Karn stood on the rooftop of the abandoned train station, hoodie flapping like a cape in the wind. Below, the city buzzed — unaware, uncaring — as if a living sun wasn't walking above them.
His fingers clenched.
The mark on his chest throbbed again, golden veins glowing faint beneath his skin.
Rhea had gone silent after last night. She saw the flare in his eyes — the split-second where Karna, the god-slayer, bled through his smile. Her expression? Fear. And that hurt more than the curse.
"Holy shit," he whispered. "Am I becoming him… or was I always him?"
Suddenly, the sky cracked.
A bolt of light dropped like a spear, slamming into the street three blocks away.
BOOOOM!
Karn didn't even flinch. Instead, he blinked. His body moved on instinct — divine muscle memory.
He leapt.
One step forward and the wind bent. The rooftop behind him crumbled. And in less than three heartbeats, he landed beside the crater.
From the light, a figure emerged — armored in obsidian and silver, glowing eyes, halo like a saw blade.
"Son of the Sun," the entity spoke. Voice like thunder over drums. "You've been summoned to the Tribunal Above."
Karn tilted his head. "Let me guess. You guys want to judge me?"
The entity raised a divine seal. "You are an anomaly. A karmic weapon reborn. Your existence breaks the divine balance—"
"Dude," Karn cut in. "I broke a vending machine last night by touching it. Pretty sure balance is already toast."
Without warning, the entity attacked.
But Karn didn't dodge.
He raised his hand.
BOOOOM!
Light and shadow clashed. The explosion lit up the skyline like a second dawn.
When the smoke cleared, Karn stood over the fallen being, foot pressed against its divine halo.
His eyes were burning gold. No glow. No rage.
Just… judgment.
"I've had enough of being judged," Karn said softly. "This time… the sun judges you."
And in that moment — high above, beyond the clouds — something ancient shuddered.
The gods were watching.
The cursed warrior had returned.
And he was done asking permission.