His defensive measures weren't enough. Most deities had difficulties when it came to withstanding just one supernova with their physical bodies and inside that formation, multiple ones were going off simultaneously.
As he realized that his life was about to be ended by a surge of energy that would leave him without a corpse the poor guy desperately unleashed his full power.
I had left the formation and retracted my nyl zone therefore enabling him to cast spells again. As the supernovae were ripping apart his body a blinding flash exploded forth and clashed with the explosions around it. The forces mostly offset each other and when I reentered the formation all that was left was a figure with broken wings that was barely clinging onto life.
Out of respect for him being a fellow deity level being, I drew Arcus, my legendary (grade 9) sword, and used it to cut off his head. The body started to dissolve and the soul within quickly took off.
Souls that grew strong enough were fully capable of existing without a physical body. Their capacity to interact with the physical world and to cast spells was sharply reduced but they could easily find a new body.
This poor soul had just one little problem. It tried to escape but found that it was still trapped in the formation and couldn't leave. Its energy was still depleted from the all-out attack it had used in a bid to save its body so creating a new body on the spot was out of the question.
While the soul was desperately pressing against the formation wall I approached it from behind. Arcus was still in my hand drawing lazy circles through the air as I was stalking my prey.
"Haven't you heard? Deities that fight any of the six on high usually don't get reborn. Escaping as a soul may be easier when facing others but before us, it's of no difference."
'No, you can't kill me! I am the great Michael, named after one of the 10 sages of light. My life can't end in a backwater world like this. I am meant for greatness!'
Michael's soul was directly sending thoughts towards me but I cared little for his name. Destiny was a lie told by the people who were too lazy to shape their own future or those who wished to blame something for their misfortune. I had read the books of destiny and all they were was a compilation of every possible outcome in existence. Of course, they were accurate but no one could know which possibility would come to pass.
"Any last words?"
'I am Lord Alexander's student! You can't kill me or my master will come to seek revenge for me and destroy you!'
"Alexander will fight me regardless of whether or not I destroy your soul today. My conflict with the light alliance goes way back and your death will change nothing. Additionally, I'm sure that Alexander already considers you a lost cause. As I said before, deities that fight us usually don't live to tell the tale."
Darkness erupted around me and reached for the soul floating before me. The soul tried to resist with all it had left as it sent barrages of light trying to disperse the darkness. The struggle didn't even last for a minute before my darkness won and began to devour the soul.
Different from what I would usually do I did not refine the soul into materials. I directly absorbed all that was refined from the soul myself. I barely felt the increase in strength but it was there. Devouring the souls of deities was an outlandish thought for many but my specific set of skills allowed me to do so.
During that process, I also came into possession of Michael's memories. Parts were missing and most of it was pretty foggy and tainted by megalomaniac thoughts but I still gained a lot.
For example, I gained the spatial coordinates of Michael's separate spaces and information on how to access them. As a newly advanced deity, he was dirt poor by my standards but he had collected vast amounts of materials that I could use to make stuff for my subordinates.
And now that this nuisance was taken care of making those weapons for my subordinates was my next objective. Giving them powerful equipment and treasures was the easiest way to quickly raise their strength.
"I see that you are just as ruthless as back then."
I had forgotten about that old fox. When he had left the formation I had assumed that he would be on his way but he had stayed nearby and now approached me to talk.
"Mercy should only be given to people who deserve it."
"So being your enemy makes him undeserving of mercy?"
"No, being a brainwashed fool does. If I let him leave he would doubtlessly believe that I was scared of him and be even more arrogant the next time around."
Before this conversation could continue I teleported back to Edward's mansion. Talking to the old fox wasn't usually a good idea. Like all foxes, he was a crafty one and any casually said words could come back to bite you. Best to just stay away.
"Master, you are back already. Did your excursion go as planned?"
"Take a look at the news and you'll know."
Edward hurriedly pulled out his phone and searched for the most prominent news. He quickly came across a live report of a half-destroyed city where the media was wildly speculating who the three individuals involved were.
Micheal's first move had been to address the city's populace and command them to serve him. When a few mages had tried to arrest the maniac he had started killing until the old fox had arrived and engaged him. My arrival had ended the fight but the scars left in the civilians' minds would stay there for a long time.
Edward's daughter was peeking over his shoulder like a curious cat. She quickly made the connection between me and the figure that had slain the lunatic.
"Big brother, are you a hero?"