The days that followed were filled with silence—not the calm kind, but the kind that presses on the chest and makes the heart beat slower.
Without Faith Points, Liam felt... hollow.
His strength remained, his divine essence still flickered, but the warmth of belief, the surge of power his followers once poured into him—it was gone.
He moved through the rebuilt Crimson Fortress like a ghost among zealots.
They still bowed. Still whispered his name. Still offered prayers.
But Faith needed time to return. Time and trust. And Liam had burned both.
Rune hovered close that morning as Liam studied the massive map table again, hands resting on scorched stone.
"The Faith is returning slowly," she said. "Fifty-three thousand followers... but your pool is only at 2,700."
"Enough to heal," Liam said. "Not to conquer."
Mira entered the chamber next, wearing crimson armor gilded with gold runes. "We received a message. One of the Freeholds in the west is under siege. Cult forces."
Liam's eyes narrowed.
"They're baiting us," Rune added.
"Good," Liam said. "We'll bite."
---
[STATS – Updated]
Level: 53
Faith Points: 2,720
Followers: 53,487
Divine Title: God of Reclamation
Core Stats:
Strength: 210
Speed: 185
Endurance: 222
Intelligence: 191
Charisma: 147
Divine Energy: 3,950 / 3,950
Perks Gained:
Wounded God (Passive): While below 10% Faith, divine spells cost 25% less and have 30% increased potency.
Resonance of Belief: All nearby followers passively regenerate Faith Points for the god when inspired.
---
They traveled west.
Liam took fewer soldiers this time—quality over numbers. His aim wasn't conquest. It was to inspire. To rebuild the link between him and those who still needed something to believe in.
The Freehold of Velorin had once been a holy land for lesser deities. Now, it was a ruin of smoke and ash, with demon banners fluttering from watchtowers.
He approached the gates under broad daylight, the staff of flame slung across his back.
Rune drifted beside him in her wraith form. Mira and Kael flanked him with their small elite unit behind.
At the gate, a single cultist waited—robed in black with red markings carved into his skin.
"The Flame-God comes to die," the cultist said.
Liam stepped closer.
"No. I come to remind you what death tastes like."
He raised his hand.
Faith Points surged—not many, but enough.
The staff ignited in radiant flame.
With a flick, he sent a spiral of divine fire hurtling forward. It struck the cultist and incinerated him where he stood. The blast continued, crashing through the gates.
His soldiers charged.
The siege of Velorin had begun.
---
Inside the city, demons clashed with the faithful.
Corrupted angels with torn wings and scorched haloes led the charge against Mira's unit, and blood soaked the cobbled stones.
Liam didn't hold back.
With each fallen demon, Faith returned—trickling at first, then pouring as people came out of hiding and cried out in worship.
"Praise the God of Flame!"
"He has come for us!"
Each voice added to the power inside him.
He raised his hand.
A golden rune flared in the sky.
---
> Skill Unlocked: Divine Edict – Salvation Flame
Cost: 2,000 Faith Points
Effect: All allied units in a 200-meter radius receive +40% to all stats for 3 minutes. Undead and demonic creatures in the radius are seared by holy fire.
---
Light rained down.
His warriors surged forward with renewed vigor, blades slicing, shields breaking. Mira led the charge, eyes fierce, her daggers dancing between ribs and jaws.
Kael unleashed holy lances from the skies, and Rune split into twin spectral forms, weaving divine fire between enemy ranks.
And Liam—he strode forward, divine fire licking around him, each footstep burning the corrupted stone.
He reached the central plaza.
There, another figure waited.
A woman, clad in black feathers and silver bone armor, her face hidden by a horned mask.
She bowed slightly.
"God of Fire. I am Illenia, Voice of the Cult."
"Your people slaughtered my family."
"I know," she said, stepping forward. "And you slaughtered mine in return."
Liam didn't answer.
She removed her mask.
Her face was… human. Soft, scarred, beautiful in a cold way.
"You've become what you hate," she whispered.
"No," Liam said. "I've become what they feared."
She nodded.
"Then pass your next trial."
Suddenly, the plaza shimmered. The light twisted, and a massive gate emerged—etched with gold, inscribed with divine runes.
Liam's eyes widened.
"That's…"
Rune gasped. "A Trial Gate. The gods used these before the fall. No mortal—or god—can enter unless summoned."
Illenia smiled. "You have drawn attention, Liam Carson. Now face your judgment."
The gate opened.
A beam of light pulled Liam forward.
He stepped through.
And vanished.
---
Inside the Trial Realm, there was only light.
Blinding.
Eternal.
It scorched away his breath, his blood, his thoughts.
He felt small.
Weak.
Then the voice came.
"You have claimed the mantle of a god. But do you understand what it means?"
Liam floated in nothingness, his form bare, his soul exposed.
"I understand pain."
"Not enough."
A figure formed—a boy.
His younger self.
Naïve. Kind. Hopeful.
"You're me," Liam whispered.
"No," the boy said. "I'm what you left behind."
A blade appeared between them.
Golden. Pure.
"Strike down your past. Or fall with it."
Liam hesitated.
His hands trembled.
He stepped forward.
The boy smiled sadly.
"Will you lose everything just to become strong?"
Liam raised the blade.
"I already have."
He struck.
Light consumed everything.
---
Outside the gate, time had stopped.
When Liam emerged, he was changed.
His eyes burned gold and red. His skin bore glowing runes. His voice carried resonance.
Rune gasped. "You… you passed."
Illenia smiled sadly.
"I warned them not to test you."
Then, she turned.
And walked away.
No one stopped her.
Liam didn't speak.
But the world had felt the shift.
A new god had passed divine judgment.
And now?
There was no turning back.
---
End of Chapter 44