The embers of Torin's sanctum had barely cooled before the whispers began.
From the scorched ruins of the Wailing Wastes to the blood-templed halls of far-off empires, rumors swept across the world like wildfire: a god walked among mortals. A god who burned false prophets to ash. A god who forged angels from faith and commanded the sky with a flick of his wrist.
His name was spoken in fear. And in awe.
Liam Carson. The Chainbreaker.
High above the black valleys of Grath-Kul, in a city carved into the bones of a fallen colossus, a conclave of robed warlocks met beneath a sky that bled purple. Their eyes glowed with abyssal power. At the head of the table sat Ezarthus, the Flame-Eater, his skin stitched with ancient runes.
"He has grown too fast," Ezarthus hissed, pressing skeletal fingers together. "He upturned the Maw, slew Torin, shattered the titan. He must be culled before he reaches his fourth ascension."
Another warlock coughed blood into a chalice. "He gathers believers… more than we predicted."
Ezarthus's voice was cold and calm. "Then we light the world ablaze before they can kneel."
Far away, deep in the mountains of Velkarth, Liam knelt in silence beside a quiet river. His reflection shimmered gold and red, divine aura humming low.
Rune hovered behind him, silent for once.
Elenari stood a few steps back, watching. Her soft silver hair moved in the breeze, and her eyes, once only blades of purpose, now held something more.
Garran and Seraphina were further downstream, sparring. The others had gone to scout.
"Why here?" Elenari asked gently.
"This was where my father brought me to pray," Liam said. "When I was five, I tried to talk to the stars."
"Did they answer?"
He turned toward her, a strange softness in his eyes.
"No. But now I am the one who answers prayers."
She stepped closer, kneeling beside him. "You've changed."
He looked away. "I had to."
"I didn't say it was bad."
Their eyes met—and for a heartbeat, the war disappeared. The blood. The cults. The gods and demons.
Just a boy and a girl, staring into the quiet.
"You never asked me why I stayed," she whispered.
"I figured it was duty," Liam replied.
"No," she said, brushing her fingers against his. "I stayed for you."
He said nothing. But for the first time, the divine flame within him dimmed… not from weakness.
From warmth.
System Notification:
Bond Progress – Elenari: [60%]Title Unlocked: "Touched by Grace" – Slightly boosts charisma and morale when Elenari is nearby.
That night, Liam dreamt.
But this dream was not conjured by memory or fear.
It was a summons.
He stood in a black void lit only by white runes, pulsing like stars.
A voice boomed—not loud, but ancient.
"You have disturbed the balance."
Liam turned. Floating before him was a being of fire, cloaked in writhing sigils, crowned by a halo of molten gold. It bore no face. Only a presence.
"Who are you?"
"I am the First Flame."
Liam narrowed his eyes. "The origin of divinity?"
The flame pulsed.
"When mortals first lit fires to banish the dark, I stirred. When they first whispered to the stars, I listened. I am the beginning… and the ending."
Liam's hand reached for his staff—but it wasn't there.
"You called me," he said.
"No. You awoke me. When you slew the Priest of Chains, you burned a hole through the veil. Now… they will come."
"Who?"
The void trembled.
"The Hollow Saints. The First Apostates. The ones who drank from me… and turned away."
Liam's jaw clenched.
"What do you want from me?"
"Survive." The being's flame flickered once. "And learn to wield more than faith. You must master Origin Flame, or your godhood will burn you from within."
Then it vanished.
And Liam woke up gasping.
By morning, a new alert awaited him.
System Notification:
Unique Quest Unlocked:Trial of the First Flame– Travel to the Forgotten Forge beneath Mount Solendar– Face the Three Burned Kings– Tame the Origin Flame
Reward: UnknownRisk: Death or Ascension
Liam rose from the ground, his body trembling with anticipation. Rune circled him anxiously.
"You saw something," the spirit said.
"Not something," Liam replied. "Someone."
He turned to the others.
"We're going to Solendar."
Far across the horizon, in the Iron Tower of the Demon Cult's inner sanctum, a single mirror shattered without being touched.
A woman with silver horns and blood-red eyes stepped from the shadows.
She smiled, crimson lips curling like petals of war.
"So," she whispered, "the god is finally waking up."
Stat Increases (Liam):
Strength: +4Speed: +3Endurance: +4Magic: +10Charisma: +5Control: +7
Updated Stats:Strength – 155Speed – 134Endurance – 172Magic – 213Charisma – 133Control – 160
Faith Points: 138,400Followers: 1,207Angels: 3Divine Title: The Chainbreaker
End of Chapter 76