"The wall, erected against the will of the immortal gods, was not meant to last long."
- Homer
Beyond the terms of the universe
Somewhere in the vast universe, four humanoid beings are gathered around a table adorned with ancient and strange symbolism.
"So, gathered here again?" asked a slender being with dark skin, dressed in a toga and a kind of glowing circle adorning the back of his neck. "It's been a while since we last met here," he said with a smile.
"Not all of us have as much freedom as your brother," replied the young man, who appeared to be around fifteen years old, dressed in a blue shirt, denim jeans, and sneakers. "Unlike your universe, ours are in advanced technological times."
"Besides that, our universes face adversity at every meeting," replied a woman who looked like an executive, a woman in her forties wearing formal clothes and high heels.
"I see you have it worse, sister," said the youthful-looking being.
"Enough talk, let's do this to find out if we'll get extra work," he said firmly.
The three beings now looked expectantly at their young-looking brother who displayed a mocking smile. "Well, this is getting interesting," the being began with mockery in his voice. "I'll be direct, I don't like to keep you waiting." His question was answered with gestures of approval from his brothers.
"Sister, your universes are the chosen ones," the youthful being proclaimed, receiving a shrug from the woman.
"In one of your universes," he declared, pointing at the being dressed in a suit, "a tournament for the survival of humanity will be held by the gods. If humans win, all universes will be saved, but if they lose, the end will wipe out yours," he said, observing his sister.
The woman looked bored at her brother's statement. "Well, even though I love my universes, the spices that reside in them have to prove their worth," she said confidently.
"That won't be all," she interrupted her brother, the woman stopping abruptly, looking expectantly at her young brother. "Some of the guests from your other universes will have to watch that tournament."
"That other universes witness their extinction or salvation is truly interesting, albeit a waste of energy," said the adult in a suit, taking out a cigar. "It's a waste of time, unless it's through a reboot, we can't have those kinds of interactions with our universes," replied the man in a toga. "They haven't changed anything in existence," declared the man in the toga, pinching his nose. His brother nodded wearily at that.
"This meeting ends here. Until the results are in, there will be no further interaction between us." With those words, everyone present said their goodbyes. The chosen one had something to do after all. Arriving somewhere in one of his universes, he uttered with a touch of grace, "I hope this is entertaining." He thought aloud, taking out a cigar and biting it lightly. "Those Greek gods, it's time for their Ragnarok."
An argument was reaching its peak on Olympus; the gods were arguing about one of the most scandalous events of the last consecrated era: the lightning bolt of the king of Olympus had been stolen, with the main suspect being the son of the oceanic deity who was arguing with his brother about his false accusations.
Instantly, a light took over the place, transporting all the deities to a strange and gigantic movie theater where a blonde woman dressed in black with gray eyes ran her hand through her hair with an annoyed look while a grayish being with some bodies attached to its own, white hair and androgynous features, as well as a pair of wings on the sides of its head.
"Well, Chaos, your presence is not required in this room. Thank you for the information," the woman said, glancing sideways at her companion, who bowed gently. "Understood. Mother," the being said, disappearing into a dark void. "I am not your mother!" the woman exclaimed, watching him leave.
"Who dares interrupt the meeting of the gods?!" demanded a deep, rasping voice sternly. He was tall, imposing, and very muscular. His long black hair reached his shoulders, and he had a black and gray beard. His eyes were a very bright blue, almost... "Father," Apollo spoke, approaching his sister Artemis. The tall, tanned god couldn't help but raise his guard, as did his sister, a girl of barely twelve years old with silvery-yellow eyes like the moon and brown hair.
"Are you another one of Zeus's lovers?!" questioned an irate woman with long, black hair as black as licorice, a face as majestic and unapproachable as a supermodel on a fashion runway, and large brown eyes. The goddess Hera.
The rest of the Olympians quickly demanded an answer and threatened the administrator, who gritted her teeth at every insult directed at her. "Silence!" she ordered, causing the gods to fall silent abruptly, even though they gestured or tried to open their mouths without success.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I will be your administrator on this occasion to present to you the reboot or the survival of all that exists. My mortal name is Vermouth," the woman introduced herself gracefully, bowing slightly. "On these occasions, you are entrusted with the role of spectators of Ragnarok, and if it is lost, all of you will be erased along with your universe," she declared gracefully, extending her hand to the right side of the room where a large table laden with food and drinks appeared. "Help yourselves to your liking," she said calmly, closing her eyes as she respectfully gestured to the banquet.
The gods tried to protest in vain until, with a snap of the administrator's fingers, their lips finally parted. "How dare you!" Zeus shouted furiously, a vein throbbing on his forehead. "To shame us gods! This is something you will pay for with your life!" Ares, a tall, muscular, and robust man, declared. He needed no order to advance fiercely toward the woman, who sighed indignantly.
The woman raised her hand, snapping her fingers. Suddenly, all the gods sat down abruptly in their seats. "Violence will not be permitted in this room," Vermouth said, taking a cigarette from his pocket. "Time in your universe is paused, so any pending matters are something you don't need to worry about."
Some of the deities were furious, however, a gentle voice rose above the others. "Brothers and nephews, since the woman took the time to bring us here and prepare this beautiful place, wouldn't it be rude of us gods not to reciprocate her hospitality?" Hestia spoke eloquently, a sweet girl with black hair and brown eyes dressed in a feminine Greek outfit.
"I agree with Hestia, let's hear what that woman has to say before passing judgment," said Demeter, a woman with long, blonde, wavy hair, large brown eyes, and a crown of leaves and woven corn-poppy ornaments.
The administrator's eyebrow twitched impatiently at the goddess's words. "Judgment," she murmured disdainfully. "You are mistaken, gods. This is not a judgment directed at me. On the contrary, it will be your universe and another one that will be put on trial for its survival," she announced fervently, frowning.
"A judgment upon our universe?" Poseidon repeated, a man with black hair, a trimmed beard, sea-green eyes, and a tan, as well as wrinkles around his eyes and cheeks. "Is there any reason why our... universe is in such a situation?" he questioned, receiving a smile from the woman in front.
"Your universe and another one has been put in the crosshairs of the grand board, my work as administrator exists as part of fulfilling the reboot, as well as other things," Vermouth explained, receiving grimaces of confusion and understanding from a few.
