Seas of Izumo
Long ago
Far out in the ocean, amongst a school of small wooden vessels, Ryujin lay back on the deck under a small straw canopy. Over near the bow, dressed in a drab, gray kimono with her black hair tied in a braid, was Amaterasu, her face lacking make-up. Her face was scrunched up as she leered at Ryujin.
"Hey," She said. "Is this it?"
"Yeeeeeeeep," Ryujin said lazily, not raising his head. "Nothing quite like it, right?"
"Yeah…sure." She looked around, watching Humans run across the decks of their small ships, casting nets and throwing out lines. Some were busy at work fixing small leaks, hammering new planks of wood into the deck and hull. She felt the waves softly rock their boat and the breeze run through her hair and over her skin. "This feels kind of boring."
"To some it is, but would you rather be back in Takamagahara doing paperwork?"
She clicked her tongue. "No way. Plus, Tsuku is too much to deal with at times. I need a break from him."
"Does he know you're down here?"
"Pffft. As if. Even if the ocean around here is his jurisdiction—"
"Sure it is," Ryujin whispered.
"—he doesn't know, and will not know, I am down here." She leered at Ryujin again. "Got it?"
"Yeah, yeah." Ryujin waved his limp right hand above him. "I get it." He inhaled some sea air and felt his body relax. "So, why come down here anyway?"
"Trying to make small talk?"
"Humor me, 'your Majesty.'"
She rolled her eyes. "I am technically your Chief God."
"And yet you never punish me for not showing deference." He leaned up and eyed her. "Ama."
She turned to look behind her, seeing the distant coastline. "I miss him. I banished him per his wishes, but I miss him."
"Sano'o?" She nodded. "Yeah, I can see that, but you're a good sister. You loved him enough to give him what he wanted and needed."
"I don't feel like one sometimes."
"Well, worrying about it is pointless." He rose and walked towards her and out from under the canopy. "Do you think they're worried?" He pointed to the Humans on the ships.
"You're here, guaranteeing successful catches, right?
"Nope." She grew a confused look. "I'm here to keep them company. Other than that, they're on their own."
"That's…odd."
"Maybe, but it's part of the fun. Humans are really weak and ill-suited for a lot of things. They can't fly, swim very well, or breathe underwater. They grow old quickly, and a bad cough can end them. However, what they CAN do is learn. Learn how to survive the harsh world around them, and in ways we don't give them credit for. This boat you're on is a good example."
"Is it now?" She asked with a hint of snark.
"I built my first boat with Lu Ban's help and just started sailing. It was my way to decompress from all the bureaucratic nonsense you and Tsuku put me through." She stared at him listlessly. "Sorry, not sorry. Hunting Primordial Beasts every day is exhausting."
"But it makes things like this possible."
"Ah, that's true. But that's a job, not my life or my passion. This is." He tapped his clawed foot on the deck. Amaterasu's expression softened. "Plus, Humans saw me, and practically begged me to show them how to build ships and sail them! Made me feel pretty cool, I won't lie! Now look at them. They can sail and fish without my help. They can now travel further out into the world than they ever thought possible." A wide, but calm, smile grew across his face. "The world is opening up to them, but they don't know it yet. Man…it gets me excited every time I think about it."
Amaterasu eyed him and smiled as he looked out to the open seas. A memory of a tall, blue-and-white haired God in formal robes, wielding a large sword, walking away from her flashed in her mind. Is what Ryujin sees the same thing you saw, Sano'o? Am I missing something? She shrugged her shoulders. Who knows? At least he's happy out here, too. And hey. She looked up at the sky, catching a slight glimpse of the sun from behind the clouds. The sun seems prettier out here.
Mimir Hall
Shinto Box Seats
Back in the present, Amaterasu looked at her brother and father before silently rising from her chair. She turned and walked towards the entrance, Tsukuyomi and Izanagi silently watching as she departed. The moment she left, Tsukuyomi slouched in his chair.
"Father," Tsukuyomi said. "What do we do?"
Izanagi briefly closed his eyes before looking over at his son. "Leave her be. She needs time."
"I know…but Ryujin reminds her too much of Sano'o. I never bothered her about her trips down to see him after Sano'o left to learn Kenjutsu, but I should do something as her brother, right?"
Izanagi smiled. "You can, but you are and already have. Space, time, and quiet can do wonders. She'll be back in good spirits when we go see Sano'o tomorrow, since his pupil should be fighting."
