Vishnu

Chapter six: Axis Mundi.



The panel shows the Topkapì palace. Arinasa is shown entering her room with Claude. They are still kissing. She takes off his shirt, and he takes hers. He throws her on the bed.

The panel it's switched. It shows Robert with Suleyman, Henry and Darwin on a balcony.

Robert: Thank you for everything Suleyman.
Suleyman: Don't mention it, Robert. Now...let's talk bussines.*
Henry: I agree.*
Suleyman: I am concerned about the girl and about the boy. What are Vishnu's plans with them? How does he intend to use them in order to fulfill the prophecy made?
Henry: Max is the "shield" . Meaning that he is the one who will guard Arinasa during her task. His powers must develop to be able to whitstand everything. Right now, he is far from that. But he is growing quickly.
Darwin: And the girl is currently learning. Henry instructed her in dealing with weapons. Leonardo taught her the human anatomy. Vishnu taught her how to release her Azymus from the body. She is slowly growing.*
Suleyman: And how exactly she will be able to overthrow the god's reign?
Robert: Unfortunately, that information is known only by Vishnu. He kept it even from me.
Suleyman: One more question...about the Prophecy. Who heard the actual prophecy?
Robert: Vishnu. Michael. Lucifer. And Vishnu's brother.
Suleyman shocked: Vishnu's brother?!?
Robert: Exactly...the Bringer of Chaos...
Suleyman: Don't say his name. Please.*
Robert: You only heard legends...Suleyman. Even I heard the legends. I was just a little boy when Vishnu as the Dark General took me as his apprentice. I never saw his brother...
Suleyman: Robert...what do you think of Vishnu? Can he really oppose the Celest City and the Beyonders?
Robert: Suleyman...i only saw him once fighting with a Beyonder. It was during my childhood in the Ancient Egypt. He killed Osiris without sweating. If there is someone able to defeat the gods...it's him.
Suleyman: I understand.*
Darwin: Anyway...what's our next move, Robert?
Robert: Well...we shall spend a couple of days here in Istanbul. Then we will head somewhere in the States. Probably New York. Or Washington.*
Henry: Or we could go to England.*
Robert: We should avoid Europe for the time being...we don't want to have more fights...
Darwin: Shut up! I heard something!
Robert turns around and looks at the yard. He sees nothing.
Robert: There is nobody there, Charles.
Suddenly an eagle lands on Suleyman's shoulder.
Suleyman as he places his hands on the ground: Oh, but there is. Prepare yourselves...it seems that we are under siege.
Robert remains still, while Darwin takes out his pistol and Henry his sword.*
From the shadows five men appear. Zeus and his minions. The Greek gods.
Suleyman: Excuse me, gentlemen, but what are you doing on my property?*
Zeus: I do not know who you are but i am sorry for trespassing. You see, i have an urgent matter to attend here in your palace that cannot suffer any delays.
Suleyman: I understand that. But you also understand my position. I cannot leave you enter so easily.
Zeus: I agree. But first let me introduce myself: i am Zeus.
Suleyman: The Greek God? Interesting. My name is Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent.
Zeus: It's an honour to meet you, Sultan Suleyman.
Suleyman: Same here, Zeus.
Zeus looks at the others.
Zeus: Well, with you i am quite familiar. Robert, Charles Darwin and Henry Tudor.
Robert: Zeus...why are you here if you don't mind me asking?
Zeus: Come on, Robert. I think that we both know the answer to your question.
Darwin: He is here to lure Vishnu out of Istanbul. That's why he is here.
Henry: The only problem is that he will have to defeat us first.
Zeus smiles: I don't think that it will be much of a trouble, Henry Tudor.

The scene shows Arinasa's bedroom. She is resting at Claude's chest. Suddenly on the window, a large lightning strike is seen. Instantly Claude jumps from the bed and puts a shirt on.

Arinasa wakes up: What was that?!?
Claude: We are under siege! That was it! Stay here! Do not leave this room no matter what you hear or happens!
Claude quickly jumps from the window leaving her alone. But not for long, because Leonardo, Harry, Max, Isaac and Amadeus enter the room with their weapons ready.
Leonardo: Arinasa...we are here to protect you.

The scene shows Claude rushing towards the battlefield. And just when he arrived he witnessed Robert blocking with his tree branches, Zeus's lightnings. At the same time, Henry is clashing swords with Hephaistos and Artemis and Suleyman is sword fighting Ares. Hades is shown standing behind, prepare to launch himself towards the castle's chambers. Just as he was about to go for it, Claude lands in front of him wielding a reforged Sciffer.*

Hades shocked: Vishnu!
Claude: Hello Hades.
Hades creates out of nothing a purple energy spear and he throws at Claude. The latter cuts it in half and dashes towards Hades. The greek god barely has time to dodge Claude's slash. But it's already over...Claude grabs him by his hand, turns around, breaking it, en he pins Hades to the ground, all done with his left hand, while with his right hand he makes a large swing, decapitating Hades.
Claude then jumps and joins Henry in his clash.
Henry: Nice of you to show up!
Claude takes on Hephaistos. The Greek god attepms a slash, but Claude simply catches his blade with his bare hand and breaks it. The next panel shows Hephaistos lying on the ground surrounded by his own blood. At the same time, Henry manages to dodge one of Artemis's spear blows. He kicks her in the stomach, and as she crouches in pain, he simply decapitates her with the Iridium blade.
Suleyman is shown placing his hands on the ground as Ares is getting closer and closer.
Suleyman: *Centum Gladiis!!!
From the ground a hundred blades made of pure metal emerge. Suleyman uses his Azymus and pushes the blades towards Ares. But the Greek god is focused on them and manages to avoid all of the blades. But because of his focus, he forgot about Suleyman. The scene shows Suleyman behind Ares, impaling him in the heart with his own sword.
Suleyman: Die...
The only battle left is Robert against Zeus. Robert blocks every lightning sent by Zeus.*
Zeus shouts: Enough!!!!
He claps his hands together and manages to release a giant lightning. Just at that very moment, Claude lands in front of the lightning, catches it and throws it back at Zeus. The lightning strikes the god in the chest throwing him on his back. Claude approaches him.
Claude: Why are you here Zeus?!? You know that you cannot defeat me!
Zeus smiles as he looks at something behind Claude: It was never about defeating you...Vishnu. I was just the diversion. The true mission...lies behind you.
Claude turns around only to spot at the horizont something in flames, flying away from the city of Istanbul.
Claude: What the...?!?
Zeus laughs: That it's Apollo's chariot. And guess who is in it?
Claude looks at Zeus and simply takes his head off in one swing.

__________________
When other men blindly follow the truth remember:
Nothing is true!
When other men are limited by morality and law remember:
Everything is permitted!