"I understand now, so if he can revoke our authority and put us in such a situation, it's clear there's something more beneath his surface," replied a tall, imposing man with strikingly white skin, intense black eyes, and black hair falling over his shoulders. "What are the requirements for this reset? Like one of his brothers."
"It's simple," Vermouth said, interrupting Zeus and Hera who were facing the god of the dead. "In a universe other than mine, a tournament will be held for the survival of humanity, gods against humans." He took a few moments to observe the shocked reactions of the gods, especially Dionysus, who coughed violently as he choked on his drink at the refreshment table.
"If humans win, salvation will be granted to all, however." The woman's smile widened as she took on a cruel posture. "If the gods win, Ragnarok will extinguish everything."
"Ragnarok," Athena whispered, glancing at her fellow beings who looked shocked by the news. "What is all this about? Gods against humans? Who is she?" Her gaze sharpened as she met the administrator's eyes.
Confusion quickly spread among the deities, who spoke amongst themselves; even the three brothers conversed and argued about what was happening, which surprised Hermes because of Zeus's previous accusation against Poseidon.
"Wait!" demanded Hermes, a man with an athletic, muscular, and slender build, confused. "Do humans even stand a chance?" Aphrodite interrupted the messenger, causing her fellow gods to stop talking and focus all their attention on Vermouth, who shrugged. "No comment. See for yourselves," she ordered, snapping her hands. The screen in the middle of the room lit up, leaving the gods speechless. Hades stopped his brother Zeus from doing anything rash, along with Poseidon. "Let's just see what happens, brother. Besides, doesn't something tell you that facing her is dangerous?" the sea god asked calmly.
The aura emanating from the smiling administrator made the high gods retreat and raise their guard, both Ares and Athena. "Let's begin," Vermouth exclaimed, looking towards the screen along with the rest of the deities.
Ragnarok Record.
The long, 7,000,000-year history of humanity is coming to an end.
Two female figures, one taller than the other, walked down a corridor until they reached the other side where the lighting was present.
The deities narrowed their eyes sternly.
"If humans fall, we'll go with them," Poseidon remarked, his hand on his chin.
"What a way of saying they're dragging us to our deaths along with them," Hera said sarcastically.
Ares snorted slightly. "We need humans as much as they need us," he exclaimed boredly.
"Yes," Athena replied, crossing one leg over the other. "Fire is sustained by civilization; there is no shame in saying that humans are required," the goddess of wisdom declared.
Their footsteps echoed firmly.
WAS THE CAUSE A NUCLEAR WAR?
OR AN ASTEROID COLLISION?
OA THE BEST? AN ALIEN INVASION?
NO!
"It was the gods themselves who caused it," declared Aphrodite, reclining in her seat. "There is nothing beautiful about extinction."
"Why cause the eradication of humanity?" Hestia asked, confused. "It's simple in retrospect," Demeter replied stoically. "Damage to the earth," Poseidon sighed in disappointment. "Damage to the seas."
"Polluting the air," Apollo remarked as his sister looked at the goddess of the hearth. "Bruising the forests and some species," Artemis said with disgust.
"Damage to the planet in general," Hera continued harshly. "Even so, eradication is not a solution, it is not the way of the gods," Zeus replied, crossing his arms.
(You killed your lovers because of a prophecy, you are the least qualified to say that) Hades, Athena, Poseidon, Hermes and Ares thought.
Two women stood at the end, the older one confidently while the younger one nervously, a young-looking woman with short shorts, a stocking on one leg, shoes with a jacket over a shirt, Geir, the youngest of the 13 Valkyrie sisters, spoke nervously, "It's about to start, sister."
The other woman, an adult, is a beautiful woman with midnight blue hair that reaches her waist, formally dressed in white with a wing-shaped hairpin, of the thirteen Valkyrie sisters, the eldest sister Brunhild.
Zeus and Ares' eyes opened, the former being reprimanded by his wife while Ares lulled the demigoddess to sleep.
"Valkyries," Hephaestus said in a low voice, having remained silent next to Dionysus, who continued drinking without any restraint. "Yes, the messengers of the god Odin," Athena clarified with an attentive posture.
"The one-eyed god? The crazy, paranoid leader of the Aesir?" Hermes said, slightly frightened. "Ours isn't so different," Dionysus murmured, taking another drink.
AT THE MOMENT
The representation of the gods was present, the image of the gods, one holding a hammer, others observing, waves of water with human figures inside them begging for their salvation while the deities looked on with indifference.
The Valhalla council, the seat of parliament.
A circular place, similar to a courtroom, with hundreds of gods patiently waiting in their seats. The gods gazed towards the center of the room where there was a large circle with a throne in the middle, guarded by a dragon.
Hestia showed a quick interest in the creature. "What a cute dragon," she said childishly while smiling. "Ours aren't that cute," Aphrodite commented disapprovingly.
"It would be great to have one of them on Olympus," Hermes said jovially.
"Wars wouldn't be interesting with them on the battlefield," Ares retorted, waving his hand dismissively.
A hammer clang echoed through the room as "Listen to me everyone, it has been 1000 years since we all gathered here, let's begin the conference," declared the elderly president of the Valhalla council, Zeus (Greece), while seated on his throne next to a dragon covering the back of the throne.
Both the jaws and eyes of the deities opened in shock.
"W-What happened to you?" Hera asked, extremely confused, to her husband who still couldn't believe what he was seeing. A murmur along with a couple of laughs snapped him out of his trance. "Hey woman! What does this mean?!" the leader of the Greek gods asked, gritting his teeth.
"It's a parallel universe, it's obvious that contrasts will arise," Athena announced, crossing her arms. "I can't help but notice the lack of eyes on our father's counterpart," she stated, her voice filled with emotion.
"And even with that decrepit appearance, you are the leader not only of the Greeks but of the Norse," said Hephaestus, looking at the god of thunder, who only took a moment to laugh smugly and make a couple of comments about his magnificence.
"And yet they stole the lightning bolt right under your nose," Dionysus said to himself, chuckling slightly. Hades smiled, amused by his comment. Hermes maintained a tense smile, concerned about the theft. He was the most capable of such an act and feared that he or one of his children might have committed such a daring act.
ONCE EVERY THOUSAND YEARS THE GODS OF EACH KINGDOM MEET TO ORGANIZE A CONFERENCE
THE CONFERENCE ON THE SURVIVAL OF HUMANITY
"They are surprisingly organized," Athena commented, receiving a snort from Ares who was looking boredly at the screen.
