A storm gathered above the ruined temple.
Lucius stood at its center—chest bandaged, blood drying, eyes glowing.
The girls surrounded him: Claire's light magic pulsing gently, Lilith fuming in silence, Zara sharpening her axes like she wanted someone to scream, and Velda… smiling.
The "it's-about-to-get-very-interesting" kind of smile.
Malriva leaned against the wall nearby, swirling firewine and watching Lucius like a wolf watches a volcano.
"You sure about this?" Velda asked.
Lucius nodded once.
"She remembered me. The assassin."
"She also almost killed you," Zara muttered.
"She was a message," Lucius replied. "This—"
He raised Ariadne to the sky.
"Is the answer."
---
> [System Notice: Global Action Triggered]
You are attempting to breach divine law.
Intent Detected: Declaration of War
Target: The Celestial Concord – All known divine pantheons
Risk Level: Terminal
Outcome: ???
Proceed?
Lucius: "Yes."
---
The clouds cracked open.
Not with rain.
With attention.
The sky shimmered gold.
A circle appeared—a divine seal.
Not a person, not a god. Just a voice, layered in every language, ringing like a dying choir.
"You would stand against the divine?"
Lucius didn't flinch.
"You stood against me first."
"You were erased for a reason."
"I was erased because I knew the reason."
---
The voice thundered.
"You are no longer Sovarion."
Lucius smirked.
"I'm something worse."
He raised Ariadne, now glowing silver and crimson.
"I'm the memory you can't burn, the sin you tried to rewrite."
Lightning split the seal.
"Then declare it, forsaken one."
Lucius stepped forward.
And spoke six words.
"I declare war on your heaven."
---
> [World Event: Heavenfall Declared]
Status: Active Global Threat
All Divine Factions alerted.
Faction Reactions:
— 4 preparing for war
— 2 seeking alliance
— 1… whispering your name with reverence
---
The sky went silent.
Then shattered like glass.
And the gods—for the first time in a thousand years—spoke it aloud:
"Sovarion lives."
---
Back on the ground, the girls stood speechless.
Claire: "You just… declared war on every god?"
Velda: "Hot."
Zara: "I'm in."
Lilith didn't speak.
Instead, she walked up to Lucius…
And kissed him.
Hard. Fierce. Honest.
Then whispered, "For her. For you. For us."
---
> [Bond Update – Lilith: Flame Bound, Heart Bared]
Passive Bonus Gained: Lilith's strength doubles when Lucius is injured.
---
Malriva chuckled.
"This is going to be fun."
Lucius lowered his sword.
"No."
He turned toward the horizon.
"This is going to be final."