A pillar of green fire tore through the sky, and the shockwaves that followed plowed the nearby land like a tempest. From a distance, Charles and the others, who had long fled, stared in stunned silence.
"W-What… what just happened?" Charles asked, his voice trembling.
"It's Dis—he went all out… Is Sebastian Shaw really that powerful?" Erik growled through clenched teeth. He felt a sting of frustration—he never imagined it would take Dismaask's full strength to deal with Shaw. That meant his own dream of exacting personal revenge was probably impossible now.
Meanwhile, Azazel (the "Red Devil") and Riptide stood frozen, eyes wide as they struggled to comprehend that such devastation had come from just two people clashing.
"This is… the power of a Saint?" Raven and Hank stared with awe burning in their eyes.
"Yes. This is the power of a Saint. And this still isn't their peak," Erik said grimly, nodding. This was just Dismaask. Saints like Saga, Aiolos, and Shaka were far stronger—and none had even fully awakened their divine relics yet.
If a Gold Saint in their prime unleashed their true power, even Earth could be annihilated with a single blow.
As the firelight faded, a golden figure tumbled from the smoke, rolling across the ground several times before struggling to a stop.
When Erik and the others saw who it was, their faces twisted in shock.
It was Dismaask.
His battered golden cloak was soaked in blood. The once-pristine Gold Cloth now bore multiple cracks and ruptures, the crown of eight golden spikes missing entirely. His left arm hung limp, and even standing seemed like a herculean effort.
…
…
"Dis! Are you alright?" Erik rushed forward to support the staggering Dismaask—only to be barked at.
"Why are you still here?! Get out of here—run as far as you can!" Dismaask roared angrily.
"What's going on? That… Sebastian Shaw shouldn't be this strong!" Erik ignored the command and caught Dismaask anyway, full of worry.
"There's no time to explain—GO!"
At that moment, a pillar of orange light burst through the haze. Floating in midair, bathed in that harsh glow, was Sebastian Shaw—like a wrathful god made flesh. A savage aura surrounded him as he glared murderously at Dismaask.
"You wretched Saint of Athena… You dared offend divine might—you will suffer a thousand years of torment in the flames of war!"
As the words fell, Shaw became an orange comet streaking downward.
Dismaask instantly pushed Erik and the others behind him. He couldn't afford even a second of hesitation.
"No choice now… gotta use that move. All you unseen seniors—I need your help! Sekishiki Meikai Ha! (Accumulated Corpse Spirit Soul Wave!)"
From the cracks in the earth, a surge of spiritual energy erupted, forming a brilliant barrier between Shaw and the others.
CRACK!
Fractures split the shield—but the attack rebounded, hurling Shaw back.
"You again?! You ghostly maggots just won't die!" Shaw howled in rage.
As the blinding light waned, Charles and the others finally dared to open their eyes—and what they saw left them speechless.
"What… what is that?!"
A wall of countless ghostly figures stood between them and Shaw, hands pressed against the barrier, eyes burning with unwavering resolve.
Some of them were even clad in Gold Cloths nearly identical to Dismaask's Cancer armor.
"Heh… good thing I didn't screw up this time," Dismaask wiped blood from the corner of his mouth with a weak grin.
Sekishiki Meikai Ha—a technique that channels immense Cosmo to summon the spirits of fallen Saints and bind them into a massive wave of soul energy.
"All of you, lend me your strength—let's end this bastard!"
The heroic spirits nodded silently, becoming blue light that converged at Dismaask's fingertip.
"Heh… I told you to run, and now… well, I can't guarantee you'll survive the aftershock," Dismaask said, glancing back at Erik and the others.
"You'll protect us, won't you?" Erik replied with a smirk. The others—Warren, Charles, Raven, and Hank—stood firm as well, no signs of fear in their eyes.
Only Pixie, Riptide, and Azazel looked terrified and hopeless.
