The Olympians Struggle

The battle had erupted in full swing, but very quickly the Olympians found themselves overwhelmed and the Dark Gods found their aid unnecessary. They just stood there, at a distance, watching Ultimo, Starbrand and Star-Stalker clash against the Olympians.

Three beings, mortal, were fighting against thirteen Olympians Gods and winning. They weren't even working together or showcasing incredible teamwork, they would often get in one another's way, creating opportunities for the Olympians to escape danger or counterattack. Yet despite this, it was clear to anyone watching that the Olympians were losing, as crazy as that seemed.

Perrikus thought that Makor's defeat of the Olympians had been an incredible feat. But he had rationalised it as them being caught off-guard by his sudden arrival and unknowing of what he could do. He had thought they would not be so easily defeated a second time round now that they were prepared and ready for what was to come.

Except, now, with greater numbers and aware of a new faction, including the presence of the Skyfather himself, the Olympians were losing. It was almost a pitiful sight, but Perrikus could not stop the smile from forming. This sight was something no one had witnessed before and probably will never be able to witness again and he took immense joy in watching them get crushed by three mortals.

Their showcase of power, still terrifying and awe-inspiring, did not fill him with overwhelming fear as it once had. Now, he just watched in with sadistic glee as they were swatted around like flies.

Even as the Olympians unleashed the full totality of their powers, working together in unique and skilful ways that showed that while it had been many centuries since their last war, they were still powerful warriors in their own rights.

Zeus rained down powerful bolts of lightning that knocked the three beings around, splitting mountains with those he missed. He utilised deafening booms of thunder to stall and distract them, making an opening for him and others to strike.

Powerful shadows rose up and struck out at the three. Slithering up their bodies like snakes, tangible in form with skill and power beyond what D'Chel had ever been able to produce. Nyx, the mysterious but powerful Goddess even shrouded the Olympians in shadows, clouding them from sight, and saving them from powerful blows.

Hera unleashed immense displays of magic, spells of all kinds lashing out. The breadth, strength and wickedness of those spells were awe-inspiring as they struck her enemies.

Poseidon, God of the Seas, commanded them to rise up in crushing tidal waves, the sea creatures within attacking and devouring what they can. The ground beneath shook violently, earthquakes of such a destructive level that it was cracking the planet apart

With speed far beyond anything that others could reach, Hermes ran, the sound barrier and speed of light nought but flies in the wind. Each blow he struck packed so much momentum behind it that it dispersed air for miles around, an echoing boom erupting from it moments later.

Powerful vines and plants broke out from the ground and wrapped around the ankles and legs of Ultimo, holding it in place. Those burned by the power of Star-Stalker quickly were replaced by dozens more as a flourishing forest rose up out of the ocean that had formed, Demeter creating more and more with every passing second as a flourishing forest sprouted upon the dying planet.

Up in the air, riding upon his chariot, Apollo was followed by a trail of miniature suns, launching them down with the force of a star. Each Sun was replaced by others as Apollo kept his distance, Artemis riding by his side upon her own chariot, brilliant white arrows fit for a giant joined the suns as they rained down upon her targets.

All the while Ares, Athena, Hercules and Hades rushed in close, utilising their immense physical prowess and master of weaponry and armed combat to battle against the three. They intercepted any attempt to get in close with the other Gods as best as they could.

While in the back, Aphrodite worked, using her powers in subtle ways to try and distract them. The Amazonians released their own arrows as they rode upon the backs of the divine creatures.

All in all, any other foe or group would have been unable to withstand this attack. Except, this was no ordinary group of foes the Olympians found them fighting against. Despite the immense firepower they brought to bear, the Olympians were losing against the greater powers of the other three.

Ultimo, the giant robot possessed power surpassing even Hercules, the physically strongest of the Olympians. His energy blasts fire out, overwhelming any attempt to counter them. Body shifting size constantly, turning large and small in order to better avoid or block strikes.

Starbrand flew through the sky, swatting aside Gods and tanking their blows like it was nothing. He discharged blasts of energy similar in potency to Ultimo's own.

Star-Stalker seemed to be the most dangerous in Perrikus' eyes. He just constantly got stronger and stronger as he absorbed energy from everything around him. Whereas Starbrand and Ultimo had been overwhelming from the outset, the two having carried on to dominate their opponents. Star-Stalker, while still immensely powerful, had continued to grow stronger and stronger as the fight progressed, his power kept growing more powerful.

