Darksiders DXD

by MysticVegito

The Horsemen of the Apocalypse have expunged all those who would imperil the Balance over the eons. Now humanity is in peril as outside forces plot a premature Endwar that could potentially wipe out the Third Kingdom before it's time. Will the Council's enforcers succeed in rooting out the perpetrators before it's too late?

19. Chapter 19

A Trickers Plot

It was a tragic day indeed for the Gremory and Sitri families. The Rating Game against Sona Sitri was won in terms of open battle, but the victory came at a heavy cost of Sona's life, who was infected with a malevolent evil that previously took hold over the Dragon King Vritra, something that the devils and the horsemen are yet to have a full grasp of. Judging by the level of havoc this corruption had caused thus far to the denizens of the Underworld, it may prove to be a far greater threat than any of the factions would realize. But in order for the Horsemen and their allies to put a stop to this influence, they will have to quickly eliminate a more pressing threats at the moment, namely the three remaining Seven Deadly Sins and the traitors of the Khaos Brigade, led by the Ouroboros Dragon itself.

The next night that followed after the Rating Game, a much anticipated conference of multiple factions is being held at the Gremory estate, as the devils, angels and fallen angels mingled in the crowd. Understandably, Serafall was absent from the proceedings, still grieving for her beloved sister, leaving only Sirzechs, Ajuka Beelzebub and Falbium Asmodeus to greet the god kings when they arrive to their meeting, along with Azazel, Shemhazai and Michael. As for War and Strife, they too decided to attend to this conference. Since they are yet to find a single clue to the whereabouts of other Sins, and with the horsemen being powerless to confront Ophis directly, they might as well be present at this event, to ensure that this summit proceeds as planned.

Currently, Rias and the ORC have arrived at the gathering. While Issei, Kiba and Gasper were wearing their usual school attires, with the addition of black, long-sleeved shirts, Rias, Akeno, Asia and Yubelluna were wearing beautiful dresses for the occasion, Isabela had a black suit on, and Karlamine arrived in her usual, knight suit.

"I've never seen this many Satan-class devils in one place." Kiba said in amazement.

"Same with angels and fallen angels too, never would've expected this sight." Asia said in equal amazement.

"Truly a night to remember." Akeno smiled a bit.

"Just be careful not to offend anyone tonight, especially you Issei." Rias said bluntly.

"What? Why am I being singled out?" Issei said in bafflement.

Meanwhile, at the far back of the stage where the faction leaders are having a conversation…

"You know War, I'm kinda surprised you'd be the one for social events." Strife said casually as he folded his arms.

"This is not a 'social event' Strife." War said in frustration at the notion before he looked at the group in front of them. "We are here to ensure that the devils, angels and fallen angels succeed in forging an alliance with the Norse gods, and possibly Olympians. And in turn, they will become our allies as well."

"Yea that's good and all, but haven't you once thought about just relaxing and immersing yourself among the crowd? You know, drinking, feasting, fighting, fu-"

"Focus on the matter at hand Strife! Are you even capable of doing that at this point?!" War interrupted his brother as he shouted in frustration, while Strife instinctively tilted his head sideways a bit in reaction to War's shouting.

"Fine, shout louder why don't ya?" Strife said in annoyance before he straightened himself up and folded his arms again. "By the way, I know that you are rightfully pissed off at Death for what he did to you, but… shouldn't he be the one to be here and deal with these fools? He has more of a silver tongue than both of us when it comes to politics." He said in moderately serious voice.

"Death and Fury are on the hunt for Pride, Gluttony and Wrath. Since Fury is in possession of their talisman, they can more easily track the Sins than we can and reimprison them in turn." War stated, though he couldn't hide that hint of venom in his voice at the mention of the Reaper's name.

"Too bad we don't have our own Sin locator, would've made the hunt much easier." Strife said in mild annoyance at the fact.

"Indeed." War said simply.

The two riders now noticed that Odin arrived as well, followed closely by an unknown, bearded, rather skinny man with ornamented horns, and the Valkyrie escort Rossweisse. When the young Valkyrie noticed Strife, she couldn't help but blush a bit as she locked her eyes on the horseman, and Strife didn't hesitate to give her a playful wink. That act made Rossweisse blush even further as she shyly looked away from the rider before she returned her focus on Odin and the devil nobles.

"Another woman you do not plan on committing yourself to?" War asked expectantly.

"Why should i? We're the Council's enforcers. You know very well that settling down and having a family is not in our job's description. What I'm doing with women is just an exotic pass time." Strife said in his usual, laidback tone, before he clenched his right fist in front of him. "Besides, nothing gets my blood truly pumping than blasting holes in a couple of angels and demons now and then. Which is every day basically." He said in mild excitement at the thought before he folded his arms again.

