Alex sat on the couch, tilting his head back, enjoying the rare moments of peace. The room was filled with an upbeat mood—laughter, jokes, and ease filled the space. Everyone was enjoying the little things, especially the recent incident when G.I.R., his faithful robo-dog, intentionally hit the god of lies, Loki, in the groin. Alex struggled to suppress a smile, hoping G.I.R. had recorded the moment. He imagined rewatching the footage later in the evening, and Rebecca would no doubt try to use it to annoy a certain red-haired goddess—Loki.
Alex sighed heavily, anticipating how this would inevitably turn into another argument between Rebecca, Hestia, and Loki. Previously, only two goddesses were involved in this theater of dramatic conflicts, but now their duet had turned into a trio, with Rebecca eagerly adding fuel to the fire.
Meanwhile, Brunhilde, seemingly detached from the general merriment, was thoughtfully scanning the room. She began noticing strange details: all her Valkyrie sisters, who had participated in battles, were gathered, but their contractors were absent. It seemed suspicious. Brunhilde recalled how Alex had recently sent his friend Titus home, but even that didn't rid her of the feeling that something was off.
She carefully observed her sisters and noticed something even more unsettling. Göndul appeared to show an unusual closeness to Alex, as if she'd known him for years. Geirölul also acted similarly, as if there was something more between them than just an alliance. And Hlökk had even approached Alex, demanding sweets for herself and Alvitr, as if he owed them something. All of this raised suspicions in Brunhilde, as if a picture was slowly unfolding before her that she hadn't noticed before.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Buddha, who, smiling widely, asked:
"A-chan, don't you want to explain what Din-Din is up to? Or are you still thinking about the plan of that one-eyed old man?"
Alex opened his eyes, slowly straightened up, and met the focused gazes now directed at him. He frowned, not understanding why the Valkyries, with whom he shared a spiritual bond, hadn't just read his thoughts. Their embarrassed smiles quickly made him realize that it was his plan—not to reveal anything until the last moment.
Sighing in defeat, Alex turned to Buddha:
"In short, this old bastard is planning a grand sacrifice to summon an Outer God. Which one, I don't know. But he won't succeed anyway." Alex paused, counting on his fingers. "So, we just watch the tenth battle, wait for him to bring out his spear, and then I'll hit him with a stick and take the spear for my collection."
His tone was calm, but the words sounded as though he was talking about something completely mundane.
Brunhilde looked at him with a dry gaze. Even in such a situation, he was thinking more about adding to his weapon collection than about the fact that Odin could summon a catastrophically dangerous creature. Göndul and Geirölul shot reproachful glances at him, their faces seemingly saying, "Do you think we're not enough for you?"
Buddha, thoughtfully stroking his chin, processed what he had just heard. Suddenly, he slapped his fist into his palm, realizing the essence of the plan:
"Well, as they say, the simpler, the better. But you do understand that he might have reinforcements? We don't know exactly how many helpers he has. Not to mention the monsters he could summon to his aid. And all of this will happen right in the arena, where there will be plenty of people."
"I know," Alex replied, a faint smile on his lips. "But who said I don't have my own surprises?"
Alex stared at Buddha, raised his thumb up, and nodded in approval. His confidence slightly reassured Brunhilde, but at the same time, she remained on alert. Thoughts swirled in her mind about how Odin had likely prepared helpers and might even be planning to summon monsters like Fenrir.
"Actually, I already set up a barrier around the arena, back during the battle between Beelzebub and Titus," Alex began to explain calmly, crossing his arms over his chest. "As for Odin's helpers, Rebecca is already done with the god-killing bullets. Even if there are a lot of them, I have G.I.R. and MIMI. They'll handle any surprise without a problem. And it'll all end once Odin 'kicks the bucket,'" he added with a satisfied grin, clearly anticipating his victory.
Buddha stared at Alex, amazed at how much he had thought things through in advance. He remembered how the barrier Alex created had prevented Beelzebub's black dome from spreading to the stands. Rebecca, hearing her patrons being mentioned, smirked proudly and began loading her sniper rifle with runic bullets. She was already imagining how soon she'd have the chance to shoot at gods.
