Jörð Arena
Heimdall floated above the fortress, eyeing swaths of the audience leaving their seats. Wait, are they leaving?! He thought. The fight's about to start! These guys need your support, damn it! If you can't stomach it, then why come?! He waved his free hand up, then paused. Wait. Who do I announce first? Round Ten was…wait, they came in at the same time. He shook his head aggressively. Whatever! Let's do this one! He swung his hand towards the East Gate.
"Introducing the Fighter for the Gods in Round Eleven!
When you think of Helheim, who comes to mind?! Hades, the King of The Underworld?! Hel, the up-and-coming champion of the weak?! Ah Cizin, the undisputed master of Helheim's most dangerous region, Xibalba?! Or even Baron Samedi, the Sage of Souls, and Nyx, the Titan of Night and Darkness?!
NAY!
NAY!
NAAAAAAY!
Even amongst their world of constant battle and bloodshed, amongst those mighty Chthonic Champions who keep destruction and each other at bay, there is one undeniable truth!
Their world would not exist were it not for this. One. GOD!
At the dawn of Creation, he became the first God to travel down to that Hellish landscape, ALONE with only his banner, Yamāyudha, in hand!
With it, he defeated every Demon, Archdemon, and Devil of the Underworld and unified all the regions of Helheim under his banner! He united the lost and weary into a mighty army and kingdom of ten million strong, and ushered an era of peace in a land of nightmares that many thought could only be a dream!"
The East Gate doors opened.
"When all thought hope was lost, they cast their sight upon Yamāyudha: Golden Banner of Justice, and knew the one who carried it could make the impossible, possible!
To his enemies, he is a tyrant and a nightmare!
To his allies, an unrivaled peer and a leader!
To his people, a savior and a living miracle!
Heimdall saw several of the Gods who left the stands start marching out of the door, a procession of two columns walking in perfect unison. At the front were Mamian and Niutou. The columns split and marched along the passage's walls. Mamian and Niutou stopped at the centerline, and the rest followed suit behind them. They turned right and left to face the center. Dozens of banners rolled down the castle walls, hanging above the procession.
Now…he rises from the depths of Helheim to start his next great campaign!
HE IS ENMA DAIOU!
NAY! YÁNLUÓ WÁNG!
NAY! YEOMNA DAEWANG!
NAY! DIÊM LA VƯƠNG!
NAY! YOMREACH!
NAY! PHRA YOM!
NAY! NAAAAY NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!"
The group of Gods, Spirits, and Angels below Heimdall began stomping the ground in unison and let out a low groan. It started growing louder as the group continued to stomp. Louder. Louder. And louder. Their groan evolved into a roar that echoed out of the fortress and swept across the arena.
"HE IS THE UNIFIER OF HELHEIM!
THE KING OF SPECTERS!
HE!
IS!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Yama walked out of the Gate, his back straight, his bearing strong, and his gaze sharp as the audience in the bleachers roared to life. In his right hand was his banner, Yamāyudha. As he walked through the roaring crowd, he raised Yamāyudha high. Their roars grew louder; many in the crowd flinched at the energy exuded from that grim and almost dour group.
Yama passed Mamian and Niutou, crossing the center line. He kept Yamāyudha held high all the way until he reached the end of the passage in front of the other tower. In front of him was a small standard stand. Slowly and solemnly, he lowered and placed it gently in the stand.
I will be back for you. Yama thought. I promise. He turned around and made the long walk back across the centerline and turned to face the other tower. Now…come and fight me…my sibling disciple.
<>
Einherjar Barracks
Hlökk's Tea Room
-Formerly Samson's Room-
"That's a lot of Gods…" Göll said, sitting at the table with Göndul, Hlökk, Radgridr, and Reginleif. Clattering and steam were coming from the room behind them, while Johannes and Siegfried sat next to the locked entrance. "They did all that for Yama?"
"Doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who'd want that," Johannes said, wearing a new sword on his hip. "You see that look?"
"Yeah…what does it mean?" Hlökk asked.
"He's taking this personally," Siegfried said, wearing one as well. "This isn't a contest for him. He's here to fight for keeps."
Johannes nodded.
"Like Hephaestus?" Göndul asked.
"No. Worse." His eyes narrowed. "He's got nothing to lose."
<>
Jörð Arena
Heimdall waved his free hand to the West Gate.
"Introducing the Fighter for Humanity in Round Eleven!
