Dia went to the Midnight Ball by carriage, accompanied by her parents. Cumulus was dressed as a jester, and Iris was a knight.

Cumulus gave Dia some advice. "Stay away from those shadow creatures of his. They're vicious creatures when angered."

A bit late for that, dad. Though I probably will try to stay on their good side.

Iris poked Cumulus with her wooden sword. "Everyone knows that by now. Just stay vigilant, OK Dia?"

Dia nodded.

Cumulus asked "Will Noctave be there?"

"No, she hates crowds." Dia said, shaking her head.

"Why? From what I've heard, she's far from shy with you!"

Dia blushed slightly. "Well, she's shy around crowds. But we'll see each other during the solstice."

Being fashionably late was really in vogue, which got on Umbrum's nerves.

On the front steps of the mansion, he was venting his frustration to his second-in-command, Manx, who had come from overseeing the Abyss. Far taller than Umbrum, a shadowy figure, his eyes were copper, his horns were like a bulls', and he dressed as an owl for the occasion. A military owl. Umbrum was a sheep, enjoying the irony.

"When I said 'sundown' I meant 'sundown'! Who decided that punctuality was uncool? I have some choice words to say with them!"

Manx sighed. "Relax for once, won't you! Here's the Illuminanans now. Could you please not get into a fistfight with Cumulus."

Umbrum sighed. "OK, I'll try my best, but you know how Cumulus gets on my nerves." Manx nodded, bracing for the worst.

Dia stepped out first, the light of the fading sun made her costume sparkle like a jewel. She was stunned to see Umbrum in a cape made of fleece and a mask of a sheep.

A sheep? Well, he's determined to make an impression.

" Welcome, Princess Dia, to the Midnight Masquerade!"

Dia gave him a slight bow. "I'm honored to be invited."

Cumulus stepped out, the bells on his costume jangaling wildly. "Why are you bowing to him? He doesn't deserve it!"

Dia glared at her father. "He's our host. I need to show him the proper respect. Isn't that how you raised me? To have respect for authority?"

Cumulus shook his head, the bells on his jester's cap furiously jingling. "Not Umbrum. Never Umbrum."

Umbrum clenched his fist, showing his rage building inside. Manx put a hand on his shoulder, reminding him to not beat Cumulus senseless.

Cumulus and Dia entered, with Iris following close behind. She spoke with Umbrum before she entered.

"This had better not be a trap."

Umbrum narrowed his eyes. "What makes you think it would be?"

"You're hosting this ball, invited the entire pantheon, and made it a masquerade. Sorry if I'm suspicious."

"You're only suspicious because you don't like me."

Iris shot him a glare and entered the ball.

Tiempel and Tellulah followed close behind in their teleporting contraption. It was a rectangular box made of riveted steel that ran off starlight and perpetual motion.

Tellulah was a forest spirit and Tiempel was a knight, based on the old story of how the dryad fell in love with a traveling night, despite them being from vastly different worlds.

Tiempel was somewhat taller than Tellulah, his skin a reddish brown. He was slim, his eyes the color of rust, and his hair silver. A big fan of the steampunk aesthetic, his knight costume looked more like a clockwork automaton, his helmet in his arm.

Umbrum addressed them. "I expected the god of time to come a little earlier."

Tiempel chuckled. "Well, my wife here has a fear of being too early."

Tellulah elbowed him, as if to say What are you doing, this is Umbrum!

Tiempel cleared his throat. "Know that we are...worried that your return will put the many alliances your wife has made will be put in jeopardy."

"Because of me, or because of the countries?"

Tellulah said. "You. All you."

Umbrum's temper began to flare, and Manx intervened. "I'll greet the guests for the rest of the night. You just try to relax, OK."

Umbrum nodded. "OK. See you later." He disappeared.

Tellulah thanked Manx. "I admire you for putting up with his bullshit."

Manx was unsure how to respond. Is she complementing his calm nature, or his boss? "Well, feel free to walk in."

More and more gods entered, Manx was repeatedly insulted.

"You're one of Umbrum's creatures, aren't you?"

"Why did Umbrum have you greet the guests. You're blending into the darkness."

"If Umbrum wasn't setting a trap, why are you in front? You're his second-in-command!"

After 2 hours of this, Manx felt drained. He talked with Noxis out back over some wine.

"If it wasn't for the wine and my friends, I would've snapped a long time ago. Did you hear what Philiana said to me?"

"Oh, yeah, 'Why does some one so calm bother with being the second-in-command? If you weren't one of his loyal dogs, you would be ruling the throne, not him!' That's what she said, right?"

Manx rubbed his temples. "Yeah, that exactly. I try to stay calm, but people really like trying me."

Noxis poured Manx another glass. "And then they wonder why Umbrum has a short temper."

Dia had convinced her friends and parents that the refreshments weren't poisoned, and convinced them to not be so vigilant.

She spotted Noxis slouching in a corner while everyone else was preoccupied dancing.

Noxis had a simple cat domino mask on with a dress shirt and pants. He wasn't the sort to dress up.

"Hello, Noxis. How has Noctave been?"

"The princess? Same as usual. Brewing potions, lusting after you, hanging out with Umbrum..."

Lusting? I'll ignore that for now...

