One voice—ancient, divine—overpowered all the roars of soldiers and war beasts: Tiamat’s.
"I’ve heard about you: the little lizard born far after Marduk sealed me, right? The dragon god of order, the magnificent divinity who deems chaos a plague to be rid of." A smirk stretched across her face as she leaned forward. "But we both know the truth. You were terrified—oh, so terrified to end up like me. Sorry to break it to you—it would have never happened."
The mockery in her voice faded, giving way to a soul-freezing chill. "You’re weak, Bahamut, both in spirit and mind."
Bahamut’s fingers twitched, guttural whispers clawing at his throat. "Lizard? Weak?" His colossal jaw parted, tower-sized fangs glinting and a deafening bellow reverberating through the city.
"Insults won’t get you anywhere, Tiamat! They’re the mark of the weak, unfit to be spoken by a dragon goddess, much less someone as ancient as you. Your misplaced contempt... won’t change our stories." He smirked. "Who lost her husband and life to her own son before he split your bodies into countless pieces to create realms? Not me, Tiamat, not me. Who ended up sealed between the layers of our universe for eons—alone and miserable? Not me, Tiamat, not me. I was free this entire time, enjoying the universe’s order."
His eyes narrowed into slits. "Enough word play. Since you came to me on your own, I’d be a terrible host if I didn’t end your misery—once and for all."
Tiamat glared at him, murderous intent flashing in her violet eyes for a moment. Then, she shrugged. "You’re right. I’d like to apologise first."
Bahamut shuddered. An apology? Impossible! No god would ever do that. Did she change for the better during her exile, or did she become so chaotic that her mind ceased to function in a comprehensible way?
"Comparing you to lizards was a great injustice..." Tiamat’s lips curved like a knife, her words almost stabbing through his chest. "To them. You were free but blind. Order can’t exist without chaos, but the opposite is what has been, is, and will be. You—and all the others who encroached on my dominion—are parasites building palaces from my crumbs."
She waved her hand, saltwater swirling between her fingers as her voice grew in intensity. Her allies shuddered, and Bahamut’s retort died in his throat just at its draconic sound. It was overwhelming, carrying an unmatched cosmic weight despite her diminished state.
"There is something we can agree on. The time for words has long passed."
The water surged outward with a wave of her hand, drawing dark circles around Garduck, Achilles, the three furies, and Eris. Their bodies twisted for a split second, then faded.
Bahamut frowned, only for his eyes to narrow when the six individuals appeared around him. Tiamat, however, remained on the other side of the portal, safe from his wrath. But for how long?
Hill-like fingers tightened into a mountainous fist. The layer of unbreachable scales covering it glistened under the sunlight as he snorted. Four weak goddesses, and two mortals—could they endure his power for even a second?
As he swung his fist down, he reiterated his mission to Maxwell through a mental message. ’Tiamat most likely prepared a trump card on the other side—a trap or something to keep her safe. Or she wouldn’t have sent her goons after her vulgar speech. But as long as you kill her contracted lord, all their facilities will lose their powers. I know you can do it, Maxwell. For our shared belief in order.’
With a nod, Maxwell bolted toward Tiamat’s portals. His eyes darted across the army formation to find Adam. But the crushing noise of the collapsing fist and the chaotic winds that crashed against his wings caused him to gaze back—just in time to witness the most foolish decision in history.
There, instead of throwing himself to the side in a desperate dodge, he saw Garduck charge toward the center of the fist. The demon planted his feet into the ground, an incomprehensible act to him, to Bahamut, to anyone with a sliver of intelligence. Even more bizarre, he raised his arms, as if to compete with Bahamut’s strength.
"Followers of chaos are all lunatics." He muttered, averting his eyes to look at the shining city of orichalcum. "This invasion is an utter joke. No, a gift I’ll gladly accept. Hahaha. Thank you, Adam."
He tightened his fist, feeling his veins pump divine draconic might into his muscles.
Simultaneously, Bahamut’s knuckles collapsed onto Garduck. Wind blasts rocked the city. Buildings fell into oceans of rubble and swirling dust. Citizens died in the thousands, crushed by tons of stones or buried alive for the less fortunate.
Yet, Bahamut’s groan drew his attention back. Why would he groan? It seemed surreal. However, he saw the deep furrow creasing the dragon god’s brow, then his unmoving arm. And at its end, under the first... a two-meter gap separated it from the cracked ground.
The dusty air grew thick in his lungs as the desire to rush under the fist to see if the demon had survived and what unholy witchcraft he had used to halt this cosmic power surged within him.
But he had a mission he couldn’t fail. Therefore, he clenched his jaw and rushed into the portal, determined to crush the invaders.
Meanwhile, a searing agony spread across Garduck’s body. Bone splinters pierced through his thick skin, blood dripping down his trembling legs. Yet, his arms held Bahamut’s fists firmly.
Years ago, Adam and Achilles had told him that Heracles had held the sky in Atlas’ stead for a brief moment. Genuine respect had budded in his heart for their former enemy’s strength back then. Now, however, he felt as if the universe was trying to crush him.
Demonic defiance ignited in his eyes. "Gods, demon kings, or the universe; I bend to no one!" His legs burst with raw, physical might. "Much less a draconic fool!"
Many of his veins burst with the force of his thrust, smearing his twisted face red. Yet, the fist rose a few centimeters, then meters.
Caught off guard by the sudden burst of strength, Bahamut’s balance shifted. A step back, the sensation of something hard hitting his heel. The sudden obstacle further destabilised him. Wide-eyed as he toppled back, he saw the three furies’ whips drawn taut at his feet.