Chapter : 17 : Annihilation! Divine!
Third Person P.O.V
Heimdall had just announced the official beginnings of Ragnarok, now that both fighters had entered the arena. On one side representing the gods stood Thor, the mightiest Norse deity, the berserker of thunder. Standing for humankind was the Raiden Shogun, the electro Archon of Inazuma, more accurately a puppet made so perfectly as to take on the same exact role.
Heimdall: Oh? I just got some new information regarding the person challenging the mighty Thor and representing the mortals! She is the almighty Shogun of her nation! The one and only Electro... Archon? Well, it sounds powerful, so it probably is! She split the skies, seas, and lands in a battle with a serpentine god that ended in her total victory!
Many gods and humans were interested in these claims, as to whether or not they were true or fake. The previous display of summoning a storm above the arena did provide some validity to them, however. As for where these came from? Gudako had fed the information to Brunhilde but was careful to leave out any details that would actually provide an advantage to the enemy.
Heimdall: She is the awesome and terrible power of thunder incarnate! The exalted ruler of the Inazuma Shogunate! A great and mighty nation from another world! That implies many world-shattering things, but we ignore it for this epic battle! With the might of lightning at her disposal, she commits herself to the pursuit of eternity! The Raiden Shogun!!!!
Done with his flamboyant introductions for the new competitor, Thor had become a bit more interested after hearing such words come from Heimdall. Though still rather uncaring as he viewed them as nothing more than bluffs, expecting she too would die in a mere single blow. So did the audience, after all, Thor proved himself before the eyes of many.
To them, the Raiden Shogun was a nobody. Lu Bu had many faithful followers, so to see him ditched left a bitter taste in their mouths. As for Thor, he had his own dedicated fans or those who simply feared him. However, those who did know of the Shogun's strength had faith in her ability to triumph in this battle.
Heimdall: It's thunder against thunder! Lightning versus lightning! The audience is pumped to the max!
Gods: Go squash the mortals, Thor! / I love you, Thor! / You're the strongest!
Humans: ... / Boo! Where is Lu Bu?! / What's a woman doing here?! She looks frail!
Heimdall: ...well the gods are pumped to the max at least!
This reaction was to be expected, and it was up to the Shogun herself to change those impressions through this battle. To prove her strength to both the gods and humanity.
Forseti: Thor! Crush that mortal in one blow!
Forseti, the god of peace, cheered for Thor to do something rather... not peaceful. Taking the place of the supporters of Lu Bu, Gudako opted to cheer for the Shogun instead. After all, someone had to hype her up at least. Humanity, especially those from China, were still extremely salty over the replacement of Lu Bu.
Gudako: Slice him in two, Raiden! Kick his ass and bring home the win!
Forseti: K-kick his ass...?
So as the gods cheered, Gudako screamed with the might of Lancelot, and humanity sulked in their stands... the battle was soon to commence as soon as Heimdall blew the horn!
Göll: Brunhilde... do you think the Shogun, was it? Can she win?
Brunhilde: Normally I'd give you a speech about mortals punching the shit out of the god's faces, but right now we're employing one of those very gods. But right now... those gods still think we threw in some random mortal... so right now... this is the best chance to plant a punch to their c*cky faces and tear them a new a*shole with one of their own! We're gonna f*cking cheat this shit!
Göll: S-sucker punch? New a-a*shole? F*cking... shit? ( Brunhilde sure does get vulgar sometimes... )
So as the final thoughts and cheers came to a close everyone waited in suspenseful silence as Heimdall raised his horn.
Heimdall: ( How long have I waited for this day... the day when I could blow this horn! )
Ancient legends spoke of how when Heimdall takes Gjallarhorn in hand and blows it, Ragnarok shall begin. This legend, the prophecy of the end times, an apocalypse... has finally been fulfilled at this very moment! It has finally begun, the battle to determine the fate of humanity, the titular tournament to either end or save mankind! Rangarok! God vs man! Supposedly... god vs. man...
*FWOOOOM*
With the blowing of the mighty horn of legend, Ragnarok had at last officially started!
Heimdall: Now, let the battle of Ragnarok begin- huh? Thor put his weapon down? The Shogun just has her at her side too?! They're just casually walking towards each other... menacingly?!
Zeus: Hohoho! It seems Thor has no intention of reacting to his opponent!
Hermes: I must agree... but I am not sure as to the intentions of the lady for doing something similar... it's almost like trying to read a blank sheet of music. Perhaps... even a mere puppet or robot following orders...
