Booooring.

It had been a week since Ezme had gone off with Alarice. Amara had managed to contact her for the first time with telepathy, but Ezme had been distracted. And in the middle of their conversation, Ezme had said she’d contact Amara later.

Amara rolled on the extravagant bed. She had been training for days, but her body was recovering so quickly that she had little need for breaks.

I'm lonely.

Even if she had been a loner on Earth, she had grown used to Ezme’s presence. The sudden change to becoming completely alone, made her miss Ezme’s jabbing remarks.

Amara sighed. She considered what she should do next.

She could level her skills, but it was boring. Endlessly repeating the same thing had become boring the first day already.

Her farsight allowed her to see far away. All the way to the mortal worlds. When Ezme taught the ability to her, she had shown her how to look down on the mortal worlds that were part of her domain. 

It had made Amara very curious. To see how the other worlds were. And she saw several races - some similar to those she recognized as the fictional races in novels on Earth. Others were completely new. 

For she had expected the races to all be bipedal, with humanlike features. It was common - but not the norm. There was no norm.

She was by no means adept at using Farsight. At the moment, she was reliant on the stream of prayers to even find the worlds - and their inhabitants. 

Amara paid most attention to the world she had recently visited. After all, it was going to become a battlefield in the far future, and they seemed to be aware. The incoming prayers had been like a puzzle, piece by piece giving a picture of the revelation that God had granted them. 

Reminded by the prayers from Teyrin that they had received an artifact, she eventually managed to find the prayers from priests kneeling by it and took a look. As expected, it was huge.

Gods. Always making things bigger than needed, as if they’re compensating for something. Right, Tom?

Amara had considered making one of the priests as her mouthpiece with the skill she had. She knew they were asking for answers - confusion and requests for help was the main topic of the prayers she received. But Amara decided against it, she wanted Ezme with her when she used it. To go over every aspect of it, for killing someone by accident due to impatience was not something in Amara’s book.

They had to simply wait a while longer. And if the person she chose was going to have the rest of their life changed by her actions, she wanted at least to give the person some useful abilities. Healing would be an obvious choice.

Now that I think about it, none of the general skills I’ve gained lately are related to healing or regeneration. Probably means that my body hasn’t exactly been damaged during training.

I hope I don’t have to resort to self-harm to obtain them.

Amara looked over the general skills that she considered interesting.

Recalling the descriptions Amara had read when appraising her general skills, she was amused.

Amara thought back to how easily Selective Hearing was leveling up. It leveled on its own over time if she ignored, or focused on specific incoming prayers.

If Amara unfocused her thoughts, the whispers became more prominent. It was impossible to focus on them all and hear what they were saying, but their combined emotions would influence her. 

If she attempted to listen to specific prayers, the others would fade into the background. As her Selective Hearing increased in level, she held the suspicion that she would be able to single out the prayers into groups. From the world of origin or by their emotional content, Amara thought most likely.

An amused smile spread on her face as she compared herself to the main character starring in a comedy from Earth, who was granted God's powers and got the prayers as post-it notes.

I’ll go directly to digital, thank you very much.

Amara thought as she remembered her former home.

I should take a look on Earth. Ezme should be able to help me find it. For moments like this, I really miss having a computer, or even a phone. Games and novels were a great pastime. 

If I asked Ezme, she’d probably steal one for me no questions asked. 

Amara rolled over on the bed again. 

I’m so booored!

Amara laid on the bed, staring up at a canopy before she jerked up as a sudden realization crossed her mind.

I can go explore!

I felt no need when Ezme was here, but now that she’s gone I really need something new. 

If those angels complain I’ll just tell them to can it. I may have been restricted to the silver city, but not to my room.

Reminded of Ezme’s words about mental images, she repeated the one she used last time, which had granted her a level up. Amara suspected that whenever the mental image of a magical skill, or force and technique of a physical one became sufficiently better, it would cause the skill to level up.

The last time, she used the mental image inspired by suction cups. She imagined the air pressure on the outside of the door decreasing while increasing on the inside. Amara gathered her divine power.

Open Sesame.

The doors pushed opened slowly. Amara smiled as she walked out into the corridor outside. 

Walking in the corridor, Amara soon realized her mistake. It was simply the endless mirror like silver, with the occasional alcoves with decorative protrusions and repetitive bronze doors.

Amara began to suspect that there was nothing to see in the silver city as she noticed a door that was ajar. 

Well, well, well. Let’s see what we have here.

