Ah, I might really die here.
The thought crossed Hades' mind as his body toppled backward. At that moment, a silvery-white light burst from my chest, drawing Hades' body and the surrounding magical energy in like a black hole.
"What?"
The unidentified crystal within me emerged unexpectedly, asserting its presence. I was completely dumbfounded, but before I could question its suspicious behavior, the powerful white singularity absorbed Hades entirely and vanished back into my body.
I could feel Hades' divine power within me. Suppressing my restless emotions and the mystery of this thing inside me, I transformed some of his power into magical energy. To be honest, this battle had been perilous. I was certain Hades hadn't unleashed his ultimate move yet. After all, he was a major deity. However, throughout this confrontation, I hadn't witnessed him utilize his divine abilities. If Hades had recognized the potential of my Mystic Eye sooner or had seen through my tactics, the outcome would have been unpredictable.
I quickly scanned my body, sensing changes on a far larger scale than when I absorbed the divine creature. However, now wasn't the time for exploration. I looked up at the sky, a nagging feeling telling me my teacher was in danger, yet something else warned me that another presence was approaching.
Soon, I felt a murderous aura thickening in the air. The color of the sky gradually shifted; leaden gray clouds filled it, and the waves on the horizon rolled as if they would submerge the Land of Shadows at any moment.
Thick clouds blanketed the sky, leaving no light visible. The god's rapidly expanding power overshadowed even the brightest light as Poseidon was about to appear. In the next moment, gold gleamed within the clouds. Gradually approaching, the water's surface continued to undulate as the golden light revealed its full glory. A noble white horse drew a splendid golden chariot, carrying a god emerging from the profound depths of the ocean. An imposing deity stood proudly and tall, wielding a trident in his grasp: none other than Poseidon, the God of the Sea.
The moment he appeared, the activity of the surrounding elements increased explosively, and the ground shook. The earth slowly cracked, and the undercurrent of the ocean quietly emerged.
As recorded in the myth, the flood will sweep everything away when Poseidon is angry. He is the earth god who created and nurtured life, transforming the created earth into the sea. The earth-shattering god who surrounds the world. His majesty rivals the endless vitality of the earth and its floods—this is how he is described in the myth.
There's no denying it; this guy was strong. As one of the primary gods in Greek mythology, Poseidon undeniably boasts immense power. As the deity who cleaved the earth and brought forth the first horse from the fissure, Poseidon's strength even eclipses that of Zeus, according to some, before Zeus' ascension to the throne. In Greek mythology, this individual truly stands out for his formidable strength...
The arrival of Poseidon spelled trouble for me if his strength aligned with the power outlined in the myth, especially since my Mystic Eyes were practically out of commission; using them again could seriously harm me. I quickly ran through some strategies in my mind.
Without hesitation, I assumed my full draconian form the moment Poseidon manifested, banking on a greater overall power increase after absorbing Hades' divinity. My hair turned silver-white, long and flowing as it cascaded down my back. A pair of large, curved silver horns protruded from my forehead, while my ears became pointed like an elf's. My hands were now covered in a scaly texture, ending in long, sharp silvery claws. A long, serpentine tail extended from my lower back, also covered in scales and culminating in a sharp, barbed point. Sprouting from my back were large, leathery silver wings adorned with red veins running through them, and my eyes transformed into a piercing shade of blue, featuring slit-like pupils.
My previous mithril bodysuit, modeled after a female Shirou's, underwent a dramatic change; it now resembled armor made of a mix of plate and chainmail. Large metal plates protected my torso, shoulders, and forearms, while chainmail shielded my legs and arms. The style was reminiscent of medieval European armor but with a more fantastical twist. The armor was detailed with a series of straps and buckles that crisscrossed my torso and legs, a high collar extending up my neck to protect my throat, and metal plates covering the knuckles of my gauntlets for added protection. Completing the ensemble was a long, flowing cloak that billowed dramatically behind me.
Poseidon erupted in anger the moment his gaze fell upon me—"Nemesis!"
"Damn, you too?"
