15 Minutes Earlier
Deep within the forest, an illusory barrier protected the home of the Nymphs.It was the Secret Realm of the Nymphs, a place where they lived in perfect harmony with nature.There, among trees that sang with the wind and rivers that whispered ancient secrets, they had built a splendid palace for their protector and queen: Aphrodite.
From an outer balcony, a woman of unparalleled beauty gazed at the magical barrier.She was, as usual, bored.
—"I should step outside,"—she sighed heavily.—"I need to meditate a little,"—she murmured to herself, arms crossed as she leaned against the railing carved from white stone.
The air was mild, and the forest's scent blended with the gentle perfume of magical flowers surrounding the palace.Upon stepping outside, she noticed something odd: many of her Nymphs were missing.Some returned in secret, whispering to each other before disappearing in haste.
"What could be so captivating that they're all sneaking off like this?"
Her brows furrowed ever so slightly. Boredom began to give way to unease.And then, another thought crossed her mind.
"How are my two sisters faring in the Underworld...?"
"It's been ten long years since we were last all together. Why has communication between us nearly ceased lately?"
"I, their sweet, charming, and eternally beautiful younger sister... Oh sisters, how I miss you."
She sighed with longing and decided to reach out to one of them. After a moment of hesitation, she settled on Persephone and Lilith.With graceful steps, she turned and made her way to her room. She opened a drawer in her vanity and picked up a delicate object: her divine mirror.
It fit in her palm, cool to the touch, with a surface smooth as water.A gift from Hephaestus, it could show and contact any being, no matter the distance.
Just holding it brought memories flooding back.
"Everything was so... back during that celebration... when the artisan gods gave us each a mirror... It's been over four thousand years..."
She remembered the joy of that day.The gift had commemorated the rise of a new generation of goddesses—among them, the nine fairies of the nine realms.They were the last goddesses born before two realms were abandoned.Her own mirror had been forged by Hephaestus, with all the craftsmanship only a god of his kind could offer.
"They were given so we'd never lose touch... and yet, we still drifted apart."
The thought saddened her, and she quickly shook her head.
—"Enough... I don't like thinking about that,"—she whispered, activating the mirror.
She quickly chose to call her favorite sister, Lilith, who—she knew—was currently preoccupied with some research in the Underworld.
Lilith's image appeared instantly. Her sharp eyes looked back with a tilted smile.
—"I was wondering when you'd call,"—she said in a teasing tone, arms crossed.
Aphrodite raised a brow, pretending to be offended.
—"Hmpt... why did you stop visiting me?"
—"You may be the youngest among us, but you're over four thousand years old now,"—Lilith replied with a soft laugh.—"I'm a busy goddess. I can't look after you forever."
Aphrodite pouted, puffing her cheeks slightly in a childish show of displeasure.
—"But you will come visit me, won't you?"
Lilith averted her gaze briefly, then refocused.
—"I have some time next week. Any earlier is impossible... I'm studying that strange energy that always affects Yggdrasil's roots."
—"I understand..."—Aphrodite nodded gently.—"I'll be waiting."
Shortly after the call ended, a distant sound caught her attention.She sharpened her senses.
"Who just arrived...?"
She set the mirror back on her vanity and rose with elegance. Her dress floated gently with each step as she descended from her chambers.
At the palace entrance, an unexpected visitor awaited her: Yigni, a water Nymph with sky-blue hair and an impatient expression.
—"My Queen,"—she bowed.—"A human boy... has caused an incident."
Aphrodite arched a brow with visible interest.
"A human boy...?"She brought a hand to her chin, thoughtful. A moment of silence followed. Then, with a firm voice, she said:
—"Lead the way."
Back to the Present
The moment Aphrodite stepped into the clearing where the Nymphs had gathered, they all bowed in immediate respect.
—"My Queen,"—they said in unison.
Aphrodite walked among them with a serene pace, her curious eyes surveying the scene.
—"Yigni told me something very interesting, Ducaela,"—she said casually, still looking around.
Ducaela, a forest Nymph, lowered her gaze with concern.
—"My Queen... a human boy is causing unrest among our Nymphs."
