Axes. Whether as a tool or weapon, you'd be hard-pressed to meet someone who has never heard of or seen one. Much like their sibling weapons, swords, spears, bows, daggers, clubs, and staffs, axes exist all over the world in a myriad of shapes and purposes. They have served as one of the quintessential tools of both Gods and Humans, whether for building homes or taking lives.
Yet a misunderstanding persists in their illustrious history. Maybe it arose to keep them distinct from the sword, the archetypal weapon of legendary heroes. Or from the dagger and bow, the hallmark of thieves and rogues. Or from the staff of sages and martial artists, and the spear of knights and cavalry. Perhaps it comes from a lack of historical context, or from stories that cast the axe as the weapon of brutes and villains.
To many, it is big, awkward, slow, uncultured, violent.
But that is not true. Nay, it is the opposite. The axe is a weapon that demands skill and training on par with any other. In the hands of a master, it can be thrown with shocking accuracy, smash through near any defense, cleave other weapons in two, be swung with great speed and control, and even be used for grappling and parrying.
Within the Heavens, no one knows this better than the one who named himself after this weapon. The one it carried from the dirt to the heavens. None—not even the Slavic Chief God Perun, Shango, the Yoruba's former Chief God, or Ukko, the thunderer of the Finns—denies his skill, despite his lack of godly power elsewhere.
For with the Parashu in hand, he dances.
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Mimir Hall
Arena
Parashurama stepped towards Lu Ban and swung down. Lu stepped to the right and smacked the axe with his sword, parrying it away. Lu Ban's brow rose. Parashurama stopped mid-swing, floating for a millisecond above the ground, and swung back up to the left towards Lu Ban.
I knew it! Lu Ban thought. You barely put anything in that swing! He ducked under the axe-head and parried it again. But both of those light swings could still cleave me in half!
Parashurama slammed his mechanical left palm into the Parashu's shaft, pushing it back towards Lu. Lu parried it again, but caught Parashurama's stone-cold expression as he continued his assault, forcing Lu Ban to remain defensive.
Swinging with his right, changing trajectory with his left. Lu could feel each swift swing's power. He could not meet any strike head-on without risking the destruction of his sword. He stepped back, but Parashurama followed. He stepped to the right and left, but he could not escape. Slowly, methodically, Parashurama stepped each heavy mechanical step. He swung each strike carefully, adjusting the angle to aim for a new opening on his opponent. Lu kept his center of gravity low, using the torque of his hips to parry each strike with a whipping blow of his sword. The clanging sound of every parry rang out of the arena.
The spectators did not say it aloud, but they could feel it. The constant repetition of sound and movement. The ceaseless exchange. They felt it weigh on their shoulders and back. That heavy reality, that Lu Ban, in the open arena, was trapped.
I can't get away! He thought, his breathing growing heavy. Every time I parry, he's already attacking again! I have to make an opening!
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Mimir Hall
Game Master Box Seats
In their box seats above the Arena, Set, Oludumare, Zeus, and the latter's retinue watched the battle unfold. The Box's entrance swung open, but neither turned back to look as a handsome angel with white wings in a waiter's outfit pushed a large cart loaded with snacks into the booth.
"Delivery! For…Set?" He asked.
Set raised his arm and waved his hand. The Angel pushed the cart next to Set's seat.
"Sir, do you need anything else?" He asked.
"No, Baraqiel. Thank you for the delivery," Set answered without looking at him.
Baraqiel blinked a few times. How does he know my name? I never told him, and we don't wear name tags. He thought.
Set looked at him, his gaze soft. "Something the matter?"
Baraqiel shook his head. "No, Sir. Please call if you need anything."
Set nodded as he turned back to the arena. Baraqiel departed, slightly confused. Oludumare and Zeus eyed Set, then exchanged a glance before focusing back on the fight.
"What power," Ares said. "He's not even putting that much strength in those swings, but it's insane…"
"It's what Parashurama is known for," Hermes added. "Among Vishnu's Avatars, he is considered the strongest. There are rumors that he's faced armies of demons and monsters alone."
"Alone?! But the only ones who've done something like that are Hades, Thor, and Týr!"
"Technically, those were Titans and Jotnar. They're a greater threat than mere demons and monsters."
"You're right," Zeus added, fighting against his twitching muscles. "But those demons were from Naraka, Yama's old domain. Yakshas, Asuras, some Devas, and even monsters that rivaled the legendary Hajun." Zeus' muscles grew a little. "He slaughtered them all."
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Mimir Hall
Arena
Back below, Parashurama kept chopping away at Lu Ban's defenses. Lu could feel each strike's weight as he parried them away.