"Nemesis, there's no escape today." The trident traced through the air, and a chilling current swept across the vicinity. A powerful divine force erupted with a single strike, effortlessly cleaving the waves on a stormy night into a colossal glacier. Hovering mid-air, I exhaled, and white mist ascended.
"The Lord in charge of the ocean, you've mistaken me for someone else!" I said aloud. I was pretty sure he was wrong, but who the hell was Nemesis? Why did the Greek pantheon and the Nordic gods confuse Nemesis with me? And why did the Greek gods have a problem with me? From the information I could glean from myths, this hate remained unanswered.
Unaware that defeating gods could grant authority and strength, I attempted to rectify the misunderstanding through words. Given my nature, even if I knew the advantages of slaying gods, I likely wouldn't actively seek such confrontations, would I?
"So what? The aura of Nemesis is so potent, saturated with disdain for the gods."
"Since you've inherited this power, shoulder the grudges as well!"
"Isn't Nemesis supposed to be your niece or something? Why this grudge?" I asked, really getting confused with these gods. Why did some recognize me and some didn't? Was it because I wasn't using Soul Synchronization? If that was the case, then my soul must be directly linked to Nemesis.
Poseidon, however, ignored me, showing no sign of relenting. The trident aimed at my diminutive figure in mid-air, and he emitted a ferocious laugh.
"If you want to protect those lowlifes in this realm, defeat me as quickly as possible!!"
"Whatever, suit yourself, big guy." I clicked my tongue slightly. The prospect of defeating Poseidon wasn't entirely implausible, but I couldn't vouch for my success rate. But he was playing with elements, which gave me an edge. I held my breath and prepared myself.
An eerie darkness clouded my strikingly blue eyes. A chilling killing intent enveloped me, casting a crimson shroud around my figure.
A deafening crack of thunder echoed through the sky as Iustitia materialized in my grasp. The lightning element surged, descending in a blinding flash of white light that split the heavens. Iustitia, transformed, and became a slender, ferocious blade, its energy crackling and humming with raw power.
Silver-crimson lightning left Iustitia, shooting upwards into the sky, branching into a silver-crimson tree as it began facing off against Poseidon's vortex, emitting a palpable, terrifying aura.
"This aura is far from ordinary," Poseidon mused before dismissing it with a wild laugh. "Hahaha… It matters not; this is how it should be! Let's engage in combat, Nemesis!"
Poseidon found joy in the prospect of battling me, infused with the aura of Nemesis. The trident ascended, water converged around it, and the surging water pressure blended with a frigid current. Simultaneously, I elevated Iustitia and began a soft incantation.
"The Secret Sword of the End: Heavenly Lightning."
This was my special sword technique, achieved by channeling all my magical energy and manipulating the lightning element to its peak—a unique, wide-area super sword skill. The silver-crimson thunder tree trembled and swiftly retracted into my long sword. Then... Rumble—! I slashed Iustitia forward, compressing the thunderstorm to its limit until it transformed into a blinding beam of light that shot straight into the sky.
Electric arcs pierced the atmosphere, white smoke filling the air from the torrential downpour. Across thousands of meters, I watched as Poseidon hurled his trident; it collided with my artifact in a massive explosion. The sea of thunder surged, washing away the cold current and water pressure, while the severe cold froze my lightning mid-burst. Ice-blue lightning trees intertwined in the sky above, and the sheer force of magical energy felt like the very return of the gods.
This secret sword technique was grander than the [Sword of Promised Victory] and boasted a wider reach than the Sword of Rupture, its momentum concentrated at its highest point. I pushed it through the Trident's blockade, though the remaining power had been drained. What little thunder and lightning remained extended forward, meeting the waves Poseidon had gathered in his defense.
Layer upon layer, his natural defenses absorbed the expanding lightning tree, and the endless waves blocked the last remnants of my secret sword's power. What looked like a fragile wall of water turned out to be an impenetrable shield. Here we were, my elemental strength clashing against the god-level power of Poseidon, and the first round ended in a draw!
...
