Takemikazuchi looked up to the Humans' side of the arena, eyeing the massive groups of Rikishi and Pehlwan staring down at him while his right arm hung limp. He turned towards them, and many closer to the arena could see the heartbreak in his bearing. The Rikishi shed tears at their Sensei's victory and loss; the Pehlwans stood stoic despite the wave of sadness flowing over them. Radgridr watched him nervously as he slowly, painfully, walked to the edge of the small dirt arena. He stopped at the edge, keeping his sight on the wrestlers.
"What do you want?" Muhammad asked, glaring.
"How…" Muhammad raised an eyebrow. "How do I honor him? I don't know Kushti traditions…"
Muhammad shook his head. Damn it, he's suffering more than we are. Why can't you be just like the Gods on the other side, and insult hi-Muhammad looked over to the Gods. He bearing shattered. Many of the Gods in the stands behind Takemikazuchi…were crying. Gods of all shapes and cultures cried. Some clenched their fists and fidgeted in their seats. Muhammad remembered seeing that years ago when young, impatient wrestlers demanded their turn in the Akhara. Why?! Why are they crying for him?! He was…Muhammad's eyes welled up. He was just…He hung his head and pursed his lips. Damn it… He felt a hand grip his left shoulder. He looked back and saw Imam keeping his stoic bearing despite the tears. He nodded and tightened his grip a little.
"He gets it. They get it." Imam said.
Muhammad looked back at Takemikazuchi as his expression softened. "Touch the ground, respectfully. Give thanks to the art for the opportunity, and the opponent for the match. You can do what you want after."
Takemikazuchi bowed deeply, his body shaking. He rose, then crouched down slowly. He lowered his left hand, placed his hand on the dirt, and closed his eyes. I could not run from this match…I could not disrespect my dream, and Futsu's dream. Now I see that to run meant to disrespect yours, too, Ghulam. Words will never express my gratitude. No…He rose and aimed a powerful stare at the Wrestlers. I will express with action. "All who follow the path of Wrestling!" His voice echoed. "You be Rikishi, Pehlwan, or any other! The journey hasn't ended, and I am going to continue on it! Who will join me?!" A silent wave of aura cascaded from all sides of the bleachers down to Takemikazuchi. No…it's not over…we'll keep walking. We'll keep climbing. Watch us, Ghulam. Takemikazuchi turned away from the bleachers and slowly walked back to the East Gate, Radgridr joining him as he walked past her.
"Now that…," Hanuman fell back onto his cushion. "Was amazing."
"Never thought you'd calm down," Shiva said. "But you're right. That Human, Ghulam, was an odd one." Shiva's aura slowly spilled out. "Makes a guy want to start dancing again!"
"How long has it been, Shiva?"
"Huh?"
"How long has it been since we felt this alive about something?"
"I don't think that's what this is."
"You say that, but," Hanuman rolled out of his cushion and stood. "Things are changing. Whether we acknowledge it or not, things are changing, and we need to get ready for it." He walked back around and headed towards the exit.
"Where are you going?"
"To meet someone." Hanuman's aura erupted forth and burst out of the box seat. "I got questions that need answers."
Einherjar Barracks
Leo's Workshop
"Well," Johannes said. "That was both amazing and just plain disappointing. Knew that Takemikazuchi was trouble, but when the hell could someone do that? Right, Li?" He turned to his right. "Li?" He looked behind him, catching Li walking towards the elevator. "Where are you going?!"
"Alvitr," Li said. Alvitr floated down from the upper rafters, landing next to Li.
"Time, huh?"
"A challenge has been declared, and I will meet it."
"Man, old dudes like you keep trying to act tough and act all super serious." Alvitr looked back at the monitor, catching Radgridr's sullen expression as she helped Takemikazuchi walk through the East Gate. "But man…my little sister's sad." She clenched her fists, popping her knuckles. "I can't stand seeing any more of that."
"Then let's be off. Brünhilde has the call for the next round…and it will be our turn." Johannes and Reginleif watched them walk onto the elevator and depart.
"It's about to get bad again," Johannes said, sighing.
