Chapter 3: The Visitor Who Should Not Exist

Night descended slowly over the Syrian Kingdom.

Unlike Earth’s darkness, night here shimmered with divine color. Stars hung closer to the world, glowing like conscious beings watching from beyond reality. Floating lanterns ignited across palace bridges, casting golden reflections across marble rivers.

Mason stood alone inside Athlian’s private chamber and he was suffering.

Not from enemies, not from gods. But from clothing.

He stared at his reflection for the hundredth time.

Silver hair cascaded over bare shoulders.The silk robe draped loosely around his new body, soft fabric brushing skin that reacted to every movement with unfamiliar sensitivity.

He crossed his arms and immediately uncrossed them. Everything felt... wrong.

"I cannot get used to this," he muttered.

Athlian’s voice answered lazily within his mind.’You complain more than my priestesses.’

"I used to wear hoodies."

’You ruled nothing in hoodies.’

Mason sighed and sat at the edge of the enormous bed; a structure large enough to host a royal council rather than a sleeping person.

The room itself looked less like a bedroom and more like temptation given architectural form. Moonlight filtered through transparent curtains, illuminating soft pillows, scattered perfumes, and delicate wine cups left untouched.

He frowned."Why does your bedroom look like a luxury romance novel set?"

Silence fell and thenAthlian spoke with amusement.’Because it frequently was.’

Mason froze."What does that mean?"

Before she could answer,a faint click sounded behind him.

Mason turned sharply.The balcony doors were opening...slowly and quietly.

Like someone who had done this many times before.

A tall figure slipped inside with effortless familiarity. Dark hair,golden jewelry and a confident smile.

He closed the doors behind him and stretched casually as if returning home after work.

"Ah," the man sighed happily. "I missed you, my goddess."

Mason blinked.The man walked forward without hesitation, without fear,without announcement and without permission.

He stopped inches away, eyes warm with affection and something far more dangerous.

"I heard you nearly died today," the stranger murmured softly. "I came the moment the palace guards changed shifts."

Mason’s brain screamed; Intruder! security breach! Assassination attempt!

He raised a hand instinctively as divine power crackled around his fingers.

The man laughed gently and caught his wrist."You don’t need to pretend to be angry tonight," he said teasingly. "You always welcome me after danger."

Mason froze.

Athlian spoke calmly inside his head.’ Ah. It is him.’

"WHO?" Mason demanded internally.

’One of my lovers.’

Mason nearly fell off the bed.WHAT?!

The man stepped closer, studying Mason’s face."You look different tonight," he murmured.

Mason pulled his hand away instantly."STOP RIGHT THERE!"

The lover blinked."Athlian?"

Mason stood abruptly, creating distance."I don’t know who you are."

The man chuckled."Still angry I missed last week? I told you, the eastern rebellion delayed me."

He moved closer again but Mason backed away.

The man stopped as confusion appeared on his face.

Athlian’s amusement echoed internally.’You are behaving strangely.’

"I AM A MAN," Mason hissed mentally.

’Technically, you are not.’

"I AM PSYCHOLOGICALLY A MAN."

The lover tilted his head."Are we roleplaying tonight?"

Mason stared at him."No."

"Yes?"

"No!"

The man smiled slowly."I see," he said. "You wish to be pursued."

Mason pointed at the door."Leave."

The man looked wounded." That’s cruel my goddess. You summoned me through dreams three nights ago."

Mason turned internally toward Athlian."YOU SUMMON PEOPLE?!"

’Sometimes.’

"FOR WHAT?!"

Athlian did not answer immediately.Her silence confirmed everything.

Mason covered his face."Oh my God..."

The lover laughed softly and reached forward, brushing a strand of silver hair behind Mason’s ear with intimate familiarity.

Mason jumped back like he had been electrocuted."BOUNDARIES!"

The man stared bewildered.Now truly concerned."Athlian, are you injured?"

Mason hesitated.He realized something dangerous.

This man genuinely cared.

Athlian’s voice softened.’He has always been gentle.’

Mason lowered his hand slowly."What is your name?"

The question stunned the man."You forgot?"

Mason nodded carefully."I hit my head."

The lover frowned...then bowed slightly."Its Zereth My goddess"

He smiled warmly."I suppose I must charm you again."

Mason internally screamed.

Athlian laughed openly now.’You used to enjoy him greatly.’

"I DON’T ENJOY MEN."

’You enjoyed power.’

Mason sat heavily on the bed."This is insane."

Zereth approached cautiously and sat beside him, leaving respectful space now.

"That assassin attack must have shaken you deeply," he said gently. "You feel... distant."

Mason studied him.Zereth carried no arrogance common to nobles. His clothes were simple compared to palace luxury.

He’s human,not divine.

"Why risk sneaking into a goddess’s chamber?" Mason asked.

Zereth smiled faintly."Because behind the throne... you are lonely."

The words struck unexpectedly.

Athlian went quiet.

Mason felt her emotions ripple faintly; memories of secret meetings, stolen comfort, nights where divinity weighed too heavily to bear alone.

He understood suddenly.These lovers were not only indulgence...they were her escape.

Before he could respond,the chamber doors burst open.

Saleem entered...followed instantly by Ura.

Both froze at what they saw: Their Goddess with an unknown man.Very suspicious proximity.

Saleem inhaled sharply."Again?"

Ura pinched the bridge of her nose."My Goddess," she said carefully, "you promised to reduce unauthorized visitors."

Zereth stood immediately and bowed politely."Good evening."

Saleem looked tired."Sir, we installed divine barriers for a reason."

Mason raised both hands."I did not invite him!"

The three instantly stared at him.

Athlian whispered inside his mind:’Technically untrue.’

Mason groaned.

Ura narrowed her eyes."You truly seem different tonight."

Zereth nodded slowly."Yes. She asked my name."

Saleem gasped dramatically."The Goddess has amnesia."

Mason immediately accepted this explanation."Yes. Exactly. Amnesia."

Athlian laughed harder.’Traitorous human.’

Ura crossed her arms."We should summon healers."

"No!" Mason said quickly.

Everyone froze.He straightened, regaining composure."I require... rest." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Saleem nodded wisely."Yes. Emotional rest."

He gestured toward Zereth."You may leave through the balcony as usual."

Zereth hesitated, looking back at Mason."May I return tomorrow My goddess?"

Mason opened his mouth...

Athlian whispered’He will come regardless of your response.’

"We’ll discuss later," Mason said weakly.

Zereth smiled softly and stepped onto the balcony, disappearing into the divine night.

Silence filled the chamber. Saleem sighed deeply."Ura, update the schedule."

She nodded.

"Cancel tomorrow’s lover rotation."

Mason choked."THE WHAT?"

Both servants looked confused.

Saleem spoke gently."My Goddess, your private arrangements are well documented."

Mason stared at them in horror.

Athlian’s laughter echoed uncontrollably inside his mind.’You truly inherited everything.’

Mason dropped onto the bed dramatically."I transmigrated into chaos."

Ura’s lips twitched.

Saleem bowed."Shall we increase security... or prepare wine?"

Mason covered his face."Wine."

The servants exited quietly and the room returned to calm.

Moonlight shimmered across the chamber.

Athlian spoke softly now.’You reject them easily.’

"I’m straight," Mason replied.

’You are also a goddess now.’

He groaned."This is going to be complicated."

A pause lingered between their souls.Then Athlian said something unexpected.’Perhaps... entertaining.’

Mason stared at the ceiling.

For the first time since arriving in this world...

He laughed.