Mount Damavand
"Sure," Indra said. "But you got Armaiti here. Why not her?"
"After Winchester, all Angels had their power restricted," Armaiti answered. "We barely have enough power to do our jobs. Even if Raphael and I performed a Völund, it wouldn't be near enough to break through."
"Huh, well, I guess it's good I showed up," Indra said, pulling out a small box from his back pocket and raising it to his chin. He flicked it a little, raising a cigarette out of the box before he grabbed it with his mouth. Raphael reached into his coat's inner pocket, pulled out a matchbox, and tossed it over to Indra. He snapped it out of the air, grabbed a match, and lit his cigarette. He inhaled slowly and deeply, then exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Not sure how to do it, but I'm game."
Raphael dug into his pocket and pulled out a dark brown pipe and a bag of tobacco. "It's easier than you think if the two doing the Völund have a sense of trust or camaraderie," Raphael said, opening the bag and grabbing a pinch of tobacco. "It's a technique we learned over a millennium ago when we acted to top the Human Extermination Army." He dropped into the pipe and tapped it gently. "When we initially tried to stop the leader, our father, he locked the Sancti's powers away. Fortunately, we found a workaround through Völund, but who would have thought we'd use it with Knights and not each other? Crazy things happen one after another." He added another bit, filling the bowl near the top. "Which is kind of why I'm a bit shocked to see you here." He added one more pinch and tamped it down. He took a quick puff. "Ah, good. Been a while since I smoked, and worried I lost my touch."
"Why does that matter now?" Indra did a short puff and blew it out. He threw the matchbox back to Raphael, who caught it without looking at it.
"It matters because of context. Indra, nay Devendra, the one who led that army and sealed our power was the very same one who taught the surviving Gods how to rebuild the Heavens after the First Ragnarök. He taught you and every Chief God at the time how to fight, lead, and build." He lit the pipe and took a quick puff, blowing out some smoke. "Heaven's, that's good." He sighed. "You need to understand the context because it means that through your actions, despite your intent, you are aiding criminals. Even if we were right to stop the Army, Chief Gods died at Winchester, and their Pantheons were destabilized to the point of infighting and near Civil War."
"And your point is?"
"He's afraid you're going to get punished for helping," Armaiti said. "You may be an Outer God, but you still have a level of seniority and respect."
"It's not that." Raphael took another puff of his pipe. "It's your motive." Raphael pointed the pipe's bit at Indra. "A former Chief God who fought and killed, a champion of Humanity." He turned to Armaiti. "Who was your student, by the way. Why are you here? Why help?"
"Raph, this is not the time."
"It most certainly is. Indra, I have no reason to believe you are here for anything altruistic. No, from my perspective, you don't gain anything from being here."
"Arash would," Indras said, flicking some ash off his cigarette. Raphael put the bit of his pipe back in his mouth. Armaiti felt something tug at her heart. "That's all the reason I need."
Raphael sighed. Lord, even you aren't immune to Humanity. He bounced his cane off the ground and grabbed the middle of the shaft. He looked back at Armaiti, he gave him a small nod and glance. "Well, I'm convinced. Besides, those cigarettes of yours are self-rolled, correct?" Indra nodded, smiling. "It's the same tobacco I use. You have good taste." He moved the cane to his left hand and extended his right. "Indra, will you use my power wisely? To save lives and reunite loved ones?"
Indra placed the cigarette back in his mouth. He reached his left hand into his back pocket and pulled out a vajra. He flicked his wrist, and it extended out onto a bow, releasing a soft rumble of thunder. He extended his right hand and grasped Raphael's. "Yes."
Raphael began to glow. "I hope you don't mind," Raphael said, smiling. "I'm not an expert at projectiles, like Gabriel." The glow intensified, forcing Armaiti to squint her eyes. "Think three will suffice?" The light enveloped him and Indra and illuminated the cave.
"That's all I need."
Both roared. "VÖLUND!"
