Einherjar Barracks
Romulus' Room
Romulus walked back to the couch and sat down next to Skalmöld. Athena and Artemis followed behind, their eyes scanning the weapon-laden walls. Artemis locked on an old, wooden bow. "Well, well. You still have it," She said. "You never forgot what I taught you, it seems."
Romulus smiled, but said nothing. He turned to Athena, feeling his blood pressure rising slightly. "Why the surprise visit?" Romulus asked. "Last I heard, you two were doing everything you could to avoid Ragnarök. Even Hera was shocked by your lack of involvement, and she's fighting the urge to run to Aetna."
"Blood sports are not my forte," Athena answered. "But you never shied away from the dirtier aspects of life."
"Wouldn't be me if I did."
Skalmöld shuffled towards Romulus.
"Still, you didn't answer my question."
Athena nodded. "You're going next, right? The last named…Einherjar, I believe you're called."
"Johannes loves that name, by the way."
"Who?" Athena asked, turning to Artemis, watching her scan the weapons on the walls.
"The Old German swordsman who fought in Round Four." Romulus felt a distant, familiar spike in aura and smiled. How he knows when I do that is beyond me.
"Yes, the one who beat Futsunushi." She tapped her shield with her left hand. "Seeing him fight was like watching a textbook in action." She looked at her right wrist, slowly twisting it as if observing something. "You continue to surround yourself in worthwhile company."
"But we're not here to chat about your friends," Artemis said.
"We don't chat much at all," Romulus said.
"We don't do visits either. You know that."
Romulus shook his head. "Fair. To be honest, you two are too much of a headache to want visits from. Feeling one right now, honestly."
Artemis smirked. "It's about Lugh."
"Is it now?" Romulus reached over the couch's armrest and lifted his scutum onto his lap. He dug a multi-tool out of his left pocket, flipping up a screwdriver, and started checking the shield's rim. "Did my Dad ask you to come talk sense into me?"
Athena and Artemis paused.
Oh no… Skalmöld thought. He pulled out Via…
Athena smiled as she walked over to an empty table. She pulled out a wooden chair and sat down, removing her helmet and placing it on the table. "Your father tried talking you out of fighting?" She asked.
"That's surprising," Artemis said, still walking along the walls. "You'd think he'd want a chance to see that."
Romulus glanced at Artemis' back while turning a screw. "Of course he did. After Hephaestus's death, and Dionysus almost getting dissolved, he'd be worried about his family."
"Still thinks with his heart," Artemis whispered.
"That's why being his son is a source of pride for me." Romulus smiled. "Not the smartest guy, or the strongest, but my big heart's from him."
Athena paused, then cleared her throat. "That's why Lugh is a problem."
Romulus turned his shield around, eyeing the umbo in its center. "Because he's my friend?"
Artemis stopped. She turned to face the couch, eyeing the couple. "You know his strength better than anyone. Amongst the Gods chosen by Set, he is easily the strongest."
"Talking up Lugh even after seeing the other Gods fight?" Romulus blinked a few times. "Wait, was that praise?"
"Praise rarely given means something," Athena added. "And it's a fact. Nuada downplays his accomplishments publicly, but there's a reason Lugh's his heir."
"The old sod wants people to know Eire is full of monsters. Picking Lugh and bringing him to fight means he wants everyone to know he's not a nepotist."
Romulus tapped on the umbo.
"He's known as the Ace of Eire for a reason," Skalmöld added. "But Lugh's not someone that Rommie can't handle." She straightened up. "Rommie's prepared and has put everything on the line to reach this point and stand by us."
"Has he now?" Artemis asked, her tone turning cold. "Are you aware of everything he did back on Midgard?"
Romulus continued working on the shield. Skalmöld gently grabbed his right hand with her left, holding it in place. "I am. What he did, and why he did it. That's why I'm here."
Romulus gently squeezed her hand.
"That's why you're here, too. You know who he is, and why he is doing this."
"To choose to stand against the Gods, his family, and stand beside Humanity," Artemis said. "Despite your efforts, they took your ideals and corrupted them. I fail to see why you would protect the ones who failed you."
"Gods aren't much better," Skalmöld said.
Romulus blinked a few times and turned to her. He glanced at Athena and Artemis, their expression hardening.
"How so?" Athena asked coolly.
Skalmöld gulped, her grip on Romulus' hand tightening. "Winchester and everything after. A lot before it, too."
