Here the latest chapter, here is where I'm going to reveal a bit of Null's backstory and even add something for you all to enjoy a bit.
I don't own Shuumatsu no Valkyrie
Chapter 3: Justice Against Evil? Hercules the Hero vs. Stain the Hero Killer!
Some of the Gods were holding a meeting in Zeus's room, this was the second time a God had died in the Ragnarok tournament, but this was the first victory that Humanity had gained and that spoke volume.
"So… what's up with everyone's face?" Zeus asked, having a cup of tea and covered in bandages.
"Old man!" Shiva shouted, slamming his fist on the table. "This isn't the time to fuck arond!"
"Your brother Poseidon was just butchered. Pretty calm, aren't you?" Loki asked.
"Hmm… well that mortal was just stronger than Poseidon… that's all there is to it." Zeus stated, plainly. "Besides… you've all seen the fight. You all know what these battles entailed." He firmly stated. "First… let us admit that Humanity is strong. Next it seems those Valkyrie girls really do intend on killing us, so knowing this we should respond."
"Now that's been settled… I'm next up! I'm not gonna let those little shits get cocky!" Shiva shouted, a dark purple aura oozing off him.
"Ah… about that…" Zeus said, which only infuriated Shiva.
"What now!? Another one of your selfish requests!?" Shiva shouted annoyed.
"My most sincere apologies, but… shouldn't we of the Greek Pantheon, repay this favour they've given us in kind?" Zeus asked, Ares, Hermes, and Hades all had a look of anger one way or another.
"Hmm…" Loki said, intrigue.
"Heh… damn… guess it can't be helped." Shiva said with a sigh. "I swear, you Greek God…"
Meanwhile with Brunhild, Null, and Geir they were preparing for the next round. Null told the two girls he had to use the bathroom for a bit and return like nothing happened.
"The God's insufferable pride won't permit them to lose twice in a row." Brunhild stated.
"She's right. This battle is one we can lose, because they'll be giving their all." Null stated.
"But Sis… Lord Null… who do you think they'll send next?" Geir asked.
"Me." A male voice said, then all three of them felt a great pressure, only Null wasn't affected by it.
"This pressure…" Brunhild thought.
Before them was a muscular redhead man, wearing greek clothing and was wielding a club with a lion's face. Geir ran right at the male with an intense frown and looked like she was going to hit him but instead linked arm with him and had a bright smile.
"Brother Hercules." Geir said with glee.
"Haha, you've gotten big, Geir!" Hercule, The Greek God of Fortune said.
"It has been a while… brother Hercules." Bruhild said with a small smile, bowing a bit.
"It sure has, Brunhild." Hercules said. "You're just as polite as ever, huh?
"I'm glad you're looking as healthy as ever too." Brunhild stated.
"You must be the one helping Burnhild with Humanity, huh?" Hercules said, looking at Null.
"Hmm." Null said in a neutral tone, having a blank face.
"Speaking of which, that response earlier would imply…" Brunhild said, getting serious.
"Yeah… I'm going to be the one appearing in the next fight." Hercules said seriously.
Null and Brunhild looked Hercules in the eyes, they were silent as there was an unspoken truth between them, Geir looked worried.
"Although, it is not my place to say this… I wish you good luck." Brunhild to Hercules.
"Yeah… you too." Hercules said back, and walked off.
"I saw that~." Loki said, appearing out of nowhere. "You sure get along with the Valkyries, dontcha? Hercules." the Greek God remained silent. "Oh, I get it. Though our pantheons may be far apart in geography… they're both full of you half-assed demigods, huh? Isn't going to be hard for you~?" He asked, but Hercules smirked.
"Humanity is a fearsome foe, they prove themselves that much." Hercules stated. "As a representative of the Gods and as a military man, I intend to have a fair fight."
"Hmm. Hope that works out for you." Loki stated.
"Loki… let me just say one thing to you… I'm opposed to the end of Humanity." Hercule said firmly. "However… even since Ragnarok started, I've had no intention of losing. As a representative of the Gods, I will win without a shadow of a doubt!" He shouted. "On top of that… I will move to save Humanity..!"
"Heh. You haven't changed a bit… you don't know who side you're on." Loki stated.
"I'm always on the side of Justice." Hercules stated firmly.
"Justice, huh?" Loki stated.
Null had listened to the whole conversation and the only thing he had to comment was on how foolish it was. Brunhild was readying the fourth round which would have Hercules, Geir looked on unsure, and Null remained unfazed by the fact.
"I see.. Our opponent for round 4 will be brother Hercules…" Brunhild stated.
"That's right. I'm not sure who to cheer for in this case…" Geir stated.
"Yes. Troubling indeed…" Brunhild said, flicking her tongue out. Null notice and found it attractive.
"That aside, who can even stand up against Brother Hercules?" Geir asked concerned.
"Worry not. I already have the perfect opponent for him." Null stated. "He's perfect for this fight." He said with a stone cold serious face.
"Eh?" Geir said, confused.
Back in the tournament of Ragnarok, there has been a huge change, this had to be the largest one yet, because the entertainment arena was a city. Not just any city, Tokyo, it was at the request of the one fighting Hercules, and he agreed to it.
"Make sense that "he" would request this… and that brother Hercules accepted." Geir said, not surprised.
"Of course he would accept." Brunhild stated. "How naive." She thought.
"Still… It's quite the impressive change." Null stated. "But you know this would happen, didn't you, Brunhild?" He thought.
