Jörð Arena
Outer Halls
Set and Odin made their way, watching the monitors lining the walls and the crowd around them. Set looked at them, feeling a mixture of pride and sadness wash over him at the sight of Yama and Georgios squaring off.
"So, how did you get your hands on Gungnir?" Set said as they walked.
"Trying to draw attention?" Odin asked.
"We are walking through the concession area. Most of the folks here are already paying attention to us. What would worry them is the Supreme Norse God and Ragnarök's Game Master walking through and not talking."
Odin did not respond.
"I am sure you want this to go without issue, so play along."
"…It was a gift."
"Unlikely. You probably stole it."
Odin leered at him. "Don't speak about things you don't know…or maybe you actually do."
"Maybe I do. Funny thing, do you remember Gollnir?"
Odin glanced to the side.
"Odin. Gollnir. Do you remember him?"
"I do."
"Good. I worried you forgot the one who made Gungnir. Weird thing is, it was not a spear, but a protective pendant."
"Your point?"
"Personally, it feels like an insult to my friend that you named a weapon after something he made to protect his apprentices."
Odin clenched his left fist.
"Then again, you never cared. They would have been slaughtered along with the rest of the Gods had you had your way."
"Do you think it's wise to antagonize me? To speak about this?"
Set looked scanned the area, seeing the Gods turn away from them or watching the monitors.
"They are doing everything possible to ignore us or keep from prying into our conversation. As long as we do not blatantly yell everything, we are fine."
They passed through the crowd and descended a staircase.
"I remember them. Gollnir's disciples, I mean." He smiled under his mask. "Studious group, they were, and they did everything in their power to gather Gollnir's old things and keep hold of the true history. Would you believe I told my sons stories about them?"
Odin looked down as the pair descended the stairs.
"I remember meeting their leader, Feldis. He was a wonderful soul. Gollnir had a good eye for apprentices. That same eye is probably why Eirin caught his attention!"
"Rambling now?"
Set chuckled a little. "I am probably dying today. Would you deny a dying God his last words?"
He did not answer.
"I miss them. I miss all my friends, especially Eir. She thought the world of you."
Odin's eyes widened a little.
"It both broke her heart and killed her, sealing you away." Set stopped a few steps above Odin. "But you did not care. You killed the Gods she created, along with the others. I had hoped your time among the Gods after your return would help you see things from their perspective. I thought the same for my son."
"Speaking of your son, he's why."
Set's head tilted.
"He told me who you were. Apparently, he thinks you are a mutual enemy and can sic me on you."
"Which one? I have a few."
"The one calling himself Zahhak. Appeared in my quarters trying to antagonize me." He turned around. "Seems we're both cursed with disappointing sons." He continued his descent.
Questions and memories flooded Set's mind. His eyes darted side to side. What? He thought.
Valhalla
Metatron's Office
In a pristine marble office, Metatron sat behind his personalized desk, scanning a set of papers through round glasses. A knock came from his door.
"Enter," He said.
The door opened, and Brünhilde and Michael walked in.
Metatron looked up as he set the papers down.
"Any word?"
"No, Sir," Michael said, grimacing. "We've scanned a ten-thousand-kilometer radius from Lydda. No sign of Ascalon."
"I had it attuned to Georgios…"
"And if something happened to him, it would send out a signal notifying its location. The only way this could be possible is if someone knew how to assign a new owner.
Metatron nodded. "Only the Sancti know how do that, Michael."
Michael pursed his lips.
"And Ariel."
"Sir, the latter isn't possible. He can't leave Tartarus while an Angel."
"But he is Human right now."
"Yes, but the brand prevents him from remembering his time in Valhalla or his other human lives when he's on Midgard."
Metatron looked at him. "Mike, neither situation is good. If he is still under the brand, then it was a Sanctus. If he is not, then we need to figure out how and make him give us Ascalon."
"I'll…speak with Cam and Uri and start investigating."
"Do what you see as necessary. I trust you."
"Sir." Michael turned and left.
"Hilde."
Brünhilde looked away.
Metatron shook his head and sighed. "Nothing?"
