Chapter 81: All Gods as One, Seven Colors Shine Upon the world
That black lightning ball, carrying a will to destroy everything like a black sun rising from the depths of hell, ruthlessly pressed down toward Arthas.
The surrounding space began to collapse under this terrifying energy, letting out an overwhelmed wail.
Time seemed to stretch infinitely long at this moment; Arthas could even clearly see the black electric arcs dancing on the surface of that lightning ball, as well as the twisted faces of lost souls contained within those arcs.
The scent of death had already crept into his nostrils—a smell like that of a charred corpse.
His body was completely immobilized, and even the last trace of his divine power had been drained by that "Specium Ray" just now.
"Is it... really going to end?"
Arthas's eyelids grew heavier and heavier as that black sun took up his entire field of vision.
He was unwilling, truly unwilling to accept this.
He had clearly made it this far and had finally seen his mother.
He hadn't even brought her back to Asgard yet, nor had he let her see the golden palace and the Bifrost.
And Diana, that silly Amazon Princess, as well as Sif and Brunhilde, were still waiting for him to return.
Just at the moment that destructive thunder was about to touch the center of his brow.
Just as Arthas had prepared himself to welcome death, and his life had even begun to flash before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
A pink light tore through this absolute darkness without any warning.
That light was not blinding, nor was it violent.
It was as soft as the first ray of dawn in spring, and as warm as a mother's embrace in an infant's memory.
But this seemingly weak light carried an unquestionable dominance that transcended all rules.
"Freeze."
A voice rang out in the abyss.
It was a woman's voice—hoarse and anxious, yet filled with majesty.
It was a divine decree.
An absolute command where words become law.
As that single word fell, the black lightning ball capable of destroying mountains actually came to a dead stop in mid-air.
Like a scene where the pause button had been pressed, even the surrounding fragments of collapsed space were frozen in that instant.
Dark Zeus still wore that expression of hideous wild laughter on his face.
But his crimson eyes were now filled with terror and disbelief.
His body was as stiff as a stone, and the hand holding the scepter could not descend no matter what.
He felt an incredibly familiar power—one that made his soul tremble to its core—instantly take control of his body.
It was the divine authority he had once craved the most and also feared the most.
It was the power to dominate the emotions of all things and even forcibly twist their wills—"Dominion of Love."
A white figure charged into this frozen time and space like a meteor.
Aphrodite.
She was no longer that frail mother standing on the high platform weeping silently.
At this moment, she was like a maddened lioness, her entire body burning with pink-gold divine flames.
Her long hair flew wildly behind her, and her eyes, which were originally azure like the sea, had now turned a heart-palpitating deep pink.
This was the sign of her divine authority being fully unleashed.
She didn't spare a single glance at the frozen Dark Zeus.
She didn't even pause for a second.
She rushed straight to Arthas, scooping up the blood-covered, dying youth.
It was as if she were picking up a rare treasure, or her entire world.
Then, she stomped her foot.
"Boom!"
The hard obsidian stone ground shattered beneath her feet.
Holding Arthas, she instantly flashed to a safe zone hundreds of meters away with a speed that even surpassed Hermes.
Only then did the frozen time begin to flow again.
"Rumble—!!!"
The world-destroying black lightning, having lost its target, slammed heavily into the empty ground.
The terrifying explosion instantly consumed everything within a thousand-meter radius.
A black mushroom cloud rose into the air, and the shockwave shaved off a layer of the surrounding rock walls.
Even Dark Zeus himself was shaken back a few steps by the aftershock, his twisted face full of stunned dismay.
"Mom..."
Arthas lay in his mother's arms, looking at the face so close to him.
It was the face he thought of day and night, the most beautiful face in the world.
But now, this face was filled with anxiety and panic.
That expression made his heart ache for her.
"Mom... what are you doing..."
Arthas struggled to raise his hand, wanting to wipe the tears from the corners of his mother's eyes, only to find his hand shaking violently.
"I'm fine... really..."
"Quickly release... release your power..."
Arthas's voice was very weak and intermittent.
But the worry in his eyes was so real.
He knew how great a price his mother had paid to uphold the principle of "Free Will."
That was the reason for her decade-long imprisonment and the core pride of her godhead.
But now, to save him, she had used the divine authority she loathed the most without hesitation.
This was not just about using power.
This was trampling on her own faith and destroying the persistence she had held for so many years.
"Doesn't this... violate the path you follow..."
Aphrodite looked at the son in her arms.
Looking at his wounds all over and his lips pale from excessive blood loss.
Her heart felt a pain as if it were being twisted by countless knives.
Principles? Faith? Free Will?
At the moment she saw her son almost die before her eyes, all of that turned into total bullshit!
"That kind of thing... doesn't matter anymore!"
Aphrodite held Arthas tightly, her voice trembling slightly but carrying an unprecedented determination.
"I am a god, a Chief God."
"But first and foremost, I am a mother!"
"If I have to watch my child die before my eyes for the sake of some so-called principle..."
"Then I might as well not be this god!"
"I don't care what becomes of this world, but I will never allow anyone... anyone to take you away from me!"
Her tears fell in large drops, dripping onto Arthas's face.
They were scalding tears, filled with love and remorse.
"I'm sorry... Little Wen..."
"Mom was too selfish... I almost got you killed..."
"I shouldn't have let you bear all this alone..."
"Mom..."
Seeing his mother's breakdown, the softest part of Arthas's heart was hit hard.
He didn't need any explanation, nor did he need an apology.
At this moment, he only felt that heavy, unreserved maternal love.
The kind of love that could defy the whole world and even betray itself for him.
"I don't blame you... I never have..."
Aphrodite took a deep breath, seemingly having made a decision.
The deep pink light in her eyes gradually faded, returning to their original azure and clear color.
She released her control over Dark Zeus.
In the distance, that massive dark figure recovered from its stiffness and let out a heaven-shaking roar.
But Aphrodite ignored him completely; her eyes held only her son.
She slowly lowered her head.
Looking at Arthas's parched lips and his eyes still full of worry.
She didn't speak, only offering an extremely gentle and poignantly beautiful smile.
Then, she closed her eyes and slowly leaned in.
On that abyss battlefield filled with the scent of blood and smoke.
In this life-or-death desperate situation.
She gently kissed her son's lips.
There was no lust, no distracting thoughts.
It was just a pure kiss, filled with comfort and healing—an expression of a mother's deepest love for her child.
That kiss was very light, like a feather brushing the water's surface; that kiss was very short, lasting only a brief moment.
But at the very instant their lips touched.
A miracle happened.
"Boom—!!!"
Arthas felt as if a supernova had exploded in the depths of his soul.
The "Echo of Love" divine power source, which was originally depleted and even somewhat shattered.
Under the stimulus of this kiss, it was as if a top-grade divine fuel had been injected, instantly boiling over.
No, it wasn't just boiling; it was undergoing a qualitative change, an evolutionary leap.
Before, "Echo of Love" was powerful but had many restrictions.
It required the complete physical and mental devotion of the opposite sex and needed the body to be able to withstand the load of fusion.
It was like a fusion furnace that required precise operation and harsh conditions.
But now, the restrictive locks on that furnace were forcibly smashed by Aphrodite's kiss!
Even if it was only temporary, even if it was just a "Trial Version" produced by the resonance of Aphrodite's Dominion of Love.
But this was a direct stimulus from the origin of the Original Goddess of Beauty!
Echo of Love transmitted the following information to Arthas.
[Divine Authority: Echo of Love (Trial Version) activated!]
[Current Effect: Ignore physical and mental devotion levels; as long as the target holds goodwill toward the host, their power can be forcibly copied and fused!]
[Current Effect: Fusion side effects eliminated! Fusion limit removed!]
[Current Effect: All-member bond link established!]
An unprecedented seven-colored light erupted from within Arthas.
That light soared into the sky, directly piercing through the darkness of the abyss and illuminating the entirety of Mount Olympus.
Arthas felt his senses being infinitely magnified at this moment.
His consciousness followed those invisible threads of bond, instantly extending to every corner of the world.
The first thing he sensed was from distant Asgard.
There was a power as heavy and resilient as the earth.
"Brother Arthas... you must be safe..."
That was Sif.
That deep red power surged into Arthas's body along the bond, rapidly repairing his damaged bones and muscles and cladding him in a layer of indestructible Earth Armor.
Next was a sharp, peerless power carrying the aura of a silver storm.
