The grand doors of the royal hall creaked open, revealing an opulent chamber crowned by stained glass and burning chandeliers. The floor beneath Gold and Kane shimmered with polished obsidian, reflecting their cautious steps as they approached the dais. Guards stood still as statues, cloaked in silver and blue. At the far end stood a man wrapped in scarlet and black, adorned in a crown forged of starlight steel.
He stepped forward as they neared.
"I am King Rhaelor Ilyrion," he said, his voice resonant, calm, and deliberate. "Sovereign of this kingdom that bears my name. I welcome you, Gold of the unbound, and Kane, Saint of Cinders."
Gold bowed stiffly. Kane followed, her eyes trained on the king. The weight of flame and fate lingered in her posture.
King Rhaelor gestured with a hand. "Walk with me."
They moved into a side chamber, quieter and walled with living vines glowing faintly. Velvet seats circled a table of ancient oak. As they sat, the king studied them both with piercing eyes.
"You have survived much. Rebel blood, divine flames, and fragments of gods… Yet here you stand."
"What do you want from us?" Gold asked directly.
The king's lips curved slightly. "A fair question. My offer is simple—yet it bears the burden of choice."
He turned first to Gold. "You possess a contract with the god Ekrion—the Unbound. But do you know what he truly is? What his return means?"
Gold remained silent.
Rhaelor continued. "Our kingdom does not fear your god. We revere knowledge, not superstition. If you are to wield that power responsibly, you must understand the world it once ruled… and the world it will reshape."
He leaned forward, eyes sharp. "I ask you to study at our Royal Academy, where history is not rewritten, but remembered. Learn of your god's truth, of the eras that burned before the Empire's rise. Knowledge will be your weapon. Power will follow."
Before Gold could respond, Rhaelor turned to Kane. "And you… the Saint of Cinders. You who once served the Empire."
Kane tensed.
"You held one of the Divine Weapons—the flame capable of burning gods. You know how the Empire thinks. You understand their politics, their cruelty."
He stood. "I need someone who can keep peace among shadows. Someone who can serve under Velkain, the leader of my internal guard—the Shadows. Your strength is unmatched. Your mind, once lost, is now whole."
He paused, gaze gentle. "Now that you control your power, don't you think it's time you wield it for something… better?"
Gold immediately stepped in. "Please—don't take her from me."
King Rhaelor turned slowly to him.
"We just found each other again," Gold said, his voice cracking. "We lost so much time. She's all I have."
"You carry the name of a god who once tore the skies apart," the king replied evenly. "Keeping her close to you puts her in more danger than any battlefield. She is strong, yes—but not invincible."
Kane touched Gold's arm. "Gold…"
He looked at her, eyes pleading.
"I know we just remembered everything," she whispered. "But I want to protect you too. In my own way. If this path means I can do that… then I'll walk it."
"You're leaving me again."
"I'm not," she said softly. "Just… not walking beside you for now."
Silence stretched between them before she added, "We'll meet again. A few years. That's all. Get stronger. Survive. And don't forget me again."
Gold clenched his jaw, tears welling but unshed. He gave a small nod.
The king inclined his head. "Then it is settled."
He turned to Velkain, who stood silently near the chamber wall. "Velkain. She is yours to command."
Velkain stepped forward, black cloak trailing like a shadow. "Saint of Cinders, I welcome you to the Shadows. Your fire now burns for balance."
Kane nodded silently, her face unreadable.
King Rhaelor then looked at Gold. "As for you, bearer of the Unbound god…"
He raised his hand, and a soft light enveloped Gold.
"I hereby grant you citizenship of Ilyrion, and bestow upon you the title of noble. You will live as one of us. Learn our truths. Build your strength, and in time… rise."
Gold felt the weight of the words settle on his chest.
"Irethiel," the king called.
The princess stepped forward through a golden curtain, her silver-white hair flowing like moonlight.
"Yes, Father?"
"Escort our guest. Help him adjust, and answer any questions he may have."
She smiled faintly and bowed. "Of course."
The king waved his hand. "The meeting is adjourned."
As the others departed, Gold lingered beside Kane.
In a quiet hallway lit by crystal sconces, they stood together.
"You still wear the same look when you lie," Gold said.
Kane laughed softly. "And you still pretend you don't cry."
He looked away.
She pulled him into a hug. "I'll be watching. Always. So stay alive. That's all I ask."
"I'll see you again?"
"You will," she promised. "But until then… don't let him break you."
They pulled apart. Velkain waited, silently.
Gold turned toward Irethiel. She gestured with a soft smile. "Come, noble of Ilyrion. The world awaits."
As they walked down the marble halls, Gold felt something stir deep within him—like a crack in his chest spreading open.
The seal was weakening.
A whisper echoed in his head—familiar, ancient.
"At last... you call."
His god… was waking up.