"They are not like ours," Poseidon declared without malice, remembering all the conflicts that arose in their meetings.
"We would be more organized if there were more order," Artemis protested sharply, looking at the god of war and the goddess of wisdom.
"Wow, all the gods are gathered here, aren't they, Hild-nee-sama? What an incredible sight!" Geir said, carefully observing the gods, while his sister just stared intently ahead.
"Now," Zeus spoke again with a growing smile on his face. "Let me ask you about the survival of humanity in the next 1000 years. Should we spare them or wipe them out?" he pronounced as he raised two signs, one with an [O] and the other with an [X]. "Show me the will of the gods," he exclaimed with firmness and gravity in his voice.
"Can we vote? It seems pointless to eradicate humanity," Hermes said to the administrator, who shook her head.
Ares clicked his tongue irritably. "We are equal to those gods. Why shouldn't we vote?" he asked sharply, causing the woman to sigh wearily, which annoyed many of the deities. "Are you mocking us?" Artemis incited, narrowing her eyes. The gods' unease was calmed by Hestia and Demeter, especially the former, due to her choice of words that soothed the gods' egos.
Some gods were undecided, observing each other, while others spoke openly with their companions. Two pairs of hands rose, forming an X. "If you have it, let's cause the apocalypse," said one god with amusement. "From what I've seen over the past few years, it seems humanity has no intention of repenting. Let's just destroy it and evolve it into another animal," declared the god. A male deity with indigo skin and messy black hair. He wears a headscarf and loose-fitting golden pants adorned with a blue sash. He also has blue tattoos on his wrists and fingers, along with medium-length black hair. Shiva (India) God of creation and destruction.
Aphrodite's eyes narrowed as she gave a flirty smile. "Not bad at all."
"There is a great variety of gods on that council," Demeter remarked in amazement.
"The god of destruction looks quite different, he looks like someone capricious," Hera exclaimed harshly.
"Evolve another species?" Hades questioned with distaste.
Ares sighed wearily. "When do the fights begin?" he asked irritably. "You're still impatient," Athena grumbled at her brother's attitude.
"It's true." Another voice rose, revealing a woman with ample assets seated on the back of a completely naked man, while another man held her breasts, and two more stood behind them. The woman exuded great beauty. Aphrodite (Greece), Goddess of Beauty, declared, "For the last 1000 years, the earth has become ugly. The seas are filled with waste and oil, forests are disappearing, as are other animals... Humanity, so to speak, is the most dangerous living cancer on earth." The goddess explained.
Dionysus choked on his drink and began coughing violently at the sight of the goddess, and how Aphrodite made a disgusted face on her part.
"I have to admit it has its charm," Ares said shamelessly. Hephaestus scratched his cheek, looking at his wife's bust. "It definitely does," Zeus replied, while Hera maintained an expression similar to Aphrodite's.
"Is it possible to reach that size?" It was more of a question than a comment from Artemis, who looked surprised. Poseidon made a questioning gesture. "Not even Athena's priestess was that size," he said, while putting his thumb to his chin.
Some deities supported Aphrodite's words, the lesser valkyrie looked in horror at what was happening (It's just as Hild-nee-sama said, the will of the gods is to end them, humanity will be...) she could not finish her words, still with traces of despair in her eyes she looked at her older sister.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPPOSE THE WILL OF THE GODS
IF THE VOTE AT THE CONFERENCE ON THE SURVIVAL OF HUMANITY
IT CONCLUDES IN A UNANIMOUS VOTE IN FAVOR OF ENDING THEM
HUMANITY WILL INEVITABLY BE DESTROYED IN A COMPLETE AND TOTAL
Soon most of the gods raised their X's; their extinction will be evident.
ANNIHILATION.
IF THE GODS WILL IT, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO STOP THEM…
"It's obvious, opposing us is wishing for death," Zeus exclaimed arrogantly. "Even so, it's sad that they want to destroy mortals," Hestia said melancholically. "But if you die, we die too," Demeter said, looking at the administrator who was drinking coffee.
Ares clicked his tongue at the restriction of his power and authority; he had never felt so humiliated, and the fact that all his children would meet their end along with him enraged him.
"I suppose he has a point, humanity is becoming a disease with its lack of control," Apollo commented indifferently. "Uncontrolled human growth and the way we use resources are destroying the forests."
As the vote was being decided, Zeus was about to strike his hammer and with it the end of humanity. "Please, wait a moment!" Brunhild shouted, her voice resonating confidently throughout the parliament. Her sister looked at her in terror, and the gods stared in confusion at the valkyrie's intrusion.
Advancing with confidence, some gods commented on the woman who interrupted the trial.
Athena and Artemis smiled at the demigoddess's bravery, while Ares burst out laughing. "Interrupting the gods' conference," he declared, looking amusedly at the screen.
"She has a lot of courage to do something like that," Hera stated with a certain respect.
Geir's mind is a mess because of his older sister's attitude (Wh-What the hell are you doing, sister?!
"Forgive my intrusion, furious gods, I have something to say," Brunhild said with a serious expression on her face.
"She even stands up to the other gods, what a girl!" Aphrodite said, fascinated. "She must have a lot of confidence to do something like that," Demeter said, taking a sip of tea from a cup.
"She must be brave or completely ignorant," Zeus stated, crossing his arms. "She probably has something planned; no one in their right mind would do such a thing," Hades countered, leaning back in his seat.
"Mind your manners, Brunhild!" cried a white raven beside another black one, immense pressure being exerted in parliament, unsettling even the gods.
Geir quickly hugged Brunhild's waist. "How scary!" she exclaimed with tears in her eyes.
A solemn gaze, devoid of interest, snow-white hair framing his face that spoke of years of experience, and a commanding posture—seated with a patch over his left eye and the sclera of his right eye blackened—he stared at the Valkyrie. Supreme Norse god, Odin (Norse).
Some of the Olympians sharpened their gaze because of the god's aura; it was evident that he could equal theirs and surpass others.
Hermes grimaced in fear at the god's posture. "I still don't understand your aversion to the Aesir god," Apollo commented, looking at the messenger, "muttering and leaving the sun god confused."
"He tried to enter Valhalla, he thought it was a good idea to borrow some of the treasures of the Aesir and the Vanir," Athena commented, pinching the bridge of her nose, "Even though I warned him to stop."
