[Celestial Realm – Hall of Thrones]
The chamber was quiet, but heavy with tension.
Ten figures sat upon golden thrones, each radiating an aura that bent space itself. In the center hovered a divine scroll—blank, until the oldest god raised his hand.
> "Begin the list."
As divine ink flowed across the parchment, one name appeared first, etched in blood-red flame:
Lohan Ardyn – Code: Apostate Reclaimer
A god with scales for eyes muttered, "He should never have returned."
The masked goddess beside him replied, "He should never have been allowed to exist."
The list continued, expanding:
Winter Ravennight – Affiliated: Apostate's Ally
Justine Velra – Status: Defective Divine
The scroll glowed once more as the final decree was cast:
> "Let all celestial agents act without restriction. These are no longer mortals… they are threats to divinity."
---
[Academy – Lohan's Room]
Winter burst through the door, her cloak singed and face pale.
> "They're hunting you. The gods… they've declared you a threat."
Lohan looked up from his blade, now covered in symbols from his past life.
> "Took them long enough."
She threw a crumpled page onto the table.
He scanned it—his name, her name, and even Justine's.
> "Justine too?" he muttered.
> "They labeled her 'defective.'"
Lohan was quiet for a moment.
> "They're scared."
> "Of what?"
> "Of what I used to be… and what I'm becoming again."
---
[Meanwhile – Eos Academy, Infirmary]
Justine lay on the bed, eyes half-open. Her wounds from the rooftop battle hadn't fully healed.
A shadow loomed over her.
It was Dean Althros—once a close ally of Hajun in the past, now bound to the gods.
> "You betrayed the Godslayer," he said coldly. "And still failed."
She looked away.
> "I… didn't want to fail him again."
> "Then pray he never finds out the real reason you turned."
He placed a sealed letter beside her and vanished.
Trembling, Justine reached for it.
> "He can never know…"
---
[Lohan's Room – Later That Night]
Winter leaned against the doorframe as Lohan reassembled his dual-toned staff—half silver, half black iron.
> "What now?"
> "Now?" Lohan replied, eyes gleaming. "I gather a team."
> "A team?"
> "If I'm going to climb the tower again… I'll need more than fire and vengeance."
He smirked.
> "I need monsters."
---