Ancient Babylon
(One of the Cradles of Creation)
"Sarpa, can you see them yet!?" Marduk asked. The two flew through the sky on the back of Mušḫuššu, Marduk's chimeric steed. Its large bird wings and hind legs clashed against its leonine body, long, scaly neck, and draconic head. Sarpa held onto Marduk as they raced through the skies back to their homeland. The cold yet humid air flowed through their hair.
"No!" She said, surveying the land as dread filled them both. The forests and mountains of their homeland were submerged beneath murky water. "What in the hell…Marduk, I can barely see the peaks of the mountains. How did this happen?"
"Apsu and Tiamat. I didn't think it would get this bad…"
"Those two? I didn't think they were this powerful. It's like a whole other ocean down there."
"It might as well be, and it will stay that way unless those two are stopped." Marduk scanned the horizon ahead of them. The massive wall of storm clouds stretched as far as he could see. The sky above them began to darken and turn gray the closer they flew. Father, where are you!? He thought. Please don't tell me…
A mighty wail erupted from the storm. High-pitched and sonorous, it flooded their ears. "What is that!?" Sarpanitu tried to yell over the cry. Marduk could barely hear her; she could barely hear herself. It continued on and on and grew louder the closer they flew. Mušḫuššu began fidgeting under them and roared in response.
Dear Heaven, is that them!? Mušḫuššu wouldn't act this way if it weren't for his parents. Marduk thought. He felt a slight tap on his right shoulder. He turned to look back at Sarpanitu. She was pointing down, and he could make out what she said despite being unable to hear her.
They are below us.
Marduk took them into a dive despite Mušḫuššu's flailing. As they descended, the wail began to fade as a small, sharp hill came into Marduk's view. On top of it were a dozen or so figures. Marduk's heartbeat quickened. Sarpanitu could feel it through his back, meshing with her own. She wrapped her arms around him tightly and leaned on his back.
I know you're trying to be brave, my Sun! I'm here. You're not alone. Marduk placed his left hand on her arms as they continued descending. Marduk and Sarpanitu could now distinguish the Gods from each other. On the ground, covered in lacerations and bruises, was Ea, his green robes and black beard drenched in blood.
"Father!" Marduk shouted from above. The Gods looked up, shocked at the sight above them.
"Marduk!? What're you doing here!?" Yelled a god wielding a massive club, his drenched blood-red robes clinging to his skin despite the turbulent wind.
Nergal
God of War, Plagues, Death, and Disease
(Mesopotamian Pantheon)
"Doing what I am supposed to do!" He answered over the howling winds as Mušḫuššu landed. Both young Gods jumped off his back and raced towards the crowd. "What happened!?" Nergal stared him down, incredulous at the sight before him. Marduk could see the thoughts ruminating in his mind. "Nergal, we don't have time for debating my presence. My father is injured, and it is hell here! What happened?"
Dammit, Metatron, you interloper. You're going to get our prince AND his father killed! Nergal thought. "We managed to kill Apsu, but Tiamat is on a rampage."
"Where is she?" Nergal pointed to the storm. "There?"
"No…that is her. The water surrounding us is Apsu." The clouds flashed with green lightning, the wailing resuming but faintly. "Everyone here is trying to recover after just killing Apsu. I don't think we can fight Tiamat the way things are."
"So you're waiting here to die?" Sarpanitu asked as she walked past the two towards the injured Ea.
"Of course not! Marduk, we can't move your father at the moment. He's too badly injured."
"But if you stay…"
"Tiamat will get us."
Marduk looked over to the Gods surrounding his father, then back to Nergal. He turned and looked out to the horizon, seeing the ever-looming storm growing closer. "Nergal, give me your club." Nergal took a step back, his eyes widening.
"Marduk, you're out of your damn mind! You can't just- "
"I'm not! I need everything we have here right now! Over there are the strongest Gods of our people, barely functioning and trying to keep Dad stable. Sarpa can help here, but I need everything we have."