Romulus leaned into her, keeping his shoulder next to hers.
Athena's eyes darted in all directions. She shifted her lips and turned to Artemis. Artemis leaned back against the wall and shrugged.
"I cannot argue that," Athena said. "I miss the days I debated Yu Huang, but now is not the time for reminiscing." She rose from her chair."Romulus. Skalmöld. You know what defeat will cost you."
"We do," Romulus said.
Artemis stood up and walked over to the table. "Then we're done here," She said.
Athena nodded and picked up her helmet. The pair departed without another word, closing the door gently behind them.
Skalmöld fell back on the couch and released a huge sigh. "Ugh…," She said. "That was worse than dealing with my Dad…"
"Those two are a handful," Romulus said. "But Remus and I were strong because of them. I owe them that much." He fell back next to her. "I was too good a student, though."
"You were, but you're not anymore. You're more like your dad, now."
Romulus nodded, smiling. "I'll give you credit for that. Also, standing up to those two was brave beyond reason. I don't think you know how easy it is to wound their pride."
She shuddered. "Please don't remind me! Those two are just…ugh!"
"I know! When'd you get so brave?"
The pair locked eyes.
"From you."
Romulus' smile widened, and he closed his eyes.
The Heavens
Eden
Mountain Biome
Far from Jörð Arena and deep within Eden's furthest grass-filled valley, surrounded by tall, snow-capped mountains that blocked out the late-afternoon sun, Set stood still, eyes closed, letting the breeze brush against his body. Odin, standing a few meters across from him, leered at him.
Set inhaled deeply and released his breath. "Thank you for humoring my request," He said.
"It's more than what you deserve," Odin retorted.
Set opened his eyes. "I will not argue that." No one is…coming.
You don't believe that, do you?
What have I done to deserve otherwise? "I am ready, Velk."
Odin froze.
Set looked at him, his expression softening under his mask.
"I am sorry. Had I known what Ptah and the others planned, I would have acted sooner. I thought staying away kept you safe. I was wrong, and, once again, too late to save anyone."
"…"
"But Feldis would be ashamed of you. All of them would."
A cloud of black haze erupted from Odin's body. His face contorted into scorn.
Why…did you say that?! The voice yelled.
So he will focus on me. I have a Bifrost shard ready, Set. Once he attacks me, undo the Völund and use it to get to Helheim. Have Osiris contact Hades…and do something.
Odin stretched out his right arm, Gungnir in hand. The ground beneath him cracked and tore as his body was engulfed. "…I don't think you understand how long I waited for this day…" His aged form burned away, and his clothes turned to ash. "I thought I lost you to Winchester…" Set saw a figure appear out of the haze. "But to see that you survived…FILLS ME WITH UNCONTROLLABLE JOY!"
The haze faded away, and a new figure stood in Odin's place. He was clad in gunmetal blue armor with a dull gray trim. Odin's aged visage was gone, and in his place stood a young God with long, dark burgundy hair ending in white tips. His hidden left eye nearly matched his right, save for the black cracks emanating from the socket. He smiled, the ends of his mouth reaching his ears. "Don't think this will end quickly, Old Man!" He roared.
Set nodded. "To go this far when I can barely put up a struggle…maybe you are the real Odin."
Is…is this really the end? The voice asked.
Set, it has been a privilege. I am sorry it took so long to stop Ra. Set swiped his hand across his chin, flipping all three switches. He turned the last one, and the mask flowered open. Slowly, he lifted it off his head and placed it on the ground.
Odin's eyes widened. "Well, there's a familiar face." He twirled Gungnir. "The beard suits you."
"Thought I should try something new at least once. Feldis had one."
The smile faded. "Do not say his name. "
Metatron looked down at his feet. "Does his name stir something within you?" He focused on the small creases formed from where the leather bent. "It is painful, you know. Carrying guilt. Moreso when you're reminded of it."
Odin's grip on Gungnir tightened.
Metatron lifted his head, wearing a soft smile. "I failed to save my friends from Gleipnir. I then failed to save your people from my kin. Ariel, the first Apocalypse, Ra, everything around the flood…Georgios, Winchester, and my kids…everything…" Metatron shook his head. "Is it not such a pain to carry so much and feel such unbearable loneliness? To have no one there to help you through it all? Are you so far gone that you cannot remember anything but anger?"
