God Simulator: The Goddesses In The Simulation Are All Real

As the fireworks began, Linsley's Real Fantasy enhanced the display, transforming ordinary bursts of color into something truly extraordinary.

Explosions of light bloomed into phoenixes that soared across the sky, their golden flames trailing brilliance like celestial wings.

Dragons spiraled in sweeping arcs, their serpentine forms shimmering before dissolving into cascading stardust. Flowers of light unfurled high above, their petals scattering softly as they drifted downward, vanishing into the rippling surface of the lagoon.

The water reflected it all—two skies in perfect harmony, one above and one below.

Lucy sat beside Linsley, her golden eyes wide with awe. Experience exclusive tales on empire

The vibrant light danced across her features, making her wings shimmer faintly.

Her usual composure was gone, replaced by unguarded wonder. "Linsley… this is…"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on her, the glow of the fireworks painting fleeting patterns across his face.

The sound of the world faded, leaving only the rhythm of his heartbeat and the quiet peace of her presence.

A particularly brilliant firework burst into the sky. It exploded into an image of Lucy herself—her angel wings unfurled, radiant and proud, the light capturing her likeness in breathtaking detail.

The reflection mirrored it perfectly on the lagoon's surface, casting her image in divine symmetry.

Lucy turned to him sharply, her voice soft but tinged with disbelief. "What… what is that?"

Linsley shrugged casually, though his tone carried unmistakable warmth. "A little tribute. To the strongest and most beautiful angel I know."

The compliment hit her harder than she expected.

For a moment, she was completely still, her gaze lingering on the radiant image of herself glowing in the night sky.

The flush on her cheeks deepened as she turned back to him. "You always know what to say, don't you?"

"I only say what I mean," Linsley replied, his voice low and steady.

The finale reached its crescendo, an explosion of light that bathed the world in color.

Linsley conjured one last firework—an enormous heart that burst high above them.

Its golden glow lingered, casting a warm hue over everything as embers rained down like scattered stars.

Lucy stared at the display, her voice barely above a whisper. "You really don't hold back, do you?"

Linsley turned to her, his grin softer now. "When it comes to you? Never."

The fireworks faded slowly, their glow dimming into the dark canvas of the sky, leaving only the faint glimmer of starlight above.

The lagoon grew still, reflecting the constellations and the echoes of their luminous finale.

A quiet settled between them, heavier than before—not uncomfortable, but thick with something unspoken.

Lucy tilted her head slightly, her golden eyes meeting his. The light of the lingering embers reflected in her gaze, and for a moment, Linsley felt time itself pause.

"You're always so impossible," she murmured, though her voice was far softer than her words.

Linsley smiled faintly. "And yet, here you are."

She let out a small breath—half a laugh, half something she couldn't name—before her gaze dipped for just a moment.

"Linsley…"

He leaned closer, his expression quiet and serious now, no trace of his usual mischief. "What is it?"

Her wings shifted slightly, as if unsure whether to close in or spread wider. "Thank you. For everything tonight. I… I didn't realize how much I needed this."

"You deserve moments like this," Linsley replied softly. "You've carried so much for so long. Someone needed to remind you how to smile again."

The warmth in his words stirred something deep inside her—a part of herself she'd hidden away for too long. Her gaze flicked from his purple eyes to his lips and back again.

And Linsley, watching her hesitation, closed the distance between them.

Gently, carefully, he leaned in, pausing just long enough to let her pull away if she wanted to. When she didn't, their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss.

It wasn't rushed or hurried—it was steady, tender, and unspokenly sincere.

Lucy's golden wings trembled faintly as she melted into the moment, her hand hesitantly reaching up to rest against his chest.

The quiet ripples of the lagoon and the distant hum of the park faded into nothing, leaving only the two of them, bathed in starlight.

When they finally parted, Linsley lingered close, his breath mingling with hers. His gaze searched her face, as if memorizing every detail.

Lucy's cheeks were flushed, her golden eyes wide and uncharacteristically vulnerable.

For a moment, she said nothing, simply staring at him as though the world had tilted on its axis.