She shook her head. "Hrist, Alvitr, and Radgridr are still looking, but the perimeter now covers the entire Roman Empire."
He covered his mouth with his fist. "This is absurd…I saw him die. He should have appeared on the lists by now."
"I don't know, Dad. You don't think—"
"No assumptions, Hilde. Check one more time. If he does not appear…then we move on."
She nodded.
"Hilde."
"Yes, Sir?"
"You are doing the best you can." He massaged his forehead. "After you do the rounds, take a short vacation with Sieg. We will reconvene after."
"Sir!" She turned around and departed.
Metatron leaned back and stared at the ceiling.
My daughters cannot find a single soul. My sons cannot find Ascalon. He saw Georgios looking up at him. He felt something burning deep in his stomach as he watched his execution. The executioner's apathy and the crowd's silence. He breathed slowly and rhythmically. They are not Ariel. They are all better than him. They know what is at stake, and they are doing their best. He looked down at his desk, eyeing the paper stack. He closed his eyes, then ran his fingers through his hair. I know and trust them. I know and trust them. His face slowly scrunched up as his aura flowed out. I…
Jörð Arena
Outer Halls
Set reached into his coat pocket, pulling out the stone Tablet of Destiny. What…is going on?
Jörð Arena
Battlefield
Georgios raced down the passage. Yama swung and brought the colossal blade careening down.
Gotta go faster! He thought. Need t—
The blade rocketed down, tearing the walls to pieces as it descended.
G! Brünhilde yelled in horror.
Georgios skidded to a halt, widened his stance, and raised Ascalon above his head. The colossal blade crashed down onto Ascalon, driving Georgios into the ground like a nail up to his knees.
HOLD! Georgios roared in his mind as his shoulders and back burned from strain. The ground cracked and crumbled around him. HOOOOLD! He felt his body sinking deeper. HOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD!
Glowing white hands shot out of Georgios' shoulders and gripped his banner. A pair of legs shot out from his thighs and slammed the ground.
You're not doing this alone! Brünhilde shouted.
LIKEWISE! The pair roared as they pushed back. Georgios pulled his legs out and planted them next to Brünhilde's. The banner shone brighter and hummed a deep bass.
This is not the end. Georgios thought. Whenever I stood against death, I never believed tomorrow would come. Ever since that day you gave me Ascalon, I knew every day after was a gift. A gift I cherished more than anything. But, I am selfish! I don't want today to be the last day! I want tomorrow and every day after! You reached out and pulled me from my Hell, Old Man, and now your daughter is doing the same! How can I let it end like this?!
Ascalon Magnum's light intensified.
…Georgios? Brünhilde whispered.
Georgios' eyes burned bright blue and glowed.
What…man… The radiant blade rose. Yama's eyes widened in shock. WOULD ROLL OVER AND DIE?!
White light exploded from under Yamāyudha's edge, sending it skyward. Yama saw the source, eyeing Georgios enveloped in white light. Energy erupted from Georgios' back into a pair of white wings.
"No one…" Georgios said, his voice reverberating. "Will die under my watch…never again…"
Jord Arena
Game Master's Box Seats
Zeus, Hades, and Hermes looked on in awe.
"That Human…has ascended?!" Zeus whispered.
"…He has, Sir," Hermes answered.
Einherjar Barracks
Samson's
-Hlökk's Tea Room-
"GOOOOOOOO!" Göll yelled, jumping out of her seat. "GET 'EM, HILDE!"
Uriel shot up next to her. "COOOOOME OOOOON!"
The rest of the room flinched and jumped back at the roaring pair. The two turned to each other and high-fived before turning back to the monitor and cheering.
Gods' Barracks
Indra's Chambers
"What is that?" Indra whispered. Surya popped out of his seat and rushed to the door. He opened it and departed. Indra turned back to his pupils. "Karna, what's going on?"
"Sir, I don't know," Karna answered. "Yama's output has reached a point I never thought possible."
"Then why is your dad panicking?"
"…I think it may be because Yama's Kavacha is breaking, and if that happens, he will die."
"He wouldn't go that far for just a tournament," Arjuna said. "Right?"
