"Hmph. This one has some skill at least, to build such a city." Zeus's divine eyes gleamed as he saw through some of Skyborne City's mysteries, but his tone was nothing but scorn.
"Zeus, let's just attack." Hades smirked coldly, his voice harsh and imperious.
As he spoke, the aura of death poison to gods themselves rolled off his body in waves, darkening the sky above.
"Tch. Hades, rein it in. Your stench offends me." Apollo's brilliance flared in answer, resisting the suffocating death energy.
"Hmph. Apollo, you who were beaten bloody by a mere human, have no right to speak here." Hades sneered, eyes full of disdain.
"You..!" Rage twisted Apollo's features, his divine light intensifying, ready to explode.
The Olympian Twelve were far from harmonious. The so-called god of light and half-baked sun god Apollo clashed most fiercely with Hades, their domains of light and death destined to be enemies.
Hermes and Artemis looked away with disinterest. The vast host of subordinate gods kept silent, not daring to speak.
"Enough. Both of you." As a leader, Zeus could not allow his army to splinter. His face was dark with authority. "We came to establish dominance, not make fools of ourselves. The enemy still stands, yet you bicker. Do you want the East to laugh at us? Already, most eastern gods are unhappy with our cross-region war."
At his rebuke, Hades and Apollo turned their heads aside, refusing to look at each other further.
"No more waiting. We strike now. Let's give them a taste of our power." Zeus's eyes flashed sharply. Divine majesty rolled off him like thunder as he gave the command.
In an instant, tens of thousands of gods unleashed their might. Elemental divine powers erupted together, a storm of meteors raining down on Skyborne City.
Zeus himself struck first. As lord of the sky and thunder, his assault was a tempest of storms. The heavens churned, thunder raged, and a deluge of lightning fell like the end of days.
The force rivalled even Indra's.
Apollo spread radiant wings of light, his Divine Authority blazing. The feathers converged into a golden arrow, the War Arrow of Apollo, a shaft said to pierce all creation.
Driven by hatred for Riku, Apollo held back nothing.
Hades's death aura coalesced into a vast tornado that blotted out the sky, a gale of rot that corroded even divinity itself.
Hermes and Artemis, though more restrained, also unleashed formidable blows.
The combined onslaught tore the sky apart, a roar of destruction that shook even the gods themselves. Those within Skyborne City cried out in fury at the Olympians' recklessness.
The attacks struck. A cataclysmic blast shook the world, energy waves surging in all directions. Even the attackers themselves had to shield against the backlash.
And then the smoke cleared.
Zeus, Hades, Apollo, Hermes, Artemis, and their entire host stared, dumbstruck.
Skyborne City stood unscathed.
Only its shimmering protective barrier rippled like water, glowing with tranquil radiance. Not a single stone had fallen.
"This fortress's barrier… so strong? Impossible!" Zeus was aghast. He had held back somewhat, but not that much. And with Hades, Hermes, Artemis, Apollo, and tens of thousands of gods attacking together, how could it be untouched!?
Instead of establishing dominance, they had made fools of themselves.
"The Olympian Twelve certainly make a grand show," a cold voice rang out. "Zeus, Hades, Hermes, Artemis, Apollo… and all your rabble. Yet what good is it, when you cannot even crack a wall?"
"Running wild in the East, where did you find the courage?" Another mocking voice followed.
Figures appeared one after another: gods, dragons, star spirits, and phantasmal beasts filled the skies. All were furious at the brazen assault on their land.
Even Zeus's composure faltered, his face black as ink. He had planned to annihilate [Disboard] in a swift strike, cow the East, and leave. But with Skyborne City's impregnable defence, his intimidation had backfired spectacularly.
Even if he crushed [Disboard] later, the shame would stick.
"You Olympians really do kick up a storm."
The air rippled as more presences descended.
At the fore strode Riku in white robes, flanked by the Halloween Queen and the Lord of White Night. Behind him came Athena, Poseidon, Juntan, the four Seraphim Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and a host of Archangels.
And beyond them, countless curious powerhouses gathered to witness history.
"One word and you attack a city? That's the way of a Demon Lord. Zeus, for the so-called King of the Gods, how very fitting." The Halloween Queen's lips curved in mocking delight.
The Lord of White Night's gaze was no less disdainful. To posture with justice and then act like devils was laughable.
The moment Riku and his companions appeared, every eye in the heavens turned toward them. Shock rippled through the ranks as countless beings beheld Riku, the Halloween Queen, the Lord of White Night, and the host of angels arrayed behind them.
Apollo's gaze locked on Riku like a predator.