"Why!?" Marduk glared at him without blinking.
"Because someone has to. I am your prince, and I am ordering you to collect all the weapons we have here so I can do my damn duty." Nergal's face softened, but he nodded. Without a word, he ran over to the group. Marduk could hear him yelling for their weapons. Each relented, but he also got the one thing he didn't want. Sarpanitu looked over at him, the revelation hitting her square in the chest as Nergal raced back to him with arms loaded with weapons. A club, bow, quiver, lightning, and fire encircled his arms while winds flew behind him as he ran. He stopped in front of Marduk.
"This is all we have." Marduk took them all. He slung the quiver on his back along with the bow. Lightning and Fire coursed from Nergal to Marduk as the winds blew and flowed behind the young God. Last, Nergal handed him his stone club. "Please don't do anything more suicidal than what you're doing now. Your father will kill me."
"If he doesn't, I will!" Sarpanitu shoved Nergal aside. "You're going alone!?" Her eyes locked with Marduk's.
"I have to."
"No, you don't! I'm going with you!"
"Sarpa, I am going alone. You must stay here to help the others." He met her gaze unflinchingly. He could see the fear and dread in her eyes. "I am coming back. Never doubt that."
"This wasn't what we thought would happen…" She fought back tears. Marduk rushed to her and wrapped her in his arms.
"My Moon and Stars, that doesn't matter. I need to go." He stepped back. "It's like they say, 'Marduk can do anything.'" He turned and ran to Mušḫuššu. He jumped on his back, and the pair rose into the air. They turned away from the group and flew towards the storm. The wailing returned and grew louder as they headed towards it.
I don't want you to. She couldn't get the thoughts into words. She wanted to scream. Please don't leave me.
Valhalla Arena
The funnel continued to rise towards the sky as the water vanished into it. Before long, Tadakatsu could feel nothing but dry stone beneath his feet. The water on his body and clothes flew off and into the funnel. Every last drop of water converged there. Tadakatsu pointed his spear down towards the base of the funnel, preparing for what could come next. The water began to glow a bright green and slow down. The figure within it raised its right arm. Suddenly, the funnel contorted and caved in on itself, curving towards the figure's open hand. Faster and faster, the water vanished into itself. "Randgriz, do you have any idea what's happening?" Tadakatsu asked.
"No, but whatever you do, we must not go near that water." She appeared floating next to him, slightly translucent. "I don't know why…but it feels…"
"Wrong. Very wrong." She nodded. "I understand. Then that means one thing." He dashed towards the point of the water's convergence. "We have to finish him before this gets away from us!" He thrust his spear, extending it to its maximum length. The spearhead pierced through the collapsing funnel. Tadakatsu felt it strike something as he heard a hollow clang. He tried to pull the spear back, but it remained in place. What the? It came loose, and Tadakatsu jumped back.
The figure came into view as the last few gallons of water vanished into its hand. It wore Marduk's leather clothes, but they were bleached white. Its skin was a dirty brown. Sea-green crystals enveloped its shoulders and enlarged forearms. Its legs were reptilian and ended in three clawed toes with more crystals on the top of its feet. Out from under the leather waist robe came a dirty brown tail with muted green webbing. From its human-shaped head sprouted more crystals that enveloped the top of the skull and over the creature's yellow eyes. Its black hair and the lower half of its face were all that was left of Marduk.
He sighed, his voice reverberating through the air.
Rebirth of Chaos
Imhullu x Wellspring Vault
"Not even giving me a chance to finish preparing…" Marduk said.
"In the name of Amitābha, what the hell are you?" Tadakatsu whispered.