However, both Brunhilde and Buddha were still uneasy about how much Alex relied on his robo-dogs. If G.I.R. and MIMI knew about this, they would probably be outraged. Both were equipped with combat modes and weapons personally designed by Alex, making them some of the most dangerous creatures in the arena.
Brunhilde watched Alex carefully, her gaze filled with understanding: he had prepared everything, but he still hadn't chosen a fighter for the tenth battle. He had previously rejected Okita, but had not suggested a replacement.
"So, where's your fighter for the tenth battle?" she asked with a slight reproach, gently touching his hand.
Alex froze for a moment. He felt a light sweat run down his back. Until he decided on a fighter, changing the subject seemed like the only option.
"Have the gods already chosen their participant for the tenth battle?" he asked, trying to sound calm.
Brunhilde didn't notice his tension. She took a tablet out of her pocket and showed him the name of the god's fighter. Alex glanced at the screen and saw: Susanoo-no-Mikoto. Everything seemed to be following the original timeline, which reassured him a bit.
Sighing, he contacted his clone, who was nearby, eagerly devouring another portion of sweets from his inventory.
"Take the form of that swordsman," Alex ordered briefly.
"He'll be here soon. I told him where to find us," Alex added aloud. Then his gaze turned to Brunhilde:
"But where is the Valkyrie who will be his partner?"
Normally, the Valkyries appeared before Alex's clone could take on a new form. But as soon as Alex asked the question, the doors opened, and a Valkyrie entered the hall, destined to be his clone's partner.
Her long light-colored hair was neatly braided into an intertwined braid, and her kind, calm eyes radiated warmth. A soft, sincere smile adorned her face. This was Skalmönd — the sixth of the thirteen Valkyrie sisters. All Alex knew about her was that she was quiet, gentle, and admired swordsmen.
"Sister, I came as you asked," Skalmönd said in a calm voice, offering a friendly smile.
"Skalmönd, your partner will be here soon. You can sit down for now," Brunhilde replied with a light smile.
Skalmönd nodded and sat down next to Göndul, maintaining her gentle smile. Alex watched her closely, as if studying her. Brunhilde, noticing his interest, rolled her eyes. Her irritation turned into a slight outburst: she pinched Alex on the waist to distract him.
"Ouch!" Alex winced, looking at Brunhilde in confusion.
But his trials weren't over. Suddenly, Rebecca, who had approached from behind, slapped him on the back of the head.
"Hey! What was that for?!" Alex exclaimed indignantly, looking first at Brunhilde, then at Rebecca.
"Stop staring at Skalmönd," both girls answered in unison.
Alex sighed heavily and rolled his eyes, realizing it was pointless to argue with them. Meanwhile, Skalmönd, hearing her name, curiously stuck her head out to see what was going on. Her gaze stopped on Brunhilde, who was now glaring at Alex with annoyance.
Skalmönd's curiosity grew even stronger. She decided to talk to Göndul to learn more about this strange person, who, it seemed, was so close to her sister.
Alex, on the other hand, was trying to calm down the two jealous girls. Rebecca's jealousy didn't surprise him — he had long gotten used to her outbursts, but Brunhilde's behavior left him puzzled. The only explanation that came to mind was her increasingly warm relationship with Göndul and Geirölul.
Meanwhile, Buddha, standing off to the side, was clearly enjoying the scene. His sly expression screamed how much he was savoring the moment.
Alex, noticing his grin, thought to himself, "I'll need to hit him with my stick a couple of times. Just for precaution."
At that moment, Alex's clone entered the room, having taken on a new form. His appearance immediately drew the attention of everyone present.
A tall man entered the room with a fire-shaped mark on his forehead. His long black hair with red tips was tied into a ponytail. He wore a light-brown yukata, a black hanafuda, and a red haori, completing his appearance. White socks and red-strapped zori finished off his outfit.
This was Yoruichi Tsugikuni, or rather, his form assumed by Alex's clone. Everyone present, including Skalmönd, immediately noticed his fire mark, which was his most noticeable feature.
Skalmönd watched the newcomer with interest. Realizing that her partner would be a swordsman, she couldn't hold back a slight smile.
Yoruichi entered the room with an impassive expression, exuding calmness. Alex stood up from the couch and, walking over to stand beside him, said:
"This is the person who will participate in the tenth battle."
