Soon after Marius ascended to godhood.
A meeting was held without his knowledge.
“To think that his sandbox play would lead to this situation,” a deep voice lamented.
“Humans must not ascend to godhood.”
“We must punish him.”
“No objections.”
Unanimously, the formation of an extermination force was decided.
“Who will go to exterminate the usurper god Marius?”
One voice answered the call.
“I will go.”
As soon as the speaker was identified, the room fell silent.
After a moment, a voice asked, “You? What are you thinking, Nyarlathotep?”
Nyarlathotep replied, “I feel responsible for granting him power, knowledge, and a name.”
A murmur erupted again. Everyone present knew that Nyarlathotep was incapable of such noble sentiment. He would not defy Azathoth, his father and King, but in all other matters, he incited conflict among the gods and led lesser beings to ruin. And he left no evidence, making him impossible to prosecute. Nyarlathotep was a terrifying and abominable god. The one who had been defeated by the target, the usurper god Marius, and had his power stolen was Nyairarathotep. He was a mere insect to whom Nyarlathotep had once given a name and power out of amusement. Everyone suspected some sort of scheme, but again, there was no proof.
“Then I suppose I should go as well,” another voice said.
“Ah, Cthugha,” came a more approving response. Cthugha was Nyarlathotep’s equal and almost his only nemesis. They all hoped he could thwart Nyarlathotep’s wicked schemes.
“We shall decide the formation,” a deep, majestic voice boomed, silencing the room. It was clear from their demeanor that everyone respected the owner of that voice.
“The commander will be Nyarlathotep, and the副将 Cthugha. Go.”
“Hmph.”
Thus, the extermination squad for the usurper god Marius was dispatched. It would normally be a larger force, but it was judged that Nyarlathotep and Cthugha alone would be sufficient.
Marius
suddenly looked up at the sky. Auraniess, standing beside him, did the same. Their instincts told them something immense was approaching. Soon, the sky warped dramatically, and two figures appeared.
“W-what is that?”
Others must have noticed as well, judging by the murmurs arising from various directions.
“Auraniess.”
“Roger!”
Responding instantly to Marius’s voice, Auraniess leaped from the ground and took to the sky. Marius followed, with Iris and Sophia trailing behind them. All four were tense. The figures floating in the sky, awaiting Marius and his companions, could only be described as异形. A shapeless mass of flesh with claws and tentacles, and a living flame. And Tindalos, possessing a power far beyond anything Nyairarathotep could muster.
“Marius, Auraniess, Sophia, Iris, eh?” The mass of flesh called out their names. Who were they? Why did they know their names? The mystery was pressing, but there was no time for it now. They faced an opponent against whom they had to fight with all their might.
“Radius! Annihilation!” Marius unleashed his signature spells at light speed. It was thanks to his divine power, but the attacks passed right through.
“Huh?” Marius and the others stared, dumbfounded. Were these beings before them hallucinations, if light-speed attacks could pass through them?
“We are not hallucinations. Your attacks are simply too slow,” the flame declared. “Mere light speed is nothing.”
Then, the flame engulfed Auraniess’s body. She burned intensely for a moment, and when the flames receded, Auraniess was nothing but ash. Iris and Sophia stood frozen, unable to believe what they had just witnessed, but Marius understood what had happened. And because of it, he shuddered.
(So… strong.)
The one who had turned Auraniess to ash in an instant was Cthugha. Though Marius wouldn’t know what to do even if he knew their name.
“Resurrection.” Marius chanted a revival spell. Auraniess was instantly revived.
“Hm?” Revived in the buff, Auraniess looked at her body with a puzzled expression, likely still processing what had happened.
“A petty trick,” the mass of flesh chuckled. It was an unpleasant voice, clearly laced with mockery. The mass of flesh shifted, transforming into the form of a young man.
“I am Nyarlathotep. You, Marius, the fool who ascended to godhood. I have come to punish you.”
“Nyarlathotep… the true Nyarlathotep?” Marius blurted out reflexively. Cold sweat streamed down his face uncontrollably.
“Indeed.” The Nyarlathotep in the form of a young man nodded.
“Then die.” It was nothing short of a miracle that Marius dodged the attack. Immediately after twisting his body according to his instincts, a tremendous roar erupted far behind him. Marius understood then that he had been attacked.
(I can’t see anything… I can’t feel anything… How can this be?)
He despaired, realizing that Nyarlathotep’s attack transcended his perception.
“Despite it being a fluke, you dodged well. I wouldn’t expect such a thing from an inferior being limited to light speed,” Nyarlathotep praised, though it was unclear if he meant it.
“Light speed? Inferior?” Sophia inquired, and Cthugha replied, “We can all move at speeds exceeding light speed, speeds only gods can attain. Unlike you, who are bound to a single world.”
Nyarlathotep then interjected, “It’s called divine speed because only gods can reach it. Although, even among gods, it seems impossible for a low-level rookie like Marius.”
“I-is that even possible…?” Sophia’s voice trembled. No one could simply laugh it off. The reality of Auraniess being killed in one blow was undeniable.
“Divine speed has ranks, like Mach. That was at most divine speed one. Now, how many seconds will you last?” Nyarlathotep said with a mocking laugh. If his words were true, they would all be annihilated in an instant. The only reason he hadn’t was likely because he was enjoying their terror. It was hard to believe the true Nyarlathotep was less evil than this imitation.
“Nyarlathotep. You’re playing too much,” Cthugha chided. Nyarlathotep clicked his tongue.
“Fine. Perish, ‘Cosmic Invasion’.”
On this day, one world perished.