Tsukuyomi lightly tapped his left palm with his right fist. "Ah, that's right!" He blinked a few times. "Ah…that's right. Futsunushi died today, too, didn't he?" He leaned forward. "Man, I feel useless…"
Izanagi rose and walked over to Tsukuyomi and rested his left hand on his right shoulder. "Sometimes, we don't need to do anything other than trust our loved ones to resolve their own issues, or at least know they can reach out." He patted his shoulder, turned, and departed the Box. Tsukuyomi looked up at the hard light monitor, watching the medical team retrieve Ryujin and fly towards Valhalla Arena.
Mimir Hall
Men's Locker Room
Not too far from the Arena, Lu and Hunahpu sat in silence. Slowly, Hunahpu rose and rolled his shoulders. He turned towards the exit and began walking.
"Hunahpu," Lu said.
He stopped, but didn't turn around.
"Win." Memories from long ago reappeared in Lu Ban's mind of Ryujin shoving drawings in his face, the two carving wood, and testing designs. Then, their first successful venture out at sea. The memories played over and over in Lu's mind as his hands clenched into fists, veins popping up on the back of his fists and up his forearms.
Hunahpu exhaled out his nose. "Count on it. Be ready to fight me tomorrow." Hunahpu continued walking and departed.
Valhalla
Eire
The Stables
Far West of Valhalla Arena and Mimir Hall, across the sea that makes up a fraction of Poseidon's domain, is the land of the Celtic Pantheon, Eire. Unlike the domains of other Pantheons, it is subtle and almost indistinguishable from villages strewn about the British Isles of the Middle Ages, if not for being about the size of the city of Manhattan, New York. Within the labyrinth of wooden houses, buildings, winding cobblestone paths, and dirt streets rested the stone-grey castle and home of the Chief God Nuada, and his family, the Tuatha De Danann.
However, there is another place of note within Eire. In the Northeast region of the island is a place where few tread. Not because of pedigree or power, mind you. Nay, they avoid this place, because to tread there without approval…is a death wish. This place is a vast and old wooden fortress, surrounded by fences and pastures. This place is the birthplace of every single steed, mare, and stallion within the Heavens and Hells. This place is the Stables, and it is here that Set finds himself in an awkward position.
This star-filled night, on one of the roads leading from the Stables to the sprawling village, Set walked like a newborn foal while trying not to slip in the mud beneath a waning moon. Walking next to him, showing a slight smug grin, was Epona. She walked past him without issue, her horsetail swinging left and right as she walked. Set's foot got caught in the mud, and he stopped.
"Epona, as much as I…" Set struggled a little to wrench his foot free. "enjoy these walks, I need you back at Mimir Hall for your Round."
She turned back around, wearing a puzzling look. "Wait. Match 1's already over? What the hell happened?" She asked.
Set walked towards her, eventually finding firmer ground to step on with his mud-covered shoes. "Barong happened."
She chuckled a little as he caught up to her. She turned and continued walking. "Wow…didn't you just screw up royally. You knew what might happen if you invited him, so don't blame anyone else for your dumb choices."
"I did not have much of a choice. Everyone else ignored the requests. I even reached out to Hestia, Perun, Svarog, Eshu, Ninlil, Nuwa, and Dianmu. All declined."
"Even Damona?"
"She is still angry at me for last year, so she told me to 'get bent,' or something."
Epona busted out laughing. "Good grief!" She said between laughs. "You've pissed off almost everyone! No wonder you had to bring in Barong!"
Set shook his head, then looked out to the green pastures. Horses of different sizes and coats ran across the fields, some flew, and one looked like it dove into the ground. "The others are probably furious with me and see it as me setting them up for failure."
"Like you did with Ryujin."
"I did no—"
"Relax, I'm messing with you." She looked at him and smiled. "Kind of hard not to when you still act like a stick in the mud, and…kind of were a second ago!"
He stopped, and she turned around to face him. He stared listlessly at her. "How long have you known?"
"Since you last visited and convinced King Nuada and his royal puppet Lugh to sign up for Ragnarök."
"Lugh is not Nuada's puppet!"
"Maybe to some, but Lugh doesn't act like a king in-waiting. Either way, I figured it out." She tilted her head back towards the Stables in the distance. "Thanks to them."
Set tapped the chin of his mask. "Them?" He said in his baritone voice. "They are…still here? And they remember me?"
