Two months had passed since the Gods descended to Main World. For most of them, stability in the human realm had already become second nature, and half of their grand plan was already well underway.

In a cozy home, Zenith, the God of Nature, carried a tray laden with drinks as he walked from the kitchen to the living room. His movements were calm and deliberate, the tray rattling slightly as he set it down before his guests.

"It is good to see you all again after so long," Zenith said, a warm smile spreading across his face.

Sitting comfortably in the room were his fellow Gods: Sonar, the God of Sound, Blur, the God of Motion, and Ultion, the God of Retribution. They returned Zenith's smile, glad to be in his presence once more.

"How has everyone been doing?" Zenith asked, genuine curiosity in his voice as he leaned back into his chair.

Ultion was the first to speak. He recounted his recent life with quiet pride, explaining how he had found stability with the woman he had chosen. She had been ready to settle down before they had even met, which made things easier for him when they realized they shared a unique bond. The connection had grown naturally between them, and Ultion seemed at peace with the way things had unfolded.

Sonar nodded in agreement as Ultion spoke. His experience had been similar. The woman he had connected with was gentle and kindhearted, and he genuinely enjoyed her company. They had recently moved out of the city, a decision he had made to make her happy. Though Sonar had initially been unsure about leaving the urban chaos, the contentment he saw in her eyes made it worth it.

Zenith listened attentively, happiness reflecting in his expression as his friends shared their stories. He, too, was content with his choices. He explained that his own partner was currently at work, the place where they had first met. Their connection had been instant, and after a few dates, their bond had deepened to the point where they were now planning to move in together.

"I am honestly impressed by how smoothly the plan is unfolding," Ultion eventually remarked, his tone thoughtful. "And I am even more surprised by how much we care about the humans we have chosen to be with."

"I couldn't agree more," Zenith responded, his smile softening. "I never imagined I could feel this deeply for a human."

Sonar nodded, sharing their sentiments. "Living among them has changed my perspective on humanity," he admitted. "Now that I'm experiencing their lives firsthand, I understand their emotions and choices better. My initial perception has shifted and being with them gives us a view we never had before."

"Your words speak truly," Zenith added, his voice reflective. "Perhaps Sage was right in suggesting this plan after all."

The three Gods nodded in unison, a quiet understanding passing between them. Their time among humans had altered their perceptions in ways they hadn't anticipated.

But as their conversation lingered, they realized one of their number had remained silent. All eyes turned to Blur, who sat quietly, lost in his own thoughts.

Blur sat perched on the edge of the couch, his right knuckle supporting his head as he leaned heavily on the armrest. His gaze was distant, his mind clearly far from the conversation happening around him. The other Gods exchanged uneasy glances, their attention drawn to the heavy silence that seemed to weigh on Blur's demeanor. His expression was dim, tinged with something that concerned the rest of them, though he seemed oblivious to their growing worry.

After a few quiet moments, Zenith gently called out to him, snapping Blur from his trance as he blinked back into awareness, suddenly conscious of the watchful eyes around him.

"How are you doing?" Sonar asked softly, the concern in his voice unmistakable.

Blur let out a weary sigh before he finally spoke. "I am fine," he said, though the words lacked conviction. "It's just… my situation frustrates me sometimes."

"Is it about your chosen bride, perhaps?" Ultion inquired, voicing the question that had been on everyone's mind.

Blur remained silent for a moment longer, gathering his thoughts. The room seemed to hold its breath as they waited for him to respond.

"Serene," Blur began, the name falling heavily from his lips, "she is arrogant and rude more often than not. She is not an evil person, but she is far from being gentle or kindhearted. When we first met, she had concealed it well, but since we started living together, her true nature has been seeping through. Her comfort around me has allowed her guard to slip."

The others listened in silence as Blur laid out his frustrations. His unhappiness was evident in his tone, and it unsettled them.

"You know," Blur continued after a brief pause, his voice laced with regret, "I sometimes wonder if I made a mistake in choosing her. Maybe… maybe it was all just a bad decision."

His admission hung heavily in the air, the weight of a God confessing doubt about his own judgment was not lost on them. They understood the gravity of his words; doubt was not something they were accustomed to feeling, let alone admitting aloud.

Zenith finally broke the tense silence. "We are approaching the point where we can get married to them soon," he reminded him gently. "Are you certain you still desire to wed her?"

Blur looked down at the floor, his brows furrowed in thought. For a long while, he didn't say anything. But finally, he spoke, his voice quieter now.