"He's never made sense, and does what he wants all the time. Damn it, Yama…"
Indra turned back to the monitor. He pulled out a cigarette box, but kept it closed.
Don't overdo this. Indra thought.
Jörð Arena
Battlefield
This is the end, you two! Yama thought, Yamāyudha shining high above him again. You pushed me further than anyone ever could! But if this is it, then take solace in this: I will protect Siegfried with my life! May he remember you two as the valiant souls you were to the end! He stepped forward and began his swing. The monstrous blade descended once again like a meteor.
Heimdall piloted his platform far out of the attack's range. "Folks, Yama's launching another extinction-level attack!" He yelled. "How can Georgios get out of this?!"
Georgios looked up, then straight ahead. Gotta make this count. He thought.
I got your back, G! Brünhilde yelled. Get us home!
On it. He leaned forward, and his wings spread. He broke into a sprint, racing down the passage as the energy pushed him forward. The blade's light illuminated everything below, and Georgios could feel the energy pulsing above him. He pushed against his fear and kept on running. He gripped both hands tight on Ascalon Magnum and pushed as hard as he could with each step. Yama started to take form in the distance, but the truth could not be denied.
No matter how fast or how desperate he was, Georgios was out of time. The descent's speed would catch him again before he could reach Yama, even with his newfound power. Everyone in the audience could see it. Heimdall could see it. Humanity felt their hopes burning away under that blade's radiance.
Einherjar Barracks
Samson's
-Hlökk's Tea Room-
Damn it, boy! Do something! Johannes yelled in his mind, maintaining his stoicism while the rest of the room twitched and moved with fear. Then, he saw his hopes die.
Georgios, on the monitor, slowed down and stuck out his left leg.
YOU DAMN FOOL! YOU NEED TO GO FASTER TO CUT HIM DOWN! WHY ARE YOU STOPPING—wait.
Jörð Arena
Battlefield
In the arena, swung his body back to the right as his left foot descended. No one who could see him understood what was happening. Only that their end was nigh. Except for a few. Only they knew what was happening, because they had done it countless times before on Midgard and in Valhalla. Among them, George Herman Ruth was the only one to rise to his feet.
"THAT'S. HOW. YOU. DO IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!" He roared.
Lydda
Over A Millenium Ago
Outside his humble shack, Georgios swung and spun Ascalon between his fingers. Metatron watched close by, smirking. "Having fun?" He asked.
"Metatron, this sword's incredible!" Georgios said. "I can cut fruit, wood, and even metal with it! I've gotten more chores done in an hour than I could in a day!"
"Sounds like you are lazy rather than Ascalon's impressive. Plus, it is not a sword."
"It's not?"
Metatron walked over to Georgios and extended his right hand. Georgios tossed Ascalon to him, and he caught it effortlessly. "Ascalon is known as the First Weapon." He twirled it in his fingers like a baton, spinning gracefully. "Bit of a misnomer since it is more of an eraser or a chisel, but the moniker has merit. Ascalon is any weapon you think it is. It can be a sword, a spear, a lance, a staff, or even a javelin. All that is required is that the wielder wills it to perform that role."
"Impressive! Are there any others like it?"
"A few, but nothing to this level. Most weapons need a defined 'identity' to perform a role or task. Ascalon is not limited to this. Whatever you need it to be, it will be."
Jörð Arena
Battlefield
Georgios loosened his left hand's grip, and his torso was almost parallel to the ground. He swung his right arm out and under his body, just above the ground, letting Ascalon carve through the floor with ease.
"Modus Duo…" He whispered as he whipped his right arm up and forward. "SAGITTAAAAAA!" Ascalon extended and widened. Four hooked fletching popped out of itsend as it rocketed towards Yama.
"A BRIGHT AND TRUE BLUE SUBMARINE PITCH!" Ruth yelled.
Einherjar Barracks
Samson's
-Hlökk's Tea Room-
"HE THREW IT?!" Johannes roared, knocking his seat over.
Jörð Arena
Battlefield
Yama continued his swing as the arrow flew towards him. He could not move, or else he would compromise the swing. He could only continue his attack and pray that he stopped the arrow.
