Chapter 155: Victory!!!
The third day of the battle had begun, and the Demon Lords, bruised and battered, still stood their ground. Their unyielding determination was the only thing keeping them moving. Artemis, however, was far from his limits. His overwhelming presence had transformed the battlefield into a chaotic void, every inch of it corrupted by his chaotic energy. The air was thick with despair, but the Demon Lords refused to succumb.
As Rimuru stood amidst the devastation, he heard Luna's voice echo in his mind.
Luna: (calm but hesitant)
"Rimuru, I have something that might work, but I can't guarantee it will be enough. It's a gamble."
Rimuru: (determined, his eyes glowing with the power of his skills)
"I don't care if it's a gamble. If there's even a small chance, we have to take it. Let's do it, Luna!"
In an instant, a glowing ethereal symbol appeared on Rimuru's chest. Luna poured her essence into him, unlocking a forbidden technique called Eon Nexus, a fusion of Rimuru's Genesis Omega and Luna's divine essence. The technique allowed Rimuru to briefly tap into the foundational energy of existence itself. The power surged through Rimuru, and the other Demon Lords felt a flicker of hope as they witnessed his form radiating with divine brilliance.
Artemis: (pausing, his eyes narrowing as he watched Rimuru)
"Interesting. You continue to amuse me, mortal. But I assure you, it won't make a difference."
Rimuru: (gritting his teeth as the energy coursed through him)
"We'll see about that!"
Rimuru unleashed Eon Nexus, creating an explosion of pure, radiant energy that pushed back Artemis for the first time since the battle began. Artemis grunted as the energy enveloped him, forcing him to shield himself. The Demon Lords used this moment to regroup and launch a combined assault, their powers synergizing like never before.
For a brief moment, the tide seemed to turn. The Demon Lords attacked with renewed vigor:
Milim, empowered by Rimuru's surge, summoned Vritra's Wrath Incarnate, a massive dragon of flames that clashed against Artemis, causing the ground to quake.
Guy Crimson, wielding Azazel, opened an abyssal portal that unleashed a torrent of black flames and endless shadows, attempting to bind Artemis.
Leon Cromwell, using Solom, created a celestial sword of pure judgment, striking Artemis with beams of divine light.
Luminous Valentine, with Lilith, manipulated Artemis's senses, creating illusions that momentarily distracted him.
Draguel, using Khaos, unleashed a seismic blast that cracked the earth beneath Artemis, destabilizing his footing.
Ramiris, attacked with a primordial magic.
For a moment, Artemis was pushed back, his attacks disrupted, his aura flickering. The Demon Lords exchanged determined glances, believing they might finally have a chance.
Guy Crimson: (grinning, though blood dripped from his mouth)
"Maybe you're not so invincible after all, Artemis!"
Artemis: (smirking as he straightened himself, his chaotic aura surging once again)
"You truly believe this is enough to stop me? You're more foolish than I thought."
Artemis called upon the very core of his chaotic power. The battlefield trembled as the skies darkened, and a cataclysmic energy erupted from his body. His power amplified to an unfathomable level, and the Demon Lords could only watch in horror as the ground beneath them shattered, the air itself becoming toxic.
Artemis: (his voice resonating like a god's decree)
"Enough of this farce. You have entertained me long enough, but now it's time to end this. Witness true power!"
He raised his sword, Erebus, which now glowed with the power of countless dimensions. With a single swing, he unleashed a Chaotic Rift, a wave of energy so massive and destructive that it erased everything in its path. The Demon Lords combined their powers to block it, but the sheer force overwhelmed them.
Milim and Ramiris, despite their fiery resilience, were struck down, their bodies crashing into the ground with a deafening impact.
Guy, though powerful, fell to Artemis's relentless onslaught, his flames extinguished as he collapsed.
Leon, using his celestial powers, managed to hold his ground for a while but ultimately succumbed to Artemis's overwhelming speed and strength.
Luminous and Draguel, though relentless in their attacks, were overpowered and defeated, their bodies battered and broken.
One by one, the Demon Lords fell, their combined might no match for the god of chaos.
As the last of the Demon Lords fell, only Rimuru remained, barely standing, his body glowing faintly with the remnants of Luna's power. Artemis approached him, his eyes glowing with triumph.
Artemis: (mockingly)
"You fought well, mortal. You should be proud. But this is the end."
With a final, devastating attack, Artemis unleashed a Chaotic Nova, an explosion of energy so powerful that it engulfed the entire cardinal world. Rimuru, with the last of his strength, tried to shield as much as he could, but the power was too overwhelming. The explosion obliterated everything, leaving the cardinal world in ruins.
In his realm, Beerus and his wives watched the destruction unfold. For once, the god of destruction's face was grim.
Beerus: (quietly)
"So, it has come to this. I must admit... Artemis is more formidable than I expected. Even the Demon Lords couldn't stop him."
Velzar: (clenching her fists)
"Those mortals... they gave everything they had."
Zerna: (frowning)
"Perhaps it's time we step in, Beerus. If Artemis continues unchecked, even we might face his wrath."
Beerus: (sighing, standing up)
"Perhaps. But for now, let him bask in his hollow victory. He'll learn soon enough that even chaos has its limits."
As the smoke cleared, Artemis stood alone in the ruins of the cardinal world. He looked around, his expression unreadable.
Artemis: (quietly, to himself)
"So, this is what victory feels like... unsatisfying."