It began with the bells.
Not church bells.
Not warning bells.
These were hollow—a deep, metal-on-stone chime that vibrated through the tunnels like the sound of a dying heartbeat.
Kael was sharpening a throwing knife when he heard it.
He stood fast.
"They found us."
Leonis didn't ask how. He was already pulling his coat tight, wrapping the ash-black cloak across his shoulder like a general before war.
The Collector appeared in the doorway of the lower chapel.
"They come from three tunnels. Seraph-blessed steel. Fireborn dogs. One priest."
Leonis nodded. "Let them come."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Any reason we shouldn't be running?"
Leonis moved past him.
"We don't run."
Kael glanced at the rebels scrambling to grab blades, shields, chainmail.
Then back at Leonis.
"You don't run. I haven't decided yet."
The first tunnel lit up before the first scream.
A rush of heat. Shouting. Then silence. Then a second wave—armored boots, torchlight, chanting.
Leonis stood at the central intersection of the catacomb junction, where all three paths converged. His hand rested against the stone. His system ticked behind his eyes like a heartbeat.
"Host detected: Divine Infiltration Squad."
"Numbers: 18. Blessing Signature: Tier III."
"Soul Resonance: Scannable."
Kael joined him, flipping a knife once before tucking it into his palm.
"So… what's the plan?"
Leonis said nothing.
He stepped into the middle of the path.
They came fast.
Gold-armored soldiers bearing temple insignia, faces hidden behind stylized helms, weapons glowing with faint divine light.
At their front: a priest of Aurelion, marked by a sunburst crown and a flame-sealed book in his left hand.
"FALL TO KNEES, REVENANT. YOUR NAME IS UNHOLY."
Leonis responded by walking toward them.
"I said—"
The priest stopped.
He could see it now.
Leonis wasn't drawing power. He wasn't charging a spell.
He was just there.
And yet—the wall beside him wept blood.
A long, slow trickle of red ran from the seams between stones, as if the structure itself had grown afraid.
The first soldier lunged.
Leonis didn't move.
He raised a hand.
And whispered.
"Sever."
The soldier's forward step turned into a collapse. He hit the ground—not dead, not bleeding—just unbound. His soul ripped clean from his body, too fast for pain to register.
The others hesitated.
Kael muttered, "Gods above…"
Leonis took another step forward.
The priest shouted a command, and four more charged—two from each side.
Leonis let them come.
Then activated:
"God Memory Fracture – Controlled Release."
The world tore sideways for just a moment.
Kael blinked.
The four soldiers were gone.
Not slain.
Gone.
Ash where they stood.
Leonis's hand lowered.
"Let the rest run," he said.
Kael blinked at him.
"Run?"
Leonis turned.
"I need them to survive."
The tunnels echoed with retreat—boots slapping stone, screams fading.
Kael watched their backs vanish, wide-eyed.
"You let them escape."
"Yes."
"They'll regroup."
"They'll spread fear faster than we ever could."
Kael stepped beside him, eyes still scanning the crimson-lit halls.
"You're not just fighting, are you?"
Leonis turned to him. "No."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "You're experimenting."
Leonis didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Kael whispered: "Gods help them."