Odin lowered Gungnir, but kept his grip. His scowl vanished, and his body relaxed. "You should have been faster." He brandished his spear and widened his stance.
"…I should have been."
Odin twisted to his right and reversed his grip.
Farewell, Set. Please tell Skeggöld I am sorry.
He began whispering under his breath as runes and white energy formed and flowed around Gungnir.
I…really wish I could go home…
"Níundi Galdor: Vindskǫggull," Odin whispered.
He threw the spear towards Metatron, and a flash of light enveloped him.
Jörð Arena
Gods' Conference Room
Lugh sat, now alone, at a table surrounded by thirteen chairs. His arms hung over the armrests, and his legs stretched out under the table. His tablet jingled in his left hand now and then, but he ignored it. To his left, two of the chairs were covered in black shawls. Two chairs opposite him were covered with one chair between them. To his right, a few chairs down were two more.
I…still suck at this… He thought, picturing his Deichtine and Sualtam's departure. That…wasn't what I wanted to say to them…if I can't get my words right, then what the hell am I doing?
He sat up and placed his feet back on the ground. He raised the tablet to his face, looking at the screen saver: Nuada in his armor, Fragarach at his side, wearing a conceding smile with Lugh to his left. On Lugh's left was an older Goddess, Macha, in armor that complemented her husband, her pale hair still carrying a few traces of platinum blonde, while her green eyes were sharp as ever. Her right arm was draped around Lugh's shoulders. Lugh was easily a head taller than both, but could not fight feeling small in comparison to them.
My Human friends tore my logic apart. If you two saw that, how embarrassed would you two be?
He unlocked the screen and brought up his contacts.
I could call…He stopped at Baldr's name. He scrolled down to Futsunushi, then Hephaestus, then Takemikazuchi. He paused for a moment, looking at the uncovered chair across the table. Take wouldn't want to be bothered… He scrolled down to another name and stopped.
Asgard
Millenia ago
"Romulus!" Týr yelled, stretching outside the fortified city's main gate. "You're late!"
Romulus, in short pristine white robes and an orange shirt, was sprinting towards him. Behind him was a short, younger Lugh trying to keep up with him.
"Rommie! Slow down!" He yelled.
"If we delay Týr any longer, he's going to give us an earful!" Romulus yelled, laughing.
"Oh, come on! It's your fault for flirting with Möld!"
"I could do that and still be on time!"
Týr rose and groaned. "You've got to be kidding me…"
The pair finally arrived at Týr's spot, receiving nothing but a slightly irritated look.
"See?" Romulus said, panting. "Could do it…"
"Liar…" Lugh said.
"Yeah, 'Rommie.' Kid's got a point," Týr said.
Romulus' eyes shifted side-to-side. "…You heard us?"
Týr pointed his metallic thumb up to the wall's top. "They could probably hear you. Anyways, who's the kid? Another ragtag God you're recruiting for your 'Roman' Pantheon?"
"Nah. Not nearly qualified for it!"
"Hey!" Lugh shouted.
"He's got bigger things to deal with." Romulus wiped some sweat off his brow. "This here's Lugh. He's Nuada's chosen successor."
"Wait, Nuada's? As in, the Silver Beast?" Týr blinked a few times. "This kid is his successor?" "Yep. Kid's got a lot of potential. Oddly enough, he asked me to look after him. No clue why. Thought he hated my family."
"Maybe he sees something the others don't."
"Who knows? Either way, Lugh's hanging out with us today and training with us."
Týr turned to Lugh. "I hope you understand, I'm not going to go easy because you're here. I got a regimen to follow, and 'Rommie' is one of the few who can handle it. Think you can, too?"
"You're Týr, right?" Lugh asked.
"So you've heard of me."
"Uncle says you're strong. Real strong." Lugh stepped past Romulus and up to Týr, barely reaching his rib cage. "If I want to get stronger than you, will this make that happen?"
Kid's serious. Týr stifled a laugh. "…Maybe? Up to you." Týr immediately turned around and sprinted away. "You've got to beat me in a race first! All the way around Asgard!"
"Not fair!" Lugh yelled, sprinting after him.
Romulus stood there watching them run. "Týr didn't tell him the circumference of this place is two hundred kilometers…Guess I need to start running, too…ugh…"
Jörð Arena
Gods' Conference Room
Lugh closed his eyes and let his arms hang at his sides.
