Chapter 12 edited

[A/N: The godkings different Pantheons like Zeus, Odin, Ra, Hindu Trinity Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma,Itzamná and finally Biblical god all of these have the power of country level destruction, if they band together a continent, maybe multiple. But this comes with price of faith. Even at present Mayan Gods have similar strength because of the sacrifice they receive from there followers.]

The forest was a labyrinth of shadows and moonlight, its air heavy with the scent of damp earth and decay. Aurelius leader of boys brainwashed by Ares. He led Ximenos through the undergrowth, their footsteps crunching against the silence. They stopped at a clearing where grim totems stood guard—wooden stakes adorned with human and animal skulls, their hollow eyes staring into eternity. The camp reeked of dread, a chilling prelude to what lay ahead.

Aurelius swept his arm toward the desolate clearing, his voice filled with pride."This is my headquarters, Ximenos. And this... is the army I told you about."

Ximenos scanned the emptiness, his brow furrowed in confusion."But—there's nobody here."

Aurelius smirked, his confidence unshaken. "That's where you're wrong."

At his words, the underbrush came alive. Dozens of boys, armed with crude spears and makeshift weapons, emerged from the shadows. Their faces were smeared with ash, their eyes alight with a feral hunger. The air bristled with tension as they surrounded Ximenos, their weapons aimed at him.

Ximenos's breath quickened, a flicker of fear crossing his face. Aurelius placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice calm but laced with menace."Look at them, Ximenos—all primed to kill. We may be small in number now, but with Ares' help, we grow stronger every day. Soon, we'll be known throughout the land—known and feared."

Aurelius turned to face Ximenos fully, his piercing gaze locking onto the boy."Are you ready to join the warriors of Ares, Ximenos? Are you ready to become our brother?"

The world seemed to hold its breath. Ximenos, though shaken, nodded firmly."I am."

Aurelius's grin widened, and a murmur spread through the gathered boys."He's going to do the ritual."

Aurelius strode to a bonfire blazing in the center of the camp, retrieving a knife with its tip glowing red-hot from the flames. Another spoke, his voice thick with anticipation."Now we'll see if he's with us."

The chant began, low and guttural, growing louder with each repetition."Ares! Ares! Ares!"

Aurelius stepped closer to Ximenos, the heated knife in his hand casting a sinister glow against his face. His voice dropped, chilling and commanding."But first, you must burn."

The boys roared their approval."Yeahhhhhh!"

Ximenos gritted his teeth as the blade pressed against his skin, searing the mark of Ares onto his arm. The pain was excruciating, his scream tearing through the night."Ahhhhhhhh!"

The ritual was far from over. In a nearby cave, the air growing colder. At its heart lay the altar of Ares—a grotesque shrine constructed from the skulls of men and beasts. The centerpiece was a bubbling pool of blood, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly glow. A deep, guttural laugh echoed through the chamber, the unmistakable voice of Ares, sending chills down Ximenos's spine.

Meanwhile, far from the forest, the forge crackled with heat as Atalanta worked tirelessly, hammering a plough blade into shape. Suddenly, her movements became mechanical, her eyes glowing an ominous red. The god of war had possessed her, his essence coursing through her veins. She cast aside the unfinished piece of iron, she took another piece and her hammer striking with supernatural precision as she began forging weapons.

Each sword she crafted glimmered with a malevolent aura, imbued with Ares' dark power. The clanging of metal echoed through the forge, a haunting symphony heralding the rise of a war god's army, ready to unleash destruction upon the world.

As she finishes making the swords, Ximenos guiding his fellow child soldiers of Ares sneaks into the smithy, they all are wearing tribal-like mask.

They stole all the swords and slips out without Atlanta notcing, she soon snaps out of her possessed state and looks around in confusion.

As the forest echoed with the sounds of the ritual's conclusion, Ximenos sprinted back to the camp, his arms laden with the newly forged swords. The weapons gleamed with a sinister edge, their steel shimmering under the moonlight as though alive with Ares' power. Ximenos's chest heaved as he stumbled into the clearing where Aurelius and the boys awaited.