"You guys… really trust me too much," Dismaask chuckled bitterly, grasped the gathered soul energy, and launched himself at Shaw. "Even if you're a god—I'll still kill you! Sekishiki Konsou Ha! (Accumulated Corpse Spirit Burial Wave!)"
Another explosive punch.
This time the firestorm was even worse—so vast and fast it threatened to engulf Erik and the others.
But just then—a figure stepped in front of them, arms wide, shielding them.
BOOM!
The explosion sent Dismaask flying again. He crashed to the ground, limbs twisted in unnatural directions. His only good arm hung limp… but a satisfied smile still touched his face.
"Heh… cough… damn you, war god… looks like I killed a god today… heh… cough…"
But the moment passed—and his face darkened. From the wreckage of the explosion, he could still sense Ares' Cosmo. Diminished—but still at half strength.
And he, Dismaask, was done fighting.
"Damn it… cough… so this is a god, huh… feels like I'm dying here…" he muttered, eyes shifting to Erik and the others. He wanted to urge them to run—but then saw who stood in front of them, and smiled with relief.
"You vile mortal! I'll—" Shaw burst through the flames, ready to destroy whoever had dared wound him. But then he saw him—and the words caught in his throat. His whole body trembled as he began to retreat.
"You… impossible… you—how are you—"
"My child's had quite the time under your 'care,' hasn't he, Ares?" Meiln said calmly, a gentle smile on his face. But those who could sense Cosmo knew—his fury roared like a storm beneath the surface.
"You… it's really you… I… Meiln… he provoked me first—I'll go, I'm leaving—"
That voice. That face. That Cosmo.
The ancient terror buried in Ares' soul came flooding back. It was as if time rewound hundreds of thousands of years, to when all gods feared him.
"Still the same, huh, Ares? You act like a bloodthirsty beast, but deep down… you're just a coward who bullies the weak," Meiln said softly. With a flick of his hand, a golden sword appeared in his grip.
"W-Wait—!"
Panicked, Ares turned into a meteor and fled.
But—
"You hurt my son. You offended Athena. And now you think you can just leave without consequences?"
Meiln swung his sword casually—but as he did, the entire world froze: space, time, everything.
That strike pierced reality itself, slashing toward the distant god.
"Divine Extinction."
"AAAAAGH—!!"
A distant, inhuman scream rang out, like needles stabbing through the minds of Charles and the others. The pain was so intense they dropped to their knees, wailing in agony.
And then, silence.
The scream vanished, leaving the group gasping, collapsed on the ground.
"Heh… boss is scary as always… one swing and boom, he's toast…" Dismaask chuckled weakly.
"No. He got away," Meiln said as he let the sword fade. "But trying to possess Shaw again? Not unless he finds another soul fragment."
"Heh… you let him go on purpose, huh, boss?" Dismaask grinned.
"Shut it. You talk too much for someone half-dead." Meiln flicked Dismaask's forehead and hoisted him onto his shoulder, still smiling.
Yes—Meiln had let him go. Ares' divine soul should've been shattered during the Second Holy War. But apparently, he had hidden fragments within his old divine armor, waiting for a compatible human vessel.
Such fragments were invisible even to Meiln—unless activated.
Rather than destroy one now and face more surprise resurrections later, Meiln chose to let Ares collect all of them himself—so Meiln could destroy him once and for all.
"Cough… easy… boss… I'm injured, remember?"
"Say one more word, and I'll make sure you stay injured."
Dismaask shut up immediately. He knew when to quit. If he pissed off Meiln too much… he'd live—but wish he hadn't.
"Erik, Steve's on the way. I'm leaving this to you—I'm taking him back to Sanctuary for treatment," Meiln ordered.
"Understood, Uncle Meiln. I'll take care of things and return as soon as I can," Erik nodded. Dismaask's condition was far too serious for delays.
Meiln gave a nod and vanished into light with Dismaask in tow.
A few minutes later, a helicopter hovered overhead. Steve leapt from the sky, a golden chest strapped to his back.
"Erik! What the hell happened here?!" he asked straightaway.
Erik gave a helpless smile. "Long story."