Millenia had passed since humanity betrayed the Gods. A fateful moment that changed the course of their existence

Humans were once loved by the Gods, they were given magical abilities and extraordinary skills that helped them live in a state of harmony.

However, humans were consumed by insatiable greed and the desire for more power; they disregarded the only rule that the Gods had bestowed upon them.

[Refrain from crossing the sacred boundary of their lands where the forbidden fruit was located.]

Their thirst for power made them consume the forbidden fruit that had given them powers that no humans could have ever imagined.

After that act of disobedience, humans invoked the wrath of the Gods.

Their peaceful world changed.

The gates of the underworld swung open. Demons and monsters from hell started to pour forth, with their purpose to destroy every human soul that comes their way.

It was a merciless battlefield where survival became humankind's driving force.

Humanity struggled for survival. Their exceptional abilities were now used to stand against their enemies; mages, warriors, and scholars fought for humankind's future.

A future that seemed bleak.

But humanity continued on with unwavering hope and determination. With centuries passing by, the constant struggle against demons had taken its effect on the very soul of humankind.

Etched within their core was the punishment for their betrayal.

However, some Gods were more merciful than others. The existence of saints was created, a promise that some Gods forgave humankind.

Saints were chosen by Gods and were gifted with the ability to connect with the Gods. They were humanity's beacon of hope in an unforgiving world.

The saints were the guiding light of humans, with abilities that allowed for miracles. Because of them, humanity had a chance to win against the demons. A chance to close the gates of hell.

A chance to restore the balance of humankind and the Gods they had betrayed.

"...How could you?"

A choked sob escaped the saint's lips as he eyed the people around him.

Sorin Alistair, Eden's Holy Saint had found himself in a situation so cruel and corrupted that he couldn't comprehend it.

The people he protected his entire life turned against him.

"How could we?" One of the men sneered at him, looking down at Sorin with hateful eyes.

Kieran Noirwood, a person that he thought was his ally was the one who conspired against him. An influential figure that could control the empire at his fingertips.

"Oh, the great saint of Eden Empire, always so righteous." Kieran mocked him "You are nothing but a deceitful snake, claiming to be humanity's savior but all you give us is false hope."

"False hope? Hope is what drives humanity to survive."

A painful hit on the back of his stomach was all he got after he spoke, causing Sorin to crumple on his knees.

"Spare us your benevolence." Kieran snarled at him "Humankind has seen through your lies, fake saint. You hid your true intentions behind that facade of holiness."

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Sorin's entire body trembled in pain as he felt Kieran's skill moving through his veins. It felt like acid was running through his blood.

"A-All I wanted was humanity's safety. I dedicated my entire life to serving our people, how could you accuse me of this?"

Sorin refused to let the bitterness consume him, he needed to endure humanity's betrayal. He knew that darkness could cloud the hearts of people but he believed that there would be a flicker of light in their betrayal.

"You say those words and yet you allow unholy creatures into your manor." One of the scholars snapped at him.

Sorin's heart dropped at his words as he frantically tried to pull himself up from the ground. He realized what he had done and the extent of his actions to those he had willingly chosen to save.

"You kept monsters in your manor, fooling everyone of their existence."

Humanity's prejudice against some monster who just wanted to live on this Earth. Unlike demons, some monster races just wanted to peacefully coexist with humans.

He had seen them prove that.

Lili, his beloved assistant was a nymph who wouldn't dare hurt any humans.

Felix, his trusted guard who was a beastman had never shown any hostility against humans.

And all the other people that he had let into his manor, Sorin had given them a chance to live. a normal life under disguises. They were loyal to him no matter what.

He had made a terrible mistake.

Sorin had endangered their lives "Please." He cried but it went unheard.

"People of Eden Empire, is this the saint you worship? The saint you revere to?" The words echoed throughout the crowd, each syllable felt like a dagger piercing through his heart.

The crowd erupted in disbelief and anger, the weight of their accusations laid heavily on top of his shoulders. He heard their screams of anger and disbelief.

"Traitor!"

"Devil worshipper!"

"Fake Saint!"

Sorin never cared about how people viewed his image, perhaps he never bothered to. He thought that the people trusted him.

Kieran pointed his staff towards Sorin "The Eden empire should be free from the lies and deceit of this fake saint! We shall cleanse the dirt he brought to our lands."

"They are innocent! I promise you that they don't want to harm any of us!" Sorin defended, his heart felt like it could shatter at any moment. The fear of his companions' fate had consumed him.

"Lies! You gave refuge to those wretched creatures from hell, it is treachery!

