Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard

The Hall of Banishment was as grand as it was foreboding. Massive pillars stretched into the heavens, and the air shimmered with raw divine energy. 

Auriel shuffled nervously in the center of the chamber, her hands bound by glowing cuffs of light. Around her, a crowd of gods and goddesses watched with mixed expressions—some pitying, others indifferent, and a few openly amused.

At the far end of the hall, the Chief God stood on a raised platform, his face impassive as he prepared to conduct the ceremony. Auriel swallowed hard, trying to ignore the heavy weight of her situation.

"You will find purpose on Earth, Auriel," the Chief God announced, his voice echoing through the hall. "Perhaps this exile will teach you the value of responsibility."

Auriel didn't dare argue; she had already learned the futility of that. Her gaze drifted over the crowd, and her heart skipped when she spotted a familiar figure pushing through the onlookers.

Kana.

Her golden hair caught the divine light like a flame, and her face was etched with determination. "Wait! Mother, stop this!" Kana's voice rang out, startling everyone in the hall.

Auriel's eyes widened as Kana pushed past the final row of onlookers, her outstretched hand reaching toward her. "This is wrong! Auriel doesn't deserve this!"

"Kana, return to your place," the Chief God commanded, her tone laced with authority.

"No!" Kana shouted, her voice trembling with emotion. "You're punishing her for something that isn't her fault. This isn't justice—it's cruelty!"

Auriel's breath hitched. Was Kana… defending her?

But before Kana could reach the center of the hall, the Chief God raised her hand. The glowing cuffs on Auriel's wrists flared, and a circle of runes appeared beneath her feet.

"Father, no!" Kana cried, her voice breaking.

Auriel felt the pull of the spell, a tidal wave of energy wrapping around her. She locked eyes with Kana, who was now shouting frantically and trying to break through the divine barrier forming around the platform.

"I'll come for you!" Kana's voice pierced the roar of magic. "I promise, Auriel—I'll bring you back!"

The next moment, light engulfed Auriel, and the world disappeared.

______

When Auriel opened her eyes, she was no longer in the celestial realm. Instead, she found herself lying in a shallow pool of cool water, her ears ringing and her vision blurry. 

She blinked, disoriented, and realized she was in a grand ceremonial hall.

The architecture was nothing like the divine halls she knew. 

Marble columns stretched to a vaulted ceiling painted with vibrant murals, and the air smelled of incense and flowers. Around her, people were gathered, dressed in elegant robes and adorned with jewelry.

"Oh no," Auriel muttered, realizing her predicament. She glanced down and immediately turned beet red.

Her lacy celestial dress was soaked through from the fountain she had landed in, clinging to her skin and leaving very little to the imagination. 

More of her skin showed compared to what was covered and Auriel had a sudden urge to cover herself.

She tried to sit up, water dripping from her silver hair, when a figure in a dark hooded robe stepped forward.

"Welcome, O Divine One," the figure said in a reverent tone. It was a woman's voice, smooth and steady, carrying an air of authority. She lowered her hood slightly, revealing kind but sharp eyes and a cascade of dark hair.

Auriel's cheeks burned as the crowd murmured in awe. She struggled to maintain composure, her voice shaky. "Uh… th-thank you. Could I—could I please have a cloak or something?"

The priestess nodded, motioning for an attendant. "At once, O Divine One."

Auriel tried to step out of the fountain gracefully, but her usual clumsiness struck at the worst possible moment. Her foot caught on the edge of the basin, and she flailed helplessly before tumbling forward.

Splash!

The hall went deathly silent as Auriel landed face-first on the marble floor, soaking wet and utterly humiliated. She groaned, pushing herself up slowly.

'Shit. I'm flashing everyone, aren't I? At least this is not as humiliating as some of the incidents I've had in the past.'

"Are you hurt, O Divine One?" the priestess asked, her tone neutral but her lips twitching as if holding back a laugh.

Auriel waved weakly. "I'm fine. This… happens a lot."

The priestess extended a hand, helping Auriel to her feet. A soft cloak was draped over her shoulders, and Auriel pulled it tightly around herself, grateful for the cover. She took a moment to collect her thoughts, ignoring the snickers and murmurs from the crowd.

"What is your will, O Divine One?" the priestess asked, bowing slightly.

Auriel blinked, realizing all eyes were on her. She had no idea what to say. She had been thrust into this situation with no preparation, no guidance—just her clumsy self and a vague task to choose Earth's next ruler.

"Well," she began, her voice faltering. "First, I think… I'd like a moment to figure out what's going on."

The priestess nodded. "As you wish. A chamber has been prepared for you. Please, follow me."

Auriel glanced nervously at the crowd, which parted respectfully to make way. She pulled the cloak tighter around herself and followed the priestess, her cheeks still burning with embarrassment.

As she walked, she couldn't help but hear Kana's voice echoing in her mind. I'll come for you.

Auriel didn't know how, or if, Kana would truly follow through on that promise. But for now, she had to focus on the task at hand—whatever that was.

She just hoped it wouldn't involve any more fountains.

"Very well then. Please, use this cloak to cover yourself while we find a place to house you. The current options we have available are…not the best…considering your current situation."

Auriel had a feeling that this was an insult directed toward her. But saying anything now would be too bothersome. So Auriel kept quiet and hoped that her aura as a goddess would be enough to get her by.