The Monarch

As soon as Kayden entered, all conversations ceased. Not even a single whisper lingered among them. Every gaze turned toward him. Gods of every rank, and even a few mortals among them, stared in silence. Each one appeared unique in their own way.

Kayden did not hesitate for a moment. Slowly, he walked forward, noticing the mages watching both him and Jordan. His pace was neither fast nor slow. With every step, the pressure upon him increased, yet nothing in his demeanor changed.

The first test of that place was completed by Kayden without the slightest difficulty. He sat down at a random table and brought out his own tea. He even exchanged the establishment's chair for one more to his liking. Meanwhile, Jordan remained frozen at the entrance, unable to move.

"This is the menu of the Blue Garden." The voice came from a god shaped like an ethereal colossus, with no defined face, only a mask of floating constellations. His body was made of golden mist, cut through by streams of light that shifted directions like living rivers. At his crown floated a ring of shimmering runes, rotating slowly, emitting a sound akin to an ancient chant.

The god handed Kayden a piece of paper. The moment it touched his hand, Kayden felt as though the entire world had placed its weight upon his back. But… it was nothing of concern. The menu revealed a few different options, but nothing remarkable. Kayden was visibly disappointed—his own tea was absurdly superior to anything there, at least in terms of taste.

"I think I'll stick with tea only. Are there food options?" Kayden asked, not having seen a single one listed."That must be a very special tea," the waiter commented, trying to discern what exactly Kayden was drinking. "Our food menu is offered only to members of the club." He handed Kayden another sheet.

"Special mages," Kayden read the requirements for joining. That was all. Nothing else was written. To him, it was amusing. Even funnier was the price just for sitting at that table."For members, it costs only a good story. For non-members, it costs your life," Kayden murmured. The waiter nodded, and in that moment, the sign outside made sense.

That was the price for simply sitting in that environment. Kayden was a foreigner, unfamiliar with the history of this garden. Such a thing was common to a point, but not routine, for finding the garden itself was already something ordinary mages could hardly achieve.

"What is the process to become a member?" Kayden asked the waiter with curiosity."You must receive the approval of everyone here through a demonstration of strength or specific skills." Kayden nodded and simply chose the easier path.

His titles shone like two radiant suns. It was not something that could be hidden. Not even the barrier of the garden could contain Kayden's presence. For a single moment, the entire event froze under the weight of his titles. The living legend himself was within those walls.

It happened so quickly that ninety-nine percent of the gods were incapable of even noticing the direction of those titles. Yet it was obvious to all—they were authentic. This was no imitation. Kayden Heart was in the city, alive even after uncountable years.

"I believe that should be enough, yes?" Kayden said, and before anyone could recover from the shock, he continued, "I want this fish from the Great Sea and this divine fruit." He pointed to both on the menu.

It took a few seconds for the waiter to recover, to grasp even partially the situation before him. Kayden's presence had taken him completely by surprise. Still, he managed to compose himself quickly, considering the magnitude of what stood before him."Welcome to the club, Lord Kayden," the man said, handing him a book of rules. "Your order is being prepared."

Kayden began leafing through the booklet, but his peace was short-lived. Soon, the gods around him gathered the courage to approach. At first came greetings and introductions—ornate names and weighty titles. But…"Do not present me with useless titles." Kayden's tone was dry, harsh, instantly offending nearly every god present—at least the majority. But then…

"Orpheus Hades, the Resurrector of Gods." A mage entered, his title on full display. It was a title granted directly by the celestials. After a second glance, there was no doubt.

Orpheus appeared as a luminous tree with floating roots. Each branch carried souls shaped like small shining globes, pulsing like living hearts. His trunk was golden crystal, coursed through with incandescent sap, while around his crown danced chains of light that sang ancient hymns, spreading the sensation of rebirth with every motion.

"Mario Hades greets the great ancestor," the waiter bowed deeply before the mage's presence. This was a being not to be challenged. He was the one who governed every small point of this city and all the surrounding region.

His legend was ancient—far too ancient. His greatest feat? Bringing a dead god back to life. It was one of the finest masterpieces ever accomplished, and to this day no one understood the process developed by this god. Kayden showed respect with a simple greeting—nothing more, not even a hint of submission.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, God Orpheus. I am Kayden Heart," Kayden introduced himself for the first time and then simply set the god aside, sipping his tea as he awaited his order.

"I expected more respect, more fear, before a god of my magnitude." Orpheus was so surprised at Kayden's lack of reaction that he didn't know how to respond. It had been practically an eternity since he had been treated with such disregard."I fear no god in this existence, God Orpheus, and I offered you the proper respect. Unfortunately, you must be too accustomed to submission." Kayden's answer was polite once again. The god pondered for a fraction of a second before accepting his words.

"Karma is on your side. I would not fear even a celestial." Kayden nodded and offered tea as the luminous tree sat beside him.