Klaus remained frozen in place, trapped in the colorless domain that Limbo had manifested. His eyes fixed forward, where the god stood with authority over every demigod present.
"This is bad," Klaus thought, realizing that if Limbo wished, he could end the fight right there.
With the demigods subdued, they were completely at the mercy of the god, and they knew it.
Suddenly, Limbo appeared before Klaus, his gaze fixed on the demigod. "I promised you all suffering," he said coldly. "And I intend to deliver."
Limbo slammed his right fist into Klaus's left cheek with incredible force, and the impact moved the demigod briefly to the side before he froze in place again.
Next, Limbo appeared before Riley, the closest after Klaus. He raised his foot and stomped into her torso, forcing her back a few inches before she, too, was locked in place.
Moving to Shade, he drove his elbow into the demigod's chest before swiftly shifting to Rose. His irritation spiked as he glared at her, then struck her head with three sharp punches--holding more disdain for her since she had landed a hit on him earlier.
Afterward, he returned to their front. "I would have enjoyed killing you all here," he said calmly. "But as I said, your suffering is imperative."
And with his words, he snapped his fingers once more.
Instantly, the demigods were hurled into separate directions, their pain evident as they registered the god's damage all at once.
Klaus grunted in agony, blood trickling down his face. The pain he felt was, by far, the worst he had ever experienced--which said a lot, considering the beatings he had taken from most other demigods.
Riley collapsed beside him, and the sight of her suffering only deepened his pain. The severity of their situation was now undeniable. Klaus knew he had nothing left... except the one thing he had hoped not to use yet. The one final thing he had left.
"S-Shade…" Klaus called weakly to his brother, who was also writhing in pain. "We… have to do it now."
"You think I will give you any chance to counterattack?" Limbo sneered, watching them struggle to rise.
"This… isn't over," Riley muttered, forcing a false smile as she clutched her torso. "You don't get it… we're ready to fight until the end. So this is… nothing."
However, her gaze soon shifted to Klaus, who looked back at her with a soft expression that stirred her worry. "What's wrong?" she asked, just before his eyes widened.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her from behind, and Limbo appeared at her back.
"Oh, is that so?" the god mocked, raising his hand toward the sky. "Then you will be the first to perish."
But before Limbo could strike Riley, Klaus acted instinctively, his mind dismissing everything except her safety. In a single moment, Klaus exhaled deeply, Riley in his hands as he appeared slightly crouched, the sides of his trench coat slowly falling down.
The scenery was completely different from the chaos they had been in, and with not a single building showing signs of damage, it was clear that Klaus had just used his Burst Speed. A few feet ahead of him stood Rose, her eyes wide with confusion and shock at what had just happened.
Riley's face mirrored that shock as she realized they had just moved at an incredible speed, but her expression soon shifted to confusion as she scanned the unfamiliar area. She slipped from Klaus's arms, turning to the demigod, who was gasping slightly for breath.
"Uhh… Klaus?" she asked warily. "Where are we?"
Klaus took a moment of silence. "You'll both be safe here," he said calmly. "Just leave the rest to Shade and me."
"What?" Rose questioned before she recognized the location. "Wait… why are we out of state?"
"You guys need to… trust me," Klaus said between breaths as he stood. "Just stay here… for now."
"Oh no no no," Riley chanted, walking closer with annoyance in her eyes. "Don't you dare leave--"
But before she could finish her words, Klaus vanished, using his speed to return to the battle.
"Klaus Walker!" she shouted in anger, her hands gripping the sides of her hair. "Oh my gods, dieser Typ ist so verdammt nervig."
"We need to get back," Rose said firmly. "We can't leave them alone like that."
Riley placed her palms together, trying to return to her Ventus State to elevate her speed and get back faster. But after a few seconds, she sighed in frustration, realizing both her focus and energy were completely gone.
"Scheiße!" she cursed before turning to Rose. "We'll just have to run back."