"I'll show you." He kicked forward and flew towards Tadakatsu. Mid-dash, Marduk twisted his upper body to the right and fired a right straight. Tadakatsu ducked under the blow. Marduk flexed his toe-claws and dug them into the floor, stopping his assault just a meter behind Tadakatsu. He raised his right arm and swung down a hammer fist. Tadakatsu rolled away just in time and retracted his spear down to its shortest form. The creature fired a left punch. Tadakatsu's Shika Sense screamed. He stepped to the right. Marduk punched with his right. Tadakatsu jumped back, barely escaping the blow's range. Marduk hunched down. Just as he flew forward, Marduk slammed his tail on the ground. Tadakatsu could not react in time to dodge Marduk's right cross. Tadakatsu got his spear in front of it. The force of the blow caused the shaft to flex, and he could feel his shoulders and deltoids nearly rip off his body. The blow lifted him off his feet and sent him flying into an uplifted boulder. It gave way to Tadakatsu's mass and the blow's strength, crumbling to pieces as he flew through and fell to the ground dozens of meters away.
"This is the power I, alone amongst the Heavens, have mastered," Marduk said as he walked slowly towards the injured Tadakatsu.
"Well then, who do I hold the honor of fighting?" Tadakatsu grunted out, trying to breathe. "I…don't recognize you and would surely remember someone like you..." He looked up at the score.
"Bad time for jokes."
"It is, but sure as rain, you're not Marduk. I'm not the only one who believes that." He pointed his left index finger to the sky. Marduk looked up at the score.
Marduk 64%
Honda Tadakatsu 93%
He shifted his gaze back to his opponent. "That doesn't matter anymore. What does matter…is winning this." Marduk clenched his fists. "Be honored. Not even Tiamat put the fear of death in me as bad as you have."
"I don't take pride in that. Not if it did this." He retorted, full of vitriol. "I thought you were better than this. Too many times…too many times, I saw my foes go to such desperate lengths to win. I thought you were different." He glowered at his opponent. You," Tadakatsu readied his spear, aiming it at Marduk, "are just another coward."
Marduk stopped in his tracks. He sighed and rolled his neck and shoulders. I'm sorry. You were right. This isn't a fight anymore. This…is truly wrath. He swung his arms back, palms open. Tadakatsu waited. Marduk swung both arms up in a scooping motion. As his hands sailed into his view, the liquid began to seep out of his palms. He flicked his wrists, and two translucent, crescent-shaped blades sailed towards Tadakatsu. Spear in hand, Tadakatsu swatted them away, feeling the weight of each blade slam against his defense while trying to survive. Marduk swung his arms again, firing several blades. Tadakatsu marched forward, swatting each blade away as he stepped. You nearly killed me. You nearly made my wife a widow and left my son fatherless. Marduk brought his hands together, his palms aimed towards Tadakatsu. I CANNOT FORGIVE YOU FOR THAT! Water erupted from his palms like a fire hose.
"We can't block that!" Randgriz shouted. Tadakatsu nodded and dashed away to the right. The beam of water smashed through uplifted rocks behind him and collided with the dome's wall. It reverberated, and the sky over the two started to crackle and go static.
"W…what is this!? Marduk's water attacks are destroying the spatial boundaries of the dome!" Heimdall shouted. Damn it, we took into consideration potential damage back from Round 6, but who the hell could've anticipated reality-destroying attacks!? He thought.
"Mom! Mom!" Nabu said as he lightly shook his mother. Try as he might, Sarpanitu could not be roused from her catatonic state.
I lost him…I truly lost my Sun… She could hear Tiamat's wailing cry as clearly as she did all those millennia ago. Not even death could stop you from taking him from me, Tiamat…Damn you.
"…What the hell is this madness?" Set said under his breath.
"Interesting. It almost looks like a Völund." Hades said.
"A Völund?" Set leaned forward in his chair and eyed Hades. "He absorbed the Wellspring Vault and turned into that monster! How can you call that a Völund!?" Hades looked at him. Set expected him to look irritated, but was not expecting confusion or concern.
