The New Elemental God

The flight to the location was a calm one. No one breaking the light barrier or anything of the sort. Shu talked most of the way about how excited they were and how Adam was going to love the alley. 

After the treetops the City revealed itself as a bright agitated place. There were still a lot of people passing by, buildings all lit up and music could be heard in some of them. 

It was like any other major city with a nightlife except it wasn't. The people were louder, happier, even though no one looked alike. It was hard to say anyone was once human but still they acted just like it. 

As they approached the ground and the folks nearby started to notice them, Adam got curious. 

"Do they all know who we are?"

Shu was waving and throwing smiles at everyone up front, while Cal and Adam stayed behind. 

"Well, we live among them, so yeah." The bearded guy was giving the occasional wave and keeping a bright smile. 

"But isn't it wrong for God's to be in communion with their subjects?" 

"What else are we gonna do? It's not a party if there's only four people, if we count Hikari who never shows up." Calder gave the Playboy a little bump and he smirked back. 

"So you guys do this a lot?" He gazed at the folks waving and bowing all around them. 

"It depends." 

Calder pointed at Shu, who was leading them and attracting a small crowd along. The Air Deity was levitating near the floor while talking and playing with anyone that came to them. 

"For example, Shu lives here in the City. They like to be around people all the time, helping, playing or just talking." 

"Makes sense." 

"Now, Hikari is the complete opposite. She lives by the volcano and we barely see her. She prefers solitude and anonymity."

"I wonder why." Adam shook his head remembering the Goddess's severe posture and formal tone. 

They left the main streets and entered the side ones. The buildings weren't very tall but the sidewalks were filled with people dining or chatting in small groups. The establishments looked handmade, no signs of the concrete constructions from the Material World, it was very cozy.

"What about you, grandpa? I know you like showing off." 

"Yes, occasionally." The old dog smirked, throwing a wink at Adam. "But I also enjoy being on my own. It really depends on the day."

As they approached one particular street, with many lights and music coming out of it, Calder got down and started walking. Adam followed him but Shu continued to float like a cloud, making the occasional acrobatics when he got excited. 

"We are here!" The Air Deity shouted with their hands in the air. 

Looking beyond, it was an alley behind a building. Lights covered the sky from one side to the other and tables filled the ground. People were toasting and spilling drinks, everything done between laughs. 

"That's what I'm talking about!" Adam jumped to grab Shu by the neck. 

Together both of them started to dance and hype the people around. The music was exciting, a mix of Celtic and pop songs, it was a strange but very exciting combination. 

The Playboy stole a cup and turned it all at once, pulling out applause from every table. He didn't know what it was and it didn't matter. It was very tasty and alcoholic, that was all he needed to know. 

Calder joined Shu and Adam's can-can dance and suddenly the whole alley was imitating them. People were drinking, singing and playing music. The Water God started controlling the alcoholic liquids, making them float and rain directly into people's mouths. It was the greatest party Adam had ever been to. 

The cheers were so intoxicating, the Earthling even forgot that the people who surrounded him looked like characters from a fantasy book. Some had animal ears, horns, tails, paws, hoofs, others had white, black, green, blue or pink skin. Still those differences did not matter to them or to Adam. 

All his life he had only been close to people that looked like him physically and mentally. He wasn't prejudiced but he also never worried about diversity either. 

Euphoric, all three of them collapsed on the counter of one of the bars in the alley. They were bumping on each other and teasing about who would pay the bill. 

"Merlin here, should pay as a courtesy to the younger ones."

Adam said while waving at the bartender, apparently a fella with goat head and horns in a human torso standing on two hooves. 

"I'm actually about fifty years older than Cal." Shu said as he casually used his powers to get snacks from under the counter.

"But…" Adam was flabbergasted while pulling Calder's long gray beard. 

"Our appearance is a reflection of how we see ourselves, jackass." The Water God slapped his hand to make him let go.

"Does that work for me too?"

"Haven't you noticed any physical changes since you woke up?" In between bites, it became obvious Shu used their powers to do literally anything. They were using mini tornadoes to carry something that looked like peanuts to their mouth. 

"Hm…" Adam indiscreetly looked down at his pants. "I haven't checked everything yet." 

Both of his drinking partners facepalmed embarrassed for the boy's shamelessness. As if unaware of what he said, Adam acted clueless and moved on to feeling his muscles and face. 

"I don't feel different at all." Finally he said after inspecting himself thoroughly under the judgement of Calder and Shu. 

"That's cuz you aren't." Shu started. "The reincarnation picks up your life exactly where it ended in the Material World. You just received an upgrade." 

All three of them dried out their cups while Adam reflected on everything that was said to him up to that point. There was so much he still did not understand. 

"About the rules." The novice was still formulating the question in his mind. Hikari left too many loopholes . "What happens if I break them?"