"Strangers. Which world do you step from? The realm of fire? The realm of stars? Or…" His eyes lingered on Julian, then drifted to Annie, lingering too long. "…the realm of mortals?"
Annie shifted uncomfortably under his gaze while Julian only smirked, tilting his head.
"I am Valdris," the man continued. "Your presence here is...unusual. The barriers between realms have been particularly unstable of late, and yet here you stand at Heaven's threshold as if you simply walked through a door."
Julian's lips curved into a faint smile, his confidence unwavering even in the presence of this divine being.
"Well then, thank you for letting us know," he replied smoothly, though he offered no immediate answer to the question.
Valdris nodded, his eyes studying both visitors with growing curiosity. His gaze lingered longer than was comfortable, as though he could see through the surface of their bodies into something deeper, more fundamental.
"And what do you both go by?"
