Roderic05

In a world ruled by gods—ancient Greek gods, elemental deities, and even angels and devils—mortals are mere pawns in the hands of the divine. For centuries, humans have bowed before these gods, their fates decided by the whims of immortal beings.

But not all mortals are content to be ruled.

Amidst this divine hierarchy, Elias stands as a broken man, consumed by rage and a thirst for revenge. His family was slaughtered by the strongest of the gods, a being so powerful, so terrifying, that no mortal could even comprehend their true strength. Elias was left for dead, the ruins of his home smoldering as his family perished in the divine purge. All he has now is hatred and a singular goal: to gain power—enough to challenge the god who took everything from him.

His only hope lies in the Trial, a legendary dungeon created by the gods themselves. This dungeon is rumored to grant immense power to those who can survive its challenges, but there’s a catch: only the strongest can endure the Trial’s horrors.

Though Elias is weak, his burning desire for vengeance has awakened something within him—a mysterious ability known as Absorption. Whenever he kills an enemy, he can absorb their power, taking their strength for his own. But each victory comes with its own toll, and as Elias grows stronger, he learns that absorbing too much power can come at a great cost.

As he ventures into the Trial, Elias faces not only the powerful creatures of the dungeon but also divine obstacles set in place by the gods to protect their secrets. But with every challenge he overcomes, his power grows, and he begins to uncover the dark truth behind his family’s murder—the identity of the god who killed them.

With his newfound strength and a thirst for vengeance, Elias must decide whether to continue down the path of revenge, or to challenge the very gods who rule over the world. But time is running out, and the gods are not so easily slain.

Will Elias become the harbinger of a new era—one where gods no longer reign—or will he succumb to the trials and his own dark ambitions?


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Genres: Action, Fantasy, Drama, Revenge, Adventure
Themes: Power, Revenge, Corruption, Divine Politics, Betrayal

Trial Of The Fallen Gods

Elias sat in his rented room, deep in thought. The Labyrinth of Shadows-the fourth layer of the Trial-was unlike anything he had faced before. The thought of battling creatures hidden in darkness and an enemy that could strike from the void made his instincts scream in warning. He needed to be ready.

His abilities had grown considerably. With Beast Mastery, he had heightened senses and reflexes, making him more attuned to movement in the dark. Phantom Step allowed him to phase into an ethereal state for a short time, giving him an edge in evasive combat. And Nightmarish Realm could disorient enemies, though he wasn't sure how effective illusions would be against assassins and shadow creatures.

He needed more than just strength-he needed strategy.

Elias made his way to the adventurer's guild, weaving through the bustling streets of the city. He could feel eyes on him-some filled with admiration, others with envy. His recent victories in the Trial had not gone unnoticed.

At the guild, he approached the counter where Althea stood, her arms crossed. "Back already?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I need information," Elias said. "About the fourth layer."

Althea studied him for a moment before sighing and pulling out a record book. "The Labyrinth of Shadows is unlike any layer before it. It shifts constantly, meaning maps are useless. Vision is limited, and some challengers report feeling like they're being watched-hunted, even-by something they can't see. The assassins and shadow beasts that roam the floors specialize in ambush tactics. And the boss, Veyros, the Shadow Reaper... No one knows what he really looks like because he never fully steps into the light."

Elias absorbed the information, his mind already forming a plan. "Any weaknesses?"

"Darkness is his strength, but also his weakness," Althea said. "Those who survived said bursts of intense light forced the shadows back, revealing enemies. But maintaining light in the Labyrinth is nearly impossible. Magic torches flicker out, flames are smothered, and even divine blessings struggle against the darkness."

As he turned to leave, Althea spoke again. "Don't get reckless," she warned. "This layer isn't like the others. It doesn't just test your strength-it messes with your mind."

He gave her a small smirk. "I'll keep that in mind."

Before heading to the gate, Elias made a stop at an alchemist's shop, purchasing several light crystals, which stored energy and could emit powerful flashes of light when crushed. They wouldn't last long, but they might give him an edge in key moments.

With everything in place, he walked to the massive Trial gate once more.

Taking a deep breath, Elias stepped forward-ready to face the Labyrinth of Shadows.

Chapter 37 - Preparation for the Shadows