You're wise to avoid confrontation, Lu. Parashurama thought. I've fought many opponents at your strength and skill level, and this is the best strategy to use against me. He pulled the Parashu back and swiped to the left towards Lu's torso. But I'm used to that. Naraka had sword masters who rivaled Valhalla's upper echelon.
Lu reached his sword over to the left and started the parry. As he swung up, his eyes widened. He heard a subtle whirring sound and saw the Parashu spin mid-swing.
Only it was not just the Parashu. Parashurama's entire arm, as he swung, began spinning clockwise on the shoulder joint and kept spinning. Spinning so fast it blurred. The parrying swing struck only air as the axe rotated out of the way, and back towards Lu's ribs.
"Chakra-Bhang!" Parashurama roared.
Lu stepped his left foot forward. Mu…roots itself and subjugates Tu, becoming immovable. He thought. Zha Gen Bu. He placed his sheath in the path of the Parashu's shaft, letting them collide. A deafening clang erupted from contact. Parashurama's Parashu and arm vibrated, and a slight jolt of pain hit his collarbone next to the pivoting shoulder joint. Lu looked up at him with a listless gaze.
Parashurama's eyes widened. That…was heavy?! How?!
Lu Ban stepped his right foot forward and slashed down with his sword. Parashurama snapped his left hand up and caught the blade. The hand whirred and tightened its grip, feeling it give way. Wait! Parashurama thought. This blade is—?!
Lu sighed and flicked his wrist. The blade shattered like sugar glass. Lu stepped his right foot forward more, widening his stance and crouching down. Wood… ignites and feeds Fire…and bursts forward! Lu slammed his fist, still gripping his sword's hilt, straight into Parashurama's stomach as he stomped down. "Mu Ji Huo Bao!"
Parashurama's upper body folded around the blow. Parashurama skidded back a few meters, his feet dredging up dirt and grass until he came to a stop, flexing his back muscles to keep from tilting back. He winced as pain erupted up to his brain.
Lu sheathed the remains of the sword and drew it, showing a new blade just like the last. Return to form, Shēng Gōng Jiàn! He inhaled and exhaled deeply. Shui…flows into Mu, springing it to life…. He let his legs relax and crouched down. …To feed Huo and burst forward! Shui Fa Bu! He sprang forward, rocketing toward Parashurama.
Parashurama relaxed his body and leaned back. His right arm pivoted up and back, slamming the Parashu firmly into the ground.
Lu's gaze hardened just a few meters before reaching Parashurama. Huo smolders out and becomes Tu, which stabilizes and hardens…
Parashurama lifted his feet off the ground and grabbed the Parashu's shaft, becoming a make-shift living flag. His hips and legs whirred to life and spun into a counterclockwise blur. Lu slammed his feet down, trying to stop his charge. And forms Jin?! He crossed his arms, but Parashurama's foot hooked his arms, splitting his guard open.
Just in time for Parashurama's heel to smash into his chin, snapping his head back and sending him skyward. "Vāyu-Chakra Mallakhamba!"
"Parashurama turned himself into a windmill and countered Lu Ban?! What balance! What control!" Jarl commented as she floated above the arena. Lu Ban landed with a heavy thud.
Parashurama's waist stopped immediately, and he dropped to his feet. He wrenched the Parashu out of the ground and started walking over to Lu. "You're powerful, Lu Ban," He said, placing his left hand on the spot he was struck. "That block and punch both used the Wu Xing Cultivation technique. Impressive. I should've known you were capable of it as one of the Five Sages, but it means little when I've fought against it before."
Lu sat up and shook his head. The world shook in his vision. "…How?" He asked.
"How what?"
He got his feet under him and rose. "How do you know about it?"
Parashurama stretched his right arm out to the side, holding the axe's head just above the ground. His arm whirred, turning into a blur again as he grew a furious glare. "Your students."
Lu pursed his lips and squinted.
"The Chinese Pantheon's acceptance of their villainy does not go unnoticed. I know you're the exception, but the fact that they're still active is a blemish on your people." He leaned forward. "I will take this match and make them stand trial for their crimes. I owe that level of respect."
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Mimir Hall
Hindu Pantheon Box Seats
On the other side of the arena from the Game Master's seats, Shiva and his retinue watched on. Shiva sat alone on a large pink cushion, surrounded by Brahma and Vishnu, along with another pair of Gods, one with pink skin and red hair and a beard like flames, and the other wearing an ornate white hip wrap, gold mantle, and an ornate hat. The latter had reptilian features and blue skin. Sitting next to Shiva, on a smaller pink cushion, was a young God with pink skin and the head of an elephant. He wore teal pants under an ornate red and black dhoti and a black and red mantle over his chest and shoulders.
