Chapter 71: The Kiss of Death
The goddess Athena is the deity of wisdom, war, and weaving in Ancient Greek mythology. Because she has always been accompanied by these three attributes, she became a Trinity Goddess.
Her characteristics as a war god were merely added as eras changed; as a chthonic deity governing death and the greatest disasters, she became a goddess of struggle once she was linked to war.
Although the "cow," "sheep," and "pig" were used to symbolize the bountiful earth, in reality, Athena was also an Earth Mother Goddess who manifested as a heifer.
However, Athena's true essence is the "Serpent"—this is the most ancient key. Thus, she is the "Snake." The snake, which cycles through hibernation and awakening after several molts, is the creature that symbolizes the cycle of death and rebirth and the migration of seasons.
Compared to the "Heifer" which symbolizes harvest and mercy, the snake, which possesses both the blessings of life and the calamity of death, is the god worthy of the name.
The Gorgon sisters, including Medusa, did not merely possess snake-hair; they also had golden wings on their backs.
The name of the second sister, Euryale, means "she who flies far," and the youngest sister, Medusa, was the mother of the winged horse Pegasus. What connects Athena to birds is the Earth and the Underworld. Athena is a deity who rules both worlds; birds possess the magic to fly back and forth between the otherworld and the present world.
The souls of the dead take the form of birds to fly toward the heavens or are guided into the Underworld by birds.
Thus, to traverse between the earth and the underworld, Athena and the bird were merged into one.
Therefore, Athena's essence is the "Serpent"—specifically, the "Winged Serpent." The primordial Athena was a serpent with wings; before she was crowned with the titles of the Olympian gods, she was the Goddess of Life and Death worshipped by ancient peoples. After the baptism of time, the Winged Serpent evolved into the "Heretic God" Athena.
As both a battle god and a goddess of wisdom, she can see through an opponent's character and divine power.
As a Goddess of Darkness, she possesses the highest level of power. Beyond controlling snakes and summoning owls, she possesses the power of the Evil Eye, capable of petrifying anything within her sight.
As the Master of the Underworld, she can use the curse of the god of death or expand the domain of darkness to obscure vision or create shields.
Of course, on the surface, her main weapon is the Scythe of Death, in addition to bows, arrows, and greatswords. She can use owl wings to fly. Due to her immortal divinity, she can be resurrected even if defeated.
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Behind Shirou stood only the two Knight-Princesses and Mariya Yuri. The two maids and Alice were waiting at the spot where the cars were parked not far away. The maids had no combat capability, so participating would not help and would instead make them liabilities; keeping them in the car was the best option.
"So, your fate shall be decided by the answer to the following question. This queen is Athena, the goddess of battle and wisdom. Whether you submit or resist—so, 'Campione,' what is your answer?"
Athena's abyss-like black eyes narrowed slightly with interest as she continued. "I already know of the powers you usurped from other 'Heretic Gods.' You, who have defeated seven deities—do you truly believe that merely acquiring their Authorities will allow you to battle me?"
"Since you know I've defeated seven 'Heretic Gods,' then you, whose current power is a mere one-third of your prime—do you truly think you have a chance of winning?" Shirou smiled and countered.
"..." Athena fell into a slight contemplation.
She knew Shirou was right; her current power was only a third. Before reclaiming her full strength, the chances of winning against Shirou were very low. If she knew the fact that Shirou currently remained unperturbed even when facing a pantheon of gods, even this goddess would likely gape in shock.
"What you want is this, right?"
Speaking casually, Shirou flipped his right wrist, and an obsidian-colored circular stone suddenly appeared in his hand. The moment she saw the stone, Athena's gaze was completely captured.
"Quickly... give that to me...!" Seeing the stone, Athena's cold expression broke instantly, replaced by a trace of urgency. "Return that to me! You shameless thief!"
Shirou raised the "Gorgoneion" slightly in front of his face. "You want it?"
Shirou dangled the "Gorgoneion"—the very thing that could restore Athena's power—waving it slightly before her eyes. Following his movements, Athena's gaze could only track it, like a child longing for candy.
But immediately after, Shirou flipped his wrist again, making the "Gorgoneion" vanish as if by a magic trick.
"...Are you mocking me? You scoundrel!" Anger surged in her heart. Athena's cold cheeks flushed slightly under the sunlight; she was truly red-faced with rage.
"That's right, I am mocking you." A smile that made the goddess grit her teeth curled on Shirou's lips. "I've long wanted to see it—this cute, helpless expression of anger on your face as a 'Heretic Goddess.'"
"You bastard...!!" Athena spat out the curse through gritted teeth.
Hearing her curse, Shirou didn't feel angry; he actually felt a bit amused.
"Even if you are a goddess, it doesn't mean you can take something from my hand without offering anything in return. Furthermore, this is a divine tool that could cost you quite a lot."
Shirou's words made Athena sneer. "Are you joking? A mere 'Campione' dares to make demands of this goddess?"
The "Heretic Goddess" pursed her lips and fixed her gaze intensely on Shirou. "While the endless struggle between gods and 'Campiones' only results in mutual harm and yields no result, there is another way to settle this."
Athena's figure moved instantly. Before Erica or Liliana could even react, she arrived in front of Shirou, the distance between them now inches apart.
"Hmph, what an arrogant 'Campione.' You clearly perceived my movement, yet you refuse to take even a single step back?"
Athena felt a surge of rage at being slighted, as the red-haired youth before her showed not even a hint of caution toward her sudden approach. Then, she reached out both arms to encircle Shirou's neck.
"Hey, King!" Erica and Liliana both cried out in alarm.
But Shirou had no intention of resisting, because he already knew exactly what kind of power this goddess intended to use to "battle" him.
When those cherry-colored thin lips pressed against his, Shirou could hear her voice even though she did not speak. It was a voice that seemed to enter his mind directly.
"I wish to obtain the 'Gorgoneion.' Give up your struggle against me, Orihara Shirou. This queen is the summoner of winter, the one who governs life and death, the cold ruler of the underworld, the queen of plunder... This queen commands: Orihara Shirou, become a fallen king, turn into a corpse!"
Along with a moist sensation, Athena poured her "Words of Power of Death" into Shirou's body. This was Athena's [Words of Death]. Shirou could feel his body turning cold rapidly as the power of the words began to burn away his life.
"Heh, accept this queen's death and close your eyes pleasantly," Athena's voice seemed to echo in Shirou's mind.
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