DISCLAIMER: DxD does not belong to me~


Garith Gremory(Riz-kun): The protagonist of the story, but not in this chapter. His favourite dish is Kanto-styled ramen.

Hippolyta (Polly-tan): Garith's first [EVIL PIECE] and [QUEEN], the protagonist of the story… At least for now. She doesn't mind the taste as long as it is nutritious but has a knack for salmon.

Lilitifa Vepar(Lily-chan): The heiress of the extinct clan of Vepar, has the appearance of a mermaid. She's exasperated as how things escalated from there on.


'Moreover, the [QUEEN] piece has accepted you. That's a good sign and shows how truly strong you are.'

'You might not have felt for now, but after I reincarnated you with that piece, you received a boost in physical and magical attributes, not to mention you also became faster. Truly, to fight alongside a [KING], the [QUEEN] piece chooses only the best of the best.'

These were the male's… Garith's words as he explained my resurrection as his [QUEEN], his [EVIL PIECE], his subordinate, second-in-command and devil cohort. Born as the first daughter of a demigoddess mother and human father, the ichor within my veins from our divine Founder and ancestor, Lord Ares, has long been diluted by human blood.

It wouldn't be incorrect to label myself as 'more human than God' at this point, and while Olympian traits linger within this body, generation per generation it becomes weaker and weaker. Even my title as the 'Amazonian's strongest' have nothing to do with my heritage, as I share this same blood with my sisters in one way or another. More human than God, with the same limits and restrictions. I bleed, I hurt, I die equally as a human.

Not now, not anymore. Now, I… I…

*DON!*

[-DANGER- IRREPERABLE DAMAGE TO RB UNIT 06- -FUNCTIONS CEASING-] I clash this shield against one of those bronze automatons, destroying part of its face before stabbing it with Achilles, no electricity but instead energy leaking out of its damaged parts. I kick the now unfunctional unit before jumping away from the others assaulting my flanks and back, switching the spear for the sword, cutting off a second's arm and leaving quite a scar on the galley ship. The others gather in a single horizontal line and lifted an arm while holding other in the air. [-NEW FORMATION: PHALANX PHANTOM. ENGAGE-]

And from a small core on their mechanical forearms shields were summoned, circular ones made again out of energy. I stand my ground, still with Alcides at hands and shield up, and within one second, I charged at their phalanx-like barrier as they did the same! I feel… faster. Faster than ever, my feet feel like they have feathers, and even Alcides feels lighter somehow. I got used to the pressure on my black sword, but to feel no power from it after my reincarnation… What power!

The encounter came with an explosion, a charged jump against the bronze soldiers, and to my surprise, I prevailed against their numbers, the impact pushing them to all directions as from my standpoint I penetrated their defences like a meteorite, and yet… I feel no push, no resistance, as if I was gliding on air. A second of carelessness, and now pain. One of those bronze units found a breach and hit me in the face… And still, hurt didn't manifest.

"Have at thee, I declare!" I attack the assaulting soldier with the shield, smashing its helmet and chest to pieces, but despite the damage, it simply jumped away and lifted its shield for another offence. With my black blade at hand, I prepare another! "Begone, I say! Face the power of…!"

*ZING!* But instead, I was attacked once again! A flash of light, merciless and hot from an unprotected side hits me, making me lose balance and gasp in pain. I look down, and from the affected area steam comes, as if burnt despite no damage to my clothes. My eyes turn shift to a side, and from the palm of one of the automatons a cloud of smoke smelters, indicating the source of that flash of light! The other units lift their hands as well, and from their palms pointed at me, colourful beams were shot. A step back, I use the shield for protection, the aspis only able to cover so much as I had to move and dodge with each blocked ray. What are those? They pack quite the force, and this is not normal force, but pure energy. Each step, each hit, each beam, I back and back more and more, until I was on the edge of the deck. I change Alcides for the spear, and lifted it one more time before aiming it at the automatons.

"Cross the field like a shooting star, Achilles!" I chant, hurling the golden spear at the speed of a meteorite, cutting the distance between the army of units and yours truly. However, as if predicting the trajectory of Achilles, the assaulted bronze soldier tilted its head sideways to avoid damage. From it, a muffled chuckle.

