Jörð Arena
The Ring
Down in the arena atop the now-still platform, a quartet of Angels in medical scrubs carefully placed Li and Alvitr onto stretchers. Alvitr clenched her teeth as hard as she could, fighting back the urge to scream as the nurses laid her down gently. Her hands and shins were mangled; splintered bone pierced out through the skin as blood trailed on the floor and stretcher. One of the angels put a mask with a small canister over her face, and she inhaled, turning dreary. "Li…" She uttered.
"You…" Li grunted out as a similar mask was placed over his face. "Were exceptional, Alvitr…" He inhaled. "Brünhilde…would be proud of you…"
"Duh…" She tried to smile as she dozed off.
Týr… Li thought as his consciousness began fading. I...don't know if I will ever fight like that again… I don't know if I'll ever find another opponent like you… His eyes started to close. But that doesn't matter anymore…thank you… Li's mind went blank. The angels flew towards the West Gate and vanished into the hall.
Jörð Arena
The Bleachers
Up in the Human bleachers, the group of Masters let out a collective sigh as they all sank into their seats. "My god, that was too much," Tom said, staring up at the sky. "Did Li have to cut it that close?"
"Maybe," Ali answered. "Týr had range, speed, and power. Speaking from experience, the only thing that can counter that is timing."
"Eh?"
Ali looked around, eyeing the others. "Back in the day, I had a few dangerous opponents, including guys like George Foreman and Floyd Patterson. Those two were aggressive enough that they'd probably scare tigers or bears. I couldn't match them in power." Ali clenched his right fist and raised it to his chin. "However, what I could do was learn their timing and tells, and then capitalize. You all saw Týr's attacks, right?"
"Of course we did," Bruce answered.
"Did you count the time between the attacks?"
"I did," Oyama answered. "But that wasn't it. It was the time from the start of the attack to the end. Two seconds each time."
"Exactly. Týr was doing all the crazy stuff with rules. I'm betting he had to throw attacks with that time interval to make it possible.
"And Li capitalized on it," Göll said. All of the Masters looked at her, standing alone behind the railing. "Li's Bajiquan was made to break through defenses, but his years of nonstop life-and-death fighting created a sense of timing that Li could use to counter without fail." Göll stepped forward and shot out her fist. The Masters exchanged glances and looked back at her, Ali and Machado smirking. Göll could sense she impressed them, but could not stop her face from turning red. She regained her composure and cleared her throat. "…Or that's what Hilde would have said."
Machado chuckled a little. "Makes sense to me." He looked around, sensing something off. "Göll, where did Brünhilde and her friend go?"
"She…" Göll lowered her head and pursed her lips. "needs some space." Bruce's right brow rose. "Týr was her teacher, and her friend."
"He was?" Machado turned and looked back down towards the arena. "That…well, that's just messy. Will she be okay?"
"Pan's back, so I think that will help, but I'm not sure."
Jörð Arena
Box Seats
Far above the arena floor, Set and his guests sat in silence, letting the air around them fill with the buzz of the crowd below. Zeus felt his tablet vibrate in his robe's side pocket and pulled it out. He sighed, looking at the screen now showing the score 5-5 and the blurb 'Round Eleven and Twelve: Gods' Choice!' He tapped a button on the tablet's side, making it go black as he leaned back in his chair. "What a shame," He said, reminiscing about his fights with Týr. One such fight even forced him into his Adamas Form.
"I agree, Sir," Hermes said, standing behind Zeus' chair. His gaze softened as he stared down at the empty arena. "The Heavens…seem quieter now…" Hermes heard some shuffling to his right and turned. Loki had already started walking out of the box, his back to the rest of the party. "Going to grieve your fellow Norseman, Loki?" Hermes asked. Loki did not stop and exited the booth. Hermes squinted briefly before Odin rose as well.
"Odin." Zeus turned to face his fellow Chief God, who met his gaze. Hermes felt the air grow heavy between the two during their wordless exchange. Odin then looked away and walked towards the exit, and departed. Zeus turned back to Set. "You made the right call." Set turned to him, perplexed. "Týr did something I had never seen before. Dare say it might as well have been madness or delirium on my part. But Humanity once again proved it won't take this situation lying down."
