Chapter [81]

Kaito and Thalia materialized in a dark, damp place, the air heavy with the scent of rust and dust. They were in the abandoned subway lines of New York, a desolate place with graffiti-covered walls and the distant sound of dripping water.

"Couldn't you have picked a better place to teleport to?" Thalia remarked, wrinkling her nose as she looked around, clearly displeased with their surroundings.

Kaito gave a wry smile as he brushed aside some cobwebs. "Claustrophobic, or just afraid of getting your outfit dirty?"

Thalia rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.

"It's not about getting dirty, Kaito, I just think you could've chosen somewhere less... decayed."

Kaito shrugged, ignoring the jab as he pulled a compass from his pocket. He examined it for a moment, making sure it was working correctly. The needle began to spin slowly, eventually settling in a specific direction.

"The compass is working," Kaito said without looking at Thalia as he started walking down the tunnel.

Thalia followed closely, still unimpressed with the location but determined to focus on the mission.

"Where is that thing leading us?" she asked, her tone more serious now.

"I'm hoping to the right place," Kaito replied.

After walking for a long stretch, the air began to feel less oppressive, and they could see an exit in the distance where a faint beam of light marked the end of the tunnel.

"Give me the compass," Thalia requested, extending her hand while scanning the area.

Kaito handed her the compass without hesitation.

Thalia held it firmly, watching as the needle now pointed in a clear direction. As she raised her eyes, she spotted the imposing silhouette of the Empire State Building in the distance, partially shrouded in the city's mist.

"Put it away; I know where he is," Thalia said, handing the compass back to Kaito.

Kaito pocketed the compass. "Then let's end this," he said, resolute.

As they approached the entrance to the Empire State Building, Kaito extended his hand, creating a small magical circle that glowed softly around them.

"With this barrier around us, humans will ignore us," he said, watching the people around them pass by without noticing their presence.

Thalia smiled, pleased. "This will make things easier," she commented, entering the building alongside Kaito.

Inside the Empire State, they walked through the halls, invisible to everyone else. Kaito pulled the compass from his pocket again, checking the direction.

"The top," he said, quickly pocketing the compass once more.

Thalia glanced around, noticing the stairs leading to the upper floors. "This way," she said, beginning to ascend the staircase toward the higher levels.

As they climbed, the atmosphere began to change. The air grew thicker, as if it was charged with energy. However, before they could continue, Thalia deliberately reached out and pulled the fire alarm.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The shrill sound of the alarm echoed throughout the building, and chaos quickly ensued on the lower floors.

"Why did you pull the alarm?" Kaito asked, frowning at Thalia.

"I want to give innocent people a chance to get out before things start," Thalia replied, unbothered. "I don't want civilians caught up in this."

Kaito sighed but didn't argue. "Fair."

As they continued their ascent, the noise of the commotion below reached them. People running, shouting, trying to evacuate the building as quickly as possible.

But for Kaito and Thalia, it was nothing more than background noise as they approached the top floor, where they knew Ares would be waiting.

When they reached the top, the environment was different.

There was a tension in the air, and ahead, three tall, beautiful, and muscular women dressed in well-fitted suits stood guarding a door.

"Those women aren't normal," Thalia noted, observing the rigid posture and intense aura emanating from the guards.

"I can see that," Kaito replied, his tone admiring, clearly referring to their appearance, without hiding his interest.

Thalia quickly elbowed Kaito in the stomach, drawing a pained expression from him.

"Focus, Kaito!" she whispered, irritated.

Kaito took a deep breath, recovering from the blow but not losing the mischievous smile forming on his lips. "Right, right."

"That blonde one," Thalia said, discreetly pointing to one of the guards, "she was with Ares the last time I spoke to him."

Kaito narrowed his eyes, analyzing the women.

"I think we'll have to get through them before we reach Ares."

"Let's get this over with," Thalia replied, her eyes glowing with determination.

Kaito raised his hand, creating a magical barrier that enveloped the top floor. The magic circle beneath their feet glowed softly, surrounding the area with an invisible protective field.