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Agni
God of Fire
(Hindu Pantheon)
Varuna
God of Water
(Hindu Pantheon)
Ganesha
God of Fortune, Wisdom, and New Beginnings
(Hindu Pantheon)
"Whooo!" Shiva yelled, sitting up in his cushioned seat. "Your guy's tearing the place up, Vishnu!"
"It's what he's known for," Vishnu said, exasperated. "Asking him to do any less is damn near impossible."
"Yeah, but it's why he's good at what he does and why he was picked for this," Brahma added. "And maybe perfect for Ragnarök."
"Hmmm?" Shiva said, turning back to Brahma.
"Parashurama is perfect for dealing with problems. Outer Gods, invaders, criminals. You name it, he dealt with it. Even the technology we used to save him is based on Synthetic Gods from the Chinese Pantheon and Angels designed to deal with threats like that. Anything that threatens justice or peace, he will combat it. Brutally and efficiently, if necessary, to drive the point home: do not threaten Svarga."
"You haven't seen anything yet," Vishnu said. "Once he gets fired up, I dare say he'd give Shiva some difficulty."
"Oh?" Shiva responded. "Interesting. Been a while since I had someone to fight." He leaned forward, popping the knuckles on all four hands. "Wait." He suddenly sat up. "Hey. Has anyone seen Hanuman?"
"No. Why?" Varuna asked.
Shiva sighed. "That guy's been acting up, trying to pick fights here and there. I wouldn't be surprised if he tried something during the Apocalypse."
"Insane," Ganesha said, watching Parashurama crouch and dash towards Lu. "But if he's that strong, why wasn't he selected for Ragnarök?"
"He doesn't trust Set," Varuna answered. "He turned down the opportunity to fight, and so it went to Indra."
Ganesha turned back to Varuna. "But he's here now?"
"Maybe what he saw today changed his mind. Who knows? Guy's in his own world, sometimes."
It's common knowledge that before the Accords and the rise of many of the current Chief Gods, Valhalla was a drastically different place. While called many names back in Midgard and seen as a final resting place for the souls of the deceased, many Gods found the term 'Heaven' a joke. Humanity didn't know better. They only saw glimpses of that plain in visions and delirium. They didn't know what they called Heaven, for most Gods, was nothing short of unending hell.
Following the deaths of the majority of the Primordial Gods, the Heavens were in constant disarray: war, corruption, pillaging, banditry, betrayal. Only a few Pantheons were established during those early days: The Greeks, Norse, Shinto, Chinese, Aztecs, Hindu, Egyptian, and Orisha. Despite their efforts to stay united, they too were in constant turmoil and barely held together.
One God from these Pantheons, like so many of his people, did everything he could to survive. Within that mountain range that the Hindu Pantheon called home, he fought, and fought, and fought some more. All in the hopes that one day, things would change. Shiva had recently reached the peak of Svarga. Something no one thought possible. Maybe it was a sign.
How right he was in the worst ways possible.
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Svarga
Bhumi's Vault
Long Ago
Bells and horns filled the air as a group of six Gods in rags raced through dim, torch-lit halls. Each of them carried sacks full to the brim, the haul of another successful theft.
Or so they thought.
"Damn it, can't you guys run faster?!" The blue-skinned God in front yelled as his long spiky hair flowed behind him.
The one right behind him, an olive-complexioned God with short scruffy hair, picked up the pace, leaving the other four behind him. "Keshava! If you break from us, we'll get picked off!" He yelled.
"Rama, it's either get picked off or caught! Move without hesitation and make up your mind!"
As they ran, the wall to their right grew two small bulges, and they raced down the wall, following them. "Oh, damn it all…" Rama whispered.
The top bulge split down the middle and peeled away, revealing a large purple eye. The one below split open, revealing teeth and a tongue.
"Well, well!" The mouth spoke in a woman's mirthful tone. "I knew I had intruders running around, but you guys have guts!" A barrier shot out of the wall, cutting off their path. Another barrier shot out behind the other four, trapping them. "Broke in, reached the vault, and pilfered…" The eye darted from one young God to the next, eyeing the sacks. It widened and dilated. "…You have death wishes, don't you?"
Damn it, we're out of time! Rama thought. He flung the sack over his chest and dug into it. Come on! Something in here's gotta be useful!
The mouth smirked. "Try whatever you want. No one's ever escaped from my vault, and no one's able to use those Astras except Svarga's mightiest!" The eye rolled up, and the mouth laughed.
