The first official response from Heaven arrived before noon.
Not in fire.
Not in judgment.
But in paper.
A single golden-sealed decree materialized in the Grand Assembly Hall of the Drakaryx Empire, hovering above the black marble floor like a divine insult. Court officials, sect elders, noble scions, and Heaven-aligned observers stood frozen as its sigils burned with lawful radiance.
"Inconsistency detected in Imperial Registry."
"Subject: Azrael Drakaryx."
"Authority Requested: Clarification of True Name and Fate Line."
The Empire had been asked.
Heaven did not ask lightly.
Princess Lyssara Drakaryx — POV
They all pretended not to look at me.
That was the funniest part.
The court hall was filled with power—generals in blood-forged armor, cultivators cloaked in spiritual silk, scholars glowing with runic inscriptions—but their eyes kept drifting to where I stood.
The Third Prince's sister.
My silver-white hair fell loose down my back, contrasting with the dark royal dress clinging to my figure. Pale blue eyes reflected the hovering decree, and for a moment… something golden flickered beneath them.
Azrael's resonance.
They could feel it.
I folded my arms, chin lifted. "So," I said coolly, "Heaven is confused?"
Murmurs rippled.
A Heaven-aligned elder stepped forward, robes shimmering with celestial script. "Princess Lyssara, this is no laughing matter. A name deviation is a violation of cosmic—"
"—cosmic arrogance?" I cut in sweetly.
Gasps.
He stiffened. "Heaven assigns fate. Names are part of that order."
I smiled.
"You think my brother asked permission to exist?"
The decree pulsed.
Somewhere, a Heaven observer flinched.
Azrael — POV (Watching from Afar)
Through Lyssara's eyes, I watched them squirm.
She didn't know I was doing it, of course. A faint dragon thread connected us—one of many I had begun weaving around those I considered mine.
Her anger.
Her pride.
Her protectiveness.
All delicious.
The court was divided now:
Those loyal to Heaven.
Those loyal to the Empire.
Those loyal to fear.
Perfect conditions for theft.
[Fate Thread Identified: Elder Huron — Heaven-Favored Orator]
Probability of Decline: 38%
Stealable Value: Moderate
Not yet.
Let them argue.
Let the noose tighten.
Seraphina — POV (Behind the Curtain)
The political fallout was immediate.
Three sects declared neutrality.
Two noble houses quietly shifted loyalty.
One Heaven-aligned clan sealed its gates.
And through it all, Azrael remained… absent.
Physically.
Strategically, he was everywhere.
"He's doing this on purpose," I muttered, watching reports pile up. "Letting the world panic."
Valeria Drakaryx sat across from me, regal and composed, but her fingers tapped the armrest in a slow, controlled rhythm.
"My son is forcing Heaven to reveal how much it truly knows," the Empress said. "And how much it doesn't."
Seraphina hesitated. "Do you trust him?"
Valeria's violet eyes softened—just a fraction.
"With my empire," she said.
"And with my life."
Kael Veyl — POV
The streets whispered his name.
Not mine.
His.
Azrael Drakaryx.
I stood on a balcony overlooking the capital, fists clenched, staring at banners bearing the dragon sigil. Every instinct told me something fundamental had shifted.
The world no longer bent toward me.
It… resisted.
"Master Kael," a Heaven-marked envoy bowed, "your fate line is unstable. We will investigate."
I nodded.
But inside, something ugly coiled.
I had been chosen.
So why did it feel like I was being… replaced?
Azrael — POV
Heaven wanted clarification.
The Empire wanted stability.
Kael wanted his destiny back.
They could all want.
I was done asking.
The next time the Heavenly Registry flickered, it wouldn't be confused.
It would be afraid.