Mimir Hall
Arena
Lu Ban breathed deeply. I don't have my sword or my sheath. Bleeding's stymied, but I am not in a good way. He thought, squinting a little. But you're forcing the energy through your body too quickly. Willing to put your life on the line this early? He smiled a little. You're still a kid at heart, aren't you? I'll respond in kind then. He allowed the energy to into his right arm, feeling it pool and circulate through his skin, muscles, tendons, veins, and bones. He stretched out his fingers into a knife-hand. "Wǔ Héng Cáng. You're not the only one who can do crazy stuff with your hands!"
Parashurama burst forward. Taking Vidyudahbi in both hands, he swung at Lu's neck. Lu ducked a little and slapped the Parashu over his head, feeling it hum near from impact. The tune of creation. Still sounds nice.
Parashurama turned the Parashu in his hands and swung back to the right, then left again. Pushing with his right and controlling with his left, Parashurama unleashed a volley of swings from nearly every angle. Lu swatted away each strike with his palm, wrist, and elbow. Both stepped in tandem with each other, keeping their exchange compact.
He's still able to channel this much power through his body! Parashurama thought as he swung away. Is this the difference between us? Is the gap that vast? He could feel pain surging through the energy pathway up his body. I'm overusing Viydudahbi's power, but it's necessary to win! Parashurama's left hand released its grip as he swung the Parashu back to the left. He raised his hand to flick it again.
And… Lu stepped forward and raised his right elbow. It scraped against Parashurama's right arm and connected with his chin. Now. Lu twisted his arm and brought a chopping right down towards Parashurama's left collarbone. He crouched down and stomped as it fell, and he felt a bone snap against his hand
Parashurama winced in pain, and his eyes went bloodshot. Lu pulled his right arm back and inhaled. He extended his index finger's second knuckle up little. He roared and released ten consecutive one-knuckle punches into Parashuram's torso. Wǔ Xíng Zhèn Mài: Mén Jī Shí Lián!
Parashurama felt power vanish from his core, and dread began setting in. He can shut it down?! He yelled in his mind.
Lu pulled his fist back once more and smashed it into Parashurama's solar plexus, sending him flying.
"Parashurama's down!" Jarl yelled. "Even after that monstrous assault, he can't keep Lu down!"
Parashurama rose, his body searing with pain as he tried to breathe. His left arm hung limp, while his fingers twitched and moved. I can't stop here, Lu. I cannot hesitate. Not here.
<>
Svarga
Temple of The Trimurti
Millennia Ago
Back at the Temple, Vishnu slouched over his thrown, marveling at the small, metallic tablet in his screen. The screen glowed, showing several icons and a few pop-ups. Man, how the heck did that Hephaestus guy create something like this?! He thought. This is amazing! I can read about things down in Midgard and even on the other side of Valhalla!
He heard heavy thumping coming from the temple's entrance and looked up from the tablet. Rama came into view, carrying several bags in his hands, Vidyudahbi resting on his back.
Vishnu rose from his throne and walked down to meet him at the temple's center. Rama gently laid the bags down, save for one. Vishnu eyed it, noticing the large red stain on the bag's bottom.
"As promised," Rama said, solemnly.
Vishnu's eyes darted from bag to bag before a quick huff. "Well, well. Man of your word, eh? Good job, Rama."
"It…was easier than I thought it would be."
"Really now? Gave them up without a fight?"
"No…" He eyed the stained bag. "I didn't give them a chance."
Vishnu's eyes darted between Rama and the bag. "Ah. Well. Did you think they would attack you?"
"I wouldn't have been the first they did that to."
Vishnu scratched his head. "You don't seem as beat up about it."
"Sir."
Vishnu's eyes shot up to Rama's. "Not a 'Sir' kind of guy, but yeah?"
"May I be candid?"
"I…never said you couldn't be?" Why's he so formal?
"I killed them. Quickly and without mercy. All but one never saw it coming. A part of me wanted them to give up the Astras, but another part of me didn't. I wanted them to resist. I wanted them to be selfish. To prove my anger towards them was deserved for what they did to me and others. We always lived by the mantra 'We move without hesitation.' It was the only way we thought we could survive…but it was a lie."
"How so?"
