Valhalla
Eastern Chapel
"Zahhak?!" Skalmöld said.
"That's what I go by right now," Zahhak answered. "Now answer my question, Skalmöld. Where is Dad?"
"Dad?"
"Repeating what I say irritates me. Yes. Dad. I am looking for him." He raised Ascalon, pointing it at Göll. "I come here hoping for a wonderful family reunion, and yet who do I find? Just my adorable little sisters…" He looked at Göll. "and a new face!"
Skalmöld stepped in front of Göll, shielding her. "Zahhak, Dad's dead. What makes you—" Zahhak aimed Ascalon at her. She stepped back, placing her right hand over her stomach. Zahhak saw panic spreading across her face.
No… He thought, his expression going blank. I did not know it was possible. Wait, I'm still in 'creepy brother' persona. How should I work with this? Zahhak smiled. "Don't lie to me. It's not just you who will suffer for lying to your…big brother."
Who is this guy?! Goll thought. He's our brother?!
"Zahhak, please," Reginleif said. Zahhak aimed Ascalon at her without looking away from Skalmöld.
"Reginleif, good girls stay quiet," He said. "Or do you need some reminding—"
Hlökk jumped onto the pew and inhaled deeply. "SAMSOOOOOOOON! HEEEEELP!"
Zahhak looked at her in confusion. The doors to the chapel exploded off their hinges. Samson stood in the doorway, the sleeves of his coat exploding off his flexed arms as he aimed a look of pure fury at Zahhak. "WHERE?!" He roared. Zahhak turned his attention to Samson, confused more than anything.
"Him!"
Zahhak turned to her. He pulled Ascalon back. "You first then—"
Zahhak could turn to see him, but Samson had already closed in on him. His right fist smashed into Zahhak's torso. Zahhak flew into the Chapel's back wall and smashed through it, flying away.
"Is everyone okay?!" Samson yelled. Everyone nodded. Samson turned back to the hole he had made as Johannes ran in. "Hlökk, we're getting him! Are you ready?!"
She nodded. She floated over to him and began to glow. In a flash of light, she vanished, and a simple gold hairpin now held his mane in an ornate ponytail.
"Reginleif! Are you okay?!" Johannes yelled as he ran up to her. He looked her up and down.
"I'm okay…" She said, trying to breathe slowly. Johannes saw her eyes watering and her hands shaking.
A murderous aura flowed off Johannes' body. "Samson."
"What?"
"You can kill him after I'm done with him."
"Deal." Samson ran and jumped through the hole and sprinted out into the field.
Johannes placed his hands on Reginleif's shoulders. "You can stay. Samson and I will take care of things here."
She shook her head. "Sir, I'm going with you. We're a team!"
Johannes sighed. He could feel her shaking under his grip. "A team. Damn right we are. Let's go get him, and keep your sisters safe. Ready?"
She nodded and began to glow. She faded into light and turned into a sheathed Langes Schwert. Johannes gripped it firmly in his left hand and drew it. "Girls," He said, turning back to the Valkyries. "We won't be long." He vanished.
<>
Helheim
Tartarus
The Circles
Far from the familial crisis, just before Teddy and Vidarr began their final exchange. In that moment, before Teddy reached him, time slowed down. All sound vanished. The axe handle in his hands felt warm despite the metal.
Asgard
Millennia Ago
Long ago, before all this. Before all the violence, in one of Asgard's vast and beautiful prairies,
four young Gods stood out in a field surrounded by servants in elaborate maid outfits. The tallest one with red hair and wearing white robes under a white coat, Thor, stood across from the other three. Each one wore the same robes as their oldest brother, but each had different colored hair from the rest. Vidarr, just barely younger than Thor and wearing his jet-black hair in a swept-back mullet, stepped up to his brother.
"Think you can beat me this time?" Thor asked as sparks ran up his arms.
"Duh," Vidarr answered. "Today's training session is mine."
Baldr and Týr both started walking up to Vidarr's sides, but he raised his left arm.
"Oy. You two are too weak to fight him. Stay back. You'll just get in the way."
Both boys looked away as they stepped back. Thor eyed them, then scowled at Vidarr.
Thor and Vidarr balled their fists and took their stances, then began their spar.
