Adorned With Pride, Approved By God
After Adam's resolution, he became the embodiment of destruction. It didn't matter what was in his way, it was bound to fall before him. Constantly exuding crushing pressure with his ability, Adam chose to flatten everything.
"Adam, is this what you've chosen?" [Astos]
He came prepared to remove the Temple, so he shall. Any heroes who came close were cut down, any structures near him collapsed, and the fates of those too slow to escape were met with an unfortunate demise.
"Adam! You're killing civilians! You don't need to do this!" [Krino]
"No, don't listen to him. Who are they to be innocent? They reside in this city benefitting from the suffering of others outside it. No one here is innocent. You are only surrounded by enemies." [Astos]
As Adam paved a path towards the temple, more and more heroes emerged. They fueled his strength, turning their |Divine| energy into his upon their deaths.
"Do not falter! We are this land's last defense!" [Anxious Hero]
Heroes full of fear and courage attacked, only to be cut down in an instant. The streets were filled with blood and debris. If not for Adam's ability pulling the blood off of him, he'd be coated crimson.
"Adam, this isn't you! Astos, didn't you say that absorbing |Divine| energy would make him better?!" [Krino]
"I said it would counteract the effects of |Demonic| energy. |Divine| energy brings about clarity. This is all his decision." [Astos]
The amount that Adam had accumulated was immense. He had collected the power of hundreds of heroes, each holding power worthy of their title. Thus, dwarfing his own mana by tens of times. At some point, Adam skipped the step of consuming mana to activate his skill and just used |Divine| energy directly.
"Wait, Adam! Your body can't handle something like that!" [Astos]
Worried as he was, Adam's body gradually adapted. Not only was Adam using the |Divine| energy to bolster his abilities, he used it to strengthen his physique. His strikes became sharper, heavier, and more lethal as time passed. By the time he reached the temple, he had taken the lives and power of most of the lesser heroes.
"I must admit, its quality is a bit better than other mortal structures." [Astos]
The temple was a structure crafted purely out of smooth white bricks with a rainbow-like sheen. Very similar to that of a certain bridge Adam had helped build a while ago. He could feel, or rather, decipher a few out of several enchantments placed on each brick, making the entire structure almost impervious to outside forces. It was then coupled by a large golden door as an entrance, with a few images carved in to describe a story.
"Halt." [???]
Standing at the doors of the Temple, a figure stood firmly. Clad fully in white armor, he wielded a shield shaped like an arrowhead and a double edged longsword. Judging by the shield symbol on his chestplate, Adam assumed it was a Supreme Hero.
"...Get out of my way." [Adam]
The Supreme Hero looked Adam up and down before speaking.
"Just because you've defeated some low ranked heroes you think you can act so arrogantly?." [???]
Without warning, Adam lunged.
"You-?!" [???]
Raising his shield at the last moment, the Supreme Hero managed to block. The force behind the strike caused him to slide back a few meters and leave his arm numb with a throbbing pain slowly entering.
"Ha… haha… A surprise attack? You're quite the coward for that." [???]
His heart raced as thoughts of losing his life flashed in his mind. Adam was stronger than expected.
("...Reports said that he was only a bit stronger than the lesser known heroes! What kind of strength is this?! -And where is Tearsman?! He was supposed to be deployed to the field with me!") [???]
"Will you still not let me pass?" [Adam]
The Supreme Hero grit his teeth and took a combative stance.
"By the honor of my name, Carnum Lyte, you shall not get past me." [Carnum Lyte]
Gripping his blade, Adam replied.
"So be it." [Adam]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Moments later, Adam pushed open the temple doors.
"Whoever made this place is pretty… extravagant." [Krino]
Rather than some religious holy place, it looked to be like a castle. Specifically, a throne room. It was a massive empty room, held up with massive pillars to match. There was a large red carpet laid out leading to an elevated platform. The platform housed a throne, where there was someone currently seated.
"Welcome, false hero. How was your visit to the Temple?" [???]
On the throne sat an old man dressed in a robe of gold and white. He had long silver hair and eyes of mismatched color. It was odd to see that since there were no pupils either. The right eye was pure black, whereas the left was pure white.
"Are you the king of this place?" [Adam]
"King?" [Old Man]
The old man took a moment to ponder.
"In a sense… You may be correct. I am one chosen by the gods, the residing lord of this land, the one who sees the dark, the one who sees the light, the pope of righteous divine. I am… Avatario Nemulyte" [Avatario]
Unimpressed by the old man's introduction, Adam began to walk down the red carpet.
"Stop." [???]
Appearing before Adam were seven knights, each with the symbol of a shield on their chest.
("More Supreme Heroes?") [Adam]
Six of them guarded Adam's path, whereas only one stayed by the old man's side.
"Really now… You guys are making this more trouble than it's worth." [Adam]
None of the heroes replied. However, they did glare at him.
"False hero, for your crimes against the Temple, humanity, the gods, and all that is righteous… On behalf of every being, I decree your execution." [Avatario]
Once the command was given, all six Supreme Heroes drew their weapons.
"..." [Adam]
The way the old man spoke disgusted Adam. Spouting nonsense about righteousness and good when he was the very opposite of that. It only made Adam more resolute in his actions. Closing his eyes and gripping his sword tightly, white lightning crackled around him ferociously.
"I can assure you all, I take no pleasure in what comes next." [Adam]