Chương 44: Chapter 36. True Terror

New York, United States

"That was amazing!" Hercules exclaimed, his broad grin lighting up his face as he approached Artoria. "I can't believe I had the honor of witnessing the wielder of Excalibur in action. My name is Hercules, the God of Strength. Perhaps we could get to know each other better after this war, Lady Saber?" He gave a wink, brimming with confidence.

Artoria kept her expression steady, though her tone carried a firm edge. "I'm sorry, but I have no interest in forming relationships right now."

Hercules blinked, surprised but respectful, his grin turning sheepish. "I see. How unfortunate," he muttered, stepping back with a disappointed shrug.

Elsewhere

Inside a hidden chat group reserved for an enigmatic collection of observers, their reactions poured in:

________

Ice Sadist: "So, this is the power of the King of Knights? Intriguing. I'd love to fight her someday. Fufufu..."

Batman Junior: "I can't decide who to watch—they were incredible. The King of Knights, Shin, and Patronus stole the show."

Kazuma-sama: "Damn it! That weird guy got even more handsome than before. And Artoria-san... she's just so cool."

Evil Spirit: "Anything fun happening?"

Ice Sadist: "You missed a spectacle. Catch up later! But Patronus... his power fascinates me. I want to see more of him."

_____________

"Alright, let's head to the portal and help out," Captain Marvel said with resolve.

She soared into the air, joined by Hercules and Thor, their figures cutting through the smoke-filled skyline.

Satria remained seated on the rubble, his gaze fixed on the overcast sky. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him as he leaned back, his tattered clothes barely hanging on.

"You're not coming with us?" Artoria's voice broke through his thoughts as she stood nearby, her usual composed demeanor softened by a hint of curiosity.

Satria turned to her with a faint smile. "Go ahead. I'll catch up in a bit. Don't worry about me."

Artoria studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Rest if you must, but don't delay for too long." With that, she turned and joined the others, her figure soon disappearing into the distance.

Alone now, Satria let out a deep sigh, his muscles screaming for rest. 'I overdid it this time. So tired... I just want to go home, eat, and sleep.' He glanced down at his shredded clothes, realizing with some embarrassment that most of his torso was exposed. 'Can't exactly show up like this. Better find some clothes first.'

Shakily, he stood up and began walking, his determination carrying him despite the fatigue coursing through his veins.

Spider-Man's POV

"Take this!" Peter shouted, landing a solid punch on a corrupted Satyr soldier, sending the grotesque creature stumbling backward.

The leader of the Satyrs, a hulking figure with horns crackling with dark energy, stepped forward with a malicious grin, flanked by a squad of soldiers. "Pitiful human. How long do you plan to resist? Surrender, and I might grant you a painless death."

Peter froze for a moment as he recognized two corrupted figures stepping into view. His stomach churned. "Rhino... Scorpion?"

The once-human villains, now monstrous and twisted by the Satyrs' corruption, growled menacingly.

"Master, we're surrounded. What's the plan?" Baobhan, the red-haired woman clad in a gothic dress, stepped closer, her eyes glinting as she assessed their foes.

Peter's mind raced, but before he could answer, a voice cut through the chaos.

"Yo, kid! Need a hand?"

Peter's head snapped up to see Iron Man swooping in, his armored figure launching a guided missile that obliterated several Satyr soldiers.

"Mr. Stark?!" Peter exclaimed, relief flooding his voice.

"The one and only," Tony quipped as he landed beside Peter. He gestured toward Peter's new armor, clearly impressed. "So, you're holding out on me? Since when could you build something like this? Care to explain later?"

Before Peter could respond, Rhino charged with a bellowing roar. Peter reacted instantly, activating a shimmering energy shield from his gadget to block the brute's attack.

"Later, Mr. Stark! We've got bigger problems right now!" Peter yelled as he braced against the impact.

"Fair enough," Tony replied, firing a concentrated energy beam at Rhino, forcing him to stumble back.

Baobhan stepped forward with a chilling laugh, crimson wires snaking from her hands. "You dare attack my master? You'll regret that."

She lashed out, her blood-red wires slashing across Rhino's armor, leaving deep gouges and making the corrupted brute roar in pain.

Tony's HUD scanned her curiously. Who's this girl? Another one of Peter's allies? Or someone else entirely? The gothic dress and eerie powers stood out even more than her appearance.

Tony's musings were cut short as Scorpion lunged at him, claws glinting. "Damn it!" Tony cursed, narrowly dodging but taking a swipe across his armor.

