Chapter 124: Interlude: Apocalypse Now

Chapter 124: Interlude: Apocalypse NowA few hours earlier

A murder of crows flew over the countryside.

The winds of despair and ruin carried their jet-black wings over the open grave once known as Greece. Their feathers cast a dark shadow under the waning light of the Incursion portals. Facing them was a thunderstorm spanning the entire horizon, yet they did not slow down. They feared nothing and none dared approach them.

That changed quickly.

A lone human in metal armor signaled them atop a hill. He was unarmed and alone. That alone gave the crows pause. The head bird gave the human a cursory glance, identifying him as a Priest half her level. A member of an enemy group.

Was it bait? A trap? The crows first instinct was to carry on without stopping, but her partner broke away from the flock to check for himself. Cursing his suicidal overconfidence, she followed after him and landed on the hill. Her partner immediately changed back into his true form.

I gotta say, I gotta say Belphegor stretched his arms as feathers turned to wax. Pretty ballsy to confront us alone.

I am a messenger bearing news, replied the man. His armor included as many gears as iron plates. Was he a Unity member in disguise? My employer would like to speak with you.

Oh? Belphegor put a hand on his waist. Come on, whats the catch? Ill bite.

The crow leader cursed as she regained her true form. Brina had done that so many times that shapeshifting came to her as easily as breathing.

You have one minute, she warned the messenger. Our time is precious.

The messenger joined his hands and prayed. Brina tensed briefly, before recognizing it as a basic hologram spell. A wall of golden light formed around the metal priest, and the projection of a towering figure appeared behind him: that of a humanoid machine with metal muscles and coursing lightning for blood. The silver mask of a mighty bearded patriarch covered his face; it reminded Brina of Lord Odin, but with twice the pride and half the wisdom.

Mr. Belphegor, Mrs. Brina, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. The android nodded politely at the Horseman, though Brina could tell the gesture was as mechanical as his body. His greetings were an ingrained reflex as insincere as any flattery. I am Ashok Acharya, vice-president of Dismaker Labs and leader of Metal Olympus.

Vice-president? The title amused Belphegor. Will you give us a business card? Ive heard merchants often do that.

I prefer one-on-one introductions. The metal man looked up at the remaining crows circling above them; undead soldiers, each and every one of them. Shapeshifting magic? A gift from Odin, I suppose?

Forty seconds, Brina replied, ignoring the chitchat.

Brina, where are your manners? Belphegor chuckled. Still, if you want to beg for our mercy, you should do it in person.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

I must maintain my God-Field to protect my territory, the false metal god said as his priest maintained the holographic projection. Moving around would expose my position. But I would gladly invite you to my home if you prefer a cozier place.

Brina had seen few traps as obvious as this one. Your time is up, she said after summoning a sword to her hand. Cut to the chase and stop wasting my time.

After a short silence, this Zeus-Ashok finally seemed to get the message.

Do you know that one of you controls my organization from the shadows? he asked. Mammon, the Horseman of Conquest. He has founded my faction under the pseudonym of Anton Maxwell.

Brina knew Mammon had infiltrated the Metal Olympus faction, but not the name of his cover. She didnt see the need to confirm or deny this information. She had no love for Mammon, but identifying him might cause issues down the line.

Unfortunately, Belphegor was too much of a gossip to keep his mouth shut. Ohoh, did he actually build your team in the first place? He usually infiltrates locals to sow discord so we can hit them quick and hard, but thats the first time hes gone so far. Ill buy him a drink when I meet him.

He also ordered me to protect the Avatar from the Apocalypse Force, Ashok replied. Preferably by killing you both.

Eh, thats so like him. Belphegor shrugged. Sending weaklings to die to us rather than do the job himself. At least we get experience out of it.

He has also informed me that you can survive any wound by possessing undead belonging to your Faction, and that it will fail if you are deprived of Special Points before death. Ashok appraised Belphegor with a cold, calculating gaze. I have been given the tools to do just that.

Belphegors grin swiftly turned into a grimace.

Ashok turned his gaze to Brina next. He waved his hand and a projected system screen appeared before him. Is this information correct?

