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His mother's message, delivered in cryptic words laced with divine authority, echoed in his mind: "It is time. Your duties to this world will soon end, and your place in the stars awaits." He had been told since childhood that the time would come when his mortal ties would dissolve, and he would take his place among the gods. But he never expected the moment to feel so… ill-timed.

"Father?" Zephyr's voice snapped Ikem back to the present. "You're troubled. Is it the humans? Or something more?"

Ikem studied his son again, wondering if now was the time to share the burden he had carried since the moment the gods had spoken. Zephyr had proven himself time and time again, but the truth of ascension was not an easy one to bear. Yet, he couldn't shield his son from it forever. If the apeling kingdom was to endure, they would need to prepare—not just for the human threat, but for a world where the children of the gods would soon stand alone.