Three Short of a Quartet-Want In? 5k
However, the Star-Seeded Soldier Yusei had anticipated his opponent's next move.
The instinct to harvest light caused the monster to immediately take a step forward, rushing across the sea. Taking advantage of its size, it quickly weaved between Samael and the other two near the shore, and then, with both hands gripping its sword, a seven-colored arc of light swept across its three targets.
For a moment, Athena, Themis, Samael had no choice but to unleash their powers and withstand this massive attack.
However, the deliberately guided aftershocks of the battle, like stars bursting apart, rained down on the sea with burning flames. Countless humanoid combat weapons, hundreds of thousands of Echidna Armory creations, dozens of deep-sea warships, and a few Colossal Titan were all reduced to dust and disintegrated in the radiance of the explosion.
The sky, spanning hundreds of meters in circumference, was dyed with a dazzling array of colors. Amidst the blinding flames, the Star-Seeded Soldier trembled, staggered backward, and finally fell backward into the sea.
The Golden-Blue Star Markings on the monster's body flickered and dimmed, its core wailed, and spiderweb-like cracks spread across its body. Fragments of the broken pieces disintegrated and fell into the sea.
In a hasty exchange, Samael and his two companions managed to forcefully clash with this thing, but they didn't gain much of an advantage.
They flew backward like cannonballs, crashing into the soil, raising dust and creating cone-shaped craters tens of meters deep.
Damn it! It's coming!
Deep within the crater, Athena noticed the rapidly rising Aether Particles in the air above the sea. She spat out a mouthful of blood that had seeped from her lips and immediately smashed her Goatskin Divine Shield into the ground. She frantically poured her divine power into it, solidifying the power of this Divine Construct into a towering golden barrier that resembled a fortress.
Almost instantly, red and black cross-shaped light bands and blue and white starry curtains appeared in different directions, clearly indicating that Themis and Samael had also made defensive preparations.
Hiss hiss hiss!
Before the divine barrier raised by the three gods could be sealed in time, hundreds of Colossal Titan had already gathered their ether, and the light-shaped spears in their hands shot out hundreds and thousands of red and black Magic Beam.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Instantly, the crisscrossing red and black beams of light, like the malicious graffiti painted on paper by a child with a paintbrush, exposed the ground under this long-range firepower. The ground was plowed open with furrows, and the lush areas such as forests, farmlands, and valleys were torn apart, their surfaces completely destroyed.
Even city-states that built high walls and erected Magic Barrier were not spared and were in grave danger.
Arcadia.
The terrified old King knelt before the Temple of Themis, offering jewels, precious monster pelts, and rare minerals and plants from the palace chests to the Goddess of Hunting who was supposed to protect Arcadia, begging for divine protection.
Boom...
The city walls shook violently, the Magic Barrier flickered, and the distant Arcadia mountains were ravaged and billowing with thick smoke.
A large number of priests and priests were diligently scattering and burning incense, and the fragrance that filled the air was so strong that it was pungent.
Even so, the Goddess of Beauty carved from marble was already a lifeless object, unresponsive to anything else.
Meanwhile, Thebes, which revered Zeus and Hera; Delphi, which worshipped Apollo, God of Light; and Troizen, which was devoted to Poseidon ...
The city-states facing crisis all prayed to their respective guardian deities.
Boom boom boom boom!
As the fortress's Magic Barrier, nearing its limit, exhausted its magic and shattered, several exposed city-states along the line suffered wall collapses, with burning bricks flying everywhere and bursts of flames erupting from within.
The sounds of roaring engines, screams, and cries for help were incessant, and everywhere one looked, there was thick smoke billowing from the collapsing buildings.
Gazing at the boiling sea, the sky, and the dark mass of monsters rushing towards them from the wilderness, many trembling humans flocked to the temple in search of refuge, hoping to temporarily prolong their lives by relying on the protective spells surrounding the temple and the power residing on the statues, in the hope of a miracle.
O gods, have mercy!
However, as the thick Magic Beam swept across the sky, the magnificent temple, which had stood for only a moment, shattered like a popped soap bubble, its light breaking and the entire structure collapsing and disappearing.
The priests and priests hidden within attempted to use their blessings to resist the catastrophe of the apocalypse, but their combined protective spells were dim and lifeless, as if stripped of their favor, and shattered in an instant, without even a chance to utter a lament.