"We made way for the First King! Now comes the Greatest Saint!
A tribune of the Roman Legions, the insignificant man…WHO SLEW THE MIGHTY PRIMORDIAL BEAST: THE DRAGON OF SILENE!
Bearing the First Divine Weapon, Ascalon, this man rode alone to smite the wicked child-eating beast of poison! With unyielding faith, grit, and strength, he slew the child-eating beast of poison and brought peace to the land!
But he was not done! Through the guidance and blessings of Heaven, he continued his crusade to protect Humanity, slaying every beast, demon, and vile soul who threatened the realm!"
<>
Einherjar Barracks
Hlökk's Tea Room
-Formerly Samson's Room-
Go get 'em, Georgios. Siegfried thought, watching the screen.
"When the will of tyrants and despots demanded his obedience, he refused to yield and fought the battle of souls to the bitter end!
Such was his faith, strength, and character that he is honored as the Megalomartyr and one of the Four Mighty Military Saints, alongside Demetrius, Theodore Stratelates, and Mercurius! In honor of his legend, his cross waves over nations all over the world, and lands bear his name!
But…HE. IS NOT. DONE!"
<>
Einherjar Barracks
Romulus' Room
Back in his room, decorated to the gills in Roman armor, weapons, statues, and paintings, Romulus and Skalmöld watched the match from a wall monitor, their hands intertwined.
*G….Hilde…*Skalmöld thought. Please win…
"He has returned once more to protect the people! To heed the call of his soul and faith and stop Ragnarök!
For Humanity, he risks death once again!
For Humanity, he fights against all odds!
For Humanity, he once again lifts the standard high!"
<>
Jörð Arena
The West Gate opened, and Georgios walked out, still wearing the white coat, but now adorned with a leather belt wrapped over his shoulder, silver bracers, and white covers over his black boots. In his right hand was a silver standard with a white flag bearing a red cross. Yama's eyes narrowed as he walked towards him, then something caught his eye. Back in the West hall, he saw them. Dozens of men and women, their sight focused on him as the doors slowly closed behind Georgios.
"He is the Saint of Saints!
The Dragonslayer!
Al-Khidr!
Mar Jirjis!
Agios Georgios!
Raise your hands!
FOR!
GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEORGIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS!"
Heimdall's announcement echoed through the arena. Silence followed shortly after and enveloped the arena.
*Wait…what happened…*Heimdall thought. He looked over at the Human side of the Arena as Georgios made his way down the passage. All of the Humans sat in complete silence, their bodies stiff as if stone. What're they doing?! They're supposed to cheer, right?
Georgios' gaze locked on Yama's as he walked towards him before he stopped at the centerline, just a meter from his opponent. Slowly, Georgios extended his right arm out to the side, standard in hand. His eyes dilated, and he slammed the pommel into the stone floor and raised it high, letting the sound echo out of the passage.
A wall of sound, fury, fervor, and will erupted from Humanity and flooded over the entire arena. Yama's brow rose as the procession behind him stayed still, but a few among them lost their bearing and glanced at Georgios as he walked past the centerline and Yama. He made his way, slowly, down the passage, keeping his gaze focused ahead, the deafening roar of Humanity's hope and will to survive rang in his ears.
"What the hell?!" Heimdall shouted, flinching away from the audience.
Georgios could not see the pure, raw emotion in the stands behind him, but he felt their hearts and souls. The tearful fear and anger that Humanity fought so hard to find a voice for. The grief of their champions, nay, their kin, falling. That feared hope that maybe, just maybe, this man, like the ten before him, could push back against the tide of monstrous inevitability of the end and keep them alive. Many clasped their hands in prayer once more, almost begging for another miracle.
Many of the Human audience rose, their fists fired into the air as if they, too, were finally ready to fight.
Who…is this human? One Shinigami thought as Georgios passed her. This presence…it's so calm…yet so furious…
Georgios reached the tower and the standard stand. He looked up at the white standard, bearing his cross. You hear them, Hilde? He thought. Their prayers? Their hopes? Let's answer them. He took the standard in both hands and slid it into the stand. He turned back around and made his way back.
Some of Yama's retinue watched Georgios walk back, catching sight of his back and his stride. Some felt an odd pull of nostalgia and melancholy as he walked.
*He…*One Jeo Seoung Saja thought. A brief, blurred memory of someone else's back wearing that coat flashed through his mind. …He's familiar?
