Beneath the Dungeon — Forbidden Ground
The door opened with a sound that wasn't heard, but felt.
A cold wind whispered ancient prayers, not spoken in centuries.
Kael stood first on the threshold. The others hesitated, sensing it:
"This isn't just a ruin…" Mira murmured."It's a memory."
Before them stretched an enormous underground cathedral, carved into the bones of the world. At its center stood a shattered obsidian throne, its jagged pieces floating in place — as if still fighting against the concept of being broken.
Above the throne, an emblem burned in the air: Kael's divine sigil, pulsing dimly.
"This is where the gods declared me a traitor," Kael said quietly."And where I made my final vow."
Zara's Voice Cut Through the Air
"What was that vow?"
Kael turned to her.
"To protect the mortals… even if I had to destroy everything else."
His voice didn't tremble. But the girls around him felt it — a depth of pain beyond words.
The First Trial — The Keeper of Blades
A pillar rose before them.
On it stood a woman made of white stone, with silver hair like sculpted silk and eyes sealed shut.
She slowly opened her arms.
"Welcome home, my Lord. You… and your companions… must pass judgment."
"Who dares touch the broken throne… must prove they have not broken themselves."
The ground shifted. Six glowing circles formed — one under each girl.
"Harem trials?" Lyra asked. "Is this one of your twisted ex-god things?"
"No," Kael said grimly. "These trials were meant to test my apostles… before they could inherit divine fragments."
The girls looked at him, shocked.
Zara blinked.
"Wait. You mean—?"
Kael nodded.
"If you pass… you'll become more than mortal."
Individual Trials BeginZara — Trial of the Sword Saint
She's placed in an endless battlefield, where she faces divine-level enemies alone.
Each strike from her blade carries not just power, but purpose.
Her trial ends when she lifts Kael's divine banner in the blood-soaked wind.
A glowing fragment fuses into her heart: Aspect of War.
Mira — Trial of Dream and Fate
She walks into a maze of mirrors, each showing a different timeline — where Kael dies, betrays her, or forgets her.
She doesn't cry.
She finds the one mirror where he lives… and waits for her.
That mirror becomes a gate.
Her reward: Aspect of Vision.
Rayna — Trial of the Storm Soul
Lightning ravages her from within. She must choose between keeping her pride… or letting her heart guide her.
She chooses love over rage.
And becomes the storm's master, not its puppet.
Her reward: Aspect of Thunder.
Lyra — Trial of Chaos Flame
She faces a version of herself that's insane, cruel, and brilliant.
They battle — with explosions, tricks, and wit.
In the end, she outsmarts herself.
Her prize: Aspect of Alchemy.
Lilliane — Trial of Judgment
She's made to pass judgment on a crowd of nobles begging for mercy.
Among them: her father.
She shows mercy — but not weakness.
She earns: Aspect of Nobility.
Iris — Trial of Memory
She is forced to watch every time she killed in Kael's name… and against it.
But this time, she doesn't bury her emotions.
She embraces them.
She walks out crying — the first time the others have seen her feel.
Her gift: Aspect of Graceful Death.
The Throne Reactivates
With all six trials passed, the obsidian throne shines once more.
It speaks in a voice of thunder:
"The Apostles have awakened."
"The God returns."
Kael walked forward, slowly, eyes glowing gold.
His aura surged. The entire temple trembled. The girls shielded their eyes.
The pieces of the throne moved…
And reformed beneath his feet.
A Visitor — She Who Still Serves the Gods
As Kael sat, reclaiming a fraction of his former power, a seventh circle opened in the air.
A figure descended — wrapped in white, blindfolded, holding a staff carved from starlight.
She knelt.
"I am Selene. Oracle of the Divine Council."
"I was sent to kill you."
Everyone drew weapons — but Kael raised a hand.
"And will you?"
She hesitated.
"I… was your priestess once."
Her voice cracked.
"Why do I still dream of your voice?"
Kael stood.
"Because you never stopped believing."