Alex approached Yoruichi and stood next to him. He knew that the original Yoruichi was a quiet man, almost taciturn. This trait was often perceived as coldness, but in reality, Yoruichi was born that way. His silence intensified after the tragic loss of his family due to a demon attack.
"Allow me to introduce my acquaintance, who will take part in the tenth battle," Alex began, his voice confident. "This is Yoruichi Tsugikuni. As you can see, he is a swordsman. Despite his reserved expression, he simply doesn't like to talk much."
As soon as Brunhilde heard the name "Yoruichi," her eyes widened. She remembered how Alex had once told her about the legendary swordsman. Off to the side, Göndul, who had been playing a video game with a group of troublemakers, also sharply turned her head. Her eyes widened in surprise — Alex had already shared the story of the swordsman with the rarest gift known as the Transparent World.
Brunhilde shifted her gaze from Yoruichi to Alex, still trying to process what she had heard.
"Is this the same Yoruichi you told me about? The swordsman with the special gift?" she asked, wanting to confirm.
"Yes, it's him," Alex nodded, his voice remaining calm. "He developed his own fencing style, which could be considered one of the strongest in history."
Buddha, who had been silent until then, now studied Yoruichi from head to toe with interest. Even though the swordsman appeared relaxed outwardly, it was clear he was maintaining combat readiness. Buddha nodded, recognizing him as a true master, even though he hadn't seen him in action.
"A-chan," Buddha said with a hint of concern in his voice, "you said the tenth battle is very important. Are you sure your friend will manage before you can come to his aid?"
"Everything is under control," Alex replied, giving a thumbs-up. "I'll be there on time if needed."
Meanwhile, Skalmönd, hearing that Yoruichi had created his own fencing style, which could be considered the strongest, couldn't hold back an excited smile. Alex noticed this reaction and felt like the worst scoundrel for deceiving Skalmönd, who admired swordsmen so much.
Göndul, who had been watching Alex's expression, simply sighed. She didn't understand why Alex was so worried. After all, he himself was an excellent swordsman, and Skalmönd would surely forgive him for the deception.
Alex, catching her gaze, mentally spoke to her:
"Göndul, help me explain everything to Skalmönd. I feel like the worst scoundrel, deceiving her. And all of you."
Göndul smiled slightly and responded through their spiritual link:
"What am I going to do with you? Alright, I'll help. But in exchange, you're going on a date with me."
Alex sighed heavily, realizing it was pointless to argue with Göndul.
"Consider it a deal," he replied, mentally raising his hands in surrender.
Alex readily agreed to Göndul's proposal and didn't even try to protest. He didn't mind going on a date with her, but first, he had to find a way to deal with Brunhilde's anger, which would undoubtedly come crashing down on him when she found out about the deception. Alex hoped that, by seeing everything in his memories, Brunhilde would understand his motives and not be angry.
Meanwhile, Skalmönd walked over to Yoruichi and extended her hand. Yoruichi responded without hesitation, and their hands met. At that moment, a bright light enveloped Skalmönd, and her body began to become transparent, eventually transforming into a katana now held by the swordsman.
It appeared to be a simple katana — a golden handle, black sheathe, no embellishments. But Alex immediately felt the spiritual connection to Skalmönd, which made him apologize to her in advance.
"Skalmönd, forgive my selfishness, but I couldn't do otherwise," Alex said apologetically through their spiritual connection.
"It's fine," Skalmönd replied calmly. "I know you're doing this to protect all of us, especially my sisters."
Alex sighed heavily and decided to leave further explanations to Göndul. He then looked at Yoruichi and nodded to him. The swordsman returned the nod and headed toward the arena exit.
Once Yoruichi was gone, Alex scanned the gathered group and reached into his pocket for a cigarette. Lighting it, he exhaled the smoke through his nose and began speaking:
"Well, the final we've been waiting for is finally here. Rebecca, are you ready?"
Rebecca, her excitement evident in her smile, replied:
"Ready to shoot at these idiots."
Alex nodded and turned to G.I.R., MIMI, and Stitch.
"G.I.R., MIMI, Stitch, get ready. We've got work to do, a shootout awaits," he said.
The trio of troublemakers immediately stopped their activities and began preparing. G.I.R. and MIMI quickly donned their armor, but Stitch couldn't find anything suitable. The cosmic dog looked at Alex with confused eyes, prompting Alex to hand him a standard drop suit.
