The battle had ended, but the embers it left behind still glowed within Liam's soul.
Even after the Colossus fell and the twisted boy inside was saved, Liam couldn't forget what he saw in its eyes—a soul shattered by faith twisted into madness.
He stood alone at the summit of Cravenrock's Watchtower, watching the crimson horizon bleed into dawn. Rune hovered near him, unusually quiet.
"You did what they said was impossible," Rune finally spoke. "You redeemed a corrupted soul."
Liam didn't respond immediately. He clutched the warm Celestial Shard in his palm, its light pulsing gently, almost like a heartbeat.
"I need to know," he murmured. "What broke him? What corrupted him? The Tribunal watches, the cult moves… but where does the thread start?"
---
[STATS – Updated]
Level: 25
Faith Points: 34,520
Followers: 9,870
Stats:
Strength: 80
Speed: 82
Endurance: 85
Intelligence: 88
Charisma: 72
Divine Energy: 1190/1190
New Ability Unlocked:
Soulseer Gaze (Passive) – Allows brief glimpses into the emotional essence of a corrupted soul. Useful for Redemption or Divine Judgment.
Redemption Pulse II – Increased success rate (25%) when used repeatedly on the same target.
---
In the temple hall below, the newly formed Divine Circle—a council of Liam's closest angelic followers—had convened.
Asher, Mira, Cael, and two new ascended angels—Yunara and Theon—stood in a half-circle around the summoning glyphs, whispering prayers in Celestial.
Liam joined them, his robes streaked with soot and gold.
"The people are talking," Theon said. "They say you've become more than a god. That you spare when others would destroy."
"Mercy is not weakness," Liam said calmly. "It's the difference between a tyrant and a savior."
Mira narrowed her eyes. "And yet, you didn't kill the corrupted one. What if he brings rot into our walls?"
"He will be watched," Liam replied. "I saw who he was before the darkness took him. We can heal that."
Asher bowed. "And what of the Orum cult? They will not stop."
"I know," Liam said, gripping his staff. "Which is why we won't either."
---
In a quiet chamber, Liam sat beside the boy—Kale—who now slept fitfully beneath layers of bandages and holy seals. Elira entered with a tray of glowing herb-wine and salves.
"His dreams are full of screaming," she said. "But there's something else too. He whispers your name."
Liam nodded, brushing sweat from Kale's brow. "I don't want followers who kneel out of fear. I want those who believe… even in the dark."
Elira smiled faintly. "You really mean to save them all?"
"No," Liam said. "Just the ones who still have a choice."
She sat beside him, and for a moment, neither of them were warriors or gods. Just two people watching over a wounded soul.
---
Far beneath the city, in a vault sealed for centuries, Rune pulsed against a rune-marked door.
"It's time," he said softly to Liam, who had followed in silence.
"You've used the shard," Rune added. "You're ready to unlock the Well of Divine Echoes."
"What is it?" Liam asked.
"Memories. Not yours. The system's. Maybe even the first god's."
Liam held the shard up to the gate. It shimmered with recognition. The door opened.
Inside was darkness—endless and layered with soft whispers. Floating within the void were fragments of golden light, frozen in time.
He stepped forward.
And the past began to speak.
---
> "System initialized."
"Divine Host candidate located… Error. Consciousness fractured. Repairing…"
"One god must remain. One flame eternal."
Visions surged through Liam.
A war in heaven. A betrayal among gods. One being—The Architect—creating the System to pass divinity through chosen souls, linking power to belief. A game not for amusement—but survival.
The System was a weapon and a tomb.
Liam stumbled back, shaking.
Rune hovered near him, quiet.
"You saw it," Rune said.
"The truth," Liam whispered. "The System wasn't made for me. It was a last hope… after everything else failed."
"And yet, it chose you."
Liam clenched his fists.
"Then I'll do what the last god couldn't. I'll change the rules."
---
Back in the citadel, an urgent knock shook the war chamber.
Mira entered, her wings flickering with unease.
"There's a visitor," she said. "Says she's from the hidden city of Thal'ren."
"Thal'ren?" Liam narrowed his eyes. "That city fell during the cult purge ten years ago."
"She says it didn't. It went silent, not destroyed."
Liam stood.
"Bring her in."
A cloaked figure entered, her face shadowed.
"I am Serenya," she said softly. "And I bring a message from the lost ones."
---
[System Notification: Story Branch Unlocked – "The Hidden Flame"]
> Optional Arc Activated
Travel to the hidden city of Thal'ren and uncover its connection to the ancient gods and the Tribunal.
Reward: +5,000 Faith Points, chance to unlock new Divine Class.
Warning: Danger Level – HIGH. Demon Cult Presence Confirmed.
---
That night, Liam stood with Serenya on the eastern platform. Behind them, the city lit up with prayers and fire. Ahead, the horizon grew darker by the hour.
"If Thal'ren still lives," Liam said, "why now? Why reach out to me?"
Serenya lowered her hood. Her eyes shimmered with silver runes.
"Because you're not the only one with a god system."
Liam froze.
"I'm the failed prototype," Serenya said. "And they'll kill me if they find out I still exist."
Rune surged forward, voice sharp. "That's not possible. Only one can hold the system."
Serenya smiled sadly.
"Tell that to the Tribunal."
---
As the wind howled over the cliffs, Liam stared at her—at what she might be, at what secrets she could unlock.
This wasn't just revenge anymore.
It was unraveling a lie older than the heavens.
And he would burn through every god and demon to find the truth.
---
End of Chapter 33