Chapter 555 Intermission: Ares vs Orion (2)
Simultaneously, Orion activated [Will of The Fallen], a skill that enhanced his strategic thinking. He began to read Ares's movements more clearly, anticipating the god of war's strikes and dodging with increasing finesse. He saw opportunities where previously there had been none.
Orion employed [General War Sight], his senses honing in on Ares's every move. He analyzed the patterns in Ares's attacks, looking for an opening that could give him the upper hand. Ares, although still a formidable opponent, was momentarily thrown off balance.
Orion's [Chariot of The Grand General] was a skill he had been saving for a moment of great need. With its activation, he gained increased speed and agility, enabling him to deftly maneuver around Ares's strikes. He knew that his mind and the calculated use of his skills would be the key to turning the tide of this intense battle.
As the battle raged on, Orion used his powers and wits to gain the upper hand against the relentless Ares. The god of war, once in control, found himself facing a determined opponent who was combining strategy and the formidable skills granted by his status as a Chaos Incarnate.
"Pathetic," The husk muttered. A chill soon shot down Orion's spine.
Ares, the god of war, seemed to tap into a wellspring of divine power, triggering a remarkable metamorphosis. His long, flowing dark red hair, once a cascade of shadowy tresses, suddenly ignited with a vibrant, fiery glow, turning into a radiant golden-red.
The five upside-down triangles that had adorned Ares's face underwent a striking transformation as well. They expanded across his pale skin, extending in a mesmerizing pattern that stretched from his forehead, all the way down his body. These geometric symbols radiated a fierce, golden-red light that pulsed with raw power.
This transformation gave Ares an imposing and divine presence as if he had become an embodiment of war and glory. His golden-red hair flickered like flames, and the symbols etched into his skin seemed to signify an unparalleled connection to the aspects of warfare and divinity. The god of war had transitioned into a form that was more formidable and awe-inspiring than ever before.
Ares's newfound transformation had not only altered his physical appearance but also his aura. It radiated with an overwhelming and terrifying intensity, causing Orion to take an instinctual step back. Ares's presence exuded an aura of raw power and unwavering determination, a force that felt as if it could consume everything in its path.
The horrifying aura that surrounded Ares was a palpable manifestation of his newfound divinity and the indomitable spirit of war. It rippled with the echoes of countless battles and the weight of untold victories. It was as if the very essence of conflict and conquest had converged within him, creating an aura that left an indelible mark on anyone who dared to stand in his presence.
Orion, no stranger to formidable foes, couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as he confronted Ares in his transformed state. The aura that surrounded the god of war was unlike anything he had ever encountered. It was a presence that transcended the mortal realm, an embodiment of divine power that demanded respect and reverence.
He took an instinctual step back. He noticed. He quaked. He took his spear, and then stabbed it into his thigh, forcing him to snap out of the fear practically pouring out of every orifice on his body... or at least that's what it looked like to Ares.
The battle between Orion and the transformed Ares continued, but it was increasingly clear that Ares was beginning to overpower the formidable Chaos Incarnate. Ares moved with an almost preternatural grace, his golden-red hair streaming behind him like a fiery banner, and the triangles etched on his skin seemed to pulse with power.
With every clash of their weapons and exchange of blows, Ares's strikes became more precise and powerful. Orion fought valiantly, utilizing his skills and wits to try and gain an upper hand, but it was a daunting challenge. Ares wielded the aspect of war itself, and his every move seemed guided by a deeper understanding of battle.
The horrifying aura that surrounded Ares now manifested in the physical world. It created a field of energy that seemed to warp the very fabric of the battlefield. Orion felt the pressure of Ares's presence bearing down on him, making each of his movements slower and more arduous.
Despite his thin armor, Ares's resilience seemed impenetrable. His slender combat gear allowed him to move with unparalleled flexibility, and his spear moved with lethal precision. Orion's attacks, enhanced by his skills, seemed to barely leave a scratch on Ares's pale skin.
Orion's consciousness was filled with the whispers of his skills, each one urging him to find a way to gain an advantage. "Royal Flesh Manipulation," "Monstrous Demonic Vampiric Eggs," and "Shroud of Essence Draining Mist" offered potential strategies, but Ares's relentless onslaught left him with little opportunity to employ them.
