Huitzi looked back at Greek's body with deep nostalgia feeling. Stood still for a few moments, before going to Xiau who was resting comfortably on the ground.

– You shouldn't have done that, you stupid snake.

Xiau growled at him as if to say "It's not my problem". Crawled towards the God and with gentle movements through the wounds of both of them, raised his body until rested on his shoulders. The Southern Hummingbird sighed in annoyance.

– Whatever. – concluded and walked to coliseum exit with downcast face.

– This ends the first combat! – Heimdall continued announcing the conclusion of fight – The Gods achieve a crushing first victory, and humanity has once again fallen on the first step towards extinction!

Geir looked at the environment remembering the details of the fight between Thor and Lu Bu from a millennium ago. The sadness of that occasion invaded her in a frighteningly greater way.

– We lost again… The first combat… – sighed with a very trembling voice, dropping to ground on her knees – This is… worse than I thought…

– ACHILLES, NOO!!

Patroclus fell to the ground with a thud with bitter and painful tears. The other boys were just in shock at it.

– Achilles is… dead… – Teucer was first to speak.

– Yes… Our Achilles is dead… – Automedon agreed with same sour taste in mouth.

Everyone remained silent, looking at the slaughtered body of his friend on the arena. But Ajax, in contrast to the others, lifted his face proudly though his eyes were wet with tears.

– He left like a real man. Fought against such a powerful God and never gave up… Our Achilles fought until the end!

The others looked at him, and little by little his countenance changed.

– Yeah, of course! – Meriones agreed shaking his head – Our Achilles died fulfilling his dream: to be the soldier of humanity!

– Of course! It's about time our bro was the center of attention!

Everyone commented and laughed with emotion, although the tears of his departure did not stop. Stentor helped Patroclus to his feet again.

– Let's go guys! Let's shout his name into the air! – Ajax raised his fist to the sky – History will remember him forever! Achilles, the half-god who fought for all mankind!

Patroclus, seeing the good spirits the other boys presented, wiped his tears and raised his face imitating them.

– You all are right. Achilles wouldn't want us to have tears in a moment of honor…

The half-god's body began to fragment into dust flew into Nilfheim. Patroclus and his friends seized the moment; all together raised their clenched fist in the air to say goodbye to his friend.

– ACHILLES!!!

Huitzi stopped in the tunnel of arena when heard the shout of the boys; still keeping his head down from him couldn't help but smile to himself.

– What a great honor to have fought with you, Achilles.

The boys saw Achilles' body fly away, and then their expressions changed.

– We'll make a funeral pyre in his honor! – Meriones exclaimed enthusiastically, to which everyone responded in the same way.

– Yeah! Just like when--! – Ajax was about to finish the sentence, but realized what was going to say. Patroclus somehow understood him and finished the sentence.

– In the same way… when I died…

An awkward silence formed between the friends.

– Stupid Ajax! Don't talk without thinking! – Estentor hit his friend on the head.

– Ahh! It wasn't on purpose!

Patroclus laughed a low laugh, bringing a hand to his face to wipe away his now happy tears.

– Of course! We'll say goodbye to him with a party! – clenched his fist with emotion – It's what Greece's hero deserves for having fought in this way.

They all agreed at the same time.

– Damn, of course he does! – Meriones spoke.

And the group of young people hugged each other with laughter and tears of happiness.

On the other hand, Trojans and their allies who were watching the combat were completely silent. Many, or rather most, hoped the man who destroyed their plans would meet a similar end; but now they contemplated it, silence and nostalgia invaded them and they couldn't celebrate joy or enthusiasm.

– He's dead… The Greece's hero who destroyed our empire is dead… – Telefo commented in a low voice.

– The hero who sent us to hell is now dead. – Cicno agreed, but unlike Telefo he spoke out loud – We should be happy but…

– Yes… – Telefo agreed with head – This is very sad. I didn't expect revenge to taste so bitter.

– It isn't true! Revenge on my brother has been fulfilled!

Paris was only one with different emotions. The other men looked at the Trojan prince, who was smiling good-naturedly; contrary to his brother who was looking down.

– Finally, brother, your honor has been--!

– Vengeance was fulfilled when your fucking arrow killed him.

Hector's dry words carried anger and nostalgia surprised Paris.

– This was… I now realize I wouldn't have liked to witness this.

– B-Brother…

Hector sighed heavily and got up from his seat to turn around and leave the arena, still with his head down. Paris was silent, surprised at the attitude of his brother.

– I think you shouldn't have said that. – Telefo joked sarcastically – Don't you know Achilles was the only rival for "the perfection of Troy"?

– Yes. – Cicno stretched arms and legs to get more comfortable. – I don't know about you all, but I'll stay here. This tournament will be more interesting than I thought.

– Of course I'll stay too! – Answered Telefo imitating his friend – I want to see the next battle!

– If first fight was like this… The last one will be awesome!

Paris didn't respond to comments of his companions, thinking what they told him. Hector walking through the corridors, between the echo of his footsteps, could only have a thought in his sad and empty mind.

