Valhalla Arena
Medical Wing
Intensive Care Ward
Sitting within one of the larger patient rooms in Valhalla was a large glass sphere sitting on top of a metal platform bolted to the floor. Several plastic tubes connected to machines circling the sphere cycled bright orange liquid in and out of the sphere, keeping the patient, Nuada, inside it afloat. What was once deeply burnt red skin on his face and body was now slowly turning a soft pink. Pieces of skin missing and exposing muscle and bone were slowly being replaced. A breathing apparatus and tube covered his face, his moustache sticking out a little on the edges. His bare chest rose and shrank slowly; the remains of his armor were removed and replaced with a single pair of white shorts.
Sitting in a chair a meter away, watching a TV on the opposite wall, was Lugh. His gaze shifted from a commercial for Pretzel Bolt Bites, the favorite snack of Zeus. Lugh chuckled a little as a cartoon of Zeus' elderly form jumped into a mountain of pretzels. "For the G.F.O.C., no snack can beat P.B.B.'s…" He said softly. "Uncle, if I didn't know any better, it'd be almost impossible to take him seriously."
A speaker on the sphere's supporting platform kicked on. "It's one of the things that makes him annoying…" Nuada's hoarse voice came through. "He's a might-makes-right kind of God, so as long as he maintains his position, he can act how he wants…"
"That might not be a bad thing. He's kept the balance of Heaven the way it's been because of that very power. Sure, he's kind of a nut, but he's done more good than harm." He turned to Nuada, seeing his silver eyes slowly regaining their lazy stare. "Could you imagine if Ra, Odin, or Ahura Mazda were G.F.O.C?"
"He's the lesser of many evils, but that doesn't make him the best choice."
Lugh nodded. "I'm not saying he isn't, but until someone better comes along, we're stuck with him." He turned away from Nuada and resumed watching TV.
Nuada eyed him. I hope you become that 'someone better,' Lugh. I wish you saw yourself that way… He thought. I need to keep talking…getting tired again. Damn you, Myrddin you rotten huckster. "Lugh, how did the rest of the Rounds play out?"
"Humanity won Villains in Round 6, and we won Heroes in Round 7. Score's now 4-3, our lead."
Nuada blinked a few times. "Gabriel's…dead?" He pictured the aged Angel and the times they worked together.
"Believe it or not, no. He straight-up ditched Ragnarök. Heard through the grapevine, Set nearly busted a few blood vessels when he got the message." Lugh chuckled a little.
"Wait…then who fought?"
Lugh's face curled. "Prometheus."
Nuada's eyes opened wide, and his heart rate accelerated. Some of the monitors around him began to beep faster than normal. "Prometheus!?" His burnt right hand clenched into a fist. "Set let that bastard out of the Circles!?"
"He somehow pulled it off, but it doesn't matter anymore. His human opponent killed him."
The beeping slowed down. "Prometheus was killed by a human…" Lugh could hear the joy in his voice. "And here I thought today was going to be a shit day…" He laughed a little. "Wait, so Marduk won?"
"Barely. The Human he fought, Tadakatsu Honda, pushed him to the absolute limit. Were it not for Sarpanitu doing that Völund thing, Marduk would have died."
"…Marduk and Sarpa did a Völund?"
Lugh turned to him. "Yeah. Is that weird?"
Nuada felt a tinge in his chest. Attaboy, Marduk. Finally got your head out of your ass. "It's a dangerous, but powerful technique. Unifying your soul with another through 'Common Destiny' brings out the strength of both souls at the cost of sharing pain and death. However…we Gods…are usually incapable of it."
"Why? It doesn't seem that difficult if Humans and Demigods could do it. Plus, Marduk and Sarpanitu did it."
Nuada slowly inhaled and stared looked towards the floor. "You underestimate our pride, Lugh. Gods are the strongest beings in the Cosmos. We are the strongest beings in the Cosmos. We are defined by our strength, and our race values it above all. Anything that can be seen as a weakness is viewed as an opportunity for others to invade and threaten what we have built. Love, trust, friendship, and everything else like them. Those very things are virtues of the 'weak' Humans, Demigods, and Angels. Yet…it's because of those things we abandoned out of fear that Humanity has won three times. The fact that those two trust and love each other that much just shows how exceptional they are." He turned his gaze to Lugh. "I should have said this earlier. I knew Baldr and Futsunushi were friends of yours…and Romulus is fighting against us. He may even fight you."