"Since you are my King, you are not allowed to lose to that kind of ugly monster!"
That was Brunhilde.
That was the Valkyrie's battle intent.
Silver divine power merged into his limbs and bones, causing his reaction speed and attack power to instantly soar to a new level.
Then, there was a warm, compassionate golden radiance filled with the mysteries of magic.
"My child... may the blessing of the Mother of the Godsalways accompany you."
That was Frigga.
Although separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, that goddess queen's love was never absent.
Golden magic runes appeared around him, automatically constructing layers of defensive arrays and bestowing him with countless buffs.
There was also an even more blazing and dazzling power of light.
That was from the demigod princess who was currently praying for him.
"I believe in you... you can definitely do it."
Diana's power!
It was pure Olympus divine power, which produced the most perfect resonance with the Origin of Light within him, making his radiance even more holy and inviolable.
But that wasn't all.
Above his head, within the Temple of Night.
The goddesses who had been watching him, their worries, their expectations, and their newly sprouted goodwill.
At this moment, they all transformed into substantial power.
Hera's noble imperial power.
Athena's power of wisdom and war.
Artemis's power of hunting and moonlight.
Demeter's power of life and nature.
...
Divine lights of all colors converged like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, all gathering onto the single point that was Arthas.
There was only one power that, although close at hand, remained drifting outside.
That was Aphrodite's power.
Because she was the source of this miracle, the holder of this key.
Her power and Arthas's power shared the same origin; they were two sides of the same coin, unable to fuse but able to reflect and sublimate each other.
She was like a mirror, reflecting and magnifying the seven-colored divine light on Arthas, making it even more brilliant and dazzling.
A pink halo enveloped the seven-colored core, forming a dreamlike holy force field.
Arthas slowly opened his eyes.
His pupils had completely turned seven-colored, with the sea of stars and thousands of divine powers flowing within them.
His injuries had long since healed, leaving not even a single scar.
The shattered battle armor, recast by the seven-colored divine power, had turned into a radiant "armor of all gods."
At this moment, he was suspended in mid-air, his entire body emitting a pressure that made heaven and earth submit.
This was no longer a simple "God King Mode."
This was the "King of All Gods Mode," which gathered the power of all goddesses and surpassed the boundaries of a single Pantheon!
Aphrodite looked at her son now, her eyes full of shock and enchantment.
After that kiss just now, they had separated, and the atmosphere was actually a bit awkward and shy.
After all, the touch in that moment was too real, and the soul-level blending was too profound.
She didn't quite dare to look into Arthas's eyes, and two red clouds rose on her face like a little girl who had done something wrong.
Arthas was also a bit dazed. Was that... Mom's first kiss?
That soft, fragrant feeling...
"Ahem!"
Arthas gave himself a mental slap.
What are you thinking! That was holy maternal love! That was to save a life!
There absolutely cannot be any strange thoughts!
To cover up this awkwardness and to vent the power that was about to explode within him.
Arthas abruptly turned around, focusing all his attention on the Dark Zeus who had just climbed back up.
And the dark deities around him who had already been frightened witless by this aura.
He didn't condense any new weapons.
Because at this moment, he himself was the strongest weapon.
He clenched his fists, seven-colored divine light dancing at his fingertips, the surrounding space trembling with his every breath.
"Hey, you ugly freaks over there."
Arthas's voice became ethereal and grand, as if the voices of countless goddesses were overlapping.
"You had a lot of fun hitting me just now, didn't you?"
"Bullying me because I'm outnumbered, right?"
"Now..."
A wild laugh of extreme confidence curled at the corners of his mouth, and the seven-colored light in his eyes instantly surged.
"The battle has only just begun!"
Chapter 82: Seven-Colored Divine Light Pierces the Long Night, A Cosmic Miracle Purifies the Mortal Realm
Arthas floated quietly in the dark and deep abyss; the rampant and violent dark aura around him retreated in terror hundreds of meters away as if meeting its natural enemy.
The armor of all gods on his body was not made of physical metal, but was an energy crystal formed by the weaving, compression, and solidification of countless high-density divine power light streams.
Seven distinct colors flowed on every inch of the armor plates, yet they merged harmoniously into a sacred platinum radiance that one could not look at directly.
That radiance was not dazzling, for it lacked aggressive invasiveness; instead, it carried a gentleness and inclusiveness like the warm spring sun.
That was the characteristic of Aphrodite's "Love" origin, wrapping all sharpness and dominance under a layer of gentle shell.
However, it was precisely this seemingly gentle halo that made those usually arrogant fallen chief gods below feel an absolute suppression from the depths of their souls based on their status, like the instinctive trembling of lower beings before the Creator.
Arthas slowly raised his right hand. He didn't hold a sword, but simply grasped the void. Five-colored lightning leaped between his five fingers; it was no ordinary natural lightning.
It was a Hybrid Divine Thunder that fused Hera's Imperial Pressure, Athena's War Judgment, Artemis's Moonlight Purification, and the thunder bloodline of the Odinsson Family.
"You had a lot of fun fighting just now, didn't you?"
His voice was not loud, but it was clearly transmitted to the ears of every fallen god through the resonance of divine power. Even every stone on the abyss walls trembled with his tone, as if the entire space was cheering for the birth of this new king.
Dark Zeus finally recovered from the shock of being frozen just now. He looked at this "little bug" before him whose aura had completely changed.
For the first time, an emotion named "fear" appeared in those massive crimson eyes, though he desperately tried to cover it with anger.
"Bluffing! You've merely borrowed the power of those women!"
He let out a deafening roar, trying to use the massive sound waves to disperse the uneasy haze in his heart, and slammed his Thunder Scepter onto the ground.
He once again summoned countless world-destroying thunders as black as ink. That was his pride as the former God King and his final trump card at this moment.
"Die for me!"
Following his roar, Poseidon, Hades, Ares, and the other fallen chief gods also seemed to be infected by this madness. They squeezed out the last trace of dark origin in their bodies one after another, unleashing their respective strongest killing moves.
For a moment, black tsunamis, invisible scythes of death, and violent war fires swept toward Arthas in mid-air like an apocalyptic flood, covering the sky and the earth.
This gathered power was even more terrifying than the previous World-Destroying Black Thunder, for it was a desperate strike from over a dozen chief gods in a dead-end situation, carrying the resolution of mutual destruction.
Facing this world-destroying offensive, there was no panic on Arthas's young and handsome face. He didn't even frown. In those eyes where a seven-colored galaxy swirled, there was only a calmness and confidence that saw through everything.
"Borrowed power? Heh, this is called a bond. A monster like you who only knows how to devour its own kind will never understand."
He whispered softly, then the seven-colored light wings behind him flapped violently. He did not dodge, but instead charged head-on into the dark flood.
At the moment before the collision, the divine power core in his body jumped. The Olympus power from Hera, Athena, and Artemis instantly fused with the violent thunder power of the Odinsson Family, condensing into a massive thunder spear flashing with silver-purple light in his hand.
"This move is for Sister Artemis."
Arthas swung his right hand violently, and the thunder spear flew out, turning into a winding bolt of lightning in the air, yet carrying the cold, defense-ignoring penetration characteristic of moonlight.
"Moonlight: Thunder Judgment!"
The silver-purple lightning did not choose to clash head-on with the dark flood. Instead, with an extremely eerie yet elegant curve, it drew a perfect crescent trajectory in the air, instantly bypassing the frontal energy collision.
Its speed reached the extreme, even surpassing the limits of light, as if directly crossing the distance of space. In the next second, it appeared before Hades, who was hiding at the very back and preparing a sneak attack.
"Boom!"
A crisp explosion sounded. Before Hades could even scream, the thunder spear pierced his chest. Silver-purple lightning instantly erupted within him; it was a purification power specifically designed to counter the undead and darkness.
Hades's body stiffened instantly, then began to disintegrate from the wound, turning into countless black ashes that dissipated in the air. The scythe of death that had once harvested countless lives also broke, falling to the ground with a clang.
One strike, and the King of the Underworld fell.
But this was only the beginning. Arthas's figure had already vanished from the spot the moment he threw the spear. When he reappeared, he was already in front of Poseidon's towering black tsunami.
Facing the giant wave that could submerge a city, Arthasused no offensive means. He simply raised his left arm. A light shield radiating the golden glow of wisdom, with Runes flowing on its surface, instantly formed on his forearm.
