Their arrival was a sight to behold as if the heavens themselves had sent forth their mightiest champions. Ares, the muscular man with long hair flowing like a fiery mane, exuded an aura of raw power and determination. His bulging muscles rippled beneath his intricate armor, which showcased the skill of divine artisans who had crafted it with meticulous detail.
Beside him stood Athena, the embodiment of wisdom and strategic brilliance. Her golden locks cascaded down her back, shimmering like sunlight on a field of wheat. Her presence exuded an air of regality and grace that commanded respect.
Completing the trio was Zeus, the charismatic and commanding figure who radiated an overwhelming aura of authority and power. His regal presence seemed to command the very elements, and his stormy eyes held a flickering lightning that crackled with divine energy.
The intricate patterns adorning their armor gleamed with an otherworldly brilliance as if they were forged from the very essence of the gods themselves.
As the dust settled from their dramatic entrance, the trio surveyed the chaotic battlefield with assessing gazes. Zeus, with his commanding presence, quickly gave orders to the other two. Ares and Athena each moved with purpose, approaching the two approaching giants. Ares wielded a gleaming spear while Athena held a sword, both adorned with intricate engravings that mirrored their wielders' divine prowess.
The two divine warriors shot forth like comets, their movements fluid and precise as they engaged the one-eyed giants in combat. Ares' spear danced through the air, striking with deadly accuracy, while Athena's sword moved with elegant grace, parrying and counterattacking with strategic brilliance. With every strike, the giants stumbled, their monstrous forms shaken by the power of the divine.
Meanwhile, Zeus directed his attention toward the heavily wounded giant that lay before him. He swiftly drew out a strange-looking golden scepter, its shape resembling thunder itself. Crackling with electrical energy, the scepter hummed with power as Zeus accumulated a massive amount of lightning energy within it. With a swift and decisive motion, he thrust the scepter forward, unleashing a torrent of lightning that pierced the giant's head. In a cataclysmic explosion, the giant's form shattered into countless pieces, vanquished by the divine wrath.
Zeus, his body speckled with the giant's blood, turned his gaze toward the group with a menacing expression. "This is a restricted area. Why are the three of you here?" His voice resonated with authority, demanding an explanation.
Julian stepped forward, undeterred by Zeus' intimidating presence. "Even if we were aware that this place is restricted, which we were not... this is our home. We have every right to be here!" His voice held a hint of defiance, a testament to his unwavering determination to protect what was theirs.
Zeus, visibly annoyed by Julian's response, was not one to back down easily. However, before the tension could escalate further, Klea interjected with a calm yet firm tone.
"It's clear that you don't want this to happen any more than we do. Let's set aside our differences for now and work together to handle the immediate threat. We can settle this matter afterward."
The still-irritated Zeus retorted, "There is no need!"
In an instant, the peak Full Moon Magus hovered in the air, his body enveloped in a radiant glow that transformed him into the embodiment of lightning itself. The power surged through his veins, crackling with unrestrained energy. With a sweeping motion of his hand, Zeus unleashed a magnificent wave of lightning that arced both across the ground and through the air, engulfing the thousands of abyss creatures in a wide area. From the pyramids to the forest, the lightning consumed them all, reducing them to smoldering ashes.
Meanwhile, Thrax stood in awe, his gaze fixed upon Ares' incredible display of combat prowess. With his spear in hand, the god of war embodied the Thracian culture of a warrior. To witness a mortal Magus holding the upper hand in strength against such a colossal giant was an eye-opening experience for Thrax, challenging his preconceived notions of power.
At the same time, Athena demonstrated her unparalleled skill and finesse with her sword, striking the giant with both precision and elegance. Her shield became an extension of herself, seamlessly blending defense and offense in a harmonious dance of battle.
Within a few minutes, the two giants succumbed to their injuries and finally fell under the weight of their own colossal forms.
