Re:Awakening with Ultimate Power as a Cosmic God

Amari stared blankly at the bubbling pot of tea she had forgotten to pour, her thoughts far from the shop.

Even though she had made up her mind, her chest still felt tight. She had decided to find the rebellion, to seek them out and ask to be part of whatever they were building—anything was better than being hunted down like a stray dog.

But there was just one problem.

She had no idea how to find them.

Lio had said nothing about how to reach him. No location, no token, no name drop. Just a fire conjured in his palm and a vague offer.

Amari cursed under her breath, frustrated that she'd let him walk away so easily.

Across the room, Nova leaned against the wall, watching her with that annoyingly unreadable look on his face.

"You're thinking too loud."

Amari glared at him.

"I don't suppose you know how to contact a rebellion?"

Nova didn't answer right away. He pushed off the wall and headed toward the door, grabbing his coat.

"Follow me."

"What?"

"You want to find your rebellion, right? I'll take you there."

Amari stood still.

"How the hell do you know where they are?"

Nova smirked.

"Because people talk. And unlike you, I listen."

She narrowed her eyes, hesitant. But her options were limited. And despite all his smugness, Nova had never lied to her.

"…Fine. But if this is some dumb prank—"

"You'll cry again? Yeah, I'll risk it."

She followed him out into the city, pulling her hood up to stay unnoticed. The streets were quieter than usual, too quiet for a market day.

Tension clung to the air, thick and bitter. She walked behind Nova in silence, watching the way he moved—steady, confident, like he'd walked these roads a thousand times.

Eventually, they stopped outside a restaurant.

Amari frowned.

"We're… eating?"

"No. You're going to see your flame-throwing friend again."

Nova pushed open the door.

The scent of roasted spices and fried roots hit her before anything else. Inside, a few patrons sat quietly at scattered tables, nursing bowls and drinks.

In the back, Amari spotted him—Lio, dressed like an ordinary cook, moving trays with surprising efficiency.

He saw them almost instantly.

Lio's expression didn't change, but his eyes lit up. He nodded once, barely perceptible, then disappeared into the kitchen.

Nova led her to a quiet corner table.

"He'll come to you."

Amari sat, uncertain.

"You knew he worked here?"

"I knew someone like him would hide in plain sight."

She blinked.

"You scare me sometimes."

"Good."

After a few tense minutes, Lio emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray with two bowls of stew and a pitcher of water. He set them down in front of them like any other waiter, but his voice dropped low.

"You came."

"I want in. But… you didn't tell me how to find you."

Amari said quickly, almost breathless.

Lio smiled faintly.

"That was a test. Most people who hesitate forget us the moment fear catches up. You remembered."

He looked to Nova.

"And you brought her. That's… unexpected."

Nova just raised an eyebrow.

"You can worry about me later."

Lio nodded and pulled a folded paper from his sleeve, slipping it under Amari's bowl.

"Midnight. Burn the address after reading it. Don't come armed. If you're late, don't come at all."

He left them as swiftly as he arrived, disappearing into the steam and clatter of the kitchen.

Amari stared at the paper under her bowl. Her heart thudded louder than the tavern noise. She couldn't tell if she felt like crying or throwing up.

Nova picked up his spoon.

"Eat. You'll need energy."

"You're… staying?"

"Someone has to drag your body back if it's a trap."

She managed a laugh, though her hands still trembled as she lifted the bowl.

This was it. There was no turning back now.

Amari kept her head down as they walked back to the shop. She hadn't said a word since they'd left the restaurant.

The folded note burned in her pocket like a brand, reminding her with every step that she had made a choice—and that choice might kill her.

Nova didn't speak either. He didn't need to. He walked beside her like a shadow, calm and unreadable, as if nothing had changed.

But Amari could feel the shift in the air between them. For once, Nova wasn't teasing or baiting her. It was almost like he was… giving her space.

Back inside the shop, Amari sat down behind the counter and stared at the wooden floor.

"Do you think I'm making a mistake?"

Nova leaned on the edge of the table, arms crossed.

"It doesn't matter what I think."

"I want to know anyway."

He looked at her for a long moment.

"I think… choosing to fight back isn't a mistake. But trusting the wrong people is."

Amari winced.

"I don't even know if these people are the 'right' ones. I don't know if they care about anything beyond tearing the queen down. What if I join them and just become another pawn?"

Nova shrugged.

"That's always a risk. People like Lio talk big, but most rebellions break long before they win. Still… you don't strike me as the kind of person who'll let herself be used."

Amari looked down at her hands.

"I wasn't always like this."

Nova didn't push. He just waited.

Eventually, she continued.

"I used to be terrified of being seen. Of anyone knowing what I was. I thought if I kept my head down, I could stay safe. But now… I'm starting to think that being invisible is just another kind of death."

Nova tilted his head slightly.

"So what changed?"

"You did. You and Lio and even Rin. You all saw me, and nothing broke."

Amari said, voice barely audible.

Nova blinked, caught off guard by the softness in her voice.

"Huh. I must be losing my edge."

Amari let out a shaky laugh.

"Probably."

The sun dipped lower outside, casting long shadows across the shop. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the paper Lio had given her. Slowly, she unfolded it.

The writing was neat and precise, giving her an address in the slums, near the edge of the old canals. There was no name, no symbol—just a location and a time.

She memorized the street name twice over before holding it over a candle. The paper caught quickly, curling into ash.

"I'll go alone."

She said.

Nova raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"You've already helped me enough. If anything happens to you—"

"I'm not exactly fragile."

Amari looked up.

"Still. If they're watching me, it's better if you're not seen walking with me tonight."

Nova considered it, then nodded.

"Fine. But I'm marking you again."

Before she could argue, he tapped a finger against her shoulder, and she felt the faint tug of aether settle under her skin.

"I'll know if something goes wrong. And I'll come find you."

He said.

She nodded, then stood. Her body was tense, wired with anticipation and dread.

"You'll be careful, right?"

Nova asked, unusually serious.

Amari gave him a small smile.

"I've made it this far, haven't I?"

He didn't smile back, but he held her gaze.

"Don't die."

She walked out into the falling dusk, hood up, heart thudding in her chest.

Tonight, everything could change.