Long Ago
Deep within a vast mountain range, far from any semblance of life, something barreled through the sky. It smashed through a mountain's peak, decimating it before crashing into the ground below, forming a crater.
Among the dust and debris, a being in silver armor slowly rose, illuminated by the glowing white pole in his right and the blue sphere in his left. His cyan eyes peered out of his canid-shaped helmet towards the mountain he destroyed, and his ears heard the oncoming thunder.
Dammit, this is not the time for this! He thought. I have to get back to the others! Three pairs of translucent white wings sprouted from his back. He crouched down and rocketed upwards. They cannot activate Gleipnir now! Without the Cube—
As he neared the peaks, a large creature burst out from the thunder's direction. It raised its massive white claw and swatted the armored warrior back down to the ground. He landed back in the center of the crater as the snow-white gargantuan creature crashed down, gouging out the earth beneath it.
The warrior rose and stared up at the creature, dwarfed by it.
"Where do you think you're going?!" The creature yelled, its voice echoing across the mountains. "We're just getting started, Metatron!"
"I have better things to do than fight an attack animal!" Metatron roared back as the weapons' glow intensified.
"'Attack Animal?' Ignorance must be bliss if you fail to recognize me!"
"I know Odin's tools when I see one, Pakkanen!"
Pakkanen swung his curved, lupine foot through the ground, tearing it away. Metatron raised Ascalon and blocked the attack, the impact echoing around them.
"And I know you are not. Worth. The. EFFOOOOOORT!" Ascalon radiated light, and Metatron twisted it, slashing upwards.
A massive cut raced through Pakkanen's body, splitting him in two. Pakkanen's cyan eyes widened.
When the hell could he do this?! Odin didn't say he could put out this much pow—
Metatron tossed Ascalon, and it started spinning. It blitzed through the air, whirring through Pakkanen's body before slamming back into his hand.
"You picked…the wrong game, Pakkanen."
Chunks of Pakkanen's frigid body slid and dropped like a meteor shower, pulverizing the valley around Metatron.
Who…who is this monster?! Pakkanen thought, hiding amongst the ice.
"I would put you down here, but I have more—"
Something heavy and dark washed over the pair, flooding the valley. Metatron's eyes widened as dread seeped into every pore of his body.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" He roared, his voice going hoarse. He blasted upwards and flew away.
Alone, amongst the remains of his once monstrous, mountainous form, Pakkanen's essence rested in the ice, dumbstruck.
I…live? He thought. This…this is wrong! I am not the one looked down on! I am the one who stands above EVERYTHING!
The dark energy enveloped him.
You bastard! How dare you have the gall to act all high and mighty! You're no better than Odin! I…will never forgive you…
Ullr's Globe
Arena
Pakkanen stepped off the platform, dropping down to the snow-covered ground. He landed with a heavy thud and rose to face Oya. Slowly, he raised his left hand and beckoned her.
Oya placed her machete by her left hip and lowered her stance.
"Futsu-ryū Ichi no Kata…"
"Really?" Pakkanen said.
"Soyokaze!"
Oya appeared several meters behind him.
Pakkanen looked down at his chest, then back to Oya. He turned to face her, tilted his head…then dusted off his chest.
Oya's eyes widened. What!? She thought.
"Doesn't take much to see that the sword is dangerous. Too bad you aren't."
He sprinted towards her. She swung as he got in range, watching the blade glide through his body.
But no cracks appeared.
Oya silently gasped before Pakkanen kneed her in the stomach. She felt something pointed stab at her stomach. She stumbled back, and Pakkanen jumped towards her, lifting his left leg high. His foot flattened to an edge, and he kicked down. She raised the machete to block. It glided through his leg, and his foot slashed against the right half of her torso.
"Oya's doing everything to deal a fatal blow, everyone!" Jarl yelled. "But every cut is…doing nothing now?!" What's going on?!"
Pakkanen lifted himself onto his left foot and spear-kicked Oya with another blade-shaped foot, sending her reeling back.
Three now. Pakkanen thought, leering at Oya. Three blows that should kill, but you… He narrowed his eyes, catching a glimpse of her skin where he tore through her robes. …you're a tough one.
Ullr's Globe
Yoruba Box Seats
"How?" Ogun whispered. "How…is he fine?"
