The sky split open like a curtain of living light.
Stars swirled; constellations bent; time itself bowed.
A figure stepped forward — not descending, not floating… simply existing, as if the universe rearranged itself to accommodate him.
Golden hair like cascading starlight.
Eyes that held galaxies.
A presence so ancient the world instinctively knelt.
Aurelion Tenebris.
Primordial God.
Creator of the Infinite Realms.
And Sohag's true father.
Velra flattened herself to the ground, shaking.
Lysandra couldn't breathe.
Aethria's shadows dissolved in reverence.
Seraphiel clasped her trembling hands together, tears streaming silently.
Only Sohag stood, staring blankly.
"…Hi."
Aurelion laughed — a sound like the birth of suns.
"So shy, even now. You truly are my son."
Aethria whispered, voice cracking,
"My Lord… your presence is… overwhelming…"
Aurelion softened it with a gentle gesture.
In an instant, the suffocating cosmic pressure vanished, replaced with a warm breeze. Even the sky brightened to a soft gold.
The Primordial God turned his gaze to Lysandra.
"Eldest daughter of the empire. Do not fear. I am not here to take him from you."
Lysandra swallowed.
"Y-Your Majesty— I mean— Your Divinity— I—"
He chuckled.
"Just Aurelion is fine."
She fainted on the spot.
Velra squeaked.
"S-So strong yet so casual—!"
Aurelion then turned to Aethria.
"My shadow. You have served longer than empires have stood."
Aethria bowed deeply.
"I live for your command."
"And you have fulfilled it well."
Aethria trembled — the praise of a Primordial God was something even gods would kill for.
Then he looked at the Saintess.
"Seraphiel."
Her breath hitched.
"…My lord…"
"You have safeguarded him admirably. Your love for him is pure."
Seraphiel blushed so hard even Velra gaped.
Aurelion continued,
"I approve."
Seraphiel nearly burst into tears on the spot.
But then — Aurelion finally faced Sohag again.
And his cosmic eyes softened in a way that made the others gasp.
"My son."
Sohag looked away shyly.
"…Why are you here?"
Aurelion spread his arms.
"To give you what is rightfully yours."
Light gathered around him — forming golden runes, swirling symbols of creation, laws of reality.
Lysandra regained consciousness just in time to witness it.
"Is that… divine authority?!"
Velra whispered, terrified,
"He's giving him actual godhood—?!"
But Aurelion raised a finger.
"Not yet."
He gazed at Sohag with a fatherly fondness that contradicted his cosmic grandeur.
"You are strong — too strong. Even sealed, even lazy, your power grows endlessly. But raising you was not merely to create another god."
He stepped closer, lowering his towering presence to a comforting, human level.
"I wanted you to have something I never did."
Sohag blinked.
"…A family?"
Aurelion smiled gently.
"Yes."
Everyone froze.
Velra bit her lip.
Aethria lowered her head.
Seraphiel pressed a hand to her heart.
Aurelion placed a warm hand on Sohag's head — the universe itself shifted with the motion.
"You will soon discover your true abilities, Sohag. And with them… dangers will follow."
The golden sky dimmed slightly.
"But you are not alone. Every woman here loves you — each for her own reasons. And more will come. You are the successor of the Primordial, destined to gather twelve pillars of fate."
Velra perked up.
"T-Twelve? Including us?"
Aurelion nodded.
"Yes. All of you are part of the Twelve Divine Companions, chosen by destiny — not by title, but by heart."
Seraphiel's tears fell again.
Aethria lowered her head in acceptance.
Lysandra muttered,
"I'm… one of the twelve…?"
Aurelion continued,
"Sohag, your greatest power is not your invincibility. It is the bonds you form — the love you give and receive."
Sohag's face turned bright red.
"…Don't say it like that."
Aurelion grinned.
"You are introverted, shy, and speak only when needed. But that is fine. The universe does not need another arrogant god."
Then his expression grew serious — the sky rumbling faintly.
"My son… I came for another reason."
Sohag tilted his head.
"…What reason?"
Aurelion reached into the void and pulled out a sphere of pure origin light — the color of creation itself.
"The seal on your true heritage is weakening."
Everyone froze.
Velra:
"S-Seal…?!"
Aethria:
"Already…?! But he's still young—!"
Seraphiel:
"Is something awakening?"
Aurelion nodded gravely.
"Yes. And soon, enemies will sense it."
He placed the orb into Sohag's hand.
"When the time comes, this will unlock what sleeps inside you."
Sohag stared at the glowing orb, uncertain.
"…Do I have to fight?"
Aurelion smiled warmly.
"No. You simply have to live."
Then he ruffled Sohag's hair again — gently, lovingly.
"And your wives will handle the fighting."
All the women nodded in absolute seriousness.
Sohag:
"…That's worse."
Aurelion laughed — the sky shaking with gentle cosmic joy.
"Grow slowly, my son. Love freely. Rest often. And become strong doing absolutely nothing — just as I designed."
He stepped back as the sky opened again.
"We will meet again soon."
Then he vanished in a burst of radiant starlight.
The courtyard fell silent.
Lysandra fainted again.
Velra sat down, dizzy.
Aethria bowed her head deeply.
Seraphiel wiped her tears, smiling softly.
And Sohag…
held the glowing orb, feeling warm and confused.
"…I want a nap."
Velra raised a hand.
"I volunteer to carry him to his room."
Aethria:
"No. That is my duty."
Seraphiel:
"I will bless his sleep."
Lysandra (waking briefly):
"He's my brother, let me—"
All four:
"NO."
Sohag sighed.
"…Too much."
But he smiled slightly — a quiet, shy smile.
Because for the first time, he felt it clearly.
He wasn't alone.
---