Brinas jaw clenched as she read a very detailed description of her stats and Perks. It wasnt quite up to date, since she had gained new levels and abilities after purging her own army, but the screens information was entirely factual. A clever fighter with access to this stat sheet would be able to counter her.

As I suspected, you did not know, said Zeus-Ashok. I assume my employer shared similar advice on how to take me down. He set us up to kill each other.

You could have obtained this information another way, Brina accused him. It could be a ploy to sow discord between us Horsemen.

To her surprise, her teammate shook his head. Im not so sure, Brina my dear. If he knew how to counter one of us, I would put it on him keeping us under close surveillance but both? That smells like sabotage to me. He couldnt have figured out all our abilities from watching us fight in Thessaloniki.

No, he could not, Brina thought. Neither she nor Belphegor had revealed all their trump cards back then. Mammon has always been deceitful it would make sense for him to sabotage the competition for the throne of the Overgod.

If this is true, why warn us? Brina asked Zeus-Ashok while keeping her doubts to herself. She would be a fool to take him at his word. What do you hope to gain from this?

Ashok crossed his arms. I hoped for a truce and a temporary alliance.

Mmm Belphegor grunted. Nah, I dont feel any righteous anger from you. Its not vengeance youre after. You need Mammon out of the way for practical purposes.

So long as you hold the Avatar of Preservation, we are bound to fight, Brina said. If Mammon has betrayed us, we will deal with the both of you.

With all due respect, Mrs. Brina, I sincerely doubt you can kill either of us on your own, Zeus-Ashok replied calmly.

Says the coward who would rather send a thrall rather than face us, Brina sneered. The nerve of this upstart. The two of us Horsemen earned our power through countless battles. You stole yours.

No matter where it comes from, power is power. Zeus-Ashok shrugged. While I agree we are bound to fight eventually, I would not approach you if I were confident I could remove my employer from the board with my current resources. He possesses powers I do not understand. We would both benefit from his defeat.

You dare doubt my strength? Brina scowled at the insult and pointed her sword at the projections neck. I have fought greater terrors than you or Mammon.

I will take you at your word, Zeus-Ashok replied somewhat courteously. Nonetheless, I insist that you entertain my request.

Brina snorted. My answer is no.

Hey, I was still considering it! Belphegor complained. Lets put it to a vote first!

What happened to you following my lead? Brina glared at Zeus-Ashok. You are as deceitful as your employer, and an upjumped upstart at that. I will not trade one snake for another.

Forgive me, Ms. Brina, but I was not asking you to entertain my request. Zeus-Ashok looked up at the pathways of light in the sky. I was asking him.

Brina did not have to wonder what he meant for long, for a dark shadow fell upon them. A terrible presence heated up the air with the nauseating smell of charred flesh and sulfur. The flock of crows above them scattered in panic, and Ashoks priest froze like a deer sensing a tiger stepping out of the woods.

Yes, the Maleking confirmed. Either he failed to properly bind the Avatars in a weak enough shape or the Destroyer was summoned before he could complete his preparations. Mammon has spent eons refining his plan, trying again and again, until the stars finally aligned. I assume he will do his best to set his enemies against each other through misdirection, as the risk of failure remains high, but the trap is already set.

What will happen if he wins? Belphegor asked with a curious look.

These worlds The Malekings cloudy avatar pointed at the pathways of light in the sky with his chin. Will know a calamity the scale of which you cannot fathom.

Belphegor exploded in a burst of maniacal laughter and rolled all over the ground.

If Walter Tye can peddle his wares here, then that means my world is connected to this one! Brina pointed her sword at the Maleking. Why did you let it progress this far?

Because I benefited from it, the demon lord replied flatly. And so will you. You require strength to slay your sworn enemy. I offer you the opportunity to seize it.

Brina frowned at the Maleking, but remained silent. Although she knew she was being manipulated, the promise of the power to defeat Nidhogg was too appealing for her not to listen.

The Malekings projection turned to face Zeus-Ashok. Ashok Acharya, the dream you pursue is anathema to me. I daresay it is no better than death. Nonetheless, I respect those who walk the path of strength. If your resolve grants you the power to claim the throne of Overgod, then your cause was righteous. Victory is the winners justice. Hence, I shall make you an offer.