The area around us had nearly transformed into a sea, with lightning crackling and cold fog thickening around me. My expression remained steady even after that powerful strike. Poseidon appeared nonchalant as if he hadn't even exerted himself. His trident's attack had seemed like a crude burst of power, yet the water curtain following it held a stronger divine influence. I lightly grazed Iustitia, feeling a brief, enigmatic black flash before assuming a poised stance. Since the full force of thunder and lightning hadn't worked, I decided to switch tactics.
"Awaken Tempest - Swift as the wind and lightning - Quadruple acceleration..."
"Double Swords X Cut!"
In a burst of speed, I disappeared from the spot, my blade carving a long, narrow streak of light through the air. Projected Iustitia clashed with the trident, while the Iustitia in my other hand slashed out, radiating plasma. The golden slash descended, and the energy from the attack propelled me high into the sky.
A wound opened along Poseidon's arm, blood flowing as Iustitia cut deep. The electric plasma spattered across his face, while sharp ice edges and a powerful water cannon materialized above me, crashing down.
"Trace On - Full Projection Continuous Reproduction!"
A blue glow illuminated the air, and dozens of weapons—spears, swords, halberds—materialized behind me. Each Noble Phantasm, indistinguishable from the real thing, shot toward Poseidon on his chariot. I lunged forward like a bullet, feeling the cold air gradually freezing around me, and I activated the Broken Phantasm just in time. The rapid blasts of 'Bang bang bang...' and the explosion of magical energy erupted like fireworks, high-level Noble Phantasms even shattering Poseidon's chariot.
"Nemesis!" Poseidon bellowed, his fury unmistakable. He brandished his trident, summoning a violent storm of wind and rain, the sky-high waves crashing down. His freezing energy closely followed, and I knew that even a drop of seawater would freeze me instantly.
I thrust Iustitia forward, slashing through the advancing waves, splitting them with each strike. But Poseidon wasn't stopping. Raising the trident that symbolized the ocean, he summoned layer upon layer of white waves, each chasing me as I darted through the air. The entire landscape had become his domain, leaving me with precious little ground to stand on. His power only grew, spreading downward like a torrent.
The waters violently shook, forming a giant python from the waves, rushing up to strike me. Under Poseidon's control, the wave climbed higher until it towered like a hundred-meter tsunami. The water serpent merged with the wave, encircling me as I darted between openings. Right before the water closed in entirely, a ripple of silver-crimson light burst from me.
I raised Iustitia, channeling an immense surge of magical energy, and whispered, "Nature's Myriad Forms—Ultimate Gravity, The Domineering Star." In the next instant, a silver-crimson beam shot into the sky.
It seemed to miss its target, the gravity wave arcing upward as though it had slipped. Calmly, I prepared for my next move, opening my right hand. Ripples resembling puddles emerged around my fingers, and a spiral sword slowly materialized beside me.
"I am the rebirth of my past."
"Death may acquire my body, but alive is my soul."
"I've experienced over a thousand deaths."
My voice rang clear and resonant in the chaos. I pointed my sword at Poseidon, unleashing a red hurricane that spun around us, shattering the anaconda he had summoned. He observed me with a solemn expression, the trident firmly in his grip. Nothing could approach the area enveloped by my hurricane; it was the supreme divine construct [EA], capable of cutting through the very fabric of space. I had stolen it from Gilgamesh using Reincarnation Pandora: Usurper of the Celestial Wind.
"Unaware of my beginning," I chanted, my words echoing through the maelstrom.
"Nor aware of my end."
"Withstood the pain of death and the pain of rebirth."
"My hands weigh fate on an endless scale."
The lengthy chant stretched on without end, my expression indifferent as I released the red storm to combat Poseidon. This wasn't the liberation of a Noble Phantasm; I was simply wielding the Sword of Rupture. Defeating Poseidon in this manner felt fantastical, but I knew it could be achieved with a slight delay.
"Hmph!" Poseidon scoffed, clearly annoyed by the interference from my sword. His divine power surged as he stood upon the sea, the energy radiating from him palpable. He pointed the tip of his trident at me, and for a brief moment, the sea grew quiet before boiling into chaos. I felt the weight of his power coiling around the trident, brewing the most powerful blow he could muster.
