Einherjar Barracks
-Samson's Room-
Hlökk's Tea Room
"Your turn?" Yi asked. "I thought we brought you here only to fight in Round Thirteen." He looked at the others. "Only if we need you to, though. Georgios and Romulus are still ahead of you."
Arthur nodded. "Yes, that's why Brünhilde likely sent you all to get me," Arthur said. "However, I think that's misleading." He looked at Myrddin. "Isn't that right?"
"Yeah…that may not have been Hilde's idea," Myrddin said. Yi, Teddy, Geirölul, Vlad, and Vidarr all looked at him, bewildered. "I can explain."
<>
Asgard
One Year Ago
Under the shade of an old ash tree with her back to the trunk, far from Odin's Castle and nestled near the edge of thick forest, Brünhilde sat in silence, letting the day pass her by. Noon had already passed, but she was used to letting the days pass her by. However, today was different, and the presence of a guest ruined her silent reprieve.
Dressed in a familiar purple suit, light blue button-up, and brown derby, Saint Germain leaned against the tree trunk's other side.
"So, what do you think?" Saint Germain asked.
"What do I think? I think you're too late," Brünhilde said. "I'm already aware the council meets in a year. I already have a few ideas of who I'm reaching out to for help. Unless you have something worth adding, I'm done talking to you."
"…Even if Týr vouched for me?"
She sucked air through her teeth. "Týr's trying to be supportive, and sometimes he goes too far."
"Ha! He does." Saint Germain looked down at his shoes. "Almost makes it uncomfortable to use him. Almost." He looked up at the leaf-filled branches, seeing sunlight shine through. "But I needed to talk to you, and only you, so I hope you two forgive me at some point."
"He may. I won't, if you're screwing with me."
"Oh, I'm not. Hilde—"
"Brünhilde, to you."
Saint Germain cleared his throat. "Right. Brünhilde, I am in contact with a group of people. Strong people. From Midgard and Valhalla. All of us know what you're planning, and we want to help."
"Who are these people? 'Friends' of yours?"
"Ha! I don't have friends. Not anymore…" He cleared his throat again. "Anyways, they have a vested interest in helping you succeed, but there's something they need from you for their help."
"Who are these people?" Saint Germain winced from the irritation in her tone.
"Your Brothers."
Brünhilde froze. Her mind raced at the response, trying to recall the last time she saw them all. The last time before they left on their final mission.
"I should have started with that. Bad habit, I suppose. But I am working with Uriel and Camael at Gabriel's request. He can't act how he wants due to oversight from the other Supreme and Chief Gods."
"…They're still around?"
"Yes, and they're trying to find leads to Arthur."
She jerked and rose to her feet. "Arthur?! Why that bastard?!" She ran around the tree to face Saint Germain, but froze in place once she saw him, her eyes wide.
His suit was now a long purple robe, and his derby had vanished. He now wore a familiar set of matching brown, long fingerless gloves, sandals, and a leather belt.
"You're…you're Myrddin?"
"Barely. I've been separated from Arthur for so long, I am barely alive right now." He rose, standing a little taller than Brünhilde. "I know what I'm asking of you, and I am asking you when you're at your most desperate."
"Why should I help you? After what he did?" Brünhilde's lips pursed, and she sharply exhaled. "It's one thing to die in combat. It's another thing to stab my Dad in the back."
Myrddin raised both hands. "I agree, and I will not condone what he did…but you weren't there. You don't know everything that happened, but I do." He stepped closer to her. "Brünhilde, I know what's on the horizon for Humanity. I know far better than anyone. I've lived it already, and I need you to know, from the pit of my being, I am trying to help you and Arthur. I know you're angry with him—"
"Understatement of the century." She interrupted as she flexed her fingers, fighting the urge to form fists and throw them.
"—but I want to give him a chance to make things right, and I think the only way to do that is for him and me to help you. I am even willing to fight for you in Ragnarök to prove my sincerity and my faith in him." He kneeled and lowered his head. "If you will allow me, I will even pledge my life to you and fight under your banner, as I did for him, and for his father before him. Please, Brunhilde."
<>
Einherjar Barracks
-Samson's Room-
Hlökk's Tea Room
"I am not proud of what I did, but I needed to make it happen," Myrddin said.
"So, it wasn't Hilde's idea?" Siegfried asked.
