2.4 This messenger sees double

For a week, Atlas actively avoided Damien, but it ended up being an impossible task. That man was like his shadow. Actually, he had two more shadows than the average man.

Atlas mostly cultivated light since he didn't have the church to take care of. He would usually do it in the garden underneath the blossom tree, and every time Damien would join him. He would cultivate as well, after sitting across from him.

When Damien woke up, he would wait in front of his door. Once he was out, he would grab his hand and walk with him to the dining hall. For dinner, it was the same. He had a lot of fun with Daniel, which he did not expect.

They would go out in the afternoon to explore the city. They would often stay until the sun would set over the lake, and its orange light would dazzlingly hit the mountains.

The place where the Church of darkness is situated is breathtaking. Everything is so beautiful and enchanting, Atlas couldn't get enough of it.

He didn't think he would have much to talk about with Daniel or Damien for that matter, but it was always easy. He had decided before meeting them he would stay away, but he has to admit that he had fun with them.

When he first saw the way Damien was looking at him, he thought maybe it wouldn't be a big deal to have fun with him before he sacrifices himself, but he's having doubts now.

He thought the same for Daniel, since he was awful to the original, but it's almost impossible to reconcile those two versions of him.

From transmigrating so many times, he knows that surrounding influence people's actions, so it wasn't too shocking since now he's not in love with Leah.

The weird thing is that he doesn't understand why Damien and Daniel didn't get along before. They are so analogous. Daniel also has that habit of tracing the lines in his hand, and tapping his finger on the table when he's thinking.

It is almost eerie how identical they are. It wasn't until then he found out that they are twins. Atlas doesn't think they look that much alike, plus Damien's hair is dark while Daniel's is brown.

But they both have those beautiful green eyes. He didn't think he would have fun during this mission, but he is, he enjoys spending time with them. Atlas just doesn't want to lead them on, since he intends to sacrifice himself on the battlefield.

That being said, he has to say it's been hard. They're both very intense and determined to have him. The entire castle has been watching them like they would a circus show. Silas, their father, always told them they were similar, and this just proved it.

Atlas was in his chambers with a few maids getting him ready. Silas organized a dance, so they could enjoy themselves before they leave.

Damien and Daniel were in the ballroom, each sitting on one side of Silas, watching the doors anxiously. They both glanced at each other to see if the other knew why he was late.

They simultaneously shook their head and stared at the doors again. Despite what people think, they have an unspoken agreement for Atlas. They both spend the same time with him.

After Damien became the high priest, he and Daniel stopped agreeing on anything, but Atlas change all of that. Their eyes lit up when the guards opened the doors.

The whole room became quiet as Atlas entered. He looked magnificent. He had traded his white robes for red ones. His forehead ribbon matched as well.

His long hair was cascading over his shoulder. He looked like a deity who descended to the mortal realm. The entire room felt unworthy of that honor.

Leah who was at his side, never felt so insignificant in her entire life. She was in pink robes, and she looked stunning. But compared to Atlas, she looked mundane.

Atlas walked to Silas and bowed.

"Elder priest, please excuse our belatedness."

Silas smiled:

"Child, no need to apologize. I told you, this is your home now."

Atlas smiled and scanned the twins. Damien was wearing dark robes with a gray belt, while Damien was wearing gray robes with a dark belt. They looked very handsome, like gods of war.

Atlas smiled at them and looked at Daniel.

"Would you like to dance?"

Daniel smiled brightly and stood up, grabbing his hand. Atlas peeked at Damien and was amused when he saw his puppy eyes.

He was clearly expecting the same as his brother when they are done dancing. Daniel pulled him and mingled with the rest of the dancing couples.

Leah looked at Damien expectantly, but he only had eyes for Atlas and his brother. Silas coughed and proposed:

"Son, how about you dance with Leah?"

Damien was about to say no, but stopped when he saw the threatening eyes of his father. The twins are deathly afraid of him. Refusing to marry Atlas was the only thing Damien ever refused him.

But since his father understood him, he didn't insist and proposed Daniel instead. Because he is more open-minded than Damien.

Damien stood up and smiled, grabbing Leah's hand. He can pretend for a dance, plus like that he'll be close to his baby.

Daniel held on to Atlas' waist and held his hand, their body moving to the rhythm of the music.

Daniel was looking at Atlas so intently that he couldn't stop himself from blushing. He looked down, not being able to stand it anymore. The twins' intensity is so familiar to him.

He would constantly see it in Shengli's eyes. But that's not the only thing similar between the twins and Shengli. The tapping of the finger, tracing the lines of his hands, their need to always be around him.

Most importantly their possessiveness. The odd thing is that Atlas feels possessive too. But odder, the twins don't feel possessive when it comes to each other, they don't seem to be jealous of the other.

Atlas thought that it would turn into a big fight, but it never happened. There is this strange osmosis between the three of them.

He checked on Aurora to know if they met and put down some ground rules, but they never did.

It's like they have this bizarre twin link, Atlas' has never been in this kind of situation before. He thought it would be best to stay away from them, finish the mission and leave, but it was hard. If not impossible.

He wants their relationship to stay the same, and be friends with them until he sacrifices himself on the battlefield. Daniel lifted Atlas's head and looked into his eyes.

He loves it every time he blushes, so adorable.

"Why did you ask me to dance?"

Atlas smiled.

"Do you not like to dance?"

"I do, but only with you."

At that answer, Atlas smiled brightly. His heart beat faster as he gave a peck on Daniel's cheek. Daniel pulled him a little closer. He always feels like they are never close enough.

He never thought his life would change so drastically in such a short amount of time. Atlas changed everything, but all for the better.

He never imagined he would fall for someone, but he did, and for the high priest of the Church of light at that. He also didn't imagine he would get along with his twin again, but he does now.

He thought that Atlas would create a bigger wedge between them, but he brought them closer. He is aware that his brother loves him and vice versa, even so, it didn't destroy what was left of their relationship.

On the contrary, they bonded over their mutual love of Atlas. He knows that the whole castle thinks they're insane, but they don't find it weird to love the same person.

His father doesn't either, like he was expecting it somehow. He and Damien always loved the same thing, but it changed when Damien became the high priest.

When he got his dark sight, his vision of people changed drastically. Like he lost faith in humanity and everything good in this world. Daniel was fed up with his negativity and their relationship deteriorated.

But then Atlas came, and it's like he realized that not everything is bad, and he became his old self again. He just needed to see that there wasn't darkness in everyone.

Atlas felt a look and met smiling green eyes, Damien was dancing with Leah. Leah's eyes were shining, and she was smirking seductively. Is he doing this purposefully?

When he saw Damien laughing at something Leah said while looking at him, he knew he was. So, he wants to die. Even if they're just friends, Atlas doesn't share.

Daniel followed his eyes and laughed when he saw that he was annoyed with Damien dancing with Leah.

Atlas narrowed his eyes at him. You'd think Daniel would be jealous, but he is amused. Amused! Atlas let go of him and walked to the garden.