Ana stared in shock at Ishtar’s new transformation. It was sensual and macabre at the same time. Her heart felt deeply unsettled before such a demonic vision.

  —Long ago, I died in the underworlds. But when I returned to life, I learned how to use their power for my own benefit. This energy rapidly consumes what little ichor I have left, but it allows me to fight without worrying about my manná,—Ishtar said, her face clearly showing immense agony beneath that transformation.

  —And why should I care?—Ana shouted as she tried to cut Ishtar down. But Ishtar leapt swiftly into the sky, evading the strike and positioning herself above the Irish goddess.

  —Kur Ush (Infernal Miasma),—Ishtar said.

  From her avian feet, a red energy erupted and shot downward at tremendous speed. Ana tried to evade it but failed; part of her leg was struck.

  At once, a powerful dizziness flooded Ana’s body. She looked up in terror at Ishtar, who hovered above her, forcing a twisted smile as pain gnawed at Ana from within.

  —Infernal miasma. That’s my ability under this transformation. It won’t damage your ichor much—but it will completely destroy your manná,—Ishtar said as she continued flying above her.

  Ana gripped her massive sword and launched a wave of dark energy at Ishtar, but the Mesopotamian goddess avoided it and fired the miasma again from her feet.

  Ana dodged two blasts. The third struck her directly.

  The black-haired goddess collapsed to the ground on one knee.

  The dizziness worsened. She could barely stand, barely lift her sword. Her body felt terribly weak. Ana looked up at Ishtar hovering above her and, for the first time, truly felt as if she were facing a god.

  —Do you finally see me for what I am? My name is Inanna, conqueror of the underworlds and Queen of the Night!—Ishtar shouted as she unleashed several more rounds of infernal miasma.

  Ana could no longer move properly. She took every hit.

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  Then she watched in horror as her sword Gram vanished from her hands. She no longer had enough manná to sustain it.

  She fell to her knees, then to all fours. Her vision blurred. The world spun around her. Ana began to vomit, feeling consciousness slipping away.

  Ishtar descended and seized Ana with her dreadful avian feet, hurling her into a mountain and obliterating it.

  Ana forced herself up to challenge Ishtar once more as the goddess fired her infernal miasma again. This time, Ana did not try to evade it. She took several direct hits.

  —Don’t think you’ll only lose your manná, Ana. These attacks also deal precise damage to your ichor. Are you ready to die?—Ishtar asked.

  —No!—Ana shouted.

  —Then what?—Ishtar asked, puzzled.

  —I won’t do anything,—Ana replied, her expression unwavering.

  —Very well. As you wish,—Ishtar answered.

  The Mesopotamian goddess formed a massive red sphere with her feet and hurled it downward.

  —Kur Ush!

  The colossal sphere struck Ana, dragging her across the land as she screamed in agony.

  Rui… Tania… Epona… wait for me, Ana thought.

  When the sphere slammed into a chain of mountains, a massive red explosion erupted. Ana lay on the ground, barely conscious—yet still smiling.

  —Why, Ana? Why do you keep this up? Just surrender already!—Ishtar shouted desperately, staring at the goddess’s unwavering eyes.

  —Surrender? How arrogant of you to decide the outcome when the fight isn’t over yet,—Ana said with a smile.

  —And what the hell can you do now? You can’t even stand, let alone summon your sword!—Ishtar yelled.

  —Cornered animals bite the hardest, Ishtar,—Ana replied.

  With immense effort, she forced herself to stand and clenched her pendant.

  —Caoin cath (Warcry)!—she shouted.

  Ishtar froze in horror.

  Ana’s divine power began to multiply almost exponentially. All of Mars trembled. The dimensional wall vibrated in unison. Time itself began to flow in a monstrous distortion.

  —The less manná I have, the more divine power I can draw out. When I discovered your technique, I knew this was my only way to defeat you!—Ana shouted.

  —That’s impossible… that power rivals even the great Ares!—Ishtar cried in terror.

  —Don’t worry. I can only make one attack. I’m sorry, Ishtar—but if you are the Queen of the Night, then I am the Phantom Queen of the Darkness,—Ana declared as her aura ignited in dark fire.

  Ana charged.

  Before Ishtar could even react, Ana struck her with all her strength.

  A massive shockwave erupted, obliterating the surrounding mountains and carving a vast crater into the surface. The Mesopotamian goddess was blasted far away, crashing headfirst into the ground as her Queen of the Night transformation collapsed.

  Ana’s power faded.

  She fell to her knees, smiling.

  —Guys… I’m sorry… this is as far as I go,—she said before collapsing face-first onto the ground.

  Both Ishtar and Ana lay unconscious after the battle.

  One hour remained until Anpiel’s execution.

  Ishtar's transformation is inspired by the high relief The Queen of the Night, also called the Burney Relief.

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  The next part will be released tomorrow.