Brimhold was death incarnate.
Its once-beautiful towers now stood as skeletal fingers reaching for a blood-red sky. No birds sang. No wind stirred. The stone beneath Liam's boots whispered with every step, as if the city itself remembered the thousands sacrificed here by the demon cult—and hungered for more.
The air thickened as he crossed the central square, the Faithful of Elyndor following close behind. A sea of soldiers, angels, and demons—an army born of fire, belief, and vengeance.
And yet, Liam walked alone toward the black cathedral at the city's center.
On the cracked steps of the desecrated temple stood the thing calling itself Veyron.
He was once a man, that much was clear from his humanoid shape, but the corruption of godhood had twisted him. His veins pulsed with void-light, skin translucent and cracked. Where his eyes should have been were two swirling galaxies of pure blackness.
"I see you brought worshipers," Veyron said, voice echoing with a chorus of the damned. "Do they know you bleed like the rest of us, godling?"
Liam didn't slow. "They don't follow me because I can't bleed. They follow me because I choose to."
The moment cracked. Power rippled across the ruins.
Veyron's hand snapped forward.
The air tore open, and a spear of obsidian shot toward Liam's chest, faster than sound.
CLANG.
It struck a shimmering golden shield, which shattered like glass—but not before deflecting the strike.
Rune appeared at Liam's shoulder in full spiritual form, face grim. "That was meant to kill you. He's no servant—he's a godspawn, Liam. The first real one."
Liam's grip tightened around Lumenbrand. "Then it's time to see what a real god can do."
God System Alert: Major Threat DetectedOpponent: Veyron, Godspawn of the Forgotten OneDanger Level: ExtremeEstimated Faith Gain: 12,000 – 25,000Divine Duel Initiated
The ground cracked beneath them.
Flames erupted in a wide circle as the System sealed the battlefield. The army watched, unable to interfere.
Veyron launched again, this time with a blade of void energy that hissed with corruption. Liam raised his staff and shouted, "Flame Ward!"
The blade met divine resistance and bent—but still managed to draw a line of blood along Liam's cheek.
He stumbled, shocked by the force.
Minor Damage Taken: -23 HPStatus: Bleeding – ResistedDivine Aura Activated
Golden fire erupted around him.
Divine Skill Activated: Flame of Judgment
A lance of divine light tore from the sky and smashed into Veyron's side, blasting him into the broken pillars of the cathedral. Stone exploded. Smoke rose.
For a heartbeat, all was still.
Then Veyron laughed.
He rose, smoking but unbowed, and spread his arms. "Now we're speaking the same language."
The godspawn slammed both fists into the ground. The air split open, summoning a vortex of shadowy tendrils that lashed toward Liam, each one carrying raw entropy.
Liam flared with golden light and raised his staff.
"Wrath of the Anointed!"
Waves of divine fire burst from his body, incinerating half the tendrils, though one struck him in the ribs and sent him flying.
He landed hard.
Breathing ragged, he rose again—eyes burning.
HP: 711 / 950Divine Power: 231 / 310
Rune's voice rang in his mind. "He's stronger than you expected. You can't out-power him, Liam—not without using it."
Liam knew what she meant.
The forbidden command.
[Use Divine Creation?]Warning: This will consume 10,000 Faith PointsWarning: Will create a one-time relic weapon imbued with user's essence
He didn't hesitate.
Confirmed. Creating: Sword of Final Light
His staff exploded in a storm of fire and gold. From the remnants formed a radiant longsword with a ruby-red core, runes of flame and truth carved along the blade.
Liam gripped it in both hands. "Your god forgot this world, Veyron. But I was born in its ashes."
He vanished in a golden blur.
SPEED +70% (Flame Surge)
The sword sliced through Veyron's midsection before the godspawn could blink. Black blood sprayed across the altar stones.
Veyron roared and struck back with a clawed hand—tearing through Liam's side.
Massive Damage Taken: -122 HPStatus: Internal Bleeding (Temporarily Sealed)
Liam coughed blood—but his grip didn't falter.
He stabbed Veyron again, then again—blades clashing in a flurry of fire and void.
With a final roar, Liam plunged the Sword of Final Light through Veyron's heart and shouted, "Judgment is mine!"
The sword exploded in golden fire, vaporizing Veyron in a blinding flash.
Silence followed.
Ashes fell.
The battle was over.
Godspawn Slain+22,500 Faith Points GainedLevel Up! Liam is now Level 29New Skill Acquired: Divine Resilience – All damage reduced by 15%. Immune to curses.Title Gained: Slayer of Godspawn
Liam collapsed to his knees.
Rune knelt beside him, placing a glowing hand over his wound.
"You won. But they'll know now. Every surviving godspawn will feel his death."
Liam looked at the watching army. They knelt as one, faces full of awe, of terror—and faith.
Seraphina broke formation, her armor bloodied, her wings trailing golden feathers. She knelt beside him and, without hesitation, touched his cheek.
"You bled for us."
He turned to her, the weight of power and pain making him feel impossibly old.
"I bleed so they won't have to."
She leaned in, voice soft. "Then you'll need someone to remind you what it means to be human."
Their eyes met, and for a moment, in the ruins of a dead city, a flicker of something else stirred—hope, maybe even love.
But Liam stood before it could take root.
"We march again in three days," he said, voice ragged but firm. "Let the world see. The age of forgotten gods is over. A new flame has risen."
[Liam Carson – Updated Stats]
Level: 29
Strength: 248
Speed: 234
Endurance: 222
Intelligence: 271
Divine Power: 301
Faith Points: 30,000
Followers: 6,521
Angels: 13
Demons (bound): 3
Titles: Flame of Elyndor, Architect of Elyndor, Slayer of Godspawn
New Skill: Divine Resilience
Divine Relic Used: Sword of Final Light (Destroyed upon use)