The Heavens
Over A Millennium Ago
Long ago, in a vast open field far from Damavand, Buddha sat across Raphael and Michael, who stood in the grass. Both resembled their present-day appearances, save for the white robes they wore over their chiseled physiques and matching leather sandals. Buddha had already begun wearing his Usa-chan tank top, but was missing his iconic rose-colored glasses. "What's goin' on, Gents?" He said as he pulled out a small bag of peanuts from under his hip-wrap. "You look a little…tense."
"Buddha, normally we wouldn't bother you about something," Raphael said.
"Especially after you spoke up on Humanity's behalf at the Council yesterday," Michael added.
"Pfft. Don't worry about it, but your Father was on the warpath. I don't think I ever saw him try so hard to condemn Humanity, or that angry after the vote was passed to spare them."
"…Yes, that's why we're here meeting with you," Raphael said. "None of us know why he acted the way he did, but all our theories are pointing to something bad."
"And you think I may be able to help? You know he's got it out for me now that I've protected Humanity. We were cool in the past, but now? Not sure…"
"No. Talking is pointless now," Michael said. "What we need from you is something different. We were hoping you could teach us the Common Destiny technique."
"You mean Samavadhāna? He didn't teach you it after I showed him?" The two angels shared a glance and shook their heads. "Oh. Well, that's not good. He asked me to teach it to him so he could teach Mardy and Sarpa as a wedding gift, but I'd have thought he'd teach his sons." He sighed. "What do you plan to do with it?"
"Please forgive us, but we can't say."
"Seriously?" Both nodded. "Trying to keep this in the family?" Both nodded again. "Fair, but if it gets out of hand, I will step in. I know you guys well enough to know good intentions are involved. Just remember that if it gets out of hand to please ask for help. Your dad sucks at that, and you can't make the same dumb mistakes he does."
Mount Damavand
Present Day
Buddha, Raphael thought. You don't know how right you were. Raphael's body vanished in the light. We tried to solve all our problems alone. We are too much like him. The light began to fade, and resting where Raphael's hand was now three short, deep-sea green metallic tubes. But we took your words to heart. Now, more than ever, we know what it means to rely on others.
"Holy cow…" Armaiti said, looking on.
Indra looked down at the three tubes. Swiftly, he rolled and gripped them between his fingers.
Raphaeyastra
Lances of Prudence
"Too heavy to be normal arrows," Indra said, bringing his bow up and nocking one of the lances. As he pulled it back, it extended, the head staying atop his left hand and next to the bow. As soon as he reached his stance, ice flowed out of both ends. Above his left hand, it formed into an arrowhead. Around his fingers, four frozen fins. Ice began to cover the body of the bow as lightning arched across the frigid crystals. "But nothing I can't handle. Aramaiti."
"I'm moving!" She flew back several meters behind him.
Indra's irises shrank under his wild hair. The air around him vibrated and hummed with a low bass. "Fly, Frozen Stomp of Airavata." He released the lance, and it flew like a comet wrapped in lightning. It's whistling roared in the cavern before it made a crashing thud against the metallic door. It lodged itself deep in the door, and ice began to grow and flower out of the point of impact.
That's the same technique… Armaiti recalled the final shot from Round Two. …And he's using it to help us? Did Arash change him that much?
Indra rolled the next lance from between his middle and ring fingers up to fire. He pulled it back, creating another massive arrow of ice and lightning.
India
The Ganges River
Two Millennia Ago
On the riverbank, a young olive-toned man with a lion's mane for hair sat cross-legged staring out on the scene. He wore bright orange and yellow robes that made him look more like a sun than a man, but his expression was calm and happy despite the blood pouring from his chest and ears. Sitting a few meters from him, on a rock, was Indra, staring in shock. At the base of the stone were pieces of golden armor, smattered with blood.
"What're you doing, Karna?!" Indra yelled.
