Nairmis opened his mouth, his mind reduced to a single thought. What did you come to me for? I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead.
Then he forced himself to calm down. Before Cronus could speak, he bowed slightly, his voice respectful. "Your Highness Cronus, wielder of space and vitality, Nairmis, God of Emotions, greets you."
Cronus braced one knee against the ground and raised his head, studying the young, blond god before him.
He had heard the proclamation during his escape and instantly understood that the inexplicable growth of divine power within the Titans, and everything they were suffering now, were because of this God of Emotions before him.
Cronus straightened and slowly exhaled. The aura of a first-class god spread in every direction the instant he stood firm, stirring ripples that made even the air grow heavier.
The five Nymphs hunched their shoulders almost simultaneously, but they did not retreat. The five figures stayed close behind Nairmis, expressing their support.
Nairmis sensed their intentions, and warmth filled his heart. He turned his head slightly and gave them a reassuring smile before turning back to Cronus.
In the distance, beneath the shadow of a great tree, Hemera slowed her breathing. Nyx's shadow divine power had not yet completely dispersed, perfectly concealing her presence within the lingering shadows.
Hiding in those shadows, she had watched the entire process of Cronus tumbling out of the spatial rift. She was just as astonished as Nairmis. Cronus had actually escaped the God King's grasp.
She clenched her fingers and leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed on that disheveled figure. What does he want to do? If he dares lay a hand on Nairmis... I may only be a second-class god, but my mother is Nyx.
If Cronus dared attack Nairmis, she would immediately reveal herself and intervene. Her mother's standing would surely give this Titan pause.
Cronus's gaze swept over the five trembling Nymphs, then over Nairmis's excessively handsome but visibly tense face.
He did not attack. He had not come to cause trouble. The moment he escaped the Sky Divine Domain, his original intention had been to hide deep in the Netherworld, hoping Nyx, Goddess of Night, would shelter him for his mother's sake.
But during his flight, he had heard Nairmis's proclamation. A lesser god born only recently had risen all the way to a third-class god in just a few days, and even held two unfathomable godheads, wisdom and prophecy.
Cronus had abruptly halted in the middle of his escape. The Abyss could not stop his father, nor could the Netherworld. Nowhere beneath the sky was truly safe.
Perhaps the only one who could help him find a way to survive was this newborn God of Emotions, so he had turned back.
Once he stood firm, he bowed slightly to Nairmis, returning his greeting according to the customary etiquette among gods. He wanted something, so he conducted himself properly.
"Your Highness Nairmis, master of emotions and wielder of wisdom and prophecy, it is a pleasure to meet you. You must know my situation. Please use your wisdom and prophecy to tell me how I can survive this calamity."
The corner of Nairmis's mouth twitched. Uranus was currently in the Sky Divine Domain, stuffing the other Titans back into the earth's belly one after another. If he dared offer advice to help Cronus escape at this juncture, he would be asking for death.
But if he refused to help, what if this future God King held a grudge and came to settle accounts after turning the tables? Never mind the future; the combat strength of the first-class god before him alone was enough to pin him to the ground and grind him into the dirt over and over.
Nairmis's eyes darted rapidly as countless thoughts collided in his mind.
Should I help or not? If I help, how? If I don't, how do I smooth things over?
Just as he was struggling with the dilemma, the time node divine nature within him stirred again, and that voice sounded in his mind once more.
"Trade... vitality godhead."
Nairmis frowned, wanting to curse. Can't you be clearer? It's like this every time, giving me a riddle to figure out myself. Can't you spell it out? Can't you give me a complete plan? I'm not cut out for riddles.
But the wisdom and inspiration divinity began to stir faintly within him. Since his future self had mentioned a trade, this trade certainly did not involve helping Cronus escape. He did not even have to think to know that, given Uranus's current state, Cronus could not possibly get away.
Unless he hid in the Abyss, there was not an inch of land in this world beyond the God King's gaze. Nor could Nairmis confront Uranus head-on. Then how was he supposed to make this trade?
A flash of inspiration struck, and he suddenly understood.
He did not need to help Cronus escape. He only needed to do something Cronus considered worthwhile.
His future self would not tell him to trade for the vitality godhead without reason. That meant the vitality godhead would surely prove useful at some point; he simply could not see that far ahead yet.
All he needed to do was make this trade happen, get Cronus to willingly hand over his godhead, and then offer a suggestion Cronus would accept.
Nairmis smiled slightly. He raised his head, blond hair slipping from his shoulder, his eyes looking calm and composed in the firelight.
"I can help you, Your Highness, but doing so means opposing His Majesty the God King. You should understand the risk I would be taking. What might I receive in return?"
Cronus's eyes abruptly lit up. He took half a step forward, almost pressing right up to Nairmis. The aura of a first-class deity rushed toward him, driving all the Nymphs behind Nairmis three steps back.
"You really have a way?" Cronus's voice trembled somewhere between wild joy and doubt.
"I do," Nairmis said, calmly meeting Cronus's gaze. "But it requires a trade."
Cronus frowned, somewhat hesitant. "A trade?"
He thought for a moment, then said haughtily, "As long as you can help me escape my current predicament, I will remember your aid. I swear in the name of the Son of the Sky that I will repay you."
Nairmis nearly lost his composure.
Why are you still putting on airs when you're in this state? You just fled your father's Sky Divine Domain. You don't even have a place to stay, yet you're talking about repaying me later. Isn't that just an empty promise?
The arrogance of the sky really does run through the Titans' divine blood.
Nairmis rolled his eyes inwardly, but his expression did not budge, and he maintained his composed smile.
"I do not want your promise, Your Highness."
Cronus's expression changed, his eyebrows rising slightly. "Then what do you want?"
"I want your vitality godhead, Your Highness."
Cronus's face darkened, and he stared at Nairmis with a hostile gaze. The air around them grew tenser, and even the flames sank slightly under that pressure.
The five Nymphs trembled again, but did not retreat.