"It would have been nice to have some of those treasures before they were lost in Ragnarok," Hera stated. "Meaningless objects, we don't need anything from the other gods," Zeus clarified coldly.
"I would have loved to try the mead," Dionysus said, looking up at the ceiling. "Ah, just one sip would have been enough." His voice trailed off. "Anyway, I'll settle for soda," he concluded, taking a big gulp of his drink. Demeter raised an eyebrow at the god's attitude. "Barley beer is no match for that drink," the goddess declared proudly.
The crows on his shoulders fluttered aggressively. "Stupid demigoddess," commented the white one. On the other side, the black one, with greater physical expression, said, "How dare you open your filthy mouth in this conference of gods?" raising his jet-black wings.
"They don't hold back with those from their own pantheon," Hestia commented, aware of her own pantheon.
"It's natural," Zeus remarked, raising his chin and looking over his shoulder at Brunhild. "Not knowing your place is a sin in itself."
Despite the crows' insults, Brunhild's eyes showed no hesitation. "It's true that humanity is incredibly vulgar and violent, but to destroy them in that way..." she declared reflectively. "Hey! Don't ignore me!" the black crow exclaimed angrily.
"Isn't it a little... boring?" Brunhild said, getting the attention of the stoic Norse god. "Regardless of whether the survival of humanity has any value or not," she said, raising her palm to chest level to emphasize her point.
"Why don't we test them with the power and mercy of the gods?" I ask formally, a breeze gently lifting her black hair.
"To test humans?" Hera questioned, raising an eyebrow. "What a waste of time!" I exclaimed solemnly.
"Something like what we huntresses do would be interesting," Artemis declared, proud of her own.
Apollo smiled animatedly, "It will be a fight, surely there is some huntress who will stand up to the gods."
Artemis's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Someone like Atalanta would be a good choice."
The crows leaned forward in interest. "Put them to the test? How? Who would flood the earth?" asked the white crow. "Or perhaps send them an ice age?" concluded the black crow.
Brunhild stepped down a few steps from the parliament building. "No, but I have the most effective way to test them," she commented impassively.
The gods' comments were not long in coming. "What's this all about?" said one. "What are you planning, you stupid woman?!" another asked impatiently. "Just tell us already!" demanded another deity.
Brunhild looked ahead. "The gods versus humanity's final battle: Ragnarok," she finished, her eyes lighting up with burning pride, as did her face, which glowed brilliantly.
The gods stared at the screen in shock. I heard the administrator's explanation, but they just took it as a joke.
Zeus sighed in disappointment at the Valkyrie. "How great can the ignorance of that little warrior be?" he exclaimed irritably. "Very great indeed, to risk her life before us," Hera commented disdainfully.
"Humans fighting against the gods, what a bad joke," Ares declared, drinking from a jar of alcohol.
"I join the war madman," Dionysius said incredulously.
Poseidon looked down, disappointed. "What do you think humans will do in the face of divinity besides die?"
Hades narrowed his eyes, silently observing the valkyrie; something told him that this woman would not act recklessly.
"What do you think of that, Miss Hestia?" Hermes asked the goddess, who was carefully observing the warrior's calm demeanor. "Let's see what she has planned," the goddess stated, followed by Aphrodite, while Demeter made an annoyed expression. "My daughter's existence is in danger because of that woman," she said, sharpening her eyes and trying to assert her authority, seeing that it was useless against the mocking woman who smiled in the middle of the room.
"Ragnarok was supposed to begin with Baldur's death, not with human extinction, though, a different universe demands different rules," Athena murmured with a touch of fascination; the knowledge of a new universe was appealing to the goddess.
"What do you think, sister? Is Odin's messenger truly sane?" Apollo asked, observing Artemis's thoughtful demeanor. "Brunhild is the oldest and the leader of the 13 Valkyries who were responsible for collecting the souls of the fallen. I find it difficult to imagine her being reckless," the goddess of the hunt affirmed.
Hephaestus remained in expectant silence.
To the bewilderment of the gods and her sister, the elder valkyrie took out a book, leafing through it until she stopped at a specific page: "Valhalla Constitution, Article 62, explained in paragraph 15 of the super special clause, 1-on-1 confrontations between gods and humans." She clarified seriously, the light illuminating Brunhild; her posture, as well as the tone of her voice, spoke of frankness and unparalleled confidence.
"It even has a constitution," Hephaestus said, looking at the large book.
"We need something like that," Athena commented aloud.
THE GODS VERSUS HUMANITY'S FINAL BATTLE
WITH 13 FIGHTERS ON EACH SIDE
On the page of the sacred book, the representation of the conflict was found.
THE FIRST SIDE GET SEVEN WINS
Obviously, when humanity loses seven times, its destruction will be decided.
In the unlikely event that humanity wins, they will be allowed to live another 1000 years.
On one hand, the gods were depicted with fine clothing and a pair of wings on their backs, while humanity was only shown in inferior garments.
ALTHOUGH THIS RULE HAS NEVER BEEN APPLIED SINCE THE CREATION OF HUMANITY
And the reason is
BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HUMANITY
The depiction of gigantic deities playing with humans was present; one of the humans begged for mercy while another deity laughed at the human in his hands.
TO WIN AGAINST THE GODS .
THIS SUPER SPECIAL CLAUSE WAS CONSIDERED A JOKE
The book of the hill, a book corroded and damaged by the passage of time, the mere fact of having closed it caused a little dust to come out of it.
Brunhild closed her eyes patiently. A prolonged silence hung over the parliament, broken only by the white raven's loud laughter. "I don't know what you're thinking... But it seems you, Valkyrie, understand nothing," she remarked between laughs. "Humanity is no match for the gods!" The black raven's laughter echoed through the hall. "Your proposal is absurd," the ravens said simultaneously. The white one adopted an arrogant stance, while its counterpart took a mocking one.
"It's obvious," Zeus affirmed. "The years of humans are like a sneeze to us; there's no way they can be compared." Ares declared, having seen thousands of battles and participated in hundreds of thousands throughout his immortality. While some of his opponents were strong, they couldn't compare against the demigods, much less the deities themselves.
Soon the other gods joined them. "That's right! It would be too easy," one commented with amusement. "Why should we bother fighting them?" another laughed along with his companions.
