Heimdall floated high above the stadium, his booming voice echoing throughout the arena, addressing both gods and humans alike.
"The next round of Ragnarok is upon us! With humanity holding the lead at 7 to 6, the gods now have a chance to turn the tide. Will humanity maintain their dominance, or will the gods reclaim their supremacy?"
Meanwhile, Ritsuka stood next to his chosen fighter, a familiar red-haired woman in battle armour. He smirked, looking at her with confidence.
"Ready for this, Erza? They'll probably send someone like Odin. Not that it'll matter much against a Fairy Tail wizard like you," Ritsuka said, his tone teasing but proud.
Erza Scarlet, one of Ritsuka's lovers and a renowned warrior in her own right, nodded in response, her scarlet hair flowing in the wind as she prepared for the battle to come.
From the gods' side, Heimdall's voice rang out once again. "For the gods, we have a new fighter. One of the oldest goddesses, capable of bringing calamity upon the world, and the queen of the Babylonian underworld—Ereshkigal!"
Ereshkigal, clad in her dark, regal attire, stepped forward from the gods' side. A sinister grin spread across Odin's face, expecting her to be a powerful mockery of Ritsuka's title, the Master of Death. However, what happened next shocked everyone.
To the disbelief of both gods and humans, Ereshkigal calmly walked to the humans' side, her dark domain materializing around her as the arena transformed into a Babylonian underworld.
She grabbed Heimdall's mic and declared, "I have decided. I will fight for humanity."
Gasps echoed through the stadium. In the stands, Buddha laughed heartily. Another god had switched sides, one that had been previously feared to go against her own kin. Among the gods, those who had voted for humanity's survival smirked, while the humans were left speechless.
Ritsuka, however, couldn't help but let out a deep, booming laugh reminiscent of Gilgamesh. He found the situation thoroughly amusing, much to the surprise of Goll and Brunhilde. Erza sighed, while Milim and Kukulkan, still cuddling with Ritsuka, chuckled in amusement.
Odin descended onto the battlefield, his expression stern as he faced Ereshkigal.
"How dare you betray us after we chose you to fight for the gods!" Odin snarled, his voice filled with contempt.
Ereshkigal looked him in the eye and replied calmly, "I would rather fight for the truth than remain hidden in the shadows."
Odin sneered. "Then I will be your opponent."
Meanwhile, Ritsuka chuckled from the human side, watching the interaction with keen interest.
"It looks like you'll be sticking around for the next round, Erza," Ritsuka said, his tone light-hearted despite the tension in the arena.
Brunhilde, confused, turned to him. "Wait, you think we're going to lose?"
Ritsuka's smile didn't falter. "No, she's going to lose."
The statement left everyone around him perplexed. They all turned to Ritsuka, wondering what he meant.
Ritsuka elaborated, "Ereshkigal is strong, especially since she's brought out her domain. But she's fighting Odin—a cheap god, but still stronger than her. He's nowhere near my level, of course, but this fight isn't about strength. If Ereshkigal wins, great. But if she loses, she's still proven herself."
Brunhilde narrowed her eyes, understanding his meaning. "Will you allow it?"
Ritsuka's expression softened. "Allow her to die? No. But allow her to lose? Yes."
Odin's gaze hardened as he prepared to face Ereshkigal, his spear Gungnir in hand. The tension in the air was palpable as the battlefield shifted into the desolate, oppressive realm of the Babylonian underworld. Ereshkigal's power seeped into the environment, turning the once vibrant arena into a chilling graveyard of ancient stones and crumbling ruins.
"You've chosen your path," Odin growled, twirling his spear with ease. "And now you'll suffer for it."
Ereshkigal stood tall, her black dress flowing as she held out her hand. Shadows swirled around her, the souls of the dead under her dominion rising up like a mist. "I do not fear death, Odin. I am death."
Without another word, the battle began. Odin lunged forward, his spear thrusting with blinding speed. Ereshkigal responded swiftly, raising a barrier of shadows to block his attack. The ground cracked beneath their feet as their powers clashed, sending shockwaves through the stadium.