"Yeah, but if anyone can pull this back, it's those two," Reginleif added. "Oddly, I don't sense any anger from Li. Why?"
"Li's not the kind of man to take revenge, but he is the kind who honors the wishes of his peers. Ghulam issued a final challenge, and he will meet it." He sighed. "Well, it's getting lonely here. Want to go with me to check on someone?"
Helheim
Hades' Castle
Deep within Helheim's bowels rests a tall, ornate, and beautiful castle, and the home of Hades. Truly, it is one of the few rare sights of beauty and elegance within that dark, nightmare-filled realm. Much like it, the ruler of that castle stands as tall amongst the chaos, carries himself with a bearing of grace and authority, possesses strength rivaled by a very few in all the realms, and is the worthy possessor of three titles: King of The Underworld, The God Whom Other Gods Rely on the Most, and most importantly, to him at least, The Eldest Brother.
It is here that Hades faces his first challenge of the day. Sitting at his majestic obsidian throne, a small table sits in front of him with a chessboard on top of it. Across from him, sitting on a small black wooden chair, was Týr, staring at the chessboard. Both had yet to make a move as a sleek monitor to Hades' right displayed the results of Round Nine. "Have you decided how you wish to start?" Hades asked, eyeing the black pieces in front of him. Týr shot a glance his way before turning the board to put the white pieces on Hades' side.
"I'll move second today." He answered.
"Well, that's a first." Hades carefully grabbed the pawn in front of his king and moved it two spaces. "Pawn, E2 to E4."
Týr mimicked him, taking the same pawn on his side and moving two spaces forward. "Pawn, E7 to E5."
"Still making the same starting play as the last few games."
"It's simple, but effective. Had to lose to you a lot before I figured out why you always did it."
"Hmmm." Hades picked up the knight on his king's side and moved it to the center. "Knight, G1 to F3."
Týr copies his move. "Knight, G8 to F6."
"You're oddly calm today despite everything going on." Hades smiled softly as he shot a glance towards Týr. He then moved the bishop next to his queen out. "Bishop, F1 to B5. Don't just copy, Týr."
Týr's knight was within range of Hades' bishop. Týr moved the pawn in front of his queen up one space. "Pawn, B7 to B6. It's not copying. It's understanding. All things, from talking to walking to chess and fighting, are learned through mimicry. From there, they learn what they can and cannot do, and redirect their paths to ones that suit them better."
"Like Takemikazuchi?" Hades moves his bishop back. "Bishop, B5 to A4."
"Exactly," Týr picked up his other knight and moved it to the center. "Knight, B8 to C6. Take never had the same gift of swordsmanship or the desire to master it like Futsu. His talent and power bore fruit only when he found a path that suited him, and it made him stronger than Futsu by a country mile. Plus, he had the right mentality for it and didn't rest on the laurels of 'strength,' 'talent,' or 'luck.'"
"Yes," Hades moved his king to the side by castling with his free rook. "Kingside Castling. Those things in the right hands are great boons, especially in our world. However, far too many lack the mindset, and far too many use those boons carelessly, turning them into burdens."
Týr moved his bishop out one space in front of his king. "Bishop, E7. When you put it that way, those things sound almost like curses."
"Anything can become a curse. Strength, luck, the past, love. It's how we view them that can help or hinder us. Love used to be your curse." Hades moved his rook's pawn forward one space. "Pawn, H3."
Týr castles. "Kingside Castling. Yeah…it was for a long time. I mean, how else was I supposed to act after my brothers risked their lives to save me? I screwed up badly and lost my arm trying to be like Thor and Baldr. The Strongest Norse Warrior and the Shield of Asgard. And there I was, just a measly duelist who couldn't turn the tide of wars like they or Vidarr could. I felt my life was so damn useless it could only be saved by them, or stuck in their shadows."
Hades moved the pawn next to his bishop's starting square and forward one space. "Yes. That love was very much a curse. But now, it isn't. Things have changed. Pawn, C2 to C3."
