Feathers of the Forgotten

The Herald of the Vulture Crown stood still, rotting feathers twitching as if caught in a breeze Kael could not feel. Behind him, Rell knelt in the mud, eyes rolled back, mouth agape.

The bird-skull face tilted, then opened.

"This boy was abandoned. I answered his prayers. I offer him worth."

Kael's hand gripped the Ember Fang dagger.

[Divine Threat Detected – Initiating Will Clash][System Skill: Aura of Nightbound Authority (Auto-Activate)][Effect: Low-tier divine intrusions are resisted within shrine's range. Successful resistance grants temporary shrine reinforcement.]

The shadows around Kael thickened, clinging like armor. The fog slowed, and the whispering winds died.

The Herald took a step forward, feathers trailing rot across the grass. "He called me before he called you. Do you claim him, dead god?"

Kael stepped between Rell and the figure.

"I do."

The wind snapped — sharp and cold.

[Divine Clash Initiated][Divine Will Match: Kael – Shrined God vs Herald – Lesser Demigod Servant][Strength: You are OUTCLASSED][Option Unlocked: Use Shrine Energy to Create Guardian Sigil – Faith Points Required: 5/5][Faith Points: 4/5]

Not enough.

But something stirred behind Kael — Mira's voice, raised in prayer.

"By the god who heard my cries… I offer my soul. Shield us."

[Faith Surge Detected][Faith Points: 5/5][Activate Guardian Sigil?]

"Yes."

The ground cracked. Sigils flared around Kael's feet, ancient and harsh — not from this world, not from light. A tower of shadow spiraled upward behind him, forming the silhouette of a chained beast.

[Guardian Sigil Created: Maw of the Last Warden]▸ Effect: Engulfs shrine in temporal boundary. Time inside slows 5:1. Any divine entity not blessed by Kael suffers progressive decay.▸ Duration: 3 minutes

The Herald hissed as the sigil ignited beneath him.

Feathers smoked. His jaw clacked shut.

Kael stepped forward, each pace ringing with dark power.

"You think he's forgotten?" Kael asked. "No. He's mine now. He belongs to the shrine. Not to you."

The Herald reeled back, rot pouring from his form as the shrine's protective sigil tightened its grip.

"You are not the only god rising," it snarled, bones cracking. "The crowns are watching. The old ones remember."

Its form broke into feathers and shadow, torn into nothingness by the shrine's retaliatory pressure.

Rell gasped. Color returned to his cheeks. But Kael didn't relax.

Not yet.

[Threat Neutralized Temporarily][Shrine Status: Stable – Lockdown Recommended][New System Ability Gained: Sigil Forging – Tier I][You may now imbue materials with divine defense properties][Cooldown: 6 Hours]

Kael knelt beside Rell.

"Why?" he asked, voice low. "Why call to another god?"

"I… I was afraid," Rell whispered, tears streaking his face. "You changed. You were dead, then… different. She believed in you. I only— I wanted to matter."

Kael didn't speak. He placed his hand on Rell's head.

A flicker of the shrine passed between them.

No forgiveness. Not yet.

But perhaps… a second chance.

Hours later, the shrine was sealed.

No one entered. No one left.

[System Alert: Shrine in Lockdown Protocol][Acolyte Count: 2][Shrine Rank: Dormant God – Tier 0.8][Divine Progress: 38% toward Tier I]

Kael sat before the altar, alone.

The shadows whispered to him now. Not of fear.

Of legacy.

Of war.

Of gods long dead.

[System Warning: Shrine Signature Detected by a Divine Sovereign][Incoming Presence: UNKNOWN — High Risk]▸ Estimated Time of Arrival: 72 Hours