It was a product of the combination of Athena's war wisdom and Frigga's magic defense. It not only possessed absolute physical defense but also carried a sacred attribute that reflected all malice.
"Playing with Water, are we? Let's see how far you can rush."
With a low shout, Arthas charged into the tsunami like a cannonball behind the light shield. The seemingly unstoppable black seawater, upon contact with the light shield, actually boiled and evaporated instantly like snow meeting red-hot iron.
"Wisdom: Sacred Shield Bash!"
He pushed through the massive water pressure, unstoppable all the way, forcefully smashing a straight vacuum passage through the tsunami, then slammed hard into Poseidon's massive body.
A massive impact accompanied by an explosion of golden holy light followed. Poseidon's huge divine body was sent flying, crashing violently into the rock wall. Every bone in his body was shattered, and even the trident in his hand was bent into scrap metal.
Dark Zeus watched this scene, his eyes twitching wildly. He could not understand why, even though it was all divine power, Arthas's power seemed to be a dimension higher than theirs. That crushing pressure was simply despair-inducing.
"Don't let him pick us off one by one! All together! Use your Divine Domains to suppress him!"
Zeus roared frantically, trying to reorganize the remaining fallen gods who were already scared out of their wits. He waved his scepter, releasing chains of black lightning to restrict Arthas's high-speed movement.
Apollo, Hephaestus, and the others also reacted. They understood that they had no choice but to fight for their lives now.
They burned their godheads one after another, releasing their respective Divine Domains: the Sun Domain, the Forging Domain, the Plague Domain... various negative rules intertwined to form a massive dark quagmire, attempting to drag Arthas into it.
The quagmire was filled with thick malice and curses; any creature entering it would have its power weakened and its mind corrupted.
However, standing at the center of this dark quagmire, the seven-colored radiance on Arthas did not dim at all; instead, it became even more dazzling and magnificent.
He felt the power of the Earth from Sif surging within him. It was the weight and inclusiveness of Asgard's land, giving him the foundation to be as unshakeable as a mountain.
At the same time, the power of truth from Diana's lasso of truth was also used by Arthas for fusion, allowing him to ignore all falsehoods and curses.
"Domain? I have that too."
Arthas stomped his foot, and a circle of seven-colored ripples rapidly spread outward from him. Wherever the ripples passed, the black sludge on the ground instantly turned into blooming flowers, and the stench in the air turned into fresh floral fragrance.
"Domain of All Gods!"
A semi-transparent seven-colored barrier rose around him, blocking all incoming dark rules and even purifying them in reverse, turning them into nutrients to nourish himself.
"Next, it's your turn, big guy."
Arthas ignored the surrounding small fry still trying to attack, his gaze locked on the Hercules, the god of strength, who was covered in the flames of war.
"Since you're a warrior, I'll deal with you in a warrior's way."
The radiance in Arthas's hands shifted, condensing into two massive light swords. They were the product of fusing Brunhilde's Valkyrie sword techniques with Diana's Amazon combat arts.
His figure flashed, instantly cutting into Hercules's defensive circle. The twin swords in his hands danced into a seamless storm of light blades.
"Dual Blade Style: Divine Domain Flurry!"
Every strike precisely cut into the gaps of Hercules's armor, and every strike took away large chunks of dark flesh. Hercules's proud close-combat skills, before Arthas's swordsmanship that fused the strengths of a hundred schools, were like an infant waving a wooden stick—clumsy and ridiculous.
In just a few seconds, Hercules was hacked into a stump, wailing as he fell into a pool of blood.
The situation on the battlefield had completely turned one-sided. Arthas was like an elegant noble strolling in his own back garden. With every movement of his hands or feet, a fallen god would fall.
Those names that once made the entire world of Greek mythology tremble were now so fragile before him.
Hermes tried to escape, but was tied up like a zongzi by Arthas's "Light Speed: lasso of truth" and then thrown into a spatial rift to fend for himself.
Apollo tried to burn Arthas with a dark sun, but Arthasbackhandedly used "Divine Power: Ultra Slash" to cut that black sun in half, taking his head with it.
The army of mechanical puppets summoned by Hephaestus couldn't even last a second under Arthas's "Full Screen: Holy Light Baptism" before they all disintegrated.
The number of fallen gods at the bottom of the abyss was rapidly decreasing, from the initial dozens to just a handful now.
Dark Zeus stood alone in the center of the battlefield, surrounded by the severed limbs of his companions and dissipating dark divine power.
His body was trembling, not from cold, but from a despair that reached his very marrow.
He looked at the spotless youth floating in mid-air and for the first time, the thought "Did I mess with the wrong person?" occurred to him.
But he had no way back. As the former God King and the source of darkness, his pride did not allow him to flee, and in this place of sealing, there was nowhere to run.
"It's not over... I haven't lost yet!"
Zeus let out one final, shrill roar. His body began to swell violently, and his already massive frame became as large as a mountain.
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash-lite
He disregarded everything and began to devour the residual dark essence left by his fallen comrades, even forcibly extracting the dark energy from the abyss rock walls.
As this massive and chaotic energy surged in, Zeus's form mutated into something even more terrifying.
His skin cracked open, countless black tentacles drilled out from the wounds, a dozen pairs of tattered black wings sprouted from his back, and his face grew countless eyes and mouths.
He was no longer a god, nor even a living creature, but a monstrous aggregate composed purely of resentment and darkness.
The sheer power of that aura made even Aphrodite and the goddesses above feel suffocated.
"I will swallow you! I will turn all of you into a part of me!"
The monster emitted countless overlapping voices, sounds capable of driving mortals instantly insane.
Arthas looked at the utterly disgusting mass of flesh before him, yet his face held no fear, only a trace of pity.
"Is this the power you sought? Is this the so-called King of Olympus, Zeus?"
He shook his head, the multicolored light in his eyes ceased to flicker and instead began to converge toward a single point between his brows.
"Truly... too pathetic."
"Since you suffer so much, I will grant you release."
"With this move, I will send you where you belong."
Arthas slowly spread his arms, as if embracing the entire Universe.
The "Echo of Love" within him operated at its absolute limit. That power no longer merely flowed internally but poured out through his body, resonating with the surrounding space, the starry sky above, and even the last wisps of light remaining in the abyss.
Sif's earth, Brunhilde's storms, Diana's light, Frigga's magic, Hera's majesty, Athena's wisdom, Aphrodite's love...
All power, all colors, all emotions converged at his chest in that moment.
It was as if a miniature Universe was born there—brilliant, profound, and filled with infinite possibility.
"This is..."
Nyx above suddenly stood up. For the first time, shock appeared in her eyes that could see through everything in the world.
"This kid... he's actually creating a miracle?"
"This is the power of miracle, fused with all positive emotions and rules?"
It was known that the power representing emotion included the Phoenix Force, the sum of all life and emotion in the Universe, or the seven emotional spectrums.
Arthas had actually touched such power. Even if it was just a shadow, this power had absolutely surpassed the level of the All-Father and brushed against the edge of the single-Universe level.
Aphrodite tightly clenched her hands, tears welling up in her eyes, but the corners of her mouth held the proudest smile.
"That is my son."
"That is... our hope."
Dark Zeus, that gigantic monster, also seemed to sense the approach of destruction.
He opened his giant mouth, capable of swallowing mountains, and condensed a black singularity deep in his throat.
It was darkness compressed to its extreme, a black hole capable of swallowing light.
"Darkness: Final Roar!!!"
A thick, pitch-black pillar of light shot out from his mouth, carrying the terrifying might to destroy all matter and energy, heading straight for Arthas.
This strike was the result of him sacrificing all his self-awareness and divinity; it was his final madness.
Facing the incoming Darkness: Final Roar,
Arthas did not dodge, nor did he use any more flashy techniques.
He slowly drew his hands back, forming a non-standard 'L' shape in front of his chest, or rather, a more casual, yet more natural cross.
The multicolored Universe gathered on his chest instantly flowed down his arms to his fingertips.
That was not just light; it was the materialization of belief.
It was the absolute truth that light would respond to you as long as you believed.
"It's over, old man."
Arthas spoke softly, his tone as calm as saying goodnight.
"Universe... Miracle... Light!!!"
A vast, indescribable stream of multicolored light erupted from his arms.
The stream contained all colors: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and violet. Every single ray of light was cheering, releasing warmth and hope.
It did not look like an attack, but more like a surging river of rainbows.
"BOOM—————!!!"