The Gods had expected this of Thor, but what of the mortals?
Gudako: Uh... Ei? I'm sure the Shogun not taking up any real battle stance isn't an issue of pride or anything... so why is she doing exactly what someone with pride or overconfidence would do?!
Ei: She isn't an amateur at combat... if she was I wouldn't have spent centuries battling her where a single slip-up would've cost me my life. I know this much, she definitely has something planned. I would know best.
Gudako: Hmm... yeah! She was a pain in the ass, so she'll definitely be a pain in the ass for him too! So I'll trust in her boss's capabilities!
Ei: Boss capabilities? Never mind... b-but Traveler, may I ask you something?
Gudako: Yes?
Ei: I've gotten a bit... famished... do you have any sweets? I was sure you promised some.
Gudako: ...hold on for a second.
So as Gudako had a ferocious battle to find a tricolor dango or make some to satiate Ei, the true battle continued below. The two fighters drew closer and closer, Mjolnir dragging along the ground leaving a trench with its sheer weight, and the naginata of the Shogun leaving a thin trail of cut earth behind from its sharp blade.
Thor has had this engrained within his thoughts and body, he was born as the mightiest. No one in the world he has faced could match him in battle. All those who dared to challenge him had fallen in but a single strike. So he stood there facing the Shogun, both in striking distance of each other, without moving a single muscle, completely confident in his unbeatable might.
However, the Shogun and him were worlds apart, both literally and figuratively. The Shogun had faced many a difficult foe, while also being so mighty as to crush even gods with but a singular blow. This she had over Thor, she would not underestimate him or haughtily believe she could defeat anyone, after all, her own creator and even an unknown traveler were troublesome.
*Clang*
The first to strike was the Shogun, letting out a fast and mighty thrust from her seemingly vulnerable stance. Thor blocked it with the broadside of his hammer as powerful winds and a great shockwave formed from the two weapons colliding with each other. Noticing this, the Shogun imbued her naginata with the power of electro and managed to push even Thor.
Thor: ( She... pushed me back? )
Raiden: ( Hmm... problematic. More speed and power are required. )
Thor caught only a flash of lightning where the Shogun once stood, and in the next instant found himself face to face with her once more... along with her weapon aiming to stab a hole straight through his head. This time he wasn't simply going to take the attack head-on, so he swung back in retaliation to the Shogun's offensive.
This is where Thor thought it would end, she had pushed him back, but no one had taken a single attack from him without being reduced to a fine mist. This is where one of the many surprises he would come to witness would occur, as the Shogun turned the piercing attack into a wide arcing slash imbued with electro that clashed with his strike.
At first, it seemed futile, his hammer's force could not be negated by a singular strike. But it was no singular strike, as mere moments after the slash had seemingly finished, the Shogun followed up with two more that momentarily halted Thor's hammer, and given this opening she let out a circular slash with her spear that decimated the area and finally pushed him back.
This was the first time Thor had been pushed back, a first for the so-called God of Thunder, the mightiest Norse God. To be pushed back not once, but twice, and by someone who wielded the same element as him. An enemy who stood their ground and retaliated... this was a first for him. But the assault of the Shogun was not yet done, she intended to eliminate this threat entirely.
*Crackle*
*Boom*
Lightning surrounded Thor, striking at him from above and kicking up rubble along with dust. Thor casually raised Mjolnir and used its massive size to act as a makeshift shield to block the incoming lightning. This worked quite well, but this was what the Shogun had intended to happen. She dashed forward and struck once more, only to be met with another block.
Raiden: Tch.
Thor: Hmm...
Both fighters weren't exactly much for an exchange of words, but the exchange of blows was fierce. Raiden after being met with the impenetrable wall that was Mjolnir, opted to rapidly alternate her point of attack. A strike from the side, a strike from the left, a blow from above, a deadly rain of lightning, and attacks assaulted Thor.
Yet, he met every single one with his hammer, one blow against many, using the sizable defense provided by the massive weapon he wielded to his utmost advantage against the many swift strikes of the Shogun. The storm of electro and exquisite naginata skills was pushing Thor more than any other opponent before, yet it was not enough to land a decisive blow.
Having had enough of simply defending, he let out a full-force swing and disrupted the unending attacks of the Shogun with the mighty blow. Knocked back slightly, the Shogun expertly recovered and turned her reeling back into a position that allowed her to twirl her naginata, imbue it with immense amounts of electro, and toss it down.
The attack left a massive crater as electricity exploded from the weapon, knocking Thor back and destroying even more of the arena. This left the two fighters at a much greater distance from each other, giving them time to bring out a new move or come up with a better strategy to overcome the other and win.