Karna just waved his left hand. "Relax. It doesn't hurt, granted the blood will ruin my robes if I don't heal the wounds!" Karna answered nonchalantly. "Besides, you got what you wanted, right? I'm mortal now, and Arjuna will have a better, but tiny, chance to kill me. I'll still win."
"But—"
"Lord Indra." Karna turned to him. "Whether you did it out of pride or love, you came as a father." Indra's eyes widened. "I know he's your son, like I am Surya's. It doesn't matter in the end, though. We're brothers, but we will fight to the death. We're demigods, so still part-Human. Even if you Gods get involved, we're still going to do what we choose to do."
"So you're okay with this? Giving up your birthright?"
"Of course! I don't need that armor to be Karna, ally of Duryodhana and slayer of the Pandava Brothers. I am my choices, and I will always act with gratitude to those who care and give to me selflessly."
Mount Damavand
Present Day
"Fly, Frozen Stomp of Airavata," Indra whispered, letting the second lance loose. Arash. Karna. To meet you both at such awful times in my life. He thought. To deprive you both of your futures. The lance pierced the door several meters to the left of the first, creating another massive flower of ice. Indra and Armaiti could hear the metal creaking and cracking. Yet, you both walked the paths you chose of your own volition, and did so gratefully. He rolled the third lance into his grip and nocked it, creating a third frozen arrow. I may be a God, but I'll try it your way. To walk that path of my own choice and… "Fly, Frozen Stomp of Airavata!" He roared, releasing the third lance. It pierced through the metallic door several meters above the other two and created a third flower of ice. The metallic door bent, creaked, and tore. A few seconds later, the metal snapped into pieces and fell to the floor with the ice. Will walk gratefully that I met you two.
The three lances transformed into light and coalesced on top of the rubble, forming back into Raphael. He looked into the opening, trying to see if he could make anything out.
"Gang, I can't see a thing," Raphael said. "But, I think we should head in."
"About damn time," Armaiti said, walking up to Indra. She patted his left shoulder a few times as she passed by and gave him a small smile. Indra stood a little taller, took out his cigarette, and blew a big puff.
"Couldn't agree more," Indra said.
Tartarus
The Circles
Far from Damavand and deep within Tartarus' bowels, Teddy and Vidarr eyed each other from across the stone pit. Slowly, Teddy pressed his fingers down with his thumb, popping them as he rolled his shoulders in his orthodox stance. Vidarr's stare turned into a leer as he slowly rolled his axe in his hand.
Vidarr. Skiegul said in Vidarr's mind. I have a bad feeling about this guy.
Only silence responded.
Vidarr?
Nothing. No response.
Vidarr?! Answer me!
Vidarr's grip tightened on the axe. Memories poured back in of old arguments, harsh words thrown between him and his brothers. The notification of their deaths replayed in his mind.
Týr…Baldr… He thought
Vidarr! Stay calm! I have to keep the loop going! You can't use your powers! Stall him—
"Human," Vidarr said.
"I have a name," Teddy responded.
"I am going…to fucking…butcher you."
Teddy raised an eyebrow. "'Mission comes first,' my foot."
Vidarr crouched down a little and kicked off the ground, dashing at Teddy. Vidarr twisted to the left and swung down as he closed in on Teddy. Teddy glared listlessly as he stepped to the side and pivoted off the ball of his left foot, bringing his hands up to his face as he watched Vidarr sail by. Vidarr landed on both feet and swung his axe back without looking at Teddy. Teddy raised his right hand and blocked the axe head with his gauntlet. Vidarr spun it back around as Teddy tried to grab the shaft and turned to face Teddy as he swung towards the left side of Teddy's neck. Teddy raised his left arm to block it, and a clanging sound rang out from the impact.
Strong swing. Teddy thought. Despite the axe's size, he's able to swing it one-handed and even increase the speed through just wrist movements!