"Hesitation meant death back home. Constant near-death fights and stealing. Anything to survive. But it was only when I suffered from the actions that the mantra justified that I realized it was callousness, not resolution." He lowered his head. "I did stop them from hurting people, and the construction crew working in my hometown will never know they were in danger. But I'm a criminal…I'm…no different from them..."
Vishnu nodded. "Probably not."
Rama looked up.
"But, there's a difference. Why did you use the Parashu back at the vault?"
"…To save everyone."
"Okay...Why were you concerned at all about Lu Ban's crew?"
"They were there to help people. Help my town."
"There you go. I think you know better than you let on. Being resolute is admirable, but only if aimed towards something worthwhile. Something other than 'surviving.'"
"Like what?"
Vishnu waved his tablet. "Svarga's changing thanks to Shiva, but there's still a lot of battles to fight, and we have responsibilities to our followers back on Midgard. I think someone like you can do, oddly enough, a lot of good with that resolute mindset. Gods like you are needed to fight those battles and protect people, sometimes from each other. I have a small group of Gods I call the Dashavatara that act on my behalf. It won't be simple and easy, but I think it may fit you in the right way."
"I don't think someone like me can do something like that."
"Says who?"
Rama blinked a few times.
"Rama, we've all messed up. I'm guilty of a lot of things. I've been rightly called a monster, a killer, and a tyrant. Brahma and I did not run things well after Devendra left, and it took Shiva coming in and defeating us to make us see the truth." Vishnu shook his head. "We sat at Svarga's peak, but that didn't make us good leaders. You know what Shiva did after he and Rudra handed us our asses?"
Rama remained silent.
"Shiva took over and said he needed our help to take care of things. Now look at me! Brahma and I are coordinating construction and farming projects! We're building schools! Us! The 'Brute' of the Three Worst Regions! One day, we may even stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Greeks, Norse, and Shinto!"
"…I'm not following."
"We've all done shitty things, Rama. That doesn't mean we can't do right in the future, and it doesn't mean we're absolved of consequences. I have a lot to answer for, as do you." Vishnu turned away from him. "And I don't have the time to beat myself up for stupid choices, so I need to be smart enough not to make them again. Don't you want to do the same?"
"…Can I have some time to think about it?"
"You're staying here until you make a choice, but yeah, you got some time. Also, I have another guy working for me who goes by Rama. I think he and Hanuman will be making waves in the future, so I need a way to tell you two apart."
"…Okay?"
Vishnu pointed his tablet at Rama. "How about a nickname or something?"
Rama looked puzzled, but let his sights wander a little as he thought. He looked to the right and saw Vidyudahbi's shaft.
"I think I'll go with…Parashurama. After Vidyudahbi."
Vishnu chuckled a little. Where have I heard this before? "Alright, Parashurama, then. Come and see me when you make up your mind."
<>
Mimir Hall
Arena
Can still move my fingers, and I think I can still use the pull…but I'm shot there, and my power's fading. He stood tall in defiance. I have suffered worse. I have been put through all kinds of hell. This is another mission I must see through! For Svarga…and I can only accomplish with you, Vidyudahbi. His hair stood on end. Now, let's dance once more. "LU BAAAAN!" He roared.
Lu's flinched a little.
"We move…without hesitation! HALLA BOL!" He headbutted the central ring, and it rang louder than ever. The energy swelled within him and churned like a river. Blood poured from where he struck Vidyudahbi.
Lu scrunched up his face as sweat beaded on his brow. You really don't know when to quit, do you? He prepared himself. "Alright then! HALLA!" Lu fired out in a straight punch. "BOL!"
Parashurama turned the Parashu over, and Lu's fist collided with the ring, making it chime and hum. All his energy poured into the axe and caused it to vibrate. The vibrations flowed into Parashurama as he flew back.
The world slowed down as Parashurama landed on his feet. His ragged breathing slowed, and he burst forward.
He absorbed the power of my punch?! Lu thought. Ingenious! You're getting the hang of this by the minute!
Parashurama closed the gap. His right arm split into five exact copies.
And even applying it to your tendons now! Lu's right arm slapped each attack away, but the force of impact sent surges through his arm. That's true application!
<>
Mimir Hall
Game Master Box Seats
High above the climactic barrage, Set and his party watched on in silence. Oludumare and Zeus watched on at the edge of their seats while Hermes worked to hide his smile.
Set leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on his right hand.