"Yeah." He smiled. "I had to take a step back and re-evaluate a lot of things." Týr moved the same knight back. "Knight, B8 to D7. And all it took was losing an arm."
"You lost more than your arm." Hades moved his queen's bishop one space forward and to the side. "You lost a good deal of bad habits and unrealistic expectations. Like feeling like you owe your brothers your servitude, or pursuing a relationship with Brünhilde. Bishop, C1 to E3."
"I guess so. Baldr and Thor kept getting pissed with me when I acted like that, and I couldn't give her what she wanted or needed. Loki couldn't either and still can't, the poor fool." Týr moved the pawn in front of his queen one space forward. "Pawn, D7 to D6. However, I won't lie. It still sucked never telling her, and it hurt worse seeing how she hit it off with Sieg after I introduced them."
"Does it still? Love like that is the worst kind of curse." Hades shifted his rook to the right by one square, placing it in the center. "Rook, F1 to E1."
"Not at all." Týr shifted his queen's bishop one square as a small smile grew. "Bishop, C8 to B7. As much as it hurt then, seeing those two made me happier than I thought it would. Kind of irritates me a little how selfish I was then. Plus, I could only be the brother Thor and Baldr needed after I understood they saved me because I'm their brother, not because they wanted something from me."
"Well said, but I think there's something you're not saying." Hades moved his king's knight up and inward one space. "Knight, F3 to G5. No, definitely not." Týr's right eyebrow rose. "Are you planning to go next?"
"What makes you think that?" Týr pushes the pawn in front of his king one space forward. "Pawn, H7 to H6. Is it because of Ghulam's challenge?"
Hades shifted his knight back one space. "Knight, G5 to F3. You, more than any God in Heaven, have personally exchanged blows with many men and women like him. I would think someone of his caliber would stir your soul into action."
"I have fought only a few of his caliber amongst the thousands of Humans and Gods who call themselves Martial Artists. Any action to respond to his challenge should not be taken lightly." He moved the pawn in front of his queen's rook one space forward. "Pawn, A7 to A6. However, there's a time and place, and I will respect his dying wish. It must be done the right way."
Hades pushed the pawn in front of his queen one square forward. "Pawn, D4 to D5. Well said. However, I doubt you would act tactlessly. If you feel the call, take it."
Týr sat still, staring at the board. His eyes darted across the board, taking in the changing setups. He moved his hand over his king's knight and paused. He breathed softly. He shifted his hand back to his bishop and shifted it back one square. "Bishop, B7 to C8. I feel it, the desire, but I don't feel the need." Hades tilted his head slightly to the side. "Everyone had something to prove or overcome, but Takemikazuchi, I think, was the only one who truly succeeded. By freeing himself of that stuff and just being in the now, he reached a point so few within the cosmos could dream of. Took him long enough."
"That technique, what was that?"
"The Japanese call it Musouken, or the Unarmed Blade. Other places have the same philosophy under different names, but they all revolve around becoming so prolific at your art, you can harm or kill without needing a weapon or making contact with your opponent. Like using the technique of thrusting your bident without the bident in hand and skewering someone."
Hades slid his queen to the center-right of the board. Týr smiled. "Queen, D1 to D3. Can you do that?"
Týr eyed Hades as he moved his queen to the center-left. "I am that. Queen, D8 to D7." Týr leaned back and eyed the board. He nodded a little and stood. "Sorry, Hades. I think we need to put this match on hold."
"Really? That's not like you." Hades rested his chin on his left fist.
"True, but I think it's time for a change." He walked around and pushed his chair in. "Grateful for the talk as always."
"We Gods are not ones to say thank you. Seems your time amongst the Humans has done you good." Hades said, smiling.
"Probably. Then again, I'm pretty sure you don't just wing it when it comes to chess. Makes a guy wonder what you do in your free time, and I doubt many Gods even bother learning what Chess is." Týr gave a light bow and walked out.
Good luck, Týr. Been a while since I had someone new to play chess with, and I hope we can continue this game.
Tartarus
Warden's Office
Not too far from Hades' castle, Yama sat quietly at his simple desk, resting his face on his right fist as he stared at his computer monitor. On it, he saw Vidarr walking along the wall of the Circles, occasionally waving his axe around.
