Chapter 13: Battle of the ancients.
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?/?/?...
I'm annoyed with the fact that Typhon is so large, that the tallest building (which is a large house that is only 10 meters high or so) in this village can only reach up to his stomach. Of course, the village is on a floating platform over a pit so deep that I can only see darkness. Witch brings out an annoying question, how tall is this thing?
I have no idea how deep the pit is and all of most of his legs (that are covered in snakes) are shrouded in darkness. Is that pit smaller than I initially thought, or is he flying? I can't find out because I'm currently in a battle with the beast in question.
I jumped over another of Typhon's arms and dove into a nearby window. I don't stay there long as another giant arm crashed through the building I was in. Preparing my sword, I made a few quick slashes at the ceiling before flying though it. I expanded my wings and flew close to Typhon's face.
The snake heads around the shoulders tries to stop me by all trying to breathe fire in my direction.
Too slow.
With speed and agility, I avoid all the flames with little energy wasted and deliver another cut to the main face.
The force of my attack caused him to reel back in pain. I readied my sword for another attack but Typhon's arm quickly swiped at me and sent me flying at the platform of the ruined temple.
I don't exactly know how long ago Minato fell through the hole that Typhon created, but it's long enough to consider him no longer living.
It's my fault; My fault that Typhon managed to distract me long enough to hit us. Long enough to separate us and kill him.
Both of us knew the dangers of this place, but to think he would be killed this early.
I don't have the time to think like that. He once told me that the Hamuko girl is considered a backup in case something happened to him.
I have no idea whether to think that child is dangerously prepared for everything or completely insane to think of something like that.
No. I won't accept that. I refuse to wait another 200 or so years for my freedom.
He does not get to die that easily. He is probably alive and lost down there. As soon as I get the chance, I'm going right down there. If he is dead…
I sigh to myself.
It's rather unorthodox for someone of my standing to do such a thing and I rather not "owe" anyone, but I'll have to visit Hades and have him do a request for me. Of course, if he was brought back to life that way, the kid may not have all of his memories for the first month or so. However, I rather deal a month of awkwardness than wait for another 250 years for the girl to even reach close to his level.
Hmm?
I sense a presence approaching. Another foe? Possible, I feel hostility from the incoming thing but I can't tell if it's directed at me or something else. It better not turn out to be another enemy. I rather not have to deal with two of them at the same time.
Looking back at Typhon, I saw that the wound that I created had just healed. This endless battle had been going on like this ever since Minato fell. I have to deal with the beast now, but all my effort so far had done nothing but waste time and energy.
First things first, I raised my sword in the air to charge it before slamming down and releasing the energy wave to Typhon. The wave consumed the beast, burning off most of the heads the covers his right arm. Taking the initiative, I used my wings to propel me to Typhon.
He tried to swat at me like I was a pitiful insect, but I was too fast for him. I dig my blade at one of his eyes and launch myself on to the roof of a nearest building before he had a chance to react. The beast roared in pain and throw his right fist at me.
I catch the speeding attack with my free hand, stopping it dead in its tracks. The roof collapsed as a result but I kept my footing as the part of the roof I was on fell in. When I reached the ground, I jump on to the hand and ran across the arm.
When I reached up to the shoulders, I leap across the beast and created a huge gashed on his face with my sword. I use my wings to send me on to another roof when I notice the other arm heading my way. Typhon now filled with rage, didn't give me time to relax as he continued to swing down at me. Using my blade, I manage to block one of the fist. However, with another quickly heading in my direction, I was forced to jump to another building.
I leapt building to building to constantly avoid the raining attacks. This continued for a while until I landed on the large marketplace. I was next to what seems to be a stall with bags of something. If it contains flour, it may be use to my advantage. I stood on top of the stall, baiting Typhon with another chance to hit me. I jumped out of the way just as the fist hits the stall, the impact cause white dust to explode and cover the area.
