23: Rhodes vs. Apocalypse Knight

"Flank them!" Rhodes commanded, prompting soldiers to form small teams and encircle the Egyptian forces.

To counter this, the Egyptians divided their forces into two groups of 5,000 each to respond to the threat from both sides. A complex three-sided battle ensued.

Observing the split Egyptian forces, Sig exchanged a puzzled glance with Rhodes. As the chief of the guards, Sig understood the tactical drawbacks of dispersing their forces in this manner.

Contacting the encircled Athenian soldiers, the Egyptian forces managed to suppress the attackers due to their overwhelming numbers and the assistance of powerful reformed soldiers.

Amid the chaos, a contingent of bronze-armored Protoss soldiers appeared behind the Athenian flanking forces—500 on each side, their spears ready, light cannons at the ready.

Their light cannons rained down on the Egyptian soldiers, inflicting heavy casualties and disrupting their formation.

Gunpowder smoke and explosions emerged from the Egyptian ranks, a stark contrast to their cold weapons. The sheer firepower superiority staggered them, leading to substantial losses among the 5,000 soldiers.

The reformed soldiers' resistant skin proved ineffective against the onslaught of light cannons. Struck by the beams, they fell, their dark blue blood staining the earth.

The Egyptian forces found themselves cornered, unable to advance, suppressed by heavy fire on the flanks, and continuously bombarded by the reformed Protoss.

Seizing this moment, Rhodes unleashed a blazing fireball, hurling it toward the heart of the Egyptian formation. The fiery sphere swept through the battlefield, immolating those who couldn't escape its path.

Panic ensued. Egyptian soldiers abandoned shields and weapons, fleeing in the direction of Plague and War, leaving behind scorched corpses.

Rhodes raised his spear high, rallying the Athenian soldiers. Their shouts echoed as they pursued the retreating Egyptians.

Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky into the heart of the Athenian formation.

A colossal explosion resounded, and then an eerie quiet descended. People looked around, disoriented by the sudden silence. Muffled ringing filled their ears, followed by a gradual restoration of sound.

Amid the chaos, a tremendous figure emerged from the smoky crater, wielding a massive sword.

Licking his lips, the figure swung the sword, cleaving an Athenian soldier in two.

Explosions reverberated around him, generating shockwaves that momentarily muted the battlefield.

Gradually, the ringing in their ears subsided, replaced by a more acute sense of hearing.

A frenzied voice cut through the din, laughter that carried a dark edge. "Hahahaha! I thought I'd be left out, but fate is on my side!"

The colossal figure, Zhan Zhan, slashed indiscriminately, a sinister grin accompanying his destruction. To him, Rhodes was the sole worthy adversary.

Rhodes stood at ease, his casual hand movements choking retreating Egyptian soldiers. A derisive smile played on his lips.

An arrow whizzed toward his eyes. Swiftly evading, Rhodes saw Zhan Zhan materialize before him, executing a downward slash from above.

"Too slow," Rhodes remarked, sidestepping the attack. His swift counterattack kicked Zhan Zhan's defenseless abdomen, launching him into the air.

Zhan Zhan's massive sword plunged into the ground, gouging a long furrow before he landed, spewing blood.

"War!" The plague cried out.

Rhodes turned to face the distance, where a figure on a white horse drew a platinum longbow, aiming directly at him.

An arrow sliced through the air, trailing a visible white stream behind it, homing in on Rhodes' heart.

Rhodes casually extended his hand, catching the arrow effortlessly, then snapped it in half between two fingers.

Plague, astonished, witnessed his famed swift arrow manipulation effortlessly countered. This distance should have been impossible to evade, yet Rhodes dismantled it as if plucking petals from a flower.

War cautiously advanced, wielding his giant sword defensively. He exchanged a signal with Plague.

Understanding, Plague prepared to provide cover through his arrows.