Heimdall: A-an impressive showing from both wielders of the power of lightning! It appears they are evenly matched! What a surprise this turned out to be, especially with this surprise competitor!!!!
To Heimdall and everyone else, the Shogun had superior speed and technique, while Thor had the overwhelming power to match. Resulting in a rather even battle so far, with each having their own specialties and strengths. However to those who truly knew the two, they had very differing opinions...
Zeus: Not bad, but... evenly matched? Hohoho, how naive... they don't know how truly powerful Thor is...
Zeus spoke with a haughty confidence in the absolute power of the Gods and Thor.
Gudako: Evenly matched? They don't know how much bullshit we have...
Gudako said with confidence in the bullshit powers of gacha, and Ei was quick to reply after downing yet another tricolor dango, of which she had already eaten a concerning amount.
Ei: Indeed, there is much more to her than simply her skill with the naginata and some electro-imbued attacks. I built her to maintain Inazuma in my place, after all. But... I could never quite get her to cook right either...
The spear quickly flew back to the hands of the Shogun, as she caught it and with a twirl of the weapon, returned to her calm battle stance. Her eyes shone a brilliant purple as she analyzed her opponent and prepared for a tough battle, given what her testing blows had resulted in. As for Thor... he had already decided on what to do next.
So holding his hands out to the side, channeling lightning, and afterward firmly grabbing Mjolnir in a firm two-handed grip, he leaned back so far that the hammer had crashed right into the ground behind him. Concerned with this sudden new change, the Shogun held her naginata with both hands in preparation.
Heimdall: W-What is that?! Lightning?! Thor's been fighting without a real stance up until now... but now he's wielding Mjolnir with both hands! He's fallen backward into a strange new stance!!!!
Once again the crows on Odin's shoulders had something to say.
Black Crow: He's gonna do it! Is Thor sick of this battle already?!
White Crow: No... I would say... he's showing his respect in a way... he wouldn't use it otherwise...
This technique was powerful. A technique that had saved Asgard in its time of need, when the Jötnar, the frost giants, had come to destroy it and its people. As the realm's soldiers and citizens were eaten and killed mercilessly, Thor calmly raised his hammer and walked out to face the giants... and completely and utterly slaughtered them!
As everyone around him perished and he massacred the Jötnar, all 66 of them, Thor had one word- no feeling at that moment...
Complete boredom!
Yet such a mundane task and action to him has been spoken of as legend by the gods ever since. His power and glory are forever etched into the hearts and minds of those Asgardians he had saved that day.
Zeus: It appears the games are over...
Odin: Show us your might, Thor.
Brunhilde: ...
Gudako: ...could I steal his hammer?
Göll: P-please don't try that!
They called it... Thor's Hammer!
Leaving an expression of shock even on the usually frozen expression of the Raiden Shogun, she had found herself facing the full force of Thor head-on. This shock was not only felt by her, however, as many gods and humans were also left impressed by this display of power. But the shock the Shogun felt was quick to disperse, for she had her own powerful technique...
The only ones to bear witness to it amongst the sea of lightning, however, were Thor and the Shogun herself. The technique is believed by the people of Inazuma to be impossible to defend against. Much like the technique of Thor, it had gained the ultimate faith in its strength from the people who have witnessed it. This technique is known as the...
Musou no Hitotachi!
*Slash*
*Boom*
So as the two weapons met and the sounds of lightning followed by roaring thunder filled the arena, wind, and dust blew even to the spectator's seats from the sheer power of the two clashings. No one could quite see what had occurred, the dust and lightning prevented anyone from seeing anything. That didn't stop people from making their own conclusions though.
Shiva: Oh well... guess that's round one over- huh? Why is that woman on the mortal's side staring at me as if I personally wronged her?
Aphrodite: Bwuh!
Odin / White Crow: ... / Heh. It's over.
Shiva was reacting to a certain love goddess glaring at him, and Aprhodite's own breasts had smacked her in the face, blocking her vision of the fight. Odin and his noisy reaction crows were doing their thing per usual. As for the Valkyries and humans...
Göll: ( Is this... the power of the Gods?! This is impossible to face! Even with the help of the gods! Thor's power is just too much to handle! How could mortals even stand a chance here?! )
As Göll despaired and fell to the floor, Brunhilde placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Brunhilde: On your feet, Göll.
