The air in Nivareth had changed. It wasn't just cold—it was empty. As if the world itself was holding its breath. The violet stone pulsed softly in Kael's hand, and he could still feel the warmth of Azrion's father—a warmth buried beneath centuries of blood, betrayal, and silence.
Kael looked at the sky. Clouds were splitting apart… no, not clouds—space itself. Reality trembled.
A golden figure descended slowly from the rift. Towering. Divine. Unfeeling. Its face was hidden behind an ornate mask of light, its wings forged from pure commandments. Its weapon: a glaive made from the bones of fallen titans.
Celestial Executioner:
"You, Kael—touched what was not meant for mortals. The blood of Azrion stains your soul. Surrender it. Now."
Kael didn't speak. He couldn't. Every cell in his body screamed in fear—but he stood tall. Because for once… he wasn't standing alone.
Azrion's voice echoed, colder than the void:
Azrion:
"You dare send an executioner… to this place? This soil remembers my blood. These ruins sing my name. And you expect me to kneel?"
The executioner raised its glaive.
Celestial Executioner:
"I do not expect. I am the will of the gods. And I have come to erase the last trace of your cursed lineage."
Kael:
(voice trembling, but defiant)
"Then I'll carve your will into the dirt with your bones."
The battle began.
The executioner moved like a meteor—too fast, too divine. Its glaive sliced through mountains behind Kael. Wind howled. The ground cracked. But the blade stopped—caught between Kael's fingers.
Not Kael's strength. Azrion's will.
Azrion (calmly):
"You forgot… I've killed gods before."
Black and violet energy erupted from Kael's body like a storm. The faded mark on his chest morphed, twisted—becoming clearer, darker. The true symbol had begun to awaken.
With a flick of his wrist, Kael shattered the divine glaive into shards.
The executioner recoiled, stunned. For the first time, a god felt fear.
Azrion's voice grew louder—now not just in Kael's head, but everywhere. In the wind, in the stone, in the very sky.
Azrion:
"Let the heavens hear this—your gods massacred my kind. Lied about history. But I remember. And now, so does he."
Kael's hair began to lift, his eyes glowing with an unnatural violet hue. But he wasn't being possessed. No… he was accepting it.
Kael:
"You want to erase me?
Then come.
Erase the name Kael from the stars—
If you can."
The two clashed again. But this time… the divine weapon was parried with demonic grace. Every strike Kael delivered carried not just Azrion's rage… but his own. Every punch screamed:
"For my mother."
"For every time I was called worthless."
"For the truth they buried in your lies."
The executioner tried to retreat. But Azrion wouldn't let it.
Kael raised his hand.
Kael/Azrion (in one voice):
"Your judgment is denied."
A massive spectral claw erupted from the ground—Azrion's true form beginning to seep through dimensions. It crushed the executioner, dragging it into the black abyss below. Its screams echoed… and faded.
Silence returned.
The rift in the sky closed.
Kael collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily. His mark… now half-complete, glowing dark violet.
Kael:
"What… what's happening to me…?"
Azrion's voice was quiet… almost sad.
Azrion:
"You're becoming who you were always meant to be."
And far beyond the stars, in the High Court of Gods, the ancient god—the one with scars from the last war—rose from his throne.
Ancient God:
"He's back…
No… worse.
He's merging."
End of Chapter 12