A Few Centuries Later
Vidarr, now starting to grow his beard and mustache, stood in front of a large crowd of beaten-up and unconscious Gods in robes and armor. His body barely had a scratch on it. "Oy, Vidarr!" A voice yelled behind him. He turned and saw Týr with the start of a goatee. "Where the heck have you been? Dad's getting impat…" He saw the decimated group behind his older brother. "ient. What did you do?"
"These shitheads were insulting you and Baldr," Vidarr said. "I told them who I was and what was going to happen next."
Týr looked up at him dejectedly. "You didn't have to do that. Baldr and I have been dealing with these guys just fine."
"Dad's not doing anything about it, so I am." Vidarr walked up to Týr and patted his shoulder. "Leave this stuff to me." He continued walking, leaving Týr alone.
Týr shook his head. "I can fight my own damn battles," He whispered.
Asgard
Medical Facility
A Few Centuries Later
Vidarr tumbled back and fell onto the floor, his nose smashed in and bleeding. Baldr walked up to him, his right fist covered in blood not his own.
"The hell's your problem, Baldr?!" Vidarr yelled. "I'm just checking on Týr!"
"The fuck you are!" Baldr yelled. "He's in there, bloody and near-death, because of you and your bullshit!" He stepped over his brother and gripped his collar to lift him. His toes barely touched the ground. "When the fuck will you understand that?!" He tossed him, and Vidarr stumbled to keep his feet under him. "Do you know what he did?! To prove he wasn't your 'weak little brother?!'" Baldr's chest rose and sank as his eyes watered. 'That dumbass got himself stuck in a pissing contest with Fenrir! Týr stuck his arm in that maniacal wolf's mouth and held him in a contest for six days! No food, sleep, or water! All to prove he wasn't someone to be fucking pitied!"
"Pitied?! Why'd he think he was pitied?!"
"Fuck you, Vidarr! Can't even let reality sink into that thick head of yours!" He turned and walked back to Týr's room. "And I swear, if I see you around here again, I will shove my gauntlets up your ass until they grind a hole through your gut!" Baldr opened the door and slammed it behind him, leaving Vidarr alone in the hall.
Winchester
One Millennia Ago
In that open field, surrounded by wooden stands and towers, Vidarr stood across from his fated opponent, his old axe in hand. He had long-flowing black hair that framed his face, green eyes, and a square chin. He was adorned in regal armor with lustrous chain mail underneath. In his right hand was a large axe with a sharp stone slab for a head.
Lancelot du Lac
Seventh Knight of the Round Table
(France)
In the wooden stands surrounding them, Metatron sat surrounded by Angels and Gods, awaiting the match to start. On the opposite side was a crowd of Humans in armor and plain clothes. Above them, sitting on a vaulted platform and decorated in regal armor, was an older man with fading brown hair with white temples, and sharp blue eyes that betrayed the age of his face. In his left hand rested an ornate sheathed sword.
Arthur Of Pendragon
King of The Britons
(Welsh)
Next to him, in a regal, green dress, was a blonde woman with soft blue eyes.
Gwenhwyfar
Queen of the Britons
(Welsh)
Her gaze was locked on Lancelot, and fear slowly filled her heart.
"Ready to go?" Vidarr asked, brandishing his axe.
"I am," Lancelot said. "One more victory and we've stopped your massacre."
"Sure, you will."
An angel flew from the nearest wooden tower and hovered over the pair. "Ladies and Lords!" He yelled. "The score is 3-2 with the Knights leading the contest! One more victory and they will take it! But who stands in their way? None other than Vidarr!"
The Gods shouted in fury and pride.
"Standing across from him, the Knight of Knights! The one! The only! Lancelot Du Lac!"
The Humans shouted loudly and hard. Metatron's face scrunched into a scowl. Slowly, he pulled out his tablet and checked the screen.
X Tristan VS Pakkanen O
O Kaye VS Quetzalcoatl X
X Galahad VS Set O
O Percival VS Shango X
O Gawain VS Yu Huang X
Vidarr must win this. Metatron thought. We will not allow this to happen. Not after…their deaths.
"Fighters ready?!" The Angel yelled.
Vidarr nodded.
"Ready, Michael?" Lancelot asked, turning his gaze to his axe.
Always. He heard.
"FIGHT!" The angel yelled.
