Broken gods

In the heart of a vast hall hewn from obsidian, a throne dominated the space, radiating an aura of palpable darkness. Shadows coiled around it, amplifying its eerie presence. Upon the throne sat a statue: a formidable figure, a dark serpent coiling around him, its eyes mirroring the obsidian's abyssal sheen. Three stoic figures stood vigil nearby, their keen expressions fixed on the petrified form.

"Do you think he's alright?" YS finally asked, his typically impassive expression betraying a subtle unease.

"He's been like this for two weeks, after all."

Frenzy scoffed. "Since when did we start babysitting a literal god? He eradicated an entire faction of godspawns just weeks ago. If anyone should be worried, it's us. What happens if something occurs in his absence? I still don't know how we're going to handle that."

Phantom inclined his head in agreement. "He's right. Power is a dynamic burden; a god's shoulders can bear far more than three demigods ever could."

Frenzy strode forward, tracing a line across the statue's cold forehead.

"Enough with the philosophy, Phantom. We need to wake him up. Somehow. YS, you're the brainiest one here. Any ideas?"

YS shook his head.

Abruptly, his gaze sharpened as a gale began to swirl around the throne, disturbing the oppressive stillness of the hall.

Phantom's gaze snapped to Frenzy, who appeared equally bewildered.

"Whatever you're doing, Frenzy, it's working."

"But I'm not even doing anything!" Frenzy yelled, his voice barely audible above the rising wind as he was lifted off his feet. "Brace yourselves! I think he's pissed!"

A hurricane of power erupted outward, a shockwave that sent YS and Phantom staggering backward. Frenzy, with acrobatic grace, righted himself mid-air, landing squarely on his feet. For a heartbeat, darkness consumed the throne, then slowly dissipated, revealing a tall, powerfully built figure with a deadpan expression, draped in a robe of black silk embroidered with intricate patterns of silver and gold.

"Generals, we must leave."

"Ooh... he's so pissed," Frenzy mouthed to Phantom.

YS addressed the newly awakened Matrix. "My liege, what's going on?"

"It's that serpent, Scarlet Dust. She's wormed her way out of Oblivion."

"What?!"

The three generals exclaimed in unison, instinctively closing ranks around Matrix.

"I thought breaking out was virtually impossible," Phantom said.

"So did I. I have a lot of questions, and she has all the answers."

Matrix paused.

"'One blood, one soul, one throne.' That's what she told me in the spirit realm."

"To think she still wants to fight me," Matrix muttered, his gaze darkening.

He raised his head, his voice laced with undeniable authority.

"Round up ninety percent of our warriors. I'll transport them to the Anchor Realm immediately. We depart as soon as possible."

"Please hear me out, my liege. What if this is all a trap?" YS pleaded.

Matrix turned, his gaze on YS hard as stone. "We'll ponder that on our way." His tone brooked no argument.

***

Matrix and his generals stood on a desolate wasteland, awaiting their opposition.

"One blood, one soul, one throne."

"I couldn't have miscalculated the location," Matrix mused, a chilling undercurrent in his voice.

He had changed into his dragon leather skin armor, and his generals were similarly clad.

The sun hung low on the horizon, its orange glare casting long shadows, an omen of what was to come.

After what seemed like an eternity, the atmosphere twisted. Three resplendent beings emerged, dazzling in the dim twilight. Matrix's composure almost faltered as he recognized figures he believed long lost.

General YS grunted. Despite their numerical advantage, he recognized the three feminine warriors facing them were formidable. Moyin, the Scarlet Dust, stood centered, assuming a renowned battle stance. Flanking her were Joey, the first general, and Lall, the second—she had indeed come prepared.

Matrix's gaze snagged on something adorning the Goddess of War's chest: a lost relic, the Pendant of Sorrow. Oval-shaped, myriad colors swirling deep within its core, he recognized it instantly. Stolen long ago, its reappearance filled him with a cold dread. It could be activated with a few simple spells. Yet, from where he stood, the relic seemed...counterfeit?.

The Goddess of War, noticing Matrix's stare, offered a hollow smile, her lips barely curving. "I brought you a gift. I hope you like it."

Unfazed, Matrix transmitted his orders to his generals' minds:

YS, Frenzy, engage each of her subordinates. Phantom, flank us from behind, provide assistance where and when necessary. I'll take on the lead.

They acknowledged his commands with nods, moving into action.

In a single, powerful leap, Matrix landed a few paces from Scarlet Dust, his feet digging into the wasteland and shattering it into rubble.

"You must think I'm scared of that pendant," Matrix said, his expression a scowl.

"You should be," Scarlet Dust replied, her serpentine smile deepening.

Like the flick of a switch, Matrix's gaze darkened. He advanced toward her with a steady gait, each measured step reminiscent of a seasoned warrior.

"I do not know why you wish to fight me, neither do I care. But what I care to know is how you escaped Oblivion. You'd better give me a good answer, or I'll beat it out of you."

"You wish," Scarlet Dust replied, snickering.

"Wrong answer,"

was the last thing she heard before a fist connected with her face. She flew across the battlefield in a wide arc, carving a trench into the earth as she skidded to a halt.

Scarlet Dust gritted her teeth, struggling to reorient herself. Then, a tremor reverberated through the ground beneath her. She couldn't discern its source, but its intent felt undeniably dangerous. She snapped her eyes open, ready to defend against the impending assault, only to see a massive fist obliterating the world.

With a deafening explosion, the blow slammed into her skull, unleashing a shockwave that rippled in all directions, and leaving a crater beneath her.

Frenzy, observing from a distance, frowned. Matrix was holding back—uncharacteristically so. Matrix was the type to strike first, ask questions later. He never engaged in dialogue, much less demanded answers from his foes. Gods, demons, goddesses...all met the same silent, brutal end. He'd rather asked their corpses questions.

What was more, he hadn't even summoned his god-slaying weapon.

Matrix seized Scarlet Dust by the neck, effortlessly hoisting her into the air.

"I don't have time to squander with you, Scarlet Dust. Spit it out, or I'll make you."

"As you wish," she said, spitting in his face.

Disgusted, Matrix instinctively tried to wipe it away, but what happened next was too swift.

A knee slammed into Matrix's groin, sending a searing bolt of agony through him. He staggered backward, his grip on Scarlet Dust failing.

An overwhelming wave of vertigo crashed over him. The thunder of his own heart echoed in his ears. He had endured blows to the groin before, but this was exceptionally potent, excruciating. It seemed she had siphoned power from the pendant; perhaps it wasn't so artificial after all.

"Nice, the attuning has begun," Scarlet Dust grinned, impressed by the impact of her kick. It seemed the pendant was responding to her already.

"Now, my turn," she said, settling into a stance and delivering a clean roundhouse kick to the jaw of the staggering god.

Matrix reeled and crashed to the ground.