"Because of his pride," Oshumare said, still leaning on the wall. "That body is the culmination of an ancient, wounded pride that refuses to lose ever again."
"Not exactly answering the question," Eshu said.
"But it's the answer you get."
Obtuse Ass. Eshu thought.
Oshumare breathed deeply, watching the two far below continue their exchange. I warned Odin against sending you to kill Metatron. He thought. Even after all this time, you're still that bent out of shape? Oshumare shook his head. Pathetic.
Ullr's Globe
Arena
"Ìjì Yíyí!" Oya yelled, tossing the machete into a spin, then crouched and blasted forward behind it. It spun faster and faster, forming a wheel of air as it soared. Oya raced behind it, picking up speed as she ran.
Drafting behind your own weapon? Smart. Pakkanen thought.
Pakkanen stood still, letting the rolling gale wash over him. It passed as if a gentle breeze. Oya did not.
She skidded to a halt and placed her right palm on his chest. "ÌJÌ ÌBÚGBÀÙ!"
A massive surge of air erupted from her palm, forming into a horizontal cyclone.
Pakkanen stood unmoved.
The wind intensified, and Pakkanen shook his head.
Maybe I overestimated her. His left hand pierced through the squall and grasped her wrist. Ice formed from his palm over her wrist and started crawling over her forearm. I did.
Something smacked her palm, and the gale stopped. Pakkanen looked down and saw the machete's handle in her right hand. She dropped it, snatched it, and swung it at Pakkanen's hand. He released his grip, and the blade smashed into the ice covering Oya's arm.
Disappointing. He fired his left fist into Oya's throat. I didn't even make this form for you. She stood her ground and gritted her teeth. She swung again, but the blade did nothing as it sailed through. I wanted so BADLY to get back at him. He tapped his foot on the ground, and ice shot up, ensnaring Oya's feet. Pakkanen's body started heaving.
I don't get it! Oya thought. Why's it not working? I don't even feel anything when I—
A fist smashed into Oya's nose.
I can't…block…anything. She thought, her mind slowly going silent. But, I can… She stabbed the machete into the ground. Pakkanen stopped and jumped back as a geyser of green liquid erupted from where she stabbed the ground. Gallon upon gallon gushed out, covering the ground several meters around Oya, melting the ice that bound her.
Pakkanen landed just outside the flood, leering. Oya, covered in bruises and dented armor under shredded robes, returned it.
"Drop the sword," Pakkanen said.
Oya squinted.
"We are better than swords. Those are tools of Gods and Humans. Our tools…" His clawed hands twitched and curled. "Are these."
She sighed. "You want to fight like an animal?" She retorted, releasing her grip and leaving her machete embedded.
Pakkanen squinted his eyes. Slowly, he turned to his right and started walking around the edges of the pool. "Fighting like a God got Shango riddled with arrows. I promised I'd help you join him. Fight like a God, and I can be good to my word."
Oya's lips peeled back into a snarl, revealing a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. Her feet swelled up and tore through her sandals. Her painted toenails popped off as curved claws grew from her toes. Her feet shrank as a membrane grew between her toes, and her knees bent back.
"You keep his name out of your disgusting mouth," Oya hissed, watching him predate.
"The truth hurts, and a God cannot stand on my level. Only two beings ever did, and both never suffered the misfortune of being a 'God.'"
"Enough, already. What is your issue with us?"
"My 'issue?' Calling it that proves me right." Pakkanen continued his walk. "What's the difference between a God and a Human? Other than that 'special' little power the Primordial Gods gave you? Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
"We are the maintainers and protectors of Creation."
Pakkanen…snorted. "No, you're not. You're all nothing more than incompetent, empowered brats. Most of you aren't worth the meat that wraps your bones. Yet, you act like you made all this. You're not maintainers. You can't protect anything. You're inadequate inheritors of a cosmos that you can barely keep functioning because of your petty squabbles. What your predecessors saw in you is beyond me. Even more damning, you made Humans."
"And you're any better?"
"I never tried to be anything more than I am. I am a predator. A dominator. A devourer. I don't need cities. I don't need rules. I don't need anything other than the hunt and the kill."
Oya clicked her tongue. "That's it? That's pathetic. You want to be the same thing without ever changing. That's such bullshit."
Pakkanen stopped.
