Eire
Eons Ago
The Stables
One evening, long ago, outside the Stables, Macha, Brigid, and Epona sat around a small campfire. The fire's glow bathed them in a soft orange glow as the first stars of the night began dotting the sky. Brigid and Macha exchanged a few silent glances as Epona's new red eyes darted from star to star. Every few seconds, her tail would whip softly from side to side, and her ears would twitch.
"Epona," Macha said. Epona focused on her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm good!" She said, smiling like she did before, but her manic stare said otherwise.
Damn it, they're moving fast. Macha thought. "Good!" She shot Brigid a short glance. "Epona, I know it seems like a lot to take in, but we need to go over everything that's happened."
"Why?"
Macha cleared her throat. "The Eschatons chose you, and their role in the balance of the cosmos is critical. Being the Harbinger of the End means you hold a position that almost no one else, except some Gods of Destruction, can fulfill."
Epona's eyes darted from Macha to Brigid and back. "…Okay. Like what?"
She has no clue what is being asked of her. Brigid thought. This is wrong beyond reason.
"As the Harbinger, you must end and destroy everything that doesn't die on its own. Monsters, Demons, Gods, etc."
"Wait," Epona said. "Gods?"
Macha nodded. "Yes. Nothing can last forever. It's vast and complex, but all this holds together through a precarious, but critical, balance. Gods exist as a part of it, but there comes a point even they must pass on."
"Really?"
Macha nodded. "Yes. Most importantly, you must do it. The Eschatons do not tolerate hesitation or inability. If you fail to act…they will."
Epona felt something breathe on her neck. She turned to look, eyeing a young foal. She stepped towards Epona and rested her head on Epona's shoulder. Their ears twitched in unison, but Epona kept her eyes on Macha.
"What…what happens?"
Macha breathed deeply, then pursed her lips. "One time, I fought against a horde of Demons on Helheim. It was their time, but like anything, they refused. They attacked me and knocked me out cold. I don't know what happened after that, but after King Nuada found me…" She shuddered. The memory of that bloodied, corpse-filled cave returned. Her fingers were bent in odd angles, and her elbows were dislocated. She recalled the blood and skin she had to dig out of her fingernails. So many…so many dead demons. All of them were pummeled to death. In that dark cave, through brief flashes of torchlight, she saw fist-shaped indentations in all the corpses. "I saw what they were capable of. You cannot ever let them take control. You have to act. You cannot hesitate. Otherwise, you may not be able to live with what you do."
"But…it sounds like you and them were just doing your job, or now, my job, I guess."
"We're just supposed to end things, Epona. Not brutalize them to the point we become the stuff of nightmares and destroy our bodies in the process. It's a mission. A job. Not something we need to die over, too."
"If you forget that, it becomes too easy and you get reckless," Brigid said. "The weight of death should never be taken lightly. You're trusted to act, not let the Eschatons do as they want. Macha's the only one so far who has not yet died doing the job."
"Died?" Epona asked.
"The Eschatons will act. And they act through the Harbinger, and they will continue to act, until the Harbinger completes the job…or dies. And they do not care if you survive."
"…I think I get it," Epona said, frankly.
Macha frowned. Gods, Epona. Please realize what this all means. She thought. Being 'Death' may kill you.
<>
Mimir Hall
Arena
Back in the Hall, Epona raised her hand. The Specter leaned down, resting its head on Epona's shoulder.
"Did I scare you?" She whispered to it. It snorted, and she leaned her head against its emaciated cheek. "Don't worry. He won't be standing after that. Plus," She saw both hoof prints appear on his chest; the ice print centered on his sternum and the small, cutting gale at the inside corner of his left pectoral. "He's not stupid enough to risk two more hits. Not with you here."
<>
Mimir Hall
South Gate Entrance Hall
Huitzilopochtli dropped his tablet, and the air around him chilled him to his bones. "First, we lost Quetz…now this?" He whispered.
<>
Game Master Box Seats
"What in the hell is that thing?" Oludumare said. "I've seen my fair share, but that's…just wrong."
