The power of the evil god seemed to shake Ian's consciousness, trying to drag Ian into the endless abyss, making him a part of this evil god in the descent.
"No!" Ian roared and heavily tapped his forehead with his magic staff. Magic instantly made him awake, and he bit the tip of his tongue, using the blood to draw an ancient protective rune in the air.
The evil god who called himself Set-Apep tilted his head slightly, revealing a look of confusion. "Interesting, you are the only one able to resist the summoning. Why? Why reject eternal peace?"
"Because that's not peace, that's death!" Ian answered, panting, his magic robe soaked in sweat, "You devour their consciousness, absorb their talent, just to strengthen yourself. The 'equality' you speak of is nothing but a dictator's veil!"
For the first time, the evil god's expression changed. His perfect face twisted momentarily, revealing the terrifying collective of countless struggling souls beneath the beautiful surface.
"You understand nothing!" Set-Apep's voice suddenly became sharp, "Separation is the original sin, individuality is a curse! Only by becoming one can true perfection be achieved!"
With his roar, the city's worshippers simultaneously lifted their heads, repeating with one voice: "Become one... become one..." The voice crashed against Ian's eardrum like a tidal wave.
Ian looked around.
Realizing he might be the last one in this city still awake.
Wizards, ordinary people, even the vendors and children by the street, all their eyes reflected the same light, all their expressions were identical.
Set-Apep regained his calm, the mask of perfect divinity once again worn. "Last chance, Ian Prince. Kneel, join us. You will retain your consciousness, become my spokesperson. Refuse, and..." He elegantly spread his hands, "you will become a part of me, like everyone else."
Ian took a deep breath and suddenly laughed. That smile held no fear, only resolution.
"You know what?"
He whispered, his fingers quietly reaching towards a pocket at his waist, "I've been waiting for you to say those words."
The evil god frowned slightly, as if sensing something amiss. But it was too late—Ian pulled out what seemed to be an ordinary black stone from his pocket and crushed it forcefully.
The instant the stone shattered, the shadows of the entire city suddenly came alive. The crisp sound of the black stone breaking was astonishingly clear amidst the echoing sacred words of the evil god.
For the first time, Set-Apep's flawless face wavered. He looked down at his golden body—the living shadows, like viscous ink, climbed upwards along his ankles.
"Hmm? You can utilize shadow magic?" The evil god's voice lost its grandeur, carrying a genuine hint of surprise, "The dark priests of Ancient Egypt have long been extinct..."
Ian did not respond. He swiftly retreated, his magic staff tracing a series of complex paths in the air. These were not hieroglyphs of Ancient Egypt, but a three-dimensional magic matrix composed of glowing lines—something he tinkered with after spending considerable time in Hogwarts' Forbidden Book Area, a "Counter Curse Base Configuration."
The wonderful fusion of alchemy and magic potion.
"All Curses End! Ultimate Form!"
Ian shouted the clear spell. An ethereal blue light burst out from the shattered stone, resonating with the dark shadows entangling the evil god. In a flash, all shadows within the city began to wriggle, peeling away from the bases of buildings and worshippers' feet, transforming into countless black spikes attacking Set-Apep.
The evil god let out a screech, his wings of light suddenly spreading. The blazing white light pierced in all directions like swords, evaporating dozens of approaching shadow spikes first.
But more shadows pressed forward, seeking gaps between the light wings as if they had a life of their own.
"You think such tricks can trap the sun?" Set-Apep roared, his whole being erupting with dazzling flames. The light was like tangible lava; wherever it reached, stone bricks became liquid, and bronze vaporized instantly.
Ian was long prepared, his magic staff swiftly drawing complex zigzags: "Ultimate Armor Protection!"
His naming ability was always lacking; behold a silver shield composed of hexagonal magic units spread before him, but it already showed web-like cracks the moment it contacted the flames. Ian's pupils contracted—this was his improved version of the Ultimate Protection Spell, ten times the strength of ordinary Protego.
At the critical moment, he pulled out a silver powder from another pocket at his waist and swiftly scattered it into the air: "Apparition! Ultimate Bloom!"
This was an alchemy prop he tinkered with after researching Fantastic Beasts, a huge Thunderbird composed of silver-blue light flew out from the tip of the wand, its expanding wings temporarily blocking the lethal flames. The Patronus's clear cry brought temporary awakening to nearby worshippers, some wizards even painfully held their heads.
Set-Apep's wings of light suddenly vibrated, twelve light blades intersecting and slashing, instantly cutting the silver-blue Thunderbird into points of light. But these few moments were enough for Ian to react.
Ian's figure disappeared, leaving only a few falling magical feathers.
"Space teleportation?"
The evil god sneered.
"Where can you escape to in this realm?" He raised his right hand, palm upwards. The city's temperature rose sharply, countless golden points of light appeared in the air. These light points quickly condensed into hundreds of miniature suns, illuminating every street and building in detail.