"Now no one can interrupt us," Kaito said firmly as Thalia moved forward.

As Thalia took a few steps, the guards noticed her presence. The three women, upon seeing Thalia and Kaito approaching, immediately assumed combat stances.

Thalia raised her hand, lightning crackling around her as it gathered in her palm. "I'll handle them. Don't worry," she said, her voice full of confidence.

Kaito nodded, watching as Thalia advanced toward the women.

Suddenly, the door behind the guards opened, and the imposing presence of Ares emerged. He stopped in the doorway, watching the scene with a satisfied smile. In front of him, the three women bowed in reverence.

"Hello, sister. It's good to see you after all this time," Ares said, his voice powerful and dripping with sarcasm.

Kaito, without hesitation, grabbed Thalia by the waist, pulling her close to him, keeping her in check. He knew Thalia's anger could lead her to act recklessly, and this wasn't the time to lose focus.

The women remained bowed before Ares, two on one side, one on the other, while he watched everything with a threatening calm.

"Interesting weapon you've got there," Ares commented, looking at the spiritual spear that had formed in Kaito's hand. "But do you really think a weapon like that can hurt a god?"

"You'll find out it's a lot more than just interesting," Kaito replied, his voice firm and full of confidence. He raised the spear slightly, readying himself for the fight.

Thalia, feeling the tension in the air, gently pushed Kaito away to free herself from his grasp.

"I want to end him just as much as you, Kaito. Don't hold me back now."

Lightning crackled around her again, signaling she was ready for battle.

Ares watched, a smug smile forming on his lips. "Oh, my dear sister... do you really think you have what it takes to defeat me? A Devil and a demigod? How pathetic."

"Don't underestimate me for being a Devil, Ares. If you're the god of war, then I'm the demon of vengeance," Kaito said, his voice firm and laden with conviction.

Ares' smile widened.

Ares clapped slowly, the sound echoing throughout the space.

The scene around them began to distort, the walls of the Empire State disappeared, and in the blink of an eye, they found themselves in a vast coliseum, reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum.

"What did you do?" Thalia asked, her eyes scanning the new surroundings.

"Just a little trick, sister. Don't be impressed," Ares replied, his voice casual as he walked calmly through the "coliseum," his footsteps echoing across the arena.

Kaito raised his spear, assessing the new situation. He wasn't intimidated by the change in scenery, only adjusting his plans.

"I like your barrier, Devil. But nothing compared to my domain here," Ares said, clapping again, as if mockingly acknowledging Kaito's power.

Kaito, observing the space around him, remained focused, his gaze fixed on Ares.

"Your domain doesn't impress me, Ares," Kaito said, his voice steady as he raised the spiritual spear Vendetta, glowing in his hand.

Ares laughed, the sound reverberating throughout the coliseum. With a grand gesture, he summoned a shield and sword, which gleamed with a golden metallic shine, reflecting the supernatural light that filled the arena.

"I fight like the ancient gladiators, Devil. With sword and shield," Ares said, twirling the sword skillfully in his hand before pointing it directly at Kaito.

Kaito stepped forward, his posture firm and unshakable.

"You can't fight him alone!" Thalia exclaimed.

"Stand down, Thalia. That's an order from your King," Kaito said.

Thalia hesitated for a moment, her body tense and her gaze full of frustration. She didn't want to let Kaito fight alone, but the order was clear. Resigned, she took a few steps back.

Ares' smile faded, replaced by an expression of rage. His eyes glowed with a dangerous intensity as he stared at Thalia.

"You've become this Devil's servant? After you refused to join me?"

The air around Ares began to tremble as his aura of fury grew. He charged at Kaito with impressive speed, his sword slicing through the air toward the Devil.

CLANG!

Kaito's spear met Ares' sword with a resounding impact. Sparks flew into the air, and the force of the strike shook the ground around them.

Ares pressed his attack, his divine strength evident as he pushed Kaito back, but Kaito, with an agile movement, deflected the blade and hurled his spear at Ares with deadly precision.

Ares raised his shield at the last second, blocking the blow.

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