The false god raised his chin. Im listening.

Though defeating Mammon is beyond any of you, there is a group who will provide a suitable challenge.

The Bohens, Zeus-Ashok guessed.

Yes, the Maleking confirmed. If you overcome them, then you will have proven you indeed earned your divine power. I will let you join the Apocalypse Force as the Horseman of Famine.

I have no interest in joining your organization, Zeus-Ashok replied calmly.

This organization will not last beyond the final Incursion.

Belphegor stopped laughing at his masters words. It wont?

No. The Maleking marked a short, thoughtful pause before continuing. I sense Wyrde poking at the Level Barrier. She will cross over the moment I do. Once we arrive, there should be enough experience gathered between all of us for an Overgod to rise from our shared ashes. A great battle for the throne will begin.

Brina lowered her sword as she figured out the endgame. To the victor the spoils.

Wait, wait, what about us? Belphegor asked in sudden panic. What will happen to us?

The Maleking looked down on his Horseman of Death. Either you will kill me, or I will kill you.

Belphegor fell silent. Brina sighed at his willful ignorance.

It was always going to end this way.

I have witnessed many iterations of this cycle, the Maleking declared calmly. With each failure, I have gained greater insight into the universe. I know how to purge this System of Mammons corruption. My victory will be honest, purchased with blood. If I prove too weak to defeat you, then you are more deserving of the throne. That is all.

Zeus-Ashok considered the proposal for a few seconds before answering, I agree to your terms.

Good. The Malekings projection spoke a few last words to Brina before disappearing. If your resolve remains true, Brina, we shall meet again once this world comes to an end.

The cloud dissipated into nothingness, leaving the Horsemen past and present alone. To Brinas astonishment, Belphegor didnt offer a comment. The undead remained strangely subdued.

Come with me, Zeus-Ashok said almost immediately. I will join your Faction and let you teleport inside my dungeon. It is only a matter of time before the Bohens try to attack it.

Why should we help you? Brina asked with a sneer. The challenge is for you, weakling.

The hologram pointed at the spot which the Maleking used to occupy. Do you think you can defeat him without more levels?

Brina clenched her jaw in frustration. No.

I feel the same, the false god replied calmly. Let us deal with our common foes and then fight. We will save more experience this way.

Ugh Belphegor jumped back to his feet. I, uh is this truly our last tour?

Sounds like it, Brina replied. The Maleking is not one to joke around.

I know the Boss means business, but sheesh Ive been doing this forever. Belphegor scratched the back of his head. Its like being on a world tour and the final destination is finally in sight. It feels both satisfying and weirdly sad.

I am not sad. Joining the Apocalypse Force had been a means to an end for Brina, nothing more. It was a chore.

Come on, dont be shy. Belphegor patted her on the back. We had good times.

We had tolerable times. However, Brina found herself strangely unable to push Belphegors hand back. She would have killed anyone else trying that, especially an undead, but she found the Horsemans presence almost normal. Though there is still time to do better.

Are you done? Zeus-Ashok asked with an annoyed tone. Time is of the essence.

Ill be honest, Ill probably skip town and become a freelance murderer rather than face the Boss in battle, but sure, lets add a few zeros to the body count. Belphegor jumped back to his feet. I love team-building exercises.

Brinas eyes darted to her battle-tested sword. She had collected countless weapons, each of them stained with blood. She had trained relentlessly and swallowed her pride for power, all in the name of her ambition.

The risk was great. The world she was fighting to save would potentially be at risk though when she thought over it, Walter Tye had already reduced it to ruins. Prevailing over this last challenge was perhaps her only chance at finally destroying this evil at the root.

I cannot falter now. Brina hardened her heart. The road behind me is soaked with blood. If I turn around, Ill slip.

One way or another, she would see her path to its end.

Brina? Belphegor said.

Yes? she asked.

You are my friend, so if it comes down to it I swear Ill kill you last.

Thank you, Brina replied with a faint smile. Me too.