Smoke coiled from Liam's armor as he stepped into the ash-strewn valley known as the Gorge of the Fallen Titans. The triumph over Queen Malentha was still fresh, but there was no time to rest. The System had pulsed ominously just hours ago, alerting him to a new presence—one older than Malentha, born not from madness, but from something purer.
Hatred.
---
GOD SYSTEM – STATUS
Level: 22
Faith Points (FP): 210
Followers: 275
Angels: 34
Demons: 1 (New)
Title: Breaker of Despair
New Threat Detected: Lord Varnak, Wrath Incarnate
STATS:
• Strength: 43
• Speed: 42
• Endurance: 45
• Divine Power: 72
• Willpower: 53
• Charisma: 38
• Perception: 40
Unlocked Ability: Wrath Sense
> You can feel the heat of rage as a tangible presence. It calls to your flame, both a warning and an invitation.
---
The ground here was scarred by ancient battles—gouged rock, scorched trees turned to obsidian, and the skeletal remains of giants. Liam moved cautiously, Elira at his side, Kaelion following closely behind with two of Liam's angels.
"Something's off," Kaelion muttered. "Even demons avoid this place."
"They fear what's sleeping," Elira said grimly.
Seriel appeared in a shimmer of light. "Varnak wasn't just a warlord," the spirit said. "He was one of the First Flameborn, created by the Primordial Flame itself. He waged war against gods. When he was defeated, his body was thrown into the gorge… and his wrath kept burning."
"And now he's awake," Liam finished.
The sky above them shimmered red. Clouds gathered in a spiral. Lava dripped from the cliffs, and the wind grew hot and metallic, tasting of blood.
---
At the heart of the gorge stood a throne made of molten rock, pulsing like a beating heart. Upon it sat a towering figure—eight feet of charred muscle, crowned with horns of iron and flame. Chains wrapped his torso, but they were shattered in many places. His eyes, burning like two dying stars, fixed on Liam.
"So… the boy plays god."
Liam stepped forward. "And you play corpse. Want to switch roles?"
The being stood, each step causing the ground to crack and bleed heat.
System Alert – Boss Encounter Imminent
> Lord Varnak – Wrath Incarnate
Level 55 | Primordial Class | Unbound Flame Entity
Threat Level: Extreme
---
"You carry the Flame," Varnak growled. "But you cradle it like a child. It should consume. You seek order. I am chaos."
Liam's grip on his staff tightened. "I don't need to destroy everything to build something better."
"Then you are still naive." Varnak raised his arms.
Chains of flame lashed from the air, slamming into the earth around Liam's group, forcing them apart.
"Then let Wrath be your teacher."
---
Battle Commenced
Kaelion dashed forward, his twin swords glowing white-hot. He clashed with Varnak, but the warlord caught both blades with one hand and hurled Kaelion into a cliff. The impact cratered the rock.
Elira activated her Divine Ward, but even she was forced to her knees by the pressure of Varnak's rage.
Seriel flared brighter. "He's too strong. You'll need more than light, Liam."
Liam closed his eyes. He reached into the System, felt the Faith pulsing from his followers, the prayers of the weak who still believed in him.
He had enough.
He activated it.
Faith Points Spent: 130
> New Creation: Archdemon – Tazir, Ember of Ruin
A vortex of flame erupted beside Liam. From it stepped a winged demon—not twisted like the cultists', but regal and furious, bearing Liam's sigil burned into his chest.
"I live to burn your enemies, my god."
"Start with him." Liam pointed at Varnak.
Tazir roared, launching himself into the sky before dive-bombing the warlord in a spiral of molten fire.
---
The battle turned. Liam joined the fray, activating Divine Pulse and Mirrorbane, reflecting one of Varnak's flame strikes back at him, catching the titan off guard.
Tazir and Kaelion worked in tandem, striking from opposite sides while Elira provided cover with holy shields.
But Varnak's rage only deepened.
"I REMEMBER THE GODS," he thundered. "THEY BETRAYED US ALL!"
He slammed his fists into the ground. Magma burst from beneath them, separating Liam from the others. He was alone now—face to face with Wrath itself.
"Then let's see if a new god can do better," Liam said, lifting his staff.
"Show me, then, child of flame!"
---
They clashed—light and fury.
Every strike from Varnak could split mountains, but Liam's speed and divine power had reached new heights. He ducked, weaved, channeled Faith into his limbs. His wings flared wide.
He used Heavenfall again—but Varnak caught the celestial lance and shattered it with his bare hands.
"You are strong," Varnak admitted. "Stronger than the old gods. But not yet worthy."
"Then let me earn it."
Liam's aura exploded.
He activated his most costly ability yet.
Faith Points Spent: 80
> Divine Avatar: Solar Judicator Form (30 seconds)
Liam's entire body became a conduit of divine fire. Time slowed. He moved like a comet, striking Varnak repeatedly—searing flesh, breaking bone.
Elira and Kaelion stared in awe as the two titans collided.
Tazir grinned. "Your god's growing. Soon, not even heaven will dare bind him."
---
The final blow came as Liam whispered a word only the System knew—"Solgarim."
A sun ignited between his hands.
He drove it into Varnak's chest.
The warlord screamed—not in pain, but in release.
---
Silence.
Varnak knelt in the cracked ground, body steaming. He laughed—a deep, volcanic sound.
"You win, little god."
He held out his hand—not in aggression, but allegiance.
"I was chained by the old ones. Serve me chains no longer. I will kneel… for now."
System Alert – Enemy Subjugated
> Varnak has submitted.
Do you wish to make him a Demon General? Cost: 150 Faith Points.
Liam hesitated.
"You were going to kill me."
"And yet here we stand," Varnak grinned. "You burn bright. Let me burn for you."
Liam nodded once.
Faith Points Spent: 150
> New Demon General Created: Varnak, Unbound Flame
Stats Boosted
Followers: 327
Demons: 2
---
Later that night, at the camp outside the gorge, Elira sat beside Liam. The fire crackled between them.
"First despair," she said, "and now wrath. What's next?"
"I don't know," Liam admitted. "But they're getting stronger. The System is changing. So am I."
Elira looked at him. "You were magnificent today. Terrifying, but magnificent."
"I didn't want to become this," he murmured.
"But you chose to be this," she corrected gently.
He nodded.
"And I'll choose it again… if it means we survive."
She leaned into him. "Just promise me… you'll never burn me."
Liam looked at her—eyes glowing faintly with the last embers of divine fire.
"Never," he whispered. "You're the reason I haven't turned to ash."
She kissed him again—fiercely this time.
But behind them, Tazir and Varnak watched.
And far, far away, in a palace made of crystal bones, a new voice stirred.
A whisper, cold as death:
"So the Flame rises. Let Ice remind it… what silence feels like."
---
[End of Chapter 23]