305

[Odin's Dire Straits]

"Odin, your time is running out," Mangog stated calmly. "But no, I want a bit more time to relish your suffering... Perhaps a billion curses of the undead would suffice."

Odin drew a deep breath, rising slowly as thunder rumbled around him, almost transforming into a tempest.

"If my end comes today, perhaps it is deserved," he spoke slowly, his breath heavy. "I've taken many lives, believing might justified all. I was wrong... Fate remains impartial."

"Heh, surprising to hear Odin, king of gods, admit fault," Mangog sneered, his expression suddenly changing.

Looking down, he noticed his form had shrunk slightly.

Odin, too, observed this development and realized its significance. Gazing skyward, he whispered, "I thank you for your mercy."

In the shadows, a listener responded, and Mangog's form flickered briefly, shrinking further.

Enraged and comprehending what had occurred, Mangog—a reservoir of animosity toward Odin—experienced dissipation of his power as Odin acknowledged his failings.

"Think admitting guilt will save you? Your actions cannot be redeemed so simply!" Mangog retorted.

Odin remained silent.

Mangog was right—Odin's countless acts of cosmic warfare could not be absolved by mere admission of guilt. The diminishing of Mangog's power was only a fractionally small consequence of Odin's remorse.

Mangog lunged anew, his colossal form like a meteor aimed straight at Odin. Swiftly, he struck, causing the earth to tremble once more.

Odin dodged, his movements trailing arcs of thunder and lightning across the sky, before thrusting with the Spear of Eternity, releasing a rainbow-hued bolt.

Mangog retaliated with a dark crimson beam, resembling a scab of dried blood, to meet Odin's thunderous assault.

"Boom!"

The clash unleashed a thunderous explosion, a shockwave rippling out with blinding light and deafening sound.

Though weakened, Mangog remained superior to Odin.

Under Mangog's onslaught, Asgard's might, which once threatened worlds, dwindled rapidly. The rainbow thunder fractured into faint arcs before dissipating completely.

Mangog's crimson beam, however, maintained its deadly trajectory, striking Odin with force.

"Aargh!" Odin cried out as he was flung backwards.

"Hah!" Mangog prepared for another strike when suddenly, a mighty neigh rang out. Odin's eight-legged horse charged in, crashing into Mangog.

The eight-legged horse, Odin's mount, possessed strength surpassing many dragons.

Caught off guard, Mangog was knocked to the ground by the horse's powerful assault.

The eight-legged horse pummeled Mangog's face like warhammers.

"Grr!" Mangog growled in fury, seizing the horse's legs in his grasp, countering its attack.

"Neigh!" The eight-legged horse struggled to break free.

"Boom!" Mangog slammed the horse's legs down, creating a massive crater.

Already gravely injured, the eight-legged horse was further incapacitated, unable to retaliate.

Watching his faithful mount face certain death at Mangog's hands, Odin acted swiftly. Struggling to his feet, he hurled the Spear of Eternity.

The spear streaked through the air, thundering toward Mangog, only to be caught and redirected by Mangog's colossal claws.

The Spear of Eternity tore a large hole in Mangog's paw, but the wound swiftly healed, closing almost as soon as it was made.

With a grip of iron, Mangog held the spear, dark crimson light swirling between his massive claws like coursing blood.

Pale and weakened, Odin reached out, attempting to summon the spear back.

"Crack!" The spear flickered briefly before Mangog's unyielding grip.

Mangog roared, waving his arm, and the Spear of Eternity hurtled back toward Odin, its destructive power amplified.

"Aaargh!" Odin's scream pierced the air as the spear impaled him.

The Spear of Eternity tore through Odin's form, unleashing a cataclysmic force that reduced the ruins beneath him to dust, leaving a desolate crater.

"Odin, I am your natural nemesis," Mangog intoned slowly. "Asgard's strength, formidable though it may be, wanes in my presence, rendered insignificant against my might."

Helpless against Mangog's overwhelming assault, Odin lay on the ground, blood seeping from his lips, unable to rise despite his efforts.

Witnessing Odin's plight, Forseti felt a surge of panic.

Had Odin truly fallen? Would Asgard succumb?

Forseti's mind raced, realizing he was powerless. The gulf between himself and Mangog was insurmountable, and even the Holy Light's restraint could not bridge the divide.

But sitting idle was not an option. Asgard's few remaining defenders were scant, and action was imperative.

Seeing Odin's life in the balance, Forseti made a swift decision, retrieving a set of scarlet armor from his Sanctuary space.

This flame armor, taken from a dragon knight and imbued with Surtur's fiery essence, held immense power.

While Forseti couldn't wield the armor himself, he could infuse it with Holy Light and detonate it.

Clutching the flame armor, he poured Holy Light into it fervently, depleting his mana rapidly.

Gritting his teeth, Forseti watched the armor flicker with Holy Light.

If this failed, he was prepared to hurl it into Mangog's maw.

With resolve, Forseti ascended, raising the armor high. With a powerful throw, he launched the Holy Light-infused flame armor toward Mangog.

Mangog turned to face him.

In that moment, Forseti gestured.

"Holy Shock!"

The flame armor erupted with blinding Holy Light, flames billowing forth, transforming into a colossal sphere of golden-red light that engulfed Mangog.

"Boom!"

The earth-shaking explosion drowned out all sound.

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