Hymn to Humanity, Hymn to Courage

"Oh? You want to challenge me? That takes courage!"

"If you're ready, I'm going to attack."

Standing on the steps, the Feathered Serpent God casually tossed aside the Aztec weapon "Macuahuitl," which resembled a wooden club and had obsidian chips inlaid on both sides, and strode forward.

Samael glanced at the abandoned Aztec weapon on the steps, his gaze dark and sinister, then sprinted toward the altar of the sun.

"Bang!"

With a few quick, swift movements, Feathered Serpent God accurately discerned the little fellow's true intention from Samael's deceptive left-handed swing, intercepting the ancient serpent's fist with his elbow.

However, the power of this little human brother was beyond Quetzalcoatl's expectations.

The impact of the two attacks caused even Feathered Serpent God to sway slightly.

Interesting!

It felt like wrestling with a giant monster.

Indeed, in the eyes of wrestling expert Quetzalcoatl, his opponent Samael's skills were somewhat clumsy, his movements had many flaws, and he was not quite up to par.

Quetzalcoatl's courage to challenge the gods, along with his extraordinary Monstrous Strength, made Feathered Serpent God, who loved close combat, eager for a fight, and his blood boiled like a raging tide.

At this moment, the ancient serpent, having just struck, withdrew its arm, which had been parried and was now numb and tingling. Using its waist as a pivot, it twisted its body and swept its leg horizontally.

It is rare for a human to dare to challenge the gods, Quetzalcoatl thoroughly enjoys this kind of hand-to-hand combat, so he does not intend to end it quickly.

Samael unleashed all his fighting skills and launched a fierce attack.

His Monstrous Strength, derived from the god Tiamat, makes his power as violent as thunder, while the agility bestowed by the Wrathful Lion Uridim makes his attacks as dense as rain.

The incredible flexibility and agility of snakes make them unpredictable and elusive, which, combined with Samael's knowledge and experience of various fighting techniques from his previous life, makes them even more formidable.

All sorts of fantastical ideas fermented and mixed together, allowing this monster in human skin to fully unleash its talent for free-fighting, making its attacks and counterattacks unpredictable and impossible to defend against.

For example, when a fist is thrown, it immediately changes into a palm to pierce through when blocked. Once they are in close contact, the fist changes into a claw to break the joints, or even becomes a finger cone to strike the vital organs of the heart and lungs.

Moreover, this transformation is arbitrary and completely unpredictable.

Sometimes it's a clever and insidious joint lock, sometimes a powerful and heavy blunt strike, and occasionally it's mixed with the application of Mexican wrestling techniques learned on the spot.

For a time, the offensive continued unabated, with dazzling techniques. The head, throat, heart, genitals and other vital organs of the Feathered Serpent God became the main targets, and the slightest carelessness could result in injury.

The two of them made their way up from the open space to the middle steps leading to the altar.

On the fighting arena, this tiny spirit who challenged the gods truly used every means to demonstrate the efforts of a mortal.

Yes, it was just an effort.

Because the Feathered Serpent God, caught in a raging storm, was like a reef standing amidst the waves.

The goddess strolled leisurely, her crossed arms swinging casually to the left and right, effortlessly deflecting the vast majority of attacks.

The opponent raised his leg, lifted his knee, turned to the side, and twisted his head, making small, precise movements that rendered Samael's all-out attack as if hitting cotton that had no force.

For a full quarter of an hour, Feathered Serpent God maintained a "defensive stance" with a smile, without throwing a single punch.

Even so, Samael couldn't even touch the hem of his opponent's clothes, and each punch was weaker than the last, soon he was drenched in sweat and his muscles were trembling slightly.

The result was obvious; he was destined to lose.

Whether it was Ishtar and the others who had agreed in advance, were forbidden to act, and were worried about standing on the sidelines to watch the battle, or the two sides that were fighting, they had all received this clear answer.

"You've worked very hard, but that's not enough."

Seeing that his opponent was exhausted and his strength was also depleted, Feathered Serpent God seized an opening, his fingers and palms passing through Samael's two arms, which were almost too heavy to lift, and gently pressed on his chest.

"So..."

Then, the Sun Goddess leaned close to his ear and whispered with a smile.

"... Lie down!"

Immediately, the fingers that had been pressing on Samael's chest exerted force, slamming him against the steps leading to the Sun Altar.

"Bang!"

With a dull thud as a heavy object hit the ground, Feathered Serpent God emerged amidst billowing dust, clapping his hands and smiling at the remaining four guests, a pleased curve appearing at the corners of his mouth.

"So, who's next?"

Everyone's breath caught in their throats, their expressions froze, and even the Jaguar Man, who were most afraid of the Feathered Serpent God Kukulkan, cowered behind Merlin and the others, muttering under their breath, "They can't see me."

However, without waiting in line, they began their next move. A swaying figure rose from the dissipating smoke and dust and struggled upwards.

How could this be? I clearly stripped him of his life force. This child should be in a state of suspended animation.

Feathered Serpent God turned around in surprise to see the figure of the woman climbing the steps.

Immediately, the doubt in his heart disappeared when he noticed Samael's wound gradually healing, and when he felt the surging life force within his body, he suddenly realized the truth.

"Immortality! No wonder you can still stand up!"

The ancient serpent turned its head slightly, raised its hand engraved with the Underworld Protection, exhaled the turbid air in its chest, and a solemn expression gathered on its pale face.

"Mayan goddess, I regret to inform you that I have been blessed by the gods, and the little tricks you use on ordinary soldiers have no effect on me."

Samael paused briefly, then turned to gaze intently at the boulder at the top of the steps.

"Furthermore, I am no match for you in a head-on fight. This is no longer just a fighting game where there is no point in winning or losing."

"I must take the men of Ur from you and bring back the soldiers of Uruk!"

"In the face of a level Third Storm, every bit of strength is precious, and the country needs them to fight the disaster."

"Therefore, I will defeat you at all costs!"

The resounding words made Feathered Serpent God pause for a moment, then he glanced back at the towering Sun Calendar Stone and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"You noticed? Very clever child."

"That is my second Noble Phantasm, which carries the mark of divinity and is the foundation for building the temple!"

"If you can find a way to destroy it, then you win!"

In an instant, the goddess grinned, revealing a ferocious smile.

"However, out of respect, I, as the eldest sister, will also do my best!"

"Immortality? This will be your nightmare!"

As soon as the words were spoken behind him, Samael immediately strode forward and ran, reaching out to grab the Aztec weapon that was almost in front of him.

"Boom!"

However, just as the sword was about to touch the weapon, the wind pressure behind him suddenly increased, and a flying kick struck Samael hard in the abdomen.

Suddenly, the humanoid object crashed into the open space beneath the Mayan Pyramid with a sharp whistling sound, kicking up a cloud of dust in front of everyone.