The gods have abandoned us...
In the several city-states along the route engulfed in flames, a group of people struggling desperately looked at the temples disappearing and collapsing in the fire, their eyes filled with despair.
Cough cough...
At this moment, Samael, Athena, Themis coughed up a wisp of blood one after another, and their divine cores were pierced by needles with the slightest movement.
Forced into a direct confrontation, they were already seriously injured when they managed to blast that thing on the sea surface into a standby position. Now, suppressing their injuries and forcefully intercepting the Colossal Titan's nearly seven-tenths of the Spirit Liquid Cannon, the three gods were even more seriously injured.
The fact that these henchmen are still moving proves that the situation is far from over.
The strategy of using superior forces to counter inferior ones and first completely eliminating this Star-Seeded Soldier is undoubtedly doomed to fail.
Damn! Who would have thought that Seferu also had the ability to transform into Tensei and replicate the battle template?!
Samael frowned deeply, filled with resentment, while Athena and Themis also wore somber expressions.
In fact, it is already quite remarkable that the Orphic Cult pantheon of gods on Mount of Ares could fight to such an extent.
After all, the ancient serpent had already shattered Seferu once before, expending a great deal of energy.
Three or four hours earlier, Athena, in league with Poseidon and Hera, launched a rebellion and suppressed Zeus, losing more than half of her own divine power in the process.
Even if Themis is at full strength, the three of them working together might have a chance to completely suppress and seal a nascent Star-Seeded Soldier.
But now, they are facing a Star-Seeded Soldier who is in no way weaker than Seferu.
Moreover, the rear wing city-states, which had been sent with most of their elite troops to support the front of the Peloponnese peninsula, would also have to face a massive number of miscellaneous troops created by the Star-Seeded Soldier, and they would probably be unable to hold out.
As for these Colossal Titan, each one possessed Deity-class strength. Even with Samael and his companions giving their all, they were overwhelmed and unable to continue.
"Watch out, they've come ashore!"
At that moment, Athena's gaze fell upon the Colossal Titan riding the waves, sweeping in like dark clouds, and the swarms of combat weapons resembling locusts. Her expression darkened, and she immediately struck her shield, shouting a warning.
"While that thing is on standby, let's take care of as many of these big guys as we can!"
Samael wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, his eyes hardening. He then leaped into the air, his Cross Spear, swift as a meteor, piercing through the core of a Colossal Titan's abdomen, carrying fragments of broken metal, and passing right through its chest.
Athena followed closely behind, her powerful shield bash violently flipping a Colossal Titan to the ground. The scepter of victory that followed transformed into a spear, sparks flying as it tore the fallen behemoth to pieces.
"The crime of murder shall be punished by beheading!"
Themis gripped the hilt of her sword upside down, and with a cold, stern voice, she spun forward with the blade, causing the scales of the stars to clang and the air to twist and tear.
Click!
Three Colossal Titan nearby had their necks snapped off, sparks flying, and their hideous heads rolled into the dust.
The three gods, standing at the pinnacle of mythology, stirred up a raging Aether Storm along their path, with fragments of severed limbs and metal debris falling in abundance.
Even so, they were unable to completely intercept the massive army that surged ashore, and could only allow a considerable number of monsters to pour into the inland, seeking out strongholds of the civilized hosts such as cities and villages, and wreaking havoc.
In an instant, cities and states along the route were attacked one after another, and had to do their best to deal with the surging waves of monsters.
Boom boom boom boom!
The Colossal Titan that came ashore displayed terrifying destructive power. After unleashing another round of Magic Beam, they used their light-shaped spears to shoot and throw or swing and sweep, causing a series of violent explosions.
Athens, which was the first to be hit, had only nine screens of light left, which were quickly reduced to three.
In order to break through the monster army's formation and eliminate these mobile turrets as quickly as possible, Magecraft and priests frantically threw out Magecraft and suppression charms, clearing out large areas.
"Athenians! The most perilous moment has arrived. The closer courage is to you, the further death is from you!"
Use your shields to defend the city and save your people!
With your swords, win glory and proclaim victory!
Athena rode Pegasus, galloping across the battlefield, her spear striking her shield with a deafening roar.
Within the city, the people were in an uproar, and tens of thousands of soldiers, armed with swords, shields, and javelins, spontaneously organized themselves and charged onto the battlefield at Athena's call.
