Libya
Silene
Over a Millennium Ago
The Beast froze, locking its gaze on Georgios. Its murky, red form bubbled and slightly swayed as a breeze stirred.
"You think…that stick…," It hissed.
Georgios took a short breath, feeling power swirl through his muscles.
"Will save yo—"
Georgios burst forward in a blur, stopping dozens of meters past the creature. He turned back, seeing a massive scalding gash open on its right side.
It roared to the sky in agony, flooding the air with its wail.
Do not stop. The voice said. That wound will not put it down.
Don't plan to. Georgios raced back towards the creature. It snapped its attention to him, and its glowing eyes shrank. Dozens of tentacles sprouted from its body, piercing the air and ground. The weapon in Georgios' hands glowed brighter as he closed in. What the? He thought. The world turned transparent, and he saw the oncoming tentacles tearing through the ground. He turned to the right before, avoiding the eruption of liquid spears.
"What?!" The creature roared.
Georgios turned back to the left as more tentacles erupted from the ground and rained down from above. Each one barely missed him as he gained ground.
I can see them! Georgios thought. He locked his sights on the creature, seeing tendrils of light flowing from its head down through the ground and up in the air. A powerful light glowed near the top of its head. What is that?!
Its soul. The voice said. It feels pain through its liquid body, but unless the soul is destroyed, it will regenerate.
Done. Georgios leaned forward and crouched. He pushed off the ground and soared as more of the tentacles stabbed where he stood. Georgios raised Ascalon over his head as he flew towards the creature's head.
"Stupid Human!" It roared as it closed its eyes. Georgios swung down, watching the light flow away from its head and down its neck. Ascalon cut clean through the creature's head, beheading it. "You swung at nothing! Now you're—" The creature froze, its hidden gaze locked on the flying Georgios. Their gazes met as Georgios swung back up mid-fall. He sees me? Oh. The blade extended and cleaved through the light, splitting it in two. How… The light exploded into dust, and the liquid body crashed to the ground in a massive wave.
Georgios landed hard on his feet as murky, red water flowed over his ankles. He turned around, watching the water flow over the grass, staining the ground red as the princess watched on from horseback. He scanned the area, looking for any movement.
It is dead. The voice said.
How sure are you? Georgios asked.
I have killed many like it. Do not worry. It is gone.
Ascalon shrank down, its glow slowly fading. Georgios looked down at it, eyeing a pristine spatha. What are you? What is this thing? What was that thing?! How—
Questions for later. Keep Ascalon for now, and complete your mission. When you are back home, I will find you. We can discuss what happens next. Until then.
The presence behind the voice faded. Georgios sighed and shook his head as he walked back to the princess and his horse. Mid-walk, he scooped up a scabbard and sheathed Ascalon.
I don't want to think right now… He thought as he reached the two.
"What…what happened?" The princess asked as she slid back.
Georgios jumped up on the horse and grabbed the reins.
"Divine Intervention." He gently kicked the horse, and they rode off.
Silene
Kingdom
Georgios and the princess rode through the center of the village surrounding the castle. Dozens of citizens walked out of their homes and shops, stunned by their return. Georgios scanned their faces, seeing the awe and suspicion. He reached for Ascalon and drew it, then exhaled. The blade began to glow and extend, and he raised it high.
Probably should have done this earlier. He thought as they made their way to the castle. He saw the large double doors open and an older couple in modest robes and jewelry run out towards them. He felt something slide off the horse behind him and saw the princess run past the horse towards her parents. He could hear her start crying as she tackled her father before hammering her small fists helplessly against his large frame. She then buried her head in his chest as both parents wrapped their arms around her. Georgios pulled gently on the reins, coming to a stop a dozen meters from the family. The king looked up at him, his eyes red from crying, but full of life.
"Is it gone?" He asked, his arms tightening a little.
Georgios nodded. "At the cost of my men."
The king rose, leaving his daughter and wife, and walked towards Georgios. The pair locked eyes.
"I…don't know what to say...Some king I am."
"No. No king of men could stand up to such a monster."
The King's brow raised.
"I am a servant of Rome, but more so, I am a servant of my Lord." He brandished Ascalon. "Rome's power could not stop that thing. Your daughter and I would not be here were it not for this falling from the sky."
"What is that?" Awe filled the King's voice.
"Ascalon, and this slew that monster. Not my men, and not me."
The king walked up to Georgios' horse.
"If this is the will of your Lord, then know my people, and I will sing His praises until our dying breaths."
