The tension in the hall reached a boiling point, with Jay and Ares' spiritual power surging higher and higher. The blazing light radiating from them burned like a raging inferno, illuminating the entire battlefield.
Jay gripped the Scorching Heaven Halberd tightly, his eyes fixed on Mara. Though his breath was unsteady and his body battered, his unyielding resolve was awe-inspiring. In a low voice, he declared, "Ares, we can't back down. Even if we die, we'll drag him to hell with us!"
Ares nodded, the destructive light from his spear glowing fiercely. He radiated the aura of a true War God as he roared and charged at Mara:
"War Storm – Divine Judgment!"
A golden-red storm of destruction and retribution erupted, surging toward Mara with unstoppable might.
Jay followed close behind, channeling his spiritual energy to its peak. His body trembled slightly, but his gaze was sharp and cold. The resonance between his and Ares' powers intensified, crackling with lightning energy. He shouted, "Mara! Witness the power we hold!"
Mara's brow furrowed slightly, a subtle trace of solemnity flashing in his eyes. He extended his hand, conjuring a barrier of dark purple energy before him:
"Abyssal Shield."
The Abyssal Shield, like an endless void, devoured all surrounding light, radiating an oppressive aura. Yet, as the War Storm descended, the destructive force shook even this seemingly impenetrable defense.
"Boom!"
The War Storm, like divine punishment, collided with the Abyssal Shield. The massive impact made the entire hall quake violently. The ground cracked, stone pillars shattered, and the walls were covered in countless fractures.
"Crack!"
A small fracture appeared on the surface of the Abyssal Shield, quickly spreading. Finally, with a thunderous explosion, the shield shattered. Ares' spear shot straight toward Mara, while Jay's Scorching Heaven Halberd attacked fiercely from the other side.
Mara took a small step back, raising his right hand to block Ares' spear with his palm. The clash of spear and hand produced an ear-piercing metallic screech. His cold voice cut through the chaos:
"Is this the extent of your power? I'll admit—it's stronger than I expected."
Though he successfully stopped the spear, a faint dark red mark appeared on his palm. His brow furrowed slightly, and he turned his attention to Jay's approaching halberd. Raising his left hand, he caught the blade between two fingers.
"However," Mara said with an icy smile, his eyes glinting with malice, "it's still far from enough."
With a sudden surge of strength, he sent Ares stumbling backward and flung Jay's halberd away, the weapon embedding itself deep into the ground.
Jay staggered back, his chest heaving as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Clenching his fists, he growled, "This guy… he's a monster!"
Ares regained his footing, his sharp gaze fixed on Mara. "Even War Storm – Divine Judgment couldn't deal real damage. Jay, his defenses are overwhelming—we need a way to break through."
Mara looked at them, a mocking smile playing on his lips. Wiping the blood from his palm, he spoke with a calm yet domineering tone:
"I must admit, your last attack was impressive—enough to make me feel a sliver of pressure. But if you think that alone can shake me, you're deluding yourselves."
Behind him, the shadow of a three-headed, six-armed demonic deity grew clearer, exuding unparalleled dominance. Dark purple energy surged around him as Mara's voice thundered like a storm through the hall:
"If you're so eager to see true power, then allow me to show you. Let me send you off properly!"
Jay and Ares exchanged a glance. Though their bodies were nearing their limits, their fighting spirit burned hotter than ever. They knew that retreat was no longer an option.
Jay's breath was erratic, his chest heaving as his pale face bore the marks of heavy blood loss. Yet, his eyes still burned with an unyielding determination.
Propping himself up with the Scorching Sky Halberd, he fixed his gaze firmly on Mara and gritted his teeth, saying, "Ares, even if we burn the last of our spirit energy, we can't let this guy look down on us."
Ares, covered in wounds, stood tall despite his trembling spear, which still emitted an intimidating aura. He replied in a low, resolute voice, "Jay, I'll stand with you! Even if this is our final battle!"
The two synchronized their energies once again, their combined aura erupting into a dazzling brilliance. Ares let out a thunderous roar: "Heaven's Execution!" His spear swept out, transforming into a sharp streak of light aimed directly at Mara.
Jay followed closely behind, enduring the intense pain wracking his body. With both hands channeling his remaining spirit energy, he unleashed a brilliant Thunder Flash Curse at Mara's flank with blinding speed.
Mara's eyes narrowed slightly as he crossed his arms to block the attacks. A heavy barrier of purple-black demonic energy materialized in front of him. Yet, Ares's strike fractured the barrier, and the sharp edge of his attack grazed Mara's shoulder, leaving a deep gash.
."Impressive," Mara murmured, glancing at the wound on his shoulder with a cold smile. "It's been a long time since I've felt pain like this."
In an instant, his figure vanished, reappearing before Jay and Ares. With a surge of black flames coiling in his hands, he unleashed "Demonic Dragon Wave!"
The searing demonic energy transformed into a roaring dragon that charged toward them. Ares immediately stepped forward, activating Ironblood Guardian to absorb most of the impact. However, the overwhelming force shattered his shield and sent both men flying backward.
Jay crashed into the wall with a sickening thud, blood gushing from his mouth as his body crumpled like a broken puppet. The Scorching Sky Halberd slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.
"Jay!" Ares roared, forcing himself back onto his feet despite his battered body. His spear's light dimmed further, the toll of battle clearly evident.
Mara approached them slowly, his aura exuding terror with every step. Towering over them, he looked down with a cold expression and said, "I must admit, you surprised me. Your ability to synchronize your energies to this extent is commendable. But ultimately, your power is still insignificant before me."
He extended a hand cloaked in swirling demonic energy, a purple-black light gathering in his palm. "You've earned my respect... so I will personally send you to the underworld."
Jay struggled to his feet, his body trembling on the brink of collapse, yet his gaze remained steadfast.
"To the underworld?" He coughed, the blood staining his lips even more pronounced. "Mara, do you think you've already won? You've forgotten… we've long abandoned our fear of death!"
His hand slowly lifted, reclaiming the Scorching Sky Halberd. Energy faintly flickered around him as he gritted his teeth and let out a guttural roar. "Even if I burn away every last shred of my spirit energy, I'll tear you apart!"
Ares, still standing, gripped his spear tightly once more. His gaze met Jay's, conveying a shared resolve. "Even if it's just one chance, we'll show him the strength of our will!"
Once again, the remnants of their spirit energy ignited, flaring brightly like a raging inferno. Jay's voice dropped to a determined whisper: "Ares, this time, it's not about winning. It's about making sure he goes down with us."
Mara scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "Fools." Yet, deep within his eyes, a glimmer of caution flickered.