Set nodded. "Zeus," He said. "This day…feels unbearably long.
Zeus stood and patted the skirt of his robes. "Nonsense. It is just beginning. After all, there are two more matches today."
"Against two Monsters." Set sighed. "Yet we have our own Monsters, do we not?"
Zeus grew a mirthless smile. "Exactly. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some matters to deal with. Snack restock and whatnot."
"Lord Zeus, I can—" Hermes spoke, but Zeus raised his right hand and waved as he walked out. Hermes shook his head as he turned back to Set. "He won't admit it, but Týr and Hephaestus dying wounded him."
"I do not blame him. I would be distraught if I lost one of my sons, as well as a rare worthy opponent." Set rose out of his seat and turned to Hermes. "Hermes, I have something I must confess to you."
"What would that be?" He asked, his tone slightly betraying his intent to sound unsure.
"I misjudged you."
Hermes blinked a few times. "What?"
"I am here speaking about your father, but I know you lost your older brother and a friend. You also almost lost your youngest brother, too. Seeing you as you are now made me realize I had you pegged wrong for years." He stepped towards Hermes. "I thought you were cut from the same cloth as Prometheus." Hermes' eyes widened, as if he tasted something vile. "He never cared for anyone from my perspective. Even after what happened to Epimetheus and pulling Mnemosyne into his schemes at Winchester, I knew he held no love for them." Set shook his head. "But you. You have a heart. One bigger than you will ever admit. I saw how you and Ares responded to Dionysus' panic when Prometheus returned, and I know out of all the Greeks, you prayed the hardest for Hephaestus to win." Set stretched out his right hand. "I am sorry, Hermes. I did you such a disservice as to aim that lens towards you. Will you forgive me?"
Hermes' expression grew confused as he looked at Set, then down at his hand. "Why are you doing this?"
"These days make me sentimental and nostalgic. I am realizing I still do not have the hard heart I wish I did, and it compels me to make sure any words I share with someone, if they were to be the last, to be…graceful." Set remained still, his hand still extended. Hermes grew a soft smile and grasped Set's in his own.
"I do recall spying on you, and you referring to me as a 'duplicitous bastard.'"
"I knew you were, and I had to keep up appearances. Was I convincing?" The two released their grip.
"Not at all." The two snickered.
"Hermes, go find Ares. I imagine he is with his son."
"Romulus?"
Set nodded. "I do not intend to make the announcement just yet. I get a grace period of an hour, and I would like for everyone to make the most of it." Set walked past Hermes, heading towards the exit. "Even if he stands against us, he is still your family. Do not make the same mistake I did." Set opened the door and walked out.
Jörð Arena
Eastern Halls
Far from the Box Seats, Loki walked at a brisk pace. His menacing, frantic aura flowed out of his body as panic slowly crept through his body and showed on his face. Eyes widening and hyperventilating, Loki kept his sight on the floor just a few meters ahead.
No…no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no…He thought. No noooo….NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NOOOO! This can't be happening! Týr wasn't supposed to die! How could he lose to that decrepit Human?! Why is this happening now?!
Asgard
One Century Ago
Back at the tower, moments after Fenrir and the Jotnar army's destruction, Loki and Týr watched on as the dust settled in the distance. Týr looked back at Loki, still grinning despite the exhaustion and pain.
"Now that was catharsis," Týr said. He looked down at his enflamed golden arm. "I'm not one to admit my pettier side, but doing that to Fenrir felt too damn good. Maybe that's why people say catharsis is bad for you. Makes you chase the high!" He laughed a little.
"…How did—"
"I do that? Not saying. I think I'll keep that close to my chest until necessary."
Loki sighed. "Fine. Doesn't matter much to me."
"However, I don't feel right leaving you in the dark, pal. So I will share something else with you."
"Another parlor trick or some dumb Human combat technique?"
Týr smiled a mirthless grin. "Depends on your definition of a parlor trick. Watch." He stepped toward Loki, and jabbed his right index finger into the opening on Loki's vest, right at his sternum. "Tiwaz Thrigjarra Thraut." Purple energy erupted from the spot where Týr's finger touched Loki's chest. "Now you're mine." Loki shook and strained, but he could not move. "Don't bother. You're stuck here until you answer my questions. No Odin around to protect you either." Týr reached down and grabbed Loki's right hand and slid a ring off Loki's ring finger. He tossed it a few meters away. "No Andavaranaut, and none of your other special tricks. You're as powerless as me right now." Týr reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a tablet. He tapped the screen and started recording.
