The sky was no longer stable.
It shattered.
Not metaphorically—
Literally.
---
Cracks spread across the golden light above, as if reality itself couldn't withstand what was happening.
Two forces clashed at a level far beyond anything the battlefield had seen.
---
Orion.
And the god.
---
Their movements couldn't be followed.
Only felt.
Each collision sent shockwaves tearing through the ruined city, ripping apart what little remained.
---
BOOOOOOM
---
A massive explosion echoed.
The ground split open.
Buildings collapsed further into dust.
The air screamed.
---
Kael lay amidst the destruction, barely conscious.
But his eyes—
Still followed the fight.
---
"…That's…"
His voice was weak.
Broken.
---
"…impossible…"
---
Above him—
Orion stood mid-air, one hand raised.
Dark energy twisted around him.
Not chaotic.
Not unstable.
---
Controlled.
Perfect.
---
The god hovered opposite him.
Golden aura blazing like a miniature sun.
Untouchable.
Unshakable.
---
"…You've grown stronger," the god said.
---
Orion didn't respond.
---
"…But not enough."
---
The god raised his hand.
A massive golden spear formed instantly.
Pure divine energy.
Condensed.
Deadly.
---
He threw it.
---
It vanished.
---
Then reappeared—
Right in front of Orion.
---
But—
---
CRACK
---
It shattered.
---
Without even touching him.
---
For the first time—
The god's expression shifted.
---
"…Interesting."
---
Orion lowered his hand slowly.
"…Leave."
---
The word echoed.
Not loud.
But heavy.
---
The god smiled faintly.
"…Still protecting him…"
---
His gaze dropped.
---
Back to Kael.
---
Even from that distance—
Kael felt it.
---
That pressure.
That judgment.
---
"…You believe in him that much?"
---
Orion finally spoke.
---
"…More than you think."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
The god laughed softly.
---
"…Then let's see how far that belief goes."
---
The sky darkened again.
Golden light twisted—
Then condensed.
---
Something massive began to form.
---
Aurora's eyes widened slightly.
"…That's not an attack…"
---
Rex frowned.
"…Then what is it?"
---
Lyra whispered:
"…A summon…?"
---
No.
---
It was worse.
---
The light took shape.
A massive structure.
Like a gate.
But not like the one they had used before.
---
This one—
Was divine.
---
"…He's opening a path…" Aurora said.
"…Directly from the God Realm."
---
Silence.
---
"…Are you serious…?" Rex muttered.
---
The god extended his hand.
---
"…Let's accelerate this."
---
The gate opened.
---
And something stepped through.
---
Massive.
Armored.
Radiating overwhelming divine energy.
---
A warrior.
---
Not a god—
But close.
---
"…A Divine Guardian…" Aurora whispered.
---
Even Orion's expression changed slightly.
---
"…You're going that far?"
---
The god's voice was calm.
---
"If he is truly a threat…"
"…Then let him prove it."
---
The Divine Guardian stepped forward.
Each step shook the battlefield.
---
Its eyes—
Locked onto Kael.
---
"…Target confirmed."
---
Kael forced himself to move.
---
His body screamed.
Every muscle burned.
Every breath hurt.
---
But he stood.
---
"…Not… done yet…"
---
Lyra rushed to his side.
"Are you insane?! You can't fight that!"
---
Rex stepped forward too.
"…Tch… guess we're doing this together."
---
Aurora raised her hand.
Ice spread across the ground instantly.
"…We won't win head-on."
---
Kael looked at them.
---
For a moment—
He said nothing.
---
Then—
"…I'm not fighting alone."
---
Lyra smiled slightly.
"…Good."
---
The Divine Guardian moved.
---
Fast.
Far too fast for its size.
---
It appeared in front of them instantly.
---
BOOM
---
Its strike hit the ground.
---
Kael barely dodged.
Lyra pulled him back.
---
Rex countered with lightning.
---
It hit.
---
But did nothing.
---
"…Of course…" Rex muttered.
---
Aurora froze the ground beneath it—
Slowing its movement slightly.
---
"Now!" she shouted.
---
Kael moved.
---
His body resisted.
But his will didn't.
---
"…Come on…"
---
The glow appeared again.
---
Faint.
Then stronger.
---
"…I need you…"
---
The blade flickered.
---
The Guardian attacked again.
---
Too fast.
---
Kael reacted.
---
The blade formed—
Halfway.
---
He blocked.
---
CLANG
---
The impact sent him sliding back.
---
But he didn't fall.
---
"…Again…"
---
The blade flickered more.
---
The Guardian attacked repeatedly.
Each strike heavier than the last.
---
Kael blocked.
Dodged.
Fought.
---
But he was being pushed back.
---
"…You're still not enough," the god's voice echoed.
---
Kael gritted his teeth.
---
"…Then I'll become enough."
---
The glow surged violently.
---
This time—
He didn't hesitate.
---
He reached deeper.
Further than before.
---
Into that darkness.
---
Into that presence.
---
"…Give me everything."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
"…Take it."
---
The world exploded.
---
Dark-blue energy erupted from Kael's body.
---
The blade formed fully.
---
Not flickering.
Not unstable.
---
Real.
---
Complete.
---
Everyone froze.
---
Even Orion.
---
"…So you finally did it…"
---
Kael stood there.
Breathing heavily.
---
But different.
---
His presence had changed.
---
Sharper.
Heavier.
Dangerous.
---
The Divine Guardian charged again.
---
Kael moved.
---
Faster than before.
---
Their clash shook the entire battlefield.
---
This time—
Kael wasn't pushed back.
---
He pushed forward.
---
The blade cut through the Guardian's armor.
---
Clean.
---
A massive crack spread across its body.
---
"…Impossible…" Rex whispered.
---
Kael raised the blade again.
---
"…This ends now."
---
He swung.
---
SLASH
---
The Guardian split apart.
---
Completely.
---
Silence fell.
---
The god watched.
---
"…So it begins…"
---
Kael stood there.
The blade still in his hand.
---
But his body—
Was shaking.
---
Because even now—
---
He knew.
---
This power—
Was only the beginning.