[-DODGE SUCCESSFUL. BETTER LUCK NEXT TIM-…] But its words were cut as its helmet was crushed under my sword. Before Achilles could pass right through the barrier lifted in bronze, I switched positions with it and appeared on the heart of their now broken formation! They all turned to me and tried to resume their barrage of light, but I was faster to strike every one of them with my black sword, crushing chests, splitting helmets and cutting off arms and legs…

What is this~? Alcides was never this… Light~. As a weapon and a training device, my black sword feels more like a… dummy. My feet dance on the rotten floor, my arms swing gracefully like the waves, and even if there's no music, I feel so… weightless~. Even the pressure of cutting the bronze and crushing cores feels like none. It doesn't hurt anymore, it doesn't weight anymore, the sheer freedom of movement in the battlefield, within my body…

So, this is how to be surpassing myself, this is the feeling of power beyond my previous limitations. Ah~, so… So~…

*BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!*

Hits from all directions, my body being assaulted by punches and kicks from the remaining enemies, another moment of idle distractions costed me another chance, as I couldn't defend myself from the barrage of hits from all directions. Blood, blood everywhere, tainting the rotten wood and bronze of the moving armours, and then, in one final blow, I was blown away, my limp body being pushed to a direction violently only to fall to the deck, a dull sound of wood indicating my crude descend. Bruises all over, blood splattered on my clothes and the galley, yet the smile doesn't go away.

I didn't even feel a thing. All those things, and yet… Nothing.

This sensation, like a butterfly, freshly out of its cocoon, ready to take flight for the first time…

So… So~… Soooooooooooo~…

Good.

"Heheh… Heheheheh… Heheheheh…"

[-TARGET ALIMINATED- -NEW OBJECTIVE- SEIZE THE HOMERIC GALLEY AND-]

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH…!" My muscles contract violently, my back ejects itself from the floor, and like a lioness I take stance and went for the killing! This surge of energy, this feeling of power, I feel like I can do anything! Go anywhere! This flowing excitement burning, as if I have magma within my veins!

I strap the shield on my arm and now pull both my arms, swinging them madly against the bronze units, flowing like air against their numbers and pushing myself forward for the kill. They charge without fear, still surrounding me and hitting me as they can, but I didn't care, the high was so much, I can barely contain a smile while penetrating their defences and destroying their formations! Cuts, smashed bits, broken bronze and shards of metal and electronics flying everywhere, the frenzy of this battle is almost orgasmic, the carnal pleasure having no like!

[-DANGER! DANGER! - UNITS UNDER IRREPARABLE DAMAGE! – BACK AWAY BACK AWAY-]

"Not fast enough, I declare!" I roar, unravelling the girdle of war around my body so that I could run around the soldiers leaving the crimson divine cloth draw a line among their units while dodging their offences Wrapping, tying knots, crossing over itself, the godly piece covers the automatons and by the time they realized what was happening, it was a day after the fair: A jump, one final pull, and the crimson wraps and knots pull them all in a mangled sphere of bronze and red, capturing and seizing them on a single tight, merciless trap! "[NEMEAN GRIP], the unescapable leonine trap!"

I twirl on the spot and pull the resulting ball of metal and cloth over my shoulder, starting to spin and spin on the spot, the weight by the other end of the girdle of war boosting the already accelerating pace before forming a whirl coloured in blood. One final turn, and being able to discern all directions, I jump into the air and flail the mad sphere against the horse giant of bronze and silver! Time to finish this for real!

"Now, have at thee, I challenge!" One final scream of pure, unaltered adrenaline, and I was ready to break the flailing madness of metal and divine cloth against the bigger foe! But as fast as it could, one of its limbs emerged and swatted my improvised weapon away, the resulting hit destroying the remaining soldiers completely and breaking the supports holding the sphere, leaving only the girdle as the automaton parts fall and are lost in the salty waters or rocks of the coast. "Curses…!"

[-NO, HAVE AT THEE! -] A muffled, static voice comes from the horse's helmet-like muzzle, and with the same limb, he now hits me still airborne, I lift my new shield in front of my body to withstand to impact as the metallic arm pushes me to the deck once again, skipping my body on the rotten wood until I could roll on it and finally stop, my body turned upwards to the sky above us. I can feel… My body… Losing heat and then...

Oh…

Oh.

Hm.

How embarrassing.

What a nightmare.

"Hah." I sigh, putting myself sit and then standing up to face the armoured giant horse, who again support its upper body with two frontal limbs on the deck. A hand covering my blushing face, taking steps to confront it once again. Once close enough, I face the mechanical animal and pull my arms once again. "I apologize for my embarrassing display of uncontrol. Must've been quite an unbecoming sight, I dread. This body of mine, reincarnated like a devil's, have discovered new horizons, I declare. The high must've brought the best of my warrior spirit, and for that, I apologize. I am… I am calmer now, I assure."

