Mimir Hall
Bleachers
High above the decimated arena, the Four Beasts sat in silence as they watched Lu Ban and Parashurama being carried out of the arena. Zhuque covered his mouth as he focused on Lu floating in and out of consciousness.
"Good grief, man…" Xuanwu said loudly, rubbing his ears. "You'd think the old ass was trying to kill everyone!"
"No," Qinglong said, squinting from pain. "He's just speaking his mind. Kind of makes it hard to ignore him when he does that."
"Well, screw him," Baihu said. "He'd bark like that at us constantly! Where's he get off acting high and mighty—" Something small and metallic hit the back of his head. "Hey!" He turned and saw Týr leering at him.
"'Hey' yourself," Týr said. "Keep talking out of your rear end and see what it gets you."
Baihu stood up, but flinched when he saw Barong standing a few levels behind Týr.
"Oh, don't worry." Týr pointed his mechanical thumb back at Barong. "He's leaving. Actually, no. Worry." Týr balled his right hand into a fist. "Keep insulting Lu like that, and I'll show you things he taught me that'll leave you worse than Parashurama."
Baihu scowled at him. He made a feint, but Týr didn't flinch.
"Enough," Zhuque said, standing. "Whether we care or not, we're not winning this. Let's get out of here." Zhuque walked up the stairs towards Barong.
Baihu huffed and followed him, with Qinglong and Xuanwu in tow. Zhuque and Barong's eyes met for a brief moment, but Barong rolled his and looked back down at the arena. Zhuque shook his head, and the Four Beasts departed the Hall.
Týr turned back to Barong and nodded. "Sorry you had to see that." Týr shrugged. "Not a fan of ingrates, especially when they insult friends."
Barong chuckled. "Aaah…breath of fresh air as always. Your rhythm is consistent as always, Týr. Maybe too consistent, but I see why people tolerate you."
"…Thank you?"
"Welcome. Now, I have something to deal with. I hope you don't mind me ending this here."
"Not a problem. Spar again soon?"
Barong nodded and left.
Mimir Hall
Oya's Waiting Room
Not too far from the decimated arena, relaxing in a warm-colored room on a soft sofa, Oya watched the end of the match play out as she added lavender polish to her nails. She was still wearing her armor and gown from earlier
"Hmm," She muttered. "Looks like I'll have a rough road ahead of me if you're waiting for me." Watched as Lu was carried out of the arena, and grew a soft smile. "Not surprised."
She heard a knock at the door. She rose from the couch while blowing on her nails and walked over to the door. She opened it and grimaced a little.
Standing in the doorway were two Gods. One was an older, tired-looking, red-eyed God with a face framed by black hair in dreads and a heavy beard, both graying at the roots. Old burns and scars covered his bare arms while an olive-colored robe covered his aged, but chiseled chest. A gray and red waist-coil covered his hips, and he wore worn, faded, leather sandals. Under his armpit was a polished, long wooden box locked with a metal clasp.
Ogun
Orisha of War, The Forge, Iron, and Technology
(Yoruba Pantheon)
To his right was a shorter, younger God with sharp black eyes with red irises, and short black dreads slicked back. He had a small goatee and wore pale pink robes with a red trim, with a rose-gold metal mantle on top. Under his robes were cropped white pants. Under his clothes and down to the soles of his feet, his entire left side was solid black while the right was bright red.
Eshu
Voice of the Orisha
Orisha of the Crossroads, Travelers, and Messengers
(Yoruba Pantheon)
"Well, what a surprise," Oya said, listlessly.
"Good to see you," Eshu said, smirking. "May we come in?"
Oya shook her head. "Keeping it solo until the match."
"Right…right. Well, Ogun and I—"
"Hold up. There's no 'Ogun and I,'" Ogun interrupted, his hoarse voice grinding against the air. "There's just me and you tagging along uninvited."
Eshu shrugged. "Yes, I invited myself. Yes, I am probably a nuisance. Do I still want to check on you? Yes."
