521
[Power of the Phoenix]
Although only a fraction of its power was intercepted, it greatly incensed the Phoenix.
A brilliant red light burst forth as the entirety of the Phoenix Force erupted from Jean Grey's form, coalescing into a majestic phoenix in mid-air, shrieking with fury.
"Wow—"
The phoenix lunged at Forseti, but was repelled by his holy shield, failing to breach it.
Forseti swiftly reinforced his Divine Shield, keenly monitoring the situation within himself.
A strand of phoenix energy entered his body, stirring the flames within him. Although uncomfortable, Forseti sensed no harm; the Holy Shield technique would expel any detrimental effects.
Temporarily setting aside the internal phoenix energy, Forseti turned his attention to the enraged phoenix outside.
"Wow—"
After its failed attack, the phoenix soared high, exuding formidable force.
Jean Grey lay unconscious, possibly from the shockwave moments before.
Forseti swiftly distanced himself from her, ascending into the sky. With clasped hands, he swiftly condensed holy light into a partially open cage.
"Wow—"
The phoenix, screeching furiously, swooped down like a meteor ablaze with tail flames, crashing into him with a resounding boom.
"Boom!"
Despite its increased strength, the phoenix's assault failed to breach the Holy Shield's defenses.
Forseti reacted promptly. The freshly formed Holy Light cage pivoted, swiftly ensnaring the phoenix and attempted to confine its power.
However, Forseti's optimism was premature. Although this phoenix fragment before him hadn't yet reached universe-shattering potency, its formidable force remained undeniable.
"Wow—"
The phoenix's wings fluttered, shattering the Holy Light cage.
Nevertheless, following this clash, the phoenix evidently recognized Forseti as a formidable adversary—one it couldn't easily vanquish through the Holy Shield.
Screeching once more in fury, the phoenix reverted into Jean Grey's form.
The return of the Phoenix Force revived Jean Grey, who had just regained consciousness. She rose from the ground, observing the shimmering phoenix brilliance enveloping her.
Sensing this force's intent to subvert her mind, Jean Grey felt the urge to annihilate, nearly suffocating from the sudden surge.
"Jean Grey!" Forseti swiftly descended from the sky.
Yet he remained powerless; the Phoenix Force swiftly overpowered Jean Grey's will, transforming her into the phoenix's vessel, radiating its fiery aura.
"Death!" Jean Grey, consumed by the phoenix, gazed coldly at Forseti and uttered the word.
With those words, an immense phoenix flame surged forth, its intense heat creating a misty veil near the dam.
"Boom!!"
This time, Forseti opted for the Holy Light Shield, not the Holy Shield.
The phoenix's flames crashed down, shattering the Holy Light Shield, assaulting Forseti's body with great force.
Fortunately, Forseti wielded fiery supernatural powers, rendering him highly resilient to flames. Nonetheless, the direct impact of the phoenix's force was still excruciating, forcing Forseti to grit his teeth.
Jean Grey ascended, phoenix wings unfurling, emitting torrents of flames from both sides.
Forseti hesitated momentarily, then initiated a proactive offensive.
Gripping the Sulfuron Warhammer with both hands, he channeled Holy Light, directing it straight at Jean Grey.
Hammer of Justice!
"Boom!"
A barrier of flames manifested before Jean Grey, the Sulfuron Warhammer crashing down amidst a thunderous boom. Holy light clashed with inferno, the resultant shockwave rippling with immense force.
Despite the staggering momentum, Forseti refrained from delivering a fatal blow to Jean Grey.
He harbored no desire to harm Jean Grey; his sole intent was to combat the phoenix within her, a dilemma that furrowed his brow.
Just then, a passing car caught Jean Grey's attention. With a gesture, a torrent of phoenix flames engulfed it.
"Boom!"
The vehicle disintegrated instantly, its occupants meeting an unfortunate fate.
Forseti grimaced.
Jean Grey's wrath was undeniable, and retreat was no option. All life on Earth would suffer should he withdraw.
"Heimdall, alert Odin immediately."
Forseti had no choice but to rely on Odin's intervention.
"After everything, Odin is sleeping..."
Why must he slumber now!
Forseti cursed inwardly, contemplating whether Odin delved into the Cave of Time for prophecies, opting to nap at such a critical juncture.
"I shall notify Hela," Heimdall proposed.
"First, transport Jean Grey and the phoenix elsewhere, away from all life," Forseti instructed.
"Understood."
Approaching Jean Grey anew, Forseti waited as the Rainbow Bridge descended, promptly transporting them off Earth to a desolate starfield.
Here, devoid of life, a lone celestial body orbited, ensuring no innocent lives would be imperiled.
Surveying Jean Grey, ablaze with phoenix power, Forseti regretted his reliance on Holy Light.
For a superhero who'd slain titans, he could now only repent or rue his choices. In this current confrontation, either option surpassed Holy Light.
No explanation needed for the Sanctum Sanctorum's ultimate spell; even the upper echelons of Holy Light couldn't match its might. Therefore, hope of harming the Phoenix Force was possible.
Repentance could induce darkness to embrace the light. Perhaps it could influence the phoenix, though chances seemed bleak...
As Forseti pondered countermeasures against Jean Grey, his gaze narrowed. In the distance, a faint speck rapidly enlarged.
What?
He blinked, astounded to see it was none other than the World Devourer!
Soon enough, the World Devourer arrived, fixated on the solitary planet—its next meal.
"Galactus, cease the phoenix; she seeks to annihilate the cosmos' creatures!" Despite their history, Forseti appealed, hopeful.
"This isn't my concern... I'm merely famished." The World Devourer brushed it off.
"Aren't you the embodiment of cosmic order?"
"But not this one." The World Devourer neared the planet, prepared to feast.
Forseti fell silent.
Yet to his surprise, despite the World Devourer's indifference, the phoenix engaged it willingly.
"Don't hinder me!" Jean Grey growled, unleashing a searing flame toward the World Devourer.
...