Conversations didn't stop entirely, but they quieted noticeably. Everyone was watching now, trying to assess who these three strangers were and why they warranted entry to what was clearly a private gathering for the religious elite.

Finn took in the hall at a glance as they stared, his mind automatically cataloguing details.

The space was enormous… easily large enough to host several hundred people, though the current gathering numbered perhaps a hundred at most. High vaulted ceilings disappeared into shadow above, making it impossible to judge the room's true height. Tables filled with food and wine were arranged throughout, with clusters of people standing and sitting in conversation.

At least twenty Champions filled the hall. He could identify them immediately by their presences, that distinctive quality of divine blessing that made their auras more substantial, more real than normal priests or paladins. Roughly half of them radiated the cold, depthless essence of Shadow. While the others carried Luna's softer, moonlit quality.

Champions of both faiths mingled throughout the hall, as if they were born of the same faith right from the start.

And beyond just Champions, an even larger number of paladins, priests, and priestesses from both churches were also in the hall. Servants wove between them all, refilling glasses and delivering fresh platters. The whole scene had the atmosphere of a formal celebration, like a wedding feast or a coronation banquet.

The gazes on Finn and his companions grew more focused and probing as they stepped in fully. But Finn wasn't intimidated by the attention. His eyes immediately found the focal point of the entire room.

At the far end, a raised platform held two thrones.

The larger throne, clearly the primary seat, was occupied by a young man whose presence dominated the space despite his relaxed posture.

The Holy Son. Or rather, no longer just the Holy Son — the Shadow God's Incarnate now.

He looked exactly like his statue outside. Early twenties, with dark hair that seemed to absorb the torchlight rather than reflect it. Sharp, handsome features that balanced attractiveness with authority.

His eyes were fixed on Finn with unmistakable interest.

To his right was a smaller throne that held a lithe figure draped in a pale, milky white veil. The veil was clearly decorative rather than concealing. Finn could see enough through it to identify Lucine's features, and more importantly, he could feel her gaze on him through the fabric.

But she didn't acknowledge them, or rise, or gesture, or offer any sign of recognition. She sat there like a divine consort, playing whatever role this theater demanded of her.

A moment passed. Then another figure stepped forward from beside the platform.

A woman, clearly a Champion of Luna based on the divine essence radiating from her. She appeared to be in her thirties, with silver-white hair bound in an intricate braid and sharp, pale-blue eyes.

She headed directly to receive the three newcomers, having clearly been briefed on her duty.

"Welcome. The Incarnate has been expecting you."

Her eyes lingered on Finn for just a moment as she observed the three of them, before her attention finally settled on the Mnemosyne in surprise.

Her composure cracked slightly. Her eyes widened fractionally. Her breathing hitched. The moonlight essence around her flickered as if disturbed by wind.

Because looking at Ailin — at the Mnemosyne — was like looking at something that shouldn't exist in stable reality. Her utterly inhuman aura created a dissonance that even the Champion clearly struggled to process.

The woman recovered quickly, but Finn had seen the reaction. Everyone in this hall would have the same response when they got close enough to sense what Ailin had become.

Finn met the Champion's gaze steadily, his expression neutral and unreadable. "Then we shouldn't keep him waiting."

The woman nodded, recovering her composure quickly then gesturing to the platform. "Please, follow me."

She began leading them through the hall, carving a path between tables and clusters of celebrating priests and paladins.

As they walked, conversations lulled into silence among them. The Mnemosyne being the cause of most of it. She drew the most attention and the most unease. Some of the priests actually stepped back as they approached, creating wider space around their path without conscious thought until they reached the raised platform.

Up close, Finn could see details he'd missed from across the hall. The Shadow God's Incarnate was younger than he'd initially appeared, probably no more than twenty-two or twenty-three. But his eyes held depths that suggested far more than mortal years.

It wasn't surprising anyway, seeing as the Shadow God was dead and he had claimed what was left of Him. Even that little was enough to raise a mortal to more than just an Incarnation.

The Incarnate stared solely at Finn, unlike others whose attention were focused on the Mnemosyne. He tracked Finn's approach with the focused intensity of a predator watching prey, though whether hunting or simply assessing remained unclear.

Beside him, through Lucine's veil, Finn could see her lips curve into a smile. That familiar, mischievous expression that suggested she was enjoying whatever game was being played here.

The Champion who'd led them stopped at the base of the platform and bowed. "Your Eminence, the guests have arrived as you requested."

The Incarnate waved one hand in casual dismissal. "Thank you, Silvana. You may return to the celebration."

The woman — Silvana — bowed again and withdrew, leaving Finn, Thalia, and the Mnemosyne standing before the two thrones.

Silence stretched for several heartbeats. The conversations behind them had died down to whispers. Everyone was watching now, trying to hear what would be said.

Then the Shadow God's Incarnate spoke, his voice carrying layered harmonics like divinity speaking through mortal vocal cords.

"So," he said, "You're the new-born divine."

Finn inclined his head slightly, maintaining eye contact despite the unsettling depths of those shadow-filled eyes. "And you're the new Shadow God."

The Incarnate's lips curved into something that might have been a smile or might have been a challenge. The expression held ambiguity that felt deliberate.

"Welcome to my court," he said, gesturing broadly at the hall behind them. "I am told you seek to ascend to true divinity."

Finn squinted his eyes slightly. It seemed Lucine had spoken about him in depth to the Incarnate. Did she approach her "preparations" from an angle of pure truth? Just how much had she revealed about him?

The Incarnate leaned forward slightly in his seat, speaking so only Finn could hear.

"I also hear the Moon Mother has factored you into 'Her' plans…" he cracked a smile, and a glint of challenge shone in his eyes. "I'll inform you beforehand. I don't like to share my Glory with anyone. So you had better hope you achieve Apotheosis before I do…" he paused.

"...else I will devour you."

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