"Listen, Dia." Dia refocused. "I know that you and the princess have...a thing, but I don't think that it'll work out. Not unless Umbrum's reputation is cleaned of all the dirt and blood."

"Are you saying that I should improve Umbrum's reputation?"

"He's improving, but nobody wants to acknowledge it. If you use your influence to help his reputation, I'm sure you and Noctave will reap great rewards."

Dia was confused. "Why are you trying to convince me to help him by saying it'll benefit me?"

"Well, most gods and goddesses are very selfish."

Dia gave him a suspicious look. "I see. I'll talk with Umbrum later."

Dia went to speak with Tellulah to get her mind off things.

"Hi there, how are you and Noctave?"

"We're OK. I wish we didn't live so far away."

Tellulah shook her head. "That must be horrible. Especially with her dad around."

Dia blinked. "What? Umbrum's pretty chill."

"Is he? Is he really?"

"Don't. Just don't. If Noctave had a problem with him, she'd tell me."

Tellulah's green and blue eyes betrayed her fear. "Well, if you really believe that..."

Once Dia was tired of the festivities and most of the attendees were drunk, she went outside for a break. The breeze outside was cold, so Dia put a new spell she learned into practice. It would keep her warm while not affecting the temperature outside.

She saw Umbrum looking out onto the black sea under the steep cliffs.He still wore his costume, but he seemed troubled and lonely.

She approached him, grass crunching under her golden shoes.

"Are you here because you pity me?"

Pity? Is that how he sees it?

"I don't pity you. I just needed a break. I saw you out here? Why aren't you inside?"

His back remained turned away. "Why do you think?"

Dia knew exactly why. "You seemed so excited earlier."

"I was, but I still see that everyone is willing to insult me. It's better if I never show up."

Dia nodded, walking beside him. "I see. That really sucks."

"'Sucks' is too mild of a term."

There was silence as Dia thought of what to say next. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Only if I can ask you one."

"OK, fair."

Please don't make it about sex, please don't make it about sex

"Why are you so freakishly tall?"

Dia was at least a foot taller than her dad and mom. She'd be the tallest god if Aquarieum didn't exist.

"Uh...genetics?"

Umbrum narrowed his teal eyes. "Gods don't have genetics. We have no DNA."

"What was I supposed to say?"

Umbrum sighed. "What's your question for me?"

"How's your wife?"

Things had been a bit strange between Umbrum and Urainia. They had been separated for so long that being in each other's presence was awkward, as if they were strangers. And they weren't strangers, making it doubly awkward. They spoke with each other often, but it seemed that they'd never go back to being wife and husband.

"She's okay, but I'm starting to consider a divorce."

"D-divorce? Why?"

"We should've done it long ago."

"Have you told her yet?"

"No, no. But I will."

"Does Noctave know?"

"No. It's not that big of a deal."

Dia felt frustrated. "Yes! Yes, it is, Umbrum!"

Around this time, Urainia appeared at the party in a wolf constellation costume. If she had to play favorites, Lupus Major was her favorite constellation.

She approached Philiana, dressed like an elephant.

"Philiana, have you seen Umbrum?"

"No, he's probably invisible. A bit late, aren't you?"

"Yes, yes, I know."

Philiana scanned the crowd for a unicorn.

"Hold on, where's Dia?"

A dryad came by. "I saw her step outside." She looked out the window. "By the antlers of the stag, how late is it!"

A clock knight informed her. "Half past 1."

"Half past 1! Time moves fast!"

Urainia reminded everyone that she was looking for Umbrum. "It's part of his plan to improve his reputation."

Philiana laughed. "Oh, the quickest way to improve his reputation is to not exist!"

Urainia gave Philiana a look that made her feel like she shrunk.

"Sorry, Urainia, for everything." She walked briskly away.

Tiempel tried to convince Urainia to party. "I mean, you're here, you've got a mask on, why not?"

"Later. I need to talk to him."

Urainia walked out of the dark castle and found Dia talking with Umbrum.

When Dia met Urainia, she said, "Umbrum told me he wants a divorce from you."

Urainia was shocked, looking right at Umbrum. "Is this true?"

Reluctant, he said "Yes, it is. I just haven't felt super connected to you lately."

Urainia was quiet, trying to work it out in her head.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"I'm not sure...but there has to be a solution."

Urainia pointed to the palace. "Are you going to go inside?"

"No god in there is willing to let me join them. I should just stay there."

Urainia took his hand. "Please. I'm sure it will be fun."

"It won't be. Everyone hates me."

"We can still have fun there."

"No, we can't. Don't you see? All it'll accomplish is more arguments and making me want to kill somebody by the end of it."

Dia was on the side, not knowing what to do. There was a lot of strain in their relationship. Though she could tell they loved each other, maybe a divorice was necessary.

"Please, Umbrum..." Umbrum walked away.

Urainia felt crushed. As did Dia, but she wasn't sure what to do.

"Urainia? I'm sorry..."

"For what?"

"I'm sorry that you and Umbrum aren't getting along well. My parents argue a lot, but they still love each other...most of the time."

Urainia's eyes showed a melancholy. "Oh, I see. But I'm sure we'll work it out."

"I hope you will."