"It's temporary for now, buddy. I'll make you personalized armor later," Alex promised, patting Stitch on the head.
Once the trio was ready, Alex turned his gaze back to Rebecca. She was already standing with her rifle on her shoulder and a satisfied expression on her face. Alex just hoped her choice of weapon would stay within reason and that she wouldn't grab something even more destructive.
He then addressed the Valkyries:
"Ladies, you can stay here or come with us. If you stay, I'll set up a barrier just in case."
The Valkyries exchanged glances and decided to stay behind so as not to interfere with Alex during the battle. Seeing their choice, Alex didn't insist. Now, all attention shifted to Buddha and Zerofuku.
"A-chan, what should I do?" Buddha asked, pointing to himself with a slight smile.
"We'll go to Zeus to discuss the new system I'm planning to implement," Alex replied, calmly explaining his plans.
Buddha nodded and got up from the chair where he had been lazily reclining. Zerofuku, in turn, decided to go with the trio of troublemakers, as he had already become friends with them.
"Brunhilde, take everyone who's coming with you and head to the balcony where we usually stand. I'll quickly talk to Zeus and be back," Alex said to the eldest of the Valkyries.
Brunhilde nodded in response, but her gaze revealed hidden anxiety. She felt that something extraordinary would happen during the tenth battle. Brunhilde knew what Odin was aiming for, but the true scale of his plan remained a mystery to her.
What she did know scared her: Odin was plotting a massive sacrifice, and the victims could be not only humanity but also all the gods. The Valkyrie thought about what the Allfather was planning to sacrifice—Helheim, Midgard, and even Valhalla—to summon an ancient, dangerous entity capable of destroying the entire timeline just by its presence. The realization made her eyes widen in horror.
"Then we'll go ahead," Brunhilde said, trying to push away the dark thoughts.
Alex nodded and watched as Brunhilde led Rebecca, Göll, and the trio of troublemakers away. As Rebecca passed by, she stuck her tongue out at Alex, clearly teasing him.
"Don't shoot anyone too early. I know you. As soon as it gets boring, you'll want to test how your bullets work," Alex said, catching Rebecca by the nose in response to her mischief.
"I'll think about it," Rebecca smirked, brushing his hand away and grabbing him by the collar, gently pulling him toward her.
Alex just smirked in response, knowing that Rebecca simply couldn't resist teasing him.
Rebecca pulled Alex toward her and kissed him on the lips, a sly smile playing on her face. Alex only grinned and watched her go. When everyone had left, he turned to Buddha.
"Alright, we'll go too. Hopefully, the old fool can think more clearly," Alex muttered, addressing Buddha.
"I thought you hated Zeus and his whole family," Buddha remarked as he passed by him with a slight grin.
"I do. But what's the point of revenge? Destroying Olympus would only upset the balance of power. We're already mired in a cycle of mutual vengeance, and I think it's time to put an end to it," Alex replied, shaking his head.
Buddha patted Alex on the shoulder.
"You're right, my friend. Revenge is not something you should keep in your heart for too long."
Alex remained silent, but memories swirled in his mind like a whirlwind. His hatred for Zeus had ignited after Adam's death, and although he had already taken two brothers and two sons from Zeus, it had brought him no satisfaction. Hades had been a good older brother, Hercules a worthy man, and even Apollo turned out to be not so bad. Alex believed that there might be a way to bring them all back, even if it meant descending into that part of Helheim where no one dared to look.
He had already noticed that the souls of slain gods did not vanish as many believed, but rather moved somewhere beyond ordinary perception. Closing the door behind him, Alex cast a protective spell to ensure the Valkyries remained safe.
He and Buddha walked down the corridor in silence. Alex was still mulling over how to convince Zeus to accept the new system. Perhaps Zeus would agree if Alex explained the goals he had set after Ragnarök.
Reaching the doors leading to the balcony where the Olympian gods usually gathered, Alex took a deep breath and pushed the doors open. As he entered, he immediately saw Zeus, Hermes, and Ares. The sound of the doors opening caught the attention of the three gods, who turned to face him.
"Here to mock me, Voldigoad?" Zeus asked in a calm tone.
