The morning after the storm, the golden hall was quiet again. The light that filtered through the high windows felt softer, gentler—as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Leonard stood by the entrance, fastening a black cloak around his shoulders. The fabric shimmered faintly before fading into dull cloth. One tug at the clasp, and his entire presence slipped away like smoke in the wind.
His reflection in the broken mirror across the hall blurred, distorted, until even his divine essence disappeared.
Perfect.
He closed his eyes for a moment, muttering, "Even the gods won't sense me now."
When he turned, Aira was standing behind him with crossed arms and a glare sharp enough to cut marble. Her hair was messy, her clothes torn, and her patience clearly at its end.
"You done being mysterious?" she snapped. "Because in case you forgot, my mother is dying."
Leonard blinked. "Good morning to you too."
"That's not an answer."
He sighed, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "You really don't fear me anymore, do you?"
Aira frowned. "You feel... different. Before, it was like standing in front of a storm. Now you just feel... human."
He chuckled softly. "That's the point. I've masked my presence completely. Even gods wouldn't sense me like this."
"Convenient," she muttered, brushing dust off her sleeve. "So what now, oh King of Kings? You going to sit here on your fancy throne while I go save my mother?"
Leonard tilted his head, his golden eyes flickering with amusement. "You do enjoy defying royalty, don't you?"
"I enjoy getting answers."
He smiled faintly. "Then you'll enjoy traveling with me."
Her expression fell. "Wait—what?"
"I'm coming with you," he said simply. "Your mother's illness intrigues me. Divine energy clings to it. That means someone—or something—doesn't want her healed."
Aira froze. "You're saying... she's cursed?"
"Possibly. Or maybe she's part of something bigger." His tone darkened. "Either way, I'll find out."
She hesitated, torn between anger and relief. "So you're helping me?"
"For now," he said. "You brought me back to this world. The least I can do is ensure your family doesn't pay the price."
He started walking past her, and she blinked. "Hold on, I'm supposed to just follow you?"
Leonard looked over his shoulder, that half-smile still there. "Would you rather lead?"
"Maybe."
"Then go ahead," he said, gesturing toward the massive doors. "But don't blame me when we end up walking into a nest of spirit beasts."
She groaned under her breath, muttering something about arrogant men and their "divine egos." Leonard caught it easily—his smirk widened.
As they stepped out of the ruined hall, the air outside hit warm and heavy. The world beyond was not as she remembered. The forests had grown wild again, swallowing roads and ruins alike. Vines wrapped around broken statues of gods long forgotten, their faces cracked and moss-covered.
Leonard stopped, gazing at the overgrown horizon. "So this is what became of my land..."
Aira followed his gaze. "This was your nation?"
He nodded slowly. "Once. It had cities that touched the clouds, rivers of gold, temples that healed the sick. Now... only ghosts remain."
She glanced up at him. "You don't sound angry."
He smiled faintly. "I had centuries to cool down."
"Right. Must be nice being immortal."
He laughed—a quiet, rich sound that made her blink. "You're surprisingly bold for someone who fainted at my feet two days ago."
"I was exhausted," she said quickly. "You try running for two days without food."
He looked at her for a long moment, then, to her surprise, offered his hand. "Then you'll need strength."
"What—?"
A pulse of warmth passed through her palm as he touched her. Her exhaustion melted away in seconds. The ache in her limbs vanished. Her stomach stopped growling.
She pulled her hand back, eyes wide. "What was that?"
"Energy transfer," he said. "A tiny bit of my mana."
She stared. "You could've just said you gave me a snack."
Leonard chuckled. "You mortals and your dramatic terminology."
They walked for hours through the forest, trading silence and sharp remarks in equal measure. The tension between them softened—not gone, but reshaped into something oddly steady.
As they reached a ridge overlooking a wide valley, Aira caught sight of the world beyond: rolling plains, scattered villages, and in the far distance, a glowing city wrapped in white towers.
She pointed. "That's the capital of the Holy Kingdom."
Leonard's expression darkened instantly. "So they still stand."
"You don't like them, do you?"
