Those fluctuations were clearly much stronger than those of his emotion godhead-at least a third-rank deity.
Nairmis abruptly stood up, clutching the lyre to his chest. His heart began racing yet again. It really had not had a moment's peace today.
The other party had not concealed his divine power fluctuations, and Nairmis sensed something else at the same time: his emotion godhead told him that the visitor bore no ill will and was very gentle.
But he did not dare relax. This was his first time actively encountering another deity. He knew absolutely nothing about the other party's temperament. What if he was the sort who seemed gentle on the surface but was nasty underneath?
Although he was the God of Emotions who had declared himself to the laws and received their recognition, and was nominally under their protection, the laws only forbade killing, not torture.
His current godhead had no means of attack or defense whatsoever. If a fight really broke out, he could only lie down and take the beating.
Oh, come on. It's the middle of the night, and His Highness the God of Sleep's divine power covers the entire earth. Can't everyone just behave and go to sleep? What are you running around out here for?
The light from the lyre illuminated the approaching figure. He landed without a sound, a pair of broad wings slowly folding behind his back.
The edges of every feather shimmered faintly with dark-purple light. He had an exceptionally handsome face, his gaze lowered, his long lashes casting faint shadows beneath his eyes. He looked half asleep.
His hair was a deep black, with a few strands falling over his forehead, lending him a languid, tranquil air. His eyes were extremely pale, almost light gray, and his gaze carried a slow, hazy quality.
His naked body was slender and smoothly contoured, the rise and fall of his muscles softly enveloped by the night. Even the blades of grass by his feet bent slightly, as though they had fallen asleep.
The instant Nairmis saw those wings and the sleep-inducing divine power lingering around him, he understood. So His Highness the God of Sleep had come for a visit. That was all right, then.
Hypnos, son of Nyx, Goddess of Night-the renowned God of Sleep.
In Greek mythology, he had a famously good reputation: gentle, tranquil, neither competing nor grasping, never involving himself in those messy disputes. He simply carried out his divine duties in peace, letting the world sleep soundly.
Most importantly, he had always been gentle and friendly toward other deities.
Nairmis relaxed considerably, but he did not dare skimp on any of the proper courtesies.
The other party was a second-rank deity and the Goddess of Night's own son, with an exalted status. Any lapse in etiquette would only mean trouble for himself.
He bowed properly and began with carefully worded praise.
"Your Highness Hypnos, exalted God of Sleep, glorious son of Nyx, Goddess of Night, bestower of restful sleep upon all things. Your arrival has brought peace and tranquility to this darkness. Wherever your wings brush, all living beings find respite from their weariness. I, Nairmis, God of Emotions, offer you my highest respects."
Hypnos chuckled softly, his voice low and unhurried, with a sleepy rasp. He leaned forward slightly and returned an equally solemn set of praises.
"Lord Nairmis, master of emotions recognized by the laws, resonator of the feelings of all things. Tonight, you soothed the sorrows of this world with your music, and your beauty truly befits your radiant benevolence. I, Hypnos, likewise offer you my respects."
"..."
"..."
At those words, Nairmis quietly breathed a sigh of relief. That exchange had at least confirmed that the other party had come with goodwill.
Once they finished praising each other, the air fell briefly silent.
Hypnos tilted his head slightly. As someone who spent most of his time asleep, he rarely dealt with other deities either. Had it not been for today's unexpected circumstances, he would not have woken up at all. Now he had no idea what to say.
Nairmis was silent for a moment, then decided he ought to speak first.
Choosing his words carefully, he spoke a little more cautiously than before. "Your Highness, have you come so late at night because you need my help with something? If it is within my power, I certainly won't refuse."
Hypnos shook his head and said with a faint smile, "I came to thank you."
Nairmis froze. "Thank me?"
"You soothed those sorrowful creatures today." Hypnos's gaze fell on the lyre in Nairmis's hands, his eyes filled with sincere gratitude.
"Too much happened on the earth today. The sorrow was too heavy, and all living beings were resisting sleep. I had never encountered such a situation in the course of my divine duties. When they refused to sleep, my divine power could not fully cover this world. That brief chaos nearly shook my godhead."
"Thanks to you, they were soothed and able to set aside those heavy emotions and sleep peacefully. My divine duties resumed their normal course as a result."
"So," Hypnos nodded slightly, his bearing solemn, "I came expressly to thank you."
Nairmis opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.
He had thought the other party had some major business with him, but he was only here to offer thanks?
A deity like the God of Sleep, with such powerful backing and divine power, had actually come all this way to thank a minor deity like him over this?
Was he really so... pure?
Nairmis found it hard to believe, but no matter how often he checked, he truly sensed no other intentions from him. He had simply come to give thanks.
Only then did he finally relax, though he still lowered his head modestly and said, "You are too kind, Your Highness. I merely did what the God of Emotions ought to do. It is my duty, and hardly worth a special trip from Your Highness."
Hypnos waved a hand instead, spreading his wings once more. His feathers shimmered in the darkness, stirring a breeze as they flapped.
"One thing is one thing, and another is another. You helped me, and I must remember that. If you ever need help, call my name when night falls. Wherever you are, I will hear you. Consider it my thanks."
Nairmis paused, then fought hard to keep the corners of his mouth from rising.
A favor from the God of Sleep. A promise from the son of Nyx, Goddess of Night.
That was practically the same as clinging to the thigh of one of the oldest, most exalted primordial gods!
He was already cheering inwardly, but he did his best to maintain a flattered expression. He still had to preserve that much restraint.
"You are truly too kind, Your Highness. I am deeply humbled and hardly know how to thank you. But I cannot let your kindness go to waste, so... I shall accept, unworthy though I am."
Hypnos smiled, the tips of his wings beating again as he slowly rose from the ground.
He paused in midair and looked down at Nairmis, the lyre's light reflected in his pale gray eyes. "Your music is beautiful. If I have the opportunity, I will come listen again."
With that, he turned and ascended, his wings beating as he vanished in the blink of an eye.
Nairmis watched that figure disappear into the depths of the night and remained silent for a while. Then he clenched his fist and pumped it hard into the air, no longer able to suppress his smile.
Although he had nearly been struck dead by the God King just after his birth today and had gone through a string of nerve-racking twists and turns afterward, he had not only broken through the low-ranking divine ranks and gained many new godheads, but also picked up a promise from a primordial god's son for free.
Who said a god-tier start always ended in defeat? Hadn't his luck arrived now?
Just as Nairmis was basking in delight, deep in the sky, the expressions of two Titans abruptly changed.