« I wish we had had one more fight. Just one more… »

Aphrodite from the comfort of her room released a sigh of emotion ran through her body.

– That was… sadder than I thought ~ – extended her arm and took a little from the glass of wine she had – I wish he was still alive. It would be more useful.

On the Norse side, the 3 Gods in their box were surprised and shocked.

– That… – Thor left his silence to express the emotion invaded him – That was fantastic! A match like no other!

Syf let out one of her typical sighs, although thanks to Forseti's words she was calmer. Got up from her seat and hugged Thunder Berserker's shoulders to get his attention.

– You always use those kind of comments, darling. – she coquettishly imitated him while caressing the fur of the suit he was wearing – "I haven't felt this way in 1000 years"… "Only Lu Bu Housen has managed to make me feel these emotions. I think I shouldn't have killed him… ". It's typical of you, and one of the things I least understand… It still won't change my feelings for you, darling.

Thor turned around and to his surprise found the Goddess hugging him; and next words were the wrong ones.

– Syf! I hadn't seen you.

The Goddess drastically changed that smile for a raw look of anger, along with a sigh loaded with a lot of discomfort. Forseti had to intervene to prevent a tragedy.

– Lord Thor! She has been there for more than 5 minutes!

Thor and Syf were silent, until she spoke again in her angry voice.

– Be grateful I am compassionate with you darling. I've already gotten used to the nonsense you have in your head instead of me… And for the umpteenth time I forgive you.

– Lady Syf! – Forseti's eyes shone at the response of the Goddess.

The Greeks' stands was the quietest of all. Their main motive came from Athena, who had a blank, gloomy gaze directed at the spot where her disciple's corpse had lain.

The 3 Gods accompanied her were silent, already knowing the kind of closeness the Goddess had with the half-god: a warrior who, like Hercules, earned her respect and admiration; and the best disciple she ever had.

– S-Sis… – Ares tried to speak to the Goddess, stuttering because he didn't know what exactly to say to her.

– Sister, I'm so sorry. – Hermes approached her, taking her shoulder in an empathic touch – I would like to believe I know what you feel, but I don't. I can only tell you--

– Shit! My pretty Achilles is dead. – she sighed, bored, and then jumped up from the chair and turned around to the exit – There's nothing more to see here. I'll go for a walk.

– Wait sis! – Ares got up and stopped her with his words. – Aren't you going to mourn the death of Achilles? Of "your best disciple"?

Truly the God of War was very confused with that reaction. Athena shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

– No. I don't feel like crying. My pretty Achilles did everything for me to at least keep my pride; and, after all, he wasn't an idiot. He knew very well fighting against a God is a death sentence… It's not his first time.

And without waiting for her brothers to tell anything else, Athena came out singing under breath the melody of her uncle Poseidon.

Ares was very surprised and confused by all this; more for the support she had shown for him.

– She… Didn't she care about Achilles' death, to look so… indifferent?

– Of course she cared about it. – Zeus explained seriously – Only difference is she prefers to reserve her affection for him. That's why she retired.

– But… she really looked indifferent…

– So, do you want her to cry rivers of tears like you? – asked Hermes sarcastically.

– Shut up.

– She will mourn when necessary; whether goes to her room or does something around. Does not worry me. – Zeus got up from his seat, to also go to the exit – It's time to choose our second fighter.

Stomping hard, Geir walked in Elysian Fields hallways with many feelings in heart. She wanted to get to dwarves Brokk and Eitri as soon as possible to talk about the next combat.

Her mind played a trick on her and remembered the last moments of Achilles, who was determined to continue fighting despite his poor condition. Tears fell from her eyes to cheeks, and being more determined to get to the dwarves began to run.

« Achilles… »

Her mind was also filled with memories of Lu Bu a millennium ago, facing mighty Mjolnir still limbless and valkyrie-less; and despite his efforts he lost the fight.

« You gave your life Achilles, just like Lu Bu… Both were the strongest and fought with everything until the end. But… Now I know Lu Bu was no match for Thor: his monstrosity was never enough to defeat the Thunder Berserker, but… Achilles? Weren't you a good rival either? Then why did I choose you!? »

Lost in her thoughts didn't notice a small opening in the ground where Valkyrie's foot tripped and caused her to fall to the ground on her face.

That blow also reminded her of the end of the second match of past Ragnarok; Adam against Zeus, with the defeat of the father of humanity and the second consecutive defeat.

With all in mind, became so confused she began to cry loudly, letting all her tears fall to the ground. Guilt washed over her small body, and she bowed her head with that terrible feeling.

– I sent Achilles without knowing if he would win! I just followed a hunch, and that's why he's…! – Geir hugged herself – I sent him to his death falsely believing that he would win… What kind of…?

Immediately remembered her older sister Brunhilde, whereupon she was able to calm down. Took several deep breaths to relax her body, and with slow strokes of her sleeves she wiped her face.

– Now I understand what big sis Brunhilde must have gone through… This is very difficult!

The Valkyrie got up again and walked quickly, although calmer than she had been before. Continued until reached a metal door; behind it was a room she requested in person from Thor the night before the tournament.

