The gods gave Ishtar a standing ovation. Some cry tears of joy for tying with the humans. Others began to throw flowers in admiration of the returning goddess. Ishtar sees this and plays up the crowd by blowing kisses and poses.

"Thank you! Thank you all for your kindness!"

Zeus claps happily for Ishtar after she obtains victory for the gods.

"After all these eons, she still got it!"

Ares cried happily, "That's my wife! Such a beautiful victory!"

Meanwhile, all the humanity sat in despair as the gods were neck and neck with them. Kaidu and all of Mongolia grieved for the fallen Khutulun.

"My precious child! This shouldn't be possible!"

"Great-grandson. Wipe away your tears," Genghis ordered Kaidu.

"Khutulun gave her life to this match. She fought with all her passion and died feeling true love. This is a time of remembrance and celebration!"

Kaidu sniffed as he straightened his face.

"Y-you're right! Men! Wave the banners high! In honor of my daughter, we shall celebrate her life!"

The Mongols cheered as they waved the flags and cheered, much to some of the gods' disgust. However, Ishtar smiles as the Mongols pay tribute to Khutulun instead of despairing. She walks wearily to the gates, mustering a little strength to keep herself walking tall. Upon reaching the entranceway as the entrance and the gates closed, she dropped to her knees and coughed a bit of blood.

"Hehe...oh Khutulun. Even in death, you surpass anything I've dealt with," Ishtar said with a warm smile.

"MOM!"

Ishtar looks up and sees Eros, Deimos, Phobos, and Harmonia rushing towards their mother.

"Mom, you okay?!"

"Please tell me you'll be okay!"

"We can't lose you!"

"W-will get the doctor!"

Ishtar waved her hands and chuckled, "My children, calm down. I'm just hurting a bit. Nothing more."

Then Ares comes in and helps his wife up. Ares gave a teary smile at Ishtar.

"I don't care if you're a chief goddess. You're still my Aphrodite."

"Heh, and you're still my war bunny, my love," Ishtar said as she kissed him on the forehead.

Finally, Ereshkigal walks up to her sister. The tension was intense as the two sisters stared at each other. This moment also felt like an eternity for the two sisters.

Ishtar sadly sighed as she spoke.

"Sister, I... I'm so sorry for trying to invade your domain. I was...selfish, arrogant, and a fool. I know you may not want to forgive me, but I-"

Ishtar was caught off guard as Ereshkigal hugged her.

Ereshkigal laughed, holding back tears, "Just shut up already. I've already forgiven you."

Ishtar's eyes weld up as she eagerly embraced her sister.

"I...I love you, Ereshi!"

"I love you too, Inanna."

Back within the arena, Hera slowly clapped with a look of disgust.

"Bravo. Bravo, Brunhilde. Once again, your incompetence fucked us all!"

Brunhilde turned sharply and glared at the Greek goddess.

"Excuse me?!"

"You heard me! I knew. I KNEW that Aphrodite, Ishtar, who gives a fuck would defeat Khutulun!" Hera spat.

Brunhilde scoffs, "Oh really! And you would've done better? Let me guess, demigods, right? Because we all know that Zeus is good at making them!"

"Hey. Hey! Both of you calm down. This argument is getting us nowhere," Gilgamesh interrupts.

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Hera and Brunhilde yelled instantaneously at Gilgamesh.

As the two argue, Goll can't take it anymore, and she runs away with tears stinging her eyes.

"Goll? Goll!" Brunhilde yelled when she saw her little sister running away.

At Goll could do is run. She refused to turn back, wanting to escape the tournament. Watching Thrud die was the last straw for her. Goll is flooded with memories of Hrist, Skuld, and now Thrud as she runs across the hall.

'This isn't fair! Thrud didn't deserve to die like this! And for now? Big sis and Hera's petty vengeance?!'

Then she fell onto the ground, racked with unbearable grief.

"Why? Why..."

"Young girl, are you alright?"

Goll looks up and sees Hanzo Hattori standing over her with his hand outstretched.

"No," Goll weakly said as Hanzo helped her up.

Hanzo asked, "What causes your heart to ache?"

"All of it. Thrud was so kind, compassionate, and strong. But I don't understand she had to die," Goll laments as she wipes the tears from her face.

Hanzo sighs sadly, "Yes, I saw the match for myself. It is sad to lose those you call family. But I believe Thrud doesn't want you to be sad."

Goll looked at Hanzo confusingly.

"Huh?"

"Many warriors are willing to die for what they believe in. Lancelot fought for redemption. Germain laid down his life for future generations. And now, Khutulun let out all of her passion and died happy. And your sisters faced their ends for humanity, and that is something to be proud of."

Hanzo's words resonated with Goll as she could see some of the shinobi's wisdom. Then, Hera and Goll caught up with Goll.