Georgios came to a halt, staring up at the oncoming slash.
Yama put his all into the attack.
The blade crashed through the top ridges of the passage and tore away the walls.
The arrow…
flew…
under Yama's arms…and struck his chest. Kavacha shattered upon impact, and the arrow sailed through Yama's chest. He saw the world begin to pull away, and saw the back of his head fly away. The sword slowed, then started falling back, unraveling as it ascended, and the light faded.
Yama's golden form flew out of his body, impaled by the arrow, and dragged all his golden arms with him. He made a beeline straight for the center of his tower and crashed into it. Yamāyudha shrank back down and dropped from his body's grip as it crumbled. Georgios, breathing heavily, looked over at Yama's lifeless body, then up at the tower, seeing Yama's soul embedded in the wall.
Ascalon Magnum vanished in a flash of light, and Brünhilde and Yama's golden form fell to the ground. Brünhilde landed on her feet but fell and sprawled out, while Yama landed with a heavy thud at the tower's base.
Brünhilde looked up at Yama, seeing the large hole in the center of his chest.
We…we got him! Brünhilde thought as cracks grew from the hole.
"…Hilde…" Yama grunted out.
"…Yama?"
Yama struggled to raise his right arm, beckoning her before it plopped to the ground. Brünhilde struggled to rise, but got to her feet and walked like a newborn calf over to him. She dropped to her knees next to Yama's right side. He turned to her, his silver eyes staring gently at her. Slowly, he raised his hand and dropped it gently on her head.
"…I'm leaving it you…and you don't get a say…" He smiled. "You…proved it…that you could handle all this…" The cracks spread a little. "I know you can…"
"Why? Why save Sieg then fight us? Why go through all this?!"
Valhalla
Eden
Eons Ago
"Having fun yet?" Metatron asked, standing across from Yama. The pair was in the center of one of Eden's prairies. Metatron's hair was black with graying temples, but he wore his familiar white coat. Yama, in his regalia, was frozen in a squat with his arms stretched out to the sides. Two young girls in robes were hanging from his arms: on his right, a girl with dark purple hair, Hrist, hung and swung. On his left, the red-haired Geirölul was trying to pull herself up, scowling the whole time. On Yama's right shoulder, a brunette child, Randgriz, was sipping tea out of an empty cup. Peeking out from behind Metatron was a taller strawberry blonde girl.
"Why…am I pretending to be a statue?!" Yama asked. "And why are your kids climbing on me?!"
"Stimulation. Your body passively absorbs your soul back into it by undergoing physical effort. By putting you in a constant state of strain, your body will slowly recover and reclaim control over your soul."
"…That doesn't explain the kids."
Metatron grew a snide grin. "You asked for my help on my day off with the girls. Two-for-one."
"Dad!" Geirölul shouted, still trying to climb. "Help me up!"
"Coming!"
Suddenly, a pair of black masses of hair raced past Metatron towards Yama. They stopped at his feet, and Metatron heard a thumping noise.
"Hilde! Pan!" He yelled, running over with Thrud in tow.
Yama looked down, confused, and saw two young girls kicking his shins. One was in a pair of dirty overalls and had jet black hair, putting all her strength into his right leg, while the other wore a white summer dress and kicked his left. Her eyes matched Metatron's.
"You scared, Thrud, you jerk!" Brünhilde yelled.
"Yeah, you dumbass!" Pandora yelled.
"Pan! Language!" Metatron yelled.
"Dumbass!"
Hephaestus, teach your daughter etiquette!
Yama started shaking. The pair stopped and looked up. Metatron stopped, readying himself.
Then, Yama…burst out laughing. Loud and hard. He could not stop. Hrist and Geirölul held on, while Randgriz sat perfectly calm. "Oh, man!" Yama yelled. "Ah…" He snorted. "Ah, sorry, girls. Didn't mean to spook her earlier."
The pair tried to scowl at him. "Do you mean it?"
"Do you promise not to kick me again?"
Both nodded, pouting.
"Then I'll do better. Promise!"
Both jumped up, punching the air before jumping on Yama and climbing up to his head.
