She heard the melodious voice of the young lad. No, how blinded had she been by appearances. She was no Oracle, just trash. She felt ashamed of herself. No wonder she had offended His lordship's loyal aides.

How could she ever absolve herself of this grave sin that she had committed?

"Akira! You are overthinking again. Stop."

She opened her eyes. She was resting on a bed, with Napat by her head. Hotrā was at her feet.

The other two stood at the other end of the room, but they did not look at her with the animosity they held for her at the beginning. She had been forgiven the moment she realized her mistake, as far as they were concerned.

She got up and prostrated herself in front of Napat, catching him by surprise.

Weeping with happiness and self-hatred, she said, "Lord of lords, forgive me for being so ignorant. I was so blind to your divinity. I can't forgive myself."

He bowed down, touching her head. In a soft voice filled with compassion, he said, "Akira, you did nothing wrong. If you knew of everything, you wouldn't be human, would you? I actually want to thank you. It has been such a long while since I had such a hearty laugh."

She felt grateful towards Him. She then bowed down to Hotrā. "Please forgive me for letting rumors and beliefs influence me, and forming such a crass opinion of you."

Hotrā smiled, touching her shoulder, motioning her to get up.

"Akira, our image changes with time. In some summons, I have been forced to take a terrifying form, in some, Napat has taken it upon himself. If our image can help control a large number of beings from going astray, we have no problem. Remember, at the end of the day, we have no form and no face. We are, when united, the nameless, faceless being after all."

Napat nodded, "That is true, the form we chose for you depended on the sort of person you are. A gentle soul, who has been through tremendous hardships, but never deterred once to perform your duty as an Oracle, you deserved to see us as your friends."

Akira was moved beyond tears by the generosity of the Gods.

She turned towards the aides, but Mitra silenced her before she began with his words, "Anyone my master treats as friends will be protected by us. Apologies are accepted by both Sorn and me."

She still cried uncontrollably, but Napat wiped her tears. "Come on, Akira, we did not invite you to a feast to make you cry.

We wanted to feed you all that you loved to eat and see you smile, forget your century's worth of worries, and live at least one century in bliss."

Akira widened her eyes in shock. "One century?"

Napat smiled sadly at her, "One day at my palace is equal to a century on your planet. You have already lost your companions; when you go back, you will have no one to recognize you or welcome you anymore."

Akira could not understand what Napat was trying to say.

"This is the price to pay for opening the Gate to Heavens. I am truly sorry, Akira."