Makes you well up with pride, doesn't it? The wispy voice spoke.
Quite a bit. Both of them come from lands full of corruption and violence. Yet, here they are. Undaunted by the past and seeking a better tomorrow in their own ways, and succeeding. Set responded in his familiar baritone.
If only Manu could be that way…
One day it will. One day, soon. If the Bureaucrat and the Brute can become something greater through the works of whom many would call unremarkable, then so can the Tyrant.
You think so?
I do. Now, keep watching, and see what it takes to do what one believes in.
<>
Mimir Hall
Arena
Parashuram faded into a blur, his barrage now flying at all angles towards Lu. Lu maintained his breathing and gritted his teeth. "LET'S GO!"
Parashurama raced around Lu, striking at any opening he could find. Lu turned as quickly as he could, parrying and blocking any attacks he could feel coming.
*Halla Booooool….*Parashurama thought. Vidyudahbi Holla Bol!
He stopped. Lu saw several copies of Parashurama swinging at him from all sides. He crouched down and focused more power into his right arm. Several copies of Lu formed, each reaching out its right arm towards an oncoming attack.
"Héng Bù Cán Yǐng" Lu roared.
"Chakra-Gati Nṛtya!" Parashurama yelled.
The oncoming barrages collided in a cacophony of force, sound, and speed. The constant clanging filled the air, sending chills through the audience. The Four Beasts looked on in horror at the sight while Barong struggled against his joy, and Týr restrained his urge to run in and fight.
The exchange continued for seconds that felt like eons. That painful nostalgia filled their souls with desperation and a fury like no other. Both their bodies continued to channel barely containable power through their bodies into their right arms that could destroy them. One, however, knew his time was short, and he needed to take the initiative.
Parashurama, feeling his heart pumping so fast it could burst, spun his right arm in its socket and dug up dirt and grass towards Lu's face. Lu jumped far back, and Parashurama's body and arm rotated again, turning into a massive cyclone.
Lu felt everything in his body pulled back towards it, and he flew towards it. He felt the power at the center accelerating and growing. Power that he had yet to experience, and it was pulling him in without a struggle.
It's too damn much! Lu thought. I got to do something!
The energy shot out of the cyclone's center to the side and upwards as Lu got closer.
Shit! He forced all the energy flowing in his right arm out into his entire body. Mu expands and gives birth to Huo to give structure to Tu and strengthens Jin—
The energy tore through the cyclone, revealing Vidyudahbi's head shooting straight down at Lu. Lu, instinctively, crossed his arms above his head.
"PARASHU-ASTRA CHEDANA!"
An explosion of dust and rubble erupted out of the point of contact. More debris slammed into the translucent barrier as the Hall shook.
In the Box Seats above, Zeus jumped from his chair, and his muscles expanded. "WHAT INSANE POWER!" He yelled with joy.
Both the Hindu and Chinese Pantheons remained still and calm, waiting for the dust to settle.
Slowly, painfully, the scene came into focus.
The first to see it was Vishnu, his eyes wide with shock. "No way…," He whispered.
Both Fighters were still standing at the point of impact, but the blow found home.
The blade…had carved through Lu's left collar bone, stopping at the top of his pectoral. The shaft rested against Lu's forearms, and his legs up to his shins were embedded in the dirt.
"How the hell…is Lu alive?!" Vishnu yelled.
Parashurama's eyes locked on Lu's, and his mouth drooped open. Blood poured from Lu's decimated shoulder, and he trembled.
"Jin…" He said through gritted teeth.
Parashurama's eyes widened. Lu yanked his left foot out of the ground and leaned to the left. He grabbed Vidyudahbi's shaft, twisting it a little, and yanked it down. The top of his shoulder was carved clean off, and Vidyudahbi smashed into the ground.
Lu's left leg looped around the dropping Parashu. "…lets Shui flow…to feed Mu…AND BIRTH HUO!" and stomped down on Vidyudahbi, pushing it deep into the ground.
How did— Parashurama thought. Lu whipped his right arm with a one-knuckle punch into Parashurama's right collarbone, breaking it clean in two.
Lu then slapped Parashurama's right shoulder, hearing a dull thud. Then, he dropped down his right knee, smashing his elbow into both of Parashurama's bent knees, driving his legs into the ground.
