Draugzel

Hello there. I will be on a business trip next week for the entire week, so I won't upload on the 2nd of October. I should be back on the 9th, but I am not sure yet, since I won't be home and only have the sunday to write. So, I might postpone the chapter for a few days. I will let you know.

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She might have overestimated her abilities, Maxima thought as her blade slashed through the air, striking Darkseid's skin and barely slicing open a superficial wound. She leaned too much into the attack and before she could react her view abruptly shifted. The world around her seemed to warp and flicker, disorienting her senses. In a disconcerting instant, she was hurtled across the ground before hitting and shattering several boulders.

Gritting her teeth against the pain, she propped herself up, her breathing ragged. Her eyes widened as her keen senses detected the deadly lasers shot toward her. She reacted with a swift leap, narrowly evading the pulsating beams that pulverized trees and scorched the earth in their wake. The relentless lasers pursued her, forcing her to zigzag through the battlefield not unlike what she was forced to do in her sparing sessions against Nathan.

Trees and boulders were burned as the lasers pierced through them, leaving behind nothing but charred remnants. Her muscles tensed as she abruptly stopped. The force she exerted from her leg caused the ground to crack apart. She transferred the energy from her leg, across her hips and torso into her arms. Her sword accelerated with a swift, practiced motion. The blade thrummed with magical energy originating from its runes, and arcs of blue lightning enveloped its length as it clashed against the Omega Beams.

The force of the clash reverberated through her body, making her muscles strain as she held her ground before the energy behind the beams was exhausted and dissipated, leaving her spent, gasping for air.

Her head swirled around as she gazed at the clash between the two gods. Her grip tightened around her sword and she gritted her teeth. A surge of determination coursed through her as she saw the mighty gods clash against each other. Their titanic forms were locked in a battle that shook the earth beneath them. Thunder clashed with Omega beams, the forces of two godly beings colliding in a cataclysmic display of power.

Maxima's eyes tracked Shayera as she soared through the air, her Nth metal mace with crackling energy glinting in the midst of the chaotic fray. For a moment, it looked like they were overwhelming Darkseid, but his relentless power seemed to grow with every second. Deadly lasers shot forth and fists clashed against mace and bodies.

"Darkseid had been almost the pinnacle of this universe before he had died. This one seems to be a bit stronger now after absorbing more than half of Zeus' life force. You will have to hurry." She glanced at Nathan, who was hovering just above the trees while continuing to watch the battle with crossed arms.

"The pinnacle of this universe, huh?" She said with a self-mocking tone. "Will the pinnacle be enough to stop whatever comes for us in less than a year?"

"No." He answered easily. "Not even close." He didn't mince his words at all. "However, the pinnacle of this universe isn't your limit, right?" He asked without looking at her before he flew away to get a better view.

"...Fuck. I've to fuck him soon." She said as she followed Nathan's figure for a moment. Then a fierce smile curled her lips. The sword again spewed out with magical might to the limit of what it could output.

Stomping her foot on the ground, she propelled herself back into the fray. With all the momentum she was able to muster, she closed the distance to the ongoing fierce battle. Then a moment of perfect timing presented itself as Darkseid's knee buckled slightly, forcing him into a half-kneeling position.

Capitalizing on this opening, Maxima's sliced through the air, like a line made out of light, it directly connected with the back of Darkseid's knee. The sword cut into the knee with all of her momentum behind it as she passed him. She slid over the ground as she turned around to see how the attack affected Darkseid.

The cut to his knee disrupted his balance, his leg was almost cut off with only a quarter still attached. This was going to be a debilitating wound that would severely weaken his combat prowess. A victorious grin formed on Maxima's lips as she contributed to the tyrant's vulnerability.

Shayera was the first to capitalize on the opening that was created through her attack. Her mace descended like a thunderbolt, striking Darkseid's face with unyielding force. Blood spewed out from the revived tyrant's mouth as he groaned and took several steps back. His knee unable to support his weight anymore, caused him to drop into a kneeling position.

Before Darkseid could regenerate and regain his footing, a searing lightning bolt crashed into his chest. The bolt's impact carried him through the air, tearing through buildings as he crashed into a nearby city. The stone structures crumbled like sandcastles in the wake of the devastation he left in his path.