"So Eris," Yama heard him say. "How did you give information to your 'boyfriend?' I thought getting any word out of here was impossible."
"I'll answer your question if you can ensure my freedom!" She quickly responded from her embedded cell.
Wait…why is Vidarr interrogating Eris? Yama thought. Where did he get that axe from? Wait. Hold on. This might work out for me. Yama turned the volume down a little, eyeing the door to his office.
"Of course. However, I get the information first. Then you're free to go."
"Easy enough! It was Yama." Vidarr's eyes widened. "Right? It's not that shocking if you think of it! Before becoming the Warden, he was Head of Security. Obviously, that gives him free rein to walk down here, talk to me, then pass that information on via a tablet or a messenger. I gave him the information, he passed it onto Prometheus and then shit starts happening!"
That lying bitch! Yama roared mentally. If Vidarr is convinced, he's going to come after me! I need to prepare!
"Why would Yama do that?"
"Simple. He hates Hades for overthrowing him. After conquering all of Helheim and subduing the Devils, Archdemons, demons, and Underworld Gods, only to have it taken from you by Zeus' big brother would suck, right? Then get thrown into the Circles, pulled out, and made a lapdog here in the very prison Yama made? Talk about irony!"
"So that's it? Just vengeance?"
"Nah. Yama's playing the long game to undermine Hades and make a bid at taking over Helheim!"
Yama stared at the screen, silence looming over him. Vidarr stared Eris down. He sighed. "Well damn. That's disappointing." Vidarr turned around and swung his axe at another cell across the pit from Moloch's.
"Wait-wait-wait-!" A booming voice yelled from the cell. A second later, a wet thump was heard. Eris' eyes widened and darted from Vidarr to the cell and back.
"Aaaah, who was that again?"
"Prisoner #9, Whiro-te-tipua, the Unfulfilled," Michael answered.
"Right! He's Tāne's brother! Well, that's a shame. He didn't want Whiro down here. He thought it too cruel to send his family down here." He turned his attention back to Eris. "Eight left."
"What're you doing!? I just told you everything!" Eris yelled.
Vidarr lightly nodded. "You did. You told me everything you wanted me to hear." He turned back to her. "But that's a lie. Hard to believe it, but I can tell when people lie. It comes with the territory of my Divine Power. However, I don't need it with you. Being stuck down here with you all did me some good. Helped me figure out how to sniff out bluster and bullshit without using my power, especially around those who can manipulate it." Eris leaned back away from her cell's window. "Also, contrary to what some people may think of him, Yama prefers facing challenges head-on and honestly. It's why he sucks at espionage, at least to me, and" Yama leaned back in his chair with a mixed expression of peeved and grateful on his face. "why there's no way he'd be the one to help you. But what you said just now gives me an idea." Yama leaned in towards the monitor, making sure he could hear. "See, when everyone, including him, investigated the incident back then, they all wondered how you got the info to Prometheus. But, that's not what interests me." He looked into her cell. "No, what interests me is what you had to gain if it was true."
"What could I gain from helping Prometheus?"
"Simple. Revenge against Pandora."
"Pfft. Pandora?"
"You say that, but you were the only one happy about what happened to her. I mean, why
wouldn't you be? She's smarter, prettier, stronger, faster, and more popular; she got the attention of the good twin. If I were in your shoes, I'd be pretty jealous too, and just as immature." Eris glared at him.
"Vidarr," Michael said.
"Hmmm?"
"Get to the point."
"I am. Give me a moment. But it's just not fair, is it?"
"What isn't fair?" Eris droned on.
"Pandora got to be happy while you suffered down here. Got to be the center of attention, and
the apple of her father's eye. It had to eat at you. It would me. What the hell did she do to deserve all that love and adoration? Existing. That's all."
"If you're implying I had something to do with Epimetheus' death, you're wrong." Vidarr turned and swung his axe at another cell. Another nasty thump and plop echoed in the pit. "Michael?"