"It is the true form of the Touch of Death," Set said, nonplussed. "Death is inevitable. All things must die…and the power of the Eschatons will make it happen."
"Set," Lugh said. "It's not your place to—"
"It is. Do not interrupt me," Set said, focusing on the arena. "You will be the new King soon, and I will show your title due deference. But this is beyond your title, as the Tuatha De Danann are only allowed to care and monitor the Eschatons by their true master. They are not yours and never were, and unless you are willing to take responsibility for what may happen, I do not owe deference to you."
Oludumare's eyes darted from Set to Lugh and back. Well, this may get bad. He thought. "…Responsibility?" Lugh asked, worried.
"The Role of the Harbinger demands she will act. She will perform her duties, regardless of her health and well-being. I cannot tell you how many Goddesses died because the job never let them rest."
"Oh…"
"That being said, Epona is different. Macha always spoke of her bond with them, and the Specter has never acted this way towards the others. I hope that means things will be different."
<>
Mimir Hall
Arena
Back below, Hunahpu shook awake and winced. Son of a BITCH! He screamed in his head. I've been hit by monsters three times her size, but how the hell is she generating this much power?! How am I alive right now? He placed his left hand against the caved-in wall and slowly rose. He looked down at his chest and saw the hoof prints. Damn…two already? Thought I had it there. He looked ahead at Epona and the Specter. I…don't have any idea what the hell that thing is. None of the research I did revealed it, and it's not going away. Will it stay and help her? A hoop appeared by his foot, and the Pitz Ball rolled through, tapping his ankle and rolling to a halt. He reached down and grabbed it.
"Hunahpu," Epona said. "Stay down."
Hunahpu raised an eyebrow.
"You're a stubborn ass, but the fact that the Eschaton Shadow activated meant you got real close to doing me in." A trickle of blood flowed from the side of her mouth. "But he's here now. The fight's over. Whatever your reason for fighting is not worth dying for."
Hunahpu lobbed the ball back up into the air and steadied his breathing, fighting against the searing pain flaring up around his ribs and sternum.
<>
Tlālōcān
Millenia Ago
Far from the illustrious pyramid, Tlālōcān, in a small clearing, Hunahpu and Xbalanque stood back to back. Hunahpu was tossing a Pitz Ball up as the twins scanned the forest around them.
"Any sign of them?" Hunahpu asked.
"Nooooope," Xbalanque answered. "They've gotten better at this."
"Man, I hope so!"
Without looking, Xbalanque reached his hand back and flicked the back of Hunahpu's head. Hunahpu just smiled and stuck out his chin.
"Take this seriously."
"I am! It's just that if they're still the same, we can't get better. If they're getting stronger and smarter, then that means we can too. Just like back in Xibalba."
"No one believes you did that!" A voice yelled from the forest.
"Dumbass! Don't give yourself—ah damn it…" Another, a woman's, said.
"…Maybe they haven't," Xbalanque whispered.
Suddenly, two figures burst out of the forest and dashed towards them. One was a handsome, Dark-skinned God in a red hip-wrap and gray arm sleeves. The other, a Goddess of matching complexion in a deep green skirt and tube-top. Both had long, flowing black hair that billowed behind them as they ran.
"And here they come. Eight Deer and Nine Grass of the Mixtecs. Ready?" Hunahpu asked.
"When am I not?"
Hunahpu lobbed the Pitz Ball into the air and broke into a sprint. Xbalanque turned around and swung his right elbow at the Pitz Ball. It fired off with a heavy thud straight at the back of Hunahpu's head.
What the hell are they doing? The other God thought. Suddenly, Hunahpu skipped to the right and jumped, spinning in the air. His left knee smacked and redirected the Pitz Ball right into Eight Deer's face. His eyes rolled back as he crumbled to the ground.
"Seriously?!" Nine Grass yelled.
Hunahpu ran after the ball as it bounced away, and Nine Grass followed him.
I can't let him recover that! Everyone else got taken out by them because of that damn ball! She thought. Hunahpu reached the ball and turned towards her, his throw already in motion. Damn! He threw it, but she stepped to the right, and the ball missed.