He held up the swords triumphantly, his face alight with adrenaline."She did it—just like you said she would."

Aurelius stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he inspected the weapons. He ran his fingers along the blade of one, the edge biting ever so slightly into his skin. He smiled darkly, a flicker of blood smearing his hand.

Aurelius: "Now, we have real weapons. Now, we're ready to kill!"

The boys erupted into cheers, their excitement feverish. One of them raised his voice above the chaos. "Let's show Ares!"

Aurelius raised the sword high, its blade catching the firelight, casting a menacing glow over the camp. His voice boomed, carrying the fervor of a zealot."For Ares!"

The camp roared in unison, the boys chanting with growing intensity, their voices echoing into the night, shaking the forest around them."For Ares! For Ares! For Ares! For Ares! For Ares!"

The rhythmic chanting reached a crescendo, their collective fervor feeding the dark energy that lingered in the air. The weapons, now held high by the boys, seemed to hum with an unholy power, as if Ares himself acknowledged their devotion.

On returning Ximenos tries to convince Titus to join Ares' army with him, but Titus is unsure. But is forced by Ximenos to come with him.

But that night Ares child soldiers went on killing spree, with them killing a family of farmers in cold blood and so on.

While Merlin stood amidst the desolate training grounds, a remote clearing surrounded by towering barriers shimmering faintly with protective runes. The location was carefully chosen to ensure his experiments with the Encantus remained unnoticed—a sanctuary for testing his new spells.

Merlin glanced down at the Encantus. This ancient tome, filled with forbidden and devastatingly powerful spells, had tested his limits on more than one occasion.

While he can easily overcome them by getting advanced abilities like the Great Sage or Raphael of Rimuru Tempest with the help of Silvertongue's power, but he dismissed the thought with a shake of his head. "Not yet," he muttered. "I don't need it now."

He closed the tome and set it aside, its weight feeling lighter than the power it held within. Before him stood a training dummy, reinforced with enchanted material to withstand common spells.

Merlin stepped forward, his footsteps muffled by the soft grass. He extended his hand, palm facing the target. His palm glows with an eerie light, shifting between white, black, and deep purple. Tendrils of lightning snake across his hand, crackling and dancing wildly. The air around him grew heavy, electric currents dancing along his fingertips.

The air around him buzzed with static, and small arcs of electricity darted from his palm to the ground, leaving singed marks in the grass. With a single, sharp motion of his hand, Merlin released the spell.

The lightning bolt shot forth like a stream of pure destructive energy, a concentrated blast that roared with a deafening thunder. The bolt, spiraling and chaotic, streaked through the air with unstoppable force. Its brilliance illuminated the clearing, casting jagged shadows across the trees as it surged toward the training dummy.

The moment the bolt made contact, the world seemed to explode. A massive blast of energy erupted at the point of impact, unleashing a circular shockwave that rippled outward in all directions. The ground trembled violently as chunks of dirt and debris were flung high into the air. The shockwave distorted everything in its path, warping the air itself in a visible ripple, before slamming into the surrounding barriers with a resounding crash.

The dummy stood no chance. It disintegrated instantly, reduced to a cloud of ash that was swept away in the force of the explosion.

The bolt didn't stop there—it continued its destructive path, striking the trees behind it. One by one, they were obliterated, their sturdy trunks reduced to charred fragments before collapsing into piles of smoldering ash. The ground beneath the blast blackened, forming a deep, scorched crater where the spell had landed.

Merlin lowered his hand, the residual energy crackling around him disappeared. He surveyed the aftermath: a devastated swath of land, the dummy and several trees erased as though they had never existed.

He smirked faintly. "Not bad," he murmured, flexing his fingers as they tingled from the spell's immense power. Black Lightning was indeed as formidable as the Encantus had promised. Yet, even as he admired the destruction, a flicker of restraint crossed his expression. This was a spell meant for annihilation—its use required caution, even here in isolation.