Georgios blinked a few times. "What?"
"If you speak the truth, then we know there is a power looking out for us."
Georgios looked side to side. If He did, we'd be here sooner. He thought. His eyes widened. Don't think that. Don't say that. "He is, but I'm sorry it took so long to put it down." I need to leave. "Give your souls to the Lord, but you are now under the watch of Rome. We will send officials and such to make the process easier and establish trade." He turned the horse around. "Stay safe."
The king nodded and watched on as Georgios departed back through the town. His gaze was on the back of that lone soldier bearing that glowing weapon. "Please don't blame yourself for this…" He said.
As Georgios made his way out of the town, more of the people filled the streets. He surveyed them, seeing a few new looks aimed his way that shook him to the core.
Spite.
Sorrow.
Anger.
Countless couples and elderly people leered at him as he left, and he knew what they meant.
Antioch
Syria Palaestinia
Roman Legion
A Few Months Later
Georgios walked into a large, stone building adorned with columns. On the other side, in front of a wide wooden desk, stood an older man in matching armor, his graying curly hair kept short. His sharp brown eyes squinted as Georgios made his way, Ascalon sheathed.
Marcus Aelius Demetrius
Legatus Legiones of Syria Palaestinia
To Marcus' left was a younger blonde man in pristine legionnaire armor. His sharp, pale green eyes leered at Georgios.
Titus Flavius Severianus
Tribunus laticlavius
"Ah, Georgios," Marcus said. "You're early."
"Sir, keeping a Superior waiting is the starting ingredient for poor relations," Georgios gave a wry smile as he stood at attention.
Marcus smirked. "At ease."
"Sir."
Marcus turned around and grabbed a scroll off his desk. "I read your report of your trip to Silene. The contents have caused a stir here and back home."
Georgios' brow furrowed. "I wish it were a story, Sir. Over four hundred eighty men gone."
"But you survived, and slew the creature."
Georgios nodded.
Marcus and Titus exchanged a glance. "You know how far-fetched this sounds."
He nodded again.
"Sir, messengers from the Legio X Fretensis confirmed its presence," Titus said. "And several witnesses from the kingdom that sought aid confirm it existed. The local Lord and his family confirmed Georgios' story."
"I am aware, but this leaves us at an impasse."
"Sir?" Georgios said.
"The loss of such a force puts an immense strain on the Legion. Lydda's forces, your forces, are barely able to perform their duties, and the other Tribunes can't spare men. While you did add more citizens to the Empire, I'm afraid your actions cost us."
Georgios felt his strength slowly fade. He nodded. "I understand, Sir."
"Someone from Rome will be sent to relieve you of duty, and your new station with a Numerus in Lydda will be waiting for you at the end of the week."
Georgios could barely hold himself up. "Sir, permission to speak freely."
"Denied. Speak tactfully."
"Sir. Lydda does not have Numeri."
"I know. You will be its founder and sole member."
"Take this as an opportunity," Titus said. "You proved yourself competent for years, but all it takes is one severe event like this to upturn all your efforts."
Nice way to say nothing I've done matters. Georgios thought.
"This is a chance to start over and forge a new path."
Georgios breathed deeply and nodded. "Is there a reason why I was summoned when this could have been sent via messenger?"
"I would rather tell you this in person," Marcus said. "You earned my time and attention through your efforts."
So I'm hated here and back in Silene. Georgios thought. "Sir, thank you. I shall perform my duties to the best of my ability."
"I expect nothing less. Carry on."
Georgios returned to attention, then departed from the building.
"You were too nice," Titus said, watching Georgios descend the building's stairs.
"What would you have done?"
"Had him executed. The men he lost were far more valuable than that kingdom."
"Executed?" Marcus huffed. "A hero of the newest Roman citizens? Executed? Do you know how that would make us look?"
"Like we don't tolerate incompetence?"
Heard you were a problem. Is this why you were sent to me? "Georgios' history in the Legion makes him a hero, and this is another accomplishment. If we just kill him now because of one tragedy, then we become a joke to the rest of the Empire."
Titus leered at Marcus. "So we punish him with an easy job?"
Marcus leered back and walked over to Titus, staring him down. "Have you fought something like that monster before?"
Titus met his gaze, but stayed silent.
"If we're to believe that report, the thing Georgios killed came right out of hell. An abomination of the highest order. We're lucky that thing never made it here. He earned an easy job after the hell he went through." He turned away from Titus. "Now carry on. I have work to do." He walked back to his desk and sat down. Titus leered at him. "Insubordination?"
