The Weight of Revelation
Kael stood in the ruins of the metro station, golden energy still crackling at his fingertips. The battle had ended, but his mind was far from calm. The entity had left, but its words echoed in his head.
So, you do remember.
But did he?
Fragments of memories swirled in his mind, incomplete and chaotic. He remembered a throne of dead stars. A war fought beyond the veil of reality. A name that struck fear into existence itself. But there were still gaps—pieces of himself that refused to surface.
Elyra stepped forward cautiously, eyes filled with equal parts fear and concern. "Kael… what the hell was that?"
He exhaled, letting the last traces of golden energy dissipate from his hands. "Something I need to figure out. But first… we need to leave."
---
The World in Chaos
The city was unrecognizable. The virus had spread at an unprecedented rate, and now, the streets were filled with monstrous abominations—some still vaguely human, others completely lost to the infection. Fires raged unchecked, and the scent of death lingered in the air.
Elyra tightened her grip on her weapon as they navigated through the wreckage. "Where are we even going?"
Kael's gaze sharpened. "There's something I need to confirm."
He led her through the shattered remains of the city, moving with a purpose that even he didn't fully understand. It was as if an unseen force was guiding him, pulling him toward something beyond his comprehension.
Then, they arrived.
The ruins of a cathedral stood before them, its once-proud spires now broken and charred. Despite the destruction, Kael felt an undeniable pull toward the building.
Elyra hesitated. "Why here?"
Kael didn't answer. He stepped forward, pushing open the heavy wooden doors. The inside of the cathedral was eerily silent, untouched by the chaos outside. Candles flickered, illuminating the massive murals on the walls—murals depicting gods and celestial beings.
Then, he saw it.
At the center of the cathedral, beneath a fractured stained-glass window, stood a statue. Unlike the others, this one radiated something ancient, something… familiar.
It was a statue of him.
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The Forgotten God
Kael's breath caught in his throat. The figure carved into the stone was unmistakable. The same sharp gaze, the same flowing robes lined with cosmic patterns. An inscription lay at the base, written in a language that shouldn't exist in this world—yet Kael understood every word.
He who slumbered to walk among mortals.
His fingers traced the words, and a flood of memories threatened to break through the remaining seals in his mind. But before he could process it, a voice rang through the cathedral.
"You weren't supposed to wake up this soon."
Kael turned sharply. From the shadows emerged an old man, his tattered robes betraying an air of wisdom. His eyes burned with an otherworldly glow, as if he had seen far more than a mortal should.
Elyra immediately raised her gun, but Kael held out a hand, stopping her. "Who are you?"
The old man chuckled. "Who I am is unimportant. Who you are, however… that is a question that must be answered."
Kael's fists clenched. "Then tell me."
The old man stepped closer, staring into Kael's eyes as if searching for something. Then, he smiled.
"You are Kael, yes. But that is merely a name given to a sleeping god. A fragment of what you once were. You have begun to awaken… but you are not ready. Not yet."
Kael's mind raced. "Then what am I supposed to do?"
The old man extended a trembling hand. "Come with me. And I will show you the truth."
---
The Journey Begins
The path ahead was uncertain, filled with questions that had no easy answers. But Kael knew one thing for certain.
This was just the beginning.
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To be continued…