"The strange thing is, despite all the difficulties, despite everything I have just told you… I am still in love with her. I care about her deeply, and I do not want her to be unhappy. This is the first time I have felt such an attachment to a mortal, and I cannot walk away from that. It was my choice to love her, and even if it feels like I rushed it, I have to see it through."

The room was heavy with the weight of his confession. His fellow Gods exchanged solemn looks. They understood the complexity of his emotions, and the burden he carried in trying to reconcile his love with the flaws he had uncovered in his chosen partner. Despite the turmoil, they respected Blur's resolve. He was committed to the path he had chosen, however fraught with challenges it might be.

In the silence that followed, they knew one thing for certain; Blur wasn't just grappling with the trials of love. He was grappling with the consequences of his own decisions, determined to make things work, even if it meant enduring doubts along the way.

It had been a few weeks since Sol first entered the workforce. Now, he lay quietly on his bed as dawn's soft light began to filter through the curtains, painting the room in a warm glow. The tranquility in the air was unusual, almost foreign to him since his descent to Main World. He stared at the ceiling in reflective silence, a deep peace settling over him, though he wasn't sure why.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

The serenity was short-lived, however, as the sharp ring of his alarm clock shattered the stillness. Sol glanced at it for a moment, then rose to shut it off with a simple tap. Without lingering, he made his way to the bathroom, showering and preparing for the day ahead.

After breakfast, Sol got into his car and drove to work, arriving at the familiar building that had slowly become part of his daily routine. As he walked inside, his coworkers greeted him warmly with waves and smiles, highlighting his positive relationship with each one of them.

On his way to his desk, Sol spotted Gwen, which immediately caught his attention. He raised an eyebrow in slight confusion as he approached her.

"You're here early," Sol commented dryly. "That's a first."

Gwen flashed him a bright smile. "Good morning to you, too," she replied, her tone light but playful as she continued. "And if you must know, I'm managing my time better now. You know, trying to be more professional."

There was a beat of silence as the soft hum of office chatter and the rhythmic clicks of keyboards filled the space between them. Sol, ever the skeptic, tilted his head slightly, his face betraying no emotion.

"That has got to be your most hilarious lie yet," he said flatly. "So it's either you've been warned you're on the verge of getting fired... or someone's helping you manage your time instead."

Gwen's smile faltered slightly, her eyes shifting awkwardly as she bit her lip. She glanced around the office, as if searching for an excuse, but Sol had already put the pieces together.

"It's Percival, isn't it?" Sol asked, his tone more calm than curious. "He's the one helping you manage your time."

Gwen sighed softly, her expression turning sheepish. "Guilty," she admitted. "A few days after we met, he called me, and we started hanging out a lot since then. One thing led to another and before I could tell, things just… got really serious between us. I didn't know how to tell you, Luke."

Sol's expression remained as indifferent as always. "It's fine," he said simply. "And I'm happy for both of you."

Gwen's face softened, her smile returning with genuine warmth. "You know, you still have a special place in my heart," she teased lightly.

"Not sure that's a feat I should be proud of," Sol replied.

Gwen laughed out loud at his words, the sound cutting through the office briefly. After a few more lighthearted exchanges, they both parted ways, slipping back into the rhythm of the workday.

Sol's day unfolded with quiet efficiency, his work so impeccable that by midday, he had completed all of his assigned tasks. He moved through his responsibilities with an almost effortless grace, his performance so flawless that it drew the attention of his superiors. Shortly after, his boss called him into the office; a summons that Sol suspected was inevitable.

Inside, the manager couldn't mask his amazement. As Sol entered, the man rose from his desk, greeting him with a wide smile, his tone rich with admiration.

"You know," the manager began, leaning back in his chair, "with how empty your resume was, one wouldn't have imagined that you would make it past the first day."

Sol sat calmly, his expression as unreadable as ever, his silence urging the manager to continue.

"But, you've proven me and everyone else wrong. So much, in fact, you're probably the best worker we've ever had," the manager said, still marveling. "And your timing couldn't have been any more perfect. Almost like a divine being sent down to grace us."

"Hilarious," he deadpanned, his tone as flat as his unchanging expression.

The manager chuckled again before regaining his composure. "Well, regardless, you've more than earned this. So, effective tomorrow, you'll be stepping into the role of regional manager for the company. If you choose to do so."

Sol sighed inwardly. He hadn't anticipated such rapid advancement, though he wasn't surprised by it either. "Sure," he replied, his voice calm and indifferent.

"Excellent!" the manager exclaimed, clearly relieved at Sol's agreement. "I'll send over some documents regarding the promotion for you to review tonight during your free time."