The dust won't cover long, and I'm sure that Typhon will locate me soon.
I quickly cover myself with my wings to cast Moonless Gown. Just in time to as well. Typhon's fist blew away the dust as it arrived just as my barrier just formed.
The dark hand made contact with the barrier and immediately exploded, leaving the attacker with a missing hand. Moonless Gown won't last long so I don't have enough time to cast one of my most powerful attack. That doesn't mean I don't have anything that can help.
It may not be powerful as Minato's Megidolaon, but he's not the only one that has the similar type of attack.
I raised my hand in the air and draw out my energy.
A sphere of purple energy formed high enough that Typhon didn't notice as he tries to throw another attack. Once again, when his fist made contact with my barrier, his hand exploded, spreading the remnants of his limb in many directions.
Fool.
When Megiola was ready, the sphere flew and hits Typhon in the side of his head before it expanded and exploded in place.
Taking no chance, I flew up and moved away as far away from Typhon as the platform can reach and landed.
Even with smoke is still obscuring his face, it won't take long for him to recover. Moonless Gown had faded and being in constant battle for hours would no doubt leave me exhausted. I have to put all I can for this final attack. I just hope I'm far enough that Typhon can't reach me in time.
I charge as much energy as I can into a red spherical ball that I created. Smoke had finally cleared from Typhon, revealing that half of his head was blown off. His only eye glowed brightly as he charged towards me, tearing the platform apart as he moves through it.
Damn it!
It's not ready, but I have no choice.
I throw my fist into the air. The red orb high up reacted by pulsating rapidly. I then open my fist and pointed my index finger to the charging beast. Unfortunately, the orb was only large enough to split into six parts. The smaller orbs all fired at Typhon, hitting him in the chest, left elbow, right hand, right shoulder, left side of the ribs and the neck. The orbs exploded simultaneously, shredding the limbs apart. Without anymore strength supporting him, Typhon finally tumble over the old town.
I get the sense that Typhon is still alive, so I walked over to his face and brandish my blade again.
His head looked up at me with anger and confusion.
Your power...
His deep voice rumbled the village.
Finally decided to speak again, huh?
So he was speaking in the language of the gods. Part of me wonders why he's speaking in the basic version instead of ours. The basic version didn't exist until 1000 thousand years ago. (Not including the 252 years of time repeating.)
Your power is like the Olympians, but far more stronger and focused.
Who are you?
"I am the daughter of Chaos. The goddess of Night." If he truly is the actual Typhon, then he should recognize me by my title alone.
The primordial being, Nyx…
"So you are the true Typhon."
You doubt my powers?
"Last I heard of you is that you've been trapped under a mountain far from this land. How did you get here?
Does it matter?
"I don't personally care, but I'm sure others will." I explained with boredom.
Others? Like that human?
Ha ha ha ha…
His laugh caused the whole place to rumble more violently. The buildings closest to us, crumbled down.
To think the mighty have fallen. To think that a primordial being of your standing would stand with something pitiful like humans…
…
Very well. Listen up, I was trapped under that rock until I was freed 500 years ago. Some deity from another culture offered me deal.
"What was the deal?"
Simple: I guard his secret until that human and any potential allies of his are no longer a problem. In return, I can leave and have my revenge.
I assume he wants revenge with Zeus
"Well, you sent him down the platform." I pointed that out. "Are you trapped here until he comes and checks the body?"
I'm free to leave whenever I please. I'm simply honoring a deal that my benefactor and I had. Of course, considering that you are his ally, I'll just have to deal with you as well.
"Brave words for something that lost to Zeus. If he can beat you, what makes you think you can even stand chance against me?" Especially since most of his body his already blown off.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
I see that you deities are foolish as always!
!
Sensing incoming danger, I raised my sword to block the attack coming from the side. I manage to stop the attack from moving closer to me, but what I saw what was attacking confused me.