"FIGHTING FOR HUMANITY, IS A TRUE TERROR… KILLING ANYONE THAT HE DECLARED AS A FALSE HERO, THIS MAN MAKES THEM SUFFER! A TRUE MONSTER, IN A AGE OF HEROES BE THEM MAN, WOMAN, OR EVEN CHILD HE HAS NO MERCY! HE'S THE EMBODIMENT OF VENGEANCE!" Heimdall shouted, soon mist came rolling in as a figure was seen walking through it. "WANTING A FAIR SOCIETY TO BE FIX HE TOOK MANNER INTO HIS OWN HANDS, THIS MONSTER WON;T STOP! HE'S SLAUGHTER AND MURDER BOT VILLAINS AND FALSE HEROES WITHOUT BLINKING, NO ONE IS SAFE FROM THIS ASSASSINS OF EVIL! COMING TO SOAK THE GROUND WITH THE BLOOD OF THE GODS… IT'S THE HERO KILLER, STAIN!"
Stain, better known as the Hero Killer walked through the mist wearing his signature bandana and outfit, he was ready to fight. The crowd didn't like the thought of a criminal representing them even if he was a vigilante.
"Oho… I see." Loki said amused. "So this is how you want to play it… just as always… you're an unpleasant woman."
"AND FACING HIM… STANDS THE MAN THAT INTENDS TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF RETAKING THE GODS IS FIRST LOSS! HERE HE IS! THIS GALLANT DEMIGOD FORCED BOTH THE NEMEAN LION AND CERBERUS, THE HOUND OF HADES… INTO SUBMISSION WITH HIS BARE FIST! AFTER CLEARING ALL 12 LABORS ASSIGNED TO HIM, HE ADVANCED THE STEPS OF OLYMPUS!" Heimdall shouted, a chariot pulled by horse appeared. "HE SHINES LIGHT UPON GODS AND HUMAN. THE ENVOY OF JUSTICE! UNPARALLELED IN BRAVERY! IT'S HERCULE!"
The crowd cheered for Hercules, both God and mortal alike.
Both fighters look each other in the eye, this would be a battle of Justice vs Evil, A Hero vs A Villian, God vs Man. The fourth match of Ragnarok, begins now!
Hercule didn't look pleased with who his opponent was and glared in the direction where Null and Brunhild stood.
"S-Sister… L-Lord Null… I think that brother Hercules is really glaring at you two right now…" Geir said nervously.
"Hmph." Null said unfazed, Brunhild remained silent but held a smirk.
"Why?" Hercules thought. "To date all of the representatives of Humanity have been worthy. Whitebeard, Adam, Dante… all worthy enough to shock us Gods to the core… and yet, this man is my opponent!? A man who butchers and murders others and claims it to be justice!" He thought in anger, his face swelling with rage. "Why… don't fuck with me! Brunhild!" He shouted.
"Brother Hercules is really angry!" Geir shouted in fear.
"Hmph, he doesn't know the meaning of angry." Null said calmly. "This is for Humanity's survival, not for him to have a "worthy opponent" to fight." He scoffed, his eyes turning bright red.
"And you do… Null?" A deep rough voice said from behind the Bookkeeper. Null was then slammed into the wall being held by the throat, the one doing this had the same cloak as Null but had dark blue eyes and was 2 feet taller and more muscular then Null. "Do you have any idea of the trouble you have caused?" They asked in a calm angry tone, pushing Null deeper into the wall.
"It…It's nice to meet you too… Lord Arcane." Null gasped out.
"Using the Book of Knowledge in such a manner for such a reason, I should banish you to the deepest hole there is in existence and leave you there to rot." Lord Arcane growled. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't…"
"W…What would you have me tell you?" Nul gasped, grabbing the hand. "That I'm sorry? That I shouldn't have gotten involved? That it none of my business?" He asked, tightening the grip on the hand on his throat. "Because… I'm not." He stated.
Lord Arcane looked Null in the eyes for what felt like minutes, Geir was sweating fiercely from the aura that large being gave off, Brunhild kept a neutral face but had a single cold sweat. Finally after staring into the Bookkeeper's soul he let out a sigh and tossed him to the ground. Null coughed a bit and rubbed his throat, he picked himself up.
"You've always been a problem child, always causing trouble." Lord Arcane grunted. "But this most be you're most stupid act of defiance yet. Going against the Gods?"
"I see no reason why not, shouldn't the mortals have a chance to fight for their existence?" Null asked.
"Hmmmm." Lord Arcane answered.
"L-Lord Null… who is this?" Geir asked confused and frightened.
"My apologies, this is Lord Arcane. My mentor, master, and previous owner of the Book of Knowledge." Null answered. "He taught me everything there is to know, so even though I may surpass in raw power he far eclisple me in terms of knowledge."
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Valkyrie." Lord Arcane bowed.
"Likewise, Lord Arcane." Brunhild bow, Geir quickly follows suit.
"L-Lord Null… just what are you?" Geir asked, confused.
"I am an Observer." Null answered. "Basically were beings that watchover both Humanity and Gods alike, watching, learning, and improving ourselves to better see across time and space. Every major battle or event that's ever happened is placed into the Book of Knowledge, it's the Bookkeeper's job to protect it at all causes and further it's knowledge by adding what the holder has seen."
"Re-Really…?" Geir asked in shock.
"Yep." Null nodded. "That's how I was able to bring such powerful fighters, every battle they ever had the book has recorded." Null stated.
"You have a lot to answer for, Null." Lord Arcane said seriously.
"I'm fully aware, but it will have to wait…" Null stated. "For now, let's watch the fight."
"Hmmmmm…" Lord Arcane grunted.
Humanity was still skeptical about someone like Stain, a person who murder even hero was nothing but a killer, some thought a true Hero should be fighting but those that knew Stain thought better. Just bear with it, the pro Heroes could afford to be picky with the state most of their stronger Heros are in.