Michael sighed. "Prisoner #11, Taowu, the Unfathomable."
"Seven left. Don't lie." Vidarr's aura flowed out as he returned to Eris' cell. "I hate liars."The temperature in the pit dropped several degrees.
"Why would I care about that idiot's wedding?!"
"You don't. That's why it was easy for you. That's why you're the Outer God known as the 'Uncaring.' No one truly matters to you, so it would be easy for you to do something so catastrophic and so callous." Eris went silent. "But, I know you. I know you so well, it makes me nauseous." He stepped away from her cell and turned back around. His eyes darted left and right before he locked in on one more cell.
What are you getting at? Yama thought.
"I would bet Asgard," He swung the axe at another cell. Another plop and thud. "You did it to spite Pandora and Hephaestus. Six left."
"Prisoner #5, Chernobog the Unseen," Michael called out monotonously.
"That bimbo and her fugly dad? Please."
"Harsh words for people who don't seem to matter." Vidarr turned to Michael. Michael saw the tinge of anger in his face. "I heard not too long ago that Hephaestus died fighting in Ragnarök. We lost a good one, there." He swung the axe towards Eris. Eris' eyes widened. The air around her whipped softly, and her left arm below the elbow came off. She howled through her bars and into the pit. "That was for Hephaestus, and all the spiteful things you did to him and Pandora. And now I warn you. Keep acting like you had nothing to do with that awful day, and I will cut off a millimeter of flesh every minute until you're canned lunchmeat."
"Bastard!" She yelled.
Vidarr rushed over to her cell. He reared back his left hand and punched it, the cell and wall vibrating from his strike. "Now you're being honest! Call me a 'bastard!' Spit at me and threaten me! At least you now have the gumption to do it out loud instead of under your breath like back in Olympus!" He slapped the cell door. "Act smug! Be haughty! Do everything you can to make this worse for yourself!"
"When I get out of here, I'll kill you!" She hissed.
"When? When!?"
"Vidarr!" Michael shouted. "She's not going to give you the information you need! Knock it off!"
"Knock it off!?" He turned back to Michael. "You should be begging me to continue! Her damn weapon caused all this! The domino effect of everything up to this point is because of her pettiness and Prometheus' ego! Look what happened to Yama! Look at what happened to Hephaestus, Pandora, and your family! Look where we are! Are you now going to pretend you don't care!?"
"I do care," Michael said, his tone controlled and low. "Like you, I sat down here with her and Prometheus. Their insufferable presence made this place a far worse Hell than I could imagine, but we can't be like them." Michael brought his face to his cell's window. "Yama knows that. I know that. You know that."
They're both trying to play me up. Yama thought. They probably know I'm listening.
"If you want to get information out of her, then you need to guarantee she won't suffer for it."
"If I did anything!" Eris yelled, ripping a piece of cloth from her robes and wrapping it above the stump. "What makes you all think I would help Prometheus?!"
"She's right, Vidarr. She would never help him. She hates him as much as we did."
"What?" Vidarr asked.
"What?" Eris said.
"Vidarr, can you promise Eris her freedom if she complies?" Vidarr eyed Michael. He nodded a few times.
"I can," Vidarr's aura began to bubble out. "If she's honest."
"There you have it. Eris, you need medical attention, and you have his word. Two things to get you out of your cell. What do you say?"Say yes. This may work to our advantage.
Sweat began to form on Eris' brow. She looked through the window of her cell at Vidarr, then Michael, then back at Vidarr.
Shit. She thought. I'm about to die, aren't I? Maybe…maybe I can make this work to my advantage.
Mount Damavand
Far from Tartarus, at the base of the stratovolcano, Spenta Armaiti stood out in front of a large group of angels. Behind her stood six Angels wearing robes of different colors from her blue. "You all know your roles. Search for the opening to Zahhak's cell, but do not open it. Should any of you find it, alert one of us immediately." Armaiti said.
"Yes, Ma'am." They all said in unison.
"Now, fallout." The group broke up into several small teams and flew away. Armaiti turned back to face the other six. "They're going to circle the base of the mountain and slowly ascend to check every crack, jut, peak, and cave. Hoping something comes of this."