Rama pulled out a Parashu. It felt solid and heavy in his hand. I heard Bhumi was crazy, but we are not staying! He dropped the sack and took the axe in hand and dropped the sack. We're getting out of here, and we will survive! "Keshava!"
Keshava and the others looked back at Rama as he ran towards the wall behind them. He twisted his body to the right and stepped forward, taking the axe in both hands.
"Dumbass! That's Shiva's Parashu Vidyudahbi! You think some snot-nosed shit like you can handle—"
"We move…" Rama swung the Parashu at the wall. "Without Hesitation!"
No one anticipated what would happen. Bhumi thought Vidyudahbi would bounce off her empowered walls, as many things did before. Keshava and the gang thought it would, maybe, make a small, unusable hole. Rama didn't know what would happen either. He didn't even know what weapon he grabbed or what it could do in Shiva's hands…and even he didn't know, since he used nothing other than brawling.
The axe head collided with the wall…and everything…exploded. A wall of air slammed into Rama, knocking him back towards the wall and hitting Bhumi's eye. Stone and dust flooded the hall as the other five ducked down and covered their faces, their eyes splitting with pain.
"What was that?!" A heavy-set, green-skinned God yelled. "My ears are
"What?!" Keshava yelled. He felt cold liquid trickle down his cheek. He tapped his cheek with his free hand and checked his fingers.
Blood.
*What the hell…*He thought. Did Rama do that? He's never done that before…no. He turned and looked back towards the wall Bhumi appeared on. He saw her eye twitching and her mouth racing, but he couldn't make out anything. Below her, on the ground, were Rama and Vidyudahbi, and Keshava's stomach churned.
Rama's left hand and wrist, and his entire right arm, were crunched and mangled. Shards of bone poked out all over their contorted remains as blood pooled on the floor around Rama's unconscious body.
Keshava smiled as he fought back the urge to vomit. One Astra has that much power?! This is too damn good to be true! Keshava glanced around, eyeing his gang shuffling to their feet. He looked back to where Rama hit the wall and saw his chance. The wall was gone, and the star-filled night sky and surrounding forest came into view. He ran around the gang, lifting them and pointing to the hole. Each understood what he meant, and they ran. All four passed through it and escaped into the wilderness. Keshava looked back at Rama, then at Rama's sack. He felt the ground around him move as the Bhumi's twitching eye tried to focus on him.
"You little shits!" She yelled into their near-deaf ears. "That fucking HURT!" Her mouth formed into a snarl. I can't focus! Those bastards are getting away! Move body! MOOOOOVE!
Keshava breathed sharply, grabbed the sack, and raced towards the now shrinking hole. See ya, Rama. Been fun, but that's how life rolls! Gotta move without hesitation!
Keshava raced through the make-shift, both sacks in hand, and vanished into the forest.
The hole sealed up behind him, and Bhumi roared. "FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!" Her eye darted around the room. *This can't be happening! I'm already on thin ice! If Shiva and his fucking lackeys hear about this…*Her eye froze on Rama. No…not 'if.' 'When.' Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! A second eye appeared on the ceiling, looking down at Rama. "Why…" A crease cut through the ceiling just above Rama. "…are you sleeping?!" Stone clamps shot up and wrapped around Rama's waist and thighs. A segment of the ceiling dropped down like a hammer, squashing Rama's legs flat. His eyes shot open, and he screamed. "Oh, shut up!" Bhumi roared in the darkness. Another stone clamp shot out of the wall and wrapped around Rama's mouth and in between his teeth, gagging him and muffling his screams. "Be lucky I'm not allowed to kill, or let die, anyone who breaks in here…but…" Rama felt the wall next to his bleeding right ear bulge slightly. "I don't have to turn you over in one piece…"
Rama could not hear anything she said, but he felt a chill run through the wall behind him, his breath bouncing off the ceiling, smashing his legs flat, and the clamps on his waist and head slowly, slowly, tightening.
"They'll be here…before long. Think you can hold out?"
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Mimir Hall
Arena
Present
Parashurama dashed at Lu. Awaken, Vidyudahbi! Parashurama roared in his mind. The axe head began to glow a bright red and orange, and the shaft below it split vertically. It began to spin and turned into a blur. The air around Parashurama's spinning arm whipped into a cyclone as he crossed the arena.
"Parashurama's turned into the eye of a tornado of wind and heat!" Jarl yelled. Her platform slowly started moving towards the tempest. "Wait! I'm just the announcer!" She started tapping away at buttons on the platform's rail. "Don't get me involved, too!"
Lu Ban tipped his scabbard's opening towards the ground. Then he crossed his arms across his chest as he dug his feet into the ground, fighting against the oncoming storm.