Entered the password into the small screen next to her, and as soon as the doors opened walked in with dainty steps. Reached the back of the room, where there was a circular metal table as long as an oval, and remembered why she had asked for the room: this would be the place where she would raise the altars of the fallen Einherjer in the second Ragnarok in their memory.

– My sister made one like this last time – murmured, as remembered the moment when discovered that place a thousand years ago.

Picked up a glass pitcher and in a delicate downward motion deposited some of the water from inside her into a small cup she held in her other hand.

– She would've liked me to do this in honor of the warriors of this occasion. Yes, she would've liked…

She finished filling the glass with water and shortly after touched some buttons so a hologram with an image of Achilles lit up on the table.

Although this image was different from the ones her sister had used: in this case, in the image Achilles was carrying Geir in one of his arms. That photograph had been taken the night before the tournament, during the trip from Valhalla to the Elysian Fields; the memories of that photo came to her mind and felt guilty again.

– I'm sorry Achilles… – new tears ran down her face, some falling into the glass for Achilles – I'm very sorry. But… we must do this. For humanity and for my family…

Valkyrie turned and left the room at a fast walk without saying another word, and without letting go of her feelings.

Sitting in Akashic Records room, Geir with a look of boredom and reluctance leaned on the table. Her head thought endlessly but couldn't find a solution for problem she had.

About 10 minutes had already passed since the closing of the first round; the half-goddess, facing the holograms of the 12 remaining fighters, thought of only one thing: humanity representative for the second fight.

The noise emanating from the sand barely let her think, but still tried to stay focused.

– Who will I send this time? – thought several times as played with a pencil on the table.

She was nudging it with her finger to roll it over the record tablet, and her tilting it caused it to fall into her hands and then repeat. After a couple of times, she encased the pencil in her fingers and settled back in her chair.

– Big sis Brunhilde had advantage Lord Hermes and Buddha sent her the order of the divine fighters, it helped us in a great way to have the victory of the tournament. But this time lord Zeus and lord Thor made sure I had no communication with any God who could release that data… Without anyone's support, who should I blindly send?

Looked at the pencil listlessly, and decided to go through the records again as read their profiles and considered each of them. She read one profile in her mind and with a loud voice cleared her thoughts.

– This scientist?… No, I don't think so. Brokk and Eitri warned me her divine weapon will take a long time to be ready and safe. Only until they inform me of it will I be able to consider it…

» How about the magician?… No, he's too powerful to send him to the second round. If he dies, we'll have lost 2 of our 3 trump cards, and Gods have many formidable opponents. I still can't send it…

» And this princess?… No, no. She has many secrets behind her makeup and dresses, plus I don't like her attitude at all. I don't know what she has in hands, but I won't send her without knowing everything about her… Then who am I going to send!?

Rubbed her head on the table and stayed like that for a few moments; until an unusual vibration came to her phone. The half-goddess lifted her face in confusion and took the device to check what arrived. A text message.

– Huh? What is this?

Read the text in her mind, but her doubts were the first to surface.

– How is it possible that…? Huh? – With each new word she read, her doubts changed places. Ended up receiving a shock took her breath away, causing her to almost drop the phone on the floor. – What the…!? He'll be next of the Gods!?

The Valkyrie thought for a few moments about that sudden response.

– W-Why? Do they want to commemorate the first Ragnarok with that fighter? But it doesn't make sense he's the second… – she thought about it again until the right question popped into her mind – No, wait a minute! Before that…!

The Valkyrie picked up the phone and slowly typed her response, which was more of a question to her most salient question.

– I have to know… this "information source" is reliable. If lord Zeus, lord Thor, or some other God is involved, I can't trust this message. – sent her response and held the phone firmly – I wouldn't want it to be a test or surprise from Zeus.

She waited a few seconds, until got the confirmation reply which read aloud.

"Believe me in this fight and you'll see the information I'll give you is true"

– Believe… It costs more than it sounds. – Geir commented quietly to herself.

Put the phone down on the table and got up from her seat to pace back and forth, making clear what had in mind.

– If it tells the truth, I have vital information from the Gods: the order and the next fighter. But still there's a doubt I'd like to clarify: I haven't slightest idea why talks to me or why gives me this information. It could be a trap…

» If it tells lies, I'll be the same as I am now, but there's a possibility they'll know my order of fighters. Obviously I won't tell it, but they could use some special trick to read between the lines; I should be careful what I write. However, that question remains…

Geir thought what would answer, until making her decision. Picked up the device, typed, and sent her reply almost immediately.

– I have to know why you're doing this. I can't trust you until knows.

The answer took a little longer than she expected.

"In a couple of hours I'll be free of unexpected visitors. I'll send someone to find you and I'll tell you my secret."

– Your secret? Will you tell me that easy?

Put the phone down on the table again and went back to thinking seriously.

– "No unexpected visitors" I suppose you mean no one will be around and no one will watching. A secret talk between you and me… And I guess that "secret" is motivation you have to do this… How secret does it have to be so nobody even watches?

