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The deities were known throughout the world. Many were worshipped and had multiple temples; others, feared like Death herself. No one wished to be near her—it was said that with a mere breath she could send you gravely ill to bed, and your end would already be history.
Among them all, there was one deity adored in every corner of the world, admired and beloved even by other gods. All longed for his blessing. Even the deities themselves would beg for a bit of his power to prosper.
Nika, the god of the sun and king of the skies, was known for his joy and freedom. The winds were his faithful companions, and the clouds, his closest friends.
He was always surrounded by his loyal guardian deities—servants to some, but “companions” to him. A radiant and playful god, yet powerful and feared when angered. The last to provoke his wrath was carried away by Death herself, who witnessed it all… without a word.
That day, Nika was leaping among the clouds, bored. All his friends were busy.
Sanji, a demigod of cuisine, shunned for his origins but admired for his talent, was preparing a banquet for the evening at Nika’s request. Robin, a mysterious ancient witch from an elven village, and Nami, a wind spirit born from an accidental blessing by Nika, were browsing books in the immense celestial library of the temple.
Zoro, son of war gods, trained with his old master under the watchful eye of Chopper, a small spirit rescued by Nika from a frozen castle. Meanwhile, Brook, the only human to escape Death herself and rescued by his god, and Jinbe, the god of the sea, chatted while watching Franky build his latest invention.
The sun god, however, found no fun in any of it.
He shaped clouds into different forms, laughed with the winds as they told him sweet tales or emotional events they’d witnessed, and jumped between fluffy clouds chased by playful wind spirits—until even that bored him.
He sighed, dropped onto an especially soft cloud, and began watching the mortal world.
His ancient companions, the gentle clouds and the cheerful winds, wanting to cheer up their friend and master, guided him across the vast skies, passing through all kinds of islands, hoping something would lift Nika’s spirits.
They passed through spring islands, where life bloomed and festivals lasted weeks. Summer islands, filled with laughter, music, fire, and dances under the sun. Autumn islands, calmer, where mortals offered golden leaves as thanks for the final harvest. They even crossed paths with Zunesha, walking through the ocean as if time did not touch his ancient form.
But nothing entertained Nika. He had recently descended into the mortal realm in search of a new adventure, but returned empty-handed. Still, witnessing so many festivals in his honor had brought back some joy.
Then, as they flew over a small white island in the north, something caught his attention—a presence.
“Stop,” he ordered the winds, something he rarely did. He leaned over the edge of the cloud and, through the snowy mist, saw it.
A figure.
A young man, apparently human, sitting by a tree near a frost-covered cliff. At his side, a great sword.
He was beautiful. Hair black as obsidian, skin bronze like a summer islander’s—strange for a wintery land—and eyes…
Nika held his breath for the first time in decades.
They were golden, like liquid gold, and their glow could rival the sun itself. Though filled with deep sorrow, as if burdened by centuries of lost memories, their beauty could compete with the finest celestial jewels.
Enchanted, Nika descended, ignoring the clouds’ protests and the weeping of the winds for losing their master. He had to find the young man, to know who he was. He couldn’t be a mere mortal—not with eyes of pure gold.
A demigod, perhaps? An immortal?
And why did he look so… lonely?
Excited, the sun god did not shrink down as he usually did to avoid frightening mortals. No. He wanted everyone to know the sun god walked among them.
The trees seemed like twigs under his feet. Mystic creatures moved aside with respect; some even bowed. His divine presence was impossible to ignore. Everything he passed became warmer, more alive, illuminated.
At last, he found him, sleeping beneath a tree, near a cliff. The sun caressed his face. He held a great sword at his side. His body was calm, but the melancholic aura lingered, floating like mist.
Nika approached without trying to hide, and with the tip of his finger, gently touched the young man’s head.
Sensing his presence, the man awoke instantly and drew his sword, pointing it at the godly figure—only to meet two bright ruby-red eyes, watching him with a mix of awe and affection.
“What…?”
Nika smiled. The sun shone brighter, and everything around them became warmer.
“You’re awake! How wonderful.” The god laughed joyfully, grabbing the boy gently by the hood and lifting him carefully, placing him in his enormous open palms, treating him with a strange tenderness.
“What… what is this? Who are you?” the young man asked, confused.
To his questions, Nika only laughed cheerfully. What a meek and innocent creature… was it because he had just awakened?
“I’m Nika! God of the sun and king of the skies. Who are you, little one? Are you a demigod? Perhaps a lost spirit?”
The boy tensed. The divine presence surrounded him—warm, yet overwhelming. He pinched himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.
Of course he knew the sun god—Nika. Everyone worshipped him. There were endless legends about him and his wondrous battles. It was said that his mere presence could fill an entire island with joy and affection.
What was the Nika doing there, so interested in him?
The god watched him, impatient, his head tilted, his large curious eyes staring intently, waiting for his answer.
“I’m… I’m Law. And all I know is that I’m immortal, Nika-ya.”
Nika studied him closely. Immortal. That explained his energy, his solitude. An eternal existence without direction, without purpose, without end. The god sighed, looking at him with compassion, now understanding the sorrow and melancholic aura.
He hummed softly after the answer, bringing the immortal’s body—Law—closer to his face.
“You look so sad… so lonely…”
Law didn’t reply. For years—centuries—no one had touched him with true tenderness. No one had approached him with such warmth. It was disconcerting… and comforting at once.
“Let me fix that.”
Before Law could react, Nika placed a soft kiss on his temple. A comforting warmth enveloped him. The young man trembled, surprised, silent.
“Be my lover, Law. I’ll make you happy and take care of you. Come with me to the heavens. You won’t have to worry about anything. I am Nika, god of the sun, and I will love you.”
Law stared at him, speechless. It wasn’t fear he felt—but awe. Why him? Why now? After centuries of loneliness… now?
Nika was still a deity—the king of kings, the most powerful god among divine beings. How could anyone deny him anything? Especially with such a loving gaze?
“Yes… Nika-ya. I’ll go with you.”
And the sky, upon hearing him, seemed to sing—enchanted by the joy of its eternal master.