Georgios passed Yama and the centerline and turned to face his opponent.
"Any words before Heimdall starts?" Yama asked.
Georgios' fists clenched. "I…will not say thank you for what you did for Hilde and Sieg."
Yama's brow rose.
"You're not the type to want that. I know. The Old Man saw that in both of us. But know this, Yama." Georgios' soft white aura began to emanate from his body as a hardened, wild gaze tried to tear through Yama. "I…am going to kill you."
Yama met his gaze with its twin. You sound too much like him. He thought as a heavy, dark aura emanated from his body. Makes me almost regret this. Almost. "Talk…is cheap. If you fall, I will add your banner to the others."
Heimdall descended into the passage as the two went still, and Yama's retinue vanished back into the East hall as the gate closed behind them. He looked down and shuddered. These two are getting impatient. Geez… "Alright, folks! It's time for the rules of the Contest: Capture the Flag!
1) Each fighter begins with their standard placed in the opposing tower! To win, they must reclaim it and return to their own side!
2) A win is earned only when both fighter and standard are back on their original side!
3) Neither fighter can die by physical means. Instead, their lives are bound to their standards. If their standard is destroyed, so is the bearer!"
4) The last fighter alive is the Winner!
Do you both understand the rules?!" Heimdall asked.
Both nodded and took their orthodox stances.
Heimdall raised his free hand high, then chopped down. "FIGHT!"
<>
Jörð Arena
Medical Wing
Heimdall's voice projected out from the sole monitor in the room, but it was ignored. Set stood next to a small, tube-shaped pod and looked down at its contents: Alvitr, in a body suit with her limbs covered in scars with several screws embedded through her hands, feet, shins, and forearms. Her mouth was covered by an oxygen mask as she floated near-catatonic in the pod's golden liquid contents. Behind Set was a larger pod similar to Leo's, but inside, in the same condition, screws and all, was Li Shuwen, floating in the golden liquid.
You…were always a stubborn one. Set thought, his inner voice in its classic deep tenor. I remember days you clung to my leg, along with Hlökk, to keep me from going to work. Set placed his left hand gently on the glass tube while he flicked the switch on his mask's chin. "You were amazing today, Alvitr," He whispered. "I am sorry you were not with the others. If it makes you feel better, Geirölul was off somewhere, so you were not left out alone. But I'm here, Alvi. I'm here."
Her closed eyes twitched a little. Set heard something and leaned a little closer.
"Da…."
Set blinked a few times.
"Da…ddy…"
Set closed his eyes tight, but kept his hand on the pod.
"Please…don't go…I'm…"
Set looked up at the ceiling and breathed deeply.
"I'm…sorry…"
Set sighed and lowered his head, shaking it.
"You…" A raspy voice said behind Set. Set looked behind his shoulder, eyeing Li staring listlessly at him. "Why are you here?" He said through the pod's speaker.
"No point in hiding it anymore," Set said. "I am Alvitr's father. This mask disguises me and blocks memories of my appearance."
"Hmmm…"
"Going to chastise me along with the others?"
"Not my place. You made your choices, and if you're aware of the consequences, then there's nothing I need to do."
"That…does not make me feel better."
"Good. It shouldn't. Alvitr told me about you. Said you were someone I would get along with. I doubted it, but I humored her."
"She may have been onto something. I saw your match with Týr. I cannot claim to know what he thought at the end, but I believe he was truly happy despite it all. I owe you for that, Li."
"…Was he special to you?"
"I had hoped he would wed one of my daughters. Sons like him are hard to come by, especially considering who his father is."
"…Do you hate me for killing him?"
Set shook his head. "I am sad he is gone, but I respected his desire to fight. I promised him that he would fight you and only you."
Li chuckled a little. "Sounds like him."
Set turned to face Li. "Li, between us old men."
Li nodded.
"I am losing my drive for this. My other daughters know I am alive, and seeing the way they responded…" Set paused for a moment. "Even Göll raked me over the coals."
"She's got a good look in her eyes, doesn't she?"
"She does."
"Between us old men, do you think they're wrong for it?"
Set's brow lifted. "A part of me says yes, but now I am not sure if this is worth all the sacrifices."
"They do. It's why they're still trying. Still fighting. Each in their own ways."
Ah. So you were the one Goll talked about last night. Set thought. "If you were in my shoes—"
"No."
Set blinked slowly.
"I could not understand your life to know why you've done what you've done. Asking me is a waste of time you could spend doing something better."
