Penny rubbed her eyes as she struggled to overcome the lethargy that came after that purple light Discordia had shone over her.

"I feel like I just took a massive nap....wait a second...You guys are back already?"

Her eyes widened in shock as Adam, Leo, Luna, Lily and Aria were standing not too far away from her with an unfamiliar woman standing next to Adam. Penny wasn't so unobservant that she didn't notice the undeniable similarities between the woman and Adam.

Morgan glanced at the woman and then at Leo, now more certain than ever that Leo was indeed a Singularity. Not only had a group of five people that were akin to insects in strength in comparison to Gods had invaded one of their most secure locations, they had actually succeeded.

"So....How was waltzing into what I can only think of Jail for God? I bet the jailbreak was suspenseful. Must have felt good to fool all those dumb Guard Gods, right?" Ethan asked with a relaxed expression as he resisted a long yawn.

Leo's jaw tightened as he remembered what he had seen. Before Ethan could question Leo's expression, a powerful fist dug into his ribs, causing him to let out a whimper of pain.

Vivian glared at him with annoyance evidence in her gaze. While she too didn't know how they could get back so fast, she could tell at a glance that whatever they had seen over there hadn't been pleasant in the slightest.

Rachel looked around the group before her gaze turned back to Discordia with a frown on her face.

"I know that you said we had to serve as an anchor so they could come back but was freezing us like that really necessary? Do you know how bored I was being unable to move forthat long? It got so bad I start counting the Old Man's grey hair.....After about a month I rememebered that all of his hair was grey....."

Greg glanced at her with a cocked eyebrow as if to ask her was what she said really all that neccessary.

Crystal lifted her hand, cutting Rachel off before she could continue her rambling. Her posture became rigid as she locked onto her words.

"Rachel. Repeat that."

Rachel tilted her head, blinking. "That Greg's hair was grey?" she asked, her tone uncertain, almost playful.

Crystal shook her head. "No. The other part. How long did you say we were in that purple light?"

Rachel's expression shifted as if she had only just realized the importance of what she said. "Ohhhhhh. Around two months or so."

The silence that followed was heavy. Penny's mouth parted slightly as the weight of that number sank in.

The silence hung over the group for a moment as Rachel's words settled in. Two months. It felt impossible, yet she had said it so casually.

Penny rubbed her eyes again, disbelief written across her face. "Two months?" she said, her tone dripping with sass. "Wow, I must have slept through an entire season. Should I ask for overtime pay for all the napping I apparently did?"

Greg's eyebrows shot up, his expression a mix of irritation and awe. "Two months? That long under that purple light?"

Rachel shrugged lazily, as if it were no big deal. "Yeah, guess so. Time flies when you're frozen."

Crystal shook her head slowly, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You're telling me we were trapped in that state for that long? What about reality? Has anything happened there in the time we were gone?!"

Before the group could continue exchanging worried glances, Discordia's voice cut through the tension, calm and measured.

"Relax," she said. "Your reality has not been touched in the time you were gone. Nothing has been altered, nothing has been lost. You can return without fear of chaos awaiting you."

Penny raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. "Not even a little thing? Like, the world didn't implode or anything?"

Discordia's expression remained serene. "Not at all. However, progress has been accelerated in certain areas. Humans who have awakened to special abilities have been gathered and organized. A school has been established for them to train, learn, and hone their gifts safely."

Rachel's eyes widened, curiosity piqued. "A school? So, all those people who suddenly got powers… they're being taught how to use them properly?"

Discordia inclined her head slightly. "Yes. On paper that is the answer. However don't pretend that you are unaware of the truth behind why."

Rachel's lips formed a tight line as she pursed her lips. She was painfully aware of it. Teaching them how to control any newfound abilities was definitely something that may happen there but the primary focus was to monitor those with Power that could challenge if not overthrow the structure of the world.

If someone was deemed too dangerous and uncontrollable, it was likely they would find some way to...pacify the individual.

Lily stepped forward, her brow furrowed with concern. "What about the people who knew us? Would they know what happened while we were gone?"

Discordia's expression softened into a small, knowing smile. "For the time being, the twelve of you have been regarded as missing. However, nobody has assumed you are dead. Your names still reign at the top of the leaderboard, after all."

Rachel raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. "Leaderboard, huh? So, people are still keeping score even while we were frozen?"

Discordia nodded. "Yes. Humanity's progress has accelerated slightly during your absence, but they have yet to catch up to you, those who have been blessed by the Gods. Your influence, your presence, continues to shape the world, even while you were… otherwise engaged."

Greg's lips pressed into a thin line as he processed the words. "So while we were stuck, humans kept moving forward, but not fast enough to rival us. That… actually makes sense."

Crystal crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "It seems the world hasn't paused entirely for us. We may have been frozen, but things are still moving, evolving, without us."

Penny smirked, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Well, that's reassuring. Missing for two months but still on top. Guess we're pretty untouchable, huh?"

Rachel let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "Untouchable, yeah… at least for now."

Lily's gaze softened as she looked at Discordia. "So, nobody's panicking. Nobody's assuming we're gone for good. That's… good to hear. But the school… the humans there… they could become powerful enough to be dangerous if left unchecked."

Discordia's calm expression held steady. "Precisely why they are being guided and monitored. Humanity progresses, but it is not yet equal to those who have been touched by the divine. You are still far beyond their reach."

Rachel leaned back slightly, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Guess it's nice to know we're still the top of the food chain, even after two months of forced napping."

Greg let out a low whistle. "Still, two months… that purple light really does a number on time perception."

Ethan's gaze wandered over to Arachne who had remained mostly silent up till now as she glanced at individuals she did not recognize.

"Gravela, Hellion and even Phanmorra have joined your cause Discordia? What is your goal here DIscordia?" Arachne mumbled slightly, almost to herself.

Discordia chuckled but did not answer her. Ethan however pointed at Arachne and asked "Is this the one you went to go save? Care to introduce us to her Godliness or whatever she is called."

The following uppercut that connected with Ethan's jaw caused his feet to leave the ground before he hit the ground like a bag of bricks. Vivian's knuckle was steaming from the impact as she glared at her brother for his rudeness.

"I'm sorry about him. He is a special kind of idiot!" Vivian remarked with a remorseful expression on her face as she slightly bowed her head to Arachne who had chuckled in slight amusement.

"I can understand where you are coming from. My own little idiot is reckless as hell as well." She remarked lightheartedly towards Vivian while shooting Adam a venomous glare. Adam let out a forced cough before he stepped forward and spoke up.

"So...Everyone I would like to officially introduce you to the Goddess Arachne....She is the god of Truth, Vengeance and Madness.... I think..."

Arachne cocked an eyebrow with a slight incredulous look in her gaze. Had he really forgotten what she resided over as a God? Nevertheless, Adam carried on talking.

"Anyways. She has another title I think that is more important. This is Arachne....my Mother.."

The silence that followed was almost deafening.