From the stands, Ritsuka watched calmly, his eyes gleaming with interest. Erza, standing beside him, crossed her arms. "You're certain she'll lose?"
Ritsuka nodded. "Odin's a trickster and a tactician. He'll find a way. But Ereshkigal knows that too. She's fighting for more than just a win—she's fighting to prove her worth, and that's more powerful than any victory."
In the arena, Odin's attacks became relentless. He summoned the power of the gods, lightning crackling around him as he unleashed a storm of energy upon Ereshkigal. The goddess of death countered with her own abilities, summoning the spirits of the underworld to shield her and strike back.
But Odin was no easy opponent. With a sudden surge of power, he shattered her defenses, his spear plunging forward and cutting through her magic. Ereshkigal gasped as the spear grazed her shoulder, sending a spray of divine blood into the air.
The gods in the stands cheered, while the humans held their breath. But Ereshkigal didn't falter. She gritted her teeth and stood her ground, her dark eyes blazing with determination.
"I am not here to die by your hand, Odin," she declared, raising her hand again. The ground beneath Odin's feet trembled as chains of shadow erupted from the earth, wrapping around his legs and pulling him down.
Odin struggled against the chains, his eyes flashing with fury. "You think these can hold me, death goddess?"
Ereshkigal's smile was grim. "I don't need them to hold you forever. Just long enough."
With a swift movement, she called forth her most powerful attack, the Kur, the abyss of the underworld. The ground beneath Odin opened into a bottomless pit, and the chains dragged him downward. The air was filled with the wails of lost souls as they reached out to pull Odin into their eternal grasp.
For a moment, it seemed like Ereshkigal had the upper hand. But then, with a mighty roar, Odin broke free from the chains, his spear glowing with divine energy as he leapt from the abyss.
"Impressive," Odin said, his voice filled with grudging respect. "But this is where it ends."
In a blinding flash, he unleashed the full power of Gungnir, the spear of destiny, throwing it with all his might. The spear tore through the air like a comet, aiming straight for Ereshkigal's heart.
At the last moment, Ereshkigal raised her hand, summoning a final shield of shadows. But the force of the spear was too much. It shattered her defenses, piercing through her side with a sickening thud. Ereshkigal gasped, blood staining her dress as she fell to one knee.
The stadium was silent. The gods roared in triumph, while the humans watched in shock. Odin stood tall, victorious, as he walked towards Ereshkigal's fallen form.
"Your defiance was admirable," Odin said coldly, looking down at her. "But in the end, you're still a god. And you cannot escape that fate."
Ereshkigal coughed, blood dripping from her lips, but she met his gaze without fear. "Perhaps not. But I've shown where my loyalties lie."
Odin prepared to deliver the final blow, but before he could, the arena trembled. A familiar aura of power swept over the battlefield, and Ritsuka's voice rang out.
"That's enough, Odin."
Odin turned, his eyes narrowing as Ritsuka stepped onto the battlefield. The air around him crackled with energy, and though he hadn't lifted a finger, the weight of his presence was undeniable.
"She's proven herself. She doesn't need to die today."
Odin scowled, but he knew better than to challenge Ritsuka directly. With a sharp gesture, he withdrew his spear, leaving Ereshkigal alive but gravely injured.
Ritsuka knelt down beside her, gently placing a hand on her wound. "You fought well. Now rest."
Ereshkigal's eyes fluttered, and she managed a weak smile before she lost consciousness. Ritsuka stood, cradling her in his arms, as he looked back at Odin and the gods.
"The fight is over. But remember, the real war has just begun."
As Ritsuka walked back to the human side, Erza, Milim, and Kukulkan joined him, their eyes set on the next challenge. Though Ereshkigal had lost, the battle was far from over—and humanity was still very much in the game.
As Ritsuka gently placed the Candy Jell into Ereshkigal's mouth, her injuries began to heal almost instantly. The glow of the healing magic spread through her body, and her breathing steadied. Brunhilde and Goll, still reeling from the intense battle, watched in awe as Ereshkigal's wounds disappeared before their eyes.