"Damn it, child! Huh...huh... Did you have to run...so far," Hera gasped as she caught her breath.

Goll looked at the two women and said, "Hera. Sis. I'm sorry for how I acted. I understand that our sisters are risking their lives, and I shouldn't undermine them."

Brunhilde walked up to Goll, got to one knee to meet her at Goll's eye level, and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you, Goll. But I know it's hard to lose our sisters. It hurts me as well. But this is the burden we valkyries carry."

Goll sniffed as she said earnestly, "I understand, and I'll try."

Brunhilde smiled as she got up and resumed business.

"Now, with Round Six ended, we need to take back the lead. Hanzo."

Brunhilde looks at the Iga shinobi with stern determination.

"I leave Round Seven in your hands. Win by any means necessary."

Hanzo smiles as he pulls out a metallic blue and silver oni half mask.

"Understood."

Once he puts on the mask, his demeanor changes from a kind and understanding man into a cold and calculating predator.

"For humanity's protection, my target will be neutralized," Hanzo uttered as he vanished into smoke.

Humaniity's Seventh Representative

Oni Hanzo

Hattori Hanzo (Japan)

Hermes's Room

"Master, have you received your latest soul?"

Hermes said within a dark, secluded room as he held a glowing storm purple orb. Within the orb, piercing yellow eyes looked at the messenger god.

"Yes. The power of the willful warrior is nourishing to my very being." The creature spoke with a low, reverberating voice.

Hermes smirked as he replied, "I'm glad you enjoyed Khutulun's essence. The announcement of the seventh match will begin shortly. So I must go back to that old fool."

The orb chuckled, "I concur. Zeus is nothing but a petulant child who wears the crown. Fortunately, you didn't inherit his fatuity. Now, my disciple, make sure everything goes as planned. Once the thirteen souls are claimed, I will return to reign in the cosmos, and you will rule Olympus."

Hermes giggled darkly.

"And if by any chance, 'lord' Zeus wins, I wish for his death."

"I'll do you better, Hermes. I'll let you put him down yourself," The orb cooed while the orb flickered away.

In the corridor that leads to the gates, Huitzilopochtli heads to the doors. He has a necklace made of shriveled hearts and wields a massive stone Aztec shield with eagle feathers adorning it and the handle of a weapon sticking out.

"Hehehe! Finally, I've waited so long for this! Now, it's time to-"

"Hermano."

The sun god stopped as he heard the word uttered by someone he did not wish to see.

"What do you want, Malinalxochitl."

Huitzilopochtli turns to see Santa Muerte leaning on the wall as she lights a cigar in her mouth.

"What? Can't a sister wish her brother luck?" Santa said, walking towards him and offering him a cigar.

"Get that thing out of my sight," The war god told harshly.

Santa snickered as she blew smoke away from his direction.

"I was trying to help you. After all, you may never know when this is your final day to live. So, smoke one out."

Huitzilopochtli grimaced as he turned his back on Santa Muerte.

"I don't have time for your games, Malina. I got a match to win, so if you don't mind, leave."

"Do you still hate me for Tenochtitlan?" Santa asked the war god before he left for battle.

Huitzilopochtli turned his head and gave his sister a judgemental glare.

"Do you still think that's the reason I hate you!?"

Huitzilopochtli then stomps furiously towards Santa Muerte and looms over her with fury in his red steamed eyes.

"That doesn't scratch the surface! You... YOU! YOU THINK YOUR BETRAYAL IS THE REASON I CAN'T STAND YOU?! NO! I hate you because you refused to come home even after I extended an olive branch. You...you chose those meat sacks over us! We were the family! Even after you betrayed me, unlike Coyolxauhqui, I was willing to forgive you. But instead, you spit in my face!"

Santa scoffs angrily, "I spit in your face. YOU WERE THE ONE WHO UNDERMIND ME! We were to rule Tenochtitlan together, but being Mother's favorite, you always get what you want! And yeah, I wasn't a good goddess. But time with humanity changed me. I've lived the meaning of humility and understanding. Something the gods failed every time."

"Don't you dare put our mother in this!" Huitzilopochtli growled, red mist flowing from his body.

"Our mother loved us equally. Just because you feel overshadowed by my feats doesn't give you the wrong to try to take everything from me!"

Santa hissed as her eyes took on a serpentine form.

"Oh, that's rich coming from the same cabrón who had a woman skinned alive in trying to find a wife. Maldito idiota!"

Both siblings felt like tearing each other apart, but Santa realized it was pointless.

"¿Qué estoy haciendo?" Santa says as her eyes return to normal.

"Huitz, what happened to us? When did we go wrong, mi hermano?"

Huitzilopochtli sighed as the steam faded and looked at Santa Muerte with bitter yet sad eyes.

"I don't know, but I have to fight."

Huitzilopochtli walks away, leaving Santa Muerte alone in her thoughts.