The multicolored miracle light fiercely collided with the pitch-black Final Roar in mid-air.
There was no imagined stalemate, nor was there an evenly matched tug-of-war.
It was like pouring scalding hot water onto accumulated snow.
The arrogant dark pillar of light began to rapidly disintegrate and melt the instant it contacted the multicolored light.
Darkness had no right to resist in the face of radiance.
The stream of multicolored light, in a manner that crushed everything in its path, pushed against the dark pillar of light, surging upward, and instantly engulfed the massive body of Dark Zeus.
"No... this is impossible... I am the King of Gods... I am..."
Dark Zeus let out a final, unwilling roar.
But within that warm radiance, his voice grew fainter, and his body began to crumble like dust.
All the resentment, darkness, and curses attached to him were purified into the purest energy particles.
Even his long-distorted soul received complete cleansing at that moment.
In the final moments of that light, Arthas seemed to see an aged yet calm face smiling faintly at him with relief.
That was Zeus's original appearance, before he was consumed by the desire for power.
The multicolored light pierced through Dark Zeus and did not stop; instead, it continued booming toward the deeper parts of the abyss.
It struck the bottom of the abyss, triggering a sacred massive explosion.
But this explosion destroyed nothing; instead, it was like a spring breeze sweeping over the land.
The rotten flesh turned into fertile soil, and the black rocks transformed into crystalline crystal.
The originally gloomy and terrifying underground abyss was instantly transformed into an underground paradise full of vitality and light.
All traces of darkness were swept away, and the air was even filled with a faint floral fragrance.
The light lasted for a full minute before gradually dissipating.
Arthas slowly lowered his arms, and the armor of all gods on his body dissolved into specks of light and vanished.
He felt an unprecedented weakness, the inevitable reaction after exhausting his divine power.
But he did not fall.
He still hovered steadily in mid-air, looking at the worldbelow that had been completely renewed.
Looking at the once arrogant Dark Gods, not even a speck of dust remained.
"Hoo..."
Arthas let out a long breath, a tired yet brilliant smile appearing on his face.
"There... it's finally clean."
He raised his head and looked toward the passage above that had been pierced open.
There, several familiar figures were flying down desperately.
The one in the lead had golden hair and tear-streaked cheeks, yet was breathtakingly beautiful.
"Mom..."
Arthas spread his arms, welcoming that warm embrace.
"I did it."
"I didn't shame you."
Aphrodite rushed into his arms like a cannonball; the massive impact nearly made the current Arthas gasp in pain.
But she paid no heed, just holding him tightly, desperately, crying like a child who couldn't find home.
"You idiot... you scared your mother to death..."
"Wuwuwu... If anything had happened to you... I wouldn't want to live either..."
Hera, Athena, Artemis, and the other goddesses followed closely behind.
They looked at the miraculous scene around them, at the still-smiling youth.
Their eyes were filled with shock, gratitude, and a deep sense of reverence and adoration.
From this day forward, the myths of Olympus would be rewritten.
No longer ruled by Zeus's thunder,
But by a new chapter composed of love and miracles by a youth named Huwen Odinson.
Nyx was the last to descend.
She surveyed her surroundings, feeling the purity of the air that made her slightly uncomfortable, and a playful smile curved her lips.
"Universe Miracle Light, huh..."
"The name is a bit tacky, but the power... truly deserves the word miracle."
She walked to Arthas's side and patted his shoulder.
"Well done, kid."
"It seems Mount Olympus will be changing its surname to Odinson from now on?"
Arthas scratched his head somewhat sheepishly.
"Um... the name isn't important."
"What's important is that everyone is safe."
"And..."
He looked at his mother in his arms, his eyes full of tenderness.
"What's important is that we can go home."
"Go back to the home with sunshine, with gardens, without all this messy business."
Aphrodite looked up, wiped away her tears, and smiled through her tears.
"Yes, home."
"Let's go now."
"Leave this cursed place."
"I want to see the place where you grew up, to see Friggawho raised you so well."
"And I want to see Diana, whom you can't stop thinking about."
"Mother has many things to say to them."
Watching his mother's restored spirit, the stone in Arthas's heart finally settled.
He knew that this long trial had finally ended.
Although the process was somewhat perilous and he suffered quite a bit.
But the result was good.
And...
He felt the divine power source within him, which, though depleted, had undergone a qualitative change.
Although the 'King of All Gods' trial experience card had expired, he had gained some insight, and his normal strength had increased again.
Originally, his strength was at the peak Main God level. Later, when he had time to digest these insights, he should be able to reach the power of a God King.
This time, it seemed like a huge gain.
"Um, to all the elder sisters and aunts..."
Arthas looked at the goddesses surrounding him.
"Since this place has been cleaned up, should we... go up and celebrate?"
"And... could you lend me some strength?"
"My legs... feel a bit weak right now."
As he finished speaking, his body swayed, and he was about to fall.
"Ah! Careful!"
The goddesses cried out in alarm and rushed forward to support him.
For a moment, there was a chorus of feminine cries and the fragrance of perfume filled the air.
Arthas was buried in a pile of softness and happily passed out.
In the last second before his consciousness faded, a thought crossed his mind.
"It smells so good!"
Chapter 83: The Gods Pledge Allegiance to a New Lord, Returning to the Divine Realm with Beauties
Arthas didn't know how long he had slept.
It felt like being immersed in a warm ocean, surrounded by soft light, with no pain, no fatigue, only endless tranquility.
When he opened his eyes again, what greeted him was no longer the dark and oppressive underground rock walls, nor the suffocating black lightning.
Instead, it was a ceiling as white as snow, adorned with exquisite golden patterns, each stroke exuding an ancient and noble aura.
Sunlight streamed in through the large floor-to-ceiling windows—it was the long-lost, true sunlight, carrying a warm temperature that dispelled all gloom.
Outside the window, the crisp chirping of birds and the rustling of wind through leaves could be heard; everything was so peaceful, so beautiful.
Arthas moved his fingers and found that his body was not as heavy as he had imagined; instead, it was full of power, as if every cell had been baptized by divine power, radiating new vitality.
He slowly sat up, and the quilt slipped down, revealing his firm chest.
He looked down, and the shocking wounds that had been there were long gone, not even a scar remaining. His skin was smooth as jade, yet contained explosive power.
"It seems... I really succeeded."
Arthas stretched, and his bones let out a series of crisp crackling sounds, like popping beans.
He flipped out of bed, walked barefoot on the soft carpet, and went to the window to open it.
A breath of fresh air rushed in, mixed with the faint fragrance of flowers and the scent of Earth.
Arthas took a deep breath, feeling as if his entire lungs had been purified.
He looked out, and the entire Mount Olympus was bathed in golden sunlight.
The black mist that had once shrouded the mountainside had completely dissipated, revealing lush green forests and winding streams.
The Temple of Athena in the distance, though still somewhat dilapidated, appeared exceptionally solemn and sacred under the sunlight.
The surviving elves and nymphs were fluttering among the flowers, their faces beaming with the joy of having escaped disaster.
"Is this... what peace looks like?"
Arthas's lips curved slightly upward, revealing a heartfelt smile.
This feeling was truly good.
No more fighting, no more worrying if a Dark Gods' lightning bolt would strike his head the next second.
Just quietly enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
Just then, the door behind him was gently pushed open, making a slight creaking sound.
Arthas turned his head and saw a dignified and beautiful figure walk in.
It was Hera.
The former goddess queen had now changed out of her elaborate and luxurious palace dress, wearing a simple white Greek gown with a golden sheer veil draped over it.
Her long hair was casually tied back with a golden hairpin, and her face no longer held the intimidating majesty that once made people afraid to look directly at her; instead, it carried a gentle, homely warmth.
She held a tray with a steaming bowl of porridge and several exquisite small pastries.
Seeing Arthas standing by the window, Hera was visibly startled, almost dropping the tray in her hands.
"Little Wen? You... you're awake?"
Her voice was filled with surprise. She quickly walked over, placed the tray on a nearby table, and scrutinized Arthasfrom head to toe.
"I only left for a moment to prepare some food for you, and I didn't expect you to wake up."
Hera said, reaching out to touch Arthas's forehead, but halfway, she seemed to find it inappropriate and awkwardly stopped in mid-air.
Arthas looked at her cautious demeanor, and a warm current surged in his heart.
He voluntarily leaned his head closer, letting Hera's hand rest on his forehead, and even rubbed against it.