"Let's go—" Vidarr started. Lancelot threw the axe to the ground and stretched out his hands.
"I give up."
Vidarr stopped. He swallowed something thick and invisible and looked over to the Gods' audience. Metatron met his gaze and nodded.
You've…you've got to be kidding me. Vidarr thought.
The axe vanished, and Michael returned to normal. "Lancelot, what're you doing?!" He yelled. Lancelot turned from him and walked towards the Human audience. "Lancelot!"
He stopped in front of the Human audience, who were silent and dumbstruck. He looked up at Arthur. "I'm sorry," He said. "I don't think we can win this."
"You what?!" Arthur said, rising from his chair.
Lancelot looked over at Gwenhwyfar. "Let's go. They promised if I conceded, we'd be brought into their ranks and made Gods."
Arthur looked over at his wife. She did not meet his gaze; she was focused on Lancelot as shock and horror took over.
Suddenly, she screamed. Arthur looked back down at the arena and saw why.
Vidarr, axe in hand, stood over Lancelot, now cleaved in two. His blood pooled onto the dirt and mud.
"Is this how you do things, Metatron?!" Arthur yelled, staring daggers at his destined foe. He then saw something that horrified him. Metatron…was horrified. "…What?"
"Vidarr!" Metatron roared. "What the hell are you doing?!"
Gwenhwyfar's screams turned into heavy crying.
Something flew up through the platform and sprayed blood over Arthur. His eyes widened as he slowly turned to the right. Vidarr's axe was embedded in the back of the platform…and Gwenhwyfar was obliterated.
Arthur looked down at Vidarr, who leered at him.
<>
Helheim
Tartarus
The Circles
I will make things right again. Vidarr thought as Teddy ran towards him. I failed too many times. Too many people. But now…now I can do it right. His grip on the axe tightened. I am fighting alongside someone and not FOR someone! I will atone! I will get her home! I will honor your legacies, Baldr! Týr! Let me make amends! He stepped forward and began his fated swing. The blade soared sideways towards the oncoming Teddy Roosevelt.
"Grit…those…teeth!" Teddy roared, bringing his shattered hands up for one last blow. The blade grew closer and closer. Teddy inhaled deep…and dropped into a left leg lunge. The swing flew overhead.
Vidarr had overcommitted.
Teddy pushed off his right foot and fired his right fist into Vidarr's unguarded torso. Vidarr spat up blood as the punch pushed him back. Suddenly, Vidarr slid back towards Teddy right as he fired a left punch into Vidarr's torso. Vidarr's grip on the axe loosened, and it clattered to the ground. He slid away, then back into another punch. Then another. Then two more. Three more. Ten more. Twenty more. Teddy's fists flew in a blur, smashing into Vidarr and pulling him back in for another strike. One punch twisted into an uppercut that smashed into Vidarr's chin and sent him skyward.
I'm sorry…Skeggöld. Vidarr thought as his mind went blank.
Teddy's pull brought him back down into another uppercut that shot him higher.
You're one scary ruffian, Vidarr! Teddy thought. But you got a heart too big for this kind of thing!
Vidarr began to fall back down.
In honor of your big heart, I'll end this now! "CAM! NOOOOW!" Teddy roared. Teddy stepped back just as Vidarr crashed into the floor. He twisted his body back to the right as far as he could and tilted his upper body back. As if a rubber band snapped, His torso spun like a twister, firing his right fist in an arc straight down into Vidarr's solar plexus. Vidarr's body folded around the punch as a spiderweb of cracks raced out from the impact all over the floor and up the walls.
Vidarr's body went limp.
Teddy's skin turned back to normal as his breathing grew ragged and his gauntlets and boots vanished. "Bully….and damn right…" He fell back, but was stopped midfall. Someone caught him midfall. His vision blurred, but he could make out the familiar bald head. "Cam…we got 'im."
"Yeah, we did!" Camael said, smiling.
A flash of light erupted near the pair, and Skeggöld ran over to Vidarr's body.
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" She muttered under her breath. "Please, no…"
"Skeggöld, it's over. We need—" Camael said, but stopped. He heard something cracking and breaking all around him. "Oh…oh no."
The floor and the walls gave way, and they all fell.
