The dawn broke red.
A crimson sun rose over the frozen horizon, staining the snow with the color of blood. The wind carried no birdsong, no whisper of peace — only the low, haunting rumble that shook the heavens.
And then came the sound.
—TRUUUUUUMP!
The first of Heaven's trumpets blared across the sky, its echo rolling through the mountains and plains like the roar of an ancient beast. Every soldier in Wintercrest stopped in their tracks. The very air seemed to tighten, trembling under divine pressure.
Arden stood atop the northern walls, his cloak billowing against the frost-laden wind. His eyes burned gold as he looked toward the heavens.
"They're here."
Celestia appeared beside him, her wings folded close, still faintly dim from her recent wounds. Her face was calm, but her light trembled faintly.
"The First Host," she said quietly. "Ten thousand strong. Each one a warrior of light."
Arden's hand rested on the hilt of Heavenbreaker. "Good. Let them test their faith against steel."
The sky split open.
From the rift descended legions of shining forms — angels in golden armor, bearing spears that glowed like miniature suns. Their formation spread across the firmament, their light turning night into blinding day.
At their head, wings crackling with lightning, descended Seraph Caelum, the Storm of Heaven — commander of the First Host, second only to the Supreme Voice.
His silver hair whipped in the wind, his eyes cold as glaciers. Thunder rippled around him as he raised his spear.
"Arden of the North!" his voice boomed across the plains. "By decree of Heaven, your soul is condemned. Kneel, and your people may yet be spared."
Arden's laughter cut through the storm like a blade. "Spared? You've already burned my skies twice. You think I fear your pity?"
Caelum's wings flared, arcs of lightning slicing through the clouds. "Then die proud, heretic."
He pointed his spear downward. "Heavenly Host—Descend!"
From the fortress walls, the Northern army roared.
Steel clashed as soldiers mounted direwolves — massive beasts with eyes like molten gold and fur as white as the storm. Qi surged through the ranks, every warrior radiating martial power that rivaled knights and mages alike.
Ryn raised her spear high. "For the Duke! For the North!"
The wolf riders howled, charging across the frozen plain.
Arden leaped from the wall, his aura erupting like a sun. His body blurred, crossing a hundred meters in a blink, landing atop a frozen ridge before the army. His golden Qi burst outward, forming a barrier that deflected the first volley of divine spears.
"Archers!" he commanded.
Dozens of longbows gleamed with spiritual runes. The air filled with the hiss of arrows — each one carrying condensed Qi powerful enough to pierce armor and bone alike.
The first volley struck the angels mid-flight, scattering them like shattered stars.
Celestia spread her damaged wings, stepping forward. Her voice rang out clear and resonant.
"Stand down, Caelum! The Supreme One's order is flawed! You bring judgment to those who seek freedom, not sin!"
Caelum's eyes flashed with scorn. "You speak as one fallen, Celestia. Your voice carries no weight in Heaven."
"Then hear it as a sister's plea."
He hesitated — only for a moment. Then his wings snapped open. "Heaven has no sisters."
Lightning crashed down like divine wrath.
Arden met the strike head-on.
His sword Heavenbreaker sang — a blade forged from divine essence, now glowing crimson-gold. He slashed upward, splitting the bolt of lightning in two. The ground exploded, snow melting into steam.
Caelum descended, spear clashing against sword. The impact cracked the sky itself.
Each movement was too fast for mortal eyes — light against light, thunder against sun. Yet despite the Seraph's divine might, Arden's stance never faltered.
"How…?" Caelum hissed between strikes. "How can a mortal match divinity?"
Arden's voice was calm, almost cold. "Because I learned from Heaven's own mistakes."
He drove a palm strike forward, Qi bursting like a cannon. Caelum was flung back, his armor dented, his divine aura flickering.
The soldiers below watched, eyes wide. Their Duke — their mortal leader — standing against a god.
Meanwhile, Celestia soared above the fortress, her wings trembling. She gathered what divine light remained in her, weaving it into a barrier of silver flame that shielded the soldiers from the raining spears.
Her power waned quickly; she could feel her essence burning away.
Selene shouted from below, "You'll kill yourself!"
Celestia smiled faintly. "Then I'll die as they do — protecting what I believe."
She pressed her palms together, and the barrier expanded — a dome of shimmering moonlight that stretched over the entire fortress. The divine army's advance slowed, their light dimming under her defiance.
Caelum looked up mid-battle, fury flashing across his face.
"You would protect him?"
"No," she replied, her voice echoing through the storm. "I protect the choice to be."
Arden seized that moment.
His Qi flared brighter, merging with Celestia's silver light until gold and silver danced across the battlefield.
He leaped forward, channeling all his might into a single strike — Heaven-Sundering Slash.
The blade cut through air, flame, and divinity. Caelum's spear shattered. His wings tore apart, lightning exploding outward in a chaotic surge that split the sky.
The sound was not thunder — it was the sound of Heaven screaming.
When the light faded, Caelum lay broken, his once-pristine form scattered across the frost.
The surviving angels froze mid-air, their formation broken, their faith shaken.
Arden stood tall, his breath steady, his eyes unwavering.
"Return to your god," he said coldly. "Tell him the North kneels to none."
The surviving Seraphs hesitated — then withdrew, carrying their fallen commander back into the sky. The rift sealed shut, leaving only silence and snow.
The soldiers roared in victory.The wolves howled to the heavens.But Arden didn't smile. He looked to Celestia, who hovered weakly above, her glow fading.
She landed softly beside him, her knees trembling. "You defied Heaven again…"
Arden caught her as she fell. "And you protected mortals again."
Their eyes met — warrior and goddess, mortal and divine.
For a brief moment, amidst the ruins and frost, they shared something that words could not define — not love, not alliance, but understanding.
Celestia whispered, "The next wave will be greater."
Arden's lips curved into a faint, dangerous grin. "Then we'll meet them higher."
Above, the skies flickered — faint cracks of golden fire spreading wider. Heaven had lost the first battle. But the war had only begun.