"So... the will of the gods is to destroy humanity and also" Brunhild closed her eyes in disappointment, "to avoid a direct confrontation with humans, right?" Her tone of voice sounded bored. The gods exclaimed in confusion.
"We want to destroy humanity without fighting them," Brunhild declared, opening her eyes and looking up innocently. "We don't want to be put in the same ring as them," she said, crossing her arms, her hand lightly touching her cheek.
Hmm... don't tell me that—" She said in a sweet tone, playing with her chin. "Are you?" she began, looking disdainfully at the gods. "Scared?" she asked honeyedly, looking up at the sky. Geir couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Ares' hands gripped the armrests of his seat tightly, drawing the attention of the administrator who quickly reached out, reinforcing all the equipment in the room.
A vein popped out on Zeus's forehead as Artemis gave a gloomy look.
"In that case, I did something unnecessary, I'm sorry." She falsely apologized, placing a hand on her embarrassed cheek. "Just carry on, don't listen to me." The gods remained silent at her words. "Let's forget everything related to Ragnarok." She finished, gracefully shaking her head from side to side, her younger sister desperately trying to stop her.
Athena partially covered her face, hiding a fascinated smile (That woman… No… That Valkyrie, she is undoubtedly incredible) she thought, amused, watching the way she manipulated the powerful gods with each of her gestures and words.
Hermes approached Hestia, moving away from Zeus and Hera because of the immense thirst for blood that emanated from them.
LAUGHTER RESOUNDS THROUGHOUT THE PARLIAMENT…
Laughter could be heard calmly throughout the parliament.
He looked like a father who was a little irritated because of his son's mischief.
Little by little the laughter increased with disdain.
Demeter, Hephaestus, and Aphrodite were confused by the demigoddess's sudden provocation.
IT WAS A WEAK LAUGHTER OF THE GODS
Geir looked at the deities in confusion. "Huh? Aren't you... angry?!" she exclaimed in amazement.
BUT STILL
Even with the laughter of the gods mocking her, Brunhild's gaze remained confident.
BRUNHILD WAS CONFIDENT
The creaking of the wood breaking puzzled Geir. "Wh-What is that sound?" he asked nervously.
Poseidon's gaze sharpened as he scanned the screen. "There is a limit to insolence; provoking the gods is no joke. Little messenger," he declared, disregarding the gods' domains.
DISRESPECTING THE PRIDE AND DIGNITY OF THE MIGHTY GODS…
The silhouette of the gods darkened, their hands clenched tightly, gripping and squeezing their railing, tearing and ripping it apart in a rage.
Hera looked coldly at Brunhild for her chatter.
THE COMMENT THAT PROVOKED THEM WAS NONE OTHER THAN…
ARE YOU SCARED?
A torrent of insults rained down on the valkyrie, who remained impassive before them. "How dare you! Do you know what you just said, you damned half-breed?! Are you mocking us?! Bastard!" They roared in anger, their expressions becoming aggravated, the deities' teeth clenched as some tensed their muscles.
IT WOULD BE THE GREATEST HUMILIATION FOR THEM!
"How dare you suggest such a thing?! Your insolence will be paid for with death!" Zeus roared angrily. "I am the greatest warrior of Olympus! I am war itself! Don't you dare compare me!" Ares raised his voice in rage.
"I am the hunt!" Artemis's eyes opened, revealing a singular coldness. "Nothing will surpass me, I will destroy anyone who dares to challenge me!"
"You should watch your words, brat, or I'll have to shut that cheeky mouth of yours," Hera commented indifferently.
Geir clutched at his older sister's dress (Ahh, it was so obvious the gods would be angry! Sister… what on earth were you thinking?!).
Athena hid a pleased smile. "I grant you the victory, Brunhild. You are far more persuasive than I imagined," she commented respectfully. "It has been millennia since I have seen someone deceive and provoke the gods, not since the shameless Sisyphus," her elbow resting on the back of the chair and her thumb on the side of her chin.
Hestia looked at her brothers and nephews in confusion; she understood why they were upset, but not why they had gone to such extremes.
THAT'S TRUE BRUNHILD
The valkyrie's expression remained serious and solemn in the face of all the gods' comments.
I WAS CONFIDENT!
However, while his outward appearance looked serious (I knew it! Compared to humans, gods are easier to provoke!), he said to himself with a bright smile.
Even with the insults from one or two of the Olympians, Hestia smiled happily, cunningly, while Demeter maintained a serious expression. "If I manage to deceive and manipulate the gods, perhaps my daughter's life will not be in as much danger as I thought," the goddess of agriculture declared. Apollo tried to calm his sister, who exclaimed that she had no equal among the existing pantheons.
Vermouth tried to light a cigarette until the words of the Olympian goddess reached his ears. "The goddess of winter, Skaði, or even Odin himself," he exclaimed, inhaling the cigarette and exhaling the smoke. "The Olympians easily forget other deities."
Dionysus gave a thumbs-up because of how cheeky and fun the messenger from Valhalla was, while Aphrodite and Hephaestus had a certain air of admiration, although the goddess of love herself seemed disrespectful in the way she addressed them.
Zeus laughed with amusement. "I see Ragnarok, huh…" he commented, touching the tip of the snout of the dragon beside him. "What an interesting proposal," he said, stroking the dragon, who looked satisfied and happy. "Well said, your proposal." His tone of voice changed with each word. "An absolute and good one," he declared. His right arm grew in size, completely disproportionate to the rest of his body. "Idea!" He twisted the dragon's snout as he tore it off, blood gushing out, staining the room and his body.
The ignorant deities were stunned by the scene before them. "Why did you have to do something like that?" demanded Hera, looking at a dismayed Zeus.
"I saw... His expression," Aphrodite said, being comforted by Hephaestus. "That was an exaggeration," Hermes commented with displeasure.
"Why did I kill the dragon?" Hestia asked sadly.
"Furthermore," I pronounced, the other gods looked at their leader in horror. "Don't you think that?" Brunhild was sweating slightly, unlike Geir who was sweating heavily.
"It's been a long time since we saw... The Power of the Gods," he said with an expression of absolute madness as the dragon's blood hovered over his face.
"Leave the creature aside. What's going on with that gigantic arm?" Poseidon asked, confused.
"It's quite grotesque," "It's not aesthetically pleasing at all," "It's not practical." These were some of the comments from the Olympians.
