Chapter 16: Enemies at the Gate
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> "When the world says 'you don't belong,' build a door they cannot break."
– Rael Stroud
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The morning mist over Sanctuary of the Lost was thick and silent.
Inside the ruined stone halls, Rael stood beside the ancient Soulfire altar, channeling energy into it. Every day, the flame pulsed brighter. The sanctuary was changing — not just bricks and spells, but hope.
"Rael," Lyra said, walking into the chamber with urgency. "We've spotted movement outside the valley. Heavy armored forces. At least a hundred. No banners... but they're Church templars."
Rael turned. His eyes narrowed. "It begins."
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📜 Three Hours Earlier — At the Holy Citadel
"Archbishop Mallius," a red-robed knight knelt, "Rael Stroud has claimed the Lost Sanctuary. The Saint Elysia has joined him."
Mallius, face hidden behind silver scripture-masks, spoke coldly.
> "Then we erase that place from the world. Send the Excommunicators."
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🌄 Present — Outskirts of Dead Valley
The Excommunicators, elite warriors of the Church, marched without sound. Armor glowed faintly with divine inscriptions — forged to destroy unholy beings.
> 🛡️ Unit 1: Templar Cleavers – Sword Masters
🔮 Unit 2: Null Priests – Magic Cancelers
🔥 Unit 3: Flame Choir – Divine Casters
At the center rode their captain — Ser Hyden Garth, known as The Blade of Holy Silence.
> "At sunrise," he said, "we burn their refuge."
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🏛️ Inside the Sanctuary
Rael rallied the group.
"This is our first trial. We can't fight them head-on. But we can fight smarter."
He handed each of them soul-sigils he had crafted using the sanctuary's energy.
> ✨ Kain: "Bone-Bind Sigil" — paralyzes one target every five minutes
✨ Lyra: "Lifeflash Lens" — creates a temporary afterimage clone
✨ Elysia: "Spirit Thread Cage" — binds an area and captures movement
Rael's sigil remained locked — glowing red.
> 🌙 Soulbound Skill Not Yet Ready.
"Condition: Protect Sanctuary against overwhelming odds."
He smiled. "Then let's meet the condition."
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⚔️ The Battle Begins
At sunrise, the valley echoed with marching. The first blast came from the Flame Choir, hurling divine fire toward the sanctuary walls.
Kain burst from behind ruins, channeling Decay Heal into the ground — bone vines erupted and grabbed knights from below.
> 💀 Decay Root Bind Activated!
"Lyra, now!"
Lyra dashed through a rain of arrows, her Lifeflash Clone distracting enemies long enough for her to shatter the Holy Barrier around the Null Priests.
Elysia spun into action, her Thread Cage catching spells midair, redirecting them toward the mountain cliff — causing a landslide that buried a whole squad.
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💥 Inside the Sanctuary — Main Gate Collapsing
Ser Hyden smashed through the main gate with a silver lance glowing in divine script.
> "I am the silence after your last prayer, heretic healer!"
Rael stepped into the courtyard, cloak whipping in the wind, staff glowing dark gold.
"I don't pray to your gods," he replied. "I talk to the souls your Church abandoned."
Hyden lunged. Rael barely blocked the strike with a barrier, then returned a pulse of energy.
> 🌟 Soulbind Ward — Echo Shield!
They clashed — light vs. void, divine vs. broken.
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💀 Rael Is Overwhelmed… Then Unlocks New Power
Hyden landed a critical strike — Rael's shoulder burned with holy fire. He collapsed onto one knee, blood soaking the soil of the sanctuary.
The Soulfire flame at the altar flared.
> 🔥 Warning: Sanctuary Core Under Attack
🩸 Condition Met: Sanctuary must not fall. Healers must rise.
> 🔓 New Soulbound Power Unlocked: Soulflare Domain
Rael stood. His aura exploded — not with light, but with memory. The ground glowed with past souls — lost healers, cursed clerics, fallen saints — all projecting echoes beside him.
> "I am not alone," Rael said. "You erased us. Now… we rise together."
He raised his hand.
> 🌌 Soulflare Domain Activated – For 60 seconds, all allies regenerate and all enemies lose divine protection.
Kain stood, wounds sealing. Lyra's light sharpened. Elysia's threads became radiant and unbreakable.
Rael struck Hyden once — the divine armor shattered.
Hyden fell to the ground, unconscious.
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☀️ Aftermath
The Church's remaining soldiers fled.
The Sanctuary held.
Rael sat under the Soulfire, exhausted but smiling.
"We survived the first war."
Lyra touched his shoulder. "The world is watching now."
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📣 Update:
Sanctuary Level Up: Level 2 Unlocked
Soulflare Domain added to Rael's abilities
New Title Earned: The Cursed Savior
Enemy Response: The Holy Citadel declares full war.
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To Be Continued in Chapter 17: "The Church's War Council"