She thought about it again, without feeling comfortable, sent a new confirmation message to try to calm her doubts.

"Can I really trust you?"

A few seconds later the answer came.

"I have my reasons, but I assure you the information I'll give you is true. I have an informant who gives me the order Zeus confirms."

– You aren't working individually; there is someone else with you. Just like lord Hermes and Buddha.

A second message arrived.

"The proof I'm telling the truth: They're trading the arena for this fighter."

The Valkyrie was surprised, and so paid attention to the noise she had been hearing for a while now. Could perceive metallic sounds, like construction machines or something.

– So that noise is due to the second fight… – she thought about it, to then conclude somewhat satisfied – Okay; at least you tell the truth for this fight. Maybe the rest is true.

She unconsciously looked at the Akashic Records, as another message from informant reached her and with which confirmed what had originally sent her.

"As I was telling you, Sobek will be the second representative of the Gods. He asked for a change of arena."

– Sobek… – it weighed heavily on her to say those words, especially when her mind was invaded by all the information she knew about him – If I remember correctly, he's the Egyptian God who claimed Poseidon mantle after dying against Sasaki.

The Valkyrie reviewed the list in detail for the umpteenth time, invaded by the fear of knowing the next fighter. Unfortunately her head was too dead for an answer.

– No, I have no idea! I didn't even think he would come out to fight so soon… Less not know who'll be able to face him.

Despite the situation, a sarcastic laugh escaped her lips and interrupted her critical moment.

– I think I talked a lot at the conference. I shouldn't have boasted so much if I was going to end up in this situation.

Suddenly a ravenous roar tore through the room, filling the silence. Geir immediately put her hands to stomach, realizing again she still hadn't eaten anything since the night before.

More than hunger, she felt a great embarrassment from that loud sound, so hugged herself and, unconsciously, turned to both sides of the place to make sure there was no one.

– I'm hungrier than before. – sat back in the chair while was still holding her belly. – At least neither Brokk nor Eitri are here; it'd have been very embarrassing for them to hear it. Was enough in myself to hear that sound coming from me… I hadn't been so hungry in a long time…

She suddenly began to think seriously (more than to find the second fighter), to decide she could eat; that need took precedence in the matter. To make up her mind she began to mutter under her breath.

– I could go to a restaurant. I think there are some of those here; if we have in Valhalla, there must be in the Elysian Fields, right? Although… – began to close her eyes to rest for a few moments – I'd like to try a salmiakki from big sis Brunhilde… They may have looked unpleasant, but were very… rich…

Little by little the Valkyrie gave way, until finally fell asleep on the edge of the table. The night before had been pretty hectic; had barely had time to rest with everything had happened.

In dreams she felt some strange things from the… Outside? Yes, it seemed her senses were still receiving things from outside.

A few silent footsteps, amused mutterings and whispers as if someone were talking behind her back, and a ceramic object colliding with metal, plus a gust of wind told her that tapping was close to her.

That woke her up completely, but was still too tired to act quickly. Simply lifted her face, and slowly turned to the place of the sound:

Barely 16 inches from her face was a plate of salmiakki; from the smell it seemed to have been freshly cut and served. The half-goddess confused, more so as identified it looked just like one would have made for her big sis.

– A salmiakki from… Brunhilde…? – touched the side of the plate to verify it was real – What…?

– Surprise big sis!

The sound of 2 shrill voices behind startled her, more so because recognized it came from her younger sisters Lif and Lifthrasir.

Turned around in her chair and saw the little Valkyries half a foot from her. The half-goddesses let out their typical laughter-filled laughter, looking at her older sister with wide eyes.

– Huh… Huh!?

– Hi, big sis Geir!

– Look at us, look at us big sis!

They laughed at same time and exchanged mischievous glances, then tried to see what was on the table.

– It seems you've been busy sis.

– Yes… Hunger and fatigue have you dead! It smells in the air!

– For our big sis to be like this, what she does must be very interesting.

– Can we see!?

Valkyrie Geir blinked a couple of times, wiped her eyes and opened them to confirm her little sisters were there, now smiling patiently.

– No… – wiped her eyes again although the result didn't change – I'm not dreaming. You are really here.

– Exactly Geir. You are not dreaming.

Behind Lif and Lifthrasir, carrying the little ones in her arms so they would be at the height of the purple-haired girl, was the second of the Valkyries with the worst face she had ever shown in life: Hrist 'who trembles with anger' .

Her hunger and exhaustion were immediately replaced with the terror of having her sister Hrist angry in front with face puckered almost to the point of bursting, worse than ever before.

– S-Sister Hrist! – Sweat began to fall from Geir's face with so much nerves she was trembling – H-Hi sisters… W-What are you three doing here!?…

– You mean… "You eight".

That fourth voice made her sweat even more.

Behind Hrist appeared Hlokk, the Valkyrie who accompanied Jack the Ripper in the fourth fight; behind Hlokk appeared Mist, Simo Hayha's valkyrie in tenth fight. And behind her, the other three sisters: Nikola Tesla's Valkyrie Skogul, Okita Souji's Valkyrie Sigrune, and Michel Nostradamus's Valkyrie Skuld.

