The shattered remnants of the waystone had barely settled before the forest began to stir. The victory was fleeting, as Kael had feared. The Wilds were no longer still; the air grew oppressive, vibrating with a force that felt alive.
Eryndra tensed, her bow already drawn. "Something's coming."
Thane spun toward the treeline, his grip tightening on his axe. "Not just something. Someone."
Kael could feel it too—a presence unlike anything he'd ever encountered. It wasn't the chaotic energy of the Wilds or the cold, cruel magic of the gods' creations. This was something more. Something ancient.
Then the voice came.
"You dare to sever my bond with this land?"
The sound wasn't loud, but it resonated deep within their bones. The treetops shuddered, and the ground cracked beneath their feet. From the darkness beyond the clearing, a figure emerged.
---
The God of Desolation
The figure was tall, impossibly so, and its body seemed to shift and writhe like the Wilds themselves. Its form was humanoid but inconstant—roots and vines twisted through its limbs, and its face was obscured by a mask of bark and shadow.
"Kael," Eryndra whispered, her voice trembling. "What is that?"
Kael didn't answer. He knew without needing to be told. This was no ordinary foe. This was one of the gods—an avatar of their power made manifest.
The god's hollow eyes locked onto him. "You have made a grave mistake, mortal. The Wilds were never yours to command."
Kaela stirred weakly within Kael's mind, her voice faint. This is a god of desolation. They embody the balance between creation and ruin. Be careful, Kael. They are more than just strength.
Kael stepped forward, ignoring the sharp ache in his chest from the bond's strain. "The gods have controlled this land for long enough. The Wilds aren't yours to rule."
The god tilted its head, almost amused. "You speak of freedom, yet you act as a tyrant—forcing the Wilds to submit to your will."
Eryndra stepped beside Kael, her arrow nocked. "He's not forcing anything. The Wilds chose him."
Thane barked a laugh, raising his axe. "Enough talk. Let's see if gods bleed."
The god's mask tilted slightly, as if regarding Thane with mild curiosity. "A weapon forged of mortal steel cannot harm me. But you are welcome to try."
Thane charged, his axe swinging in a wide arc. The god didn't move. As the weapon connected, the god's body dissolved into a mass of roots that reformed instantly, ensnaring Thane's arms and lifting him off the ground.
"Thane!" Kael shouted, rushing forward.
The god turned its attention to Kael, vines surging toward him like snakes. Kael dove to the side, slashing with his dagger. The glowing blade cut through the vines, but more took their place.
---
A Desperate Fight
The battle quickly devolved into chaos. Eryndra fired arrow after arrow, each one finding its mark but doing little to slow the god's relentless assault. Thane roared in frustration, struggling against the roots that bound him, while Kael dodged and weaved, his strikes landing but failing to cause lasting harm.
Kaela's voice was faint but urgent. You can't fight this god as you are. The bond is too weak. You'll need to draw on something more.
Kael gritted his teeth. "What do you mean?"
The Wilds themselves. Call on their power. You've proven your worth by destroying the waystone. Let them aid you.
Kael hesitated. He had felt the Wilds' power before—untamed, volatile, and dangerous. If he reached for it now, there was no guarantee he'd survive.
But he had no choice.
Kael dropped to one knee, his dagger planted in the ground. He closed his eyes, focusing on the rhythm of the Wilds. The chaotic energy surged around him, wild and alive, and he reached out with his mind, his will.
I am Kael. I am bound to the Wilds, and I fight for their freedom. Lend me your strength.
The response was immediate. The ground beneath him erupted with light, and tendrils of energy snaked around his arms and legs. Kaela's presence flared, stronger now, merging with the power of the Wilds.
When Kael stood, his body shimmered with the glow of raw magic. The god paused, its hollow eyes narrowing.
"You invoke the Wilds against me?" the god said, its voice laced with disbelief. "Foolish mortal. You will only hasten your own destruction."
Kael raised his dagger, now blazing with light. "We'll see about that."
---
The Turning Tide
The battle resumed, but this time Kael was different. The Wilds' energy coursed through him, enhancing his speed and strength. He moved like the wind, striking the god with a precision and force that broke through its defenses.
Eryndra and Thane rallied, their attacks coordinated with Kael's. Thane's axe shattered the vines holding him, and Eryndra's arrows began to glow, imbued with the same magic that surrounded Kael.
The god roared, its form shifting wildly as it struggled to maintain control. "This is not the end, mortal. You cannot defeat the gods!"
Kael leapt forward, his dagger plunging into the god's chest. The magic surged, and the god let out a deafening wail. Its body collapsed, dissolving into a whirlwind of roots and shadows that scattered into the wind.
---
The Aftermath
The clearing was silent once more, the oppressive energy gone. Kael staggered, the glow around him fading as the Wilds' power receded.
Eryndra caught him before he fell, her expression a mixture of relief and worry. "You did it. You beat a god."
Kael shook his head. "No. That was only an avatar. The real god is still out there, watching. Waiting."
Thane sheathed his axe, his face grim. "Let them watch. Let them wait. We'll send every last one of them back to whatever pit they crawled out of."
Kael looked to the horizon, where the first rays of sunlight broke through the trees. The Wilds felt different now—lighter, freer. But the victory was bittersweet.
The gods had taken notice, and their retaliation would only grow fiercer.
"Let's keep moving," Kael said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "We still have a long way to go."
As the group set out, Kael couldn't help but glance back at the shattered remains of the waystone. The Wilds had chosen him, but at what cost?
The battle was far from over, and Kael knew the gods would not rest until they had crushed him and everything he stood for.