Titus went to attention. Marcus nodded, and he departed.
Lydda
A Few Weeks Later
In a lone house on Lydda's outskirts, Georgios sat behind his small wooden desk reviewing a set of scrolls.
No bandit reports. Bridges under maintenance… He looked to the right and out his window. What the hell am I doing? He massaged his forehead. God, the guys would have harassed me if they saw me like this… He sat up and held his breath before pursing his lips and shaking his head. No…I can't think about them… He resumed his work, reading the most recent report.
Then, a knock came from his door. Georgios felt a surge of energy flow down his spine. He rose, then grabbed the sheathed Ascalon resting against the wall behind him.
"Who is it?" He asked.
"It is time, Georgios," A familiar voice spoke from the other side of the door.
Slowly, Georgios walked over to the door. He gripped the handle and pulled back. The door opened, and an old man stood on the other side. He wore white robes over a deep blue shirt, and wore his faded white hair coifed up and buzzed at the sides. His thick moustache was neatly trimmed and gave his slightly tanned, elderly appearance a hint of gruff that contrasted the soft gaze of his cyan eyes.
"Took a while, but it is time we talked," Metatron said. "Do you have a minute?"
Jörð Arena
Georgios and Yama walked towards each other, their makeshift weapons ready. The rage in their bearing slowly faded as they got closer. The aches and groans faded into the background as their bodies relaxed.
Closer. Their breathing synced as they gently prepared the next blows.
Closer. Their eyes locked, and peace flowed through their souls.
Closer. They crouched and twisted to their dominant sides.
The audience watched this slow, graceful exchange develop in uneasy silence.
How are they so calm after everything? One of the Shinigami thought.
It's like they quit fighting. A Japanese man in a cassock thought. How are they so…peaceful?
Heimdall watched from above, waiting for the exchange and refusing to blink. His breathing softened to a hushed breath for fear that anything could draw a fraction of his attention away.
Closer. Both exhaled…and swung. The air around their swings fled from their strength.
The blows collided. A wave of air and force burst out of their exchange, smashing against the fortress walls and flooding out towards the audience. The translucent barrier shook and hummed a deep bass as it struggled to stay in one piece.
A beast of creation's rhythm watched on from the top of the bleachers, obscured by shadow. His head slowly rose and dropped in sync with the hum and the clash below.
*There it is…*Barong thought. A shame neither of you is in Round Thirteen.
Back below, the pair were locked in place, their weapons vibrating in their hands. Georgios heard a small cracking sound, seeing the web of cracks expand on the banner.
He twisted the banner clockwise, forcing Yama's Gada-banner to slide down the flat of his sword. Both swung back immediately, colliding again and sending out another explosion.
Both breathed deeply and pushed the other back and dashed back in. Yama swung first, swinging to the left at Georgios' head. Georgios ducked, then rose, performing a rising two-handed slash. Yama stepped to the left, avoiding the strike, and slammed his palm into the Gada's shaft to fire it back to the right. Georgios stepped back as the momentum of Yama's swing spun the Gada in his palm. Yama redirected it from a swing into a downward blow and stepped forward, slamming his left palm on the banner's shaft. It crashed down as Georgios raised his sword to block it, placing his left hand on the flat near the tip. The floor cracked under the pressure, and Georgios felt his arms nearly rip from their sockets. He grit his teeth and grunted in pain. He parried the gada to his left, then snapped forward into a downward slash. Yama twisted his upper body to the right, letting the blade graze his back. He winced in pain as his soul leaned out and retracted in. He steeled his focus and shoulder-checked Georgios, sending him back. He retracted his banner and fired a thrust. Its head slammed straight into Georgios' head and chest. Brünhilde flew out of Georgios' back, gripping his shoulders.
We've taken too much damage! She yelled.
We can't retreat yet! Kick me! Georgios thought.
What?!
Do it, Hilde!
Hilde brought her legs together and pulled herself into a double-flying kick back into Georgios' body. The momentum shot him forward, and he swung down to the left. The blade passed through Yama's arm, and a spectral limb flailed out, twitching.
Good! Yama thought. Now try and keep up! The limb snapped back into his body, and the glow from Yama's body grew. He swung his banner, and a dozen copies flew along with it.
He's sped up?! Now?! Georgios slipped, bobbed, and weaved each of the blows. My turn! He thrusted, feeling power surge through his back and shoulders. Yama stepped back, barely avoiding the banner's point. He side-stepped, then jumped back in, firing more swings.
