Chapter: Darkness Beneath the Stars
Under the golden domes of Heaven, the battle had begun.
Iskandir – Guardian of the Stars – made the first move. Massive fragments of stars hurled into the sky came crashing down on Kael like a meteor storm. Kael, having used his Soul Thief power, had absorbed the final remnants of his soul army that had narrowly escaped. Now their agility, instincts, and raw strength coursed through him.
Kael leapt skyward and split one of the stars in half with his sword. As the shattered light rained down upon the surface of Heaven, the ground cracked beneath his feet. Darkness had touched the holy soil for the very first time.
As the battle raged on...
A voice echoed in Kael's mind. Familiar, yet hostile: Avelon's voice.
> "Kael… Beyond the stars, you'll find the answers you seek. Fight not just with your rage, but by facing the truth."
Kael tried to ignore it—but then a vision appeared in his mind: Mara's eyes. And then... a memory.
A temple.
Mara was praying as a shadow crept toward her. Then came little Elira's joyful voice. Shadows enveloped them. Then a whisper in the darkness: "We must do this. Otherwise, the Chosen One will be born."
Kael dropped to his knees. Madness flickered in his eyes.
— "The Chosen One...?"
Just as Iskandir was about to strike, Kael suddenly shattered the chains that held the star dust. He fed his sword with darkness and charged toward Iskandir.
At the peak of battle, when Iskandir faltered, Kael held his blade to his neck and asked one final question:
— "Why did Avelon do it? Why did he slaughter my family?"
Iskandir, with pride yet fatigue, answered:
— "Because your birth was a calamity, Kael. Your bloodline... in their faith, was cursed. Elira… that girl was the Chosen One. But on the wrong side."
Kael's hands trembled. Not from rage—but from pure sorrow and betrayal. To be the Chosen, the supposed savior, was the very reason Elira had been targeted.
— "Avelon… burned the innocent in the name of faith. Was that his justice?"
Iskandir said nothing. Kael drove his sword through him.
As the Guardian of the Stars lost his soul, his divine power transferred into Kael. The essence of the heavens flowed into his hands: Star Power — guiding meteors, celestial energy bursts. But one more ability fused into his soul: not like the Soul Thief, but something older. Celestial Perception — the ability to sense every energy in Heaven, detecting even the slightest tremor.
When Kael stood once more, Heaven had darkened a little further.
And then... Avelon's voice echoed from afar:
> "You've learned the truth. Now, it's my turn to play, Kael. Elira's blood will be cleansed... by your hands."
Kael clenched his fists.
— "No, Avelon… your soul will be tainted with a pain deeper than the others'. You won't just die. You'll be forgotten."
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End of Chapter
Iskandir is dead. Kael has gained the power to command the stars. He also learned why Avelon targeted Elira — because they believed she was the "Chosen One" and destroyed his family because of it.
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