Chapter 10: The Gods’ Betrayal

Kael knelt in the dust, his mind spinning. The memories his memories still burned behind his eyes. The golden city. The divine army. The chains that had bound him.

He had not been defeated in battle.

He had been sealed away by those who once knelt before him.

A sharp breath filled his lungs as he pushed himself to his feet. His fingers curled into fists. Whoever had orchestrated his erasure from history they had failed.

And now, they would fear his return.

The inscriptions on the ancient obelisk pulsed, the light growing stronger. Kael felt it calling to him, resonating with the power inside him.

He placed his palm against the cold stone.

The ground rumbled.

Light exploded from the runes, swirling around him in intricate patterns. The dust of centuries was stripped away as the monument revealed its true form a gate.

A whisper filled the air. "The Forsaken Lord rises once more."

Kael's heart pounded. The title felt familiar. Had that been his name before?

Before he could react, the energy of the gate rushed into him.

Memories surged.

Not images but names.

The Tribunal of Eternity. The divine council that had sentenced him.

The Four Chains of Sealing. Ancient relics, forged from pure fate, used to lock him away.

The Architect of Betrayal. The one who had led the charge against him.

The last name sent a shiver down his spine.

"Aetherion, the Timekeeper."

Kael's eyes snapped open.

He had been betrayed by another master of time.

The wraith's words echoed in his mind.

"Beware the ones who sealed you away before for they will come again."

The Shadeborn had already moved against him. That meant the others would follow.

Kael turned from the gate, his silver eyes burning. If they sought to erase him again, they would find that the past was no longer theirs to control.

This time, he would not fall.

He had been the Celestial Sovereign.

Now, he would become something greater.

And when he found Aetherion.

Time itself would bow before him once more.