"Genius, yes, they are. They're annoying as hell and still don't allow anyone to ride them except the Valkyries or me. They're probably getting antsy and want to see you." She stepped up to him. "I'm not going to Mimir Hall unless you go see them." Her red eyes stared into his.
"…Fine. I will visit them."
"After we're done."
Set rolled his eyes. "After we are done."
"Good! They still like the same feeds thanks to Brünhilde and Geirölul coming by often."
Set started walking and passed Epona. "They are good women."
"Like their old man."
"Please do not start that. Those two, along with Hrist, are nightmares when they are fighting." Epona continued walking beside him. "Epona, I want to talk about better days, but I need to know if you are still ready and willing to fight."
Epona stared ahead at the slowly closing-in fortress. Many of the windows were lit up, and the shadows of large creatures danced in and out of the light. She saw a few of the farmhands trying to corral a fire-breathing horse with a black coat and blue mane, with little success. One of the herding dogs was running around the crew as they worked. She inhaled the night air and exhaled slowly. "Why did you send me the invite?"
"Why does that matter?"
"Because you know how angry I am with you for your stupid crusade. You left your family behind, and now you're standing against them. For shit's sake, do you know how broken up your kids were when you did that? The fallout that spread throughout all of the Heavens?"
"I was…not in my right mind."
"And apparently still not if you're pulling a stunt like this."
Set leered at her. "I will not excuse my actions then, but now is a different situation."
"I doubt that."
"It is now being done by the book. Fully legal in—."
"'Set,' do I look or act like someone who gives a damn about that?" Her tail whipped out to the side before drooping back down.
"Not at all, but you could still learn some decorum. Still vulgar like the old days."
"You hurt your kids, 'Set.' I'm not okay with that, regardless of your reasons."
Set blinked a few times."…I accept that, but that is not the point of this conversation. Are you fighting?"
"Oh, I'm fighting alright. I'm going to beat the piss out of every single one of the others." She walked a few steps and stopped in front of Set. "Then I am coming for you, and dragging your ass to your kids…and making you apologize to them for being a shitty father."
"If you win, and if you win Round Thirteen, I will gladly yield to your mercy."
"Damn right, you will. Now, I've got to go and deal with another issue."
"What is that?"
"Motivation. I got a lot of horses here. I need to remind myself of where they come from, and why they're here."
Set looked around at the star- and moon-lit pastures, watching the horses graze, sleep, or trot. "Those horses…are not ones you bred. They look like—"
"Ones from Midgard, yes. I pulled a deal and found a way to get as many deceased horses up here and give them a place to live. I also admit I got dogs added to the mix at your recommendation."
Set's gaze softened. "…You are too kind."
"I am!" She turned and started walking. "I didn't make horses, but I love them to death! They're wonderful creatures. Their beauty, strength, and the bonds they form with us are irreplaceable. Hell, some of them help keep creation going!"
Set recalled watching a few young girls in white dresses standing in front of him as a large black Horse with gold eyes walked up to them. Slowly, it lowered its head and sniffed the head of the redhead to his left, then the purple-haired girl to his right. Both giggled at the experience. Then it smelled the raven-haired girl in front of him and started chewing on her hair, and she started crying. "…and the memories they make with us."
"Yeah…memories…" A cloud-free sky played in her mind. A tribe of men and women gawking at her and the majestic creatures standing behind her. She saw them walk to the horses, pet them, hug them, brush and feed them. She saw countless men and women across the years ride and grow along their steeds. Some cried at their deaths, harder and longer than even their family members. Some horses cried and mourned their lost riders. She saw battlefields littered with bodies of men and beasts, side-by-side in life and death.
Then they appeared. Memories of decrepit and rotten stables, sick and injured horses, starving newborn foals, and Humans carrying guns towards the dying. A ghastly, pale aura began flowing out of Epona as they walked, and her red eyes stood out with their silent fury. "Too many memories…bad ones…I genuinely love horses, Set. Maybe more than I should, but they give us love we don't always deserve…and Humanity trampled on it. Their greed…callousness…" The aura grew into a cloud. "I will choke them with it."
Several of the horses nearby began neighing and standing on their back legs. The black horse suddenly went quiet and lowered its head, letting the workers lead it into the Stables. Yes, it is still there, alright. Set thought. "Epona, I will keep my word and head on up the road, as well as if you win. In return, you return to Mimir Hall for your battle."
