The floating monolith loomed overhead like a god's gaze, casting a long shadow over the cracked earth. Kairo's heart pounded, not from fear—but from anticipation. He had come too far to kneel now.
The Herald stood above them, radiant and terrifying. She wasn't just a messenger—she was judgment incarnate.
> "Kairo Velar," her voice echoed across the landscape, "by divine law, you have trespassed the sacred line. You have slain Kaelus, Arbiter of Wind, chosen of Aetherion, Warden of the Sky. For this, your soul is claimed."
> "I don't care about your laws," Kairo spat, his hand wrapping around the hilt of his spear. "I didn't fight him for glory. I fought because he threatened my world."
> "Intent does not absolve the crime."
A golden circle spread from the Herald's feet, symbols orbiting its perimeter—binding runes, ancient and absolute. The wind fell still, and even the flames from their campfire froze mid-flicker.
> "She's invoking an Absolute Trial," Nalia whispered, stepping back. "Kairo, you need to—"
> "I'm not running."
Jarek cursed under his breath. "Kid, that's a Herald. She speaks with the will of a god. You're going to get yourself erased."
> "Then let them try," Kairo growled, stepping forward.
A pulse of gold light exploded from the monolith, washing over the area. Suddenly, the world changed.
---
The desert faded away, replaced by a colossal arena of white stone and stars. It floated in the sky above a swirling void. No walls. No sky. Just space.
And at the center, the Herald waited, hovering several feet above the celestial floor.
> "This is the Tribunal of Aetherion," she said. "You may defend your soul."
Kairo rolled his shoulders. The Titan Rune etched on his chest glowed in response.
> "Good. Because I didn't come here to apologize."
He launched forward, his spear wreathed in blazing energy. Lightning arced off his feet as he twisted midair and struck toward the Herald's side.
But she didn't move.
Her hand extended, and with a flick of her fingers, a transparent shield appeared, deflecting the spear effortlessly. The shockwave from the impact shattered several floating platforms around the arena.
> "Power without understanding is dangerous," she said.
Kairo rebounded, flipping backward and landing with a grunt. "And judgment without compassion is tyranny."
The ground cracked as he channeled the Codex.
Titan Rune: Valkar's Wrath.
His body ignited with crimson energy as four phantom arms of light exploded from his back, each wielding a spectral weapon—sword, axe, hammer, scythe. He rushed the Herald again, weapons moving in tandem with inhuman precision.
This time, she reacted.
Her veil lifted, revealing eyes like twin suns—pure, blinding, and ancient. She drew a sword made of starlight, parrying the phantom limbs with divine elegance.
Steel clashed with light. Sparks and embers burst with each impact. The arena trembled beneath the fury of their duel.
> "You are skilled," she admitted, slicing through one of the spectral arms. "But skill is not enough."
Kairo gritted his teeth. "I don't need to be enough. I just need to show them I won't back down."
> "Then die with dignity."
The Herald raised her hand, summoning a sigil above her palm. A massive beam of celestial fire descended from the heavens.
Kairo didn't flinch.
He drove his spear into the ground.
Titan Rune: Aegis Bastion.
A dome of obsidian force erupted around him, taking the full brunt of the divine assault. Cracks raced along its surface as he screamed through clenched teeth, holding it together.
> "Come on… come on—!"
The dome shattered.
But Kairo was already moving.
He used the explosion's momentum, launching himself directly at the Herald, spinning in a deadly corkscrew. His spear cut through her robes, leaving a shallow gash.
The first blood drawn.
The Herald recoiled, expression tightening.
> "You wounded me," she said, almost surprised.
> "I'm just getting started."
---
Outside the tribunal space, Nalia and Jarek stood in silent awe, watching the flickering echoes of the battle from the monolith's projection.
> "I've seen a lot of warriors," Jarek muttered. "But that kid... he's something else."
Nalia nodded. "He's not just fighting to live. He's fighting to matter."
---
Inside the tribunal, the Herald flared with divine power. She no longer held back.
She struck, and the arena erupted.
But so did Kairo.
The Titan Rune on his chest pulsed brighter than ever before.
He roared, deflecting her divine blade with sheer will. Their battle became a storm of stars, shaking the very foundation of the tribunal.
And then—
He drove his spear into the Herald's chest.
The world stopped.
Light exploded in all directions as the Herald fell to one knee, her sword clattering to the floor.
> "Impossible…" she whispered. "A mortal… standing against the will of the gods…"
> "I'm not done yet," Kairo said, lowering his weapon.
> "No," she said, looking up at him. "You've just begun."
---
To be continued…