[…]

…? What is that? No offences? Only a downed muzzle? Odd, if I can add something. Moreover, those automatons, they were moving on their own, yet lacked individual thoughts, so I can assume there must be a core to their behaviour, someone behind their actions. Obviously, the one controlling them must be the greater horse facing me, and no, unlike the bronze soldiers, this is not an automaton, I can tell by simply feeling the aura emanating from it, stronger than the ones coming from the soldiers. Moreover, it's of kin, has divine blood or influence in it. But I do ask, why compromise over with gadgets instead of charging raw? Odd, indeed.

[- LAST WARNING- - LEAVE THE HOMERIC GALLEY- - I WISH FOR NOTHING BUT IT- -DO NOT FORCE ME TO ENGAGE-] The voice again echoes from the horse of metal and energy, a crimson glow on its core that emanates energy. I suppose it is what is powering this one. A moment for truce? Just leave and it'll leave us be? One moment, and I hold my weapons lower… Only to pull them up once again.

"This is unnegotiable, I'm afraid. This plunder is ours to take, I exclaim!" I lift the shield and then the golden spear, a spartan formation, and hearing my response, a cloud of steam exhales the muzzle, and from its core, much more like blood through veins, energy runs all over the horse's insides, all glowing bright red. A quake, trembling the whole ship, coming from the gigantic animal, and with a final warning, it initiated its offence!

[-THEN HAVE AT THEE! - DOURÁTEOS HÍPPOS, CHARGE! -] An unlike its previous monotonous tone, I hear a scream coming from its helmeted head, roaring bloody murder. I charged at the beast, and from its back, unfolded a golden arc resembling wings. [ - RELEASE: XYSTON-]

And from those appendances, shower from small fissures among them spears constructed from light, pure energy taking shape! Instinctively, I lifted the divine shield and backed away from the barrage of energy coming from the skies, making sure I wouldn't stop and be at the epicentre of the chaos! Like a storm rain, the incessant assault got stronger and stronger as it went on, forcing me to the other side of the deck. Curses, it leaves no breach for me to counterattack!

One moment, then another, and the metal horse shoots a beam of energy from one of its sides much more like a volcano, boosting its speed in such a way it found itself from the opposite side to mine, appearing right behind me! A limb lifted and then a swift swat on me, if it wasn't for the shield, it could've broken a bone within me! Still, the power behind the assault was enough to leave me airborne once again, vulnerable to anything!

From its position, the said Douráteos Híppos jumps from the waters, causing quite a quake, and was ready to tackle me with its sheer size! But I wouldn't let it have me so easily: using the shield to ease the impact between us, I slid myself onto its carapace and found some balance to finally stand and run across its body! Now on the back of the giant animal of steel, I pull Alcides to cleave and smash its black blade against the previously pristine metal armour, impact making it lose balance and standing!

[ - DOURÁTEOS HÍPPOS, ENGAGE DEFENCE MANOEUVRE!-] But my assault was short-lived as the horse simply jumped in the air and used again those energy boosts on its sides to twirl violently, making me lose contact with it but not before swatting me with its limbs once again!

Despite its size, this mechanical giant moves as a real horse, and its manoeuvrability is just as versatile and quick, if not more. Not to mention, its arsenal is not only physical, but also ranged, which means I'm in disadvantaged and using Achilles is too hazardous for a quick chance for a hit! Worse, I'm airborne, devoid of ground to stand and limit my breaches, an easy target! Curses, if it comes down to it… I'll have to…!

[ - RELEASE: XYSTON-] It announced one more, and just like the last time, a flurry of energy beams shaped like arrows and lances were launched against me from the wing-like appendances on its back! With Achilles and Alcides at hand, I protect my body by swinging the blades and deflecting each and every projectile. It was only too late for me to notice that was nothing but a distraction, and from its standing, the horse jumped and charged against me once again, my surprise expression reflected on its armour clear as day! This time, no time to lift my shield and shift trajectory, I took the entirety of its weight, blowing me away by sheer force of impact!

But it wasn't over yet. As fast as lightning, it lost no time to shift position and tackle me from another direction, using it again its boost to go to another direction and violently hurl itself at me. No time to rest, no breaches, the giant of metal revel that I'm within being toyed with, kicking me left and right in midair with nothing resembling a halt! Eventually, like the animal it resembles, the metallic giant used its back limbs to kick me into the air, and before I fell from the skies, it boosted itself right above me and started to descend its sheer size on me! This one… It wants to crush me beneath its body?!

At this point… Now…! Since I'm far away from Garith and lady Lilitifa to avoid collateral damage… I can… I can…!