"It's the closest thing I can think of, to be honest. Unlike normal Divine Weapons that simply amplify a God's power, Primeval Weapons carry their soul. I can only imagine some of Tiamat's soul may still reside in that weapon, which makes combining with it similar to the Völund technique the Humans use."
"…I see." Set leaned back in his chair and continued to watch the fight below. Hades eyed him out of the corner of his eye while unwrapping a chocolate bar.
Why are you so concerned about him?
"It's a shame," Zeus said, grabbing a bag of popcorn. "Marduk was showing great promise up until this point."
"I agree. He carried himself well…but this is too much. Why lower himself to such a state?"
"Does it matter?" Poseidon asked. "The moment he transformed was the moment he threw away what made him the ideal Fighter for this Round." He reached for a bag of fish-shaped fruit snacks and tore it open. "Embarrassing."
Marduk looked back up at the scores.
Marduk 59% Honda Tadakatsu 91%
Who cares about reputation? Who cares about image? None of that matters. Marduk thought.
"It matters far more than you're giving it credit." A voice said in Marduk's ear. It was soft, elderly, sultry, and oddly friendly. "For all your posturing, you still hate being called a coward."
I am fighting at the moment, please refrain from diverting my attention. Marduk responded in his head.
"It wouldn't be a problem for you if you admitted you do too much and quit letting your ego control you. Lord, you're as bad as the rest of your kind." She spoke.
…Maybe, but that's who we are. Tadakatsu, landing on his right leg, kicked off the ground and dashed back towards Marduk.
"Goodness," The voice gasped dramatically. "What happened to the God trying to be the standard he touted? Didn't know it goes out the window when you're pushed into a corner." Marduk did not retort. Tadakatsu barreled towards him, spear ready. Marduk fired another pressurized blast at him.
My legs can't hold out much longer against this. Tadakatsu thought. I doubt I have too many jumps left in me, but…this might work! Tadakatsu reversed his grip on the spear, its head now pointing behind him. The spear extended and pierced the ground. The shaft shot forward, and Tadakatsu dropped. The spear pierced the ground at a steep angle and pushed him forward.
"He…. he slid under the attack!?" Heimdall yelled.
"Hell yeah, he did!" Naomasa shouted.
Tadakatsu kept his momentum even while sliding. The spear retracted back to its base form; Tadakatsu dug his feet into the stone floor, the momentum lifting him as he thrust his spear under Marduk's outstretched arm. Marduk snatched the spearhead in his free right hand as he pulled back his left. Tadakatsu extended the shaft backward, the momentum twisting his body back to the right while his left hand crashed into Marduk's solar plexus. The blow loosened his grip on the spearhead and sent him tumbling back. Tadakatsu stepped forward, spinning his body back to the left in a monstrous spear thrust. Marduk covered his torso with his crystallized arms. The spearhead slammed into his left arm with a loud thump and sent him flying.
I can't let him get away! Tadakatsu lurched forward and ran. Marduk dug his toes into the ground and stopped his momentum. He has me at range! The best I can do is keep him close and break him down. It's time…to break them out. Tadakatsu placed his spear on his back. A small band extended out of it and wrapped over Tadakatsu's torso and prayer beads. "Randgriz, going solo again!"
"No point in saying 'be careful,' then. Do what you do best." She said confidently.
"Göll," Brünhilde said.
"Y…yeah?" She answered.
"You're shaking. Is what you're seeing down there that frightening?" Brunhilde placed her left hand on Göll's right shoulder.
"It's just…"
"Terrifying, I know, but that's why Tadakatsu is down there. He's – "
"So cool…"
"Wait…what?"
"Marduk did that super-crazy transformation, and all Tadakatsu did was keep fighting! It's like nothing's phasing him and Randgriz! Now he just clocked him like before! He's so cool!"
"Y-yeah, he is!" She chuckled a little. She turned to watch the fight. Am I… the worried one? Samson beat Baldr despite him also using the power of a Primordial Beast, but this is different. It's like he's not even a God anymore. Brünhilde looked up at the score.