"Like what?"
"What we old men always regret not doing until too late. Doing what you want to do."
"Ha…easier said than done."
"Wouldn't be a regret if it wasn't. Do you plan to stay?"
"No. I need to go and watch the one match. If I am gone too long, people start thinking I am up to something. They are usually right, but still."
"Be well."
Set nodded and turned back to Alvitr. He placed his right hand on the glass above her head and went still for a moment. His breathing shallowed as he closed his eyes for a moment, trying to push the world out for a moment. "I will return when this is over. I promise."
Suddenly, the room shook. Set's sight darted in all directions as he tried to keep an eye on the equipment.
"What's happening?!" Li yelled.
*No…*Set thought. No…not now...
He caught the door opening out of his peripheral vision. He turned to it and started edging away from the entrance.
Standing in the threshold, staring at him with manic glee and a toothy grin, with Gungnir in hand, was Odin.
"What a surprise to see you here, Set," He said.
"I was…"
"Here to see your daughter?"
Set drew a sharp breath. Odin's smile widened.
"It is you, old friend. It's been too long, hasn't it?"
<>
Jörð Arena
Georgios stepped and fired a right cross into Yama's solar plexus. Yama's feet skidded back a few meters, but he lurched forward and stayed upright.
That punch was fast! Yama thought.
Georgios dashed towards him and came to an immediate stop. He squared up and crouched down, his elbows locked next to his ribs. He inhaled deeply. Celestial….RUSH! He thought as he exhaled…and Yama saw a storm of fists fly his way. On instinct, he crossed his arms over his body as the volley peppered him.
"Georgios rushed out of the gate, and firing punches like it's the end of the world!" Heimdall yelled. I can't see when one punch ends and another starts!"
Yama watched Georgios through the guard, then his eyes widened. His feet had already skidded back nearly a meter.
"Georgios…is pushing Yama back! The match just started, and Yama's already this far behind?!"
Yama's expression relaxed. None of you understands. Why should you? He thought. You've never stared down such monsters… Yama slowly relaxed his guard, his arms dropping to his sides. Georgios' barrage continued, his fists smashing into Yama's torso and face. Yama's head would tip back from each punch, but not once did he blink or flinch. To make something ferocious and relentless finally yield… He dug his feet into the stone floor and stopped. Georgios' punches continued to smash into his body. You become something impossible to move. His hand snapped tight over Georgios' right forearm, the latter's fist still flat on Yama's torso. Impossible to hurt! Yama grit his teeth and wrenched Georgios' arm up and fired his right fist into the Saint's torso. Yama heard the wind fly out of his lungs. He released his grip on Georgios' forearm and fired his right fist into Georgios' nose, knocking his head back and sending him several meters back. IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERPOWER!
Georgios twisted in the air and landed back on his feet, then raced back to Yama. Yama relaxed and stepped his left foot back as another lightning-quick cross smashed against his face. His head flung back, and his right foot rose off the ground. Georgios crouched down and fired an uppercut just as Yama descended back down, smashing it into Yama's chin. Yama rose a few meters.
Georgios' left hand shot up and gripped Yama's right shin. He roared and swung down, slamming Yama into the floor like a hammer. He glanced at Yama's face and saw his blank expression. Nothing?! Georgios thought. Thinking fast, Georgios bolted past Yama, but tripped and slammed into the ground face-first. Something had caught his right leg. Looking back, he saw a gold hand poking out of the ground, his leg in its grip. Another golden arm slithered out of Yama's chest and dug its fingers into the floor by Yama's feet. It pulled Yama and Georgios up, swinging Georgios over Yama's head and down onto the floor. Georgios bounced up and away from Yama as the pair of spectral arms swam through Yama's body and rested on top of his delts before coiling around his neck like a scarf.
Georgios got back to his feet, pain starting to flow through his body. Invincibility doesn't mean much if I still feel pain! He thought. Worse…I don't think I did a thing to him!
Of course, you didn't! Brünhilde said in his mind. Yama can't be hurt by stuff like that! We've been over this!
Yeah, but he doesn't know we know.
So all that earlier was just a trick? A slight tinge of hope and irritation was in her voice.
Georgios smiled. …Maybe. Maybe I needed to blow off some steam!
…The hell, Georgios?!
Georgios laughed.
Gotta be convincing, Hilde. Makes the big plays all the more satisfying.