Alex studied him carefully. The once aggressive and majestic ruler of Olympus was no longer before him. It was an old man who had lost much in the war. Alex noticed the pain and fatigue in Zeus's eyes that hadn't been there before.
Zeus, in turn, studied Alex. His gaze skimmed over the calm, focused face, no longer reflecting the fury that once burned against the gods of Olympus. Hermes watched Alex's transformation with interest, trying to understand what had led to such a change. Ares, however, frowned and glared at Alex disapprovingly.
"Leave, Voldigoad. You're not welcome here. And you too, traitor Buddha," Ares spoke in a threatening tone.
Alex looked at Ares but did not utter a word. He had a goal, and he wasn't leaving until he spoke with Zeus. Zeus, observing Alex carefully, raised a hand, stopping Ares.
"Stop, Ares. Voldigoad is likely here to talk. And I'm curious to hear what he has to offer. Since he came with Buddha, it's clearly not for nothing," Zeus said calmly.
"Exactly right, Zeus-chan. We're not just here by chance," Buddha drawled in a carefree tone.
Ignoring the enraged Ares, whose face was contorted in anger, Buddha lazily settled on the couch and sprawled out as though he owned the place. Alex rolled his eyes at his behavior.
Not wanting to sit near anyone, he chose an empty spot a little further away, brought a simple chair over, sat down, and lit a cigarette, pondering his words. His gaze remained fixed on Zeus. After taking a deep drag and releasing a cloud of smoke, Alex finally spoke:
"I'm here to strike a deal."
Zeus did not look away from Alex. The tension between them hung in the air, as if any wrong word could provoke a battle. But Zeus's thoughts were occupied with something else: what kind of deal could Alex offer if he was willing to suppress his anger for this visit? Hermes, with genuine interest, watched the situation unfold, trying to guess what the discussion might be about.
"And what kind of deal do you want to strike, Voldigoad?" Zeus asked in a calm but firm voice, continuing to study Alex with his gaze.
Alex did not respond immediately, instead shifting his gaze to the balcony where the others were. He spotted Brunhilde and Rebecca, who was lazily leaning on the railing. Seeing that he was looking, Rebecca waved at him with a smile. Alex barely returned the smile and then returned to the conversation.
"We hate each other, Zeus. That's no secret," Alex began calmly. "I want to kill you, and you know it. But, as is often the case, there's always one 'but'."
"You're right, there's enmity between us, which isn't easy to change," Zeus agreed, his voice tinged with restrained anger. "You killed Poseidon. I killed Adam. And, as I understand it, all the strong fighters who fought on your side were invited by you. That means the deaths of other members of my family are on your hands."
Alex took another drag from his cigarette, releasing the smoke, but he didn't deny Zeus's words. Seeing his silence, Zeus sighed heavily, suppressing a flash of rage. If Alex could control his anger, then Zeus had to do the same.
"A-chan, Zeus-chan, enough of this pointless talk. Get to the point already," Buddha interjected, stretching out on the couch. "We don't have all day to watch you two have a staring contest."
His words broke the tense silence, reminding everyone that time was ticking.
Alex gave Buddha a vacant, emotionless glance and sighed heavily.
"Zeus, the gods will lose Ragnarok, and I guarantee it," he began, cutting straight to the point.
Zeus, never taking his eyes off Alex, sighed quietly. He had already come to realize that among humanity's fighters, there were those who could put up a worthy fight. Moreover, the victories of these fighters in previous battles, without a single scratch, only heightened the contrast with how their opponents, the gods, had met their end.
"Did you come just to remind me of this? Or do you have something specific in mind?" Zeus asked calmly, continuing to study Alex.
"Originally, after Ragnarok, I wanted to sever the connection between Midgard, Helheim, and Valhalla. So the gods could no longer influence humans. But thanks to my younger sister, I changed my mind," Alex explained, leaning slightly forward.
Zeus looked at him in surprise. Alex's thoughts were striking in their scope — he wanted to completely erase the influence of the gods on the mortal world. Even Hermes, who usually maintained neutrality, could not hide his astonishment. This plan, in his opinion, was perfect for someone seeking to disrupt the established order. Ares, despite his irritation, was openly shocked.
"And how did your sister convince you to change your mind, Lord Voldigoad?" Hermes interjected, watching the conversation unfold with clear interest.