Marduk 52%
Honda Tadakatsu 87%
The score's to our advantage…but this doesn't feel right. Marduk should be getting weaker or even slowing down. Brünhilde's eyes widened. Wait…if he's doing what I think he's doing… She shook her head. No. If he IS doing it, that means one thing and one thing only. She clenched her fists and grinned. He can't beat Tadakatsu!
Tadakatsu ducked under a right blow. Marduk stepped to the left and swung his left arm out in an open palm hook. Tadakatsu rolled under it and stepped to, positioning right outside of Marduk's left side. Now! Marduk felt something heavy smash into his lower ribs. Pain surged through his torso as the blow lifted him off his left foot. Again! Another hard and heavy blow smashed down onto Marduk's left quadriceps. Marduk felt the bone crack. He jumped away, but Tadakatsu kept close.
What the hell were those blows!? He's too close to use his fists! Marduk screamed in his head. Tadakatsu dashed in between his arms, stopping just 30 centimeters from colliding with Marduk. Another heavy blow slammed into Marduk's chest, and another smashed into his chin, sending his head reeling back.
Not used to fighting someone like this, are you? Me neither. Tadakatsu hopped and reached up, clasping Marduk's oversized neck. However…I trained my kids to fight someone bigger than them! So enjoy the simplest technique of Honda-ryū, Marduk! "Honda-Ryū Rei: Age Empi!" Tadakatsu yanked his head down while falling. Marduk caught the briefest of glimpses before contact.
That's what it was… Tadakatsu's elbow soared up. Marduk snapped his hands in front of his face just in time to absorb the blow. How is he generating this much power at such a close range!? The blow lifted Marduk off the ground while pushing Tadakatsu further down. "Bad play!" Marduk said through gritted teeth. Marduk twisted his palms and placed them together.
This close!? Water shot out of Marduk's palms. Tadakatsu stepped forward to escape the blast. Stepping to the left, he lurched his body in the same direction and raised his right elbow in an arc. It found home and smashed into Marduk's stomach. He felt the wind get knocked out of his lungs as his body went rag-dolled. Marduk skipped across the ground as he went, the audience roaring as he flew.
"Hell yeah!" Tadatsugu screamed. "Not even some crazy transformation can stop our guy-oh, no." He caught a glimpse of Tadakatsu's back. The back of his hakama was torn to shreds. His back looked like it was shredded by sandpaper as blood poured from the wounds. Tadakatsu fell onto his left knee, his body shaking.
"Why did he use elbows!?" Sakakibara yelled. "Look at him!"
"Sakakibara!" Ieyasu said, glaring at him. He stiffened up at his Lord's voice and went silent. "He had no choice. In that state, Marduk has the advantage. Those shots from earlier reached over sixty meters. Even with his spear fully extended, Tadakatsu cannot match that."
"Father's not afraid to take risks. He knew what could happen." Tadatomo said, crossing his arms while his foot fidgeted on the ground. "He's fine."
"Since when did Tadakatsu ever use elbows? I've barely seen him punch or kick anyone." Tadatsugu pondered. Chills went up his spine as he recalled each blow connected with their targets. I don't think I could survive those blows even while armored.
"Honda-ryū Rei," Komatsuhime answered. "They were the first techniques Dad taught us, but he never had to use them in battle since no one ever got past Tonbokiri's range."
"Father's philosophy," Tadamasa added, "was that the two strongest points of Honda-ryū are the extremes: the point of the spear where the most power can be expelled at range and the closest points of the arm to the torso. Our fists are like hammers, but our elbows?" Tadamasa raised his right arm and tapped on his elbow. "Might as well be natural spears."
Sakakibara looked from the three Honda children back to Ieyasu, then back to the three. How are these kids so damn calm? He looked up at the score.
