Chapter 33: The God Of War's Abilities!
"You're moving pretty fast," Steve Trevor said as he and his team arrived to find the battlefield littered with defeated German soldiers. Some were injured, but most were dead.
"You're too slow," Ryuji smirked, arms crossed.
Steve gave a light scoff. "You can fly; I can't. But let's not dwell on that. What's the situation?"
Logan's gruff voice broke in, filled with urgency. "The situation is simple: gas bombs on that plane. If they go off or leak, everything within 50 miles is done for."
Steve frowned. "Then we can't let it happen."
Victor Creed shrugged casually. "There's a timer on them. Even if we stop the plane, they'll still leak. I'm not a bomb expert. Don't look at me."
Doutzen Carlos raised her hands. "Same here. Not my area of expertise."
Steve turned to Ryuji with a desperate expression. "Can't you use your magic to stop the gas or neutralize the bombs?"
Ryuji raised an eyebrow, pretending confusion. "You're talking to me?"
"Yes, you!" Steve snapped.
Ryuji chuckled, clapping Steve's shoulder with mock camaraderie. "Magic's powerful, but it's not omnipotent. This gas bomb problem? That's on you, Captain. Remember? My mission is dealing with Ares, not cleaning up your mess."
Steve's fists clenched in frustration as Ryuji turned to leave.
"Take responsibility for your task, Captain. We've cleared the path for you. The rest is up to you," Ryuji called back without looking.
Victor followed with a grin. "Good luck, Captain. I'm off to see what this 'God of War' is made of."
"Let's see if he's really all that," Logan muttered, following Victor.
Doutzen Carlos smirked, shooting Steve a mocking glance. "Don't die too soon, Captain." Then she left without another word.
Steve stood alone with his team, staring at the ominous plane. Charlie spoke nervously, "Chief, what… what do we do now?"
Taking a deep breath, Steve answered, "What we should've done from the start: handle this ourselves."
He stepped forward, gripping the detonator as if preparing for the inevitable. The chief's eyes widened. "Steve, what are you doing?"
"I'm doing my job," Steve replied firmly, though his voice wavered slightly.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he approached the plane. His heart pounded in his chest, and his mind raced through memories of friends, comrades, and loved ones back home.
"Letting him walk into the gates of hell… isn't that too much of a burden to place on him?" Logan murmured, watching from a distance.
Victor smirked and glanced at Ryuji. "You're not actually gonna let him die, are you?"
Ryuji shrugged, his tone indifferent. "If I wanted him dead, he'd be gone already. Besides, Diana would notice. This is his moment, not ours."
Logan said nothing, watching as Steve continued toward his fate. Meanwhile, Ryuji's gaze shifted to the battlefield, where Ares stood amidst chaos.
The reality of facing Ares in person was far more intense than any tale or story could convey. Flames roared around the battlefield, the ground trembled, and lightning danced in the skies above.
Ryuji stood motionless, analyzing the God of War's abilities. "Fire, wind, earth, lightning, telekinesis, mind control, enhanced speed, endurance, strength… and a strategic mind to match."
The fire engulfing the battlefield didn't harm Ares.
When Diana had thrown her lasso, fierce winds had kept her from getting close.
Lightning bolts shot from Ares' hands with pinpoint accuracy, reducing everything they touched to rubble.
With a wave of his hand, Ares could raise massive chunks of earth, hurling them like projectiles—or perhaps manipulating them with telekinesis.
His mind control powers were eerily similar to those of Jean Grey or Ebony Maw, but far more refined. Using surrounding metal debris, he forged deadly weapons mid-battle.
It was like he had mastered all the elements.
At that moment, Ares flung two massive blades toward Diana, sending her flying. As he approached her, a new blade materialized in his grasp.
Ryuji cracked his knuckles. "Guess it's my turn."
He glanced at Logan and Victor with a playful smirk. "Want to try your luck first?"
Victor laughed nervously. "I'll pass. This isn't my kind of fight."
Logan remained cautious. "I'll observe for now."
"Suit yourselves," Ryuji replied, stretching his arms. He turned to Doutzen. "Be careful. I'm going in—"
Dark runes began to form across Ryuji's chest as he muttered the incantation.
"'Darkness.'"
It was a forbidden spell, transforming his body into something monstrous.
Within moments, Ryuji's entire form shifted. His height surged to nearly three meters, two curved black horns sprouting from his forehead.
Bat-like wings extended from his back, their thin membranes glowing faintly. His muscles bulged, and jagged black patterns spread across his torso.
His eyes turned completely black, emitting faint flames at the edges. His teeth sharpened into fangs, and his fingers extended into claws.
Victor blinked. "Is that a demon?"
Ryuji's demonic form radiated an aura of raw power. He resembled Illidan from World of Warcraft—though with notable differences. His flames were black, his patterns darker, and his wings sleeker.
The transformation took mere seconds, and Ryuji shot forward like a missile.
Ares barely had time to register the blur of movement before a tremendous force sent him flying across the battlefield.
"What?!"
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