God Killer
“So, do we go and investigate this church, or is there some protocol we need to do for these people first?” Avencast asked.
“You know, I have no clue, but I feel like we’re free to do whatever, and they’ll just stay out of our way.”
“Good point.”
We went to the church and found it was surrounded by Vikings. Some had tried to get through the windows and were killed. Torches were tossed in and quickly put out. Others were trying to cut down the door. When they saw us approaching, they moved back to allow us access. I went right up to the door they had been struggling with and flicked it, blowing it off its hinges.
“Knock, knock,” I said right before two spears were thrust through the door and into my stomach. I looked down at the spearheads that didn’t even scratch the armor, and with a swipe of my hand, I cut them free of the wooden handles. “That was rude.”
“So was kicking down our door!” Came a voice from inside.
“I didn’t kick it, I flicked it, but you got a point. I’m coming in, you better stand down if you don’t want to die.” Stepping inside, I found that the darkness was that they blew out all the candles. I could see just fine with my werewolf vision still activated, but I still wished I had a light creation skill. Avencast entered after I did and got several light balls conjured and spread out to give the best coverage. The priests began chanting things at us while calling us demons. At least the soldiers were wise to keep their distance and cease their attacks.
“Where is it,” Avencast asked. The soldiers looked confused, and the priests kept doing what they did. Avencast apparently didn’t like that and cast a Silence spell on the priests. It was hilarious watching them panic when they couldn’t make any sounds. Seeing this was getting us nowhere, I activated the Way of the Astra ability since part of that grants Astra Detection. Removing another small Monster Core, I watched the power flow out of it and down through a crack in the floor. Perhaps a secret trap door?
Moving to the crack, I stomped my foot and blew out the floor in that area, revealing a hidden set of stairs. One of the priests ran to block my path. These priests were either bold, dumb, or fanatic. I backhanded his head into a wall and let the body fall down the steps.
Below the main cathedral was a series of catacombs that expanded outward, covering the entire city. It was impressive, and I wonder who built it. Following the trail of wisping energy, we came to a large room with a large cross in the center. In the center of the cross was a red crystal absorbing power. Standing next to the cross was a Viking, facing away from us and watching the crystal hum and pulse with light.
“This power must have been from you. I have studied these artifacts for years and could only get a trickle of power until today. You know, I lost my faith a long time ago when I lost my child. Yet here you two are now, in the flesh. Where were you when I prayed for the gods to save my daughter?”
“Fighting a war. You have my sympathy for your daughter, but that power you’re collecting is not meant for you.”
“A lot of things were not meant for me. But I am Viking. We take what we want,” he replied, reaching out with an object in his hand and using it to channel all the power out of the crystal. The red energy flowed into the object and then into him, causing his body to grow several inches. His eyes glowed red and crackled with power. “YES!” he shouted, “I am becoming a god!”
For a moment, I got a good look at the object in his hand and cast Appraiser’s Oculus to get an identification of it:
Item: Converter Rod
Description:
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
A rod that can convert magical forces into life energy.
Life energy can be used to enhance a mortal beyond
demigod levels.
Always wanted to fight a demigod. “My name is Zeke, but I am also known as Fenrir,” I introduced myself.
“I was called Magnus, but after today, I will be called god killer,” he replied and then summoned a bearded axe and shield that radiated golden light. In turn, I summoned my twin axes and took a fighting stance. I didn’t expect to get a real battle on earth, but this just became entertaining.
“Avencast, stay out of this,” I ordered.
“Happy to oblige. Have fun.”
Magnus was a fine warrior, very skilled, and extremely observant. However, he wasn’t used to the speed or the strength. We clashed at high speed, but with our brains overclocked and incredible perception, our fight seemed ordinary from our points of view.
He took my attacks on his shield and struck back when he saw an opening. For the first stage of the fight, I would outmaneuver him to get a cut or punch in here or there, but he was a quick learner and adjusted quickly to his new powers.
At one point, he slammed one of my weapons downward with his shield and then back upward into my chin, hard enough to launch me through the ceiling and into the city. I crashed through a house and landed on my back in a muddy street.
I flipped up to my feet just in time to see Magnus complete the curve of his leap. His axe changed into a golden spear, and he threw it with enough force to cause a sonic boom. Activating the Soul Art Bokorai and its First Condition, Fortification, my aura seeped into the ground and enhanced my footing. When the spear arrived, I caught the weapon, spun, applied a postage stamp, and returned the weapon to the sender.
The spear's tip punctured his shoulder, carrying him like a rocket out of the city. Taking a running start, I leaped and soared out of the city to follow him. Mid-arc of my jump, I watched Magnus hit the ground hard and carve a scar into the land at least a football field long.
“I’ve finished analyzing Magnus’s power,” Harry said.
“When did you start doing that?” I asked.
“Duh, as soon as he started growing and glowing.”
“Well, what did you discover?”
“His power isn’t centered in the chest or stomach. Despite having used Astra as the fuel, it is not like mana or even Astra. His whole body is saturated with life energy down to his very cells. I predict he can also heal as fast or even faster than you.”
“How do you know all that?”
“I can use your Appraiser’s Oculus, too, duh.”
“Not duh, I have never gotten that kind of data from that ability, ever.”
“Of course not, I dumb it down for you.”
“Wait, what?” I shouted. “How long have you been doing that?”
He chuckled, “Since the beginning… duh.”
“You little shithead. How much relevant data could I have used over the years just to not have it because you felt it wasn’t necessary to show it to me? From now on, show me everything, and I’ll be the judge of what is and isn’t important. You read me?”
“Fine, but you won’t like it,” he huffed.
I landed and skidded to a stop. Magnus looked to be in pain, but when he banished the spear from existence, his wound closed up immediately. “This is destiny. My name will carve a path through Valhalla until even Odin himself lays dead at my feet!” He screamed with such visceral hatred as he rose to his feet.
Resummoning Ragnarök, my twin bearded axes, I released Stage 2 of the weapon’s forms. Green lightning crackled all around me as new armor formed. The two axes merged and became a large four-handed axe, which was good since the new armor included two new arms.
In response, Magnus formed golden armor and a poleaxe. Our fight continued as sparks flew off our blades. Having gotten the word that two gods were duking it out, the Vikings exited the city to watch the showdown, from a safe distance, of course.
Burst Step instantly put me a breath away from Magnus, and I swung downward with four arms holding the axe. Magnus, surprisingly, was able to react in time and brought his poleaxe up to block with the handle, and then he twisted to redirect my attack, which split the earth next to him.
Fine, time to break out the skills. I activated Thought Acceleration, Acceleration, Sonic Speed, Dual Mind, and Stone Skin. Then I applied Necrotic Strike and Chaos Flames to my weapon and struck again while activating Sunder. A veritable death wave scorched the area, including Magnus, and yet despite the skills descriptions, Magnus was able to banish the harmful effects. He still received a nasty slash that caused blood to spray the burnt and scarred dirt, but his healing factor was top-notch.
It was Magnus’s turn to inflict damage as he charged with a shout. I made to block with my weapon when his suddenly changed forms and bypassed my defense. I was pierced through the chest with a long, straight sword blade, the golden energy easily breaking my armor and power. I coughed up blood and punched Magnus in the jaw with one of my conjured arms while using my other three to grip the weapon in my chest and break it.
Stumbling backward, I healed, raised my weapon again, and retook my ready stance. Magnus had spun multiple times in the air from the force of my punch but landed on his feet and wiped the blood from his lips. He shouted and unleashed even more power, which Harry warned he had again increased his physical abilities. He was already matched with me; this new transformation was troubling.