"I shall warn you now… bow down and accept defeat." Hercules told him. "If you do that, then I swear that I will make Zeus accept it. And you can be saved from niflhel. I do not relish and senseless killing… but you're a special case!"
"Hmph. Not a chance, this fight just started… so I won't accept it!" Stain stated. "It's time to die… traitor."
"What…?" Hercules asked confused.
"I'm not going to back down from someone like you, you're just another faker!" Stain shouted firmly. "I will kill all false heroes!" Then pulls out a set of dual daggers. "Feast your eyes on my Volund." He twirls them around a bit and slash through a lamp poll. "It can cut through anything in existence."
"Very well." Hercules stated. "If that is what you've decided… then I'll answer your resolve with all my might!"
Stain then turned around and ran off, surprising Hercules which only angered him and followed after him, he then saw Red Hood leading against a wall. Hercules charged forward but then saw a trip wire.
"This is… a petty trick!" Hercules shouted, and set the trap. Multiple throwing knives came right at them, Hercules scoffed and the weapons didn't even leave a scratch on him. "Fool, didn't Brunhild tell you? Human weapons can't hurt the body of Gods!"
"We won't know until we try, traitor." Stain stated.
"Begone." Hercules said, raising his club.
"I feel the same." Stain stated.
Pulling out a gun and firing it which turned out to be a grappling hook. He climbed onto the rooftop and jumped from roof to roof, Hercules grew angry and he jumped forward with all his might, cracking the ground in the process. He raised his club and was about to crush Stain into a pulp with it but the hero killer was able to block the blow with the dual daggers but they shatter from the impact, leaving him defenseless. Everyone thought it was over now that his Divine Weapon was broken.
"It's over…" Hercules said.
Stain quickly got up and back away, he looked to be pulling out more throwing knives, Hercule thought it was pointless because they wouldn't hurt him.
"How many times must I tell it… human weapons won't harm me." Hercule told him, but Stain tossed the knives anyway. "It's useless!" He shouted.
But a surprise event happened, all of the knives had pierced the divine flesh of the God and shocked and confused him. He couldn't understand how this was possible, there was no way it was!
"Wha… h-how." Hercule said, coughing up a bit of blood.
"Remember I told you that those daggers were my Volund, that was a lie." Stain told him.
"So… your true Volund are those flying blades?" Hercules asked.
"Just you wait and see, traitor." Stain stated, then tossed more knives into the muscular God's chest making cough more blood, then pulled out a combat knife from the pouch. "It's this pouch, with it I can make any Divine Weapon, but it's unable to make anything bigger than a giant shuriken. But this should be enough for a traitor like you." He stated.
"I… I don't quite understand. Why… Why did you choose this man?" Geir asked, confused.
"Geir… what is the one thing that Humanity excels above the Gods in…? Do you know?" Brunhild asked, but the young Valkyrie remained silent. "It is… malice." She answered with a smile as her eyes formed a black swirl that seemed endless.
"She's right. In my time of observing Humanity, I've seen just how corrupt, twisted, and evil they could be." Null added, finding her act attractive. "But we don't need a villain that could have a secret plan." He stated. "Just someone with enough malice intent that can swallow the "righteous" God." He said, no one but Arcane noticing the tone in Null's voice.
"Now, "mighty" God… tremble before me!" Stain shouted.
"Hmph. If this is the extent of your tricks then… I'll crush it!" Hercule stated.
Back in the stands on the side of the Gods, Loki appeared out of nowhere and floated above Ares, Hermes, and Hades.
"Oh my~. How are you feeling?" Loki asked the two Greek Gods. "Isn't this a troubling result, my Greek friends? And after you talk such a big game before too~."
"Silence." Ares stated. "That man, Hercules… I trust him wholeheartedly." He said firmly, Hermes and Hades simply smirked.
"Show time." Stain stated.
Stain threw more of his knives but Hercules deflected them with his club. He was unleashing a torrent of blades against the Hero God, he made a few of them curve so they hit their target. The criminal in the crowd cheered believing Hercules was scared but Ares knew better. Hercules had a calm stoic face and advanced forward to the villian, the truth in Hercules's power wasn't in his strength but in his will!
In the past Hercules was still mortal and had a weak body but after years of training and hard work he slowly grew but it wasn't enough. At the same time the Gods were deciding how to deal with Humanity and in that time they were going to wipe them out, Ares was the one to lead the charge against mortal kind but he mortal Hercules those firm against them with the Ambrosia, better known as the blood of Zeus. The young mortal Hercules consume the drink whole and nearly died but instead of dying he transform into the large and muscle Hercule everyone knew him for and fight off against Ares and his army and took them all out by the end of the battle it was just Hercules and Ares going blow for blow and were about to finish each other off but Zeus step in and offer Hercules to become a God, Hercules agree to descend into Godhood if they spare Humanity and does Hercules return with Zeus and complete the 12 Labour and was given the title of God.
Hercules had destroyed the last of Stain's throwing knives and raised his club to finish him.
"Scum. Begone from my sight!" Hercules stated.
Stain pulled out two katanas and used them to deflect the blow to the side, the blow from Hercules left a huge crater in the ground. Stain raises one of the blades and swings at the neck of the God but the greek God blocks with his club, Stain goes for another swing but it blocks as well, he grabs the combat knife and slash Hercules across the chest, causing his Divine Blood to cover the blood.
"So you can deflect and fight, so you're not a normal coward." Hercules stated.
"Say what you want, I'm no traitor." Stain stated. "Tell me, did you think that I would be so easy to defeat?" He asked.