All with crossed arms and expressions of anger and annoyance on their faces.

– Now I'll ask you a question, Geir. – Hrist spoke; despite her anger didn't squeeze the 2 little girls in arms yet – What are you doing on Elysian Fields, inside a gigantic stadium full of humans and Gods, with the Akashic Records open on the table?

– Huh!? T-This…!? – Geir turned to try to turn off and remove everything on the desk. – Nothing! Is nothing! I have nothing here, I was just looking at this to pass the time!

– Nothing? – asked Lif with feigned innocence – I could distinguish 12 silhouettes flying in a circle.

– Do you think the same as me? – Lifthrasir addressed Lif with a mischievous smile – I think we know very well what it's about.

– Yes, yes.

The 2 little ones smiled patiently, while, while the other 6 Valkyries were still angry; all of them waiting for Geir's answer.

– T-This… Is… – the purple-haired girl began to stutter trying to fix the situation – This… that… is… you see… is… this and… that… Do you understand me?…

– No Geir. I don't think I understand you. – Hlokk spoke; more than angry was serious and dissatisfied.

After falling apart on her part, Geir gave up without being able to remedy the situation. She only had to sigh exhausted.

– Okay… I have no way to hide this anymore. – turned around and gave them all a nervous smile. – Welcome to the second Ragnarok.

– Yessss! Yessss! Yessss!

Lif and Lifthrasir jumped out of Hrist's arms and began running around the room in frantic circles.

– We're living Ragnarok!

– 900 and some years of waiting have been worth it, Lifthrasir!

– Of course! Patience pays off, Lif!

– So… – Hrist looked at Geir, getting a little more angry – When you told me you had the conference with Gods and they'd leave humanity alone… I suppose was a lie, unless Zeus changed mind at last moment.

– Yeah, that… was a lie…

Hlokk walked up to her, reflecting annoyance at the sound of heels on footsteps. As soon as had in front of Geir, with a pout on face she squeezed the cheeks of youngest.

– Ahh! Hlokk, it hurts a lot!

– That's for scaring us like this! – Hlokk scolded her – Neither you, nor Leonidas, nor Sasaki, nor Jack, nor any Einherjer are in Valhalla! I thought you all would be walking around or telling stories to Lif and Lifthrasir in some room, but turns out you all are in the Elysian Fields fighting against the Gods…! AGAIN!

– Sorry! I didn't want to scare you like that! – Geir was so exhausted didn't even try to free herself from Hlokk, but didn't make her hurt – Forgive me! But please leave my cheeks alone!

– Why? – Mist dared to ask, changing her anger to concern – Why did you do this? Or rather… What happened for there to be a second Ragnarok?

All the sisters fell silent to listen to the minor. Hlokk released her and allowed Geir to explain the situation.

– Well… Gods made their conference but were divided in opinion, so asked for mine and… Everyone got anxious when Zeus challenged me to a second Ragnarok. They gave me time to think and I decided that… that… I should save humanity with another Ragnarok. I summoned the following Einherjer yesterday and since last night we've been preparing to fight.

– How do you make divine weapons?! – Lif and Lifthrasir intervened with open eyes – Where do you get your divine weapons?! Because obviously you can't fight without it…

– But Lif…! – Lifthrasir exclaimed to her twin – The volund is what helps humans to fight against Gods! It's not just a divine weapon!

– Whatever! Tell us, tell us, big sis!

– Well… Brokk and Eitri visited us yesterday at a request from lord Thor… and I asked them for help to… make the divine weapons of the Einherjer.

– A blacksmith of the Gods fighting against the Gods! – They both smiled with sparkles in their eyes – This is better than we thought! A true celestial revolt to dethrone Zeus and… Lif and Lifthrasir will then be new Valhalla presidents!

– No! No riot or take anything away from Zeus! – Geir scolded them – This time it'll only be the fight for humanity.

– But… why did you do this by yourself? Why are you doing it alone? – Hrist asked, this time in a calm tone of voice.

Geir sighed and lowered her head, to start speaking in trembling and fearful voice.

– A millennium ago, I was with big sis Brunhilde seeing how she chose each one of you to fight against the Gods… At first I didn't understand anything; I thought that war didn't have to be as violent or aggressive as it was, but… Now I'm in Brunhilde's position, I understand.

» Each one of you was in combat arena and each one of you was at risk of not coming back alive. Before we were 13 sisters, and 6 of us didn't come back: Rangdriz, Reginleif, Prour, Hervor, Alrun and… Brunhilde. They all entered the arena but they didn't come back with us anymore… They died forever!

She began to cry bitterly, filling the silence left by her sisters, and brought arms to sides to hug herself.

– I couldn't take that again. No… I couldn't even imagine sending you to arena to fight again… Being the one who made the decision to send you, even knowing you all might die… I couldn't bear it!

Sobbed softly with head down, then tried to wipe away her tears.

