Lying before him — half-buried in ash — is a man.
His body is wrapped in broken chains, skin scorched, eyes faintly glowing beneath layers of grime.
The air around him hums, like the world itself is holding its breath.
Aren (softly): "Who… are you?"
A pause — then a rasping voice escapes cracked lips.
???: "I'm… a god. But I was killed… by their allied unisons."
Aren steps back, dust swirling around his boots.
Aren: "A god?"
The man's faint glow flickers like dying embers.
???: "Your soul… it will rebel. It will refuse to bow to gods… and when it does, the heavens will kneel. You will take… my revenge."
Aren (frowning): "You're talking crap, you know that."
The chained god's hand trembles — then rises, pressing against Aren's chest.
A surge of searing light bursts through his palm.
Aren's eyes widen.
Aren (screaming): "What are you—AHHHH!"
Flames spiral across his chest, carving ancient runes into his skin.
The ground quakes, the wind howls — for a heartbeat, the sky above Realm 20 ignites red.
Then silence.
The pain vanishes as quickly as it came.
Aren stumbles back, clutching his chest, breathing hard.
Aren: "What did you do!?"
The god lowers his hand, voice fading to a whisper.
???: "Break… the myths that bind this world… or they will write your fate… for you."
Aren: "I've heard the stories. I think I get what you're saying."
The god's mouth curls into a faint smile.
???: "Good…"
His glow fades. The last shimmer of divine light flickers, then dies.
The body collapses onto the ash, motionless — a god reduced to dust.
Aren stands in the still wind, the carved symbols on his chest pulsing faintly beneath his shirt.
Aren (quietly): "I… feel something's wrong with my body."
The world around him stays silent — but in that silence, something ancient stirs.