"Huh?" Hercules said, confused.
"Let me show you the true power… of the Hero Killer!" Stain stated, and lick the blood off the knife.
Hercules felt his body grow stiff and was unable to move, Stain pulled out a another combat knife and jammed it into Hercules's neck and gave him a nasty slash wound, Hercules let out a scream of pain, Stain felt a burning pain through his body and that stunned him, Hercules was able to move again throw a powerful punch right at the Stain but he blocked with the katanas, they snapped against the blow but the force of the impact was able to send Stain flying to the ground, he grunted in pain and got up.
"Bastard…" Stain groaned.
"Son of a…" Hercules growled.
"Lord Null, what did Stain do to Brother Hercules to keep him from moving?" Geir asked, confused.
"Where Stain comes from, he lives in a world where people are born with a power called Quirks. His Quirk gives him the power to paralyze any person whose blood he tastes." Null explained. "But it appears that the effect of the Ambrosia is still active."
"What!? Really!?" Geir asked shocked. "Does this mean Brother Hercules will lose?"
"It's too soon to decide that." Null stated, continuing to watch the fight.
"You're a tough one, the last scum I used it on weren't as lucky." Stain stated. "Tell me, oh heroic God just what you are gonna to do against my power?" He asked.
"You ask me what I'm gonna do, simply I'll face it head on and crush it!" Hercules shouted.
"Oh dear~. Still trying to overpower the competition? As strong as he is, isn't it a bit too muscle brained?" Loki asked rhetorically. "And he says he'll face it head on? Was that a bluff?"
"Don't group him in with you, fool! Your head is full of nothing but schemes!" Ares shouted.
"Tsk damn~. You really trust him that much?" Loki asked.
"If that's what he says, then that's what he'll do." Ares stated. "That's just the kind of man he is."
Hercules ready himself for what he was about to do next, he called out for the Nemean Lion and his club's eyes glowed, this worried Ares. Hercules raises his club and attacks with his First Labour: Nemean Lion and a huge explosion of energy is released! Stain tried to back away from the attack as fast as possible but couldn't and was sent flying into the wall and coughed up a bit of blood, both God and mortal cheered for the Hercules but their cheers died down at the sight of Hercules tattoo growing.
It turns out it was rebound, due to the fearsome power of the 12 Labours it causes great pain for even natural Gods, if the tattoo completely covers Hercule's body he will die. Ares didn't understand how Hercules could use such techniques of scum like the Stain.
"Brother Hercules is strong." Geir stated.
"Indeed. But this fight is just beginning, so watch Geir." Null told her.
"Ugh, not bad, filth." Stain said, he felt his shoulder and snapped it back in place. "Well, that was something else. It's safe to say the first act is over. So how about we start the second act." Stain said, grabbing a combat knife.
He charged forward and goes for a right swing but Hercules meet the blow head on with a swing of his club the mix impacts push Stain back and he fixed himself and attack with a large shuriken and toss it at Hercule but he dodge, Stain pull out knives and toss them at the greek God, he deflect as many as he could but a few manage to hit his chest and torso, the giant shuriken came spinning back but Hercule jump over it, Stain caught and used the momentum to double the speed of the throw and sent right back at the Hero God, he was getting ready to destroy the shurkin with a swing of his club but before he could, Stain lick one of bloody knives and paralyze the greek God and the shuriken dug deep into his right shoulder! Hercule only suffers some damage, the villain felt the same burning pain course through his body. Stain lunged forward and kicked the shuriken deeper into Hercules and jumped over him and planted the combat knife into his left shoulder of the Greek God and followed up with a back heel kick, he then pulled the shuriken and knife out. Hercules raised his club and was about to smash Stain with it but he jump back and climb to get away and throw a few more knives at God but Hercules took care of them with his club, he jumped down and gripped the other combat knife and tries to slash the back of the neck of Hercules, or try to but it was block by the club and they end up snapping in half. Stain jumps back and throws more knives but Hercules guards against them with his arm and swings his club down but Stain retreats back quickly and even begins jumping in the air, until he comes to a stop and is on a rooftop.
"More of your petty tricks?" Hercules asked.
"Say, do you have an umbrella? It can be rainy in Tokyo some times." Stain stated, pulling out more knives, he then tossed them into the air and they rebound against the wire. "So better be careful!"
They started moving much faster and in different directions and pierced into Hercules's flesh, Stain pulled out a machete and lick a bit of Hercules's blood and paralyze him then rush at him and slash him across the right arm, left leg, left shoulder, right thigh, and in the chest, Stain would have continue but the burning body cause him to stop and he even felt to his knees and vomit up blood, he grits his teeth and pain and back away and tossed more knives. This was becoming too much to watch for must, Hercules gritted his teeth in pain and was free once more and then ready himself and this time used the Sixth Labour: Bird of Stymphalia, with one swing Hercules sent all the birdarangs right back at Stain using a wave of strong winds! The hero killer dodged as best as he could but one hit in the left forearm and one in his right leg and even in his torso, he wheezed in pain and fell to the ground.
"Fucking dammit." Stain cursed, pulling them out.
"It's useless… your petty tricks… won't work on me." Hercules stated.
"Big talk coming from you…" Stain said, getting up.
"Really?" Hercule asked, confused and irritated.
"If you still haven't realized it, then it's pointless telling you, scum." Stain stated. "Let continue, this is the first time I faced a God."
"Bastard…" Hercule said angry.