His tail whipped out, releasing waves of flames that burned with heat greater than the miniature suns produced by Apollo. They burned the ocean and the plants instantly, his size growing to a level even greater than Ultimo to the point Perrikos imagined soon he would dwarf the planet in sizes

He had already ordered Adva to teleport the worshippers and Dark Gods away, leaving just him and Psyklops. They had been waiting under his orders for a moment until they could land that decisive blow which would turn the tides. But those moments had been far and few in between and far too dangerous for Perrikus to willingly put himself in harm's way.

But above all else, he had to make sure that when he entered the battlefield, it was with a target in mind which would turn the tides instantly. It meant not just studying the Olympians, but also the Citadellians. He had to know which of the Olympians had the most impact and at the same time, study how the three fought in order to avoid being caught in the crosshairs.

"Psyklops," he muttered, voice only heard by the insectoid at his side as the sounds of battle raged on. "I will enter the battle soon, blasting one towards you. Take them out quickly as another will follow soon after."

Not waiting for another second, he moved in, utilising the platform he had been gifted by the Citadellians that allowed flight, taking shape similar to that of a chariot, Perrikus shot into the sky. He and the Dark Gods had become forgotten as the Olympians focused upon the Citadellians. As a result, his approach went unnoticed as they focused their full efforts upon the others, Perrikus charging up a powerful energy blast that he fired at the underside of Artemis' chariot.

Out of the two siblings, she was the far more dangerous of the two when atop their chariots. One of her domains was hunting and everything it entailed, including being the predator and prey. She knew how to turn the tables and become the hunter. He needed to make sure that she was taken out before that could happen.

His aim was true, her chariot was thrown into a spiral that ripped her from it, and she plummeted to the ground uncontrollably, Psyklops tackling her out of the sky. Though caught by surprise, Artemis recovered, battling against the insectoid with all her might and skill. Ultimately it was the latter that prevailed as she managed to twist, forcing Pysklop to land on the ground first.

It didn't stall him in the slightest.

Though she had prevailed in their short scuffle as they fell to the ground, one of the few patches not submerged in water, it meant little now. With strength far greater than her own, Psyklops gripped her neck tightly, picking her into the air and slamming her down once more. Fists pummelled her further into it with little skill, but pure savagery and speed that broke apart her guard and struck her quicker than she could react.

Artemis was defeated.

But for good measure, Psyklops unleashed a powerful energy blast from his singular eye.

Just as he rose up, standing over the defeated figure of Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt and Moon, her brother God of the Sun and Archery, Apollo came crashing down nearby. Perrikus having doggedly pursued him through the sky after taking out Artemis, thousands of energy blasts striking out as the Dark God of Strength and Energy brought all his power to bare.

Apollo did well to survive as long as he had, but the number of energy blasts as well as the chaotic environment around him left him unable to escape forever. Perrikus had lured him with energy blasts that purposefully missed, forcing Apollo to swerve in certain directions, his studying of the battle prior had enabled him to gain an understanding of the ebb and flow. Though not a God of War or Wisdom, Perrikus was an intelligent and diligent God.

The removal of Artemis and now Apollo, who was losing the deadly game of cat and mouse with Psyklops did exactly what Perrikus intended it to do.

As Perrikus watched Hercules get launched into the air by Starbrand, thrown away as the hulking beast charged on towards Zeus who throw bolts of lightning towards the oncoming foe. Manoeuvring around one bolt, Starbrand smashed into Zeus who met the charge head-on, Perrikus himself tackling Hercules from behind.

Gripping his shoulder, Perrikus smashed Hercules across the face, his body breaking through roots and vines where he came to a stop, rolling across the bottommost one, Perrikus landing nearby. Marching forwards, Perrikus came upon the dazed and recovering Hercules, the young demigod turned God just getting to his knees when Perrikus kicked him in the chest.

Up above, Starbrand clashed with Zeus again and again. Bolts of lightning streaked across the skies as storm clouds were parted by the force of their blows smashing against one another.

All the while, Poseidon, Nyx and Demeter tried to contain the rampaging, flaming beast the Star-Stalker.

Hera, Athena and Ares focused their attention upon Ultimo, the size-altering robot proving to be a tricky opponent that combined with his breadth of energy-based attacks was immensely dangerous.

As for Hermes and Hades, they split into two groups, the former, most familiar with Zeus running upon air to give aid against the clearly struggling King of Olympus. Hades himself moved towards Psyklops, intending to avenge his earlier loss by killing the beast.