Chapter 1 – The Spark
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Part 1 – Ordinary Life
The city never truly slept, at least not in the way Nova had ever felt awake. Rain tapped rhythmically against his apartment window, a soft percussion that matched the dull ache pressing on his chest. Nova stood by the ledge, staring down at the streets below. Streams of headlights reflected in puddles, shimmering neon signs blurred into streaks of orange, red, and green, and the occasional honk of a horn broke the quiet monotony.
Another day gone. Another faceless blur in the crowd. Another nameless figure in the city's machinery. That was him—Nova, formerly Azrael Nova—though the name meant nothing to anyone here. He moved through life like a shadow, unnoticed, unremarkable, invisible even when he tried to be present.
His apartment was dim, silent, and cold. A thin lamp cast a yellow glow on the floor, illuminating unopened mail, a cracked coffee mug, and a pair of shoes kicked aside. Nova sighed, letting the damp chill of the storm seep through his thin coat. He felt the weight of the city pressing on him, the faceless crowd, the constant hum of machinery and life that refused to pause. He wondered, as he often did, what it would feel like to matter.
Tonight, though, the storm was different. There was a vibration in the air, subtle, like the hum of a tuning fork only a sensitive ear could hear. Streetlights flickered, washing the wet asphalt in brief bursts of orange and white. Nova tugged his coat tighter, but it did little against the chill. Something deep inside him stirred, a compulsion he could no longer resist.
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Part 2 – Lightning Strike & Divine Trial
By the time he reached the alley behind his building, rain fell in earnest, drumming against the pavement. Wind howled between high-rise towers, tugging at his hair and rattling a broken streetlight above. He paused, taking a deep breath, feeling water soak through his clothes, biting into his skin.
Then he heard it—not with his ears, but in his mind.
> [Godhood System Initializing…]
[Candidate Selected: Azrael Nova]
Nova staggered. "What… what is this?" His voice trembled.
> [Condition: Endure the Divine Spark.]
[Warning: 97% of candidates do not survive.]
A flash of lightning lit the sky, revealing the soaked city, the twisting alley, puddles reflecting neon signs. Nova froze as a bolt struck the streetlight above him. Pain unlike anything he had known ripped through his body. Every nerve screamed. Blood surged like molten metal, and his heartbeat thundered.
> [Azrael Nova, endure. You are chosen. Only a fraction survive. Power awaits those who endure.]
Nova felt his body tear and rebuild simultaneously. Lightning danced across his skin, yet it did not burn. Sparks leapt uncontrollably from his fingers, sizzling as they touched the wet ground. The stray cat in the shadows yowled, leaping back. Nova instinctively raised his hands, and the sparks coalesced, forming a cocoon of pale blue light around him.
> [System Update: Candidate Stabilized. Divine Spark Absorbed.]
[Power Gained: 0.5%]
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Part 3 – First Minor Miracles & Belief Points
Pain gave way to a humming energy, a current running through his veins like living fire. He flexed his hands, sparks dancing across fingertips. The city remained oblivious, yet the air had changed, charged, almost sentient.
> [Warning: Observer Detected – Supernatural Entity.]
[Quest Assigned: Gather Believers – At least 1 human must acknowledge you as divine.]
[Reward: Minor Authority Unlocked]
Nova looked at the small black cat again. Tentatively, he reached out. Sparks flickered over its fur, and its paw—injured from a traffic accident—healed instantly.
> [Belief Point Earned: +1]
Witnessed Miracle: Yes
Nova experimented all night: stopping a falling sign, levitating small objects, healing stray animals. Each act earned system notifications, Belief Points, and minor rewards. He realized the world responded to recognition. The more people acknowledged him—even unknowingly—the stronger he became.
> [Belief Points: 3 / Minor Ability Unlocked: Sparks Shaping]
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Part 4 – System Mechanics Explained
The Godhood System was more than notifications—it was a framework for divinity itself.
Nova's Current Stats
Attribute Current Value Next Upgrade Threshold
Power 0.5% 1%
Belief Points 3 5
Minor Authority Sparks Manipulation Enhanced Control at 5 BP
Divine Rank Candidate Rising Rank at 10 BP
Observers Noticed 1 3
> [Divine Progression Mechanics: Belief Points fuel power; miracles increase stats; rivals may reduce progression]
Nova's mind raced. He could gather believers, protect innocents, and experiment with powers—but he had to be careful. Too little faith, and his power would stagnate; too much exposure, and hidden observers or rival candidates might act against him.
Quest Log
Quest Name Status Reward
Gather Believers #1 In Progress Minor Authority
Heal a Creature #1 Completed +1 Belief Point
Survive the Divine Spark Completed +0.5% Power
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Part 5 – Foreshadowing Rivals & Ancient Gods
From the corner of his vision, a shadow moved. Humanoid but radiating unnatural energy. Nova flexed his fingers, sparks forming a protective aura. The observer lingered, silent but watchful.
> [System Warning]
Rival Candidate Detected!
Approach with Caution
[Belief Progress Bar]
Belief Points: [███-------] 3/10
[Power Bar]
Power: [█---------] 0.5%
Nova smiled—a sharp, hungry smile. The first storm had passed, but a greater storm was coming: the world itself.
> "Then let them watch," he whispered, sparks flickering like miniature lightning storms.
"Let them see. I… I will become more than a man."
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