The burned blood of goddess Nut fell in drops onto the shattered floor of arena; with the intact eye tried to look at her wounds but was impossible. She was barely able to move the eye.

Cleopatra raised the bow with some difficulty; could see her entire body suffered quite a lot of damage from that attack, at the same time the armor's technology seemed to come to life.

The same hand combed her hair with, moved to side to brush away the blood she collected.

– Thank you for that. Now, let's end this massacre ♡

– This… can not be…! The destructive attack of… of Mrs. Nut was… was… repelled by the Last Pharaoh!? I don't get it, but…!

» The situation has changed! Mrs. Nut is now the one who's in very bad shape! She's barely…alive…!

– It-it can't… be possible…! – the Egyptian Trinity were truly amazed and… angry.

In fact, all divine spectators were the same; their faces were pale with astonishment and disbelief. Feeling they shared with humans, who also didn't believe what they were seeing.

But it was the side of mortal spectators who recovered the easiest, going on to rejoice at the triumph of their representative.

– That is! – Marco Antonio, blushing with joy he felt, raised both fists – She's my wife! My beautiful wife who has managed to split a god in half!

– Yeah! – Alejandro and Selene exclaimed at same time – You can do it, mom…!

On his part, Julius Caesar also exclaimed with same sentiment while Roman army behind him applauded in sync; Cesarion smiled hopeful and a little tearful.

– I thought this was… It doesn't matter anymore!

The Egyptian human heard the voices of support, cheers and surprises behind her, which made her put a hand to face to try to clean the blood. Even with the poorly achieved result, she smiled sideways.

– I like this.

In his place, Zeus and Hermes were pale with surprise; first, the explosion had been stronger than they expected, and now they saw the situation was unfavorable for them. They would have talked, had it not been for an external shout interrupted at that moment:

– But what the hell is happening!?

The pair turned around, confirming the owner of that voice: Athena accompanied by Ares. The eldest, upon arriving and seeing everything that had happened, also put on a face like his father's and brother's.

The only one who was in a different mood, angry, was Athena.

– I had… I had to go out looking for my idiot big brother… and… I come back to watch the fight… But Mrs. Nut is split in two, and the human standing without a scratch!? What did you do…!?

– Hermes… – Ares discreetly approached his brother – What happened…?

– Well… it just happened…

– Tell me, why was it worth looking for this blond headhead idiot, instead of seeing what the hell happened…?!

– Calm down--

Athena pounced on her father to attack him in a tantrum, which Ares observed and made him remember… Remember that strange conversation he had just minutes ago…

The god of war Ares and the fourteenth valkyrie Lif held glances at each other. This when Ares realized an important fact:

« Did she… did she listen to everything I said!?

» No, no, wait a minute! This must be a joke… I am a god, the god of war, and she's just a kid! Of course she's kidding! »

– You're just a girl… – he kindly extended his hand to Lif – Are you lost--?

– The only one lost is you!

Without hesitation, Lif extended her head and landed a very forceful bite on Ares's hand, causing him to cry out in pain.

– Hey…! What's the hell!?

– It only proves me right! Feeling physical and emotional pain for a kid… Shame on you!

« What the hell is wrong with she…!? » Ares checked the wound on his hand « With all that nonsense she says, it's clear she heard me! But, who is believed to meddle? »

– What do you want? What are you doing getting into other people's conversations? – Ares showed a very serious facial expression – You shouldn't get involved in what you don't care about!

Lif put a hand to her mouth to think, while began to playfully walk around the fountain.

– In fact, I want many, many things. But it's not time for me, but for you…

– Hey, I'm telling you--!

– Who I am? What do I want? Let's say I'm a… a special messenger.

– A messenger? What are you talking about?

– … That's right! – Lif raised one hand – I'm a special messenger from heaven; from the dream world: Valhalla! I've been here to gather important information for the war has been waged for the second time… The Ragnarok!

– Huh? About what--?

His mind lit up instantly, coming to a hasty and strange conclusion:

– You… You're the… the informant of the Valkyries! You pass the order of fighters of the second Ragnarok!

– … No, not like it… – Lif let out a mischievous and amused laugh – Or maybe?

– N-Never mind…! – Ares got up immediately – I'll take you to my father, Lord Zeus, so you can answer for your crimes!