Marduk 49%
Honda Tadakatsu 92%
I've never even seen Tadakatsu get hurt, yet they're acting like this is nothing! He's been shot, bludgeoned, burned, and cut! Everything! His heartbeat began to quicken. Is this…what Tadakatsu is capable of? All that pain, yet still fighting…did we ever really see how strong he was? Sakakibara shot straight up. "Get up, Tadakatsu!" He yelled. "This is nothing for you! Come on!"
"What the hell…I can hear Saki even in here?" Tadakatsu said. He chuckled a little. "Thought Naomasa was the loud one…" He shook as he lifted himself and got his left leg back under him. Slowly but surely, he stood. He slowly reached for and grabbed onto his spear. It freed itself from his back as he pulled it away, wincing slightly. He held it in front of him, scanning it for damage. "Randgriz, I screwed that up. Please tell me you're okay."
"It will take more than a splash of water to hurt me." She said confidently. "I could not cover your back as well as I hoped. I'm sorry you took so much damage."
"It's nothing I haven't felt before. This back of mine is strong enough to handle this."
"Good, but we can't dawdle. He's getting back up."
"I agree…but we have a problem."
"What?" Tadakatsu's legs shook. "Oh no…"
"Yep. Can't run very well anymore. I think…it's starting to catch up to me."
"Do you think you can get close one more time?"
"Maybe…but he won't let that happen."
Far from them, Marduk began to stir. The pain continued to stab away at his body. Cracked bones, contusions, maybe even internal bleeding. All sent signals to his brain and demanded rest. "You're getting beaten again. Despite transforming, you're still getting beaten." The voice said. It shouldn't be a surprise. Look at the scores above us. You're so far behind that even with this form, you're weaker than you were at the start." Marduk did not respond. "There you go. That's what you always do. The moment you realize you screwed up, you don't fight back, just like with Metatron. You can do anything except the right thing. Please, even when you do the 'right thing,' you're doing it to heal your bruised ego. That's really why you went to fight Tiamat." Marduk remained silent. He lifted himself. Getting his feet under him, he slowly stood back up. He placed his tail on the floor behind him to keep his balance. "You couldn't beat Zeus, you loser. Probably didn't want to beat him, so you could sit your stupid ass in safety while feeling guilt-free. When Metatron chewed you out, you went to save the day somewhere else. Through all that, Sarpanitu did everything to look out for you and stayed by your side through your stupidity. Damn fool."
What'd you say about her!? He thought.
"Nothing you haven't said to yourself. You and I both know she wasted her time staying with you through all that, and how did you thank her? Pretended to be a hero, left her behind to fight me, convinced her to marry you, knocked her up, and to add to that growing list, you get to die in front of her and your kid. Only a fool would put herself through that and stay by you."
You're not Tiamat, and you shut your damn mouth when you talk about her. Marduk could see Tadakatsu barely standing under his power.
"Am I? Why else do I sound like this? Who else would remember that nonsense you spewed when talking earlier about what a Hero is? I was there with you, hearing you prattle about a standard you can't even meet on a good day. He can. He has and continues to, unlike you, you loser. Why are you getting up? Lie back down and let him kill you. Save everyone the embarrassment of watching this shitshow continue."
Shut up.
"No one likes you. Metatron couldn't stomach you. Ea was embarrassed by you. Sarpa just latches onto you for the prestige, and now she has her claws dug into you, and you can't escape her. Why else is she here?"
I said shut up.
"That's all you can say? Shut up? Not even refuting the evidence? Loser. Always a loser. Born a loser, lived as a loser, and now you'll die a loser."
What do you want me to say? His body went limp as he stared down Tadakatsu.
"I want you to say I'm right, then put an end to the charade and die. It's what you deserve. You're no Hero. He is, and that's why you're okay dying to him."
I am not dying today. I am going back to Sarpa and Nabu. There's still too much life to live.
"Liar. You never took this fight seriously, and now you're near death's door. Everyone is right about you."
