Klaus stayed silent for a moment.

Aia does not want to meet his gaze. She wanted Klaus to prove how honest he could be.

“Our kind was not very kind to the mortals despite being tasked to guide them well. We were unjust even if we thought our punishments would mean well. Even before the war began, deities were playing with the mortals in the palm of their hands. You might have noticed that more monsters lurk in the woods. The cursed ones rose beyond measure. Some of us tried to cure them. But some damages are beyond repair.”

“Like the case in the Kingdom of Cyberia?”

“Yes. The god of war did that. And he was punished for it. But even then, our maker wanted to separate us from humans.”

She could not imagine how many humans became victims just because they offended a god or a goddess. When she saw the mechanical soldiers in the village, she sensed they used to be humans. But their souls no longer exist. It was like fighting mechanical corpses, so she did not hold back even for a bit.

The immortals serve as the first guardians of the mortals. They shared their wisdom and hid no secrets. Back then, it was easier to explain how the world began. They can easily use their powers, and humans obey them. But things changed. The immortals also became confused about how to be proper guardians. Aia thought she had seen the worst they could do to humans when curses and monsters started to appear. But she was mistaken.

“Our maker thought we were endangering them. We were becoming good at bending his words, you see.”

Aia looks at Klaus.

“The god of war did that?”

“He said he was only answering the prayers of the people. When they asked for better soldiers to protect their kingdom, he only obliged by making them stronger and deadlier. He deliberately did not turn them into monsters. If he did, there was still a chance for us to turn them back into their normal form. He turned them into mechanical beings, something he could easily control and something only he could manipulate. If you, the goddess of truth, were there as he confessed his wrongdoings, you could have made his punishment much faster. He wanted to extinguish humans. That was his truth.”

“I am glad he confessed.”

“That was after we defeated him, of course. You know how stubborn he can be.”

“Well done.”

“Your impassiveness is confusing. Does this not bother you at all? It was your job to reveal the truth.”

Aia lowered her gaze to Klaus.

“Anyone who is willing will search for the truth despite their fear. And anyone will find the truth even if I no longer exist. We are no longer needed here.”

His eyes widened out of disbelief.

“You have known this would eventually happen.”

“I am no seer. And you know it. I only acknowledge that the Departure of Deities is a good decision for us all. However, with all the deaths that happened, people will want something to believe in.”

Klaus was offended again. He failed to remind himself that he was still trying to persuade her because he wanted to bring Aia back to her sister.

“So you thought I was part of this? This meaningless war?” he scoffed because Aia was ignorant. “The god of war might have transformed humans against their will, but your equal is the one who caused all these. His words became potent after you disappeared.”

Klaus is trying to mock her while addressing the god she had forgotten. It did not displease her yet his words confuse her.

“People do not worship the god of lie.”

“Not if they knew the deception. You are the only deity who could identify him. We only see his true form when he is next to you. Bring him to me, and I shall find a way to fulfill your wish. Whatever that may be.”

No. Lucas appeared in whatever form he pleased. It was not because of me.

Aia wanted to correct Klaus, but there was something she must ask first.

“Was it not decades ago when our maker declare the Departure of Deities?”

“Yes. It was almost three decades since he stated it. It is why I am convincing all the magical beings left here in the human world to go to the otherworld. He will no longer hear any more excuses. We must obey his words.”

“And if we do not comply?”

“A curse will fall upon those who will be left behind.”

“So you wanted me to find my equal, bring him to the otherworld, and in return, you will find a way to fulfill whatever I wish to have or wish to happen?”

“Yes.”

“Would you admit you did nothing that might stop the god of lie?” Aia stared at Klaus again. “Instead, you are taking advantage of what was happening.”

She used her powers on Klaus without him knowing. A habit she had forgotten until he mentioned her equal.

“Why would I stop something that brings more dead people to the underworld?”

“And once you have more souls in your place? Will that be enough to take over the otherworld?” she inquired. “Does your equal know of your plan to populate the underworld?” she added while mimicking his manner of speaking.

Klaus responded to Aia.

“Your sister knows whatever I do in this world. Besides, she was the one who benefited from the souls I collected.”

“That is because she used it to breathe life into her creations. You two are always linked. Without life, you cannot exist.”

“And it is something I am now grateful for.”