In Celtic mythology, the Lady of the Lake, Vivian, was a powerful goddess, both benevolent and malevolent. She resided in the sacred lake of Avalon and bestowed upon King Arthur the legendary scabbard of Excalibur. However, she was also known to have seduced the knight Lancelot. Balor, who feared her power, would likely not have lied to her and incurred her enmity over these matters.
Lin Xiang mused that there were likely more complex issues involved in Giselle's abduction and decided not to press further. With a proud nod, she turned and left the Nightfall Heart bar.
The southern indigenous gods were, in fact, a large collective, primarily led by the feathered serpent god of Mayan civilization. This powerful deity still commanded widespread and unshakeable faith in places like Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. La Llorona, the weeping woman, was also a member of the indigenous pantheon. If the feathered serpent god was pulling the strings behind this, then their target might not just be the Eastern gods, but all foreign divine civilizations that encroached upon their living space!
Upon hearing the news from Lin Xiang, Mazu also felt a sense of foreboding. "I have a feeling there's another purpose behind this matter," she said.
Mazu did not fear opposing the Inca gods; her concern was that both she and her opponents might be manipulated as pawns by the mastermind. "Most of the indigenous gods have their own reservations, and their cultures and beliefs have been preserved relatively intact. There's no reason for them to proactively stir up trouble!"
After a moment of thought, Mazu stated decisively, "Since they wish to instigate a conflict! So be it!"
Under the Empress's command, the local earth gods immediately contacted all the Eastern deities, conveying the message of the resumption of hostilities. Lin Xiang, still worried about the girls abducted by La Llorona, volunteered to search for La Llorona's hiding place. The power of the weeping woman was only slightly stronger than that of a mere phantom evil god, and no match for Lin Xiang. Mazu naturally wouldn't stop her, and after cautioning Lin Xiang to be careful, she granted her request.
Lin Xiang first found Lorelei, the Rhine nymph, and truthfully informed her about Giselle being taken by the indigenous gods.
"We did not proactively invade their reservations," Lorelei also couldn't understand the actions of the indigenous gods. "The only possibility is that their followers were taken as prey by Giselle."
Lin Xiang remained noncommittal. "One who walks the night path too often will eventually meet a ghost. La Llorona is also one of the indigenous gods; she must know where Giselle was taken."
The two goddesses now had a common goal and had initially reached a preliminary agreement to cooperate.
"I will find out La Llorona's whereabouts. In return, you must help me capture her," Lorelei clearly had enough confidence to find La Llorona, after all, these years were not lived in vain.
Germanic civilization was deeply influenced by Norse civilization, with intricate connections between the two. The god of war in Germanic civilization, like the king of the gods in Norse mythology, bore the name Odin.
Lin Xiang assumed Lorelei would seek Odin's help and had long wanted to meet this leader of the Old Gods. She took the opportunity to suggest they act together.
Lorelei did not refuse. The two goddesses arrived at a forest and proceeded deeper into the woods along a cobblestone path.
A brightly lit villa suddenly appeared behind the dense trees. Lorelei pushed open the door, and Lin Xiang then noticed that the villa housed many rabbits.
A golden-haired goddess in a pale green dress slowly descended the stairs. The goddess smiled affectionately, "Lorelei, you've brought a guest."
The golden-haired nymph gracefully curtsied, "Ostara, I know what happened to Giselle! To know where she is now, you must first find La Llorona!"
Lin Xiang suddenly realized that this goddess was Ostara, the goddess of light and spring in Germanic mythology. However, she seemed to have already pledged allegiance to the New Gods and was now active as the Easter Goddess.
Goddess Ostara was very enthusiastic. She came between Lin Xiang and Lorelei, taking both goddesses by the arm and leading them to the garden.
"Goddess from the East, it seems we are meeting for the first time." Ostara's emotions were infectious, and her smile brought joy to everyone who saw her, be they human or god.
Lin Xiang also let down her guard and accepted Ostara's cheek kiss.
"Oh, I quite like the scent of the sea god," Ostara said, feeling Lin Xiang's relaxation, her smile growing even happier. "Sea goddesses are beings who possess both beauty and wisdom. It's a pity we didn't meet sooner."
Faced with Ostara's continuous stream of compliments, Lin Xiang couldn't maintain a distant demeanor. She smiled and said, "Goddess of Spring, who brings life to the earth, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The rabbits, carrying trays, brought tea and pastries to the three goddesses. Ostara whispered something into the rabbits' ears, and these agile animals immediately scattered.
The goddess picked up the teapot to pour tea for her two guests, and didn't forget to reassure Lorelei, "Don't worry, my informants will find La Llorona soon."
The intimate interaction between the two goddesses caught Lin Xiang's eye. Hadn't Ostara already abandoned the Germanic gods? Now it seemed Lorelei trusted Ostara greatly.
Ostara enthusiastically offered Lin Xiang a delicate pastry. "Don't be surprised. We are long-time close friends and would not disregard Giselle's safety."
The Rhine nymph beside her put down her teacup. "While Ostara brings spring to the earth, it is also the time for Giselle's and my dance parties. The trust between us has been tested over a long period, and that will never change."
Lin Xiang couldn't help but ask Ostara the reason for her turning to the New Gods. "Why did you accept the identity of the Easter Goddess?"
Ostara's smile paused for a moment. "Easter was originally my festival."
The joy in the goddess's eyes dimmed. "After the first full moon of spring, my followers exchange colored eggs symbolizing life and prosperity on Sundays. Although they abandoned their faith in me, this custom was still preserved and accepted by more and more people with the expansion of Christianity. Driven by faith, I transformed my identity and became the Easter Goddess."
Lin Xiang felt a bit awkward, as such behavior was akin to rubbing salt into someone's wounds. She quickly changed the subject. "The rabbit informants are very cute. You have trained them very cleverly."
Unexpectedly, the next moment she saw Lorelei's tea-drinking motion freeze. Lin Xiang also immediately recalled the legend of rabbits hatching from Easter eggs. She smiled awkwardly and put the chocolate she had just taken out back onto the plate.
Lin Xiang's awkwardness was broken by the returning rabbits. The rabbits hopped onto the dining table and nudged Ostara's ear with their small, three-lobed mouths.