With the flame of Ashgul now coursing through Liam's divine core, his presence had changed—sharper, heavier. Even Mira, whose gaze lingered longer than before, found herself drawing breath when he passed. He radiated something between wrath and divinity.
They left the molten caverns of Ashgul behind and entered the Scarlet Expanse—a cracked desert plateau scorched by blood wars of old. Here, the skies bled crimson at dusk, and bones buried beneath the sand still screamed in the wind.
Rune flew beside him, silent and thoughtful.
"What are you hiding?" Liam asked.
Rune hesitated. "The Court is near."
"What Court?"
She sighed. "The Crimson Chains. A rogue divine faction… angels who betrayed the heavens. Outlaws even among the gods."
He raised a brow. "And what would they want with me?"
"You," she said gravely, "are becoming competition."
---
[STATS – Updated]
Level: 50
Faith Points: 82,000
Followers: 46,700
Divine Title: Heir of the Ember Throne
Core Stats:
Strength: 197
Speed: 176
Endurance: 211
Intelligence: 179
Charisma: 134
Divine Energy: 3,500 / 3,500
New Skill:
Infernal Creation – Forge divine elemental constructs. Duration and power scale with FP used.
New Title Bonus:
Fire resistance +80%
Passive aura: Enemies within 15 meters take minor burn damage
Loyalty of all fire-aligned followers +25%
---
They arrived at the edge of the Crimson Gate—a monolith structure woven from bones and rusted halos. Mira drew both blades, Rune summoned her barrier, and Liam stepped forward.
As his foot crossed the threshold, a tolling bell echoed across the expanse.
The sky split.
Figures in black and gold armor descended—twelve winged beings, faces masked, bound by glowing crimson chains that coiled like snakes across their limbs.
The largest among them removed his mask.
An angel—yet something more.
His eyes glowed with fractured light, and upon his back were six wings chained together, still dripping with celestial ichor.
"I am Seraph Kael of the Crimson Court," he said, voice both cruel and noble. "You who call yourself a god have violated our dominion."
Liam didn't blink. "Your dominion is a ruin. Your faith is extinct."
Kael grinned, revealing sharpened fangs.
"We'll see whose godhood survives the trial."
---
> Trial of Chains Initiated
Rule 1: Divine power is sealed. Only faith and willpower allowed.
Rule 2: No allies may intervene.
Rule 3: Surrender is death.
> All Divine Energy temporarily suppressed.
All Active Skills disabled.
---
Liam stood alone in the arena of bones. Chains formed a dome overhead. Kael entered opposite him, removing his chestplate to reveal scars in the shape of holy sigils, burned in reverse.
"This is the test," Kael said. "We strip away your divinity, your system, your fire. If you are still standing—then you are worthy of the title you claim."
Liam cracked his neck. "Then I'll stand long after you fall."
They clashed.
First with fists.
Kael struck with surgical precision—his blows laced with divine muscle memory.
Liam countered, each punch echoing the rage of his blood, the memories of his family burning.
---
The battle was brutal.
Bones cracked.
Blood spilled.
But neither gave in.
Every time Kael knocked Liam down, he rose again—teeth bared, eyes ablaze.
Not with power.
But purpose.
Then came the final strike—Kael lunged forward, blade of soulsteel in hand.
Liam didn't dodge.
He caught the blade barehanded. It split his palm open—but he didn't flinch.
"You want my title?" he whispered. "Then earn it."
And he shattered the sword.
---
> Rule 1: Broken.
Divine Energy – Unsealed for 30 seconds.
Skill – Judicator's Wrath: Partial activation allowed.
Golden light burst from his chest.
Chains melted.
The arena buckled.
Kael fell to his knees.
Liam walked toward him, eyes glowing red-gold.
"You were strong," Liam said. "But you chained yourself to the past."
He raised a hand, but paused.
Rune's voice echoed in his mind.
"You are not a butcher. You are more."
He lowered his hand.
"I don't need to kill you to win."
---
Kael looked up, eyes wide. The chains on his arms cracked and dissolved.
Around them, the Crimson Court began to kneel.
Not in defeat.
In recognition.
---
> Trial Passed.
Followers gained: 2,000 (Rogue Seraphim)
Faith Points: +4,200
New Title Gained: Breaker of Chains
New Passive:
Unbound Will – All suppression-based abilities against you have 50% reduced effect. Immunity to "Divine Seal."
---
Later, as the new seraphim bowed and offered Liam a seat upon their broken throne, he waved them off.
"I don't want your throne," he said. "I'll build my own."
Kael stepped forward, eyes humbled.
"Then allow us to follow."
He nodded once. "But betray me, and I'll finish what I started."
---
That night, under the red moon, Mira touched the scars on Liam's hand gently.
"You could have killed him," she whispered. "But you didn't."
"I didn't need to."
"You've changed," she said.
He looked at her then—not as a god, but as the boy he once was.
And he kissed her.
Not for passion. Not for conquest.
But for peace.
However brief it might be.
---
End of Chapter 42