A door opened and closed behind. He turned and looked, seeing a familiar pair.
"Well, well," Marduk said. "Didn't think someone else would be here."
Sarpanitu walked past him and wrapped Lugh in a hug.
"What're you doing here?" She asked. "Shouldn't you be with your Aunt and Uncle?" She stepped back, grabbing his shoulders. "…Are you okay?"
"Been better, to be honest," Lugh said. "You two got a moment?"
Bifrost
The Roads Between Worlds
Far from, or maybe close by, the Arena, Hades made his way with a hurried pace, Bident in his right and his tablet in his left. His gaze shifted between the translucent rainbow path and the tablet, the latter beeping in his hand as a green, pulsating dot slowly crawled towards the screen's center.
"Why am I not surprised this started up after Loki's little show?" Hades said, smiling despite the growing migraine. "Normally, you've stuck around to watch the fights, but for the entirety of Round Eleven, you never once made it back to your seat." A bright white vortex appeared several meters ahead, nestled dead-center on the path. "While it's a bit distressing, I can't deny I'm a bit curious, Yama."
Helheim
Yama's Castle
Millions of Years Ago
Yama sat atop a mountain of rubble, shirtless, with Kavacha exposed. Below him stood a shirtless Hades, covered in bruises, cuts, and bleeding from his forehead.
Yama looked down at his chest, eyeing several cracks across the solidified sunlight. Love it when I'm right. He thought.
"Hey!" Hades yelled. He lifted the bident and tapped its pommel on the ground, aiming its bizarre conjoined spearhead towards Helheim's pitch-black sky. "Are we continuing?!"
Yama rose and jumped down, landing a few meters from him. "No, we're done. It's your win."
"Hmmm?"
Yama pointed at his chest. "Kavacha anchors my soul to my body. If it breaks, I'm done. But it takes a lot of raw power to crack it. The fact that it's this badly damaged means you'd win eventually."
"You overestimate me, again," Hades retorted. "This form, Desmos, devours my blood and power to work. If I couldn't kill you quick enough—"
Yama waved his hand. "Hades. You're arguing with your King."
Hades' right eyebrow rose. "But you said I won. That makes me King."
Yama smiled. "Then act like it."
Hades ran his free hand through his hair, letting the blood mat it down. "I still don't understand you."
"Read those books I left, and you will." Yama walked back towards the rubble and started removing some boulders.
"Could you be less vague?" Hades twisted the bident a little. The spearhead bent and split, returning to its original form as his blood flowed back to his body and into his wounds. Several cuts closed, and the ambient pain began to dull.
Yama stopped digging and rose.
"Hades, you are the King now. That means, more than just ruling this place, you are the one who keeps everything down here. Midgard and Valhalla cannot suffer the monsters that hide here, waiting for chances to attack."
"I know."
"And one of the most important people you must protect is Metatron."
"The Angel?"
Yama shook his head. "That guy? An Angel? Like calling a dragon a newt." He turned to face his successor. "He's a Primordial God, and one of the few left. He's essential to fight whatever the future has in store."
"…You're serious."
Yama nodded. "Odin may be one, too. A lot of history with that name for it to be a coincidence that another 'Odin' showed up and rules the Norse. If Metatron is the one you need to protect, Odin is the one you need to put down should he start anything."
"Why?"
Yama slouched a little. "Read the damn books! I have better things to do than talk your ear off!"
"What about running Tartarus?"
"Like that'll happen!"
Bifrost
The Roads Between Worlds
Hades, unfazed by the light pouring from the vortex, continued his stride. Familiar, but muffled, voices poured out towards. Gently, he slipped his tablet into his coat pocket.
"Time to work," He said. He lightly tossed the bident up and slid his coat off, revealing his chiseled arms. Tossed it over his left shoulder and caught the bident in a reverse grip. His muscles flexed, veins popping out of his biceps, and he jumped into the light.
Jörð Arena
Gods' VIP Section
Nuada's Chambers
"You know," Macha said, without looking at her husband. "Looking at your screen like that doesn't do a lick of good." She was busy rearranging vases around the room. At the same time, Nuada sat on his couch, eyes glued to his tablet, as the flatscreen monitor played a commercial for Aphrodite's Aerobics, the number one method to motivate your mate.
"Good grief, that vapid woman could turn oats and cream seem sexual," Nuada muttered.
