Chapter 265 Defeating Hercules [2]



[Warning: This chapter contains graphic violence and bloodshed. Reader discretion is advised.]

***

The ground trembled as the colossal footsteps of one-armed Hercules reverberated through the air, his hulking frame towering over Ares and Ziona. His bulging muscles rippled with each movement as he gripped a massive tree trunk as his weapon, poised to strike.

On the opposite side, Ares unsheathed his deadly katana, ready for battle. Beside him, Ziona was in her beast form, her razor-sharp claws and fangs glistening in the light, ready for the fight.

Swish—

Without warning, Ares made the first move, dashing towards Hercules with lightning speed, his katana flashing in the light. He employed his snake-like movement technique, weaving left and right, attempting to catch the giant off guard.

But Hercules was no slouch, and he retaliated with a devastating swing of his tree trunk. The ground shook as the blow struck, sending shockwaves rippling through the maze.

Boom—

Ares managed to evade the attack but was forced to retreat due to the sheer force of the impact, causing the walls of the maze to crumble and fall, making him realize that even one hit from Hercules could prove fatal.

Grimacing, Ares muttered to himself with a wry smile, "One hit, and we're done for."

Meanwhile, Ziona seized the opportunity to leap into action, her claws bared and flashing in the dim light. With lightning-fast reflexes, she darted toward Hercules, her fangs gnashing in fury.

Swash— Swash—

"Ahhhhh!"

Hercules roared in pain and anger as her sharp claws ripped through his ankles, leaving deep gashes in their wake.

In a fit of rage, Hercules attempted to swat her away with his massive legs, but Ziona was too quick. She darted in and out of his range, leaving a trail of blood and destruction in her wake.

Swash— Swash

Her ferocity was matched only by her speed, and Hercules struggled to fend her off.

But Ares saw an opening and used his telekinesis to hurl chunks of debris at Hercules. The boulders and rocks rained down upon the giant, pummeling him relentlessly. Though he swatted them away like they were mere pebbles, Ares had accomplished his goal of keeping Hercules occupied.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Ziona climbed up to Hercules' shoulder and sliced at him with her sword. But Hercules shook her off like a pesky fly, sending her crashing into a nearby wall.

Thud—

Undeterred, Hercules swung his tree trunk again, this time aiming for Ares. Reacting quickly, Ares used his telekinesis to lift a nearby crumbled wall, shielding himself from the incoming attack.

Thudle—

The tree trunk crashed into the wall, causing debris to fly in all directions.

With Ares distracted, Hercules charged toward him, his massive tree trunk sweeping toward Ares with deadly intent. Ares dodged the attack and lifted a boulder with his telekinesis, hurling it at Hercules. The boulder shattered against Hercules' body, and he kept rushing at him.

With each passing moment, Ares used his telekinesis to lift up larger and heavier boulders, rocks, and debris. He hurled them with increasing force toward the towering Hercules.

Swish— Swish— Swish

Despite the onslaught, Hercules refused to go down, stumbling and faltering but still standing tall. However, his movements grew slower and more labored with each hit.

"Ziona!" Ares saw an opportunity and called out to her. 

Ziona got back to her feet and with a nod, sprang into action with impressive agility.

She charged straight at Hercules, dodging his tree trunk as she soared through the air.

In mid-flight, Ares took advantage of the opportunity and used his telekinetic powers to propel Ziona even higher, hurling her at Hercules like a deadly missile.

Swoosh—

Ziona then unleashed her full power, coating her sword in a vibrant purple aura as she aimed for Hercules' face.

Despite sensing the danger, Hercules was unable to react quickly enough. As he swung his tree trunk to block Ziona's attack, Ares intervened and used his telekinetic powers to halt Hercules momentarily.

Which was enough for Ziona as she seized the moment, her sword coated in a menacing purple aura, colliding with Hercules's eye with a thunderous impact.

SWASH—

The force of the blow sent Hercules stumbling backward, his tree trunk slipping from his grasp. He screamed in pain, his right eye now blinded, blood splattering like rain.

