Vali's grin didn't falter. He took a step forward, but Penemue moved to intercept him, placing herself between the two boys.
"Vali, it is profoundly unkind to challenge a guest to a fight the moment he arrives," she said, her voice firm despite the anxiety in her eyes.
'Can't he focus on anything else for five minutes?' she despaired internally. This scenario was precisely why she'd hated Azazel's plan. Vali, with his dragon's instincts, was a walking complication.
"Don't interfere," Vali said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He looked back at Makoto. "Why not?"
Makoto let out a small, almost inaudible sigh. "I fight only when I have to."
'I find myself liking this young man's spirit!' Robin Hood's voice chimed in cheerfully.
'If he truly desires a contest, let us grant his wish. It will be an educational experience for him,' Yoshitsune declared, his mental voice the calm before a storm, already envisioning the flawless, decisive strikes he would employ.
'The Universe is correct. Conflict without purpose is meaningless,' Orpheus Telos stated, his tone harmonious and firm.
'Do as your heart dictates,' Kohryu rumbled, a neutral observer.
'A little playfight could be fun, hee ho!' Jack Frost chirped.
'A good fiiiight would be a nice distraction,' Fafnir screeched, vents hissing in anticipation.
'Are you all seriously considering indulging this childish provocation?' Odin's voice boomed, admonishing them all. A moment of thoughtful silence passed in Makoto's mind.
'...However,' the All-Father continued, his tone shifting, 'if you are resolved, then allow me to educate this arrogant whelp. It has been an age since I properly stretched my limbs.'
'You're just as bloodthirsty as that scrap-heap dragon,' Lucifer sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. 'To even entertain a challenge from a child is ludicrous and beneath us.'
"Ehm... Makoto? Is everything alright?" Penemue asked, waving a hand gently in front of his face. He had been completely still and silent for nearly half a minute, his gaze distant as the internal debate raged.
"Silence means consent!" Vali declared, his smirk widening.
"No one has ever said that, you brat!" Shemhazai shouted, exasperated.
"Yes, everything's fine," Makoto answered, finally refocusing on the room.
'Vali, stand down. He is not an opponent to be taken lightly,' Albion's voice, tense and urgent, echoed in Vali's mind.
'Shut up, Albion! I'll make him agree!' Vali mentally retorted, his focus unbreakable.
"So? What do you say?" Vali pressed again, ignoring the Fallen Angels entirely.
"Vali, I really think that's enou—" Azazel began, but Makoto interrupted him.
"If you want it that much, okay."
Vali's triumphant grin was aimed directly at a now-groaning Azazel. 'Take that, you old crow.'
"Great! Follow me! Training area, now!" Vali commanded, already striding out of the office.
Azazel looked at Makoto, a question in his eyes. "Are you absolutely certain about this?"
"It's better this way," Makoto replied simply. A peaceful resolution was clearly impossible; demonstrating the reality of the situation was the most efficient path.
They proceeded to a cavernous chamber that resembled a grand coliseum. The ceiling soared high overhead, lost in shadow, while two large spectator stands flanked a vast, circular combat floor made of a strange, dark material that seemed to absorb light and sound. Makoto and Vali walked to the center, facing each other from twenty paces apart.
"Azazel, should we really allow this?" Penemue asked, her voice tight with worry as they took seats in the front row of a stand.
"Vali won't back down, you know that," Azazel replied, his eyes fixed on the two figures below. "And if the Messiah has agreed, our objections are irrelevant. We can only observe."
"You just want to see how his power interacts with a Longinus firsthand, don't you?" Shemhazai accused, seeing right through his friend.
Azazel's smirk returned. "Guilty as charged. It's a unique research opportunity."
On the floor, Vali cracked his neck. "Azazel gives the signal. Don't hold back," he instructed.
'Vali, the moment the fight begins, activate Balance Breaker. Do not hesitate,' Albion advised, his voice grim.
'He's that strong? Now I'm really getting excited!' Vali responded, stretching his arms, demonic energy already beginning to coil around him.
'Universe, grant me control. I will deal with this impudent child,' Odin requested.
'No wayyyy!' Fafnir roared in violent protest, the sound causing a sharp, psychic feedback that made Makoto wince and press a hand to his temple.
"What's wrong?" Vali asked, noticing the flicker of pain.
"Nothing," Makoto replied, steadying himself.
'I'll use Odin. Fafnir, please be quiet.' He added mentally.
'I'm sorryyy, Universe,' the metallic dragon apologized, his vents sighing.
"Begin!" Azazel's voice echoed through the vast chamber.
The change was instantaneous. A brilliant, holy light erupted from Vali's back, resolving into four magnificent, pure white wings.
"BALANCE BREAKER!" said wings roared, the words echoing with power.
Shemhazai's jaw dropped. "What is he thinking? He's starting with his ultimate form?"
"Vali, wait!" Penemue cried out, half-standing.
"Quiet, both of you," Azazel ordered, his voice low and intense, a scientist wholly absorbed in his experiment. "Just watch. This is nothing to him. I've seen it. Even our Longinuses, the strongest weapons in our world, are mere toys compared to the power Makoto Yuki commands."
"DIVINE DIVIDING SCALE MAIL!" Albion's voice thundered in unison with Vali's as plates of gleaming white armor materialized from the light, encasing the boy completely. The helmet sealed with a sharp click, blue lenses glowing where his eyes should be.
With a burst of speed that tore the air, Vali shot forward, his hand outstretched to make contact.
{DIVIDE}
{DIVIDE}
{DIVIDE}
The sacred gear's power activated. Vali felt the familiar sensation of siphoning strength from his target. But it felt... wrong.
'Albion? Why does it feel so weak? I barely got anything. He should be a torrent of power!'
'I... I don't understand. The division was successful, but his base power level is... it's negligible. It makes no sense. He should not possess the strength to even stand before us,' Albion responded, his confusion mirroring Vali's.
Undeterred, Vali closed the distance, throwing a punch enhanced by his armor and stolen energy. It connected with Makoto's raised forearm. The impact should have shattered bone. Instead, it was like punching a mountain. Makoto didn't budge an inch, his expression remaining one of neutral observation.
"WHAT!?" Vali exclaimed, recoiling in shock. His fist throbbed.
'Vali, retreat! Assess! We cannot fight him through conventional means!' Albion urged, a note of genuine alarm entering his voice for the first time.
Vali nodded, leaping back to create distance, his mind racing for a new tactic.
"Are we quite finished?" The voice that issued from Makoto was not his own. It was deep, ancient, and carried the weight of absolute authority. It was the voice of the All-Father. Makoto raised the Evoker to his temple.
The crack of the shot was unnaturally loud.
Odin materialized not as a vague spectral image, but in a form of terrifying, tangible majesty. His golden armor, intricately wrought and scarred from eons of cosmic war, shone with the light of a dying star. His deep blue cloak seemed woven from the night sky itself.
One of his twin ravens, Huginn, settled on his pauldron, its eyes glowing with intelligent malice. Odin adjusted his winged helm and lowered the legendary spear, Gungnir, its point aimed unerringly at Vali's heart. The air grew heavy and cold.
"I am Thou. Thou art I. From the Universe in thy soul I am born. The mighty gates of Asgard open as I walk. Gods and mortals alike bow as I speak. Father of Victory. Father of Gods. Father of Fate. Everything from me is born. I am Odin, the All-Father."
The proclamation was not a boast, but a simple statement of cosmic fact. Behind the fearsome helm, the terrifying grin of thr god of frenzy and madness—Odin's most secretive identity—was hidden.