Yama began walking, both pairs of hands stretched out to the side with clenched fists. "Admirable resolve," Yama said, bringing his fists in and slamming them against each other. "But nothing more."
…I just can't mess it up.
<>
Mount Aetna
"How is he doing that?" Heracles asked, watching the Yama's advance on the monitor with Dionysus and Apollo on his right and left, respectively.
"Not a clue," Dionysus said. "It's nothing like Zagreus. I have to get hurt to adapt to something. It's more like Baldr's, but…feels off."
Behind the trio, the laptop on Hephaestus' table came to life with a soft hum, and the terminal lit up with a soft yellow. Leo, still floating in his pod, now with his goggles over his blind eyes, went to work.
"Hrist, status," Leo said, his voice coming through the pod's speaker.
Vitruvian Protocol is ready. Cognitive Synchronization with the gauntlet now reads 100%.
"Perfect. Let's get to work."
Activating in 3…2…1…Energizing.
The black, empty world lit up before Leo. The darkness peeled away, revealing stone walls and a stone floor. Tools and weapons lined the walls, held up by brackets. To Leo's right was a large metallic table and a few stools. Tools littered the table's surface, save for a small spot that a laptop sat on. He looked down and saw the front of his black and yellow jumpsuit.
"Wow…" He whispered as his hands and feet, the soft echo fading into the air. He looked back over his right shoulder while he moved his lower jaw side-to-side. "I thought we might have some issues with the interface, but for it to work this well? Didn't realize Divine Technology could talk to itself so effortlessly."
"It's all thanks to me, ya know," A familiar gruff voice said behind him. "' Course, talkin' and movin' were the easy parts."
Leo stiffened, but found the strength to fight against the shock. He turned and felt his bearing slowly break.
"The real hard part was figurin' out how to connect the sense!" Hephaestus said, wearing a smug grin. "Good to see ya, Leo."
Leo shuddered as his eyes watered. "See! I even made it so you could do shit like that!"
Leo let out a mirthless chuckle. "That's all you got to say, you ass?!"
"Nah. Just had to mess with you, first."
Leo shook his head. "How…?"
Hephaestus tapped his left index finger on his temple. "The gauntlet. Remember that I said 'everythin'?"
"…Yeah."
Hephaestus fanned his hands out. "Behold! My everythin'. Every thought, idea, memory, and blueprint I ever made is right at your fingertips. That includes me." He tapped his temple a few more times. "Hate sayin' it, bud, but I ain't the real deal. Simply an interactive AI built from the real Hephaestus' memories." His face hardened. "Even the memories of you killing me and my life ending."
Leo slumped over a little. "Yeah…that makes sense…"
Hephaestus walked over to Leo and placed his massive hand on his shoulder. "But because I am his memories, I can give you somethin'. A gesture of good faith and shit."
"What?"
Hephaestus smiled a soft, almost sad, smile. "I forgive you, bud. Can you forgive me?"
Leo chuckled a little, but teared up a little. "God, this day's been too damn much…I'm here, right?"
"Damn right, you are!" Hephaestus slapped Leo's shoulder, making him stumble. "Let's get to work, bud."
<>
Jörð Arena
Back in the arena, Yama swung his arms like a pendulum, and his pace began to quicken.
Here he comes. Brünhilde said.
He's strong and durable. Georgios thought*, but he doesn't seem—*
Yama broke into a sprint, clearing several meters with each step.
-FAST?!
Yama closed the gap and fired a right punch at Georgios' face. He slipped to the left, getting outside the punch. Yama's golden arm swung right around after his cross, forming a sharp chop. Georgios ducked and rolled under as it sliced through the air. Yama spun around, swiping at Georgios with two left backhands. Georgios got to his feet and spun away, avoiding both strikes. Yama's two right arms came up and flew down in two hammer fists. Georgios raised both arms and blocked the blows with his bracers. Two left hooks fired back, but Georgios blocked one with the blade of his right fist, then the other with his elbow. Yama fired two right punches; Georgios caught both punches in his hands and flung them away.
Yama spun with the throw and dropped to a crouch. Both left arms swung at Georgios' legs.
Damn it! Georgios thought. He jumped up, avoiding the sweeping strikes from both Yama's lefts and rights. Yama exploded back up and fired both lefts towards the aloft Georgios' torso. Georgios crossed his arms in front of his chest, and Yama's fists crashed into him, sending him dozens of meters skywards. Yama ran to the left wall and jumped on it. He kicked off and sailed to the other side, then kicked off it. Bouncing like a furious goat scaling a mountain, Yama reached Georgios and threw more punches. How the hell is he doing all this?!
