The wind howled across the charred plains of Viremont, carrying with it the scent of ash and something fouler—sacrilege. Once a place of fertile soil and sacred springs, Viremont had been poisoned by the demon cult's dark rituals, its lands defiled by blood sacrifices and foul glyphs. But today, the rot would begin to be undone.
At the heart of this cursed land stood a beacon of defiance—a city, newly born and burning with divine radiance. White stone walls reinforced with radiant sigils shimmered in the sun. Towers topped with golden spires reached skyward, and at the center of it all stood a radiant cathedral with a colossal statue of Liam Carson, the God-King, staff raised, gaze defiant.
Elyndor—the First City of Faith.
Liam stood atop the balcony of the central cathedral, Lumenbrand in hand, his eyes scanning the growing multitudes of followers in the grand square below. Thousands had gathered. Refugees, former slaves, soldiers—people drawn not by the promise of coin, but by belief.
Rune floated beside him in spirit form, her gaze distant. "You've done it. A city born from faith. The first of many."
Liam didn't answer at first. His eyes were on a group of children kneeling in prayer, their voices unified in the Hymn of the Flame. He could feel their faith—tangible, potent. It poured into him like warm fire.
+4,350 Faith Points gained.Current Total: 17,800 Faith Points
He turned to Rune. "It's not enough. Not yet."
Behind them, Kael entered the chamber, his massive sword slung across his back. "Scouts report cult activity east of the Blackridge Mountains. They're regrouping. Might be building another temple."
Liam nodded. "Let them. We're not waiting anymore. We take the war to them."
Seraphina entered next, her silver armor radiant, her wings folded neatly behind her. "Elyndor is fortified. Our people are trained. The Flame is ready to march."
Liam stepped forward, raising Lumenbrand to the sky. The gathered crowds fell silent as golden light poured from him like a rising sun.
"I name this city Elyndor, Flame of Hope, born from fire and belief. We are no longer the hunted—we are the divine storm. And our enemies will know what it means to stand against a god."
The crowd roared. Faith surged.
+2,900 Faith Points gained.New Title: Architect of ElyndorNew Skill Unlocked: City Blessing – enhances growth, morale, and defense of faithful settlements.
As night fell, Liam returned to the sanctum. Alone, he approached the Statue of Judgement—a twelve-foot angelic figure carved from moonstone. This was where he could commune with the system on a deeper level.
He placed his hand on the statue.
God System Interface – Accessing…Status: Ascendant Tier ILevel: 27Faith Points: 20,700Angels Created: 12Demons Bound: 3Followers: 5,873Divine Powers:– Flame of Judgment (Active)– Flame Ward (Passive)– Wrath of the Anointed (Active)– Divine Creation (Active – costly)– City Blessing (Passive)
A new option blinked at the bottom of the interface.
[Create Angel – Cost: 7,500 Faith Points]Template: Lightborne Warden – Specialized in Defense and Healing.
Liam didn't hesitate.
Faith Points Deducted: 7,500.Creating…
Light poured from the statue, shaping into the form of a woman clad in white-gold armor, wings folded like blades. Her eyes opened, glowing with soft fire.
"I am Seria, Warden of the Holy Flame. Command me, my god."
"Protect my people," Liam said. "And bring hope to those who have none."
By dawn, his army was ready.
Over five thousand faithful soldiers armed with blessed weapons, twelve angels hovering like burning stars above them, and his three bound demons—now fully subjugated—were unleashed as monstrous shock troops.
Kael led the vanguard, his greatsword etched with divine runes. Seraphina stood beside Liam, her shield shimmering with protective glyphs. The angels each carried a different weapon—halberds of fire, bows of light, whips of holy flame.
The gates of Elyndor opened.
They marched east.
Toward Brimhold—a fallen city now reborn as a bastion of the demon cult.
Liam felt it before they even reached the city's corrupted outskirts. A ripple in the divine aether. Someone—something—was waiting for him.
When they arrived at the edge of Brimhold's black spires, Liam stepped ahead of the army, staring up at the central tower.
A figure appeared.
Robe torn. Skin deathly pale. Eyes black voids.
"I am Veyron, son of the Forgotten God," the being said, arms wide as if mocking a sermon. "You've built your little city. You've gathered your sheep. Now come, shepherd. Show me what kind of god you truly are."
End of Chapter 60