— Why are you not coming back, Arthur... — Hera whispered, with her elbows resting against the rough-hewn stone of her porch, she sighed.
ARTHUR TREADWAY
Me against the self-proclaimed gods. Self-proclaimed. The word echoed in my mind. They are not gods, not truly. They are immortal humans; their Immortality comes from their cultivation. No gods exist, only the lies of men whisper to inflate their own importance.
What I did... they call it blasphemy against the established order. A sin. But I refused to live in a world where human beings who have reached rare levels of cultivation call themselves gods. I didn't accept that! Olympus had to fall!
A slow predatory smile spread across my face, a current of exhilaration buzzing beneath my skin. The very thought of my presence, a "human" challenging their celestial reign, crackled with raw power. — Gods, — I called, my voice ringing across the battlefield, — how are you? — I affected a languid air, leaning slightly as if exhaustion plagued me. — Forgive me for not kneeling, — I continued with a playful glint in my eyes. — Such a tiresome exercise, don't you agree? And surely, such merciful deities understand the plight of the weary, no?
In front of me, Poseidon's grip tightened on his trident, the polished obsidian gleaming like a lion's eye. His posture, rigid as a frozen wave, betrayed the barely contained fury within him.
A harsh, grating sound cut through the tense silence. Zeus. He threw back his head and laughed. A booming, unrestrained sound that echoed across the battlefield. It was the laughter of a cornered beast, the sound of rage barely masked by forced amusement. He cursed himself, I knew, for not crushing me years ago, when I was a little brat. Too late now.
— I propose a deal, Zeus, — I said, my smile widening, a predatory edge creeping into my voice.
Zeus' laughter died in his throat. One brow arched, a flicker of something akin to amusement. — Are you afraid, boy?
I threw back my own head and laughed, a genuine, unrestrained sound that startled even my own men. I clapped a hand to my chest, feigning offense. — Afraid? My dear Zeus, you wound me. The very notion... — The gods were terrified. I could taste their fear in the air, thick and cloying. They craved my death clearly; their desperation was palpable.
— If you defeat me, — I declared, spreading my arms wide in a theatrical gesture, — I will offer you, my head. With my own hands... — I bowed deeply and stretched my hands in his direction feigning a pleading gesture, a clear mocking flourish in the gesture.
A collective gasp rippled through the ranks of Olympus. They understood the implication, the price I would demand for Zeus's demise. My allies, however stood firm. I used the Aura of Fearlessness, one of the abilities of the Essence of Light I read in that book, bolstering extreme courage on my allies and myself, it's useful.
Behind me, my shimmering army hovered in the rain-streaked darkness, untouched by the storm of Zeus' lightning. They were a nightmare made flesh, a testament to the crumbling power of Olympus and all those who see themselves as gods.
Mother... The thought flickered through my mind, my vulnerability in the steel of my resolve. I hoped that the seal would help my mother recover. I pushed the fear aside. I was too afraid to face the most logical fact. I couldn't afford weakness, not now.
— We're going to die! — A panicked cry pierced the air. — Get out of here! — A Union soldier, his face contorted with terror, shoved at his comrade.
Poseidon roared, slamming his trident into the earth. The ground bucked, a shockwave of pure power ripping through the air. — You are too arrogant, mortal! Your death will not be quick and painless!
My smile vanished, replaced by a cold, hard glint in my eyes. — You, Zeus, — I said, my voice low and dangerous, — will have the lives of mine in your hands. And on top of that you will have my woman in your bed, the sexiest and hottest goddess in the world... — The last words were laced with venom, a deliberate provocation.
Zeus's face hardened, veins bulging in his neck. He raised his Master Bolt, a two-foot-long cylinder weapon of the Divine Class. Once a pure gold, it now crackled with crystallized electric blue bolts, a storm contained within its prongs.
The part of 'my woman' irritated him a lot, the thought of the one who was supposed to be his "toy", being another man's woman... the insult was a physical blow to the little "god".
I took a measured step back, my left hand outstretched, palm open. — Calm down, Zeus, — I mocked. — Are you in a hurry? I know very well that Hera is amazing in all means, but wait, now comes the interesting part... — I watched as the two gods tensed, their muscles coiling like springs. — If I defeat you, — I began, letting the threat hang in the air.