There's the foresight. Hunahpu said. But how far can you see with it?
Xbalanque had already reached them and skidded to a halt several meters behind Nine Grass. He jumped forward and slammed his hip into the Pitz Ball, firing it back towards Nine Grass. She ducked under the oncoming ball without looking. She saw that coming?!
Hunahpu slid in front of the oncoming ball, just a few meters from Nine Grass. He swung his fore arm down and redirected the ball back towards Nine Grass.
I can't dodge it! Did they plan th— The ball smacked the side of her head, and she crumbled to the ground.
"Time!" A booming voice overhead roared.
The brothers ran up to each other and fist-bumped. "Another solid exercise!" Hunahpu said. The pair turned to Nine Grass. "Not messing around; that foresight ability is dangerous."
Slowly, she rose. She shook her head as she stood and rubbed her temple. "Yeah, but it doesn't mean much if I can't dodge what I see, or process the information fast enough."
"Is it something that can be improved?" Xbalanque asked.
"It can, and Eight Deer has it, too."
"Oy! Don't tell them that!" Eight Deer yelled as he ran up to them. Hunahpu could see his nose starting to change color.
"…Sorry about that," Hunahpu said.
Eight Deer waved his hand. "Comes with the territory. I've gotten worse."
"Well, can we make it up to you guys?"
Eight Deer and Nine Grass shot each other a glance. "There's nothing to make up for."
Hunahpu shrugged and nodded. "Yeah, but I think the game was rigged in our favor. Xbal and I are used to fighting Gods with foresight from our time in Xibalba. We kind of already had a few ideas on how to deal with you, like we did with everyone else. If you want, we can help you guys train that ability and make it better."
"Appreciate the offer, but we'll pass."
So you guys weren't making it up?" Nine Grass asked. "You invaded Xibalba and made it back?"
"I mean, yeah, but you've all done awesome things, too. Why else were we all picked by Quetzalcoatl?" Hunahpu asked.
"Honestly, in hindsight, it was reckless beyond reason," Xbalanque added. "Only reason we survived was because we had each other and sheer dumb luck."
"I'd say teamwork, skill, and wit, but hey, whatever."
They're so…blasé about this. Eight Deer thought. Hunahpu saw his shock and smiled. The four began walking out of the clearing and back towards Tlālōcān. "Xbalanque's right. It was reckless, but we had each other. We're a team, and it's always been the two of us. It was that way for a long time here, and it was definitely that way in Xibalba."
"It sounds sappy," Xbalanque continued. "But we're part of a bigger team now. Quetzalcoatl's team. I don't know if a lot of us want to be on it, but Hunahpu and I definitely want to be here and be a part of it with you guys."
"You do?" Nine Grass asked.
"Yep. It's…nice getting to be a part of something bigger. Part of something growing and something that we can support." Hunahpu looked over to the pair. "Whether we're picked or not doesn't matter. If you guys or the others are picked, we'll be a part of it and will support you all the way."
Xbalanque nodded behind him, smiling. Still got a way with words. He thought.
Eight Deer and Nine Grass exchanged another glance, but they smiled this time. "Well, if you put it that way, maybe you can help us!" Eight Deer said, patting Hunahpu on the shoulder.
<>
Mimir Hall
Arena
"Hey," Hunahpu said. He turned his head to the right and spat out some blood. "You said nothing's eternal, right? Called yourself 'inexorable' or something like that? That the fight's over and I should turn tail?"
Epona and the Specter eyed Hunahpu.
"Can't help but feel a little offended by that, because I am trying to make something eternal here. Out of a whole lot of nonsense and fighting. And that something outlasted the guy who started it. Maybe not literally, but it's here and here." Hunahpu pointed at his heart and head. "And it outlasted him, because he trusted my brother and me with it."
"Is there a point to this?" Epona asked.
Hunahpu pointed at the pair. "What I'm saying is that some things are worth fighting for, in spite of the odds. My teacher's dream is alive, and we're still going to make it a reality, rain or shine."
"Why?"
