A thunderous roar shook the morning air as celestial warships blotted out the sun. Hundreds of silver vessels hovered above the Rift of Sorrow, their hulls etched with glowing runes and bristling with divine artillery. Below, Kaien Veylor stood alone on the scorched earth, Ashfall planted in his side for support. The Dracovault Protocol's sigil pulsed urgently beneath his skin.
"Warning: threat level critical. Recommend evasive action or high-tier skill use."
Kaien's heart hammered. The villagers huddled behind crumbling walls, eyes wide with terror. Mira pressed herself against the old man's back, clutching his arm as if it were a lifeline.
"Please," she whimpered. "What can we do against those ships?"
Kaien scanned the horizon. Each warship bore the mark of a different Celestial Legion, their banners snapping in the wind. He knew he could not withstand a direct assault. He had to buy time.
He raised his hand to the sky and spoke through clenched teeth. "Mira, gather everyone and fall back to the eastern woods. Evacuate as many as you can. Do not stop until you reach the river."
Mira hesitated but nodded, urgency in her eyes. She turned and guided the villagers away, their footsteps raising dust that danced in the morning light. Kaien watched them go, then shifted his gaze upward.
The largest warship broke formation and descended in a spiral. Its weapons charged, arcs of golden energy crackling between its turrets.
A voice boomed from above. "Kaien Veylor, fallen god. You stand accused of heresy and insurrection. Surrender or be purged."
Kaien swallowed. His pulse echoed in his ears. He clenched his fist.
"Is that what I am to you? A heretic? I will fight for this world with every broken shard of divinity I can muster."
He planted his feet and readied Ashfall. His eyes flickered to the Protocol's status.
"Activate skill: Aegis of Embers."
A ring of molten flames erupted at his feet, forming a fiery barrier that absorbed the first beam from the descending ship. The ground trembled as energy impacted the shield, sparks and embers flying outward.
Above, the Celestial gunner flinched. The ship's beam flickered and cut deeper, slicing a trench into the earth. Kaien braced against the heat and grit, letting the pain anchor him to the moment.
"Suggested action: counterattack with Flame Volley or Ember Lance."
He weighed his options. Flame Volley could rain fire upon the vessel's underside, but its cooldown was long. Ember Lance might pierce the hull at a crucial point. He chose speed over power.
"Activate skill: Ember Lance."
A spear of crimson flame shot from his palm, streaking upward. It struck the warship's hull with a thunderous clang, punching a hole through enchanted steel. Energy hissed from the breach, smoke curling around the edges.
Below, villagers stopped and stared, hope flaring in their eyes. Kaien allowed himself a faint nod before refocusing on the battle above.
The ship recoiled, its turret rotating to fire at him again. Kaien dashed toward cover behind a fallen pillar. The beam sliced through the pillar, spraying stone and debris across his back. He tumbled forward, grit in his mouth, but the Protocol's voice reassured him.
"Skill available: Flame Volley."
He leapt to his feet and struck the ground twice in quick succession. A volley of fire orbs arced upward, exploding beneath the warship in a blazing cascade. The vessel rocked, sparks and fragments raining like meteor showers.
Gunners on nearby ships cried out and returned fire. Beams of light seared across the battlefield, but Kaien stayed in motion, evading each shot with agile rolls and bursts of speed.
"Warning: energy reserves at fifteen percent. Immediate regeneration needed."
He twisted and drew Ashfall, cleaving the ground. A surge of flame spilled from the blade's edge, igniting a circle of fire that flared around him. The heat seared his flesh, but as the flames died down, his wounds knitted and his energy levels climbed.
Kaien rose, panting but steadied. Above him, the warship's hatch opened. A figure in white-gold armor stepped forth, spear in hand, eyes glowing blue like cold stars.
"Lieutenant Seraphine," Kaien muttered. She was one of the Pantheon's elite—ruthless, precise, and unyielding.
She raised her spear. "Your resistance is futile. This world will be cleansed."
Kaien squared his shoulders. "Then let me show you how futile your arrogance is."
He charged, sparks trailing his boots. Ember energy danced along Ashfall. Seraphine met him with a roar, spear striking flame. Steel met steel in a shower of sparks. Each clash shook the ground, each blow threatening to shatter bone and steel alike.
Their battle raged across the field, lit by the dying fires of Ember Lance and the searing beams of celestial guns. Every swing was a test of will, every parry a contest of skill. Kaien pushed himself beyond exhaustion, the Protocol guiding his movements, predicting each strike.
A brilliant arc of light sliced across his shoulder. Pain lanced through him, but he retaliated with a burst of molten flame that singed Seraphine's armor. She staggered and hissed in surprise.
Kaien seized the moment. He leapt high and brought Ashfall crashing down. Seraphine twisted and caught the blade's tip with her spear, sparks dancing between their weapons.
"You have spirit," she said, voice strained. "But not enough."
Her eyes glowed brighter. She channeled divine energy into her spearhead. Kaien felt an invisible weight bear down on him. He staggered, knees buckling.
"System warning: critical energy depletion. Initiate shutdown sequence."
His vision blurred. He felt himself falling to one knee, the world tilting. Seraphine advanced, spear poised to strike the killing blow.
In that moment, a cannon blast shattered the silence. One of the smaller warships had malfunctioned from damage, its main cannon exploding in a brilliant fireball. The shockwave ripped through the battlefield, knocking both Kaien and Seraphine off their feet.
When the smoke cleared, Kaien lay among debris, Ashfall inches from his hand. Seraphine was down too, her spear shattered and her armor scorched.
Through the haze, a lone figure strode forward—a tall woman in dark robes, her staff alight with arcane energy. Her face was shadowed, but her voice rang clear.
"Stand down, Pantheon's dogs. This battlefield is claimed."
Kaien blinked. Who was this newcomer? Friend or foe?
Above, the remaining warships hovered, their commanders watching this unknown breach of protocol. The Rift of Sorrow pulsed behind the robed woman, as if reacting to her presence.
Kaien forced himself upright. Every muscle screamed. He pressed his palm against the ground, activating the Protocol's final reserves. Flames licked at his fingertips.
He met the robed woman's gaze. "Who are you?"
She stepped into the clearing, moonlight glinting on her staff. "I am Lysandra of the Obsidian Circle. And you, Fallen God, will be my partner in reshaping this world."
Her words rang like a promise—or a threat. Kaien felt a spark of curiosity amidst his exhaustion.
Before he could answer, distant alarms sounded from the eastern woods. Mira's voice called out, urgent.
"Kaien! The monsters are moving again!"
Kaien's heart lurched. He looked from Lysandra to the rift. The shadows writhed more fiercely than before.
He gripped Ashfall and raised his head. "Then we have no time to waste."