These soldiers prayed devoutly, their expressions feverish as they charged towards their goddess of victory.
Athena slammed her scepter of victory into the ground, and wherever the ripples spread, halos of light shone on the surrounding human soldiers. Her divine authority over war and victory was amplified to an unprecedented degree by the blessing of faith.
These soldiers even provided their own weapons and shields; the entire unit was hastily assembled, and each soldier radiated a golden aura.
Their physical abilities, strength, perception, and life force were all enhanced tenfold. They were like heroes of the Golden Age. Under Athena's guidance, they commanded with ease, quickly and accurately completing the infiltration and division of the battlefield. They actually managed to suppress the monsters' offensive and successfully bought precious time for Samael and Themis to clear out the Colossal Titan.
Samael and Themis dared not hesitate, and by squeezing out their own power, they destroyed nearly 70% of the Colossal Titan, finally turning the tide.
"Laaa!"
However, before one wave subsided, another arose.
While the battlefield was still locked in a stalemate, a high-pitched and ethereal chant echoed over the Stormy Sea Region.
As the ripples of gold and blue spread outwards, the fragments of the previously disintegrating and shattering Star-Seeded Soldier, just like before, rose from the sea surface and reassembled.
At the same time, the star patterns representing the lifeblood of the Star-Seeded Soldier were also lit up and activated one after another, like the beating of a heart, coming from the star core in their abdomen, growing stronger and stronger.
Clearly, the resurgence of this thing is only a matter of time.
Just as Samael and his men were caught in a dilemma and engaged in a fierce battle, the Sacred Flame burst forth with a dazzling light from Mount Olympus in the north.
Rumble!
A thunderclap streaked across the sky, followed by a branching arc of blue and white light that weaved through the thick, dark clouds. On the majestic Golden Chariot, the Wise King of Gods, clad in bronze armor and wielding Thunderbolt Scepter and divine shield, coldly surveyed the scene.
Behind Zeus stood Olympus procession, including Poseidon, King of the Sea, Ares, God of War, the twelve Olympian gods, Mnemosyne of Memory, Leto, Goddess of Childbirth, and other ancient beings, as well as the Nine Muses and the Three Goddesses, and hundreds of Nymph and attendants, all exuding a chilling aura.
As Zeus swung his Thunderbolt Scepter forward, his Golden Chariot raced through the air like a thunderbolt, and thousands of Olympus charged forward with murderous intent.
The direction we're heading is towards Athens!
As the distance closed, Samael's Cross Star Pupils contracted sharply, his heart clenched, and a bitter taste filled his tightly pursed lips.
Ahead lies a wolf, the situation unresolved; behind lies a tiger, poised to devour its prey.
It's over...
Amidst the thunderous explosions, the Olympian Gods, who had come charging forward with great momentum, had lightning-shaped silver divine marks appearing on their foreheads!
In such a short time, Zeus not only quelled the rebellion, but also, through some unknown means, completely controlled the Olympian Gods.
The Wise King of Gods, descending upon the skies above Athens, raised his Thunderbolt Scepter high. Tornadoes of lightning flashed and darted through the dark clouds, converging on the Divine Construct. Its terrifying power distorted and shattered the surrounding space.
I am... the lightning that tears through the stars!
In an instant, Zeus opened his eyes wide and hurled his Thunderbolt Scepter with immense force, splitting the sky into shattered mirrors.
At the same time, with the sounding of the horn of attack, the Olympian Gods surged towards the front lines of Athens like a tidal wave.
Samael's serpentine vertical pupils contracted sharply, and the lightning that ripped through the sky expanded wildly within his field of vision.
In an instant, a sharp explosion rang out, breaking everything it touched into Fundamental particles.
"Aa...aa..."
The ethereal chant transformed into intermittent, dry syllables from the broken bellows. The towering figure standing on the sea looked down at the gaping hole in its chest. Amidst the chaotic and exploding arcs of blue and white light, it swayed and sank into the water, its newly formed body disintegrating once more.
Meanwhile, the Olympian Gods, swooping down from the sky, crossed the ground's defenses above humanity and rushed towards the coast, where they clashed with the Colossal Titan and other monsters.
"Hmph, to be so pathetic after a mere three hours of endurance, you blasphemous creations of the gods are truly a disgrace to this king!"