Rose nodded, and together they began running toward the direction of the battle, guided by the overwhelming sensation of The End's presence that was impossible to miss.
Back on the battlefield, Limbo recognized that Klaus had used his Burst Speed to save Riley, and since Rose was also gone, it was clear this too was the demigod's doing. In that moment, Shade was also nowhere to be found, likely having reacted to Klaus's earlier call by retreating into his darkness temporarily.
Limbo was annoyed that Klaus had used the very ability he had warned him against, but upon considering his own use of divine power, he was not surprised Klaus had resorted to desperate measures. Still, he did not take the disobedience lightly.
After a few seconds, Klaus returned to the battlefield, gasping heavily as he collapsed to the ground.
"You," Limbo said calmly. "I warned you not to use that power. Though I suppose it matters little now."
The god stepped closer as Shade manifested from a pool of darkness behind Klaus.
"When I am done with you two," Limbo continued, "I will hunt them down as well... and slaughter them."
Klaus's ragged breathing remained evident as he slowly rose to his feet. His focus was unwavering, the dedication in his eyes causing Limbo to chuckle slightly.
"You still believe you have a chance against me?" the god questioned.
But Klaus stood firm. "You don't know, do you?" he asked suddenly, his left hand slipping into the pocket of his coat.
Limbo kept his gaze fixed on the demigod, feeling no concern whatsoever. "No matter what you attempt," he said, "it will not rival my infinite power."
"Is that so?" Shade asked, his right hand also reaching into his pocket.
Limbo was unsettled by the actions and confidence of the demigods, but his divine gaze revealed nothing hidden, which only made the moment feel stranger.
Soon, Shade withdrew a small black item--revealed to be a ring. Klaus likewise pulled out a white ring of his own, engraved at the center with a black ghost bearing sharp teeth and white eyes, a white halo above its head. In contrast, Shade's ring bore a white ghost with black eyes and horns at its sides.
The demigods placed the artifacts on their dominant hands, unleashing an immense surge of power that finally stirred concern within Limbo.
They began to levitate a few inches off the ground, eyes lifted to the skies, teeth clenched as their bodies trembled with force. Limbo considered striking, yet his certainty that their act would amount to nothing kept him still.
"I will not succumb to your theatrics," he muttered. "Power up until you reach the apex of your strength. And then, you will still fall before my divinity."
But the moment he finished speaking, a sound reached his ears--one that nearly shattered his confidence.
As the demigods dropped back to the ground, a strange hum echoed across the battlefield. Limbo knew that sound all too well. His eyes widened, unease rising with every passing second.
"I-It can't be," he muttered to himself. "That sound… Is that… Ouroboros?"
***
"There is essentially nothing that can be done to stop The End. But... there is one final measure that could aid you in your endeavors, should the need arise."
Klaus and Shade turned their full focus toward Halo, their worries evident after being only moments out of the meeting room. The expression the god wore after his words was not as aggressive as it usually was, and even Horns seemed unfamiliar with what Halo was referring to.
Halo took a breath. "Ultion created me to judge reality through the lens of aggressive order, which means I am potentially the closest being in existence to predict the actions of The End whenever he chooses order over chaos. And since we still live, I would assume chaos is not his current choice."
Horns took a moment to process. "So what you are saying is that he is not prioritizing extermination right now, but rather something else?"
"Yes," Halo confirmed. "And that is his own selfish amusement."
Hearing this brought distaste to Klaus's mind, but he knew there was nothing he could do after having just witnessed the petrified bodies of the pantheon gods.
"Since this is the case," Halo continued, "there is a chance you may be able to save this undeserving reality."
Klaus and Shade's eyes widened in shock.
"What?" Shade muttered in disbelief. "You mean... we can actually survive this?"
"The odds are low that you will get the chance to have an audience with him," Halo said, "but since his distaste falls on the gods, there is a chance he has little reason to resent you demigods."
"That is if he does not see their presence as blasphemy," Horns pointed out, his expression less calm than usual. "But are you truly suggesting what I think you are?"