The little valkyrie was scared at the moment.

– Huh!?

Ares tried to grab her, but the half-god was so small and slippery no matter what he tried, she slipped out of his grasp instantly. Meanwhile, little Lif realized was getting in a big trouble.

« He's going to get me! If takes me to Lord Zeus this will be… Wait! I think I can use it to my advantage! »

– Stay still!

– Before you manage to catch me, you should consider your decision! It's not very smart!

– Now what are you talking about!? I'm going to--!

– Think about it! How will you appear to your father, Lord Zeus, if you bring a little girl who might be joking and playing around, into his presence under the accusation of being an informer from the heavens? What are your arguments?

– You yourself are my argument--!

– How would make this look in front of your younger sister… Lord Zeus' darling, the Olympian strategy, trainer of ancient heroes…? Wouldn't this be a good opportunity for your sister to take advantage of you, doing something as foolish as accusing a child?

Ares suddenly fell silent, so Lif decided to continue with her reasoning.

– Although, of course, you could still take the test. Maybe be right, be judged by Lord Zeus, and be remembered as the god who stopped the corruption in Heavens.

» Or, the biggest possibility in front of you: a bad joke from which you will end up ridiculed and humiliated… An easy snack for the goddess of strategy!

Lif ended up stopping on the shore, to look at the other plants in garden where they were.

– You know? I understand being a game for a sister, since I also have one. Just like you, she's younger than me…

» I understand what you feel. Envy, anger, wanting to have the attention of the place… These are privileges are deprived of the elderly, like us…

– … So you speak from your experience. Although… – Ares ended up sitting down again, calmer than before – A girl like you, wanting to instruct me? It's hard to believe; more because all this seems just a game to you.

Lif thought about her own last words a little longer; when realized she was rambling, came back to reality and also to her role play.

– A game, for me? Not at all! In fact, all this has been a poor request.

– Huh?

– Have you forgotten? I'm a special messenger. I know I have this job, but… I have no destiny. A message with no one to receive it.

– Are you going to start with your--?

– My message is…! – she immediately cleared her throat – "The traitor of gods is…"…

They were both silent for a moment; Ares had his face surprised as if was waiting for the girl to finish the sentence. Which never happened.

– So?

– Don't you understand, Warlord? I'm looking for the traitor among you! – she pointed a finger at Ares accusingly – You should be ashamed of not knowing!

– … Ok… But, what does it have to do with spying on me?

– I don't know that traitorous individual but… I remember a special message it left us. A summons to… a meeting, in Elysian Fields gardens, around the time the sun begins to descend from its highest point… Isn't that something familiar to you?

Ares didn't understand at first, until overthinking it. Then caught the direct hint of the Valkyrie.

– What the hell happens to you!? You accuse me of being the traitor!? It's impossible for it to be me!

– Don't worry, Warlord! – Lif looked determinedly at the roof of the garden – You may have been the victim of a bad move! In that case, help me to prove your innocence!

– Help you?

– If you think about it, it's obviously nonsense the traitor reveals itself to me on this site. Someone like it would never want to give away their identity, maybe that's why you ended up here…

» But listen to me! Don't Become The Prey, But Be The Hunter! With your presence on the divine side, you have eyes see what I don't, ears hear what I don't, and contact with whom I can't… That traitor could be very close… More than you think.

Suddenly, for Ares, Lif's words began to make a lot of sense.

« She's right. Buddha was always among us, and ended up betraying our side in that fight. »

– Very close… Maybe… A close relative? Like a sister?

Ares was shocked again by those conclusions.

– A-Athena…!? No, it's impossible! She may be capricious, pampered, clueless, and very lazy, so much so irritates me, but… – shook his head several times – No, no, no! That cannot be.

– Isn't it strange the favorite goddess of Olympus has only supported or wanted the victory of humanity's side until now? Remember… The traitor may be closer than you think.

Ares hesitated a bit, thinking about it over and over again. But in the end, flatly denied that statement.

– No. I believe in my sister. No matter what she's like… In short, she would never betray the gods! I trust her!

Those words took Lif by surprise, who for a moment had her little sister in memory. A situation similar to that, where she said exactly the same words as Ares.

