Mason lay awake in Athlian’s chamber staring at the ceiling while moonlight slipped through silk curtains. The palace had quieted hours ago, yet his mind refused to follow.

Too many variables.

Too many people watching.

Too many gods suddenly interested.

Athlian’s presence stirred softly within him, unusually calm tonight.

’You are thinking too loudly.’

"I almost got exposed today," He replied internally.

’Draca did not accuse you.’

"He didn’t need to."

Mason turned onto his side.

Draca’s words replayed again and again.

It feels like someone else is looking back.

That wasn’t suspicion,it was instinct.

And instincts like Draca’s didn’t disappear.

They waited, observed and connected patterns.

Mason groaned quietly.

"I survived divine judgment but might lose to emotional intelligence."

Athlian laughed faintly. ’You underestimate love. It sees what power cannot hide.’

Mason covered his face with one arm.

"Fantastic. I’m being hunted by affection."

...

Cold wind brushed against his skin as Mason stepped outside.

The capital slept below, lantern lights glowing like scattered stars.

For a moment, peace existed.

Then the sky changed...the silver tear reopened silently above the palace...watching

Mason crossed his arms.

"Okay," he muttered upward. "If you’re going to spy on me, at least introduce yourselves."

The tear pulsed.

Energy descended slowly, invisible to

ordinary eyes but painfully clear to him.

Athlian stiffened. ’They should not be able to focus on this precisely.’

A voice entered his mind.

Not sound or emotion but pure awareness.

"Dual consciousness confirmed."

Mason’s stomach dropped.

They knew.

He forced himself to stay calm.

"Great," he whispered. "Cosmic auditors."

The presence pressed closer, analyzing.

Measuring.

"Deviation exceeds divine tolerance parameters."

Athlian’s anger rose immediately.

Golden power flared beneath Mason’s skin.

’You do not judge me!’

The sky flickered.

But the presence ignored her fury.

Its attention stayed fixed on Mason.

"Secondary identity... non-divine origin."

Mason clenched his jaw.

So much for secrecy.

Before he could respond...a powerful pulse exploded from behind him.

Draca had arrived without announcing himself.

And worse...he stopped directly beside Mason... staring at the sky.

Mason’s heart skipped. "Please tell me you don’t see that," He muttered.

Draca didn’t answer immediately.

His eyes narrowed. "I see... distortion."

Mason froze.

That wasn’t possible.

Only divine beings should perceive it. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Athlian whispered urgently, ’His bond with me allows partial perception.’

Fantastic.

The one man Mason couldn’t lie to easily... could now literally sense divine anomalies.

Draca stepped forward slightly, protective instinct immediate.

"Something is observing you."

Mason swallowed.

The silver light pulsed again.

The voice returned. "Witness detected."

The pressure intensified.

Draca’s hand instinctively reached for Mason’s wrist.

"I do not like this," Draca said quietly.

Mason forced a smile. "Congratulations. We finally agree on something."

But internally, panic built. If Draca heard even fragments.

Everything ended.

Athlian spoke firmly. ’Let me speak through us.’

"No," Mason replied silently. "That’s exactly what they expect."

Instead, he stepped forward.

Facing heaven directly.

"Listen," he said aloud. "You had your evaluation yesterday. Meeting’s over."

Silence followed...Then...

The tear widened.

Silver light poured downward, forming a vague humanoid silhouette high above the palace.

Draca inhaled sharply.

He saw it now but not clearly enough.

The presence spoke again.

"Identity clarification required."

Mason crossed his arms stubbornly.

"Denied."

Athlian almost laughed despite the danger.

The entity paused.

As if confused. "Refusal... illogical."

"Well," Mason said dryly, "I’m human. We specialize in illogical decisions."

The air grew heavy.

Power gathered dangerously.

Athlian warned, ’They may force revelation.’

Mason’s mind raced.

Think.

Think fast.

Then he did the one thing no divine being would ever do.

He yawned loudly....Exaggerated.

"I’m tired," he announced. "Come back tomorrow."

Draca blinked.

The entity hesitated.

Actually hesitated because gods expected reverence.

Fear and submission not... casual dismissal.

Mason turned his back on the sky completely.

A calculated gamble.

"I have a kingdom to run," he continued. "Schedule an appointment through palace administration."

Silence stretched.

Then...the silver figure flickered.

Uncertain and curious.

Slowly... it retreated.

The tear sealed shut.

The sky returned to normal.

Pressure vanished instantly.

Mason released a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

Athlian sounded astonished. ’You confused a celestial observer.’

"I weaponized bureaucracy," Mason muttered. "Works every time."

But relief lasted only one second.

Because Draca was still holding his wrist.

Still standing very close, staring at him.

And this time...There was no interruption.

No distraction...only truth pressing closer.

Draca spoke softly. "You spoke to them... differently."

Mason forced calm. "I improvise."

Draca shook his head slightly.

"No."

His voice lowered. "You understood them."

Silence.

Mason didn’t move nor breathe.

Draca’s eyes searched his face... not suspicious anymore but certain.

"You are protecting something," he said quietly.

Fear of losing someone important.

Athlian’s emotions trembled. ’He deserves the truth.’

Mason’s chest tightened.

He wanted to tell him...God, he wanted to.

But the arc wasn’t ready.

The world wasn’t ready.

Draca stepped closer, close enough that Mason felt his warmth through the night air.

"If you are in danger," he whispered, "you do not have to face it alone."

The sincerity nearly broke Mason’s resolve.

Before he could respond...a sudden violent surge of divine energy exploded across the capital.

Alarm bells rang instantly.

Guards shouted.

Magic flared across the horizon.

Saleem’s voice echoed from the courtyard below.

"My Goddess! Emergency!"

Mason turned sharply toward the city.

A massive pillar of crimson light erupted from the distant temple district.

Something ancient had awakened.

Athlian gasped. ’That presence... it should still be sealed.’

Mason’s expression hardened. "Please tell me that isn’t another ex."

Athlian whispered one name...filled with dread.

’Draca... may already know him.’

The crimson light expanded... forming the silhouette of a colossal chained figure rising above the city.

And as its eyes opened, they locked directly onto Mason.