--- Ren's POV ---
The situation hung in the balance, veering towards desperation.
My injuries, though significant, barely registered in my mind. Death's doorstep had become a familiar sight, and my focus lay elsewhere.
The true danger lay in the insidious tendrils of divinity attempting to infiltrate and manipulate my very being, seeking to transform me into a mindless servant.
Despite the gravity of the moment, a bitter chuckle escaped my lips, mingling with the dark blood that stained my cough. Was this to be the end? A meaningless demise on an ordinary floor, devoid of any meaningful accomplishment?
Within my eyes, a simmering rage ignited, a fire fueled by defiance.
Though the odds were stacked against us, I knew there were measures I could undertake to tip the scales in our favor.
But before I could even try to make a move to evade the onslaught of further attacks, Ais appeared in front of me, her blade cutting through the very fabric of divinity itself.
Who could have anticipated that she would grasp my teachings so swiftly?
Caught off guard, my ability to counteract the overwhelming surge of divinity was compromised, leaving me at a disadvantage. The mere act of resisting its influence drained my reserves, making it arduous to engage in combat effectively.
For some inexplicable reason, Ais dispelled Ariel, her gaze briefly locking with mine.
"I'll handle this" she conveyed without uttering a word, her once-golden irises now veiled in a captivating darkness.
For some, her gaze might have instilled fear, but to me, it was nothing short of mesmerizing—a captivating beauty that drew me in.
In unwavering faith, I listened to her, my feet anchored to the ground as I wouldn't move, for now.
[...Not bad] a voice seeped through, its tone stripped of its former arrogance. Could you sense it? This is the true power of my Angel...
Lost in my reverie, I witnessed the God attempting to flee in a desperate maneuver, only to be thwarted by a relentless barrage of attacks from the members of the Loki Familia.
However, they were mere supporting characters in this momentous climax
Ais elevated her weapon, its gleaming edge poised high above her head.
With a grace that belied her immense strength, she unleashed a seamless movement, guiding the sword along a path of lethal precision that appeared to challenge anyone to stop this strike.
Time itself seemed to slow, stretching the moment into eternity. The ethereal form of the God quivered, an amalgamation of fear and defiance as if sensing the cataclysmic force about to be unleashed upon him.
He attempted to evade, his form twisting and contorting. But she was faster.
As the edge of her sword reached him, a resounding impact echoed through the entire floor. The God's divinity was once again cut through, his facade of invincibility crumbling.
A look of disbelief flashed across his face, replacing the smug arrogance that had been present just moments before.
In that split second, his form was severed, cleaved in twain by the unstoppable force of Ais's strike as the Jade Artifact on his waist suffered the same fate.
Yet, Ais's cut did not halt at the God alone— cleaving through the very walls of the Dungeon, leaving a trail of severed floors in its wake. A mirthful chuckle escaped my lips. I had foretold this truth to them all.
[...Just...You....Wait. We...will...consume-]
As if the weight of the world itself bore down upon him, his voice faltered and his words were abruptly silenced.
In an awe-inspiring display of the World's dominion, an irresistible force descended upon his visage, pulverizing it into countless shards that scattered into oblivion.
Fortunately, I felt relief as I managed to contain a fraction of the relentless divinity wreaking havoc within me. Meanwhile, Lucy diligently worked to break down its essence and extract the memories held within.
Yet none of those concerns held any significance. My focus was solely fixed on Ais, her exhaustion palpable as she lowered her sword. Without a moment's hesitation, I mustered the last reserves of strength within my battered body and hastened to her side.
Despite the searing pain that coursed through my every movement, I enveloped her fragile form in my trembling hands, ensuring she didn't succumb to the frigid touch of the Dungeon's floor.
Slowly, I eased ourselves down, my energy waning with each passing second.
I succumbed to the realm of unconsciousness, finding solace in the knowledge that Ais was cradled safely in my embrace.
--- Riveria's POV ---
Exhaustion weighed heavily upon me, and my breath came in ragged gasps. At long last, it seemed the tempestuous situation had reached its conclusion.
As the God departed from this plane, an enigmatic force swept through, extinguishing the life force of the monsters that had been relentlessly pursuing us as if they shouldn't exist.
The reason behind this sudden turn of events eluded my comprehension, but I embraced it nonetheless, grateful for the respite it brought.
Despite the temporary reprieve, the aftermath was far from ideal. Everyone stood drained, their strength sapped to the last drop. However, as my gaze settled upon the two lovebirds, locked in a tender embrace even as they were unconscious, a soft smile tugged at my lips.
Perhaps Ais had indeed found the true love she deserved. Only time would reveal the depth of their bond.
In this brief moment of respite, my thoughts wandered to the lower levels of our Familia. So many of them had perished in the relentless onslaught, a fact that filled my heart with sorrow. Yet, their sacrifices had not been in vain. They fought valiantly, giving their lives so that the rest of us could survive another day.
In their honor, we vowed to never forget their courage and selflessness. Their memory would be etched in our hearts, inspiring us to carry on their legacy with pride and determination.
---
Author's Note:
This formally ended Arc I of Volume III. We will start with Arc II from next chapter :)