Quetzalcoatl's image appeared in his mind and shone. "Because…it's something bigger than us, and we're… so small." A memory of a stone platform in the center of a crowd appeared in his mind. On it rested a single, damaged yet ornate, feathered headdress. Hunahpu remembered his and Xbalanque's failure to remain stoic. "We're so small that his dream just seemed impossible without him. We were small in Xibalba and Tlālōcān, but here we will become great enough to fight for a dream*.* That same dream, he was willing to put his life on the line for."
"That's why you won't stay down?" Epona asked. A soft smile grew on her face. "That is actually kind of Ballsy." The Specter snorted.
Hunahpu's gaze sharpened, and his grip on his Pitz Ball tightened. "Ready to end this?"
Epona and the Specter both grew the same wide, manic smile.
<>
Mimir Hall
South Gate Entrance Hall
Huitzilopochtli's hand shook as the Fighters took their stances, ready for their final exchange. The Specter took the same stance as Epona, and both stared down Hunahpu. Quetz…damn it. He thought, smiling as he fought back emotion. That kid sounds a hell whole lot like you… He slipped the tablet into his wrap's pocket. He inhaled deeply and roared. "GO GET HER, HUNAHPU! COME OOOOOOOON!"
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Mimir Hall
Arena
The spectral pair rushed towards Hunahpu. A gold hoop appeared on the floor next to Hunahpu's foot, and he dropped it in. Yeah…I don't think I can use this right now. He thought as his silver left eye turned gold, matching his right. This is going to hurt like hell…
Epona closed the distance and threw a right cross. Hunahpu twisted his right knee in, slipping under the punch, then stepped out to Epona's right side.
I can't dodge your forever, but I can slow you down— He jumped back, just in time to avoid the Specter's fist crashing into the floor where he once stood. Oh, come on! It is helping her! I call foul—wait, that'd make me a hypocrite. Ha! It pulled its right fist back and fired a left upper-cut. Hunahpu jumped to the left, barely avoiding it. Epona slipped through its body and fired a left punch.
"Got you—" Epona started. Hunahpu already had his sights on her. He crouched down under her punch, then rolled under her as she dropped. He looped his left arm around her right arm and ribs, then grabbed her left arm and pushed it out. Epona's eyes widened as she fell headfirst onto the floor, feeling her neck wrench from impact. She shook her left arm free and grabbed Hunahpu's. Hunahpu slipped out from under her just in time for the Specter's fist to pass through Epona's body and pierce the ground again.
Or so Hunahpu thought. Just before its fist touched the floor, it flung its arm out in a backhand through Epona's body and caught Hunahpu square under his left armpit. Hunahpu felt his ribs crack some more, but he fought through it and slammed his right elbow against Epona's left wrist, causing a loud popping sound and destroying her grip. He jumped back, but lost his balance as he landed and fell to his knees. Damn it, they're tricking me into protecting my head, but they're aiming for my ribs! Hunahpu thought Is she still trying to put me down without killing me?!
Epona kipped to her feet and looked down at her bent-out-of-place wrist and limp hand. She looked over at Hunahpu and whipped her left arm, forcing her hand back in place. She wiggled her fingers as she spat out some blood and a tooth.
Something caught Hunahpu's eye. Epona's bearing hid it well, but every few seconds, her body shuddered. She's barely standing. All those blows to the head are working, but that damn Specter must be trying to keep her in the game. That means…I got to put her in such a state, fighting would kill her. Can I do it? Am I capable of doing that much damage? I know I said I can make forty-five percent into a hundred, but I think I overestimated myself.
A few meters away, Epona's vision blurred. Fucking, damn it. She thought. I'm glad the Shadow's here. I can barely stand, and my head is ringing like a bell. This guy's strong. Stronger than I thought…and maybe that's why I felt behind up to this point. Epona inhaled. No point in worrying. I got to win. I got to keep going. I got too much riding on this! Epona crouched down. Brat! You got my respect. You're a damn good warrior, and we need more like you around here. Lugh'd do good to have you as a friend, but if you think I'm going to let you have this, YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR DAMN MIND! The pale aura flared out of her body. The white and black energy encircling her feet and shoulders grew and enveloped her limbs. Her arms grew large and wide, and her legs bent back and rounded into hooves. "I refuse to be stopped!" She roared. I will bring an end to this! And I will be the one to put an end to Humanity once and for all! She declared in her mind.