<>
Tartarus
Avalon
Xolotl dashed towards Yi and swung his blazing sword. Yi leaped back and raised his Hwando to block the attack. The blades collided…and the Hwando shattered.
"Ah! Well, that's no good!" Yi said, smiling as he tossed away the shattered sword. He grabbed two more nearby as Xolotl swung again. Yi jumped back but swung the blades again, shattering them. He skipped back a few steps and grabbed a few more Hwando, grasping three between his fingers and gripping one between his teeth.
Xolotl paused for a moment and tilted his head.
"Don' worry a'out i'," Yi said, biting down on the Hwando. "All 'art of a 'lan."
Xolotl rolled his eyes and shook his head. He stepped forward, but ducked immediately as two blades flew at him. He rolled to the side as three more flew at him and burst forward as another flew his way. Xolotl slashed it out of the air as he ran. Yi dropped the Hwando from his mouth to his right hand and threw it. Xolotl slashed through it as well, and Yi dashed away.
What is he doing? Xolotl thought. He has all these swords, but they're weak. Why? Why's he throwing them? Are they actually supposed to be projectiles? Yi picked up half a dozen glowing Hwandos and threw them all at Xolotl. No, they're still too weak. He slashed at them, destroying all of them before they could get near him. That being said… The blade extended out several meters. Xolotl spun around, swiping his blade at all the embedded Hwandos. Dance of the Underworld Sun: Twilight Blade.
Yi started sweating as he ran around. He looks like a small sun dancing like that. Yi grabbed several more and tossed them at Xolotl. The burning blade cut through them all with a series of loud clangs, but Xolotl's eyes twitched.
Those last few…why did they feel heavier?
Yi picked a few more and tossed them. I know this is a bit crude, Xolotl! But for someone like you, crude is the way to go sometimes!
Xolotl cut through them all, but he felt more resistance. Something's wrong. The blade grew longer. Are there stronger blades mixed in with the weak ones? Are they getting stronger the fewer there are?! Xolotl gripped the dagger with both hands and raised it. The flaming blade shot skyward, towering over the field of blades.
Yi stopped in place with a single Hwando in each hand. "Well…that's no good, either!" He said, smiling nervously."
Burn. Xolotl thought as he swung down. Yi ran to the side as the blade carved through the field like a hot knife through butter. The grass around the attack caught fire. The soil boiled and flowed as lava, and every sword caught in the attack was destroyed. Xolotl eyed Yi running away. Farewell, Yi. This blade reaches all the way to the end of the prison. I'll cut you AND Myrddin down! He stepped to the right and swung. The blade burned away the topsoil as it flew. Every Hwando in its path shattered on impact.
"Myrddin!" Yi yelled as he ran his way. Myrddin saw him coming and screamed.
"Are you insane?!" Myrddin yelled as he ran.
"I am running from a literal wall of fire! Of course I am!"
"Oh, come on! Can't you stop it?!"
"Not yet…Maybe!"
"Maybe?!"
"Uriel! Are you ready, yet?!" Yi asked, still sprinting through the field of blades with Myrddin, the wall of flames steadily growing closer.
Just a few more and we're golden! Uriel answered.
The two kept running as more and more of the swords and field were decimated by Xolotl's blade.
Almost there…
The wall got closer.
Almost there…
Yi and Myrddin felt their backs starting to burn. Myrddin started slowing down…
Now, Yi!
Yi turned around and swung both Hwandos down. They collided with the wall…and held.
"No way…" Myrddin whispered.
Xolotl's eyes widened.
GO YI!
Yi dashed back towards Xolotl, the two Hwandos keeping the wall in place. The ambient heat seared Yi's body, but he blitzed forward.
Xolotl started panicking. Was he messing with me?! Was he trying to make me destroy the swords?! Damn it, I can't stop the blaze! If I stop now, I won't be able to ignite it again! Xolotl pushed the colossal blade into Yi, but Yi crouched down as he ran, lowering his center of gravity.
No… Xolotl thought as Yi got closer. Noooo…. His hands began to bleed and burn. NOOOOOOOO!