— If I defeat you, — I continued, my voice echoing with sudden, raw power, — I claim your throne! I kill Olympus! And your head, of course... — a deafening clap of thunder punctuated my words, adding a savage edge to my proposal.
"You idiot! You're wasting too much energy..." the Spirit of Justice's voice echoed in my mind, laced with frustration.
He was right. The runes etched into the others' flesh didn't significantly decrease my Qi, but it did reduce my stamina.
"Let me take control! I'll finish this farce quickly. You won't be able to handle them." The Spirit's eagerness was palpable. But not yet. It wasn't time yet. I first wanted to continue to twist the knife a little deeper.
"I've never seen you looking forward to anything, stay calm! They won't run away!" I replied, my eyes fixed on Zeus and his brother.
— RUN AWAY!!! — The cry was taken up by hundreds of thousands of voices. — THE BATTLE OF THE GODS WILL BEGIN!! — The Union soldiers scattered, fleeing across the blood-soaked meadows.
— AAAHHH!! — Screams filled the air as Zeus unleashed the Master Bolt, bolts of pure energy incinerating his own fleeing troops. He was a whirlwind of divine fury, indiscriminate in his rage. Perfect. He had descended to the level of madness I needed. Now, strategy could take over.
My red draconic eyes glowed as the Master Bolt arced towards me. The smoke and dust created by the blast provided the perfect cover. I feigned a retreat, then, with a burst of speed, drew my broken sword from its scabbard. I moved like a wraith, a blur of motion aimed at Zeus's throat.
Zeus' eyes flickered, catching my movement at the last moment. Too late. My blade was hair's beneath from his neck when Poseidon intervened, his trident slamming my ribs.
The force of the blow sent me hurtling backwards, a human projectile launched by his divine weapon. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, throwing fleeing soldiers off their feet. I spread my wings, arresting my flight, regaining control of my body.
Foolish to fight with them exposed, I thought, retracting the feathered appendages.
— QIN-SHI!! — I roared, looking at the Union camp, my voice cutting through the din of battle.
…
In the Union camp, the captured soldiers knelt, bound and gagged, forced to witness the unfolding battle. Their eyes wide with terror, were fixed on the battlefield.
— IT'S DONE, ARTHURO-SAMA! — Qin-Shi bellowed, his voice ringing with triumphant glee.
On the ground, the queens of Jinhan and Hiyunnis knelt, tears streaming down their faces, struggled against their bonds, their muffled cries lost in the chaos. — HMMMM!! HMMMM!!
Qin-Shi crouched before the Jinhan queen, a cruel smile twisting his lips. He ran a finger down her cheek, his touch sending shivers of revulsion through her. — EVEN THE GREAT GODDESS ATHENA HAS FLED!! — he sneered. — OF ALL THE KINGS, ONLY THE TWO QUEENS REMAIN!!
He leaned closer, his voice a sibilant whisper in her ear. — You'll explain to me, in excruciating detail, why you thought it wise to dominate one of my lands, yes? — His eyes dark, dark and glittering, bored into hers.
The queen's eyes widened, her body trembling uncontrollably. She knew what awaited her, the price of angering a patriotic emperor.
…
Back on the battlefield, I stretched my arms wide, a mocking gesture of surrender. — Great. — I drawled. — You see, gods? How far has your arrogance taken you? Played by a little mortal's cub... — I teased.
Zeus moved with blinding speed, shattering the sound barrier in single, fluid motion. Even I, within the Sacred Domain, marveled at this technique. It was the same blinding speed Athena had used against me.
As Zeus hurtled towards me, I noticed Poseidon remained to his spot. Why? A tactical error? Surely, a coordinated assault would be more effective. No... The realization came down to me. Zeus, in his hubris, wanted this kill for himself. He wanted to prove his superiority with a single, devastating blow. Fool.
"Put away your sword, you imbecile me! — The Spirit of Justice's voice boomed in my mind, vibrating with fury. "Teach these dogs a lesson first! The head comes last!"