[- TRAGOIDÍA!-] It announced. No other choice, I take a deep breath, guide my fingers to my mouth and with closed fingers, I blow a whistle as loud as I can, my vision being taken by the shadow of the immense horse ready to fall on me. Tis was my final attempt, and whatever happens, happens! I close my eyes ready for the impact and what follows is…

*NEIGH!*

*DOOOOOON!*

Suddenly, the shadows from my eyelids become a bit brighter, and no longer the lingering threat stays. I open my eyes and see that the monstruous machine no longer sets above me, but rather falls sideways into the waters, lifting another watery curtain of salt, staggering on its stance and being punished by the waves. In another second, I land on something soft and comforting, easing my fall enough to feel no pain. A neigh, a ring of metal, and after a moment or two of rest, I stand up from the soft surface and I can distinguish my standing…

Glowing in bright golden against the lights, massive as a carriage should be, I stand on the centre of Lord Ares' chariot, two of his four fire-breathing horses in front of me being seized by two sets of golden reins. No need for a surface, the car simply floats on air as the wheels turn and turn in circles of fire as if in high speed. A desperate move, the ultimate move I should only call for dire situations since I lack… I lacked the strength and dexterity to control the divine chariot. [HIPPOI AREIOI], the chariot of the God of war!

[- PERSISTENT, AREN'T YOU? -] I look down, the horse emerges from its fallen state and turns to my chariot. No longer on a monotonous tone, it seems irritated with my tenacity and will, something that surprised me to bloom those negative emotions. With its muzzle turned to me, it seems to examinate my current standing, and then it spoke. [-SCANNING. COMPARING. RESULT: HIPPOI AREIOI, THE HORSES OF ARES. TCH, DO NOT THINK IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. -]

"…" I feel no weight in its words, only contempt and a hint of anger. For that, I must admit, I chuckled ever so slightly for the comparison between us. Truly, the parallels are so ridiculous, it feels like fate. "Now we're equals, I point. Your horse against mine, let us see which ride prevails in the end, I challenge!"

No words or warning. In a fit of rage, the horse jumps at us against and tries another cowardly tackle. But this time, with the right tools with me, I reach for the reins and give it one swift whip, the godly horses locomoting at incredible speeds to not only dodge the wooden horse but also counter it with another hit to its side! The impact and strength of it being enough to damage the carapace and make it fall into the waters again.

Ah~, this sensation again… I was the only one of us sisters who could control the divine horses of our divine founder, Lord Ares, hence my name 'Hippolyta', the 'freer of horses'. And even so, only one at the time, as my previous limitations not being enough to hold the reins of the golden chariot without the threat of losing fingers or control over the steed. But now… My fingers tingle and burn, but I can… I can hold the reins conducting Lord Ares' horses.

Truly, this feels…

[ - RELEASE: XYSTON-] Another chant snaps me from my reverie, and again opening its wing-like appendances in an arc, the metallic animal unleashes another flurry of light arrows and lances. I whip the reins again, and this time, instead of only being on the defensive, the chariot practically dances in the air, flying and dodging the beams of power and coming closer and closer before hitting the horse on its muzzle yet again, whipping its head back in a violent matter and almost making it fall on its back! [- WHY, YOU…!-]

"Try as you may, I dare! No horse, manmade or whatnot, stands against the noble cavalry of our divine ancestor, I boast!" I declare, dodging another attempt at my ride and responding in kind. I flinch after that one, however, feeling the warm blood run through the golden ropes. It seems that, despite my new horizons, I might not be enough for two horses for too long, yet alone all the four. I must end this as quick as possible! "Come, unleash your fury, your resolve, your power, I request! For challenging me, I will respond with equal determination!"

[- YOOOOOOOOU…!-] A roar of pure rage, as it charged again.

Faster than this, I throw Achilles at it, and despite the spear not being enough to penetrate its hard exterior, simply bouncing off it, I didn't need anything else: I shift our positions and run right into the robotic horse with full force, the chariot then moves away, turning its path for me to reach and pick my golden weapon in its fall! I throw it again, it bounced off and I shift positions for another surprise tackle, only to reach for it again and repeat the process! Again, and again, and again once more, now it was the gigantic horse which was trapped within my grasp, not being fast enough to predict or react to every throw and shift between my spear and the chariot! In the end, all its bronze and silver plates and armour were crumbled and broken, even the wing like appendances twisted beyond repair.

When it posed no longer a threat, I lift [HIPPOI AREIOI] right above it to give a good look, and despite state, it continued to move and twitch, no longer as a majestic ride, but an old, broken horse instead, energy and sparkles of light leaking from all the broken orifices.