Both Fighters danced around the other, slashing and swinging. Each blow was dodged only by a hair's breadth. The world lost detail as their senses focused only on the other. The floor cracked under each step as the air bellowed and flew from each missed strike.
"They're going at it again!" Heimdall roared, his voice slowly going falsetto. "The calm before the storm has ended, and we're in the thick of it again! These two maelstroms are tearing the place apart! Swing! Slash! Swing! SLASH! SWING!" His eyes darted across the arena as the two fighters blurred. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL CAVE FIRST: THEM OR THE ARENA?!"
Pieces of the surrounding walls chipped away as the wind kicked up.
Suddenly, light erupted from Yama's banner.
"You're not the only ones getting stronger the more damage you take!" Yama roared. "YAMĀYUDHA: GADA SURYASTRA!" He swung the golden sun to the left, missing Georgios. The blow hit the wall and blew it away. The force fired through the entire fortress, tearing a massive hole all the way to the transparent barrier.
The air displaced by the blow pushed Georgios back several meters.
"I am the sun that Helheim's darkness yielded to!" Yama declared. "I shall never set!" He burst forward, light emanating from his entire being.
Hilde! We're in trouble! Georgios thought. He spun the banner, letting the flag go limp. The shaft folded up around his arm as the flag curved and hardened, forming a shield across his right arm. "Modus Sex: Scutum!" He crossed his arms behind the impromptu shield as Yama closed the gap and began swinging.
It's too soon! She thought.
He has a say in the matt—
The blow smashed into the shield. Light flooded all around Georgios from the shield's other side. His boots dug deep into the stone floor, clawing it away. The force ripped through his body and out through his back. The blow's loud clang mixed with the destruction occurring behind the pair. Georgios felt his body lose all its strength as Brünhilde held on for dear life with her right hand.
Her pinky slipped.
Then her ring her finger.
Einherjar Barracks
Samson's
-Hlökk's Tea Room-
"HILDE!" Göll yelled.
Reginleif shook next to Johannes, who placed his left arm around.
Hlökk and Radgridr started shaking and tearing up as Göndul gripped Myrddin's hand tightly. Myrddin held it tight and wrapped it in both hands.
Geirölul pursed her lips as she held Skeggöld close, watching. We got Sieg back! She thought. We got Skeggöld back! We got fucking Arthur here! You can't die like this, Hilde!
Mount Aetna
Hephaestus' Workshop
Pandora watched the fight as dread filled her soul, still gripping Epimetheus' lifeless hand. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no….not you, too! She thought.
Jörð Arena
Brünhilde's middle finger slipped.
I… She thought. Am… Her left hand struggled against the force. Not… Her grip started to slip. DYING! Her left hand clamped down on Georgios' shoulder. Her right hand came loose, and she slapped it next to her left.
She roared. Roared against the pain. Against the dread and doubt. Against the apathy of the Heavens, and pulled herself back into Georgios' body.
The cross on his shield began flowing as strength flooded through every fiber of his being. Air filled his lungs, and his hair stood on end.
His right hand dropped under Yama's banner, and he swiped up. The blow sent it upwards and knocked Yama off-balance. Georgios stepped towards Yama and twisted right. "Scutum Soul…COUNTER!" He fired his right fist and shield into Yama's torso. All that power! Let's see you get a taste of it!
Force, unlike he had ever felt before, flew through Yama's body. The arena behind him tore away in a storm of debris and dust. His glowing, golden soul rocketed out of his body. Dozens of spectral hands still clung to Yama's body as more shot out and gripped the wall. Yama's body rose off the ground and rocketed back, colliding with his soul as the arms gripping the walls let go.
Georgios spun the shield in his hand, letting the shaft unfold and the banner twist and curve.
Hilde, I didn't use all that power! We need to end this! Georgios thought. The banner hardened into a curved edge jutting out to the side with a small upward point. Modus Quattuor: Falx.
GOOOOOOOO! She roared.
Georgios leaned forward and kicked off the ground. A wall of air shattered around him as he picked up speed, releasing a loud boom. The banner's cracks grew as he ran.
Yama landed on his feet and saw Georgios heading his way.
You risked dying to do that?! He thought. His gada flattened and expanded out into a barrier. Well done, but not enough!
Georgios raised and swung his war scythe down on the barrier. A loud thud echoed as the barrier sank.
What are you— Yama's eyes widened. He saw the curved blade of the scythe on the barrier. Georgios pulled back, yanking Yama forward. A brief memory of a fated duel popped into his mind as Hades appeared from behind the barrier, ready to thrust. Persephone…Titan?!
