From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 712 "No matter how dark the darkness, remember that you are not alone"

"I understand, Mother."

Sui Meng responded in a deep voice, his tone firm. His mountain-like figure appeared exceptionally majestic in the light of the psionic fire, as if he had already prepared for everything.

Just then, a gentle yet authoritative female voice came from outside the hall, carrying an innate nobility and solemnity:
"child--"

?

This form of address caused Sui Meng to pause slightly in surprise.

He turned around and looked in the direction of the sound.

A magnificent red robe slowly came into view, embroidered with exquisite and intricate golden patterns, like an eternal symbol interwoven with flames and authority.

The newcomer was tall and slender, also over two meters tall, and exuded elegance and nobility in every gesture.

Her steps were steady and composed, each step carrying the dignity and weight of a deity.

Without even seeing her face clearly, Sui Meng already knew the identity of the newcomer. She was none other than Hera, one of the last remaining Olympian gods and the former queen of the gods.

Hera's attire was extremely luxurious, but it did not appear ostentatious.

Her long, black hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, adorned with gold hair ornaments and a jeweled crown, radiating a soft yet undeniable glow.

She was young and beautiful, with both the nobility and majesty of a queen and the tenderness and radiance of a mother in her eyes.

If they weren't standing side by side with Athena, almost no one could easily distinguish their auras.

Both women were exceptionally beautiful, yet each possessed a unique charm: Athena was as calm as a mirror, while Hera was as radiant as a blazing fire.

When Hera walked up to Sui Meng, the atmosphere in the hall paused slightly.

The diva's gaze was complex, her eyes revealing a mix of emotions.

That profound feeling was something even Sui Meng, a being of the Iron-Blooded Primal Body, could clearly sense.

She gazed at Sui Meng, this young primordial body who stood as imposing as a mountain, and the image of her son involuntarily surfaced in her mind—

The figure of Ares, the god of war.

Those once proud and powerful offspring have long since perished in the shadow of chaos and fallen gods.

Hera lost Ares, and lost her anchor and hope.

Now, this young man before us has grown into such a tall, mighty, and incomparably sharp being under Athena's nurturing.

For a moment, Hera was overwhelmed with indescribable emotions.

There was a hint of undisguised jealousy in her eyes; after all, she was known for her jealousy. Athena had such an outstanding offspring, while she could only face loss and emptiness.

However, Hera felt more relieved and complicated at the same time.

Because Sui Meng not only belongs to Athena, but is also the son of the Emperor, the Primarch, and the pillar of the Empire's future.

Moreover, Sui Meng never regarded the remaining Olympian gods as useless; on the contrary, he always maintained respect and closeness to them.

Hera understood that such children not only carried the hopes of the human empire, but also, in a sense, gave these ancient deities a new source of support.

"You," Hera began softly, her tone tinged with a long-held sentiment, her eyes still filled with loving kindness.

She reached out and gently touched Sui Meng's forearm, as if to confirm that what was in front of her was not an illusion.

Sui Meng lowered his head, his expression respectful.

He could sense the heaviness in Hera's gaze; it wasn't just scrutiny, but a complex mix of sadness, jealousy, and relief.

"Hera."

Athena's voice rang out from the side, calm and composed, with a kind of sisterly concern.

The goddess of war neither stopped nor intervened; she simply watched quietly.

In the firelight of the hall, the three figures were elongated, as if frozen in the sands of time.

Hera and Athena stood side by side, one in white and one in red, like two stars in the night sky, each shining brightly, yet together illuminating Sui Meng.

"."

Hera finally withdrew her hand and sighed deeply.

Her gaze shifted between Sui Meng and Athena before finally settling on Sui Meng's face: "Child, you are extraordinary. May you bring glory to your future path and avoid repeating past mistakes."

Sui Meng nodded solemnly, without saying anything more.

He knew that behind this entrustment lay Hera's pain at losing her son, as well as her earnest expectations for the mission she was entrusted with.

At this moment, the two remaining goddesses of Olympus and the emperor's youngest offspring stood together in this golden, psychic-lit palace.

Immediately afterwards, Hera slowly raised her left hand.

Her slender fingers parted slightly, and a soft, dignified light instantly appeared in her palm.

The light was a blend of gold and crimson, like flames and dawn intertwined, or like the radiant glow of the sun and blood congealed in the void.

With a gentle twist of her hand, light surged like a tide, quickly filling the entire temple hall and flowing along the carved beams, ancient stone pillars, and gilded niches, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere.