Maxima, Shayera, and Zeus wasted no time, following the path of destruction that Darkseid had carved. But even the sheer power of their united assault wasn't enough to force him to stay down. Darkseid flipped gracefully in midair, defying his size and his wounds with unexpected agility as he landed on one leg.

His eyes glowed with a malevolent crimson hue, the anger in his expression was blatant. Before Maxima could react, the beams of energy shot forth. She jumped back with milliseconds to spare, narrowly avoiding the deadly assault.

Zeus didn't hesitate, closing the distance between him and Darkseid with electrifying speed. "You annoying little bugs." Darkseid roared as his fist struck against Zeus's vambraces.

"Face the wrath of Zeus, boy!" The older god lashed out with a right. His thunderous uppercut struck him right on the chin, lifting Darkseid off the ground in an explosion of lightning. The force of the blow unleashed arcs of energy in all directions, lighting up the battlefield with its sheer intensity.

Zeus pressed his advantage relentlessly, the power of lightning enveloping his arms as he unleashed a barrage of punches upon Darkseid. Each impact echoed through the air, and for a moment, it seemed as if even the tyrant's indomitable strength was waning under the godly fury.

Maxima calmly circled around them, waiting for another opportunity to strike or for Darkseid to die under the barrage of attacks. Shayera did the same, unable to come closer for the chaotic lightning struck everything around them indiscriminately.

The barrage of attacks initially looked like the undeniable advantage of the older god, but the situation unexpectedly turned. At a sudden change, Darkseid's power seemed to have been bolstered. His red glow turned into a dark purple as he punched Zeus away, turning the old god into a white line that streaked through the buildings of the city.

"He changed," Maxima remarked. He was stronger, far stronger and his wounds were healed as well, but even as the revelation appeared, her grip just tightened around the handle of her sword. "Just the peak of this universe." She told herself as the runes on her sword churned with vengeance. The blade trembled with the amount of power she forced out of it and she could see the blade cracking at a few places. It would only be enough for a few attacks. She had to make it count!

Just as Shayera closed in, she moved as well, trying to arrive at the same time, but the Thanagarian was faster than her. Shayera arrived above the new god and struck down with her mace. He easily blocked Shayera's lightning mace with a hand before punching her into the ground. His fist buried her entire head into the cobblestone of the street.

Maxima finally arrived and used all her might in the attack. Her sword cut an arc as the blade sliced into Darkseid's armored back, leaving a long gaping wound in its wake. The tyrant's pained roar echoed through the battlefield, a testament to the force behind her strike.

But this was only the beginning. Maxima's focus shifted rapidly, her instincts guiding her as Darkseid's backhand swung toward her. Swiftly, she ducked beneath the blow, the wind from it roused her hair and she heard the buildings crumble behind her where the energy dissipated toward.

Her entire mind however was only focused on angling her sword. Her sword thrust upwards. The blade pierced Darkseid's armpit, the tip halted only when it lodged itself into the formidable bones of his shoulder.

Blood was gushing out of the wound, drenching her face in his blood and she couldn't help but grin at the heavy damage she inflicted. Before she could react further, her blade was shattered by Darkseid's unyielding grip. In a display of sheer strength, he sent her hurtling through the air with a single, devastating punch. A crack sounded out as she felt her face shift slightly underneath the force.

Pain seared through her as she collided with several buildings before encountering an ancient tree, the impact broke it in half before her momentum was gently halted. Nathan's intervention, a gentle force amidst the chaos, saved her from further harm. Her head pounded in pain, but a mixture of gratitude and determination shone in her eyes as her eyes met Nathan's gaze.

Her attention shifted back to the battlefield where Zeus with a dimming glow and a badly battered Shayera fought with unwavering resolve. The clash of godly forces and the electrifying energy of Nth metal filled the air. Maxima's determination deepened, her spirit unwavering even in the face of this revived monster.