YOU BASTARD! Loki screamed in his mind. You didn't come here just to do that weird attack, but to hunt me down?! How did he find me?! Who gave me away!?
"Answer three questions, Loki." Týr raised three fingers in front of his face. He glanced at his tablet, ensuring it was recording. "You've got sixty seconds to answer each one. If you lie, you lose your powers for twenty-four hours." He lowered his ring finger. "If you refuse to answer, you instead lose your powers for one year." He dropped his middle finger. "If you do either of the first two or a combination of them three times, you lose your powers permanently." His aura erupted from his body, and the flames around his right arm grew. "Then I'll kill you and leave your body by the Jotnar."
Loki felt his blood run cold. He gulped and breathed shakily. "You'll pay for this…"
"Ha! Doubt it. Question one: Do you love Brünhilde?"
Loki blinked a few times, bewildered. "How do—"
"Clock's ticking."
Loki scowled at him. "…I do."
A soft chime rang in Týr's head. "Good. Next question: Why do you love her?"
"She's…" Loki looked down to the right, focusing on the floor. "She fills the room with light when she smiles, and she was the only one who ever showed me anything other than hatred or fear."
Another soft chime rang. "Sounds like Hilde. Good. Last question: If you truly love her, why did you hurt her by framing Siegfried?"
Loki's eyes widened. He can't know.
"Sixty seconds."
Loki stayed silent. He can't know!
"Time's ticking, Loki."
"I did not frame Siegfried! He killed Fafnir out of sheer malice towards Odin!" Loki's heart raced as he yelled.
A screeching sound roared through Týr's head. "Liar."
"He did! He was jealous of Odin!"
"Still lying. Forty seconds."
"Why do you care?! Even if I did frame him, it clears the way for you, too! I know you've felt that way for Brünhilde even longer than I!"
"Thirty seconds, and I don't need to possess people to love them."
"Liar! You want her all to yourself!"
"If I did, why am I doing this? Twenty-three seconds."
SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIIIIIIIT! Loki screamed in his head. "I'll help you win her over! You're surely going to be the hero of the day with what you did!"
"I'd never accept help from you, unlike my old man. Nine seconds. Wonder how he'll react knowing you tricked him."
Loki began shaking. "Okay! I admit it! I—!"
"Time's up." Suddenly, all the strength and energy in Loki's body vanished. The field holding him hostage vanished, and he dropped to the ground. "Man, I got lucky! I had an inkling you had something to do with it, but damn. You really did it, didn't you?"
"Why do you care?! Sieg's in your way, too!"
Týr's left hand wrapped around Loki's neck and lifted him. "Sieg was my friend, you little shit. Don't think you for a damn minute you went unnoticed while you were creeping around Hilde. I may love her, but she is also my friend, and more importantly, my student." His grip tightened. "As her teacher and friend, it is my responsibility to look out for her in Sieg's absence, which you wouldn't know anything about, would you?"
Loki started punching Týr's arm and face. Each blow bounced harmlessly off Týr's frame. "Damn…you…what did Sieg do to deserve her?! What did he give her?! She knew me first! I made her smile first! She was my friend fir—!" Tyr's grip silenced Loki.
"Friend? She was never your friend. Just someone who made you feel good." Týr's eyes widened as something flashed across his mind. "Hey, I just got an idea!" He dropped Loki. "Good news! I decided not to kill you. Sadly, you still lose your powers for twenty-four hours, but….this is a chance for you to prove you're really Hilde's friend and that you truly care about her."
"What?" Loki asked, a speck of hope appearing in his voice. "How?"
"With this." He crouched down and poked Loki's head with his right index finger. The spot he poked shone with the Tiwaz Rune. "I just placed a little task for you to do in your brain. You only get ten minutes to accomplish it. I warn you: nothing you do will get rid of it, and there is no one else in creation who can remove it. If you do it of your own will, you will prove you love Hilde and your feelings for her are genuine. If you don't, it will force you, and you will suffer the consequences. By the way, the Rune will activate if I am killed, imprisoned, or you act against me. Do you understand me?" Loki scowled and looked away from Týr's glare. "Good."