Göll: I-I can't watch... I thought we had a chance... but even with a god we lost-
Brunhilde: You must not avert your eyes. You must bear witness to the moment-
Gudako: When we crush those prideful gods under our foot and reap my- our rewards!
Brunhilde: ...close enough.
As the lightning and dust finally began dispersing, Thor simply closed his eyes, assured that his attack had left not even the very ashes of his opponent. This was a foolish mistake however as he felt his hammer being pushed back. Caught by both shock and surprise he was not able to react in time, and before he knew it, a blade cut across his chest and left a wound sizzling with electricity.
Raiden: Now... you shall perish!
This counterattack had left everyone shocked. This singular strike, the first draw of blood, and from a God no less... had proved one thing. That the Gods were not as invincible as they seemed. But as if to add insult to injury, several more slashes appeared, seemingly delayed, and left Thor's chest littered with wounds.
Heimdall: T-Thor's bleeding from his chest! The electricity from the attack shocked even the mighty berserker of thunder! This unknown wom- no! The Raiden Shogun has wounded Thor, the God of Thunder, with his own element!
Humanity rejoiced, this unknown person had struck the mightiest of the gods with a devastating blow. But for the Gods, this was a horrifying revelation that this tournament was more dangerous than they thought. So as Thor recovered and the Shogun stood standing, one with a hammer and the other with both a naginata and blade, they finally spoke to each other again.
Thor: You're too good to be a mortal.
Raiden: It is only natural, I am no mortal. I am the Raiden Shogun, guardian of Eternity! To be mortal would be one subject to erosion.
Thor: You... are not a mortal? Then why do you fight?
Raiden: That too, is simple. The results of this battle determine the fate of mankind, a fate that could result in the irreversible change that is their extinction. I aim to preserve eternity, the present, and you wish to change it... to erode it. Thus... you are a threat to eternity... and threats to eternity... must be eliminated completely!
Thor: ...I don't care about such things. The only thing I care for... is that I've met a rival I can fight with all my being.
Raiden: Foolish. You will be cut down in the name of eternity all the same, your ambitions and desires matter not.
Thor: Don't bore me with your philosophies. Let us continue.
Raiden: Very well. Prepare to be torn to oblivion!
So their clash continued, strike after strike the legendary hammer and equally legendary sword of the Raiden Shogun met in a devastating show of power. Lightning and thunder filled the battlefield as the two gave it their all. The masterful and quick yet ever-deadly strikes of the Shogun's Musou Isshin against the direct and all-mighty swings of Thor and his Mjolnir.
Zeus: This... isn't right...
Hermes: Zeus... IS THERE SOMETHING BOTHERING YOU?!?!
Zeus: This is impossible...
Hermes: IS IT BECAUSE A MORTAL IS FIGHTING TOE-TO-TOE WITH A GOD?!?!
Zeus: Oh would you shut up! I'm not so old that I've gone deaf! It's not just that they're fighting that evenly with each other. Any human weapon should be done after colliding with Mjolnir. yet both that girl's blade and spear were unharmed. Unless it's a divine treasure, such a feat... is completely impossible.
Zeus in his suspicion looked over to Brunhilde and Gudako, who both could not hide their smug smiles of superiority and mockery. To this Zeus only rubbed his chin and let out his own creepy smile.
Zeus: Hmm... quite the trick you've pulled, Valkyrie girls! Wait... is that blonde one a Valkyrie?
Hermes: DO YOU NEED HELP IN IDENTIFYING THE GIRL-
Zeus: Did I not tell you to shut up already? I'm not having you play my entrance theme if you make me deaf by shouting into my ear over and over!
Hermes: ...I am very sorry.
What was this trick that Zeus had discovered and that Brunhilde had abused? Well, it was the power of a Volund, the power to turn a Valkyrie into a divine weapon by bonding with a human. Any mortal weapon would shatter on the first clash. The chance for a mere human to defeat a god without one is just impossible.
This was explained to Göll before Ragnarok had begun. Only a divine treasure could match another and allow a mortal to stand a chance. Brunhilde had asked Randgriz to offer herself to the cause too in front of Göll. However, this brought yet another question to the curious mind of Göll... was a god with a divine weapon not fighting for them?
Brunhilde: I see... so he's figured it out...
Göll: Brunhilde... but that weird girl brought in a god with a divine weapon didn't she?
Brunhilde: You'd be right, we have no need to give that god down there a Volund since she has her own divine weapon.
Göll: S-so why is Zeus smiling like that?! Why did you still ask sister Randgriz if that's the case?!
Brunhilde: Isn't it obvious? Having a god with their own divine weapon is already enough to level the playing field... but why stop there?