"What is it?" Klaus asked.
Halo turned to him, his neutral expression contrasting with the peril of the moment. "You will have to beg for your existence."
The words shocked the demigods, and Klaus in particular struggled to believe them. The End had just killed most of the gods, and his father was fighting for survival at that very moment. The idea of begging for existence felt impossible, as if it meant all the gods' efforts had been for nothing.
"I... can't," Klaus muttered honestly.
"As irritating as your ignorance is," Halo said, "I, for once, understand your hesitation. I know what the implications are for your virtue as a demigod, but I care not for that when I give this suggestion, only for the safety of every sentient being in this reality."
Klaus could not bring himself to speak, and even Horns recognized his struggle.
"Are you certain about this?" Horns asked Halo.
"If I, the god of Aggressive Order, suggest pleading as the only true solution that leads to survival," Halo retorted, "then the answer should be obvious."
Klaus tried to think of other ways to oppose the suggestion, but failed. Shade soon placed a hand on his shoulder, sensing his turmoil.
"I know how you feel," Shade said calmly. "And honestly, I'm not completely convinced either. But if this is the best chance we have to save our mom and all of humanity--all of mortality--then even our fathers and the pantheon gods would understand."
Despite Shade's words, Klaus still found it difficult. "If the moment ever comes that we face him," he finally said, "then I'll think about it."
Halo was slightly bothered by Klaus's hesitation, but he knew it was the best answer he could get.
"But I know it should not be that simple," Horns soon said. "It never is with him."
"Precisely," Halo agreed. "Which leads me to my second point."
Halo leaned back in his seat, his focus locked on the demigods as they waited for what he would say next. "There is a high chance that when you plead with him... you will be tasked to fight for his entertainment."
"Fight... him?" Shade asked, his tone shaking with terror.
Halo considered. "I would assume he may not find that amusing since the outcome would be guaranteed," he said. "Which means you may instead be faced against a new construct set to test your power, or one of the banished gods that accompany him."
"What?" Klaus asked. "That's just as bad. How are we supposed to defeat a god of infinite power?"
"You are not," Halo said with a sigh as he straightened slightly. "The End may be choosing to remain unaware of your power, which is why he let you leave the meeting room. So... in order to turn that lack of knowledge into entertainment, he would pit you against a god to see if your request is worth his consideration. Especially since a mortal defeating a god would be amusing to him."
"How are you so sure of all this?" Horns asked, staring at his counterpart.
"Need I remind you of my nature?" Halo replied, his eyes still on the demigods.
"But as stated, it is highly improbable that a demigod can defeat a god in combat," Horns countered. "Not when the god wields infinite power."
"Once again, I agree," Halo answered. "Which leads me to the 'one final measure' I mentioned earlier."
Klaus had initially assumed the final measure Halo was implying was their plea for mercy, so he was surprised that there was something else the god had planned.
"As Horns mentioned," Halo began, rising to his feet, "there is no hope of a demigod defeating a god in combat because of the infinite power a god possesses. But there is a way you can bypass this power... with the sacred divine rule I am sure you are both familiar with."
"Ouroboros," Klaus muttered.
"Yes," Halo confirmed.
"But we aren't capable of calling on that rule," Shade pointed out.
"I am clearly aware," Halo retorted. "You demigods do not possess infinite power, so it is impossible to invoke the rule. But... we do."
Horns' eyes widened as he turned to Halo. "You do not mean..." he muttered in awe, realizing the implication Halo was referring to.
"I do," Halo said. "We will grant them our power to overcome this evil."
"Wait," Klaus muttered, his eyes showing his confusion. "I thought you were both incapable of engaging in combat?"
"I never suggested we fight," Halo affirmed. "Instead, we will grant you two the privilege of our total being through artifacts, granting you the opportunity to potentially invoke the rule."
"Potentially?" Shade asked.
"Forget not that there is a lot of probability involved in this tactic," Halo explained. "For all we know, we only have mere seconds before The End decides to eradicate all of reality."
