Ascension of the Mortal God

Chapter 21: The Price of Defiance

The night air was thick with the scent of blood and burning wood as Kael and his warriors secured their spoils. The battle had been swift, decisive. Yet, as the reality of their victory set in, a darker truth loomed overhead—retribution would come. The gods did not suffer rebellion lightly.

Kael stood over the fallen corpses of the divine wardens, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his blade. The convoy was theirs, but this was only the first strike. More would come. Stronger enemies. Greater trials.

Selene approached, her golden eyes scanning the battlefield with a calculating gaze. "This was a bold move, but it will not go unnoticed. The gods will respond."

Kael exhaled. "Let them."

Darius chuckled as he leaned on his massive axe. "They'll come, and when they do, we'll carve them down just like we did tonight."

Varian smirked from the shadows, his arms crossed. "Confidence is good. Arrogance is fatal. The gods have ruled for eons, and they will not let a single lost battle shake their grip. This is only the first ripple. Soon, they will send someone far worse than mere wardens."

Kael turned to the stolen wagons. "Then we use the time we have to prepare."

Darius nodded. "The supplies here will last us a while—food, weapons, even some armor. But if we are to truly wage war, we need more than just stolen scraps. We need a stronghold."

Kael thought for a moment. "Then we take one."

Selene raised an eyebrow. "You're suggesting we storm a fortress? We barely have a hundred warriors."

Varian chuckled. "I like the way he thinks. There is a stronghold not far from here—Raventhorn Keep. It's an old outpost, abandoned by the gods long ago. It's defensible, hidden within the mountains, and if fortified, it could serve as our base of operations."

Kael nodded. "Then we march at first light."

Darius clapped a hand on Kael's shoulder. "You've got fire in you, boy. I like that."

Selene, however, remained silent, her gaze distant. She knew the gods far too well to believe this would be easy.

---

The sun had barely begun to rise when Kael led his forces toward Raventhorn Keep. The journey was grueling, the path treacherous. But after hours of marching, they stood before the ruins of the once-mighty fortress.

It was a towering structure of stone and iron, built into the side of a cliff. Time had worn away at its walls, but its foundations remained strong. More importantly, it was abandoned—or so it seemed.

Kael turned to Darius. "Scouts?"

Darius motioned to a few warriors, who quickly disappeared into the ruins. Minutes passed before they returned, their expressions grim.

"Not empty," one of them reported. "Bandits. Maybe fifty, maybe more."

Kael smirked. "Then we make them an offer."

Selene crossed her arms. "And if they refuse?"

Darius grinned, tightening his grip on his axe. "Then we make them regret it."

Kael stepped forward, his voice carrying through the ruins. "To those within Raventhorn Keep—I am Kael, the one who defeated Selene Voidclaw and struck down the gods' wardens. This place will be ours. Join us, or fall before us."

Silence.

Then, from within the ruins, a laugh echoed. A large figure emerged, flanked by armored men. He was broad-shouldered, with a jagged scar running down his face. His armor was pieced together from various looted scraps, but his confidence showed he was no mere scavenger.

"And who are you to make such demands?" the man sneered. "We bow to no one."

Kael stepped forward, his blade still sheathed. "Then prove it. Face me in single combat. If you win, we leave. If I win, you and your men follow me."

The bandit leader's grin widened. "I like you, boy. Very well. Let's see if you have what it takes to command men like us."

He drew his massive cleaver, stepping into the open. The gathered warriors watched in silence as Kael unsheathed his sword.

The duel for Raventhorn Keep had begun.

To be continued—