Göll: Huh?
Brunhilde: If we were to add the power of a Volund in addition to that... we won't just match the gods on an even playing field, Göll. We'd completely f*cking beat the shit out of them! A total cheat!
Gudako: Yeah! Like hell I'd stop the flexing there, let's up the bullshit powers by even more!
Göll: ( W-why so vulgar!? )
Ei: *Dango-eating noises*
Göll: ( S-she hasn't stopped eating those either?! Is everyone insane?! )
This was the secret to their assured victory. The power of a Volund combined with the already immense might and weapons of the Raiden Shogun. The Valkyrie that had assumed the form of the naginata the Shogun typically wields was the same as how it was originally with Lu Bu, it was Randgriz. This name translates... to Shieldbreaker!
Zeus: As I thought...
Hermes: Those weapons are?!
As Thor struck down with his hammer, the Raiden Shogun suddenly switched to wielding the Musou Isshin, her sword, with only one hand. She used it to re-direct his attack to the side, and seemingly out of nowhere, summoned her naginata in hand and went for a piercing strike with it. To this, Thor blocked with his supposedly unbreakable gauntlets, the Jarngreipr.
*Crack*
*Shatter*
Heimdall: The divine weapon... shattered?!
Thor: ...!!!
Raiden: There is no escape!
At this Gudako and Brunhilde began to celebrate their success, even Ei had a rather neutral expression, no- that would be wrong. It was akin to a person playing an intense videogame, they themselves were in no real danger, but their character was giving their all. Although she was also waving two little Inazuma flags around as a way of cheering her puppet on.
Gudako: Wooo! Yeah, baby! That's what I've been waiting for, that's what it's all about!
Brunhilde: Heh... ( It's party time! )
Ei: Eliminate the threats to my free dessert! ( Eliminate the threats to eternity! )
Gudako: Ei... I feel like you mixed up your thoughts and words...
Ei: O-oh? D-did I? My apologies... ( Thank goodness Yae isn't here... she wouldn't let me live such an embarrassing error down... )
Back to the battle, Thor was still in shock over his gauntlets being shattered so easily, and by someone he had never heard about until now no less. The Jarngreipr was the foil to Mjolnir, to supposedly protect Thor from the hammer's true power. The mightiest defense to the most powerful offense. This is yet another supposed impossibility.
Heimdall: The Raiden Shogun's weapons have not only matched Mjolnir in battle... but have also smashed the Jarngreipr to bits!
Humanity: Uwooghhh! / Beat the shit out of the gods! / Go get him, mystery woman! / I'm still salty over Lu Bu, but you ain't too bad yourself!
As for the gods once again...
Hermes: So that's the extent of their scheme...
Zeus: Oh? You've noticed?
Hermes: The sworn duty of Valkyries is the guidance of souls to form an army for heaven. But... there has been a rumor floating around Heaven. That their true nature was to form a bond with a warrior... to create a weapon capable of harming the gods by offering their very being. Such an exchange was called... Volund. That is their true purpose, correct?
Zeus: That's right... those pissy little girls... against us mighty gods... this is a rebellion!!!! But to think they'd turn against us... this is the greatest thrill I've had since the Big Bang! Hohohohoho...
Brunhilde: ( Quit staring with that disgusting laugh you creepy motherfucking geezer. )
The clash in the arena still continued, but it was clear Thor was now the one at a disadvantage. The switching of the Shogun between her Mussou Isshin and naginata proved difficult for the thunder god to defend against. But a greater shock was to come, as the Shogun suddenly sheathed her blade and stood still. Thor, of course, went to attack with a mighty swing.
*Slash*
*Thump*
Raiden: Hmph, you lack technique. Thus, you shall fall victim to my blade like the gods and men before you. Just like all enemies of eternity.
Thor: !!! ( To think such a day would come... to be pushed this far back... )
The arm wielding his hammer had fallen to the ground, severed. Without any warning or preparation, as if she was simply letting out a normal attack, the Raiden Shogun had let out the masterful and deadly technique known as the Musou no Hitotachi once more. This was the level of perfection, control, and mastery she had over this skill.
Heimdall: T-Thor's arm has been cut clean off! I couldn't even see it happen! T-this is amazing! Terrible, but amazing! To think not only could the gods bleed, and not any god, but Thor himself suffer such a grievous injury too!
Thor had no time to even react to the attack before he found the Shogun behind him, sheathing her sword once more as he stood bleeding out helplessly. Her strike is so fast and powerful it briefly froze time and only struck afterward. It would normally kill a target instantly, but Thor was not so weak as to die that easily. One god, however, was in total shock...
