---
The Gate of Dawn opened with a thunderous sound. Light spilled out like a flood, not warm or welcoming—but sharp, blinding, and full of judgment. Chirag stood at the edge of the gate, staring into the realm of gods for the first time.
It was beautiful… and terrifying.
Golden towers floated in the sky. Rivers of pure energy flowed through the air like silk ribbons. Cities made of crystal hovered above clouds, glowing with divine magic. Angels flew between them, carrying messages, weapons, or light itself. Every part of this place felt too perfect—too clean, too silent.
And in that silence, a storm was waiting.
Chirag took a step forward. The moment his foot crossed the threshold, he felt it—a crushing weight, like a thousand voices whispering, "You don't belong."
He kept walking.
Siya and Kael followed close behind, the demon army behind them. Some demons hesitated. This was the home of their enemies, the very sky that had tried to burn them for centuries. But seeing Chirag walk without fear gave them strength.
They entered together.
---
The ground beneath their feet changed. No longer black stone or dirt—but glowing white pathways that led in every direction. The city ahead was called Luminaris, the capital of the gods.
But they weren't alone.
A horn echoed from above, and in moments, the skies darkened with wings—hundreds of divine soldiers, led by Serion, the General of Light.
He descended, clad in silver armor, eyes glowing like suns.
"So," he said, his voice echoing across the land, "the cursed child arrives."
Chirag looked up calmly. "We came for peace. But if peace is refused, we're ready for war."
Serion sneered. "Peace? You bring demons and fire to the heart of heaven."
Siya stepped forward, voice steady. "You forced this. You tried to kill us. You hunted Chirag because he didn't fit your perfect world."
Serion raised his sword. "Because he was never meant to exist."
Kael muttered, "Guess we're doing this the hard way."
The sky cracked with golden lightning as the divine army charged.
---
The battlefield was a floating bridge of light, hanging high above the realm. The demons roared and fought fiercely, but this was the gods' domain. Every spell, every strike felt heavier here, like the world itself fought back.
Chirag activated the Eye of Reflection, using it to see through illusions. The Mirror of Truth revealed hidden traps, and the Names of the Forgotten burned bright, weakening the divine soldiers who had once cast them out.
Siya's flames clashed with the lightning of the angels. Kael used speed and shadow to outmaneuver even the fastest enemy. But it was Chirag who stood at the center, wielding the Chrono Flame to slow time at crucial moments, turning defeat into victory.
Still, the battle was hard. For every victory, there was a cost. Soldiers fell. Friends bled. And ahead, more enemies waited.
Serion appeared before Chirag, his sword aimed at his chest.
"You are nothing but a mistake," he growled.
Chirag blocked the strike with a blast of inner fire.
"I'm a mistake," he said, "that you can't erase."
---
The clash between them shook the bridge. Serion was powerful—trained for centuries, fueled by divine energy. But Chirag fought not just with power, but with purpose.
He remembered his childhood—alone, unwanted.
He remembered Siya's kindness—the first hand ever offered to him.
He remembered Kael's loyalty—the friend who never left.
And he remembered every step that brought him here.
He let that fire guide him.
Their swords met in a final strike.
Serion's blade shattered.
Chirag's fire exploded through the air, sending the general flying into the light. He disappeared into the sky, defeated.
The battle paused.
For the first time, the gods looked unsure.
---
As the armies pulled back to recover, a figure appeared above them all—dressed in pure white, her wings enormous, her crown glowing.
The Queen of the Gods.
Her name was Elyria.
She looked down at Chirag with eyes that had seen the beginning of time.
"You should not exist," she said softly. "But you do."
Chirag met her gaze. "Because your world was broken. And you refused to fix it."
She stepped forward, walking on air, her power radiating so strongly the air itself cracked.
"Then come, broken one," she said. "Let us see what truth your fire holds."
---
The next battle would not be between armies.
It would be between Elyria and Chirag.
One life born to rule all.
One life never meant to exist.
And between them stood the future of every realm—gods, demons, and humans alike.
The war had only just begun.
---