Epona snapped her fingers. From below her feet, a pale, translucent horse rose out of the ground perfectly between her legs and lifted her. It snorted and shook its head. She lightly kicked its sides, and it started running up into the sky and out of sight. Set watched her as she flew away before turning his attention back to the Stables.
"Hopefully, they will not be angry with me for ignoring them…"
They probably will. When was the last time you saw them? The wispy voice in his head said.
"…Before Winchester."
Yeah…they're probably going to be angry…
"Ugh…Here we go…"
Mimir Hall
Outer Ring Corridor
Back at the Hall, in the dimly lit hall encircling the arena, Hunahpu sat on a cushioned bench, his back resting against the stone wall. Under his right arm was a large gold and silver ball. In front of him was the double-door entrance to the South Gate, but between him and the gate stood an imposing figure. He was tall with blue skin and long black hair swept back. Across his jawline and nose were orange stripes, with white stripes across his biceps, wrists, thighs, and ankles. Across his waist was an ornate red hip-wrap with white trim adorned with the image of a hummingbird dipping its beak in the eye socket of a skull. He wore fur wrist and shin bracers. Around his neck was a long, thin, scaly rope atop his bare shoulders. Held in his hand was a large headdress adorned with large green and white feathers, and his orange eyes stared down at Hunahpu.
Huitzilopochtli
God of War, The Sun, and Fire
Ruler of the South
Chief God of the Aztec Pantheon
"How soon is the match?" Huitzilopochtli asked.
Hunahpu looked up at him and grew a small, irritated look. "Should be starting up in about ten or so minutes," He answered. "Heard she just got back. Was kind of hoping she'd not show, but the data I got on her said otherwise."
"You collected data on her?"
"All of them. People underestimate him, but Set's not the guy to pick people randomly, or to prop up half-assed Gods. Each of the ones he picked is strong."
"I'm not ignorant enough to not pick up on that includes you." Huitzilopochtli smiled wryly.
"Eh. It's how it goes. Greatness knows greatness." Both chuckled a little.
"Be careful, Hunahpu. Epona's said to be in the same vein as Barong."
"I heard. Back in Eire, she's considered Nuada's opposite: the Dark Queen to his King of Light. Kind of grim, but she earned it."
"She did. But she's fighting you, the Feathered Serpent's star pupil."
"You say that, but any other given day, I've got about a forty-five percent chance to beat her."
"Only that high?"
"As you said, she's in Barong's league. Ryujin's not the only one facing a monster." He raised his right hand and pounded down on the ball, making it bounce up. He let it fall onto his right hand. "But, I can make forty-five a hundred if done right."
"Does that thing have some special power?"
"Yeah, but it's not that. It's this tournament." Huitzilopochtli tilted his head. "Everyone's on edge now because Barong won in the first round so brutally. All of Ryujin's attacks were one-hit kills, but unless they hit, it didn't mean anything."
"You sound disappointed. If things were different, you'd be fighting him instead if you won."
"Ryujin's a beast, and he almost had Barong, but if you know how to fight against him, he's beatable. However, here's the fun part."
"Which is?"
"Everyone's got their eyes on Barong and the prize. That's fine for me, because they're all going to focus so hard on those, they won't be ready for me." He tossed the ball up and caught it. "With me going second, the odds now stack in my favor."
"I don't really get it, but I'll leave it to you. Our Pantheons are counting on you."
"Yeah…about that. Why me? Why not one of the other Sons?"
"Does it matter?"
Hunahpu rose and tucked the ball under his right arm. "Honestly? Not at all." He walked past Huitzilopochtli and towards the gate. "It's about time. I'm heading in to wait out the rest." Hunahpu turned back. "I'm winning this, and we will all stand under one again." Hunahpu pushed one of the doors open with his free hand and walked through, letting the door swing shut behind him.
"Hunahpu, normally, I would never doubt your abilities, but…" Ryujin's defeat played out in his mind. Then the air turned cold as he recalled the sound of hundreds of hooves tearing away at the land and air, the wailing neighs, massive beasts running through the skies, and the roars of their riders. "I pray you survive."
Mimir Hall
The Arena
"Ladies and Gents!" Jarl yelled through her mic as she stood in the arena's center. "It's tiiiiiiiiiiime! We're excited to bring you the next deity decimation you've been waiting for! We're now moving into the second match of Round 1. After his swift victory, Baron now waits in the semi-finals for his next foe. Who amongst these fierce Gods will take him down?!"