Worrywart. Oya and Ogun thought.
"Well, I'm fine. See? No issues." Oya looked down at the box. "…Is that it?"
"It is. We had enough material to work with, and I convinced Hephaestus and Kanayagoshin to help me with it. It was cats and dogs with those, but we got it done." Ogun took the box in both hands and offered it to Oya. "Are you sure about this?"
Oya looked longingly at the box as she took it from his hands. She flipped the clasp and opened it. Her heart sank into her stomach, but she fought against the pull.
Resting in the box on a red cushion was a machete, polished to a mirror sheen with a sandalwood grip. She took it out and passed the box back to Ogun, feeling the wood handle rest in her grip.
"I made sure to sand the wood down to fit your grip. The Orichalcum used was mixed with a powdered fang from Oshumare."
"Even he helped?"
"He took some convincing. Once he heard it was you going, he didn't hesitate."
"Wow…"
"I added some extra weight to the end to give your swings a little oomph. Most of it is from Shango's axe."
Oya twirled her wrist, letting the blade glide threw the air. "It fits well. Almost too well."
"Everyone involved poured their soul into it. Use it well."
Oya smirked a little and let the machete rest against her shoulder. "Thanks, guys. Wish me luck." She stepped back into her room, flashed one last smile, and closed the door.
Eshu turned back around and ran his fingers through his dreads. "It's still hard talking to her. I'm so used to joking and messing with her like back in the old days, but it feels like anything I say just hurts her."
"You tried, and that's sometimes all you can do. Plus, you can't blame her. The thing she's waited for has come, and that Machete was made to get her there." The two departed, heading down the hall.
"I…I wish things were different. I remember when Shango was still around. Felt like the day brightened up when he was around."
"Yeah. It's a damn shame…and she's been living without him for a millennium."
"You'd think being Gods would make it easier to grieve. We live so long, stuff like that's just a blip."
"Afraid not." Ogun looked up at the ceiling. "Love like that burns hot and burns for a long time. Longer than any star in the cosmos, and our long lives make it sit around longer than it should."
Eshu sighed, then shook his head. He looked back down the hall and frowned. "And she's going against Pakkanen…"
"Now that's a problem. Any word from your connections there?"
Eshu looked up at Ogun, his brow raised. "Not like you to worry."
"Oya's part of the family. That's all. Plus, I know you dug as much dirt as you could about the other seven 'Instructors.'"
Eshu sighed. "I would've told her if I had any. All of it was useless. Pakkanen hangs out on the periphery of Ahtola and Tuonela. The Finns track him, but don't dare get near him."
"Why?"
Eshu shook a little. "The last team that tried was found frozen and partially eaten."
Ogun stopped. "Eaten?!"
Eshu stopped and turned. He nodded. "He's an SSS-class danger, and the Finnish bureaucracy can't deal with him. Heard even the Four Beasts barely survived trying to deal with him."
"The Hell…A lot of good that did. You'd think Ukko'd step in."
"He can't. Matka-Teppo told me that if he acts on his own, the rest will think he's overreaching rather than just keeping things in check. But that conflict gives Pakkanen room to roam."
Ogun threw his right in the air. "Bureaucracy is letting a beast roam free. Damn…He's better than Odin, at least." He and Eshu exchanged a worried glance. "I feel for Ukko, but am sure glad it's him and not me."
Eshu smacked his lips. "Yeah…but that's why Shango was put in charge…"
Ogun shot a short leer. "Thanks for the reminder."
"You're not the only one to blame. I could have been better, but it's too late to change it, and Oya's got to bear this alone."
Ogun felt the wind get knocked out of his sails and nodded as the two ascended the stairs.
Valhalla Arena
Medical Wing
Epona's Room
Far from Mimir Hall, Lugh sat next to an occupied Hospital bed, the room only lit up by a small corner lamp. A few monitors beeped as IVs dripped down tubes to Epona's unconscious body. Her head was held firmly in place by a metal apparatus, while her neck was held still by a brace, and her mouth sewn shut.
