Chapter 148: Quetzalcoatl, Sun God

"W-Wait, shouldn't you talk to her first?" Ereshkigal tried to be the mediator, trying to stop any fighting.

Zenkichi shook his head and said, "That would typically work with anyone else, but Quetzolcal seems more of the type to prove one's worth and strength to her through combat first before anything else," Zenkichi finished.

He smirked and cracked his knuckles, "With her, actions speak louder than words. It's part of her nature."

"Oya? It seems you already know who I am, little brother~" Quetzolcal teasingly remarked.

Zenkichi grinned at her, "Oh? So you're into that sort of thing huh. Well, cute, but who decided that you're gonna be the older sibling between us?"

Quetzolcal grinned back, sharp teeth and all. "Because I'm stronger."

Ereshkigal frowned, realizing the futility of trying to avoid the conflict. "Alright, but should I back you up? Considering that this is her territory, her strength is several times greater than usual."

'Even at my peak state, I'm not sure I could defeat her in her territory—she'd always been a bit terrifying, even more than that big snake.'

Zenkichi shook his head, his confidence unwavering. "Nah, let me solo her."

"Solo...?"

Zenkichi didn't elaborate further and shot off towards Quetzolcal with a powerful burst of speed, closing the distance between them in an instant.

As he approached, he channeled his divine energy and reishi into his fists, going for a powerful divine hook.

Quetzalcoatl, unfazed, spun her macana with a graceful and ferocious flourish, the weapon's divine light shimmering and cutting through the air with deadly precision towards Zenkichi's fist.

Zenkichi's punch and Quetzolcal's macana clashed in a burst of divine energy.

The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, shaking the ground beneath them.

Both combatants were momentarily locked in a clash of their immense powers, their auras flaring brightly.

"Yes, yes! Such a strong body, it seems like I don't have to hold back!" Quetzolcal's eyes sparkled with excitement as she twisted her macana, deflecting Zenkichi's strike with a fluid motion and subsequently embedding it to the ground.

She clenched both her hands and went into a stance, saying, "You want to win against me? Let's do it with our bodies! A free fight, that's what lucha libre means!"

"Now," she took a step forward , shattering the ground beneath her feet. "feel free to be beaten to a pulp!"

Unlike what most people thought, this Quetzolcal, a part of Quetzalcoatl to be exact, has been given form and incarnated as a Servant through the grail's influence in this era. Here, she is a God who loves the proud Mexican sport of lucha libre....!

It's not as if she's particularly worshipped as a god of lucha libre. She just really likes lucha.

Zenkichi grinned and raised his hands towards her, curling his fingers, and taunted her. "Come at me!"

She appeared behind him in an instant, her movements blurring with speed. With a powerful lung, she wrapped her arms around him and executed a stunning suplex, slamming Zenkichi onto the ground with a resounding thud.

The impact shook the earth, sending dust and debris flying.

"Gah!"

Splutter of salvia ejected out of Zenkichi's mouth, though momentarily stunned, he quickly rolled away and sprang to his feet.

He spat out blood and both his eyes and hair turned pitch-black.

[Devil Style: The End]

He outstretched his arms quickly and grabbed Quetzolcal's left arm, before she could react, Zenkichi pivoted his foot and slammed her judo-style onto the ground with a force that cracked the earth beneath them.

Quetzolcal blinked in surprise, her body hitting the ground with an audible thud, but instead of looking angry or frustrated, she laughed heartily. "Sí, Sí! Now that's the spirit!"

"But not enough!"

She grinned, and to Zenkichi's surprise, she arched her back and wrapped her legs around his neck, pulling him down in a fluid reversal.

Using her immense strength and flexibility, Quetzolcal executed a perfect leg-lock, twisting Zenkichi off balance and slamming him into the ground once again.

"Son of a—!" 'What grip!'

Zenkichi grunted in pain, but his eyes flashed with determination. He quickly twisted his body, breaking free from her hold with sheer force, his muscles tensing as he rose to his feet. The ground trembled beneath him, cracks spider-webbing out from the force of their battle.

The two locked gazes for a moment before they charged at each other like bulls.

It wad an exchange of pure strength and martial techniques, specifically grapple techniques, with each move more brutal and precise than the last.

Zenkichi and Quetzolcal wrestled for dominance, neither giving an inch, both thriving on the thrill of the battle.

Zenkichi's hands moved swiftly, locking around Quetzolcal's waist as he executed a flawless German suplex. But Quetzolcal's mastery of lucha libre shone through as she twisted mid-air, flipping gracefully and landing on her feet, evading the full impact of the throw.

"Zenkichi..."

On the side, Ereshkigal watched in concern, her heart pounding in her chest as she witnessed the brutal clash between Zenkichi and Quetzolcal.

"—Oooh! Kuku has escaped the mysterious boy's suplex! And as expected, Kuku is going in with the revenge grapple by clenching her muscular and thicc legs around the boy's neck!" A cheerful, familiar voice echoed across the battlefield, giving commentary of the battle.

