The Hunter who Stole the Gods' Blessing.

*Chapter 1: The Hunter Who Stole the Gods' Blessing -

The wind does not move through the forest the way it used to.

The trees are too quiet. The animals have all gone to hide.

And above the clouds, the gods are feasting on prayers that were never meant for them.

Uzor’s hands do not shake.

They haven’t shaken since the day the priests came to his village.

An old priest stood in the square, voice booming.

*"The gods are hungry! Bring your harvest! Bring your prayers! Or the sky will take what it is owed!"*

His mother pulled him back.

*"We have nothing left, father."*

The priest looked past her, straight at the girl grinding pepper by the fire.

*"Then offer the girl. Nnenna. She is 21. Strong. The gods will accept her faith."*

Nnenna looked up. 21. Ambitious. Full of dreams.

She was saving to buy land. She was going to be the first woman in their village to own a farm.

She was supposed to get married next harvest.

She died that winter.

*Instinctively, he knows.*

This is not worship.

This is theft.

Tonight, the temple of the Thunder God glows blue at the top of the mountain.

A guard made of storm and bone blocks the path.

*"Turn back, mortal. No feet may climb this path."*

Uzor steps forward. No sword. No armor. Just grief sharpened into a blade.

*"I’m not here to pray."*

*"Then you’re here to die."*

Uzor catches the guard’s wrist. Lightning burns his skin.

*"You took Nnenna from me."* His voice is quiet. Deadly.

*"She had dreams. She had a life. And you stole it."*

*"Now I take from you."*

The temple shakes. From inside, thunder rolls.

*"WHO DARES—"*

*"A brother."*

*"And I’m here to collect what you stole."*

The doors explode open.