"Sorry, guys," Uriel said. He looked over at Yi, Teddy, and Vlad. "Truth is, Hilde had nothing to do with this scheme other than Myrddin fighting on the Roster. That way, if we fell short, nothing would blow back on her or the girls. It also kept Gabriel out of hot water."
"Ever since Michael was imprisoned in Tartarus, I was forced to put on the 'Chief God' hat," Gabriel added. "I had eyes on me all the time, in case I ever made contact with Uri, Cam, or Raph."
"You all say that, but is Hilde still on board with this?" Michael asked. "After everything?"
"She willingly picked fighters to kill people she cared about," Camael said. "She's already made peace with it."
Uriel looked up at his brother and gently backhanded his bicep. "Oy, genius. This Hilde we're talking about. No way she isn't beating herself up over all this."
Camael nodded, then looked at Yi and Teddy. "But we left you two in the dark about the history between Arthur and us. That was not fair, despite you two putting your lives on the line to help us."
"For what it's worth, I don't care all that much," Teddy interjected. "I know someone needed my help, and so here I am."
Yi nodded, smiling. "I figured you fought for us in the past. Lost family for us, and we didn't know about it, and you never asked for our gratitude. We're showing it now."
"Couldn't ask for better Warriors," Arthur said. Both Yi and Teddy blushed a little. "But Myrddin's right. I need to make amends to Brünhilde, your family, and most importantly, your father. I know this might be hard to believe, but he is alive. Skeggöld and Vidarr can attest to it."
"But where?" Uriel asked.
"He's pretending to be Set, the Game Master," Gabriel said. "I should've realized it, but there's no one who could build a Roster and pull off everything he did. It's Dad."
Camael, Michael, and Uriel stood still as stone, soaking in Gabriel's words. Suddenly, their Uriel's, Camael's, and Gabriel's tablets vibrated in their pockets.
"Do you know where he could be?" Arthur asked.
Gabriel shook his head as he pulled out his tablet and checked the screen. "Not a clue—what the…"
<>
Jörð Arena
In the arena, Georgios and Brünhilde lowered their stances as Yama slowly walked over to them, his golden knuckles barely avoiding the ground as his arms swung. Chills ran up their spines, and both breathed deeply through their noses.
"Georgios…do you feel that?" Brünhilde asked, whispering.
"I do," He said. "This guy's power is incredible. I don't think I've ever seen someone do that with a soul.
She nodded, her gaze intensifying. "Yama Dharmaraja: Soul of the Unyielding King…" She whispered.
"Feels like he's scolding us for daring to stand against him."
"When has that stopped us?"
Georgios stifled a laugh.
"But, he knows I can hit his soul. He's going to be on guard."
"That form's probably to give him a reach advantage. Let's stick with the first plan for now."
"You're still reeling from earlier, genius!"
"Guilty! But pain is power, and we knew going in what we may be dealing with."
"Ugh…" Brünhilde vanished back into Georgios' body. "Do I need to wait for your signal?"
"Hell no! If you see a shot, take it!"
Brünhilde smiled. "Oh…I plan to."
Yama continued his stride, his glare locked on Georgios. I thought Georgios would be the only problem. Yama thought. So you're willing to fight, too, Brünhilde? He recalled the strikes to his torso. This Völund…is dangerous. And she's able to strike at my soul? I don't recall her Rune Bright Armor giving her the power to do that. Is it because of him? Yama shook his head. As long as I keep my distance, I can keep the advantage. Let's see what you two can do.
"Have you said your prayers?" Yama said.
"Did before I came here," Georgios said. "And don't need to say anym—"
"Not you." Yama's gaze intensified. "Brünhilde…"
Brünhilde felt a chill run down her spine.
"You're trying to honor his teachings." His fists slammed against the ground. He inhaled deeply. "But you're still the prodigal daughter repeating the mistakes of her brothers." He started picking up speed, his massive arms swinging in tandem with his quickening stride. Each step echoed off the passage's walls, filling the air. "He would not want this."
"Spare me—" Brünhilde started.
"Bite your tongue!" Yama yelled. Brünhilde and Georgios flinched. "Every choice has consequences! Have you made peace with yours?! Do you accept responsibility for what may come because of your choices?! What you may have to do to atone for them?!"
"I wouldn't have done this if I didn't!"
