The battle between Podbe and Zeus reignited after Zeus declared he would use 25 percent of his power, just as Melisa managed to start filming, broadcasting the fight live for the world to see. The transmission was projected globally through the remains of destroyed robots and some deactivated ones from Maos—it seemed these machines had functions beyond mere combat and destruction.
Thousands of survivors who had endured both the initial attack by the controlled entities and later the rampaging robots began emerging from their hiding places. They peered through the rubble as holographic screens appeared in place of the robot debris. But they weren't the only ones watching; agents who had been aiding the resistance could also observe the ongoing battle. Some recognized familiar faces—Drake, Azulema, and others.
"It's Mrs. Azulema!" Margaret exclaimed. "And there's your boss, Ezequiel," someone said to Ray.
"I should be there with Mrs. Adia," Ramona murmured softly.
"Who is that guy?" Abel wondered aloud, his attention drawn to Podbe. "That little dog looks cute."
"Oh, sister, always with your quirks," Cain teased Abel.
"He looks powerful," remarked the Rightyard brothers, who also spotted Adrian and Rafael among the crowd.
Podbe removed his hand from his head and stood up as if nothing had happened, then delivered a swift headbutt to Zeus, causing blood to trickle from the god's nose. The so-called god of thunder and the skies grew furious at such audacity. His hands began to glow with the electric-blue hue of lightning, and he struck at Podbe. But Podbe blocked the attack with his dog-paw-shaped gloves—not only that, but he extended the claws embedded in them, driving them into Zeus's knuckles, making him writhe in pain.
With an electrified headbutt carrying a thousand volts, Zeus retaliated, forcing Podbe back several meters.
"Tempest Fury Kick!" Zeus announced, charging his leg like a bolt of lightning and attempting to strike Podbe again. However, Podbe dodged effortlessly. He moved with precision, evading every blow Zeus threw with either fists or feet.
Podbe yawned and said mockingly, "You bore me. Your attacks are too easy to avoid."
Zeus seethed with rage. "You dare mock me, you wretched beast? You look like some grotesque chimera—a human-animal hybrid. You disgust me. You must die, abomination, darkening my kingdom!" With fury blazing in his eyes, Zeus tried landing another punch on Podbe.
Podbe matched Zeus's speed, their movements becoming nearly imperceptible to the naked eye. Even at 25 percent of his power, Zeus thought irritably, I can't even scratch this creature.
Taking advantage of Zeus's momentary lapse, Podbe drove a knee into his stomach, sending him flying through the air to crash violently against a metal wall.
The spectators watching the battle from their respective corners of the world gave thanks to the warrior who was pummeling the one they had believed to be a god. Other agents also watched with excitement—like Josh, who felt an eagerness to meet the wolf-like figure he saw on the screen, while Diego remarked, "That guy in the robe pretending to be Zeus is pathetic. It looks like the man with wolf-like adornments is wiping the floor with him."
"That damn beast can't defeat me! I am the most powerful being in this world!" Zeus wiped the blood from his face, healing himself with his regenerative factor as he rose once more. "He won't humiliate me—I'd already destroyed that dog before; he couldn't have gained power out of nowhere." Immersed in desperation and frustration at his inability to land a single blow against the canine, Zeus suddenly heard the voices of Gol and Eros.
"What a pathetic excuse for a god," both mocked him. "Perhaps your father would have made better use of the power you stole from us. You're useless—you can't even defeat an ordinary form like a dog or wolf, whatever that creature is in front of you. If you wanted so badly to become the king of the heavens and create your new world to rule, why don't you do it? Fool, you make me pity you. As a scientist, I'd do a far better job if I took control of your body," Eros taunted, ridiculing how incompetent Zeus appeared.
In Zeus's mind, Gol and Eros materialized in their former forms before they had merged, continuing to mock him within a space filled with darkness—unlike Podbe's mental realm. Zeus himself materialized there, glaring at them with fury blazing in his eyes. He approached Eros, grabbed him by the throat, and snarled, "You worthless scientist—you are nothing! The two of you are nothing! I defeated both of you, even when you combined into that thing called Geros."
Eros's face contorted in genuine terror as he gasped, "You don't control me—I controlled both of you! But you were never necessary. I've listened to your nonsense for years, and now, here in my mind…" Zeus tightened his grip, choking Eros as though draining his life force, absorbing his essence entirely.
Gol stood frozen, silent for a moment, then lowered his head and knelt before Zeus. "For now, dealing with this fool is enough. I think he was blocking my power and confusing me—his voice was unbearable, whiny, and insufferable," Zeus said, beginning to emanate energy from his being after absorbing everything from Eros.
"My power has increased. I don't think I'll need to come after you, Gol," Zeus added, casting a serious and threatening glance at him as the newfound energy coursed through him. "It's best you don't provoke me and keep your mouth shut," he warned, leaning back with an air of dominance.
Outside, Podbe stood in place, waiting to see if Zeus would return. The spectators exclaimed, "Wow! That guy is incredible—he's beating the living daylights out of Zeus!" Of course, Podbe couldn't hear them.
At that moment, Aiden and Reia began to approach Podbe, but he waved them off with a gesture. "That guy is coming back," he seemed to signal, "and he looks angrier than before."
Suddenly, Zeus came charging in at full speed, stopping right in front of Podbe. "Damn beast, you've mocked me for the last time! I have no choice but to use 50 percent of my power!" Zeus began striking with ferocity, his attacks this time faster and more precise, forcing Podbe to retreat step by step. Zeus pushed him far enough away, then quickly unleashed a rain of thunderbolts toward Podbe.
"Everyone, fall back and take cover!" Podbe shouted to the others. The thunderbolts didn't strike Podbe directly but fell around him, forming a spiraling cage of lightning. "Take this, wretched animal! Lightning Prison !" Zeus roared. The bolts began to connect with one another as if an invisible chain linked them, emanating a blinding glow that culminated in a massive explosion.
"Quickly, get behind me!" Adia instructed, creating a protective barrier. The entire area trembled as the explosions carved out a massive crater where Podbe had been standing. Melisa and her team felt the shockwave too, but luckily, they managed to hold on to something—Greg, still gripping a metal bar, continued filming despite the chaos.
"Oh no, Podbe!" Everyone cried as the smoke cleared, revealing that Podbe was no longer there.
"I told you, foolish beast! You couldn't defeat me. Pushing me to use 50 percent of my power was all it took to finish you. And now, who's laughing? Eh?" Zeus taunted, smirking as he scanned the area, unable to see the canine anywhere.
"No!" Aiden shouted, slamming his fist into the ground in despair.
"And now it's your turn," Zeus sneered, casting a sinister glare at everyone present.
"This monster can't be stopped!" Melisa muttered under her breath as she broadcast the unfolding events to the world.