"At least you are not entirely out of your mind." War said bluntly as he started to walk towards the devil kings.

"You are really bad at giving people compliments huh?" Strife asked in mild annoyance as he followed along. He should be mad at that fact, but there's truly no point since this is War he is talking to.

"Gentleman, this is Lord Odin's advisor Mimir, who shares the near same pursuit of knowledge." Sirzechs introduced the newcomer to the other members of the group, right in that moment as the two riders chimed in.

"He always did fancied himself as the 'smartest man alive'." Azazel teased as he suddenly appeared from the other side of the group.

"Why if it isn't Azazel!" Mimir exclaimed in greetings.

"Mimir! Come here you bearded goat!" Azazel greeted boisterously as he clapped his opposite shoulder.

"Better a goat then a goatee." Mimir said as he scratched Azazel's goatee in tease.

"Easy there, you are already horny enough as it is." Azazel joked as he flicked Mimir's right horn, before both of them had a laugh at each other's expense.

"Mhm!" War cleared his throat outloud.

"Oh, right. Mimir, these are..."

"Great Auðumbla's udders. The Riders of Ragnarok." Mimir said in shock as he locked his gaze at War and Strife.

"Ragnarok?" War raised his eyebrow curiously. He heard Odin mentioning that word before, but he never was curious enough to ask what it meant.

"It's a Norse term for the Apocalypse, the twilight of the gods and all that." Azazel explained casually.

"I see." War said simply.

"What could possibly bring you here, in Underworld of all the realms?" Mimir asked in shock and curiosity.

"Being 'the smartest man alive' you should know the answer to that question." Strife said snidely.

"Umm, there might be a few gaps in my knowledge." Mimir admitted hesitantly with a hint of shame.

"Shocking." Strife said sarcastically, while Azazel couldn't help but snicker a bit at that jab.

If there are types of people that even Strife is not fond of, it would be smartasses like Mimir, the type of people who think they know everything there is to know about anything, those that give themselves pretentious titles like 'smartest man alive'. If anyone is deserving of that title it would probably be Azrael, who is basically a floating font of knowledge at this point. Another good example would be the Crowfather, the Keeper of Secrets himself, who is also a walking, universal encyclopedia, though he is not as easily willing to share his knowledge as the archangel, or the one for visitors in general. Even better, Eideard, the eldest of the Makers, a being older than even the Charred Council that the horsemen have pledged their fealty to. Someone of such immense knowledge and power that he even laid foundation to many worlds across Creation, the one who had built the dark halls of Hell and the cities of Heaven, someone that the fellow Makers always turn to in times of crisis. That said, in Strife's mind at least, Mimir is but a wee baby compared to truly intelligent beings like Azrael, Crowfather and Eideard.

"But this doesn't make a lick of sense. If you two are here, does this mean that Ragnarok is upon us?" Mimir asked in bafflement.

"No, but it will be if we do not put an end to Ophis and the Khaos Brigade." War said seriously.

"Speaking of, do you happen to know how Ophis managed to escape the Dimensional Gap to begin with?" Strife asked curiously.

"Oh she didn't escape from the said dimension, she was cast out of it by the Great Red." Mimir explained.

"Great Red? You mean the Dragon of the Apocalypse?!" War said in surprise.

"The very same brother." Mimir confirmed.

"We are not 'brothers' Mimir." War growled a bit in frustration at the casual remark.

"Don't be too hard on him, he tends to call people like that when they suit his fancy." Azazel said in his usual, laidback tone.

"First time that we suit someone's fancy to begin with." Strife said bluntly.

"So the Dimensional Gap is now inhabited by the Great Red. That would explain Ophis' presence in this reality." War said in contemplation as he looked at his brother.

"We have our work cut out for us, that's for sure. More than we already have at any rate." Strife said in contemplation as well.

But then, the entire group heard the murmurs of awe from the crowd for some reason. When they did, they noticed three newcomers escorted by the devil maids in their direction. They recognized these newcomers as the gods of Olympus, namely Zeus, Poseidon and Athena.

"Oh no." Mimir said in adequately serious, ominous tone.

"Uhh, what does 'oh no' mean exactly?" Strife asked curiously as he glanced at Mimir.

"It means that Odin and the rest of Asgard don't exactly have a warm relationship with the Greek pantheon." Mimir explained seriously, with a hint of spite in his voice if the riders are not mistaken.

"Why is that?" War asked curiously.

"A story that I'll be glad to share elsewhere." Mimir said, maintaining his serious tone as he noticed that the three Greek gods closed the distance between them.

"Lord Poseidon, Lord Zeus. Welcome to the faction meeting." Sirzechs formally greeted the two gods as he approached them.