"Honestly, you're the bastard here" Stain stated. "Just like every other hero I've faced and killed, you're nothing more than a fake! Nothing more than a show pony for the public! You claim to be a Hero for Justice but you are nothing more than a traitor. Nothing like the true Number 1 Hero!" He stated. "I'm going to slaughter you and make you tremble with despair."
"Sorry to disappoint you, but even if I die here. I won't show you want to see." Hercules stated. "I won't fall to the likes you!"
Hercules charged forward and swung down his club, Stain dodged and knives at Hercules, the greek God deflecting them with his club. Stain dodge the club and this time pulled out the machete he used before, he gripped it and charge forward and tries to thrust it through the chest and stab the heart of Hercules but he swing his club as a counter so Stain blocked with his both arms instead, the force of the impact sunk his feet into the asphalt he gritted his teeth and quickly pulls out a knife right hands and stab it into the chest of Hercule a few times and made him cough up blood and falter, Stain take this chance to swipe his leg and cause the God to fall on his back, Stain tries once more to stab the God but Hercule caught the blade and was going to crush it but Stain delivers a soccer kick to the chin, making Hercule flinch from the pain and letting the hero killer free the blade, he was about to try slash the neck of the God but Hercule swing his club and that forces him with block with his arms once more and knocks him back a bit. Hercules get up and charge forward, Stain felt his arm grow numb but endured it and lunge forward and dodge by sidestepping the swing of the club and slashes at the torso, the cut wasn't deep enough so Stain goes for another from behind, Hercules counter with a back swing and nearly knock Stain's head off but he duck and slash the Greek God across the chest and follows up with a downward slash and cut the right shoulder, Hercule gritted his teeth in pain and swing his club downwards, Stain dodge by backing away he "tsk" because the muscle were too tough to cut through so he charge forward and goes for a stab this time, Hercule saw this and attack with swing of his club with more fury, Stain dodge the first one, then the second one, and the third and thrust the blade into abdomen, he was about slit the abdomen but the blade was stuck! Hercules flexes his muscle to keep the blade still and instead of hitting him with his club he delivers a fury right punch to the chest and sends Stain flying to the wall, he grunts in pain and slides down the wall, Hercules pulls out the blade and snaps it in half.
"Not bad, traitor." Stain said, shakingly getting up.
"Why do you keep claiming me to be a traitor!? I've betrayed no one!" Hercule shouted in anger.
"That's where you're wrong, false hero, you say you're one the side of justice, but you're wrong!" Stain shouted. "But I'm fighting for Humanity! You used to be a human and yet, your fighting for the Gods! Your fighting for their victory and if you won then Humanity will be one step closer to extinction! Your nothing more than a naive tool of the Gods, you scum, filth, a traitor of Humanity!" He shouted, pointing his finger. "You're no hero, you're a fake and I'm going to kill!" He shouted, a monster aura forming behind him
These words surprised and even frightened everyone, some could see the logic in his statement, other rage at his insult of Hercules, Null merely chuckled at his words. Stain pulled his one more katana blade and charged forward and jumped in the air and swung at Hercules to take his head but the greek God dodge, Stain followed up by slashing it against the left pec. Hercules wheezed in pain and tries to retaliate with a of his club but Stain blocks with the blade and counter with a few harsh stabs to the vital spot of the chest and torso, he spin the blade and swing it at Hercule once more but he dodge and swing down his club, the hero killer jump away and his pull out one of the bloody knives and lick it, paralyzing the greek God, Stain raise the blade and covers Hercules in nasty cuts, he gritted in pain and as Stain was getting ready for the finishing blow the burning pain grow more intense and force him to back away as he cough up more blood, Hercules and charged forward and swing his club right at him with all his might! Stain blocked the blade but the force pushed him back the villain and caused the katana to snap in half, Stain found his back against the wall, he looked up and it was the clock tower. He climbs the tower and uses the knives to get up there.
"It's useless." Hercules said firmly.
He then swung his club against the clock tower and caused it to fall and lean against another building. Stain hangs against the hand of the clock tower and looks down at the Greek God. Hercules used his Seventh Labour: Cretan Bull and was preparing to deliver a powerful strike, Stain acted quickly and pulled out his signature sword and let go, getting ready to slash the God!
"It's useless… how many times must I remind you!" Hercules shouted, believing the sword would break because it didn't come from the pouch.
He then used his arm to guard against it and everyone expected it to shatter on impact, but that wasn't the case… instead the sword of the Hero Killer cut right through his arm! Shocking and even horrifying them to the core as Hercules's arm falls to the ground.
"I've heard you say that over and over again, dumbass. So tell me, how does it feel." Stain asked seriously.
Humanity and the Gods, were both frozen at the sight of a God being injured by a man-made weapon.
"I see." Hercule said, figuring out the truth. "That's the real one, huh?" He asked.
"So you figure it out, guess you're not any old muscle head." Stain scoffed.
"Ah, I see~. He got us good…" Loki said with a smirk.
"Wh-What the hell just happened!?" Ares asked, still in shock.
"You still haven't figured it out?" Loki asked.
"Huh?" Ares asked confused.
"Stain's little chat about the bag being his Volund was also a lie." Loki told them.
"A lie!?" Ares asked.
"Yes… his true weapon… was neither those daggers nor that bottomless pouch… it's those bandages around his hands." Loki clearfield.
"Interesting, it most likely whatever those gloves touch becomes a Divine Weapon itself." Hades concluded.
"He can transform them into Divine Weapons?" Ares asked confused.
"He pulled all his weapons from that pouch… in order to make us believe it could create them… in order to make us believe there was a size limit. Time and time again, he continues to launch barrage after barrage of attacks… all in order to have Hercules slip all for that one strike…" Loki explained. "In hindsight… Stain first trick had a fairly weak result… to think that it would be used for another that would take his arm. In any case, it would seem that he got Hercules good. Everything that man has done was a bluff."
