Chapter 63: The Prelude to the Holy War—A Roaring Start, a Weak Finish

Sacrifice!!
Ghostly Azure Flames!!

With Feng Zhe’s thunderous shout, the altar constellation behind him blazed to life, unleashing a dazzling brilliance of sacred fire. The flames surged around the Gemini Palace, and, empowered by Feng Zhe’s Seventh Sense, erupted in a series of explosions.

The black-clad youth, Hades, made no move to halt this world-shattering Ghostly Azure Flames, as if he were savoring the sights of the apocalypse, his lips curled in a faint, gratified smile.

At the same time, swathes of Underworld warriors were caught in the explosion, sent back to the realm of the dead. Yet the two giants of the Underworld emerged from the blast unscathed, their faces twisted in disdain for this attack.

Hades, the black-clad youth, laughed softly, then suddenly teleported before Feng Zhe, touching his forehead with a fingertip. Feng Zhe, caught off guard by the sudden strike, was sent flying.

“Your Holiness!”

Avenir of Aries instantly moved to catch Feng Zhe, hastily checking his injuries. Finding him unharmed, he relaxed, remaining wary of the black-clad Hades standing before them.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar stream of memories surged into Feng Zhe’s mind.

Thirteen years ago, when the Pope Shion died and turmoil gripped the Sanctuary, Dohko broke the art of feigned death and secretly infiltrated Pandora’s castle, aiming to assassinate Hades’ reincarnation.

Yet, inside Pandora’s castle, a pair of twins had been chosen. In a fierce battle, Dohko managed to seize one infant. He intended to kill the child, but the baby's laughter melted his resolve. In the end, Dohko spared the infant and, before dying, entrusted him to Pope Aiolos of the Sanctuary.

That infant grew to become the current Pope, Alex, who had lived with Saori since childhood.

For thirteen years, the Underworld army had relentlessly attacked the Sanctuary, driven by the desire to reclaim this child.

Stunned, Feng Zhe suddenly smiled, gazing at the black-clad youth as though seeing another version of himself.

“So, you have awakened only half of Hades’ power—the other half resides within me!”

All the Saints stared in amazement at Pope Alex, baffled by his words.

Only the black-clad youth smiled, saying, “Yes, my brother. Only when we unite can Hades rule the world and descend once more upon the realm of mortals!”

With Hades’ admission, nearly all the Saints looked at Feng Zhe with strange eyes, even Avenir watched in terror.

“So, Pope Alex is actually another reincarnation of Hades!”

Avenir of Aries struggled to accept this truth, yet facts compelled him to explain.

“No! My brother is not Hades. He is the Altar Saint, a warrior of the goddess Athena!”
Lady Saori, holding the Staff of Victory, appeared amidst the ruins of the Gemini Palace, resolutely standing before Feng Zhe.

“Saori...”
The gentlest part of Feng Zhe's heart seemed to be struck by her.

Avenir of Aries suddenly cried out, “He is our Pope Alex, not Hades!”

All the Saints shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the Sanctuary.

Feng Zhe’s vision blurred as he saw this, then his gaze sharpened with resolve. He looked at the black-clad Hades and shouted, “I am the Altar Saint. Hades’ schemes are destined to fail!”

Another wave of powerful cheers erupted throughout the Sanctuary...

Yet within Avenir’s heart, a cry echoed. He remembered how Dohko had once said this child would determine the outcome of the holy war. Never did he expect such circumstances; everything Dohko had foretold was true.

Annoyed by the uproar, the black-clad youth’s eyes sparked with ferocity.

“If you refuse, then die!”

He teleported before Feng Zhe in a flash, his hand shaped like a blade, slicing through the air with a force that seemed to shake the very space.

But this ambush was thwarted; a shield intercepted the deadly blow.

That shield was none other than the divine Athena’s Shield!

Two opposing powers erupted in brilliant light—the blackness of the hand blade and the whiteness of Athena’s Shield tangled with unimaginable force.

“Brother!”
Saori wielded the Staff of Victory, instantly strengthening the Sanctuary’s barrier.

With Athena’s power behind him, Feng Zhe unleashed an incredible force.

After an explosive clash, the black-clad youth retreated, as Underworld warriors surged toward the fray.

Leo Aiolia and Scorpio Milo, the two Gold Saints, engaged the giants of the Underworld.

Avenir of Aries stood firmly before Feng Zhe, guarding his Pope like a steadfast warrior.

“Still only half of Hades...”

“We brothers must come in person...”

Two unfamiliar voices resounded outside the Sanctuary’s barrier. Saori’s eyes filled with terror, sensing a divine aura beyond.

“Thanatos! Hypnos!”

Indeed, outside the barrier the two overwhelming presences belonged to Hades’ direct subordinates, Thanatos the God of Death and Hypnos the God of Sleep.

If dealing with Hades alone was this difficult, the addition of Death and Sleep would surely doom this holy war.

Now, the Sanctuary’s barrier felt immense pressure, as if it might break at any moment.

No! Saori must be given time!

Feng Zhe suddenly drew forth a mass of blood talismans inscribed with writing.

His Cosmo erupted behind him, unleashing incomparable power.

The altar constellation appeared once more.

Sacrifice!!

Divine Blood Talismans!!

Countless talismans written in Athena’s blood flared, imbued with her will, flying toward the gap in the Gemini Palace’s barrier.

“That is... not good!”

The black-clad youth recognized Athena’s will above, waving his hands to block the talismans from reaching the gap.

“Impossible!”

Saori’s Staff of Victory shot upward, empowered by Athena’s will. Were it to strike, even Hades would be wounded.

Forced to defend, the black-clad youth clashed his will with hers.

By now, countless talismans had reached the gap, Athena’s mighty will colliding with those of Death and Sleep outside.

The gap was about to close; any further delay would mean escape was impossible.

Helpless, the black-clad youth spat a cold threat, “Alex, we’ll see about this!”

He turned and left, Underworld warriors fleeing through the gap after him.

The two giants glanced coldly at the wounded Gold Saints, then followed, departing the Sanctuary.

A tidal wave of cheers swept through, rare victory filling the Sanctuary.