RAVEN IS NOT YET AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.

He was reacting based on his instincts.

His cold blue eyes are not yet focusing on her. When it did, he stood still as if he was frozen again. They both look up because Raven is taller than them.

Aia stared back to see what her pet was thinking. She felt weak not because of the power she had given him. It was because of the truth he had given her.

Raven did not leave the place where she left him. It was his way of showing his loyalty to her. It was a silent rule that if shapeshifters were abandoned or had lost their master, then the shapeshifters could do anything they wanted. It may even serve whomever it pleases. Yet he remained faithful and grateful to the deity who helped him live.

Raven often thought the last time he saw her.

“Do not follow me.”

Raven kept staring at her.

“But I found you,” he said as soon as she was gone.

The moment she accepted him in her temple he believes he is meant to serve her until he perished. But now, Raven is unsure if he is seeing her.

His goddess.

“Raven… can you hear me?”

Aia stepped forward and looked into his eyes. Raven might attack her while thinking she was another human trying to hunt him down. Recently, the wolves came inside that cave. A few humans, too. But Raven chased them away.

“It is me,” Aia touched her pet while trying not to cry.

She causes him too much pain and loneliness.

She was only focusing on herself. She forgot to consider how Raven might feel before she walked away.

He was left alone while wondering if Aia would return to him. Yet he stayed as if to tell her a clear message.

I could not fly without you by my side.

There is a loud croak before Aia can guess what might happen next. She saw Raven take flight towards her. He meant to swoop her. Fast.

Aia pushed Hroc while he was still in human form. If Hroc decided to protect Aia, he might end up wounded. Klaus may not look like it, but he could get angry when his pet is hurt.

So, she made a quick decision.

She saved Hroc and let Raven drag him.

She expected to feel his sharp beak pierce her body. But Raven returned to his human form and held Aia tight. He was crying while hugging her, which made Aia smile before she also let herself cry.

She made a mistake. And Aia vows never to do it again.

“You’re back. You’re back…” Raven said while hugging her.

Hroc approached them. He pats Raven on his arm as if telling him he is also there. They, too, hug each other.

When Raven looked at Aia again, she smiled at Raven while wiping his tears. Then she touches his head. Raven has shorter hair than Hroc. She had forgotten how soft it was once he was in human form.

“Thank you for waiting for me,” Aia said to Raven. “And I apologize for leaving you behind.”

He held her again and buried his face at the side of her neck and shoulder. He moves his head sideways when he hugged her tightly.

“I did not follow you,” Raven said.

She tapped his shoulder to let him know she knew why he could not fly away. And if he meant he was telling her that he also did what she asked, she understands.

But now they must leave that place.

“Let’s go. No one should see us here.”

Hroc changes to a big crow as soon as they reach the opening.

The goddess of truth wanted to deliver a message to her sister. So she picked a white camellia when she saw the plant near the cave.

“Give this to my sister. It is a gift and a message.”

Hroc bit the stem of the flower and bowed before it flew.

Aia was still looking at Hroc in the sky when she felt Raven standing near her. Raven transformed into a bird again. He nudges his head on her shoulder.

“Let’s go,” Hroc said happily.

Aia laughed. They were back to the way they used to be. Years did not change their appearance, but Aia knew something had changed.

She realizes she misses being with Raven.

Yet, she also felt guilty.

Aia never bothered to ask where he was. She only assumed he built a nest somewhere and ruled his flock.

Raven is strong and independent. So, Aia did not expect him to be this way.

“I’m sorry,” she said while touching his feathers that instantly shifted in good condition. “I thought you could start living your own life. But, like me, you have no specific place to go.”

Raven uses his beak to swipe her head. Her apology was no longer necessary.

“Stop it.”

“What—”

Raven looks at her as if daring her to speak further. He does not like her to be sorry.

“Fine,” Aia said sincerely. “I will no longer apologize since you do not wish to see me sad. But you must understand. I made a mistake, Raven. At least let me repent it.”

Raven nods and hops twice before he looked at his back. It was his way of telling her they should go somewhere. Aia could not help but smile sadly as to how Raven can easily forgive her.

“Where are you taking me?” Aia asked her pet.

When she looked into his eyes, Raven only wanted one thing.

“You are not the only one who asked me that.”

“Who?”

Raven tilted his head sideways while wondering who said the same request.

“It was Klaus. He was also the one who helped me find you.”

Raven seemed pleased with her answer. He bends so Aia can ride on his back. He was already assuming she would grant the request.

Aia sighed.

The god of lie hated it when she told him what to do. But Raven is excited that he insist they go right away. And Aia does not have the will to deny his request.

“Fine. If I fail to convince the god of lie to stop this nonsense he was doing, we will still go to the otherworld because our maker commands it. I only need to inform him. Is that clear?”

Raven nods again.

Aia rode the shapeshifter. They must meet the god of lie to hopefully bring him with her and stop the meaningless war.