"So you can regrow your limbs lot more quickly than I expected." I did thought that he lost his appendages too easily.
That's right! I did not just lay in this accursed tower for 500 years and did nothing you know! No matter how many limbs you cut off, it ends up being pointless!
Noticing another fist heading my way, I disengage with the first one and leaped back.
I was far enough that Typhon can no longer reach me. That didn't seem to dissuade him as he uses his new arms to push himself up. With the exception of the head, all of the damage I created had all but disappeared. I could see that the head is slowly growing back as well.
Terrific. Just terrific.
Looks like the only way to kill him is to obliterate him so that nothing can grow back. I'm completely exhausted after battling him for hours and I barely have enough strength just to keep evading his attacks.
I managed to dodge a lot more attacks before exhaustion finally kicked in, forcing me on my knees and my sword was not enough to keep me standing.
I look up to see a huge dark fist heading in my direction.
I am not going to enjoy this.
Before the fist managed to hit me, something come from the side and hits the wrist, forcing it to miss me completely to the right.
Looking at the missed hand, I saw a large and familiar figure impaling his weapon into the wrist of Typhon. With a bit of effort, The being managed to remove the hand from the main body like a predator ripping off the flash of its prey. Typhon, reeled back from this sudden pain of yet another limb removed. The being opened his silver mask and roared into the air, making the familiar sound of a metal beast.
"Thanatos..." Why is he here?
No, it may sound like my child, but he completely looks different. That would mean...
His hand appeared to my left. I look to see him rugged and bruised, but otherwise fine. I have to admit, I'm impressed that not only did he survive that punch and fall, but also made his way back here. No doubt with the help with Thanatos.
"You're late." I took his hand as he pulled me up.
He shrugged in response. "It was a long trip."
So, the personification of death appears to defend his mother. The god of death would also ally himself with a mortal? Truly, the gods had grown soft over the centuries.
We all turn to Typhon. His hand had fallen off the edge but he was unconcerned as another one was already growing in its place.
"This "mortal" has more power than you could possibly imagine." Thanatos replied, pointing his sword at Typhon.
Does he now? I admit, I'm impressed that he survived at all. Let me correct that.
"You won't get the chance!" Thanatos charged towards at Typhon as the beast directs his attention to my son.
"I'm afraid that I didn't understand any of that." Minato turns to me. "Is this the language thing you were talking about?"
I nodded. "It confuses me that he is speaking in the basic version for some reason."
"Basic?" The boy raised his eyebrow.
"Not the time." I brush him off. "We have to deal with Typhon."
"How?"
"We have to destroy him completely, otherwise he would regrow lost appendages like you just seen." I paused and turn to the portal far off at the other end, untouched somehow in the midst of all the damage surrounding it,. "No it's better to leave and strategize for now time."
As much as I like to deal with him now, I don't have enough energy to fight proficiently against something like Typhon.
"I can do it." Minato said unexpectedly.
I turn to him. "What?"
"We have to make sure nothing left of him remains right? I'll do it."
"Don't be foolish!" I snapped, glaring at him again. "You could barely withstand an attack of his. What makes you think you can destroy him?"
Strangely, the child remains undaunted. "Armageddon, does not require me to be close."
Armageddon… I see, with an attack like that it may-.
"How would this work?" I interrupted my thoughts. "Even I could tell you don't have a lot of energy and you said that you don't have the Personas you need. Unless you're implying that you got those two while you're down there."
"Like I said before, I don't need those two but..."
"How long would you need?" He is being strangely aggressive right now.
As much I would like to ask, I don't have the luxury of time. Thanatos is keeping up, but it is easy to tell he is fighting a losing battle.
Minato looks to the side. "I don't know. This is the first time I'm doing something like this."
"Then how do you know it would work?" I argued. "How would you know it would be enough? What if he survives?
"Than I rather we find out now than later when it's too late." Something in him changed.
I don't know if that's good or not.
