Chapter 577: Sleeping...
Several Decades Later
Time moved gently in the Divine Realm.
Decades passed like soft breezes through the floating islands... peaceful, yet filled with life, laughter, and endless adventure.
With all his wives now ascended as Goddesses in their own right, Brandon’s family had truly become eternal.
They traveled together across many worlds.
In some worlds, they appeared as legendary heroes, clearing towers and sealing dangerous rifts.
In others, they explored the world.
Brandon and his wives would often disappear for years at a time to go adventure on new worlds.
Freya loved visiting peaceful, nature-rich worlds while Scylla dragged him into countless battle-heavy worlds, where they fought side by side.
She would laugh wildly during combat, then pull him into passionate embraces during nights.
"This is how we stay alive forever," she’d say with a grin.
Selene, now a fully realized Goddess, often joined them as the "Silver Blade."
She still called him "Papa" with the same affection, even as centuries passed.
The family grew stronger with each passing decade.
Yet no matter how far they traveled, they always returned home to the grand mansion on Rheanne’s domain, where the entire family gathers for meals, celebrations, and quiet nights together.
Yet... not everything can be perfect.
---
*cough*
Lying on the bed in their private chambers, Brandon suddenly convulsed.
A violent cough tore from his throat as he clutched his head in pain.
His body tensed, veins bulging along his neck and arms as sharp, searing pain ripped through his skull.
"Ghh-!"
Rheanne, who was sitting beside him, quickly placed both hands on his chest, flooding his body with powerful divine healing energy.
Golden light enveloped him, trying desperately to stabilize his deteriorating form.
Freya rushed to the other side of the bed, clutching Brandon’s hand tightly.
Her face was pale with worry as she held onto him "...Husband,"
’What is happening to him...?’ she thought in panic. ’Suddenly his body began deteriorating. Even the Divinities couldn’t help with that.’
Rheanne gritted her teeth, pouring more of her power into him.
The light around Brandon intensified, but the pain on his face only seemed to deepen for a few seconds before slowly easing.
When the worst of the episode passed, Brandon lay back against the pillows, breathing heavily as sweat glistened on his forehead.
Rheanne’s hands were still glowing as she scanned his body again, "What is happening?"
"As my Apostle, you should have a lifespan like a God... You should be nearly immortal."
She clenched her fists, "And even after we conquered an entire world together to try and make you a Divinity... the world consciousness is still not accepting you. It refuses to let you ascend. Why?!"
Brandon slowly opened his eyes ’My whole body feels numb... I want to take a little nap. I don’t know what’s the reason for this either. ’
"I want to sleep, let me rest for a while."
Rheanne clutched his hand. "Don’t worry, Kael, I will do something to get this solved."
---
The lake shimmered under the soft light of the sun, surrounded by trees with silver leaves that gently swayed in the breeze.
Brandon was sitting on a simple wooden dock extending over the lake with his legs dangling just above the water.
He held a fishing rod loosely in his hands, the line drifting lazily.
Even now, in his weakened state, he looked young but there was a subtle pallor to his skin and a faint weariness in his sharp blue eyes.
Selene was sitting beside him.
The two of them sat in comfortable silence for a while with the only sounds being the gentle lapping of water against the dock and the occasional splash of a fish.
Selene suddenly jerked her rod upward with a small triumphant sound.
"Got one!" she exclaimed softly, pulling up a silver fish.
She carefully unhooked it and placed it in the basket between them before resetting her line.
Brandon glanced over with a faint, warm smile "You’re still better at this than me."
Selene smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She looked at her father for a long moment, looking at the subtle signs of strain on his face.
"Papa... You don’t have to pretend everything is fine. I can feel it. Your energy is... unstable. Even Aunt Rheanne looks worried when she thinks no one is watching."
Brandon remained quiet for a few seconds, staring at the surface of the lake.
Then he let out a slow breath and gently patted her head, "I know. I feel like my body is reaching its limit."
Selene’s grip on her fishing rod tightened.
She looked down at the water, her silver hair falling forward to partially hide her face.
"I don’t want you to go. None of us do. Mother barely sleeps anymore. Aunt Amelia pretends to be strong but I see her crying when she thinks she’s alone."
"Even Aunt Rheanne... she’s been searching for a cure."
Brandon turned to her fully and pulled her into a gentle side hug.
Selene leaned into him immediately, resting her head on his shoulder like she used to when she was young.
"I’ve already lived far longer and happier than I ever expected," he said softly, stroking her hair.
"I got to watch you grow up. I got to love all your mothers. I got to build something beautiful with all of you. If this is the price I have to pay for that... I can accept it."
Selene shook her head against his shoulder, "I can’t. You’re my Papa. You’re supposed to be here forever."
Brandon pressed a kiss to the top of her head, holding her a little tighter.
"I’ll fight as long as I can," he promised. "And even if I have to sleep for a long time... I’ll come back to all of you."
They sat like that for a long while as she hugged him tightly "Papa, please don’t leave me..."
With a chuckle, he replied "I won’t leave you, dear."
He glanced up at the sky and a soft sigh escaped his lips.
...Some moments are worth more than eternity.
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