Jörð Arena
Eastern Halls
You useless, one-note bastard! For all you're posturing, you were just another WEAK loser who deserved your death! Suddenly, a burning sensation grew on Loki's forehead. Acting fast, he looked around the hall and saw a mirror hanging on the wall above a small, white ornate table. He raced towards it, and looked at his reflection. Glowing on his forehead, right where Týr poked him a century ago, was the Tiwaz Rune, ᛏ. Loki's heart sank, and the soles of his feet began to feel like they were on fire.
Jörð Arena
Thor's Chambers
Not too far from Loki, Thor sat alone in his darkened room. Unlike what one would think of a battle-loving warrior, Thor kept his personal space rather bare, save for a monitor he could watch the fights from and a single chair that Thor sat in. His long red hair hung over his right shoulder, and Mjolnir sat head-down on the floor in front of his chair. Thor habitually rested his hands on Mjolnir's oversized pommel as he watched the monitor display the results of Round Ten and show Týr's death. He blinked quickly a few times and exhaled through his nose as his gaze hardened.
"You seem rather dour for someone who watched his brother fight the greatest battle of his life," an old but warm raspy voice spoke behind him. Thor shot a glance out of his peripheral vision, catching sight of a short squirell-esque God covered in dulling gray fur. His feet curved back and ended in large toes. He wore dull green armor that covered his torso, waist, and shoulders with matching finger-free gauntlets. Thor could see his and the large tail sticking from behind. His face was wrinkled under his fur, but his brown left eye still had a gleam of wit in it despite the scars running down his maw. His right, replaced with a blue-lensed scope, felt unnatural against his well-worn visage. On his right hip sat a long, sheathed dagger, and in his left hand was a long wooden box.
Ratatosk
Warden of Yggdrasil
(Norse Pantheon)
"Also, why is it so dark in here?" Ratatosk walked over to the window and pulled the curtains open, letting light in. "If I didn't know better, I'd dare say you were mourning."
Thor turned his gaze back towards the monitor, catching the tail-end of a commercial for Helheim Jalapeno Poppers: A heat so strong it can make Helheim feel cold. Ratatosk shook his head and walked over to Thor's chair. He dropped the wooden box in Thor's lap. Thor eyed it before slowly shifting his gaze back to his visitor. "What is this?"
"It was a gift from Hephaestus for Týr. Why he made it, I don't know." Thor slowly reached his hands down from Mjolnir to the box's lid. He opened it and gazed listlessly at the contents: a single right arm, so realistic that Thor almost thought it was made of flesh before noticing the connecting port at the shoulder. In the clenched hand, Thor saw a piece of paper. Carefully, he pulled it out and flattened it while Ratatosk walked around to the chair's back.
Hey Týr,
We got shit to do tomorrow. Don't get soft on us because you're not sure where you stand. This arm is a perfect replica of the one you lost, down to the fingerprints and unmanicured nails. The one you already got is damn good enough; it's one of my ten best works, you ungrateful Ass, but it's your call. You know what to do and what needs to be done for our girls.
Go get 'em.
-Hephaestus
P.S. Tell your dumbass brother Mjolnir needs tuning. Fucking never listens to anyone.
Thor smiled. He folded the note and placed it back in the box before closing it. Ratatosk shook his head, chuckling. "Tact of a brick, but his heart was in the right place."
"Uncle," Thor said, not looking at him.
"Yes?"
Thor placed the box down next to his chair. "Does Vidarr know?"
"I don't know, and it may not be a good idea to tell him."
"Hmm." Thor breathed deeply and slowly. "Uncle, thank you."
Ratatosk bowed. "Of course. Do you want me to leave?"
"No. Stay for a minute."
Ratatosk nodded, smiling. "Of course, but do you happen to have a spare chair?"
Tartarus
Warden's Office
Back down in Tartarus, Yama sat in his office, twirling the stone Tablet of Destiny between his left hand's fingers as he watched his desk monitor, keeping watch on Vidarr. He was standing still, calmly eyeing Teddy, who was busy stretching as Camael watched the Norse God. Yama watched his tablet vibrate on his desk. He reached over and picked it up with his right hand, his left still twirling the tablet. The screen showed a notification, and he tapped it.