As the afterglow of the psionic energy gradually dissipated, everyone looked up and saw three "artifacts" radiating the same holy light floating quietly in the center of the hall.

They are lifted up by an invisible force, suspended in the air, exuding a heavy, ancient pressure.

The war maidens who had been standing solemnly on both sides, holding powered spears, all trembled the moment they saw the three divine artifacts, and their expressions lost their usual coldness.

Their eyes were slightly open, as if they were facing not just weapons, but some kind of "legacy" that could overturn myths and rewrite history.

The low breathing echoed among the ranks, yet no one dared to utter a sound.

The first artifact was a scepter shaped like a "Z", or rather, a lightning bolt.

Its appearance is long and sharp, with several constantly moving bolts of lightning encircling the staff, as if the ceaseless thunder in the sky is frozen in it.

Each flash of the electric arc caused the air to vibrate and produce a low rumble, like a harbinger of an impending storm.

This is the very symbol of Zeus, the embodiment of thunder and divine power.

The second artifact was a black trident with a bluish tinge.

Its surface resembles a crystal formed from ocean waves, radiating a deep and cold luster.

The trident blade is incredibly sharp, seemingly capable of easily cleaving open the ocean's "chest" and forcing the abyss to submit.

The faint sounds of water and roaring waves emanated from around the scepter, as if the ancient sea was whispering within it. This was once Poseidon's supreme weapon, symbolizing the boundless power of the ocean and earthquakes.

The third artifact, however, appeared to be the most unremarkable—

A simple, old-fashioned helmet.

Its design is simple, without any complicated patterns or gold or jade inlays. In terms of appearance alone, it is not even as eye-catching as ordinary armor.

But the aura it exuded made all the maids tremble with fear.

It was an unfathomable, oppressive force, like the shadow of death, through which the war maidens seemed to hear the whispers of countless spirits and the slumbering sounds of the endless underworld.

This was once Hades' helmet of the underworld, symbolizing concealment, death, and authority.

Athena stood to the side, her eyes also flickering uncertainly.

Her rationality and composure enabled her to quickly discern the true origin of the divine artifacts before her. She understood all too well the significance these three artifacts represented—

The powers of the three Greek gods, now returned to the world as ownerless relics.

A complex emotion flickered in the depths of her gaze, a mixture of nostalgia for the past and affirmation of Hera's actions.

After all, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades no longer exist.

They were corrupted by chaos, becoming puppets of illusion and decay, and were ultimately wiped out by Atlas before the empire was even established.

That battle marked the final chapter of mythology, a bloodbath that stained the sky, and the old power of the gods was overthrown.

The divine artifacts held by the main gods were once nearly plunged into the abyss due to the filth of chaos. If Emperor Suiyang had not purified them with spiritual energy and completely removed the filth, these three artifacts would probably have long since turned into cursed scrap metal.

Their reappearance today demonstrates that Hera not only recovered them but also devoted considerable effort to preserving them to this day.

Hera strolled closer to Sui Meng.

Her demeanor remained as elegant and dignified as ever, her eyes fixed on Sui Meng, her gaze filled with indescribable emotions—

Jealousy, relief, nostalgia, and testing intertwined.

Her own son, Ares, had long since perished in the slaughter of Chaos and the Fallen Gods, leaving not a shred of hope behind.

Now, however, Athena has a tall, mighty, and promising Primarch son whose figure and spirit clearly indicate that he was born to be a soldier on the battlefield.

Even as a goddess, Hera could not hide the complex emotions churning within her.

"."

Sui Meng tilted his head back slightly, his gaze falling on the three divine artifacts floating above his head.

His expression was calm and still, without the slightest ripple between his brows.

For him, these relics of the gods, which were almost supreme in the eyes of the war maidens, were not enough to shake his mind.

Because he knew very well that the weapons and equipment forged and bestowed upon him by his father, Emperor Suiyang, were extensions of his father’s spiritual power and will, and were treasures that could not be measured by any external object.

In comparison, Zeus's thunderbolts, Poseidon's trident, and Hades' helmet, however dazzling they may be, are ultimately relics of the past.

However, Sui Meng did not underestimate him because of this.

He understood Hera's intention: the Queen of Gods was not simply giving a gift, but was conveying the remaining blessings of the Greek gods in this way.

Then, Sui Meng spoke, his voice low and deep: "Ms. Hera, what's wrong...?"

Hera gazed at him, her eyes gradually softening.

