182

Sun God

Under the combined effects of Healing Stones, Holy Light infusion, and a flash of Holy Light, Diops's grievous abdominal wound healed rapidly, leaving behind only a twisted scar.

Diops fluttered his eyelids awake in confusion. "Am I dead?"

"You're alive, but you've lost another eye," Forseti replied, helping him up.

Diops panicked for a moment before realizing, "No, my right eye is intact."

Forseti clarified, "It's your navel."

Looking down, Diops discovered his abdomen nearly obscured by a massive scar, rendering his belly button invisible.

Forseti retrieved Khonshu's statue from the ground. "Khonshu, how do you feel?"

"Remember to place me under the moon..." Khonshu murmured weakly.

Luckily, none of them perished. Forseti wasted no time, pointing and instructing, "Diops, blast open that wall over there."

Diops opened his left eye and fired a red beam at the designated spot.

"Boom!"

The wall crumbled, debris scattering around.

Outside the pyramid, the factions engaged in combat noticed the commotion.

"What's happening?"

"Did we succeed?"

Aristotle, blood-spattered from battle, gasped for breath after dispatching an opponent. "Why the delay? What's happening inside the pyramid?"

"But Agamotto isn't dead, which is likely good news," a mage stated, holding a golden-sealed envelope.

"What's that?" Clatrus queried.

"Agamotto's posthumous message. If unopened upon his death, it indicates he's unharmed," the Master explained.

"Look atop the tower!" Suddenly, a cry rang out.

All eyes turned upward to witness near the pyramid's pinnacle,

A towering, blond youth stood amidst the recently blasted hole. Bathed in radiant golden light, his figure gleamed against the sun's metallic reflection, as if embodying the sun itself.

Clutching a lifeless blue form, he bellowed, "Followers of false gods, behold what I hold!"

"Apocalypse's corpse!" Aristotle identified with a laugh. "Hahaha, we've succeeded! The false god is no more!"

"The pseudo-god is vanquished!" echoed the Brotherhood of the Shield and their allies.

Forseti smiled, flames igniting in his hand. Soon, Apocalypse's remains were consumed, holy light intertwining with the blaze, intensifying its brilliance.

Apocalypse had long proclaimed himself the omnipotent deity, particularly as the sun god... Thus, the scene appeared as the false sun god's demise, supplanted by the true sun god.

Consequently, the Brotherhood of the Shield and others amended their chants.

"The false god is dead, long live the true god!"

"The false god is dead, long live the true god!"

"The true sun god has come to deliver us!"

Unlike ordinary soldiers, members of the Brotherhood of the Shield and the God Legion harbored no fanatical beliefs toward individuals. Their chants aimed to undermine enemy morale.

Conversely, the Egyptian legion, largely staunch believers in Apocalypse, faced despair. The core dilemma of "whom to fight for" weighed heavily upon them. Witnessing Apocalypse's demise, most lost their will to fight, opting instead to flee.

Others surrendered on the spot.

Aristotle seized the moment. "Surrender and spare yourselves from death!"

More Egyptian soldiers fled or surrendered.

With Apocalypse's remains reduced to ashes, the battle neared its conclusion.

Forseti and company exited the pyramid, accompanied by Howlett.

Roused by Agamotto, Howlett remained bewildered, trailing them from the pyramid.

"Let's return. General Antikes will handle the aftermath," Forseti directed.

Agamotto and his mages reopened the portal, ushering most of the Brotherhood of the Holy Shield and the God Legion back to the Academy, leaving a token force to assist General Antikes's human legion.

Back in his quarters at the Academy, Forseti rested, reflecting on the pyramid skirmish.

It had been a harrowing experience. Apocalypse, a deity for over two millennia, possessed formidable strength, possibly surpassing that of a second-tier divine entity at his peak. Fortunately, Apocalypse had chosen to possess Forseti instead of outright slaying him, providing a narrow escape.

Considering Apocalypse's defeat in the soul space, Forseti mused over the circumstances.

The Sacred Deed's connection to his soul had precipitated Apocalypse's undoing...

For an evil soul, such a connection with the Sacred Deed amounted to self-destruction.

Indeed, Apocalypse had met his end by his own hand.

With Apocalypse's demise, Forseti wondered if it would alter history. He harbored concerns, especially regarding future Avengers.

Yet, if history indeed altered, he could do naught but accept it.

That said, what had transpired in Asgard? Why hadn't Ullr reached out?

Ullr, Asgard's gatekeeper, a third-tier divine entity. What significant event kept him occupied?

If silence persisted, would Forseti remain confined to Earth indefinitely?

Such musings darkened Forseti's mood until nightfall, when moonlight streamed through his window.

Acting swiftly, he carried Khonshu's statue outside, exposing it to the moon's rays.

After a time, as moonlight fused into the statue, Khonshu stirred. Though frail, his consciousness rekindled. "Incredible... How did you manage to defeat Apocalypse?"

"Perhaps fate," Forseti replied succinctly.

Khonshu fell silent, declining further inquiry. "In a few days, replace me with an ordinary soul statue. I no longer wish to reside within this accursed statue."

"I'm unsure how to create a soul statue."

"Consult Agamotto; he will possess the requisite knowledge. Crafting a perfect vessel for my future essence will likely necessitate his aid," Khonshu advised.

"Very well. I'll seek him out tomorrow," Forseti agreed, returning indoors.

Eagerly, he opened the Sacred Deed.

With Apocalypse vanquished, what arcane spells might now be within his grasp?