Yi….crossed the distance. He stepped past Xolotl's blade. He twisted to the right and quickly swung down. Xolotl could not pull his arms back quickly enough. The blade cut clean through Xolotl's elbows and sliced off his forearms. His hands released the dagger, and the blade of fire extinguished. Yi struck Xolotl in the solar plexus and neck with his Hwando's pommel, and Xolotl fell back. The stumps on his arms did not bleed, and Xolotl did not feel any pain, but he was finished. Yi stepped over him and pointed the Hwando at his face.
"Yield," Yi said.
Xolotl's eyes darted in all directions.
"Yield, Xolotl. I'm not here to kill you, but if you don't yield, I will—" Yi looked up. "Oh, come on." Cracks spread rapidly in the sky above and spread across the entire ceiling. "Come on…"
"Yi, get out of there!" Myrddin yelled as he sprinted back to Avalon's entrance.
The ceiling exploded, sending debris down to them. He spotted, amongst the falling debris, a couple of familiar faces floating above the descending debris.
"Damn it, Teddy!"
Suddenly, the debris stopped in mid-air.
"What's going on?" Yi asked himself
He's free! Uriel yelled in his mind.
"What?"
Michael! He's free! Look! Yi saw through the floating debris, near the other side of the cave, a pair of translucent yellow wings. Michael, free from his decimated cell, slowly descended and brought the debris gently down.
"Well…didn't we just get lucky?" Yi said, smiling as Camel and Skeggöld landed nearby, carrying Teddy and Vidarr respectively. He plopped down on the ground and sprawled out near Xolotl. "Wake me up when this is over."
"…How?" A raspy, deep voice asked.
"Hmmm?"
"….How did you stop the blaze? Did…did breaking the Hwandos make the others stronger?"
Yi chuckled, then winced in pain. "Yeah," He struggled to say. "The more you broke, the stronger the others got…"
Xolotl chuckled. "Dammit…should've seen that coming…"
Not too far away, Myrddin walked back into the decimated cavern, his gaze locked on Arthur in the distance. He looked around and took a few steps, then felt his heart rise.
Nothing was moving away.
"The barrier is gone…" Myrddin said. "The barrier is gone! Everyone! The barrier is—"
"FINALLY!" Xolotl roared. He kipped back onto his feet and turned to Arthur. He crouched down. "THIS IS FOR QUETZ, YOU BASTARD!" Xolotl's mouth opened wide. A sphere of fire and lightning formed between his teeth, and a blast of energy surged out.
"NOOOOOO!" Myrddin shouted in horror.
The beam of heat rocketed straight towards Arthur's platform. Before it could reach him, another beam of fire shot down from the ceiling and collided with the blast, neutralizing it.
"No way…" Skeggöld whispered, seeing the blaze vanish as Vlad appeared at the collision's epicenter.
"Sorry it took so long to get down here!" Vlad yelled. "I ran into a few detours!" He turned around, eyeing the comatose Arthur. He hadn't looked like he aged a day since Winchester and still wore his regal, lustrous armor. "Huh, you're the one we came to get?" He could see the soft glow of his soul, and he smiled. "I see why."
Hundreds of meters away, Xolotl rasped and moaned as his throat and mouth burned and charred. "Quetz…" He collapsed on the ground and fell silent, with everyone watching.
Which is what Skeggöld hoped for. High above Arthur's podium, out of everyone's sight, she floated, ready to strike.
I'm coming home! She thought. Moving quickly, she transformed back into her axe form mid-flight and dropped…straight down towards Arthur.
"Son of a bitch, again?!" Myrddin yelled. "Vlad! Look up!"
By the time Vlad heard his plea, it was too late. Skeggöld dropped straight down onto Arthur. Vlad turned to see what had happened…and paused.
The axe-head of Skeggöld's transformation…was caught by Arthur's outstretched right hand, his eyes still closed. Suddenly, his eyes opened wide and his grip on the axe-head tightened. The blade began to glow, and Skeggöld reformed, her neck in Arthur's grip.
"Let…me…go!" Skeggöld gasped.
Arthur rose and slid off the platform with Skeggöld still held out above him in his grip. His sharp blue eyes locked on hers, and she felt all hope vanish.
"Not yet…" He whispered. Suddenly, her body erupted in blue flames, and she screamed.
<>
Valhalla
Field Near The Eastern Chapel
Back in Valhalla, Zahhak finally crashed down and created a small, deep crater. His grip on Ascalon remained firm as he rose and looked around.