Zeus swept his eyes across the Seraphim, then the Halloween Queen and the Lord of White Night, before fixing squarely on Riku. Doubt and unease churned in his heart. What was the relationship between these enigmatic figures? And if Skyborne City truly housed angels, did that mean this mysterious human was tied to the forbidden realm of Christianity?
As for Athena and Poseidon, he barely spared them a glance.
But the Olympian Twelve's divine host was no longer so calm, and unease crept through their ranks.
"Queen, Lord of White Night, are you truly intent on interfering in the war between our two Communities?" Zeus asked coldly, his gaze sharp.
"Zeus, do you even know who you're speaking to?" The Lord of White Night snapped open her folding fan, her presence exploding outward like a tidal wave. "I came merely to watch. But if you dare press me further, believe it or not, I'll wipe you out before Riku even has to lift a finger."
The Halloween Queen said nothing, just smiled. A mocking curve of her lips, sharper than any blade.
Their attitudes made Zeus's face darken. Fury boiled inside him, yet he forced it down. As long as they stayed out of it, he would endure.
"Athena, Poseidon, if you still have some loyalty to..." Zeus turned, eyes blazing, intent on prying words from his former comrades.
"You talk too much."
Riku's voice cut him off flatly.
Before anyone could react, his figure blurred. He vanished from Skyborne City's walls and appeared alone outside, standing before the vast Olympian host.
"I thought one called equal to Indra might stir my blood," Riku said, voice calm, carrying for miles. "But it seems your title is hollow. Compared to Indra's relentless will, you're nothing, just a fraud propped up by pomp and lies. You are unworthy of the name King of the Gods."
His tone was arrogant, untamed, scorning every god present.
Zeus's face turned the colour of iron, divine might crackling off him in waves. Rage made the sky itself writhe.
Around them, spectators, gods, dragons, and star-spirits exchanged startled glances. Then, almost as one, they looked at Riku with admiration. Whatever the outcome, those words alone had struck deep.
"Wretched mortal, how dare you bark such madness!" Zeus thundered, wrath twisting heaven and earth.
Riku only shook his head lazily. "Enough wasted words. Let's end this quickly. I'd like to get back to my nap."
Gasps broke out. Was he truly going to fight the Olympian Twelve and their army alone?
Athena and Poseidon showed no surprise. They had known his intent all along. The Seraphim Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter stood silently at his side, faces set with resolve. This was also Riku's way of unveiling the angels to Little Garden, showing them openly rather than hiding from Christian dogma.
Then Zeus struck.
The Sky's Authority descended, thunder rolling, lightning splitting the heavens as his divine wrath surged straight at Riku.
Every watcher held their breath, eyes fixed on the black-haired human.
Golden-red aura burst from Riku's body. His hair, brows, and eyes blazed the same hue as divine fire. His power soared to the heavens, his mortal frame transfigured into that of a god.
"Crack!"
He raised his hand and shattered the storm. Thunder and lightning exploded apart, dispersed like mist. The shockwave rattled the sky itself.
Zeus reeled back, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Impossible…!"
Not just Zeus, Apollo, Hades, every Olympian, every watching deity and dragon stared in horror.
A human… transformed into a god. Not a weak godling, but a power who casually swatted aside Zeus's might. None had ever heard of such a thing. Even gods born from oceans of worship could not reach this level.
Worldviews cracked like glass.
"So he's not wasting time straight into this divine form," the Lord of White Night said with a smirk, unfazed.
"Of course," the Halloween Queen added, lips curling. "This is a chance to shake Little Garden itself, and he knows it."
Zeus and the Olympians had never been more off-balance because they were not the predators here. They were prey.
"Hsst!"
With a snarl, Apollo unleashed his full light, wings of radiance unfurling, divine feathers condensing into a single golden shaft, the Arrow of Light, his supreme weapon. He loosed it with all his hate, a bolt that could pierce all creation, screaming toward Riku.
Riku didn't even glance at him.
He extended a single finger.
"Shrrk!"
A thin golden-red beam erupted, faster than light, tearing through Apollo's chest. A hole the size of a fist bloomed in the god's heart. Blood sprayed into the sky.
The beam didn't stop. It lanced on, piercing dozens more Olympian gods before vanishing beyond the horizon.
"Wh…what…" Apollo gasped, eyes wide with disbelief. Blood bubbled from his lips.
He had told himself he lost to Riku before because of carelessness. For weeks, Hades had mocked him for it. He had burned for revenge.
And now he was felled in an instant.
The truth crushed him as his body faltered.
Pale and broken, Apollo plummeted from the sky.
Apollo was slain in an instant. The assembled gods, dragonkind, star spirits, phantasmal beasts, and heroic humans all wore expressions of pure shock. None had expected Riku's strength to reach such heights.