An older-looking angel in orange robes walked up to her and rested his right hand on her shoulder. "Armaiti, do you need us to hold this down?" He said. "This place holds a lot of bad memories for you."
Vohu Manah
Aresha Spenta of Discernment and Animals
(Zoroastrian Pantheon)
"I'm fine, but thank you. I just…feel kind of off." She looked back at the mountain. "So much has changed since then, but this place feels like it did back then."
"It's the beauty of such places. Untouched by time, but still full of moments."
"Yeah…"
A female angel in green robes walked up behind Vohu and stood next to him. "Armaiti, we're not doubting your ability to handle this, but Arash fought just yesterday."
Ameretat
Aresha Spenta of Immortality, Death, and Plant Life
(Zoroastrian Pantheon)
"You don't need to force yourself."
"Guys, I know, but this is important. Plus, it's not just Arash. This place was where Kaveh imprisoned Zahhak during one of his cycles of reincarnation. To let personal things get in the way would dishonor him."
"Then we will nip this in the bud and focus on the task at hand." The other four angels circled up and began talking. "How sure are we that the Zahhak back then is the same one who serves in Helheim right now?"
"There's no doubt," Vohu Manah answered. "His cycle of reincarnation is constantly monitored by the Heavenly choirs. This was also the only time when his corrupted wings manifested."
"By Heaven, what a cruel fate."
"Metatron ensured he would suffer for trying to overthrow him and terrorize the Heavens. How long has he been in Helheim for this cycle?"
"About forty years, so we have time."
Armaiti felt her tablet vibrate in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw a notification.
Armaiti, I will be there soon. Are you and the rest of the Amesha Spenta ready?
She quickly typed away at her screen. We've already started searching. Around two hundred Angels are surveying the mountain. How certain is Yama about his theory? She sent the message. Her tablet vibrated just a few seconds later. Is he in that much of a hurry? She thought.
About sixty percent is my guess, but it's better than nothing.
I hope so, Raphael.
Something flashed and crashed down behind her. Armaiti turned around, her eyes widening at the sight of a familiar dark-skinned God in orange pants with a smatter of spiky white on his head that slightly obscured his eyes. "Indra?!"
"Yep," He answered nonchalantly. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a cigarette box. He picked a cigarette out of the box and raised it to his mouth. A small bolt of lightning shot out of the sky straight at it, igniting the cigarette. Indra inhaled and let out a puff of smoke with the cigarette still in his mouth. "This is where Arash shot his famous arrow, right?"
"…Yeah…why?"
"Probably a coincidence, but I kind of felt something in my gut tell me to come here. Looks like you guys are looking for something. Need some help?"
Valhalla Arena
Medical Wing
Back in Valhalla, away from the peak of Demavand and the depths of Tartarus, Göll, Hrist, and Komatsuhime watched the monitor, taking in the realization of their situation.
"You think Hilde already knows?" Göll asked Hrist while both watched the monitor.
"Likely…she's never been good with things like this," Hrist answered.
"She's the kind of person who puts on a tough face for others, even if it means wearing herself down," Leo added. "She's also not the kind of person who wants people pointing it out, right?"
Hrist sighed. "Yeah…who do you think will go next?"
"If I were a betting man, and I am bad at it despite what today would say, I'd wager it's going to be Li." Both Göll and Hrist looked back at him. "There's no one left who felt such a kinship with Ghulam, and that challenge will resonate with him, for sure."
Li? Göll thought.
"Hilde has the final call, but we're down again, and the Gods only need two more wins to wipe out Humanity. I'd send Rommie or Georgios if I were her."
"You'd be right," A familiar voice to their left spoke out. "Those two are crucial, and this is the last Round I can pick." Hrist and Göll looked over and saw Brünhilde standing on the threshold.
Hilde. She thought. She saw her sister's hardened expression, but something was wrong.
"I haven't heard from Set yet, so I have time to think."
Göll looked at her sisters, her mind racing. Hrist looked uncertain, and Brünhilde was avoiding eye contact.