"Greetings Sirzechs. Quite a welcoming committee you prepared for us." Zeus said formally as he handshaked the devil king, before Sirezchs handshaked Poseidon immediately after.

"Wouldn't dare to welcome you with less, king of Olympus." Sirzechs said formally before he turned towards… "Lady Athena, even a pleasure to see you again." He said as he bowed in respect.

"Likewise devil king Sirzechs." Athena said formally as she bowed in respect as well.

But in that moment when Zeus and Odin locked their gazes at each other, a palpable tension can be felt between the two god kings. Those looks they give to each other can hardly be called friendly, but the animosity is not so great that they would willingly disgrace themselves by causing untold destruction at peaceful meeting.

"Zeus." Odin said in neutral, if not passive-aggressive voice.

"Odin." Zeus replied similarly.

"I am thoroughly surprised that you are not busy mating with another mortal woman. Ymir knows that you haven't made enough bastard children already." Odin said smugly as he was stroking his long beard.

"And here I thought you would be still dangling from your precious tree, Lord of the Hanged." Zeus retorted snidely as he folded his arms.

"At least it gave me enough knowledge not to take my own sister as my wife." Odin said bluntly.

"Ugh." Strife groaned a bit in disgust. That sounds about as disgusting as him taking Fury as his wife. As much as incest was normal among other members of the Nephilim, and apparently the Olympians as well, the thought alone would make him sick in the stomach. Whatever excuse they had at that time, like swelling their ranks for future invasions, it would still almost make him vomit at the very thought.

"A mistake that i rectified with the mortal women i mated with over time. Maybe you should do the same, instead of being a pathetic breast-gazing cripple that you tend to be." Zeus said in passive-aggressive tone.

"I prefer myself as a cleavage connoisseur, thank you very much." Odin said snidely.

"A rather flimsy way of calling yourself a virgin. How Freya puts up with a withered, dried up relic like yourself is beyond me. Might as well pull out your other eye if you intend to remain on second base for all eternity." Zeus said bluntly, deliberately poking the Norse god as much as Odin does.

But at this point, Odin was reaching the limits of his tolerance.

"Consider yourself lucky that we are both guests here Olympian, otherwise i would castrate you like your father did with Uranus." Odin said grimly.

"Doubt you could even if we were elsewhere Asgardian." Zeus said in almost dead serious tone as yellow sparks of lightning started to zap and pop a bit in his eyes.

"Enough bickering!" War shouted angrily, silencing Odin and Zeus as both of the god kings looked at the horseman. "Infighting will not be tolerated. If you wish to make your fury known, then focus it on Ophis and his horde of renegades and traitors."

"Agreed." Odin said simply before he looked at Zeus, curious at what that pompous, arrogant womanizer has to say.

"I would not have it known that the gods of Olympus are not courteous and civil, so we will honor Sirzechs' hospitality as well." Zeus said in neutral, formal tone as he looked at Sirzechs.

"Good to hear, there is much to discuss after we finally announce this grand alliance." Sirzechs said in serious, if not nervous tone, considering the intense staredown between Zeus and Odin.

Then Grayfia approached Sirzechs from her left side.

"My lord, the gods of Egypt have arrived." Grayfia said in her usual, formal demeanor, low enough only for Sirzechs to hear.

"Egypt?" Sirzechs asked curiously. "Send them in." He said after a few moments of silence.

Grayfia bowed in respect before she looked towards the crowd and nodded to one of the two closest devil maids. They nodded silently in reply before they went to open the doors. When they did, the maids at other side escorted another trio of newcomers inside the room towards the gathering of great powers, someone that neither of the mighty beings expected.

"What? Them as well?" Azazel said as his eyes widened in surprise.

The rest of the group also turned their attention at the newly arrived guests. War and Strife have noticed that all three of the newcomers wore unusual attires, similar to those what the Greek gods wear, but what was curious about the two out of the three beings is that they had the bodies of a human, but their heads are that of an animal, those of avians by the look of it.

"Who are they?" War asked curiously.

"Those are the gods of Egyptian mythology. Can't say I was expecting them." Azazel said in serious, yet curious tone as the said gods are approaching the group of all-powerful beings.

"Mind telling us who is who?" Strife asked curiously.

"The one at the front with a hawk head is Ra, the leader of the Egyptian Gods. The one with Ibis head is Thoth, and the human looking one is Osiris." Azazel explained, while the three Egyptian gods finally reached the gathering.

"Well, quite the glittering assemblage King Sirzechs. Not only do we have the Norse and Greek gods present in one place, but the infamous Horsemen as well." Ra said formally as he scanned the group with his arms placed behind him, before he lastly looked at War and Strife.

