Re:Awakening with Ultimate Power as a Cosmic God

The queen leaned lazily on her throne, her head resting against her palm, expression vacant and eyes half-lidded.

The scent of aether and perfumed incense hung heavy in the air, making the entire chamber feel more like a drugged haze than a place of governance.

When Silas stepped into the hall, Anna and Malrik right behind him, the queen's eyes slowly drifted in their direction.

"Who are they?"

She asked, her voice thin and disinterested, like she was reading lines she'd grown tired of.

Silas gave a shallow bow, sweat already starting to form on his brow.

"My Queen… these two are special guests from the temple. They have been assisting me with personal matters."

The queen blinked at him, clearly losing interest before the sentence even ended.

"Hmph. Temple matters. Fine. Sit down. Or stand. I don't care."

Silas exhaled in relief, then motioned discreetly for Anna and Malrik to stand behind him.

The rest of the meeting dragged on, a series of dull reports, minor border squabbles, and resource complaints.

No one dared speak above a whisper. Most of the room was more focused on the queen's mood than the matters at hand.

After about an hour, she waved her hand.

"Enough. Leave me."

Everyone bowed and left quickly, eager to get out of her suffocating presence. Anna gave Malrik a subtle look.

"She's barely hanging on. And if she snaps… this whole place will go up in smoke."

She murmured as they walked down the hallway. Malrik nodded.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Rin entered the queen's private chamber.

She was one of the few attendants allowed near the queen's personal belongings, trusted for her silence and diligence.

She swept the floors silently, head bowed. A few of the queen's advisors lingered near the back, speaking in hushed tones.

Rin moved closer, careful not to draw attention.

"She's had enough. The herbalist—Amari—she disrespected the queen. And the man she brought with her… too dangerous."

One of them said.

Another whispered.

"The queen has given the order. Arrest them both. Quietly. Tonight."

Rin's broom froze mid-motion.

"They've been marked. The moment we find them, they'll be silenced."

Another advisor said.

Rin's pulse raced. She couldn't pretend to keep cleaning anymore. She excused herself as quickly and calmly as possible, then slipped through the side door into the corridor.

Once she was far enough away, her breath came in short, panicked gasps.

Nova. Amari. They were going to be arrested. Probably worse.

She didn't have time to think.

She just started running.

Rin's feet pounded against the cobbled streets as she sprinted away from the palace. Her cloak flared behind her, drawing brief glances from pedestrians, but she didn't care.

She ducked into side alleys and narrow paths, taking the quickest route back toward the herbalist's shop.

Her thoughts raced faster than her legs.

They'll come for her tonight… maybe sooner. And if Nova resists—no, when he resists—it'll turn into a bloodbath. The queen's men won't stand a chance, but that won't stop them from trying.

She turned a corner sharply, nearly slipping on wet stone, and forced herself to slow down only once the shop came into view.

It looked peaceful—too peaceful. The stillness sent another chill through her spine.

She burst through the door.

Amari was near the counter, organizing a few jars and bottles, trying to act calm despite the lack of customers. Nova was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes closed.

Amari looked up in surprise.

"Rin?"

"I—I just came from the palace. You need to leave. Now."

Rin gasped, holding her side.

Nova's eyes opened instantly.

Amari stepped forward.

"What happened?"

"They're coming for you. The queen's ordered your arrest. And Nova's too. Anyone associated with you… She wants all of you gone."

Rin said, eyes on Amari first.

Amari's face went pale.

"But why? I haven't done anything—"

"You were disrespectful. Or that's what they're saying. It doesn't matter. She's made up her mind."

Rin said.

Nova pushed off the wall slowly, his voice eerily calm.

"How much time?"

"I don't know. Hours. Maybe less."

Amari swallowed, then looked at her shop.

"I can't leave everything behind."

"You might not have a choice. If you stay, you'll lose more than this place."

Rin said, grabbing her hand.

Nova nodded once.

"Pack light. You're not coming back."

As they moved quickly through the back alleys, away from the herbal shop and toward the outskirts of the city, Amari gripped the small satchel against her chest, her breaths short and uneven.

"Where do I even go now?"

She muttered under her breath, glancing behind her every few steps like she expected guards to spring from the shadows.

"I can't go to my family… I can't go to any of my old friends…"

Nova walked beside her with measured calm, hands in his pockets as if they were just on a late evening stroll.

"I can protect you. If you want that."

He offered.

Amari stopped walking.

She turned and looked at him, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"You? Protect me? You're strong, I get it, but that's a death sentence. The queen has hundreds of soldiers under her. What are you going to do—kill every single one of them?"

Nova shrugged.

"If I have to."

She shook her head and laughed, but the sound cracked halfway through.

"You're a suicidal fool, you know that? You make jokes like nothing matters."

"I wasn't joking."

Nova replied, his voice low.

"Then that makes it worse."

Amari pressed a hand to her forehead. Her thoughts were spiraling, tangled with fear and guilt and anger.

Everything she had built—her shop, her reputation, her peace—was turning to ash. Because she stood next to the wrong person. Because she said the wrong thing.

Because she didn't bow low enough.

"I need to think."

She whispered.

They turned down another quiet path, the glow of the city fading behind them. Amari tried to think of somewhere—anywhere—that would be safe.

But everywhere she could go was either already watched or didn't want her.

Except…

She looked up at Nova.

"That guy from before… Lio."

Nova narrowed his eyes.

"The one from the so-called rebellion."

"Yes."

She bit her lip.

"He said they're forming something underneath the nobles' rule. That they're gathering people like me. People like him."

"You're actually considering going to them?"

She didn't answer right away.

But deep down, she already knew her answer.

"I have no choice, Nova. I don't trust him… but at least they're not the ones hunting me right now."

Nova was silent for a moment, the weight of Amari's words settling in the night air between them. His gaze drifted upward, to the stars barely visible above the haze of the city.

"You know the moment you step into something like that… there's no turning back."

He said quietly.

"I already stepped into something. The moment I spoke back to the queen… the moment I stood beside you."

Amari replied bitterly.

She wasn't angry at him. She wasn't even sure who she was angry at anymore. Herself? The queen? The twisted order of the world?

"Maybe this is the only way. If they really are gathering people like me, maybe they have a plan. Maybe they have a future."

She murmured.

Nova didn't argue. He simply watched her for a few more seconds before nodding.

"Then let's find them."

Amari looked at him, surprised.

"You're coming with me?"

"You think I'm just going to let you get snatched up by rebels or royal dogs? You're not that lucky."

Amari's eyes welled up, though she quickly blinked the tears away.

"…Thanks."

Nova just turned, leading the way.

"Let's move before someone else catches up. You can cry later.