The transformed coliseum shimmered under the ethereal glow of Luxor's celestial artistry.
Crystalline walls refracted the starlit sky, casting shimmering hues of gold and silver onto the mirrored floor. Both gods and mortals stood frozen, their minds struggling to grasp the sheer magnitude of what had just transpired.
Luxor's form had vanished, leaving behind only the lingering memory of his overwhelming presence. Yet, his influence was far from gone.
---
Brunhilde clenched her fists, her sharp mind racing to make sense of the situation. The mysterious figure had effortlessly disrupted the flow of Ragnarok, showcasing power far beyond even the mightiest of gods.
"This isn't part of the plan," she muttered, her voice tinged with frustration.
Göll, standing beside her, looked up nervously. "Sister, what was that? Was he a god? A human? Something else?"
Brunhilde shook her head. "Neither. Whatever he is… he doesn't belong to this world. His power is something entirely foreign. If he decides to intervene further, our chances of victory might crumble."
She paused, her sharp eyes narrowing as she gazed at the reflective floor. "No, not might. They will crumble."
---
The Gods' Council
High above the arena, the gods convened in a hastily formed council. Zeus sat at the head of the table, his expression grim. Beside him, Odin remained stoic, his lone eye fixed on the shimmering reflections beneath their feet.
"Who or what was that?" Poseidon asked, his voice laced with disdain. "He walks in uninvited, mocks us, and transforms our coliseum as if it were his plaything."
"He's dangerous," Hera said, her tone unusually serious. "More dangerous than any opponent we've faced. Perhaps even more dangerous than Ragnarok itself."
Zeus stroked his beard thoughtfully. "He called himself a traveler. A wanderer. But no mere wanderer wields such power."
Thor, who had remained silent until now, tightened his grip on Mjölnir. "I want to fight him."
Zeus glanced at Thor, his brow furrowing. "You'd lose, son of Odin. We all would."
Thor's eyes burned with defiance. "Then what do you propose? That we sit here and do nothing while he toys with us?"
A rare smirk crossed Zeus's face. "No. We wait. He said he'd be watching. Let him observe. If he's here for amusement, we'll let him have his fun… for now."
---
Far beyond the coliseum, perched atop an invisible throne of his own making, Luxor watched the proceedings with keen interest. His golden eyes sparkled as he observed the mortals and gods scrambling to comprehend his arrival.
"This is entertaining," he mused aloud. "Their little plans, their desperate attempts to maintain control… It's like watching ants rebuild their mound after a storm."
Luxor leaned back, resting his head against his palm. "But this isn't enough. They need a little push. A bit more chaos to spice things up."
He waved his hand lazily, summoning a vision of the next combatants. One was a god—a towering, fearsome figure clad in flames and shadow. The other was a human warrior, their blade gleaming with an ancient, unyielding light.
"Hercules versus Qin Shi Huang," Luxor said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "A battle of strength against strategy. How quaint."
He closed his eyes, letting his imagination run wild. "What if…?"
---
The coliseum trembled once more as the sixth battle was announced. From the gates emerged Hercules, his massive frame exuding raw power and unshakable determination. The crowd roared in approval, chanting his name.
Opposite him, Qin Shi Huang stepped onto the mirrored floor with regal poise, his golden armor glinting under the starlight. His piercing gaze swept across the transformed coliseum, taking in every detail.
But as the two combatants prepared to engage, a third figure appeared between them.
The crowd gasped as Luxor materialized, his long silver hair flowing like a silken waterfall. He held up a hand, silencing the arena with a single gesture.
"Apologies for the interruption," Luxor said, his voice calm yet commanding. "I couldn't resist."
Hercules and Qin Shi Huang exchanged wary glances, their instincts screaming at them to be cautious.
Luxor turned to Hercules. "Strength," he said, his golden eyes gleaming. "You embody it well. But strength alone is a blunt instrument, easily broken."
He then faced Qin Shi Huang. "And you, the great emperor. Your cunning is admirable, but cunning without power is merely arrogance."
With a flick of his wrist, Luxor summoned a shimmering barrier between the two combatants, halting their movements entirely.
"I'm curious," he said, his smile widening. "What happens when strength and strategy are forced to work together?"
Before anyone could react, the barrier shattered, sending ripples of energy across the arena. Luxor vanished once more, leaving behind only his lingering laughter.
---
The gods and mortals watched in stunned silence as the two combatants faced each other, their expressions a mix of confusion and determination.
Brunhilde's voice cut through the silence. "He's testing us," she said, her tone sharp. "He's not here to fight. He's here to play."
Zeus, watching from above, clenched his fists. "Let him play," he said, his voice low. "But when the time comes, we'll remind him who rules this world."
Luxor, observing from his invisible throne, chuckled softly. "Oh, please do try."
---
End of Chapter 13