The journey to Mount Solendar was not one of distance—it was one of will.
Carved into legend as the resting place of gods, the ancient mountain did not appear on any map. It rose from nowhere, its blackened peak hidden behind an eternal storm, lightning wrapped like chains around its summit.
The ground below it was barren, dead. No trees. No beasts. Just whispers.
And yet Liam walked toward it.
Elenari walked beside him, her blades humming low. Seraphina followed, her wings cloaked by illusion, ever vigilant. Garran held rear guard, axe over shoulder, his eyes flicking toward every shadow.
Rune, as always, hovered like a second soul around Liam's shoulder.
"You feel that?" Garran muttered. "The ground's… humming."
"It's not the ground," Seraphina answered softly. "It's the mountain."
Rune's voice chimed through Liam's mind. "We're entering the Forged Expanse. The air here remembers gods. Be wary."
Ahead, the clouds parted.
Solendar stood like a god watching the world. Black stone. Molten veins. Fire leaked from cracks like blood from old wounds.
System Notification:
> Warning: You are entering a Divine Anomaly
Effects:
– All stats decreased by 15%
– Healing reduced
– Faith Point generation paused
– Enemies within: Divine-Class
Liam narrowed his eyes.
"I hate warnings like that," he muttered.
Elenari looked at him. "But you're going anyway."
"Of course."
They passed through a shattered arch of obsidian, each step burning with divine pressure. The inside of Solendar was a labyrinth of fire. Corridors twisted and moved like molten veins. Symbols on the walls shifted as they walked.
And then the voice came.
"Another godling… come to steal from the flame."
They entered a massive chamber.
Three thrones stood upon platforms of charred bone. Upon them sat the Burned Kings—once divine warriors, now twisted echoes. Skin flaked from their frames like ash. Eyes burned with unending fire.
The First King rose. A sword of scorched light in one hand, and a chain of melted halos in the other.
The Second King drifted, robes scorched and body bound in molten scripture. He spoke in tongues, fire flowing from his mouth.
The Third King did not move. But the pressure of his presence cracked the ground beneath their feet.
"You seek the Origin Flame," the First King growled. "You are unworthy."
"I'll let the Flame decide that," Liam replied.
System Notification:
> Boss Encounter: The Burned Kings
Objective: Defeat or Survive
Difficulty: Extreme
Reward: Origin Flame Access
---
They struck first.
The First King moved like wrath, his sword cleaving the air. Liam barely blocked with his staff, the impact throwing him back. Sparks flew from divine auras colliding.
Elenari leapt through flame, dancing around the Second King's spells. She sliced, cut, evaded—but each hit felt like striking gods.
Garran fought the Third King. His axe roared as he clashed with pure divine force. Every blow broke stone. Every swing shook the forge.
Seraphina flew, wings of silver and red slicing into magic and fire alike. Her eyes glowed—angel-blooded fury.
Rune screamed in Liam's mind. "We're not ready! They're beyond Ascended—these are echoes of true gods!"
"I don't care!" Liam shouted back. "I didn't come this far to turn back!"
He planted his staff and roared.
"GOD SYSTEM—UNLEASH DIVINE COMMAND: BIND THROUGH FAITH!"
Chains of radiant gold erupted, binding the First King's limbs.
Liam surged forward, striking the King's chest—and for the first time, the Burned King reeled.
But then the Third King spoke.
Not in words, but in divine tongue.
And the mountain answered.
Flames surged from the floor, splitting the party. Elenari vanished beneath molten rock. Garran was thrown into a wall. Seraphina's left wing was scorched to black.
"ENOUGH," Liam screamed.
The Divine Core inside him pulsed. And the system responded.
System Notification:
> Emergency Override – Origin Flame Integration: 1%
Temporary Access Granted
Time Limit: 60 seconds
The staff in Liam's hand glowed red-hot. Flames curled around him—not the heat of destruction, but the truth of beginnings.
The Burned Kings hesitated.
"Impossible," the Second whispered. "He bears the Flame…"
Liam stepped forward, eyes burning gold and red.
"I'm done surviving," he said. "Now you endure."
He moved faster than sight.
With a sweep of his arm, the ground melted. The First King was hurled back into his throne. The Second screamed as divine scripture burned away.
Liam pointed his staff at the Third—and with a single word, summoned the light of a newborn star.
The mountain shook.
And silence followed.
---
When the light faded, the Kings were kneeling.
Their thrones shattered. Their power broken.
"You… have passed," the First King whispered. "May the Flame… not consume you."
They turned to ash.
---
System Notification:
> Trial Complete
You have earned the title: Bearer of the Origin Flame
New Ability: Origin Forging – Create divine relics from thought, will, and flame.
Stats Greatly Increased
Passive Unlocked: Fire That Remembers – Burn away lies, illusions, and curses.
Divinity Level Up!
Current Divine Tier: III → IV
---
Stat Increases (Liam):
> Strength: +15
Speed: +12
Endurance: +16
Magic: +30
Control: +25
Charisma: +10
Updated Stats:
> Strength – 170
Speed – 146
Endurance – 188
Magic – 243
Control – 185
Charisma – 143
Faith Points: 152,600
Followers: 1,322
Angels: 4
Divine Title: Bearer of the Origin Flame
Relic Forged: Flameheart Aegis – Grants 30% resistance to divine magic and heat
Status Effect: Ascendant Fire – +10% boost to all fire-based attacks
---
As Liam stood alone in the chamber, Rune finally spoke.
"You realize what this means, don't you?"
"I'm not just a god anymore," Liam whispered.
"I'm the fire they will fear."
---
End of Chapter 77