Aphrodite narrowed her eyes, tilting her head with amusement.
—"Well, would you look at that... Forest Nymphs, Water Nymphs... Oh, even you,"—she said, fixing her gaze on another figure trying to stay hidden.—"Really now, I didn't expect to see you sneaking around here too, Nimue."
Nimue jumped slightly, nervous, stepping forward with a visible blush.
—"My Queen, please forgive me... The other Nymphs came here and... w-well, I..."
—"I thought you were interested in that human mage, Nimue?"—Aphrodite asked with a mischievous smile, arms crossed.
—"Don't tease me, Your Majesty,"—Nimue replied with a nervous laugh.—"He's probably already forgotten me."
—"And do you think this boy can make you forget him?"
Nimue lowered her gaze, touching her chest with her fingertips.
—"Honestly, I didn't believe it when the others told me... but when I saw him... in that moment, he made me forget all about him."
Aphrodite's eyes lit up, a spark of genuine curiosity crossing her face.
—"Then I want to see him."
At once, the Nymphs stepped aside respectfully, forming a path.They let their Queen pass—so she could see with her own eyes the little human who had so captivated so many of her faithful followers.
***
OSAKA – HIDDEN BAR IN AN ALLEYWAY – 6:50 a.m.
The place was nearly empty. The lighting was dim, and the murmur of the TV in the corner barely competed with the creaking of old wood beneath the bartender's steps.
Bernard, a well-preserved man in his fifties—though now with trembling hands and sunken eyes—clumsily held his glass of whiskey. He was dressed elegantly as always, but his tie was loosened, and his jacket hung carelessly over the back of the chair.
On the screen, a breaking news update murmured softly:
"—...still remains in critical condition, though doctors claim the chances of recovery have increased. The 26-year-old international model Brian, third son of the Dreifus family, remains under intensive care...—"
Bernard barely turned his head toward the TV. His jaw clenched as he heard the next part:
"—...However, the wave of criticism toward Lilian Rhymes' former partner continues to grow. In the West, unethical behavior allegations regarding Brian, also known as Erling, keep surfacing... Mizaki Yui with the latest...—"
—"This is what they do to him now? Mr. Brandom was right... Brian... was always alone,"—he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to the bartender.
The bartender glanced at him with mild curiosity, but Bernard raised his hand, signaling for another drink.As the glass was refilled, his mind was already far away.
FLASHBACK – OSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – MARCH 12, 2020
The wheelchair's wheels squeaked softly across the polished airport floor.Brian, just sixteen, sat quietly—his face obscured by an N95 mask, his blond hair tousled, hands folded in his lap.What stood out most was the unnatural curve of his back. He was in pain. Deep pain.
A younger Bernard pushed the chair steadily, carefully, also masked.They passed unnoticed by the sea of people.
In a quiet corner, away from familiar eyes, just before crossing the boarding gate, Bernard knelt beside him. He placed a hand on his shoulder.
—"Young master, remember what Mr. Murphy always said: Life has a way of taking from us what we want most..."—he spoke in that hoarse, measured tone he used only when trying to soothe the boy.—"You don't have to be strong anymore, young master. It's okay to cry."
Brian didn't look at him. His face remained stoic... for a few seconds.Then he clenched his jaw. A tear fell. Then another.At last, he covered his eyes with his forearm and began to sob in silence.Bernard held him, saying nothing more. Just witnessing the breakdown of someone who had already lost too much, far too soon.
When the loudspeaker announced the final boarding call, Brian only nodded, still without meeting his eyes.
Bernard wheeled him to the gate. He didn't go in.He just watched him leave, knowing that his duty wasn't just to protect the young Murphy...but also to carry the guilt of not having done more.
BACK TO OSAKA – THE BAR
Bernard downed the freshly poured drink.He closed his eyes and whispered, voice breaking:
—"Forgive me, young master... I should be there by your side... but I'm still paying for the things I did in the past... Miss Brigitte, your son... Damn it, this burns."
He gripped the glass tightly, took another drink, and slammed it against the bar.This time, he let the tears fall freely.Maybe it was the alcohol finally kicking in.But that dawn, for the first time in many years, Bernard allowed himself to cry.