The palace bells refused to stop ringing.

Not ceremonial or emergency bells but arrival bells.

One after another.

Mason stood in the private chamber staring at the closed doors like they personally betrayed him.

"How many bells does this palace even have?" he muttered.

Athlian sounded delighted.

’Enough to announce destiny.’

"I hate destiny."

Draca remained near the doorway, posture relaxed but alert, already positioned between Mason and whatever chaos approached.

Saleem paced nervously beside a table covered in rapidly accumulating visitor scrolls.

He looked exhausted.

"My Goddess," Saleem said carefully, "protocol suggests we should schedule these arrivals across several days."

Another bell rang.

Then another.

Saleem closed his eyes briefly.

"...The Protocol has failed."

Saki lounged comfortably against a pillar like he owned the place.

"I told you," he said cheerfully. "Word spreads fast when Athlian returns."

Mason pointed at him.

"You are the reason my stress levels are illegal."

Saki grinned wider.

Before Mason could continue complaining, footsteps echoed outside.

The doors opened without announcement.

A tall man entered wearing dark blue robes threaded with silver runes. His long hair was tied loosely behind his neck, and his expression carried calm intelligence mixed with dangerous amusement.

His eyes landed on Mason.

Recognition flashed instantly.

Athlian inhaled sharply inside Mason’s mind.

’Lorian.’

Mason sighed. "Of course there’s another one."

Lorian bowed slightly; not submissive, more respectful familiarity.

"My Goddess," he said smoothly. "You disappear for months, and suddenly reality trembles again. I assumed you were involved."

Saki scoffed. "You always arrive late."

"I arrive fashionably," Lorian replied.

Mason rubbed his temples.

"Okay. Pause. New rule. Everyone introduces themselves before emotional history attacks me."

Lorian chuckled softly. "You truly are different."

Draca shifted closer; not possessive, just present.

Lorian noticed immediately.

His gaze moved between them.

Interesting tension settled in the air.

Before anyone could speak again...another bell.

The doors opened once more.

This time a woman stepped inside; Dark curls framed sharp, intelligent eyes.

She moved with the confidence of someone who feared absolutely nothing.

She stopped several steps away and simply looked at Mason.

Athlian’s emotions softened instantly.

’Seris,’ she whispered.

Seris bowed her head slightly.

"You woke," she said quietly. "I felt it across the sea."

Mason exhaled slowly.

"So we’re collecting people now."

Saki raised his hand. "I was first."

"You are not earning points," Mason replied.

Seris studied him carefully.

"You carry two presences," she observed.

"The Goddess... and someone new."

Mason hesitated.

Athlian stirred, uncertain.

Draca spoke calmly.

"The Goddess has changed. Respect her adjustment."

Saki crossed his arms. "You speak often for her."

"I protect her," Draca answered simply.

Silence followed.

Mason noticed something strange.

None of Athlian’s former lovers looked offended.

They looked... curious.

Like scholars examining an unexpected discovery.

Athlian felt it too.

They were not competing.

They were trying to understand.

Another bell rang.

Mason stared at the ceiling.

"I swear if another ex walks through that door..."

The doors opened again.

Saleem entered quickly.

"My Goddess... there are still more waiting outside."

Mason froze.

"...How many more?"

Saleem checked his scroll.

"Three confirmed divine signatures. Possibly closer to the capital."

Saki laughed outright.

"The reunion truly begins."

Athlian sounded almost embarrassed.

’They were important to me.’

"Yes," Mason replied internally. "I can tell. The entire continent can tell." He clapped once loudly.

Everyone looked at him.

Authority settled naturally over the room again.

"Alright," he said. "New structure. We are not turning the palace into a romantic festival."

Saki looked disappointed.

Lorian looked entertained.

Seris nodded approvingly.

Draca almost smiled.

"Visitors will be received formally," Mason continued. "One at a time. No surprise bedroom appearances. No emotional ambushes."

Saki whispered, horrified, "You created rules."

"Yes."

"The old you hated rules."

"The new me likes sleep."

Athlian laughed inside him.

The tension broke slightly.

But before humor could fully settle...

The palace shook...not violently but enough for chandeliers to sway.

Everyone turned toward the balcony.

Outside, clouds twisted unnaturally above the capital.

Magic gathered.

Athlian’s amusement vanished instantly.

’They found me.’

Mason felt cold awareness spread through him.

"Not another celestial eye," he muttered.

Seris stepped beside him.

"No," she said quietly. "Something worse."

Lorian’s expression hardened. "Divine scouts."

Saki’s playful attitude disappeared completely.

"They don’t send scouts unless judgment is coming."

Draca moved closer to Mason.Protective instinct, immediate and unquestioned.

Guards rushed past the hallway outside.

Alarm bells replaced arrival bells.

Real danger now.

Saleem spoke quickly. "Energy readings rising across temple districts. Priests report spontaneous manifestations."

Mason exhaled slowly.

Alright...Kingdom crisis mode activated.

He stepped onto the balcony.

Wind whipped through golden hair as citizens gathered below, staring fearfully at the darkening sky.

For a brief moment, he felt the weight of Athlian’s past.

She had faced heaven alone before.

But now...He wasn’t alone.

Behind him stood warriors, mages, lovers, allies.And one quiet human commander who never left his side.

Athlian’s voice softened.

’You changed everything.’

Mason smiled faintly.

"No," he answered internally. "We’re changing it."

The clouds split open.

A narrow tear formed high above the capital.

Silver light bled through reality.

A voice echoed across the sky; ancient, distant, emotionless.

"Athlian... deviation confirmed."

Citizens fell to their knees.

Priests began chanting.

Mason crossed his arms.

"Okay," he said calmly. "I’m officially tired of being evaluated."

Power stirred beneath his skin.

Draca stepped beside him without hesitation.

"What are your orders?" he asked.

Mason looked at the sky,then at the people below.

Then at the allies gathering behind him.

And finally at Draca.

"Nobody panics," he said.

His voice carried across the balcony, steady and clear.

"We welcome our observers."

Saki blinked. "You’re greeting divine judges?"

Mason shrugged. "If heaven wants a meeting, they can schedule an appointment like everyone else."

Athlian laughed in astonished delight.

Above them, the silver tear widened slightly.

As if listening.

As if... interested.

Mason felt it immediately.

Something beyond the gods had noticed him...not just Athlian but him.And for the first time...

The watcher hesitated.

The sky darkened further and energy gathered.

Behind Mason, his past and future stood together.

Before him, heaven itself waited.And deep within their shared soul, Athlian whispered with sudden realization...

’They are no longer judging me...’

Mason’s eyes narrowed at the sky.

"They’re judging us."

The silver light pulsed once.

Then began descending toward the palace.