The golden, emerald, shadowy, and obsidian lights faded.
Silence.
And then—
Catherine stood frozen, mouth slightly open, eyebrows raised, staring at the spot where four goddesses had just disappeared like they were sucked into the fabric of reality.
"…Uhh…" she said slowly, "does that… happen often?"
Every girl turned toward her at once.
Ana shrugged casually. Gia nodded like this was normal. Kasumi cracked an egg like nothing unusual was going on. Sakura raised a finger matter-of-factly. Jasmine leaned on the counter with her usual stoic expression. Kathy smirked. Reina sipped tea. Carmella and Bethany shared a giggle.
All of them said the exact same thing together:
"Weird things happen around here sometimes. You'll get used to it."
Catherine blinked twice.
"…Okay then."
Bethany patted her on the shoulder. "Welcome to life with Zumi."
As Hina's pillar of indigo shadowlight faded, Zumi felt something massive shift— Not in his Soul Space… but deep inside the System architecture itself.
A new window unfolded before him, gilded in burning gold and black starlight.
It pulsed with primordial power.
✨ CELESTIA SYSTEM — PANTHEON OWNER AUTHORITY UPDATED
Requirements Met:
✔ Four Goddesses accepted Pantheon Binding ✔ Prototype Elysium successfully initialized ✔ Ascension Protocol executed ✔ Divine branches established under the Alpha God
A new symbol ignited across the interface — a throne-shaped sigil:
🔱NEW AUTHORITY UNLOCKED:
"DIVINE APPOINTMENT"
Zumi Gold has earned the right to:
✅ Assign Greater Gods & Goddesses ✅ Assign Supreme Gods & Goddesses ✅ Promote or Demote divine ranks ✅ Forge new Domains for future gods ✅ Fuse or divide domains at will ✅ Bind gods directly to his Throne ✅ Cut all past pantheon ties from any new recruit
SYSTEM EXPLANATION
Celestia's voice vibrated through the entire soul realm — warm, divine, echoing like a goddess speaking from eternity itself:
"Zumi, as Alpha God, you now possess the Authority of 'Divine Appointment' — the same authority used by the Primordials to create the first worlds."
What this means:
1. Your word defines their rank.
If Zumi says someone is Greater → their soul transforms. If he says someone is Supreme → their divinity blossoms instantly.
2. Elysium now has its own Ascension Ladder.
All future gods must wait for Zumi to place them.
3. His will is the law of Elysium.
Olympus is political. The Underworld is inherited. Other cosmic pantheons depend on tradition.
But Elysium obeys Zumi alone.
4. His Spirit carries Pantheon Authority.
Even without full awakening…
His soul is already functioning as:
"Alpha Authority — Incomplete Form."
The throne behind him pulsed as if acknowledging him.
⚡ NEW MENU: PANTHEON MANAGEMENT
A floating divine panel appeared beside him:
PANTHEON MANAGEMENT — BETA
👑 ALPHA GOD
Zumi Gold (Divine Authority: 17% unlocked | Full awakening pending)
🌟 SUPREME GODDESSES
Serafina — Supreme Goddess of Darkness
Leafa — Supreme Goddess of Nature
🔶 GREATER GODDESSES
Bia — Greater Goddess of Force & Strength
Hina — Greater Goddess of Shadows (Branch of Serafina)
🜁 AVAILABLE FUNCTIONS:
• Assign Greater Rank • Assign Supreme Rank • Remove Divine Status • Create New Domain • Combine Domains • Bind Goddess Directly to the Throne • Edit Pantheon Rules • Manage Elysium Realm Growth
💬 Celestia speaks directly to Zumi:
Her voice wrapped around him like divine silk:
"This ability is one only the highest beings ever receive. Gods serve their Pantheon… But a Pantheon serves its Alpha."
A pulse of cosmic pressure rolled across the Soul Space.
Standing before him…
Bia Serafina Leafa Hina
…all felt it.
Their eyes widened. Their divine cores shimmered. Their spiritual connection to Zumi deepened—sharper, stronger, more binding.
No physical change occurred.
But their souls felt different.
More anchored. More empowered. More his.
Bia placed a hand over her heart. Serafina smirked with reverent satisfaction. Hina bowed her head with devotion. Leafa smiled like sunlight through leaves.
Then—
In the middle of the Soul Space…
the ground rippled.
A surge of emerald brilliance poured outward.
