As their bodies quivered in the aftermath of their lovemaking, something extraordinary occurred. Their powers, which had been intimately entwined throughout their union, reached their final stage of merging. Strange symbols, radiant and otherworldly, appeared on their chests, illuminating the room with their ethereal glow. For a brief, breathtaking moment, the symbols adorned their skin, marking them in a profound way, before vanishing into their bodies as if they had never been, leaving no trace but the memory of their intense union.

They lay entwined in each other's arms, spent and sated, their love and passion sealing a bond that transcended the physical.

----

When Gemini awoke, panic initially washed over him as he couldn't spot Fourth beside him. However, his anxiety was swiftly replaced by a sense of relief as he noticed a thin blanket covering him and his clothes neatly laid out beside him. It was clear that his FotFot had taken care of him. As Gemini got dressed, a peculiar sensation in his chest hinted at his boyfriend's proximity, as if they were connected in some inexplicable way. This connection helped soothe his nerves.

Gemini followed his intuition, a sense that had become increasingly familiar since their bond had deepened. It led him to Fourth, who was casually seated beside Tharn, munching on a piece of bread from the food Gemini had brought back to their temporary underground shelter. Fourth was also engrossed in reading some kind of book, the scene easing Gemini's earlier panic. A warm smile graced his face as he approached Fourth.

"What are you reading?" Gemini inquired, his eyes filled affection.

Fourth looked up from his book, his sparkling eyes meeting Gemini's as they both sat in the underground sewage shelter. The soft rays of light filtering through gaps in the ceiling adorned their handsome faces, casting a serene glow around them. Fourth smiled adorably at his boyfriend before raising the book. "It's a book from the guy you brought back. Quite interesting."

Tharn, who sat beside Fourth, remained silent, seemingly cowed by Fourth's presence. His belongings had been taken, and he appeared genuinely afraid of Fourth. As Gemini settled down beside them, he couldn't help but ask, "How long have I been asleep?"

"About 8 hours. It's now early afternoon," Fourth replied, leaning his head on Gemini's shoulder while Gemini affectionately caressed his hair.

Realizing his hunger, Gemini rummaged through his backpack in search of food. "I'm feeling quite hungry."

"Considering everything we did earlier, that's understandable," Fourth said with a mischievous smirk. Gemini responded by raising his eyebrows and playfully smacking his boyfriend on the forehead. "You're quite the naughty kid, aren't you?" Fourth couldn't help but giggle in response.

"Have you fully recovered?" Gemini inquired as he finally located something to eat—a can of baked beans. Fourth immediately understood the implication in Gemini's gaze and obligingly lifted his shirt. He revealed a chest that appeared entirely normal, devoid of any unusual marks or signs. "I'm feeling absolutely great," Fourth assured him, a smile gracing his lips.

Gemini felt a sense of relief wash over him at his boyfriend's response. As he savored his meal, Fourth returned to the book he had been engrossed in. Curiosity gnawed at Gemini, and he couldn't help but inquire about what had captured Fourth's interest in the book.

Fourth looked up from the pages, his eyes shining with curiosity. "It's like the bible of the occult, called the Holy Tome of Empyrean Order," he began. "What's intriguing is that the stories inside are somewhat similar to the tales my mother used to tell me every night before I went to bed when I was a child."

Gemini's curiosity was palpable as he leaned in closer, his eyes glowed with an unmistakable spark of intrigue. "Similar in what way?" Beside him, Tharn's interest had been ignited as well by Fourth's revelation. An doubting expression washed over Tharn's face, as if he struggled to comprehend how Fourth had known about the divine revelations concealed within the sacred tome of their occult.

"Remember the story I told you?" Fourth asked. Gemini nodded, and he proceeded to recount the tale:

--

'Long ago, during a time of chaos and constant warfare among the kingdoms, the people of the continent faced immense suffering from disease, famine, and plunder. In response to their cries for help, a savior emerged from the Divine Realm. He united the entire continent and established the grand Empire of Empyrean, bringing peace and prosperity for over half a century.

However, the glorious Emperor, in the twilight of his life, became consumed by a fierce ambition – he sought immortality, a chance to stand alongside the gods themselves.

