Chapter 91: Fire Trial
The Golden Thread erupted! Not dozens, but thousands of them! They were like an enraged golden tide, instantly filling the entire dungeon.
"What?!" Zagreus's clone was cut into pieces by the dense Golden Thread before it could even touch Cipher.
But that wasn't enough. Fury burned in your golden eyes. More Golden Threads chased after his other clones, each carrying an extreme killing intent.
"Ahhh—"
Zagreus's main body was forced to appear, but it was already too late. Hundreds of Golden Threads pierced his body simultaneously!
"Stop! I surrender! I—"
You were deaf to his pleas. The Golden Threads continued to cut, severing the Titan's limbs inch by inch. Purple-black divine blood splattered across the ground as Zagreus knelt, his body almost completely shredded.
"No... impossible..." He looked at you in horror with his one remaining eye. "You..."
You walked towards him step by step. On that once handsome, youthful face, there was now only black killing intent. Like an Asura who had crawled out of hell.
"Anyone who dares to harm her must die."
You raised your hand to deliver the final blow—the Titan of Dolos let out one last agonizing scream, then fell silent.
"Little Cat!"
Cipher's voice suddenly rang out. "Are... are you alright?"
At her words, you paused. As if just coming to your senses, the murderous intent in your golden eyes slowly receded, and only then did you realize what you had done.
"I, I'm fine..." You stopped.
The entire prison was deathly silent. All the Rogues stared blankly at the scene, their faces filled with shock and fear.
"That, that kid..." "Actually... killed a Titan?!" "Is he even human?"
The One-Eyed Rogue swallowed hard: "I heard the God of Dolos is relatively weak among the Titans... but he can't be that weak, can he?"
"It's not that he's weak..." The old Rogue's voice trembled. "It's that boy... he's too terrifying."
Cipher looked at Zagreus, who was almost cut into pieces, and was also a little shaken. But she quickly regained her composure, knelt down, and took the spark of Dolos from Zagreus's shattered chest.
"We succeeded, Little Cat." She turned to you, her eyes filled with worry, but more so with trust.
You looked at the spark in her hand and nodded silently.
Aglaea appeared outside the cell at this moment. She looked at the divine blood covering the ground and the Titan who was almost torn limb from limb, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. "Well done," she finally said.
The prison remained silent. Those Rogues who were usually fearless now looked at you with awe. They finally understood why this seemingly harmless young man could become Cipher's partner. The great feat of deceiving a god was accomplished in a way no one had expected.
(Unexpected deicide, villain points +500!)
After a brief silence, a cheer suddenly erupted from the prison. "We succeeded! We really succeeded!" "Deceiving a Titan, this is an unprecedented feat!" "Hahaha, that arrogant guy, was dealt with so miserably by two kids!"
The Rogues clapped the iron bars, as excited as if they had defeated the Titan themselves.
"How do you feel?"
You noticed Cipher's expression was a bit off as she held the spark.
"A little... strange." Cipher frowned. "It's like there's a voice drilling into my head." She shook her head, as if trying to shake something out.
"The Titan's consciousness still remains on the spark." Aglaea walked to the cell. "He is speaking to you. You can communicate with him, but don't fully trust him."
"I see..." Cipher smiled. "Heh heh, he can only curse at me now."
"Hmm." Aglaea nodded. "Stay clear-headed, don't be swayed."
That night, you opened all the cell doors, and the Rogues streamed out. "Freedom!" "The most worthwhile imprisonment of my life!" Afterward, three hundred Rogues, some chose to continue their adventures, others decided to wash their hands of it.
"Everyone," Cipher bid them farewell. "This success is all thanks to you!"
"What are you talking about!" The white-haired old Rogue patted her shoulder. "It's our honor to participate in such a great undertaking!"
"If you ever need anything, you can always come find us!" The other Rogues responded one after another.
"However," the One-Eyed Rogue grinned, "Cipher, you're about to become a god now, don't forget us old friends!"
"How could I!" Cipher waved her hand vigorously. "I will always be Dolos's Cipher!"
"And you, kid." The One-Eyed Rogue looked at you with a hint of reverence in his eyes. "Your strength is truly eye-opening... you must protect her well in the future."
You just nodded, not saying much. After seeing off the Rogues, you and Cipher prepared to return to Ohema.
"Little Cat," on the way, Cipher suddenly said, "I'm a little scared." Under the moonlight, her face was a bit pale.
"Scared of what?"
"The spark trial." She touched the spark in her embrace. "What if I can't pass it?"
You stopped, took her hand: "You will. You're the one who deceived a Titan."
"But..." Cipher bit her lip. "Aglaea said some people don't pass the trial..." Her hand trembled slightly.
"Then I'll go with you," you said seriously. "If there's danger, I'll pull you out."
"Silly Little Cat," Cipher's eyes were a little moist. "The trial is a personal matter, you can't help me."
"Then I'll wait for you outside," you said firmly. "I'll wait as long as it takes."
Cipher looked at you, then suddenly threw herself into your arms, hugging you tightly.
"Little Cat... if I really..."
"You won't." You interrupted her, hugging her back. "You'll succeed, and then we'll continue being Rogues together."
Soon, after returning to Ohema. Aglaea immediately began preparing for the trial.
"The trial will take place tomorrow," she said. "Cifera, you must be prepared."
"The trial of Dolos will be very special," Tribbie added. "It will test your essence."
"Test essence?"
Trinnon softly explained: "Zagreus's power comes from deception and lies. Those who wish to control this power must understand what is false and what is true."
"If you get lost in lies, you will be devoured by the spark," Trianne said.
Cipher swallowed, and you tightly held her hand.
The next day. The trial ground was in a peculiar space called the Vortex of Genesis.