The air inside the flat grew cold. Not the ordinary chill of London winter—but a deeper, older cold, the kind that silenced breath.
Marc stood by the window, the faint silver sheen of power still crawling under his skin. Howard was seated nearby, his thoughts still tumbling from what he had just learned. The rain outside froze mid-drip against the glass.
Then Tecciztecatl appeared.
The moonlight itself folded inward, shaping into a tall, radiant form—pale as bone, eyes glowing like eclipsed stars. For the first time since their bond, the god looked… uncertain.
"Champion," Tecciztecatl said, his voice echoing like waves in a cave. "You are changing faster than I intended. Your soul is beginning to burn brighter than mine."
Marc turned, surprised. "You sound afraid."
"I am," the god admitted. "You were meant to carry my light, not eclipse it. You reach for divinity without understanding the hunger it brings. Gods destroy what they love when their power grows unchecked."
Howard stepped back, shielding his eyes from the brightness. "Marc—what's he talking about?"
But before Marc could answer, Tecciztecatl lifted a hand. Symbols of ancient light spiraled through the room, wrapping around Marc's body like threads of living moonlight. Marc staggered, his breath catching as the radiance constricted around him.
"Stop—what are you doing?"
"Balancing," the god said softly. "Until you learn to control yourself, I will bind your excess. Call it… a limiter."
The light flared once, searing white, then vanished. Marc dropped to one knee, panting, the glow beneath his skin dimmed to a faint pulse.
Tecciztecatl's voice lingered in the silence. Remember, Champion—power without restraint is not creation. It is collapse.
And then he was gone, dissolving into a wisp of silver dust.
Howard rushed forward. "Marc, are you okay?"
Marc looked up, still catching his breath. "Yeah… just less godlike." He smiled faintly, though his eyes were hard. "Guess even divinity comes with handcuffs."
Howard hesitated. "So what now?"
Marc stood slowly, determination hardening his voice. "Now you join me. You've wasted enough time working for people who don't believe in you. I need someone who does. Someone who knows how to fight demons with science."
Howard blinked, then nodded slowly. "You're insane, Marc."
Marc grinned. "Good. Then we'll get along perfectly."
Outside, the moon flickered once—watchful, wary.