"That's what he said! That's what they said! And you know what came of Winchester!" A vein popped up on Yama's forehead. "Don't fuck with me, Brünhilde!" He kicked off the ground and dashed, the air dispersing around him as he closed the gap near instantly.
"Hilde, brace!" Georgios yelled, crossing his arms.
Yama threw his massive right fist into Georgios' guard, and it collapsed into his chest. Just as his feet left the ground, A pair of long white legs and a billowing dress shot out of Georgios' back and slammed into the ground.
Pain fired out in all directions through Georgios' body. Son of a— He thought.
"You think you're capable of making hard choices!" Yama's fist turned, and his fingers flexed out against Georgios' arms before biting down on them. Yama stepped back with his left foot, pulled Georgios overhead, and slammed him against the ground, caving the floor in slightly. His grip still tight, he spun back to the right and threw Georgios into the wall behind him, back first. Georgios felt the wind get knocked out of his lungs.
Before he could fall, Yama burst forward and slammed his left fist into Georgios' solar plexus, pinning him to the wall. Georgios crumbled around the punch. "But you have no damn clue what you've done!" The moment he retracted his fist, his right fist fired, keeping Georgios pinned. Then his left, then his right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right.
Each punch vanished into the next in a flurry of blows. The wall behind Georgios broke away as Yama punched him further and further against the wall.
"You couldn't be bothered to speak to Pandora before you had a stranger kill her father! You watched as a God who loved you with all his heart die in front of his family and peers! For you! Your sisters will follow you into death, and three have already paid the price! Those Humans! They are dying for you! All so you can have Siegfried back?!"
A glowing white fist shot out of Georgios' left shoulder, but it hit only air.
Georgios, I can't reach him! Brünhilde yelled as the punches flew. His reach is keeping us away!
"Are you here to die?! Is all your bluster—"
Georgios grit his teeth and swiped his arms up, knocking Yama's fist over his head and into the wall. He fell to his knees as the wall and several meters of fortress exploded, sending debris and rubble sailing towards the Gods' side. Several flinched and curled up as the debris hit the transparent barrier.
Georgios, fighting through his decimated torso's flood of pain, jumped to his feet and hopped forward. He looped his arms under Yama and pinched them between his forearms and biceps.
"The HELL?!"
"Now, Hilde!" He roared.
Within that hold, Brünhilde's fists, knees, elbows, and legs fired away at Yama's body. Few could make out what was happening, but all could see Yama's body convulsing with pain and his skyward roar. Georgios' grip tightened.
"I am here to live!" Brünhilde yelled. "I am here to protect what I love and still have!" Her left elbow shot up and smashed into Yama's chin, rocking his head back. Her right fist dropped down, hammering right into Yama's teeth. The floor beneath them shook from the blow. Images of her brothers and father raced through her mind, and her fire flowed through her veins. "Despite the fuck ups, I am proud of my brothers! Despite the fuck ups, I will live out what he taught me! I will fight for those who cannot and alongside the willing!" Her arms popped out of Georgios' shoulders and wrapped around Yama's neck in a clinch. Her right leg extended out of Georgios' hip and launched through his body and into Yama's stomach. His face contorted in pain as his feet lifted off the ground. She released the clinch and brought her left arm out to the side. "And I will stomp anyone who threatens them into the ground!" Her hook fired towards Yama's temple.
When this lands, we gotta blitz, Hilde! Georgios thought. Get re-
Yama's golden hand clamped down on Brünhilde's entire forearm, holding it in place. He pulled it back, and Brünhilde's face appeared out of Georgio's head.
"That…is not…ENOUGH!" Yama reared back and slammed his forehead into Brünhilde's nose. Pain shot through her and down to Georgios, and he winced in pain while her eyes rolled back into her head. Yama's fists slammed into both of Georgios' ribs and broke his grip. Yama's right foot stepped back, and he brought down a right hammer fist, slamming Georgios into the floor. He then looked up and broke into a sprint.
"Yama's got an opening!" Heimdall yelled. "Both fighters pummeled each other with blows that would kill a normal soul, but Yama came out on top and is racing to his banner!"
"Get it!" One of the Shinigami yelled from the bleachers.
"You can do it!" Mamian roared.
Yama raced down the passage. It's never enough to want and try! Yama thought. Nothing matters but results and outcomes! The distance between Yama and Yamāyudha shrank quickly.