You were right. We found Zahhak's cell in Damavand, but there was a door with a cypher-lock. The passcode you sent us worked like a charm. How did you get it?
Yama smiled as he typed a message with his thumb.
Unlikely source. Not an enemy, but not someone I trust entirely. By the way, Raphael, he broke into Tartarus with your brothers Camael and Uriel. Know anything about that?
He sent the message and placed the tablet back down, turning his gaze back to the monitor. Vidarr was now holding his tablet and went still. Yama could barely make out his empty gaze. "Shit. He found out Týr's dead," He said. He grabbed his tablet and typed away.
Vidarr, honor the deal. You got another twenty minutes.
He sent it, then started another.
Xolotl, we got intruders. Head to Avalon to intercept three of them. Do not inform Zahhak. Vidarr is in the Circles dealing with two of them.
He sent the message. He received a response immediately.
On it. Do they know about the trick to reach Avalon?
No. You have twenty minutes. No rush.
I'll intercept and deal with them.
Yama sighed. "Raphael, you better not be involved with this." His tablet vibrated again. "You better have a good—What the?" A live feed notification appeared, and Loki's face was front and center. "What the hell is he doing?"
Jörð Arena
Central Garden Plaza
Within Jörð Arena, the newest expansion in the entertainment megalith Valhalla Arena, exists the Central Garden Plaza. A passion project between Demeter, her daughter Persephone, Freyja, Oshun, Oya, Jiutian Xuannü, and Inari, the Garden Plaza was intended to be a cornucopia of flora from all over creation and inspire awe and wonder. However, the collaboration fell apart, mostly due to the ever-persistent truth that none of the Goddesses could come to an agreement on what was considered worthy to be in Plaza, and so it was made into a replica of the garden in Valhalla Arena, much to their mutual dissatisfaction.
In this plaza, Brünhilde and Pandora sat on a bench in front of the Plaza's central, and largest, fountain. It was made of white, clean, and perfectly sculpted marble, but the pair did not care. Brünhilde sat hunched over, her hands framing her face as she closed her eyes and breathed slowly. Pandora, sitting to her left, was patting her back.
"Hilde," Pandora said softly. "give it a moment."
"I'm trying, Pan," Brünhilde responded. She leaned against the bench's back and looked up to the glass ceiling, seeing Valhalla Arena floating above them. "But this situation just sucks. We're tied again, but Týr's dead."
"By his own choosing, and no one else's."
Brünhilde looked at Pandora. "Are you sure? Did he really choose to do it? What if—"
"Knock it off." She glared at Brünhilde. "Or I'll hit you." She slumped down next to Brünhilde. "He was strong enough and had good sense…" She smiled a smug grin. "despite his taste in women." Brünhilde looked taken aback. "Quit acting like everything everyone else does is your fault, you smug ass. You don't have as much of an effect on people as you think."
"Just because you said it doesn't mean I can stop thinking just like that." She snapped her fingers.
Pandora sighed. "I know…but you got to try. You didn't make the Einherjar fight, did you? Your Sisters?" Brünhilde shook her head. "Then remember that. They made their choices; you just gave them the chance to."
Brünhilde sighed. "I'll try."
"Thank you…Lord, you need a therapist."
Brünhilde recalled sitting with Hohenheim in his office. "I think I had one before Round One."
"Was he good?" She saw him pouring tea and setting out desserts, and felt small smile grow across her face.
"He was, and I miss him."
"Good ones go fast, huh?" Brünhilde nodded.
"BRÜNHILDE!" A voice yelled from the other side of the plaza. The two sat up and looked back, catching Loki skipping towards them while wearing a wide smile. Floating behind him was a green tablet.
"And the shitty ones stick around…" Pandora whispered. Loki made his way over to the two and stopped in front of their bench. Both looked up at him, barely containing their irritation.
"Brünhilde, guess what?" Loki said, joyfully.