Lugh's focus shifted between her, the monitor across the room, and his tablet. The monitor displayed the results of Match Three with a banner scrolling along the bottom, displaying 'DELAY IN MATCH FOUR: ARENA DEEMED UNSUITABLE FOR USE. AWAITING DETERMINATION FOR NEW VENUE.
After what happened in the last three matches, I'm surprised the place is still standing. Lugh thought. A still of the next match popped up on the screen, showing Pakkanen and Oya staring each other down, and it caught Lugh's attention. Huh. She has silver eyes like Uncle. Don't see that every day.
The table vibrated in his hand, and he looked down. Crap! Haru Urara's Career Mode! He tapped on the screen. "Crap, the screen locked. Hey, Epon—" He looked to the right, and the words stopped in his mouth as the rhythmic beeping helped him remember. "Aaah…that was dumb of me…" He tapped on the screen a few times, unlocking the tablet. "I already have the combination."
Eire
The Stables
Not Too Long Ago
"What…in the actual fuck…is that?" Epona spoke, horrified at what Lugh showed her on his tablet: girls with horse ears and tails racing down a track. Both were sitting on a wooden fence as hundreds of horses grazed and ran around the prairie ahead of them. Epona fought against the urge to knock Lugh off it.
"It's called Umamusume! While I was travelling in Japan, I heard about it and looked into it," Lugh said, wearing a smug grin. "It's a racing and rogue-like game—"
"The fuck is 'rogue-like?'"
"…May be too much to explain right now, but it's a game featuring characters based on racing horses, or girls that are reincarnated racing horses—"
"Holy shit, Lugh, you're killing me with this." She leered at him. "What am I supposed to take away from something like this?"
Lugh's grin widened. "It's a game about horses featuring characters that look like you. All the playable characters are based on real racing horses from all over the world."
"And?"
"I thought you'd enjoy playing it! You're all-work-no-play, and I thought this would be perfect!"
"…I don't need some weird game to fill my time."
"What if we played together?"
"You play this?"
"Eh. Not really. No one else here plays, and some people I've played with take this too far. The death threats I get!" He chuckled a little.
"So why bother bringing this to me?"
Lugh's expression softened. "Promise not to get mad?"
"Kind of already there."
"True, but not Harbinger-level at least?"
Epona rolled her eyes and waved her hand.
"Uncle's preparing me for kingship, and I caught him talking with Set the other day."
Irritation crossed Epona's face. "Why's Zeus' lapdog here?"
"The Extermination Council is meeting soon. Set thinks something's going to happen and wants Uncle's support. Heard them talking about Brünhilde or something."
"Hilde?" Epona's sharp stare vanished. "I…haven't seen her in a minute. Most of the time, it's just Geirölul, Hlökk, or Randgriz who come check on the Eschatons. What'd they say?"
"Set thinks she's going to declare Ragnarök."
Epona slid off the fence, landing on her feet. Her ears twitched, and her tail flicked from side to side. "Where is she?"
"No clue. Why?"
"I'm going to find her and knock some damn sense into her." A pale aura began flowing from her body. "First her dumbass Dad loses his damn mind, her brothers pull that Ragnarök shit at Winchester, and now she's doing the same thing!" The aura exploded out of her body. "The fuck is wrong with that family?!"
"EPONA!" Lugh yelled. Epona flinched, and the aura vanished. "I didn't tell you that so you can get worked up. I told you that to explain why I'm here, showing you this."
Epona released a heavy sigh. "I get worked up whenever they get brought up. You know."
"I do, but I trust you not to let it affect you so much anymore. We're going to be a team one day, and I need to know I can count on you not to lose your shit when this stuff comes up."
Epona looked like she had been slapped.
