The dawn broke over Thalorin, spilling golden light across rooftops and casting long shadows in the alleys below. The city stirred slowly, but for Sarive and his team, there was no rest. The threat hanging over Hope was a storm cloud gathering faster than any of them dared to hope.
Sarive stood in the training yard, the weight of the past days pressing down on his broad shoulders. His silver eyes flicked over the faces around him — fierce, determined, each marked by their heritage and the burden it carried. They were the new Ascendants, a generation born from gods and mortals alike, forged in the fires of war and destiny.
Diana was there, adjusting the straps on her armor with quiet focus. Her sharp eyes caught Sarive's, and she nodded — a silent promise of solidarity. They had trained together for years, but now the stakes were higher than ever.
Kael, flame-haired and fiery as ever, cracked his knuckles, a grin playing on his lips despite the tension. "Ready to show the gods what we're made of?"
Sarive allowed himself a small smile. "We have to be. This isn't just about us anymore. It's about Hope."
Inside the council chamber of the Pantheon Spire, thirteen gods gathered in a ring of obsidian thrones. The air was thick with ancient power and silent tension.
Azerion, the God of Balance, sat tall, his golden eyes narrowing as he addressed the assembly. "The child has awakened. Hope's power grows, and so must our response."
The God of Fear, draped in shadows, slammed his fist onto the armrest. "She is a half-blood. She should not exist, let alone threaten the Veil itself."
The Goddess of Truth, serene and radiant, raised her hand. "She is more than prophecy. She carries the blood of the Ascendants and the promise of a new dawn."
Hail, the God of War, leaned forward, his armor gleaming like molten steel. "Then we must claim her. For the gods, for the Pantheon. Alive or broken."
The vote passed silently, but with absolute conviction. The war for Hope had begun.
Back in Thalorin, Sarive's team prepared for what was to come. Supplies were gathered, strategies discussed late into the night. Mia stood beside them, a warrior hardened by loss but softened by hope.
She shared stories of Valen — his strength, his sacrifice, and the impossible love that had changed the course of the celestial war. Sarive listened, feeling the weight of history and the fire of determination burn within him.
Their mission was clear: protect Hope, find Valen, and hold the line against the forces that sought to tear their world apart.
Outside the city walls, shadows moved. Ancient demons stirred, and the first of the Pantheon's hunters descended like thunder from the skies.
The war was no longer a distant threat. It was here, and Sarive and his team would be its shield.