If they accuse me of breaking and entering I can just blame it on Ezme for teaching me her wicked ways. Amara jokingly thought as the corner of her lips rose.

As she peaked in, Amara couldn’t see anyone. Instead there were silver tables, littered with different kinds of items.

Is this a workshop?

Amara walked in and began looking around. The layout of the rooms was similar to hers - only bigger. There were weapons, armor, strange gimmicks - all made with metals that looked like silver and gold in different hues.

You know, I'm geting real bored with the colour scheme in heaven.

She passed by the only table with a single weapon upon it, a greatsword which could only be considered unwieldy. The double edged sword was as long as she was tall, as wide as her forearm, and had a golden coloured hilt with intricate details. The fuller, running along the length of the sword, had the same colour. The edge looked like silver. 

Hmm. Appraisal.

[Ding!]

Interesting. So this is Sophelia’s weapon. Appraisal.

[Ding!]

Welp, it seems even more unwieldy now. Can't even activate the cheapest effect. Which sounds like a hair-raising experience.

Amara’s thoughts were interrupted by the sudden humming coming from one of the side rooms, realizing she wasn’t alone. Amara walked to the alcove the sound was coming from. 

At a long table stood an angel. He was about the same height as herself, with dark red-brown hair. 

“Hello.” Amara waited for a reaction that never came. The angel simply continued humming.

Amara decided to go closer. “Excuse me? Hello?”

No reaction came, not even when Amara was right next to him. His eyes were focused on a gimmick in his hand, a low humming that repeated the unfamiliar tune.

"Hello!"(Amara)

 

Well then. Appraisal.

[Ding!]

His head jerked up, eyes looking in front of him as he blinked repeatedly. 

Morpheus huh.

The angel turned his head to Amara, confusion apparent on his face. “A mortal...Ah! You must be the champion!” The angel exclaimed.

“Hello. I’m Amara.”(Amara)

“Aah, so that's your name. Well you already know mine by now I assume?” Morpheus asked.

Amara smiled wryly. “Indeed. Pleasure to meet you, Morpheus.”

“Likewise, likewise. I’m not sure about how it is for mortals, but here in heaven it’s considered rude to appraise someone without even saying hello first.” Morpheus gently explained. 

Amara tilted her head. “I did say hello. Thrice.”

“You did? I see. I was rather focused on my project, I apologize.” Morpheus raised his hand and rubbed the back of his head as he spoke.

Huh. He seems pretty normal. Maybe a bit scatter-brained.

Amara looked to the gimmick in his hand. “What kind of project?”

Morhpeus face spread into a smile. “Oh, that’s quite the curious subject! For you see-” Morpheus suddenly froze up. “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you.”

“...I suppose Tom just told you so huh?” Amara sighed.

“Tom?” Morpheus asked in confusion. 

Amara smiled. “God.”

“Haha! You’re an audacious one aren’t you!” Morpheus smiled. “But you’re right. Telling you anything that would be of use to you would go against the rules of the armistice.”

Morpheus frowned. “Speaking of which, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be preparing?”

“...I got bored.” Amara shrugged.

“Already? But I suppose it’s to be expected if you are used to a mortal lifespan.” Morpheus smiled. “I don’t wish to be rude, but it’s better that you’re not here. We don’t want to break the rules by accident now, do we?”

Amara smiled wryly. “So if I could convince you that I wouldnt go break any rules, it’s fine to be here?”

“Well...” Morpheus paused.

“Morpheus.” A familiar voice came behind them.

“Ah. Sophelia.” Morpheus replied in a greeting voice as he turned around.

In the alcove stood the tall angel with a gentle smile on her face. “How is the thing I asked for coming along?”

“Still testing the idea out sister. But I suspect it should be feasible.” Morpheus responded.

“Good.” Sophelia turned her eyes to Amara as she calmly spoke. “Mortal, the Artifactor is currently preoccupied.”

“...It’s Amara.” (Amara)

Sophelia blinked slowly as she tilted her head to face Amara directly. She merely looked into Amara’s eyes, a serene smile on her face. 

Their staring game didn’t last long as Amara got chills up her spine. From her appearance and presence, Sophelia was gentle and kind. From her words and actions, less so. It made Amara snowballing her opinion of the angel until she diverted her eyes away from the angel. “...Fine.”

Amara nodded to Morpheus. “It was nice meeting you.”

“You as well, Amara.” Morpheus smiled.

As Amara passed Sophelia when leaving the workshop, the angel followed behind her.