"I know you and Uncle don't see eye to eye, an understatement I admit, and he preferred doing things alone. That never sat right with me, and I want to change that. Please remember that. I want to work with you, but that means we need to be on our 'A' Game."
Epona looked away.
"That's why…Umamusume."
She groaned.
"We can play just the two of us. You love horses! Many of these characters are based on those horses out there!" He pointed to the prairie. "Including Haru Urara."
Epona looked out to the field, eyeing a bay-colored mare grazing in the field, her wagging side to side. Something caught in her throat.
"A product of Human Greed…"
"And whose story, revealed through this game, awoke in people the love of real horses, pushing for more care and quality treatment for them, real retirements, and harsher punishments for abuse. Is it a stupid game? Maybe. Is it fueled by Human Greed and, probably, Lust?" Lugh shuddered. "Probably, but it helped people see horses for what they were again and try to help them." He showed her the screen again. "I'm not a horse fan. I prefer dogs, but I know they mean the world to you and want to try this game with you."
"Why?"
"Because if we want to be a team, we need more than just our jobs connecting us." He passed her the tablet
Epona moved her jaw side to side, then jutted it out a little. "…I'll try it."
"Lugh's heterochromic eyes lit up. "Awesome! Hell, if you like it, we can even go back to Japan! They hold conventions, and you'll be right at home—"
Epona reared back and tossed the tablet out into the field, letting it plop into a pile of horse manure.
"…Whoops," Epona said, fighting a toothy grin.
"…I deserved that…"
Epona burst out, laughing.
Valhalla Arena
Medical Wing
Epona's Room
"I'm sorry you lost, Epona," Lugh whispered. "I know how much this chance meant to you, but if it means anything, I'm glad you're still here." The fight played back in his mind.
Suddenly, a sharp chill rushed into the room. Lugh saw his breath and looked to the right. His eyes locked on the Eschaton's shadow, and it glared at him. Lugh sat in place, but didn't blink.
"Was wondering when you'd show up…but that chill's not you, is it?"
The shadow slowly looked over at the room's entrance.
"Something's out there. That's why you showed?"
It snorted. Gently, it rested its head on Epona's stomach, keeping its eyes on Lugh.
"Keep her safe. I'm going to check."
It snorted, and its ears twitched.
Lugh looked to his left, eyeing a spear resting next to his chair. Its shaft was solid gold, and it ended in a pointed, hollow, silver blade.
"…I'll take Gae Assal…just in case." He placed the tablet down, then picked up his spear, and slowly made his way to the door. He breathed deeply and slowly opened the sliding door. The dim glow of the lamp poured out into the dark hall, and Lugh looked up and down the empty hall. What the hell? He looked up at the ceiling, the walls, and then the other doors. Small patches of ice had formed where the ceiling and walls met, and the small windows on the doors fogged over. What is going on here?
Lugh stepped out of the room, tightening his grip on his spear as the ice slowly grew around the hall. He felt chills run up his arms and legs, and his instincts fired. He turned around and pointed his spear straight ahead, feeling something familiar, old, and deadly. "You know…I thought the Fomorians might try something with Epona and my Uncle in rough shape." His brow furrowed. "But then I think, nah. They're cowards, but even they know not to come when I'm here."
A pair of cyan eyes flashed open in the darkness.
"Well, well. How goes it?"
A hooded figure stepped out of the darkness, his pale white robes matching his long, clawed, bandaged arms.
"Out of the way," Pakkanen said.
"But you didn't answer my question."
"I'm doing what I always do. What I was meant to do."
"Okay…and that is?"
Pakkanen's fingers twitched. "I don't have to explain myself to a God.
"Ouch. That hurts. Don't you have somewhere to be? Mimir Hall, perhaps?"
"My business with Oya will happen when it happens. Never thought I'd get a chance to meet her after watching her mate die a humiliating death."
Lugh leered at him. "Don't speak ill of the dead."
"Of course, a Godling playing at King would defend another of his ilk. Are you prepared to die a fool's death like him?"