Vidarr leaned to the right, letting the rebound swing the axe overhead and back in a circular motion, sending the axe down and up towards Teddy's chin. Teddy crossed his arms and crouched. The axe collided with his arms and sent him airborne. Vidarr took the axe in both hands and jumped up to him. He rose above Teddy and brought the axe above his head, his teeth bared and gritted so hard that blood started pouring from his gums. He swung down into Teddy's guard, knocking him back down to the floor. Teddy landed, and the floor caved in around him into a crater. Pain rocketed up from his back.
How the hell did he generate that much force while airborne?! Teddy thought. Vidarr started falling towards him and pulled his legs into his chest. Crap! Teddy rolled out of the hole as Vidarr slammed feet-first. Teddy returned to his orthodox stance as Vidarr looked at him without turning his head. He dashed towards Teddy again and swung from the right side with both arms. Teddy widened his stance and lowered his center of gravity. The axe slammed into his left forearm. The impact soared through Teddy's body. Suddenly, his left arm fired up and slammed into Vidarr's right cheek, sending him back and losing his left hand's grip on the axe. He stopped mid-tumble; Teddy had grabbed the axe's shaft with his left hand and kept him up. "You're a strong one!" Teddy yelled through gritted teeth. "But I'm not some punk off the streets!" Teddy pulled the axe back, pulling Vidarr along with it. As he pulled, Teddy fired a right cross towards Vidarr's face. Vidarr raised his left arm and blocked the punch.
Or so he thought. The force behind the blow pushed his arm into his face, and his head snapped back. Teddy quickly grabbed his collar and pulled his head in. Teddy smashed his forehead into Vidarr's nose, released his grip on Vidarr's collar and axe, and twisted his body to the right as his left fist found home under Vidarr's right arm and into his ribs. Vidarr's feet lifted off the ground as Teddy's left body hook sent him flying before he hit the stone floor and skipped like a stone, his grip on the axe never weakening. He rolled back onto his feet before he stopped and placed his left hand over his right ribs as his dislocated nose profusely bled.
Holy crap, Ted! Camael yelled in his mind. Get 'em!
Cam, something's wrong. Teddy thought as steam began flowing off his body. He did those long-distance attacks on Eris and Mnemosyne. They weren't slow or required a wind-up. Why'd he come at me in close range?
Maybe he's underestimating you?
No…I'd know if he was doing that, and I'd make him regret it. Teddy rolled and popped his shoulders. He's doing something, and I am going to figure it out.
Several meters away, Vidarr grabbed his bleeding nose and popped it back into place.
Vidarr! Skiegul yelled. I can't maintain the loop if you get hurt like this!
My brothers are dead. I need to vent. I will butcher him. I will torture him. I will rend him! My baby brothers are dead! Why?! My brothers are dead. I need to vent. I will butcher him. I will torture him. I will rend him! My baby brothers are dead! Why?! The phrase repeated in his mind like a mantra.
Oh no… She said.
Vidarr roared. He crouched down and took the axe in both hands, and jumped… immediately into Teddy's grip. Teddy's right hand gripped his throat as his left hand clamped down on the axe's shaft.
What?! How did he cover that much ground so fast?! Skiegul yelled. Wait…Camael?!
Teddy looked up at Vidarr, watching him struggle. A wide, toothy grin grew on Teddy's face as his irises shrank. "You're mine."
Valhalla
Eastern Chapel
Back up in Valhalla, not too far, but far enough not to pry, from Siegfried and Brünhilde's reunion, Georgios and Set walked down a dirt path away from the chapel. Hanging from Georgios' left shoulder was a blue duffel bag.
"Sir, appreciate you being willing to come out here with me," Georgios said, smiling. "I thought Hilde and Sieg needed a bit more privacy after…you know."
"I feel the same," Set said. He looked up at the slightly cloudy sky as they walked. "Do you know how long I waited for this day? How much time did I spend planning? To find any evidence to prove Siegfried's innocence? And now it is…just dropped into my hands."
