Morning came…
but it didn't feel like morning.
The world still wore fear like a blanket. Streets were quiet. News anchors sounded tired. Churches overflowed. Scientists argued on screens that barely worked. Humanity wasn't dying — it was just… small now. And everyone could feel it.
Except Xain's living room, which currently contained chaos, his friends stayed the night because they couldn't even step outside Xain house after the appearance of that being from Devic.
Then,
James paced with a broom like it was a holy weapon. "If that shadow thing comes back, I'm swinging."
Markus sat on the couch holding a pillow like a riot shield. "Yeah. Hit the cosmic demon with a broom. That'll work."
Jed just stared blankly at the ceiling. "If we die, I'm haunting all of you."
Xain didn't laugh. Didn't joke. Didn't even fake it.
His mind was somewhere else.
You've already started awakening.
It words wouldn't leave him.
He wasn't normal anymore. Maybe he never had been.
Before his thoughts could consume him again—
Knock.
Not thunder. Not cosmic shaking. Just…
Knock.
James froze.
Markus whispered, "Do we… answer that?"
Jed leaned slowly toward Xain. "If that's another cosmic thing, tell them to send an email next time."
Xain sighed and walked to the door.
He opened it.
The world paused.
There she was.
Ring.
Not in celestial glory.
Not in blinding wings or star-like splendor.
Just… human.
Still impossibly beautiful. Still with that presence that made the atmosphere behave politely around her. Her eyes soft, but holding entire galaxies of stories.
And right now, they were looking only at him.
"Hi," she said gently.
James behind Xain whispered: "…I'm in love."
Markus smacked him again.
Ring smiled slightly. "May I come in?"
Xain nodded and stepped aside. "Yeah."
She walked in and immediately the house felt brighter. Not magical bright. Just… Alive bright.
James immediately stood up straight. Jed tried to fix his hair. Markus sucked in his stomach like that would help.
Ring noticed. She laughed.
"Humans truly are adorable."
They died internally.
She turned back to Xain.
"North Star still waits for your answer," she said softly. "And… there's something else. He requested I keep watch over you for now."
James gasped. "Like… bodyguard??"
Ring tilted her head. "If that helps you understand it."
Jed nudged Markus. "We're officially background characters now."
Ring ignored them and stepped closer to Xain.
There it was again.
That soft warmth in her gaze. Different from fear. Different from care.
Something fragile. Something dangerous.
Something named feelings.
And Xain… simply blinked.
Nonchalant. Unmoved. Emotionally locked.
Not cold. Just… Xain.
"You almost died yesterday," Ring continued. "And normally? I wouldn't care this much. Humans break easily. But when I saw you standing there refusing to fall no matter how terrified you were…"
She paused.
Her voice lowered.
"…something in me didn't want you to disappear."
James slowly mouthed: "She likes you…"
Jed whispered: "He's gonna fumble this."
Xain scratched his head. "So… is that like… professional concern or…?"
She stared.
Blink.
Then she burst out laughing.
A real laugh. Not elegant. Not angelic. Just genuine.
"You are unbelievable."
James threw his hands up. "He's allergic to affection."
Ring regained herself, smiling in a way that meant trouble. "I'll make it easier for you then."
She stepped even closer.
Too close.
Their distance shrank. Reality felt like it leaned in to watch.
"I like you, Xain."
James: "I KNEW IT."
Markus: "I'm gonna faint— someone hold me."
Jed: "Romance arc unlocked."
Xain blinked again.
"…oh."
Ring stared at him.
Waiting.
Expecting at least something.
Anything.
Silence.
She sighed, shaking her head. "I forgot. You're emotionally constipated."
James clapped. "That's the most accurate description ever."
Ring rolled her eyes but smiled again.
"I don't need an answer. Not now. Maybe never. Just… don't disappear. Okay?"
He looked at her. For once, something in his chest moved. Not dramatic. Not overwhelming.
Just there.
"…I'll try not to," he said quietly.
Her smile softened.
Then James clap-clap-clapped loudly.
"Okay emotional moment is over, hi yes hello incredibly powerful celestial being, I'm James. This is Markus. That depression cloud over there is Jed. Please don't smite us."
Ring giggled.
"I won't smite you."
Markus exhaled. "Great. Breakfast?"
So they sat.
And somehow… For the first time since the universe decided to go insane…
They laughed.
James told stupid jokes. Jed complained about reality being DLC content. Markus asked if Heaven had WiFi. Ring asked them about human food, human music, human movies — curious like a child, wise like an ancient being.
Xain just watched sometimes.
And something rare happened.
He smiled without noticing.
Ring noticed though.
She didn't say anything.
But her heart… reacted.
Time passed. They relaxed. Reality didn't feel like a cage for a while.
Then Ring suddenly froze.
Her expression changed.
The warmth vanished.
"Xain," she said quietly. "Something is wrong."
The light in the room flickered.
Wind howled outside though no windows were open.
James swallowed. "Please tell me that's normal heavenly weather."
Ring's eyes hardened.
"No."
She stood.
Her aura surged. Not violently. Just firmly.
Protective.
She stepped in front of Xain.
"Stay behind me."
The sky darkened.
Thunder rolled without clouds.
Then every window in the house vibrated as a horn sounded across the world.
Not human. Not man-made. Not earthly.
Something ancient. Something cosmic. Something announcing judgment.
Ring whispered two words—
"…he has arrived."