21 The Battle Begins

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"Be cautious, Raiden. If we're apprehended, Ares might escape. Ares's powers are fueled by mankind's desire for war, making it easy for him to regain strength if he manages to break free," warned Diana, alerting Raiden to the potential threat of Ares. Despite promoting war, rage, and hatred, Ares was not above fleeing to ensure his own survival.

"Don't worry. This time, we'll aim for the kill," assured Raiden.

"Are you not a bit too eager to take someone's life?" Diana inquired, taken aback by the newfound determination in Raiden's expression.

"Why shouldn't I be? He's a monster. Hundreds of children are suffering as we speak because of the war he incited, and millions in the past," responded Raiden.

"For a god like Ares, it's understandable to want him dead. He is driven by his divinity, ensuring he will always incite war," explained Diana as she leaped onto the rooftops of Buchanan International. Raiden followed suit, and Diana continued her discourse.

"However, for ordinary criminals, killing them isn't the right solution. Humans, by nature, can learn to become better. They can undergo rehabilitation and be forgiven for their sins," Diana reasoned.

Raiden glanced at the rooftop entrance door, muttered "nepo pu," then turned to Diana, stating, "I disagree," before walking inside.

"What is there to disagree about, Raiden?" Diana followed after him.

"The idea that criminals should be forgiven or given the chance to rehabilitate. I believe those are luxuries a criminal doesn't deserve if their crimes are severe," Raiden expressed as he crouched and surveyed the area. He then checked for cameras above, saying, "ekam em dna anaid elbisivni."

"We are invisible now, but be quiet. Let's not give him a chance to escape," Raiden advised as he navigated the hallway, searching for Aeron Buchanan's office.

"What do you propose, then? If they are not to be rehabilitated, what should be done?" Diana inquired.

"As I mentioned, it depends on the crime. But in general, if you take a life, then your own life is forfeited. Only the victim's family can forgive you, sparing you perhaps. However, commit murder more than once, and you don't deserve to live anymore. Of course, there must be irrefutable evidence proving your guilt," Raiden explained.

"An eye for an eye, huh? You do realize how that ends, right?" Diana questioned.

"The world goes blind? That's nonsense. If you make a mistake, you pay for it, plain and simple. What does the world have to do with this? You kill, you shall be killed. Done," Raiden asserted.

"Isn't that a rather savage way of thinking?" Diana remarked.

"A criminal might try to convince you otherwise, but it's not the case. Let me ask you, Diana, how many people has the Joker killed?" Raiden inquired.

"I am unaware of the numbers," replied Diana.

"The Joker has killed 53 people—crimes recorded of him either pulling the trigger or blowing up a building. Now, let me ask you, how many times has he been arrested?" Raiden repeated.

"I am also unaware of this number," Diana admitted.

"The Joker was arrested more than 19 times, six of which he was sent to maximum security prison. He escaped each time. The first time, he had only killed 3; the second time, 12; the third, 27; the fourth, 33; the fifth, 42; and the sixth, 53," explained Raiden.

"Now think with me, Diana. If he had been killed the first time, we would have only lost three lives. Instead, he was sent to prison, escaped, and took the lives of twelve and so on. Essentially, because Batman and all of you in the Justice League wanted to rehabilitate the Joker and fix him, the lives of fifty-three people were lost. In other words, to the Justice League and Batman, the Joker's life is deemed more important than the lives of fifty-three innocent people."

"Hold on, Raiden. You're just speaking from numbers. Life isn't math. We can't be the judges and executioners; we can't kill everyone we think doesn't deserve to live," replied Diana, appalled by Raiden's ideas.

"Can't we? You are the Justice League—the 'JUSTICE' League. Where is the justice for those fifty-three dead people? And this isn't some random crook on the streets. I'm not a monster; I won't kill someone for stealing or fighting or being in a gang. But fifty-three people, on camera—what more can he do?"

"Raiden, please, you're making too much noise. We'll continue our talk later. Look," pointed Diana at the top of a room that displayed the name [Storage].

"Storage room on a top floor... that's very suspicious," spoke Raiden. Using his magic, Raiden opened it up and walked inside; it was mostly empty.

"Oh, God," said Diana as she looked in front of her.

Raiden looked the same way to see a giant dark piece of armor—a full-piece armor that resembled a robot from a mecha anime. Its size was four meters high.

"What the hell is that, some sort of new weapon?" spoke Raiden.

"No... This is... This is a god's work. To be specific, it's Hephaestus's work. It's believed to have been lost to time—the Annihilator Armor," said Diana, shocked. Her knowledge was limited to what she had read as a child, but its description and aura fit exactly.

As if on cue to respond to her shock, the armor's eyes glowed red, and a voice sounded, "Welcome, Diana of Themyscira. It would seem the fates have reunited us again. Tell me, sister, do you still hold the same baseless and meaningless faith in mankind after so many years?" The voice was clearly Ares'.

"Yes, I do. No matter how much time passes, I will always believe in them," said Diana.