« "I trust her"… Wait! Return to the role! »

– In any case, her attitude towards humanity makes her suspicious. If my eyes are on her… Don't doubt someone else has the same ideas as me?

– Are you saying they could accuse my sister?

– Only if you allow it…! – Lif pointed to the god with one hand – That's the request I want to make to you: get enough evidence to rule out Athena as a possible informant!

» Thus, you'll protect your little sister, which will bring her the redemption vanquished pride requires; your father will admire you, Athena will stop seeing you as a fool, and Olympus will recognize your courage, while I'll remove her from my target list and it'll be easier for me to find the true culprit of these misdeeds…

» Do we have a deal, Warlord?

Ares was surprised by all the conversation he had just had with that kid; his mind said it was all a clear game on her part, but in the back he wanted to believe it was true: that way, he would have a reason to take care of his sister…

And also to collect everything she had done to him so far. A perfect opportunity.

– You're a strange kid, but your way of finding solutions is interesting… I accept!

Cautiously, to avoid being bitten again, Ares shook hands with Lif and they shook. Suddenly a female voice resounded in gardens, which was immediately identified by Ares.

– Athena…? What is my sister doing here?

– Remember that, warlord! You have until before this Ragnarok's end to prove your sister's innocence! – jumped out of the fountain immediately.

– That? You're leaving now?

– Every second lost is a human or divine representative sacrificed by the informant! Let's go get more proof of its identity right away!

– Wait…! – Just when Lif was about to disappear from the place, Ares stood up to her – What's your name?

Lif turned her gaze and winked at him while sticking out her tongue.

– You don't need to know… We'll see each other again! Bye~!

« Indeed, that kid was weird… » Ares nodded his head « But… Thanks to that conversation, I'll be able to pay more attention to what my sister is doing…

» Now, back to the topic… »

– That--!? – Athena blinked a couple of times – Is that why the entire coliseum exploded!? And what does it have to do with Mrs. Nut being split in half!?

– I couldn't tell you that… – Hermes shrugged.

– Damn it, dad! – Athena came to hit Zeus in a childish way.

Although the way of expressing it was different, all gods felt the same as Athena: surprise and confusion by what they saw in arena.

The leaders of the Svarga, Shiva and Rudra; Thor with Syf and Forseti; the 7 gods of fortune who were speechless; Aphrodite in her room though seemed to take it in better. In arena, the wings of Cleopatra's armor spread to let her rise into the air and out of the crater, standing right in front of Nut's kneeling, barely alive body.

– Big sis…! – Lifthrasir had in her head what happened, but kept surprising it – It's fair… it's…!

– Brokk and Eitri's job, that's right… – answered the purple-haired Valkyrie with confidence – It's the weapon they created to defeat an Ancient One… using the same power as them.

At the same time, the dwarves were euphoric and happy to see the result on the screens.

– Look at all that destruction…! The power of an Ancient One is just as we'd calculated it: immeasurable.

– And despite it, we're able to make that armor is still in one piece… What a thrill!

– What a good choice of material we made…! – Eitri began to boast in an explanatory way – Pig iron. The same material we use to make Mjolnir, the giant slayer, and Gungnir, the spear of the oath.

– Fortunately we still have plenty to make more pig iron… Miss Geir will need it!

– Her collection of divine weapons…! That database connected to the user's neurological system to manufacture the weapons it require in real time, and intelligent technology can reassemble a broken piece or make it fly into the air… Nanotechnology!

– It would never have occurred to us, if it weren't for the help the human gave us entering the laboratory.

– How to forget it! Nikola Tesla and one of his best invention, which brought back thanks to his fight against Susano'o no Mikoto…! – Eitri raised his arms in victory – The solar cells!

– Technology capable of using the energy of the stars for their own benefit. In this case, capable of absorbing the devastating power of a Ancient One attack and using it as a battery for the armor itself…

– How sublime! The best divine creation we've been able to do; in short, the true god-killing weapon!

– Don't be so extremist brother!

Suddenly Brokk raised his voice to make his brother lower spirits; all because there was one more thing to mention…

– Despite the hardness and strength of the Pig Iron, intelligence of its circuits, recharging of solar cells, we must not forget the biggest problem: the armor is still a prototype.