"By someone who cared about her just as much as you did." Georgios turned away from the path out into an open field. Set followed behind him.
"It does not feel right."
"Because you were not the one solving the problem?"
Set looked to the side. "…Maybe."
Georgios stopped and dropped the bag. He crouched down and unzipped it, then pulled out two leather gloves. "You're still right-handed?"
"That is an odd question." Georgios tossed him one of the gloves, and he caught it. Slowly, Set removed his maroon coat and folded it neatly on the grass. He walked a few steps away from it as he slipped the baseball glove over his already gloved hand.
"Eh. You changed a lot of things to hide yourself. Not very well, from what I heard." Georgios slid the other glove over his left hand. He reached back into the bag and pulled out a baseball.
"That is…a fair criticism." Georgios walked a few meters away from him. He then turned around and threw the ball at Set. Set's hand snapped up and caught it. "Why are we doing this?"
"This is something done between fathers and sons…or at least between friends. You taught Hilde and Pan 'Brew and Bruise.' I'm going to teach you Catch."
"I know Catch." He grabbed the ball out of his glove, holding it in his fingers. He flicked it up before gripping it with his fingers bent in. He then threw it, the ball arching high before arching straight down. Georgios crouched down and snapped it in his glove. "I am surprised you do."
"Ooooh! A knuckleball! Yeah, a guy up here named George H. Ruth wanted to teach me. Said 'From one George to another!' Ha!" Georgios tossed the ball back in a simple arch. "He introduced me to a few other baseball players, so I picked up a thing or two here and there."
Set caught it easily. "Hmmm. So what do you want to talk about?" Set tossed it back.
Georgios caught it. "What's there to talk about?"
"Many things, but mostly are you disappointed in me?"
"Eh. I'm more concerned with whether you're still angry about my death." Georgios stepped his left leg forward as he wound his body to the right, stretching out his right arm. He then bent his torso almost parallel to the ground and swung his arm under his body, just above the ground. He whipped the ball out of his hand, sending it straight up at Set. Set's eyes widened, and his glove snapped up. The ball passed his hand and shoulder and flew into the field behind him.
Set stood, frozen.
Georgios slightly nodded. "I'm not going to grab the ball for you. I mean, I can, but it's not my fault you couldn't catch a submarine pitch!" He smiled widely.
Set blinked a few times. Slowly, he turned around and walked towards the ball. He crouched and picked it up, staring at it.
"It wasn't your fault, you know." Georgios rubbed his neck with his right hand. "I mean, I don't blame you. Things happen."
Set's grip tightened on the ball, his back to Georgios. "No. It was Humanity's fault. Those cowardly, selfish, envious cretins."
"I mean, they did do it, but you've known what Humanity was capable of for centuries. Even the survivors of the Flood were not perfect. What happened to me happened countless times before."
"Does that make it tolerable? Does that mean Humanity should be excused for such things?"
"No."
Set looked up and out into the field.
"Humanity should hold itself accountable. We've strived for generations to try and be better than those before, but we're not perfect. Diocletian and his followers worked tirelessly to rebuild and maintain the Roman Empire, improving the lives of their citizens."
"At the cost of people like you who were martyred."
Georgios nodded.
"I…am tired of Martyrs…"
"I know, yet you keep acting like one." Set turned to face him, shock showing in his eyes. "You're not on the chopping block—Ha, sorry. Poor choice of words. What I mean is, you're not fighting, but the people you chose to fight here and back at Winchester, including the ones who stood against you, meant something to you. Their deaths still weigh on you, and you died a little each time they fell."
Set threw the ball, and Georgios caught it without looking at it. "I do not…deny that. They trusted me. Followed me, and then died for it."
"Like I did. But like them, I never regretted it…much. It would've been nice to live a while longer and start a family. I kind of envied you for all the kids you had." He threw the ball back, and Set caught it. "Again: it's not your fault. People are the sum of their own choices in a world that they must survive in. Whether Immortal or Mortal. We make our own choices, and sometimes those choices lead to our deaths…even if we didn't plan it."