Zeus stood high on his Golden Chariot, looking down at Samael and the other rebellious Mount of Ares with a mocking sneer.
"Then why didn't you take advantage of that moment and destroy us and all these things together?"
Samael raised his hand to wipe the blood from the side of his cheek, glanced at the disintegrated and silent Star-Seeded Soldier behind him, his eyes flashing, and asked with a furrowed brow.
Zeus glanced indifferently at the ground, at the ants on the ground that called humans were still struggling desperately, and spoke coldly.
"What do you consider a god?"
The ancient snake paused slightly, frowned, and fell silent. His long-standing human way of thinking prevented him from immediately arriving at a definite answer.
"More greedy than humans! More slothful than humans! More easily angered than humans! Less ambitious than humans! Less arrogant than humans!"
Zeus uttered startling words, his expression arrogant.
"We were born powerful! Our authority is divinely granted! We founded and perfected Greece, and therefore have the right to ravage it and dominate the world!"
Humans are nothing but inferior creations modeled after the gods, and I am confident that you are not qualified to replace the gods.
From beginning to end, Olympus's only enemy was the threat from the stars; you are not even qualified!
Therefore, if it does no harm to the situation, I am willing to show some mercy to the pets on the pasture.
But this is the hunting grounds of the gods, our territory, and not for outside hyenas to roam freely!
Samael gazed at the King of the Gods, and a faint smile unconsciously curved his lips.
So that's it! Divinity is humanity! The so-called gods are simply humans in another sense, with even stronger desires than we are!
Perhaps I was wrong from the start; God and man do not necessarily have to be completely opposed.
The ancient serpent drew its Cross Spear, flapped its wings and soared into the sky, riding alongside Zeus's chariot. It smiled wryly and shook its head in a low voice.
"To be honest, I'm starting to like you guys a little..."
"No need, I still despise you all!"
Zeus responded coldly, making no attempt to conceal his arrogance and disdain.
"It doesn't matter. We can settle our scores later. Let's deal with the immediate problem first."
Samael watched as the gods entered the battlefield and gradually annihilated the monsters, and chuckled with pleasure.
In an ecosystem, whether it's the lions and tigers that occupy most of the resources, or the cows, sheep, and rabbits that can live well by eating grass, they all support each other in a certain sense.
But the Star-Seeded Soldier, these insatiable hyenas, are a malignant tumor that will destroy the entire ecosystem.
As long as he and Zeus aren't fools, they could join forces, drive out the hyenas first, and then determine the strengths and weaknesses within the ecosystem.
Moreover, based on his future experience, when facing God, humanity will definitely have the last laugh.
At this moment, Zeus, driving his Golden Chariot, headed towards the near sea where the Star-Seeded Soldier had collapsed, beckoning his Thunderbolt Scepter with a flick of his finger, his eyes gleaming.
"The Stars Purge, the White Giant Descend, and Olympus Will End..."
"I have meticulously prepared for this long, based on the revelation I received from listening to the voice of Heaven, but now it seems they are nothing special..."
Just as this Wise King of Gods frowned and murmured, Seferu raised the God of War's sword in his hand, and a seven-colored beam of light slammed down on the coast. Rivers along the way were cut off, mountains collapsed, and everything was in ruins.
The coastal wall, which had held for three hours, finally collapsed and fell, and hordes of Colossal Titan and combat troops swarmed over it.
Oh no! Anna and the others are in danger!
Samael's heart skipped a beat, and his face changed drastically.
Then, a faint and distant resonance reverberated and spread once again from the Stormy Sea Region.
"Laaaaa!"
In an instant, the previously fragmented Star-Seeded Soldier reassembled and reformed at a visible speed, their power surging upwards.
Colossal Titan emerged from the ocean tides, re-entered the land, and continued their mission of reaping civilizations.
Damn it, it's happening again!
Whether it was the humans suffering on the battlefield or the gods who had already witnessed the horrors of these things, they all cursed inwardly.
At the same time, a halo of light, hundreds of meters in diameter, burst open in layers. A meteorite, shaped like a teardrop and enveloped in blazing flames, streaked across the sky and fell toward the Stormy Sea Region, splashing up towering waves.
The Star-Seeded Soldier!
Samael stared at the familiar scene, his teeth grinding, veins bulging on his forehead, and a helpless moan rising in his heart.