Chapter 4: The Church Sends Pride

The mountains loomed like jagged teeth on the horizon.

Kael and Zayne moved through a narrow ravine carved by centuries of wind and ash. The sky above was dim, blanketed in smoke from distant fires—the Church's latest "cleansing."

Zayne carried the unconscious child on his back now, wrapped in a blanket Kael had scavenged from a ruined farmhouse.

They didn't speak much.

Not since Garron.

Kael still remembered the look in the Wrath Inquisitor's eyes as he lay bleeding—not hatred… just confusion.

Why had Kael spared him?

Even Kael didn't fully know. Only that every time he withheld the blade, his system grew stronger.

Virtue was power.

But power wasn't the only thing following him.

[System Alert: High-Tier Sin Signature Detected]

"Class: Pride. Location: Elevated."

Kael froze.

Zayne looked up. "What is it?"

Kael's eyes narrowed. "We're being watched."

Above them, on a high cliff, stood a figure cloaked in silver and black. His robes shimmered with divine enchantments, untouched by dust or time. His boots hovered inches off the rock. His arms were crossed behind his back, as if the entire world were his to command.

He didn't speak.

Didn't move.

He simply watched.

Kael stepped forward. "Who are you?"

The man finally moved—gliding forward until he floated directly above the ravine.

"You may call me Lucien. Inquisitor Prime. Voice of the High Council."

"Sin-Blessed… by Pride."

Zayne instinctively drew his blade.

Kael raised a hand to stop him.

Lucien's gaze drifted over them like they were insects pinned beneath glass. "You defeated Garron. Impressive. Crude, but effective."

"You sent him to die," Kael said flatly.

"I sent him to test you," Lucien replied. "And you passed. So now… you face me."

[Sin Signature: Pride +97]

"Ability: Dominion Field – Reality Distortion active within 10m radius."

The air shimmered around Lucien like water boiling in place. Even the light bent toward him.

Zayne took a step back. "What the hell is this power?"

Kael's chest tightened. "Pride doesn't fight with brute strength. He makes the world bend to his will."

Lucien extended one finger toward Kael.

"Kneel."

Kael felt his knees buckle.

It wasn't force. It wasn't pain. It was pressure—like gravity had turned sideways.

His legs trembled. His heartbeat pounded like war drums.

Zayne shouted, "Kael—!"

[System Strain Detected: Willpower Resistance – Engaged]

"Virtue: Patience counters Dominion – partial immunity activated."

Kael pushed through the weight. His knees held.

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "You resist?"

Kael stood fully, sword in hand. "Pride makes gods out of men. But I remember what it's like to be human."

Lucien sighed, almost disappointed. "Sentimental. Predictable."

He snapped his fingers.

The walls of the ravine shattered. Massive stone slabs rose like puppets around Kael and Zayne, forming a jagged arena.

Kael's system blinked again.

[Warning: Domain Territory – Escape Disabled]

"Enemy controls space within radius. Countermeasures required."

Lucien descended slowly, his boots now touching the earth.

"I don't need to kill you," he said. "That would be a waste. You have potential, Kael Draven. Misguided, perhaps, but still valuable."

Kael stepped between Lucien and Zayne. "You want me to surrender?"

"I want you to serve," Lucien said. "Like you once did. You were a model knight. Respected. Feared."

Kael's eyes flashed. "And disposable."

Lucien smirked. "You made yourself disposable the moment you chose morality over obedience."

The ground shook.

Lucien raised his hand. Light converged into a sword—a flawless blade made of divine law, every edge inscribed with the sigils of sin.

"Let me show you what perfection looks like."

Kael dashed forward, sword drawn.

Lucien didn't flinch.

Their blades clashed with a sound like shattering glass.

Kael's arms trembled against the force—not from physical strength, but from Lucien's presence. Every swing Kael made felt… less real, like the world favored Lucien's existence over his own.

[Skill Activated: Stillness Zone Lv.1]

Kael slowed time—moved in the gaps.

He struck left—blocked. Right—parried. Feint—countered.

Lucien didn't move fast. He just moved correctly. Every time.

"You rely on borrowed power," Lucien said mid-duel. "You're chasing a concept… not a god."

Kael ducked a strike and rolled back. "Better than serving one who preaches sin."

Lucien lowered his blade slightly. "Then let's test your faith."

He raised both hands.

[Sin Skill: Divine Supremacy]

"All opponents within domain suffer Doubt Debuff: -20% Willpower."

Kael staggered.

For a moment—just a moment—he questioned.

Was he right?

Zayne shouted from the edge of the arena, "Kael! Don't let him twist you! He makes you doubt because he knows he can't defeat you clean!"

Kael gritted his teeth.

[Virtue Counter: Patience +10]

"Mental Stability Restored."

He stepped forward again.

Lucien narrowed his eyes. "You still resist."

Kael raised his blade.

"I remember kneeling before the Church," he said. "I remember thinking it was holy."

He swung with everything—his pain, his memory, his choice.

"And I remember the screams when they burned the children alive."

The sword struck.

Lucien blocked it—but stepped back.

Dust rose.

[System Alert: Territory Breached – Domain weakening]

Lucien looked at Kael with something new in his eyes.

Not contempt.

Respect.

"I see," he murmured. "You've become more than a heretic."

Kael didn't reply.

Lucien turned away. "You're not ready to face me. Not yet. But when you are…"

He looked over his shoulder, smile cold.

"I'll be waiting in the City of Sin."

With a flash of light, Lucien vanished.

The arena crumbled.

The mountains were silent again.