Chương 26: Preparations

"Great One?"

Blinking, I looked at Sedna and the other Great Gods. It appears that I've managed to return from the memory lane.

"No, Great One is no more. I am Zero."

The Great Gods looked at each other, their expressions unreadable. The first to speak up was Freya. "Our apologies, Zero."

Even though they didn't outwardly express it, I felt their sadness. Great One must have meant a lot to them. It hurts to know that I'm not the one they were waiting for and it hurts more to know that Great One won't come back. Even though Great One was my past self, we were two very different entities.

Gaia was the first to change the topic.

"Great Zero, please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you."

Great Zero... doesn't sound like me. After viewing that memory, I felt like it didn't suit me. I wasn't grand or powerful. In fact, the name Zero was very befitting. I was born from nothing after all.

"Just call me Zero please."

"Then Zero, what can we do for you?"

I looked at the Great Gods and paused. I now had a body and could move freely. However, under the watchful eyes of these gods, I felt no sense of freedom.

"Nothing... I just want to go on an adventure now that I have a body."

That statement alone made every god, including Buddha who was known to always be calm, to gasp in horror. With widened eyes and jaws agape, they vehemently protested.

"Why? Do you really have to leave?"

"Please don't do this, if there is anything you're unsatisfied with, we can still discuss..."

"The world is not safe Zero! What if somebody ends up harming you? Please at least let us accompany you on your travels. If you'd like to, we can give you a tour around the most beautiful and peaceful places..."

...

"Please?"

Zeus' pleading eyes were the most disturbing sights I've ever come across. They made me so uncomfortable that I proposed a compromise.

"You've given me blessings, that should be more than enough. I need to go on this adventure alone so please do not follow me. If you're worried, you can help me pack for my journey."

At this, their eyes lit up. The goddesses started dragging me into a dimension portal saying that I needed to shop. The gods declared that they will take care of transportation and accommodation. Buddha was surprisingly enthusiastic and mentioned that he will prepare a travel guide.

What did these gods think I was doing? Going on a galaxy tour?

"Oh, Zero would look absolutely adorable in those royal blue shorts I saw before."

Isis raised an eyebrow at Freya. The time goddess disagreed. "No, Zero would look best in loose overalls and a long scarf. He has the cutest face that cannot be brought out by stiff clothes."

Gaia was silent and I thought she was the sanest in the group until she spoke.

"I still think that Zero should wear the sunflower onesie. It has a lot of magical properties imbued in it including divine protection and nature's cure. One would never get hurt, never fall ill, never grow old, never get dirty, never feel tired and all... it's perfect for his journey."

As the goddesses gossiped and squabbled over what to dress me in, we arrived at the shopping district.

The shopping district was very lively and full of things I've never seen before. It was bursting with noise, colours and creatures who seem to know exactly where to go and what to do. Just as I was about to walk across a busy street, something made a loud noise and went past me faster than I could blink. That scared me badly and Freya held my hand.

"It's alright, Zero. Please stay close to us as it can get very crowded."

With that, I followed the goddesses and crossed the street. My first shopping trip has officially begun.