Page 50 of Heatbound Hearts

But that is quickly all overshadowed when gasps rushing through the crowd. I whip around to see what has drawn the attention.

I watch in stunned silence as Kairos steps forward, his silver eyes blazing with determination. The air around him crackles with energy, his runes glowing an intense blue. My heart races as he addresses the gods directly, his voice carrying a mix of reverence and defiance.

"Holy Seven," Kairos begins, his tone measured but firm. "I come to you on the night of your celebration to seek answers."

The gods turn their attention to him, their collective gaze so powerful it makes me shudder. Axarus, the God of War, speaks first, his voice like thunder. "Demon, you overstep. This is not the time nor place for your inquiries."

Murmurs start up through the crowd. A demon among them surprises most noctari, but for the gods to not even question why he is here seems to stir them up more.

Kairos stands his ground, undeterred. "But surely, with your infinite wisdom?—"

Xydra cuts him off, her voice a symphony of destruction. "Silence. Your questions are irrelevant to these proceedings."

I feel a pang of sympathy for Kairos as the gods dismiss him one by one. His shoulders slump slightly, the glow of his runes dimming. The rejection is palpable, and I can't help but admire his bravery in the face of such overwhelming power.

As the tension in the air thickens, I feel a familiar arm wrap around my waist. Zyx pulls me closer, his wings unfurling slightly in a protective gesture. I lean into him, grateful for his steady presence.

"It's okay," he whispers, his breath warm against my ear. "The gods don't take kindly to direct confrontation, especially during Nati."

I nod, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene. The gods' attention has already shifted away from Kairos, their focus returning to the ceremony at hand. But the air still feels charged, alive with unspoken power and barely contained energy.

Zyx's arm tightens around me, and I feel his muscles tense. I look up at him, seeing a mix of awe and wariness in his silver eyes. "Stay close," he murmurs, his gaze scanning the crowd. "The energy here is unpredictable."

I press myself closer to his side, feeling the warmth of his body through the traditional Nythorran attire he helped me into earlier. Despite the grandeur and magic surrounding us, in thismoment, Zyx's protective embrace feels like the most powerful force in all of Nythorra.

But the ritual doesn't continue. Not as Netia's eyes land on Naia and she halts everyone else.

All Seven turn toward us, their eyes moving from Naia to me, and Nosaos speaks first. "What are you?"

I'm too stunned to say anything, but Naia answers. "We are human, from other worlds."

Now, the crowd is practically in an uproar. Even the gods start to talk among themselves, the energy climbing higher and higher.

I feel Zyx's arm tighten around me just as Oltyx's booming voice fills the air. My heart races, confusion and fear flooding through me as I try to process the god's words.

"The humans, Bronwyn and Naia, who have entered my realm of Terramyst, I claim as my own," Oltyx declares, his voice resonating with power that makes the ground beneath my feet tremble.

My eyes widen in shock, and I instinctively turn to Zyx, seeking reassurance in his familiar face. What I see there only intensifies my growing panic. His silver eyes are dark with concern, his jaw clenched tight. There's a fierceness in his expression that I've never seen before, a protective intensity that both comforts and frightens me.

Zyx pulls me closer, his wing curling around me like a shield. I can feel the tension in his body, every muscle coiled and ready to spring into action. His gaze never leaves Oltyx, but his grip on me speaks volumes. It's a silent promise, a vow to keep me safe no matter what.

I press myself against Zyx's side, drawing strength from his unwavering presence. My mind races, trying to understand what Oltyx's claim means. Am I no longer free? What power does this god have over me now?

The air around us crackles with tension. I can see other N\noctari shifting uneasily, their wings rustling in the eerie silence that's fallen over the gathering.

I cling to Zyx, my heart pounding as the other gods turn their envious gazes upon us. The air crackles with divine energy, making my skin tingle and my hair stand on end. I can feel the weight of their attention, heavy and oppressive, pressing down on me like a physical force.

Xydra, the Goddess of Destruction, steps forward, her form shimmering with barely contained chaos. "Why should Oltyx alone claim these humans?" she demands, her voice a symphony of shattering glass and crumbling stone. "I too desire a champion from their realm!"

My breath catches in my throat as Axarus, God of War, joins the fray. His eyes, burning with the fires of a thousand battles, lock onto me and Naia. "Indeed," he booms, the sound reverberating through my chest. "These mortals could serve as vessels for our power, bridges between worlds."

Zyx's arm tightens around me, his wing a protective shield against the gods' hungry stares. I can feel the tension in his body, every muscle coiled and ready to spring into action if needed.

Oltyx's voice rises above the others, deep and resonant like the rumbling of the earth itself. "You forget yourselves," he admonishes, his words carrying the weight of mountains. "These humans entered my domain. They are under my protection and guidance."

The other gods bristle at this, their forms flickering with barely contained power. The very air seems to vibrate with their displeasure, and I find myself trembling despite Zyx's comforting embrace.

Oltyx stands firm, his presence growing until it seems to fill the entire space. "If you desire human champions of your own," he challenges, his voice echoing with finality, "then you mustfind them yourselves. The mortal realm is vast, and surely there are others worthy of your attention."

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