"Alright." I said at last. "We'll do it your way. However, if it doesn't work, you are responsible for getting us out of here as soon as possible.
"Right." He summoned a gem in the palm of his hand. "Thanatos has that thing distracted, I could call him back right as we teleport out of here."
So he managed to find it after all. That does set my mind at ease. At least a little bit.
"Here." Minato says, a strange white orb appeared on with other palm.
I took the object to examine it. "What is it?"
"A snuff soul." He answers. "It won't recover all of your energy, but crushing it will at least should give you enough to last until I'm done."
I did what he said and crushed the soul in my palms, releasing the energy and rejuvenating me. Not a lot but it'll have to do.
"Don't take too long." I said before expanding my wings and flee to join Thanatos.
Typhon's had already regrown his hand and it moved to strike Thanatos. I was quick enough to move in and block the attack with my sword. With enough effort, I manage to push it back far enough for Thanatos to dive in and deliver another deadly blow, gravely injuring the hand.
The snake heads on the arm all turn towards Thanatos and blow fire at him. The flames did managed to hit Thanatos, but he remains strong while he pulls on the hand, slowly tearing the skin on the beast.
I landed on the wrist and use my blade to finished the job, severing the hand again. Running up the arm, I cut off any heads on my path to reach the main one. Typhon tries to swat my off with his other hand, but Thanatos intercepted by throwing the hand he was holding and threw it at the former owner. The severed hand hits Typhon in the face, distracting him long enough for Thanatos to intercept the attacking fist from hitting me.
When I made it up to the shoulders, I jumped across his face while making a long cut along the way. After landing on his other shoulder, I use it as a pad to leap off and dive in to his elbow with my sword pointed forward.
My blade went clean through the arm. With one simple movement, I removed the limb clean off with little difficulty. Thanatos, no longer having have to deal with the arm, dropped it and charged towards Typhon. With Thanatos' burst of speed hitting Typhon directly in the face, the impact caused the giant beast to topple over landing in the village.
With the beast's body through platform the village is on, only the top half of his body bends to fell on the village while his legs remaining standing or dangling or whatever it's doing.
"Now!" Minato shouted loud enough for me to hear.
Thanatos was already flying back to the boy's side and I followed behind to not get caught in the blast.
Minato extended both of his arms to the side, releasing a huge amount of power and pointed his right palm towards the fallen beast with his left hand supporting it. A familiar looking circle formed around Typhon with lightning clouds appeared above and becoming more violent with every second. Flames erupted from below, burning the dark flesh of the beast.
I never liked this attack since it was always used against me without fail whenever he had a chance. I'm glad that I'm not the target this time. Even then, it still not completely safe as I could still feel intense wind coming from the spell circle. Thanatos is floating strong against the wind. I'm also to withstand against the high pressure due to being the victim if it many times. Finally when Minato clenched his palm, the final explosion rung out and blinded the entire area.
I saw Minato's legs gave away but Thanatos catches him before he started to fall. When the explosion died down, smoke came and covered Typhon. There was a definite silence permeating the entire area, with the exception of the boy's rugged breath.
"While his presence is no longer the way it was before, it's not gone however." I said, staring at the smoke.
"Damn..." He breathes out.
!
Before I had a chance to do anything, Thanatos grabs both of us and flies backwards to avoid a black skeletal hand slamming down on us. While we were in the air, I saw something glowing red in the smoke. Thanatos moves both of his arms to throw us just as another skeletal hand hits him. Realizing what to do, I expanded my wings and grabbed the boy, flying away as fast as I can manage.
Looking back, I saw Thanatos' body flew into a building before his presence faded into nothing. I should be grateful it's not my actual child.
"Ack!" Minato suddenly clutched his head and pain and twitching his eye.
What is happening to him? His power suddenly spiked but I feel intense agony. Come to think of it, I remember something similar like this before. Right, I was dealing with a certain pest when I felt the same thing. So he was the cause of the anomaly.