"Such delusions. Of course, what did I expect? The half-sons and daughters of Zeus, always fated to be heroes of humanity. Unlike you fools, I was born a god, and as such, I know. I know mankind's truth! And as such, I encourage it," spoke Ares.

"A god who harms children, eh?" said Raiden.

"Children? Oh, that little lass from a few days ago. How is she? Dead yet? Or merely crippled? I couldn't care less. I have killed many of Zeus' children. She's smart, though. She managed to escape, and I didn't want to bother with chasing her," spoke Ares, enraging Raiden. Raiden, however, was no fool. He wasn't going to blindly attack, so he decided to go back to Ares' earlier point and taunt him.

"You know mankind's truth? Or perhaps you're jealous of it? After all, regardless of what title you call yourself—a god or a demon, creator of war or evil—your life is bound to us. If there's no conflict, then there's no you. Pathetic, really. All the arrogance that gods have, yet their entire existence is dependent on the same beings they claim to be superior to," spoke Raiden, antagonizing Ares and taunting him.

"Ho... And who's this little human? I do sense some interesting presence from you, but a maggot nonetheless. You think my life is dependent on you? Foolishness. I guide humans like the lambs they are, control them, and lead them to war," spoke Ares.

"Oh, really? My dear pathetic god, the one who harms children. After we're done here today, after you die, humanity will continue to wage war. It will continue to wage conflict. It is our nature, not your influence. You are merely a leech that latched itself to our hatred and rage and pretends to be the puppeteer. But the truth is, if not for us, your existence would be meaningless," retorted Raiden, taunting Ares further.

"YOU DARE! Child, you will die first. I WILL ANNIHILATE YOU!" Ares activated his armor as his body moved inside of it. The armor was fast and on another level. Raiden took notice of that immediately and shouted, "Ατλας." The spell forced Ares in place for a few seconds, enough for Diana to attack with a punch and for Raiden.

"Throne of Heroes, let's kill a god, shall we?"

{Summoning Ceremony Initiated:

Servant Class: Lancer

Servant Tier: S

Servant Name: Scáthach}

"I come from the Land of Shadow.

My name is Scáthach.

Three minutes and forty-three seconds—that's how long you will last in this body. I won't teach you anything about my powers. Beat him on your own. Show me your talent. If you fail to impress me, then I will refuse to be summoned by you again."

Hearing these words, Raiden instantly felt it—the power surged through him. Until now, the strongest servant he had summoned was Heracles. Merlin was an exception since he wasn't in control at the time. But now, he felt everything he needed to do. His body movement felt light and accurate, the spear in his hand glowed red, as if it was connected to him, an extra body part. Raiden had never felt this complete.

Raiden's connection with the body was so strong that he didn't even have time to appreciate the body he was in. Wearing a skin body suit, purple hair, sharp eyes, Scáthach was a perfect woman. However, that wasn't all she could bring to the table. Both Ares and Diana felt it. Their instincts screamed at them that whatever power Raiden had activated, it was not something they should underestimate.

What they sensed, of course, was Scáthach's skill—{God Slayer}.

Spinning the spear a bit, Raiden looked in front of him and said, "Three minutes. I will make sure to impress you."

Then, in a speed that Ares could barely keep up with, Raiden slashed the armor, inflicting a lasting wound inside Ares' body.

"UGHHH DAMN YOU, WHAT ARE YOU! A Foreign GOD!" screamed Ares. Wonder Woman then wrapped her lasso around him, pinning him in place. Although he tried to resist, Raiden was already back, slashing his side again, stopping and stabbing him in every major location possible—heart, lungs, stomach. Raiden made sure to look him in the eyes as he snuffed the life out of him.

However, Ares wouldn't be a god if he died this easily—a God of War at that, a formidable warrior who had crossed blades with gods, nonetheless.

The core of his armor, Ring shaped started spinning, creating massive waves of red energy, the energy surrounded him with powerful aura and flowed throughout his body, healing him.

"Years of rage and hatred, I have been collecting it all. I will not lose to you! I WILL USHER A TIME OF ENDLESS WAR!" screamed Ares as the armor sent a magical explosion, sending both Raiden and Wonder Woman flying, breaking the walls of the storage as the battle now moved to the streets. Raiden landed on his feet, and Diana on her back. She had lost her grip on her lasso, so she was now going to use her sword.

Walking out of the building, Ares screamed, "I AM THE GOD OF WAR. MY DEATH WILL NEVER COME." As he created a giant red energy sword, clearly made from all the rage he had collected over the years, he slashed towards both Raiden and Wonder Woman. Raiden was quick to dodge, and so did Diana, but the slash was powerful and strong, destroying everything in the vicinity of 30 meters. Huge buildings fell, and many people lost their lives.

"Diana, we need to kill him fast. He's causing too much collateral damage."

(I said I won't help you, but a warning is in order. That red energy is dangerous. It's made of human emotions. As such, the effect of God Slayer is nullified as long as it's intact. Two minutes and eleven seconds.) Spoke Scáthach, giving Raiden a warning as he prepared to face Ares.

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If you wish to read more or simply support me just because ? than check out my patréon at

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