» We couldn't do enough tests to check all its standards and qualities in combat, especially in extreme situations. You'd have seen all the cracks in it by now…

– … It's true. Mrs. Nut's attacks have split the armor on several occasions.

– Not to mention the solar cells were not tested either… We don't know if all of Mrs. Nut's attacks can be absorbed by her technology…

» How much energy they resist, before collapsing and turning it into a furnace could incinerate it.

Eitri immediately lowered his spirits; everything his brother said was very true, leaving all compliments in a small sentence summed up everything, which Brokk said:

– A very powerful weapon against the clock… If want everything to end well, she must finish the fight as soon as possible.

– Although, it seems everything is over! – Eitri smiled immediately, although Brokk refused.

– I wouldn't be entirely sure…

For her part, Geir swallowed hard; just kept thinking about the creation made by the dwarves.

« When they do those crazy things with their forge… They do scare me. »

The human smirked as gazed at the goddess, though something suddenly caught her eye; a distant memory from her past…

It had a lot to do with the very goddess who was now on her knees before her…

Year 57 BC

– I don't understand father.

– What don't you understand?

– You're the Egypt king. However… we don't live at home. I don't understand this!

Location: Villa of the Triumvirus Pompey, near the Albanos Hills and capital of Roman Empire.

After a series of political traps put the current pharaoh, Ptolemy XII, between a rock and a hard place, the king had to leave his country to get support from Rome. Everything from outside.

Cleopatra was then a 12-year-old girl; not even the comfort and safety of the Museion were enough to convince her to stay there, but accompanied her father in the exile; despite being smart, was also innocent in many ways.

– Let's say I had problems I couldn't solve while being--

– I'm fed up! Why don't you tell me things clearly!? Just because I'm a kid!?

– … That's right. You're little to understand all this.

– I don't want to be anymore! I want… to be older, like you! To solve these problems together!

Ptolemy smiled at sincerity and innocence of his daughter, something was missing in those days. Put down the letter had been composing, to lift the kid into his lap.

– It's noble of you. Apparently, Philostratus has brought you up very well--

– I don't mind! I want to be big now!

– … Maybe not so well.

– Philostratus has told me you've always had problems; he never tells me why or which ones, just you have problems with other kings, with our people, and… you can never be at peace.

» Is that why we had to leave the house? It's not fair! I want a life we deserve! You've worked very hard to be a good king, and we deserve it!

The man was moved by her words;  put one hand on her head to calm her down.

– I promise you one day our kingdom will finally have the peace you want. It's just… I need a little time to get it done.

–… Ok… If you say so, you'll do it! – Cleopatra smiled excitedly, as well as raising a hand to the ceiling – Also… I've prayed to the gods for you, so you achieve your goal!

Just hearing that sentence, erased Ptolemy's smile.

– "Gods"?

– Philostratus taught me a lot about them, who they're and how to worship them. I've prayed to Ra, Sun Lord, and to Nut, Night Sky goddess, to return the kingdom to you. I'm sure they are as elated as you're about this situation, and they'll respond!

The reaction after the new words of his daughter changed completely; left her on the floor and went back to writing this letters.

– Daughter, no longer raise prayers to them.

– Huh? What are you talking about father?

– I'll talk to Philostratus about it, but as long as you live in my house you won't do those things anymore.

– That? But father…! – Cleopatra approached him worried and innocent – Philostratus has told me about the failure of other kings, because they didn't ask the gods for help! If we don't, you'll get a punishment--!

– I've said no!

Ptolemy's euphoric response scared the little girl greatly. A radical change to a few moments ago, which caused Cleopatra to fall backwards to the ground.

– I no longer want to hear about gods from your lips! It's an order, got it?!

» They… They're supposed to take care of us, but haven't done anything for us! If really exist, just sitting on thrones treating us like toys! They've put me here!

» They've abandoned us! And I'm not willing to even pronounce their names!

Cleopatra was truly surprised by her father's response; with tears in eyes, immediately ran to seek refuge in her own room. Climbed in, into bed, and buried her head in pillows and blankets.

– Why did dad say that!? It isn't true! He's just angry about everything has happened to us! It isn't true…!

Little Cleopatra kept crying for a long time until finally fell asleep; by the time woke up, night had already fallen on home.