Although rumours of his mysterious power had spread, his rise as the greatest dark horse of the Sun War few had believed it. They had never witnessed his true power.
Now they understood. It was this overwhelming strength that had allowed him to overshadow even the Halloween Queen and the Lord of White Night.
A dreadful silence descended. Only Riku's aura pressed down upon them, suffocating and inescapable.
Zeus caught Apollo with his dominion over the Sky, but even his fury had been replaced by grim solemnity. Even though he had not reacted before Apollo was struck down, his authority was grievously wounded.
Such power was terrifying.
"Attack…!" Zeus roared, divine might flaring.
Schlick!
Before his words faded, Riku appeared before Hermes, grasping a crimson spear. With one thrust, he pierced Hermes's heart.
"AAAAHHHHHHHHH!" The Olympian's scream tore the sky apart. His linge shattered utterly, leaving nothing behind but scattered starlight.
Another chief god had fallen. The field grew deathly silent.
"That spear… its aura… this form…" The Halloween Queen and the Lord of White Night both narrowed their eyes.
It was a long spear of deep crimson. Its tip splits into two parallel prongs like a fork. The divine bane radiating from it made gods shiver.
Their pupils shrank. They spoke the name.
"The Spear of Longinus!"
"What!? That's the Spear of Longinus, the God-Slayer itself!" Their voices were not loud, but everyone present was far from ordinary. They heard clearly, and their gazes locked on Riku's weapon in horror.
Angels had already shocked them. But the true Spear of Longinus was another matter entirely.
Even the two problem children were shaken. Replicas might exist, but none carried such divine bane. This was the genuine article.
How had Riku obtained it? It could not be from Christianity, given his open defiance.
The Halloween Queen recalled that during the Sun War, Riku had wielded a divine lance she thought was a simulation. That now seemed impossible.
They realised that despite everything they had seen, they still knew far too little about Riku.
"You… you have the Spear of Longinus! What is your relationship with Christianity?!" Zeus demanded, face twisted with dread.
Not just Zeus, Hades, and the legions of gods all trembled. Christianity was a forbidden existence within Little Garden.
Gods never truly died so long as faith endured; they revived. But the Spear of Longinus, like a Final Trial of Humanity, could annihilate them utterly.
Even chief gods risked ruin. For those beneath them, there was only oblivion.
Hermes's annihilation proved it. Even if revived, he would fall to a Four-Digit.
With angels at his side and the Spear in hand, Riku seemed tied to Christianity itself. How else could he hold such a weapon?
But unlike Zeus, the two problem children knew better.
"Christianity?" Riku's eyes blazed coldly as the spear radiated divine light. Gods shuddered. "They are my enemies. Sooner or later, we will clash. That is all there is to it."
The declaration struck like thunder.
Zeus faltered. Riku was stronger than he had thought. With the Spear of Longinus and the rumoured Chains of Heaven, he was the nemesis of gods themselves.
"Is that fear I see?" Riku sneered, gaze sweeping across Olympus. "So this is the vaunted Twelve Gods of Olympus? Pathetic. Hollow. Unworthy."
Zeus, Hades, and Artemis all fell silent. Thousands of divine warriors quaked.
"False gods, weak and cowardly, you trespassed upon my domain. Then die here."
The sky flared crimson. The Spear of Longinus flashed, and dozens of gods were impaled in an instant.
Slaying gods as easily as killing ants.
---
"[Divinity Release]!"
Seeing Riku slaughter his way through the divine legions, cutting down hundreds in an instant, Zeus roared in fury and immediately released his mighty divinity.
In that instant, terrifying divine radiance erupted, the heavens churned, the skies rumbled, and an overwhelming majesty descended, suppressing all things; heaven and earth trembled beneath it!
Although Zeus was somewhat weaker compared to Indra, within the entirety of Little Garden, there were not many in the three-digit realm who surpassed him.
If Zeus were to descend upon some lower plane, this release of divinity alone would be enough to tear those worlds apart!
"Don't get too arrogant!" Zeus bellowed. The sky collapsed, carrying boundless might as it pressed down toward Riku, seeking to halt his massacre of the gods.
"Hmph, with you? You think you can stop me?" Riku coldly snorted, instantly bursting forth with a power even more overwhelming than Zeus's, violently tearing through the firmament.
Zeus's divinity was heavily eroded.
"Don't forget, I'm here too!" Hades snarled, furious at being ignored.
At once, he too released his divinity.
As the King of the Underworld, Hades's divinity radiated a dense aura of death, potent enough to corrode even divine authority itself.
When his divinity was unleashed, that deathly aura spread like a plague, chilling all hearts.
At the same time, countless underworld beings manifested across the heavens, led by the infamous three-headed hound of hell.