"What're you getting at?" Lugh's expression softened.
"…Are you okay?"
Lugh leaned in his chair, resting his chin against his right fist. "Honestly? No, but how am I supposed to feel when my best friend turned traitor, two of my buds are dead, and the others are so locked in for tomorrow I can't pull them out of it? Plus, Gabriel's gone missing. Ain't no way they'll let him get away with this, even if he technically didn't break anything in the Accords." He sighed. "Any idea where he might be?"
Nuada's gaze hardened. "Who knows…"
The two heard three knocks at the door. "Coming in…" a male voice said lazily. The door opened, revealing a tall and muscular God with green hair done up in a large bun, the sides of his head buzzed, and dyed a dark blue. His Usa-chan bunny tank top and plastic sandals were on full display, contrasting the white, purple, and orange robes wrapped around his waist and snaking through his arms. Sitting lazily on the bridge of his nose were a pair of gold-framed rose-colored glasses. "Ah…Nu-Nu and Lu-Lu," Buddha said. "Heard you two were up here." He smiled while scanning Nuada's tank and whistled. "Damn, Nu-Nu! Didn't think anyone could put you in such rough shape!"
"Buddha…get out."
"Nope. Don't wanna."
"Buddha…" The monitors beeped faster again. The liquid began to bubble. Lugh stood up out of his chair. His gaze darted back and forth between his Uncle and their uninvited guest.
"Buddha, if there's something you need, please just ask," Lugh said. "My Uncle's recovering and the last thing he needs is-"
"My irreverent poking and prodding around?" Buddha smiled.
"Not how I would put it, but yes."
Buddha looked up at the ceiling. "Well…tell you what. If Nu-Nu answers my questions, I'll head out of here without a problem."
"If he doesn't?" Lugh asked, walking between Buddha and Nuada.
Buddha stepped towards him, coming face-to-face with him. "I'll make him, after I go through you." Buddha reached into his robes, pulling out a wrapped lollipop. "You're a good kid. I know you're trying to look after him, but right now I have questions, and Nuada is the only one who has the answers."
"You're…not the type to wait for anything, are you?" Sweat started forming on Lugh's brow. I…don't know if I can take him…this guy's…seriously strong…I don't know if even Rommie could beat him…
"Lugh…that's enough," Nuada said through the speaker. "It's getting too damn loud in here."
Buddha looked past Lugh towards the sphere. Lugh turned his head to look back. "So you're going to answer my all-important questions, Nu-Nu?"
"…Just ask…" Nuada's voice was growing harsh.
"Did you give Myrddin false information?"
Nuada's eyes widened, the light in his Silver eyes coming alive. You bastard! He thought. It was you!? You aimed him my way!? You stupid little shit! If that's true, when I get out of here, I'm going to butcher you!
"Oh! Put it together, huh?" Buddha walked past Lugh towards the tank. He tapped lightly on the glass with his right index finger. "Just so you know, I did mention you might have an idea where Arthur is to him."
"You batshit insane brat!" Nuada screamed through the speaker. The monitors beeped faster and faster.
"Whoa! Careful there, Nu-Nu. You keep this up, you might end up like Hephaestus." Buddha's expression softened.
"…The hell does that mean?"
"He's fighting in Round Eight tomorrow. For a God of Fire, he's pretty cool, you know? But like you…he gets fired up when it comes to his kid." Lugh's worried look shifted from Buddha to Nuada. "I'm worried for Hephy. He's a rare one up here, and the guy he's fighting tomorrow is nothing short of an engineering maniac."
"You're underestimating him?" Lugh asked.