Zeus: ( T-that technique... it's just like my own... like Kronos... the power to freeze time with a strike... this is exhilarating! )
Hermes: You're crushing your throne with your grip.
Zeus: Hohoho... don't mind me. I just saw something exciting.
But that wouldn't be the end of it, as his lost arm began to sizzle and boil from the heat exuded from Mjolnir, which began to appear as if it was melting itself. No one knew what was happening, bar Thor himself. To many, it appeared as if he was no longer capable of wielding it, and his hammer was melting before their very eyes for some reason. But the truth was...
Raiden: This is your end.
Thor: ...
Heimdall: The hammer is white hot! Like in Legends! Anyways! Thor has lost one side of the Jarngreipr! Can he even wield Mjolnir anymore?! But... what's this?! It's pulsing?! This is insane, folks! Mjolnir is pulsing and beating before our eyes?!
Raiden: What... is this?
Thor: Finally... you've awakened.
The fact that a hammer is now pulsing and has veins, was both concerning and very disturbing. To those who didn't know the truth already at least, so there were two very different reactions.
Göll: It's got veins?! Huh?! Is it alive?!
The first is disgust and shock. The other, for the more knowledgeable gods...
Zeus: Ohoho... so it seems Mjolnir has finally awakened, eh?
Hermes: Awakened?
Zeus: See, there's a slight misunderstanding regarding the legends. The gloves aren't to protect Thor from Mjolnir, it's true purpose is... to protect Mjolnir from the strength of Thor, prior to its awakening.
This revelation as Thor discarded his gloves like trash shocked everyone within the arena, god and man alike.
Thor: Come on, sleepyhead.
Heimdall: Unbelievable! This is groundbreaking, ladies and gentlemen! Thor is wielding Mjolnir one-handed as if the loss of his arm didn't even matter!
Raiden: ( This... is dangerous... )
Thor: You... no, your name was the Raiden Shogun, correct? I have one request... don't die on me now.
As the Raiden Shogun stood with the same neutral expression as always, Thor who once bore a similar look... smiled with glee at finally getting to unleash his power like this. His hammer roars with the power of thunder and lightning. Back up in the stands, a certain young Valkyrie was panicking at the sight of the imminent clash.
Göll: C-can sister Randgriz handle something like that?! Won't she shatter and die?!
Brunhilde: Tch... we'll just have to hope that isn't the case...
Ei: Wait... that girl that turned into the naginata she is wielding... that is your sister?
Göll: Yes! She is a really really great sister at that!
Brunhilde: By technicality... yes.
Ei: I see...
Ei raised her hand, and a move that shocked both Thor and even the Shogun, the naginata wielded along the Mussou Isshin by the Shogun flew out of her hand and into the hands of Ei.
Ei: Call off... what was it? Ah yes, the Volund thing.
Göll: Doesn't she need that to win?! No, how did you even manage to call her to you?!
Ei: It was a simple matter, originally it was my weapon, even if a copy, anyway. Now, call it off.
Brunhilde: No, this is a risk I'm not willing to take. Just go back to eating your sweets or whatever. We need to win-
Ei: She can win without it, I assure you. So... call. It. Off.
Gudako: I'm sure she can win, Brunhilde! So let's just call it off already? ( I know because she still has the bullshit move up her sleeve... )
Brunhilde: Fine, but if we lose-
Gudako: I got it already! You're gonna shove a fist up my ass and scream curses at the Heavens!
Brunhilde: That's right, so I better not regret this. Randgriz... call it off.
A bright light came from the weapon as the naginata soon transformed into the form of a girl, the Valkyrie Randgriz.
Göll: Sister! I'm glad you're alright!
Randgriz: Ah, it's nice to see you too... but... are you sure she doesn't need my help anymore down there?
Ei: Do not worry, she does not. After all... she has yet to truly awaken either.
At the same time, Brunhilde had gotten the list of fighters and was shocked to see it was as Gudako had predicted, down to every last detail. Though the fighters for humanity were now outdated, so she ignored that side. This restored quite a bit of faith in the mysterious girl from nowhere. However, re-inputting the roster meant its announcement was delayed further.
Heimdall: The Raiden Shogun has gotten Thor to go all out! To unleash his absolute final form!!!! This battle is barreling towards an ending not even the gods can foresee!!!!
In the face of incoming annihilation, stripped of her mighty Volund... just how will the Raiden Shogun react to Thor's all-out assault? Well...
