Chereads / Mage King Solomon / Chapter 19 - Mother of Beasts

Chapter 19 - Mother of Beasts

Fujimaru and his companions pondered earnestly, weighing the precarious situation they found themselves in against the potential risk and reward of releasing The Goddess Ishtar. They unanimously agreed that it was indeed in their best interests to set her free, knowing that her immense power could provide them with the assistance they desperately needed. The looming threat of the hunted spirits from the cursed town of Kuta only fueled their decision, prompting them to act swiftly before they were overtaken. As the tension escalated, Merlin, the skilled mage in their midst, skillfully wrought a relentless barrage of magical attacks upon the encroaching spirits, creating a narrow path through which they could escape. The crackling energy of his spells illuminated the darkness, a stark juxtaposition to the eerie silence that enveloped the haunted city.

 

In that critical moment, Ishtar, the enigmatic goddess, made her choice. With a determined expression etched upon her divine features, she unleashed a cataclysmic attack that reverberated through the very foundations of the city. The unleashed power of her onslaught not only vanquished the lingering spirits but also decimated a significant portion of the once-thriving urban landscape, leaving rubble and ash in its wake. The party stood in awe of Ishtar's might, a mix of relief and trepidation flooding their hearts. The goddess, having fulfilled her role in aiding them, offered a reassuring glance before departing. As they prepared to head back to Uruk without acquiring the Tablet of Destiny, Fujimaru and his companions found themselves faced with a challenging situation. Despite their initial disappointment, the group decided to take a detour towards the imposing fortress where King Leonidas was known to reside. With determination in their hearts, Fujimaru, Mash, and Merlin advanced towards the fortress, their footsteps echoing in the tense air.

 

Upon reaching the fortress, a scene of chaos greeted them. Demonic beasts had breached the once-impenetrable defences, causing havoc and putting the soldiers on high alert. The atmosphere crackled with the anticipation of battle as the group braced themselves for the impending clash. Fujimaru and Mash exchanged a quick, knowing glance, silently communicating their readiness to confront the demonic threat head-on. In a show of unity and strength, Merlin channelled his magical prowess, conjuring flames that danced dangerously close to the approaching beasts. The searing heat of his spells acted as a barrier, temporarily deterring the demonic creatures. Not one to be overshadowed, King Leonidas seized the moment, his spear held firmly in hand as he aimed for the largest and most menacing of the Demonic Beasts, while delivering the final.

 

As they stood ready, each individual meticulously readied themselves for the imminent assault of the Demonic Beasts' second wave. In a swift and authoritative manner, King Leonidas issued the command to the soldiers, saying, "Arm the Canon and unleash its mighty force." The very moment the Canon discharged its payload, a catastrophic wave of destruction swept through the hordes of the Demonic Beasts, eradicating them entirely. Expressing his gratitude to Fujimaru and Mash for their invaluable assistance, King Leonidas led the party as they made their way back to their quarters, their steps set with a sense of purpose and camaraderie. Gathering together for a crucial meeting, Ushiwakamaru highlighted the pressing call for aid from the people of MIPOL in their battle against the relentless Demonic Beasts. With unanimous resolve, they collectively agreed to journey to the city of Mipol to lend their strength to the cause. As the night unfurled its veil and yielded to dawn's light, the group embarked on their journey towards the city of Mipol with a fierce determination in their hearts. The morning air filled with a mixture of anticipation and resolve, setting the stage for the arduous yet noble mission ahead of them.

 

As the party drew closer to the city, the presence of Demonic Beasts grew stronger, posing a greater threat with each step they took. Upon reaching the city at last, a chilling sight greeted them—it was Kingu's heinous act that had turned the once vibrant city into a haunting landscape drenched in blood. Kingu's sinister plan involved sacrificing the innocent people of Mipol to fuel his twisted ambition of creating a new lineage of Demonic Beasts. Witnessing this abomination, Fujimaru lashed out in fury while talking to Kingu, saying, "Tell me what you've done with the people of this city." He demanded, and Kingu, cunning as ever, replied, "Humans are an invaluable source of nourishment; we make use of them with gratitude." 

 

Mash and Merlin launched an immediate attack on Kingu in a desperate bid to stop his madness. In retaliation, Kingu summoned forth a formidable Demonic Beast known as "the Lion of the Sun," a majestic yet fearsome creature capable of spewing scorching flames. The beast's fiery assault aimed directly at Fujimaru was swiftly intercepted by Mash, who courageously shielded their ally from harm.

Engulfed in a fierce battle for survival, Merlin unleashed a barrage of powerful magical attacks against the monstrous Lion of the Sun, with Anna providing invaluable assistance in the form of additional support and strategic maneuvers. The clash between the valiant champions and the savage beast intensified, each side unleashing their full strength in a tumultuous spectacle of magic and might.