"Victory!" Brünhilde yelled, standing on his crown. "Come on, Thrud!"
Thrud raced out from behind Metatron and jumped on Yama, climbing over to his left arm and lifting Geirölul.
"Didn't feel a thing, Sir. No problem, here."
Metatron shook his head. "Your patience is bottomless."
"There will come a time when we won't be able to do this anymore. We got to make it count, so when they take our place, they can look back on moments like this and remember the love of those who came before. That way, hopefully, they can pass it on, too."
"That is not something I would think Helheim's First King would say."
"It's not. My mom and dad said it. Before everyone forgot, they firmly believed the Primordial Gods loved us more than anything. So much so, they committed the greatest act of love possible and died for us."
"Yes…Yes, they did."
"But, I think there's a greater act possible."
"Really now?"
"Living for those you love. Dying, you only do once. Living is every day. I wanted that for them, but I had to suffer this to see the truth. They died, so I could live. And so I will live—." Pandora's hand grabbed onto Yama's cheek and pulled. He leaned forward, helping her wrap around his neck. "—Ah. There we go. So I will live to be here every day for the people who need me."
Metatron smiled. Guess I am not the only one blessed with good sons, Surya. He thought.
Jörð Arena
Battlefield
"I just wanted…to make my life…be one they'd never regret dying for. To protect…what they died for…"
Brünhilde grabbed his hand and gently held it in hers. "I know…and you did…you have no idea how much you've done for all of us. What you did for Sieg and me." Tears started flowing. "And this is how I repay you..."
"Ha! I never wanted your gratitude." The cracks spread further, and his soul glowed green. Far from the pair, Georgios lifted Yama's body off the ground as it too started glowing and cracking. "Hilde…it's your turn. Odin's out there…and he won't rest until he has Sieg and the Gods win…" He grabbed her hands with his left. "Please don't let this all vanish…" The cracks spread out to his shoulders and thighs.
"I can't."
Yama gasped.
"It's too much for me to do it alone…" She pushed a smile through her crying. "But that's why I have my friends and family. Whenever something feels too heavy, they're there. I know that now…so I promise. We will protect this. Every day."
Yama smiled as the cracks reached his neck and mouth. Old Man…your bratty daughter's grown into one hell of a woman. His torso started shattering.
She's...outshining us all…
His hands broke apart around Brünhilde's. The rest of his soul shattered and flew into the wind. Brünhilde rose, wiping the tears off her face and standing tall.
His body shattered in Georgios' hands, and the shards vanished. He looked down at his feet and saw Yamāyudha. He grabbed it gently and slowly looped its leather straps along the shaft.
"This banner…is your soul. How many battles did it see?" Georgios whispered, feeling its weight in his hand. "I know you weren't an enemy, Yama. I know you, too, walked the path to protect those who couldn't protect themselves." He took the banner in both hands and stabbed it into the ground. He stepped back, clasped his hands, and bowed his head. "Please don't think me a fool, praying for a God…"
The entire Human audience clasped their hands and bowed their hands. Many let tears pour as they felt the dread of the future start to vanish. Others because they saw who was lost, and why he fought.
Heimdall watched on as Humanity prayed in silence. He turned to the Gods in the stands and was struck mute.
Every God in the bleachers stood, their hands clasped and bowed. Everyone in Zeus' box seat rose and bowed, save for Hades, who turned and left the box, Bident in hand. Surya, hiding in the halls at the top of the bleachers, curled into a ball, crying his eyes out as Kundala sat by his feet.
I…I don't know what to say… Heimdall thought, his eyes watering behind his goggles. Yama…if you saw this…I don't know what you'd say or do… He sighed and rolled his shoulders. But I know I gotta do my thing. "Ladies and Gentlemen! The end of this magnificent battle between two Saviors has come to an end! One remains, and the unthinkable has happened: Humanity has taken the lead! The winner of Round Eleven and Capture The Flag! GEOOOOOOOOORGIOOOOOOOOOOOOS!"
Georgios vs Yama
Victor: Georgios
Match Length: 16 Minutes 32 Seconds
Deciding Move: Modus Duo: Sagitta
Humans 6 – 5 Gods