"Everything changes. Creation is constantly changing. We can either ride along with it or be left behind. You think you can get away with acting like the past was right because it was where you were at your greatest? You're not an animal. You're a coward. Only cowards look to the future and try to stop it."
He turned toward her.
"Did I touch a nerve, you old dog?" She stepped forward, her clawed feet sending ripples through the shallow puddle. "I guess it must be tough watching the world leave you behind. Tell you what?" She stopped a few meters from him. "I'll humor you." She tilted her head, cracking her neck. Scaly ridges started forming around her eyes. "I'll debase myself and fight at your level."
"If you can't fight without thinking, you'll never be at my level."
Ullr's Globe
Game Master Box Seats
"She's fighting him without her machete?!" Ukko said. "She might as well sign her death warrant!"
"Sir, may I?" Hermes asked.
"Just speak."
"Whatever Pakkanen's transformation did, it's made that weapon nearly useless. I haven't seen such an ability in a long time."
"Yes, and Oya's going to solve this the best way possible," Zeus said, smiling as his muscles convulsed under his robes. "Sometimes, it takes a monster to beat a monster."
Ullr's Globe
Arena
Pakkanen and Oya stared each other down, frozen in place. Their minds went blank as they took in the moment, waiting for who would move first. Jarl floated quietly above, feeling the pressure of two monsters sizing each other up. Her mind went wild, envisioning a massive snow-white wolf poised to attack, opposite a massive green serpent adorned with massive curved horns.
Sir, I don't know how you do this! Jarl thought. I thought the fights earlier were stressful. I feel like they'll eat me if I do anything!
Below her, Pakkanen's mind ran. An old emotion slowly awoke in him. One lost to time and its fog. The feel of waking up to the primordial waters surrounding him in its chaotic, yet familiar, embrace. The feel of the wind rushing past him as he pursued worthwhile prey. The sounds of flesh ripping and bones breaking. Only one word could describe it. One word that, if Pakkanen could comprehend its meaning, would encapsulate this moment.
Joy.
This joy, at finally feeling the past, made his body go lax. His arms, hanging limp by his sides, looked lifeless. Finally…I can quit thinking…and just…be… Two white blurs swung from both sides towards Oya's neck. She ducked under both before rising, swiping her right clawed hand up Pakkanen's body. Her nails peeled off as her fingers ran through his body, then she whipped her left down immediately after.
Bursts of wind exploded out of Pakkanen's back, but he remained in one piece. His arms snapped back, hooking into Oya's ribs, lifting her. He stepped back and pulled his arms, spinning her in mid-air. Pakkanen bent over and thrust his crown of horns towards her back. Oya's arms reached back, her elbows and shoulders popping out of place, and snatched two of his horns mid-spin. She landed on the ground, continuing her spin, and tossed Pakkanen over her head and slammed him to the ground. She started spinning, rising to the balls of her feet, twirling Pakkanen around. The wind picked up, spinning her faster and faster. She slammed him again. Then, dragged him along the ground before slamming him back down, head-first. She threw him overhead, rolled into a hand-stand, and pushed off the ground, slamming both feet into Pakkanen's chest. Another burst of air swept through Pakkanen's body as the blow sent him flying.
Oya landed in a crouch, watching Pakkanen crash to the ground over a hundred meters away near the rim of the forest. Lightning crackled around her feet. The ground exploded under her feet as she raced like a bolt, zig-zagging across the field.
Pakkanen snapped to his feet and froze. Oya flashed to his left. Without looking, Pakkanen's left claw swiped up and smashed into her chin. He spun to his left and kicked her away. He dropped onto his right foot and jumped. As he soared, his right arm swelled in size. He fired it at Oya. She rolled to the right, and the fist pierced the ground. Oya rolled back to the left, raised into a handstand, and spun, slamming her right leg into the back of Pakkanen's head. Her toes touched the ground, and she spun back, smashing her heel into his masked snout. Pakkanen's head rocked back, and Oya spun her feet in an arch. Her feet smashed to the ground, sparks flying across her clawed feet and up her body. She stomped forward and dropped her sparkling hammer fist down on Pakkanen's chest. He shot to the ground and bounced off. He spun in the air and flung his left claw. Large spears of ice sprouted from the air and flew at Oya. The first smashed into Oya, burying her, and bounced off into the woods. She immediately exploded out of the ground before the other two landed, and dropped down onto the spear. Her toes dug into the ice as she dropped into a crouch, her arms drooping. From her bleeding fingers, sharp claws grew and curved. Around her waist, her robes shifted right and left as a reptilian tail slowly jutted out.