– That's why I didn't tell you anything… I knew you, just like me now, would want to intervene. Giving support to the humans so we can win… But… I couldn't bear to send and watch you die…

– Sister… – Hlokk moved and hugged her, a gesture Geir answered in the same way instantly.

– I'm sorry, but… I don't want to lose any of you. I wanted to do this like big sis Brunhilde… I wanted to fight with same courage and bravery: alone against the Gods… She achieved victory for us! She won for us, although had to pay many sacrifices… but I… I'm not able to pay the same price as her…

The silence lasted until it was Hrist's turn to speak.

– But… You don't have to do it alone. – crouched down in front of her to look into her eyes – You don't have to do this alone. 'Cause you seem to forget an important thing.

– Forget? What am I forgetting?

Hrist smiled, putting a hand on her head.

– Brunhilde didn't do it alone. You were with her the whole time.

– That's right – completed Hlokk still hugging her – She had you all time. From Valhalla conference to when she herself entered the arena to fight. Brunhilde was with you all the time of Ragnarok, and you were even her sister who was with her the longest.

– We'd have liked to have had the honor of being Brunhilde's company in Ragnarok. But she chose you for that… I don't know exactly why, but it was the decision she made.

– You don't have to do this alone – Hlokk moved away, so now it was Hrist who held Geir in the embrace – We're in this together. We were once, and we're willing to do it again.

The purple-haired girl let out all her feelings in Hrist's arms. And soon after her other Valkyrie sisters joined the group hug.

– All of you…! Thank you very much!!

Their moment of group hug lasted a few minutes. Until the little pair of sisters, who weren't included and weren't comfortable with such an emotional moment, immediately stood out with childish cries.

– Sisters, we can't stay here forever!

– We have to kick the ass of the Gods!

– Sisters! Sisters!

The seven laughed in their shrill voices and broke apart to look at the apprentices. Geir was one who attended to the little pair, after having wiped her face to see them better.

– You never change.

– How can we change if we have before our eyes a beautiful Ragnarok!? Our lifelong dream come true! – Both sisters jumped with excitement, hugging each other.

Geir chuckled, though a doubt popped into head at once.

– To all this… How did you all get here? How could you find me?

– That was my fault, ma'am.

Jack the Ripper appeared from the shadows of the room, startling the 7 older sisters but to the little pair their eyes shone with radiant emotion.

– Jack!

– Yes, he was – answered Hlokk, who immediately changed her mood to see the gentleman – You may have hidden this from us, but you can't fool him. When he found out that something very terrible was going to happen, contacted me.

– Huh? When…?

– Part of my specialty is stealth – Jack lowered head – I apologized for doing it behind your back, but… Those colors are not good for someone like you.

The Valkyrie just fell silent, feeling some guilt inside her for not having fully forgiven him.

– This is exciting! – Lif began to run around the man's legs – We have everything we need to defeat the Gods!

– The winning Valkyries, divine blacksmiths working all the time, the knight who deceived the God of Deception, more Einherjer ready to fight…! We're ready!

– The Gods will tremble with fear again! More when they meet our first great fighter!

– It's true! – Lif ran to Geir's legs – Tell us sister! Who will open the curtain on Ragnarok? Against whom will the Gods tremble!?

– In fact… I'm waiting for the second fight to start. The first one has already finished, which was… half-god Achilles against the Southern Hummingbird, Huitzi.

The Valkyries were surprised, especially the little pair of sisters.

– Amazing! It must have been… a monstrous battle, especially with our first victory!

– Of course! That half-god surely destroyed the God of War!

– Where is Achilles!? We want to congratulate him on his landslide victory!

– In fact… Achilles lost.

An awkward silence formed in the room, with both little Valkyries changing their joy for serious faces.

– Big sis? Are you saying… you lost a half-god while we were gone…?

Jack with his special eye could see in Geir the feelings she had for seeing Achilles' death, and he quickly intervened.

– It doesn't matter. Nothing can be done about it anymore. We should better focus on what we can do.

– True, true! – Lif changed her point of attention – So, who will be the second?

– No! – Lifthrasir interrupted him, running to his side – Better show us the list!

– Yes, Yes, Yes!

– Okay! I'll do it…

Geir smiled at such overflowing enthusiasm; went to the table to press buttons on the tablet on the table, and the list of fighters appeared in the form of a floating hologram.

The Valkyries, Lif and Lifthrasir, as well as Jack, leaned out and took a look at the list of fighters for the second Ragnarok.

– This is…

– T-This… so…

– So exciting! – Lifthrasir finished the sentence, her eyes wide open and jumping for joy – Women and men and of many ages against Goddesses and Gods of many pantheons!

– Women against men! Men against women! This will be a true war against the Heavens! – Lif's eyes began to cry with emotion – The celestial vault, the great protector of animals, beauty in its highest perfection and the creator of Gods…!

– Against the empress, the pharaoh and the princess; the conqueror of savages, the mother of mankind and the mightiest wizard! This will be a carnage the Gods will never forget!

Both girls hugged.

– How good we're born in this time, so our eyes admire this beauty!