"Oh, was Sister Hera taking care of me just now? I'm a little overwhelmed by the honor."
He blinked, a brilliant smile on his face.
"To be personally cared for by the dignified goddess queen, I doubt anyone else has ever enjoyed such treatment, right?"
Hera felt the warmth from her palm and looked at Arthas's handsome face so close to her. Her cheeks couldn't help but blush slightly.
She didn't withdraw her hand; instead, she took the opportunity to gently smooth Arthas's slightly messy bangs.
"What 'overwhelmed by the honor'? You're just a glib-tongued child."
Hera covered her red lips, chuckling softly. The charm in that instant could make a hundred flowers lose their color.
"You are the great hero who saved all of Olympus. If it weren't for you, we would probably have long become withered bones in that abyss."
"You pulled us out of despair, and you gave us new life and hope."
"Taking care of you, this small matter, is nothing compared to what you've done for us."
Being praised so directly by Hera made Arthas a little embarrassed instead.
He scratched his head, his smile becoming somewhat shy.
"I didn't do much, really; I just didn't like that big guy."
"And... this is what I should do."
His gaze became serious as he looked into Hera's beautiful eyes.
"I am the future God King. My father Odin said, 'With great power comes great responsibility.'"
"More importantly, I will protect the people I care about."
"Since you are my mother's friends and my sisters, of course I can't stand by and watch you be bullied."
Upon hearing the words "people I care about," Hera's heart skipped a beat.
She looked at Arthas's clear and resolute eyes, knowing that the child spoke from the heart.
In that desperate abyss, when everyone had given up hope, only this young man stepped forward and stood before them.
That sense of security, that feeling of being protected, was something she hadn't experienced in thousands of years.
Even Zeus back then had never given her such unreserved trust and reliance.
Hera took a deep breath, as if making a momentous decision.
"People I care about, huh..."
She repeated softly, a meaningful curve forming on her lips.
"Little Wen, since you put it that way, I have an impolite request. I wonder if you'd be willing to hear it?"
Arthas was startled, then nodded.
"Sister Hera, please speak. As long as it's something I can do, I won't refuse."
He patted his chest, looking full of heroic spirit.
Hera's expression became serious and solemn.
She walked to Arthas, gently placed her hands on his shoulders, and looked directly into his eyes.
"Although Olympus has regained its light and appears peaceful on the surface,"
Hera turned her head, looking out the window at the sun-drenched divine mountain, a hint of loneliness and worry flashing in her eyes.
"But you know, Zeus is gone, Poseidon, Hades... those main gods who once supported this Pantheon are all gone."
"Now, Olympus is left with only us goddesses. Although we have power, it's too difficult to support such a vast Pantheon and maintain its former glory."
"Moreover, once external forces realize Olympus is vulnerable, they will surely swarm in like sharks smelling blood."
Hera turned back, her gaze burning as she stared at Arthas, enunciating each word clearly.
"Therefore, I want to ask you... to become the new God King of Olympus."
"Lead us to rebuild this Pantheon."
At this proposal, Arthas was completely dumbfounded.
He gaped, looking at Hera in disbelief, unable to react for a long time.
"Ah? Me?"
He pointed at his nose, his voice even changing pitch.
"But... but I'm the Prince of Asgard! I'm supposed to inherit my father's position!"
"And..."
Arthas waved his hands helplessly.
"And I'm also Sorcerer Supreme Ancient One's successor! Don't let her long black hair and beautiful looks fool you, she's actually super fierce... ahem, I mean The Ancient Oneis also counting on me to take over."
"I already have two big burdens on my shoulders; if I add another God King, I'm afraid I really can't handle it!"
"I already have two such heavy burdens on my shoulders; if I add another God King... I'm afraid my shoulders aren't wide enough to bear it."
Arthas looked distressed. It wasn't that he didn't want to be, but mainly this identity overlap was a bit too exaggerated, like a legendary "hexagonal warrior" with a few extra sides.
Hera was even more shocked to hear that Arthas was also the successor to the Sorcerer Supreme.
Although she had never met Ancient One, she had heard of the Earth Guardian's reputation.
That was a powerful individual whom even Zeus had to be wary of.
She hadn't expected that discerning Sorcerer Supreme to also consider Arthas as her successor.
What did this mean?
It meant that Arthas not only possessed powerful divine bloodline but also had extraordinary temperament and talent.
Indeed, excellent people shine wherever they go.
This also strengthened Hera's resolve to tie Arthas to the Olympus ship.
"What does that matter?"
Before Hera could speak, a gentle yet firm voice came from outside the door.
Aphrodite pushed the door open and entered, followed by Athena, Artemis, Demeter, and a host of other goddesses.
They had clearly been listening outside for a while, and now each of them wore an expression that said, "If you don't agree, we won't let you leave."
Aphrodite walked to Arthas's side and tenderly helped him straighten his collar.
"Little Wen, please agree."
"Look, this mess here, who else can clean it up besides you?"
"Can you bear to see your mother and these aunts and sisters of yours bullied in the future?"
Athena also stepped forward, her spear gently tapping the ground, emitting a crisp sound.
"The Goddess of Wisdom never makes a losing deal."
"Making you God King is the optimal solution right now."
"As Hera said, we can no longer uphold the prestige of Olympus."
"Rather than letting this divine realm slowly decline, or be swallowed by other unknown forces,"
"It's better to entrust it to you."
"Moreover, this doesn't conflict with you being the heir of Asgard."
Artemis crossed her arms, and though her face still held a cool expression, her eyes kept glancing at Arthas.
"Exactly."
"Anyway, half of Olympus's blood flows in your veins, so being this king is legitimate."
"And..."
She turned her head, saying somewhat awkwardly.
AI Model: gemini-3.0-flash
"Compared to those disgusting, smelly men, if it's you... I don't mind following your orders."
"At least you look pretty cool when you fight."
The goddesses spoke one after another, surrounding Arthas, coming up with all sorts of reasons.
Some played the emotional card, some reasoned with him, and some simply acted shamelessly.
The core idea was the same: you have to be this God King, whether you want to or not!
Their meaning was clear.
If they were to merge into the Asgard Pantheon, and if the future God King was Arthas, they wouldn't mind at all.
After all, with the relationship between Aphrodite and Arthas, the two Pantheons were bound to merge sooner or later.
In that case, why not merge now?
As long as they could rely on Arthas and continue to receive his protection, the title didn't matter at all.
"The only requirement is..."
Hera finally made her closing statement, her beautiful eyes fixed on Arthas.
"By merging into Asgard now, we will only take orders from you alone."
"In other words, you are our only King in Asgard."
"As for His Majesty Odin..."
Hera smiled slightly, her smile carrying a hint of the reserve befitting a Queen of Heaven.
"We will give him the respect he deserves, but our loyalty belongs only to you."
Arthas looked at the room full of goddesses.
He saw his mother's expectant gaze, Hera's pleading yet trusting look, and the unreserved support from Athena, Artemis, and the others.
The slight thought of wanting to slack off instantly vanished from his mind.
Indeed, they were all people he cared about.
They were the people he had risked his life to rescue from the abyss.
If he pushed them away now and left them to face this turbulent world alone, what would be the point of his previous efforts?
"Sigh..."
Arthas let out a long sigh, a helpless yet doting smile appearing on his face.
"You're basically forcing me into this."
"With so many expectations piled on me, if I don't agree, wouldn't I be a heartless man?"
He looked at his mother, then glanced around at the goddesses.
His gaze gradually became firm, and the aura of a ruler slowly emerged from him.
"Alright, since you sisters think so highly of me."
"Then I'll be this God King!"
"No matter what, you are people I care about."
"Regardless of whether that old man, my father, agrees, or whether The Ancient One will nag me."
"I will definitely protect you."
"If anyone dares to touch a single hair on your heads, I'll let them taste the 'Cosmic Miracle Ray'!"
Hearing Arthas's promise, joyful smiles appeared on the faces of all the goddesses.
Some of the more emotional goddesses even had reddened eyes.
These words were more beautiful and reassuring than any oath.
Especially the phrase, "You are people I care about."
In the hearts of these goddesses who had experienced countless betrayals and indifference, it stirred up layers of ripples.
The way they looked at Arthas was no longer just as a savior, but more like someone they could entrust their lives to...
"Cough, cough!"
Arthas felt his scalp tingle a bit under the intense gazes of the goddesses.