Buddha unwrapped the lollipop and put it in his mouth. He looked back over his right shoulder at Lugh, his lower jaw's canines sticking out of his mouth. "Only a dumbass underestimates Hephy. A dumbass would also underestimate his opponent. But not my point. He's got a nasty case of puberty to work through. If he can't get past it, tomorrow's first round will go to Humanity." He turned back to Nuada. "But I'm digressing. You haven't answered my question." He leaned in, his face near the sphere's glass surface. "Did you give Myrddin false information?"
Nuada met his gaze and leered. He inhaled deeply. "No…I gave him everything he would need. Is that where Gabriel is?"
Buddha stepped back from the sphere. He moved the lollipop between his teeth and bit down. A large cracking sound erupted from his mouth. He turned to the right and spat the stick into a bin under the TV. "Maaaaaaaaaaybe. Who knows? Gabe is usually a good boy, but anything involving Winchester does get his feathers ruffled."
"He's not the only one…"
"You mean the guy calling himself 'Set?'"
Nuada's brow furled deeper. "I do. Do you know anything about him?"
"I have a few leads, but nothing concrete. We'll see if I can come up with something." He turned around. "Appreciate the time you guys, but I have things I want to do." He walked towards the exit. He stopped right next to Lugh and patted him on his left shoulder. "Hephy's not the only one who needs to go through puberty. Doesn't take a genius to see you have some stuff going on up there in that noggin of yours. And I don't mean your friends." Lugh's expression tensed. "When was the last time you talked to Deichtine?" Lugh's eyes widened. Buddha looked towards the door and continued walking. "Yeah…figured as much." He walked through the door and closed it.
"Göll," Set said. "What do you think?" The two were standing on the roof of Valhalla arena, the night sky above them full of stars with a waning moon in the distance near the horizon. To the right of them was a small ornate white table with two seats. Near it was a fire-pit, and a soft flame burned within it. On top of the table was a blue teapot with two small white bottles next to it, and two blue cups with matching saucers. Next to the pot was a multi-level tray full of different cookies, slices of cake, and even a slice or two of pie. "I had this set up a little bit ago, but I was not sure what treats you prefer." He made his way over to the table, standing behind the seat with its back to the sky outside the arena. "Please, join me."
Göll, you got this. Sure, he was weird earlier, but he claimed he just wanted to talk! She thought. …I hope! Oh no! What if he's trying to kidnap me! What if he's trying to kill me!? What-
"Göll."
She snapped back to reality. "Yeah!?" She asked trembling.
Set sighed. "…If you are not comfortable, I wil not make you stay. The exit is over there." He gestured to the staircase in the floor they walked up earlier.
"…N-no…I'll stay." She walked over to the table. This might be my only chance to find something out for Hilde. She stopped behind the other chair. Set pulled his seat back and sat down. Göll mimicked him, scooting the chair closer. The table came up to the middle of her waist. "So…why did you want to talk to me?"
Set reached for the teapot and picked it up. He poured dark, hot liquid in his cup and then Göll's. "I know Brunhilde. I know your sisters. But you? I do not know you, and I feel like I am doing something wrong not trying to learn about you. Especially since we are on opposing sides. Crème and sugar?"
"…Yes, please." Set grabbed the two bottles and poured some both in small amounts into Göll's cup.
"Please taste and let me know if you need more."
Göll grabbed her spoon from the saucer and stirred the tea. It turned a pale-brown as she stirred, the smell of it floating up to her nose. Her tense body relaxed at the scent. She picked up the tea and took a small sip. It was smooth and sweet. Memories of times before came back, faces of the lost returned. She swallowed and placed the tea back down. "It's tasty." She looked down at the cup and back at Set.
Set nodded. "I am happy to hear that. It is a blend I enjoy a great deal, and the leaves for it can only be found in certain regions of Valhalla. Personally, I drink it when I feel nostalgic and want something from easier days."
"Easier days?"
"Yes." Set paused for a moment as he stared into his cup. He turned his attention back to Göll as he laid his cup back on the saucer. "Would you like anything?" He asked, gesturing to the multi-layer tray.
"…I'll take some cookies and the chocolate cake slice." She answered sheepishly, her cheeks turning a soft shade of red. Set grabbed a pair of tongs from the tray's top and a small plate off the table. He moved effortlessly, grabbing a few cookies and a cake slice. He passed the plate to Göll.
