Zelos
Myth
Level 600
Zakaria stared into the eyes of the yellow-haired man whose arm was currently elbow-deep into his chest. The fight had been brief. Zelos ambushed Zakaria as he combed through the forest searching for Oni Village. Zakaria fought harder, but Zelos fought better. How did anyone get that strong? How did anyone get that smart? How did he get the Wild Men to listen to him without showing his face to them? Did they, perhaps, understand Zelos’ divinity on an innate level? If so, why didn’t Zakaria feel that way? Why wasn’t he thanking this God for killing him? Why was he so… angry?
Because this wasn’t supposed to happen. That was why he was angry. Where was Ares? Zakaria had done everything Ares had asked him to do, yet here he was; fighting a losing battle against the literal God of Conquest he’d been trying to avoid. He’d even asked Ares if Somnia and her underlings’ interference would affect him in any way. Instead of answering, he’d just given Zakaria a cheap System, a “Rune Mark” on his back to match the one on Ares’ chest, and told him to “follow his heart”! What kind of protection was that?!
Perhaps he'd be angrier if he wasn't so filled with... regret. As black blood poured from the gash in his stomach, Zakaria had realized something: Somnia had been right about him. He’d been so absorbed in boosting his image that he hadn’t realized his pride would be his undoing. It hadn’t even ended with him. Perhaps just as Ares predicted, it was Zakaria’s own pride that led to the events that caused his home to be turned into a crater. This was his fault, and nothing he could say or do would change that. All Zakaria had left were his few followers, and even they now obeyed Zelos’ every whim.
Zakaria grabbed onto Zelos’ arm with the precious little strength he had. His aura had vanished. Each attempt at using it caused his Rune Mark to burn and his body to ache. There was nothing he could do to kill Zelos. He never had – and never would – reach Godhood. All he could do was hold him here. Stall Zelos, and keep him from killing any other Wild Men.
“I won’t let you kill… my… people!”
Zelos made a disgusted face. His eyes, marked with the same Rune Mark as Zakaria had on his back and Ares had on his chest, pierced Zakaria like a blade. “I’m not here to kill Wild Men. I’m here to kill you.”
“Me?”
“You abused your power and your people, leading to the deaths of countless Wild Men. This is your punishment. Learn from it, so that you’ll be smarter in your next life.”
What? Ares said Zelos would arrive to kill the Wild Men…? What was… this…about?
As if summoned, Ares showed up from behind a tree with arms folded. Zelos didn’t spare a glance for the newcomer, choosing to remain focused on Zakaria. Perhaps it was delirium or desperation, but he decided to scan Ares.
Stolen novel; please report.
Ares
Myth
Level 822
“Help!” Zakaria cried, recognizing Ares’ vast power. “This is the God of Conquest! You said you would protect me... I need you! Please…!”
Ares tilted his head as he stepped to Zelos’ side. “God of Conquest?” He scoffed. “Myths don’t need names or titles. We are what we are.”
Zelos nodded.
“What?!” Zakaria pleaded. “You… you said you would help me! You said he would destroy my home and remove us from history! You said we were–... ack!”
Zelos ripped his hand from Zakaria’s chest. The God of Conquest looked like stumbling Myth up and down, then shook the black blood off of his arm.
“Take solace. When you revive, your Colony will have long since been repaired. You fought for a long time, and now it’s time for you to rest.”
With that, Zelos nodded to Zakaria and just… walked away. Behind him, Wild Men inched closer to Zakaria in unison, marching towards him like trained soldiers. Ares watched the God of Conquest leave, shook his head, then turned back to Zakaria.
“Your Fate was sealed the moment you turned the Wild Men into your personal militia. If only you’d known how seriously Zelos takes the lives of Myths.”
Zakaria tackled Ares to the ground. There was no strength or grace to the maneuver, just plain old adrenaline. He screeched, punched, tore, and howled, but in the end, all he could do was cry.
“I trusted you!” Zakaria cried. “I wouldn’t have started a war with the Oni if you didn’t ask me to!”
Ares pushed Zakaria away like he was trash. He stood to his feet, wiping dirt from his black robes. Zakaria tried to join him, but his body was too weak to stand. Instead, he stared up at the “God”, making no effort to hide his fury. Ares stood over him, a maddening smile plastered on his face as Wild Men approached Zakaria’s rapidly deteriorating body. He knew what was coming, and he welcomed it. He would be remembered. He would be succeeded. Everything he learned would be used to better the Colony. This wasn’t a complete waste. Still, Zakaria refused to let Ares look down on him so openly.
“My rage will be felt, false God. Betrayer! Hell will open up for you and consume you whole. When the underworld is finished with you, there will be nothing left!”
The second Zakaria finished speaking, the Wild Men began the Knowledge Conservation Ritual. They ate him. They ripped Zakaria apart bit by bit, inheriting Zakaria’s knowledge and skill with each nourishing bite. So what if it hurt? This pain would be passed onto Ares a hundredfold.
“Do you want to know why I did this to you?” Ares asked suddenly. He remained in his spot beside Zakaria, even as the Wild Men devoured him.
“...Why?”
“Because you desired that which belonged to me: Power. That is the only reason.”
“...Hah. Do you even… need power… anymore? You’re… what… Level are you… again?”
Zakaria scanned him.
Ares
Myth
Level 1209
Zakaria laughed again. Of course a God like Ares could get even stronger. Why would that even be a surprise? Out of sick curiosity, Zakaria scanned himself. How close had he come to Godhood? How far away was he?
Zakaria Robertson
Myth
Level 1
“The only living being worthy to pursue something so grand is Fallen Star,” Ares said. “And you are not him. When you’re reborn, you would do well to learn your place before you decide how to waste your life.”