Pakkanen landed and looked back at her. His head tilted to the side. He dropped down on all fours, his tail whipping through the air.
You're fun! He thought. I want more!
Ullr's Globe
Yoruba Box Seats
I sense it. Oshumare thought. You always hated thinking. It felt foreign to you, that pain of giving order to thought, even if you need it for power. Our minds are not made for it, and even I suffer the discomfort. But you… He watched the pair race towards each other. Are so lucky. You get to live like the old days again, and help me build my ultimate warrior. He looked over towards the rest of his Pantheon and scowled. You will all pay for what you did to Shango.
Ullr's Globe
Arena
Lightning sparked across the snow as Oya ran. Pakkanen swung his arms down, hammering the ground. Dozens of jagged spikes erupted out of the ground between them, heading towards the oncoming storm. Oya weaved left, dodging one, and jumped into the fray. She dug her claws into the first spike and started swinging from one to the next, pulling herself through the spikes.
Pakkanen threw his arms up, and the spikes rocketed out of the ground, pulling Oya with them.
Moving quickly, she released her grip and dropped down. Her feet smashed the ground below, and the rumble of thunder echoed across the globe. Pakkanen felt his body clench up, and he turned his claws down, throwing back to the ground. The spikes flipped over and shot straight down.
Oya just ran. Ran as if the world was not trying to destroy her. As if the cold could not catch her. The audience watched on as if the inevitable would come, and they understood what was happening. How wrong they were. Oya pushed off the ground, enveloped in bolts of lightning racing all over her body. As she ran, the spikes rocketed towards her. She paid no mind to them, only focusing on what was ahead.
Pakkanen stood there, focusing all his might on crushing his fellow apex. Each dodged missile made his non-existent heart race faster and faster. He could feel her oncoming presence seeking his demise. All he could do was continue to try to put her down.
Would his unceasing assault find its target? Would she escape this no-man's land?
She was barely three meters away from Pakkanen when the last spike dropped. It pierced the ground between them, and Oya vanished from Pakkanen's sight. What didn't was the white-hot energy surrounding her as she spear-kicked the spike, shattering it. Debris pelted Pakkanen's body, then Oya appeared before him. She balled her right into a fist full of power and fired it into Pakkanen's chest. Lightning flashed through his body and out of his back, sending him flying with a brand new giant hole in his torso.
Pakkanen soared, his eyes wide with shock and his body stiff as a board.
Oya stood completely still, her fist still stretched out and pulsing with power.
The Yoruba Pantheon roared to life, cheering her on. Then, their cheers fell silent.
Pakkanen spun in the air as a platform of ice formed in mid-air. He landed cleanly, and the hole vanished. Another platform appeared behind him as the one he stood on tipped forward. One slammed into the other, firing Pakkanen like a bullet back towards his foe.
Got you. Oya thought. She extended both arms out in front. Pakkanen ballooned into a massive javelin, barreling down on her. I played your game…and now…
The tip of the javelin touched the tips of her fingers, and lightning fired through it, branching in all directions, akin to a tree. Every centimeter of the javelin melted and evaporated instantly as the bolt passed through from end to end. One branch found home and pierced straight through Pakkanen's body, melting everything below his shoulders.
I win.
The entire audience erupted with cheers as Pakkanen fell, shattering.
Oya stood up and took her stance. Dozens of meters away, a small light flew out of the snow. A gale spun to life, picking up pieces of ice, smashing them into each other, expanding and sculpting into a familiar, unpleasant form.
"Just won't stay dead, will you?" Oya said. Pain welled up on her face, as if something was pushing from inside her skull.
"You…fought me like a God…"
"Oh no, I didn't." She felt something pushing against her nose. "I fought you like you. Just started using lightning instead of wind when I figured you out."
"Figured…me out?"
"Yeah…must be nice having a body like that. You're just tiny pieces of ice held so close together that you only look solid. That's why the machete and wind did jack to you. You can move it around and hold it in place…just you can't stop it from melting."
Pakkanen leered at her.
"And you can't do it on instinct, can you?"