Goll, curious and amazed, asked, "What was that, Ritsuka? How did it heal her so quickly?"
Ritsuka glanced at her with a smile. "It's a type of healing potion I created. I call it Candy Jell. Not only does it taste good, but it also heals all kinds of wounds and ailments. Quite handy, don't you think?"
Milim, who was playfully lounging on Ritsuka's side, chimed in enthusiastically. "And it's delicious too! Every time I have one, I feel like I could fight a hundred battles!"
Erza, standing beside them with her arms crossed, nodded in agreement. "Ritsuka's the only one who can make it, though. It's one of his many talents."
Ritsuka chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Actually, that's not true anymore, Erza."
Erza raised an eyebrow, looking at him with slight surprise. "Oh?"
"I've recently developed a method so that others can make it too," Ritsuka explained. "It's a bit complicated, but with the right knowledge and resources, even someone else could replicate the Candy Jell. I figured it could be useful, especially in a situation like Ragnarok, where healing resources are limited."
Brunhilde, who had been silent until now, regarded him thoughtfully. "That's an incredibly powerful item to introduce into this world. The gods won't like the idea of humanity having access to something like this."
Ritsuka shrugged, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Let them be upset. Humanity deserves every edge it can get. If this helps level the playing field, then so be it."
Goll looked up at him with admiration. "You're always thinking ahead, aren't you, Ritsuka?"
He smiled warmly at her. "Someone has to, Goll. Ragnarok isn't just about fighting—it's about strategy, too."
Milim, ever the energetic one, stretched her arms. "Well, whoever the next fighter is, they better be ready. With Candy Jell in our hands, there's no stopping us!"
Erza smirked. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Milim. Even with all the strength and strategy, we need to be cautious."
Ritsuka looked back at the battlefield, his expression growing serious again. "Erza's right. The gods won't take this lightly, especially after Ereshkigal's betrayal. Odin won this round, but the next fight will be crucial. We need to be ready for anything."
Brunhilde nodded in agreement, her eyes narrowing as she considered their next move. "We'll need to choose the next fighter carefully. The gods won't hold back anymore. Every match from now on will be a fight to the death."
Ritsuka stood tall, his gaze sharp and determined. "Then we'll give them a fight they'll never forget."
Brunhilde turned her attention to Ereshkigal, who was still recovering from her wounds, now sitting up and alert.
"Thank you," Brunhilde said, her tone sincere.
Ereshkigal frowned, looking slightly confused. "Thank me? For what? I lost the battle."
Brunhilde smiled gently, shaking her head. "Why do you ask? The answer is simple. Thanks to you, Odin can't fight in any future matches. Each god can only participate once. You may have lost the battle, but you've won us an advantage. Odin, one of their strongest, is now out of the game."
Ereshkigal blinked, realization dawning on her. "I see... So, even though I didn't win, I've weakened their side in the long run."
"Exactly," Brunhilde said with a determined gleam in her eyes. "Ragnarok is more than just individual victories. Every battle affects the overall outcome, and you've tilted the scales in our favour."
Milim, overhearing the conversation, grinned widely. "See, Ereshkigal? You were awesome! Don't beat yourself up. Odin got lucky, but he won't get a second chance."
Ereshkigal seemed to relax slightly, her posture less tense. She looked at Ritsuka, who nodded in agreement. "Brunhilde's right. You may have lost this match, but you've given us a significant advantage. Your actions were crucial, and we'll remember that."
A faint smile crossed Ereshkigal's lips. "I suppose I didn't think about it that way. I was too focused on winning."
Erza stepped forward, her scarlet hair glinting in the light. "The battle may not have ended in victory, but your sacrifice was not in vain. Now, we'll be ready to face the next challenge."
Brunhilde placed a hand on Ereshkigal's shoulder. "Thank you again. You've done more than you realize."
Ereshkigal nodded quietly, her eyes reflecting a sense of newfound purpose. "I won't let this setback keep me down. I'll be ready to support you all, in any way I can."
With the gods down one powerful warrior, the humans now had a stronger chance at survival, and the coming battles would be even more decisive.
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones