During the next two years, a significant portion of my time was dedicated to finding a balance with the elements. I sensed that I was getting closer to achieving that balance. Additionally, I took the opportunity to locate a spacious field near the mountain where my realm was situated, embarking on my farming journey. Now, the area thrived with diverse fruits and edible plants. I decided to appoint Red as the guardian of this territory.
Recognizing the greater value of the herbs, I chose to plant them near my current temporary house, instead of leaving them exposed to the risk of being taken by powerful beasts in the vicinity because they can sense its useful usage to them. I plan on moving them to my realm once I solve the problem of lightsource.
One day, I sat in front of the house I had built, and before me was a small branch. Unlike an ordinary branch, this one displayed a gradual metallic glow. Excitement filled me as I witnessed the progress I had made. The metallic radiance was on the verge of encompassing the entire branch when my concentration was abruptly shattered by an incoming call, causing the branch to revert to its normal state.
Anger surged within me as I realized that someone had interrupted me at such a crucial moment, thwarting my progress. Answering the call with a voice laced with frustration and impatience, I snapped, "What?"
"Am I bothering you, brother?" came a feminine voice filled with weakness.
I took a deep breath, attempting to compose myself. "I was in the middle of something important," I responded curtly.
"Oh, I apologize for that. I will leave you to your endeavors then," she replied.
Discarding the branch in frustration, I stood up. "It can wait. Why the sudden call, Mahu?"
There was a brief pause before her voice spoke again. "I just gave birth to my child."
That caused me to pause, realizing that it made perfect sense for her to give birth at this time. Unlike my own ten-year duration, hers, as a goddess, would be considerably shorter.
"Congratulations, sister," I congratulated her, though still somewhat perplexed as to why she was informing me of this.
"No need for that, Ikenga. I want you by my side now," she said, her voice still weak.
Confusion washed over me, and I was about to inquire further when a silver portal materialized before me. I hesitated for a moment before stepping into the portal.
Back in Maha's realm, the landscape had undergone some changes, with a grand castle made of ice standing at its center. As I entered the castle and climbed the stairs, I made my way toward Maha's presence.
Standing before the door to her chamber, I hesitated for a moment, but before I could gather my thoughts, the doors swung open on their own. Stepping inside the room, I beheld a sight of opulence. A king-sized bed fit for royalty adorned the space, with a sheer silver curtain hanging over it. Maha stood there, her tall silhouette illuminated by the soft glow.
Approaching the side of the bed where she was, I gently pulled aside the curtain. Maha's figure, once radiant and powerful, now appeared weakened and exhausted. Her silver hair clung to her perspiring body, but her eyes were filled with joy as they met mine, gazing up from the child she cradled in her arms.
The first thought that crossed my mind, albeit foolishly, was, "A divine being can sweat." Shaking my head at the absurdity of my own thinking, I focused on Mahu's weakened state and inquired, "Why do you need me here, sister?"
She remained silent and handed the child to me. Still confused, I took the child from her and he was unbelievably adorable. The first sight of the baby let me know about Mahu's choice for creation.
The baby, a small werewolf with shimmering silver fur, possessed bright green eyes and tiny fangs peeking out of his mouth. Despite being a newborn, he displayed remarkable liveliness as he clutched one of my dreadlocks and playfully nibbled on it.
Lost in the enchantment of the child, I was startled when Maha rose from her bed and began undressing, catching me off guard. Ignoring my gaze upon her alluring form, she walked into the bathroom.
Still in a daze, I heard the sound of running water emanating from the bathroom. Looking down at the baby in my arms, still tugging at my dreads, I remarked, "Your mom is quite weird, huh?."
As Mahu emerged from the bath, she felt the weakness slowly dissipating, replaced by a renewed sense of vitality. Observing Ikenga playing with their newborn son, she couldn't help but be captivated by the scene unfolding before her.
Noticing a change in Ikenga's appearance, she found herself drawn to his new form. His dark skin, sculpted abs, and the markings adorning his body exuded a certain allure that she found charming.
Quietly, she made her way to the edge of the bed, careful not to disrupt the precious moment. Sitting there with her legs crossed, she watched as her son climbed and frolicked around Ikenga's figure, while Ikenga attempted to gently coax him away.
"What is the purpose of all this, Mahu?" Ikenga's voice broke the silence, revealing that he was already aware of her presence.
"You both look incredible together," Mahu replied, pointing at Ikenga and her son.
A frown appeared on Ikenga's face as he turned to face her, his voice laced with confusion. "Where are you heading with all of this?"
Mahu understood his underlying question, but instead of providing a direct answer, she took a deliberate step closer to Ikenga, who now held her son in his arms.
Ikenga watched as Mahu's figure approached him, his senses heightened by her alluring scent and the noticeable change in her height. He felt a mixture of confusion and curiosity as she gently caressed his chest, locking eyes with him.
"What do you think about becoming his father?" she asked, her words catching him off guard.
"Huh?" My confusion deepened, struggling to comprehend the sudden proposition.
"What's gotten into you, Mahu?" I asked, taking a step back in response.
Mahu didn't provide an immediate answer. Instead, she seemed to contemplate her thoughts, caressing her head before returning to her bed and sitting down.
"Ikenga, I don't quite know how to explain it, but my behavior is now influenced by my divinity," she finally spoke, her voice tinged with a mix of uncertainty and conviction.
My attention was piqued by her revelation. "Can divinity truly affect our behavior? I wonder to what extent I've been influenced without realizing it."
"For the past five days, everything seemed perfect, until a day ago when I sensed that I would give birth today. It was then that I felt my divine essence related to motherhood stirring within me. Initially, I dismissed it as a natural response to the impending birth," Mahu explained.
I leaned in, my curiosity growing. "So, what was the true reason behind it all?"
"After giving birth, my divinity revealed to me that the act of childbirth is a ritual, one that requires the presence of two significant figures: the mother and the father. The ritual is now incomplete because the father is absent," she disclosed.