Geir laughed at their excitement, steeling himself to warn them in a whisper.

– Don't be so loud or you could get Zeus's attention.

– Let him try: we'll stop him!

– There are many good options of your candidates, sis – commented Hlokk with surprise – Although it seems not only you chose such formidable candidates.

– That's right ma'am. The Gods also have their biggest heavyweights against us.

– I did not think… – Hrist was very shocked reading certain names on the side of the Gods – The… Ancient Ones… would be willing…

– Yes, I didn't think so either. I hope none of them come out soon…

– Big sis, big sis! – Lif and Lifthrasir in unison called her attention – There's a terrible mistake… Zeus is on the list!

– No, it's not a mistake at all. He wanted to take a place on the list again.

– What a waste! – Lif complained – He was already humiliated once by the first and great father of humanity, Adam! He should remember if was once used to sweep the floor, he can be used 2 times!

– But we'll take care of humiliating him again! – Lifthrasir shouted with great emotion – When I make Volund with Eve mom, we'll destroy him!

– No! Nothing of that! – The purple-haired exclaimed immediately.

– Geir is right, especially with you 2. – Hlokk also intervened – You won't do anything: you'll only be spectators.

– What!? Why?!

– The arena is very big for such a small pair of sprouts – Jack replied with kindness and softness – It was even dangerous for me at the time, and it's also dangerous for you.

– It's not! We'll be careful; we promise!

– It's not up for discussion… – Hrist denied immediately, along with a memory hit her head.

« What's wrong…? I thought you were capable… of reading my moves… You insignificant piece of shit! »

– You won't fight or do anything.

– But…!

– It isn't under discussion, you both. – Hlokk ended the conversation very emphatically – Pay attention to Geir, Hrist and us… We all are big sis Brunhilde for this occasion!

As soon as they heard that name, both Valkyries stood up like soldiers and raised their hands in a military salute.

– To order, sisters!

Geir smiled before turning gaze back to the board and looking at the names on the list, feeling heavy from what she had talked about with informant a while ago.

– Sobek… – murmured under breath, although Mist managed to hear.

– What did you say sis?

– The second fighter of the Gods… is Sobek.

– Sobek!? – All the Valkyries were surprised, but Hrist was scared – T-The Poseidon of Egypt!?

– Yes. Someone contacted me to tell Sobek will be the next fighter.

– Huh?! A traitor! – Lifthrasir opened her eyes in surprise – But, big sis, you said there would be no heavenly revolt.

– There won't be, at least not on our part. We'll just fight for humanity; if any God wants to make a riot it's none of our business.

– But then it's not fun anymore!

– Who is that traitor!? – Lif jumped and walked from side to side – Gautama Buddha? The messenger Hermes? Or is… Odin's ghost trying to cleanse his sins?

– I won't tell, except for you 2 – Geir denied with the movement of fingers – I'm sure you both will run through the Elysian Fields shouting its name, and I can't allow that.

– We'll remain silent! – Both minors promised, but tone of their voices was same as used when they're mischievous.

– But… – Hlokk asked her with intrigue – Do you know who it is?

– I don't know. It just said wants to help us – that was obviously another lie from Geir, who felt a bit uncomfortable about it.

« I can't tell you its name. Not because I don't trust you, but… I don't know its motivations. If there's something beyond what I can see, I'm not going to involve you all in it. »

Jack looked at Geir finding those hidden emotions, but knowing what it was he decided to keep silent. Instead gave the Valkyrie another question.

– Can we trust that information?

The Valkyrie just raised her arms, just as confused.

– I don't know for sure. If it lies, it's as if didn't say anything. If it tells the truth, we can make a better combat strategy.

– We can only trust…

– And then who'll fight against Sobek, the titan of the Nile River? – Lif asked with an air of grandeur and haste – Should Marie Curie go, the great and radiant scientist of her time?

– No – Geir refuted, looking at the list again. – There are Gods more powerful than Sobek. I need Marie for the fight against one of them.

– Then will Eve, the mother of humanity, go?

– By the way… Why is Eve… mother on the list? – asked Jack with great curiosity – I didn't have much time to talk to her, so…

– I have a matter I discussed with her in private. – Geir answered with an air of mystery – But, due to what we talked about, Eve won't go to the second match.

– Then who? – Lifthrasir positioned himself next to her sister – Jeanne D'Arc, the leader in the French war? Marline, the great wizard advisor to Britannia kings? Some liberator, like Emiliano Zapata or Simon Bolivar?

– Actually, I haven't thought about it. – Geir admitted, leaning on the edge of the table – I don't have anyone prepared to face Sobek. I thought he would come out later, but…

Hrist all this time was quiet and thoughtful, until an idea came to her head.

– Where… where is Sasaki?

– Sasaki? He's in his bedroom, on the floor below this… Why?

– I'll go… talk to him. I have to talk with him.

Hurriedly Hrist left the room, leaving the Valkyries and the Einherjer all in thought. Geir looked at the list again, as if by some miracle the answer had emerged.