"And it is those choices that earned Humanity its judgment." Set threw the ball back high in an arc. Georgios looked up and stepped a few paces back, catching it.
"I won't deny that, but if you're doing this as some form of vengeance, then stop. I don't need you avenging me for my death, and I certainly would not ask for genocide."
"This is not about vengeance."
Georgios grabbed the ball and started tossing it into his glove. "Then what is this about?"
"My duty to the fallen." Georgios stared at him while tossing the ball back into his glove. "In the First Ragnarök, I lost…so many. So many that I felt life was not worth living. The only thing that kept me going was one goal: This." He waved his right hand around in a circle. "All this. From the grass to the clouds. From Helheim to Valhalla. They fought and died to ensure this existed, and future generations of beings would thrive on it. I made it my responsibility to keep it going. To keep life going…then Humanity came into being, and through their mistakes and the apathy of the Gods, this precious cosmos became threatened. Your death, and the deaths of so many like you, are byproducts of the inherent decay. And I refuse to let it spread any further."
Georgios sighed. "Do you think this is what they'd want?"
"The dead cannot speak. They can only exist in the past, where they belong, reminding us of what we must strive to protect."
Georgios took the ball and threw it towards Set, who caught it without looking at it. "So I guess this means I can't change your mind."
Set shook his head. "No one can, but I am grateful you still care enough to try." He tossed it back to Georgios.
"What's a friend for?" Georgios caught it and grew a sad smile.
"Not much else, probably. Still want to throw the ball for a little while longer?"
Georgios looked down at the ball and gripped it a little harder. "Sure."
Tartarus
Below the Circles
Back in Tartarus, below the scuffle between Teddy and Vidarr, Myrddin stood in place on the spiraling staircase with Yi and Uriel. Myrddin watched as Yi surveyed the room, his eyes squinting as he scanned the walls.
"Uriel," Yi said. "Is what we're stuck in something that can be manufactured?"
"Huh?" Uriel asked. "Oh, uh, yeah. Problem is, they're hella-hard to maintain—even small ones like this. Cam says it's like flexing a muscle and holding it while something is inside your muscle, and bouncing around inside it. It's exhausting, requires such focus you can't do anything else, and can only last for a few minutes at best." The two shot Uriel confused looks. "What? Not my analogy."
"Who could make such a thing?"
"Other than Cam, the only other person who can manipulate Space to this level is Vidarr, but we anticipated that."
"We did," Myrddin added. "But there was one thing we didn't anticipate."
Yi nodded. "The Valkyrie with him. Skiegul."
"Wait. Hold up. That's not possible. There are only thirteen Valkyries, and all of them are fighting up in Ragnarök. Seven Sancti and Thirteen Valkyries, just as Dad intended. Perfect set of twenty."
"How sure are you?"
Uriel's eyes shifted left and right. "…Honestly, not much. Near the end, Dad was hiding a lot of things from us. It wouldn't surprise me if he were building more of us...who would be more loyal."
Well, that's a touchy subject. But we need more information. Yi thought. "Let's say he did. Let's say one of them is this Skiegul. Could she perform a Völund with Vidarr and make something like last longer?"
"I mean…it's possible, but I've no idea. Skiegul isn't even a Valkyrie name. Dad had plans for each Valkyrie he wanted to create and had names for all of them."
"Do you know what they were?" Myrddin asked. "I know it's asking for something incredibly obscure, but anything helps."
Suddenly, the space around them briefly rippled. The three quickly scanned the area. "You guys see that?!"
"We did. Is something tampering with the loop?"
"Possible. If Vidarr's anything like Cam, maintaining something like this while doing something else is nearly impossible…unless…"
"Unless what?"
