Abstract We show that the massless form fields in -dimensional non-perturbation theory of emergent gravity become massive in a perturbative phase without the Higgs mechanism. In particular, an axionic scalar sourced by a non-perturbative dynamical correction is absorbed by the form fields to describe a massive Neveu–Schwarz (NS) field theory on an emergent gravitational -brane pair. Arguably the novel idea of the Higgs mechanism is naturally invoked in an emergent gravity underlying a . Analysis reveals “gravito-weak” and “electro-weak” phases respectively on a vacuum pair in and dimensions. It is argued that the massive NS field quanta may govern an emergent graviton on a gravitational -brane.