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Ares repeated. "You damn coward!"
"Was this all according to your plan, Brunhild?" Loki thought.
"His true weapons are those bandages…?" Geir asked, confused.
"Indeed. I never informed you, did I?" Brunhild stated.
"Y-You knew, didn't you? About that weapon… and Brother Hercules would fall for it completely…" Geir said in a shaking voice. "You know this would happen all along!" She shouted.
"Well… I did have to make an executive decision to set it up, after all." Brunhild stated.
"Null, did you have a part in this?" Lord Arcane asked.
"In a way, I'd be lying if I didn't." Null answered calmly.
Earlier, Brunhild and Null approach the next Valkyrie to fight and it was Hlokk, the Seventh Valkyrie sister. But she was making a fuss about being parted with a vigilante, Null simply sweatdrop and let out a sigh while Brunhild had a blank face, Stain out of nowhere and surprise the Valkyrie, he wasn't so thrilled about this either. In order to make things go faster he would have forced the Valkyrie to do Volund but Null stepped in and talked it out with the loli Valkyrie, Hlokk was reluctant to fight with him but agreed, Stain "tch" and the two used Volund.
"That's just like you Null." Lord Arcane stated.
"It was the best option at the time compared to what else might have happened." Null said with a shrug. "This battle needed her power."
"The Seventh Valkyrie Sister, Hlokk. Morphing the true nature of those weapons… the truth lying in behind that name…"
"The unsettling one." Null stated.
"But what Stain? Why does he keep coughing up blood every time he uses his Quirk?" Geir asked.
"Most likely the Ambrosia is rejecting the Hero Killer, and every time he licks the blood of Hercules, the power slowly kills him." Null stated. "If he's not careful, he could die…" He said seriously.
"Yeah, with these bandages I can turn anything in a Divine Weapon." Stain stated. "With these…" He said picking up a pebble and flicking it, it hit a wall and left a dent. "A pebble can smash right through a wall. And a simple sword can be a weapon that can kill a God." He stated. "You understand what I mean, right?"
That meant all of Tokyo had become his weapon! Both Humanity and Gods alike dread for Hercules and cheer him on, Null merely sighed and Stain scoffed.
"You're quite the famous one, well… let's begin the final act." Stain stated, pointing his sword at Hercules.
"Hercules…" Ares said, dreading the worse. But was then punched in the face by Zeus.
"What are you doing breaking before the man himself!? You foolish son of mine!" Zeus shouted.
"Z-Zeus… b...but his right arm…" Ares stated.
"Ah, yes. You really think, that's enough of an excuse for him to lose." Zeus asked. "He won't lose. Hercules just isn't that kind of man."
"Well said, brother." Hade stated.
"That's right. He is… the man who passed the trails of Zeus himself! And the man I call my greatest friend!" Ares thought with a smirk.
Hercule packed up his right thumb and stopped the bleeding, Stain gripped his sword and ready himself for the final act of this battle.
"You should be careful, those techniques look like they take a lot out of you." Stain stated.
"You needn't worry." Hercule told him.
"Hmph." Stain scoffed. "Don't get it twisted, I just want to make sure that's it me who puts you into the ground, nothing more nothing less." He stated. "I meant what I said early, you're a fake hero, a filth traitor of Humanity and a tool of the Gods." He told the greek God.
"I see… you have lost, haven't you?" Hercules asked, with sympathy.
"What…?" Stain asked seriously.
"What is it that you fall into darkness because of your nature or was it because of the feeling of betrayal that cut your soul?" Hercules asked. "No… the reason is… irrelevant. You lost to despair and gave into bloodlust."
"... … …" Stain stayed silent, glaring.
"I'm a demi-God. A human born on earth, who ascended to Olympus as a God. Humanity and Deity… as one holding both titles… I can say this… Humanity is foolish, jealous, hatred, discriminatory…" Hercules told him, he began listening to all of the sins of Humanity. "And yet… in spite of all that, I truly love Humanity." He stated. "And… with what you say earlier, maybe you're right. About me being a false Hero, you're fighting for Humanity so they can live so maybe you are a hero…"
Stain's hands tremble not from rage or hatred but from despair. The emotion that Hercules gave off reminded him of All Might, the number 1 Hero, the man was worthy of killing him.
"God dammit, why… Why did it have to be like this!" Stain thought.
"Stain, I will save you from your suffering!" Hercule stated.
Hercule tossed his club into the air and it began to transform more sinisterly, Hercules called forth the Hound of Hades, and activated the Twelfth Labour: Cerberus. Hercule looks more beastly and monster-like than before.
"Cerberus…" Hades muttered.
"Hmmm… it's a battle of time from here on out." Zeus stated.
"Time?" Loki said, confused.
"That skill possesses an overwhelming power capacity of destruction." Hades stated.
"However it takes a proper toll on its user…" Zeus added. "Will he engulf his opponent? Or be drained of his essence first?"
"That Labour can be stopped." Hades stated.
"A skill that burns through the user's own life… so if he doesn't win that tattoo will overwhelm his body, stripping if of his life in the process… a truly amazing man." Loki stated.
"Hercules!" Ares shouted. "Hurry!"