I landed at the nearby rooftop, setting him gently on the ground. Typhon is far away, but it won't take long for him to recover and make his way over here. The gateway is behind Typhon. Even if I just rely on speed to avoid his attacks, there's no guarantee that he won't attempt to destroy the portal to prevent us from leaving.
I felt Minato's body shifting. One of his hand was still in his head but that didn't deterred him as he was already halfway up. I tried to motion him down but he didn't budge the other way.
"I don't… have time… for limitations…" He spoke between each breath.
"You can't even speak properly." I pointed out.
The whole platform shook as we heard giant footsteps grow louder and louder. I turn to see the Typhon had fully recovered and already caught up to us. I moved to block the sight between Minato and Typhon.
To think a human to push me this far. To harm me to that extent. I can now see why that the gods have taken an interest in you.
You may have the potential to ascend. I now understand why he considers a mortal a threat to his plan at last.
Ascend?
I turn to the boy breathing heavily on his knees.
I will acknowledge that he is powerful, but he does not have the mindset to accept such a thing.
I don't think that Typhon knows that the boy can't understand him. To Minato, he is just hearing unrecognizable sounds. Sounds that fall flat in mortal ears. Still, it looks like that Typhon said that he wanted to say and threw his fist.
Just before the fist made contact with us, I was blinded by a flash of light and found myself in a familiar looking lobby.
So in the end, we had to retreat. I know this was the wisest choice but my pride would never accept that.
"We lost." Minato said, still breathing heavily on the ground.
"I know." I don't need to be reminded.
I turn to see the boy looking up at me. Moving up to him, I extended my hand to which he grabbed before I pulled him up.
"Can you walk?" I ask him.
"…Yeah. I'm getting used to the pressure."
Pressure? Now that he mentioned it, the pain I feel from him is decreasing but he powers are relatively the same. Did something happened down there that allowed him to adapt?
After making sure our appearance looked normal, more made our way out of the tower. We were halfway back to our residence when the he spoke.
"You've been fighting that thing the whole time, right?"
I nodded, still looking forward.
"Did you figure out something about him? Like why he was there?"
"He was freed by our common enemy."
"Nyarlathotep."
"Possibly, He released Typhon, in order to have him guard the secret deep within in the tower."
I turn to see that Minato had a hand on his chin while looking down on to the sidewalk.
"Did you figure out something?" I asked.
He took a while before the boy turns to face me.
"I made it all the way to the bottom."
"Did you now?" So it is possible to reach the bottom and survive. "What did you see?"
"An ocean of blood. There was a small platform floating on it. On the platform, there was a strange looking door but it's been chained up."
"I assume that what we're looking for is beyond that door?" That is also assuming that it doesn't keep going.
"Possibly." He nods. "The chains are unnatural however. They seem to be alive somehow and it oozes acid that is pretty strong. Fast enough the instantly dissolve a large piece of rock the moment it touches the chain."
"Did you find a way to bypass it?" This is a rather large discovery.
Minato shook his head. "The chain does give off a presence though, just like the pendant."
"Does it now?"
I left the pendant back at my realm. That way, Nyarlathotep won't easily get his hands on it and that humans can't be affected if I bring it with me. However, if the chain and pendant give off the same feeling…
"Did you figure out something?" He asks.
"Possibly." I nodded. "Minato, we may have another reason to go after that group of humans."
The boy paused, giving himself a moment to think before speaking.
"We need their pendants."
"Correct. Even if they are not the keys break down the chains, the fact that they give off the same feelings mean they are connected somehow."
Of course, those humans are not going to hand us their gifts from their god. The real issue is that they are spread all over the world. Thanks to Envy graciously answering our questions, we manage to narrow our search but without more details, we are still blind.
"Is it possible that we can make it to the bottom without fighting Typhon?" Minato spoke suddenly. "I managed to get down there while he was still alive. Is it possible to sneak pass him?"