"P-please give them a chance at redemption," Sorin begged, eyes desperate.

Then Kieran laughed.

Sorin's entire world shattered into pieces.

"There is no chance at redemption, we executed them before they could lay their hands on any of us. That red-haired beast was especially ferocious–"

Before Kieran could speak even more, a scream tore through the entire place as Sorin cried. A raw guttural cry that came from the very depths of his being.

"No..." his voice trembled with anguish as tears streamed down his cheeks "No... You've taken everything away from me... my beloved friends... my purpose..." he sobbed.

Sorin couldn't even defend himself when a sword pierced through his stomach. Blood poured down his mouth as he fell down to his knees.

"You mourning the deaths of those monsters are only proving your relationships with demons!" The warrior who stabbed him yelled in fury.

Sorin could barely even register the pain as sorrow overwhelmed him. The deaths of his friends consumed his entire soul.

"Y-You've stained this land with innocent blood!" Sorin screamed as he pushed back the warrior with his magic.

"You dare use divine magic against humans?!"

Sorin blinked through his tears as realization struck him "N-No...I...I.." he stumbled with his words before he casted another spell.

[Sacred Aegis]

A wall of golden light surrounded him, creating a barrier against the outside world. Blood pooled on his white coat, the liquid warm and sticky between his fingertips.

Sorin numbed himself with magic as he pulled the sword from his stomach "Ahk!" a pained sound escaped his pale lips. This wound was nothing for his ability, his divine magic healing him immediately.

"Blasphemous! Using the Gods' powers for your own sake." Kieran snarled at him from outside the barrier. The scene outside was pure chaos as dozens of hunters had already gathered.

He wasn't going out of this alive.

Sorin could only prolong his death for a little longer.

A strong fire spell had shaken his barrier, coming from Kieran who Sorin knew would stop at nothing.

What did he do to deserve this?

He had lived his life according to their wishes, never once asking for anything in return.

Perhaps it was selfish of him to want something. Maybe it was because he had involved those he loved in this wretched war.

All he wanted was peace.

"...It's my fault." He whispered to himself.

It was wrong, yet he felt bitterness brewing inside of him. He shakily kneeled down and clasped his hands together in prayer wanting to erase the resentment inside of him.

"O Divine heavenly beings please hear my plea," he whispered, voice filled with desperation "M-may you forgive those who have wronged me."

"Do you see yourself as a martyr?" Kieran laughed.

"Get out of that barrier coward! Face your punishment as the traitor of the empire! Face justice!"

"–They do not understand the extent of their actions. F-forgive them, heavenly beings, they are not beyond salvation." a warm light began to envelop his body as his divine magic started to connect with the Gods.

"May my actions be guided by righteousness, even in the face of betrayal. Help me find forgiveness within my heart, for the sake of us all." the tone of his voice became more fervent as tears continued to run down his cheeks.

'For humanity's sake help me find forgiveness, please, please, please please' his thoughts were rampant, wild, and different from his words "Please, please, help me forgive them, don't let the darkness tempt me, please, please-

"O Heavenly beings, allow them to seek redemption."

"You traitor!"

"Fake Saint!"

"Dirty Heretic!"

Sorin shut out the world as he ended his prayer, for a moment he felt serenity. He waited for his prayer to be heard, for some kind of sigh that the Gods had listened to him.

A silver of hope ignited within him.

'Lili is dead, Felix is dead.'

'Lili is dead, Felix is dead'

'Lili is dead, Felix is dead'

Then his barrier shattered.

He met's Kieran's cold and cruel gaze, a mix of malice as the hunters closed in on him. He knew that no matter how much he tried to plead for his forgiveness, it would not sway them.

The attackers lunged at him, their weapons aimed directly toward his heart.

Sorin's body waned, he allowed him to desecrate his body. The whole world blurred around him, as pain continue to swallow him whole.

In his final moments, Sorin could only think of those who had died because of him.

This betrayal would only prove how fragile humanity is. He whispered a small prayer to those who were dealing the final blow.

'May the Gods forgive them.'

'May the Gods forgive them.'

'May I forgive them.'

'I̶ d̶o̶n̶'t̶

–f̶o̶r̶g̶i̶v̶e̶ t̶h̶e̶m̶'

His lifeless body fell down to the ground, soaking it with blood.

Sorin didn't hear their cheers of celebration and victory. He didn't see that his body was marred with humanity's depravity and wickedness.

....

[Mark of the Divine Angel]

[Mark of □□□ □□□□ A□ge□]

[Mark of ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■]

[Mark of the fallen A■g■l]

[Mark of Lucifer]

Sorin wakes up.