Ereshkigal blinked in confusion and turned her head, spotting Jaguarman by her side, though she was a bit injured, Jaguarman was still full of energy, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she animatedly continued her commentary.

"Oooh, folks! This is getting heated! The mysterious boy isn't backing down despite Kuku's fierce leg-lock! Can he turn this around? Or will Kuku prove once again that lucha libre reigns supreme?!"

Ereshkigal's confusion deepened. "Jaguarman... when did you—?"

"Shhh!" Jaguarman held a finger to her lips. "This is the best part! Look at them! Holy—!"

The ground beneath their feet trembled.

"The lad managed to get himself free from Kuku's terrifying grip that even some Gods of strength would have trouble breaking free! Impressive! Wooo!"

"But he's not out of the woods yet!" Jaguarman cheered, her tail swishing in excitement. "Kuku isn't one to let up so easily!"

Though confused by her strange behavior, Ereshkigal's gaze shifted back to the battlefield, her worry growing as the intensity of the fight escalated.

Zenkichi, now free from Quetzolcal's grip, dashed toward her, his fists crackling with divine flames as he prepared another strike.

"Sun's Wrath!"

Quetzolcal's eyes gleamed with anticipation as she braced herself, her muscles coiled and ready to respond.

"Fufu~ You're not the only God of the Sun here, little bro~ Olé!"

Their blows collided once more, and this time, the force of their divine energy ignited the very space around them. The ground beneath their feet melted from the heat of their combined auras, molten rock bubbling up as their powers clashed.

Zenkichi was forced back, his upper clothes were completely burnt off and his skin was slightly red.

Quetzolcal on the other hand, looked completely unscathed, even her clothes remained perfectly intact, her smile only growing wider. She flexed her shoulders, rolling them casually as if the intense exchange had been nothing more than a warm-up for her. "Impressive, little bro, but we're just getting started, aren't we?"

Zenkichi panted, his muscles tensing with the strain of their clash. He glanced down at his singed body, his grin returning despite the situation. "I'm just getting warmed up too."

His expression turned serious, "But first, let me clarify to you about something. The big explosion that happened here? It wasn't a declaration of war towards you, that was the extermination of a huge threat to everyone in this era."

"I am saying this now to prevent any underlying hostilities between us to grow."

Quetzolcal looked surprised for a moment and her expression turned gentle, "I know~ Jaguar informed of the situation a while ago with mental communication, but even if she hadn't, as the ruler of this land, how can I not know of the threat that was purged? I have felt its dying pulse and the disturbance it caused. My domain is attuned to such changes."

Zenkichi's eyes widened slightly. "So you knew all along...?"

"Indeed," Quetzolcal replied, her tone softening. "But your display of strength and determination has been quite the spectacle."

Her expression shifted into a cold and chilling smile. "However, I am disappointed from how you're holding back so much—or can you really not call upon your power? If it's the latter, it's more pathetic than disappointed—especially considering you surge with the Divinity of the Sun as well."

"....I do not know what you mean."

"Do not lie to big sis, boy." Quetzolcal emphasized, her voice dropping into a more serious tone. "I am Quetzolcal, known as a benevolent God to my worshipers, the "Feathered Serpent". But I am also known as a god of wind, spirit of rain, the god of culture, and the god of harvest and life."

"But I was also once known as a Sun God, although it was briefly, but in my current form, I can easily call upon the power of flames and the Sun! I know very well what I, a Sun God, could do."

She tilted her head, staring at Zenkichi with cold judgement. "And yet, you show nothing of that strength. If you are truly a Sun God or possess such divine power, then it should be evident in your abilities."

She narrowed her eyes, "Do not mistake my challenge as mere rivalry. It is a test to see if you can live up to the potential I sense in you."

She raised her hand and clenched it, "So, hit me straight! I'm as sturdy as I look!"

Zenkichi, catching his breath, met Quetzolcal's gaze steadily. "....But I'm not a true Sun God." He admitted honestly.

Although true, he felt like there was more to his Divine Authority, but since he stole it and achieved Godhood without undergoing proper procedures, he doesn't have any followers yet!

How could he be a God, if he didn't have any people?

Quetzolcal snorted, "Hmph! Yes, I can clearly see the nonexistent faith and the incomplete divinity in you. It's evident in the way you wield your power, and yet, it is also clear that you possess potential far beyond the average."

She took a step closer, her expression a mix of challenge and encouragement. "It doesn't matter whether you're a true Sun God or not. What matters is how you harness your power and what you do with it."

Zenkichi, still panting from the intense battle, nodded slowly. "So, you're saying I should push beyond my limits?"

"Sí!" Quetzolcal replied with a fierce grin.

Zenkichi clenched his hands, a deep frown on his face. "Do you think I haven't been pushing my limits? Having not went through near-death experiences? Well, I have."

The emotion on his face and tone was raw, speaking straight from his heart. "Each time I've faced a challenge, I've pushed myself further, even when it felt like I was at the edge of my limits."