"You're getting predictable!" Tony snarled, retaliating with a punch to Scorpion's head. When the corrupted villain didn't release him, Tony fired a laser blast from his gauntlet at point-blank range, finally breaking free.

Scorpion let out a guttural scream, clutching his wounded torso.

"Goodbye," Tony said coldly, firing an energy blast that disintegrated Scorpion on the spot.

Meanwhile, Baobhan turned her focus to Rhino. "Master, leave this hideous creature to me. You handle the others."

Peter glanced at her and nodded. "Just be careful."

Rhino charged again, but Baobhan summoned a hammer, doll, and a blood-red nail. With an unsettling smile, she whispered, "It's showtime right~ Look, it's already over. This is the mere shadow of what you once was. Fetch Failnaught."

She drove the nail into the doll with her hammer. Spikes of blood erupted from the ground, piercing through Rhino's body. The corrupted villain let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing, lifeless.

•

Peter, meanwhile, faced off against the corrupted Satyr Lord.

"Are you here to offer your flesh to me, little spider?" the Satyr sneered, his grotesque tongue flicking out as saliva dripped from his jagged teeth.

Peter's eyes narrowed behind his mask. "I'm here to take you down. Permanently."

The Satyr Lord lunged at blinding speed, but Peter's Spider-Sense kicked in, allowing him to dodge gracefully. As a counterattack, Peter launched a volley of missiles from his suit, the explosions hurling the creature into a nearby building.

"Curse you, insect!" the Satyr roared as it struggled to recover.

Peter didn't hesitate. Using his web-shooters, he immobilized the Satyr Lord, pinning him against the rubble. He raised his arm, activating a concealed firearm in his armor.

"This is the end," Peter said coldly before firing a single shot into the Satyr's head.

Tony Stark, watching from a distance, was stunned. This isn't the same kid I knew...

Spider-Man—no, Peter Parker—had always been steadfast in his morals, refusing to kill, no matter the situation. But now? Tony saw a man who was ready to make the hard choices. What happened to him? What changed?

Baobhan rejoined Peter, clinging to his arm with a playful smirk. "Master, I've taken care of that brute. What's next?"

Peter gave her a tired nod. "Good. We'll search for any survivors and regroup with Patronus. Let's move."

Baobhan giggled, holding onto his arm as they walked. Tony Stark followed, his mind buzzing with questions. This invasion is bringing new players out of the shadows. And the boy changed... but for better or worse?

Jiraiya's POV

The battlefield trembled under the clash of titanic forces as Jiraiya and many heroes united to take down a colossal giant. The air was thick with dust, debris, and the echoes of weapons colliding.

"Damned beast," Gamabunta grumbled, retreating slightly as he prepared to make a hand seal.

"Let's show this thing what we're made of, Bunta. Ready?" Jiraiya shouted, doing hand seal.

Gamabunta opened his massive mouth and spewed a torrent of oil, which Jiraiya ignited with a fiery breath.

"Katon: Gamayu Endan!"

A massive fireball surged forward, engulfing the giant in a blazing inferno.

"Whoa! That's one hell of a fire!" a nearby hero exclaimed.

"Stay back! Don't get caught in it!" another warned.

As the flames subsided, the giant emerged from the firestorm, battered and burned but still standing.

"That hurt! Hot!" the giant roared, slamming its club into the ground. The shockwave ripped through the earth, sending tremors in all directions.

"Jump, Bunta!" Jiraiya commanded.

Gamabunta leaped high into the air, narrowly avoiding the destructive force. Jiraiya glanced back at the carnage left in its wake.

That shockwave would've flattened us... this thing's no joke, he thought grimly.

Suddenly, a booming voice interrupted his focus.

"HULK SMASH GIANT!"

The Incredible Hulk charged into the fray, delivering a thunderous punch to the giant's stomach. The massive creature staggered and fell to one knee, roaring in pain.

As it tried to retaliate, a bolt of lightning struck the giant squarely in the chest, sending it reeling.

"THOR!" Hawk-Eye recognized the figure descending from the sky, hammer in hand.

"Long time no see, Barton," Thor greeted casually.

"Who are these two?" Hawkeye asked, gesturing to Satria and Artoria, who stood nearby, observing the chaos.

Satria gave a slight bow. "The name's Satria, and this is Saber. We're your allies in this battle."

"Got it," Hawkeye nodded. "But we've got bigger issues right now—like that giant!"

