Please read the author's notes.
Discord: https://discord.gg/K7f8qGpvuk
pat.treon:/Keanu_Eugene
CHAPTER START---
Orario was bustling with excitement, no, the entire world was.
All across the globe people were placing final bets, Freya vs Hephaestus, the two most powerful familias in the world, in a War Game.
In bars and plazas all across Orario in particular, gods and citizens were gathered, waiting for the Divine Mirrors to be unlocked in the next few minutes so the show can start.
Rumors had been spreading around, information stating Yang was in no combat-ready state, so the bets were slumped steeply against Hephaestus.
Five against one in favor of Freya familia cleaning up, and the fact that the rumors were seemingly verified by some gossiping nurses at Babel Hospital only made things worse.
For the past week all of Hephaestus's shops were closed, Freya had already bought out most of their inventories and hired her to repair all their equipment before declaring war, a cunning move and a slap in her sister's face.
On the observation floor of Babel, within the pristine white room, many gods and some specially chosen adventurers gather.
Massive glass windows allow them to see most directions, and everyone is reminded of when they were here not even a year ago.
When Ottar challenged Yang, when the definition of power was forever redefined, when the mythic heights of Zeus and Hera's familias were left behind, and the Dungeon Emperor was crowned.
Now the gods wait in tense silence, eyes occasionally straying between Hermes, standing at one of the windows waiting for Ouranos's permission to begin, retaining his duty once again as the neutral host.
And glancing toward Freya, the goddess was unmoving like a statue, unbothered or tense they couldn't tell. But Loki could, sitting not far away from her sister she could notice the small ripples through the red wine in her glass as she holds it aloft. Unable to imagine what Freya must be experiencing at this moment.
Finn sits beside Loki, unarmed but alert. Hands resting on his lap, fingers constantly tapping his leg as they all wait for Hephaestus.
As the sun is almost at its peak Hermes perks up, "Granted!" Ouranos's booming voice echoes across the world. Immediately two divine mirrors appear in the middle of the room, both showing Hermes.
All the mirrors around the world currently match these two, much to the annoyance of many of Hermes's former associates.
"Hello people!" he happily announces. "Time for another exciting War Game, this time with the two top familias in the world," he looks over at Loki as she glares at him. "Uh, I mean two of the top familias in the world," he corrects himself, trying and failing to placate the goddess who simply folds her arms and looks away.
"Well, the lovely Hephaestus isn't here yet so how about we take a look at the battlefield, all bets should be closed about now so get ready," Hermes says before gesturing to Asfi, causing both mirrors to shift to her.
Adjusting her glasses she speaks in a calm and reserved manner, "the rules of this particular War Game are quite simple. Each team has the same about of time to select a position within the battlefield and prepare as best they can, this can be anything from building structures to changing the landscape. Both teams have had the past three days to work the land as they like and stake their flag in the ground. If the enemy touches this flag they win, the flag cannot be moved once the game begins," she adjusts her glasses once more before nodding toward Hermes.
"Well said my dear," Hermes winks at her only to receive a glare in return. Both mirrors turn back to him, "now, let's check out the battlefield!" he yells out.
All the mirrors shift to a view from above the clouds. Slowly angling to look below there is barely a glimpse of Babel on the horizon, the massive tower looking like a speck in the distance.
"For obvious safety reasons we had to move the battlefield much further away," Hermes says. "Normally an extreme measure but...considering how Yang fights it was deemed necessary for this."
The view shifts as the mirrors peer past the clouds, looming down on a barren wasteland. Dirt and rocks as far as they could see. No greenery in sight, and only one structure on the battlefield.
"Shouldn't there be two of those?" Hermes asks no one in particular as they continue zooming in.
As they descend close enough the structure appears to be a fort of some kind.
Crudely and hastily built, high walls alteast a hundred feet above the ground. Men in jet black armor from head to toe at key points. Spears, swords, hammers, and bows, at the ready, waiting for their signal.
Freya's sigil hangs proudly from a massive banner in the courtyard, giving a sense of elegance to the uniformed soldiers.
The obvious designs of a castle can be picked out, watchtowers connecting parts of the thick and tall outer wall, all made of stone blocks. And above the main gate stands the executives.
Hedin, Hogni, Allen, and Heith, even the healer was present. Everyone with Freya's falna who wasn't working in the Hostess of Fertility was at this War Game.
While they all wore Adamantite plate in the same jet black color, including visors. Weapons at the ready, the healer wore lighter leather armor, trading her usual dress for combat pants and a staff.
Ottar stood tall staring out at the enemy, a stoic look on his face but confusion in his mind, what he saw made no sense to him.
Here was his flag, within the main courtyard of their base, surrounded by dozens of level-4 adventurers as well as all their level-5s, he and the executives would lead the charge while Heith raised her barrier.
His new all-black super-heavy full plate cost a fortune to enchant to deal with all manner of heat and cold. His new greatsword was made over a week ago to do the same while enhancing his attacks even more.
Looking down at himself once more he wonders why this wasn't adding up. Drawing his sword he gets ready for some sort of sneak attack.
"Defense positions!" he commands, his mind not understanding exactly what was going on, instead deciding to stay cautious.
Everyone takes their positions, all the executives draw their weapons as Heith focuses her magic, ready to chant at any moment.
But what caused all this confusion in Ottar? The same thing that confused everyone else who was watching.
Welf and Thalie, only Welf and Thalie.
They stood a few hundred meters away with the flag at their back, out in the open without any defenses in sight.
