Descent of a God

Clash of Titans

[A/N: I didn't upload a chapter yesterday, so here is the chapter. Double update coming tomorrow.]

|Jude|

With the defeat of the most powerful Asura, only one final obstacle stood between me and the conquest of Epheotus—the clone of Asmodeus.

Though not as formidable as Asmodeus herself, the clone presented a significant challenge to me in my current state, as I had yet to unlock the power of the Ninth Door. Her dominance in mana and aether made her a formidable adversary.

I turned my gaze towards Asmodeus, her piercing scarlet eyes meeting my resolute emerald stare. Our hands instinctively grasped the hilts of our swords, enveloping the surroundings in an aura of slicing palpability.

Asmodeus's sword remained as ominous as ever, crafted from black obsidian with a regal purple hilt.

The world itself seemed to be engulfed in an eerie stillness, with everyone present held captive by the weight of the impending battle, rendering them incapable of uttering even a single word.

In perfect synchronisation, Asmodeus and I lunged towards each other, the clash of our swords echoing through the air.

The world around me became a blur as I unleashed the power of Nine Celestial Steps, bridging the gap between us in an instant, my grey sword poised for attack.

To my surprise, the clone effortlessly parried my strike with her black sword, showing no signs of retreat.

Thus began a relentless exchange of swordsmanship, a whirlwind of slashes and strikes executed with lightning-fast speed.

In an unspoken agreement, we both decided to forgo the complexities of spells and rely solely on our swordsmanship, reminiscent of our battles in the world we left behind.

While Asmodeus possessed greater raw strength, my prowess in swordsmanship surpassed hers. I had transcended the boundaries of the sword horizon without even unlocking the power of the Ninth Door in this world. One who stood at the pinnacle of swordsmanship could not match my skill.

Gradually, the tide of battle turned in my favor as I relentlessly pushed Asmodeus's clone further and further back. The moment of victory was within reach. With a powerful strike, my sword clashed against hers, sending her weapon flying through the air. I swiftly followed through, slicing through the clone's body, ending its existence.

"I see you've already attained that level of swordsmanship," the fading clone remarked, its life force dwindling, "In six months' time, I will return to end your life, Jude Bayer."

"My name is Jude Leywin now," I replied with unwavering resolve as I crushed the lifeless remains of the clone into nothingness.

Exhaustion washed over me as the adrenaline of battle receded, revealing the toll it had taken on my body. The brief but intense skirmish with Asmodeus had pushed me to my limits, leaving me keenly aware of the strain I had endured.

With the battle concluded, it was time to restore order to Epheotus. My allies had emerged victorious against the Indraths and Dragons, and with the other races now under our command, the war was effectively at an end.

"Arthur, hand me Sylvie," I requested, extending my hand. He hesitated momentarily, but then retrieved Sylvie's egg and placed it in my palm.

"How much time has passed?" I inquired.

"Six months," Arthur responded, his expression filled with sorrow.

Closing my eyes, I focused my energy and tapped into the aevum surrounding me. I harnessed its power to manipulate time, reversing it by six months for the small stone containing Sylvie.

Time unraveled, and Sylvie emerged in her human form. Her wheat-blonde hair cascaded to her shoulders, and her golden irises shimmered with familiarity as she fell into Arthur's waiting arms.

"Sylv," Arthur began, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Arthur!" Sylvie exclaimed, her voice filled with shock and relief as she embraced him tightly, "You managed to bring me back!"

"It was all Jude," Arthur replied, a small smile gracing his lips.

"Thank you, Jude," Sylvie expressed with gratitude as she gently broke free from Arthur's embrace.

"You're welcome, Sylv," I replied, my voice filled with reassurance. "In fact, I have an important task for you—to become the queen of Epheotus."

Her eyes widened in surprise as I entrusted her with this significant responsibility.

With the conquest of Epheotus successfully concluded, there remained only a few final tasks for me to complete. One of them was the restoration of Elenoir.

Through a warp gate, I brought Virion, Arthur, and other trusted companions with me, leaving Sylvie behind in Epheotus to be crowned as queen in my absence.

As we set foot on the devastated land of Elenoir, the once vibrant forest of Elshire now reduced to a desolate grey landscape, sorrow etched itself onto Virion's face.

I took a deep breath, the weight of the task ahead heavy on my shoulders. Raising my hands, I could feel the pulsating power of the ambient aether surrounding me. Activating my Godrune, I channeled its energy into the aevum, utilizing its temporal manipulation capabilities to reverse time for all of Elenoir by a year, restoring it to its former state before the ravages of war and destruction had taken their toll.

The once desolate grey landscape transformed before our eyes, as vibrant green flora sprouted from the rejuvenated earth. The majestic Elshire trees stood tall once again, their canopies casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Even the infamous fog, which had shrouded the forest in an air of mystery, returned to its rightful place. Nature had reclaimed its beauty, restoring Elenoir to its former glory.

Though the fauna was still absent, I knew that it could be reintroduced in due time. The delicate balance of the ecosystem would be restored, completing the resurrection of this once thriving land.

With Elenoir restored, my attention turned to the impending descent of Asmodeus and the final battle that awaited us. I gathered my allies and prepared for the inevitable clash, honing our skills and devising strategies to face the most powerful being we had ever encountered.

The time for waiting was over. The stage was set, and we were ready to confront Asmodeus and bring an end to the long-standing conflict. This would be our final war, the culmination of all our efforts and sacrifices.

As I stood amidst the lushness of Elenoir, a renewed determination coursed through my veins. The fate of this world hung in the balance, and I was prepared to give everything to ensure its survival.