The god of war's transformation had given him an edge that was becoming increasingly insurmountable. Orion's strength, courage, and strategic thinking were commendable, but Ares's divine power was inexorable. The battle had become a clash of mortal resilience against a god's indomitable will.
Orion knew that he needed to dig deep within himself, utilizing all his skills and every ounce of his determination to have a chance against Ares in his formidable new form. As the fight raged on, the odds appeared to be stacked against him, and his every move became more critical as he sought to outwit and outlast the god of war.
Orion knew that direct confrontation with Ares had proven to be a grueling and nearly insurmountable task. From the moment he had entered the battlefield, he had been meticulously planning a trap, utilizing the surroundings and the countless corpses as his tools.
As the battle raged on, Orion strategically maneuvered himself closer to a section of the battlefield where the corpses were piled highest. He had noticed that Ares, in his golden-red-haired form, was relentless and focused on overpowering him. This was the key to the trap Orion had been laying.
Orion skillfully dodged Ares's powerful strikes, leading him closer and closer to the strategically chosen location. As the two combatants circled each other, Orion saw his opportunity and seized it.
In one swift motion, Orion executed "Blood Being Control," harnessing his ability to manipulate the blood and essence of the fallen warriors around him. The corpses, mere vessels at his command, responded to his dark call. With the fluidity of a well-choreographed dance, the corpses rose from the ground, their limbs moving like marionettes pulled by invisible strings.nOVe)1b.1n
Ares, momentarily taken aback, soon realized the horror of the trap that had been set. The corpses surrounded him, their lifeless but animated forms converging from all sides, creating an impenetrable ring of death. Ares was trapped in the center, with no room to maneuver or unleash his devastating attacks.
As the fallen warriors closed in on Ares, their skeletal hands clawed at him, dragging him to the ground. The trap had incorporated the battlefield and its lifeless inhabitants as part of the ingenious plan. It was a trap so unexpected that not even the god of war could have anticipated it, and yet, it made perfect sense within the context of the battle.
As Ares struggled within the circle of corpses, Orion seized the moment of his vulnerability. He knew that defeating the god of war required not only trapping him but also delivering a decisive blow. With his spear, the Unholy Lance: Longinus, Orion aimed for Ares's heart.
In a split second, he lunged forward, the spear driven by his inhuman strength. The Unholy Lance pierced through Ares's chest, right into his heart. Ares let out a blood-curdling scream as the weapon found its mark.
The golden-red radiance around Ares began to fade as his body went limp. The intense aura that had filled the battlefield slowly dissipated, leaving only the eerie silence of the dead. Ares's pupils, the squares in his eyes, lost their intensity as life drained from him.
Orion stood over the fallen god, his chest heaving with the exertion of the battle. He had outsmarted and overpowered Ares, using the very battlefield and the corpses of fallen warriors as his tools. It was a victory that defied all expectations and showcased his mastery of strategy and intellect.
As Ares lay defeated, the specters of the battlefield bore witness to the fall of a god. Orion's triumph echoed through the silent expanse, a testament to his unwavering determination and his ability to use the most unexpected of tactics to secure victory.
Orion, with a triumphant glint in his eye, approached the fallen god of war. With Ares immobilized and defeated, Orion raised his Unholy Lance: Longinus, his eyes determined and unyielding. In a swift, calculated motion, he delivered a precise strike to Ares's forehead. The lance pierced through the god of war's golden-red hair, bypassed his defenses, and drove deep into his head.
There was a moment of eerie silence as Ares's body froze, his eyes locked onto Orion's. The squares in his black gaze dimmed, and then, in an instant, the god of war crumbled into nothingness, leaving only a wisp of golden-red smoke that dissipated into the bleak battlefield.
Orion had emerged victorious, his strategic brilliance and unwavering determination leading to the downfall of the god of war. The battlefield, once filled with death and despair, now bore witness to the triumph of intellect and cunning over raw power.
Orion stood amidst the fallen corpses, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. He had faced a god and emerged victorious, but the labyrinth held more mysteries and challenges. His journey into the heart of Purgatory continued, and the malevolence that dwelled within awaited his confrontation.
"As soon as I saw that I was going to be confronted with but a fraction of your power... I knew exactly how to defeat you... Hey, father. You were pretty cool when you were young... I see where I got my tenacity."
