The kingdom trembled as a dark presence descended upon the land. The winds howled with unnatural force, carrying whispers of forgotten power. The skies above Philippe's city darkened, an eerie silence spreading as if the world itself was holding its breath.
At the heart of the temple, Philippe stood, his form radiating divine energy. Aya and Hiro flanked him, their expressions filled with both awe and concern. Before them, Renji, the ancient seer, remained composed, his aged eyes reflecting wisdom beyond lifetimes.
[New Threat Identified: The Champion of the Forgotten Gods]
[Mission: Defend the Faith]
Objective: Defeat the God-Slayer before he eradicates Philippe's influence.
Reward: 15,000 Fate Points.
Philippe exhaled slowly. He had prepared for this, yet the sheer weight of the challenge was suffocating. This was not a mere army nor a battle of mortal men—this was a war of divinity itself.
A City Prepares for War
The citizens were not ignorant of the impending danger. Philippe's divine presence had woven itself into their lives, and they understood that his battles were now their battles. The city mobilized—blacksmiths worked tirelessly to forge weapons infused with divine energy, warriors trained harder than ever, and oracles spent sleepless nights peering into the future for any glimpse of advantage.
Hiro stood at the heart of the military district, overseeing preparations. "We need every able-bodied fighter ready. This isn't a battle we can afford to lose."
Aya, standing beside him, gripped her staff tightly. "It's not just about warriors. The people must be ready in spirit as well. Their prayers empower Philippe. We need to ensure their faith does not waver."
Philippe listened in silence before speaking. "Then we must show them we are not afraid. We fight, not just for survival, but for a future free from the oppression of forgotten deities. If the God-Slayer thinks he can erase us, he will learn the folly of challenging a rising god."
With that, Philippe spent 10,000 Fate Points to strengthen the city's defenses.
Divine Warding (4,000 FP): A barrier of holy light that repels lesser supernatural entities and weakens divine assaults.
Heaven's Blessing (3,000 FP): Enhances the strength, speed, and resilience of every believer who fights under Philippe's name.
Sacred Guardians (3,000 FP): Summons divine constructs to patrol the outer perimeter, acting as sentinels against incoming threats.
The city pulsed with newfound energy as golden light enveloped its walls. The citizens gazed in wonder, their fear melting into determination.
The Arrival of the God-Slayer
A day passed. Then two.
And on the third, he came.
A single figure walked toward the city gates. He wore dark, tattered robes, his face obscured by a deep hood. He carried no weapon, yet the very air around him crackled with an unseen force. The ground withered beneath his feet, as if rejecting his presence.
Aya's breath hitched. "That aura… it's unlike anything I've seen before."
Hiro gritted his teeth. "He doesn't need an army because he is one."
Philippe narrowed his gaze, stepping forward. His divine form shimmered, an imposing contrast to the dark specter before him.
"So," Philippe called out, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "You are the Champion of the Forgotten Gods?"
The figure stopped a few paces away from the barrier and lifted his hood, revealing a pale, expressionless face. His eyes glowed an unnatural silver, devoid of warmth. When he spoke, his voice was deep and hollow, as if echoing from the void itself.
"I am the Executioner. Your existence is a mistake. I am here to correct it."
The Clash of Divinities
Without warning, the Executioner raised his hand. A pulse of pure, destructive energy surged forward, colliding with the divine barrier. The golden light flickered, holding for only a moment before cracks splintered across its surface.
Philippe reacted instantly. He extended his hand, pouring divine energy into the barrier. The cracks sealed, and the golden glow intensified, forcing the Executioner to take a step back.
Aya gasped. "Even the Divine Warding struggles to hold against him?!"
Philippe's expression hardened. "This is no ordinary opponent."
Hiro unsheathed his blade. "Then let's not waste time. We strike first!"
With a battle cry, Hiro lunged forward, his sword infused with divine energy. The Executioner barely moved—his hand flicked, and an invisible force sent Hiro crashing into a nearby wall.
Before anyone could react, the Executioner was already in front of Philippe. A fist wreathed in dark energy drove forward, aimed directly at Philippe's chest.
Philippe raised his own hand, catching the blow. Divine energy clashed against forgotten power, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Buildings trembled, dust and debris scattering as their conflicting forces raged.
"Impressive," the Executioner murmured. "You resist. Most break upon my first strike."
Philippe smirked. "I'm not like the gods you've fought before."
Their battle escalated. Philippe conjured divine lances, hurling them with pinpoint precision. The Executioner weaved through them effortlessly, his movements defying logic. Each step he took seemed to distort space itself, making him difficult to pin down.
Aya and the oracles chanted, channeling the faith of the people into Philippe. Divine chains materialized, wrapping around the Executioner's limbs. He paused, glancing at them before exerting a fraction of his power. The chains shattered instantly.
Philippe clenched his jaw. He's too strong. If this continues…
A Desperate Gamble
Philippe had one option left. It was risky, but necessary.
[New Skill Purchased: Divine Annihilation (8000 Fate Points)]
A golden sigil formed beneath Philippe, pulsing with raw divinity. The Executioner paused, sensing the shift in power.
"Interesting," the Executioner said. "You think you can erase me? Foolish."
Philippe didn't reply. He thrust his hands forward, and from the sigil erupted a column of light so intense that even the heavens seemed to split apart. The sheer force of it sent tremors across the land, the sky parting as divine energy flooded the battlefield.
For a moment, silence.
Then—
A figure emerged from the fading light.
The Executioner stood, his robes tattered, burns covering parts of his body, yet he still stood. His silver eyes, however, held something new—
Amusement.
"Not bad," he admitted. "But not enough."
Philippe's divine form flickered slightly. That attack had cost him dearly, yet it had not been enough to finish the Executioner. Aya and Hiro stood ready, but they, too, knew this battle was far from over.
The Executioner smiled for the first time. "Now, shall we begin the real fight?"