Georgios stepped past the barrier and thrust the war scythe's straight point into Yama's chest. The point found home and fired Yama away like a rocket. Yama's soul clung with all its might as he flew towards the tower. The pair arched and smashed into its base. Cracks raced up from the point of impact, and the tower crumbled, burying Yama.
Georgios stood. Wobbling, but stood. He breathed deeply, waiting. He looked up at Heimdall, then back at the tower.
"Did…did we get him?" Georgios whispered.
I…don't know. I don't see a green light.
"That had to kill him…" He looked down at his banner. The shaft was riddled with cracks. He looked back up at the distant pile of debris. "Oh…"
Jörð Arena
Game Master's Box Seats
"Hmmm," Hades mumbled, betraying a smile. "Still some fight left in you."
Jörð Arena
Bleachers
Hundreds of Gods clasped their hands in prayer. They bowed their heads and prayed.
"Oṁ sūryaputrāya vidmahe
Mahākālāya dhīmahi
Tanno yama pracodayāt."
They repeated this solemnly, quietly, yet with a tinge of hope.
Jörð Arena
Golden light began emanating from beneath the rubble. Some of the rocks shook. Then, he saw them. Small glowing hands, dozens of them, lifting rubble and gently placing it to the side. More and more appeared, lifting the rubble and placing it neatly at the sides, forming two rudimentary walls. The light intensified as more rubble was removed, and Georgios looked upon the light, fear growing in his soul.
Where Yama once was, an imposing figure now stood. His skin was an unearthly blue, and his hair whiter than snow. His eyes now burned gold as the skin around his eyes turned red. Gold energy flowed down his cheeks and chin, while a single gold light shone from his forehead. He reached over his shoulders and pulled off his black and gold armor, revealing his blue torso and golden metal jutting out of his chest. Four massive flaming arms slithered out of his back, and he reached down to his right, lifting Yamāyudha.
"Behold…" His voice reverberated. "I am the sun that never sets. Helheim's light of hope…"
"Oh…no…" Georgios whispered.
He's…like us? Brünhilde asked. Has the damage we've been doing made him stronger, too?
Yama walked forward. He placed his left hand on his chest. "Such power only exists because of my father.
Yamaraja: Deva Surya
Stand proud, Georgios. Brünhilde. This form was created just now, for you."
"Inspiration in the moment," Georgios said. "I'm honored. Truly." Hilde. It's time. It's going to get rough, but it's time.
I know. I trust you. She said.
Please forgive me. "Yama, in honor of this gesture, I shall show you what we planned for you and only you." Georgios took his banner in both hands, holding it in front of his body. The flag went limp and bellowed in the wind. He breathed deeply and closed his eyes.
Help me keep my promises. He thought.
White light emanated from the shaft's cracks. It grew brighter and brighter with each passing second.
Thousands, nay hundreds of thousands of humans in the audience clasped their hands in silent prayer. Some began to tear up at the sight of the white light.
The light grew brighter and brighter.
I don't know who will answer my prayers, but grant me mercy and strength. He thought. Pieces of the shaft chipped away, revealing more and more light. The banner ignited in white flames and vanished.
As the flag vanished, all the angels in attendance, the Valkyries, the Sancti. All of them felt a painful pull at their hearts as a blurred visage appeared in their minds and began slowly taking shape.
Georgios could still feel his presence and remember that day clearly in his mind. Not the day he slew the beast, but the day he made a promise that he refused to break.
Völund Recast
Lydda
Over A Millenium Ago
"I am sorry it took me so long to get back here," Metatron said, now sitting across from Georgios.
"Not like I had anything better to do," Georgios said.
"Looks that way..." He sat back and sighed. "I am ready."
"…For what?"
"Your anger. I deserve it for being late back then and even now. I am always too late…"
"You…didn't know about it?"
"The Primordial Beast? No."
"So...you're not God?"
Metatron blinked a few times. "I am...not? I am a Primordial God, but not the one you're thinking of."
Georgios shook his head. "Anyways, you were saying?"
"They are a problem elsewhere, but for one to reach Midgard is unheard of."
"If…if you knew about it, what would you have done?"
"Raced here and destroyed it myself. Such monsters cannot be killed without powerful Divine Weapons like Ascalon."
Georgios squinted. "…Why let me do it?"
Metatron sighed. "Honestly, you needed to be the one. If I came in and defeated it for you, then I would have failed you twice."