"But yes, easier days before all this." Set looked down at his cup, eyeing his reflection in the steaming liquid. "I imagine you are not interested in my ramblings, though. No, I am sure, like your sister, you are scheming." Göll was about to bite into a cookie when he spoke. As soon as he finished his sentence, she froze in place. Set chuckled softly. "It is fine. Despite the situation, I know you consider me an enemy. However, I am grateful you joined me." Göll eyed him while biting into her cookie. Chocolate chip and warm. "What are you trying to figure out, Göll?"
She swallowed and placed the cookie back on her plate. Several questions were ruminating in her head. Many of them she did not know if she could word correctly, or worse, they would potentially insult her host. She decided on one, hoping it could lead to more answers. "Set, do you hate Hilde?"
Set sat back a little in his chair. He looked up to the sky and to his left, then to his right. He inhaled and let his body go lax. "No. I respect her a great deal, but there is a great deal of bad blood between us. We disagree on many irreconcilable things, and there is not much that can be done to fix that."
"Hilde's stubborn…but she means well. She just wants to do right by Humanity."
"I know that. I do. Yet, I also know she is not as altruistic as she likes to seem."
"What do you mean?"
Set brought his teacup up to an opening in his mask near the nose. He inhaled and closed his eyes. He exhaled and placed the cup back down. Does she know about Siegfried? Need to be careful here. "It is not my place to say. Rather, I want to play a game with you. Only if you are willing, of course."
"W…what kind of game?"
"We both ask each other a question. No matter what the question is, we must answer to the spirit and the letter. No half-truths or wordplay. We each ask each other one question. The other answers, then asks one as well."
"I…think I follow. When will it end?"
"It will end when you want it to. I asked you to play, it is only fair that you choose when to stop. And while we are at it, all the treats and tea are yours to have at your leisure." Set extended his right, gloved hand. "Shall we play?" Göll stared at his hand, then at Set, then back to his hand. Her expression did not change, but she slowly stood up and leaned over the table, reaching out and grasping Set's with her own. "Good. Since we are starting now, I will go first."
"Okay."
Set straightened up in his seat. "If Brünhilde had not convinced the Gods to fight in Ragnarök, would you have done it?"
Göll blinked a few times. Me? Her eyes darted to the side. "I…I don't know. I didn't like that everyone voted to kill the Humans…but I don't know if I would have done what she did."
"Fair. Now your turn."
She had to make a play. She pondered her next question, hoping for something. What it was, she wasn't sure. "How do you feel about Humans? Some Gods think they're like bugs or something. Others hate them, and guys like Prometheus wanted to use them. But I don't really know how you feel about them."
"Hmmm…." Set closed his eyes for a moment. "Truthfully, I am disappointed in them. I wanted them to be greater than what they are now. I looked forward to the day they would one day be our peers, if such a word is the right term for it. Yet, circumstances have pushed them down a path that they cannot be saved from, and it is our responsibility, not pleasure, to put them down."
"So you don't hate them?"
"No. I just wish they were better. Now, Göll, it is my turn."
"I'm ready."
"I hope so. Do you see us as evil for choosing to end Humanity?"
Göll picked up her cookie and finished it. Using the time she took to chew, she pondered her answer. "I…don't think so. I think Hilde wants to see it that way, and the Humans who fought today were all strong and brave…but all the Gods except Prometheus were too. They fought just as hard, and when they won, they had the same look on their faces when our side won. When they lost…I could see their friends and family crying, too. I don't like Humanity not getting a chance to survive, but I can't say you're the bad guys…and I don't like it when the Gods die either."
Set's gaze softened. You really mean that, do you not? He slightly nodded. "I see. It may not mean much, but I am happy to hear you say that. It sounds like you put some thought into that."
"I…talked with someone who said I should try to figure things out on my own, rather than let Hilde take the lead all the time."
"I see…well, they seem like good company. Now my turn. Göll, are you okay dying to protect the Humans? Like your sisters?"