Marduk sighed. Maybe they are. Maybe I'm not a Hero…
"You're not and never will be."
Maybe I don't know what I am. "But I know what you are." He said, whispering.
"What?"
"And I'm sick of listening to you."
"Ignoring the truth won't save you."
"You're not the truth. That is not the whole truth. Now get lost." Marduk straightened back up and bent his shoulders back. "I am winning this." He turned his attention away from the voice. "Tadakatsu!" He yelled.
"What!?" He answered.
"It shames me to say this, but I misjudged you. Our talk convinced me you were naïve and would never be able to live up to the standard I set. Throughout this match, not only have you exceeded it, but you have shown me how badly I fall short of it. I cannot help but feel envious of what you've done. And…that just infuriates me!" He grinned from ear to ear.
"There you are…" Tadakatsu smiled. "Took you long enough." Tadakatsu felt his second wind coming on as his heart beat faster and faster. "Sorry, Marduk, but I never cared about meeting your standard. I only ever wanted to win."
"Not my point. I've got to start practicing what I preach, but more importantly." The air around Marduk began to ripple and surge. "I NEED TO FOLLOW YOUR EXAMPLE!" Marduk crouched and pulled his arms in close to his battered ribs. "Sarpa!"
"…Marduk?" She whispered from the bleachers.
"Nabu!"
His son felt his chest tighten.
"I'm sorry for scaring you with this, but I'm coming home! Watch me!" Marduk's fists slammed into the ground, sending him skyward. He soared higher and higher. Tadakatsu could still see him, but only barely. Marduk curled up as he ascended. "I…am Marduk."
"You're a coward!" The voice screamed in his ear
"I am the slayer of Tiamat."
"You're a heartless glory hound!"
"I am the strongest protector of Babylon."
"Only with my power!"
"I am the Chief God and champion of my people."
"You need me!" Marduk smiled.
"Not anymore." Marduk spread his body out as his ascension came to a halt. Green water erupted from his head, feet, palms, and shoulders. Megaliter upon megaliter erupted from him. You're just…bad thoughts I should've never given a voice to. The water began to spiral around him as more poured out from his body. The floating funnel continued to grow around him. The point aimed towards the ground began to freeze and form a sharp point as it continued to spin. Growing, then freezing. Growing, then freezing. Tadakatsu stood and stared as the sky became host to what could only be described as a tube-shaped glacier growing in the sky.
"This…is looking pretty bad," Tadakatsu said.
"But not impossible?" Randgriz said. Tadakatsu spun the spear in his hand. He inhaled deeply. He flicked the spear out to the right, letting it extend to its maximum length.
"I am Tadakatsu Honda. When I am on the battlefield, nothing is impossible."
"Well said. Ready?" Tadakatsu stood the spear on its pommel and placed his left hand in front of his chest, fingers stiff and pointed up. His thumb was just barely hovering in front of his sternum and beads.
"No. I need to do something first." He closed his eyes. "Namu Amida Butsu." He whispered.
"Marduk is summoning a massive attack, and Tadakatsu Honda is…praying!?" Heimdall shouted. The gods' side of the arena jeered and laughed at the idea. A Human praying while fighting a God seemed like a joke or an exercise in futility. However, among the Gods, there were a few who saw the truth. Among the Babylonian Gods spread throughout the audience, what they saw in the bearing of Tadakatsu was not fear, desperation, or anger. Sarpanitu and Nabu not only saw it but could feel it deep within their very souls. They could not understand it, but tears slowly flowed from their eyes.
"Namu Amida Butsu." Tadakatsu's voice and Randgriz' resonated.
"Is he…praying…for Dad?" Nabu asked.
"No," Sarpanitu answered. "It's far more than that." Nabu looked at his mother. "He's praying because of him. He's…praying in gratitude."
"Namu Amida Butsu." Komatsuhime chanted, her hands brought together in front of her. Her Brothers, sitting next to her, joined her.
