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Chapter: Love Stronger than Gold

Two winged beings soared overhead, feathers of metal shooting out like bullets toward the winged demons.

"Ssshhh!"

Forseti swiftly maneuvered the winged demon to evade, but the feathers grazed both him and the demon, inflicting wounds.

Constricted by the winged demon's cramped space, retaliation was difficult. With the two birdmen preparing to strike again, Forseti summoned the Scarlet Commander's Shield, its holy light ablaze, and held it defensively.

The birdmen flanked him from either side.

Forseti glanced down, spotting Egyptian forces below in hot pursuit. Being grounded would complicate matters.

Passing the shield to Shilut, Forseti gripped his warhammer, commanding the winged demon to charge one of the birdmen at full speed.

Startled, the birdman veered aside, unleashing a barrage of feathers.

Forseti pursued relentlessly, closing the distance. As they neared, he leaped, deflecting the feathers with a burst of blinding light from his left hand while swinging the Judgment Hammer with his right.

"Boom!" The birdman staggered, blinded by the light, and Forseti's hammer struck true.

Forseti descended, adjusting his posture with flames, then guided the winged demon to a safe height of 100 meters before taking flight once more.

The remaining birdman, wary after witnessing his comrade's demise, kept his distance. Forseti continued using the shield to ward off attacks until they finally escaped Serbenitus.

To ensure safety, he flew the winged demon until its energy waned, landing in a secluded wilderness to rest.

Diops grew restless. "When do we head to Megara City?"

"After I tend to my wounds, at least," Forseti replied, showing the wound on his hand. "Do you truly have a love stronger than Uru? Patience is key."

Diops fell silent.

Treating his wound, Forseti turned to Khonshu. "How are you holding up?"

"It's manageable, but I'd advise using my statue form. My energy is nearly depleted; relying solely on moonlight is taxing," Khonshu's voice emanated from the statue.

Forseti nodded.

"What's our next move?" Khonshu inquired.

"Naturally, we aim to eliminate Apocalypse. He captured Asgardian folk unjustly, and justice demands retribution," Forseti declared.

"And will you call for aid from Asgard?" Khonshu asked.

Forseti pondered briefly. "Isn't Apocalypse considerably weakened now?"

"Weak, relative to his peak, yes. But he remains the most formidable entity on this planet. Neither of us stands a chance against him alone," Khonshu remarked, then added, "However..."

"However?" Forseti prompted.

"If we strike during Apocalypse's rebirth ritual, our odds improve significantly. During the ceremony, he's defenseless, relying solely on his Four Horsemen—now three, since Famine Knight's demise by your hand," Khonshu explained.

"When is this rebirth ceremony?" Forseti inquired.

"May is approaching. Based on my knowledge, should he intend to revive imminently, he'll choose the Summer Solstice in June at the Rebirth Pyramid in Ellie Fontina. Situated on the Tropic of Cancer, it's the optimal time due to direct sunlight on the pyramid, expediting the ceremony," Khonshu replied.

He continued, "Diops, do you know why Apocalypse would select one particular person from the dungeon over a Aesir body?"

Shaking his head, Diops replied, "I just arrived yesterday."

Forseti noted, "The individual, Immortal, possesses extraordinary self-healing abilities. I witnessed him recover swiftly from a neck wound."

"No wonder. Such a capability outweighs an ordinary Aesir body," Khonshu remarked. "I predict Apocalypse will conduct the rebirth ritual soon."

"We have approximately a month to prepare," Forseti mused.

Diops clenched his fists with determination. "In a month, we'll end Apocalypse! He took my eye, and I'll be the one to kill him! Afterward, I'll marry Helen."

Forseti couldn't allow someone else to claim the head of such a significant villain as Apocalypse. He resolved to be the one to deliver the final blow.

After resting, they resumed their journey northward toward Megara City.

Close to Athens, Megara City ranked among Greece's prominent city-states.

Upon entering Megara, Diops eagerly exclaimed, "Rest at the tavern. I'll fetch Helen and bring her here to meet my lover."

Before Forseti could respond, Diops hurried off.

Once Diops had gone, Khonshu's voice emanated from the statue. "Aesir Gods are no different from humans in their nature."

Forseti remained noncommittal, heading to a nearby pub. He ordered food and wine, finishing his meal and lingering in the tavern, waiting for Diops.

Time passed, yet Diops did not return, leaving Forseti growing anxious.

Could the Egyptians have tracked them here?

Frowning, Forseti left the pub, retracing Diops' path.

As he walked through the city streets, Khonshu's voice suddenly spoke up. "Look to your left."

Forseti turned, reaching a small riverbank, where he halted in astonishment. "This..."

There sat Diops by the riverside, head bowed, hands on knees, gazing at the water.

A chilling breeze swept his face, carrying an indescribable sense of desolation.

"Diops?"

No response. Diops remained silent.

Approaching, Forseti noticed Diops' eye reddened, his expression melancholy and worn.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Forseti asked.

Diops' lips trembled, tears streaming from his eye, yet he struggled to speak.

"What's the matter?"

Still no response. Diops' lips quivered, tears continuing to flow.

Breaking the tense silence, Khonshu's voice from the statue intervened. "Has your lover moved on to someone else?"

His words hit like a meteor striking a dam.

"Ahhh!" Diops suddenly broke down, tears flowing uncontrollably as he covered his face, until he lost balance and fell into the water.

A pitiful sight.

"..." Forseti sighed, reaching out to pull him from the water.

Diops stumbled out, the bandage over his eye dislodged, revealing the scarred left eye.

Forseti raised an eyebrow. "Hey, your eye..."