Klaus understood that they were in a situation where they needed to take gambles, since every second that went by was one, so he understood what Halo was implying. "I understand," he said after a pause.
"Keep in mind that all this does not solve the situation," Halo pointed out. "You will still have to defeat the gods in combat."
Klaus was unsure if he could defeat any of the gods even without their divine power, especially considering they had over millennia of knowledge and experience.
"You hold your skills in too low a regard, Klaus Walker," Horns soon said, gaining Klaus's attention. "The gods have possessed infinite power since their creation, and only a few gods like Flage have trained themselves in mortal combat. Which means little as it may be, you both still have a chance to defeat a god together."
Klaus could not believe it, but he realized that every fleeting second he wasted in Higher World went against his father's request to leave for Under World, as well as delayed his meeting with Flage.
"I accept," he finally said.
Halo tilted his head in slight confusion. "I had not requested your approval," he said.
Klaus felt awkward, but Horns soon broke the moment. "It will be alright, demigods," he said, rising to his feet as well. "If my counterpart truly believes this could help save this realm, then I will believe in him totally."
Halo sighed, placing his palms together. "There is little time left," he said. "Let us just get this over with."
Horns smiled. "I am glad our power could come to use in such peril," he said, slamming his palms together as well. "And I know you demigods are capable of dominating this turmoil."
Soon, the two gods began to glow, and their forms slowly changed as a mist covered them. "Do not disappoint me, Klaus Walker," Halo said. "I know you are still hesitant to decide if you choose to yield or not, but whatever decision you make, do not make me lose faith that it will be the right one."
And after his words, Halo's body completely morphed alongside his counterpart, shrinking until their forms changed into two artifacts: rings that hovered brightly in the same location.
Klaus had not expected that when Halo said their 'total being', he meant it literally. Still, before the moments continued, the ring of Halo slowly hovered forward, stopping ahead of him before he retrieved it. Similarly, the ring of Horns moved to Shade as well, and the demigod picked it up.
The two glanced at the artifacts for a moment before their attention turned.
"We need to head to Flage before it's too late," Klaus said.
"Right," Shade agreed as they headed out of the room.
***
Klaus glanced at the ring he wore, his eyes on the symbol that represented Halo. Soon, his Radiant Aura began to cover his body once again, revealing the return of his strength as his breathing returned to normal. The surge of power he felt was unprecedented, unlike anything he had ever experienced in his entire life. His energy surged abundantly within him, and he felt his capabilities had reached their apex.
The same was true for Shade, who had the ring of Horns on his dominant index finger, just like his brother. Similarly, he felt the overwhelming power that overcame his weaknesses.
Limbo watched the moment with growing caution, one he had not expected. Soon, a grin returned to his face.
"These filthy cretins," he muttered to himself, his right palm over his face in disapproval before turning to the demigods. "Do your blasphemous acts truly know no bounds? Yet again, you sully divinity by performing acts undeserving of mortal kind."
"And with these acts... we will defeat you here," Klaus retorted, his determined eyes locking with Limbo's in intense focus as Shade moved to his side.
Limbo stood in silent shock at Klaus's words for a moment before he began to chuckle in disbelief. He soon laughed hysterically, shaking his head briefly before his giggles slowly stopped. He dropped his palm, and his face shifted from amusement to pure irritation.
"Know your place when you speak, you blemish," he spat. "It seems I need to rid these stains on existence once and for all."
With that, Limbo took a readied stance as the demigods mirrored him, both parties sizing each other up in preparation for the clash.
The End watched the moment between the god and the demigods, his enjoyment unmistakable. "And with each encounter," he wondered aloud, "my appreciation for choosing to relish these performances grows."
Olivia had her eyes on Shade, a worried expression on her face. "Please, Shade," she thought internally, "stay safe."
Finally, Limbo and the demigods rushed at one another unanimously, engaging in what would be deemed the final clash between god and mortals.