Lu rose and hooked his right hand around the back of Parashurama's neck. He inhaled deeply, feeling the remaining energy in his body flow into his respiratory system.
Gonna do something I should have done…a long time ago! Lu thought.
<>
San Xin Shangdi
Lu Ban's Office
Millennia Ago
Back in his office, right in the center of that monstrous tower, Lu Ban put himself to work. Within his small but vaulted office, the walls were covered from the base to the top in blueprints, drawings, and scaffolding. Connecting each level were ladders that a few young Gods were busy climbing up and down, retrieving and hanging different ideas for upcoming projects.
Lu, now in faded green officiate robes, stood at an awkwardly long table in the room's center, reviewing a few of them while making a few changes here and there. Behind him, Huanglong slid down the ladder, carrying two rolled-up blueprints.
He stopped next to Lu and placed them to his left. "Sir," He said. "Here are the plans for the two apartment complexes you wanted. I checked this time: North and Northeast Districts."
Lu gave him a thumbs-up without looking at him. "Any word from the renovation projects in the South and West Districts?" Lu asked.
"Ah. Hold on." Huanglong stepped out of the office and looked to his right, seeing the mailbox. A few scrolls sat there waiting for him, with one smaller than the others. "Huh. Weird." He pulled them out of the box and went back in the office.
"What do you have?" Lu asked
Huanglong unrolled one of the larger scrolls. "The Southeast residential complex is slightly ahead of schedule. Plumbing and insulation were finished earlier than anticipated and passed Houtu's inspections. The park and bridge projects are delayed due to disputes with local gangs, though."
"Figured that would happen. Did some work there a while back, but nothing worthwhile comes easy. Who's the boss in that area?"
Huanglong's brow furrowed a little. "Taowu of the Four Perils."
"Him?" Lu shook his head. "Obnoxious as ever. 'The Four Perils?' What? They think riding on Zhuque's coattails makes them seem impressive?"
"Ah. About him, Sir." Huanglong offered the smaller scroll to Lu. "I think this is from him."
"Did you read it?"
Huanglong shook his head.
"Good. Toss it."
Huanglong nodded and threw it in a trash bin by the wall
"Thank you for letting me know. Now, we need to go deal with Taowu." Lu walked around the table and out the door with Huanglong in tow. Huanglong could sense the excitement and urgency in his boss as they walked down the hall to the staircase.
"Sir, pardon my prying, but why not read the messages? That's the eighth one they sent."
"Just because they send them doesn't mean I need to read them."
"I respect the tough subject of them…but aren't they former students?"
Lu stopped and turned to face him, and Huanglong braced for another scolding, a hallmark of their growing dynamic since he requested a transfer to Lu's team. However, this was different. Huanglong saw in Lu's eyes a painful mixture of pride, shame, and a tinge of anger and sadness.
"They are, but ever since they left and did what they did, I disowned them. They took my teachings and used them to hurt people and steal. Worse, Yu Huang recruited them because they were good at it."
"Oh…"
Lu nodded. "They're my second greatest failure after this place. I can't undo what I did, and no one above me is willing to put them in their place or hold them accountable." He turned forward and continued walking. "All I can do is learn from my mistakes and do better. Build better. Build better places for more people to live in, and build better people to make things better than I could."
Huanglong stood nearly two heads taller than Lu and could easily throw him if he wanted. But in their stride, despite the apparent difference in size and build, in Haunglong's mind, he never felt so small. He couldn't help but smile a little as the two reached the stairs and descended.
Damn…he's so cool!
"However."
"Huh?"
"If I ever did humor a sit-down with those idiots, I might have a few things I would say."
<>
Mimir Hall
Arena
Back in the arena, Lu felt the energy swell and swirl in his lungs. From the start, all the way back to the beginning, the energy cycled and molded with the held air, his lungs, throat, nose, and mouth. Within his mastery of Wu Xing, Lu Ban was known for his unparalleled mastery of Mu, and its domain of growth and expansion upward and outward. He could channel it naturally through the mediums he felt a connection to, such as plants and the air. But there was one force he rarely used. One that he knew could decimate everything he worked to build his life around. One of the most dangerous and devastating forces he mastered in his long-lived life and his expeditions throughout Midgard and Valhalla. And today, he found the moment he knew he could forgive himself for using.
Lu tightened his grip on Parashurama's neck, and he leaned back. Time to air out grievances! He leaned forward and opened his mouth.