The way your sister handles this situation is hers and hers alone. Graceful or not, right or wrong, she is trying. Li said in her memory.
"Hilde…" Göll walked up to her eldest sister, standing just a meter away.
You've loyally followed your sister through this, and that, to some, is admirable. However, I think what you're trying to do is help her, right?
"What is it, Göll?" Brünhilde asked, looking at the monitor.
"Give me your tablet."
Brünhilde snapped her attention to Göll, and fear broke through. "What? Why?"
Göll looked up at her sister, seeing the cracks in her stoic bearing showing. "I hate this…I hate what you're doing…" She stepped back. "I know you're trying to be strong, and be the big sister we all love and trust…you're trying, but I can't stand by and watch you do this anymore." Brünhilde stepped back a little. "You're always trying to do things like this alone…
Hrist rose out of her chair, worried. "Göll, please don't-"
"Hrist, stop," Leo said. She looked over to him, her worried expression shifting between him and her sisters. She pursed her lips and sat down.
"Göll, I need you to understand-"
"I do understand, Hilde." Brünhilde's lips quivered. "I can't explain it, but I know all this awful stuff gets loaded on you because you won't let us help you with it." Göll's eyes started to well up. "We're family! What's the point of this if you destroy yourself and leave us, too?!"
"Göll, it's my responsibility." She answered, hesitating but trying to remain stoic.
"No, it's not," Komatsuhime added, sitting next to Leo's tank. Everyone turned their attention to her. "My entire family fought under Lord Tokugawa's banner alongside our allies. My father, despite his might, knew that one man could not win wars. It is by joining with comrades-in-arms, comrades you trust in, that victories are possible. If you think so lowly of your sisters and the men who are dying for this cause, then go ahead." Komatsuhime's grip on her spear tightened. "But it won't be Göll who you need to contend with."
Brünhilde stood straight. "I didn't mean to insult your father."
"Then don't act like you're the one who died in that arena yesterday or today. Everyone yesterday, those who have and will fall today, and may fall tomorrow, is fighting; it is their choice. If you feel you've manipulated them into something, then you're a damn fool as much as self-flagellating martyr." Komatsuhime rose and walked over to Brünhilde, standing next to Göll. "My father died for a cause you championed. Do you truly believe Humanity deserves to live?"
"…I do. It's not right what the Gods are doing."
"But there's more to this." Brünhilde nodded. "You speak out of both sides of your mouth." Brünhilde hung her head and looked at her feet. "Lord Tokugawa was bad about that, too. He found it hard to trust people, even my father in the early days. Eventually, he got over it as he saw the character of the men and women he fought beside. If you can do that, too, the burden gets easier." Komatsuhime rested her left hand on Göll's right shoulder. "And you have people here for that."
Brünhilde closed her eyes. I want…I want things back the way they were…it's been too long. When was the last time I saw Sieg's face? Held his hand? She reached her left hand to the large wing-shaped hairpin on the left side of her head. Sieg…I…don't know what to do…if I tell them, will they hate me? Can I live with that? She felt someone take her right hand in a soft grip. She slowly opened her eyes, seeing Göll's hand holding hers. She met Göll's eyes and let her shoulders slouch. "Göll, do you remember Siegfried?"
"Your Fiancé? Yeah, I do."
"His life is tethered to Humanity's survival. I cannot explain everything right now, but this is just as much about saving him as it is about saving Humanity."
"No way. Really?"
"Hilde, why didn't you tell us?" Hrist asked.
"If you all knew, I thought you would hate me and think I was just seeking revenge against Odin."
Hilde, you've been holding this in all this time?! Hrist thought. Did it hurt that much to see Sieg get imprisoned?
Her talk with Leo played back in her mind. Of course you do. You're the second oldest. You watch Brünhilde try all day long to be strong and tough. Hurts her to hell and back. That's why you want to be strong, too.
"You think we wouldn't want the same thing?! Sieg was going to be our Brother-In-Law! He's already family, so come hell or high water, we'd be right there with you! Odin can suck it for all I care!" She declared.
