Ashspire was no more.
Its towers had crumbled, its cultists scattered or slain. Smoke curled lazily into the gray sky as Liam stood before the ruined gates, staff planted in the ground beside him.
He wasn't the same boy who had entered this cursed place.
He was a god of vengeance now—bathed in flame, blood, and faith.
But vengeance was a path that never truly ended.
GOD SYSTEM – STATUS
Level: 8
Class: Chosen of Divinity
Title:God of Flame and Judgment (Lesser)
Faith Points (FP): 27
Followers: 36
Angels: 1
Demons: 0
STATS:
• Strength: 16
• Speed: 16
• Endurance: 15
• Divine Power: 25
• Willpower: 19
• Charisma: 12
• Perception: 11
Abilities:
• Create / Enhance / Destroy [Tier 1]
• Smite [Tier 1]
• Lesser Judgment [Tier 1]
• Divine Brand [Tier 1]
• Wings of the Chosen [Active – 3 FP]
• Divine Chains [Gift – 1 use]
• New: Divine Summons [Locked – Requires Demon or Angel creation]
Liam gathered his companions in the hollowed ruins of Ashspire's cathedral.
Garran sat sharpening his blade, now permanently etched with golden flame runes. Elira leaned against a scorched pillar, quiet and watchful. Rennan hovered near the ceiling, wings folded, arms crossed.
"We've dealt a blow," Liam said, voice calm. "But it wasn't the only cult stronghold."
He turned toward Rennan. "Where's the next?"
The angel nodded grimly. "Far to the north, through the Cradle of Dust. It's a cursed pass. Blighted ground. No wildlife. No water. Only whispers."
"And beyond it?" Liam asked.
"A temple city," Rennan replied. "Skeldmar. The Cult of the Crimson Thirst roosts there. Led by one of the High Seven. A demon-bound priest named Velgor."
Liam's hands tightened around his staff.
"I'll burn him too."
That night, Liam sat alone beneath the blackened sky.
The spirit appeared beside him, cloaked in silver mist, her voice soft as snow.
"You move quickly toward ruin," she said.
"I move toward justice." His words were hard.
She studied him. "You speak like your enemies now."
Liam looked away. "They murdered my family. Burned everything. I'll make sure their entire cult forgets what mercy feels like."
The spirit said nothing. But her silence carried sorrow.
Liam opened his status screen and stared at the Divine Summons.
He had enough faith points now to forge an angel or demon.
"Can I create a servant strong enough to stand beside me?" he asked aloud.
"You can," she answered. "But servants reflect your heart. Choose carefully."
System Action: Create Divine Being
Cost: 15 FP
Options:
Angel of Mercy – Healing and protection
Angel of Flame – Divine fire and aerial offense
Demon of Chains – Shadow binding, soul draining
Demon of Ruin – Destructive force, chaos magic
Liam hesitated.
He saw his reflection in the staff's polished silver.
Mercy, or fire?
Shadow, or ruin?
He made his choice.
Selection: Angel of Flame
Name Your Servant.
Liam whispered, "I name you... Kaelion."
A pillar of golden fire erupted before him. The others rushed over, weapons drawn—until they saw the figure rise from the light.
Seven feet tall, armored in obsidian and gold. Crimson wings shimmered behind him, and a burning sword hung at his side.
He knelt before Liam.
"Kaelion, Flame of the Godchild, awaits command."
System Notification:
Angel Created: Kaelion, Angel of Flame
• Unique Divine Follower
• +1 Angel
• -15 FP
• +3 Divine Power, +2 Charisma
Current FP: 12
They left Ashspire the next day.
The road to Skeldmar would take them through blighted lands where nothing living dared to walk.
But Liam was no longer just a boy with pain in his heart.
He was a god with fire at his feet.
And war in his shadow.
[End of Chapter 12]