With that, the manager rose to his feet, signaling the end of the conversation. Sol gave a curt nod before turning to the door and leaving the office. His promotion granted him an early dismissal, and so, instead of heading straight home, Sol found himself driving to a nearby park.

The sun had begun its slow descent, casting long, golden rays across the landscape. Sol parked his car and walked towards a secluded bench, where he sat quietly, absorbing the serene beauty of the evening. The air was cool, the sky painted in soft hues of orange and yellow, and for a while, the world seemed to hold its breath, allowing Sol a moment of uninterrupted peace.

Time drifted by without incident, and Sol let his mind wander, the stillness of the park matching the calm within him. But this tranquility was soon interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Sol's eyes opened, though he remained facing forward, sensing the presence of someone moving closer.

The figure sat down beside him on the right side of the bench. Sol did not turn to acknowledge the stranger; instead, he kept his gaze fixed ahead. Silence stretched between them, a quiet that he was not eager to break.

"You know," the stranger began suddenly, "this is one of my favorite spots in the whole city."

The tone of the voice confirmed to Sol that it was a woman. He let her words hang in the air for a moment before responding, his gaze still fixed on the horizon ahead.

"Is that so," he said simply, making no effort to turn toward her.

Silence settled between them again, the kind of quiet Sol preferred. He wasn't sure how his response had landed, nor did he particularly care. His thoughts were still focused inward, though the stranger's interruption had pulled him slightly from his meditative state. But just as the stillness began to reassert itself, the woman broke it again.

"By the way," she began once more, "I heard there's some guy who flashes people around this hour. So if you see anyone in a trench coat, better brace yourself for the worst."

Sol paused at her odd remark. Her sense of humor was strange, but he felt obliged to acknowledge her again.

"I will take your words into account," he replied, his voice steady as he leaned his head onto his left hand, still avoiding any direct engagement.

Another stretch of silence followed, this time longer, and Sol began to think that the woman had run out of reasons to make small talk; something he had been hoping for. Yet, just as the peace started to settle back over him, the woman shattered it with an urgent, sharp cry.

"What the heck is that?" she yelped, her voice tight with what sounded like genuine fear.

Sol snapped his head toward her, instinctively searching for the source of her alarm. He glanced around, his bright golden eyes scanning the area, only to be met with the woman's gaze for the very first time.

His breath caught for a moment. Her beauty was unfathomable, almost disarming. Her black hair cascaded elegantly over her shoulders, framing a face with light hazel eyes that gleamed at him with mischief. Her lips curved into a smile, one that carried the faintest hint of triumph.

"Made you look," she said, her voice soft yet playful, her eyes twinkling with amusement at his reaction.

Sol remained silent, his golden eyes locked on hers as if trying to find the right words but coming up short. He lingered there, lost in the depths of her hazel gaze, almost in a trance. The seconds dragged on, and the woman, noticing his prolonged silence, tilted her head slightly, a hint of confusion crossing her features.

"Damn," she said, breaking the moment with a playful chuckle. "You really love intense eye contact, huh?"

Her words jolted Sol back to the present. He realized he'd been staring at her for far too long without saying a word. Quickly, he gathered himself.

"Apologies," he murmured, his voice soft and calm as always.

"No, it's fine," she said, waving it off with a smile. "I'm flattered, honestly."

Her smile lingered, but there was something new in her gaze; a mix of curiosity and amusement. Her eyes scanned him with a subtle intrigue, as if she were piecing together a puzzle.

"You know," she said, breaking the silence again, her tone a little more thoughtful. "You're really handsome. I mean, like, really, really handsome. It's... kind of intriguing."

Her words caught Sol off guard. He hadn't expected such a blunt compliment. Unsure of how else to respond, he simply nodded and said, "I appreciate it."

The woman's smile widened at his modest reply, and Sol found himself inexplicably drawn to her; something he hadn't anticipated when she first interrupted his moment of solitude. She radiated warmth and confidence, and this made Sol feel strange.

Without fully realizing it, Sol spoke again, his words slipping out almost on their own. "I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

The sudden compliment caused the woman to blush, a faint pink spreading across her cheeks. She was caught off guard, and for a brief moment, her shock from his boldness was clear. But then her smile softened, her eyes gleaming with a newfound warmth.

"You seem to know the right things to say, don't you?" she said, pleased by his words.

"I guess," Sol replied with a slight smile of his own, his normally indifferent expression softening for the first time that evening.

They shared a quiet moment, their smiles lingering, before the woman shook her head, as if pulling herself back to reality.

"I'm Natalie, by the way," she said, extending her hand toward him.

Sol reached out and took it, feeling the warmth of her touch as he reciprocated her introduction.

"I'm Lucas Walker."