Alex shifted his gaze to Hermes, holding it for a few moments before speaking:
"Knowing you gods. If I severed the connection between the three worlds, you'd start fighting each other like the fools you are. Wars would ravage Helheim and Valhalla. Even if I created separate pantheons for each of you with your own dimensions, you'd still find a reason to fight, but this time amongst yourselves. You constantly say that mortals are terrible, but you're no better. How many wars have you waged among yourselves? Over the seven million years of the mortal world's existence, you've fought more than they have. And the damage from your wars is immeasurably greater."
Alex's words came out like a cold, but undeniable sentence. Hermes opened his mouth to retort, but closed it, realizing he couldn't refute the obvious. The wars among the gods had indeed been destructive. Ares tensed, ready to argue, but a single glance from Zeus made him rethink.
"And what do you propose in return?" Zeus finally asked, his tone calm, as if acknowledging Alex's point.
"I propose an arena system," Alex replied, leaning forward. "Conflicts could be resolved through group battles. And yes, anticipating the obvious question from Ares: none of the fighters will die."
His words were clear and confident, causing everyone present to think deeply. Even Zeus paused for a moment, contemplating how realistic this idea was and whether it could prevent senseless destruction.
Upon hearing Alex's words, Ares immediately opened his mouth to ask a question, but stopped, realizing Alex had already answered his thoughts. Zeus couldn't lie if he said he wasn't intrigued. Even Hermes, narrowing his eyes, watched Alex closely, understanding that he hadn't finished speaking yet.
"Depending on what you say next, I'll consider your proposal," Zeus said, deciding to listen to Alex until the end.
Alex nodded and began explaining his concept for the conflict resolution system in detail. While he spoke, Buddha interjected with comments to clarify the details and help explain the essence of the idea to the gods. Alex carefully explained that in his proposed system, everything would be resolved through skill, excluding the use of divine powers.
In essence, it would be similar to the battles of Ragnarok, but with one key difference—no one would die. Additionally, the battles would take place in a team format, where each team would consist of both gods and mortals.
Hermes quickly grasped that the main goal of this system was to bring humanity and the gods closer together. This thought didn't escape Zeus either. He understood that Alex was aiming for something greater than just resolving conflicts.
"And how do you plan to select the fighters for your system?" Zeus asked, his tone calm, but with a genuine curiosity underlying it.
"Among both humans and gods, there will always be those who want to test themselves. Even you, Zeus, aren't against throwing a punch every now and then," Alex said with a slight smirk. "Anyone who registers can become a participant in the team battles. I also plan to implement a ranking system to maintain the competitive spirit and encourage the development of the participants."
Zeus thought for a moment before nodding slowly.
"I'm not ready to give my consent yet. I need time to think it over. But I'll say this right now: your idea has intrigued me. This time, I'll try to think like a ruler, not like a god driven by emotions. If Hades and Poseidon were here, they would scold me again for letting my feelings guide my decisions," he said with unexpected sincerity.
"Great, Zeus-chan!" Buddha exclaimed, standing up from the couch. "I recommend you accept my friend's offer. It's still better than being cut off from all the worlds."
Zeus silently ignored Buddha's words, which didn't faze him in the slightest. Buddha simply shrugged and headed for the exit. Noticing that there were no more questions, Alex decided to leave as well, giving Zeus time to think. As he approached Buddha, ready to leave the hall, he suddenly heard Zeus's voice.
"Did you know what would happen to Beelzebub? That's why you set up your strange barrier?" Zeus asked, looking at Alex intently.
"I didn't know, I just suspected," Alex replied calmly. He gave a slight smile, his expression turning serious. "My final piece of advice: prepare for the tenth battle. Just be ready for what's coming."
With those words, Alex walked out the door.
Zeus, Hermes, and Ares stood in silence for a while, trying to figure out what Alex meant. However, Zeus clearly realized one thing: something massive would happen in the tenth battle, and it would be directly tied to Ragnarok.
Leaving the gods of Olympus behind, Alex and Buddha headed toward the balcony, where the others were already waiting. Alex wasn't sure what decision Zeus would make, but he hoped that he would agree. If that happened, Alex would be able to head into the depths of Helheim to settle their conflict once and for all.
To be continued...