[Blackthorn Crater – Dawn of Judgment]
The sun did not rise.
Instead, light broke sideways—
as if heaven itself cracked open and bled purity.
A single beam descended into the center of the crater, carving molten glass where it touched. Air turned heavy. Time twisted.
And from that breach stepped a figure:
The Archon of Order.
His armor shone with prayers older than language.
His spear wept with the blood of fallen kings.
Blindfolded, he stood in stillness, listening to the war in Kael's heartbeat.
> "Breaker of Thrones," the Archon spoke, voice like polished stone.
"You carry stolen flame. Lay it down, or be unmade."
Kael stood unmoved.
Behind him, the Crownless drew weapons—some trembling.
> "You're late," Kael said.
"I've already begun."
---
[Codex Activation – Ashen Reversal: Begin Domain]
[Codex Skill: Ashen Reversal – Sovereign Domain]
· Territory claimed: Blackthorn Crater
· Divine abilities nullified
· Suppression inverted
· Sovereign skill regen increased
· Duration: 03:00
The crater ignited.
Not with fire—but with meaning.
The ash glowed violet. The bones buried in the earth stirred.
Symbols carved into rock pulsed with Kael's heartbeat.
The Archon took a step forward—then paused.
"You have no right to claim Domain."
Kael lifted the Codex. Pages turned like a storm.
"I don't ask for rights. I take them."
---
[Battle Phase – Sovereign vs. Archon]
The Archon moved like a verdict—
no wasted motion, no rage, only intent.
His spear struck downward.
Reality split.
Kael's blade caught the blow.
A burst of flame erupted around them, blinding.
But Kael did not fall.
The Ashborn Crown flared.
[Godbreaker Skill Unlocked: Voidstep Reversal]
· Blink backward through enemy strike
· Counters divine attack patterns
· Shortens Sovereign cooldowns by 1s per use
Kael vanished—then reappeared behind the Archon.
His blade carved across the Archon's back, cutting silver.
The Crownless gasped.
A god had bled.
---
[Outer Ring – Crownless Reinforcements]
Selena shouted.
"Hold the edges! His aura's weakening!"
Gorn drove a spear into a summoned seraph, pinning it to the ash.
Kiri channeled Codex runes, sending pulses into Kael's back.
"I've synced his flame output! He's not alone in this fight!"
"Good," Selena muttered, drawing both blades.
"Because neither are we."
Dozens of mortals surged forward—not just Crownless now.
Ashborn.
Named for the fire Kael had lit in them.
---
[Inner Crater – Clash of Doctrine]
The Archon raised his hand.
"You walk a path forbidden by the First Flame."
Kael's laughter echoed like thunder.
"Then I'll burn a new one."
The Codex opened wide—flipping to a page too bright to see.
[Codex Trait Evolved: Sovereign's Will → Sovereign Defiance]
· Immune to divine law interruptions for 10s
· May override 1 active celestial protocol
· Cooldown: 3 minutes
Kael's sword ignited with scripture.
With one slash, he severed the Archon's halo.
Silence.
The gods watching from above… flinched.
---
[Final Strike – End of Round One]
The Archon fell to one knee.
Steam poured from his wounds.
His spear crackled, unstable.
"You... should not exist."
Kael walked forward, placing his blade at the Archon's throat.
"That's what all gods say—right before they fall."
Kael didn't strike.
Instead, he turned.
And raised the Codex to the heavens.
"I am Kael. Crownless. Flameborn. Breaker of Thrones."
"Send your next god."
---
[Above – Celestial Realm, Fragmented Watchers]
In the halls of the High Pantheon, a fracture ran through the Mirror of Realms.
An angel screamed.
A priest's skin split with prophecy.
And one god whispered:
"He made the Archon bleed…"
Another replied:
"Then we must prepare the Seraph King."