[-YOU… YOU…-] It murmured, even its voice failing and broken, not the same amount of rage as before. I thought for a moment he would withdraw, but instead, the metal gigantic animal stood strong one more time, and as fast as it could, gathering its last legs and strengths, it turns its crimson core at me, which I noticed was getting brighter and brighter while everything else shuts off! One moment, and from the heart core in its chest, I feel an immense amount of power gathering! [ - TO MAKE ME GO THIS FAR… ACCEPT THIS… AND PERISH! -]

"Challenge accepted! Come my noble steed, I command!" I whip the reins of my chariot one more time, blood splattering everywhere and my hands becoming quite numb, and made the divine war horses turn to the skies above as fast as they could, gathering as much power and speed as possible, as I led the horses' doing curves and drifts in the air. In the end, I shift the direction to the metal animal at the beach and charged against its malice and intentions, its heart as bright as the Sun! In the end, from its chest, it unleashes a beam of energy as massive as itself, a ray of pure power on me! I braced myself and whipped the reins one more time, lighting my surroundings in pure light like a shooting star! "Run, Horses of Ares! Run across the sky, the stars, the milky way! Ignite the divine chariot with fury and power, become the shooting star which brilliance rivals the God of War himself…!"

[- ULTIMATE MOVE, UNLEASH: PALINTONOS!-]

"[Antares Metéōron], the shooting star that rivals the war God!"

And we clashed, his blast engulfed the divine golden chariot, and I ran right into it, my new shield lifted to block as much damage as I could, parting the assaulting energy like a boulder in the middle of a river, coming closer and closer as well losing speed and power, my bleeding palm holding the reins for dear life!

And in the end, the result was…!

"Hip-…"

"… -polyta…?"

"Hippolyta…?"

"Well, you know what Plato once said: 'silence gives consent'. Now, to see which colour of panties she's wearing~."

*PAFT!*

"Spare me your nonsense, why don't you, Garith." And I hold his harassment with a palm on his face, pushing him away. I am used to his usual sexual deviance, but to act while I attempt to rest is cowardly beyond what I am willing to withstand.

Since I no longer can let my guard down, I awake from my repose and I look around, no signs of the golden chariot or the divine steeds, they must've vanished back to Olympus during my slumber. I stand up from where I landed after the clash to look at the surroundings: the soft sands of the beach near the coast and the lighthouse establishment. Although now I'm afraid what rests there is something less appealing: the remains of the mechanical horse, missing all its limbs and with its main body crushed beyond recognition, the helmeted head linked by a simple piece of scrap that dangles dangerously from it. My hands twitch, and looking at them, my palms are ruined, burnt and scarred by cuts and signs of struggles, but it doesn't matter… I've won.

"Well, that will be hard to explain to the authorities before brother Zechs pull some strings… But who cares, you were awesome!" And the leader of our two-pieces band comes from nowhere to hug my midsection, burying his head onto my bosom and taking a quick sniff off me. It tickles a bit, but he's praising me, it does feel good. "As expected from my [QUEEN], only you to pull stunts like that and live to tell the tale! I'm so proud of you being my queen dearest! I promise I will cherish you and pamper you even more from now on!"

"Tis was nothing, I hum." A small puff of a chuckle escapes my lips again, and then I hold my own face so it wouldn't contort into another obscene expression. This new body of mine… It is powerful and resistant, but I must control my urges and bloodthirst, for as an amazon, I should also display discipline and respect. My attention shifts to the waters, and I see lady Lilitifa seeing us from afar. Despite my current fatigue, I push myself towards her and once close enough, I bow. "I'm sorry for my current state, I apologize. Lady Lilitifa, thank you for this opportunity and I hope this match was of your liking, stakes or whatnot. Now, the ship is ours, I celebrate."

"A-Ah…" A gasp and moan come from the mermaid-like devil being, and masking her lips with hands, the devil noble tries but fails to hold back her tears. "S-So brave… All for me… The useless me… Thank you, thank you so much… I can't… Thank you enough…"

"The honour is mine, I declare."

[-THIS… THIS IS NOT OVER YET-] Our attention turns now to the new voice into our circle, so we turn to the source of it, the head of the destroyed mechanical animal, which dangles from its crushed body. One, two seconds of silence, and we see the helmet serving as head disengaging itself, revealing from inside a human-sized white sphere, small windows giving us the sight of a silhouette bathed in liquid. Suddenly, at the top of the sphere, steam comes from a small opening resembling a door, and then it opens with no provocation, revealing the blood-like liquid inside, which smells accordantly. [-THIS IS NOT… OVER YET.-]

"If you wish to engage, I accept your challenge, I state." I turn to the voice coming from the sphere, my hands still numb and a bit unresponsive, so my only alternative was to tighten the strap of the divine shield on my forearm. "But this time, like a true warrior, engage with your own flesh and bones, I demand. I will not allow you to dishonour the rules of a duel any further."