Game Master's Box Seats
Why is she playing Barong up like that? Set thought. Might have to send a mention to Heimdall.
"Heh," Oludumare chuckled a little while nodding. "She's messing with the fighters."
Set turned to him. "Hmmm?"
"She's trying to get the fighters stoked to make them fight harder. Could work. Could not, seeing as the two about to fight don't need it." Oludumare propped his chin on his left fist. "Who's your money on?"
"Epona."
"Why her?"
"Of the A block, I firmly believe she's the only one capable of beating Barong."
"Maybe, but that doesn't mean Hunahpu's going to lose. Advantage over one fighter isn't an advantage over another."
Set nodded. "Then let's see what happens."
Mimir Hall
The Arena
"Let's get our Fighters out here!" Jarl yelled. She waved her right hand to the right. "Fighting out of the North Gate!" The gates opened, and mist poured out onto the floor.
"On cold, moon-filled nights, their rallying cries can be heard through crying winds!
Their spears, nets, bows, and clubs waved madly in the air from atop their spectral steeds!
Galloping across the skies, God and Ghost amongst their monstrous band, they are known by many names, but all fear the Wild Hunt!
No soul escapes them once they start! Only mercy grants their prey survival!
But even these ghastly spirits bend the knee! Even their might steeds bow their heads!
To who? And WHY?!
To HER!"
The mist turned pale green and began spinning up into a funnel. It started glowing as it rose and transformed into a massive horse, acting as if it were rearing up on its hind legs. It neighed, sending a collective chill across the arena.
"For she is the only one they fear! For she is the only one with the strength to break them in!
They ride only at her whim! No horse dares fight her! No rider dares to challenge her!
Death follows in her wake, for
SHE.
IS.
THE MATRON OF THE WILD HUNT!
EIRE'S DARK QUEEN!
EPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONAAAAAAAAAA!"
The spectral horse stomped down, shaking the arena. It turned to face the gates and snorted. Out of the entrance strode Epona, eyeing the steed. She walked to it, and it bowed to meet her at eye level. She gently pressed her head against its forehead and both closed their eyes. "I won't be here long, boy. Come get me when it's over," She whispered. She raised her head and walked past it to the center of the arena. The horse then walked through the gate, and it closed behind him.
Jarl pointed her free hand to the left. "Fighting out of the South Gate!" The gates opened.
"Born of Light and Darkness, and told of in the sacred text, the Popol Vuh, He is one of the legendary twin tricksters who outwitted Xibalba's Lords of Death!
Alongside his brother, he braved the rivers of scorpions, the Houses of Darkness, Jaguars, and Bats!
Together, they outplayed, outwitted, and outfought every threat that came their way!
He rose from the depths of Xibalba like a rising star!
He sits at the top of the Heavens like a burning Sun!
He roars and fights like an endless supernova!
The Universe's Greatest Pitz Player!
He is the Mayan Sun!
The Golden Hero!
HUNAAAAAAAAAAAAHPUUUUUUUUUUUU!"
Light erupted from the hall. A loud, hard object could be heard bouncing off the walls of the hall. Epona squinted at the light, but she saw him. Hunahpu strolled down the hallway as a large ball bounced off the walls around him. He swung his arm out and slammed his forearm into it, keeping it bouncing. Then his hip. Then his thigh. Then his shin. The ball kept bouncing, with each strike making it faster and faster. Each bounce began shaking the arena, and before long, it turned into a ceaseless tremor. The ball vanished into a blur, like a high-speed planet orbiting a star.
He neared the gate's threshold. It bounced one last time off the ceiling straight down at him. Without looking, he stepped just a few centimeters back. The ball passed right in front of his face, and he clamped his hands firmly on the ball's sides. He tucked it under his right arm as the light vanished, and he walked out to the arena's center. He stopped just a few meters across from Epona and gave her a lazy stare.
"Showoff," She whispered, smiling.
"Got to give them a good show, but a giant horse is hard to beat," He replied.
Epona's tail whipped to the right as she nodded. She reached her hands behind her back and into a small pouch. She pulled out two red gloves with pale-green horseshoe designs embossed on the back.
"Fighters, are you ready?!" Jarl yelled. Both nodded. Hunahpu dropped the ball and snatched it in his hand as Epona let her arms hang limp while she stepped her right foot out. Jarl stepped back a few meters. Definitely staying out of the way of this fight! "Round 1: Match 2! BEGIN!"