"Namu Amida Butsu." They said in perfect unison. Ieyasu silently joined them, softly clasping his hands and closing his eyes. Sakakibara, Tadatsugu, and Naomasa all joined him, silently praying. The Humans sitting around them watched them pray. The monolith of prayer and devotion that refused to stop. One by one, the Humans sitting closest to them looked back at Tadakatsu, praying as the glacier grew bigger and bigger. His peaceful bearing in prayer, his constant reciting of the prayer of Amitabha, and the softness with which he said his prayers of gratitude. The hearts of the audience could not fight it. Many began to feel their chests tighten as they, in their own ways, clasped their hands in prayer. Before long, the ruckus of the audience gave way to silence as each Human hunched over, closed their eyes, and prayed. Every nation, every faith, every walk of life. All who saw that man in silent devotion could not help but be compelled to pray. Brünhilde and Göll saw it, and despite their origins, they felt a tinge of joyful sadness. It was Göll first. She brought her hands together but looked at her sister.
"Sis, I don't know how to do this…who do we pray to?" She asked. Brünhilde reached for their sister's hands. Gently grasping them, she stepped to the left to stand next to her.
"I don't know, but that shouldn't stop you." She closed her eyes. "Pray how your soul wishes to. That's what they're all doing."
"Okay." She intertwined her fingers with Brunhilde's and softly tightened her grip as she closed her eyes. The two, as silent as the rest of the arena, began their prayers. Below them, in their room, Samson, Johannes, and Vlad all sat in their beds in silent prayer. Hlökk, Göndul, Reginleif, and Geirölul joined hands around their tea table in silence. Within the hall of the Einherjar, each one at that moment stopped their preparations and took a moment of silence. Every Human within the arena's walls prayed. Every human within Heaven prayed. Every Human living through the day-to-day routine down in Midgard felt the oddest compulsion to stop what they were doing. None of them understood it, and for the rest of Human History following that single moment, it would be called an unrepeatable event. Everyone prayed. They knew not why, but they did. Deeply, fervently. Their hearts are all united by that one action.
No one saw the score above the arena. No one cared. They all knew where their hearts and minds must be.
Marduk 45%
Honda Tadakatsu XXXX%
"Namu Amida Butsu…I thank you for this moment." Tadakatsu whispered. "This moment, where I may once again fight with the strength you gave me. Fight for the loved ones you blessed me with. Fight against a true fellow Warrior. I give all my gratitude to you. May we fight until we find peace. Guide me, and I shall continue my walk to Bodhicitta. Thank you." Tadakatsu grasped his beads and pulled them off over his head. He retracted the spear down to its base form and wrapped his beads on the shaft just below the spearhead. Tight and secure, he extended the spear back out. He looked up at the glacier floating in the sky above him. "I'm ready. Let's go, Randgriz." Tadakatsu crouched down, placing his left hand on the ground and lifting himself onto the balls of his feet. "One last good burst." He kicked off and burst into his sprint. His body, despite the pain and exhaustion, felt light and strong. With every step, he gained speed. His visage gave way as his speed turned him into a black blur racing across the arena floor toward the greatest obstacle of his life.
Buried within that massive glacier lay Marduk. Through the ice, he could see Tadakatsu racing towards him. His heart rate quickened. "I see! This is who you truly are! Even in the wake of such a mighty force, you refuse to yield!" The glacier began to descend. "In honor of such fortitude and heroism, I shall do the same! Whose spear shall win, Tadakatsu!?" The picked-up speed. "Imhullu x Wellspring Vault; FROZEN JAVELIN!"
The two barreled towards the other. Tadakatsu readied his spear for the strongest thrust of his existence. Marduk for the greatest blow he could muster that could smite the great Tiamat ten times over. The wind displaced by their charges caused the arena to rumble and shake. Neither turned away from the charge. Tadakatsu slammed his foot down, twisted his body forward, and thrust his spear straight into Marduk's ultimate attack.