– Whose…? Who could defeat the God who rose atop all the Sea Gods and claimed the title as "the second Poseidon"?

– I got it! – Lifthrasir climbed on Geir's legs and intervened on the tablet, to touch one of the names on the list – She'll do it!

– She?

– It's true! Why didn't I see it before? – Lif accompanied her sister, both trying to be on top of Geir – She'll be able to fight against Sobek! The great Japanese Empress!

Geir looked at the protruding hologram of the woman they chose: Jingū Kougou.

The empress who caused the expansion of Japan in the Meiji period; an imperial prodigy, although for many she was a legend due to her background of being known as "The woman blessed of Gods".

After thinking about it for a few seconds, Geir shook her head as picked up the sisters, one in turn, to set them on the ground.

– No, neither does she.

– Why neither?

– I met her a few during our trip to the Elysian Fields, and I could see… although doesn't seem like it, she really is strong and skilled in handling the katana. I feel she's a better candidate to fight against another God…

Lif frowned in annoyance crossing her arms, and Lifthrasir seeing her imitated in emotions and body movements, provoking Geir's surprise.

– You are not happy with anything.

– We give you options but you don't accept them.

– What do you want then, big sis? – They asked annoyed in unison.

– Isn't that. It's just… – Geir ruffled the hair on her forehead – I don't know. Sobek is someone very powerful, and I don't want to… send someone who's very good but die.

– But we must send someone! Be it the strongest, the fittest, or neither, you must send someone to fight against that God on behalf of mankind!

– They have a point. – agreed Hlokk – We have to send a fighter for Sobek.

– Yes… you're right. – Geir looked at the list one last time; after giving it a couple of turns selected a name – Okay, I've got it. Cleopatra will be our second representative.

– That's right big sis! – Lif and Lifthrasir smiled at the same time very excited – We'll see the maximum fight of Egypt! The God of the Nile against the Queen who lived on those same waters!

– I'll go tell him. – Geir got up from the chair and looked at all sisters – To all of you… I really thank you.

– That's why we're here! – Sigrune smiled happily.

– By the way, there are plenty of rooms in the anterooms on our side. You can stay in them, or where you want to be.

– I'll retire to my own room. – Jack spoke with his respectful tone of voice – I have left my disciple waiting for a long time.

– What? Disciple? – Hlokk was quite dismayed.

– I asked the past Einherjer to train our new fighters. – Geir explained to her sisters – That's why none of them were in Valhalla.

Hlokk gave Jack an annoyed look, as usual, before letting out a sigh.

– I'll go with you.

– Whatever you say, ma'am. – Jack didn't even refuse.

Hlokk and Jack almost without waiting left the room, for which shortly after the other Valkyries began to leave as well.

– I'll go see Simo! – exclaimed Mist smiling – I'm sure that short guy misses me.

– I hope I don't run into Nostradamus – Skuld admitted under breath. – It's never nice to be with him.

– I'll go say hi to Okita! – Sigrune commented with a typical smile of hers – Surely he's excited for this Ragnarok.

– I'll go with Tesla… – Skogul blushed quite a bit, trying to cover her cheeks – He… maybe he misses me…

One by one the Valkyrie sisters left, leaving Geir alone with the Akashic records open and the pair of younger girls, whom saw raising an eyebrow.

– Pair of little devils… How did you sneak in to get here? Since I know very well no one, neither me nor them, would have allowed you to come here.

– We learned it from the best! – they smiled with satisfaction bumping their backs – From Jack the Ripper, the deceiver of the God of Deceit!

Geir laughed and pointed to the exit door.

– Do you want to come with me? If you behave, I'll let you watch the fights from my seat.

– Sure, great! – Both sisters went to the exit.

But, the sound of Geir's hungry stomach sounded again and this time in greater volume, which silenced everyone. The purple-haired was filled with a lot of shame while Lif and Lifthrasir were scared.

– The… Our big sis Geir's stomach!

Both sisters hugged each other, performing a horror performance.

– This is the end! We've discovered the true representative of humanity!

– The stomach of our big sis Geir: Gods Eater!

– That… – Geir really felt embarrassed, so much so she put hands to her face – I ate few at night, as always, and I haven't eaten anything since then, besides I haven't slept either.

Her eyes heavy, glanced at the untouched salmiakki on the table. A bit of spittle came out of her mouth, which immediately wiped away.

– Hey, little ones… Do you mind if I eat that salmiakki first, and then we go tell Cleopatra?

– Don't worry sister! We both will go!

– … Better not… – stook her phone and quickly sent a message – I just told Mist. She'll come in a moment and escort you.

– Very well! Let's go with sis Mist!

Without waiting for an answer, both little girls ran out of the room, leaving Geir completely alone. And without thinking, Geir reached the table and took a piece of the cake, with a cutlery left by her sisters.

– Thanks for food!

Publication Date: 05/12/22
ASFD

Author's note: For the convenience of the reader, Aztec mythology characters' names have been abbreviated. The abbreviations used are the following:

▪ Xiau – Xiauhcoatl
▪ Huitzi – Huitzilopochtli