"Hephaestus," Hades called to the blacksmith who, still comforting his wife, turned his head to look at the god of death. "Did you detect any weapons or anything similar belonging to that Zeus?" he asked calmly. The blacksmith's gaze shifted before he pursed his lips. "No, I couldn't sense or see any weapons belonging to any of the gods, not even those famous for always carrying them," he replied honestly. Hades nodded at his answer, placing his index finger on his chin as thoughts raced through his mind.
"What do you think of these?! Should we have a battle between gods and humans?!" He asked the gods, who looked horrified and completely shocked. Although, to say he asked would be a misnomer; it was an order... an absolute order.
HERE!
Taking his hammer, Zeus smashed the place with his fist; the blood spread even more with his action, his madness increased.
THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE GODS AND HUMANITY!
The floor of the parliament gave way under Zeus's powerful right hook, the ground cracked, the air swirled near the supreme god.
Zeus let out a haughty laugh. "Anyone can do something like that," he proclaimed with an air of grandeur.
RAGNAROK, HAS BEEN DECIDED! "
Outside the parliament of Valhalla
The sky of the gods was illuminated by a bright and beautiful sun. Several floating islands were the homes of the deities, majestic castles, as well as large and imposing, each with a different architecture, one with clouds surrounding it, another with a waterfall.
Hermes leaned forward, delighted by the scenery. "It's a beautiful sight," declared the goddess of love, fascinated.
"Very different from our home," Poseidon said, observing the island with the gigantic waterfall. Hestia seemed to be the most enchanted by the island homes; they were so different and beautiful homes for the goddess of the sea.
The Valkyries were walking through the corridors, the eldest with her eyes closed, while Geir was the most shaken, her face stoic. "What's wrong, Geir?" Brunhild asked, seeing her sister on her knees. "I can't bear it anymore, sister. Why did you have to do that? Defying the will of the gods is the same as saying you want me to kill you," she exclaimed, crying and terrified by what had happened.
"Naturally," Hera stated contemptuously.
Brunhild observed her with empathy, "Geir... You are a valkyrie apprentice, so you cannot understand this yet." Her hands came together, holding a baby still with its umbilical cord. The representation of the ancient valkyries could be seen behind her: warriors with spears riding horses that soared through the wide sky with eagles all around them.
"The bond between humans and us Valkyries is deeper than the one we have with the gods," she said with a sigh. "It's impossible for me to... abandon them," she spoke in a melancholic voice.
The Olympians pondered the Valkyrie's motivation; they knew that demigods had a certain favoritism towards mortals rather than divinity, but that even those demigods from other pantheons had similar thoughts was intriguing.
Hestia smiled approvingly. "That's a good reason."
Athena snorted sharply, "I hope he doesn't have ulterior motives behind his desire to save humanity."
Seeing her sister Geir's determination, she could only be amazed (She's risking everything for the sake of humanity, what an incredible valkyrie, only onee-sama could do something like this, it's amazing how she's protecting humanity to such an extreme) she got up to follow her sister who continued walking.
"But can humanity really win? Who do you think will be the representatives of the gods?" Geir asked with curiosity and concern. "What a stupid question, Geir, their vanguard will be…" Brunhild replied with a smile, stopping at the mention of her name.
"Hey, Brunhild," a male voice said melodically, referring to a punk-style boy with an earring and a piercing in his lower lip. A pair of small white wings adorned his back; he wore a medieval-style clown outfit. Incubus, the demon of sleep and lust, said, "What you did at the conference was truly unusual. I don't know what you're planning, but you'd better be careful. The gods are usually cruel and ruthless." He winked at the valkyrie.
Aphrodite narrowed her eyes in disgust, her fingers twitching at the demon's presence.
"It's been a while since I've seen one of those scoundrels," Apollo declared irritably. "Just another prey to hunt," Artemis stated sternly.
"The gods are cruel and ruthless and just a bunch of stupid egomaniacs," he remarked, creating distance with the elder valkyrie, taking her by the waist and pulling her close to his chest. "But if something bad happens, I'll make sure to protect you, okay?" the demon said in a loving voice.
The patience of many of the Olympians was reaching its limit because of his words, and especially that of Aphrodite, who was making a furious face.
Grabbing her jaw with his right hand to bring her face to face, he said, "However, it depends on your attitude," changing his tone of voice to a more threatening one, sticking out his long tongue and licking Brunhild's cheek, who narrowed her eyes seriously.
Without warning, Brunhild knelt before the Incubus, who exuded an air of arrogance and lust. "What a great attitude, I've been interested in you for a while," he exclaimed, lifting his shirt slightly and lowering his pants, revealing his member. "I wonder what kind of voice will come out of the proud and powerful Brunhild," he said with a wide smile as he laughed.
"Fight! Prove your place as the leader of the Valkyries!" Ares demanded, rising and raising his fist. "Destroy him."
Athena nodded at her brother's declaration, as did the rest of the gods who only demanded the demon's head, with the exception of Dionysus, who seemed quite relaxed.
"I didn't kneel for you," Brunhild said, looking at the ground, leaving the demon confused by her response.
"Huh?" That was all the demon could utter before an immense hammer destroyed his arm, then passed across his entire back, causing pieces of brains to fall and blood to spurt onto the ground and stain the valkyrie.
The smell of blood permeated the place; the demon's pulverized organs adorned the floor.
The vast majority of the gods, including Aphrodite, offered a few brief words of praise to the unknown man.
"Finally, some blood! I was starting to get bored," Ares declared fervently.
"That hammer," Poseidon commented, followed by Hades. "The... I didn't feel it at the conference," Hephaestus said, confused.
"It's been a long time... Thor-sama," Brunhild said humbly.
A young man, extremely tall, dressed in white robes with blood-red hair, yellow eyes with black sclera, and a muscular, well-defined build, with black gloves and a gigantic hammer on his right shoulder, stared at the Valkyries, Thor the god of thunder and the most powerful Norse god.
"I understood that the Aesir thunder god was a fat drunk," Apollo declared, looking at Hermes who seemed confused. "I didn't see him on my trip to Asgard, but I don't think he ever looked like that," the messenger of Olympus said, shrugging his shoulders.
The goddess of Love gave a big smile. "I wonder what surprise she has under that white robe."
"I am the only god of thunder worthy of praise," Zeus declared, puffing out his chest with sovereignty.