Roots burst from the marble platform, weaving themselves upward in spirals of glowing nature energy. Vines shimmered with silver sap. Leaves formed from pure life-force. The trunk twisted upward like a column of ancient divinity.
Leafa's Tree — her divine heart — took form in Zumi's realm.
A sacred symbol of her essence.
A living anchor binding her soul to Zumi's Alpha Authority.
It pulsed once— twice— three times—
And the entire realm breathed with new life.
As Leafa's Heart Tree fully rooted itself in the center of the Soul Space, the entire dimension pulsed—
BOOM—
A tidal wave of golden, black, emerald, and violet energy surged outward.
Zumi's aura shifted.
No—
It ascended.
It became heavier, older, more primeval…
like something that existed before Olympus, before Heaven, before the world itself.
His hair stirred though no wind blew.
His eyes shimmered with traces of divine gold.
His presence expanded until the entire realm bent subtly toward him.
And then—
✨ SYSTEM: PRIVATE NOTIFICATION
A window appeared in front of Zumi alone, glowing with red-gold Wukong sigils:
CELESTIA SYSTEM — MONKEY KING AWAKENING SEQUENCE INITIATED
Zumi Gold, your soul has surpassed a critical threshold.
In 48–72 hours, you will awaken a new ability or transformation
directly linked to the Monkey King's divine lineage.
Preparations Begin Automatically.
Do Not Resist the Changes.
Zumi inhaled.
He could feel it—
something sleeping inside him had begun to stir.
Not human.
Not mortal.
Not even godly…
Primal. Ancient. Sun Wukong's true inheritance.
Bia
Serafina
Leafa
Hina
—all stepped forward in perfect unison.
Their auras dimmed respectfully, their expressions softening with overwhelming devotion.
And then—
they knelt.
Four divine beings lowering themselves before him, heads bowed, hands pressed over their hearts.
A gesture never before made to any man.
The Soul Space quieted.
The universe seemed to hold its breath.
He stepped forward.
His voice was calm…
but it carried through Elysium like thunder wrapped in silk.
"Stand."
They lifted their heads—slowly, reverently.
"There is no bowing in my Pantheon," Zumi said, eyes deepening with warmth and command.
"You are my wives.
My partners.
My equals in love."
His gaze moved across all four goddesses.
"You bow to no one.
Not even me."
Their hearts trembled—
not from fear, but from love that nearly overwhelmed them.
Serafina's lips curved into a smoldering smile.
Bia's eyes shimmered with fierce affection.
Leafa's cheeks warmed like spring sunlight.
Hina trembled with honored devotion.
They rose together.
BIA
Her voice bold and bright:
"We'll follow any order you give.
Gladly. Proudly.
Just tell us what you want."
SERAFINA
A dark whisper:
"I'll obey every command…
not because I must…
but because I want to."
LEAFA
Soft, sweet, loving:
"Your will is my sky…
I'll always walk beside it."
HINA
Shy but steady:
"I'll serve you with my whole heart…
forever."
Zumi smiled.
And the whole realm trembled around him with joy.
A golden ring of light spiraled beneath Zumi's feet—
then beneath each goddess—
WHOOOM—FLASH—
The Soul Space collapsed into a burst of divine fractal light—
And in an instant—
Bia materialized standing on a counter.
Serafina was floating for a second before landing gracefully.
Leafa blinked three times, confused but smiling.
Hina wobbled, grabbing Leafa's arm.
And Zumi appeared calmly in the center of the room, aura still humming with divine resonance.
The mortals jolted—
pots rattled—
Aurora dropped a spoon—
Carmella hissed in surprise—
Bethany gasped—
Catherine blinked rapidly like she was trying to reboot her brain.
Kasumi nearly chopped her cutting board in half.
Gia put both hands on her hips.
"Z-Zumi! Warn us next time!"
Reina spit out the sip of tea she'd just taken.
But everyone quickly calmed—
because Zumi was standing there, perfectly fine…
and the four goddesses looked different, even if subtly so.
Stronger.
More radiant.
More divine.
Zumi lifted a hand.
Instant silence.
His voice was gentle but absolute:
"What just happened…
must never leave this room."
All the girls nodded instantly—
no hesitation, no questions, no fear.
Bia crossed her arms proudly.
Serafina smirked like she'd dare anyone to challenge that rule.
Leafa nodded sweetly.
Hina bowed her head.
Gia saluted.
Ana gave a thumbs-up.
Jasmine nodded sharply.
Kasumi stood at attention.
Kathy placed a hand over her chest.
Aurora wagged her tail once.
