Heavenfall King: The Prison God Who Returned

Chapter 2: Heaven’s Shadow Moves

The pressure in the room didn’t disappear. It thickened.

Mark stood between Tania and the man in the black suit without thinking. His body moved first, trained instinct overriding reason. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed, flickering like nervous witnesses.

“Who are you?” Mark asked again, voice calm, measured.

The man smiled faintly, as if pleased by the question. “My name wouldn’t mean anything to you. Not yet.”

One of the men behind him shifted his stance. Mark noticed immediately, weight on the back foot, right hand slightly tense. A trained fighter.

Tania’s fingers tightened around Mark’s sleeve. “Mark… I don’t like this.”

“I know,” he said softly, not looking away from the man. “Stay behind me.”

The doctor swallowed hard. “Sirs, this is a medical facility. If there’s a problem,”

“There is,” the man said mildly. “But it’s not yours.”

He glanced at Mark again. “Relax. If I wanted blood, this building would already be quiet.”

Mark didn’t respond. Silence stretched. Then Mark said, “You mentioned my master.”

The man’s smile deepened. “So you do acknowledge him.”

“I acknowledge nothing,” Mark replied. “Speak carefully.”

One of the men behind the stranger scoffed. “You’re bold for someone who just walked out of a cage.”

Mark turned his eyes to him. The man stiffened. “Enough,” the suited man said, lifting a hand. “He has earned his posture.”

He stepped forward, shoes clicking softly against the tiled floor. “Your master broke many rules taking you in. He hid you where Heaven wouldn’t look, among criminals, violence, filth.”

Mark felt it again. That old sensation from prison. The echo of endless stone corridors. The voice in the dark.

“You were never meant to survive that place,” the man continued. “Yet here you are.”

Mark narrowed his eyes. “Why now?”

“Because you crossed a line,” the man said simply. “The moment you struck those men outside the prison gates, the balance shifted.”

Mark’s gaze sharpened. “They’re alive.”

The man nodded. “Yes. That’s why we’re talking instead of burying you.”

Tania’s breath caught. “Bury him?”

Mark squeezed her hand gently. “It’s all right.”

“No, it isn’t,” she whispered. “Mark, who are these people?”

The man glanced at her, eyes assessing. “She’s the anchor.”

Mark’s jaw tightened. “Don’t look at her.”

The man raised both hands. “Relax. We’re not enemies. Not yet.”

He turned to the doctor. “Clear the room.”

The doctor hesitated. “I,”. A subtle pressure washed over the room. The doctor’s face went pale. 

“Please,” the man said calmly. The doctor nodded rapidly. “Of course. Of course.”

Within moments, the clinic was empty. Doors closed. Silence returned. The man pulled out a chair and sat down casually. “Let’s talk, Mark Lane.”

Mark remained standing. “Your master,” the man continued, “was once known as the Bone Sovereign.”

Mark’s pupils contracted. That name hadn’t been spoken in five years. “Dead,” Mark said.

The man smiled thinly. “So he told you.”

Mark’s voice dropped. “Explain.”

“He’s missing,” the man corrected. “Vanished. And you are his final disciple.”

Mark felt a flicker of anger. “He saved my life.”

“And condemned you,” the man countered. “He carved Heaven’s techniques into a mortal body. That attracts attention.”

Tania looked between them, confused. “What are you talking about? Techniques? Heaven?”

Mark finally turned to her. “Tania… there are things I haven’t told you.”

She forced a smile. “I figured.”

The man leaned forward. “You see, Mark, Heaven is not a place. It’s a system. And systems don’t like anomalies.”

Mark crossed his arms. “You’re here to erase me.”

The man laughed quietly. “If that were the case, you’d already be gone.”

“Then why?” Mark demanded.

“Because factions are moving,” the man replied. “And your existence is a signal flare.”

Mark felt the truth of it settle in his chest. Since stepping out of prison, trouble had found him too quickly. Too precisely.

“You have two choices,” the man said. “Submit to observation… or force Heaven to respond.”

“And if I refuse both?” Mark asked.

The man’s eyes hardened. “Then the people around you start dying.”

Tania stiffened. “You wouldn’t”

“We would,” the man said flatly. “Without hesitation.”

Mark took a slow breath. Inside his mind, the old voice stirred again. Power is never free, boy. It only changes hands. Mark met the man’s gaze. “Observation means control.”

“Surveillance,” the man corrected. “Guidance.”

“Leash,” Mark said.

The man shrugged. “Semantics.”

Mark looked down at Tania. “Go home.”

Her eyes widened. “No.”

“Tania,” he said gently. “Please.”

She shook her head. “I won’t leave you with them.”

The man watched the exchange with interest. “That attachment will cost you.”

Mark’s gaze snapped back. “If she’s harmed,”

“You’ll burn the world,” the man finished. “Yes. We know.”

Mark clenched his fists. “Then don’t test me.”

The man stood. “Very well. We’ll give you time.”

“How generous,” Mark said coldly.

“Three days,” the man replied. “In that time, do not display your abilities. Do not kill. Do not interfere with the balance.”

“And if I do?” Mark asked.

The man smiled. “Then Heaven notices you.”

He turned toward the door, then paused. “One more thing.” Mark waited.

“Your foster family,” the man said lightly. “They’ve been speaking to people they shouldn’t.”

Mark’s eyes darkened. “What kind of people?”

“People who know how to remove inconvenient wives,” the man replied.

Tania gasped. Mark moved. In a blink, he was in front of the man, fingers gripping his collar, lifting him slightly off the ground.

“You touch her,” Mark said softly, “and Heaven won’t have enough gods to stop me.”

The men behind the stranger tensed. The man, however, laughed, low and pleased. “Good,” he said. “That fire is still there.”

Mark released him. The man straightened his suit. “Three days, Mark Lane.”

They left without another word. That night, rain poured over the city. Mark stood on the balcony of their apartment, watching the streets below. His hands rested on the railing, knuckles pale.

Tania stepped beside him. “You’re shaking.”

“No,” Mark said. “I’m thinking.”

She leaned against him. “You don’t have to face this alone.”

He closed his eyes. “They’ll come for you.”

She looked up at him. “Then protect me.”

He opened his eyes. “I always will.”

Inside, Mark felt something shift. A decision. If Heaven was watching, Then he would give it a show. His phone buzzed. Unknown number. He answered. A familiar, trembling voice spoke.

“Mark… it’s Andrew.”

Mark’s eyes turned cold. “They’re here,” Andrew whispered. “They said they need you. Tonight.”

Mark said nothing. “Mark,” Andrew begged, “they said if you don’t come… they’ll start with Tania.” The call ended. Mark lowered the phone slowly.

Outside, thunder rolled. Behind his calm expression, something ancient and violent stirred awake. “Three days,” Mark murmured.

He stepped back inside, eyes burning with resolve. “Let’s see,” he said quietly, “how closely Heaven is watching.”