As soon as I was allowed control of my body, I sprinted through the forest.
Wait at the bottom of the hill. I will handle everything. I spoke in my head, unsure how telepathy worked, but hoping the message reached Zerlos as Osidon said it would.
Over the weeks spent in Unus, I had exerted myself many times. However, I never had to act out of the safety of my disciples.
Now that lives were on the line, I was truly able to push my body to its limits.
I sprinted through the trees, leaping over fallen logs and ducking beneath low branches.
My white hair flowed against the wind, and my robes danced. I wished to remove them, due to the resistance they created against the wind, but I couldn't slow down.
I focused on nothing but sprinting, though I could see the large hill to the left in my peripheral vision.
My mind attempted to wander to worst-case scenarios, but I didn't allow it, keeping my thoughts on my task.
That was until I was interrupted by a sound coming through the forest ahead of me.
I came to a stop, my feet skidding through the dirt beneath me as I attempted to slow myself.
Closing my eyes, I enhanced my hearing.
The sounds grew closer and closer until I opened my eyes, knowing that whatever neared me would fall into sight.
That was when I saw him.
Ahead of me, leaping through the trees as I did, was a shirtless man.
He wore baggy trousers and no shoes. His hair was brown and tied into a ponytail, and his face was handsome.
His physique was truly impressive. Both bulky and muscular to the point where I thought his movement would be hindered; however, from the speed he had reached here, I could tell he was still nimble.
The man must have noticed me as he came to a stop.
Through the trees, we looked at each other for a moment before silently agreeing to step out and meet face to face.
Now that we stood closer, I was truly met with how large he was.
Even in my new form, the man was twice my bulk and perhaps a head taller than me.
On Earth, he would have been seen as a giant.
"It seems that we had the same plans, god of the broken. What is your name?"
The large man's voice was arrogant, and I hated the fact that he was right.
"Vale, and yours?"
"Teros," he said as he cupped a hand to his ear.
"I was hoping that I would hear the sounds of battle. Truly, you made a bad decision choosing this tactic. Unless, you have somehow been granted a miracle."
I didn't know what he was talking about, but I focused my senses to see if I could hear anything, and there was only silence.
Please tell me you are okay, Zerlos.
"Let me ask you a question, Vale, before we do the inevitable. How many men have you sent up that hill?" Teros asked, but I remained silent, refusing to give him an answer.
The man continued.
"Truthfully, I am not concerned. I ask so that you are aware of the situation that faces you. Fifteen of my men have climbed that hill, and all are familiar with the sword."
It took every fiber of my godhood to stop myself from reacting, but even then, something in my face must have given away my worry.
Teros smiled a terrible smile, which eventually grew into a cruel laugh.
"Don't tell me you have brought weaklings into battle, Vale! Do you not care for the lives of your people?" His laugh continued, booming through the forest.
I focused my senses again, hoping to hear some sign of battle, but I was met with only the ambience of the forest.
"You are a liar. You do not seem like the type that would lead such a prosperous world," I called him out, trying to make my voice sound as confident as possible.
Teros raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders.
"You do not need to believe me. After the battle is over, you will see the results that my men were able to accomplish. You will return to an empty world, alone. The bodies of your followers skewered on the blades of mine."
Anger began to well inside of me as I was met with the cruelty of a god.
I was half convinced that he was bluffing. For him to have 15 men, all practitioners of the blade, he would need to have led a near-perfect world.
The chances of that were just too low, especially for a god like him.
However, it was not impossible.
My people were at risk. I brought them into these fields; therefore, I would be responsible for their deaths.
I hated myself for the fact that I dared to even bring the women along, simply due to the fact that greater numbers could potentially lead to a higher chance of victory.
This is no time to chastise yourself.
I was left with only one other option. A simple way to save the lives of my disciples.
If I destroyed this man before his men were able to reach mine, then it didn't matter whether he lied or spoke the truth.
There were two ways towards victory, and I decided that I would aim towards the death of a god.
I focused my senses one last time to ensure that battle had not yet started in the distance. Once confirmed, I lowered my stance and readied to pounce.
Teros, god of foolhardiness, mimicked me as a smile etched onto his face.
"Good decision, Vale. It may be a small one, but it is the only chance you have at winning this battle!" His voice roared through the forest, and spittle flew from his mouth.
"Let us clash, god of the broken. Divine against the divine!"
Then I dashed towards him.