"For the sake of others and myself, I have to confront and overcome every obstacle. It's a constant struggle to reach my potential, and I've faced countless near-death experiences to get here."

Although he had a powerful cheat—the System—he hadn't overly relied on it. From his previous life, the risks of having a system was a lot—the number one issue being if it would disappeared from him, along with the abilities it had granted him.

In life, the only one he could rely on—was himself.

"So tell me, how am I supposed to push beyond my limits, if I had already done that?"

Quetzolcal's eyes gleamed with a mixture of respect and sadness as she listened to Zenkichi. Her expression then hardened.

"....No, that's wrong. What you pushed was your mortal limits, trust me, as someone who has affection towards humanity, I could tell that you hold your humanity tightly in your heart."

She narrowed her eyes, "However, there in lies the problem! What you're using, who you're fighting against, right now, isn't what you should be aiming to surpass. The struggle you face is not just about pushing your limits as a human but also about confronting and embracing your true divine potential."

Quetzolcal's gaze intensified as she continued, "You speak of challenges and near-death experiences as if they're the apex of your journey. But to truly surpass your limits, you must go beyond the mortal concept of 'limits.'"

"You need to confront the divine essence within you and let it guide you. It's not just about fighting harder; it's about transforming your very nature."

Zenkichi stared, confused. "I..."

Quetzolcal interrupted, pointing at him. "You hold the power of the Sun, and what does the power of the Sun mean?"

"Is it simply the power to burn your enemies? To incinerate your foes? No. It is a force of creation and destruction, a symbol of immense power and growth. To wield such power means you must embody the essence of the Sun itself."

She paused, letting her words sink in. "The Sun is more than just a source of heat and light; it represents life, strength, and the cycle of rebirth. To truly tap into its power, you must embrace these aspects and transform beyond the confines of your current self."

Zenkichi listened, trying to grasp her meaning. "So, you're saying I need to align myself with this divine aspect more fully?"

"Exactly," Quetzolcal confirmed. "And that means embracing not just your strength, but also the responsibilities and potential that come with it. It's about evolving beyond mere physical prowess and connecting with the deeper, divine essence you hold within."

She softly smiled, "And the greatest example is right before you."

Zenkichi blinked. "You...?"

Quetzolcal chuckled, not saying anything, and raised her finger to the sky.

Zenkichi followed her gesture and looked up.

He squinted his eyes, slightly blinded by the sun.

Wait... Zenkichi slowly came to the realization.

Quetzolcal smirked.

"Unlike humans, heck, even other Gods, the Sun Gods hold a special standing—our limits is the sky, space—our essence transcends the mortal realm. We embody the boundless expanse of the heavens and the infinite cycle of life and death."

Zenkichi closes his eyes in silent understanding and looked down, however, the fiery aura surrounding him began to intensify, as if reacting to the profound realization.

His breaths came in slow, deep gulps, and the aura around him shimmered with the brilliant light of a setting sun. The realization that Quetzolcal's words were not merely philosophical but deeply practical and transformative began to settle within him.

"Embrace the essence of the Sun, huh?" Zenkichi muttered to himself, his voice laden with determination. "I guess I've been holding onto a fragment of its power without fully understanding it."

He focused inward, allowing his divine energy to flow and expand beyond his mortal limitations. The surrounding ground, still cracked and molten from their previous clash, began to cool and solidify as his aura grew calmer yet more intense.

Quetzolcal observed with keen interest, her eyes reflecting both approval and curiosity. "That's it. Feel it. Let the essence of the Sun guide you."

With a sudden burst of divine energy, Zenkichi's aura flared, manifesting as a radiant sunburst around him. His once-burnt skin now radiated with a warm, golden glow, his presence growing even more imposing and majestic.

With a grin on her face, Quetzolcal went to grab her macana and went into a stance. "Well, it seems you've finally grasped it, well, most of it. But you're better now than before!"

Zenkichi's eyes, now glowing with a fierce golden light, met Quetzolcal's gaze with renewed determination.

He went into a stance, raising his fists up. "I am Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, Sun God of Japan, and Godslayer of Amaterasu." he proclaimed with divine providence, thunder rumbled from the heavens, confirming his proclamation.

Quetzolcal's eyes sparkled with renewed excitement as Zenkichi proclaimed his divine title.

"Yes, that's it! How wonderful!" Quetzolcal cheered, raising her macana high. Her expression slightly serious this time. "I am Quetzolcal, one of the supreme existences from a far away mystical land. I have many divine titles, but I am currently a Sun God."

She sweep the macana to her side, and her eyes gleamed with a fierce, competitive light. "Failure is foreign to me, I have never been felled in battle. No one has shown me defeat."

Zenkichi smirked and summoned both Gram and Gae Bolg in his hands, killing intent surged out of him.

"Until now."

The two stared at each other before colliding, the collision between them caused a massive rift in space.

"Nyaaaa!" Jaguarman cried out, sent flying into the jungle once more.

"...."

Ereshkigal remained rooted and stared at them, looking completely dead inside.

'How did it come to this...?!'

...

AN: Fuck autocorrect

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