Tokyo had fallen silent.
Once a city of light and motion, it was now a wasteland of molten metal and broken towers. The gods called it a city of arrogance — where humans built machines that reached for heaven. Now, only dust remained.
Mohit stepped through the ruins, his boots crunching over glass and ash. ISHA's drone hovered beside him, scanning the area. The air shimmered with divine residue — golden particles that bent gravity itself.
"The First Shard is near," ISHA said. "Beneath the old Shinjuku district. But there's something else… a guardian."
"Of course there is," Mohit muttered. "There's always a guardian."
Suddenly, the ground trembled.
From the crater ahead, a figure rose — eight feet tall, with armor of molten obsidian and wings made of fire. His eyes blazed with ancient fury.
"Mortal," the being thundered, "you walk upon forbidden ground. I am Raviel, Flame Warden of Heaven. Turn back or burn."
Mohit's heart pounded, but fear was replaced by something else — power. His blood glowed faintly gold, the Aether Core within him pulsing like a second heart.
"Sorry, Raviel," Mohit said, cracking his knuckles. "Earth's not yours to rule anymore."
The god spread his wings, fire spilling across the ruins. Buildings collapsed as the ground cracked beneath divine heat. Raviel raised his hand — and a storm of fire spears rained down.
Mohit moved. Fast — faster than any human could. His body blurred, the Aether Core igniting inside him. He leapt across the burning street, his hand glowing as he absorbed a fire spear mid-air — its flames bending to his will.
"Impossible!" Raviel roared.
"You're not the only one who can bend reality," Mohit replied, and hurled the captured spear back. It struck Raviel square in the chest, shattering his armor with a thunderous blast.
The god stumbled, kneeling amid fire and smoke.
Mohit charged, his fist coated in crackling energy — and struck.
The impact shook the ruins. Raviel screamed, his body fracturing into light.
As the flames faded, a crystal floated where the god once stood — glowing with pure golden radiance.
"The First Shard," ISHA said softly. "Absorb it. It will complete the first stage of your Aether Core."
Mohit touched it. The shard dissolved into him — his eyes flaring with divine light. His veins turned gold for a moment, and the ground rippled outward.
Visions flashed in his mind — fragments of ancient wars, gods falling, and a single prophecy:
"The one who bears the Core shall end the age of gods."
Mohit opened his eyes.
"One down," he said. "How many left?"
"Eight," ISHA replied. "And the next one lies in the frozen lands of Siberia… guarded by a god who controls time itself."
Mohit looked toward the horizon — smoke rising, skies burning.
"Then we move. Heaven started this war. I'll finish it."
And with that, the Godslayer walked into the storm — the light of a dying world reflecting in his eyes.