 

Anna stood there, her weapon pulsating with energy and power. With the guidance of Merlin, the legendary mage, she skillfully wielded it to cleave through the formidable beasts that stood in her way, effortlessly slicing it in two. Victory seemed within reach; the very ground beneath them began to tremble and crack, and out of the gaping chasm emerged a goddess from the three goddesses alliance. the mother of Demonic Beasts, a formidable force to be reckoned with. The sudden appearance of this powerful goddess caught Fujimaru, Mash, and Merlin off guard, their expressions reflecting a mixture of shock and awe at the unexpected turn of events. The goddess took on the imposing form of a colossal Medusa with wings, her mere presence striking fear into the hearts of all who beheld her. The Goddess decided to introduce herself: "I am mankind's sworn enemy, the head of the three goddesses alliance. You are now in the presence of Tiamat, the mother of all beasts." At that moment, Kingu addressed the goddess while walking towards her colossal form, saying, "Dear mother, this wasn't exactly the plan. Were you not supposed to rest until the day of rebirth?" Her gaze turned towards Fujimaru, while she inquired about his identity: "Is that the one they call humanity's final master? He's nothing."

 

 

In all her magnificent glory, the Goddess made a chilling proclamation to Fujimaru and his steadfast companions, her voice echoing ominously amidst the remnants of the fallen soldiers she had effortlessly dispatched. "I will crush humanity's last hope." With a single flick of her tail, the earth split open, sending tremors through the battlefield and freezing the army in their tracks. The mystical eyes of the goddess gazed upon them, turning warriors to stone with a single glance, leaving them helpless before her fearsome might. The party now faced their greatest challenge yet, as they prepared to confront the wrath of Tiamat and the unfathomable power she wielded.

 

The professor, Romani Archaman, and Leonardo DaVinci contacted Fujimaru and his companions in order to warn them about the goddess. The professor explained, "The goddess's spirit origin is divine spirit class, and it's known as an Avenger." He continues, "The Avengers only exist to pursue revenge, the eighth class that should not be." In a display of unwavering resolve, Fujimaru and his companions, fueled by a newfound sense of purpose, defiantly challenged the goddess's ominous decree. Prometheus-like, they vowed to defy fate itself, refusing to accept the grim destiny that had been foretold. As the tension mounted, Merlin, the enigmatic mage, stepped forward with an air of commanding authority. Recognising the perilous situation at hand, he swiftly issued orders for Fujimaru and Mash to withdraw, a strategic retreat necessary to safeguard their survival. 

 

Acknowledging the impending clash with the Goddess, Merlin braced himself for the daunting task ahead, prepared to engage in a fierce battle to create an opening for their escape. With a solemn determination etched upon his features, he readied his magical prowess, fully aware of the immense challenge that lay before him. As the stage was set for an epic confrontation. Merlin, the powerful mage, unleashed a devastating attack towards the goddess, manifesting his arcane prowess with precision. In a swift act of retaliation, the enraged Goddess launched her own formidable attack towards Merlin, sparking a fierce exchange of magical might between the two formidable adversaries. Standing resolute, the mage confidently informed his companions, Fujimaru and Mash, of his immortality, assuring them that he possessed the resilience to stand against the divine power of a goddess.

 

As the tension escalated, the Goddess, seething with fury, employed the mystical powers of her enchanting eyes in a bid to petrify Merlin, seeking to neutralise his magical abilities. However, Mash, the steadfast shielder, exhibited her incredible quick thinking and conjured a potent shield, deflecting the goddess's petrifying assault with unmatched grace and skill. The clash of titans reached a fever pitch as Ushiwakamaru, the valiant warrior, gallantly entered the fray, unleashing a devastating assault on the goddess, as she declared, "I am Ushiwakamaru, servant of Gilgamesh; I challenge you, Serpent God. Fujimaru, I asked that you leave this to me; please get to the northern wall as fast as you can." determined to lend her formidable swordsmanship to assist Fujimaru and his companions.

 

In the midst of the chaotic battle, the goddess persistently launched ruthless attacks, each strike met with deft parries and counters by the resolute Ushiwakamaru. With every swing of her blade, Ushiwakamaru skillfully sliced through the serpentine tentacles that the enraged goddess conjured, using her sword style, "wandering tales of Shana-oh, Act two, Usumidori: Heavenly Blade Step," displaying unparalleled martial prowess and cunning strategy on the battlefield. The relentless back-and-forth of magical and physical assaults painted a vivid tapestry of conflict and camaraderie. Fujimaru and the rest of his companions fell back, as the intensity of the ongoing battle only amplified as they all made their way out of the beleaguered city, their footsteps echoing a hasty retreat.