"LÓNG CHÌ XIÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀÀO!" He roared.
The wall of thunder slammed into Parashurama and flung Jarl's platform towards the ceiling.
"Crap-crap-crap-crap-crap-crap!" She yelled, trying to hold on as she typed away at a keyboard. A translucent bubble appeared around her just in time for the platform to collide with the ceiling, jostling her. "Damn it, Boss! I didn't sign up for this!" Her ears still rang despite the soundproof barrier keeping her safe. "What the hell's going to happen to me next?!"
Below, Lu saw the expelled energy slam into Parashurama's: Huo melting Jin, Jin severing Mu, Mu piercing Tu, Tu absorbing Shui, and finally, Shui quenching Huo. The roar grew louder and heavier and continued pulverizing Parashurama, his metallic limbs cracking from the pressure. Both their ears bled as the transparent barrier vibrated. Nearly the entire audience curled up in pain as the roar echoed out into the Hall, with the Four Beasts feeling a powerful chill run through their bodies as they tried in vain to protect their hearing. Only Barong and Týr seemed unaffected. The former let his body relax, and he closed his eyes as the wave of thunder passed over him.
Pure, unyielding thunder from a raging storm. What control! What power! He thought. You're truly a monster, Lu! Don't lose! I can't resist the desire to fight you forever!
The air around the Fighters oscillated, and the ground trembled. Nay, the entire hall trembled. Dozens of cracks crawled into the bleachers from the arena and up to the ceiling. Lu's cheeks tore all the way up to his ears as blood started flowing from his eyes and nose.
Parashurama opened his right palm towards the ground next to Lu, pouring all his energy into his right palm. *I need it…back…I can't…lose like this…Vidyudahbi…*Parashurama's eyes and nose bled as his eyes rolled back. …Damn it… His right hand drooped to the side.
Despite the pain, the newfound silence, and what was certainly blood pooling in his mouth, there was only one thing on Lu Ban's mind, and he made it known.
"DO YOU HEAR ME, YOU ROTTEN SHITS?!" He roared. "THIS IS WHAT YOU LOST THE CHANCE TO LEARN! FOREVER ETCH THIS TRUTH IN YOUR DAMN MINDS! YOU! ARE! MY! GREATEST! SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME!"
He tightened his core one last time, and he roared.
"LIVE WITH IT! LIKE I DO! EVERY! DAMN! DAAAAAAAY!"
The wall of thunder crashed one last time into Parashurama. His right arm shattered into pieces, his torso ripped from his waist in a mess of wires, hinges, pistons, and gears, and his left arm crumbled to pieces. What remained of Parashurama flew several meters away from Lu and landed with a heavy, lifeless thud.
Then, it ended. The roar continued to echo through the damaged hall, but it finally ended. Lu, torn apart by his own technique, remained on his feet. He couldn't hear anyone or anything, but he could still see. Still see the pools of energy, and they were fading.
No…not like this… Lu thought. He sauntered over to Parashurama, letting energy flow into his palm. He stopped and stood over Parashurama. He crouched down next to him and tapped Parashurama's left pectoral with his right hand. The energy poured from Lu's palm poured into Parashurama, and the pools of energy stabilized. Lu breathed a sigh of relief and stood. He still couldn't hear anything, but he felt Jarl's platform floating overhead. When you're…back on your feet…come find me. I'll put you to work. He turned back to the North Gate, seeing it open. Haunglong and several other young Gods in regal robes ran towards him, all of them wearing earmuffs as they sprinted towards him. Ha! Guess they figured me out already! They huddled around him, and Huanglong crouched down while the others pointed towards his back. Lu shook his head, chuckling a little, and climbed onto Huanglong's back. I guess I got...more to do... Huanglong stood up and departed.
The rest of the students encircled Parshurama and assembled a gurney from parts hidden in their sleeves, lifted him on it, and carried him out the South Gate.
"Ladies and Gents! If you can hear me! The Match is over! I repeat! It's over!" She yelled, watching everyone leave the decimated arena while rubbing her ears with her free hand. "The Winner of Round One Match Three! LU BAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"
Lu Ban VS Parashurama
Victor: Lu Ban
Match Length: 12 minutes 43 seconds
Deciding Move: Lóng Chì Xiào