Far behind Yama, Georgios quickly snapped up to his feet and spun around. "Hilde! Are you okay?!" He yelled.
Silence.
"Damn it!" Georgios crouched down. "Sorry, Hilde! Playing our card early!" He inhaled deeply. At the other side of the arena, the red cross on Georgio's banner glowed. I can't get to my banner in time, but I can at least stop you. Now, billow in the wind, my soul… He whispered in his mind. And ignite! The banner lit up, illuminating the passageway around it. He looked ahead, seeing Yama closing in on Yamāyudha. "Let's go," He whispered, and he was off.
The stone floor underneath his feet gave way with each step he took, debris flying behind him and out towards the transparent barrier. The world blurred around him as he raced towards Yama. The gap between them shrank. The wind whipped and whirled behind him.
"Georgios…is flying down the arena like a man on fire!" Heimdall roared, leaning over his platform's railings. "What the heck is happening?!"
Yama could hear the destruction and its source closing in. He recovered that fast?! Is it the Völund again?! How does it work?! His thoughts raced as he continued running, but reality began creeping in. I can't reach the end before he catches up. I can't outrun you, but I can take what you can dish out! He jumped and turned mid-air, landing back on his feet and facing the oncoming Georgios. I've faced faster foes than you! His left foot stepped forward as his torso twisted to the right. And they all had the same problem you do! He fired his right fist. You have to travel in a straight… His punch only hit air. …line? What the?! He turned around, and his eyes widened. Georgios, now behind him, was already winding up a right punch.
But that was not what shocked him. No, what shocked him were Georgios' eyes. Within the irises and pupils, he saw it, and the answer revealed itself.
Lilies.
Bastard! You're an Enlightened?!
"Soul Bomber," Georgios whispered as his fist smashed into Yama's back. The force of the blow shot down Georgios' body, causing the floor to crack under his feet, while lifting Yama off the ground. Pain surged throughout Yama's body, his vision blurred, and he flew. Higher and higher, before dropping and crashing down, convulsing in pain. "Time to quit playing."
<>
Jörð Arena
Bleachers
Up above the fortress, one man was making a scene, shouting and screaming for joy. He wore the same New York Yankee uniform from his heyday, and his husky figure belied a mighty frame that could strike out nearly any batter and send a ball out of any park. His dark, slightly curly hair was covered by his team's cap, and his round face still carried a hint of boyish charm.
"That's. My. Boy!" He yelled, slapping his knee and laughing.
George Herman "Babe" Ruth
The Bambino
The Sultan of Swat
(United States of America)
"Knock it off!" A man in a suit and bowler said, sitting in the row in front of Ruth. "You're too damn loud, and what do you mean by 'your boy?!' He's easily a thousand years older than you!"
"Oy, genius. Every George knows every George." Everyone around him gave him listless gazes. "What? There are so damn many of us, it's only natural we should find and get to know each other!"
"You mean you harassed all of us until we capitulated," Said an older man behind him in a dark blue three-piece suit. He wore his dark hair parted neatly down the middle and wore an immaculately trimmed moustache.
<>
Eric Arthur Blair
A.K.A.
George Orwell
(England)
"Would it kill you to be supportive, George?" Babe asked.
"I told you, my name is Eric, and possibly." He sighed. "Lord, watching a Human and a God fight each other in a death match…there's a metaphor or story there, but I can't focus on it while you're yelling."
"You're more concerned about writing when history is happening in front of you?!"
Eric nodded.
"Lord, you're a hard pill to swallow. At least Georgios was willing to learn baseball from me."
"You taught him…baseball. A 'mighty Saint'…learned baseball…from you."
Babe's expression hardened. "He did, and don't you forget it." Eric blinked a few times. "How else do you think he came up with that trick to dodge, what was it, Yama?" The moment of near-collision played out in the surrounding crowd's minds. Yama fired his punch towards an oncoming Georgios. Georgios stuck his left leg out and tucked his right leg in, dropping down and sliding under Yama's strike. As soon as he passed under him, he popped up, turned around, and prepared to fire his punch. "It's not some combat trick, but sliding in baseball is meant to create a small profile, speed, prevent injury, and pop back up in case a play is still going. Plus, the technique to swing a bat uses the same mechanics as punching, using hip and back torque."