"I- c-ann st-ll fight," she groaned, her words strained and muffled by the blood leaking from her broken nose and cracked jaw. The effort of speaking was an ordeal in itself, but Nathan's appreciative smile conveyed his understanding of her determination despite her injuries. He knew how it felt to want to battle even if the odds weren't in one's favor.

She too was born into a warrior race. Despite being the queen or perhaps because of her status, the battle was her life's passion. The group she belonged to that formed around Nathan was exceptional and due to her duties she had been unable to train as much as she wanted, causing her to be at the lower end of power, but that didn't mean she lacked the will or desire to rise to the occasion.

The ground felt unsteady beneath her as she attempted to rise, her body protesting every movement. Her limbs felt heavy and unresponsive, her vision swimming in a whirl of disorientation. It took an agonizing minute of sheer willpower before she managed to regain her footing, the fire of her resolve burning brighter than the pain.

She glanced at the pool of blood covering her shattered sword's remains. Her fist clenched. Since she couldn't use her sword she would use her fists instead. With her control over her body coming back, she started running back into the fight.

Zeus and Sahyera were barely holding on, defending only against the powered-up Darkseid, whose appearance was now the same as before he had been revived. His power felt different as well, but she didn't care for the specific. She just needed to end him.

With his attention gathered at the two in front of him, Darkseid didn't look in her direction. She flew above Darkseid and descended with an axe kick. The new god, despite not looking in her direction, caught her with a single hand. "You think I would let you surprise me a third time?" Darkseid growled before her world blurred until it came to an abrupt stop.

Her view was only field with the sky and dust whirling up on the sides. Then her world turned into one of pain as Darkseid again slammed her into the ground and into the side of a building.

He then lifted her up to look into her eyes with his malevolent dark purple glowing gaze. He threw her into the air like he was discarding trash. She could hear the Omega Beams slicing their way through the air, but she didn't feel the impact. Instead gentle arms caught her.

"You have fought enough." A feminine voice sounded out. Maxima cracked open her eyes, trying to see beyond the blood that was dripping into her eyes. A glowing Diana holding her with a solemn expression appeared in front of her. She lowered her and placed her against a bolder. "I will take over from here." She said as she stood back up. "Nathan, she won't continue this battle, so take care of her." She demanded.

"Of course, go slice his head off for me," Nathan said as he knelt beside her and gently placed his hand on her head like he was comforting her.

She could feel his ki repairing her body at a rapid speed. Her broken bones snapped back in place and reconnected and all her open wounds sealed shut. She took a deep breath after the blood inside her lungs was ejected. Her body was far from healed, but now she would be able to stand up again.

"Nice fight." He said with what she identified was surprise and pride. Somehow this stung even more than her loss. She slowly stepped up now that she had been healed enough, though she didn't reenter the battle as she had lost her right to participate.

"I thought I could end him." She admitted as she winced slightly when she watched Shayera being smacked into the ground like a helpless bird before being stomped on by Darkseid. Her scream was heartbreaking. Before Darkseid could end her with his Omega beams, Diana stepped up and blocked the attack.

"It was close. You probably only have to train for another month and you could have killed him on your own." He speculated and since he was probably the greatest fighter she knew, his words held weight. And it did make her feel slightly better.

"Maybe." After all, it was just speculation in the end. Once again she would have to prove herself that she was rightfully the warrior queen of Almerac. Nathan extended his hand and telekinetically carried the unconscious Shayera to them before injecting ki into her to heal her as he did to her a moment ago.

The wounds healed quickly with the amount of energy he poured into them, though it would still take them a few days to completely recover. He could have healed them quickly, but at that point, it was wasted energy as they were able to recover on their own.

Shayera quickly roused from her unconscious state and propped herself up a bit wearily. "Take it easy. It's now up to the Greek gods to handle this." Nathan announced as his eyes squinted at Diana and Zeus facing off against Darkseid.

"You shouldn't have attacked this place," Diana spoke with a transcendence that was hard to describe. It seemed like she had ascended to a new form of existence. Maxima recalled that she had grown closer to her divinity through Nathan's training in the other timeline, but it looked like Diana had dialed it up a notch.

