Chapter 18: Divine Judgment

Elias stood at the edge of a clearing, his body covered in dirt and blood from the many beasts he'd slain since entering the Beastlands. His breath was shallow, the toll of constant combat weighing heavily on him, but his resolve was unwavering. He had learned to harness his magic, gradually understanding the depths of the power that had been given to him. With each beast he killed, each challenge he faced, he felt his strength grow.

He had already mastered his basic magic-simple lightning bolts and bursts of energy-but he could feel there was more within him, something far greater. Something beyond the simple magic of Aros, something that thrummed deep within him, a power that he could barely understand but knew could be his salvation-or his destruction.

The power he absorbed from the gods he defeated, the power he took from the creatures he killed, it was all beginning to coalesce into something more refined. A force he could now channel with deadly precision.

Elias raised his hand, feeling the energy surge through his veins as he concentrated. The ground beneath him crackled with energy, the air around him thick with static as his fingers began to glow with arcane light.

"Come on," Elias muttered, a hint of frustration in his voice, "I know there's more to you... more than just this,"

His thoughts flashed back to Aros-the Gatekeeper-and the incredible power he had felt from that battle. The divine energy he had absorbed seemed to pulse within him, a constant reminder of what he had accomplished and what lay ahead. It was then that he realized: the energy wasn't just something he could use as a weapon. It was something he could shape, something he could mold into destruction.

Suddenly, the air around him grew still. The static intensified. Lightning danced along the ground, flashing in sporadic bursts. His heart pounded in his chest as his vision blurred with light. He could feel it now-the culmination of every battle, every sacrifice, and every drop of divine power he had absorbed. It was all coming together in a single moment of overwhelming force.

"Divine Judgment," Elias whispered, as the power in his hand surged, swirling into a condensed sphere of crackling energy. The world around him seemed to fade as the power in his palm built, becoming more and more intense with each passing second. The light was blinding, and the very air seemed to tremble in fear.

The magic was no longer just a spark-it was an inferno, a storm of judgment that would consume anything in its path.

Elias didn't hesitate. He threw his hand forward, unleashing the power that had gathered within him. Divine Judgment exploded from his palm, a violent wave of destructive energy that surged through the air like a bolt from the heavens. The ground cracked beneath him as the sheer force of the magic tore through the landscape.

In an instant, the clearing was consumed by a violent flash of white light. Trees were uprooted, the earth split open, and the air hummed with the roar of the storm that had been unleashed. The sound of thunder shook the very sky as the destructive force of Elias' magic tore through the environment.

When the light finally faded, the clearing was completely obliterated. The ground had been scorched, the trees reduced to ash, and the very atmosphere seemed to hum with the lingering energy of the blast. In the distance, Elias could see smoke rising, the remnants of the destruction that had been wrought by his hand.

He stood, his breath ragged, his body trembling from the sheer magnitude of the power he had just released. His hands were still glowing with the aftereffects of the magic, and his mind raced as he realized what he had just done.

"...I can destroy entire cities with this," Elias muttered to himself, his voice barely a whisper.

It was both exhilarating and terrifying. He could feel the weight of the power in his chest, a force so great that it could reshape the very world itself. He had become something more than human, more than the boy who had once dreamed of standing against the gods. He had become a weapon-a force of judgment.

He looked down at his hand, clenching it into a fist. He had been searching for power, for revenge. But now, the cost of that power was clear. He could take on entire armies, wipe out cities, and destroy anyone who stood in his way.

But what did that mean for him? What would he become if he kept using this power?

His thoughts were interrupted by a deep growl. Elias turned just in time to see another beast emerging from the forest, its glowing red eyes locked onto him. It was massive, its form almost a blur as it moved through the smoke and destruction he had just caused.

The creature was an ancient predator-its fur thick and matted, its claws sharp as razors, It lunged at him with a roar, but this time, Elias didn't need to hesitate. With a single motion, he raised his hand and summoned Divine Judgment once more.

The beast never stood a chance.

The magic exploded once again, this time in a more controlled, pinpoint burst. The creature was engulfed in the surge of energy, its body disintegrating in an instant. Only ashes remained where it had stood.

Elias watched as the ashes settled, his heart pounding. He had done it again. He had used Divine Judgment to destroy his enemy with ease.

But this time, it wasn't just about victory. It was about understanding the true extent of what he had become-and the path he was walking.

He couldn't turn back now. He had crossed a line.