Eric and the crowd around him sat in silence, watching the boyish athlete vanish as something else replaced him as he turned his attention back to the arena, watching Georgios sprint towards a slowly rising Yama.
"Baseball is a sport, but within every sport, you will find small pieces of wisdom that can be applied to combat. Georgios is a hungry guy. Hungry to learn and apply it, and I pity Yama for what he's up against."
<>
Jörð Arena
Back in the arena, Georgios closed the gap and punched down at Yama. Yama rolled out of the way and onto his feet. Georgios rushed at him and fired another right punch at Yama's face. Yama slipped to the outside and fired a left body blow. Georgios snapped his arm back and stepped back, avoiding the punch, and Yama's lips curled into a snarl as he stepped forward to fire another right punch. Georgios slipped under the punch and slammed his right fist into Yama's torso, sending Yama skidding back several meters as pain arched through his body.
What is happening?! Yama thought. He was not this strong earlier! He wasn't even that fast! Damn it, what— Yama froze and breathed sharply. "You're clever, Georgios!"
Guess he's not the kind of guy you can keep in the dark… Georgios thought. Damn it. Hilde's still out cold, too. Let's see if I can pull a two-for-one. "You're too kind!" He yelled. "Was hoping you'd be too caught up in badmouthing Hilde to pay attention to the guy you're actually fighting!"
Yama smirked a little. "Looks like I underestimated you." The Gold energy surrounding his arms peeled away and unfurled into four golden ripples. "I forgot that you and I had the same teacher." They twisted and formed into four golden arms that matched Yama's. A golden face appeared on each side of Yama's head, all three now scowling. "Yama Dharmaraja: Asura…In my days bringing order to Helheim, I dealt with a myriad of monsters. All shapes and sizes." All four golden fists clenched tightly, popping their knuckles. "But none of them ever harmed me. Hell, I haven't felt pain since…I don't know when."
"Don't know if I should feel offended or not!" Hilde, please wake up. This is looking bad…
"Feel honored. For the First King of Underworld to feel pain…" A peaceful smile grew on Yama's face. "It makes me feel alive again…" So it's YOU who can strike at my soul. Heh. An Enlightened. So, Brünhilde must've been using that power of yours through your Völund. And here I thought you Humans were getting the power of their Runes. You're using her power to boost yours… Round Three's end played through his mind as Samson decimated Baldr's invulnerability and destroyed his gauntlets. And she's using yours to hurt me. Clever. Yama burst forward, keeping his real arms close to his body as the four golden ones swung back. But not clever enough! All four fists fired forward. Georgios stepped back, slipped, ducked, and parried each blow as they sailed his way. Cross, hook, knife hand, hilt strike, one-knuckle punch, finger strike, rake fist. A blow of every variety fired in a flurry at Georgios, who could only dodge, parry, or block.
Sweat began pouring from his brow, and his arms started aching. Invulnerable, please! Doesn't mean anything if I run out of stamina! Georgios thought. I gotta find an opening. Hilde! Please wake up!
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Jörð Arena
Box Seats
In the Seats above the arena, Zeus and Hades sat watching the fight unfold while Hermes stood behind the pair. Zeus sat back in his cushioned seat, stroking his beard while his wild eyes refused to look away from the carnage.
"Aaaah…been too long since Yama fought so hard," Zeus said. "Makes me remember the good ole' days of our occasional sprees down in Helheim! Didn't he go this far with you, too, Hades?"
"Hmmm," Hades said, his expression vacant.
"Something the matter, Lord Hades?" Hermes asked.
"Just thinking about a chess game I won't be able to finish."
Zeus looked over at his eldest brother, his gaze softening slightly. He looked back out to the fight. "We'll play later. Focus on what you can do."
Hades chuckled a little. "I am holding you to it, though you were never good at it."
"Good, so my earlier question."
"Ah. Yes. He did, but there's far more he's capable of."
"Really now?"
The entrance opened behind the three, and Ares walked in silently to take his spot next to Hermes. Hermes looked at him and placed his gloved left hand on his brother's shoulder. Ares nodded and patted his hand.
"When he and I fought for the throne, he had Yamāyudha at his disposal. He was far stronger with it, but the two transformations he's used are new to me. I wonder why he never used them against me?"
"Maybe he didn't create those abilities yet?" Hermes asked.