His eyes widened.
"You had to think… as a God does, while I can fight better than you on instinct alone." Oya could feel her bones cracking and mending under her skin. "Aaaah…I get it now. This wasn't about dominance at all!"
The mouth of Pakkanen's helmet started cracking.
"You wanted a fun challenge, didn't you? Something to make you feel like the old you!" Lightning and wind erupted around her. "Well, I am not a fun challenge, an animal, predator, or prey. I am Oya, you petty old dog, and I am going to put you down."
Ullr's Globe
Outer Passage
Sitting on a bench far from the Box Seats, Set watched the fight continue on his tablet. Exhaustion floated over him, and his eyes began glazing over.
I thought better of you, Oya. He thought. You think this is what Shango would want? He shook his head. No, you know that, but it does not stop you.
Feels uncomfortably familiar, huh? The wispy voice asked.
Set leaned back against the wall.
It's easy to see our own faults in other people and try to help them.
Am I that obvious? Set asked.
Yes.
Set sighed. His ears suddenly perked up to the sound of footsteps. The cadence and rhythm caused him to sit up and look their way. Walking down the hall was an older Goddess in a fur-lined green dress. Set recalled her vibrant black storm cloud of hair, but it now showed a few hints of gray, yet her eyes were still the same bright blue from her youth. A few wrinkles found home on the edges of her eyes and mouth, but youthful energy could still be felt in her bearing and step.
Set rose quickly and straightened his coat, then flicked the three switches under his chin.
What're you doing? The voice asked.
"Evening, Brigid," He said. "I assume you are here to check on Epona?"
"Oh no," She answered, her voice tugging at Set. "Lugh's already keeping watch, and the Eschatons are keeping her company."
"Keeping her company? That…is unexpected."
"What can I say? Horses love her."
"They are not horses, but I see your point."
She smiled. "No, I came with Macha. She's fretting over Nuada back at Valhalla Arena, and you know how those two get when they're together."
"I cannot tell if they are bickering or flirting."
"They're the same thing with them."
Set stifled a laugh. "Fair."
"But I'd be lying…if I said I didn't come to see you."
Set froze.
"Cat got your tongue?"
Sir? The wispy voice asked.
"Damn…," Set whispered. He reached for his chin and flipped the three switches back. "Did Nuada tell you?" He asked in his true voice.
"No, he told Macha, who told me. No secrets between us girls, and you know Nuada would never lie to Macha. I wish he would when she's having bad days, though…"
Set looked away.
"You know how much you hurt him, don't you? After everything the two of you have been through?"
"I was just a teacher."
"Liar. You were his mentor, and the only person he trusted outside Eire, and you knew it."
Set breathed deeply.
"You know what happened after you left? What it did to everyone back home?"
"I do. It is why I reached out to Nuada and asked him and Lugh to join Ragnarök."
"That does not make up for what you did, especially what you did to your own kids."
Set locked his eyes on hers. "Do you think me ignorant of the fallout?!" He yelled.
Brigid flinched.
Set shuddered and clenched his fists, but brought his breathing back to a slow rhythm and relaxed soon after. "I am…sorry. I should not have yelled, especially after what Bres did."
"No…I…shouldn't have hit you while you were low."
"Do not apologize. I deserve it."
Brigid's eyes softened.
"This day weighs on me, Brigid, and I think it may be because a lot is happening. A lot I have planned for and a lot more that has not happened yet."
"Like what?"
"Despite my seeming absence, I have abandoned my duties. I know Balor still plans to invade, and he thinks Lugh, Epona, and Nuada are too weak to protect Eire. This is their chance to prove Eire's not his to take nor a place his puppets can rule. I also owe an effort to deal with Odin, Ra, and other problems."
"Like Pakkanen and Barong?"
Set nodded.
"You haven't given up at all, have you?"
"The 'Human Extermination Army' was the perfect cover. We built a monstrous force to take down the corruption in Valhalla and Midgard—"
"And we were a part of that, but you left us."
"…I did."
"Nuada stood with you. We stood with you, but you left without us, and the moment we discovered it was when we thought you died."
Set turned and sat back on the bench.
"Brigid, to explain why would just make things worse."
She walked over to the bench and sat down next to Set.
"You've told me everything else, even things your kids didn't know. Even if you think it will, that's my decision, and I have time."