Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground

Chapter 1418  Choice

As god, Atticus could feel each of their emotions. They were open and sincere.

Atticus smiled. 'Maybe it won't hurt to loosen up a bit.'

It was then he finally realized…

'I don't know how to dance.'

He might have been able to wing it if it were slow music. But this? Not a chance.

He cleared his throat. 'I can't embarrass myself.'

Seconds passed, and the cheers reached a fever pitch. Atticus realized there was no escape.

'Here goes. I'm a god. I can't be that bad… right?'

And so, in the midst of roaring laughter and cheers, Atticus took his first step, and the crowd exploded.

…

The party stretched deep into the night.

The God of Eldoralth dancing had stirred up far more attention than anyone could have imagined.

Word spread fast. Those present eagerly told others about Atticus' "impending dance," and soon, a flood of people arrived at the hill.

The once low-key gathering turned into a full-blown festival. The mansion could no longer contain the growing crowd, so the celebration spilled onto the hill, lanterns lighting the slope like a sea of stars.

Atticus had only danced for about five minutes before Anastasia decided he'd suffered enough.

The thunderous cheers that followed made it impossible for him to tell whether he'd actually done well… or if everyone was just being polite.

As the night wore on, Atticus noticed faces he hadn't seen in ages, old classmates, human paragons turned Eldorians, even some he'd scarcely spoken to.

Eventually, the party mellowed into soft background music and quiet conversations beneath the glowing sky.

…

"You can't even come say hi to your favorite aunt!"

Before he could react, Lyanna pulled Atticus into a tight hug.

"Hey, At," Nathan whispered from the side, "blink twice if you need help."

Lyanna shot him a glare. "You fat blob of meat! Why would he need help!?"

Nathan raised his hands. "The world's dangerous these days. Just making sure my beautiful money maker is free of troubles."

Lyanna stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "He's just hugging me! What kind of trouble could that be!?"

Nathan backed up slowly, eyes darting between her and Atticus. Then, with 'subtlety', he blinked twice at Atticus.

Lyanna froze. "Did you just blink twice!?"

"What!? No!" Nathan said quickly, then blinked twice again.

"You!"

"Shit!" Nathan yelped, his body instantly dissolving into the ground like sand.

"You won't escape!" Lyanna's body shimmered into frost and dispersed into the air after him.

"Tsk, tsk… sometimes I wonder if they're actually as old as they claim to be."

Atticus turned to find Sirius standing nearby, shaking his head.

"Aren't they your comrades?" Atticus smiled. "That would make you a child too."

"You've always had a sharp mouth," Sirius replied, amused. "Good to see that hasn't changed."

Atticus chuckled. Memories of his training with Sirius flashed through his mind.

"You slammed me as a child the first time we met. Remember? You hit me out of nowhere."

"You were a five year old who'd already awakened. Someone had to knock that ego down."

"And now?"

Sirius took on a thoughtful expression. "A twenty year old god of Eldoralth. Sounds about right to me."

Their eyes met, and in the next instant, they both burst into laughter.

But their moment was short lived, because just then, two figures started approaching from the crowd.

"Supreme Ruler…"

Atticus turned as Oberon approached, accompanied by another.

'Jenera.'

His gaze lowered to their interlocked arms.

Sirius arched a brow. "Looks like you have a lot to discuss. I'll leave you to it."

With that, he slipped away, leaving the trio in a silent standoff.

"I see both of you have been busy…" Atticus finally said.

Oberon cleared his throat. "Ahem, yes… Supreme Ruler, about this—"

"We got married while you were off world."

"Jenera!" Oberon gasped.

"What?" she said innocently, tightening her hold on his arm. "Obi, you were clearly never going to tell him."

"I was! I was just… finding the right words."

"You've had months to find them, Obi. Yet here we are."

She reached up and tapped his nose in that same playful way that always melted him.

Oberon smiled despite the situation, right until realization hit him.

"Ah! Supreme Ruler!" He straightened abruptly, trying to pull his arm free. "My apologies for such unprofessional conduct."

But Jenera held on tighter and didn't let go.

"Honey…" Oberon said, but she didn't listen. She turned to Atticus.

"You have nothing to worry about, Supreme Ruler. Obi's just scared you'll disapprove of our relationship and order us to separate."

"Jenera! Not again—" Oberon groaned in panic, but Jenera flashed him a teasing smile.

They both froze when Atticus finally spoke.

"Who says I won't?"

Their pulse jumped.

"S-supreme R-ruler?" Oberon stammered, paling.

"Eldoralth grows larger by the day," Atticus said. "You're my second in command. I need you available at any given moment."

"But I am, Supreme Ruler," Oberon said quickly, but Atticus didn't seem to be having it.

"Relationships dull focus," Atticus replied. "They divide purpose. I can't have that. You'll have to end it."

Silence.

Oberon clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His eyes flicked toward Jenera and saw her horrified expression.

He shut his eyes, took a deep breath, then looked up at Atticus. "I… I'm sorry, Supreme Ruler. But I can't—"

"Hmm?"

The single sound froze him in place. The weight of Atticus' gaze crushed the air around him. Every bit of courage he'd built evaporated.

'He can kill me with a thought.'

But then, he felt Jenera's hand tighten around his arm, and he exhaled shakily.

"I'm sorry, Supreme Ruler," he said again. "But I can't accept that. If you can't accept us, then I would like to render my resignation."

Atticus narrowed his eyes.

"Are you sure? I'll have to take your Eldorian power as well."

The color drained from Oberon's face. Powerless in a world like this…

Still, he nodded.

"…Alright then," Atticus said quietly. "Close your eyes."