Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

The anemoi thuellai, or simply known as spirits of the violent storm-winds were a handful. So did their female counterparts called ‘harpies’. On my journey to the ninety-first to the ninety-ninth floors they were the ones constantly attacking me and it didn’t help that the spirits were actually made of wind so it was hard to land a hit on them.

Attacking them with my mystic arts seemed to work but they were fast on their feet. The harpies were quite easy to deal with on the other hand. Well, they were flesh but their claws were rather sharp and they really liked cutting me with it.

On the one hundredth floor (finally), I met Zeus who was sitting on a throne-like chair with his precious master bolt by his side. Around us were structures I’ve only seen on where the foreign Greek gods inhabited; white marble buildings scattered all over the hill and a few statues scattered here and there. The sky was filled with dark clouds where thunder rumbled and lightning flashed.

“So you made it.” he told me upon my arrival. “I thought you’d give up after dealing with Frey.”

“If I’m about to shoulder a destiny that can actually be the end of me, I can’t just give up halfway.”

“Good answer.”

“So… what is your task for me?”

“It’s simple. Fight me.”

Without even hearing for my response, Zeus lunged at me, lightning trailing behind him. I managed to deflect his attack by putting up a barrier but it was shattered on impact. It did give me enough time to create some distance and cover myself with a thicker barrier of energy. I coated my sword with dense energy as well, making it look like it was coated with bluish-white fire.

“I’ve long since heard stories about you Nyxtriel. A goddess of war among your people.”

“Yeah, well that was a long time ago.”

“Still. I want to see if you really are a worthy opponent like my daughter says you are.”

He lunged at me again and I parried his attack with my sword. Upon closer look, I could see that his lightning bolt was actually a three-foot long bronze rod tipped with black and silver spikes. He was swinging it like a double-handed sword.

Every time our blades met, I could feel some sort of power get released, creating some sort of energy wave.

“I see… you really can handle my strength.” he commented.

“Trust me, training under your son lets me gain enough frustration to actually plot and take him down.”

“Hahaha! Sounds like Ares.”

I sent balls of energy as well as elemental attacks towards him but he deflected most of them with his lightning. Those he did not deflect either he dodged or parried with his lightning bolt.

-Seems like he can’t easily deflect attacks made of pure energy. I can work with that.

I began throwing attacks concentrated mainly on energy I could manipulate as well as attack him physically with my swords and kicks. Fortunately, he seemed to be not used to one-on-one closed quarter combat which I used to my advantage.

The most annoying thing about fighting Zeus was his command over lighting. He obviously had good grasp with his power over it and he attacked me mostly by striking me with lightning.

I got hit with a few and they did not just tingle. They actually hurt! Maybe not as much as the first time I faced the Heavenly Trials back in the Celestial Realm (which involved surviving thirteen strikes from divine lightning), but pain is pain!

“Is that all you got?” Zeus suddenly yelled, thunder roaring with him. “My children and comrades spent five years training you and this is your best? You are a disappointment!”

-Did he just-? Is he seriously-? Unbelievable.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about! If I have my full strength, all of my tails, I can easily defeat you without breaking a sweat!” I retorted, annoyance building up inside of me.

“That’s your excuse? Is that even valid? You are disappointing your sister who made sure you would be ready to shoulder your duties and destiny.”

I was taught to compartmentalize my emotions even at a young age. But I haven’t rested well the past couple of weeks and I was really cranky with all the fighting I had been through so I just… unleashed whatever power I had.

Before I knew it, I was glowing with the familiar bluish-white aura I usually see when manipulating mystic arts and behind me my four tails emerged dangerously pointed at my enemy. Each of it was coated with the same bluish-white aura.

With four of my tails out, I actually felt more powerful. Ever since having four of my tails, I limited myself into summoning three maximum. Every time I used all four, I tend to deplete my energy reserves easily and I immediately collapse. But I was facing who used to be the King of the gods, king of the cosmos in his pantheon; I figured I really shouldn’t hold back.

I had a feeling he could actually roast me when he wanted to.

“Perfect.” I heard him say and lunged at each other.

Our movements became faster, and the power we exerted was actually stronger than the ones we used when we started. We seemed to match in speed which was my problem with him mere moments ago.

I sent a barrage of energy beams towards Zeus using my tails as the medium, which basically meant I was sending four beams at the same time every two seconds.

Our fight lasted for about almost an hour when he suddenly appeared in front of me and brought down his lightning bolt. He swung it down but I managed to parry it with my swords. To my dismay, one of them, Rile, shattered on impact, while Sanx cracked, ready to break when more pressure was applied.

I felt something explode inside of me and I was suddenly flung to the ground, skidding for a few meters before stopping abruptly, blood gushing out of my cuts and wounds.

Unfortunately, I found Zeus hovering a few meters from me ready to throw his lightning bold at me.

-Damn it! I’m running out of energy already!

With great effort, I pushed myself out of the way, just as the lightning bolt hit the ground where I was just moments ago. I gathered energy on my foot and launched myself at Zeus in the sky, my last remaining energy gathered on my palm, ready to strike him with it.

I threw the ball of pure energy towards him and to my shock, it did not hit him. My vision became blurry and I felt myself run out of energy. My tails lay limply behind me and I felt myself falling.

-Oh my gods. I’m about to go splat!

But before I could feel the pain on landing harshly on the ground, I felt a pair of arms catch me. With my vision swarming with black dots, I could Zeus up close with a smile on his face.

“Athena and Ares were right, you really are a goddess of war. And it's not every time they actually agree on something together. It was a good fight Nyxtriel. You have passed my task.”

I did not even get to reply since I promptly passed out.

*****************

A/N:

I apologize for the irregularity of updates. I hate myself for it too.

P.S.

I really suck at fighting scenes, don’t I?

-Niche_Bezarius