a scar. I have a rather large scar on my waist.”

<I know. I’ve seen it several times.>

The ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames’ averted her gaze.

<And I understand what you’re trying to say. While the one bearing the scar grows accustomed and indifferent to it, those looking at it ache while recalling its origin.>

“You understand very well.”

The ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames’ fell silent for a while.

Then she asked.

<Are you satisfied?>

The sudden question made Aiden tilt his head.

“Satisfied? With what, exactly?”

<You are close to achieving your goal. Once you accomplish it… will you be satisfied?>

“Well…”

Aiden’s gaze shifted to Jeong Hangyeol. With narrowed eyes, Jeong Hangyeol stared off into empty space. Naturally. This child didn’t even know what was in front of him. He couldn’t grasp the nature of the sounds ringing in his ears, and so, it wouldn’t be wrong to say he couldn’t perceive the world at all. As if his soul was floating.

But Aiden was certain.

He’s here.

The friend he had always longed for was right here.

“…You know.”

Aiden looked at the ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames.’

“You know my actions aren’t righteous.”

<Of course.>

The ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames’ replied calmly.

<If this world contained only good, evil, and neutral points, your actions would never be righteous. Everything you’ve done stems from your own desires. But that does not affect me.>

I have no desires left, she added.

<I am a star god who has already died once. Desire does not suit the dead. There is no flame that burns forever. Only ashes remain. My hatred for my partner has long since vanished. I merely assist you in achieving what you desire. For you are still my contractor.>

“If I succeed in reviving Hangyeol… and become a star god?”

<Then you must find a new goal to pursue. I will await a new contractor.>

Aiden silently gazed at the ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames.’ When he touched the fragment of the star at the sanctuary and accessed the domain of the star gods, it was the voice from the farthest star that led him to contract with her.

Even though it was so distant, that star shone excessively bright. A planet ablaze like it was consuming itself resembled the ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames.’ When Aiden saw her star form, he could not predict her true identity. He had imagined a more passionate and powerful star god.

Because in the human realm, that’s what fire signifies.

“Your partner already abandoned their star god authority.”

Aiden said to the ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames.’

“So wouldn’t it be alright to find a new partner?”

<I told you. I lost all feelings of affection long ago.>

“Truly?”

As Aiden smiled slyly, the ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames’ shook her head.

<…Why?>

She had taken other contractors besides Aiden. During the time when Gates opened, she had contracted with a battle-hungry man. Fueled by vengeance, he fought monsters, and their compatibility was excellent. After CYB was conceived by the star gods, she tried working with several more contractors. They were all passionate individuals who succeeded in achieving their goals.

When their contracts ended, they all said the same thing.

They wanted to rest now.

Understandably so. They had all run for a long time.

The ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames’ could empathize with their feelings.

But the man standing before her was different. He was consumed by an outrageous desire.

He hadn’t always been like this. He was goal-oriented, but if everything had gone smoothly, he might have been able to leave in search of rest like the others.

But now, that was impossible.

She sensed that the ‘Ten Kings of the Netherworld’ had begun to move. At this rate, both the ‘Star Hated by All’ and the ‘Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell’ would also take action. Even if the ‘Savior Who Is One and All’ watched Aiden’s progress with interest and tacit approval, they would inevitably intervene in some way.

He was not ignorant of that.

He had merely missed his chance to turn back.

Izanagi could turn back even after reaching the underworld — had they now fallen into a mire deeper than the underworld itself?

The ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames’ couldn’t even gauge where she stood anymore.

What awaits him can only be ruin.

Even if, by some miracle, everything goes his way, he will never find happiness.

He is beyond salvation.

And yet…

<…Why do you feel affection toward me?>

At her question, Aiden tilted his head.

“Must there be a reason?”

No stories spoke of creatures loving their gods.

They simply admired, yearned for happiness, or cast their resentments when adrift.

A bit of friendship, perhaps…

“I thought you were beautiful.”

Aiden smiled as he spoke.

“The shape of a mane, the pattern of a pelt — animals consider those their aesthetic standards. Humans are the same. There are specific forms universally considered beautiful. But I don’t particularly like animals… and at some point, I came to regard humans as trivial beings.”

So, because of that.

Though it wasn’t his intention, if he was becoming a star god.

If he was becoming something inhuman.

“Then perhaps it’s time to be freed from such primitive senses.”

I decide what is beautiful or ugly now, he whispered.

With that, Aiden placed a kiss on the ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames’’ forehead.

No warmth came from those lips.

The ‘Mother Everlasting in Flames’ simply thought:

If all that remains for you is the mire…

Then sinking into it together may not be so bad.