"Perhaps the Great Sage system wouldn't hurt for finer control," he mused, stepping back toward the Encantus. For now, though, his strength alone was enough.

After practicing a few more spells Merlin, satisfied with his spell practice, closed the Encantus with a decisive snap.

He made sure to revive the charred training grounds that served as a testament to his progress. With a glance at the horizon, he decided it was time to return to Fallia Village. He waved as Encatus disappeared into his Mindscape, then he prepared to Disapparate.

The air around him began to distort and ripple, as though the fabric of reality itself was being twisted. A faint, rushing sound, like a distant windstorm, filled the clearing, growing louder with each passing second. A sharp, cracking noise echoed as the magic reached its peak. In a brilliant flash of bluish-white light, his figure vanished, leaving behind a swirling haze and a faint cloud of smoke.

Far from the village outskirts, just within the tree line, a similar phenomenon occurred. The distorted haze began to form out of nothing, twisting the air as though pulling it through an unseen vortex. The sound of rustling wind intensified, accompanied by another sharp crack. A flash of bluish-white light illuminated the area briefly, revealing Merlin as he reappeared seamlessly. For a split second, a faint cloud of grayish smoke lingered where he stood, quickly dispersing into the air.

He adjusted his cloak, brushing off imaginary dust as he surveyed his surroundings. The walked towards the village.

The women, captivated by his presence, quickly surround him, their admiration almost overwhelming.

Woman 1 spoke up."Y-y-you must be thirsty, Merlin. I brought you something to drink."

Merlin offers a polite smile, raising a hand in gentle refusal."Thanks, but, uh—I'm fine for now."

Another woman steps forward, her voice filled with concern."But after traveling—you must be starved."

Merlin shakes his head, trying to maneuver through the crowd."Sorry, I, uh—had a big breakfast. No thanks—really."

Just as the crowd presses closer, a commanding voice cuts through the chatter."Merlin."

Merlin turns to see Atalanta approaching, her expression serious.

"Atlanta.."Before he can finish, Atalanta grabs his arm and pulls him away from the group."I need to talk to you."

The women murmur in disappointment, their voices trailing off as Atalanta leads him toward the smithy.

Inside the dimly lit forge, the air is heavy with the scent of metal and soot. Atalanta turns to Merlin, her face etched with unease."I don't know. It's as if something came over me. I mean, one minute, I'm shaping plow blades—and the next, I'm hammering out swords. I knew what I was doing, but I didn't know why. Who knows how long I would've kept it up if I hadn't burnt myself?"

Merlin listens intently, his brows furrowing. "Where are all the swords now?"

Atalanta exhales, frustration seeping into her voice."That's just it. I don't know."

Merlin leans closer, his tone urgent."Have other strange things been happening around here?"

Atalanta nods grimly."Not in this village. But in Styra, three families of farmers have been killed. And in Lixus, there've been rumors about roving bands of wild boys."

Merlin straightens, his mind piecing together the puzzle. The air in the smithy feels colder now, charged with an unspoken danger.

Merlin wonders if the presence back then was real. Merlin does quick scan of Atlanta and find traces of divinity, it was someone he recognized Ares. He guessed the recent events have been the work of Ares.

Merlin muttered."It's Ares."

Atlanta suprised questioned."Ares"

Merlin frowned and answered."Yup, his divine aura although not huge. It is still has traces on you."

Atlanta was angry at being used like that, while Merlin hugged her and Atlanta calmed down. Also Merlin placed his hand on her back and casted an Anti possession charm, since he knew Ares will not just leave Atlanta along especially if he found out about his relationship with her.

Ximenos takes Titus to Aurelius and they ask him if he wants to join Ares' army, but he says he has to help Merlin and about to walk away. But Aurelius hearing Merlin's name grew serious, he knew the famous story of man killing a demon in Fallia.

He knew Titus is not allowed to return and ordered."Don't let him go?"

The boys quickly grab Titus, who is trying to free himself yelling."Let me go."

