The gap in power was too massive.
Ryuji, at the peak of a hero's level, stood no chance against Ares, the God of War, who was at the apex of legendary. It was like a gulf too wide to cross.
If it hadn't been for Ryuji's clever tactics that momentarily weakened Ares' defenses, he wouldn't have stood a chance at even scratching him. Despite the damage, Ryuji knew it was superficial at best. The God of War's regenerative abilities would kick in soon enough.
"You've done well, mortal," Ares sneered, standing tall amidst the debris. "But I haven't even started."
The words struck a chord of déjà vu for Ryuji, though he had no time to ponder why. Ares launched himself forward like a missile, the sheer force of his movement ripping through the air.
Ryuji's body froze. His mind went blank.
The wind howled, his hair whipping around his face, though his short-cut locks barely moved. The moment was overwhelming, a cold realization settling in: he wasn't fast enough.
Before he could even react, death was inches away.
---
Pain like he had never known before erupted through his chest.
Ryuji's eyes widened in shock as he glanced downward. Ares' massive fist had torn straight through his torso, shattering his ribs, pulverizing his heart, and obliterating his lungs. Blood poured from the gaping wound, spilling down onto the ground below.
His breathing faltered, shallow gasps coming out as red streaked his lips. Heat burned in his chest one moment, and then the world turned icy cold. He could feel the life draining from him.
*Is this it?*
The thought was almost laughable. He had barely begun to understand the powers granted to him, barely scratched the surface of his purpose. To die now, just as he was starting to matter—it wasn't fair.
---
"Ryuji—NO!"
The desperate cry pierced through the haze in his mind. Diana's voice.
Her tears fell freely as she ran toward him, her warrior resolve momentarily breaking. Ryuji felt a pang of bittersweet satisfaction amidst his despair. If nothing else, at least their connection had meant something.
*One night with a goddess… not bad for a mortal, right?*
A faint, bitter smile crept across his bloodied face.
---
But he wasn't done yet.
Even as his vision dimmed and his body failed him, a surge of raw determination exploded within him. His thoughts turned dark and focused. If he was going to die, he wasn't going alone.
"Argh!!" Ryuji roared, mustering every ounce of strength left in his broken form.
A "Dark Light Cone" formed in his trembling hand, sharper and more concentrated than anything he had created before. With a feral cry, he lunged forward, gripping Ares' arm tightly to keep him in place.
The cone pierced directly into Ares' right eye.
---
The explosion was immediate and devastating.
Ares screamed in agony as the dark energy detonated within his skull. The corroding, tearing magic wreaked havoc, ripping through nerves and bone with ruthless efficiency. Half of the God of War's head was nearly obliterated.
Roaring in pain, Ares flung Ryuji's limp body aside like a ragdoll, the mortal crashing into the ground with bone-shattering force.
---
Diana skidded to a halt, watching helplessly as Ryuji's body crumpled on the earth.
"No!" she cried, her voice breaking with anguish. Tears blurred her vision, but she forced herself to look away. Ryuji's sacrifice had given her the opening she needed.
Ares, half-blinded and unsteady, roared in fury. His arrogance had cost him dearly, and he staggered as he tried to regain control. But Diana didn't hesitate.
---
The Goddess of War charged forward, her fists glowing with divine energy.
"ARES!"
Her battle cry shook the battlefield as she slammed into him with full force. Blow after blow rained down on the God of War, her rage fueling her strength.
Ares faltered, unable to keep up with her ferocity. His vision swam from the damage to his skull, and his attempts to fight back were clumsy and desperate.
But Diana wasn't holding back. She struck again and again until Ares collapsed into a crater, his body broken and battered.
---
Meanwhile, Logan and Victor rushed to Ryuji's side.
"Ryuji! Can you hear me?" Logan called, his voice trembling. He knelt beside his friend, careful not to jostle his shattered body.
Ryuji's eyes fluttered open weakly. His breathing was shallow, each gasp accompanied by a wet, rattling sound. Blood coated his lips, but somehow, he managed a faint smirk.
"Logan…" he rasped.
"I'm here," Logan said, gripping Ryuji's hand tightly.
---
"Take care of… Diana," Ryuji whispered, his voice barely audible. "She's… too good for this world… Don't let her…"
His words trailed off as his strength gave out. His hand went limp, falling from Logan's grasp.
"Ryuji…?" Logan's voice cracked.
Diana, having dealt the final blow to Ares, turned to see Ryuji's lifeless form. Her heart shattered as she fell to her knees beside him, tears streaming down her face.
But was this truly the end?
###
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