Here she comes. Hunahpu thought.
<>
Game Master Box Seats
"Hello!" A raspy, weathered voice yelled behind Set and his party. None of them turned to see the source, but they all knew Zeus' voice when they heard it. "Oh. Seems like something's got your attention." He walked in, followed by Ares and Hermes.
"Sir, it seems we're a little late," Hermes said.
"Wouldn't have happened if someone hadn't tried finding the entrance down here with the instructions."
Dad, that was you! Ares thought, and fought the urge to say.
The trio walked over to the seats, and Zeus sat next to Lugh, opposite Set. "So Match One already ended."
"And Match two is wrapping up," Lugh said. "Epona's on her last legs, but Hunahpu's not much better."
Zeus smiled. "…Interesting."
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Mimir Hall
Arena
Back below, Epona and the Specter crouched down on all fours, their red eyes locked on Hunahpu. Epona's fingers slowly dug into the arena as her tail whipped wildly side to side. "I'm going hunting…" She whispered hoarsely. Both she and the Specter vanished as the floor underneath them exploded. Two massive blurs began bouncing all over the arena. Hunahpu stood completely still in the eye of the growing storm of fury and flying debris. "Wild Hunt Storm!" She roared, her voice echoing through the arena. Her voice caused nearly every God in the audience to start shaking.
"This…this is awful…" One God spoke.
"It's like she's living madness, or some kind of wild storm!" Another, elephant-headed God whispered.
Only one God was not horrified or shocked by what he saw. Only Barong, waiting in the silence of the halls outside the area and watching the fight unfold, could feel what he felt. "Finally…another one…" He whispered.
Back within that storm, that growing, impending doom, Hunahpu went lax. He felt the displaced air flow across his body. It passed through his hair and down his extremities. *Read the flow…find them. Feel them out. Picture them. Just like all those games before. Just like in Xibalba. Find it…*One of the blurs raced right at him. …and move! Hunahpu stepped to the side, and it flew past him. Pitz is a game of life and death… Hunahpu ducked another blur, then jumped and rolled over another. You're always close to smashing into someone while trying to keep the ball in the air. He stepped a few steps back as two blurs crossed into the spot he was standing in. I took my fair share of hits, and Xbal and I fought against speedy types like you. He stepped to the right, then twirled to the left, avoiding two more attacks. I just have to let you burn yourself out, then I'll get you.
Several meters above the storm, Jarl stared down in shock. "Everyone!" She yelled. Hunahpu's…dancing through this barrage?! I haven't seen anything like this before!"
*"*Fancy footwork!" Epona yelled as she tried to ram into him. He twirled away as she closed in on him and missed her punch. She veered back around and went for another punch, but Hunahpu rolled away. "Must've been one hell of a trick for you back in Xibalba!" She dashed away and began veering back around. She then raced straight down the arena towards Hunahpu again. I need to get him now! My whole body feels like it's on fire!
Hunahpu stepped to the left. She's got to be getting tired! Hunahpu thought. I just need to keep— and bumped into something. He looked up and saw the Specter staring down at him. "Oh," He whispered. The Specter snapped its long hands around Hunahpu's body. Shit! When did it stop trying to attack?! When?!
"You shouldn't have focused…" Epona jumped and pulled her right arm back. Her left foot stomped down on the floor, and her right fist fired. "ON ME!" She roared. Her punch passed through the Specter's hand and smashed into Hunahpu. The force of the blow knocked Hunahpu out of its grip and through its body. He skipped along the ground and smashed into the wall again. He snapped back up, but dropped back down to his knees as a hoof-print made of fire seared his chest.
"THREEEEE!" Hunahpu roared as his torso screamed at him to stop. "I TOOK THREE! NOT A DAMN THING TO THEM!"