Both their armors were now fully repaired, Thalie's weapon staked in the ground while Welf simply stood with his arms across his chest, looking directly at Freya familia.
"Don't break formation until Yang shows up," Ottar says, immediately understanding the basics of their plan. They break formation then Yang rushes the flag, but as hurt as he is, as long as they don't all run out of the fort he can't break their defenses.
Back in the observation room everyone is even more confused by this sight.
"Where is he?" Hermes mutters quietly.
Not a moment later the massive doors to the room opens and in walks Hephaestus, flanked by Tsubaki, and Yang Shen.
"Sorry we're late," Hephaestus says. "Yang had to change his bandages," she gestures to the man.
Stunned eyes lock onto Yang, he still limps slightly while walking, barely any better than when Freya saw him a few nights ago. Wearing his coat with his bandaged torso plain for all to see.
Both mirrors immediately turn to him. and most of the world cheers at the sight of a battered man.
They'd placed large bets against him, and now the rumors were true, and they could all cash in.
A small number of people suddenly feel a pit in their stomach, so much money, lost.
"Why are you here?" Freya can't help but ask. The trio takes their seats on the other side of Loki.
"You expect me to fight like this? I can barely walk," he says.
"I'm more surprised Loki is here," Hephaestus says as she looks at her little sister. "You normally watch these things from your castle."
"Someone had to make sure a catfight didn't break out between you two idiots," Loki grumbles, suddenly everyone was made painfully aware of her seat between her sisters.
As the sun is about to be at high noon, everyone is filled with dread and excitement, and Freya can't help but ask.
"So without Odr, how do they expect to win? If you surrender now there won't even need to be a fight," she says coldly.
Yang sighs and leans back in his seat, "I'd only be a liability, and besides, human conflict isn't my job, so I get to sit this one out..."
This statement earns confusion from people all around the world, outside of his team nobody, not even their goddess knows exactly what they can do or how they operate, only the absolute basics, and now a new mystery was added to the list.
"BEGIN!" Ouranos's voice snaps everyone out of their wonder, all mirrors shift their view to the battlefield as the adventurers perk up.
Thalie and Welf look at each other, unfortunately, nobody could hear what they were saying, but clearly, they were planning something.
Eventually, Thalie lifts her spear and twirls it.
"Here we go!" Hermes announces with a sudden burst of excitement.
Knocking the bladed rear of her weapon on the ground she simultaneously actives her magic as well as her weapons magic.
A glowing shell of golden roman style armor outlines her already intimidating gold and black armor. Her spear seemingly ignites from within as two thin banners extend from the top and wrap around the shaft. The sigils of Hephaestus and The Trifecta are proudly displayed on them.
A thin swirling green wind surrounds her for barely an instant before disappearing as she turns to Welf. He responds with a nod to whatever she says before she steps forward.
After taking the third step she squats down and leaps into the air.
Arcing high above the battlefield she twirls her spear before thrusting toward the enemy, toward Ottar.
The man instantly draws his weapon, "hold position until Yang shows himself," he repeats before leaping up to meet her. Beneath his black armor, his skin becomes red and releases steam, veins bulge and turn purple, coursing with the primal power of Beastification. Activating all his enhancements he jumps up hundreds of meters to meet her charge. His black blade swung out with enough physical might to almost match Yang Shen himself.
Thalie descends like a massive golden arrow, as if sent down from the heavens to smite lesser warriors.
"RRAARGH!" Ottar swings valiantly, intending to make contact with her weapon and shatter her charge.
But he can't make contact.
At the last moment, Thalie swung out to her right, from her position thrusting down she was suddenly to his right with the help of a large gust of wind.
As his sword cleaves through the air Ottar's eyes widen in shock and awe, another gust of wind slams into his back and alters his course downward.
He sees the ground quickly approaching and easily tumbles to align himself, landing on his feet with a small crouch.
'Not enough to hurt me, but to move me,' he immediately realizes. Ignoring the cracked ground beneath his feet and the cloud of raised dust around him, he looks to the sky.
Standing with her arms at her side was Thalie, using her spear like a witch would use a broom, but standing on it as if this were a normal occurrence.
After some more training with Yang, she'd finally found her way of aerial combat, inspired by something he called 'surfing', a sport back in his world.
Ottar doesn't have time to be shocked however as to the surprise of everyone Thalie drops down to sit with both her legs hanging over one side, perfectly balanced on the weapon.
"She can fly?" Hermes questions. "I thought only Yang could fly!"
"They can all fly in one way or another," Hephaestus admits much to the surprise of everyone. "It becomes a bit of a necessity on certain floors from what I know, which isn't much..."
As Ottar is coming to his own conclusion he instinctively pivots and slashes out behind him.
Cleaving a small fireball in two and blowing away the dust around him.
"Wow," Welf says. "Nice armor, a bit bulky but still nice," he complements. Casually walking closer to Ottar with Mosoka in his hand, closely at his side.
Ottar narrows his eyes at Welf before turning back to Thalie, seeing her still sitting and intending to enjoy the show. "I see, a duel."
Welf shrugs and points Mosoka at Ottar, "well?"
Ottar looks past Welf to see the flag only a few dozen meters away, all he'd have to do is knock Welf away and get to it, intending on ending the game before he has to hurt anyone too badly.
He raises his sword to point at Welf and nods, "adventurers speak with their swords," he says, intending to indulge the level-6, at least until he had an opportunity to get to the flag.
Welf chuckles, "Yang was right," he ignites Mosoka and forms his favorite buster-sword Flame Construct, "you are pretty cool..."
END CHAPTER---
Thoughts on the War Game?