He quickly coughed twice to change the subject.
"Well... since it's decided."
"Then there's no time to lose, let's all go to Asgardtogether now."
"For such a big matter, I have to report to my father."
"And..."
He chuckled, a flash of mischief in his eyes.
"I also want to see what kind of expression that old man will have when he sees so many beautiful sisters suddenly visiting."
"I bet his one eye will pop right out, won't it?"
The goddesses couldn't help but cover their mouths and giggle.
The originally heavy atmosphere instantly became light and pleasant.
They looked at each other, a faint blush appearing on their faces.
Going to Asgard...
To meet Arthas's father, and the legendary goddess queen Frigga.
Doesn't this feel a bit like... an ugly daughter-in-law meeting the in-laws?
No, no, it's a group of beautiful daughters-in-law meeting the in-laws!
"Then we shall do as you say, our King."
Hera took the lead with an elegant curtsy, changing her form of address quite smoothly.
The other goddesses followed suit, bowing to Arthas one after another.
Though their gestures varied, their respect and obedience were heartfelt.
At this moment, the new order of Olympus was established in this small bedroom.
"Oh, don't be like that, don't be like that, it's too formal!"
Arthas quickly waved his hands and helped Hera and the others up.
"We're family, there's no need for these formalities."
"As long as you don't find me annoying in the future, that's enough."
Aphrodite watched this scene, smiling like a blooming flower.
She walked over and took Arthas's arm, looking at the goddesses with pride.
"See, I told you my son is the best."
"This is great, everyone's become family, it'll be so lively from now on."
"Let's go! Depart!"
Arthas waved his hand with high spirits.
It's worth mentioning that after experiencing the King of Gods mode, his normal divine power was now slowly evolving into the power of a God King, and his understanding of various magics had also improved significantly; he could now use a Portal for interstellar transport.
Arthas made a sweeping gesture with both hands, and a massive rainbow Portal slowly opened before him.
On the other side of the gate, the magnificent AsgardAsgardian Palace was faintly visible, along with the brilliant curve of the Bifrost.
"Sisters, please."
Arthas made a gentlemanly "after you" gesture.
The goddesses straightened their appearances, carrying their visions for the future and their trust in the young man beside them.
Just as everyone was about to move, a lazy and raspy voice suddenly came from the doorway, breaking the warm atmosphere.
"Oh my, how lively."
"Are you all going to Asgard? Why didn't anyone notify me?"
Everyone looked back to see a goddess dressed in a black starry sky dress, exuding a mysterious aura, leaning against the doorframe while playing with a strand of her black hair.
It was the primordial god, Nyx, the Goddess of Night.
She looked at the room full of goddesses ready to depart, then at Arthas surrounded in the middle, a playful smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
"Boy, your charm really isn't any less than Aphrodite's."
"In the blink of an eye, you're packing up all of Olympus to take away?"
Seeing Nyx, Arthas quickly showed a bright smile; he respected and was grateful to this sister from the bottom of his heart for the huge help she gave him at the critical moment.
"How could that be? If you wanted to go, I'd definitely invite you with a grand procession."
"I was just afraid that a senior like you would find a backwater place like Asgard beneath you and wouldn't want to move."
Though Arthas was being cheeky, his eyes were full of sincerity.
"Hmph, stop with the smooth talk."
Nyx gave a light hmph and walked in with elegant steps, each step leaving a faint starlight imprint on the ground.
"I also want to go see Asgard."
Nyx walked up to Arthas and reached out a finger to tilt his chin, her eyes, deep as the night sky, staring intently at him.
"I want to see what kind of place could cultivate a freak like you."
"And, I want to see your future development."
"To see if you can really break those old rules and create a new era of myths."
"You wouldn't refuse me, would you?"
Nyx's voice carried a hint of unquestionable dominance, but more so an elder's testing of a junior and... a well-hidden curiosity.
"Of course not!"
Without any hesitation, Arthas directly grabbed Nyx's hand, the action as natural as if he were dealing with his own relative.
"If Sister is willing to come along, it would be a great honor!"
"If my father knew of your grand arrival, he'd probably bring out all his treasured fine wine to entertain you."
"Come with us, Sister, it'll be more lively on the way."
Hearing the title "Sister," Nyx clearly froze for a moment.
She had lived through countless eons, from the dawn of chaos until now, and had seen more deities than she could count.
They either called her "Mother Goddess" in awe, "Mistress of Night" in fear, or "Excellency Nyx" out of politeness.
No one had ever dared to call her "Sister" so irreverently.
Was this boy's courage a bit too large?
Or did he truly not see her as an outsider?
Looking at Arthas's sincere and innocent smiling face, Nyx's original intention to put on a stern face and give him a lecture suddenly vanished.
She found that she didn't actually hate the title, and even... felt a tiny bit of secret joy in her heart?
After all, what goddess doesn't like being called something that makes her sound younger?
Even a primordial god is still a goddess.
"Fine, since you've said so."
Nyx withdrew her hand, a faint smile appearing on her face—one enough to stun all living beings.
"Then I shall reluctantly accompany you for a trip."
"If Asgard isn't fun, I'm coming back."
"Don't worry, Sister!"
"Asgard has plenty of fun things!"
"There's the Bifrost, the Golden Palace, and the best mead!"
"I'll personally be your tour guide when the time comes!"
Arthas patted his chest and guaranteed, looking like he'd ensure her satisfaction.
The surrounding goddesses couldn't help but giggle behind their hands.
This boy's social prowess was at a level where he could even win over a primordial god.
From now on, Asgard was likely going to be incredibly lively.
"Alright, since everyone is here, let's depart!"
Arthas waved his hand grandly, looking quite like a leader.
Everyone stepped into the light gate one by one.
Sunlight fell on their backs, casting long shadows.
Those shadows intertwined, looking like a new mythological scroll.
The old era had ended.
A new era was slowly unfolding with the footsteps of that young man.
And Asgard was about to welcome its most lively—and most headache-inducing—day in history.
Chapter 84: Asgard's New Life
Asgard's Golden Palace, the magnificent hall symbolizing the supreme power of the Nine Realms, was currently shrouded in a faint cloud of worry.
Odin Borson, the All-Father whose fame shook the Nine Realms, stood with his hands behind his back before a massive floor-to-ceiling window. His single eye gazed at the brilliant, colorful starry sky outside. His body, usually as upright as a pine tree, now appeared somewhat hunched, as if he had aged many years all at once.
Deep anxiety was written across his weathered face, his brow furrowed into a tight knot. From time to time, he let out a heavy sigh that echoed through the empty hall, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.
Ever since learning that Arthas discovered his true heritage and resolutely set off for Mount Olympus—which had been sealed for many years—to find his biological Queen Mother, the old father's heart had been hanging in mid-air, unable to settle down.
"That child, why is he so stubborn... A place like Olympushas been sealed for so many years; heaven knows what it has become. What if there's danger..."
Odin muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously stroking the Gungnir in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force of his grip.
Besides worrying about Arthas's safety, there was another deeper fear in Odin's heart: would Arthas resent them for their years of concealment after learning the truth?
Would he refuse to acknowledge them as his foster parents because he found his biological Queen Mother?
Although logic told him that Arthas was not an ungrateful child, concern breeds confusion. This feeling of being torn between hope and fear grew in his heart like wild grass.
"If he really stops recognizing me... where will I hide this old face of mine... and Frigga would surely be heartbroken."
Thinking of this, Odin gave another long sigh, causing his beard to tremble a few times.
In another room of the Golden Palace, the atmosphere was equally solemn. Frigga, the goddess queen, sat by the bed, clutching a handkerchief tightly. Her eyes were slightly red, clearly having just wept.
Diana, Sif, and Brunhilde—her three daughters-in-law—surrounded her, offering soft words of comfort to this Queen Mother who, usually dignified and noble, now appeared somewhat fragile.
"Queen Mother, please don't worry too much. Arthas is so strong; even Ares was no match for him. No matter how dangerous Olympus is, he will surely turn misfortune into a blessing."
Diana held Frigga's hand and spoke soothingly. Although her own heart was in turmoil, she had to remain strong in front of her Queen Mother-in-law.
"That's right, Queen Mother. That guy is a real scourge. As the saying goes, 'Good people don't live long, but a scourge lasts a thousand years'... Bah, bah, bah! I mean, he's blessed with great fortune and will definitely be fine."
