[Back in Adrian's Soul]
"Why isn't he back yet?" Uriel chewed on her nails anxiously until blood began trickling onto the ground. "I knew he was being too risky."
Ten days. It had been ten years in human time since Adrian entered the large red door, and each passing moment gnawed at Uriel.
On the ground, strands of her blonde hair were scattered, and the floor beneath her feet had marks from her toenails.
She didn't want to accept it, but she had grown too close to Adrian. At first, she intended to use him to balance her world. One thing led to another, and they became partners. Now he was part of her daily routine, something she couldn't function without.
For someone who had never had a close friend or even the chance to speak to someone whenever she wished, Adrian was a breath of fresh air.
Although he usually called only to ask questions, it didn't bother her. At least she felt noticed, more human than she had ever felt, and that feeling slowly became an addiction.
Uriel dragged a hand through her hair, ruffling it until more strands dropped onto the ground. "Damn it."
She looked at the gate that still stood firm. The moment Adrian entered, it had shut, and no matter how hard she tried, it refused to open.
The only reason she hadn't lost her mind was because his soul space still existed. As long as it did, he was alive.
"But what is he doing in there?" Uriel drifted toward the door again. Unlike before, something about the door felt… off.
'The color is fading,' she thought, running a finger across the wood as it weakened. Before she could pull her hand away, a small crack formed on the frame.
Uriel recoiled instantly. "What the hell." Through the cracks was nothing and something at the same time. It felt like she was staring into outer space yet also not.
She didn't have time to comprehend the sight before web-like fractures spread across the ground of Adrian's soul.
The green grass that once swayed faintly in the nonexistent breeze became still. Inside the cracks, just like in the door, was an odd scene of space and emptiness.
Crack!
This time the sound of cracking echoed as the sky split, and a long X-shaped mark appeared on the red door.
In an instant, the entire world trembled. Cracks spread across it until everything shattered.
Uriel's mind blanked as primal fear surged through her.
The world she now found herself in was unlike anything she had ever seen. A place where she could die instantly. A place ruled by a being far above her. A place governed by rules, laws, orders, and energies she could never hope to understand.
"Where am I?" No, that wasn't what she wanted to ask most. "Is Adrian alive?"
For his soul space to collapse, it meant one of two things: either he was dead, or he conquered whatever this place was.
The former seemed more likely, but if he had somehow achieved the latter, then Adrian had entered a realm she would never reach.
The thought made her chest ache. If he surpassed her completely, he wouldn't need her anymore, and she would return to her normal, lonely life as a goddess.
Uriel clenched her teeth, her hands tightening at her sides. As she floated deeper into the abyss, she couldn't help admiring its beauty.
It was dark, yes, but a beautiful kind of darkness. It didn't feel hostile toward her. She knew it could kill her at any moment, yet she felt strangely safe within it.
'Did Adrian actually conquer this place? If so, then would he be leaving soon?' Leaving to start his perfect lazy life.
A long breath escaped her as she drifted further.
After some distance, she noticed the faint outline of a man hovering in a seated position.
She immediately recognized his attire and black hair. "Adrian?"
Uriel quickened her pace and, once close enough, raised her voice for him to hear.
"Adrian!"
The figure, who had been focused on something, turned his head toward her.
There was a saying that all gods were immortal. Even death and the horses that carried souls to hell couldn't harm them. Well, that wasn't true at all.
Even though Uriel believed she was somewhat immortal, at that moment her thoughts shifted completely.
The purple eyes staring at her weren't human. They were in a human face, but there was nothing human about them.
'He did it.' She didn't need him to say anything. Adrian had conquered this world, and at this moment, he was an Eldritch Horror.
Uriel didn't know why, but her head gradually lowered. She lifted her gown slightly as she bent her knee in a respectful bow.
It felt like it was etched into her soul that this man would soon become her master. Or perhaps it was instinct, something innate among gods when facing stronger beings.
Despite herself, Uriel allowed a small smile. "Congratulations on your ascension."
Adrian watched her for a moment, then tilted his head slightly and smiled. "Thanks."
Uriel was about to speak again, but Adrian beat her to it.
"So, goddess, I wanted to ask…" His pause made Uriel's hair stand on end. "How does traveling the universe with me sound?"
Uriel's mouth fell open. Travel? The universe? With her?
Her face flushed immediately as the question replayed in her mind.
She didn't know what had gotten into him or why her lazy shadow hero suddenly wanted to explore the cosmos. But wasn't this a chance? And better yet, wasn't this almost like a proposal?
Uriel let out a flustered laugh. "Are you finally confessing?"
Adrian stared at her for a moment, then waved his hand and shook his head. "This isn't anything strange, so don't make it sound like that."
Uriel's laughter grew more confident. "Then you weren't serious about what you said earlier?"
He paused before answering in a deeper, more sincere tone. "I'm serious. You see... I want to see the world, not just one world but everything, and after that, I want to die and start again as a young boy or maybe just retire with no immortality."
Adrian gave her a bright smile. "This is my dream."