"Unlikely. Yama's campaigns spanned decades. Centuries, even. The kind of God who could make such a thing possible is more than a brute; he's a force of nature who adapts to the situation."
"Yes…I heard amongst the Gods in Helheim, his Battle IQ is near unmatched. I think the only one who outdoes him is Beelzebub."
"And only due to Yama's focus on Tartarus. I wager he'd be far stronger if he were still campaigning."
"The price of peace. Damn shame and all," Zeus said. "But that's what makes Ragnarök fun."
"Does it now? That's not what I heard after Rounds Eight and Ten."
"The Heavens are quieter, but that doesn't mean it's silent. If Yama wins, then that means he still has what it takes to be a worthwhile opponent."
"Not 'if,'" Ares said. "But 'when.'"
"Ah! Yes. Yes. Right you are, Ares. However, those Humans defeated Týr. Can't be too confident."
I can only hope. Ares thought as the fight continued below, with Yama continuing to pressure Georgios back. Please win, Yama.
<>
Jörð Arena
Medical Wing
Set stood still as a stone, his sight locked on Odin standing in the room's entrance. His breathing shallowed, and his heartbeat accelerated.
Brother, he knows! We're doomed! The wispy voice yelled.
If that was true, why did he stop and announce himself?! Set responded in his mind. There is something else going on. Let us try something.
…Please be careful. You have my permission to use my powers. I know they won't rival his, but you never know.
It will do. Heavens, I despise that smile… Set adjusted his helmet a little, sliding his fingers under the helmet's chin and flipping the switch. "How may I help you?" He asked, his wispy voice returning.
Odin's smile widened a little, but his eyes lit up in fury. "Why are you here?"
Set grimaced. "As the Game Master, it is my responsibility to ensure the victors of each Match are kept safe until someone accounts for them on their side. No one from Humanity's has yet to do so…" Sweat formed on his brow, hidden by the helmet. "…and so I am here to keep an eye on them."
"I don't believe you."
"I imagine you do not, but we have to be fair and act accordingly. Even if they defeat us, our position as Gods demands such etiquette."
"Does it now?" Odin walked inside.
"…Yes. I imagine you are…angry that Baldr and Týr are gone." Set's gaze moved to Gungnir, then back to Odin.
Odin's smile slowly vanished, as if he were walking towards something repulsive. "Baldr was one thing." Set leered briefly at him. "Týr's loss was unexpected. I humored his journeys outside Valhalla if they made him stronger, and he proved it." He turned to Li, who met his gaze. "It seems, however, my charity was wasted."
Li scowled at him from inside the tank. Several of the monitors around him beeped faster.
"I do not think so. It was magnanimous of you to allow him to find his own way. No one could do what he did without the opportunity you afforded."
A dark, heavy aura exploded out of Odin as he stopped in front of Set, flooding the room. A web of cracks spread out from his sandaled feet. "Do not patronize me…and no more lies." Set's eyes widened. "Prattle all you want, but this tournament has been nothing short of a pitiful endeavor to strike at me."
Set stepped back and leaned against Alvitr's pod. "What do I gain from undermining you?! I am acting on your behalf! I kept two spots on the Roster open for the Norse. I even kept my word that I would not recruit Thor!"
"The Roster has nothing to do with it." He locked eyes with Set. "I meant Siegfried."
Brother, you need to get out of here, now! Set's inner voice yelled.
"S…Siegfried?" Set asked.
"Yes. He's out of Tartarus. It seems my authority holds no weight there because of that cretin, Loki."
An authority born from being the biggest killer in the room. Set thought in his real voice. "I played no part in that. How could I?"
A wave of Odin's aura spilled out, and the web of cracks grew. "It's not what Loki did. It's what happened after." Set's eyes widened. "Both Yama and Hades went behind my back, and now he's missing."
"What makes you think I would know or care about one Demigod? I'm dealing with over a dozen on the opposing side alone."
Odin's smile returned. "Because…he was set to be your son-in-law."
Set felt all the blood in his body pool at his feet, his soles burning red hot as his heartbeat accelerated.
"I…"
Odin's smile vanished again as he raised Gungnir and slammed its pommel into the floor with a loud clang. "You deceitful, old bastard." Veins popped up on his brow. "Hiding in plain sight this whole time?"
Set swiped his right hand across his chin, flipping the switch back. "…How do you know?" His deep baritone returning.