Just her stepping forward with her sword and shield in hand completely shifted the atmosphere. Her very aura radiated power, an undeniable testament to the transformation and training she had undergone. It was even more impressive than Zeus' entrance and he was a king of gods.

Darkseid's dark purple eyes widened slightly as he locked onto Diana's form. There was an air of trepidation beneath his malevolent facade, a recognition that he was facing a force that transcended what he had faced until now. Surprisingly, it also looked like he was recognizing her for something or someone.

Diana's stride was steady, her gaze unwavering and sharp, and her grip on her equipment unyielding. With a swift, fluid motion, Diana uncoiled her Lasso of Truth, its golden glow reflecting the inner strength she possessed. She spun the lasso expertly, the glowing thread hissing through the air as it closed the distance between her and Darkseid almost instantaneously. The lasso encircled his wrist, its divine magic seizing him in a grip before he was able to react.

With a determined tug, she wrenched Darkseid off balance, using the lasso's hold to her advantage. As he stumbled forward, she met him with a blindingly quick strike from her sword.

The blade cleaved through the air with a fierce determination, its edge gleaming with the divine light that Diana now channeled. The sword found its mark, a deep gash slicing through Darkseid's armored form. Blood was instantly gushing out of the gap. His howl of pain echoed through the battlefield.

Diana didn't relent, her movements a symphony of precision and power. She had always been skilled but now it was an uncanny level of precision and sharpness. Her movements were fluid and graceful while being efficient and relentless.

She brought her shield into play, its Amazonian craftsmanship and divine power inside of it evident in its resilience. As Darkseid retaliated with a searing omega blast, Diana deflected it effortlessly, the impact absorbed by the enchanted shield.

With her vambraces gleaming, Diana unleashed a flurry of strikes, her movements almost poetic. Darkseid's attempts to counter were met with the resistance of her vambraces, their mystical energy absorbing and redirecting his attacks. Every blow she dealt was calculated, her strikes finding the chinks in Darkseid's armor.

Diana's eyes blazed with a divine fire, a beacon for the newfound depths of her strength. As Darkseid roared in defiance, she met him with unyielding resolve. Her lasso ensnared his limbs, her sword cut through his defenses and across his form, her shield blocked his onslaught, and her vambraces redirected his assaults.

With every movement, every strike, Diana dominated the battle, slowly but surely injuring him bit by bit. Her control over her equipment was nothing short of masterful, each piece an extension of her will. The air crackled with energy as their clash echoed through the battlefield, a fierce dance of pure divine power.

Darkseid, the tyrant who they had fought so desperately to inflict a few wounds on him, now found himself on the receiving end of an onslaught that completely dismantled his defense and made his attacks look weak. His dark purple eyes burned with frustration and anger, but even his Omega beams seemed to wane in the face of Diana's divinely empowered presence.

It was at that moment, Maxima realized that Diana wasn't even trying at all. She was killing Darkseid with a thousand cuts. If she had wanted to, she could have killed him in a single exchange. She didn't even need Zeus' assistance. It seemed like this realization didn't only come to her as Darkseid's expression turned more hateful and unwilling as the battle continued.

When Diana effortlessly severed one of his legs, making him stumble to the ground, the surroundings had grown silent. Only the heavy breathing of Darkseid remained. "Any last words?" Diana asked as she placed the edge at Darkseid's neck. He looked up defiantly.

"This won't be the last time we meet-" Diana's sword gleamed as it struck down.

"Nevermind. I don't care for your threats." Before he had finished, his head was freed from his body. An eternal grimace of hate that told of the desire for vengeance remained in his expression. As soon as the new god died, divine spirits and energy seemed to leave his dead body. Some of it returned to Zeus while others seemed to say their goodbye to Diana before disappearing.

"Probably the other gods that Darkseid had slain to increase his power again," Nathan commented as he stepped toward Diana and Zeus. Diana swung her sword, getting rid of the blood before sheathing it on her back.

Nathan and Diana looked at each other for a moment before they both smiled and hugged each other. "Didn't think you would become a god," Nathan muttered as he hugged her.

"I couldn't continue being a weak girl that needs her big and mean boyfriend to save her" She stated as they looked into each other's eyes. For a moment, Maxima thought they were going to make out and they probably would have if it wasn't for Zeus coughing.

