Claudeleous spoke with the Commander next. “Commander Caijoonyung, let’s get down to business as time is of the essence. We have summoned you here so we may run some tests on you. There are two reasons for this needing to be done. The first reason, there is a threat that is heading our way. It has been heading in our direction for the past several years. Which is why we have had so many trainings, drills, and other wartime preparations. We estimate that we have less than five months before this evil entity, that we are calling Darkness, will be upon us. We have received reports from the demigods that they have felt something deep within you. Whatever it is that we are sensing from you, we suspect that it might be celestial in nature or some other different kind of magical essence. Unfortunately, we are unable to discern whether what we are feeling from you is something good and beneficial or not. We can sense that it has not been awakened yet. We can tell where this essence is leaking out of. The leak is coming from your soul gem, but it’s not leaking profusely. So do not fret. The second reason for these tests has to deal with your interactions with Persephane. We have noticed that you have become quite close to our precious daughter, Persephane.” 

# 

Caijooyung’s eyes went wide after Claudeleous told him that all of them had taken notice of his time with Persephane. He was afraid that they were going to tell him to stay away from her and that he should know his place, and if he did not, they would kill him. Caijoonyung couldn’t help but feel like they were about to interrogate him about what Persephane and he did each time they would be with each other. As a myriad of jumbled thoughts ran through his mind, his heart started to race, and his palms suddenly became sweaty from how nervous he was. He didn’t know how he should react, say, or do in this case. He couldn’t tell if they were mad at him for being with her or not.  

Juliabethal noticed his nervous behavior and understood the amount of pressure that this was putting on him. She knew just how intimidating it must be for him to be in a room full of gods and demigods. Taking pity on him, Juliabethal decided that she would speak to him next. This situation definitely called for a much calmer presence. She knew that if she didn’t step in, the meeting could come to a standstill or go in a direction they had not intended. She did not trust her brothers or sister to handle this delicately and calmly. 

# 

“Commander Caijoonyung, there is no reason for you to be scared. You are not in trouble and nothing bad is going to happen to you. We simply need to gather data on you from the tests, and based on what the tests show us, it will give us a better idea of the situation and how this can impact Persephane and even the situation we are facing. Now something that does concern us a bit is that you were able to get close to our daughter in such a short amount of time. For Persephane’s sake we need to ascertain whether your intentions are truly pure and what kind of impact your relationship with Persephane will have on her mission,” Juliabethal said to him. 

# 

Commander Caijoonyung did indeed feel much calmer after hearing what the goddess Juliabethal told him just now. Now that he understands what he was summoned for, his demeanor changed from that of someone who is scared and nervous to the level-headed and rational commander that he is. He swept his gaze to make eye contact with all the demigods and the gods to let them all know that he was ready to answer any questions and take any tests that they wanted to put him through. 

# 

“Thank you all for this opportunity to meet you face-to-face. It’s not every day that you are able to meet your maker. I will answer all your questions truthfully and to the best of my abilities. I am ready now,” Caijoonyung said confidently. 

“That’s good to hear. Let’s start with your relationship with Persephane. From the time that you first met her what were your thoughts and intentions?” asked Vivianetta with a hint of skepticism and annoyance. 

“Goddess Vivianetta, from the moment that I met her, I felt a powerful sense of love, kindness, virtue, and duty pouring from every fiber of her being. I respected that about her because of that which made me feel a type of kinship towards her, like that of comrades. The more time that I spent together with her, the closer we became. By the time I even realized it myself, a bond had formed between us. I can tell that what I am feeling is way more than just merely being comrades, but I think we are closer than regular friends would be,” Caijoonyung said shyly. 

# 

All of the gods and demigods, sat there in silence as they heard this man before them pour out his feelings. Not feeling completely satisfied with this response, they felt they needed to prod a little bit more. 

# 

Luciansys cleared his throat and said, “Oh I see. Well please continue to tell us more about how you feel toward our Persephane.” 

“When I am with her, no matter what we are doing, I am happy to spend any time with her regardless of how brief that may be. With each passing day, my fondness for her just grew and grew. I would look forward to each day hoping to see her and spend time with her. I may not know how she feels about me, but I know how I feel about her, and I want to keep seeing her. I know that my job is to protect everyone, including her, but I won't hide the fact that my feelings for her would make me choose to save her over anyone else. I would do anything to protect her including laying down my life for her,” Commander Caijoonyung stated without realizing how much of his heart he just spewed out. 

Vivianetta replied to him, “I thank you for your honesty. I am satisfied with this response. I do feel much more relieved now that I know what she means to you. I, the Goddess Vivianett, task you to guard and protect her with your life.”