Georgios blocked Yama's punches as the pair descended. Yama rolled forward and slammed an axe kick down on his guard, and Georgios rocketed down. He landed hard on his feet and looked up. Yama's golden arms dug their fingers into the walls and pulled Yama down, firing him like a bullet. Georgios jumped back as Yama smashed his right fist into the ground, sending dust and rubble flying.
Got you. Yama thought as his gold arms reached down and gripped the floor. They pulled him again, yanking his arm out of the floor and sending him flying. He landed just a meter away from his Georgios and fired another punch. Georgios stepped back, but something caught his ankle. He shot a glance down and saw the golden arm sticking out of Yama's shin and gripping his ankle. Yama's fist found home on Georgios' temple, then Yama wrenched it back and brought his arms tight against his body. The other Golden slithered out of Yama's right shoulder and clenched its fist. "I'll show you how it's done," He whispered.
Georgios, cover! Brünhilde yelled.
Won't work this time! Get ready, Hilde! He responded.
"Celestial…"
Georgios matched Yama's stance and balled his fists. "CELESTIAL!" He roared
"RUSH!" Both roared. All three of Yama's fists rained against Georgios' two. Their knuckles collided and recoiled, then fired again and collided. The two tilted and twisted their torsos to change the angles of their punches, but each met only the other's fists. The air between each collision dispersed in loud pops. Several in the Human audience could only imagine one thing that could match the sound and speed they witnessed. The pure, unrelenting speed of machine-gun fire.
"My word…" A man in a knight's armor whispered.
"How are they doing that?" An elderly woman, a few rows above him, said, clutching a crucifix.
The ground below Georgios and Yama rumbled, and despite the best efforts of both fighters, the tide of the battle began to turn. Both knew the truth would show itself. The spot between the towers where they were situated proved it.
Only thirty meters behind Georgios was Yamāyudha, still standing tall in its stand. His fists were burning from the pain of each blow. They could not break, but each collision sent pain to his brain that slowly ate away at him.
Hilde! We need to do it now! Georgios yelled in his head.
On it! Create an opening! She yelled back.
CAN DO!
Yama fired his next volley.
Georgios…rolled his punches inward and snapped his hands around Yama's wrists. Yama's spectral fist fired towards Georgios' head, but he tilted it to the right, avoiding the punch before he snapped his chin down on the arm's wrist, catching it between his chin and left shoulder.
"NOW!"
Something exuding a soft white flow smashed into Yama's solar plexus. His grip on Georgios' ankle weakened as another flash of light and heavy blow slammed the same spot again. Yama's grip failed, and Georgios' grip opened, letting Yama fly several meters back. He skipped off the ground once, then rolled a few more meters before getting his feet under him. Slowly, he rose and realized two unbelievable events had just occurred within the span of a few seconds.
First, sticking out of Georgios' stomach was a long, glowing leg. "You…" He choked out. He brought his left hand over his stomach. "You…" The leg vanished back into Georgios' body. Georgios took his orthodox stance again, and the soft white aura flowed out. Slowly, it coalesced behind and began to take shape. It formed a human-shaped silhouette, limbs and all.
But it looked nothing like Georgios. It was a little shorter, slimmer, and had the visage of a white battle-dress, and flowing hair.
Yama gritted his teeth. "So that's your Völund…Still a clever brat, Hilde…"
Second, for the first time in eons, maybe even before his expedition into Helheim, Yama felt it again. That same sensation, he never thought he would suffer again.
Pain. Pure pain enveloped his body. He struggled to breathe as it raced up to his mind.
"Yama's…Yama's in pain?!" Heimdall blurted out from above. "I…I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it! Yama's in pain?!"
Yama breathed slowly and glared at the pair. "So, you figured it out."
"Silver eyes give it away, Yama," Brünhilde said. "As long as Georgios and I are a pair, you're vulnerable."
"What she said," Georgios added.
Yama shook his head. "You don't get it, do you?" The spectral arms appeared again. "I was trying to end this quickly. To not make Sieg suffer the indignity of watching you die such a miserable and brutal death." The arms swelled and covered his real arms before solidifying, his clenched fists hanging just below his knees. "Now I have to curse him with the memory of a humiliating end for you. Yama Dharmaraja: Kumbhakarna." He took his stance. "This technique is named after a demon I slayed eons ago. Now…like those humans behind you…pray."
