"I am the light, I am the truth itself." The Evil God took a step forward, stepping down from the peak of the Pyramid, hovering in mid-air.
"Look around you, Mage. People have recognized the truth."
He slowly raised his hand, pointing to the city below. The civilians who were previously trembling in fear, upon touching this "warm" light, first appeared dazed, then showed an almost blissful, hollow smile, and then fell to their knees, holding their heads with both hands, letting out heart-wrenching wails.
Their consciousness seemed to be torn and twisted by an invisible force, with the most precious memories and emotions from the depths of their souls being forcibly stripped away, transforming into nutrients for the Evil God's nourishment. Even those Wizards in various Magic Robes attempting to cast Protective Magic were not spared. Their proud Mental Barriers crumbled like thin paper under the dual erosion of the Evil God's will and radiant power.
Everyone broke down, faces pale, tears of blood flowing from their eyes, repeating unconsciously, "The sun... the new day... equality... assimilation..."
This was clearly a case of mind control.
And the Evil God reveled in pain as pleasure.
Ian quickly scanned around, his heart tightening. On the streets, thousands of citizens had already fallen to their knees, their eyes reflecting the light of the Evil God, with a dazed happy expression on their faces. Even some Wizard companions put down their Magic Staffs, hands clasped together, muttering words of praise.
"What have you done to them?" Ian sternly questioned, the tip of his Magic Wand gathering blue electric arcs.
"I just showed them the truth." The Evil God waved elegantly, "Under my light, all souls will be purified, all consciousnesses will become one. This is true equality—no poverty, no pain, no loneliness... this is the new era of equality below one man."
The influence of this Evil God continued affecting many people.
Only Ian stood unyielding, like a pillar against the tide. His Mental Barrier was as Solid as a rock, untouched by the invisible corrosive force and "holy" light assaulting it. His eyes penetrated the Apollo-like handsome face, golden-proportioned body, seven rotating Golden Wheels, self-stirring pure white Robe, and the "warm" glowing Eye of the Ra, seeing the core of indescribable, cold and greedy darkness.
In the depths of the light from the Eye of the Ra, countless tortured, distorted soul shadows hid, they were the true source of this "warmth."
"Your 'equality'?" Ian's voice was clear amid the wailing, with a metallic hardness, "Is to devour and assimilate all life into a piece of flesh on your perfect shell? Let billions lose themselves, become your nourishment and extension? Is this what you call 'equality below one man?' "
"Using the light of the Eye of the Ra to cover your gluttonous nature?"
"There is no freedom at all." Ian coldly interrupted, "Your 'equality' is making everyone part of you, losing themselves, losing the right to choose!"
Ian grasped the essence of this matter well.
The Evil God's smile remained unchanged, but the light in his eyes grew more blinding.
He floated within the intertwining eerie blood sunlight and the "holy" light he exuded, slightly tilting his head, seeming a little puzzled by Ian's rebuke.
"What's wrong with that?" His voice carried a childlike cruelty, with the light on the chest's Eye of Ra flickering softly, "Individual pain, desire, conflict, they are the root of chaos. When all consciousness merges into me, becomes part of my mind, pain will no longer exist, conflict will end forever."
"You will attain eternal 'stillness,' sharing my 'perfection.' Is this not ultimate equality and harmony? I am redemption."
"As for freedom." He softly repeated the word, as if savoring an unfamiliar concept, "What has freedom brought? War, disease, betrayal... how much suffering has humanity created with freedom? In my realm, all souls will dwell harmoniously because they are me, and I am them."
Hearing this.
"Redemption?"
Ian shouted fiercely, raising his Magic Wand again, with Magic Power gathering around him like a storm, forming runes of deep blue resisting the "holy" light.
"Your so-called 'redemption' is a false death before total soul annihilation! Your so-called 'stillness' is a graveyard of the billions' consciousness extinction! True equality is respecting the uniqueness and choices of every life, not crushing them into dust beneath your feet! You, the thief, are inferior even to the Olympic gods!"
It was a common insult to Olympus, but indeed so.
"Choice? Hmm?" The Evil God chuckled, his laughter sending tremors through the entire space, the seven Golden Wheels emitting a piercing hum, "Choice only brings errors and suffering. And I will end it all. Mage, give up. No matter how strong your will, it cannot resist this destined torrent!"
"Join me, feel the supreme 'stillness.' This light will ultimately embrace you." His voice carried a bewitching tone, as if seeping into Ian's soul.
Ian spoke no more, knowing debate was meaningless. He abruptly pointed forward, a blinding blue lightning piercing through the air striking directly at the Evil God's chest.
This was the "Thunderous Fury" that only Legendary Mages could learn.
Enough to pierce the most Solid walls.