"Kid, focus on what I am saying. No matter how difficult it gets, do not let this feeling consume you. You need to fight this and come back. Recall who you are and what you are fighting for."

Loki’s voice sounded like it was coming from underwater. It was hard for Shuu to focus on it, but he still tried his best to swim toward it with all his might.

But the water kept pulling him back every time he tried to take a step toward that voice. Shuu could not make much of an impact, and it frustrated him.

"I...cannot move—"

"Kid, concentrate on following the current. It’s trying to help you. It’ll take you to the place where your memories start. Don’t fight it."

Loki’s voice reassured Shuu, and he felt a little terrified. He did not want to follow the currents and risk dying. But at the same time, Loki had been his guide this whole time. He did not want Shuu to die, so he wouldn’t tell Shuu a lie.

Believing in Loki was hard but not impossible. Shuu took a deep breath before he turned around and followed the currents.

The water did not treat Shuu kindly. Even if he was being swept away by it, it was still harshly washing over Shuu, trying to drown him.

Shuu struggled to stay afloat until he could not do that anymore physically, and he took a deep breath before he went under.

Oxygen started to become scarce, and his lungs started to burn at the lack of oxygen. Shuu tried his best to keep himself awake, but it felt difficult. His lungs were burning.

Finally, after a whole minute, he could not take it anymore and he gasped. He expected water to fill his lungs, but that did not happen.

Instead, the world around him slowed down, and the light from the water’s surface reached Shuu. He reached for it, feeling all calm and composed. And then the first burst of pain started.

It took Shuu by surprise, and he clutched his head in shock. But the pain did not let up.

Slowly, it increased until every part of his body hurt, and he wanted to end it all. He wanted to head back to the comfort of Kaiden’s arms and forget all about it.

But then the water broke, and memories started to flow inside Shuu’s mind. It was forcing him to recall all he had been made to forget.

It was not a pleasant experience, but Shuu knew that it was necessary for him to know. So he closed his eyes and allowed his mind to fall asleep.

Finally, it was time for him to start dreaming from the start and grasp what his origin was.

__________

"Everyone, gather around. Father has started to show signs of activity. I think something is going to happen."

"This is not fair. Why is the light so bright this time? It was not as bright when I was born."

"It might be compensating for the time that demon came into being. Don’t worry about it too much. I am sure Father has it all planned out for us."

Shuu became aware of the people’s voices when he was still in the embryo stages. The energy swimming around him assured him that it would be alright.

Father was the first being Shuu became curious about, but even when he was in his shell, he could tell that something was missing.

The other part of his balance, the one that should have made him feel whole, was no longer there. He wanted to feel that power and comfort he was missing.

But the pulsing energy around Shuu told him that it won’t be long before he would be thrown out as well. He would have plenty of time to find his other half.

More and more presences filled the room around him, but none of them were what Shuu wanted.

[It’s time. Return to me whenever you need me. You are my proudest creation and the most dear. There won’t be a next one after you.]

Father’s voice and presence were a constant companion Shuu was going to miss. But he was not possessive of it either.

He tried to comfort Father back, but his consciousness was ripped away. He was descending, and the bubble around him finally popped.

Shuu had his first look at the outside world, and the first scene he saw was of various gods standing around him and looking back with curious expressions.

"Ah, looks like we have a new sibling. Father must have loved this one. Just feel that pure energy around him. It feels so nice to be around."

"But what should we do with him? It has been too long since a god was born, so all the territory has been decided. Do we need to fight to give him one?"

"No way! I got my territory after so long. I am not going to give an inch of it."

The gods looked delighted at Shuu’s birth, but they quickly got annoyed and scared as well.

As good as it was to have a new god among them, it was also a cause of concern for those who had power. They did not want to give an inch to anyone else.

Shuu did not need their help either. His purpose here was to find his other half and fulfil Father’s wishes.

But just as he was pushing himself to stand, he felt someone grabbing him by the back of his clothes and picking him up.

"If no one else is going to take him, then I will. I have a use for this kid in my army."

Goddess Astoria made sure her voice was clearly heard. Anyone who heard her speak looked shocked by her declaration.

"Astoria, are you sure about this? I don’t doubt your ambition, but the kid you are holding is a god. He will have his own ego as well. What if he takes offense—?"

"Then he takes offense, and there is not much I can do about it. However, I am also in a time crunch, and I cannot afford to sit back and watch you all discuss this for another hour or so."

Astoria was in a hurry, and her eagerness to put an end to this discussion made everyone pause and feel conflicted. They looked at each other before the gods nodded.

"Alright, if this is what you want, then we can hand the kid over to you. But please, take care of him and yourself. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call for us."

The other gods decided to wash their hands of Shuu, and Astoria kept holding Shuu and brought him back.

The room she took him to was not grand, but it was not shabby either. It was definitely a room for an adult, and Shuu was put on the bed.

"Alright, let’s start with introducing each other. My name is Astoria, what about you—"

"I don’t like it here. This is not home. I will take my leave now."

Instead of giving her an answer, Shuu stood up and started walking out of the room. He did not have anything against the goddess who brought him here, but he did not want to be here long-term. He had his own priorities to look after.

Astoria looked shocked at his audacity and quickly ran after him.

"Hey kid, where are you going? Don’t you dare leave me like this! Do you even have a place to go to?"

Shuu paused and looked at her with a confused expression.

"I do have a home. Father has assured me that I am not alone, and I have an ’other half.’ I need to go and find him."

Shuu did not have a filter, nor did he know how to lie or keep a secret. He had just been born not too long ago, and there had been no need for Father to teach him all this.

But Astoria was different. She could feel the power Shuu emitted and felt jealous. It was a power she would never be able to have in her life, and she wanted to experience it more.

That’s why she decided to do what it took to hold the kid back.

"Hey kid, I know you said you already had a home, but who knows how long it will take for you to find that home. You are not actually thinking of inconveniencing others with your constant presence going in and out of their territory, right?"

Astoria asked, and Shuu paused before he gave her a suspicious look.

"What do you want to tell me?"

He asked, and Astoria smiled at him.

"What I want to say is simple—use my home as your base and conduct your research. You will have much more resources at your disposal and also my expertise. What do you say? It’s a generous offer I am happy to present you with."