Chapter 159:

Chapter 159: Zeth and Korobu

Beyond The Stars

Meanwhile, Goma makes his way through the fortress.

Goma cuts down Enigmuses as he advances through the halls. He eventually enters a massive two-story room. Zeth and Korobu face each other on the ground floor, while Goma steps out onto the second floor and stays out of sight.

He hears voices below and presses himself behind a pillar, peering down as their conversation continues.

“I’m very excited to get to know you, Zeth,” Korobu says. “After all, this is only the second time I have seen you since I infused you with darkness when you were just a baby. What I did not expect was that Harmona would be able to separate it from you.”

Zeth says nothing. His eyes are fixed on the wide scar running down the center of Korobu’s forehead.

“That scar…” Zeth mutters.

“Interested in my scar, are you?” Korobu asks.

“I’m sure you guessed this, but yes, I am an Enigmus. I’m the first Enigmus. I’m over 50,000 years old and I’m far more powerful than the human I once was.”

“Why serve the Dark Goddess?” Zeth asks.

“She saw my worth,” Korobu replies. “She chose me to be the first Enigmus she ever made. I have every reason to serve her. Now come and attack me with everything you’ve got.”

Zeth grits his teeth and clenches his fist. The memory of Korobu destroying Telecouch City in the Swamp Underworld lingers. He charges forward, screaming in rage.

Korobu doesn’t move. Zeth launches into a rapid barrage of punches, but none of them have any effect. Korobu doesn’t even flinch.

Zeth rolls backward and fires a powerful Star Shine Blast. It strikes Korobu directly, exploding on impact.

When the smoke clears, Korobu is completely unharmed.

“Nothing!?” Zeth exclaims.

“You know, humans have this fascination with telling me what their magic rank is right before challenging me to a hopeless battle,” Korobu says. “You might as well go ahead and do the same. So what rank is your magic?”

Zeth begins to sweat.

“Low C-Rank,” he answers.

“That’s pretty high, isn’t it?” Korobu asks. “You must feel really powerful.”

“I don’t find your sarcasm to be funny,” Zeth says.

“You want to know what rank I am?” Korobu asks.

Zeth stares at him, not saying anything.

“I don’t have a rank, because I am far beyond even an A-Rank,” Korobu says with a smile.

“I already know not to think too much about the magic ranks,” Zeth replies.

“That makes you smarter than any of the humans I have come across. Though, of course, you are not human. I know you have the ability to access temporary divine powers using Divine Stones. I’m sure you still have a few left. Let me release divine energy into this room so that you can use them.”

Korobu licks his lips as he speaks with a twisted sinister tone. “Challenge me.”

Divine energy particles release from Korobu’s body and spread through the room.

“Don’t underestimate me!” Zeth shouts. “You’ll regret letting me do this!”

With divine energy filling the space, Zeth forms a connection with one of his remaining Divine Stones.

Korobu thinks with sinister confidence. “Yes, fall for my trap. Soon you will have no stones left to help you and Crimson will be able to consume you!”

The connection completes. One of the remaining stones shatters, leaving just one left.

Zeth’s hair turns blond, and his irises turn green.

“Remember, you asked for this,” Zeth states, glaring at Korobu with determination.

He rushes toward Korobu with incredible speed and throws a powerful punch. Korobu blocks it effortlessly with one hand.

“You need to do better than that,” Korobu mocks while smiling with amusement.

Zeth grits his teeth and leaps into a strong kick. Korobu ducks beneath it.

“Too slow,” Korobu mocks again.

Zeth follows with a barrage of punches, but Korobu dodges every strike with ease.

Zeth quickly runs behind him. As Korobu prepares to block, Zeth spins around to his front and lands a heavy punch that finally pushes Korobu backward.

Zeth charges magic energy into his arm and slams his fist into Korobu’s face. A surge of energy erupts on impact, sending Korobu flying.

“I said not to underestimate me!” Zeth shouts. “You’re learning that the hard way!”

Korobu lies on the ground for a moment. He smiles, not bothered by Zeth’s attacks in the slightest.

“Hmhmhm,” he chuckles. “I did not underestimate you. I estimated you just right.”

Korobu rises, completely uninjured.

“No way!” Zeth shouts. “Those were strong attacks!”

“You have divine power, but it is very raw,” Korobu lectures. “You have not truly harnessed it. Release all of your power. Come at me!”

Zeth roars and powers up to his limit. His golden aura flares intensely.

***

Meanwhile, in Heaven.

Harmona watches the fight unfold using her power to watch over her children.

“Damn it! No, Zeth! Don’t!” she cries. “He wants you to burn through your divine stones! Get out of there! You can’t beat him!”

***

Zeth rushes forward again, throwing rapid punches. Korobu blocks every one of them before countering with a kick that sends Zeth flying back.

***

Harmona tries to reach out telepathically through the stones. “Listen to me, Zeth! Get out of there!”

***

Zeth rages and releases a massive Star Shine Blast while charging forward, seemingly not hearing Harmona’s words. Korobu grabs the blast, and the force drives him backward slightly.

***

“Why isn’t he listening to me!?” Harmona cries.

***

Korobu releases abyss energy. The Star Shine Blast detonates, its power dampened by the abyss.

Zeth charges again, but his divine energy burns out. His hair fades back to black.

“No!” Zeth shouts. “I must take down Korobu!! I need more time!!!”

He forms another connection. The final Divine Stone shatters, and his hair turns blond once more.

Korobu smirks as he thinks, “Excellent.”

***

“No!” Harmona cries. “You can’t waste the last stone!” She clenches her teeth with worry. “Zeth’s rage is blocking out my words!”

***

Zeth begins preparing a devastating attack, but Korobu closes the distance almost instantly and punches him, cutting it off.

Korobu continues striking him, blow after blow. Zeth can’t fight back. Korobu’s attacks are too fast and hit too hard.

“You did exactly what I wanted you to do!” Korobu says enthusiastically.

He pauses his attacks for just a moment.

“Huh?” Zeth mutters.

“I knew you would stand no chance against me even with the Divine Stones,” Korobu says. “I wanted you to burn through them all so you have no future chance of defeating Crimson. He will consume you!”

Korobu punches Zeth again, resuming his continuous strikes.

Zeth’s will fades, his pupils dilate, and he has no reaction to any of Korobu’s blows.

Zeth thinks, “I’m such an idiot… I fell for his trap…”

***

Harmona watches, fury boiling over with angry grunts.

“Damn you, Korobu!” she yells. “Is there anyone else I can turn to that can rescue him!? Zaydra wouldn’t make it in time! Nobody is close enough!”

She turns and smashes a pillar with her fist, destroying it completely.

“I can’t accept this!! I’m still recovering my power, and going to Earth without using the Temple of the Light Goddess will set back the recovery process, but I have no choice! I have to go! No one else can help! I will save my son!! I’m coming, Zeth!! I won’t let him have you!!”

***

Korobu knocks Zeth back and begins walking toward him, smiling with satisfaction.

A ray of light suddenly opens above the beaten, powerless Zeth, whose hair has returned to black.

“What’s this?” Korobu wonders. “Could it be her?”

Harmona drops down from the light and grabs hold of Zeth.

She glares at Korobu with pure rage.

Korobu’s lips curl into a sinister smile.

“Hahahahaha! Oh, to what do I owe this honor, your highness!?”

From above, Goma watches in shock. He thinks, “Whoa!”

“Couldn’t handle the beatdown of your son, could you?” Korobu taunts.

“You will pay, Korobu!” Harmona declares. “I will end you!!”

With nobody else to turn to, Harmona has decided to rescue Zeth herself.