In pursuit of this dream, the Emperor spared no expense and sent countless soldiers to the world's final frontier, hoping to find the elusive Eternal Light, a legendary flower rumored to grant immortality. After much hardship, only one person succeeded and returned, presenting the Emperor with the Empyrean Flower, the Eternal Light.

Yet, his actions angered the divine beings, and a calamity befell the empire. People were turned into monstrous creatures, bringing death and devastation to the once prosperous lands. Every fallen souls attacked by the monsters soon transformed into these malevolent beings, turning the empire into a haunted, desolate place.

To atone for his grave mistake, the remorseful Emperor used the Eternal Light to cleanse the sins he had committed. The sacred light consumed the entire kingdom, leaving nothing but ashes in their wake. The once magnificent empire was reduced to dust.

As the last surviving member of the royal lineage, the princess witnessed the destruction brought by her father's folly. In a courageous act, she took the seeds of the Empyrean Flower and vowed to carry it away to safety. She made a solemn promise that she and her descendants would safeguard the precious seeds, ensuring that the mistakes of her father would never be repeated.'

--

Fourth couldn't help but praise his boyfriend with an affectionate smile. "You remember it so well, even though I just told you once."

Gemini chuckled, a touch of warmth in his eyes. "Well, you tell stories so beautifully. It's hard to forget."

Fourth grinned and added, "What I shared with you was the simplified version, but this book appears to contain an extended and more detailed rendition of the story. It's fascinating because, as far as I know, I'm one of the few who knows this tale." Fourth tapped his chin, showing a curious and thoughtful expression. "Well, It seems that more have known this hidden knowledge than I had ever imagined."

Gemini's curiosity deepened further. "So, what's the full story then?"

Fourth began to explain, and beside Gemini, Tharn also listened attentively. "The group of countless soldiers sent to the world's final frontier was named the Empyrean Order by the Emperor." Fourth then turned his gaze to Tharn and asked pointedly, "I presume your occult group, or perhaps the so-called 'terrorists,' drew inspiration from that very name, didn't you?"

Tharn was visibly shocked but remained silent, though his reaction gave away the truth in Fourth's words. The weight of the truth seemed to press upon him as Fourth delved deeper into the lore of the Empyrean Order. "What the soldiers of the Empyrean Order brought back from their fateful journey were known as the 'God Origins'—seeds containing the various Wills of Gods themselves," Fourth explained. "Under the right conditions, each of these seeds could bloom and transform into a Empyrean Flower, granting immortality and godhood to the one who possessed it."

Gemini and Tharn were both captivated by this revelation. Tharn, in particular, appeared torn between the secrets of his occult and the newfound knowledge he was acquiring. The story in the tome had not provided such detail, but Fourth's words resonated with a sense of truth.

Fourth continued, his voice carrying the weight of eons past, "However, this ascension came at a great cost, not just to the individual but to the world itself. The Nature Order did not take kindly to the Wills of Gods being tampered with. The calamity that befell the empire, turning people into monstrous beings, was a consequence of its anger. In the end, the Emperor had to use the Empyrean Flower, which bloomed from the Diamond seed containing the Will of Eternity—the Eternal Light."

He paused, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in, before adding, "Instead of ascending to become the God of Eternity, he used it to cleanse the sins of the world. This ultimately led to the complete destruction of the Empire and the Emperor himself." The room seemed to hold its breath as the echoes of a bygone era resonated in their minds.

"The crimson light from the day before..." Fourth mused, his thoughts retracing the corridors of his childhood memories. Directing his gaze towards Tharn, he continued, "If my recollection serves me right, it emanated from the Crimson Seed, one of the God Origins. Within it, it harbored the Will of Destruction—an ominous force foretelling the ultimate destruction of the universe."

"How did you know all of that?" Tharn's panic was palpable as he struggled to comprehend how Fourth possessed such intimate knowledge. He couldn't fathom how someone outside his occult could be privy to these secrets.

Calmly, Fourth replied with a shrug of his shoulders, "Like I said, they were my favorite bedtime stories from my mother. What matters here is that your Order's intentions last night were clear: all of you aimed to use the destruction from the enraged people within and the onslaught of the undead outside the safe haven to fuel the Will of Destruction and make the Crimson Seed bloom, am I right?"

Gemini, having quietly put down the empty baked bean can, tapped his belly lightly and nodded in understanding. With a sarcastic tone, he reflected on the previous night's events, saying, "Well, it's rather unfortunate for your Order, isn't it? You all appeared to come so close to achieving your goal."

