.46 THE HEAVENS WILL FALL.

The first strike came at midnight.

A ripple tore through the clouds above the Blood Castle, splitting the sky into shards of light. It wasn't lightning. It was divine rupture—a phenomenon that marked the descent of higher beings. The heavens weren't just watching anymore. They were making their move.

Rei stood atop the highest tower, his cloak flapping wildly in the storm. The wind carried a scent he'd never forget—purity tainted with judgment. That sickening scent of hypocrisy cloaked in gold. The gods had arrived.

> [Celestial Descent Detected.]

[Three Seraphic Agents Incoming.]

[Threat Level: A+ Rank.]

Kael appeared beside him, blood trailing from his gauntlets. "They're not just scouts this time."

Rei didn't respond immediately. His crimson eyes watched the sky with a calm stillness—almost serene. Then, in a single blink, his voice turned sharp.

"Good. Let them see what their heaven has to fear."

From the clouds came light—not warm, but searing, violent light that bled across the sky like a wound. Out of it descended three figures. Each radiated unbearable pressure, wings like glass swords, halos of shifting symbols hovering over their heads. These were no minor angels.

They were Seraphic Executioners.

The central one—a towering figure with six wings and an expressionless mask—spoke.

"Rei Kisaragi. Your soul is forfeit. You've trespassed beyond mortal right. The punishment is obliteration."

Rei smiled faintly, lifting his hand. "I'm beyond judgment now. Let's see if heaven bleeds."

With that, the tower's blood veins pulsed. From the walls, crimson energy erupted. Blood Soldiers emerged from the depths, forming ranks beneath the tower. Their eyes glowed, their blades drawn.

> [Blood Army: Formation Alpha Engaged.]

[Command Channel: Open.]

Kael roared, leaping from the edge of the tower and crashing into one of the seraphs mid-flight. The impact shattered clouds.

The battle began.

The sky turned red.

Rei focused his energy inward. The blood in his veins responded violently, pulling from the earth, from the castle, from every drop shed in battle. He raised his arm.

> [Skill Activated: BLOOD ECHO: WRAITH LANCE.]

A massive spear of condensed blood formed in his hand. With a flick, he hurled it toward the leader of the three. The angel barely had time to deflect. But even as the blow was blocked, the weapon split into dozens of smaller shards mid-air, stabbing through its wings.

The seraph faltered.

"You're no messengers of justice," Rei said, descending toward them like a falling star, "you're just slaves to an ancient order. And I'm here to break it."

Steel clashed with divine flame as Kael engaged the second seraph in a brutal, aerial duel. Rei met the third head-on, their powers colliding in a sonic boom that cracked the night.

On the ground, the Blood Army surged forward, overwhelming the celestial footsoldiers that had arrived seconds later. Wings were torn, light was drowned in red. The heavens had come to extinguish a tyrant—but found themselves outmatched by wrath made flesh.

The battle raged for hours.

By dawn, only one seraph remained alive—on his knees, broken, bloodied, trembling before the throne rising within the Blood Castle.

Rei stood above him, his hand still dripping from the final blow.

"Go back," he said coldly. "Tell your Creator this: Heaven isn't safe anymore."

> [Heavenquake Reported.]

[Divine Order Status: Fractured.]

[Blood Sovereign Alignment: Chaotic Ascendant.]

[World Fear Level: 39% and rising.]

Rei turned back toward his castle, his expression unreadable.

The sky wasn't the limit.

It was just the next battlefield.