Raiden: I've fought duels that took long enough to witness the rise and fall of nations... enough energy consumed to turn night to day and vaporize oceans... the will required enough to crush the strongest of wills and minds. I've said this once before, however... you...
Slowly electro energy began swirling and gathering around the Raiden Shogun, enveloping her in its light and completely covering her in electricity. Soon it exploded outwards, revealing her new transformation as she hovered there, six phantom electro arms with one wielding the Mussou Isshin as she floated on top of two colossal hands. This was the Baleful Shadowlord.
Raiden: In the face of eternity... you are no more than a fleeting spark. I shall remain forever, free from erosion, as an unending storm.
Thor: Let's see about that. Don't you go dying on me now?
Heimdall: Alright, folks! It seems with Thor getting serious, the Raiden Shogun has responded in kind! Let's see out of these two, just whose thunderous transformation comes out on top in this clash of divine lightning power!!!!
Shiva: Oh? Thor-chan's getting serious? This is a first for me too!
The mighty Thor, going all out with an awakened Mjolnir in his remaining hand. A sight to behold even for the gods. So as Thor got into a stance and held Mjolnir over his shoulder, he did something unexpected.
...
He threw Mjolnir.
...
This attack had not once missed its mark. But it had not yet faced a worthy opponent. In response to this, the Shogun simply raised her blade and as Mjolnir raced by, she used her sword to deflect and change the trajectory of Mjolnir to miss her, using her other arms to support the blade in deflecting the hammer. It seemed as if she avoided it, however, the hammer quickly came speeding back from behind her to return to Thor.
Heimdall: Not only has the Raiden Shogun met the attack with her own blade, but she has managed to deflect it! I'm struggling to keep up- wait! It appears Mjolnir is coming back with a vengeance!
This mattered little to the Shogun in her new state, as she simply dispersed into electro, hammer flying into nothing but the remaining sparks. She reappeared behind the hammer, now ready to make her own counterattack. This wasn't the true purpose of Thor's attack though, as he proceeded to catch the hammer and use the velocity and centrifugal force from the throw...
Raiden: Useless.
Brunhilde: What is that?!
Odin's Black & White Crow: That technique has only been used once before... / Many millennia ago, in the battle with the Great Serpent, Jörmungandr!!
All of the strength of Thor and the Hammer would be combined into this ultimate killing blow.
It was called... Geirrod! In this battle, Thor would display his finest smile with this attack.
And...
The Raiden Shogun simply stared back with a harsh unfeeling gaze and gathering even more electro, raised the Mussou Isshin far above her head and brought it down with a mighty slash that could kill even gods and split the oceans, another usage of the Musou no Hitotachi. Geirrod and the Musou no Hitotachi, both techniques used to kill mighty serpentine gods...
Which would come out on top? The blade that had sliced Orobashi, or the hammer that crushed Jörmungandr? That would be...
*Boom*
Heimdall: S-she stopped it! This woman took everything Thor could dish out with an expression of complete apathy!
Thor: ...
Raiden: This is your end-
*Crack*
But to the surprise of many and the Shogun herself, the arm wielding the Mussou Isshin cracked ever so slightly, and it grew as Thor exerted more force. Soon enough the whole arm blew apart and she was forced to use another to wield the blade. So to the question from before, it seems the two techniques were evenly matched in terms of power.
Thor: An arm for an arm, it seems. Well, at least you didn't die like I asked.
Raiden: No matter, this does not change anything. For in the end...
As her words drifted off into silence, the Mussou Isshin grew in size and power, as electro coalesced and storms brewed in the sky. A continuous clash of these blows would be far too risky, so the Shogun had decided to end it here. Thor felt the same, he could not risk getting caught by surprise and unable to react again. Both fighters knew...
Thor: You... have piqued my interest. Oh? Mjolnir? Are you excited too? In that case... let's go. No holding back...
Raiden: You have yet to bear witness to... the final calamity!
This would be the final and ultimate clash of this battle!
Geirrod: Thor's Hammer vs. Musou no Hitotachi: The Final Calamity!
As Thor caught his hammer, Mjolnir, he let out the mightiest swing of his lifetime. His teeth gritted and his singular arm even surpassed his previous usage of the technique in which he had both. He had put every inch of his strength and power into this swing that could shatter the very earth with its power.
In response, the Raiden Shogun suddenly vanished before reappearing higher up, as the very skies of the arena shattered and an eye, as if looking into the cosmos, opened. From it came a massive arm of pure electro holding a massive blade that swung to meet Thor and his Mjolnir in the center of the arena.