Sif had intended to say something witty to lighten the mood, but realized mid-sentence it sounded wrong and quickly corrected herself. Still, it made Frigga break into a smile through her tears, giving her a mock-reproachful glare.
"You child, watch your tongue."
Though Frigga scolded her, her heart felt much lighter. She patted the back of Sif's hand and sighed.
"It's not that I don't believe in his strength. I'm afraid... afraid that he'll have a grudge in his heart."
Brunhilde had remained silent, quietly pouring a cup of hot tea for Frigga.
She then stood silently to the side, her gaze always fixed on the sky outside the window, a determined light flickering in her silver eyes.
"If it's him, there will definitely be no problem."
She said silently in her heart: 'He is our King, the most dazzling man in this world. Nothing can stump him.'
Just then, a strange and powerful spatial fluctuation suddenly erupted above the Golden Palace. It wasn't the roar of the Bifrost opening, but a more subtle yet more advanced spatial folding phenomenon.
Asgard's supposedly impregnable defensive barrier showed no reaction to this fluctuation. It was as if it had encountered one of its own, allowing it to penetrate without any obstruction.
No, it *was* one of their own.
"This is..."
Odin spun around, an astonishing light bursting from his single eye. He was all too familiar with this aura—it was a unique blend of Divine Power of Light, the Odin bloodline, and a certain pink divine power he didn't understand.
"It's Arthas! That boy is back!"
Almost at the same time, Frigga and the three daughters-in-law sensed this familiar aura. The sorrow on their faces vanished instantly, replaced by uncontrollable ecstasy.
"Let's go! Let's go see!"
Odin no longer cared for the dignity of a God-King and transformed into a bolt of golden lightning, vanishing from the hall in an instant.
Diana and the others were not to be outdone, each exerting their maximum speed to rush toward the source of the fluctuation—the Golden Palace's teleportation hall.
When Odin's figure materialized in the teleportation hall, he saw a scene he would never forget.
The space in the center of the hall rippled like water, then split open into a massive rift, and a tall, upright figure stepped out from within.
The man wore a magnificent set of shimmering battle armor made of an unknown material. His long black hair was tied loosely behind his head, and his handsome face, which could make anyone jealous, wore that same consistent, sun-bright signature smile.
It was indeed the one everyone had been worrying about, Huwen Odinson.
Seeing Arthas unharmed—and even more high-spirited than before he left—Odin's racing heart finally settled back into his chest.
"Stupid brat... you're finally back."
Odin cursed inwardly, but the smile lines at the corners of his eyes couldn't be hidden.
"Father! Queen Mother! And my wives! I'm back!"
As soon as Arthas emerged and saw his family gathered around, he immediately opened his arms and greeted them warmly. His tone was as natural as if he had just returned from visiting a neighbor.
There was no estrangement, no resentment. He was still the familiar First Prince, still the troublemaker everyone loved and hated.
Seeing this, Odin and Frigga looked at each other, both seeing relief and emotion in the other's eyes.
It seemed that even after learning the truth, the child's heart had not changed. He still considered this place home and still regarded them as his closest kin.
This was the son they were most proud of.
However, before Odin could step forward to give his son a bear hug or put on the air of a strict father to scold him, his expression suddenly froze, becoming as vivid as if he had swallowed a fly.
Because he saw that behind Arthas, the spatial rift had not closed. Instead, people were continuously walking out of it.
First, a blonde goddess dressed in pink divine robes stepped out, her beauty breathtaking.
The moment she appeared, the entire hall seemed to brighten, and the air became filled with an intoxicating floral fragrance.
Odin's eyes nearly popped out. This... wasn't this his 'white moonlight' from back then, and also Arthas's biological Queen Mother, the Goddess of Beauty, Aphrodite?
Immediately following her, a dignified and majestic goddess in a golden queen's gown stepped out. Was that... Hera?
Then came Athena with her spear and shield, Artemis with her silver bow, Demeter with her scythe...
One by one, they were all goddesses, and all were famous main gods of Olympus.
In a short moment, the originally spacious teleportation hall was crowded with this group of beautiful women. Looking around, it was nothing but peerless beauties; the scene was more spectacular than a beauty pageant.
Odin was completely dumbfounded. He stood with his mouth wide open, pointing at the room full of goddesses, unable to speak for a long time.
"This... what is going on? Did you go to Olympus to restock? How did you package and bring back the goddesses of an entire Pantheon?"
He complained wildly in his head. Was this boy's luck with women a bit too heaven-defying? This wasn't going to find family; this was clearly going to kidnap a bridal party!
And... why were there only goddesses? Where were the male gods of Olympus? Where was Zeus? Where was Poseidon? Had they all died out?
While Odin was still reeling, the last goddess to step out of the rift completely broke his composure.
She was a goddess wearing a black starry-sky dress. She wasn't as radiant as the other goddesses, but the aura she emitted made even Odin, a God-King, feel a tremor from the depths of his soul.
It was an ancient, profound primordial aura, as if she were as old as the Universe itself. It was an existence that transcended the dimensions of ordinary gods.
If Odin was a towering mountain, then this goddess was an endless abyss—unfathomable and impossible to look upon directly.
Odin instinctively gripped the Gungnir tighter, and even the divine power within him began to circulate automatically, preparing for battle.
He knew very well that if this goddess attacked, even with the Destroyer armor and the divine power of all Asgard, he might not have a certain chance of victory.
"That is... Lady Nyx?!"
Odin's voice was slightly out of tune. He never expected this legendary primordial god would actually follow Arthas to Asgard.
This was a true heavyweight! An existence on the same level as the Creator Gods!
What on earth did Arthas do? Not only did he make off with all the goddesses, but he even fooled an ancestral-level existence into coming here?
If this wasn't handled properly, wouldn't Asgard be torn apart?
Odin felt his brain was a bit insufficient. The amount of information was too large, so large that even this old God-King who had lived for thousands of years felt his 'CPU' was overloading.
The scene shifted.
Inside the spacious and grand meeting hall of the Golden Palace.
The atmosphere was somewhat eerie and subtle.
The long conference table was crowded with people.
Arthas sat in the first seat on the left, the most honorable position besides the God-King.
To his left sat Diana, Sif, and Brunhilde, his three legitimate wives.
To his right sat Frigga and Aphrodite, his two Queen Mothers.
Further back was a row of Olympus goddesses sitting upright—Hera, Athena, Artemis... each looking at Arthaswith eyes full of admiration and obedience.
As for Nyx, who gave even Odin pressure, she sat in the shadows not far behind Arthas, holding a cup of Asgard's specialty mead, watching the show with a playful expression.
On the opposite side of the conference table...
There was only one lonely person.
That was our All-Father, His Majesty Odin Borson.
He sat on the throne symbolizing the supremacy of the Nine Realms, looking at the massive 'Arthas Support Group' across from him.
He suddenly felt that this chair was a bit uncomfortable for his backside.
How was this a debriefing?
This was practically a joint trial!
And the lineup opposite him... wasn't it a bit too luxurious?
Two queen-level figures (Frigga, Hera), one primordial god-level (Nyx), two main god-level (Athena, Artemis), and a Goddess of Beauty (Aphrodite) whose strength was unclear but whose status was extremely high, plus the other goddesses of Olympus.
Add to that the three daughters-in-law who had completely sided with Arthas.
Odin felt his head buzzing.
And this presence... he was completely suppressed by the other side!
Odin coughed twice, trying to regain some of his dignity as the God-King. He looked at Arthas, striving to make his voice sound calm and majestic.
"Ahem, so... Arthas, don't you think you should explain to your Father what exactly is going on here?"
"What exactly did you experience on your trip to Olympus? And... what's the deal with these goddesses?"
"Ahem."
Arthas cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence.
He stood up and performed a standard Asgardian salute to Odin, his face still wearing that smile that Odin both loved and hated.
"Father, your son has returned, fortunately having fulfilled his mission."
"A few minor accidents occurred during this trip to Olympus, but they have all been resolved."
"I am here to report the specific situation to you."
Then, Arthas began his speech, recounting the events of his trip to Olympus from start to finish in vivid detail.
From how he found the entrance to Olympus through bloodline resonance, to discovering the seals and desolation there.
From how he encountered the Dark Divine Attendant, how he and Artemis became friends through a fight, to entering the Temple of Athena and using divine power to heal the goddesses, winning their trust.