"My strife, never-ending, as my elements protect me."
"While I move forward against the tides of time."
"My body, an element wielded to command my fate."
-- World of Primeval Chaos --
With a swift motion, Poseidon swung down the trident, and as he did, snowflakes and ashes obscured his sight. The sea split in two, creating a bottomless fault beneath us, and in a single stroke, even the submerged depths shattered. Yet, the blow failed to strike true. The colorless world around us gradually sharpened, the chaotic sea's power fading, revealing a landscape morphing in elemental strife. Jagged cliffs of ice rose skyward, their surfaces shimmering like shattered glass, while rivers of molten lava snaked through the cracks, hissing with fury.
Hurricane winds howled, carrying the thunderous roars of the storm—a cacophony that mirrored existence itself. Rocks hovered defiantly, suspended in the chaos, pulsating with an energy that crackled like static electricity. Lightning arced across the tumultuous sky, illuminating the horror of the landscape—a world locked in battle with itself, where snow and flame clashed violently, sending shards of ice and molten rock flying in all directions.
The atmosphere buzzed with primal energy as if the very essence of chaos had awakened. Beneath this swirling vortex, the ground writhed and heaved, fissures threatening to swallow everything in their path. The air shimmered, an unsteady balance of elements vying for dominance, ready to erupt in a riot of color and destruction.
"The World of Primeval Chaos is forged from endless regret and self-blame, a realm steeped in strife and enveloped in the haunting silence of death."
"Poseidon, God of the Sea, you will fall here forever! For I, Kara Zor-El, in this world, am the goddess of all elements!"
Looking upward, Poseidon observed the divine construct that stretched to its limit and emitted light. Under the god's calm gaze, I roared——
"Enuma Elish: The Star of Creation That Split Heaven and Earth!"
The sword of rupture shone with brilliance. The blade of the sword was spinning crazily, like a scene from hell, with crimson red covering my entire field of vision. The storm hit the unparalleled god. Poseidon raised his trident. Ice-blue light enveloped the artifact and struck at the unparalleled offensive. The light passed by, and the storm dissipated. The crimson wind tore apart the space, slashing the god's body, and the pale golden blood of the god spilled onto the snowy field. The full force of the Sword of Rupture was shattered from the front, and I covered my left arm, which was bleeding due to scratches.
It was evident that I suffered a defeat in this round, at least from Poseidon's perspective.
"Is this the fall you are talking about?" he taunted.
"Hahaha... spare me the amusement! This so-called mental image world is deserving of praise, but lacking additional means, meeting one's demise seems inevitable." Poseidon's expression turned deadly serious. He had always maintained a serious attitude and the intent to eliminate me, but now he was angered, feeling underestimated.
"Howling!"
The sound of the wind rushed into his ears, and the god looked up in confusion. A fiery red glow lit up the night sky. Something was falling fast, burning as it cut through the air. Six large meteorites were being pulled down from the sky by me.
"Well…," he muttered, trying to move. Poseidon's expression twisted in anger. He narrowed his eyes at me, who stood nearby with a smirk on my face and a staff that sent shivers down his spine, clearly pleased that my plan had worked. At that moment, he realized he had been outsmarted.
"Did you do this with that staff?" Poseidon said, feeling indignant.
By activating my Reality Marble, I had neutralized the advantages of the sea around us and cut off Poseidon's chance to revive himself by touching the seawater, a privilege that was naturally his. And by using the Staff of One, I had indeed immobilized Poseidon.
Seeing the god unable to move, I was aware of the risks involved and didn't want to take any chances. I activated my telekinesis and made Poseidon's trident fly out of his grasp and into my hands.
This strategy had been my plan from the beginning. I understood that defeating a god through normal means was no easy task. So, I chose to test the limits of my current strength and the capabilities of my Noble Phantasms.
As the meteorites drew closer, Poseidon laughed in the face of danger. "Very good! You are cunning as always, Nemesis!"
The meteorites crashed down, breaking the Bounded Field and causing it to collapse. Just moments before the catastrophic impact, I vanished into the shadows with the trident.