"The others will probably resurrect and need some guidance, so I will have to leave and take care of that. You four can go back to earth and thank you for your assistance." Zeus said as he looked at them before turning to Diana. "I am proud of you." Without waiting for a response, the Greek god turned around and left.

Diana looked stunned before smiling. "Thank you." She said with a bow. "It seems like he approves of you." She said to Nathan as she elbowed him.

"Hmm." Nathan hummed as he crossed his arms.

"What should we do with his body?" Maxima asked, stepping forward with Shayera. The two were still exhausted and needed some rest, but they couldn't just leave without handling the new god's body.

Nathan waved his hand and the body instantly vaporized as if it had never existed. "...Alright with that out of the way, can we return? My wings are killing me." Shayera complained as she rotated her shoulders.

"Then, come on board," Nathan called out. Without hesitation, they all touched his body, so he could teleport them back. They directly reappeared in Nathan's home in Portland, which prompted Maxima and Shayera to drop onto the couch.

Diana was hugging Nathan a bit strongly and affectionately, so Maxima guessed that they would have their love session. Given how pleased Nathan had looked when he watched them fight Darkseid, it wouldn't be a surprise if he got going because of it. The strength that Diana had showcased should have riled him up quite a bit.

However, Nathan looked a bit off. His frown sat deep as he blankly looked at the ground. "I'm going to check on Raven, wait for me."

"I will come with you," Diana said determined and before Maxima or Shayera could interject their opinion, they were already gone. She shook her head, disappointed that she had missed this opportunity. She was sure if she had pushed, she might have gotten some or at least spent more time with him.

...

Raven took a shaky breath as she couldn't shake the feeling off that she was being watched. This thing from her dreams wasn't supposed to exist, she thought. Or at least, it shouldn't exist in their existence. This vile being had a completely different feel to it. It was sinister and somehow able to enter their universe with Chronoa's barrier in place. Did something happen to it? Was it able to break through it or was there some leak? Perhaps it had always been there?

The latter theory would be terrifying but a good thing. The implication of it coming from outside, however, would have significant consequences. If there was a leak or a crack in the barrier, it would mean that the barrier wouldn't hold as long as they had thought it would. Not to mention 9 more months, if this being gathered his allies, it would fall in a few weeks or even days.

Another worrying thing was why it had looked for her. Why did it show her these visions? She looked over to her demon side and patted her head to fuse with her again. She shuddered slightly before taking a deep breath, regulating her emotions as they combined.

These visions were cruel, bizarre, and horrifying, but after waking up completely and becoming one with her demon side again she could only shake her head. This dream just depicted horrifying things for the horror's sake.

It had no connection to her as a person. Just a general theme of horror without terrifying her specifically despite having aimed this nightmare at her. Because she had long integrated with her demon side and experienced the mental torture from her occasional encounters with demons and her family, she could only say that this nightmare had been made by an amateur.

Something that doesn't realize what would truly terrify her to her core, what would constitute suffering and torture, or perhaps it was just meant to spook her. Regardless of what its intentions were, she didn't like it, especially since it was powerful. What had truly concerned her about the nightmare was the fact that she was powerless against its might.

In the nightmare, she was completely at its mercy with no chance of resisting. Fortunately, for her, it didn't have any intention to attack her or it wasn't capable of harming her through the dream. Several thoughts ran through her and her first instinct was to seek out Nathan and tell him about this, but after hesitating for a moment, she dismissed the idea.

Although she had been on the verge of sleeping when Shayera and Maxima had arrived, she knew that they had left to deal with something else. Besides she couldn't continue bothering him with her problems. From the moment he had taken her in, he had done his best to protect and care for her.

Now she was finally getting more powerful and she couldn't keep relying on him. What was the point of absorbing all of hell if she was too afraid to deal with something that was harassing her? She couldn't accept feeling helpless and vulnerable in front of some random evil that tormented her.

Her thoughts shifted as all she began to think about was finding a way to end this being that had dared to invade her dreams. She would show it who it tried to mess with. After she was done with it, this upside-down man would know Unkindness.