"What, Loki?" Brünhilde asked as the faintest hint of a migraine began growing at the back of her head. She then saw it, resting in the center of Loki's head, and glowing bright purple, was the Rune ᛏ. "Wait, is that…"
"Wait, hold on." Loki looked back at the floating tablet. "Good, it's recording. Ladies and Gentlemen! It's time for the most important moment of the day!" He looked back at Brünhilde and Pandora. "Brünhilde, I have always loved you! From the first moment I saw your smile to even now, I have always loved you!"
"You stupid prick, you're bothering us with this now?" Pandora asked, her temper flaring. Loki glared at her, then smiled and turned his attention back to Brünhilde, who was leaning away from him.
"I loved your laugh, your smile, your voice…they were my light in a world that gave no care for me because of my heritage. They were my salvation!" His eyes went manic, and his smile faded. "Then he came…Siegfried. He was going to take you away, and I just couldn't bear it." He fell to his knees. Why am I doing this?! Why can't I stop?! He thought. Is this Týr's doing?! Is it the Rune?! "Why did you show him a smile you never showed me?! Why did you love him, and not me?!"
Pandora rose. "I'm going to snap you in two like I should have done ages ago—" Brünhilde grabbed her arm. Her gaze was now fixed on Loki's. She saw the fear, the panic.
Týr, how? She thought.
"I couldn't stand it! I had to fix things! Make them right!" No! Why can't I stop?!
"Simple," A familiar voice behind him said. "I warned you what would happen if you didn't do it yourself. Now Tiwaz will make you, and it will make you do it in the most embarrassing way possible and leave no room for doubt."
NO!
Black smoke erupted from Loki's body and engulfed him. It vanished, and in Loki's place was a handsome platinum blonde-haired man wearing white robes, his indigo eyes manic and full of fear.
"…Sieg?" Brünhilde whispered.
"I had to make it right!" Loki said in Siegfried's voice. Brünhilde's face scrunched in disgust. "So I stole Odin's sword Gram and killed Fafnir with it while pretending to be Sieg!" The disguise vanished and Loki returned to his original form. Stop it, Týr! I can't bear that look!
"You could have prevented all of this if you just acted in a way that showed you cared for her," Týr's voice spoke. "But you didn't. And you are at her mercy."
"That's right! I pretended to be Sieg and framed him! All so I could have you to myself! I even fooled Odin! The greatest trick of my life pulled the wool over his eye! He knew what I could do, and didn't even bother to check!" Loki began laughing as tears began flowing from his eyes. "I pulled it all off for you!"
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Loki screamed in his mind as the tablet continued recording.
Pandora stood in shock, her mouth hanging slightly open. She clenched her fists tight enough to make her fingers pop. "You…selfish bastard…do you know how much you hurt Hilde with your 'love?!' Do you?!"
"It wouldn't hurt if she just chose me and forgot Siegfried!"
"Fuck you!"
"Pan!" Brünhilde yelled, her grip still on Pandora's arm. She rose and loosened her grip. Her eyes locked on Loki's tear-filled gaze.
"Now comes the best part, Loki," Týr's voice said. "If she forgives you, then you're good. A pariah, but good until Odin does you in. If she doesn't…"
What?
A mixture of disgust, anger, pain, and spite filled Brünhilde's soul. She fought back the deluge, and just stared at Loki. Nothing showed on her face. Loki waited. Brünhilde sighed and walked away, turning her back on him. Pandora followed after her.
"Brünhilde?" Loki whispered. "Brünhilde, you forgive me, right?" She continued walking away, Pandora now beside her. "Brünhilde, please! Please forgive me! I didn't want to be alone! I only ever needed you! Please, Brünhilde!"
She stopped, and looked back at him with the same empty expression. She turned and left.
"Brünhilde?" He whispered. Suddenly, a loud pop erupted into the air. Brünhilde and Pandor snapped back around and saw Loki, still kneeling, with a large hole in the center of his forehead where the Rune was. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he collapsed. The floating tablet fell next to him, still recording.
"Don't look, Hilde," A familiar voice said behind Brünhilde. Her eyes widened and she turned back, and for a brief moment she saw him. As if he never stepped into the arena, Týr stood there, golden arm and all. "See ya." He smiled and gave a small wave, then vanished.
