Max was a little surprised that the system notification this time around was a mix of praise and insult instead of the usual unadulterated venom that the system spewed at him.
As stood tall among the debris of what used to be a lush forest but was now a desolated battleground. The reality of what he'd accomplished had yet to sink in. He, a mortal, had just slain a god, if it were not confirmed by the system notification he was staring at, he might have thought it was a dream.
A booming laugh erupted from him which echoed around the battlefield. It was a laugh of relief, triumph, and unadulterated elation.
"I did it! I actually did it!" Max laughed in a mixture of incredulity and exhilaration, feeling a sense of triumph he had never felt before. He had fought a god and not just lived to tell the tale, but emerged victorious.
He had done it this time without the help of Angakok! He was a true Godslayer now! One that only relied on his own strength.
His body ached and the pain seeping through his wounds was almost unbearable, but in the aftermath of such a monumental victory, he couldn't care less. He looked at his charred and bloodied hands, the same hands that had wielded divine power, and a sense of calm washed over him. All those years of rigorous training, of relentless pushing against his own limits, had not been in vain. He had proven himself capable of standing on the same battlefield as the gods.
" Master Kremeth you were right, I'm strong enough to fight god's now! All that training you put me through, it was worth it. Thankyou - " Max said emotionally as he laughed at himself for ever doubting Kremeth's words.
A mortal fighting on equal footing to a god? Who would have believed in the words of a teacher who gave such promises?
But it was true. Today's battle was proof that it was true.
Meanwhile, on the mountaintop, the battle was reaching its climax. The mercenaries' assault had been ferocious, but the combined forces of the Twilight clan and the Fourth Legion, led by Anna and DarkSorrow had finally managed to push them back.
Mira, swept through the mercenaries with terrifying precision, her dragonfire setting the night alight and forcing the mercenaries to retreat.
" FALL BACK! "
" IT'S OVER, FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES "
" MATUMBA IS DEAD, RUN "
Calls to flee could be heard throughout the battlefield as once it was confirmed that Matumba was dead the remaining mercenary forces lost their backbone and began to flee for their own lives.
The mountain echoed with roars of triumph as the vampires emerged victorious. After the adrenaline of battle had subsided, a jubilant cheer erupted from the Bloodfall soldiers, answered in kind by the Twilight clan. There was no distinction now between the two clans, only shared victory and the relief that the orb had remained unscathed.
As the dawn painted the sky with the hues of victory, camaraderie bloomed on the battlefield. Twilight clan soldiers clapped the backs of their Bloodfall counterparts, thanking them profusely for coming to their aid in such dire times.
As the celebrations on the mountaintop carried on, Falken Twilight made his way down towards Max.
He found Max lying flat on his back as his chest heaved from laborious breathing, his body covered in scars and his palms looking purple and burnt from the attack he had just used.
The sight evoked a feeling of respect and gratitude in Falken as he knew that Max had truly given this battle his all when he did not need to.
He had done this for the Twilight clan, this was not his battle, yet he went all out to make sure that the job was done.
Max saw Falken approach and greeted him with a tired but triumphant smile. The two leaders, battle-scarred and weary, stood amidst the ruins of their battlefield, sharing a moment of profound understanding and respect.
Falken extended his hand, his voice sincere as he spoke, " Lord Ravan, I cannot express how grateful I am for your aid today. You fought like a true warrior and saved us all. We are in your debt." His tone held not only gratitude but also the acknowledgment of Max's undeniable strength.
As Max shook Falken's hand, the two warriors sharing a moment of mutual respect and understanding.
" It was fun " Max said while winking at Falken as the two began laughing heartily.
Although no promises were made, Max's attitude today had left a deep impression of Falken who himself was a man of honor.
Falken knew that this was not the last assault that was going to take place on his orb and that tough times laid ahead, but despite that he knew that if the Bloodfall clan ever needed his aid, he would be there for Ravan just like he was here for him today.
The twilight clan would never forget the debt of gratitude they owed to the Bloodfall-
*********
( Meanwhile Rudra )
Rudra watched Max's battle unfold with an ' O ' shaped expression on his face.
His little brother gave him a lot of surprises these days as this was the third time in the past month where he had rendered him speechless.
To use divine essence as a mortal and that too with so less consequences?
His brother had truly exceeded his expectations!
He remembered the times where he used attacks above his tier limit and was left with countless broken bones and pain that lasted months.
Compared to that Max was walking out scot-free from this ordeal.
Rudra was ready to teleport to his brothers aid any second even if it meant blowing his cover, but in the end Max had it covered.
His little brother did not need his help to deal with a tier6 opponent, which made Rudra realise just how far he had grown.
If he were his usual self which was not forced to hide, he would have probably sheltered Max and never let him fight this battle.
He would have ended it himself in one or two moves and in his mind he would have been justified to interfere.
But now as an old man in hiding he began to realise that his meddling might have stunted Max's growth in life. Afterall it were fights and moments like these that truly defined a warrior and made them battle hardened and Rudra realised it better than anyone as to just how important this win was for Max.