Ximenos questioned."What are going to do with him?"

Aurelius ignored Ximenos and went to the cave muttering "Merlin....Merlin."

Inside the cave was an Altar of Ares, where skulls of humans and animals and used to create a small pool and inside was blood and one the base of the pool was two swords stabbed into the ground crisscross.

Aurelius placing his hands on the swords prayed."Mighty Ares, god of war-- make yourself present."

The blood inside bubbles as Ares laugh can be heard.

Aurelius was happy to see Ares answer his prayer and spoke up" Merlin the sorcerer is here."

The pool of blood bubbled and Ares's voice could be heard."Merlin....that petty sorcerer. So, that's why you've crawled to me in fear."

But there was slight anger in his voice, as Aurelius didn't want to sound scared and spoke up."I just came to you for guidance-- that's all. Who better to map a strategy against Merlin than the god of war himself?

The chamber grew darker, shadows dancing wildly across the grotesque altar of skulls as Ares' booming laughter reverberated through the cavern. The bubbling pool of blood churned violently, splashing crimson droplets across the stone floor. Then, with a hiss that seemed to cut through reality itself, the surface of the pool parted, revealing a gleaming double-edged wavy blade.

The blade was otherworldly in design, its edges undulating like the chaotic tides of war. Intricate engravings etched along its surface glowed faintly, whispering of ancient power and unrelenting destruction. At its hilt, the sigil of Ares blazed—a crimson emblem of his dominion over bloodshed and chaos.

Aurelius stepped forward, his breath hitching as he reached out. His fingers curled around the handle, the divine metal pulsating with an almost living energy. Ares added."The blade has my divinity embedded in it, it will be able to kill even immortals."

A wicked grin spread across Aurelius's face as he felt its weight—a weapon forged by the god of war himself, capable of ending immortals.

Ares' voice echoed with a dark command, dripping with cruel amusement."Use the boy."

Aurelius looking at the knife understood the assignment and grinned maliciously.

A while later Titus sprinting through the village, his face a mask of urgency as he finds Merlin in the forge. Merlin, still deep in thought about Atalanta's mysterious sword, looks up at the boy, sensing something unusual."Merlin! I know where the swords Atalanta made went!"

Merlin's eyes narrow as he steps toward Titus, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face."How do you know about the swords?"

That's when Merlin notices it—a faint, brand on Titus's arm. His expression darkens as he feels the unmistakable aura of Ares radiating from the boy. But before Merlin can react, Titus lunges forward, revealing a knife hidden in his hand. The blade plunges into Merlin's chest, catching him off guard.

Merlin staggers, his eyes wide in shock."You...!"

Titus steps back, his expression cold and detached, as if the act was not his own but driven by a greater force. Merlin stumbles, clutching the knife in his chest. He feels the divine essence within him resisting the wound, knowing this injury would not kill him. But as he steadies himself, he catches sight of Ximenos in the distance, flanked by Aurelius and a group of wild children armed with crude weapons.

Merlin makes a deliberate choice, collapsing backward onto the ground, feigning death as the group approaches. The children cheer wildly at the sight of his motionless body.

Aurelius grinning triumphantly."He's dead! Merlin is dead! Ares will be pleased."

Ximenos steps forward, his gaze lingering on Merlin's prone form."We've done it, haven't we?"

Aurelius nodding replied."Yes. This is a great victory. Ares will reward us all."

Aurelius turns to the group, his voice commanding."Return to the base! I must inform Ares of this myself."

The children cheer again, their voices echoing through the forest as they march back toward their camp. Meanwhile, Merlin lies still. As the last of the group disappears into the trees, his hand twitches.

[A/N:God of war Ragnarok had the perfect Thor, I think he fits well with the lore, same for Baldur . Now, Sif here is from God of War. Odin is from American Gods, you can choose Greek gods are from Zeus, Hades or Poseidon either Percy Jackson or Clash of Titans( Power level same as American gods), Ares from Wrath of Titans.]