Uriel ran his fingers through his curly, black hair. "Unless there is another Valkyrie, and she's who I think she is. There are only two ways to break out of here if that's true. First, Teddy has to beat Vidarr senseless and force him to break the loop, or…" He turned to Myrddin.
"Absolutely not," Myrddin said. "We cannot use that yet."
"Then we're stuck here unless Teddy pulls it off."
"He will," Yi said. "Teddy's instincts and strength are top-notch. Like me, there's a reason he was a contender for the roster."
Tartarus
The Circles
Back above the trio, Teddy still had his grasp on Vidarr's neck and axe. Slowly, his grip tightened, choking more and more life out of the berserker.
Vidarr, we're going to die at this rate! Skiegul shouted in his mind. Vidarr raised and shoved his knee into Teddy's chest, but he didn't budge.
"Oh, that's a damn shame, right?!" Teddy yelled. "I'm just too dense to be swayed! Ha!"
SHIT! We can't hurt him like this! I'm cutting the loop!
DON'T YOU DARE! Vidarr yelled in his mind. IF WE BREAK THAT LOOP—
Teddy's grip tightened some more. Vidarr's vision began to blur. Just a little more… He thought.
FUCK THIS! Skiegul yelled. Suddenly, something in the distance popped. Vidarr's eyes widened, then he vanished, axe and all, with a slight pop. Teddy scanned the area, finding him several meters to his left near the pit's wall. The axe began to glow and mold back into Skiegul, who floated to meet Vidarr at eye level.
"You stupid brat! I had—" Skiegul slapped Vidarr across the face. He blinked a few times, too shocked to speak.
"You had nothing! You activated a loop and used my power without my consent! I stayed quiet because I thought you had a reason, but NO! You were just being petty! You lost Týr and Baldr and thought, 'Oh, I lost my brothers! Fuck these guys and integrity! Fuck the dignity of Cerberus!' Newsflash, dipshit! You're not the only one who lost family!" Her screams bounced off the walls, echoing high above them. "You at least got to spend some time with your brothers!" Tears formed in her eyes. "And now…my only hope to be with them…is trying to get himself killed?! Fuck you, I'll fight on my own!" She hovered down, landing square on her feet. She turned and started walking towards Teddy. "You!" She yelled.
Teddy cocked an eyebrow. "Me?" He asked.
"Do you know who I am?!"
Cam, should I? Vidarr's a putz, but she's acting like she runs things. Teddy asked.
Not a clue. Camael answered.
"Not a clue!"
"Well, you're out of luck! You face the thirteenth Valkyrie!"
Wait, what?! Camael yelled. Teddy's eyes widened in shock.
"I AM SKEGGÖLD!" She balled her hands into fists and mimicked Teddy's boxing stance as she glared at him.
Skiegul
Skeggöld
(13th Sister of the Valkyries)
Vidarr watched her in shock as she readied herself. No…He thought. He saw Týr and Baldr standing at her sides, all three of their backs to him. Noooooo….
"Fight me! Uh…"
"Teddy Roosevelt," Teddy said, deadpan, as a scowl slowly grew over his face.
"Teddy Roosevelt! Vidarr can't be bothered to fight you properly, so I will!"
No, no, no, no, no, no! Vidarr repeated in his mind, watching the visions of his brothers vanish.
"For the record, I don't want to fight you, Skeggöld, but I have a job to do, and bully all, I will complete it." He started walking towards her and looked past her at Vidarr. "For the record, I was supposed to fight Týr before I found out about this. Lo and behold, I was going to face his older brother instead! Thought I traded up, but hell…Týr's dead and I get a shitty older brother who can't be bothered to show up when it matters." Teddy popped his knuckles. "Want to see what I was going to do to Týr done to her?" He stopped just a meter in front of Skeggöld.
NOOOOOOOOOOO! NOT AGAIN!
Skeggöld looked up at Teddy, her glare waning.