Insufficient response time to a new factor. He thought. My persona likely agitated him through inciting fear in the Valkyries. Typical, but happened too quickly. My time in Tartarus and in my reincarnations is showing…
Something heavy landed a few meters behind him. He turned and locked eyes with Samson, ready to continue.
I am in trouble again. Extracting potential profiles based on initial data samples.
Samson scanned him and saw something.
Hlökk. He thought.
What is it? She asked nervously.
Who is this guy?
He's our oldest brother, and Dad's first kid. He goes by Zahhak.
Samson's brow raised in shock. This guy?! You're family?!
He may be our brother, but he's not family!
So, no issues if I kill him?
Don't kill him! He'll just reincarnate somewhere on Midgard and come back later!
Samson blinked a few times. …The hell is this situation?
"Talking to Hlökk?" Zahhak asked. Let's try this one.
"Not your business," Samson retorted.
"It's Hlökk…she runs her mouth a lot because she's insecure. Makes her adorable, but annoying at times. Frankly, I'm impressed you can tolerate her and her sisters after what happened to you."
Samson leered.
"I mean, our Dad gave you Michael's Boon of that faith-based strength. Thought he was doing you a favor, but it turned you into a weapon and not a person. It's got to be rough being a weapon again for his daughters and their vendetta."
Samson, that's not true! You're our friend! My partner! Hlökk pleaded.
"Hey," Samson said. Zahhak raised an eyebrow. "You're scaring my little sister."
Zahhak's face went neutral. Manipulator didn't work. He's dealt with people like this before. Next one. Zahhak thought. He inhaled and let his body go lax. He now wore a snide look and a glazed stare. "Fine, if that's how you want to see it. Not surprising, since you can't think well enough to realize you're being played. But that's how these things go—"
"Keep trying." Samson did not blink as he rolled his shoulder.
Zahhak's face went neutral again. Heckler isn't working either. His expression hardened. "I'm trying to get through to you. I'm trying to show you." He raised Ascalon. "I am not someone to cross. I am Zahhak. Why are the Valkyries afraid of me? Why can I walk here completely unopposed?"
Samson's expression didn't change.
"You have no clue who I am, or what I can do."
Samson took a few steps forward, stopping a meter from Zahhak. Samson snapped his left hand and grabbed hold of Ascalon.
Ah. I made an error. Zahhak glanced at where Samson's hand clamped down on Ascalon. He can touch Ascalon, too.
"Show me," Samson whispered.
Zahhak looked up and met Samson's glare. A monstrous, heavy aura slowly poured out of Samson's massive frame.
I have lost. I have no recourse or solution. No persona is working. I must concede. Zahhak sighed, and his face went blank. "I concede, Samson. You win." His tone turned flat, almost monotonous.
Samson said nothing.
"Nothing I used worked. Empathy, mockery, and even threats. All unsuccessful."
Samson raised an eyebrow.
"Seems my time away from Valhalla has done more harm than good."
"Not buying it."
"It is true, especially since…" He felt something tap his left shoulder and saw the tip of a sword resting on his shoulder. "I am at a numerical disadvantage. You must have learned that trick fighting Futsunushi."
"Spare the flattery. You're smart to give up, but stupid if you think we're letting you run," Johannes said. "Threatening the others was just damn stupid."
"Was it?"
"Did it get you anything?"
"It did. My sisters have surrounded themselves with competent fighters. Aiming for them again is now a waste of time. Since I threatened them, my Dad will surely hear about it and try to find me."
"Your father?" Samson asked. "The Old Man."
Zahhak nodded. "I need to find him, and he's not the type of person who stays calm when things he cares about are threatened."
"Things?" Johannes snarled. "Your sisters are not things."
Zahhak looked back at him. "Distinction without a difference. I am a thing, just like them. Digressing, he's dangerous. Too dangerous. His very existence is a cancer on Creation. A rot that should have been removed long ago."
Sir. Reginleif said. He's not lying…but also not right.
Why? Johannes answered.
He was intended to be Dad's successor, but we asked him not to pick Zahhak. He's…cold.
Cold?
I…don't know how else to describe him.
I do. Johannes turned the sword a little, aiming an edge at Zahhak's neck. Empty.