Under Hades's command, the underworld army surged forward toward Riku.
Meanwhile, Artemis released her divine authority as well, raising her bow and loosing her strongest arrow. The world-piercing shaft shot forth at a speed surpassing starlight, aimed directly at Riku's forehead.
Clearly, faced with Riku's overwhelming strength, none of them intended to hold back any longer.
"Hmph." Facing these combined attacks, Riku gave only a cold snort. Golden-red divine energy erupted around him in a violent wave, crushing everything nearby into fragments.
The three-headed hound of hell, Artemis's divine arrow everything was obliterated. Hades himself was blasted away, his face twisting in humiliation as he staggered under the backlash.
This fierce battle left the onlooking powerhouses utterly breathless. None dared even blink, fearing to miss a single instant.
Each of them trembled in awe, astounded by Riku's terrifying might.
"Killing them one by one is far too much trouble." Riku's gaze swept over the divine host, his voice cold.
This pronouncement startled Zeus, Hades, and the others.
Suddenly, Riku vanished from the centre of the battlefield and reappeared high above, gripping the Spear of Longinus. Like a war god, he stood above the heavens, looking down in contempt upon all creation.
Under the stares of Zeus and Hades, Riku stretched out his right hand, pointing downward.
"Don't let him move, attack!" Though he didn't know exactly what Riku intended, Zeus's instincts screamed that it must not be allowed. Divine might surged as he barked the order.
In an instant, the sky itself crashed down with rolling thunder.
Even Indra would not dare take such an assault lightly, and for the other three-digit gods, it was simply unthinkable to withstand.
The tens of thousands of gods and the countless underworld spirits likewise unleashed their ultimate strikes.
Hades led the charge, pouring forth his deathly aura until even space itself corroded. His divinity burned at its very limits.
Artemis, disregarding the toll on her divinity, loosed a shot beyond her limits.
In an instant, dazzling divine radiance spread across the heavens, impossible to look at directly.
The oppressive force of these combined attacks was enough to make the very strongest tremble. If Indra himself were here, he would never dare underestimate it; the result of taking it head-on would be disastrous.
Unfortunately, their opponent was Riku. Their defeat was inevitable.
Riku ignored Zeus's assault entirely. Amid the sea of lightning, golden-red divine energy shielded his body. The crushing sky weighed down, but Riku resisted it effortlessly, standing unmoved, as though Zeus's strike didn't exist at all.
Zeus was strong, but compared to Riku in his Super Saiyan God state, he still fell far short. Not to mention, Riku's power had grown even greater after the end of the Sun War.
"Third Stellar Particle Body!"
At that moment, Riku's right hand erupted with divine radiance. A world-shattering aurora burst forth, crushing everything beneath it.
The attacks of tens of thousands of gods, Hades's death aura, and Artemis's divine arrow, all of it was swept aside like ants before a mountain.
"It's a [Pseudo Star Map]!" Zeus's face changed drastically, his pupils contracting in shock as his heart churned violently. "And it's even a one-hit-kill world-view level Pseudo Star Map!"
The recognition of the attack left Zeus, Hades, Artemis, and all onlookers utterly shaken. Pseudo Star Maps were the ultimate esoteric techniques of god groups; even within Little Garden, only a handful existed.
For Zeus and the others, however, there was no time for awe. A one-hit-kill Pseudo Star Map, if it landed directly, they would have no chance of survival.
"Damn it, how can he have so many trump cards! To pull out such rare powers one after another!" Zeus cursed, gritting his teeth. With no other choice, he too unveiled his true trump card.
The Worldview of Greek Mythology, the cosmic principle of the Greek Pantheon, is their ultimate esoteric authority.
Only another worldview could stand against a Pseudo Star Map.
If they couldn't block this, they would all perish here.
Boooom!
In the next instant, the blazing aurora clashed with the Greek Pantheon's worldview. A cataclysmic wave of light and energy exploded outward, shaking the very foundations of Little Garden.
The sky collapsed, the earth crumbled, space itself shattered, and all creation was torn asunder.
The collision of two worldviews was no mere metaphor; it was true destruction incarnate.
Even those within Skyborne City squinted against the burning rainbow light, their eyes stinging. Their hearts pounded wildly as they braced themselves, fearful the protective barrier might fail.
But to their relief, even this clash of Pseudo Star Map against the Greek worldview could not breach Skyborne City's defences. Its protective barrier remained unshaken, leaving all witnesses speechless.
Once the storm of energy subsided, all gazes turned back to the battlefield outside the city.
Riku had revealed a Pseudo Star Map, and its clash with the Greek Pantheon's worldview was an unprecedented spectacle. Now, all awaited the result, hearts pounding in unison.