"HULK WILL DEFEAT GIANT!" Hulk roared, charging once more.

"Wait! Hulk, we need to—" Hawk-Eye began, but Hulk was already gone, barreling toward the giant with reckless abandon.

He sighed, shaking his head. "This team really doesn't understand teamwork."

Thor clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't lose heart, my friend! Let us join Hulk. For Midgard!" Thor flew off, lightning crackling around him.

"...You're just as bad," Hawkeye muttered, sweatdropping.

Satria turned to Artoria, watching Thor and Hulk coordinate their relentless attacks.

"What do you think of them?" he asked. "Thor and Hulk—they're strong, right?"

Artoria's eyes narrowed as she analyzed their movements. "I must admit, I'm impressed. Even in a modern world like this, there are warriors of extraordinary strength. It's reassuring... and surprising."

Satria chuckled. "Yeah, it's kind of wild. I didn't expect to see people like them here either."

"The gods in this world are... amusing," Artoria said, her tone laced with mild surprise. "They're nothing like the ones from the tales I know. Normally, gods are aloof, arrogant, and detached from mortals. But here..." she glanced toward Thor, who was laughing heartily with his allies, "...it's different."

Satria folding his arms. "I feel the same. It's strange, but refreshing, don't you think?"

Artoria nodded thoughtfully, her expression softening. "Perhaps. It's a rare thing to see gods so willing to stand side by side with humans."

They continued to observe as Jiraiya, Gamabunta, and the Avengers worked together to subdue the giant. Jiraiya's tactics and traps kept the creature immobilized long enough for the others to deal decisive blows.

Finally, with a coordinated effort, the heroes brought the giant down. The earth trembled one last time as it fell, defeated.

As the group regrouped, Satria approached Jiraiya with a grin.

"Nice performance out there, old man," Satria said.

Jiraiya scratched the back of his head, chuckling. "Thanks, kid. But we're not done yet. The real threat is still out there, and I've got a bad feeling about that portal."

Satria nodded, his expression serious. "Let's move. We'll handle whatever's waiting for us."

The group marched toward the portal's location, but before they could get far, six towering fire pillars erupted from the ground, reaching toward the heavens.

"What in the world...?" Hawkeye muttered, shielding his eyes from the intense heat.

When they arrived, they saw two figures locked in a ferocious battle within the inferno. The clash of their powers sent shockwaves through the air, making it impossible to approach.

Jiraiya, Satria, and the others were forced to stop at a safe distance, the oppressive heat too much to bear.

"Who's fighting in there?" Artoria asked, squinting through the flames.

"It's Patronus," Satria replied. His voice was steady, but his fists clenched. "That much power... whoever he's up against must be incredibly dangerous."

Hawkeye glanced at a nearby device, pulling up a live-streaming feed of the battle. "If we can't get closer, we'll have to watch it like this."

The group gathered around, their eyes glued to the screen, as the battle between Patronus and his mysterious opponent raged on.

Patronus POV

Patronus tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes locked on Dek'sada as the demon began to move.

"Prepare yourself, Patronus!" Dek'sada bellowed, his voice echoing ominously. "You will feel the true terror of my power!"

Suddenly, six towering fire pillars erupted, surrounding both him and Patronus.

"Abyss Magic: Pillars of Hellfire."

"This bastard…" Gyuki growled from within Patronus. "He's boxed you in. No one can help you now."

"This is bad," Son added grimly.

Dek'sada grinned wickedly. "Now, no one will interrupt our fun. Let's begin the deathmatch!" His fist crackled with purple lightning as he launched himself forward at terrifying speed.

"Evade, brat!" Kurama roared.

Patronus vanished in a flash of light, reappearing at a marked kunai several meters away using Hiraishin no Jutsu.

"Damn it, that punch is dangerous," Patronus muttered, eyeing the remnants of purple lightning where he had stood moments earlier. "He's fusing lightning with raw power."

Dek'sada smirked. "I see now. That little weapon of yours… it's your catalyst. You teleport to it, don't you? Clever."

He weaved hand signs rapidly. "Fūton: Great Dragon Wave!"

A massive gust of wind shaped like a dragon roared toward Dek'sada, tearing through the fire-scorched air.

"Useless!" Dek'sada scoffed, raising a Wall of Fire to shield himself. However, from behind the flames, dozens of clones surged forward.

"Clones? Again?" Dek'sada sneered. "You're persistent, but it won't work!" He unleashed a devastating wave of dark red energy.