"He was supposed to step down and let the rest of us take our assigned roles, but he's acting against the intended plan. I am trying to rectify the situation and get things back in order. However, I fail to see why you're all standing against this."
"You're kidding, right?" Samson asked. "You just threatened your sisters!"
"As the successor, I have the responsibility to keep order and discipline amongst the choirs and the individual groups. The Valkyries are not exceptional and fall under that same scrutiny."
"Intent and execution need to line up," Johannes said. "No one gives a damn what you're trying to do if you're harming people."
"Irrelevant. How people feel is unnecessary. What matters is results."
Johannes and Samson exchanged an uncomfortable glance.
"However, it seems I need to retre—" Johannes swung the sword to the right, but Zahhak vanished. He and Samson scanned the area.
"The hell did he go?!" Samson yelled. Suddenly, Ascalon flew out of his grip and skyward. It arched back down and dived several meters away into Zahhak's hand. "Farewell, gents." The air cracked and shattered behind him, creating a void. Zahhak stepped through, and the crack sealed behind him.
"Damn it," Samson said as Hlökk appeared beside him in a quick flash of light, as Reginleif appeared next to Johannes. "That guy…was off. Real off."
"I've seen a few like him while traveling back in the old days," Johannes said. "And they were the worst type to deal with in swordplay. Both in opponents and students."
"I believe you. Hey, question. Did you see his neck?"
Johannes nodded. He recalled the brief exchange and preparing to cut Zahhak down. Just on the edge of Zahhak's collar, he caught a slight glimpse: metal under torn skin. "What in the world is he?"
<>
Tartarus
Avalon
Skeggöld's screams echoed through the cavern and shook Vidarr awake. Pain enveloped his broken body, and he struggled to move.
"Skegg…Skeggöld…" He rasped out, trying to shift to see where she was. "What's going on—" Horror mingled with the pain in his body. Despite the pain, he could see her enveloped with blue fire, still in Arthur's grasp. He let out a guttural roar of despair. "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" He screamed. "It's my fault! Please! I'm sorry! Stop it, please! I'm sorry about Lancelot! I didn't—" He choked and gagged from pain.
The flames coiled up from her body and slithered into Skeggöld's ears, nose, eyes, and mouth. Everyone looked on in horror. Vlad's metallic wings ignited.
Arthur released his grip on her neck, letting her drop a little before he caught her under her armpits. He set her down on her feet and crouched down to her eye level. His sharp eyes stared right into her panicked gaze.
Slowly, his hands rose to her face…and pinched her cheeks. "Hello!" He said softly while smiling.
"Eeep!" She screamed, flinching and shaking her head. Then, she stumbled back and fell.
"Ha! Sorry about that! You looked like you saw a ghost!" Arthur said. He looked over at Vlad. "You look like someone who makes ghosts!"
Vlad blinked a few times, his gaze shifting between Arthur and Skeggöld.
"Ah, hold on." Arthur walked over to Skeggöld. He leaned down and offered his right hand. "Come with me, please. Your sister and brothers need to see you."
"What? How?" Skeggöld asked. "But my…my soul's still…"
"Incomplete? Not anymore. That's what that whole soul-fire ordeal was. Again, come with me, please. Someone here needs to see you."
Skeggöld's eyes widened. She reached up to Arthur's hand and took it, lifting herself.
"I admit I can be a bit tactless, and I have a bad habit of not explaining myself, Skeggöld. I'm sorry for frightening you."
A few meters away, Vlad felt a shift in his mind.
Skeggöld? Geirölul said.
"You…you could have at least said something!" Skeggöld said, trying to laugh as her eyes welled up. "How is this possible?"
Geir. Gabe. We're canceling the Völund. Vlad said. Two flashes of light appeared at Vlad's sides, and Gabriel and Geirölul appeared.
"When you're stuck with something for a thousand years, you should probably learn how to use it! Which I did!" Arthur said, brushing non-existent dust off his shoulders. "Anyways, Skeggöld. I'm going to take care of those guys over there." He pointed to Teddy, Yi, Xolotl, and Vidarr. "You can come with me if you want, but I think you would rather be here." He pointed towards Vlad's team. "Your choice." Arthur walked past her and towards the fighters.