Tharn's anger flared, and he responded passionately, "Indeed, almost successful! If it hadn't been for the sudden appearance of the other God Origins, we would have accomplished our objective. Their presences caused such chaos that we couldn't conceal our actions from the watchful eyes of The Nature Order. We were blasted by torrents of lightning, our plans utterly thwarted." His frustration was palpable, a mix of anger and bitter regret.

"Keep your voice down, boy," Fourth, keenly aware of the need for discretion, smacked Tharn's head to remind him to lower his voice. Tharn, seemingly frightened of Fourth's authority, quickly fell silent, realizing that their loud voices could attract the attention of the authorities' soldiers outside and reveal their hiding place.

Fourth then gestured for Gemini to follow him to a more secluded spot within the underground network, ensuring privacy away from prying ears, leaving Tharn on the spot. As they reached a safe distance, Gemini was the first to voice his concerns, his hand gently resting on his boyfriend's chest.

"You know, that thing in your necklace that merged into your chest, it's a God Origin, right?" Gemini began, his logical mind already at work. "Based on what happened last night when we encountered the Colossal monster, it must be."

Fourth nodded in agreement, his fingers delicately tracing the pendant that rested against his chest. The jade flower symbol on it had disappeared into his flesh. "I believe so," he affirmed. "The fact that my mother was familiar with the legend and that the jade pendant has been passed down through generations strongly suggests its authenticity. However, she never disclosed which God Origin it contains or the specific Will of the Gods it represents."

Gemini's worry deepened as he processed the implications of this newfound knowledge. He had hoped that their arrival at the safe haven would allow for some semblance of a normal life, a chance to reunite with his parents. But now, everything had been turned upside down, and they found themselves entangled in a complex web of mysteries they could no longer ignore.

Fourth, sensing Gemini's concern, stepped closer and gently cupped his cheeks with both hands. "Don't just worry about me," he said softly. "The thing inside you must be a God Origin as well."

"In me?" Gemini's eyes widened with surprise, struggling to comprehend why Fourth would suggest such a thing. While he knew his powers likely stemmed from a mysterious source, he couldn't fathom why he would possess a God Origin. His parents had always appeared to be ordinary people, and they had never mentioned anything unusual or passed down any family heirlooms.

"Why are you so sure that I have a God Origin as well?" Gemini inquired, his confusion evident in his eyes.

"Don't you realize it?" Fourth's voice wavered with a hint of hesitation, his cheeks reddening as he continued, "After the intimate moment we shared, I believe my God Origin has forged a connection with the thing inside you."

Gemini found himself taken aback by Fourth's words. While he had indeed sensed a unique connection upon waking up, a sensation that allowed him to perceive Fourth's presence from afar, he hadn't given it much thought until this moment. Then, a voice, unmistakably Fourth's, echoed inside his head, saying, 'Handsome boy, can you hear me?'

A surge of excitement coursed through Gemini as he grasped the significance of what was happening. He instinctively knew what to do and responded using only his thoughts, 'Cute boy, I hear you! Do you hear me as well?'

Fourth smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting the warmth of their newfound connection, and nodded in response. Gemini's curiosity swelled, and he couldn't help but inquire, "So, we can telepathically communicate with each other now?"

"Yes," Fourth confirmed with a reassuring smile, "It's abundantly clear that a unique bond has formed between us. To establish such a bond with a God Origin, there must be another God Origin involved. That's why I was so certain that the thing inside you is indeed a God Origin."

Only one question remained unanswered: why did Gemini have a God Origin inside him? However, they both decided that it was a matter to address later. At present, they had other pressing concerns to attend to. Gemini looked back at the location where Tharn was staying.

"That man must escape now, as no one was there to stop him." Gemini remarked, realizing that from the beginning, Fourth had intended to let Tharn go. "Do you plan to let him leave?"

"Yes," Fourth affirmed as they both began to make their way back. "I've placed a special mark on him, and we can track his location as long as he remains within the safe haven. He'll likely return to the base of his occult order, and he could prove useful in the future if we find ourselves confronting them."