Lugh took Gae Assail in both hands as more ice formed around the hall. "Not dying today. Least of all to someone like you."
"Where have I heard that before?" Pakkanen asked, mockingly.
Suddenly, the door to Lugh's left opened. Both looked that way, seeing Barong slide through the doorway and stare down at Lugh.
"Ah! I was wondering what was going on here!" Barong said joyfully. He looked to his left, his eyes locking on Pakkanen. "What a wonderful not-surprise. I had an inkling you'd be here." His ears twitched under his fur. "Seems like the other guest waiting in Epona's room is getting antsy." He turned back to Lugh. "Lugh, I'll take care of things here. You head back in and watch over her."
"Uh…." He looked past Barong, seeing a familiar name on the sign next to the door. "Isn't that Ryujin's room?"
"It is. He's safe and recovering." His pupils shrank. "I anticipated this, Lugh. I will keep him safe if you go in and protect Epona. Deal?"
Lugh's gaze shifted between the pair, but he pulled his spear back and stepped slowly backwards into the room, sliding the door closed. Barong turned back to Pakkanen.
"What're you doing here?" Pakkanen hissed.
"What I always do. Follow Creation's rhythm and ensure it continues without issue."
Pakkanen leered at him. "Spare me your whimsy. Why are you protecting Gods?"
"Because I can. Why does it bother you so?"
Pakkanen's fingers curled in. "They butchered and hunted our kin."
"Ha! So have you. How many of our kind did you kill and eat? Even when Gods were plentiful and weak."
"…That was dominance. That was the way it was supposed to be. The weak sit below us on the food chain, not next to or above."
"That was the way it was before, but Creation moves on and changes how it wants. Our time ended, and those of us who understood that adapted, while the rest…you know."
"The words of a toothless cur."
Barong walked over to and stopped in front of Pakkanen. "Wisdom seems cowardly to the stubborn."
Pakkanen stepped back into the shadows, and his eyes began to swell. The floor beneath creaked and cracked. "I am a survivor who knows how the world should be." The walls reverberated from his words. Ice cracked and fell from the walls and ceiling. "You are an embarrassment. A coward. And the four in there are domesticated beyond salvation. The least you all can do is let me take you and end your pitiful existences…"
Barong breathed deeply, letting his chest puff up. Then his arms, his waist, then his tail and feet. The blue in his fur faded into white as the darkness enveloped him. His massive eyes locked on Pakkanen's.
"Do not mistake me for a coward, runt. I have seen and fought things that would shatter your ignorant mind."
"Like that abomination, Rangda?"
"You don't hold a candle to her. None of our kind ever did." Barong's eyes rose in the darkness, staring down at Pakkanen. "Now leave."
Pakkanen leered at him. Then, his eyes closed, and his presence vanished into the darkness. Barong shrank back down, and his color regained its blue luster. The hallway began to warm up, and the remaining ice began melting away.
Barong walked to the door Lugh closed and slid it open, seeing him standing, waiting for what may come.
"Lugh."
"Barong."
"I have a favor."
"Am I in a position to refuse it?"
Barong shrugged. "You can, but it does no one any good. I think you and I would be much better off if we kept this to ourselves."
Lugh looked over at Epona and the Shadow sitting next to her, its eyes locked on Barong.
"That's probably a good idea." Lugh gave a slight bow, and Barong returned it.
"I'll be out here for the rest of the night. Rest up."
Barong gave a knowing glance at the Shadow, nodded towards it, and closed the door.
Lugh walked back over to the chair and sat down, placing Gae Assail against the wall and picking the tablet back up. He looked over at Epona and the Shadow, and felt his heart sting a little. He didn't know how it happened, but Epona's right hand sat on top of the Shadow's head. The Shadow closed its eyes, and its breathing went soft and steady.
You're not alone, bud. We'll keep her safe.
Lugh tapped on the screen and typed in the passcode. A familiar jingle played as Lugh started up the game.