"…Maybe. I don't know. The idea of dying is scary, but seeing everyone today…my sisters, the Humans, the Gods…dying doesn't seem less scary, but I want to try and do what they did." A brief silence appeared between them. "Is…is that stupid?"
"No…not at all," Set answered, his tone somber. "You know, I had a different question in mind, but I think I will withhold it. Another, do you miss your sisters despite their sacrifice?" Göll looked down at her teacup. "It is not wrong to say yes." Set could see the tears forming. "It has only been a day, Göll. I doubt you have had a chance to process it all."
Stop this. You're going too far. The wispy voice spoke in his mind.
She needs this. Brünhilde is too focused on the fights. Set responded in his thoughts, his inner voice deeper than normal.
Why does it matter!? She's the enemy right now! You're consoling someone who wants to kill us!
I doubt that. I do not think she did this knowing full well what would become of her family. Damn you, Brunhilde. How many more of your sisters must die for your crusade?
Soft-hearted fool. Don't come to me when this blows up in our face.
Be quiet, already.
"I'm sorry…" Göll said, tears pouring. "I just…I want to be strong. Hilde needs me to be strong. I want to try and help her…but I don't know if I can..." Her hands began to tremble. "How many more of my sisters will die?"
Set shifted his focus. "No, Göll. I am sorry for asking a heartless question like that."
"Huh? No…no…it's fine." She wiped her eyes with her right sleeve. "I just…don't know what to do."
"Then you must try and figure it out. Making hard decisions without being ready to accept the potential consequences is a disaster waiting to happen." Göll looked up at him. "It is your turn, by the way."
"Do you have anyone you miss?" She asked without thinking. She could not see it, but something in her soul told her. The mask obscured it, but she could sense that Set was smiling, but the air around him was somber.
"I do. I miss them all every day. A part of why I do this is because of them."
"Oh…"
"Do you have it in you for one more question?"
"I'll try…"
"Easy one. Do you want all these sweets and the recipe for the tea?"
"Huh? Oh…yeah, I'd like that."
"I will have them sent to you later." Set rose from his seat. "I have monopolized too much of your time, Göll, but thank you for it."
"We're done?"
"Only if you say so, but I think we have both made our feelings known and our stances. I hope you find this worthwhile and it helps you find what you need."
"Yeah…" She slowly got up and pushed the seat in. "I…guess…thank you?"
"You are welcome, Göll. Be safe." She stared up at him. He met her gaze. Instinct compelled him and he raised his right hand, but he caught himself and dropped it. He turned away from her and looked out to the horizon. She walked to the stairs and descended.
I was hoping I could finally talk to Göll for once, but it seems I am still bad at this. He thought. You have changed, Brünhilde. I hope you have made peace with all this.
Day Two
Einherjar Barracks
"Good Morning and welcome back to Valhalla Arena, everyone!" Heimdall's voice came in clearly on Brünhilde's tablet as she walked. Slight pain festered in the back of her skull as she walked.
Heimdall, please stop shouting. You're making the headache worse. She thought. She massaged the back of her with her free hand while she continued watching.
"For those of you watching, I'm coming to you live from the center of the arena with a quick update! The Valhalla Arena's Construction Team has outdone themselves today!" He gestured to the area behind him. A massive, round, dim silver tower stood in the center of the arena. No marking existed on its surface save for the dim shine of the sun on its surface. "I won't spoil what's inside, but it's going to be a doozy!"
Brünhilde tapped on the screen, ending the stream. She put the tablet back in her pocket.
"Hilde, you okay?" Göll asked, walking next to her.
"I'm fine…just a headache."
"Didn't sleep well?"
"Don't worry about me. I'll sleep after this is all over. Right now…we need to get our next Fighter." The two stopped in front of their next champion's door. Emblazoned on the single metal door was the image of a man with four arms and four legs within a circle and a square. The man's feet rested on the bottom curve of the circle while his hands stretched out to the upper corners of the square. She knocked three times. "It's me, open up."
Several clicks and whirs could be heard behind the door. Something hard sounded it like slammed into the ground on the inside of the door. Two of the man's four arms meshed with the other two, and the feet did the same. The door slowly rose, vanishing from sight within the wall. "That was…weird." Göll said.
