The Grand Hall remained still.
Not peaceful—
But suspended.
As if reality itself was waiting for something to be spoken.
Galaria stood at the center, her presence calm yet commanding, her eyes sweeping across every goddess in the hall. The earlier excitement of the competition had completely vanished.
Now—
Only tension remained.
Nytheria crossed her arms slightly.
"…You halted everything for this," she said. "So speak clearly."
Galaria didn't react immediately.
Instead, she turned—
Slowly—
Facing everyone.
Then she spoke.
"…Do you all remember," Galaria began, her voice steady yet heavy with meaning, "…what this Realm truly is?"
A few goddesses exchanged glances.
Lyria frowned slightly.
"…Obviously. It's the Realm of Goddesses."
Galaria shook her head faintly.
"…No."
A pause.
"…It is a sealed realm."
Silence spread again.
Seraphyna's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Clarify."
Galaria's gaze sharpened.
"…This realm was never meant to be open."
She let that sink in.
Then—
"…And more importantly—"
Her voice dropped slightly.
"…No male can enter this place."
Aerion blinked.
"…Wait, what?"
Galaria continued—
"…Not through power."
"…Not through magic."
"…Not even through divine authority."
Her voice carried across the hall.
"…It is a curse."
The word hit differently.
Heavier.
Darker.
"…A curse?" Nyxaria repeated softly.
Galaria nodded.
"…Yes."
She stepped forward slowly.
"…A law embedded into the very foundation of this realm."
"…One that rejects any male existence."
Aerion let out a small breath.
"…Then how am I here?"
No one answered immediately.
Because—
That was the question.
Galaria's expression shifted slightly.
Not softer.
But… deeper.
"…Because of the prophecy."
That word—
Changed everything.
Lyria's eyes widened slightly.
"…Prophecy…?"
Then—
She paused.
Her expression shifted.
"…Wait…"
She looked at the others.
"…Now that you mention it…"
She clicked her tongue.
"…I completely forgot about that."
Aerion looked between them.
"…You're telling me there's a prophecy… and no one thought to mention it earlier?"
"…It wasn't relevant," Lyria said casually.
"…That sounds like a terrible excuse."
Seraphyna spoke quietly—
"…The prophecy was recorded… but never confirmed."
Aelira added—
"…And never activated."
Galaria stepped forward again.
"…Because it required a condition."
Her gaze moved—
And landed directly on Aerion.
"…A male entering the realm."
Silence.
Complete.
Aerion pointed at himself.
"…You mean me?"
"…Yes."
Galaria's voice softened slightly.
"…Long ago… the Mother Goddess made a prophecy."
The air grew still.
"…She said…"
A pause.
Then—
"…One day… a man will appear in this realm."
"…A being who should not exist here."
"…A contradiction to the curse itself."
Aerion's heartbeat slowed slightly.
"…That sounds… very specific."
Galaria continued—
"…And when he arrives…"
Her voice lowered.
"…He will be the one who binds the goddesses together."
"…Who changes the fate of this realm."
"…And who frees them."
The word echoed.
Frees them.
Lyria immediately reacted.
"…Wait."
She stepped forward slightly.
"…Frees us from what exactly?"
Galaria shook her head slowly.
"…That part… was never explained."
"…That's not helpful," Lyria muttered.
Galaria continued—
"…But there was something else."
Her expression shifted slightly.
Almost… uncertain.
"…When the Mother Goddess spoke of it…"
A pause.
"…She was… embarrassed."
Silence.
Then—
"…What?" Aerion said.
Nytheria raised an eyebrow.
"…Embarrassed?"
Galaria nodded.
"…Yes."
"…She avoided explaining the details."
"…And changed the subject immediately after."
A strange tension filled the hall.
Not fear.
Not confusion.
Something else.
Lyria crossed her arms.
"…That's suspicious."
Seraphyna added calmly—
"…It implies emotional context."
Nyxaria murmured softly—
"…Something… personal."
Aerion sighed.
"…Why do I feel like I've been thrown into something way bigger than I signed up for?"
Lyria smirked slightly.
"…Because you have."
Galaria stepped closer.
Her eyes locked onto him again.
"…And based on everything…"
A pause.
"…There is only one possible conclusion."
Aerion already didn't like where this was going.
"…Yeah?"
Galaria spoke clearly—
"…You are the one from the prophecy."
Silence.
Aerion froze.
"…Me?"
"…Yes."
"…No."
"…Yes."
"…I refuse."
Lyria laughed slightly.
"…Too late."
Aelira's gaze remained fixed on him.
Seraphyna observed silently.
Nytheria smiled faintly.
Nyxaria… didn't look away.
And Aerion—
Just stood there.
Trying to process it all.
"…You're telling me," he said slowly, "…I somehow broke a curse, entered a realm where I shouldn't exist, and now I'm supposed to… free all of you?"
"…Correct," Galaria said calmly.
"…Yeah, no pressure."
Before anyone could respond—
Galaria moved.
Fast.
Direct.
Without hesitation.
She stepped forward—
Closed the distance—
And—
Kissed him.
Time stopped.
Aerion's mind went completely blank.
It wasn't slow.
It wasn't hesitant.
It was sudden.
Certain.
Deliberate.
And for that brief moment—
Everything else disappeared.
Then—
She pulled back.
Silence exploded across the hall.
"…WHAT?" Lyria snapped.
Seraphyna's eyes widened slightly—rare for her.
Aelira's expression hardened just a fraction.
Nytheria blinked once.
Even Nyxaria froze.
Lyria moved instantly—
Grabbing Galaria and pulling her back.
"…What do you think you're doing?!"
Aelira stepped forward.
"…That was inappropriate."
Seraphyna added—
"…Unannounced physical interaction."
Nytheria sighed lightly.
"…At least warn us next time."
Aerion stood there.
Still processing.
"…I—what just happened?"
Galaria didn't resist being pulled back.
She simply lifted her hand—
And lightly touched her lips.
Her expression…
Changed.
"…That feeling…" she murmured softly.
"…It's different."
Everyone fell silent again.
She looked at Aerion.
Not casually.
Not curiously.
But with… clear interest.
"…Very different."
Lyria frowned.
"…Don't tell me—"
Galaria interrupted—
"…I want to understand this more."
Aelira stepped slightly closer.
"…Do not act impulsively."
Galaria ignored her.
Her gaze remained locked on Aerion.
And then—
She stepped forward again.
"…Wait—" Aerion started.
But before she could reach him—
Nytheria appeared between them.
Stopping her.
"…That's enough," Nytheria said calmly.
Galaria paused.
"…Why?"
Nytheria smiled slightly.
"…Because you're not the only one curious."
For a brief moment—
Their gazes clashed.
And behind that calm smile—
Something else existed.
Nytheria stepped back slowly.
But her expression didn't fully return to normal.
Inside—
A thought surfaced.
Unfamiliar.
Unexpected.
…Why did I feel that?
Her eyes shifted briefly—
Toward Aerion.
…That wasn't curiosity…
A pause.
…That was… jealousy?
She blinked once.
As if trying to understand it.
But didn't say a word.
To be continued...