Skeggöld stood still and gulped. Geirölul walked a few steps, her stern expression softening as Gabriel waited by Vlad.
"Are…are you Skeggöld?" Geirölul said.
Skeggöld nodded, tears falling. "Yeah…" Her lip started quivering.
Geirölul walked over to her, fighting the mighty urge to run out of fear that she'll scare her baby sister. She stopped in front of her and dropped to her knees. "Guess who I am?"
"You're…you're…" Skeggöld started sobbing. Geirölul slowly wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into a hug as Skeggöld cried into her shoulder. Geirölul cried softly as she held her.
A few meters away, Vlad looked at Gabriel.
"She's your sister too, right?" Vlad asked.
"She is, but I don't think—" Gabriel started, but Vlad gently backhanded Gabriel's chest.
"Go hug your sisters."
Without saying a word, Gabriel walked over to Geirölul and Skeggöld. Gently, he kneeled next to them and wrapped his arms around the pair. Vlad looked over at Arthur, catching Uriel and Camael running past him. They stopped next to their siblings, letting them rise. The pair then took their turns hugging and meeting their missing sister.
I didn't get to do much this time. Vlad thought. But if it was nothing more than a coincidence that I could help these two meet their sister, then this…was worth it.
Several meters away from the reunion, Arthur stopped in the center of the injured fighters. All four were barely conscious, and Vidarr watched in fear. After Arthur scanned each of the four, he turned to two familiar faces.
"Myrddin. Michael," He said. "Been a good bit since we last saw each other!"
Myrddin chuckled a little, but his breathing went shallow. Arthur briefly vanished, and Myrddin saw a young boy with the same eyes holding a sheathed sword too big for him in his left hand. "Yes…Your Majesty…" He crumbled to the ground and teared up. "It's been…too long…"
Michael bent down and lifted Myrddin. "Still the same as ever, Arthur."
"Can't help it!" Arthur said, smiling. "Now hold fast. I need to take care of something.
Arthur closed his eyes and stretched out his hands. Blue light emanated from his body and expanded into a dome, enveloping Teddy, Vidarr, Yi, and Xolotl.
Arthur breathed slowly and began praying:
Wrth ewyllys y Brenin
Trwy galon Dyn
Trwy enaid Marchog
Ceisiwch seibiant a gorffwys
Dewch o hyd i heddwch
a gosodwch eich arfau i lawr
Gadewch i'ch dewrder sefyll yn
gryf a bydded i'ch eneidiau wybod
eich bod wedi dod o hyd i gartref.
The light returned to Arthur. The four lying around him stirred to life, free of injury.
"What…" Teddy uttered as he lifted himself off the ground. "What happened?" He looked up and saw Arthur, then chuckled. "Never mind. I can see what happened."
Slowly, all four rose. Xolotl looked down at his new arms, clenching his clawed hands and flexing them back out.
Arthur turned to Vidarr and Xolotl, his expression still jovial. "Gentlemen, I know there's bad blood here. I'm not a fool, contrary to what Myrddin may remember." Myrddin let out a slight laugh. "Vidarr, I know what happened and why. It would take too long to explain how, but we can sit down later and hash this out. Until then, understand I do not blame you for what happened." Vidarr shuddered slightly. "Everyone involved with Winchester was fooled. Who did it and why requires me to speak with the Old Man. When that time comes, I hope you and I can at least leave that behind us."
Vidarr said nothing, but nodded.
"Xolotl," His eyes met Arthur's. "I know your anger, and you are right to feel it. However, everyone there that day chose to be there. You know this. That army did not need to be formed and begin that campaign. If you're angry at us for the death of your brother, then know I will not allow you to attack anyone else but me. If you do try again to put me down, I promise you…" He walked over and placed his left hand gently on Xolotl's shoulder. "We will hash it out until you find peace. I owe you that."
Xolotl blinked a few times, then lowered his head.
I…tried killing him. Why is he doing this? Xolotl thought.
"If it were Kaye who died, I'd want the same thing. But as brothers, we're supposed to honor their legacies and carry them respectfully, not use them as an excuse to hurt people."
Xolotl nodded.
Arthur turned back to his new allies and old friends. "Well, guys, I think it's time we get out of here." His gaze shot between Myrddin and Michael. "How…How do we do that, exactly?"