"This man's more than that. He's the pioneer who many great artists and engineers built their legacies. And he is going to start our comeback." Brünhilde and Göll stepped through the door and entered a small room, barely two meters wide and long and three meters tall. A pair of metal doors appeared from the sides of the threshold and sealed the room. The two felt a slight shake in the room before it started moving. The two could feel it descend.
"What's going on, Hilde?"
"We're heading down to his workshop. Wonder if we'll get to see anything he's been working on. Last I heard, it was a giant robot or something."
Göll's eyes widened and lit up. "A giant robot!?"
Brünhilde smiled. "Definitely, but it's not his best work. That…will be saved for the arena."
The room slowed down and came to a halt. The doors opened. The two walked out and were now in a massive coliseum-sized hangar bay. Multiple rows of lights spanned the ceiling while one row illuminated each wall. Under the wall-lights stood massive automatons of varying sizes, complexity, and even materials. To their right were several long metal tables covered in parts and computers with several lamp trees spaced throughout them. "Wow…" Göll saw softly.
"I know. Gets me every time I come here."
A whirring sound came from their left, and the two looked that way. Forty meters away, on a treadmill and covered in sweat, was a man in a yellow and black tracksuit. His red hair was done in a loose ponytail, while his beard and moustache were neatly trimmed yet bushy. His blue eyes stood out from his red hair, and he caught sight of the guests. "Ah…Brünhilde…and Göll…" The man said, breathing heavily. "So glad…you could make it-damn it, this is ridiculous, Ghulam! Why am…I running this morning!?" He shouted at a man to his right.
Leonardo Da Vinci
(Italy)
He was of fair complexion, wearing a white t-shirt, magenta sweatpants, and flip-flops. His black hair was shaved down into a buzz cut, but he wore a moustache that could make any man feel envy. Brünhilde and Göll could see the dense muscles that made up his frame from his toes up to his neck. "Because there's nothing wrong with warming up before a fight!" He said, smiling mischievously.
Ghulam Mohammad Baksh Butt
(India)
"And you still have ten minutes left," Ghulam added.
"I get it, but we've been at this since before sunrise!"
"Yep. And we will continue until you're called." He walked over to the treadmill and tapped a button a few times. The machine started to hum faster. Leonardo groaned as he started to run faster.
Brünhilde and Göll looked at each other, back at the two, then back at each other. "This…is not what I was expecting…" Brünhilde said. "But you learn to work with what you have." She started walking over to the two. "Leo! Ghulam! What're you doing!?" Göll followed her.
"What does it look like? Cardio." Ghulam answered bluntly.
This feels familiar. Göll thought, smiling a little.
"Not what I meant."
"We're doing what he asked of me, and now regrets it. Right, Leo?"
"What do you mean? This is great!" Leonardo answered dryly, his breathing still heavy. "Of course, I knew exactly what would happen if I reached out to you!"
Ghulam smiled again at Leonardo, his eyes squinting from the size. He looked at Brünhilde and Göll, still smiling. That's a shit-eating grin if there ever was one. Brünhilde thought. "Gents, it's time to call it. Round Eight is starting soon, and Leo's going."
Ghulam's smile vanished as he walked over to the treadmill. "Looks like you're up, buddy." Ghulam touched a few buttons on the treadmill, and it began to slow down.
"Oh, thank goodness…" Leonardo said, jumping off the treadmill. His legs wobbled for a second after he landed. "So is it still Hephaestus?"
"It is."
"Then I got my work cut out for me. We got this here, Brünhilde. You go and catch a breather."
"What do you mean?"
Leonardo pointed to his right eye. "It's not exactly difficult for me to pick up on things, especially insomnia. Don't worry about us. We got it from here."
Brünhilde sighed. "That obvious?"
