On Bea, deep in a densely-forested valley, birds sing and wildlife flourishes. The leaves rustle in a light wind and bees float about from flower to lovely flower. In the center of this valley lies a shrine, one to a long abandoned UnGod of Truth. It is set up with a curved, wooden roof that rests on a stone foundation. It shades a large, square bench just large enough for one person to rest on. Upon it, an Aether Elf in a light blue sundress sits, eyes and mouth closed, with muted breaths drawing to and from her.

The woman sits cross-legged, her hands at her lap. Silver hair laid neatly over her left shoulder lifts the slightest bit every now and then when the wind picks up. The subtle roundness of her face gleams in the shade provided by the shrine, her pointed ears hidden behind pearl-shaded locks. Her breath is cool, drifting off into the air every few seconds as a light exhale leaves her body. Feeling as if she is completely gone from the world, Alain is at peace, through and through.

In the afternoon light, the Elf keeps her eyelids closed. After much time meditating, she feels a soothing presence form nearby. Alas, she stays completely still except for her mouth, it curling into an unavoidable smile. The presence speaks first, it in the form of an elderly man full of wisdom. “Good afternoon, my dear child. Come to pay a visit to me?”

Alain’s sapphire eyes slide open, meeting the frail UnGod’s being with kindness. “Lo, UnGod of Truth,” she begins, rising in one fluid motion. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” With such pleasantries out of the way, she steps forward and kneels to take the UnGod’s hand, bowing her forehead to the back of it. “It has been long since I have visited, and I apologize.”

The UnGod lifts his other hand, placing it on her dropped head. “Child, nature keeps me company enough. You are forgiven for your absence.” He is thin, but long robes hide this fact. Officially, he is an UnGod, but he was once an Angel who had lived in Ascentia. After a historical event in a small town in Archimede on Bea, the Angel protested works of the ArchGods. This was heavily supported by Descentian and some Ascentian deities, but the Ascentian ArchGods sought to take care of the man accordingly. He was stripped of the brilliant white wings Angels have, them being stained black and red on his drop to Descentia where UnGods and UnGoddesses welcomed him as a martyr. They pledged him to be the UnGod of Truth, one of the extremely few beings who were made Descentian deities of a more pleasant nature.

Now, the UnGod poses no threat to anyone. Resting alone in this one shrine, he bothers not the people of Ascentia, Descentia, Chassa, or Bea. Those who wish to seek his word do so by visiting the shrine, and he welcomes all who arrive. He offers clarity to those with indecisive minds and provides inklings of wisdom where necessary. To Alain, however, he is a dear friend.

As a diplomat, Alain was sent from Chassa to all other worlds for any number of reasons. One such reason was to peacekeep between the two worlds of Gods and UnGods. While in Descentia, there are very few places to feel welcomed, so when the UnGod of Truth witnessed the mere girl step into the world attempting peacekeeping talks, he saw it necessary to keep her company. “Safety in numbers for the meek,” he would tell her. The kind gesture became regulatory when she visited, and it eventually became normal for her to show up in Descentia not with a task as a diplomat, but just to seek the UnGod’s wisdom. Their friendship grew over the years, and she remains one of the last followers of his truth.

“Tell me why you have come to see me on today of all days, child,” Lo tells her. He returns his hands to himself, taking small steps so that he may sit on the bench.

Alain opts to rest now on the stone after turning, her head raised slightly to meet his eyes. “I wish to ask about something of great importance, something I never thought I would get to inquire about.”

“And that is?”

The smile remains, and one hand reaches upwards to be placed against her chest. “Love, UnGod Lo... I wish for you to tell me of it.”

“Oh!” The old Elf lets out a reserved laugh. “Are you sure you do not wish to speak to a certain Goddess about such a thing? This may not be my expertise, young one.”

“I understand, but I’m sure I want to hear from you.” Like an eager student, she rests her hands in her lap, watching her teacher with wide eyes.

With a shrug, the UnGod gives in. “Very well, then. Tell me, why is it you wish to know of it. Certainly, there must be some reason for you to ask about this.”

Her eyes drop, but just for a moment before lifting up once more. “Well, it is not because of anything that has emerged, but... more so that I’ve... never felt it before. Er- maybe I have, but didn’t know when it happened. Does that... make sense?”

Lo’s eyes squint against the sunlight shining just outside the shrine. With a warm grin, he tells her, “It certainly does, Child. You may remember that I had once been married to a lovely woman in my golden days. I will tell you now that I knew I was in love with her when I listened to her cook.”

“Her cooking? You mean the smell of it, or the taste?”

“No,” he continues. “In the kitchen, she would hum the most beautiful songs. I never knew them- never, but she could take me back to when I was a child in awe at the world around me. Now, her meals... I shouldn’t speak ill, her spirit waits for me yet in the Beyond now, doesn’t it?”

The Aether Elf snickers, thinking of what her master would have been like at her age, let alone as a boy. “So, it took some time before you fell in love?”

“Hm... Not too long, I would say. I knew she was something special the moment I saw her, but I waited to confirm my suspicions.”

“When did you truly know, then?”

“When did I know...” he repeats, mulling over the question. “I wouldn’t say there was any moment. Perhaps after a day or a week, I decided I loved her, but there was never a defining moment. I suppose it was when I stopped thinking about her and I, but us.”

“‘Us?’”

“Yes. Before, she and I would enjoy a meal together. She and I would go on a walk or go to a show together. After, we did those things. But- this is different for everyone, Child. I most definitely cannot tell you this will be the same for you and whoever it is you are fond of.”

“Ah- UnGod, I am a decent woman, you know.” Alain’s cheeks flush with red, the only natural color in her skin at any given time.

“Of course, Child, and you deserve a decent man,” the UnGod chirps.

Her smile widens, grinning from ear to ear. “‘A decent man,’ right. Thank you, UnGod Lo.”