The return was faster than the retrieval. As Zero knew how Ruban x Pointes looked like, he could teleport there instantly just by visualising the shop. The young boy materialised in the tea room where the goddesses were huddled together.
"I'm back!" he announced.
Almost at once, Freya and Isis forgot about their jealousy and cooed over Zero. With Lily still in his shirt and Egui's soul in one hand, Zero managed to manoeuvre sideways to void having either of them hurt by the smothering hugs.
"Welcome home," Sedna greeted with a warm smile and Lily flew back to Gaia. Egui's soul remained silent, feeling awkward at seeing such powerful goddesses behaving like puppies before the cute kid. Apparently, the kid's charms didn't just affect him. Even if Egui didn't know that Zero had become a mini sensation from the Mega Gourmet competition, he didn't doubt that the kid will become a poster boy for kindness and compassion in the future. Save The Cats Campaign, Adopt a Kid, Say No to Paedophiles, World Peace Missions etc., Zero will be the future poster boy for it all.
Just as the goddesses start to get rowdier, the door clicked open and Egui saw that the newcomer was dragging his spirit and soul's other part.
"What is this mess and who is this brat?" En frowned.
If Isis was horrifying on a normal day, seeing her coddle a young child with big brown eyes was pure nightmare material for years to come. The fact that she wasn't ordering the kid to be boiled and actually asking if he wanted more cakes made En turn green with unease.
What was his godmother plotting? Who was this kid?
"Shut up brat! Don't compare yourself to Zero! He's a good child unlike you."
Flabbergasted, En's jaw dropped open. "Good child?! Who are you and how dare you impersonate my godmother!"
Gaia only sighed at the chaos. Sedna had to rein Isis back before she could stab En in the eyes. Zero watched everything with a calm expression as Egui trembled in fear. Standing in front of King Yama was terrifying. Watching King Yama's ear get pulled by an enraged Freya was worse. He didn't know how Zero could remain so calm.
"So he's not an ordinary child? Then where did he come from? Also, how did father know about him?"
The goddesses became uneasy with the questions. While En was a person they trusted, the Great One's existence was meant to be a secret. Explaining about Zero would mean revealing the secrets about the Great One.
"Sorry Zero," Sedna smiled. "Can I discuss something with you alone for a moment?"
Zero nodded and passed Egui's soul to En. "Uncle, I hope you can help fix Egui's soul. I'm sorry about the trouble I caused, I didn't know that helping Egui remove the weakness effects was a bad thing. I'm very sorry about it but please don't be angry with Egui, I still want to be his friend."
After apologising and bowing, Zero hopped off the chair to follow Sedna with his stubby legs. Holding the goddess' hand, Zero didn't see En's startled expression.
"Zero," Sedna spoke in an almost quiet tone. "That is En. He is a child of Freya, Hades and Gaia. Although we trust him, we cannot tell him about Great One as it was a secret entrusted to only the Great Gods. Buddha is a special case as he knew Great One while Great One was still conscious. Buddha helped create Mind's Eye and they were pen pals but En is different."
Zero nodded and understood what Sedna was trying to say. "I don't see why you cannot share with En about my past self. After all, everyone trusts him, right? It's alright to explain to Uncle En, he's not a bad person."
Sedna chuckled. "Alright, thank you Zero. Also, En is younger than us so calling him 'uncle' can be a little awkward for him. How about just calling him En like how you call us by our names?"
Zero pondered over it for a while. En seemed really scary so he'd unknowingly called him 'uncle' out of respect. He didn't mind calling En by his name but he also didn't want to offend the King of Trials by doing so.
"Won't he get angry?"
Sedna hummed. "Not if you do it cutely."
"Cutely?" Zero tilted his head to a side and frowned in confusion.
Sedna squealed internally. Externally, she patted his brown hair gently. "It's alright, Zero. Just be yourself. En is actually a very kind person so he'll understand. He doesn't like liars or people who do something for selfish gains so being honest is the best."
Zero nodded. As expected, En wasn't a bad person. Satisfied and thoroughly reassured by Sedna, Zero beamed and ran towards where En and Egui were, ready to negotiate for his friend.