Then, a soft smile tugged at her lips—shy, but radiant. "You really don't know when to stop, do you?"

Linsley grinned, the usual spark of mischief returning to his eyes. "Would you want me to?"

Lucy let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "No. I wouldn't."

The night seemed to hold its breath as they sat together, their hands entwined gently between them. Linsley's thumb traced slow, reassuring circles over the back of Lucy's hand, a quiet gesture that carried more meaning than words ever could.

The golden embers of the last firework drifted lazily down around them, settling into the grass and vanishing like fleeting dreams.

For the first time in years, Lucy felt like more than a fallen angel—more than a test subject or an Overlord.

She felt human.

And Linsley, his fingers laced securely with hers, watching the soft glow of her smile, knew that this was the memory he'd been hoping to give her all along.

…

The world slowly came back into focus, though the warmth between their joined hands lingered.

The quiet crackle of embers floating in the night air filled the silence as neither spoke, lost in the unspoken gravity of the moment.

Lucy glanced toward the lagoon, her expression thoughtful. "It's strange… to feel so at peace. I almost don't know what to do with it."

Linsley tilted his head, his fingers tightening briefly around hers. "Then don't overthink it. Just let yourself be here."

She turned to him, the faintest smile tugging at her lips. "You make it sound so easy."

"It is, with the right company."

Her gaze softened, and for a moment, the weight of her past—the battles fought, the burdens carried—seemed lighter. "You really have a way of cutting through all my defenses, don't you?"

He smirked. "It's one of my many talents."

She rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her smile didn't fade.

…

The night had begun to cool, the gentle breeze carrying the faintest scent of blooming flowers.

Linsley and Lucy walked side by side, their pace unhurried as they ventured deeper into the quiet parts of the park.

Lucy's wings shifted slightly, brushing against him as if by accident.

She hesitated before speaking, her voice softer than usual. "Do you ever think about… what happens after all this?"

"All this?" Linsley asked, glancing at her.

She nodded, her gaze fixed ahead. "The battles, the responsibilities, the weight of being who we are. Do you ever wonder what's next? If there's even a 'next' for people like us?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Linsley considered her words carefully before replying. "I think about it. More than I'd care to admit. But I'm not sure it matters."

Lucy looked at him, her golden eyes curious. "Why?"

"Because 'next' doesn't mean anything without the people you care about. I'd take a thousand more battles if it meant I could keep those I love close."

His words lingered in the air, a weighty truth that settled between them.

Lucy's steps slowed, and she turned to him fully, her expression unreadable.

"Linsley…" she began, her voice steady despite the vulnerability in her eyes. "About what I said before—about how I feel…"

He stopped, his gaze meeting hers. There was no mischief in his expression now, no playful quips or teasing remarks. Instead, there was only sincerity.

"I haven't forgotten," he said gently. "And I haven't ignored it."

Her wings fluttered faintly, betraying her nerves. "Then… do you have an answer for me?"

Linsley hesitated, not out of uncertainty but because the weight of his next words felt heavier than anything he'd faced before.

Finally, he reached out, taking her hand in his. "Lucy, I've fought alongside you, laughed with you, and seen the strength you carry when the world tries to break you. You're more than just someone I admire—you're someone I…"

His voice faltered for a moment, but then he smiled, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. "You're someone I love."

The words hung between them like a fragile thread, but Lucy's reaction was anything but hesitant.

Her golden eyes widened, and for a moment, she seemed to forget how to breathe.

Then, without a word, she stepped closer, her wings folding tightly behind her as she rested her forehead against his.

"You mean that?" she whispered, her voice trembling just enough to betray how much the answer meant to her.

"Every word," Linsley replied, his hand cupping her cheek.

The kiss that followed was different from the one they'd shared earlier.

It wasn't born of fleeting emotion or the rush of the moment—it was deeper, more certain, and filled with the quiet promise of something more.

When they finally pulled apart, Lucy's cheeks were flushed, her breath uneven. "We should… probably head back," she murmured, though her tone lacked conviction.

"Probably," Linsley agreed, though neither of them moved.