"Thor!?" Geir screamed from within, choosing her position. (That god of thunder, Thor-sama?!) Her body wouldn't stop trembling. (What's he doing here?!) Her nerves went wild. (I have to kneel!) she thought, observing the demon's remains. (If I don't!) she ordered herself, unable to move before the god passed by them.
"Brunhild... What are you plotting?" asked the imposing god of thunder without even looking at her. "I'm sorry to say I don't know what you're talking about," replied the valkyrie with a slight smile, even with someone else's blood still dripping from her chin and nose.
"She's quite cunning," Hades remarked. "Although it's obvious she's up to something, she doesn't even bother to hide it," Poseidon said, leaning back in his seat.
Turning around, Thor stared intently at the elder Valkyrie. Her presence intensified with this, and the pressure of the atmosphere made Geir tremble and let out an unconscious cry with tears in her eyes. "Well," the god said, turning away. "Don't disappoint me, or I'll kill you," he warned. His threat wasn't empty; it was a certain and absolute statement.
Artemis, Apollo, Athena, and Ares immediately raised their guard.
"Not bad for an imitator," Zeus declared as the rest of the Olympians were divided between confusion and aggression, with the exception of Hermes, who looked physically tense due to the situation and memories of his attempts to travel through the Nordic kingdom.
"It's a wonderful weapon," the god of the forge declared enthusiastically. "One more inspiration to work," he said proudly.
As Geir left, she fell to her knees, looking at her sister. "I... I almost peed myself, but you seem very calm, Onee-sama." Her voice trembled. "Do you really think I'm calm?" Brunhild replied, her body shaking furiously as she clutched herself tightly, trying to calm herself.
Brunhild stood up from the ground, brushing the dust off her dress. "We have to hurry... we have to choose the 13 most powerful humans that have existed in the 7 million years of humanity," she ordered, her body still trembling.
"Heracles could be a good opponent," Hades said, closing one of his eyes as he watched his brother's wife tense up and rant about the demigod.
"Pure humans," Demeter clarified with self-interest. "I doubt the demigods will be involved in this conflict," the goddess continued.
Her sister looked at her in horror. "It's impossible, sister! What humans can fight against such powerful gods?!" Still trembling, Brunhild took out her cell phone and pressed it. The device displayed many images of the most relevant humans in history: singers, dictators, scientists, monarchs, musicians, presidents, monks. "Calm down, Geir," she said calmly.
"I've already chosen our first fighter," Brunhild declared, extending her arm and arranging the images. "He should be able to do it," she commented seriously. "You know him on the battlefield; he's probably the strongest." With her words, the image slowly revealed itself. "No, the worst... The most barbaric warrior," she concluded, and the first fighter for humanity appeared.
As the image became clearer, Geir's expression changed. "Impossible... that man... That man is too dangerous!" he shouted in total disbelief at the image of the warrior.
"Any ideas, Ares?" Athena questioned, looking at the god of war, who seemed thoughtful. "Many come to mind, but none that have been categorized as the strongest," Ares replied hesitantly.
"How's Heracles doing?" Dionysus asked amid laughter before being strongly reprimanded by Hera.
"What about the King of Sparta?" Hades questioned, receiving an affirmation from the god. "He may be, but the brat's words make me question that," he replied until a snort from Zeus gave way to silence.
"Let's just hope that demigoddess's decision is up to par," said the king of the Olympians solemnly. "I don't like my life being in mortal hands," Apollo said irritably.
Valhalla Arena, a large coliseum with different tiers filled with diverse individuals, gods on one side and humans on the other, shouting excitedly.
"THIS IS THE MOMENT I HAVE WAITED FOR A LONG TIME, THE MOMENT TO BLOW GJALLARHORN!"
A short god with a horn for a microphone shouts out; it's Heimdall (Norse), the guardian of the apocalypse, a deity with a robotic face and a green hooded cloak that covers most of his head, though some black hair is visible, combed back from the front. He's wearing a pair of goggles, similar to those worn by pilots in World War I. He's dressed in medieval leather trousers and striped shoes.
"Here it comes," Poseidon said, leaning towards the screen.
"The sound of the Gjallarhorn dictates the beginning of the end for the Norse," Hades declared. "And also the end for us," Zeus proclaimed, slightly irritated.
"Let's hope that Valkyrie lives up to expectations," Hera commented.
"THE MOMENT TO RAISE THE CURTAIN OF RAGNAROK... IS APPROACHING!"
"ARE YOU READY FOR THAT?!"
He said, opening his arms wide and raising them in cheers, causing the stands to roar.
"THE RULES ARE SIMPLE: DEATH FIGHTS!"
"THAT'S IT! THE WINNER IS DECIDED BY THE COMPLETE ANNIHILATION OF THE OTHER SIDE!"
"We already know that, get started already!" Ares shouted excitedly.
"It's just a matter of time... Brunhild-nee-sama," Geir commented, starting to sweat. His sister, on the other hand, squinted at the sand.
"THE FIRST FIGHT FEATURING THE FIGHTER OF THE GODS!"
"THIS MAN!"
At the end of a lit corridor, a man is shown sitting on a stone chair holding Mjolnir in front of him, which is stuck in the ground due to its weight.
"I see, so you'll start with the Aesir, Thor," Athena said, with a hand on her chin.
"EVERYONE KNOWS THIS GOD!"
"EVERYONE WANTS TO SEE HIS MAXIMUM POWER!"
With a blink, the eyes of the god are revealed, impassive and undisturbed within.
"I'm more interested in his weapon than his own power," Hephaestus said, bored.
"THE STRONGEST GOD".
"HIS MJOLNIR CAN PULVERIZE THE SEAS AND LAND!"
The deity lifted his hammer with ease, resting it on his left shoulder, and began walking towards the arena of the coliseum.
The narrator's words hit the Olympians like a bucket of cold water, leaving them stunned.
"To pulverize the seas," Poseidon repeated hesitantly. "Impossible," he said seriously.
"Calm down, brother, they're just titles and claims without evidence," Hades said, looking at the Norseman. "Or maybe not," he said, sensing the god's aura.
"The Aesir's feats seem somewhat exaggerated," Hera said, looking at the rest of the Olympians.
Athena and Hestia seemed very attentive to the god's position. "I don't think so," Hestia stated, followed by the goddess of wisdom.
