The Awakening of Darkness

Kael and Menoecius continued their frenzied battle. Meanwhile, Sophia fought Ceto with her ethereal blades, and Theos managed to get back on his feet, rushing to assist her.

At the same time, Athena descended from Olympus toward her city. She noticed that, fortunately, almost all the residents had been evacuated. Seeing a massive boulder flying toward them, she raised her divine spear and shattered it with ease. The citizens cheered upon seeing the goddess they had prayed for so desperately. The general approached her, asking where to take the remaining people.

—Take everyone to Apolis. It’s no longer safe here. Not while this threat still stands. I’ll personally end this.

–To the city of the Sun God? the general asked.

—Yes. He’ll welcome them with open arms, along with his people. Now go — quickly!

“Yes, my lady!”

The general led the citizens toward Apolis, where they would be safe. Athena turned around and looked upon the destruction of her city. From a distance, she could see the devastating clash between Kael and Menoecius. She dashed toward them, determined to put an end to the chaos.

On the battlefield, Kael was exhausted but refused to give in. The ground around him was filled with craters, and his body was drenched in blood. Yet, his eyes stayed locked on Menoecius, who grinned with vicious delight — and Kael, in turn, smiled back with defiance.

Elsewhere, Theos and Sophia continued their struggle against Ceto, both breathing heavily. Sophia’s ethereal swords were beginning to fade — her Ether was nearly depleted.

Ceto increased the speed of her attacks, pushing them both to their limit. Just as one of her strikes was about to land squarely on Sophia, Athena appeared at the last second, blocking it.

—Mother? Sophia gasped.

—It’s all right now, my dear. I’m here, Athena replied firmly.

—Well, well… look who decided to show up, Ceto sneered.

—You’ll pay for what you’ve done to my city, my people… and for attacking my daughter.- Athena said, fury blazing in her voice.

—Wait, Mother, Sophia said quickly. -Leave her to me and Theos. Go help Lord Kael — he’s at his limit, and his opponent grows stronger every moment.

—Are you sure, my daughter?

—Yes. Leave it to us.

Athena smiled softly. -I'm so proud of you—of both of you, actually. Very well, good luck to you both. And Sophia, take good care of my future son-in-law, okay?

—M-Mom!Sophia blushed furiously as Athena walked away. 

—What's a son-in-law, Sophia? -Theos asked innocently.

 "N-nothing, Theos! My mother was just joking." 

"Then why is your face all red?

“Focus on the fight, Theos!”

Kael and Menoecius continued their fierce duel, trading heavy blows that tore the land apart. Their movements were so fast they blurred, but Kael’s pace began to falter. Menoecius noticed and slashed upward with his sharp kukri, cutting Kael from waist to shoulder — blood gushed immediately. As he prepared to strike again, Athena intervened, blasting Menoecius away.

“Athena? What are you doing here?” Kael demanded.

“Saving your life, for starters — and defending my city,” she replied.

“Don’t interfere in my fight.”

“Kael, you’re covered in wounds. If you lose more blood, you’ll die.”

“Dying on the battlefield is a warrior’s fate.”

“Maybe — but not yours. Focus your Ether and heal your wounds. That’s an order.”

Athena turned her attention to Menoecius, clashing with him fiercely. Kael tried to stand, but his wounds tore open further, blood pouring from his body. Frustrated, he finally channeled his remaining Ether to slow the bleeding.

Meanwhile, Sophia and Theos pressed on against Ceto. Sophia tried to think of a strategy, but Ceto’s relentless attacks left no room.

“Theos,” Sophia shouted, “can you hold her off for a moment? Just one minute — I need to think!”

“Leave it to me! But what are you planning?”

“I’ll try to find her weak point!”

“Got it. Go!”

Sophia closed her eyes, focusing her Ether.

I haven’t fully mastered this ability yet… It’ll drain all my Ether, and last time I used it, I had a fever for a week. Mother forbade me from using it — but right now, I have no choice.

“Dýnamis — Dóron Theías Ópseos.”

As she activated the technique, Sophia’s golden eyes glowed with radiant energy. Time seemed to slow. In this heightened state, she could perceive the flow of Ether itself — every motion, every current of energy in exquisite detail.

She saw the cracks — faint distortions in the flow of Ceto’s power, subtle weaknesses in her form, even traces of unstable emotion. The battlefield became a living map of possibilities where she could see every outcome before it happened.

Abilities of the Divine Sight:

Predicts attacks before they occur.

Reveals vital or structural weak points.

Allows instant, fatal counterattacks.

Nullifies magical or illusory tricks.

But prolonged use overloads the brain and eyes — causing bleeding, temporary blindness, and severe Ether loss. That’s why Athena had forbidden it.

Using this ability, Sophia noticed that Ceto’s aquatic body had a weaker Ether concentration along her back — her weak point.

She deactivated the ability, already dizzy from the strain, and rushed back to Theos. She explained the weak spot and the plan — Theos would distract Ceto while she attacked from behind.

They executed the plan. Sophia found her moment and leapt to strike. Just as she tried to reactivate her ability, her body froze and her vision blurred. Ceto noticed and lashed out — piercing Sophia’s abdomen with a sharp tentacle.

“SOPHIAAAA!!!” Theos screamed.

Athena tried to rush to her daughter, but Menoecius blocked her path. Kael also tried to move but collapsed from his injuries.

Theos sprinted toward Sophia, catching her body as Ceto flung it toward him. He barely managed to shield her from another incoming strike, taking the blow himself.

They crashed into the ground. Sophia lay unconscious in his arms. Theos trembled, blaming himself.

“I’m too weak… I just wanted to be strong… to fight beside them… to protect them… I just want to be… STRONGER!”

At that moment, a massive surge of black energy exploded around them. Everyone turned, shielding their eyes. Shadows enveloped the area, and when the haze faded, only one figure remained standing.

Athena froze — she recognized that energy.

That Ether… why does it feel the same as his? No… it can’t be.

Sophia slowly opened her eyes, trembling.

“Theos… why do you look like that?”

“Sophia… rest now. I’ll finish this.”