"Nothing escapes his eyes, Hilde." A woman's voice from behind the two spoke. The two looked around, seeing a tall young woman with long, dark purple and straight hair with bangs covering her right eye, leaving her left green eye exposed. She wore her purple hair in a long braid going from the left side of her head to her waist. Sitting on her head was a white Garrison cap that matched a white open military jacket she wore over her shoulders. She also wore a dark purple strapless corset and white jeans with white high-heeled boots with metal knee guards and black fingerless gloves with detached cufflinks.
Hrist
(2nd Sister of the Valkyries)
"Now, please go." She said, her voice soft.
Brünhilde sighed and hung her head. "Fine… but one thing." She turned back to Ghulam and Leonardo. "Ghulam, you're going after Leo. It'll be our turn to pick the contest for Round Nine, so be ready."
Ghulam's muscles flexed under his shirt as his smile returned. The shirt's fabric began to stretch. "Fantastic…" A small tear formed near his bicep. Brünhilde and Göll turned away from them and departed. "Leo, I've done everything I can up to today. The rest falls on you." Leonardo nodded, unzipping his coat. Drenched in sweat, he dropped it to the ground. His gray t-shirt, drenched in sweat, clung to his muscular torso. "You're ready."
"I need to be…" He tapped his fingers on his pectorals and abs. "For what I have planned, my body needs to be strong. Otherwise, I'll end up killing myself along with Hephaestus."
"We can't have that," Hrist added. "We've...already lost too many."
"We have…and they trusted us to carry on after their deaths." Leonardo surveyed the hangar bay, his eyes darting from one automaton to the next. The deaths from the day before played in his mind as he raised his hands palms towards the sky. He then clenched his fists. "It's time we prove why their trust in us is justified."
Hrist's bangs fell over her left eye, revealing her right yellow one as a confident smirk appeared on her face. "Damn right we will." She said.
Ghulam watched the two lock eyes, then head towards the center of the hangar. Three months of near-constant training. By trying to keep up with me, you did what only mad men could accomplish. A light erupted from where Leonardo and Hrist stood, illuminating the room further, revealing weights, bars, benches, and belts littered around the floor behind Ghulam. Leo…I pity the God who must fight you.
Mount Aetna
"Pandora, I'm heading out," Hephaestus called out towards Pandora's room. He walked over to a mirror above his workshop's sink, checking himself. His black hair done up in buns around his head, his pristine white toga he rarely wears, his freshly cleaned leather toolbelt and apron, his khaki work pants, his custom-made red shirt, and his black leather gloves and boots. All ready to go. He stepped away from the mirror and turned around, heading towards the workshop's entrance. His tablet vibrated in his pocket. "What the? Gods, it's probably Set." He pulled out his tablet and checked the screen. His heart ached when he saw the message.
Come back safely, Dad.
He sighed. You're too much like me. He typed a message and sent it.
I won't be gone long.
He walked over to the shop's entrance, pulled the door open, and walked out.
Valhalla Arena
"It's time, everyone! Are you ready!?" Heimdall roared as he soared around the arena on his platform. The audience below him roared and cheered, their voices bounding off the large central tower embedded in the arena's center. Some were gawking at his outfit: a red flannel shirt, blue jeans, tan steel-toed boots, and a tool belt. "Well, I'm not going to hold it up! Humanity's behind in the score, but I have no doubts this next Fighter is ready to pull out a victory!" Heimdall waved his free hand towards the West Gate.
"Introducing the Fighter for Humanity in Round Eight!
From the land of Florence comes a man who soared from meager living into the lexicon of intellect!
There is nary a soul in creation who can utter his name without knowing of his masterpieces! Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, The Mechanical Knight, Steam Cannon, Vitruvian Man, Horse and Rider! All these and countless more crafted by this man's hands and genius!
From the bottomless ocean of his mind rises innovation and ingenuity! The limits of his genius are a world not ready for his great works!
And now, he comes to Valhalla to put his genius on display and prove mankind's limitless potential!
One of the greatest figures of the High Renaissance is here!
He is the Renaissance Incarnate!
The Polymath of Polymaths, LEONARDO DA VINCI!"
The Western half of the audience erupted in cheers and applause as the gate opened. From the hall, two long metal sheets shout out, creating a roofless hall that connected with the tower's outer wall. Panels on both walls flipped open, revealing several paintings and drawings.