"You could turn it off."
"I could, but it wouldn't make the situation any better."
Macha looked over at him. "If he needs us, he'll call."
"I know, but something's off. I'm giving him space, but after that talk with Ares…"
"His nerves are getting to you. Every time you hang out with him, you always get antsy about Lugh."
Nuada tapped his tablet and dropped it on the couch. He leaned into the couch and sighed. "Yama's dead, Macha. Yama. Týr too, for heaven's sake! How the hell did they lose?! How could they lose? The Old Man was smart enough to pick them, but how the hell did Hilde find Humans strong enough to beat them?"
Macha shook her head and walked over to the couch. Stopping behind it, she looked over and stared down at her husband, her green eyes piercing into his silver.
"I thought I was supposed to be the worrier."
"Not now."
"Nu."
Nuada let out a brief sigh.
"Our boy's in trouble. He's not weary like we are."
"And the whole damn family's on the way. If they see him at anything less than his top form…" Nuada ran his right hand through his mustache.
"They'll worry, like we always do. But he always comes through."
"Except for Tuireann and Danu's boys. Danu still tries stirring the pot because of that."
"Lugh had reasons for that, and the murder of the King's nephew could not go unanswered."
"Aye, but if it were anyone else, no one would hold a grudge. But it's Lugh."
"He's not Bres, Nu."
"No, but that doesn't stop the comparisons. Heard word she's trying to contact Bres."
Macha stepped back. "She wouldn't…"
"Epona's been keeping an eye on her. Thank All that she's a softy for Lugh and Brigid."
"Speaking of her, Brigid called and told me she's awake. If you want to—"
Nuada raised his hands and shook his head. "I don't need you three in one room."
Macha straightened up and huffed. "The hell does that mean?!"
"You three are too damn much when you're all together! By All, I have to escape every time before you three gang up on me for the slightest thing!" He rose on the couch, turning to her and wiggling his eyebrows.
"Nuada…"
"Go check on her. I'll be fine here. Thank you for trying, Macha, but I don't have it in me right now."
Her body went lax, and she nodded. "Fine." She walked over and kissed him on his forehead. "Stubborn goat."
"I'm your stubborn goat."
She fought a laugh and left the room. Nuada turned around and eyed his tablet, the screen showing a picture of Lugh standing between the couple.
Marduk. Sarpa. He thought. Please help him.
The Heavens
Eden
Mountain Biome
Gungnir flew from Odin's hand, wrapped in energy and runes. Metatron felt a surge of energy forming in his chest.
Here it comes! He thought. Set, undoing the—
A white swirling vortex opened up in front of Metatron… and Hades jumped out.
"Persephone-Kallichoron!" He roared, stabbing the Bident down, capturing Gungnir between its prongs and smashing it into the ground.
Odin's eyes widened.
"Stubborn thing, isn't it?!" Hades yelled. His back muscles swelled as he rested his right palm on the Bident's pommel. He roared and smashed it deep into the rocky floor.
Metatron froze.
Hades took a deep breath and rose, the pommel of his bident barely sticking out of the floor.
"Ah, Metatron. Seems I am interrupting something," He said. He looked back over towards Odin. His eyebrows rose. "Well, well. Zeus told me you have some battle form or such. Surprised you broke it out on a crippled Primordial God."
"Why…are you here?" Odin growled through bared teeth.
Hades' aura slowly flowed from his body. "I am the King of Helheim. That's my reason. But you don't have one for acting in this brutish manner, do you, Supreme God of the Norse? What? Did losing your sons rob you of your dignity?"
Odin snorted and smiled. "So you're here to die with him, then?"
Hades wagged his left index finger. "I hate repeating myself, but it seems necessary to such a brute." Hades widened his stance, his left hand outstretched while his open right rested by his chin. "I am the King of Helheim and the Eldest Brother of the Greeks. That means…I shan't be defeated." He grew a soft smile.
Odin's pitch-black aura flowed out of his body as he crouched down
"Get some distance, Sir. I can't have you in the crossfire after coming this way."
"Why are you—" Metatron said.
"Yama is a stubborn one, isn't he?"
Metatron blinked a few times as he reached down and scooped up his mask.
"Seems he thought you were someone important. Made me swear to protect you…and kill Odin if needed." He clenched his left hand, popping his knuckles. "Seems I got here just in time."