"They built their power on what was once mine," he said quietly. "The Holy Kingdom worships the same gods who stripped this world bare. They stole divine artifacts from my temples and claimed them as gifts from heaven."
Aira frowned. "Then that's where we'll find the relics you need."
He glanced at her, mildly surprised. "We?"
She crossed her arms. "I'm not letting you run off and leave me behind. Besides, I still need you to heal my mother."
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you ordering me, little thief?"
"No," she said with a defiant grin. "I'm making a deal. You help me, I help you."
Leonard studied her face for a moment, then chuckled. "You really are trouble."
"You say that like it's a bad thing."
"It depends on the kind of trouble."
Aira blinked, cheeks flushing before she turned away quickly. "You're impossible."
"I've been called worse."
For a moment, there was quiet. The wind tugged at her hair, and he found himself watching her longer than he meant to—how the sunlight caught her eyes, how her determination burned through fatigue.
He caught himself and turned away. "We should move before nightfall."
"Yeah," she muttered, still blushing slightly. "Right."
Far above, in the divine realm, the god of earth stood before a massive pool of golden light, its surface trembling with unease.
He had masked his own aura now, afraid that any sign of panic would draw attention from the higher gods. But his mind kept returning to the same thought.
If I report this... they'll think I've lost control.
He clenched his jaw, muttering to himself. "No. I'll handle this quietly."
He pulled a cloak from his celestial armory—a relic woven from the first dawn's light—and wrapped it around his shoulders. His divine form dimmed instantly, fading into nothing.
The lesser angels outside his chamber felt a faint breeze, then silence. Their lord was gone.
If any had looked carefully, they might have seen a flicker of gold darting down through the clouds, descending toward the mortal plane.
Back below, Aira and Leonard reached the edge of a ruined city at dusk. Crumbling towers leaned against each other like weary giants. The streets were silent except for the sound of their boots and the wind whispering through the bones of the past.
Aira stopped beside a collapsed statue. "What is this place?"
Leonard ran a hand along the cracked marble, brushing off the moss to reveal faint carvings: In honor of the First King.
"This was my capital," he said quietly. "The heart of the old world."
Aira's gaze softened. "I'm sorry."
He smiled faintly. "Don't be. The past is just a lesson written in ruins."
Her eyes caught something glinting near the statue's base—a small golden emblem, half-buried in dirt. She picked it up and dusted it off. "What's this?"
Leonard's eyes widened slightly. "That... is one of my royal seals."
"Looks like a coin," she teased, flipping it in her hand.
"Careful with that," he warned. "It's bound to my magic."
Aira smirked. "What's the worst it could—"
The emblem flared in her palm. A blinding light flashed. When it cleared, she was hovering several feet in the air, hair standing on end, eyes glowing gold.
Leonard pinched the bridge of his nose. "I said careful."
"I—I can't move!" she squeaked. "What is happening?!"
He sighed. "You just activated a royal command seal. It recognizes you as one of my subjects."
Her voice cracked. "Then un-recognize me!"
He chuckled. "Not possible until it fades."
Aira's glare could've melted steel. "I hate you."
"I know," he said, utterly amused.
After a moment, the light dimmed and she landed roughly on her feet, scowling. "You're the worst."
Leonard grinned. "You'll thank me one day."
"Don't count on it."
As night settled, they camped near the ruins. The firelight flickered across their faces—hers thoughtful, his unreadable.
Leonard stared into the flames. "Aira."
"Yeah?"
"When I regain my strength, the gods will come for me. You understand that?"
She nodded slowly. "And when they do?"
He met her gaze, a quiet spark of warmth in his eyes. "Then I hope you're still foolish enough to stay by my side."
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Guess we'll find out."
Above them, the stars shimmered faintly—one in particular burning brighter than the rest.
Far beyond mortal sight, the god of earth stood on a distant cloud, cloaked in shadow, watching them with narrowed eyes.
"So... it is him," he whispered. "Leonard the First."
And beneath the stars, the King of Kings smiled to himself, as if he could hear the whisper.
"Let the gods watch," he murmured. "The game has only begun."
End of Chapter 3