Brünhilde looked at Hrist. "But, Randgriz and the others-"
"You'd think they would have done any differently had they known Sieg was involved?" Their days back in Asgard came back. "Hilde, we never saw you happier than with him. And we never saw you more miserable than after he was taken. None of us could take that. Please believe when I say they would have still fought. Not just for Humanity, but for you and Sieg." Hrist walked up to and stood on Göll's other side. "We're your sisters. We always have your back."
Brünhilde recalled those easier days. Pandora's wedding, her days talking with Týr, and being introduced to Siegfried. How it made her heart flutter the first time she saw him smile. The times she spent with her sisters travelling, reading, playing, sometimes competing, mainly with Geirölul or Thrud, and even just taking in the beauty of the Heavens. They felt so close, but she knew they were gone and would never return.
Her eyes began to water, and tears rolled. "Hrist…I'm sorry."
Hrist walked up to her and wrapped her arms around her. "Quit saying that."
Göll began tearing up and smiled a little. Thank goodness! Hilde's- A monstrous, dark aura slammed down on the entire room. Brünhilde and Hrist brace themselves, but their knees slightly buckled. Komatsuhime stood firm, and Göll fell. The entire room shook. The monitor stayed on the wall despite the tremor, but the equipment around Leo started moving. Komatsuhime acted quickly, dashing over to Leo's pod and stopping the equipment from falling. "W-what's going on?! Where's this coming from?!"
"Oh no…" Brünhilde knew what was coming and froze. Her body trembled. She only ever felt this kind of pressure, this terrifying power, from one person, and only when she was furious beyond reason. She remembered the aftermath that followed this pressure. Several regions of Heaven were left in ruin by her, and could only be stopped by a small army of Chief Gods.
She heard footsteps echo outside in the hall. Slow, intentional, knowing the ominous pressure they carried. They stopped right outside the room. Hrist saw her first, and felt as if her soul scrambled away from her body. Brünhilde turned around, seeing a young woman with black hair tied in a ponytail, her silver and burning-blue blouse billowing as if in a hurricane. Her blue pants were held firm by a brown belt that matched her sandals, her arms adorned with bracelets starting at her forearm and going down to her wrists, just below a pair of metal-studded leather gloves. Her burning red eyes stared in a furious glare, piercing through everything in front of her. "Pandora," Brünhilde whispered.
"Hi, Hilde." She whispered.
Manu
The pressure from Pandora, even far away, sent a slight chill up Set's spine, even if he didn't know the cause of it. I think I'm getting in over my head. The voice in Set's head thought.
"Set, are you ready?" Thoth asked as they walked through a large hallway, light shining in at the end. Both could hear the sound of chatter, laughter, and the occasional clanging of something hitting the floor or a wooden table. He knew that sound all too well.
I don't know if I can do this.
Yes, you can. Set answered back mentally. You waited long enough for this, and there's no going back. Set breathed slowly. I can only give you ten minutes at best. Going any longer risks killing us. Remember who you do this for. That will keep you going.
Okay…okay let's go.
"I am." The two walked into a large banquet hall. In front of them was a long, large, and heavy wooden table lined with food of all kinds, different types of wine carried and poured from juglets. Set could smell the familiar scent of a particular red wine.
Cinnamon? Honey? The voice thought. Smells like something from the House of Aton, Year 3. I think this may be Isis' blend based on that. Nephthys liked that one.
Gods, all dressed like Egyptian royalty, or maybe royalty dressed like them, sat along the table. Some had their backs to Set, while the others he could see their faces clearly as day, especially one God who saw him enter the hall and immediately stared daggers his way. That God was tall and well-muscled, his dark skin looked as if blessed by the sun. His black hair was cut short and slicked back.
"Well, well. Look who decided to crawl out of the shadows." The God said. "Was wondering when, during this farce called Ragnarök, you'd show your pitiful self." The rest of the table felt the change in the atmosphere and went silent. They all turned their gaze towards the source of the mood.
Ra-Horakhty
God of the Sun
Chief God of the Egyptian Pantheon
"Ready to die like the pest you are, then?"