Canvey Island, a small island in Essex, was largely uninhabited, especially on its eastern side. The open terrain, dominated by marshes and wild vegetation, along with its difficult access, made it an ideal location for a battle without witnesses. The quiet, secluded atmosphere at night made it perfect for avoiding human attention.
*THUP!* *THUP!* *THUP!* *THUP!*
The sound of helicopter blades shattered the silence of the night, echoing over the empty landscape illuminated by the faint moonlight.
Ren stepped out of the helicopter with steady strides, his hair slightly ruffled by the cold night breeze. Beside him, Alice, in her spiritual form, stood gracefully while calmly surveying the surroundings.
As a Campione, his night vision was comparable to that of the greatest nocturnal creatures. Ren could easily discern every detail of the wild landscape before him. Meanwhile, Alice used magic to enhance her own sight.
"Thank you for indulging my selfish request, King." Alice said sincerely, her face showing deep gratitude.
"It's nothing. Just a trivial matter." Ren replied lightly.
He wasn't an egotistical Campione like Marquis Voban, Doni, or Luo Hao, who cared little about the destructive consequences of their battles, which would result in the deaths of countless innocent people.
'It seems the Seventh Campione is better than the first impression he initially gave.' Alice thought as she observed the young man.
She had suggested that Ren's battle with the Heretic God take place in a remote location devoid of human presence. Alice knew all too well the destructive power unleashed when a Campione and a Heretic God fought to the death.
Fortunately, aside from her initial suggestion, Ren was highly cooperative—unlike other Campione, whose stances were difficult to influence.
*TAP!* *TAP!* *TAP!* *TAP!*
They began their journey on foot toward the center of the island. The night was eerily silent, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing across the sandy ground. Sparse trees and tall wild grass complemented the desolate and empty landscape, reinforcing the island's secluded atmosphere.
After a short trek, they arrived at a wide-open clearing in the middle of the island—the perfect location for what they were about to do.
Ren raised his hand. With a spatial ripple like water, he accessed his storage magic. The Holy Grail and an ancient dagger appeared in his grasp.
"The rest is up to you, Alice."
"Rest assured, King. I won't disappoint you."
Alice took the Holy Grail and the dagger from Ren. A confident smile graced her face.
With a gentle motion, Alice used levitation magic to make the two objects float in the air before her. Then, she began channeling her energy, drawing a massive magic circle on the ground. Intricate patterns with ancient symbols began to form, glowing brightly against the dark night.
Alice took a deep breath and began incantation:
"Let light and darkness be its essence."
"Let the unshaken earth be its foundation."
"Let blood be the color I etch upon this fate."
"Let a wall form, separating destruction and life."
"Let the gate to eternity open."
"Let the circle without beginning or end spin."
*BUZZ!*
As the incantation was spoken, the magic circle emitted an increasingly intense light, illuminating the dark night. The Holy Grail began radiating magical energy, forming a gust of fierce wind that made Alice's hair flutter and the surrounding grass sway wildly.
"..."
On the other hand, Ren stood calmly, though his body tensed slightly in anticipation. The wind created by the ritual buffeted his figure, but his gaze remained fixed on the glowing magic circle.
His trip to Portobello Road Market earlier that day hadn't been entirely in vain. With Insight Gaze, Ren had discovered a dagger with a unique historical background, making it an ideal relic for the summoning.
The dagger, sharp and gleaming black, was made of obsidian—believed to be a sacred material in various ancient rituals. The relic had been used in sacrificial rites to honor the Sun God in Mayan mythology, Kinich Ahau.
"I hope it works..." Ren murmured inwardly, his prayer sincere though brief.
Alice began the final phase of the incantation.
"I declare here; your will bound by my oath, and my soul linked by your destiny."
"Answer this call, O being that transcends the mortal and divine."
"Submit to the command and truth I proclaim."
"The oath I shall now swear."
"I shall summon courage from across the mortal world; I shall subdue the majesty towering in the high heavens."
"Yet you shall walk with steps chained by fate.
"
"Emerge from the Domain of Immortality, O god shrouded in destruction!"
*BUZZZZTTT!*
*SHUAAAA!*
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Meanwhile, in the Domain of Immortality, where gods of all pantheons resided, the energy wave from the Holy Grail resonated like a bell tolling through their eternal silence. The gods, bound by their respective myths, turned their attention simultaneously, sensing the powerful call from the mortal world.
Many of them had long awaited the chance to escape the myths that imprisoned them, to once again walk among humans and assert their dominion. However, though the summoning energy was tempting, only a few could truly respond. The frequency emitted by the Holy Grail was unique, aligning itself only with the essence and stories of specific gods. Thus, most could only feel the call without being able to act, fading back into silence.
But for Kinich Ahau, the Sun God of Mayan mythology, the frequency was a perfect match.
With a long-suppressed desire, he answered the call without hesitation, leaving his myth behind. Yet, the moment he separated himself from the story that bound him, his form transformed. He was no longer a noble and wise god but a Heretic God.
As a Heretic God, his aura was filled with chaos, ready to bring destruction to the world that had summoned him.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the center of the glowing magic circle, the figure of a man began to take shape from the surging energy. The light slowly faded, revealing the form of a god matching the depictions of Mayan mythology. Kinich Ahau, the Sun God, stood tall with a deadly aura.
His skin was golden like the blazing sun, radiating a dazzling brilliance, with long hair resembling flickering flames. His eyes shone with a golden-yellow intensity, piercing enough to see through souls. He wore ritualistic attire adorned with exotic feathers and jade ornaments, symbols of his authority. In his hand was a long spear with an obsidian-black tip, exuding a sinister aura.
Kinich Ahau glanced around, then his gaze locked onto Ren. His face revealed deep-seated hatred. No words needed to be spoken—the relationship between a Campione and a Heretic God was destined to be one of hostility. The two could never coexist.
"Campione... How dare you summon me from my throne to face a lowly mortal like yourself. Do you think yourself worthy of gazing upon the sun?" His voice was deep and heavy, filled with wrath.
Ren remained calm, his sharp eyes meeting the god's without fear. But before he could respond, Alice's voice broke the tension.
"Hah Hah Hah... It actually worked! This is an incredible breakthrough!"
Alice stood at the edge of the magic circle, panting. Her face was flushed from the immense energy she had expended for the ritual, yet her eyes sparkled with excitement. She couldn't tear her gaze away from Kinich Ahau, the Sun God now standing before them.
"King! Do you see this? I actually summoned him all by myself! This is an unprecedented achievement!" She exclaimed cheerfully, her tone contrasting with the gravity of the situation.
Ren only glanced at her briefly before refocusing on Kinich Ahau.
"Good work. Now, you should leave. The rest is my task."
Alice smiled proudly, though her body was growing weak.
"Of course, King. Be careful."
Then, her spiritual body vanished, leaving behind only the magic familiar used to broadcast the live battle to her real body and the women of Ren's faction in London.