Thunder roared over Velmora.
Clouds twisted, burning red. Lightning split the sky, each bolt carrying whispers of divine fury.
And then it appeared.
Vareth, the Warden of Law.
A towering figure of molten gold, with a dozen radiant chains wrapped around its body. Its face was a swirling void, with eyes like burning suns.
Ash stood on the academy spire, watching as it descended—like a star crashing to earth.
Arin drew her blades. "Ash… that's a god."
"Correction," Lyssara whispered, gripping her staff. "That's an angry god."
Students screamed below. Instructors scrambled to erect barriers. The Headmaster's voice boomed with protective spells.
But they all knew.
This was beyond them.
---
Vareth's voice shattered the sky.
> "KAELITH! YOU BROKE THE LAWS OF CREATION. YOU WILL DIE AGAIN."
Ash's lips twisted. "Still following your masters, Vareth? Even in death?"
The god's arm swung—an arc of divine energy cleaved through the academy's outer walls, shattering towers.
Ash raised a hand, and Crimson Dominion surged—a red barrier caught the blast, but it cracked instantly.
> Too strong.
His mind raced. He'd killed gods before—back then, he'd had his full power.
But now?
"Ash!" Rhiessa screamed, casting silver flame—her strongest attack.
It struck the god's chest… and vanished.
The god's burning eyes fixed on her.
Ash's gaze darkened.
> "Touch her, and I'll show you pain."
---
Then the sky blazed again.
From the burning heavens, Ash's warlocks arrived—the rogue mages he had recruited.
Each one wielded forbidden magic.
One split the clouds with a curse that devoured sunlight. Another twisted space around the god, trying to bind it.
But Vareth roared.
Chains of light shot from its body—each one seeking a soul.
One warlock screamed, caught by a chain. His body shattered to ash.
Another fell—her own magic reflected back at her, consuming her.
Ash's jaw clenched. He needed time. He needed more power.
And then… she appeared.
---
Elya stood in the courtyard below, staring at the chaos.
The god's voice echoed in her mind, even though she wasn't its target.
> "Kaelith… the breaker. The cursed."
Her heart raced. Memories surged—visions of fire, betrayal, and a man she loved… and killed.
> Elira.
No… I'm Elya.
But why… do I… remember?
The god's gaze turned to her.
> "You… are the fragment. The seer. The traitor."
Ash saw it.
His heart stopped.
"ELYA! RUN!"
But it was too late.
The god's chain struck.
Ash blurred, faster than thought, moving between them.
The chain struck his chest.
Pain. So much pain. Blood sprayed. His vision blurred.
> This isn't right. I'm not supposed to die here.
But as darkness closed in, Elya reached out—tears in her eyes.
> "Don't die again. Not this time."
Her hand glowed.
A soft silver light burst forth—unlike any magic Ash had ever seen.
The god recoiled, screaming.
> "SEER'S LIGHT—IMPOSSIBLE!"
Ash's strength returned in a heartbeat. The chain dissolved.
Elya collapsed, pale but alive.
And Ash's gaze shifted.
Now he understood.
She wasn't just a reincarnation. She was the fragment of his soul—the part he'd lost when he died.
And she still loved him.
> "You chose to betray me… to save me."
Elya's eyes fluttered open. "Kaelith?"
Ash's voice turned cold.
"Not anymore. Now I'm Ash… and I'm done playing by their rules."
He rose, power exploding around him. Crims
on turned black, streaked with silver.
"Vareth!" he roared. "You're not a god. You're a corpse pretending to be one."
The sky darkened further.
And Ash struck.