Mu, through wind, spirals, holding me in place, and spreads Huo outward through heat. Lu thought, his nostrils flaring. This is bad…
"Forgive me, Lu!" He roared. "It's a shame…" He jumped high into the air. "This is how you must atone…" He began descending and twisted his body mid-air, bringing down the burning, spinning Parashu towards Lu. "Parashu-Astra Chedana!"
An explosion erupted from the arena, firing up a cloud of dust. Boulders larger than Ares and uprooted trees flew out of the cloud and smashed against the badly vibrating transparent barrier. A few collided with the barrier protecting Jarl, who screamed helplessly as she wrapped herself around her platform's railing. The bleachers shook as if a magnitude eight earthquake burst to life in the center of Mimir Hall.
Something bright and fast spun in the cloud's center, dissipating the dust as the last few boulders fell to the arena's edge, smashing a few of the trees. Parashurama emerged from the dissipated dust, standing at the center of a massive crater. Water flowed into it from the decimated stream and slowly pooled at his feet. He stopped spinning Vidyudahbi and rested it on his shoulder. Slowly, he scanned the crater for life, but was alone.
Nothing left? He thought. He felt something tap against his robotic ankle. He looked down and saw in the pooling water something that made no sense. What? It did not exist in the arena when the match started, and he knew it never appeared during the match. He crouched down and grabbed it with his left hand.
A single, small, broken piece of bamboo.
Parashurama blinked a few times. Wait…where did this—
Suddenly, he felt the ground below shudder. His eyes widened, and he jumped back. Just as he jumped away, six pointed stalks of bamboo erupted out of the submerged floor. He felt more rumbling. Chills ran up his spine as he jumped again, seeing more bamboo rise out of the ground.
Where did these come from?! He thought. He landed and raced up the crater's slope. I know Lu can't create plant life! Wu Xing's Mu doesn't create plant life! It…
He escaped the crater as hundreds of pointed bamboo stalks erupted out of the ground, turning the crater into a grove behind Parashurama. Just in time for an uprooted tree's jagged roots to be right in front of Parashurama's face. His eyes widened as he crouched under it, feeling the roots carve his back as it flew. He slammed the trunk with his right arm, sending it upward and over the bamboo grove. It landed with a heavy thump and rolled away.
As Parashurama looked forward, another tree flew towards him.
He's alive! Parashurama thought. How did he avoid Chedana?! He swung Vidyudahbi, cleaving the oncoming tree clean in two and diverting both halves away. Another tree and a rock flew from a distance towards him. He slapped Vidyudahbi on his back, and it clung to him. He slammed both feet down. I can't get sloppy. He's trying to push me into the trap behind me. The tree's roots closed in on him. His upper body twisted hard to the left as his right palm slammed into the cluster of roots and wood, redirecting to the left. He twisted his body back to the left, slamming his fist into the oncoming boulder, shattering it.
He took two heavy steps as three boulders, two of them still carrying patches of grass, sailed his way. He took one more step and dug his feet in. He fired three punches, each full of enough power to disembowel an asura, empowered by his upper body spinning on his waist's rotary joint, and obliterated them.
And he would need it as the barrage continued. More boulders and trees flew his way from the arena's edge. Through the churn and debris caused by his punches, however, he saw him.
Near the arena's edge, along the wall, Lu Ban stood amongst the debris. Parashurama saw cuts and scrapes covering his arms, face, and neck, but what caught his attention was the brief sight of circular welts on his arms.
His eyes widened as the bamboo patch behind him still loomed. He must have…made the bamboo erupt from the ground…and push him back?! The amount of force he needed to escape Chedana equals getting punched by Barong! And he used it to avoid my attack?! Parashurama took a glance at his hands and saw shallow lacerations covering them. His attacks are scratching my limbs. This isn't possible…except for Wu Xing. He breathed deeply. Your students messed up. Had they known better, they'd still be learning from you. He crouched low and dashed. None of them is capable of a fraction of what you're doing!
At the Arena's edge, Lu Ban, hiding behind a large boulder, winced in pain as he spun his arms in two circles. Had to use Mu to Tu and make Jin to keep my body in one piece. Still, hurt like hell using Mu and Huo to make bamboo do that! Lu sighed. Mu spirals the air… He thought, feeling the breeze follow behind his hands. …Then generates upward and outward... The breeze intensified into a raging gale. He stepped forward and smashed his palms into the boulder. And makes Huo burst forward! The boulder fired like a cannon out towards the oncoming Parashurama. You fought those idiots, eh? Lu thought. Good…if that's your idea of what I can do…then you're as good as dead.