A battle axe infused with murderous intent tore through the radiant sky of the divine realm. The weapon, soaked with the immortal blood of dozens of gods and epic beings, plummeted from the heavens like a dark comet.
BOOM—!
The comet-like weapon streaked across the pristine blue sky, leaving behind a trail of ominous energy, and crashed onto the vast, jagged peaks of the divine mountains. A blinding, white-hot light erupted from the impact site, expanding outward with unstoppable force.
The sacred land, created and nurtured by divine power, was engulfed in searing radiance. Moments later, a deafening roar akin to a thunderclap shook the entire realm, reverberating across the sky and through the mountains.
Above the devastated landscape, the serene white clouds were torn apart, leaving a massive circular gap in the sky. From the ground, mushroom-shaped clouds of smoke and molten rock rose, raining down burning debris on the surrounding mountains.
This apocalyptic scene caught the inhabitants of the divine realm completely unprepared. Tens of thousands of souls were annihilated instantly, their bodies disintegrating under the violent impact. Those who survived faced the destructive aftershocks, and many weaker souls soon dissipated into nothingness.
The weapon's collision with the earth caused earthquakes, mountains to shatter, and violent winds to howl across the land. Streams of molten lava poured from the sky, bringing suffering and destruction to countless creatures.
As rings of shockwaves spread from the mushroom cloud, a pair of lightning-wreathed arms appeared in the sky above the ruptured firmament. The arms pulled apart the massive crack, widening the breach.
A titan with flowing black hair and a face reminiscent of ancient sculptures emerged from the rift. His gaze swept across the damaged divine realm and locked onto an approaching presence radiating fury and divine power.
"Who dares to strike the peaks of the sacred mountains?"
Two horse-like divine creatures, wreathed in flames, pulled a chariot across the sky. The blazing wheels left fiery trails as they dispelled the remaining clouds. Standing upon the chariot was a god, spear in hand and shield raised, glaring with righteous wrath at the intruder who had shattered the realm's defenses.
"You are weak. Clearly, you are not the so-called King of All Gods," the titan remarked coldly. His expression remained indifferent as he surveyed the destruction his assault had wrought. Disappointment flickered in his eyes as he observed the god who had come to confront him.
"An unfamiliar god with such arrogant words... Are you an evil deity from beyond the void?" the chariot-riding god demanded.
"I am no such thing," the titan retorted. "Tell me, where is your king? I am here to find him."
The titan, Arkmon, saw through the god's nature in an instant. The being before him was not a true god but rather a divine servant, created to serve as a warrior and enforcer.
"Evil one, you have committed a grave offense by desecrating the sacred peaks. Surrender at once and await the King's judgment!"
The divine servant glared at the shattered mountains and the ever-expanding mushroom cloud with eyes burning with rage. His voice echoed across the realm.
"Such ignorance," Arkmon muttered. He stretched his arms, tearing the rift further apart, and forced his colossal titan body into the divine realm despite the resistance of its barriers. The titan's presence brought further devastation as he summoned his fallen weapon from the smoldering ground.
"Do you have any more useless words to spew?" Arkmon asked, gripping the axe that hummed with murderous intent.
"Foul outsider! You dare—!"
Arkmon's patience snapped. He swung his axe in a mighty arc, releasing a dark-gold slash that cleaved everything in its path—including the sky itself.
"This place is the sacred domain of the divine peaks! No outsider may act with impunity here!"
Enraged, the god retaliated, thrusting his spear forward. Divine energy surged from his body, illuminating the sky with streams of radiant light that converged upon his weapon. The spear became a blinding beam of concentrated power, aimed directly at Arkmon's attack.
The two forces collided, unleashing a cascade of colorful brilliance and shockwaves that painted the heavens in dazzling hues. The divine servant was confident in his strength, believing that the might granted by the King of All Gods would ensure his victory.
However, reality was cruel. From within the storm of light and power, a massive hand emerged, gripping the flaming divine steeds and the chariot. The god screamed in fury and disbelief as the hand crushed both his mounts and his body.
"No—!"
Golden blood, infused with divine fire, spilled through Arkmon's fingers and rained down like molten rain. Yet the titan remained unmoved. The foe was far too weak to warrant any satisfaction.
The shattered god soon began to reform in mid-air. His essence coalesced into the shape of an armored female deity, her eyes burning with fury.
"Do you still wish to fight?" Arkmon's voice was calm but filled with menace. "Or will you finally make the wiser choice and take me to your king?"
The god said nothing. She turned and flew toward the towering central peak of the divine realm—the dwelling place of the King of All Gods and many other deities.
"So that's where he is," Arkmon murmured. He opened his hand, allowing fragments of divine metal and flesh to fall to the ground. His gaze fixed on the distant mountain as he pondered his next move.
Logically, retreating to gather reinforcements would have been the sensible option. The sheer number of divine auras in this realm made it a perilous battlefield even for a titan. But Arkmon was no ordinary titan.
"Only by fighting can I measure their strength. I will not retreat unless faced with overwhelming, insurmountable power," he declared. His eyes gleamed with lightning as he unleashed his full might, openly challenging the gods of the realm.
Dark clouds rapidly gathered, blotting out the serene sky. A massive cyclone formed around the titan, crackling with serpentine lightning. The tranquil realm of the gods was plunged into chaos as nature itself bent to Arkmon's will.
…
"You want me to help your empire invade a world ruled by gods?" Muria's expression twisted in bemusement. Despite all his experiences, he was still amazed by the audacity of mortals.
The empress before him showed no shame. "No, Your Grace. To be precise, we only need your assistance in defending against divine retaliation. Our military can handle the rest."
Muria chuckled. "In that case, I must decline." He had barely begun to take advantage of the empire's resources, and now they wanted to use him as a weapon in their ambitious schemes.
"Why?"
"Allow me to ask you a question. Do you truly understand the consequences of your plan? Even if I help you conquer a divine realm, once I leave, you will lose your only means of opposing the gods. Everything you gained with my help will crumble. What's the point of such a hollow victory?"
"We have our strategies. That's not your concern," the empress insisted. "Will you assist us or not?"
"Ah, I see," Muria said with a knowing smile. "You doubt my power, don't you? You think I'm strong, but not strong enough to rival the gods. That's why you're testing me."
______
(≧◡≦) ♡ Support me and read 20 chapters ahead – patreon.com/INNIT
For every 50 Power Stones, one extra chapter will be released on Saturday.