Her voice carried the warmth of motherhood, yet still retained the majesty of a goddess: "My child, take these as my blessings upon you on behalf of the Greek gods."

They are symbols of strength, as well as trust and entrustment. May you remember, no matter how dark your journey ahead may be, that you are not alone.

As she finished speaking, the hall fell silent once again.

The war maidens stood holding their breath, Athena's eyes trembled slightly, but Sui Meng's mind remained as steady as a rock.

The three divine artifacts rotated silently in mid-air, their light illuminating the entire hall like stars, as if witnessing a new inheritance.

"."

Sui Meng remained silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

His attitude was neither flamboyant nor hasty, but rather carried a calm and restrained manner.

Then, he turned around and looked at Athena immediately.

At that moment, the goddess's expression trembled slightly, and a gentle light flashed in her eyes.

She didn't rush to speak, but looked back at Sui Meng with a smile, as if she was pleased that her adopted son, when faced with a choice, didn't think of himself or his power first, but rather of respect and inquiry towards her.

That is the most sincere recognition of kinship beyond blood ties.

Athena then slowly nodded, indicating her agreement and encouragement.

Having received "approval," Sui Meng stretched out his arm, palm facing up.

The three divine artifacts, suspended in the air, slowly descended under the guidance of invisible spiritual energy.

The lightning from the Thunder Scepter meandered through the air, emitting a deep rumble;

The trident's sharp edge was cold and menacing, as if it were tearing through space.

The simple underworld helmet rose and fell silently, releasing a faint aura of shadow.

The three divine artifacts landed in Sui Meng's palm at the same time. In an instant, the hall shone brightly, and the air seemed to freeze due to their weight.

However, Sui Meng did not reveal the slightest greed or joy. He lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice:

"Mother, please keep these magical artifacts safe for me. Please put them in my bedroom for now."

His tone was calm, with an unpretentious frankness.

For him, these mythological legacies, though of great significance, should not be the goals he pursues relentlessly.

He knew even more clearly that what he truly relied on was the "strength" bestowed upon him by his father, Sui Yang, as well as his own beliefs and will.

Athena smiled slightly, her eyes filled with tenderness and pride. She didn't say anything more, but instead raised her slender hand, and spiritual energy rippled out like water, instantly enveloping the three divine artifacts.

A pale golden glow enveloped them, and then they all disappeared into the void, seemingly placed in a safe dimensional space.

Athena understood that Sui Meng had not rejected her, but rather placed his trust in her, which was a more precious emotion than mere acceptance.

Then she slowly said, "Don't worry, child, I will keep it safe for you."

Sui Meng's bedroom was located deep within this temple.

That place was a haven bestowed by Athena herself, peaceful and sacred, symbolizing both protection and the mark of Sui Meng's identity.

next morning
In the ruins at the heart of the empire, a dazzling light suddenly erupted.

The entire space seemed to be scorched by pure white flames, and the dazzling light filled every corner, completely illuminating the magnificent altar, the massive stone pillars, and the suspended energy runes.

The light lasted for several seconds until it gradually faded, and a new "spectacle" suddenly appeared before people's eyes.

The second zeroth spatial gate has been formed. Its size is still enormous, with a length and width of six kilometers. The huge square structure is suspended in the void, and its edges seem to be wrapped with complex energy chains and rune inscriptions.

The surge of energy undulates on its surface, like a giant mirror lake, or as if embedding the reflection of another unknown universe into reality.

Unknown light and shadow flickered deep within the door, suggesting that crossing this boundary would lead to another dimension.

At the center of the altar, Sui Yang was still wearing his signature black and gold power armor. The armor was thick and beautiful, and each piece of armor was engraved with ancient Chinese characters.

Those eyes, radiating eternal golden flames, were like the blazing sun judging all things, gazing intently at the spatial gate before them.

No one could see a trace of weariness in it; it was a symbol of the supreme will.

He didn't say a word, but his mere presence made the air in the entire ruins area feel as heavy as a mountain.

The staff and soldiers around them all bowed their heads and held their breath, afraid that their insignificance would disturb this supreme being, but at the same time, their eyes were filled with "fanatic" faith and respect.

At the same time, the reconnaissance troops, who had been on high alert, immediately received orders.

A large number of soldiers equipped with power suits, piloting Hellhounds and reconnaissance Terminators, carrying wired equipment, disappeared into the mercury-like mirror-like spatial portal.
(End of this chapter)