"My own… Flesh and bones…? I'm afraid… It might disappoint you…" And seeing a new figure emerging from the red pool, I couldn't help but gasp in surprise, which was the most subdued reaction compared to Lady Lilitifa's scream and Garith's rude retching.

I can't find reasons to blame them though: what came from inside was a decrepit, emancipated parody of a human. Body wrapped in bandages from top to bottom, the small glimpses from its true self shown burnt, scarred, rotten skin; bulging bloodshot eyes and lacking lips and a nose despite wearing a mask in which bombed air from within. Emancipated, more flesh and bones and lacking fat, its lanky body lacked the lower legs and had needles painfully stinging into its body. No, this is… This is… Too cruel.

"Shishio?! Makoto Shishio?! Didn't you burn to death after fighting Kenshin-dono?! Are you making a cameo in this series before appearing on the sequel?!" And I silence Garith's rude remarks with a tap on his head, which he was quick to recompose himself for any gaffe. The… Being by the other side sighs in annoyance.

"Laugh, Gremory devil. Laugh as you want, but this… This body is my curse." He states with a voice raspy and painfully low, as if breathing was the most tiring action one could engage. He vomits some of the liquid and resumes. "Descendant of the Aeaean witch… And the Homeric hero… I was born with my ancestors' nigh-divine power and intelligence… But at the cost of a mortal body which could not withstood its power. The uncontrollable energy within frail flesh, my skin can be burns against even moonlight and it rots as I breathe, my organs stop functioning due to the pressure grasping them, and my body deteriorates with each passing second outside this tank of healing potions, and only works so much. I lost both my legs and my entire body feels nothing but pain. So if you think words can hurt me, even after all of this suffering… Think again…"

"H-How cruel…" I turn to Lady Lilitifa, who hold back tears. Even yours truly can feel nothing but pity to the individual across us despite our previous clash. The descendant of the Homeric hero and the aeaean witch… Which means he must be related to the hero of Troy mother always told us about… Odysseus. Indeed, he is of kin. Still…

"I am moved by your words and anguish, I state. I really am. For this I ask: please withdraw." I ask the hero's descendant. His state is pitiful and deplorable, and if by choice, I wish no longer to engage, but charity can only be offered so much. "I've won, so please, gracefully accept defeat and recollect yourself to live another day. If truly honourable, do not engage anymore."

"Oh~, ruthless. Not bad, princess." Garith comments with a chuckle, satisfied, despite lady Lilitifa's gasp of surprise and protest. I take a deep breath and wait for his response. Instead, the individual stops… And laughs.

"Ku… Kukukuku… Kukukukuku…!" He laughs, a hoarse, painfully breathless laugh, followed by another retch of red, before turning to me. "Withdraw… After finding the Homeric galley… The last piece of my ancestor? You… You jest… Have you… Any idea… How it is? For your ancestor to lose everything… His honour… His freedom… His men… His own ship… And then his kingdom… His loved ones and then his life? For chance?! To know unluck claimed his life… That his own son Telegonus claimed his life by chance… And then make his fame and name fade… Like dust…"

"…" Oh the tragedy of Odysseus, another tale mother used to tell us: How she heard from our divine ancestors about the fate of the hero of the trojan war, whose hubris and unfortune brought demise and chaos to his men and fleet, and when he thought the nightmare was over once in his once in Ithaca, his life was claimed by his own son Telegonus, seed of his affair with the witch Circe, who later took his wife Penelope to himself. I see, so he is the fruit of them.

"I won't let you… I won't let you… Claim his legacy… His name… His honour…!" The hero's descendant now roars like a madman, blood and flesh leaking from his bandages and his tears mixing with crimson. Suddenly, he reaches a hand for inside his tank and pulls from it a bow with a single arrow, targeting us! "Perish… In the name of the King of Ithaca… Perish in the name of Odysseus…!"

"Cease, now!" I warn him, but then, the hero pulls the arc of the bow, places the arrow, aim at us and then…

*SPLAT!*

Predictably, his body couldn't withstand the pressure: the adrenaline might've numbed him, but his frail constitution wasn't able to fire the bow, and instead all of the muscles in his arms expanded and exploded, splattering his blood everywhere and making him lose balance, falling on the sandy grounds. Like a vermin, screaming in pain, the hero twitches and spasms on the ground in a pitiful, agonizing sight, so much lady Lilitifa averted her gaze to cry. Even so, he still tried to reach for the bow and the arrow… This… This is enough.

