Section 20 Node 4 Recollection Quest (3/5)

So this is Zeus's great altar...

I can see the sky from here, along with the Tree of EmptinessI mean, Atlas, the World Tree.

And I'm guessing that circular structure in front of the sky must be the Cronus Crown...

Was that a bell...?

...Deity activating.

Deity manifesting.

Cronus Crown synchronization complete. Executing deity projection from Aletheia.

Deity will manifest in altar zone automatically. Deity Pseudo-Form Designation: Zeus.

Manifesting. Manifesting. Manifesting.

For their own well-being, all intelligences in the vicinity are encouraged to use mental protection.

The very air is shaking...

Magical energy is concentrating up ahead... I can't get a read on it!

This sheer magical energy density is overwhelming! E-e-even as a Heroic Spirit, it's enough to bowl me over!

I wish I could say I was shaking from excitement at the prospect of facing a tough opponent...

But this pressure! This ferocity! It feels like the second coming of Vairocana!

It's a cut above any demonic sword, demon, or demon king. So this is the most advanced being in this entire world...

The other mechanical gods were a hell of a fight, but this sheer swirling power makes them look like nothing!

This is the power of a Divine Spirit. No...

He is of course, an ACTUAL, all-powerful god!

...Here he comes.

...You have been granted an audience with the King of the Gods.

This is neither a blessing, nor cause for joy.

Now, kneel.

Kneel.

...!

This...pressure...!

High gravity...!

So the god of the heavens is even capable of controlling gravity itself!?

？！

Ghh... Aaah! I-I can't...hold on... This pressure...is insane...!

I can't...even...stand! Dammit...

Macarios!

Heh. Don't worry, I'm not gonna bust your balls over failing to stand up to him. That's proper hero shit anyway.

Aphrodite was a real piece of work in her own right, but I guess this proves all Twelve Olympians are nothing but a bunch of cowards!

If you want people to kneel before you, you're supposed to earn it with your own goddamn charisma!

...All right! How do you like that!?

Way to go, Caenis! If nothing else, you've definitely got spirit going for you! Guess I'd better get my act together if I don't want you showing me up, huh!

Me too...! I can't afford to lose... to a single utterance!

Hehe! You lot are real cheeky bastards, aren't you!? But then, I guess you'd have to be to try and slay a god!

...I see.

Athena, goddess of wisdom.

Ares, god of war.

Poseidon, god of the seas.

They may not fully reside within you...but I can still see my compatriots' power infusing you.

I see. So the same compatriots I once killed with my own hands have returned... I sense destiny at work in those gathered here.

Very well then. Emissaries of Proper Human History who accompany my compatriots, I shall refrain from crushing you all at once.

Now, answer me this.

...Why have you come here?

We came...to stop you from executing...Europa!

Dammit, my legs...

Macarios

No, human children of Olympus. Rest for now.

The graviton baptism Authority granted to me by the divine Cronus Crown is far too much for humans to bear.

Come, catch your breath. Do not speak for the time being.

My question is directed at you, Chaldeans.

And you, Heroic Spirits of Proper Human History that accompany them.

Why?

Why have you come to my Lostbelt?

？！

The Trees of Emptiness, and your world.

Yes. IWe

We were the last to survive, and we're here to take back our bleached-white Earth.

Earth.

I see.

Heh...

Hehe, haha.

Haha, haha, hahahahahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

？！

...!

...Ah, forgive me. My laugh is now the Authority of laughter itself, you see.

Indeed, you have answered my questions both directly and unwaveringly.

...Macarios. Adele. Children of Nikos and Artemisia.

...?

I will grant you a reward.

This reward is my grace, a symbol of commendation for your friends' bravery.

...You will be the ones to carry out the execution.

Execution...?

You don't mean...

... ...

...The revelation has already been decreed.

Europa!

A revelation has been imparted. Judgment has been passed.

Life-forms. Humans. All those gathered here. Give up your lives to the Almighty One.

Zeus. Zeus. Our almighty ruler. The heavens incarnate.

All is as you wish. Please, speak to us.

...Kill them.

!!!

The queen's mind is being controlled by the King of the Gods! She cannot hear us now!

Be careful! She is no longer the kind mother figure we met before!

Accept...your fate...and die.

Stay right where you are. Do not bother to resist.

Mere humans...are no match...for the giant soldier... Lord Zeus has bestowed upon me...

Lord...Zeus...

Yes. Kill them.

Else...they will kill you. Your fate is now in their hands, Queen Europa.

Macarios. Adele. I will grant you exactly what it is you have wished for.

I will not execute my queen. You will.

There can be no refusal. This is your god's grace. Accept it and be grateful.

How can you possibly call that grace!?

This is my grace.

？！

Everything I provide for humans is grace. Love; destiny. A fate all should accept.

Come forth, Talos.

Talos...!

(Oh, right! We never defeated that thing with the Black whatsit, so of course it'd fix itself and show up again!)

Talos, the bronze gianta monster Zeus himself bestowed upon Queen Europa.

I must say, Zeus, your Proper Human History counterpart would never have had such repulsive ulterior motives in giving a gift as you have here!

In fact, I'll go one step further, vaunted leader of Olympus!

You are a far smaller-minded and more petty god than the one we know!

Haha! Not bad! That was pretty cutting, for you!

Screw cutting! It's the truth, plain and simple! This god is pretty spiteful for a "magnanimous" deity!

That said, I can't deny this is a worthy opponent. And hey, now we'll get a chance to make up for our piss-poor showing from last time!

Fujimaru! Mash!

Let's show this overgrown marionette what we've learned since the last time we saw him!

？！

Understood! Raising Ortinax output and switching to combat mode!

Preparing to engage enemy!