Chapter 18: Chapter 18: The Divine War Begins
The air grew heavy as an ominous presence settled over Philippe's kingdom. The Champion of the Forgotten Gods had arrived. The sky darkened, swirling with storm clouds tainted by unnatural energy. In the distance, Philippe's divine senses detected the approach of a single entity, radiating a power unlike anything he had encountered before.
The Arrival of the God-Slayer
Philippe stood atop the highest temple, his golden divine form shimmering under the angry sky. Hiro and Aya flanked him, their expressions hardened with determination. Below, the warriors and citizens braced themselves, their faith strengthening the divine barrier encasing the city.
Then, he appeared.
A lone figure, clad in ancient battle armor, walked toward the city gates. His presence was overwhelming, an abyss of power that seemed to devour all light. His eyes glowed with an eerie crimson, and his very steps sent tremors through the earth. This was the Champion of the Forgotten Gods.
The guards at the gate hesitated, their hands gripping their weapons tightly.
"No one moves," Philippe commanded. "He's here for me."
The armored warrior stopped a few feet from the entrance. His voice was deep, echoing with an inhuman resonance. "You are Philippe, the False God. I have come to erase you."
A silence fell over the city. The tension was suffocating.
Philippe remained calm. "You serve the Forgotten Gods. Do you truly believe they hold dominion over all? That I am a false god?"
The Champion's expression did not change. "You are an anomaly. Your existence disrupts the balance. The Gods demand your end."
The Battle of the Divine
Without another word, the Champion lunged. The sheer force of his movement shattered the earth beneath him, sending shockwaves rippling across the land. Philippe barely had time to react before a devastating punch crashed against his divine shield.
BOOM!
The impact sent Philippe hurtling through the air, crashing through a temple wall. Dust and debris filled the streets as the city trembled from the force of the attack.
Aya gasped. "Philippe!"
But before anyone could react, Philippe emerged from the rubble, his divine form flickering as he re-stabilized himself.
"So this is their trump card…" he muttered.
The Champion wasted no time, dashing forward once more. Philippe raised a hand, unleashing a surge of divine energy. A golden beam erupted, colliding with the Champion mid-charge.
BOOM!
The force of the blast pushed the Champion back, but he merely slid to a stop, unaffected. He raised his sword—an ancient weapon imbued with the essence of the Forgotten Gods—and slashed forward. The air itself split apart, sending a crescent wave of destruction toward Philippe.
Philippe dodged, but the energy sliced through the temple behind him, splitting it in half.
"Hiro, take the warriors and evacuate the civilians!" Philippe commanded. "Aya, prepare a countermeasure!"
Hiro nodded and rushed to lead the defense forces, while Aya began chanting an incantation, her prophetic abilities channeling divine power into a protective ward.
Unleashing the Divine Arsenal
Philippe knew this battle could not be fought with brute force alone. He tapped into his Fate Points, unlocking his most powerful divine techniques.
[Divine Ascension – 10,000 Fate Points] Temporarily increases divine energy, allowing for god-tier abilities.
[Celestial Chains – 5,000 Fate Points] Unbreakable chains forged from pure divine essence, capable of sealing even the strongest beings.
A golden aura exploded around Philippe as his divine power surged. The very sky trembled at his ascension.
The Champion's gaze flickered with something akin to recognition. "So, you truly seek to become a god. Then allow me to test you."
He dashed forward, but this time, Philippe was ready. He raised his hand, summoning the Celestial Chains. They shot forth like lightning, wrapping around the Champion's limbs and halting his movement mid-air.
"This fight is over," Philippe declared, tightening his grip.
The Champion struggled, his aura fluctuating as he attempted to break free. But the chains held firm, draining his strength.
Aya completed her incantation. "Philippe, now!"
With a final surge of divine will, Philippe raised his hand and unleashed Divine Judgment—a concentrated blast of celestial energy that engulfed the Champion entirely.
A deafening explosion followed.
When the light faded, the Champion lay motionless, his armor cracked, his sword shattered. Philippe approached cautiously.
The fallen warrior lifted his gaze, his crimson eyes dimming. "You… are no false god. But the Forgotten Gods… will not stop."
With those final words, the Champion disintegrated, his essence scattering into the winds.
Aftermath and Revelation
The city erupted in cheers. The war had not yet ended, but they had won a crucial battle. Faith in Philippe surged once more, strengthening his divine presence.
Aya approached. "We must prepare. The Forgotten Gods will not take this lightly."
Philippe nodded. "Then we grow stronger. I will ascend beyond their reach."
He gazed toward the heavens. The war of gods had only just begun.