Hercules charges right at Stain, he throws a savage punch, the villain dodge it and the blow looks like a claw mark. Stain unleashed a barrage of slash into him aiming for his vital spot but couldn't get them, he grabbed a piece of wood and then a piece stone and tossed them at Hercule but he smashed them to pieces with a single punch. Stain would toss piece of debris but Hercules smash them with ease, he grab a sign but Hercule smash it and the impact shook his whole arm, Hercules attack with Great Hero Blow, Stain jump over it and the blow destroy the ground, the greek God swing his stump at him but Hercule missed Stain felt his face and there was a small cut on his cheek. Hercules goes for another punch and Stain uses a manhole cover to block it and thrust his sword into the torso of Hercules, the cover worked at first but Hercules forced it way through and delivered a strong blow to the face! Stain got sent flying, he roll across the ground and quickly fix himself, he slowly get up and spit out a bit of blood, he grabs his retreats to form a plan and Hercules jump after him and slammed his fist against him, Stain blocked with sword and that sent him falling and he ended up getting impaled by a spiked fence, Stain's abdomen, right arm, and right leg were hit he cough up blood and gritted his teeth in pain, he cut himself free with his sword, first pulling out the one in his abdomen and the two in his right arm and the one in his leg.
"Fuck! This hurt like hell!" Stain cursed, getting up and holding his abdomen in pain.
"No matter what you do, it's useless." Hercules told him. "There's nowhere you can run in this city."
"Maybe you're right, but did you forget." Stain asks him, he then takes off his sword and raises it. "Everything in Tokyo is a lethal weapon for me!" He shouted, and slash through the supporting foundation, causing the small building to fall!
Stain charges forward and attacks with a drop kick but Hercules blocks and the hero killer uses him as a springboard to jump through a window of the falling building and escape. The building comes crashing down on Hercule, he tries to force it up but he was too weakened from the loss of blood and the building crashed on him. Stain stood on top of the rubble, he was panting and holding his wounded abdomen, his plan was complete. The crowd gasped in shock at the plan Stain came up with and dreaded the worse and thought Hercules was crushed, Gods and mortals pleaded for him to get up and fight, after a moment a fist burst through the rubble, Hercules got right back up and was burned and a bit bloody the crowd cheered for him once more, Stain "tch" and ready himself.
"Welcome back, did you like the gift?" Stain asked sarcastically.
"No matter what you do, the justice in my heart won't waver." Hercules stated.
"Hmph, justice." Stain mutter. "You're impressive and look to be an honest guy, all the more reason I want to slash your head for picking the wrong side!" He shouted in anger, pointing his sword at Hercules.
"Just try it!" Hercule said with a smirk.
Stain wheezed in pain and fell to his knees, he clenched his bleeding wounds with his hand and coughed up a bit of blood, he went to far jump through that window. He picked himself up and gripped his sword.
"Let's end this." Stain said, wiping blood off his lips. "Time for the finale."
The curtain for this fight was coming to a close, the truth was clear to everyone that was watching. The battle between Good and Malice, which would win? The Evil Hero Killer or the Divine Hero?
Hercules advance forward and Stain follow suit he pick up door, the two clash, Hercule kept throwing punches and Stain kept hacking away at him, Hercules smashed the door to pieces leaving Stain defenseless and throw another powerful punch, Stain lick some of Hercules blood and stop the blow and slash at him, cutting away at every vital spot he can but the burning pain of the Ambrosia cause him to stop and give Hercules the chance to slam his fist into his gut, he spat out a glob of blood and was sent flying. Stain was laying on the ground for a few moment before getting back up to his feet and was panting, there isn't anymore time left and Hercules charge to finish off Stain but he swiftly avoided the fist of the greek God until he was at the right angle and blind spot to strike and pull out the spiked rob that stabbed him and thrust it forward to stab the God in the face and skull but he missed and only got his cheek and Hercule counter with a blow to the side of his end and sent him flying once more and into the ground, Stain lay on the ground in a daze, his body slightly burning from using his Quirk on a God.
Stain slowly picked himself up, his legs were shaking and his vision was bluntly. It was clear he was on his last legs, he was using his sword to hold himself up and drag his feet forward and advance once more for a few minutes before stopping, he pointed his sword at Hercule and still held a determined glare.
"So strong…" Hercule said with a smirk.
Stain was up and close with Hercules and both fighter strike at each other once more, he struck Stain across the head and he was dazed, and nearly fell to his feet but stood him and counter with five shot slash to the God's chest but Hercule didn't falter and throw another punch but Stain was able to block the blow somehow and counter with a kick to the chin but Hercule tank it and got the hero killer in the ribcage, he cough blood and counter with a uppercut with the butt of his sword and stagger back a bit, he put one hand on his knee and vomit up blood. He wasn't giving up though and charge forward one more, Hercules felt his end near and channel all his strength he had, his eyes turn blood red like in his fight with Ares and as Stain goes for a stab he miss and Hercules smash his sword in half got him across the temple and Stain was stunned and slowly fall forward.
"You've done well… Stain." Hercules thought. "Rest." He said, ready to finish him off.
But this was still a bit of energy in Stain, he caught himself and ready himself for a strike, using his Quirk once more Hercules wasn't expecting this and tries to finish off now but is paraylze for a few seconds! There was a splash of blood and everyone widened there's eyes at the result, Stain had both hands going right through Hercules's chest, still having two knives left.
"Dear God." Stain stated. "That's what I'm calling this move, made just for you."
"Why… why is a mere mortal piercing divine flesh with his bare hands…?" Ares asked, stunned.
"It's your… blood?" Hercules answered, coughing up blood. "I thought you were trying to cover your injuries but you were coating your hands in blood.
"You got it." Stain stated.
"Your something else, right to the very end." Hercules stated, but Stain didn't look happy.
"This isn't a win… I still lose." Stain stated.
"I will never change…" Hercules said, clenching his fist. "Never forget I will always… love mortals." He said, hugging Jason.