THE CATACLYSM PERSONIFIED
"IF HE DOESN'T FIGHT, WHO WILL!"
The sun shone on the god as he walked with a firm step, his long hair moving to the rhythm of the wind, his footsteps echoing on the sand as a growing excitement began to rise from his spectators.
THE FEARSOME GIANTS FELL UNDER THE YOKE OF HIS POWER
"LIVE FIGHTING, DIE FIGHTING."
As he entered the arena, the sun greeted him directly.
"THE MOST POWERFUL NORDIC! THE THUNDER BERSERKER!"
The humans in the stands paled at the presence of the god, slowly lowering his cloak.
"Berserker? He doesn't look like one," the god of war stated. "He doesn't have the madness, although that remains to be seen," Athena clarified.
Hephaestus stared intently at the weapon, ignoring his wife's calls in his eagerness to discern the secrets of the mythical hammer's creation. His instincts were suddenly alarmed, making him jump out of his seat, seen by both Aphrodite and Dionysus.
"That weapon... No... What is that thing?" he stammered, trembling slightly.
THEIR PRESENCE IS SYNONYMOUS WITH VICTORY
I throw it to the wind, showing its power.
"THE GOD... THOR!"
The wind swirled around Thor, his immense hammer resting on his left shoulder, his impassive gaze observing the stands.
Zeus's eyes narrowed harshly. "You will fall because of your insignificant thunder," he said, then glared angrily at the administrator. "Too bad it won't be by my hand."
The stands erupted in shouts of excitement, in the area of the high stands Odin watched "Crush them and annihilate them" he ordered in a deep voice, narrowing his eyes.
Hermes was startled under the gaze of the one-eyed god, as was Artemis, who felt something within her warn of the dangers of the god.
Even Apollo, who usually remained calm, felt his instincts scream at him when he saw the Nordic man.
While Geir looked fearfully at the god, his sister had other thoughts (As I thought, Thor-sama is the first fighter) She thought, scrutinizing the arena.
"AND NOW HIS OPPONENT, THE FIGHTER ON THE SIDE OF HUMANS!"
The gods fell silent, watching the human's entrance with looks of contempt and disdain.
Thor gazed impassively at the other end of the arena.
"THIS MAN!"
The watchman and commentator spoke at the same time as a large gong was played by a man in ancient Chinese armor.
"Asian culture," Hermes declared enthusiastically, leaving his nervousness behind.
"Chinese warriors," Hestia said, intrigued.
The sound reverberated throughout the Valhalla arena, a growing excitement rising within humanity.
Several groups of men with Chinese weapons fervently played the arrival of representative sweat drums along with powerful shouts.
"WILL THIS END HERE?!"
The hundreds of shouts rose with supremacy.
"THEY'VE EXISTED FOR MILLIONS OF YEARS! WILL THEY BE FORGOTTEN HERE?!"
The fury intensified in the men who roared with pride; the sound of fists clapping together with palms stood out.
"SEVEN MILLION YEARS OF PRIDE!"
"NO!"
The soldiers of ancient China shouted ferociously.
"NO!"
The deities looked on in amazement at the determination of the humans.
Their determination would not be forgotten, even in death; the proud soldiers and warriors stood firm before the deities.
The gods looked genuinely surprised; Ares regained his vitality upon seeing so many warriors demonstrating against extinction.
A thick fog obscured the human representative; a hoof striking the ground with force was the first thing to emerge from it, followed by a powerful reddish horse that surprised the high gods such as Shiva, Aphrodite, and Zeus.
With the heavy hooves of the horse, the soldiers fluttered about with force.
"That horse!" Poseidon exclaimed, rising from his seat. "Does any particular one come to mind?" Hades asked, to which the sea god nodded. "Only a few have risen up for their ferocity in the fray, and he is one of them," Poseidon confessed, astonished.
"THIS MAN IS CHANNELING... THE WILL OF HUMANITY!"
THE LORD OF LORDS
A mummified figure with seals appeared riding on the horse.
"LISTEN TO THEM!"
"WHO ELSE, APART FROM HIM, COULD DO IT?!"
Those bonds were being torn and broken by the man's strength.
A growing excitement fluttered from within the god of war, who smiled wildly.
"WILL THIS MAN BE DEVOURED BY THE GODS?!"
NO!".
Soldiers shouted in unison, their eyes proud and brimming with strength.
"HE IS THE STRONGEST MAN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME!"
"ARE ANY OBJECTIONS?!"
"NO!".
The soldiers shouted again with brilliance, expressions of rage and anger appearing in them.
"I don't recall anyone with such a title," the goddess of agriculture announced.
The bonds broke completely, revealing the fighter. Soldiers made a Chinese sign of respect while one of them looked on, weeping, at the figure.
THE EMBODIMENT OF WAR ON EARTH
THE STRONGEST HERO IN ALL OF CHINA
The warrior's back is shown with a tattoo of an Asian dragon; the stands were surprised to see the representative of humanity as he rides forward down the stairs to the fighting arena.
"So it will be that savage," Athena said, crossing one leg over the other. "Let's see if you continue to refuse to use your head instead of your muscles," she stated disdainfully.
THE STRONGEST MAN ON EARTH
LU BU HOUSEN
In the stands of humanity, his army shouted energetically as they watched their general battle once more. With their shouts and symbols of Chinese respect, the flag of the army he led in life was hung, a symbol of pride for his people.
The flying general appears in the arena to defend his title as the strongest.
Ares' laughter echoed throughout the room as the rest of his group argued amongst themselves.
"Does that human have a chance?" Demeter asked aloud. "It's hard to say, unless he has some kind of ace up his sleeve or Brunhild has prepared something, then he'll have a chance," and they emphasized the point of depending on that human to survive.
The trio of high Olympian gods were arguing amongst themselves about the two warriors.
Dionysus quickly covered Hephaestus's mouth, leaving both Aphrodite and Hermes confused by the gesture. "Come on Hephaestus, don't ruin the fun," the god of wine murmured to the blacksmith.
"That man is," Aphrodite whispered about the human figure, "Bored?"
The rest of humanity roared and raised their fists in resolve. The two fighters faced each other in the arena, while in the stands a Buddhist monk began to pray until he was interrupted by Brunhild. "You'd better stop praying, human, since we have to defeat the very gods you're praying to," she explained sternly, elegantly extending both hands forward.
THE FIRST FIGHT OF RAGNAROK