Stood up heavily and rubbed at her eyes, swollen and red from crying so much, and stuck her head in to make sure her father wasn't anywhere near. Then closed the curtain, opened the window facing outside, and raised her gaze to night sky as clasped both hands.

First began her whispered prayers so as not to be heard, and then decided to raise her voice more.

– L-Lady Nut… I know you're very powerful, enough to return the kingdom and happiness to my father. Please… I beg you to listen my prayer and let Egypt return to my father… Then I…

There stopped to think, a girl as small and innocent as her, what could offer to a god who can have everything she pleases just by ordering it?

A single idea came to her head. It was an idea could get her into a lot of trouble after, but… If it got to be heard by the gods, it would be more than enough for her.

– If you do, I… will never take my inheritance. I'll never be a wife, mother, princess or queen... I'll dedicate myself entirely to your service, Mrs. Nut... Please listen to my request...

– Listen… to my request…

The human woman put a bloody hand on cheek as remembered that episode in her life; ended up smiling sarcastically and disappointedly.

– For a long time I grew up with the belief the gods were all powerful, so wise and invincible. They write fate on parchments, roll dice to bring victory in war, use feet to destroy nations, heartless to think of mortals. But…

» The truth is different, from what I can see in Night Sky goddess, on knees before me. I don't believe I've been so devoted to… beings aren't far from humans. I would say you're more human than us, right?

Nut opened her eye in great surprise, which was agreed by all the gods in bleachers. They all also agreed to feel hatred and revulsion for her bold words.

– How do you dare?

– Damn mortal! Kill her!

– Close your mouth!

The bleachers were filled with euphoric and annoyed screams; Instead Cleopatra heard them all, but her response was a defiant smile further unleashed the fury of the divine spectators. The goddess only kept gaze on the ground with slow and inpatient breathing…

– Make no mistake… Human.

After a moment decided to look up again, showing the same divine wrath with which had begun the fight: a face cold, indifferent and full of divine hatred.

Despite being torn in half and full of her own blood, the dress was wearing shone for an instant, as if had a spotlight on it was about to melt but strong enough to want to illuminate. Something caught Cleopatra's attention…

More when a dark aura emerged from Nut's body, to cover the half of her body; as if it were a liquid, such an aura completed what was missing from Nut had been destroyed. Upon finishing filling in the missing shapes of the goddess, such a dark mass began to take on the details of body: hair, skin folds, eyes, chest and ribs… One part even formed an spaghetti extended until it doubled in 3 parts, and from the far end formed 5 small protuberances were bent to shape… a hand. When finished, the mass solidified and its dark color disintegrated in an instant; beneath that darkness… something emerged no one in bleachers expected:

Perfect feedback; the entire side of Nut had been vanished by Cleopatra's arrow, was now whole again as if nothing had happened to her… As if had just entered the arena of combat. Arm, abdomen, head, leg… The hair was cut off was now complete again; Nut's dress was clean and complete. Again Nut's 2 golden eyes settled on the human with great hatred and divine repulsion.

Heimdall blinked in complete surprise.

– … What the…!? Nut has… fully regenerated!?

In the bleachers, opinions were mixed: Lifthrasir was frightened and surprised in annoyance, while Geir wore an expression of disbelief. On the side of gods, most of them, although scared, were smiling at that power of Nut; Shiva opened all 4 eyes and again gave a nervous and amused laugh.

– The Ancient Ones… They are crazy as hell! I like it!

– But how interesting… – Aphrodite smiled sideways, with both cheeks red with emotion – What exciting power!

Now whole again, Nut rose to feet with slow, rather serious movements; even when got up, revealed the intention to kill the annoying human in front. Cleopatra for her part had already gotten over the surprise of seeing her whole again; ended up smirking, defiantly behind her blood-drenched eyes also widened.

– I… I'm not like those useless gods. I am the only one… I am the Perfection of Heaven.

– Perfection in Heaven… How should I expect from you! – Cleopatra squeezed the hand held the divine bow – It seems you and I agree on something…

Her divine armor released a few electrical sparks as placed a hand on hip for better stance. Nut only had the Staff of Heaven in hands, which affirmed on the ground with a thud as well as narrowing her eyes.

– We are both, on Earth and in Heaven, perfection.

The third match isn't over. In fact, it was far from over.

Publication Date: 04/24/23
ASFD