There was no trial the next day.
No divine bells.
No portals.
No commands.
But peace.
Only a violet sky that hummed with quiet tension.
For the first time since entering the Playhouse, the contestants were given a stretch of time that felt almost like... peace. But none of them trusted it.
Kayaks stood at the edge of the floating camp, watching the horizon shimmer like oil on water. Lena sat beside him, her hair glowing faintly from the mercy gauge's passive effects. She was sketching.
"You know," she said without looking up, "it's weird how silence feels more dangerous than any god screaming at us."
"Because silence means they're watching," Kayaks replied.
"Or arguing."
"Or both."
Eli joined them, yawning. She wore a new outfit now, faintly divine gifted by the system after Ascendant Mercy had acknowledged her indirect intervention in the last trial.
"No announcements yet?" she asked.
"Nothing," Lena muttered. "Even the sky looks... afraid."
---
Somewhere beyond mortal view, the Divine Council Chamber, normally silent unless votes were cast, it was alive with tension.
Thirteen thrones.
Nine occupied.
Four empty.
Watcher Zeira sat on her fractured throne of mercy-ice, arms folded, eyes closed. Across from her was Patron Vex, Lord of Revelry and Chaos, lounging as usual.
> "The boy didn't just break a trial," said Watcher Myr. "He's beginning to anchor the space. Even we are feeling resistance."
> "Then push back," muttered Patron Savor. "Push harder. Break him. Make him a martyr."
> "No," Zeira said softly.
They all turned.
> "We need him to reach something."
> "You gave him your name," growled a voice from an unseen throne. "You don't do that lightly."
> "And now he'll carry it like a curse."
---
Back in the Playhouse, the 58 surviving contestants were beginning to split.
Some stayed loyal to Kayaks, drawn by his mercy, unpredictability, and the strange warmth of his leadership.
Others whispered behind campfires, forming loose pacts and side groups.
Some feared what Kayaks was becoming.
Others wanted to be what he was.
Merris confronted him mid-morning.
> "You're drawing lines whether you want to or not," she said bluntly. "And lines in a divine contest? They end in blood."
> "Then maybe it's time to define *why* we're still breathing," Kayaks replied. "Because I won't let this become just a numbers game."
She studied him.
> "Fine. But when the next trial comes, you'd better be ready for more than just divine games. You'll be tested by the ones who *used* to be players."
Kayaks tilted his head. "Meaning?"
> "Meaning some of us never left the Playhouse. We just... evolved."
---
That night, Kayaks visited the shrine they had made for the fallen. A quiet corner lined with memory tokens.
Lena stood behind him.
"If someday i won these games from the gods above, I'll revive all of you.)she showed an empathetic smile.
Kayaks replied "well let's our best for now."
Kayaks felt an eerie vibe around him.
What? Maybe just the wind i guess.
---
Suddenly, the air shivered. A bell rang.
But this time, the message wasn't cruel.
It was benevolent and chilling.
---
> $SYSTEM NOTICE — "Divine Recess" Triggered$
> • No active trials for 3 Divine Days.
> • All players receive nourishment, rest, and shelter.
> • During Recess, divine observers will interact freely with Anchors.
> • Hidden Quests unlocked.
> • Rewards no longer guaranteed.
> • Influence over Trial Design will now begin.
---
The message faded.
And silence reigned again.
"Im shocked that the gods gives us a break, how considerate of them"She laugh uncontrollably
"Well everyone needs break and so the gods."
"Yeah right"She patted my shoulders.
__
That night, Kayaks' gauge shifted again.
"What the?"
Why is it shifting again?
The gauge let him choose three new options glowing faintly:
[Shield of Grace]
[Phantom Sorrow]
[Echo Entwine]
He looked at it firmly.
I'll save this for later, but for now I'll enjoy this rest time.
Welp time to sleep .
He couldn't select them yet. But he knew what they were.
Not powers.
But paths.
end of chapter.