<>
Einherjar Barracks
Hlökk's Tea Room
-Formerly Samson's Room-
"He's being awfully considerate," Johannes said, grimacing. "You'd think he actually liked you two."
"Yama's…complex," Siegfried said. "On one hand, he's a stick in the mud and can be a stickler for rules. On the other hand, he'll find loopholes where he thinks it's necessary, and he looks out for people. There's a reason Tartarus hasn't had a different warden since it was built. He's both strong and reliable."
"Huh. Odd guy. Did you know him before your stint?"
"Yep! Hilde's Dad trained him and the other Hindu Gods before they started their Pantheon. Yama went the extra mile after they established themselves, but he bit off a bit more than he could chew. Nothing I can prove, but it's out there."
Johannes looked over at him while Samson walked out of the kitchen, carrying two large platters, each with a pot of tea and a tray of cake slices and cookies. "That guy? What the hell did he do?"
"You heard Hilde say that thing about silver eyes?"
Johannes nodded.
"It's a unique mark for Gods, and it means they saw, and may have even traveled, to Niflheim."
Johannes' mouth opened slightly. "The hell you say? Wait, that's the place—"
"Everyone who dies in Ragnarök goes to. The place where souls removed from the cycle of reincarnation end up." Siegfried sighed. "I think the only Gods, besides Yama, who have them are Nuada and Oya. How and why Yama got there is anyone's guess."
A series of quick knocks rattled on the door. Johannes and Siegfried gripped their swords, Pandora's gifts from Hephaestus' arsenal for protection. Samson placed the trays down and stepped in between the Valkyries sitting at the table and the door.
"You still good with a sword?" Johannes asked.
"Been a while. We'll see."
Samson looked at them both, exchanging a quick nod and glance. Both men drew their swords, and Johannes slowly grabbed the doorknob with his left hand. Slowly, he turned it. His grip tightened as Siegfried stepped out of the door's path, taking the sword in both hands. Johannes flung it open and stepped in front of the threshold.
Staring at him, a smile still stuck to his face and a small crowd of Humans and Heavenly beings, was Arthur.
"I really hope you're not preparing to kill me, Johannes!" Arthur said. "I just got here, and it would be a shame for it to end here!"
Johannes went lax and dropped his sword. "Who are you?"
"Arthur?" Göndul whispered.
Göndul rose from her seat, looking past Johannes and towards Arthur. Arthur saw her, looked over to the right, and reached out of sight for something before pulling Myrddin into the doorway.
"Göndul, I made sure he kept his promise!" Arthur said, smiling. He sniffed the air. "Is that tea?"
"…Yes?" Samson answered.
"Good! I need some. I could use some cookies and about two slices of that cake, too. I am starving."
"Oy!" Geirölul yelled from the hall. "Can we come in already? It's been a day, and I need a break from these guys!"
Siegfried ran over to Arthur and beckoned him in as Johannes watched on, his blinking slowly. Arthur, Teddy, Yi, Myrddin, Vlad, Geirölul, Skeggöld, Michael, Gabriel, Camael, Uriel, and Vidarr all walked in. Johannes shook his head, then massaged his forehead.
Only something like Ragnarök could make this insanity happen. He thought. I am standing…in a room with the King of Camelot and the Hero of the Nibelungenlied.
He looked over at the table, watching Geirölul introduce Skeggöld to the other Valkyries. Reginleif walked over slowly to Skeggöld and wrapped her arms around her as she teared up. Göll and the other Valkyries circled the two and formed a large group hug. He looked away, catching sight of the other fighters crowding away from the girls. He walked over to them, sheathing his sword.
"Gents," Arthur said, eyeing the gentlemen standing around him. "Come what may, we all made something possible today. So did you, Vidarr."
Vidarr said nothing, but nodded softly.
"Georgios and Hilde are out there fighting, but this?" He nodded towards the Valkyries. "Whether we know or not, through the series of events that culminated in today…We got Skeggöld home and made sure her sisters were here waiting for her. Good job, gents. You make this old soul think of days when he was part of another crazy band of men." His smile faded, and his gaze hardened ever so slightly. "And like them, we have a mission to complete. You've all done your part." He gripped Myrddin's shoulder in his hand. "Now, it's my turn."