"You're absolutely right," Gemini affirmed, using his left arm to embrace his boyfriend's shoulders and planting a gentle, affectionate sniff-kiss on Fourth's cheek. He completely agreed with Fourth. They needed to assimilate into the community within the safe haven, locate their friends, and find his parents. Having a 'terrorist' with them could pose a significant risk, and turning him in to the authorities would undoubtedly draw too much attention to outsiders like themselves.

Gemini's hunch had proven correct. Tharn was nowhere to be seen upon their return, and they both saw no reason to linger in this place any longer. With their belongings in tow, they emerged from the sewage system through a rusted manhole cover. As they stepped out into the open air, Gemini turned to Fourth, their unique telepathic connection already in use.

'FotFot, do you have a plan for where we should go?' Gemini inquired through their telepathic connection, his excitement at mastering their newfound skill evident in his mental message.

Fourth looked at him with a knowing smile, aware of what his boyfriend wanted to do. 'Yes,' he replied with his own thought. 'I managed to gather valuable information from Tharn before you woke up. There's a place we can head to for now.'

'Where would that be, then?' Gemini asked as they walked the streets of the safe haven. It appeared that the curfew had been lifted, as some people were cautiously out and about. However, upon closer inspection, it was clear that almost everyone bore injuries on their bodies, albeit mostly light wounds. Those with more severe injuries from the events of the previous night must have been taken away for treatment.

'Take these and wear them around your neck,' Fourth said as he retrieved two green badges from his pocket. He took one to himself and tossed the other to Gemini.

Curious, Gemini examined the badge, which contained his name, ID number, and some sort of tier list mark. His badge bore a green A, indicating his tier.

'What is this?' Gemini inquired curiously.

'It seems these badges are how the authorities manage the citizens within the safe haven,' Fourth explained as he placed the badge around his own neck. 'The terrorists must have a way to produce these badges in case of emergencies and for their disguises. These two badges I took from Tharn.'

'Are they reliable?' Gemini asked as he noticed that Fourth was leading them toward a guarded gate. The safe haven was divided into different zones, separated by circular layers of walls with heavily guarded entrances. They currently found themselves in Zone C, the outermost layer, and before them lay the entrance to Zone B.

'Pretty reliable. Tharn mentioned they've never been caught using these badges,' Fourth gave a reassuring smile, winked at his boyfriend and replied through their telepathic connection. 'I could read his mind, so I know Tharn wasn't lying about that.'

'One last thing though, did you take my photo while I was sleeping to put on the badge?' Gemini raised an eyebrow, noticing that the photo on his badge depicted him with wide-open eyes, a clear indication that Fourth had used his powers to ensure his eyes were visible in the picture when it was taken.

Fourth couldn't help but look proud as he replied, 'Isn't it cute?' He masked his temptation to smile, fully aware of his boyfriend's annoyance. Gemini couldn't hide his dissatisfaction.

'Could you take it again? This one is so ugly,' Gemini pleaded.

'Too bad, I returned the camera to Tharn,' Fourth said with a smirk, and Gemini sighed in resignation.

As they approached the gate, the guards scrutinized their badges and allowed them through without much fuss, although they did raise their eyebrows slightly as they examined the photo on Gemini's badge. Fourth telepathically told him, 'See, I told you the photo was fine,' and Gemini responded with a playful roll of his eyes.

The transition from Zone C to Zone B was smooth, and the atmosphere felt noticeably different. The streets were less crowded, and there seemed to be a greater sense of order and control.

'Where do we go now?' Gemini inquired through their mental connection, relying on Fourth's knowledge to guide their next steps.

With a clear sense of purpose, Fourth pointed toward a towering building in the distance. 'We'll head to that building,' he transmitted telepathically. 'Tharn revealed that it's the only educational institution within the safe haven. If your mother is still alive, and considering her position as the headmaster at Chulalongkorn University, a renowned educator, she must be there.'

"My mother?" Gemini said aloud, his voice tinged with a mixture of emotions as he thought about her. Was she still alive? He hadn't seen her for a long time, not since the outbreak of the zombie apocalypse. The prospect of reuniting with her and seeing her kind and gentle face once more filled him with a trembling hope.

Fourth took hold of Gemini's hand, his touch conveying reassurance. With a calm and resolute tone, he said, "Don't worry. We will find her there. I promise"

----- New chapter!!🥳🥳🥳 Vote and share some thoughts na 🤗🤗 They have been giving lots of motivation 🥹🥹-----