Cronus' system: Against the gods

******* 30 Minutes ago*******

He could see it all. They came in glimpses and messages, each revealing what had previously happened after the general's death. His eyes glowed a silver color as system-like messages and visions filled his view. Although they came in flashes, he could still deduce something.

After investigating the Headquarters, Jefferson was able to conclude. Someone was manipulating Lucius Noctis behind the scenes and it seems that person was a divine being-a god.

"If it's the gods then just what would they need a crystal that won't even benefit them in the slightest? What's their goal?" He mused.

After pondering for a while, he couldn't still arrive at an answer but then... he suddenly remembered Lucius mentioning that with the crystal, he could achieve god-hood and from the speculations of his omni-eyes, Lucius didn't absorb the Crystal.

"This means the divine being manipulating Lucius is someone with the ability to grant god powers to someone," Jefferson thought, pondering real hard. "Think! Think!! First, a Hydra attack, next was the missing crystal from the Hydra and HQ, next was Lucius' escape with the crystal which he doesn't absorb...

"Could it be he's trying to awaken the Hydra with the crystal? If so.....then this could be bad!"

Suddenly, a soldier rushed in to report "The academy is under attack again! Captain Arris and his crew are currently fending off Lucius Noctis!"

"The Academy?" Jefferson slammed his fist against the palm. Now he's after the two Academy again? Just for what reason? No..... this could be something else...a distraction maybe, just like the last time

"Want me to handle the situation Jeff" Hercules swung his club up and caught it again, his muscles bulging as he did.

"Master, you sure you can handle it?" Lucius asked in a concerned tone.

"Ha! They don't call me the demi-god of strength for nothing!" Hercules roared, throwing his club over his shoulder dramatically, flexing his muscles in the process. "You're lucky I'm here, Jefferson. Who else would stand a chance against Lucius and his band of merry men?"

"Well, I...." Jefferson began, but was interrupted by Hercules' enthusiastic pose.

With a sigh, Jefferson reached into a drawer and pulled out a small device. He held it up like it was a piece of advanced technology from another world.

"What is this?" Hercules raised an eyebrow, squinting at the small rectangular object. "It looks... breakable."

"It's a communicator," Jefferson said, trying to keep the situation professional. "You'll need this to stay in contact with us while you're on the field. It'll send and receive messages instantly."

"Ah, I see! A magical stone!" Hercules said, grabbing it and holding it to his ear. He waited a few seconds. "Why isn't it talking back? Is there a spirit inside?" He shook the device like a bottle of wine, listening closely.

Jefferson stared, blinking. "No, Master. It's not a spirit. You just speak into it—like this." He held the device up to his own mouth and pressed a button. "Hello, can you hear me?"

Hercules nodded seriously. "Got it!" He then shoved the device into his mouth, attempting to chew it. "Hmm... doesn't taste like magic. Maybe it needs some seasoning..."

Jefferson facepalmed. "No! You speak into it, not eat it. Just press the button here..." He demonstrated by pressing a small button on the side of the device.

"Press it?" Hercules raised an eyebrow. "What happens if I smash it instead? Will it give me a secret power?"

"Master... please don't smash the communicator. Just press the button." Jefferson's voice was strained, his patience wearing thin.

Hercules, grinning, finally pressed the button, but nothing happened. "See, nothing! This thing's broken, Jeff. I knew it!"

Jefferson pinched the bridge of his nose. "No, you need to speak into it after you press the button."

"Ah, I see now!" Hercules said, holding the device up like it was a mighty sword. He pressed the button and spoke, "Hear me, mortals! I, Hercules, shall defeat all who oppose me! No one can stand against my power!"

The device made a static noise before sputtering to life. A voice crackled through. "Uh... Master Hercules? This is Jefferson. You don't need to shout into the communicator... it's not a magic horn."

Hercules looked at the device, impressed. "Wait, it's talking back?! That's... that's so cool! Can it do tricks? Like, can it throw fireballs or summon lightning?"

Jefferson, barely holding onto his sanity, replied through gritted teeth, "No, Master. It's not a magical item. It's... technology."

Hercules stared at the device in confusion. "Technology? So... not magic? But how does it work, then?"

"It's... complicated," Jefferson said, trying not to laugh. "Just don't break it, alright?"

"Don't worry, Jeff! This thing's practically indestructible!" Hercules said, tossing the communicator up and catching it like a baseball.

Jefferson's eyes widened. "NO! Don't throw it!"

"Relax, Jeff! You worry too much!" Hercules said, grinning. "I got this."

After another minute of fiddling with the device, Hercules finally nodded to himself in satisfaction. "Alright, Jeff. I'll take this magic thingamajig and show those guys how a demi-god handles business. If they break it, I'll just smash them with my club!"

Jefferson, already regretting the decision to send Hercules on this mission, gave a long, exasperated sigh. "Just... be careful, Master. And for the love of the gods, don't eat the communicator."

Hercules gave a thumbs-up. "You got it, Jeff! I'll be back before lunch... or, you know, when I'm done conquering this crystal-thief business. Later!"

Jefferson activated a teleportation device which sent Hercules to the academy.

As the sudden teleportation light faded, Jefferson turned to his remaining soldiers, who had been watching the exchange with mild confusion.