"Your son, the one who calls himself Zahhak, visited me. Seems like he still has it out for you."
Damn it, another problem to deal with…
"So what now? No longer confident enough to spew lies and sanctimony?"
Brother, do something! Attack him! Run! He's going to destroy the room and kill those two!
Set sighed. "I am," He answered.
Odin went still.
What are you doing?!
Set, I am sorry. Forgive me, but I am gambling on a chance. "I am scared. Too scared to do anything other than hide behind my title and a disguise. Too scared to own up to my mistakes out in the open, and look where it got me? Three daughters dead, one in critical condition, and four worthwhile Gods dead. How two of them were your sons is beyond me."
"Mocking me now?" Odin asked, his voice dripping with malice.
"I am no better. My sons and daughters outshine me in ways I cannot begin to describe. How did our children turn out so much better than we?"
"Enough wasting time."
"No. It is not enough. It is never enough when it comes to our children. Do you not feel anything with your boys gone?"
Odin leered silently.
"Have your ambitions eaten every form of love you could feel? Are your desires for Yggdrasil's freedom and the genocide of the Gods all you care about?"
Odin shook. He lurched over, then leaned back and roared with laughter. Chills enveloped Set's body.
"Genocide?" Odin asked, his vile joy fading. "That's too small, Set. I want…everyone…and everything…everywhere…gone."
Set's mind raced, but he tried to keep up a calm façade. Everything?! That's not the original plan! He thought. Odin and the other Ten were just killing all of the Gods and planning to replace them! When did he devolve into Omnicide?!
Does it matter? Set's other voice asked.
It means everything! If he means what he means…
"And you're trying to stop me," Odin added.
Memories rushed through Set's mind. Everything and anything he can use to stall for time, or, more importantly, keep Odin away from everyone else.
Then, it hit him. It was the one thing he knew for certain, despite everything happening around them, despite the absurdity of it all. The one thing he needed, and never knew until that one brief, panic-filled moment.
Alvitr's words played in his mind. Please…don't go…I'm…I'm…sorry…
He then recalled the Chapel. He remembered seeing his daughters united against him. He saw Georgios and Siegfried standing by to help them. That one memory reminded him, despite what he believed, the truth could not be denied.
He was not alone, and never was.
"What about Týr's rune?"
Odin squinted his uncovered eye. "…You saw it, too?"
"I did."
"Not above turning my children against me?"
Wait. I got something. He smiled under his helmet. "If you think I could turn Týr against anyone, you don't know your son. It must be shocking for you to think anyone would work against you, let alone your flesh and blood." Set raised his hands and shrugged. "You say I am trying to stop you, but the truth is… I had nothing to do with anything that's happened over the past two days!" He chuckled mirthlessly. "Everyone whom you deem undeserving of living or even listening to, through their wills, made the unthinkable happen." Set inhaled deeply and slowly. He then took his tablet out of his coat pocket and walked around Odin. "As much as I planned and waited, and planned and waited…everyone beat me to it! Ha! Our kids continue to outdo us! Everything…except Ra…that was my burden."
"So you did put him down."
"I did." Come on…
"Do you intend to kill me?"
"Why would I do that, when just stopping your plans is enough?"
"You'd only be delaying the inevitable."
Set nodded. "You…are right. As much as I dislike the idea of killing you—"
"Liar," Odin interrupted.
"We cannot do this here."
"Why?"
Set tapped on the tablet a few times and showed its screen to Odin. Odin saw a live feed playing. "Collateral damage. Round Eleven is going on now. If we have it out here, Ragnarök could get cancelled, and you will be scrutinized by the other Chief and Supreme Gods." Set looked behind Odin, eyeing Alvitr's pod.
Alvi, I am leaving sooner than I wanted. Set thought in his true voice. But you will be safer this way. He looked over at Li and gave him a soft look. Li saw it, and his expression softened, and he nodded. "Everything else you need falls through your fingers along with Siegfried."
"You think their opinions matter? That their actions towards me will stop me?"
"Yes, I do. Despite your beliefs, the Gods have proven their strength. If they rise to the challenge, they will be able to put you down after I am gone."
Odin went silent, leering at Set.
"I know just the place where we can settle things between us." He looked back at Odin, then turned around. Out of Odin's line of sight, he tapped on the screen with his thumb a few more times, then pocketed it. "Mind taking this far from here?"