"N-Noooo!" Hercules bellowed in agony, his massive frame now vulnerable to Ares and Ziona's continued attacks.

As Hercules howled in pain, Ares seized the chance to strike, darting forward with his katana and delivering a precise blow to the giant's Achilles' heel.

Slash—

Hercules roared in agony as he fell to one knee, his massive body shaking the ground beneath them.

Ziona then sprang into action, leaping onto Hercules' back and sinking her fangs into his neck. Blood sprayed as she tore into his flesh, her beast form giving her incredible strength and ferocity.

Hercules tried to shake off Ziona with a mighty roar, but Ares intervened once again, using his telekinesis to lift Hercules's tree trunk and deliver a crushing blow on his head with all his might.

Crack—

The sound of bones cracking echoed through the arena, leaving Hercules stunned for a moment.

Ziona took advantage of the moment and plunged her sword into his throat, delivering the final blow.

Swash—

Hercules gasped and convulsed as Ziona repeatedly drove her sword into his throat, causing blood to spray everywhere.

Swash— Swash— Swash 

Finally, Hercules's body went limp, lifeless, and collapsed to the ground, causing the maze to shake one last time.

Boom—

Hercules' eyes remained open as his body trembled and began to shrink back to its original size.

The fight was over, and the mighty Hercules was no more.

"Huff, Huff!"

Ziona's chest heaved as she caught her breath, her sword still lodged in the throat of the now-lifeless Hercules.

She mustered her strength and pulled the blade out with a swift, practiced motion before decapitating the fallen Hercules.

There was a blood pool as his head rolled on the ground...

SIGH—

A heavy sigh escaped Ziona's lips as she stood amidst the carnage, her body covered in the blood of her opponent and her own wounds. 

As she reverted to her real form, her injuries took their toll and she stumbled back, her strength waning. But Ares was there in an instant, his strong arms catching her and supporting her weight.

"You did great," he said, a small smile on his face as he looked down at her.

"....."

Ziona looked up at Ares, her eyes heavy with fatigue and pain, but a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She knew it was true, they had fought valiantly and emerged victorious.

"...Thank you," she replied softly.

Clap— Clap— Clap

Suddenly, they heard applause, which caught their attention. As they turned toward the source, they saw Maya arriving at the scene with a huge grin.

!!

"Wow, what a match that was," she said, still applauding. "Congratulations, Team Soreh Academy. You are the champions of this year's Inter-Academy Tournament! Yoohoo!" Maya said excitedly.

Claude, who had just finished his fight, arrived soon after, followed by Erina, who was supporting the injured Penelope.

"...Why aren't we being teleported back to the arena, Professor Maya?" Erina asked, looking confused.

Maya smiled in response and turned her gaze back to Ares.

"You are always so quick to assess the situation, Ares. It's no wonder you and your team are the champions," she said, her mischievous grin widening as she saw Ares stand ready with his katana, scanning the surroundings.

"A-Ares, what's wrong?" Ziona asked in a pained voice, and everyone turned to him for answers.

"This...this is not a magical space," Ares responded, his brow furrowed in concern. "We are already in the real world," he informed them.

!?

"What?" The others exclaimed in confusion and disbelief.

The weight of realization hit them like a ton of bricks. They were already in the real world, which meant the students they had killed were not in a magical space but in ...real life.

And now with their mana restrictions, they were vulnerable and defenseless.

A chill ran down their spines as they looked around, searching for any signs of danger or threats. However, the eerie silence around them only amplified their fear.

As they stood in the middle of the deserted maze, a sense of foreboding descended upon them like a dark cloud.

What awaited them now? Were they in danger? And if so, from whom?

These questions buzzed in their minds as they stood there, frozen in fear and uncertainty.

Suddenly, Maya's expression changed from excitement to something more sinister. She looked at the group with a calculating gaze, her mind working in mysterious ways.

What was she doing in the maze? What were her intentions? Only time would reveal the answers to these unsettling questions.

To Be Continued...