Then to the truth he learned about the sealing of Olympus—Zeus had imprisoned Nyx in pursuit of power, and Aphrodite had sacrificed herself to be sealed to protect her son.
Hearing this, Odin's expression became exceptionally grim. He hadn't expected that old lecher Zeus to be so insane as to imprison a primordial god; it was simply seeking his own death.
And when he heard that Arthas had resolutely charged into the Temple of Night to save his Queen Mother, taking on the avatar of Dark Zeus single-handedly, Odin's hands unconsciously tightened. Although he knew the outcome was good, the thrilling process still made him break into a cold sweat.
Next, Arthas reached the most critical part.
How he passed Nyx's trial, how he reunited with his Queen Mother, and then how he faced the siege of the original Dark Zeus and a host of fallen male gods.
When he mentioned activating 'King of All Gods Mode' and gathering the power of all the goddesses to purify the entire abyss with a single 'Cosmic Miracle Ray', completely annihilating Dark Zeus and the other Fallen Gods, the entire meeting hall fell into a deathly silence.
Odin's single eye widened, and his mouth hung open wide enough to fit two fists.
Did he hear that right?
One person? Single-handedly? He took down a God-King level main god plus a dozen main god-level helpers?
And it was under some 'King of All Gods Mode'?
What kind of crazy skill was that? It sounded absolutely broken!
"You... you mean, you... you killed Zeus?"
Odin asked stutteringly, feeling as if his tongue were tied in knots.
"Yep, killed him thoroughly, not even ash is left."
Arthas nodded with a relaxed expression, as if he weren't talking about killing a God-King, but swatting a fly.
"That guy had completely fallen, turning into a monster that only knew how to devour. If I didn't kill him, he would have killed us and devoured the entire world."
"So I had no choice; you could say I was eliminating a pest for the people."
Arthas shrugged with an 'I'm also quite helpless' expression.
Odin took a deep breath, trying hard to digest this earth-shattering news.
Although Arthas spoke lightheartedly, occasionally interjecting a few dry jokes...
...to Odin's ears, it was like successive claps of thunder.
Single-handedly?
He took out the God-King level Dark Zeus?
And wiped out Poseidon, Hades, and all the others while he was at it?
Is... is this something a human can actually do?
Odin knew Arthas was very talented and strong.
But he had always thought Arthas was just a standout among the younger generation, at most reaching the level of an ordinary main god.
Who would have thought this kid had already grown to such an extent!
He can solo a God-King! And all those other dark male gods!
Doesn't that mean if this kid wanted to, he could hang his old man up and pummel him at any time?
Odin stole a glance at Arthas, then at Nyx, who was smiling at him from behind Arthas.
He felt a wave of trepidation in his heart.
Fortunately.
Fortunately, this kid was raised by him.
Fortunately, this kid is a filial child.
Otherwise, the heavens in Asgard would truly be changing.
And to think Zeus actually died like that. That old rival he'd fought for half his life was just gone? And he died at the hands of his own son?
This feeling... how to put it? It was a bit bittersweet, yet also strangely satisfying.
After all, who told that old geezer to always show off in front of him before?
"And then? Olympus now... only has these goddesses left?"
Odin pointed at the group of beautiful women behind Arthas and asked tentatively.
"Yeah, the male gods are basically all dead. Even if any survived, they probably won't amount to much."
Arthas nodded, then dropped the biggest bombshell of the night.
"So, Sister Hera and the others discussed it and felt that Olympus can no longer survive independently, and they don't want to engage in any more Pantheon struggles."
"They've decided... to nominate me as the new God-King of Olympus."
"And, they will bring the entire Olympus Pantheon to merge into our Asgard."
"In other words, from today on, Olympus is a branch of our Asgard. We're all one family."
"Boom!"
Odin felt as if a nuclear bomb had exploded in his head.
Merge?
Olympus merging into Asgard?
This... this is an incredibly good thing!
You have to understand, although the male gods of Olympus are all dead now, this group of goddesses is not to be trifled with!
Hera's power as the goddess queen, Athena's wisdom and war, Artemis's hunt, Demeter's agriculture...
These are all solid, main god-level combat forces!
And then there's that unfathomable Nyx...
If they really join Asgard, Asgard's strength will instantly double, or even triple!
By then, let alone the Nine Realms, even when facing those cosmic-level overlords, Asgard would have the confidence to go toe-to-toe!
"Is... is this true?"
Odin was so excited his beard was trembling. He looked at Hera, his eyes full of inquiry.
Hera smiled slightly, stood up, and gave Odin an elegant salute as an equal.
"His Majesty Odin, Arthas is correct. We hope that Olympus can merge into Asgard."
"We are tired of strife and betrayal. Arthas saved us and gave us new hope."
"Therefore, we are willing to honor Huwen Odinson as our new God-King and become a part of Asgard."
"From now on, all divine authority, territory, and resources of Olympus will fall under the jurisdiction of Asgard."
Athena stood up and added: "However, we have one condition."
"What condition? As long as it's not excessive, I can agree to anything!"
Odin waved his hand grandly, speaking with heroic generosity.
Are you kidding? With such a windfall falling from the sky, let alone one condition, even ten would have to be accepted.
"Our condition is..."
Athena glanced at Arthas beside her, a flash of tenderness in her eyes.
"We only take orders from Arthas."
"Whether in Asgard or Olympus, our King is him and him alone."
"If you can accept this, then we shall swear the oath now."
The meeting hall fell into a deathly silence once again.
Everyone's gaze was focused on Odin, waiting for his decision.
Hearing this condition, Odin was stunned for a moment.
Odin looked at his son, who was currently looking back at him with an innocent face.
He sighed in his heart. Was there any difference?
Anyway, this kid was going to take over sooner or later, and anyway, this kid listens to him.
And looking at this situation, this group of goddesses had clearly been conquered by the kid's charm.
If he didn't agree, this kid could probably just take this group and go solo.
Then Asgard would be the one left all alone.
Having figured this out, a smile reappeared on Odin's face.
It was an extremely brilliant, extremely kind, and even slightly fawning smile.
"This is an incredibly good thing!"
Odin slapped his thigh hard and stood up, his voice so loud it made the hall hum.
"Queen Hera... oh no, Lady Hera and Lady Athena's proposal, I completely agree!"
"Asgard and Olympus were originally friendly brother Pantheons!"
"Now that we can become even closer and merge into one family, that couldn't be better!"
"As for who to listen to... does that even need to be said?"
Odin stood up, strode over to Arthas, and slapped his shoulder hard. The force was so great that Arthas bared his teeth in pain.
"Good lad! You've really made your old man proud!"
"Going out once, you not only found your birth Queen Mother but also brought back so many... ahem, so many powerful allies."
"You even wiped out a Pantheon while you were at it, expanding Asgard's territory."
"This record of yours, if told, people probably wouldn't even believe it!"
Odin looked at Arthas, the pride in his eyes almost overflowing.
This was his seed! This was the future of Asgard!
What does it mean for the student to surpass the master? This is it!
"Hehe, Father, you flatter me. It was all luck, just luck."
Arthas rubbed his shoulder and smiled modestly.
"Mainly, the sisters and aunts were very capable. Without their help, I wouldn't have been able to handle Zeus."
Hearing Odin say this, the goddesses all showed joyful smiles.
Arthas also smiled.
He knew that this matter was settled.
Not only was it settled, but it went even more smoothly than expected.
The old man was quite supportive after all.
"Since Father has agreed, then it's settled."
Arthas turned around and looked at this room full of family, lovers, and allies.
His heart was filled with heroic pride.
"From today on, Asgard and Olympus are one and the same."
"We will protect this world together and face future challenges together."
"No matter what kind of enemy it is, as long as we are together..."
"...we are invincible!"
"Good!"
"Long live the God-King!"
"Long live Your Highness Arthas!"
Enthusiastic cheers erupted in the meeting hall.
Even Nyx raised her wine glass and toasted Arthas from afar, that meaningful smile hanging on the corner of her mouth.
"Quite interesting."
"It seems this trip wasn't in vain."
Sunlight poured through the high windows of the meeting hall, shining on everyone's faces.
Golden dust danced in the beams of light, as if dancing for the glory of this moment.
Asgard's history was completely rewritten on this day.
A new, more powerful, and more glorious era of myth...
...began amidst the laughter and joy of the Golden Palace.
And the young man standing in the center of the light.
The man named Huwen Odinson.
Was destined to become the most dazzling protagonist of this era.