That would be a good idea, but…
"It won't work because Typhon is guarding the tower to stop you."
"Why me?" He raised his eyebrow. "Surely you're more powerful and dangerous."
"Like I said before, Typhon was freed from his prison in order to exchange a deal with Nyarlathotep. The deal was that Typhon is free as long as you are dealt with."
"So basically, Typhon is trapped in the tower until he produces my body." His face turns more serious.
"Unfortunately." I shook my head. "Typhon can leave the tower whenever he wants."
Minato turns to me in shock.
Of course this is coming from Typhon himself. There's a chance that Nyarlathotep lied about that but we can't take the chance.
"Then we have to destroy him now." The boy urged. "What's to stop him if he get impatient and comes to the surface to hunt me down? Innocents will be hurt."
'How are we going to do it now?" I ask him. "We are both exhausted and not strong enough to fight him."
"Then we get stronger no matter what." Minato says, looking at me with complete focus.
No matter what? I need some answers now.
"What is with you right now?" I move closer to him. "You were strangely aggressive with Typhon and now, you are openly desiring power. I bet there's another thing you're hiding isn't there?"
Come to think of it, he had a hand on his head the entire time.
"No matter what? What happened down there?" I grabbed on to his collar and pulled him towards me.
I'm worried because what if something happened down there that he doesn't know about? What if it grows more serious?
Minato turns away from my gaze.
"I learned the truth about myself." He answers. "I was afraid of my powers and abilities."
I was honestly unprepared for that answer. I couldn't help but let go of his collar. I knew he was holding back, but I thought it was for different reason.
"I was afraid that I would mess up like last time. That is why I was wasn't active, following the same cycle every time loop. If we didn't confronted each other, I would have no doubt continued on as before."
"Why now then?"
"I learned that sometimes that the best options aren't the one you like to choose. I realized that if we are to be free from this time loop, I have to be willing to stain my hands. Even if it's blood."
Interesting...
"So you're willing to take a life?" I decided to not beat around the bush and straight up ask him.
"Let me make this clear." He said, straightening up.
We both stared at each other. The tension between is thick enough to cut through.
"I don't want to take a life. In fact, I rather not kill at all. However, I will do it if they leave me no choice. I will kill them if I have to."
…
"Puh-. Ha ha ha!" I laughed. I tilted my head upwards and let out my laugh.
The boy frowned at my actions. No doubt confused why I would express my emotions like this.
When I was calm enough to look at him, a smirk forms on my face. Now I understand after all this time.
"I can now see why the Olympians have an interest in you mortals now." I spoke. "For a long time, I would wonder why they would waste their time in beings with such little matters in this land.
After all, we had control of the skies, the seas, land, life and death. I couldn't fathom why they would take interest in advanced mammals until now.
You're a lot more like us than I believed, initially. I can now see the potential within you."
He raised his eyebrow at my wording.
"Your path will be a unique one. It will be interesting to see how you will walk it."
Right as I said that, the Dark Hour ended, bringing the streets we were in back to life again.
"Hmm?" Minato's face contorted with slight confusion as he reached into his pocket to pull out his cell phone.
The phone was ringing and vibrating like crazy before suddenly stopping soon after.
As the child looked at his display, his eyes widened in shock.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Nyx, how long we were in Tartarus?"
"I don't have the exact time." I was a bit occupied most of the time during our exploration. "How many days has it been?"
Five? Six? A week at least?
"15 days have passed." He said, turning to me.
Terrific…
AN: Because Nyx is a goddess. It should stand to say that she has advantage that a human like Minato doesn't have. Like being able to understand sounds unrecognizable to a mortal for one.
Another thing, I know that the Snuff Soul is (probably) not a real soul that they destroy to reagin spirit points, but wouldn't it make more sense? I blame Darks Souls for putting that idea in my head.