Three days later. A divine stronghold burned.
The skies above Sanctum Solari—the golden fortress of the Eastern Inquisition—were supposed to be untouchable.
They weren't.
Because Lucius Nachtveil had arrived.
---
Flames tore through holy spires.
Paladins screamed in chaos.
And at the center of the battlefield stood Lucius, cloaked in black and crimson, a sword of white fire in his hand—Ariadne, no longer just a blade, but his blade.
---
> [Quest Objective: "Strike the First Flame" – Complete]
Reward: Divine Fear + Global Reputation Change
Consequence: You are now marked as an Apostate Tyrant by the Church of Eternal Light.
---
Lucius turned to the ash-covered courtyard.
"Bring him out."
Two of Zara's war hounds dragged a chained bishop across the stone.
Bishop Iram—the man who ordered the destruction of the Garden of Fire.
He sneered, bloodied but proud. "You think this changes anything? You're just a monster playing war."
Lucius knelt, face to face.
"No," he said. "I'm a man remembering who you made me become."
He raised Ariadne.
And the bishop saw it—
His own reflection in the blade. Afraid. Small. Real.
Then Lucius spoke a single command.
"Break."
The sword pulsed.
And the bishop screamed as his divine protection shattered like glass.
---
> [New Skill Unlocked: Reflection Severance – LVL 1]
Ariadne can now cut through lies… and reveal what people fear most in themselves.
---
Velda descended from the sky with her staff smoking. "Southern tower's gone. That's three divine relics destroyed."
Claire ran over, glowing softly. "Lucius—are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."
"You're lying."
He blinked.
She smiled. "I'm learning."
Lilith stood by the burning altar, arms crossed. "We just made every major Church declare us enemies."
Zara tossed a holy flag into the fire. "Good. Now they'll stop hiding behind sermons."
---
Suddenly—
BOOM.
A golden light shot from the sky above the fortress.
The clouds split.
And a voice thundered:
"You will not desecrate what is divine."
---
> [Warning: Holy Avatar Descending – Level ???]
> Host: Seraph-Class Hero – Exarch Lucielle, Blade of Dawn
Status: Coming for you.
---
The girls drew weapons.
Lucius smirked.
"Good."
He stepped forward, wind howling.
"Let them all come."