"So…you're here…to apologize and let me yell at you?"
"I cannot offer anything else. I cannot return your soldiers or those villagers to life. Once someone is devoured by a Primordial Beast…"
"They die?"
"No. Death is not the end for Humans. You reunite with us in Valhalla, or Heaven, as you call it. No, once devoured by those beasts, your body and soul are broken down into the cosmic ether of creation…and you cease existing…"
Georgios leaned back in his chair. "All those people…my men…those children…won't even see Heaven?"
Metatron nodded.
"Are you going to tell me next that God doesn't exist? Is this all some damn joke for you?"
"I…have no clue. Who you call 'God' was never among us. When we were born, we believe their was One Before All, but it is conjecture."
Georgios sighed. "You are making it hard not reach across the table and strangle you."
"I know. I came here accepting that possibility."
Georgios shook his head. "Then why come at all?! Look what you saving me did?! I'm a pariah in my hometown! My family ignores me! Do you know how many of my soldiers were my neighbors?! My friends?!"
"Most of them. Let it out."
Georgios rose. "Let it out? Let it out? The hell do you know about that? Do you know what it's like to look their families in the eye and tell them, 'I came back alone?!' 'I'm sorry for your loss, but they DIED FOR THE EMPIRE?!'"
"I tell myself that every day."
Georgios felt fire rise to his temples from his stomach. "HAVE YOU EVER BEEN LOOKED AT WITH SUCH SPITE THAT YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF YOU?!" The looks of villagers back in Silene flooded his mind. "'WHY DIDN'T YOU COME SOONER?!' 'WHY DID YOU SAVE ONLY THE KING'S DAUGHTER?!' 'WHY DID I HAVE TO LOSE MY CHILDREN TO THAT HELLSPAWN?!' WHY?! WHY?! WHY?!" He slumped back into his chair, tears pouring. "They didn't deserve that…none of them did…what's the damn point of all this if those people can't reunite in Heaven…" He looked up at Metatron. "Why didn't you let that thing kill me?" He let out a small gasp.
Metatron still held his stoic bearing as tears flowed down his cheeks.
"Because you deserve to live. Even if it was just you, I had to. To let you die would be to spit in the memory of the people I lost. More so, I could not let you become like me: haunted by your failures."
"It's too late for that." Georgios grabbed Ascalon and raised it. "Why leave me with this?"
Metatron wiped his face. "Because you understand what happened to them. I fear…there may be more of those creatures here."
Georgios' grip on Ascalon tightened.
"I cannot take away your pain, or give you back your station. However, I can give you a mission. A mission you know the cost of."
"Don't mess with me…"
"Never." Metatron rose and walked around the desk to Georgios' side. He placed his right hand on his right shoulder. "This is not aiming to satisfy our guilt. It is a way to work through it while saving others. You are cracked and bent, but not broken. I know that, and still see it." He gripped it softly. "You need to."
Georgios sat quietly, letting memories flow in and out of his mind. The good and the bad. His grip on Ascalon did not loosen, but his breathing calmed into a steady rhythm.
"Do you know where they are?" He asked.
"I am searching for them, but nothing yet."
Georgios patted Metatron's hand. "I'll stay here until you need me." He rose. "Am I doing this alone?"
Metatron smiled. "No. I am with you all the way and will remain with you until this is over."
Georgios could not fight the small chuckle. "Worried about me?"
"A bit. You remind me of my sons. Duty-bound, the lot, but I am proud of them."
"You…have sons?"
"Well, all angels are my children, but my seven boys and twelve girls are my 'sons' and 'daughters.'
"…That seems like a distinction without a difference… and a handful."
"Ha! You have no clue!"
Georgios smiled softly. "I hope I do, one day."
"We shall see, but until those days come, it is you and me."
Georgios shook his head. "I can't guarantee this will work out, but can I promise something?"
"Sure."
Georgios unsheathed Ascalon. "I'm going to..." He pushed back against something caught in his throat. "I'm going to prove your efforts weren't in vain."
Jörð Arena
The silver disintegrated from the shaft, revealing a jagged staff of pure white light. Hundreds of Gods in the audience teared up, confused and overwhelmed by its sight. Hope raced through the Human audience like a bolt.
Ascalon Magnum
I hope you're watching, Old Man. Georgios thought, taking that stance from long ago. The white of his eyes turned blue as his irises turned bright white. I'll never be able to repay you for your faith in me, but with this…I'm going to start by getting your daughter home. I promise.