"Please, you've done enough, I honour." I say, coming closer to the mess of a human on the ground, who tried but failed to crawl itself away. Holding him on place, I pull Alcides and aim its tip directly at his heart, a strike that would be swift and painless, a merciful alternative to his whole existence. "I recognize you as a warrior and a hero, I declare. Please, do not resist… Just accept the embrace of Thanatos and may the ferryman of the Styx lead you to the Elysian fields. Eternal, your memory be…"

"Say~. You said you're quite intelligent, right~? Were you the one who built all those wonderful toys? I'm impressed." But before I could land the finishing blow, Garith comes closer to us and, with his characteristic nonchalance, he approaches, his gaze turned to the fallen man in his last moments. I halt my actions, and the man under me simply nods to the redhead. A smile. "You did? How wonderful, to think there is someone out there outside the three factions to build those things. Say, if your name is not Makoto Shishio, what it is, then?"

"U-U-U…" He moans in pain. Garith turns to me and, with a simple glance and smile, signed me to give them space. Reluctantly, but with a faint idea of what's in his mind, I do so, opening a path for him to get even closer. The bandaged man coughs and retches blood, but finishes. "U-… U-… U-Uly… Uly-sses…"

"Ulysses, huh? Typical." He chuckles, and I can't help but to feel slightly vexed by his subtle jab at me. Without losing composure, however, the devil heir comes closer and from his pocket picks two items: a flask containing a small glittering liquid… And a chess piece. "But anyway, Yuri-kun, mind discuss business with me? Come what might, I guarantee than you would be wild, untrammelled, free."

And so, the sun sets for the one known as Ulysses. But tomorrow, is a new day will be.


BOSS COMPENDIUM: UPDATED!

[NAME: Ulysses]

[LVL.: 41]

[RACE: Demigod]

[ALIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral]

[TITLES: x]

[CLASS: Rider-Archer]


(SKILLS)

- REMOTE CONTROL(ACTIVE): A technological skill, Ulysses possesses an enormous amount of energy and mana which can supply a small army of automatons and his gigantic mecha Douráteos Híppos, from a certain distance without the risk of becoming a target. (Lvl. MAX)

- AURA VISION(ACTIVE): An ability shared with his divine kin, Ulysses can sense the supernatural presence of divine beings and other demigods among the crowd. However, due to his crippled senses, this skill has the polishment of his other of kin. (Lvl. 8)

- IMMORTALITY(ACTIVE): A blessing given to his family by Circe, Ulysses will never die of old age and his body will stop decaying after a few years once reaching maturity. However... (lvl. x)

-ARCHERY(ACTIVE): The ranged skills with a bow and arrow. (lvl. 1)

- DIVINE PROTECTION(PASSIVE): The user takes less damage from magic-related offensive skills except [annihilation]-based ones. (Lvl. 55)


(STATS)

-STR: 15

-DEF: 15

-DEX: 5.000

-SPD: 5

-END: 5

-INT: 1.001.000

-WIS: 999.999

-CHA: 41

-LUK: 6


[EQUIPMENTS]

- RIACE BRONZES(20x): Soldiers made from bronze and eletronics, powered by Ulysses' almost limitless energy of divine origins. Automatons controlled remotely by him for both defence and offence. (DESTROYED BY HIPPOLYTA)

-DOURÁTEOS HÍPPOS: The wooden horse that stops wars, Ulysses personal ride, a massive, shining horse made from energy, bronze, silver and divine constructions, it is Ulysses' magnum Opus based on his ancestor's trojan horse. A piloted mecha powered raw by Ulysses that can use its energy to move at high speeds and blast a power beam of energy of extreme heat and power.

- PALINTONOS(EQUIPPED) Odysseus' heirloom, passed to his son Telemachus and then passed to Ulysses, the bow of reverse grip which contruction and form allows arrows to be fired at impossible angles and speeds.