*Fwoom*
*Crackle*
*Boom*
The sheer amount of lightning, thunder, wind, and light created from the clash created a pillar of all four combined that managed to reach far into the sky as if a beacon that reached beyond the very Heavens. As the two weapons, Mjolnir and the Mussou Isshin continued their clash, wielded by Thor and the Raiden Shogun respectively... something occurred.
*Crack*
A crack on the arm of the Shogun, and yet Thor remained firm. Was she going to lose in a contest of strength? Just as Lu Bu would have? Both arms destroyed and left defenseless?
...
No, she would not lose this battle.
She had dueled with her own creator for 500 years to perfect the art of battle.
She was crafted to the utmost perfection, she honed her techniques to the utmost perfection.
She wielded the mighty Mussou Isshin.
She was clashing against a crude brute force technique with her supreme art.
She... would not lose...
She... is eternal.
After all, the true power of The Final Calamity wasn't simply to strike with an incredible amount of force, but to halt time completely and split space itself. This was a version of the Musou no Hitotachi which surpassed the normal version in both aspects completely. It was on another level of power. But now, unlike her duel with Ei, she wielded with it the full power of the Electro gnosis too.
*Crack*
Another crack but this time on... Mjolnir itself! However, Thor had no time to react to this, for as soon as the Mussou Isshin found hold and began cutting into Mjolnir, as the hammer bled due to its nature... time had come to a stop. Seemingly in an instant, but for the Shogun lasted a few seconds, Mjolnir had been cut in two... along with the arena... and even...
*Slice*
Thor himself. His body split in two vertically along with his hammer. Both halves stood firm, as if not accepting their death and situation, before finally giving in and falling to the ground.
Raiden: Inazuma... shines eternal!
Every single human, every single god, and even some of Gudako's party were quite surprised at the outcome. Brunhilde stood in disbelief and joy at the sight before her, Göll was shivering from fear, and Gudako was smugly smirking. Gudako's party was either watching silently, having fallen asleep, or excitedly jumping up and down about murder or wanting to join in the battles.
As for the gods... they all stood in silent rage, but one emotion prevailed stronger than any other... that was fear. The fact that they were not as immortal or all-powerful as they thought. That they could be slain like any other mortal. One of their mightiest split in two and his legendary weapon left to crumble to dust. It brought unimaginable paranoia and fear.
Heimdall: T-The... the first battle... of Ragnarok... goes... to the humans. In accordance with the Raiden Shogun's decimating victory, the match is settled!!!!
Thor vs. Raiden Shogun
Deciding move: Musou no Hitotachi, The Final Calamity
Victor: Raiden Shogun
-----
Gudako P.O.V
Phew... that match was closer than I would've liked. But it seems in the end Thor couldn't match up to literally freezing time and splitting space! Good for us! Horrible for them! Anyways Brunhilde seems to still be in shock. Heh, better go off and rub it in! So I walk up to her and am about to say 'I told you so', but she instead holds up a hand and I dumbly run into it.
Gudako: Bleh! What was that for?
Brunhilde: That... that was amazing. We showed those shitty and overconfident gods that we can do it! A-ahem! But that aside... this is your roster?
She holds up a weird futuristic yet ancient-looking tablet, and on it is a list of names.
Gudako: Heh, yup. My roster of the strongest... that'll flatten the gods and get us that complete victory seven win-streak!
Gods:
- Zeus
- Budda
- Loki
- Apollo
- Poseidon
- Susano'o no Mikoto
- Thor
- Bishamonten
- Anubis
- Odin
- Beelzebub
- Shiva
- Heracles
-----
Humans:
- Gilgamesh
- Raiden Shogun
- Rasputin
- Cu Chulainn
- Jack the Ripper
- Enkidu
- Sasaki Kojiro
- Heracles
- Kama
- Da Vinci
- Zhongli
- Ushiwakamaru
- Nobunaga
Though... considering my plans, guess all these guys and girls won't get put to use. Welp, that's up for those poor gods to figure out who they're facing! I'm going to sleep on my Kama pillow now! I'll leave the celebrating and fixing the broken arms and stuff of the Shogun to Ei and Da Vinci as always!
Gudako: Kama! Come here- gwak!
Brunhilde: You're coming with me. We need to strategize and plan ahead.
Gudako: B-but I already did that! I wanna sleep on my personal Kama already-
Brunhilde: No. We are planning ahead. Got it?
Gudako: Noooooooo!
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