Villain Retirement

"I am here to ask for your help."

"The Rebel Princess, coming here for… help? Do you hear that, everyone!?"

A collection of robust, and obviously condescending laughter echoed through the air—trapped by the snow that enveloped the settlement.

"...Can we talk inside? We can barely hear each other with all the other noises."

"No. You took away the group's seed and you think you can ask us a favor?"

"Again, Riley will not give you his seed! Stop it with this nonsense, it's time to grow up, Osk."

"Oh? Sorry, is our rebel princess so mature now that she traversed the Unknown? You should have taken us with you, Aerith. That is what sisterhood is about."

"You haven't even heard the favor I am asking for."

"Whatever it is, I don't need to…"

Aerith and Osk's shoulders were already covered in thick snow; the two of them, just going back and forth with their endless conversation of not wanting to let the other speak her piece. It wasn't only them—the 50 women behind Osk were nodding their heads each time Osk's speak.

Aerith seemed to truly want something from Osk, as their conversation had already lasted for more than an hour. As for Riley, the only thing he really did was stare at Aerith; his hand, still clutching his chest.

If only Xra was here, then she would probably be able to identify what Riley was truly feeling—after all, she had been in love with the same man for 8000 years, there should be no one who is more adept in feeling love than her.

But if he really is in love with Aerith, then what does that even mean? Aerith mentioned to him once that the strongest thing in the universe is Love. It transcends everything else—it turns even the strongest of men into servants.

In mythology, the gods often meet their demise because of love.

Is this it, then? Perhaps the reason why Riley is so obsessed with Aerith? Because love…

…Love will be his Death?

Xra also told Riley that he loves Hannah. How is that love different from what he was feeling for Aerith?

…And then there is Katherine. Katherine has been his first sexual partner and still is. Riley has always treated her like a subordinate, as she is—but if he loses her, Riley was sure that there will also be a void inside him that he would no longer be able to fill. Does he also feel love for Katherine?

"Enough, you can stay if you want. But we're done here."

And finally, after what seemed like another hour, Osk stood up; leaving a print of her posterior on the log she had been sitting on for hours,

"Also, if you're done sucking in Riley's seed, let me have my turn. I will—"

"No! There will be no sucking happening here!" Aerith also stood up, causing the snow around her shoulders to shower everywhere, "And please. Osk. Reconsider—this is what you and the others have been waiting for for a very long time, a chance to make a difference."

"We will make a difference, princess. But not with you at the lead."

"Is this what this is about!? I don't care who leads what, but if we will do this, we need to do it soon! What are you so afraid of!?"

"You can stay here if you want, but we're done here," and with those words, Osk and the other members of the sisterhood all went away—entering into their huts and completely ignoring Aerith.

"Damn it… why is my species so stubborn," Aerith dropped to the ground; her sighs, enough to melt the snow around her, "This is it… this is the way to change Theran."

"..." Riley watched as Aerith closed her eyes; her head, endlessly shaking in frustration,

"What are you planning, Aerith? Did you get inspired by my speech during the trial, and finally setting the themarians free?"

"What? No," Aerith groaned as she glanced at Riley, "Well, actually—sort of. This is your mother's plan."

"Diana's?" Riley tilted his head, "I thought the two of you do not agree on things, Aerith."

"We don't. That is why I am only following it to an extent," Aerith sighed, "She told me her plan while we were on the way here—her plan to 'liberate' the themarians."

"I do not get it, Aerith."

"Diana plans to create another planet similar to Theran," Aerith then started drawing on the snow, "A planet that would serve to separate themarians that wish to explore the universe—a planet that could traverse the expanse of space."

"..."

"And not a colossal space station—a real planet that she could control, an impenetrable planet."

"And that will set the themarians free?"

"You truly don't understand, Riley," Aerith let out a very long and deep sigh, "The themarians can not be set free at all costs. In here, we're just like everyone else—but out there, we will be like termites that would eat away at the universe at a speed you can not even comprehend."

"So, then why did you decide to proceed with Diana's plan?"

"Your mother is insane, Riley."

"I agree."

"Do you remember why she set out into the universe in the first place?"

"To create a species that would change the hierarchy of the Universe?" Riley placed his hand on his chin as he recalled their conversation back on Earth.

"Yes, and so far she had been unsuccessful—until she came to the Unknown and procreated on her own with another species," Aerith breathed in, "Like how I and Diana fell in love with another completely unknown species, she plans to do the same with all the themarians that migrate to the New Theran. In the guise of giving them their freedom, Diana will drop them off one by one to different planets—she will manipulate them into thinking it was their own choice."

"They will still be free."

"That can't happen," Aerith shook her head, "Diana and I are only two people, and look at the influence we had on Earth—imagine if there are millions of us out there."

"So then, why are you helping her realize her plan?"

"Because before that happens, there will be war against the two sides," the tone of Aerith's voice slightly changed as she looked Riley in the eyes, "They will be vulnerable."

"..."

"I realized something when I returned here, Riley…" Aerith then stood up as she looked at the white sky, "If there is something Diana and I agree on, is that the hierarchy of the universe must change—but I won't do it by adding another race of monsters…

…I will remove one."

"...Aerith?"

"The themarians…" Aerith then closed her eyes as she took in a very long and deep breath, "...we live in a universe that we don't belong to, and I believe it is time for us to leave."

And as soon as Riley heard Aerith's words, a smile started to crawl on his face.

"As I thought, Aerith…" Riley stood up as he placed his hand on Aerith's face, "...Your kindness is beyond anything this universe will ever know…

…you are willing to kill off your entire species for the safety of the Universe."

"...Huh?" Aerith could not help but lean her head back as her eyes widened at Riley's words.

"You do not have to worry, Aerith. I will join you in your cause."

"Wait…

…I think there's been a misunderstanding here."