Chapter 570: Return of the Goddess
"...Rheanne."
Selene’s eyes widened in shock and the sword in her hand trembled before she lowered it slightly, staring at the woman in disbelief.
"...Aunt Rheanne?"
Rheanne smiled softly at Selene, "You’ve grown so strong, little one."
She then turned her full attention to Brandon.
For a long moment, the two simply looked at each other... the one who had remained unchanged by time and the one who had transcended it.
Rheanne took a slow step closer and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she reached out and gently touched his cheek.
"You haven’t aged a day..." she murmured. "My Kael..."
Brandon caught her hand and pressed it more firmly against his face, closing his eyes for a brief second.
"I waited," he said quietly.
Unable to hold back any longer, he pulled her into his arms.
Rheanne melted against him instantly, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and burying her face in the crook of his neck.
Her body trembled as she inhaled deeply "Haa... the smell of you, Kael..."
"It hasn’t changed at all. Even after all this time... it still feels like home."
Brandon held her tighter, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other pressed against her back.
His face was buried in her silver-white hair, breathing her in after half a century of absence.
The sea wind swirled around them, carrying the scent of salt and wildflowers, while the setting sun bathed them in warm golden light.
Selene watched them silently and tears glistened in her eyes as she witnessed the reunion she had only heard stories about from her Mother.
She took a quiet step back, giving them this private moment.
Rheanne pulled back just enough to look up at his face again and kissed him.
Her lips moved against his with quiet desperation, tasting his soft lips and the warmth she had missed for so long.
"I missed you," she whispered against his lips. "More than you can imagine, Kael."
She smiled again, "But don’t worry... we don’t have to be separated anymore."
Brandon blinked in surprise.
Rheanne gently cupped his face with both hands,"I conquered many worlds out there."
"I became an Elder Divinity. Now... I can take you as my Apostle. I can bring you with me to the Divine Realm. We can stay together forever, Kael."
Brandon’s gaze quivered and he reached up to caress her cheek with the back of his fingers.
"I see. You must have worked so hard for so many years... all by yourself."
Rheanne’s smile softened, and she leaned into his touch, closing her eyes for a moment.
"It was all worth it," she whispered, opening her eyes to meet his gaze again.
"Every battle and lonely night. It was all worth it... just to stand here again and tell you that I can finally take you with me."
She pulled him into another tight embrace, burying her face in his neck once more, breathing him in as if she could never get enough.
"I don’t want to be apart from you anymore, Kael," she said, her voice muffled against his skin.
"Not even for a single day. Come with me. Let’s leave this mortal world behind... together."
Brandon caressed her hair "Rheanne, you know that I can’t just leave my wives and come with you."
He paused, his gaze filled with quiet pain.
"I have been searching for a way to enter other worlds for decades. I can’t abandon them."
Rheanne looked up at him and leaned forward, pressing a tender kiss to his cheek.
"You think I don’t care about my sisters?" she whispered against his cheek.
"I can help you enter other worlds. And making the sisters Lesser Divinities... that is more than enough for them to have near-eternal life."
"They will be able to stay by your side for as long as they wish."
"They made you happy while I was gone. They loved you and built a family with you. How could I ever be jealous of that? They are my sisters now too."
She rested her forehead against his once more, "I conquered those worlds so I could return stronger. And... so I could give you and everyone you love a real future."
Brandon let out a soft breath and pulled Rheanne into another tight embrace, burying his face in her neck.
"Thank you... Rheanne."
Rheanne hugged him back just as fiercely, wrapping her arms around his waist as the sea wind swirled around them.
"We have time now," she murmured softly. "All the time in the world."
---
Freya’s eyelids fluttered weakly but she still fought to open her eyes when she heard Brandon’s voice.
"Freya... Rheanne is here."
For a moment, Freya’s clouded eyes stared at the ceiling, processing the words. Then, slowly, her gaze turned toward the doorway.
Freya’s lips parted and a faint smile appeared on her wrinkled face.
"Sister... Rheanne..."
Rheanne’s moved forward and knelt beside the bed, taking Freya’s hand gently.
"Freya..." Rheanne whispered. "My dear sister... I’m here. I came back."
Freya let out a weak, happy chuckle that turned into a soft cough.
"You... took your time... didn’t you?" she teased faintly as the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. "I almost left without saying goodbye..."
Rheanne pressed a gentle kiss to Freya’s forehead.
"I’m sorry I was late."
Freya’s gaze shifted between them "Look at you two... Still so young... and beautiful. I must look like an old hag right now."
"You look beautiful," both Brandon and Rheanne said at the same time.
Freya laughed weakly, "Liar... both of you..."
She squeezed their hands with what little strength she had left. "But... thank you. For loving me and giving me such a wonderful life."
Rheanne gently brushed a strand of silver hair away from Freya’s face, "Stop talking as if you are going to die today."
"Everything is going to be alright."
Rheanne leaned closer, still holding Freya’s hand, "I made a promise to myself when I ascended."
"That I would come back strong enough to protect the people I love. And that includes you, Freya."
"I will help Kael make all of you Lesser Divinities. It will grant you all near-immortal lifespans, powerful regeneration, and strength far beyond mortal limits."
Freya looked between Brandon and Rheanne, her frail hand squeezing theirs as much as her limited strength allowed.
"You... you would do that for me? Even though I’m just an old woman now..."
Rheanne leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Freya’s forehead, "You are my sister. And just like Kael, I refuse to lose you so soon after finally returning."
A sob escaped Freya’s lips and she closed her eyes, letting the tears fall freely now.
"I was ready..." she admitted weakly. "I was ready to go... but if I can stay longer... if I can keep being with my Kael... please help me... Sister. I want to be with him more..."
Brandon leaned down and kissed Freya’s cheek, "We’re not saying goodbye yet, Freya."
Rheanne smiled warmly "Rest now, Freya,"
Freya let out a long, peaceful sigh and closed her eyes to rest.
Brandon continued holding her hand tightly, watching over her with a mixture of relief and love.
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