Chapter 915 915: What Is a God?

Chapter 915 915: What Is a God?

Gods. What are gods?

Most believe in only one, while some believe in many. Many would treat other people's gods as false, but some would be more welcoming.

But what is a god?

Riley has seen many who have claimed themselves to be as such — even him, once. He claimed to be a god when he realized he became an existence that could not be matched by anyone.

But if one would ask Riley what he thought of god or gods, then he would probably say he did not picture it to be the way he was looking at them now.

"Riri! Taste this! This is brandy from this man's universe!"

"I do not like the taste of alcohol, Miss Pepondosovich."

But perhaps this is the way the people from Scandinavian origins view their gods; warriors, and kings, all celebrating their small victories of battle as they drink their way to the merry night. And although all of them were laughing and smiling; taking jabs at each other in very friendly ways, one could still see the fire of competition in their eyes — no longer dancing, but still very much alive and flickering.

Riley did, however, notice something else filling and reflecting the fire in their eyes; the planets that were decorating the night sky above them. There were hundreds of planets, each placed there perhaps as some sort of symbol of home... or perhaps a mockery to them telling that they are stuck here forever.

Whatever the planets serve as, it works. It was clear to Riley that although all of the gods here were aiming for the book that contained the clue to a Cosmic Piece, most of them had actually been climbing the tower just for this very scenery.

A scenery of home, even from afar — that was the true prize of Grandarena city.

Even now, as he sat quietly at a table far away from the noise, he could see the longing in everyone's eyes — he could even see it in Esme, who was just quietly sitting beside him... finishing the snacks he personally grabbed from the buffet.

Riley did not mind, however. He purposely grabbed extra as he was used to Hannah taking his share of the food even though she was telling everyone she was not really that hungry; it would seem even someone like Esme is not exempt from that sort of stereotype. But of course, it also does not help that she seems keen on imitating everything Riley does... she was even mixing sweet milk and soda like him, even though she clearly doesn't like it. But perhaps out of all the people present here, she and Miss Pepondosovich were the only ones who had not really looked up at the planets hanging above them more than once.

"I have been meaning to ask, Miss Pepondosovich," Riley gently pushed away the large mug of alcohol that Miss Pepondosovich was giving him and instead also turned to look up at the home of the gods,

"Which one was your planet?"

"Oh..." Miss Pepondosovich blinked a couple of times as she looked up, her eyes quickly scanning all the planets above, "...I don't really remember."

"I suppose that makes sense," Riley breathed out, "Your planet was inside another planet, after all, Miss Pepondosovich."

"Hm..." Miss Pepondosovich also let out a small breath as she nodded, "...Forget that, which one was yours again?"

"It is that."

"...Your kind was aquatic?" Miss Pepondosovich squinted her eyes as she looked at Earth.

"And you have been drinking ever since? I was under the impression you did not like alcohol too, Miss Pepondosovich."

"I don't. But you should truly also try alcohol, Miss Esme."

"I do not like the bitter taste of alcohol, Miss Pepondosovich."

"It's not about the taste, ack. It's about regretting..."

And as Miss Pepondosovich and Esme's voice slowly faded away, Riley once again observed the other gods; most of them, truly just relaxing and trying to vibe with each other — he could probably join, the stories these people would tell would probably be better than the ones he already knew.

But stories are meaningless without people to hear them.

"Sister..." Riley let out a small sigh as he glanced at Earth, "...I wonder what you are doing right now? I know you are safe since Aerith is there to protect all of you, stronger than ever before since I imparted her with the same gift Gracy taught me. And Aerith, I do not know if you truly feel love for me, but at the very least...

...I hope you are missing me as much as I am missing you. There is nothing here that—"

"Why are you talking to yourself?"

And before Riley could finish his monologue, he was suddenly interrupted by a woman; skin as pale as pure snow, hair as dark as oil, and lips redder than blood; somehow reminding Riley of PIrate Queen Xra... if Xra was alive.

And as soon as the female god sat at Riley's table; the gods that had been chatting merrily with each other all abruptly stopped. Their attention, now all placed on him and the female god.

"You are new to this place, no?" The woman smiled at Riley; her eyes closed for some reason, "I heard you thinking earlier, about gods and all that stuff."

"..."

"And now you are thinking how I am able to read your mind even though you are supposed to be immune to it," the woman chuckled, "But that Pirate Queen Xra could also read minds, no? You could too if you want to since you have her abilities. But I digress, what do you think a god is?"

"I do not know, Stranger."

"What is a peasant to a king? What is a king to a god? Is this how the quote goes in your world?" The woman let out a small hum as she placed her finger on her chin to think.

"What is a god to a non-believer," Riley nodded.

"Hm. But I think that question is... what are you to us, Riley Ross?"

"I am...

...Death."