Chapter 661: The Inevitable Battle
The Arrival of the Death Gods
The approaching figures were moving swiftly; one moment they were at the edge of the horizon, and the next they stood right before them.
Eighteen figures stood in a line. The leader wore armor and had four scimitars strapped to his back. His skin was deep blue, and he had three eyes: one deep and dark, one burning with fire, and one shrouded in frost.
He stood there, seemingly one with the world, exuding an incredibly ancient aura.
The other seventeen figures were diverse: some resembled demons, some had no limbs, and others were fish-like. What they shared was the soul-pressure stemming from Death itself.
Their auras were similar to that of the Underworld Dragon but far more potent.
Undoubtedly, these were Underworld Death Gods—eighteen of them appearing simultaneously. Even Luke felt a prickle on his scalp.
Diana asked nervously, "They are..."
Luke shook his head, then ascended into the sky.
"Gentlemen, why have you come here?"
Dom looked at him indifferently, then scanned Clark and Diana below.
"Humans, just as I thought, and one is a divine descendant."
"Humans haven't appeared in the Underworld for thousands of years. How did you arrive?"
Luke frowned, then answered truthfully after a moment of silence. "Someone opened the Gate of the Underworld and used Anubis's power to transport us here."
"I see," Dom nodded in understanding. No wonder they came to the Underworld—they were framed. The Gate of the Underworld is one of the darkest and most efficient spells, using the power of a Death God to send enemies to the Underworld where no living being could survive.
"Your purpose in coming to the Valley of No Return is to use the cave to return to Earth."
"Yes," Luke confirmed.
Luke couldn't help but study the group. He found it strange that the Death Gods showed no intention of fighting, which was puzzling.
"You cannot go back. The cave exit is sealed, and no one can open it." Dom paused, then said seriously, "Tell me, Human, did you encounter any strange creatures on your journey here?"
Luke probed, "What strange creatures are you referring to? Dragons, perhaps?"
"Not dragons. Tentacles. Very large tentacles."
"No, we haven't. We've seen dragons and other stitched-up monstrosities, but no tentacles," Luke replied without hesitation or any emotional fluctuation, making his lie appear genuine.
Dom said nothing more, gave Luke a penetrating look, and turned to leave. The other Death Gods followed closely behind.
The Deadly Game of Chess
Diana let out a relieved breath. "Luke, they..."
"Shhh! Don't speak!"
Luke wrote on the ground: "They haven't left."
The three were instantly alarmed, a chill running through them as they instinctively looked around.
Clark wrote: "Who are they?"
"Underworld Death Gods. They are here to find the tentacles. They've already discovered the secret of the tentacles."
"They want to eliminate the tentacles?"
Luke quickly erected a barrier around them, but still dared not speak, so he wrote in English: "The Underworld Death Gods and the Human Gods are mortal enemies. They both want to eliminate the other. If I'm not mistaken, the tentacle monsters hiding underground have detected the Death Gods' presence. Both sides are watching in secret, and we are the fuse. Remember, no matter what happens, do not admit to seeing the tentacle monsters."
Diana frowned. "You want to side with the tentacle monsters?"
"We have no choice."
That single sentence conveyed their helplessness. The situation was stacked against them. Among the three forces, they were the weakest. Being a fence-sitter is appealing, but they would be the most easily discarded. Their best option now was to side with the tentacle monsters and look for an opportunity to leave.
High in the sky, hidden within a shimmering illusion, Dom and the seventeen Death Gods observed them with expressionless faces.
"Such powerful senses. That human's soul is quite extraordinary."
"He carries the aura of death."
"It's Avogadro's Death God power, which he forged into beads."
"How can a living being touch the power of a Death God? How did he do that?"
"Perhaps he was never truly alive."
The Octopus-headed Death God said gravely, "The life energy of these few is immensely powerful, especially the man in the strange outfit. I have never felt such enormous life potential."
"Although these humans are not Gods, they possess power that surpasses Gods. No wonder Avogadro died at their hands."
"My Lord," the demon-like Death God said in a low voice, "We cannot let these humans live. If they are allowed to grow, they will become incredibly difficult opponents."
Dom glanced at him indifferently. "Death Gods cannot strike at the living. Have you forgotten our rules?"
"I am willing to pay the price."
"We are, too."
Ten of the seventeen Death Gods stepped forward. The remaining ones looked hesitant and unsure. Dom said coldly,
"The main body of the tentacles is on the God-Demon Battlefield. If a battle breaks out here, it will surely alert them. Have you considered the consequences if they ambush us?"
"You have experienced the cunning of the Human Gods. They will not pass up this opportunity."
The air grew silent. The others' faces showed they disagreed with Dom's decision, but Dom was their leader because he was the oldest and strongest, not because of a higher rank.
The Underworld Death Gods have no hierarchy. In a sense, they are all products of the same rule, differing only in the civilization they represent and their individual temperaments.
"My Lord," one Death God stepped forward. "We ask that you help us guard the surroundings."
With that, he plunged toward the canyon. Seven other Death Gods followed closely. The remaining ones exchanged glances, unsure how to proceed.
Conflict is an instinct of intelligent life. It was true for the Human Gods, and the Underworld Death Gods were no exception.
The First Strike
"They're coming."
Luke looked up at the sky. Sensing their hostility, he quickly commanded,
"Adam, get out of here immediately. Go!"
"Understood, Young Master."
Adam quickly hefted the Dragon's Heart and flew out of the valley as fast as he could.
"It seems the battle is unavoidable. Fortunately, there are only eight of them."
Diana took a deep breath, visibly tense. "This is my first time dealing with a Death God."
Luke sneered.
"Death God is just a title. It sounds intimidating, but they are ultimately failures. If they could truly master death, they wouldn't be buried on this battlefield."
J'onn shook his head. "Luke, I notice you have absolutely no reverence for the Gods."
"Do you respect the vanquished?"
"Fair enough."
Clark clenched his fist. "How do we fight? All-out attack? Or fight and retreat?"
Luke licked his lips, staring intently at the black mist plunging toward them from above.
"Concentrate our firepower and take down two of them first. Countless Death Gods fell in the War of the Gods. Since we've come all this way to the Underworld, how can we leave without a prize?"
"You are truly insane!" Diana scoffed.
Red light flashed on her Valkyrie Armor. The light flickered, and she abruptly appeared in front of one of the Death Gods.
"Die!"
Pfft!
The Sword of Hephaestus sliced through the air, leaving a brilliant streak of flame and a severed head soaring into the sky.
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