"Dark Nova!"

The clones disintegrated instantly, the sheer destructive force of the attack erasing everything within its radius.

Inside Patronus, the voices of the Tailed Beasts echoed.

"Guys, lend me your power," Patronus called out.

Giant golden fox and nine cloaked figures appeared around him, each bearing a Rasenshuriken infused with a different elemental chakra.

"Let's kill him!" Shukaku shouted.

"Count me in!" Matatabi added.

"Let's go!" Son roared.

"Roger that!" the others chimed in.

Patronus raised his arms, the nine Rasenshuriken spinning violently around him.

"Sage Art: Super Tailed Beast Rasenshuriken!"

The spinning projectiles streaked toward Dek'sada, colliding with him in an explosion so massive it seemed to rip the heavens apart.

•

Jiraiya stood in stunned silence as the fire pillars collapsed, revealing the aftermath of the explosion.

"This… this is unbelievable," he muttered. "Nine different elements in one attack… I've never seen a person who could wield Rasengan variants like that."

Nick Fury rubbed his temples. "This city's in ruins. The council's going to be on my back for weeks."

As the smoke cleared, a figure emerged—Patronus, his aura glowing with white energy, standing victorious. Opposite him, Dek'sada was kneeling, battered but not broken and the fire pillar was dismissed.

"Who is that guy?" Susan Storm asked.

"And who's he fighting?" Captain America added.

Doctor Strange stepped forward. "His name is Patronus. The one he's fighting… is a demon from another world."

"Do you know him?" Steve asked.

"I only know his nickname," Strange admitted. "This is the first time I'm seeing him in action."

Thor turned to Satria and Artoria. "You two seem familiar with him. Care to explain?"

Satria crossed his arms. "I've only met him recently. Like Strange, I only know his nickname."

Thor nodded thoughtfully, his eyes returning to the battlefield.

•

Dek'sada glared at Patronus, his body trembling with rage and pain. "What are you? How can you wield such power?"

Patronus wiped blood from his mouth, his gaze steely. "This power is the result of countless hours of training, sacrifice, and the lives of those who came before me. It's nothing to be proud of."

Dek'sada sneered. "And why fight so hard? What drives you to become this strong?"

"To protect those I care about," Patronus said firmly. "What other reason do I need?"

"Hah! What a foolish answer!" Dek'sada laughed, rising to his feet. "Feelings only make you weak."

The ground trembled as Dek'sada transformed. His body grew larger, wings sprouted from his back, and the sky turned blood-red. A dark portal appeared, summoning an immense, malevolent spear.

•

Artoria gasped, gripping Excalibur tightly. "This presence… it's unlike anything I've felt before."

Satria clenched his fists. "This guy's power is skyrocketing. Should I intervene or trust Patronus to finish this?"

•

The battle resumed, the clash of weapons creating shockwaves that shook the earth. Despite his efforts, Patronus was caught off-guard by Dek'sada's spear, which pierced his side. Blood splattered onto the scorched ground.

"Stay down," Dek'sada growled. "You're strong, but inexperienced. You're no match for me."

Patronus gritted his teeth, forcing himself to his feet. "I… will not… give up!"

Dek'sada smirked and punched Patronus, sending him flying.

"We can't stand by any longer," Satria decided. "Saber, check on Patronus. The rest of us will hold him off."

Artoria nodded and rushed to Patronus's side.

Dek'sada snarled as the remaining heroes blocked his path. "Foolish mortals! I'll teach you true terror!" His aura surged, radiating malice.

Hulk charged, his fist crashing against Dek'sada's barrier. A magical explosion sent the Hulk flying, blood dripping from his wounds.

"This guy… he injured Hulk?" Satria muttered. "This is bad."

Satria activated Dark Platinum, halting time to attack Dek'sada directly. But before he could land a blow, the demon grinned.

"You think you can stop me with this? My power transcends time itself!" Dek'sada unleashed Dark Nova, warping space-time and blasting Satria away too.

"Damn it!" Satria coughed blood, struggling to stand. "How did Patronus fight this monster alone?"

Dek'sada raised his spear, aiming for Satria's heart.

"Not so fast, Donkey! Fire in the Hole!" Satria threw the flashbang he had looted from the dead soldier and disappeared in an instant, saved by his Speed Force.

"Grrrr!!! I will kill him later, puny human and their little trick."

The battle raged on, but the heroes knew one thing—Dek'sada was unlike anything they'd ever faced.

To be continued.