Reina crossed her arms with a serious nod.
Carmella and Bethany placed their hands over their hearts.
And Catherine whispered in awe:
"…Zumi… what are you becoming…?"
Serafina answered for him, smirking darkly:
"Our Alpha God."
And every girl in the room—
every goddess, every mortal—
felt a thrill run through them.
The next morning, Zumi did something only a divine being could:
He masked his presence.
The overwhelming divine pressure faded, shrinking until he felt like a completely normal young man again—calm, harmless, quiet.
The girls all exhaled in relief, not because they feared it, but because masking it meant one thing:
Zumi was thinking of them. Of their comfort. Of keeping the household peaceful.
Bia smiled softly. Serafina smirked with approval. Leafa shimmered with pride. Hina looked at him like he hung the moon.
Catherine… her heart melted even further.
He can control something so divine… just for us?
She felt truly welcomed.
The mansion was lively.
Catherine followed the girls from room to room, laughing, asking questions, learning where everything was.
Ana showed her the training hall. Gia introduced her to the weapons room. Kasumi proudly presented the kitchen, already cooking lunch. Bethany and Carmella admired her tattoos with awe. Reina hugged her tightly as a fellow warrior. Sakura gushed over how strong she looked. Jasmine nodded, sizing her up with new respect. Kathy asked about her fighting style. Aurora curled around her legs like a happy cat.
For the first time…
Catherine Dragna realized she had friends. Sisters. People who accepted her exactly as she was— strength, scars, muscles, and all.
Her voice cracked once.
"…Thank you," she whispered.
Gia smiled. "You're family now. Get used to it."
Catherine wiped her eyes quickly. She wasn't used to kindness without conditions.
But she liked it.
The following days were packed.
From sunrise to sunset, the household was a whirlwind of training:
Ana:
Learning martial arts under both Hina and Reina.
Hina focused on precision, shadow footwork, and discipline. Reina focused on explosive strikes and raw power.
Ana improved so fast it shocked even Serafina.
Gia:
Deepening her shadow crafting with Serafina.
By the third day, Gia could create shadow chains and pull objects out of darkness.
Serafina called her: "A natural-born Empress of Shadows."
Sakura:
Sharpening her aim with her legendary bow. Zumi's gift made her arrows cut reality itself. Even Leafa admired the way her nature energy flowed.
Leafa:
Guiding Kathy and Kasumi in nature channeling to improve balance and stamina.
Aurora:
Learning speed techniques from Bia (outside teaching hours). She became twice as fast in three days.
Catherine:
Training with Zumi one-on-one.
She lifted weights like they were feathers. She kickboxed until the floor cracked. She learned how to control her Spirit of Strength more smoothly.
Zumi corrected her form gently. She blushed every time his hands touched hers.
Zumi:
Quietly entering the early stages of his Monkey King awakening.
His aura flared in his sleep. His eyes occasionally flashed gold. Serafina, Bia, Leafa, and Hina kept an eye on him.
The mansion was buzzing.
Everyone except Bia, Serafina, and Carmella (their new teacher roles exempted them from exams) gathered in the entrance hall.
Kasumi dressed in her neat maid outfit. Kathy checked everyone's baggage. Ana tied her hair into a serious ponytail. Jasmine tried to act stoic but was clearly nervous. Reina stretched her arms with quiet confidence. Sakura held her bow case like a treasure. Gia stood beside Zumi like a proud second-in-command. Leafa smiled serenely, her power still growing.
Carmella kissed Zumi's cheek for good luck. Bethany hugged him so tightly he laughed. Bia gave him a wink. Serafina whispered: "Don't cause too much trouble today… unless you feel like it."
They all laughed.
Zumi looked over his group—the ones who would enter the exam with him.
He nodded once, calm and confident.
"Let's go."
The trek there was quiet but full of excitement.
A large white building stood ahead: New York Integrated Academic Center — where thousands applied every year.
Other students gathered outside— chatting, panicking, cramming last-minute notes.
And then…
People began to stare.
Why?
Because Zumi and the girls looked like they were walking out of a movie:
Confident. Beautiful. Focused. Dangerous.
A strange, almost supernatural synchronization in their steps.
More and more heads turned.
Whispers filled the air:
"Who are those people?" "They look like models…" "Why are they all so… coordinated?" "That guy—he looks so calm it's scary."
Zumi ignored the noise.
He placed a hand on the door.
The girls lined up around him.
And together—
they entered the building for the exam.