Reincarnated as the Last Villain

Beneath Blackgarde, the air no longer felt like air — it pulsed.Each breath Kael took came with a whisper: names of the dead, voices clawing for rebirth.

The Forge Core loomed above him — a vast sphere of soulglass and bone, suspended by chains etched in forbidden runes. Within it swirled faces: warriors, children, mages, traitors.

Not dead.Not alive.Stored.

From the shadows, the Guardian of the Forge emerged.

A titan-shaped creature, forged of holy gold now cracked and oozing with corrupted ichor.Its helm bore the seal of the Old Divines. Its chest — a crystal heart that throbbed in sync with the Forge.

And from its throat echoed the voice of Kael's old commander —a man long buried in Hallowmere.

"You abandoned us, Kael.Now you'll give us purpose."

Boss Battle: The Guardian of the Rebirth Engine

Phase One: Divine Memory

The Guardian unleashed attacks tied to Kael's past:

Ash Pulse — ignites memories of lost allies.

Judgment Echo — reflects Kael's pain back as psychic flame.

Truthrend — targets the divine brand once burned into Kael's soul.

Phase Two: Core Awakening

Nilo and Vaenira activated the Flame of Reclamation, weakening the soulglass shell.

Kael delivered the final strike — shattering the Guardian's helm.

The voice inside whimpered.

"Free us."

The Moment of Choice

The Forge cracked open.Its systems screamed — a hundred-thousand souls surged against the limits of death.

Kael stood at its center.One strike would end it.

But Nilo hesitated.

"If we destroy it," he whispered, "those souls vanish.Forever."

Vaenira added coldly, "But if we leave it… Zerath wins."

[Final Forge Choice]

🗡 Destroy the Soulforge: Release all stored souls into nothingness. End Zerath's weapon.

🔥 Use the Flame of Reclamation: Attempt to purify the forge — high risk, possible salvation.

☠️ Overload It: Let it consume itself — and take Blackgarde down with it.

Kael placed the divine spark into the core.

The Flame of Reclamation flared.

The screams turned to song — for a moment, the faces inside remembered who they were.

Mothers. Sons. Teachers. Guards.

Then, one by one…

they faded.

But not in agony.

In peace.

[Choice Outcome: Purification Succeeded — 67% of souls redeemed]The Rebirth Engine is no more.Zerath's ritual framework is critically damaged.Divine Flame gained: can now be used in battle or diplomacy.

Aftermath

The Forge collapsed.

Kael and the others barely escaped as Blackgarde crumbled into the mountain behind them — buried once more beneath stone and silence.

Nilo wept. Vaenira didn't speak.

Kael looked down at the glowing ember in his hand —all that remained of the gods' fire.

"This was never about war," he said.

"It was about what comes after."