 

Upon reaching the formidable fortress where King Leonidas held court, palpable tension filled the air as the army readied themselves for the impending conflict. Suddenly, the earth itself seemed to part ways as the Goddess descended, cradling the limp form of the defeated Ushiwakamaru in her arms, a sight that left Fujimaru, Mash, and the rest of the onlookers stunned into silence. The goddess wasted no time in asserting her dominance by unleashing a devastating assault on the city's defence cannon, a strategic blow that left them vulnerable and exposed. In a brave display of leadership, King Leonidas took charge, marching forth to meet the goddess head-on. As he prepared for the imminent clash, the legendary king summoned forth his elite force of 300 Spartans, their fierce determination palpable as they stood ready for battle. The stage was set for an epic showdown, with the fate of all resting on the outcome of this fateful confrontation.

 

Leonidas, the courageous Spartan king, stood proudly alongside his dedicated 300 Spartans as they advanced towards the Goddess in a fierce battle, while he proclaimed, "Lord Ushiwakamaru's sacrifice and that of the fallen troops weren't wasted at all, Fujimaru; leave the rest to us." With bravery, King Leonidas commanded his men to hurl their spears at the goddess while he sought an opportune moment to deliver the decisive blow. As the Goddess attempted to strike him with a petrifying attack, King Leonidas skillfully summoned his shield to defend against her relentless assaults. Despite the immense power of the goddess, King Leonidas, with a determined gaze, stood firm and confronted her, demanding to know her true identity.

 

In a show of fearless defiance, the valiant hero revealed his lineage, proudly stating, "My ancestors are the great hero Hercules, son of Zeus, great God of the sky." Identifying himself as "I am Leonidas, King of Sparta, the country beloved by Ares, God of War," the brave king recognised the true nature of the Goddess before him. Proudly stating, "I've seen through your false identity, Avenger; I know your secrets. I've never heard of Tiamat using mystic eyes, and if you know the name Zeus, the father of gods, then realising the true identity of a serpent god that petrifies men is too easy," exposing her. Little by little, King Leonidas shield begins to crumble under the relentless assault of the goddess's mystic eyes. As the goddess's facade began to crumble in the face of King Leonidas's unwavering resolve, his shield, a symbol of defiance and strength, also started to falter. Yet, undeterred by the impending collapse of his shield, King Leonidas remained steadfast, prepared to confront the goddess with all his might and determination.

 

The Goddess, undeterred in her mystical prowess, continues to channel her formidable powers towards the valiant King, unmaking the once impervious shield, until it succumbs to the overwhelming energy directed against it, the remnants of the shield falling piece by piece to the ground, a symbol of the battle's intensity.

 

Upon witnessing the destruction of his shield, King Leonidas stands resolute, his unwavering determination shining through as he faces his celestial adversary with unyielding courage. With a swift and decisive motion, the King raises his spear, a weapon of both war and justice, and directs it towards the Goddess, aiming to pierce the veil of her seemingly invincible facade. As the spear finds its mark, penetrating the goddess's defences and causing her to falter momentarily, King Leonidas seizes the moment to speak, his voice echoing with a mixture of defiance and reverence as he addresses his otherworldly foe. "A goddess persecuted as a monster, Gorgon! How can we, the descendants of Greece, overlook the significance of that name?" Leonidas proclaims, his words carrying both the weight of history and the spirit of his people's resilience. Despite the toll taken on his own being by the transformative powers of the mystic eyes, the King stands tall, unwavering in his commitment to upholding the legacy of his land.

 

As Fujimaru and Mash, witnesses to the climactic battle, rush towards the embattled king, they are met with a scene of undeniable valour and sacrifice unfolding before them. The Goddess, wounded by the King's decisive strike, acknowledges his tenacity and resolve, stating, "Your fighting spirit is strong, so you have my respect; at the very least, you will shatter like a hero. You will be spared from watching the end of the human world," signalling a newfound respect for her opponent's unwavering spirit. In a fleeting moment of peace amid the chaos, a smile graces King Leonidas's weary visage, a testament to his unshakeable belief, proudly stating, "You are all wrong about that." He replied, "Just like my soul, the human world is eternal," the King proclaims, his voice laden with both acceptance of his fate and a profound sense of faith in the future. With those parting words, spoken with a mixture of melancholy and hope, King Leonidas entrusted the continuation of the struggle to Fujimaru and Mash, acknowledging the pivotal role they must play in shaping the outcome of the conflict.

 

And as the valiant King finally succumbs to the combined toll of his battles, his form dissolving into the Ether, his spirit lives on in the hearts and deeds of those who bear witness to his legacy, a beacon of courage and honour illuminating the path forward for all who dare to challenge the forces of destiny.