The dawn sun cut through the city's haze, painting the rooftops gold. Ren sat on a narrow balcony outside the inn, nursing a cup of the café's Heaven's Blend. His mind replayed the visions from the night before—the pantheon's fall, the betrayal, and the strange figure that mirrored him.
"…I'm not ready for this," he muttered, staring at the horizon. "I can barely deal with a normal dragon, let alone the collapse of godly history."
Aeri appeared beside him, arms crossed, eyes sharp. "Then don't think of it as dealing with gods. Think of it as… surviving another day."
Ren snorted. "…Surviving, right. That's what I do best. Mediocre at life, but exceptional at avoiding death."
Her lips twitched into a smile. "You're more than that. I've seen the mark on your hand. The pantheon knows you're alive. And they're… not pleased."
Ren froze mid-sip. "…Not pleased? That's not ominous at all. Fantastic."
From the distance, a subtle tremor ran through the city. Windows rattled, birds scattered, and the air seemed to hum with invisible energy. Ren's hand tingled, his mark glowing faintly.
"…Oh, that's new," he muttered.
Aeri's eyes darkened. "They've sent messengers. Not just scouts or enforcers this time. Actual divine agents are moving."
Ren groaned. "…Perfect. Coffee and existential dread. That's my kind of breakfast."
Suddenly, a shadow detached itself from the alley below. A man, tall, cloaked, and moving with fluid grace, descended the steps. He stopped a few meters away, lifting his hood to reveal sharp, calculating eyes.
Ren froze. "…Wait… haven't I seen him before?"
Aeri's hand rested lightly on her dagger. "…Be careful. That's not a mortal."
The man smiled faintly. "Ren Sato," he said, voice smooth, measured. "We meet at last."
Ren swallowed hard. "…You… know my name?"
"I've known of you for some time," the man replied. "And now, you've begun to awaken. The pantheon… notices your movements."
Ren's pulse spiked. "…Awaken? Like, 'oh no, I'm dreaming again' awaken? Or 'I'm about to die horribly' awaken?"
"Both," the man said calmly. "And soon, you'll have to choose: hide or act."
Aeri stepped forward. "Who are you?"
The man's smile widened slightly. "…A friend. For now. That may change depending on your actions."
Ren blinked. "…Great. Cryptic, threatening stranger who calls himself a friend. Check. Also: do I get a user manual?"
The man chuckled softly. "You don't get manuals. You get trials. And choices. The pantheon… stirs because of you, Ren. Some see a threat. Others… see potential."
Ren's stomach churned. "…Potential for what? Eternal doom? Memory loss? Another awkward coffee date with death?"
"You'll see," the man replied. With a graceful turn, he melted back into the alley shadows, leaving only a faint whisper in the wind:
"The Silent One cannot hide forever."
Aeri's eyes followed him, wary. "…You're not just some city dweller, are you?"
Ren shook his head. "…I think not. And honestly, at this point, I'd settle for someone who just sells pastries."
The balcony fell silent. Somewhere above, golden eyes watched, unseen and calculating. Somewhere below, the city continued, oblivious.
And somewhere in Ren's chest, a spark of defiance burned.
"…Fine," he muttered, gripping the railing. "No more running. If I'm the Silent One… then I'll decide what that means."
Aeri's expression softened. "Then we move forward. Together."
Ren exhaled, a shiver running through him. "…Together. Right. Because what's the worst that could happen?"
Somewhere in the heavens, a god frowned. The game had begun.
To be continued…
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