25: The Meeting of Laufey and Apocalypse

All the deserters met the same fate, their beheaded bodies displaying clean, mirror-like fractures, a testament to the efficiency of the execution.

"We cannot tolerate such cowardice within my ranks." Tianqi flicked the blade to shed the blood, then drew an intricate pattern on the ground using the splatters. The ceremonial beheading served to enforce military discipline.

"Lord Apocalypse!" A servant clad in golden armor stepped forward, addressing Tianqi. "The light cannons they mentioned might be the weapons of Asgard."

"But we've never heard of a demon god capable of harnessing the power of the magic eye. They may have exaggerated to avoid punishment."

Tianqi turned away, heading back to his throne. His silver longsword emanated a lavender glow before vanishing into its sheath.

The bystanders were accustomed to Tianqi's telekinetic prowess, a supernatural ability that surpassed conventional magic. In their eyes, he stood as the sole deity of their world.

"Even without a formidable demon god, Asgard's intervention could pose a challenge to our subjugation of Greece," he mused.

His gaze turned solemn as he continued, "And... I've lost two generals, War and the Plague. That magic-eyed deity—I will tear him apart with my own hands."

A heavy silence filled the hall. Everyone present understood the might of Asgard's forces. The sudden appearance of the Protoss, armed with their long guns and light cannons, had single-handedly decimated a 30,000-strong army.

Furthermore, the ranks of modified humans proved equally vulnerable against them.

Confronting such a race with their current strength would be akin to striking a rock with an egg.

With no immediate countermeasures, the room fell into an uneasy quiet. Tianqi pondered their options, recognizing the futility of antagonizing Asgard. After all, it was the domain of the omnipotent Odin God King.

"Report! Pharaoh!" A messenger, dispatched by an envoy, entered in haste. "A Frost Giant who goes by the name of Laufey requests an audience!"

Tianqi's gaze sharpened, beckoning the messenger forward. In his understanding, the Frost Giants hailed from Jotunheim, harboring a deep-rooted enmity with Asgard.

Their request for an audience, immediately after the altercation with Asgard, intrigued him. Their intentions seemed to mirror his own.

"Let him approach," Tianqi commanded.

Laufey entered the hall, accompanied by a few Frost Giants. They approached in a posture of submission, displaying humility.

"Greetings. I am Laufey, King of the Frost Giants."

Tianqi, seated high above, regarded the kneeling figure before him. He arched an eyebrow, prompting Laufey to elaborate.

"Why have you sought me out?" Tianqi inquired.

Laufey's gaze swept over the corpses on the ground, and with a wave of his hand, frost materialized and penetrated the bodies. The ice-coated corpses took on a grayish hue, rendering their appearance ashen and lifeless.

A soft step by a Frost Giant obliterated the frozen bodies, causing them to shatter like bubbles. The ice fragments scattered, leaving the ground immaculate.

The Egyptian spectators stared in astonishment, realizing that Laufey, like Tianqi, possessed supernatural abilities.

"I offer my assistance in clearing your obstacles," Laufey humbly declared, erasing the bloodstains on the ground with frost.

Aware of Asgard's recent transgressions and Laufey's animosity towards them, Tianqi's interest was piqued.

With a spark in his eyes, Tianqi extended his wrists, manipulating an unseen force. "Continue."

Laufey raised a finger, "In return for more information, you must agree to a condition."

Tianqi inquired about the terms.

"Firstly, prioritize the elimination of Asgard's soldiers over those of Athens. With our support, humans armed with these weapons can challenge the divine."

Tianqi concurred. With Athens aligned with Asgard, targeting the formidable soldiers took precedence.

Laufey unveiled an ice crystal axe, "This is a Frost Axe, imbued with frost magic. It can freeze the bodies of divine soldiers, annihilating them for humanity."

"We shall deliver these axes to your forces. Equipped with these weapons, your army will rise."

Tianqi accepted the axe, swinging it idly. Frost materialized before his eyes, forming an ice shard that extended beyond the hall.

The assembled Egyptians felt a renewed flame of vengeance ignite, directed towards Asgard and Athens.

Tianqi smiled as he held the weapon. "Your sincerity is apparent. I am open to forming an alliance."

Laufey offered a faint smile, "The honor is mine." With that, he and his entourage departed.

Outside the palace, Laufey's companions voiced their confusion. "Why such reverence? Once we open the Frost Casket, he will freeze to death."

Laufey shook his head, scanning the sky with a furrowed brow. "Asgard watches Midgard closely. If we prematurely open the casket, Asgard will detect the surge of magical energy."

"By the time the casket activates, Asgard will arrive, and we will be outnumbered."

He then addressed their suspicions regarding Tianqi, "Can't you feel it? The power he wields is extraordinary, perhaps even godlike. I wouldn't dare assume I could defeat him."

With purposeful steps, Laufey left with his entourage. As they exited the palace, his gaze shifted to the heavens. "Asgard's reign is over Midgard. Should we continue down this path, I fear our foe will be more than we can handle."