The storm over Elarion had not stopped since the fight.Crimson lightning slashed the heavens, and the ruins glowed faintly, as though the world itself recognized that something forbidden had been awakened.
Hayate stood at the highest point of the crumbled citadel, cloak fluttering in the night wind. Below him, the ruins stretched endlessly — silent, watching.
Astraea leaned weakly against the ancient balustrade, her long hair catching the dim light.
"The heavens are stirring," she said softly. "Every time you use the Blade of Reversal, the gods feel it. They'll come for you again."
"Let them come," Hayate replied. His voice was calm, but his eyes burned. "They took everything from me. This time, I'll take everything from them."
Kael and Selene exchanged glances. The boy they'd once saved was no longer just human — there was something deeper, older, in his presence now.
The Forbidden Chamber
Astraea led them deeper beneath the ruins, into a temple sealed by dozens of runic locks. The doors trembled under her touch, glowing faintly red before opening on their own.
Inside was a massive circular room — walls covered with runes, floors stained dark red.At the center lay a stone altar filled with ancient sigils that pulsed faintly like a living heart.
Selene frowned.
"This… smell. It's like blood."
Astraea nodded solemnly.
"The Blood of Saints. It's what remains of the first beings who defied the gods. Their essence was used to forge divine artifacts — and to seal the Void itself."
Kael stepped closer.
"Why bring us here?"
Astraea looked at Hayate.
"Because only one who carries the Void's mark can awaken the truth. Their blood will answer only to you."
The Awakening of the Blood
Hayate stepped toward the altar, his arm burning faintly with the mark of Reversia.The moment his palm touched the stone, the chamber roared to life.
[System Sync: Forbidden Memory Detected.][Warning: Accessing Divine Seal – Unauthorized.]
The altar cracked open, and a massive surge of energy burst out — red, gold, and black swirling together in a violent storm.Visions flooded his mind — armies of angels kneeling before a single throne of darkness.
A voice echoed — not Seraphine's, not the System's — something far older.
"You awaken the blood that once built the heavens, child of the Void. The time has come to reclaim what was stolen."
Hayate's eyes widened. "Who… are you?"
"I am the First Saint — the one who betrayed the gods to create balance. The blood they call divine… was mine."
The Truth of the Saints
The energy condensed into a glowing sphere above the altar, pulsing like a second sun.Astraea looked up at it with reverence and fear.
"So it's true…" she whispered. "The gods' power isn't pure. It was stolen from those who defied them."
Selene's voice trembled.
"Then everything the Church teaches — every prayer — it's all a lie."
Kael clenched his fists. "They used their blood to make weapons, soldiers… even the System."
Hayate looked at the glowing sphere.
"And now, I'll use it to destroy them."
The sphere descended, merging into his hand. For a brief instant, divine symbols burned across his arm — then shattered, replaced by the black sigil of the Void.
[System Update: Forbidden Blood Integrated.][New Skill Unlocked: Saint Devourer.]
Astraea stepped closer, her expression both proud and sad.
"You've crossed a line no mortal has before. You've taken the gods' power — and turned it against them."
Hayate turned to her, his eyes glowing faintly red.
"Then it's time they learned what it feels like to be powerless."
The Heavens Tremble
Far above, in the Celestial Spire, the divine council gathered.Flames of holy light filled the grand chamber, and countless eyes turned toward the shaking realm below.
"The Blood of Saints has been disturbed," one archangel said, trembling."That's impossible!" another shouted. "It was sealed by Seraphine herself!"
A calm, terrifying voice silenced them all.
"It seems the false goddess failed again."
From the throne of light, a golden silhouette rose — eyes burning like twin suns.
"Prepare the Celestial Executioners. If the Void rises once more… we will end the cycle ourselves."
[Quest Updated: Path of the Revenant – The Blood of Saints Absorbed.][New Skill: Saint Devourer (Active) – Allows the user to consume divine energy and corrupt it into Void essence.][Warning: Excessive use may erode human consciousness.]
Hayate tightened his grip on his cloak as thunder rumbled overhead.
"They'll send more this time."
Astraea nodded, her voice barely a whisper.
"Then we'll make sure none of them return."