Melqart swung his massive staff with terrifying force, aiming to crush Mordred.
Faced with the sheer disparity in their sizes, nearly every combat technique invented by humanity seemed useless. While humans developed strategies to overcome beasts and other humans, such techniques were never meant to contend with gods or giants.
Initially, Mordred planned to meet Melqart's overwhelming strength head-on, relying on raw power rivaling that of dragons. However, her beast-like instincts screamed warnings at her, coupled with the memory of the strange force that had sent her flying earlier.
In an instant, she made her decision. Transforming into a streak of crimson lightning, Mordred narrowly evaded the devastating horizontal sweep.
Turning back to survey the aftermath, her eyes widened in shock. The area struck by Melqart's staff was left in utter darkness, as though the space itself had been obliterated.
"Hahaha! You dodged it? What sharp instincts you have!"
Amid the roaring thunder and flashing lightning, Melqart's booming laughter echoed as he raised his staff for another strike, this time bringing it down directly toward Mordred.
Using the crackling lightning around her as propulsion, Mordred shot away at blinding speed.
But evasion wasn't her style. Twisting mid-flight, she swung her magic sword and unleashed a blazing beam of energy toward Melqart.
The roaring blast of lightning struck Melqart's colossal frame, leaving behind charred scorch marks and scattering crimson arcs of electricity. But to Melqart, the attack was little more than a nuisance.
"Is this all you've got?"
With a thunderous stomp that shook the earth, Melqart pressed forward, ignoring the storm as he pursued Mordred relentlessly.
"Is running away the only thing you're good at?"
His taunt struck a nerve.
Mordred, never one to strategize on the battlefield, followed her instincts. Her true nature was that of a predator—pursuing and ripping into her prey like a wild beast.
In an instant, violent arcs of mana and electricity surged across her body. Tightening her grip on [Clarent], she charged head-on at Melqart's staff.
"Who the hell are you calling a coward?!"
Boom!
The clouds above were torn apart momentarily as the clash created a shockwave.
Mordred was sent flying once again.
But this time, something was different. Even Melqart's colossal frame was forced to take a few steps back.
On his weathered, stone-like face, covered in his thick white beard, a faint smile emerged.
"Hahaha! What an excellent strike! To dare face my attack head-on—such a brilliant warrior spirit! Hahaha!"
Just then, three bolts of lightning descended from the stormy heavens, striking Melqart directly.
Though they barely left a scratch, Melqart's expression soured.
"You've proven yourself to be a truly brave warrior," he growled, addressing Mordred. "But as for you, skulking in the shadows and employing such underhanded methods… disgraceful!"
"Underhanded? That's unfair, Melqart," came Verethragna's voice as the winds carried him directly to the God King. "The only mistake here is your decision to ignore me and leave me out of the fun."
Grinning mischievously, Verethragna spread his arms wide as if to embrace the heavens.
"Besides… how can I stand idle after witnessing such an outstanding, valiant warrior? It's impossible to resist joining in!"
A commanding presence radiated from him as his voice rose.
"All who oppose me tremble in fear! I am the incarnation of victory! Thunder! Gather to me and smite the wicked!"
From the darkened sky, blinding white light began to seep through the cracks in the clouds. The storm seemed to pause as a vast reservoir of energy gathered above, ready to unleash a downpour of divine lightning.
"Ridiculous!"
Melqart's laughter rumbled as he gazed at the flashing heavens and the defiant youth below.
"The sky is my domain! My kingdom! You dare trespass upon the heavens without my consent? Return what belongs to me!"
For a moment, Verethragna's confident expression wavered, his brow furrowing.
The energy amassed in the clouds suddenly surged downward—but not toward Melqart. The lightning, brimming with divine power, turned on Verethragna instead.
Before the bolt could strike, Verethragna dissolved into countless wisps of wind. The divine lightning tore through his scattered form, exploding against the ground far away in a burst of blinding light.
"Do you see now?" Melqart boomed. "This is the unparalleled power of the Sky God! To think that a single incarnation could encroach upon my domain—what sheer folly!"
As Melqart's gaze followed the dispersing winds, the air began to coalesce, and Verethragna's form reappeared before him.
"You're right," Verethragna admitted with a smirk. "The power of the Goat isn't enough to defeat you."
A sacred, ancient stone disk suddenly materialized behind Verethragna's head. Its surface bore nine distinct symbols, though one segment appeared missing.
The visible icons included representations of strong winds, a bull, a white horse, a camel, a phoenix, a youth, a ram, and a golden-sword-wielding warrior. At the top sat the image of a goat.
The disk began to spin. The goat icon disappeared, replaced by the golden-horned bull.
"I am the strongest, the one who holds victory in his grasp! Whether human or demon, I shall overcome all who stand before me! Grant me your strength, O Bull with Radiant Golden Horns!"
A massive golden bull manifested behind Verethragna, its glowing form merging with his own.
As the bull's power fused into him, a longsword appeared in Verethragna's hand. It gleamed as if forged from pure gold, engraved with holy inscriptions.
Though he did not activate the sword's full power, he wielded it with ease, ready to match the strength of his new incarnation.
"Break beneath this power!"
In the next instant, the air beneath Verethragna's feet exploded as he launched himself at Melqart like a golden flash of light. The strike was swift as the wind and ferocious as thunder, slamming against Melqart's staff.
"So, you want a contest of strength?"
Melqart's towering frame straightened, his presence seeming to expand.
"Let me show you just how foolish that choice is!"
The golden brilliance of Verethragna's sword clashed against the ancient aura of Melqart's staff.
The resulting shockwaves tore through the storm, scattering the winds and dispersing the rain.
The staff in Melqart's hands was no ordinary weapon but one crafted by the god of artisans, Savaḥasis.
The staff named [Pursuer] could forcibly repel enemies, while the staff [Exile] had the power to banish foes to another dimension.
It was with these two weapons that Melqart had once lured the Dragon King Yam away from his throne and slain him. This victory secured Melqart's place as the God King.