The Shattered Sky: Only I Do What the Gods Can't

Kael groaned as he pushed himself up from the ground, his vision blurred and his body aching from the force of the explosion.

Dust and debris hung in the air, the battlefield momentarily silent except for the distant sounds of chaos in the town.

He blinked hard to clear his vision, his eyes locking onto the massive figure of the bandit leader.

The man was slowly regaining his senses, his heavy form rising from where he had fallen. His armor was gone, shattered and useless, revealing a dark fragment embedded in his chest.

The fragment pulsed with a sickly black energy, its rhythm erratic and menacing. Kael's breath caught as he realized just how close the fragment was to corrupting the man.

Neo's voice rang in his head, sharp and urgent. "Kael, he's even more dangerous now. The fragment's power has been pushed to it's limit—and it's unstable."

Kael forced himself to his feet, gripping his blade tightly. "I can't let him recover."

But before he could act, the bandit leader's eyes snapped open, a cruel grin spreading across his face. "You've got guts, kid," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "But you've just made your last mistake."

The leader surged forward with shocking speed, his massive fists glowing with fragment energy. Kael barely managed to dodge, the force of the strike sending a wave of energy rippling through the ground.

Kael countered with a quick slash to the leader's exposed side, but the man twisted, grabbing Kael's wrist with a vice-like grip.

"You're persistent," the leader sneered, his grip tightening. "But persistence won't save you."

Kael grit his teeth against the pain, his mind racing. He placed his free hand on the leaders forearm, trying to channel the power he had used against the Skybreakers. A small blast of energy moved from his palm, crashing against the leaders skin.

The sudden burst of energy forced the man to release him, and Kael staggered back, gasping for air.

Neo's beautiful but urgent voice rang in his head. "Kael, you need to think bigger. You're not going to win this by trading blows."

Kael's eyes darted around the battlefield, searching for an advantage.

His gaze landed on a crumbling stone wall not far from where they stood. If he could lure the leader there, he could use the unstable structure to his advantage.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Come on, then," he taunted the bandit leader, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him.

The leader's grin widened. "With pleasure."

Kael darted toward the wall, moving somewhat sluggishly but keeping his pace measured to ensure that the leader followed. The ground shook as the man charged after him, each step showing raw power.

Kael reached the wall and turned, raising his blade defensively. The leader didn't slow down, his fists were glowing with a condensed black energy as he lunged forward.

At the last moment, Kael dove to the side, rolling to safety as the leader's strike connected with the wall.

The already weakened structure crumbled under the force of the blow, with large chunks of stone collapsing onto the leader.

The dust settled, revealing the leader partially buried beneath the rubble. He roared in frustration, his movements were sluggish as he tried to free himself.

Neo's voice came calm but insistent. "Now's your chance. Get to the guards and regroup."

Kael nodded, his heart pounding as he turned and sprinted toward the town.

The situation in the outskirts were a scene of devastation. Fires burned without any signs of stopping, casting an eerie glow over the carnage. Villagers and guards fought desperately against the bandits and corrupted, their makeshift defenses barely holding.

Kael spotted a group of guards near the edge of the town, their expressions grim as they fended off a wave of attackers. He ran to them, his voice cutting through the chaos.

"Hold the line!" he shouted, stepping into the fray. His blade flashed as he cut down a corrupted lunging for one of the guards.

The men stared at him in shock, their disbelief quickly replaced by caution.

"Who are you?" one of them asked, his voice hoarse.

"That doesn't matter right now," Kael replied, his tone firm. "What's the situation?"

The guard gestured toward the town gates, where more bandits were pressing the attack. "We're trying to hold them off, but they've got us outnumbered—and those... things are everywhere, they don't seem to finish."

"We keep slicing them down but they keep coming."

Kael's mind raced as he assessed the battlefield. The guards were outmatched, their numbers dwindling with each passing moment and so was their will to fight.

Neo's voice broke through his thoughts. "Kael, you need to rally them. If you don't, they won't survive this."

Kael nodded, his resolve hardening. He turned to the guards, his voice steady and commanding.

"Listen to me. We're not going to let these bastards take this town. Get everyone you can to the gates and fortify them. Use anything you can find—carts, barrels, debris. We hold them here."

The guards hesitated for only a moment realizing they had nothing better to do the chose t listen to this kid, they nodded, their determination rekindled.

"What about you?" one of them asked.

Kael's grip tightened on his blade. "I'll buy you time. Just make sure those gates hold."

Kael moved through the chaos like a whirlwind, his blade cutting through bandits and corrupted alike. He used the terrain to his advantage, leading enemies into choke points and striking with precision.

But the battle was taking its toll. His arms felt like lead, his breaths coming in short gasps.

Neo's voice was steady in his mind, keeping him focused. "You're doing well. Just hold on a little longer."

Kael nodded, his determination unshaken.

As he fought, his mind worked furiously, piecing together a plan. He couldn't hold the line forever—but he could create an opening for the guards to reach the main force in the town.

"I've got an idea," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the sounds of battle.

Neo's tone was curious. "I see. Let's get to implementing it then."

Kael glanced toward the crumbling remains of a nearby building, its unstable structure a potential advantage. "This is something that might even the odds."

Neo was silent for a moment before replying. "It's risky. But it might just work."

Kael took a deep breath, he steeled himself for what was to come.

The bandit leader's roar echoed through the battlefield, a chilling reminder that the fight was far from over.

Kael turned to see the massive figure emerging from the rubble, his dark fragment pulsing with raw energy.

His body had already started transforming to that of a corrupted. His arms had turned to something of a cannon, it was a mixture of flesh, metal and crystals.

His figure was even more massive and intimidating.

The man's eyes locked onto Kael, his expression twisted with rage.

"You're dead, kid," the leader snarled, his voice dripping with malice.

Kael raised his blade, his resolve unwavering. "We'll see about that."