"My God!" A man shouted in the audience dressed in a sky-blue shirt, brown cropped pants, and whit pantaloons with black slippers. His bright blonde hair stuck out at multiple ends, matched only in their mania by his goatee and brown eyes. "It's actual copies of his notebooks!"
Michaelangelo
(Italy)
"Close, but not exactly." Said a burly, balding man with a large brown beard and fierce brown eyes. He wore similar clothing to Michaelangelo, but his shirt was a pastel red.
Raphael
(Italy)
"You can see the drawings in them?" Michelangelo asked.
"Barely, but I can tell those notes and drawings are new." He squinted as he looked down the open hall. "I think…one of them looks like…a 'Tower Man?'"
"What is that?"
"Not a clue. Wait! He's coming out!"
Leonardo slowly walked out of the gate in between the two walls, his red hair flowing freely in the air. He now wore a skin-tight yellow and black body suit with matching yellow gloves and black boots. Resting on his forehead were a pair of gold-framed blue-tinted lens goggles. The crowd cheered and roared as he made his way through the memorials of his works until he stood in front of the tower. Double doors appeared on the surface and opened, allowing Leonardo to walk into his fated battleground. As soon as the doors shut, the two walls retreated into the West Hall.
Heimdall waved his hand to the East Gate.
"Introducing the Fighter for the Gods in Round Eight!"
Within the Heavens, there is no God who does not know his name.
His skill and genius have birthed countless weapons that have turned the tides of countless wars. To claim that this god's hands molded Heaven's current state would not be an exaggeration!
Is that why he's here? Nay! Can he just build? Nay! Is he the kind of God who only creates!?
NAY! NAY! NAY!
He's a mighty volcano who destroys as well as creates! Titans, Giants, and countless others who threatened the realms were put down and imprisoned by this God with nothing but the very weapons he made and his mighty strength!
He is one of the few within the Heavens the mighty Typhon fears! All the great monsters of Greek legend cower in his presence as the one who crafted the tools of their destruction!
He bears the strength of Zeus forged by the flames of creation!
He alone bears the title of Lord of the Forge!
Heaven's Unrivaled Weapons Master and Blacksmith!
He is…HEPHAESTUS!"
The East gate burst open with a roaring flame, like a dragon's maw. Out of the burning flames walked Hephaestus, his eyes focused on the tower in front of him. He could hear the cheers of the crowd, but paid them no attention as he made his way. He stopped just at the wall of the tower, and two doors slid open for him to pass through. He walked in, seeing Leonardo standing in the center. "So you're the guy I'm fighting." He said as he made his way.
"I am most certainly am. I hope you feel honored to fight someone like me." Leonardo said smiling, placing his right hand on his chest. "I know I do."
"Save your posturing for someone who cares."
Leonardo chuckled. "You're that kind of guy, eh? Magnificent!" He grew a wide, near-manic smile. "I'm looking forward to this."
"Fighters, can you both hear me?" Heimdall spoke. A hologram of Heimdall appeared between them, projected from the floor. He looked at both, and they nodded. "Alright! It's time to get to the rules of our contest, Workshop!
1) Fighters cannot bring their Divine Weapons into the arena. No, they must build them using the workshops located between the tower's outer and inner walls!
2) Any material needed to build their Divine Weapons is available without limit. The only restriction is it must the must be material found within creation!
3) Fighters will fight for three minutes at a time. Once it passes, both fighters must evacuate the arena and return to their sides to build or repair; they cannot continue fighting or they will be penalized. They only have two minutes to construct, equip, and repair any weapons they wish to use. During this time, a barrier will be raised between the shops and the arena for protection!
4) Neither side can interfere with the other's efforts in their workshops, nor pry into see what the other is doing!
5) Last Fighter alive is the winner!
Do you understand the rules!?" Both nodded. "Alrighty then! Ladies and Gents! Hold onto your seats!" Heimdall raised his arm up, his left hand straightened out. "Round Eight of Ragnarök will now begin!" Heimdall brought his hand down in a fierce chopping motion. "FIGHT!"