While Dominic was being dragged out through the massive throne hall doors — wrists bruised, heart shattered — the royal court turned its back as if he never existed.
The king cleared his throat.
"Let us begin properly," he said, now smiling.
His voice filled the throne room, silencing the whispers and tension left behind.
"You two… State your names."
Jake stepped forward first, puffing his chest.
"Jake Carter. From Earth."
Annabel followed quietly, eyes still flickering toward the doors Dominic had just been dragged through.
"Annabel Reyes…"
She hesitated. Then added softly,
"Will… will anything bad happen to our friend?"
Jake elbowed her sharply.
"Annabel. Don't."
The king's smile didn't fade, but his words were ice.
"If the gods favor him, he will survive. But do not concern yourselves… you shall never see him again."
He turned, his royal robes trailing behind him like a declaration of finality.
"Head maid," he called. "Prepare quarters for our guests. Assign them the finest servants. Tonight, we hold a banquet… to honor our true heroes."
The throne hall burst into applause and chatter.
Dominic Mendez was erased from their minds like he was never there.
Meanwhile…
The wheels of a wooden wagon creaked against the stony path that led toward the edge of the known empire. Inside sat Dominic — silent, slouched, legs chained. A stale loaf of bread rested beside him. Untouched.
The forest beyond the empire's borders whispered like something half-alive.
He didn't cry anymore.
He just stared.
"Thrown away like a glitch…"
He leaned his head back, eyes tracing the dim sky through the wagon's barred ceiling.
"Jake. Annabel. You didn't even say a word for me…"
He gritted his teeth, then let out a cold, dry laugh.
"I really am alone now."
His thoughts swirled until a quiet memory surfaced — his father's voice, calm and composed like the edge of a blade.
"Dominic, in chaos, don't move blindly. Think. Imagine every path — the escape, the victory, even the death. When you act, let it be with clarity. Not noise."
Another voice — younger, teasing — his sister Monica's:
"The one who judges first always ends up being judged last. Slow down, big bro."
Dominic let the words ground him. And with the silence of the road, the wheels of his mind began to turn again.
Two days passed.
And at last, the wagon came to a stop.
One of the guards jumped down and unlatched the door.
"Out."
Dominic stepped out slowly. The land ahead was wilder, greener, and quieter than any he'd seen.
"What is this place?" he asked.
Another guard pointed toward the tree-covered abyss.
"This is the edge of the empire. The king says—this entire forest is yours now."
He gestured mockingly.
"Live. Die. Starve. Do whatever you want."
Dominic looked at the forest line. His instincts told him something was wrong.
"Are there monsters in there?" he asked.
The guards didn't answer. They simply raised their spears… and shoved him forward.
He stumbled. Then straightened. Took a few steps back toward the trees… and stopped.
He turned around slowly, face unreadable.
"...Tell your king this…"
He lifted a single middle finger in the air.
"I'll repay this x40. And all your faces—yeah, I remember them."
Without waiting for a reply, he smirked and walked backward into the darkness.
The guards didn't follow. They were already turning back to their horses, chuckling.
Hours passed.
Dominic walked deeper and deeper through the forest. It was strangely quiet. No beasts. No roars. Just an eerie stillness.
His stomach growled. The bread was gone. His body was tired.
But he kept walking — until he saw it.
Not a mountain. Not a hill.
But a cave, hidden by vines and shadows.
From the outside, it didn't even seem real.
He hesitated.
"Shelter…"
He stepped inside cautiously.
The deeper he walked, the colder the air became. The walls shimmered faintly with moss and mineral light.
Then, all at once — orbs on the walls lit up.
One by one.
Blue. White. Gold.
The cave pulsed with energy. Dominic spun around, stunned, breath sharp.
"What the hell is this…?"
He sat near a glowing wall, his body finally giving in.
"I need to rest…"
His back slouched. His eyes began to drift shut—
Until—
DING.
A piercing sound echoed inside his mind.
Then a glowing translucent interface appeared before him.
[ WELCOME, OUTCAST GOD. ]
Dominic blinked.
"What…?"
[ SYSTEM INITIALIZING... ]