[NAME: Hyppolita]

[LVL.: 89]

[RACE: Reincarnated devil]

[ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil]

[TITLES: The strongest warrior woman of the amazonian island; Themiskyra princess]

[CLASS: Saber-Brawler-Spearman-Archer-Rider]


(SKILLS)

- PANKRATION(ACTIVE): Martial arts from ancient Greece, it relies on powerful and precise blows by using the whole body to completely destroy the opponent, the only limitation being to hit only above the waist. (Lvl. MAX)

- THEMISKYRA ROYALTY(ACTIVE): The leader of the amazons, uses a compelling voice and high charisma to boost strength, resolve and determination of allies, extra boost for the amazon [RACE] individuals. (Lvl. 11)

- SPARTAN FORMATION(ACTIVE): battle skills using shield and spear, a powerful combination of defence and offense which has little to no weakness in a broad battlefield. The uses optimizes also their skills on both weapons. (lvl. 28)

- BLESSING OF THE WAR GOD(PASSIVE): A skill of those who inherited the blood of the war god Ares, the user will have completely mastery of [BASIC] skills regarding weapons of any sorts, from rudimentary ones up to firearms. However, it won't fuction past [MEDIUM]-level arm skills, requiring the warrior to train to further improve them. (Lvl. MAX)

- BLESSING OF THE WAR GOD -MID-(PASSIVE): An improved version of [BLESSING OF THE WAR GOD, the user can now possess complete master of [MEDIUM] skills regarding , it won't fuction past [HIGH]-level arm skills, requiring the warrior to train to further improve them. (Lvl. 50)

- - A WARRIOR IS NEVER EMPTY-HANDED(PASSIVE): A sub-skill of [BLESSING OF THE WAR GOD], the user is capable of coating any object with semi-divine aura to increase damage and durability by a slight margin, effectively turning anything on reach into a weapon. (lvl. 47)

-QUEEN(PASSIVE): A passive skill inherited as a [QUEEN] evil piece. It changes the person's race to [REINCARNATED DEVIL] and boosts physical,magical affinities such as [SPD, [STR] and [LUK, but it becomes weak against [DIVINE] related skills. (lvl. 1)

- DIVINE PROTECTION(PASSIVE): The user takes less damage from magic-related offensive skills except [annihilation]-based ones. (Lvl. 71)

- ANTARES METEORON(ACTIVE) (Can only be used with [Híppos Areioi] equipped.): Hippolyta's trump card, The Antares meteor, The shooting star that rivals the God of war, she mounts and rides the golden chariot of Ares until reaching maximum speed, to then run herself and the chariot against enemy and everything in its path, causing massive destruction. The sheer power and possible colleteral damage that unfolds, however, makes this skill unreliable and dangerous in crowds or nearby allies.


(STATS)

-STR: 777

-DEF: 309

-DEX: 665

-SPD: 188(discounting the [GODSPEED] skill)

-END: 621

-INT: 153

-WIS: 65

-CHA: 500

-LUK: 44


[EQUIPMENTS]

- THE GIRDLE OF WAR(EQUIPPED): A crimson sash with a golden belt, a heirloom of Themiskyra's royalty given by Ares, the god of War. It's as light as silk yet almost indestructible, boosting STR and DEF stats while also serving as armour. It is suppose to be wrapped around the waist and over the shoulder to protect an amazon's heart and uterus.

- ACHILLES(EQUIPPED): A magical spear wielded by Hippolyta, named after the slayer of Queen Penthesilea during the Trojan war. It gives the user the skill [GODSPEED, the ability to switch places with the spear on quick successions on certain distances.

- ALCIDES(EQUIPPED): A black sword wielded by Hippolyta, named after the greatest greek hero. A sword made from a mineral only found in Themiskyra, it is extremely dense and usually used for harsh trainings, forged into a blade which weights approximitely 210kg that is sharp as any sword while packing a mean blunt force.

- HIPPOI AREIOI: The horses of Ares, four powerful, divine, fire breathing steeds which Hippolyta can summon to assist her in battle alongside the chariot carrying them. However, due to the incontrollable nature of the horses plus the speed and power they have, Hippolyta can only use them as a last resort and his maximum control is only half of the horses.


And that's a wrap for now. A whole chapter with nothing but fights? That is possible, even though I'm not quite a fan of that type of writing and preferably rather write cheesy poetry and dialogue… But I had fun with this chapter, lots of fun creating new techniques and seeing Polly-tan clashing with the giant horse which I swear is not based on a certain mobile game. I had fun even though Garith did go to the sidelines this chapter, but eh, a protagonist who's always central makes the story dull.

Here's Houki Minami with a new chapter of Garith's misadventures in Greece, and this time, I promise that I'll think of something that won't spurt out of control like it happened last time. It was fun, and despite my concentration for battles being nigh null… I hope it was an enjoyable read for you all and hope for the next chapter. Until then, don't forget to R&R and have a nice day. Greetings~.

Garith's status will be updated by the end of the arc.