The arrival of the Champion of the Forgotten Gods had sent ripples of unease through Philippe's kingdom. Though they had been preparing for war, there was a stark difference between training for an enemy and facing one who had already slain gods.
[New Mission: Defy the Champion]
Reward: 15,000 Fate Points
Objective: Survive the first encounter with the Champion and defend the faithful.
The Calm Before the Storm
The night before the battle, a heavy silence hung over the kingdom. The air was thick with anticipation. The people, though faithful, knew the stakes. If Philippe fell, so too would everything they had built.
Aya sat in the grand temple, surrounded by flickering candles. She clutched a worn piece of parchment, her fingers trembling.
"You're worried," Hiro observed, stepping into the temple.
Aya nodded, sighing. "This is no ordinary opponent. My visions are clouded. It's as if fate itself hesitates to reveal the outcome."
Hiro crossed his arms. "That's never happened before."
"No, it hasn't." Aya bit her lip. "And that's what terrifies me."
Philippe materialized between them, his divine aura illuminating the temple. His voice was calm, yet resolute. "Fear will not win us this battle. We must focus on what we can control."
Aya took a deep breath and nodded. "Then what is our next move?"
"We prepare," Philippe said. "We will not wait for the Champion to dictate the battlefield. We will force his hand."
The Divine Strategy
Philippe spent the remaining Fate Points he had accumulated to further fortify their defenses:
Heavenly Pillars (8000 Fate Points) – Constructs divine obelisks that suppress the abilities of enemy deities within the kingdom's borders.
Blessed Champions (6000 Fate Points) – Grants Hiro and his strongest warriors divine enhancements, allowing them to briefly match a god's power.
Shield of Conviction (4000 Fate Points) – A temporary barrier that can withstand even the strongest divine attacks for a limited time.
With these blessings in place, Philippe gathered his forces and issued his command. "We do not wait for destruction. We strike first."
Hiro grinned. "Now that's a plan I can get behind."
Aya, though hesitant, nodded. "Then let us meet our fate head-on."
The First Clash
As dawn broke, the sky darkened unnaturally. The air crackled with power. A lone figure walked toward the kingdom's gates—his mere presence warping reality.
The Champion of the Forgotten Gods.
He was unlike anything Philippe had seen before. His body was human, yet inhuman. His skin bore markings of ancient power, his eyes held no emotion, only purpose.
He spoke, his voice reverberating through the city. "False god… you stand in defiance of fate. I am here to erase you."
Philippe stepped forward, his divine energy surging. "You are mistaken. I am not a false god. I am a god in the making. And you will not erase what has only begun."
The Champion tilted his head. "Then let us see if you are worthy."
And with that, the battle began.
[End of Chapter 21]