บท 279: Few Words
Immediately after, the pale golden barrier flickered a few times before fading into the void, leaving the two figures standing in the center of the arena fully exposed to everyone's view.
The All-Father, Odin, raised his Gungnir out of habit and struck it against the ground of the arena. The moment it made contact, a profound, silent boom echoed, silencing the noise around the arena.
All eyes turned toward Odin, giving him their undivided attention.
"Today, I, Odin, King of the Gods, thank you all for being here," Odin's voice boomed across the arena, reaching everyone with ease. "I also want to make my intentions clear: this battle is one I willingly undertake with Lord Zane, of my own free will. Regardless of the outcome, the relationship between Lord Zane and Asgard remains unchanged. All Asgardians are to respect this."
The weight of his words settled over the Asgardians, plunging them into silence. After a moment, a middle-aged man in the audience slowly rose to his feet. With solemnity, he struck his fist against his chest and shouted with all his might, "As you command, my king!"
Immediately, every Asgardian in attendance, including Loki, stood up, their right fists pressed over their hearts. In unison, they echoed, "As you command, my king!"
The powerful chant reverberated through the arena, causing it to tremble slightly. Those who had come to witness the event watched in awe, their respect for Odin growing.
'This man is not only an unmatched warrior but also a great king.' was the unanimous thought in everyone's mind.
Odin, seeing the spontaneous display of loyalty from his people, let out a few hearty laughs, his heart swelling with pride. He waved his hand, signaling them to sit down, before turning to Zane at his side. With a carefree smile, he said, "Brat, aren't you going to say something?"
"Why not?" Zane replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Odin. He rested the Reaper's Scythe on his shoulder and arrogantly swept his gaze over the audience. When his eyes met those of Thanos, Satan, and God, he paused briefly, his grin widening even more.
He hadn't spoken a word yet, but Zane's overwhelming presence had already drawn everyone's attention away from Odin and onto him.
"I won't say much," Zane began, his voice dripping with menace. "Just a few reminders."
"Anyone who leaves their seat during our battle—dies!"
"Anyone who makes too much noise—dies!"
"Anyone who interferes—dies!"
"After the battle, no force shall attack Asgard for the next ten years. If they do, they will be utterly annihilated—down to the last!"
With each proclamation of death, Zane's killing intent surged, manifesting around him like a tangible sea of malice. The audience felt it washing over them, their muscles stiffening in terror, their eyes reflecting their deep-seated fear.
Only beings like Thanos and Satan remained outwardly composed, but even they couldn't hide the flicker of unease in their eyes. Despite standing above the man in the arena, they couldn't shake the sensation that it was actually he who stood above them, gazing down from the heavens.
Terrifying indeed!
As Zane finished speaking, he observed the arena, now engulfed in silence. Satisfied, he nodded and retracted his killing intent.
Immediately, the leaders of various civilizations, who had turned pale with tension, slumped into their seats, gasping for air. Their eyes were wide with fear, clearly shaken.
They had always known that the true leader of the Death Alliance was a terrifying figure, but they hadn't imagined he was this powerful. Just his unleashed killing intent had nearly suffocated them. They could hardly fathom what it would be like when he actually fought.
After Zane finished, Odin smiled and nodded at him. "Thank you, brat."
Zane responded with a nonchalant grin, his eyes alight with battle intent. He understood that Odin was grateful for Zane's declaration to protect Asgard for ten years and for arranging this grand event.
After Odin's death, Asgard would inevitably enter a period of weakened strength. During that time, those who had long coveted Asgard would surely begin to stir. Zane's promise of ten years would be enough time for Thor to fully mature.
When does a child grow up quickly? Without a doubt, it's when they shoulder great responsibilities. The weight of such duties forces one to mature into a capable adult. Odin himself had walked this path and believed that Thor could do the same.
The smiles on both their faces slowly faded, replaced by a serious, determined expression. It seemed as though the pressure in the arena intensified, becoming almost tangible. Everyone held their breath, focusing intently on the two men in the center of the stage.
Zane was the first to move, stepping forward and brushing past Odin. He casually flipped the Reaper's Scythe from his shoulder, letting its massive blade scrape across the solid stone floor of the arena, sending sparks flying in its wake. He walked silently to the other side of the stage, his mind clearing with each step, his aura rising.
Odin, too, walked silently to the opposite end of the arena. His Gungnir, like a staff, struck the ground with each resolute step, producing deep, resonant booms that echoed throughout the arena.
Each thud seemed to strike directly at the hearts of the audience, creating an indescribable sense of suffocation. Some of the weaker leaders clutched their chests tightly, fearing that the next boom might stop their hearts altogether.
As Odin advanced, his overwhelming aura surged forth, matching Zane's in intensity. However, while Zane's aura was like an endless ocean—calm on the surface but roiling with powerful undercurrents beneath—Odin's was like a world-ending thunderstorm, radiating an aura of boundless destruction and ferocity.
It was reminiscent of Asgard's martial spirit: never backing down, always facing challenges head-on.
As they reached the midpoint of the arena, a transparent divine flame suddenly ignited around Odin, identical to the flame that had enveloped Zane during his apotheosis.
The divine fire began to burn away the stooped posture of the aging king. His once slack muscles and skin tightened, filled with renewed vitality. The cloudiness in his single eye cleared in an instant, revealing a deep, liberated blue.
Wrinkles vanished from his face, and even his white hair and beard darkened as if time itself had reversed.
In just a few steps, Odin transformed from an elderly man nearing the end of his life into a vigorous, battle-ready warrior in the prime of his life, ready to challenge the heavens and the earth.
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