"Alright," Jefferson began, his voice stern but with a hint of exasperation. "You all are to keep watch over the headquarters. We can't afford to lose any more ground while we're dealing with Lucius and the others." He motioned for them to gather around. "Stay sharp, and don't let anyone suspicious approach. This place is more important than ever."

One of the soldiers, still eyeing the now empty spot where Hercules had been standing, asked, "What about you, Captain?"

"I've got something else to do," Jefferson said with a serious tone, though his expression was a mix of exhaustion and frustration. "The situation at the academy needs me, too. I need to confirm a few things, and the last thing we need right now is Hercules accidentally destroying something important... or someone." He paused, rubbing his temple. "Especially that communicator."

The soldier nodded, understanding the urgency. "Understood, sir. We'll hold the fort here."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

With a swift wave of his hand, Jefferson activated his own teleportation device. "I'll be back soon. Stay alert."

The light around him shimmered for a moment, and then, just like that, he was gone, leaving the soldiers to resume their watch over the HQ.

The soldier who had asked the question turned to his comrades, shaking his head. "Do you think Hercules will ever figure out how to use that communicator properly?"

********* Current Time*******

Meanwhile, Rex was still wondering what he could do to Austine's body. He stood there for a moment, staring at the lifeless form, hands on his hips, contemplating his options.

"Well... this is awkward," Rex muttered, scratching the back of his head. "What do you even do with a guy you just knocked out... for good?"

He poked Austine's body with the toe of his boot, like it might suddenly get up and start talking back. When it didn't, Rex sighed.

Before Rex could contemplate further, Jefferson materialized in front of him, catching him off-guard as he thought that was Austine....perhaps his ghost still wanted to kill me nonetheless.

"Oh...Jeff, it's you! Glad you're here!" Rex exclaimed as he saw Jefferson.

Jefferson nodded but his gaze wasn't on Rex. He was examining the surroundings.

"Jeff! I think the academy is under attack! Since you're here, we need to.......

"That's already taken care of" Jefferson interrupted "It's Lucius Noctis! He's back and this time, even more powerful than before.

Truth be told, Rex hadn't even witnessed the power of this Lucius Noctis guy

Jefferson walked past Rex, his eyes fixed on Austine's dead body on the floor. "He attacked you, didn't he?"

Rex was startled. He didn't think Jefferson would easily know what had happened but well...this dude is a demi-god so what could he expect "Yeah, he did" Rex replied.

Jefferson sighed and then turned to Rex, his expression unreadable "Has there been any disturbance with the Hydra's body?"

Now the topic's been changed!

"No problem with the Hydra.....except I've been fiddling with one of the heads" Rex replied, giving the Hydra's body one last look.

Jefferson walked toward the Hydra and knelt beside it, studying it closely "He talked about the law of shadows right? And how you're an anomaly that needs to be taken care of"

Another change of topic?!

"Yes, I was really confused, how.....do you know about it by the way?" Rex asked

Suddenly, Jefferson turned to Rex, his eyes glowing silver which sent a shiver down Rex's spine. Rex felt that his whole soul was bare before Jefferson's eyes.

"Get ready Rex! This place is about to get chaotic!"

***************** The Academy**********

Lucius's shadows surged again, swirling violently like a storm. His aura darkened, the temperature around him dropping sharply. He thrust his hand forward, unleashing a massive wave of shadow spikes laced with frost. They carved through the air, each one aimed to impale Hercules.

Hercules, glowing faintly with divine energy, roared and charged headfirst into the onslaught. He swung his club in wide arcs, shattering the spikes with brute force. Some grazed him, drawing thin lines of blood, but the demigod pressed forward, undeterred.

"You can't brute force your way through everything!" Lucius growled, raising both hands. The ground beneath Hercules began to freeze, shadows erupting around his feet, attempting to bind him.

"Watch me!" Hercules grinned. Planting his feet firmly, he flexed his muscles and snapped the shadow tendrils like brittle twigs. With a powerful leap, he closed the gap between them, bringing his club down with earth-shaking force.

Lucius dodged at the last second, but the shockwave from the impact staggered him. Hercules didn't relent, following up with a quick series of punches. Each blow was faster and harder than the last, forcing Lucius to retreat, his shadow shield barely holding up against the onslaught.

"What's the matter, shadow boy? Running out of tricks?" Hercules taunted, landing a heavy strike that sent Lucius sprawling.

Lucius groaned, struggling to rise. His icy blade shattered as he slammed his fist into the ground. The shadows around him thickened, forming an impenetrable dome. Hercules stopped, tilting his head.

"Finally throwing in the towel? I knew you'd...." Hercules's words were cut short as the shadow dome burst apart, revealing a colossal humanoid form made of ice and shadow. Lucius stood at its core, his eyes glowing with cold fury.

"You're right, Hercules," Lucius said, his voice resonating with power. "This ends now."

The shadowy titan swung a massive clawed hand at Hercules, who raised his club just in time to block it. The force of the impact pushed him back several meters, leaving deep grooves in the ground.

"Okay, that's new," Hercules muttered, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. He steadied himself and grinned. "But I've taken down bigger guys than you!"