Tartarus
Warden's Office
Back in his office, Yama blinked a few times, staring at his tablet. He snatched the Tablet of Destiny out of the air and gripped it softly in his hand. He leaned back in his chair and did something he could not remember doing for ages. He laughed. Laughed so hard and loud it could be heard outside his office and down the hall. "Holy shit!" He yelled between laughs. "Did…did that really happen?!" He wheezed, trying to breathe. "Wow! I thought this day could not get better! Not only is that shit dead, but he confessed! Whooooo!" His laughter died down, and he sat for a moment in silence. He looked at the Tablet of Destiny, and an idea popped in his head. "Technically…Loki confessed. Technically, in a way that even invalidates the decree of a Chief God." He smiled. "I was going to take you to Set while Xolotl and Vidarr handled business, but I think I might make a slight detour before I go." He rose out of his chair and started walking towards the door. "Damn, this day keeps getting better."
Tartarus
The Circles
Deep below Yama's office, Vidarr remained frozen in place. Slowly, the tablet in his hand slipped out of his hand and fell, clacking on the stone floor.
Vidarr. Skiegul said in his mind. I'm here.
He sighed. "This day is just getting worse…"
"Hey!" Teddy shouted. "You…okay? You look like you saw a ghost!"
"What're you doing?" Camael whispered.
"Keeping him occupied," Teddy responded, whispering out the side of his mouth. "We still got time, but I don't want him jumping the gun. He looks like the type."
"…You're not wrong, but I haven't seen him like this before. Something bad happened."
"Hey Human," Vidarr said. "Ever had to bury a brother before?"
"No, but I did bury my mother and my first wife. Lost them the same day. Lost my boy Quentin, too, but the enemy had the dignity to bury him with honors despite killing him."
"So you know loss."
"No Human doesn't, save for a few nuts and madmen. Who'd you lose?"
"Two brothers. One yesterday, the other just now. Both magnificent warriors and the kind of Gods you'd be proud to be a brother of."
Teddy nodded. "I don't want to send you to them. You're not in a good place at the moment. Despite my bravado earlier, I am not heartless. If you wish to leave and grieve, I won't stop you."
Vidarr shook his head. "No. Can't do that." Vidarr rolled his shoulders. "Mission comes first."
"Damn," Camael said. "Let's go, Ted."
Teddy grimaced. "Right. VÖLUND!" Camael glowed and transformed into light. The light separated into four streams that flew and wrapped around Teddy's forearms and legs up to his knees. Fully enveloping them, the light faded. Indigo Greaves and Gauntlets covered Teddy's limbs.
Camael
The Shield of Fortitude
Teddy took an orthodox boxing stance. "I'm not one to beat a man while he's down, but if you're coming at me, then so be it!"
Jörð Arena
Game Master Room
Back at Jörð Arena, Set sat at his desk, staring at his tablet with Loki's live feed still playing. A wide, nasty grin grew under his mask.
"Serves you right," He said, swiping the feed off his screen. He tapped on the Tournament App, seeing a notification blaring 'Select Round.' He tapped it, and then pressed the 'Your Turn' button.
Score
Gods: 5
Humanity: 5
Contests Remaining
King of The Mountain
Capture the Flag
The Heavens
Lugh
Yama
Einherjar
Georgios
Romulus
"Only two left." He shook his head, swiping up and closing the app. Suddenly, his tablet vibrated, and a message popped up. He didn't recognize the number. "No one should have this number outside my contacts…what's going on?" Set tapped the message.
Hey, Old Man. Been a while since we last talked and wanted to know if you were free to catch up! Hoping you're doing well.
"'Old Man?'" Set typed at the screen.
How did you get this number? Who are you?
Right. Forgot how these things work. Just got one of these a few days ago! Hilde said she didn't trust me not to wander off on my own. She's right, but it's how I do things!
"Wait…no…it can't be…"
Would you believe Hilde never deleted your number from her tablet? I had a feeling it would be important, so I copied it when she showed me how to add contacts.
Set's gaze intensified as he waited for the next part of the message.
Oh, right. I forgot to say who it was. It's Georgios! I'll be at the chapel East of Jörð Arena if you're free. Not great with these tablet things, so it'd be good to see you!
Set dropped the tablet. He blinked a few times as he slowly turned his attention to his office's East window. "G…Georgios?"