In the night-covered Valhalla arena, the stadium extended to house a massive towering white castle with green tile roofs and stone shachihoko dragon-fish ornaments on the top. Then, the screens return to display the bloody violence to come.

Heimdall flies over the battle in a mini blimp as he's ready to announce the match to commence.

"At long last! The arena construction is complete for the next matchup! This is the replica of Ueno Castle! Home to one of Japan's greatest ninja can in history, the Iga! With Ishtar bringing the gods back into a tie with humanity, Round Seven will see who will take the lead! Are you ready!"

The crowd cheers as they want to see their respective champions to win.

"Okay then, representing the gods in Round Seven is the god of unbounded violence!"

The spotlight shines on the gate door of the face of the Aztec sun.

A goddess gasped as she knew who was coming out.

"He's...he's finally coming out!"

"This god's life is filled with war and blood! When his mother's life was threatened by the rebellion of his sister, Coyolxauhqui. From birth, he honed his body for war!"

The gates begin to crack, and flames spew from the crevasses as Heimdall announces Huitzilopochtli's arrival. The gates burst open, and the Aztec sun god emerges, walking towards the battlefield.

"He stood against Coyolxauhqui and the Centzon Huitznahua alone and slaughtered them to the last one! After the massacre, he threw their bodies into the night as his brothers formed the stars and his sister's remains as the moon!"

As Huitzilopochtli makes his way up the steps, he looks at the night sky and admires his handy work.

"After quelling the rebellion, he led the early Aztecs to a golden age by founding Tenochtitlan. He conquered the lands that would later be known as Mexico! Ladies and gentlemen! Gods and goddesses! Please welcome the god of the sun and war!"

Upon reaching the entrance, he feels Coyolxauhqui's cruel moonlight glaring at him.

"HUITZILOPOCHTLI!"

The Gods' Seventh Representative

Aztec God of the Sun and War

Huitzilopochtli (Mexico)

Some of the gods cheered for the Aztec chief god, while others were weary of him.

"Damn, even though I want us to win. I kinda feel bad for the humans on this one."

"He's gonna teach tear whoever is his opponent to pieces."

"They might as well kiss their victory goodbye."

Huitzilopochtli enters the castle and finds himself in the main hall with wooden pillars and stairs that lead to the second story.

As he looks around the area, Heimdall begins to announce his opponent.

"Representing the entirety of humankind in Round Seven is this man!"

The spotlight shining upon the gates shows the symbol of the Iga Clan.

"A golden era of Japanese history began with the Edo Period under Tokugawa Ieyasu's reign after Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's deaths. Among his genius and the loyal generals that served under him, one man led Ieyasu to prosper."

The gates open up, which let out a thick fog with the silhouette of Hanzo appearing from the doorway.

"This man was a samurai born from a clan of shinobis! Master of the spear and stealth, he would lead many operations on behalf of the Tokugawa shogunate. From defeating Takeda Shingen at the Tenry River to successfully seizing Odawara, his achievements know no bounds. His efficient and ruthless prowess in battle earned the name Oni Hanzo! Representing humanity in Round Seven, HATTORI-"

All in the arena gasped as a wooden statue of Hanzo stood by the gateway before Heimdall could finish.

"H-Hanzo?"

"W-what? Where's our champion?!" One human yelled

"Is this a complete joke?" Another human asked with an embarrassed expression.

"Is this human too much of a coward to fight Huitzilopochtli?" One of the gods said, annoyed

Then, one of the audience members caught a shadowy blur from one of the screens.

"Wait, everyone, look!"

Meanwhile, Huitzilopochtli walked around the room, wondering where his opponent was. Little did he realize, Hanzo lurks on top of the wood railing above the sun god with a pair of kamas. Then, the ninja leaped off to strike down Huitzilopochtli from above.

"It's cute that you think an ambush could put me down," Huitzilopochtli said as he blocked the attack without looking.

Hanzo quickly backed away from Huitzilopochtli in a defensive stance. The sun god scowled at his would-be assassin and snickered.

"So you must be my opponent, huh? Considering you had to sneak attack is pitiful."

Hanzo glares at Huitzilopochtli as he speaks coldly, "I could care less what you expect from me. I'm here to eliminate you, nothing more."

"Eliminate me? Hah!" Huitzilopochtli scoffs as he pulls the hilt from his shield to reveal a red and golden macuahuitl with serrated obsidian blades.

"Human, before this is done, I'll be the one to have your heart!"

With both Hanzo and Huitzilopochtli poise for battle, Heimdall heralds the commencement of Round Seven to start.

"The Final Battle between God and Man, Ragnarok: Round Seven, begins! Representing humanity from Japan, Hattori Hanzo! Representing the gods from the Azteca Pantheon, Huitzilopochtli! On your mark... Get set... GOOOOOOO!"