I can win! She thought. Dad has faith in me! I will get the Dodecahedron back! I will become whole! I'll be able to go home! Her body started to shake. I can win! I can beat this old guy! I'll finally get to meet Hilde and everyone! I'll be…Teddy scowled at her as he slowly reached up and took off his glasses. He pulled out a glasses case and placed his glasses in it before tossing it to the side. His eyes locked on hers. I…I'm going to die. Tears started falling as she watched Teddy raise his hand. I…I'm not going home…
Teddy threw his fist down at her…and was sent flying back, skipping across the floor. Towering over Skeggöld with his right arm extended out towards where Teddy's face was was Vidarr. His hand clenched so tightly it bled.
"Skeggöld," Vidarr whispered, not showing his face. "Turn back into the axe. We're fighting him together…and getting you home." He lowered his hand and extended it to her. "Ready?" Slowly, with tears in her eyes, she looked up at Vidarr. She barely caught the side of his face, seeing it focused on Teddy. She quietly nodded and grabbed his hand. Light enveloped her, and she turned back into the axe. Never again. He thought. I'm not losing you, too. He took the axe in both hands as Teddy leaned up and saw him.
Was that necessary? Camael asked. Now he's focused.
On me, and only me. Teddy retorted as he rose and dusted off his coat and pants. Now whatever he was doing earlier is gone. He crossed his arms and gripped the shoulders of his coat. In one swift motion, he tore his coat in two and ripped it off his body, leaving his button-up shirt and tie. He then undid his tie and threw it down before unbuttoning the top few buttons of his shirt.
Were you really going to hit her?
I may be a belligerent, but I would put a knife through my own neck before hurting a child. But he doesn't know that, and now she's his top priority…which works for us.
Tartarus
Below the Circles
Back below the Circles, a wave of invisible force rippled through the spiral staircase. Myrddin, Yi, and Uriel felt it pass them. All three exchanged glances, but only Yi smiled and nodded. "Told you," He said. He descended with Uriel and Myrddin in tow. As they walked, Yi's sight shot left and right. The loop is gone. He thought. The stones here have different indentations and degradation. Even the torches show different nicks and cuts. Good. Before long, they reached the end of the staircase and stood at the mouth of a long, stone hallway. At the end was a dim glow. The hair on his neck stood up. "Uriel, it's time."
"You felt it, too, huh?"
"I did, too. We're not alone," Myrddin said.
"Crap… alright then, Yi."
Yi stretched his hands out to the sides. "Völund!" The pair roared. Uriel glowed and became enveloped in light. It split and formed into two spheres that flew to Yi's outstretched hands before flattening and extending. Yi gripped the dimming lights as they formed into twin katanas with deep blue sheaths, circular tsubas, and light-blue cloth handles.
Uriel
Swords of Hope
Yi placed one on each hip and proceeded down the tunnel. Myrddin followed behind, his eyes focused ahead. The exit slowly grew closer. Closer. Closer. The light began to fill the tunnel ahead. Yi gripped the sheath on his left hip as they neared the exit. Yi stepped out first and found himself at the start of a vast open field with a partially cloudy sky above them. Myrddin walked out behind him and looked around, his mouth slowly dropping open.
"My word…it looks like…the fields outside of Winchester…" He whispered.
Yi raised his right arm, blocking Myrddin's advance. Yi's gaze locked ahead, and Myrddin saw why. Far ahead of them, between them and a large stone platform in the distance, was a bizarre and emaciated being. From a distance, they saw the figure's forest-green with gold-trim hip-wrap resting over fur-covered legs and dog-like feet. A wisp of a tail was spasming behind the figure. On its shoulders was a cyan mantle with a gold trim. Its arms were long and ended in long-clawed, heavily bandaged hands. What was most striking was its head: a dog's skull with black eyes and red irises, and red teeth bared as if it couldn't close its mouth.
"Damn it...Myrddin whispered. "We ran out of time."
Xolotl
God of Death, Twilight, Fire, Lightning, Deformities, and Misfortune
(Aztec Pantheon)