Klea, Julian, and Thrax could only stand in awe of the vast gap in power between them and the legendary Kronos Magus.
These three individuals were likely the ones they would have to face in the duel for the caretaker position fifteen years later. In this moment, it became painfully clear that they were no match for the divine power wielded by Ares, Athena, and Zeus.
After the two giants were vanquished, Zeus proceeded to give orders to Ares and Athena, instructing them to venture deep into the cave and "Close the Abyss gate." The words hung in the air, leaving the group puzzled and curious about the nature of this place.
Julian, eager to understand, took a step forward, but Zeus turned his piercing gaze upon him, halting him in his tracks.
"This is not your concern!" Zeus' voice carried a tone of dismissiveness as if Julian's presence held no weight in this divine realm.
"Why should we listen to you? We had an agreement!" Julian retorted, bringing up the matter of the deal they had brokered five years ago. It was an agreement that stated the Kronos Magus were not to involve themselves in any earthly matters until the time of the duel.
With a condescending look, Zeus scoffed, his gaze filled with superiority. "You are but a little child who wishes to play with the adults. This is not your concern, nor do we care to explain. If you wish to know more, you may submit an inquiry to the alliance."
The condescension in Zeus' voice and the mocking smile on his face sent a clear message: they were mere mortals, lacking the authority and standing to question the divine.
Thrax, overcome with emotion, bristled with anger and frustration. However, Klea placed a gentle hand on his arm, offering him a calming presence. With a serene smile, she addressed Zeus, her voice filled with diplomacy and understanding.
"Can we at least have some information about this place? We wouldn't want to unintentionally cause any mess for both of us."
Zeus, unyielding in his stance, bluntly refused. "No! Leave this place and never come back." His words were final, leaving no room for further negotiation or discussion.
Frustration gnawed at the hearts of the trio as Zeus's arrogant response echoed in their ears. Thrax, in particular, bristled with anger, but Klea intervened once again, urging him to calm down.
"It's okay, Thrax. Let's cool down," she said, her voice soothing and composed. They were well aware of their disadvantage—lacking the power to confront the Kronos magus, without the authority of the alliance, and with a dearth of information about the place they found themselves in.
Klea's eyes have caught sight of the markings on the Abyss gate and the pyramid's barriers. A glimmer of hope flickered within her as she hoped to find some answer to her questions from the ancient text that was kept in the Alexandrian library. Perhaps there was a clue, a hint that could shed light on their predicament.
After shooting a brief glance at the unharmed Sphinx creature nearby, with determination Klea took flight, soaring upward toward the hole created by the Kronos magus.
The minutes spent flying through the winding tunnels calmed their frayed nerves to some extent. However, as they emerged from the hole, they were greeted by a haunting and gruesome sight. Hundreds of lifeless Roman soldiers lay scattered across the desert, their bodies motionless and twisted, bearing the signs of a violent demise.
"Did... the abyss creature do this?" Julian's voice wavered with a mixture of fear and disbelief. His eyes scanned the area, noticing the absence of any abyss creatures. The soldiers had been electrocuted, their bodies torn apart as if struck by an unimaginable force.
"ZEUS! He did this!" Julian's words rang out, filled with a potent blend of anger and sorrow. The revelation struck them deeply, further cementing the notion that the Kronos magus held no regard for human life.
Amidst the sorrow, a figure emerged from the ground, riding on the back of a dark pet tiger. It was the young monk Damo, who had managed to escape the battlefield. Witnessing the lifeless corpses, he swiftly began chanting a prayer, a solemn tribute to the fallen soldiers.
Julian, consumed by a mix of grief and anger, stepped forward, approaching each fallen soldier with utmost care. He retrieved their signaculum, small pouches containing their identification, one by one. With a heavy heart, he cast an earth spell, burying them in the warm sands, offering them a final resting place.
"Let's go," Julian declared, his voice laced with further hatred for the Kronos Magus.
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