The sky over Hanoi was still ablaze, charred fragments of warships falling like a relentless meteor shower.
In the heart of the Co Loa Citadel, Van Thien lay motionless beside the Magic Crossbow. His breathing was shallow, his frame pushed far beyond its breaking point. Activating the divine weapon twice had drained nearly all of his life force, leaving him a hollow shell.
High above, Duan Thiet surveyed his fleet. Tens of thousands of his vessels had been reduced to scrap metal and fire. His gaze was terrifyingly cold.
"…A mere human."
"…Dared to ruin my designs."
Crimson energy erupted around him, the sheer pressure cracking the very fabric of space. "I will tear you apart."
But before he could descend—a titanic figure stepped forward. The Golden Turtle God stood as a bulwark between the conqueror and the fallen hero. The waters of the Vong Swamp rose in a majestic swirl around its body as its ancient eyes locked onto Duan Thiet.
"You… are not permitted to touch this child."
Duan Thiet let out a contemptuous laugh. "You think a relic of the past can stop me?" He dived, his war hammer glowing a lethal red.
"Iron Dominion!"
THE HAMMER DESCENDED!
BOOOOOOOMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The strike smashed against the Golden Turtle's shell. A shockwave ripped through the citadel, shaking the earth to its core, yet the shell remained unmarred. Duan Thiet recoiled several meters, his eyes narrowing into slits.
"…An Ancient Divine Beast."
The Golden Turtle roared.
ROOOAAARRR!!!
A burst of cyan energy surged outward. The Beast opened its maw, firing a pillar of pure light into the sky. BOOM! A warship positioned behind Duan Thiet was impaled and vaporized instantly. Duan Thiet flicked his body to the side, narrowly avoiding the beam.
He smirked. "Fascinating." He swung his hammer, sending a crescent wave of red energy crashing down.
EXPLOSION!!!
The lake surface erupted in a fountain of water and fire, but the Golden Turtle stood its ground, unshakable.
Outside the citadel, the citizens looked up in awe. None understood the true nature of the cosmic battle, but all could see it—a creature of legend was fighting to shield them.
Minh clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. "Brother Thien…"
In the midst of the rubble, Van Thien's fingers twitched.
He opened his eyes. Before him was a sky of fire and the colossal silhouette of the Golden Turtle God, standing as a shield for his life. A feeling welled up within his chest—not fear, but… Will.
The voice of the Golden Turtle resonated in his mind. "Child… I can stall him."
"But I cannot end this war."
Thien asked hoarsely, "…Why?"
The God replied, "Because this is a battle for humanity to win."
Thien's gaze drifted toward the Magic Crossbow. But his body was empty; he had no essence left to give. He gripped the dirt, frustrated. "…Is it… is it over?"
Just then, a faint, shimmering light began to manifest around him. It wasn't raw energy, but… Emotion. Small motes of light rose from across the citadel, from the hiding citizens, from Minh, and from the millions praying in the city. They gathered like a swarm of fallen stars.
The Golden Turtle turned its head, its gaze softening. "…The Will of Mankind."
The motes of light began to converge upon the Lien Chau Magic Crossbow. The Divine Bolt on the tray began to pulse with a new radiance—but this time, it didn't drain Thien's life. It drew from their Will.
In the sky, Duan Thiet froze, looking down in confusion. "…What is this?"
Cyan light ascended from the citadel, a new power taking shape.
The Golden Turtle spoke softly. "Rise."
"Bearer of the Essence."
"The next shot… will be the final one."
Thien looked at the crossbow, the combined light of the city flowing into the weapon. He forced himself up, despite his blood-soaked clothes and broken bones. He stepped forward and placed his hand upon the ancient stock.
His eyes ignited with a divine fire.
"…Then let us end this war."