"Dammit, your one stubborn bastard." Stain said, coughing up blood from the burning pain.
"In the end… even if he lost the strength to strike, he still possessed enough strength to embrace, hm?" Loki said.
"Cerberus…" Hade muttered.
"That was a good fight… I'm sorry… for yelling before." Hercule stated. "Brunhild… are you watching? I live the rest to you… though they may be foolish, I still hold them dear… please save them." These were Hercules's last words before turning into light particles.
Everyone cried both mortal and God mourn the loss of such a hero and lovable person. Jason Todd looked at the sky, completely exhausted and fell to his knees. He never felt sorry for killing someone, but the death of Hercules left a bitter feeling.
"Why… why didn't you fight for Humanity?" Stain muttered.
Round 4 of Ragnarok:
Red Hood vs Hercules: The victor is Stain
Deciding Move: Dear God
Scoreboard: Humanity: 2 and God: 1
R1: Tie
R2: G
R3: H
R4: H
"T-THIS CONCLUDES OUR FOURTH MATCH… STAIN IS… OUR VICTOR…" Heimdal said, lacking his usual energy.
The bandages returned to normal and it was Hlokk, it took Stain a few minutes to acknowledge her.
"Hey…" Stain said, turning to her. "How do you feel?"
"Hmph! I should be asking you that." Hlokk countered. "How's it feel to kill a God?"
"I'm not sure, I've never felt this way before." Stain answered.
"Jeez, you look so pitiful when you're sad." Hlokk told him. "And look at me! I'm filthy to dear sake!" She shouted, she began to float away. "Now I have to take a shower, you better head to the infirmary! Got it, kiddo!"
"Yes ma'am." Stain said, and picked himself up.
As he was slowly making his way through the now destroyed city of Tokyo, thinking over the events of his battle, he was holding his bleeding abdomen to keep any more blood from leaking out.
"If... I could have one wish, it would be to see you once more." Stain stated.
He gritted his teeth in pain and fell to his knees once more, meanwhile the audience tremble in violent whirlpool of emotions, and what Stain was meet with instead of gratitude was scorn, the crowd chuck rock and anything else they could at him, he brace himself it but it never touch him because standing over him was none other then, Null. He shielded the hero killer, merely taking in the words they shouted at him, this went on for a few more minutes the Bookkeeper had enough and with a snap of his finger and unleash a shockwave the ripple through the air and over the crowd, silencing them.
"You did well, no one has the right to judge you for this let alone any of them." Null stated, pointing to the crowd.
"Haha, you think so?" Stain muttered, not completely sure if he was right.
"No one said this would be easy." Null stated, helping him to his feet. "But it's for the greater good, or in your cause for A better wolrd, right?" He asked, Stain.
"Right…" Stain said, with a sigh.
With the Gods, now Humanity had two victories over the Gods and that was enough to show that they couldn't let them get ahead and further. Ares was mourning over the death of his friend and crying his eyes out. Zeus unleashes a bit of his power as a reaction to the second loss to the greek Gods. Hade had a dark mourn-filled look on his face for losing his trusted hound too Humanity.
"We can't let them move any farther." Zeus said seriously.
"I'm sure that's exactly how they feel." Loki stated. "Who will be sent next."
Geir was crying her eyes out for the death of Hercules, Null had returned to where Brunhild was where they are, Lord Arcane merely let out a sigh. He looked at the younger Valkyrie with a look of sadness and followed Brunhild.
"Are you happy now!? Seeing brother Hercules die!? Are you satisfied!?" Geir asked angrily.
"The meaning of our name, "Valkyrie" is "chooser of the slain". There is no need for emotions in our line of work." Brunhild stated, Null put a hand on her shoulder.
"Geir, Humanity needs to be saved. All that matters is the success." Null said, calmly.
Brunhild walked off while Null decided to leave her alone and walk off to get his own space, lord Arcane followed after him. Null was now floating in a criss-cross stance, he was mediating to clear his mind. Lord Arcane appeared behind him and Null could sense him and stopped.
"You seem distraught, Null." Lord Arcane stated.
"Hmmm." Null said back.
"I'm guessing it has something to do with the latest match." Lord Arcane stated.
"I'm… just unable to break myself to mourn or even feel sorry for what happened to Hercules." Null stated. "He claims to love Humanity but fought for the Gods… I-I just don't understand…" He stated. "Honestly, I felt nothing, but I didn't say anything for the sake of Brunhild."
"I see… still holding one to those intense feelings for the Gods?" Lord Arcane asked.
"I never lost them, I just… can't help but hate the Gods." Null said the last part darkly. "Hercules was an honest guy and lovable Hero, I have nothing against him, but… this is just how things have to be."
"Oh, Null…" Lord Arcane muttered.
Deep within the arena in Humanity, there was a door that had chains all over it. Within was a basement, two silhouettes sitting and watching the fight.
"My, there doesn't seem to be a shortage of strong fighters." A male being said with a stone face.
"Indeed, father… Whitebeard, Adam, Dante, and now Stain." A smaller male said. "True fighter from all over other dimensions, being a representative is truly exciting, wouldn't agree father?" They asked.
"Indeed, Atreus." The male stated. "I can't wait for my turn in the ring, fighting a God." Kratos, the Ghost of Sparta and representative of Humanity said.
The battle was just beginning, now with Humanity having the lead for the moment will they be able to keep it or will the Gods caught up and either tie with them once more or jump ahead of them?
Here's the latest update for the second version, for the 3rd version things will go differently as far as God and Humanity representatives. And I will continue to expand the lore of Null and his history with Brunhild.
Peace!