Chapter 57: Ascension
As Ethan and Xerathos stood before the Architect, the air crackled with unrestrained energy, the anticipation of a battle that would shake the very foundations of existence. The Architect, now revealed in their true form, radiated cosmic power, their presence a testament to their status as the creator of the Council. But Ethan and Xerathos were undeterred, their determination burning brighter than ever.
With a primal roar, Ethan launched himself towards the Architect, his fists crackling with energy. Xerathos, though battered and weary, unleashed a torrent of devastating attacks, each strike fueled by a determination that surpassed pain and exhaustion. as realities quivered and quaked at the sheer magnitude of their confrontation.
Ethan's movements defied conventional understanding, his speed transcending the boundaries of space and time. He weaved through the Architect's defenses, striking with precision and unfathomable force. Each blow shattered the fabric of reality, unleashing shockwaves that rippled through the cosmic expanse, obliterating entire multiverses in their wake.
Xerathos, driven by his indomitable will, channeled his remaining strength into devastating attacks. Flames engulfed his fists as he unleashed infernal punches, each strike leaving behind a trail of cosmic destruction. The Architect, though formidable, struggled to match the unrelenting onslaught, their once unassailable power now met with a force beyond their comprehension.
The battlefield became a maelstrom of cosmic energy, as Ethan and Xerathos pushed their limits to the brink and beyond. Quintillions of multiverses were engulfed in the chaos of their clash, their very existence torn asunder by the cataclysmic forces unleashed. Stars winked out of existence, galaxies collapsed into nothingness, and the fabric of reality unraveled at their feet.
The Architect, once a being of immeasurable power, found themselves staggered by the sheer determination and indomitable spirit of the two warriors before them. The foundations of their creation crumbled with every strike, their grip on the infinite slipping through their ethereal fingers.
As the battle reached its crescendo, Ethan could feel the culmination of his growth, the wellspring of power deep within him. His red hair transformed, turning white like a celestial beacon, a symbol of his ascension. His eyes darkened, reflecting the mysteries of the cosmos. His garments shimmered, adorned with the constellations that danced across the night sky.
"This is the culmination of all my knowledge and growth," Ethan declared, his voice resonating with the authority of a cosmic deity. "I have surpassed the boundaries of mortal understanding, embracing the infinite possibilities that lie within me."
A triumphant smile curled upon Ethan's lips as he beheld his transformation. The Architect, sensing the impending cataclysm, attempted to bargain with him, proposing a prison of time to harness his unruly power. But Ethan, with a flicker of defiance in his eyes, dismissed the notion without hesitation.
"I have no need for your prison, Architect," Ethan declared, his voice resonating with a newfound authority. "As of now, I am layers of dimension above you. You are but a faint flicker in my cosmic vision, a creation I can erase with a mere thought."
With those words, Ethan transcended beyond infinity itself, his speed reaching inconceivable levels. In an instant, he blurred across the shattered realm, closing the gap between himself and the Architect. A single touch, imbued with the weight of his immeasurable power, disintegrated the Architect's being, reducing them to cosmic dust.
"Disappear."
As the Architect's existence dissipated into the cosmic winds, Ethan's transformation waned, leaving behind a sense of awe and reverence in the wake of his triumph. With a final glance at the decimated battlefield.
As the Architect dissipated into the cosmic winds, Ethan turned his attention to Xerathos, who stood in the aftermath of the cataclysmic battle. With a gesture of his hand, Ethan teleported Xerathos back to his spaceship in his home universe, ensuring his ally's safety and recovery. The remnants of Ethan's godlike form dissipated, leaving behind a sense of awe and reverence in the shattered realm.
"Improve," Ethan whispered, his voice carried on the winds of the multiverse. And with that, he vanished, leaving behind only the echoes of his triumph and the promise of an even greater destiny.