"Glad to hear that."
Hunahpu looked back up at her. The energy hadn't faded. "Ah, man…"
"We've reached the point of no return. See ya, Hunahpu." She burst forward.
*Come on…*Hunahpu thought.
The gap between them shrank.
COME ON…
She was only a couple of meters away.
"COME OOOOOOOOOON!"
She fired her punch. It closed in on its intended target. Hunahpu braced himself against the crumbling wall, digging his heels into the edge where the floor met the wall. As her fist entered his space, Hunahpu… snapped his arms across his body and clamped down on Epona's strike. The force of the blow pushed him into the wall, and he flexed his arms and back muscles to the point he felt them start to tear. His fingers dug into the black mass that enveloped Epona's arms. Her knuckles were only ten centimeters from his chest. COOOOOOOOOOME OOOOOOOOOOOON! He screamed in his head.
Then, against all odds, as if he spat in the face of fate itself, the force stopped. Epona looked up at his eyes in utter shock. I…I stopped it?! Hunahpu thought, his grip holding strong on Epona's arm. I stopped—
"Good try," Epona said, smiling. A pale green spectral fist shot through out of Epona's arm and crashed into his ribcage, pushing him deeper into the caved-in wall. The arena shook from the impact, and dozens of the Gods in attendance fell out of their seats, but all of them looked on in horror at what unfolded.
Standing behind Epona, with its right arm passing through hers, was the Specter. Its and Epona's red eyes were locked on Hunahpu as his hands fell to his sides and his head drooped; his limp body now held in place by the Specter's fist. Slowly, it pulled the fist back, and it vanished back through Epona's. Epona extended her arm forward, holding Hunahpu up. She focused her sight on his bare, bruised chest.
"You were strong, brat," Epona whispered. "A damn shame, but life's not fair, especially for the…" A single stone hoof print appeared on Hunahpu's chest. Alone. "…reckless? What the hell?! Where are—"
Hunahpu snapped to life, his silver eyes locked on Epona's. "Sometimes it is!" He said.
His eyes?!
Hunahpu rushed in and wrapped his arms around Epona's rib cage and placed his head under her chin. "Boa Drop, Bite, and Crush!" A hoop appeared above Epona's head.
"Oh, fu—" The ball slammed down on her head, smashing her head between it and Hunahpu's crown. Hunahpu heard a crunch and crack just above his head. He slipped his head out as the ball bounced into another hoop. In that brief moment, Hunahpu saw her eyes roll back into her head as another hoop appeared behind her head.
Every blow was for this moment! He thought. He lurched forward and slammed his forehead into her nose as the Pitz Ball fired out and smashed into the back of her head, then bounced into another hoop and vanished. Hunahpu felt the force flow through her and rattle his brain. He stepped his right foot behind hers and hooked it as he slammed his shoulder into her chest. She fell back and started toppling to the ground just as another hoop appeared behind her head. Just before she hit the ground, the Pitz Ball shot up and smashed into her head again before vanishing through another hoop. She collapsed to the ground.
"Not the most graceful move, but…" He leered over at the Specter. It stared daggers at him. It lurched forward. Another hoop appeared above Epona's head. "She's in bad shape. Any more, and she's done, but if you try tossing her around anymore, I will cave her head in before you get over here."
It froze in place.
"You two will have your chance, someday." Hunahpu stared it down with his gold and silver eyes. "Until then."
The Specter stepped back, keeping its gaze on him as it dissipated into the floor. The energy around Epona's limbs vanished.
Hunahpu looked back at Epona's unconscious body, then dropped to the ground to sit down. "One-hundred percent...and one step closer," He whispered. A silver hoop appeared next to Hunahpu, and the ball rolled gently to his side.
"It's over! I don't know how, but it's over!" Jarl yelled through her mic. "The winner of Apocalypse's Round One Match Two! HUUUUUUNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHPUUUUU!"
Epona VS Hunahpu
Victor: Hunahpu
Match Length: 13 minutes 09 seconds
Deciding Move: Boa Drop, Bite, and Crush