"You know of us Egyptian?" Strife asked curiously.

"Most if not all the gods of various pantheons have heard tales of the dreaded Horsemen of the Apocalypse, our own ensemble among them. Though you should be warned that not all the gods are as friendly as we are." Thoth explained formally.

"I would not be surprised if so, Thoth of Egypt." War said seriously.

"The eyes of other pantheons are upon you horsemen, especially after your display of power in Greece. Not only of Egypt, but Persia, India, and China among other deities. I would advise that you take great care in your future endeavors on Earth, lest you'd draw powers that have untold hunger for destruction." Ra said, more as a word of caution to the riders than a threat of any kind.

"You'd be surprised how many times we had a visit from idiots with hankering for destruction." Strife said casually.

"By the way, I'm surprised that you'd be here in attendance Ra. Isn't this a time of the day where you have to row a boat and deal with Apophis?" Azazel asked curiously.

"That matter has already been taken care of, like every other night fallen angel, so you need not worry about that." Ra said, not entirely amused by Azazel's quip.

"Apophis?" War asked curiously.

"The Egyptian demon of chaos, the one that Lord Ra has to battle every night, so he wouldn't escape from its prison and cause untold destruction on the world." Thoth explained.

"How many world-ending threats do you have on Earth anyway?" Strife asked in bafflement.

"Yes, a good question." War said inquisitively.

"Suffice to know is that they do not pose any threat to humanity, and we'd all prefer to keep it that way." Osiris spoke out.

"See that you do, the Third Kingdom is not yet ready to deal with powers other than their own." War stated ominously.

"Everyone is here. Let us begin." Sirzechs said before he stood ahead of the group.

In that moment when he raised his hand, the musicians stopped playing their instruments and the crowd ceased their chatter as all eyes were fixed on the devil king himself.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I want to thank each and every one of you, immortals and gods alike, for attending tonight's conference. It is this night that will mark a moment where a Grand Alliance will be forged between our realms." Sirzechs said formally.

Afterwards, an ornamented monument was formed behind Sirzechs and others present near him.

"Devils, angels and fallen angels have seen the lessons of the past and chose to live together in peace. But the Khaos Brigade seeks to undo the long period of peace we have created, to pave the way for their twisted vision of a new world order. What started off as a small coalition of renegades and traitors has now grown into a power that threatens to eradicate not just the Underworld, but the Earth itself, and all those who reside in it. With the Khaos Brigade extending their reach beyond just the Three Great Powers, it is only natural that we would do the same, for the sake of all our realms. And by the mutual agreement, the God Kings of Egyptian, Greek and Norse mythologies have decided to become our allies in our attempt to save our world." Sirzechs spoke before he turned sideways and looked at the god kings standing next to each other. "But to confirm this alliance, and if there are no objections, I would ask each of the God Kings to place their hand on the monument and seal the pact between our factions."

"I will volunteer first, if Zeus and Ra have no objections." Odin said formally.

"All the same for us, God of the North." Ra said respectfully.

"Agreed." Zeus said simply.

Odin didn't hesitate as he slowly marched towards the pact monument. But as soon as he placed his palm on the monument seal…

"Objection!"

A voice suddenly echoed from the crowd, a voice that Odin recognized all too well.

"I'm surprised he waited this long." Odin muttered in annoyance, predicting this outcome from the start as he looked behind him.

When everyone looked at the one who interrupted the ceremony, emerging from the crowd and standing in front of Sirzechs and the others with an arrogant smirk on his face, that individual appeared to be some devil nobleman, before he started to levitate higher and higher in the air. When he was high enough to look down on the mighty beings, he shed his disguise and took on a completely different appearance, a face that is familiar indeed to Odin and Rossweisse.

"I am the Norse god Loki, greetings." The newcomer now known as Loki introduced himself.

"Finally, entertainment." Strife said in amusement.

"Lord Loki! You may be the Norse god of mischief, but that gives you no right to cause problems here." Sirzechs said seriously.

"Seeing Odin, our great All-Father mingling with lesser mythologies causes me to suffer indescribable torment Sirzechs." Loki said in disgust.

"Lesser?!" Zeus gritted his teeth in outrage. "Say that again and you will know the true meaning of torment boy!" He exclaimed furiously as sparks of lightning formed in his eyes.

But before he could do anything, Odin raised his wooden staff in front of the Olympian, his eyes still fixed on the intruder deity.

"Leave Loki. If you return to Asgard immediately, I will forgive you for this public affront." Odin said seriously, who unlike Zeus is maintaining his calm composure.

"Really? You can shove your forgiveness old man." Loki said arrogantly.

"How dare you speak to Lord Odin like that?!" Rossweisse exclaimed in outrage, but Loki ignored her protest.

"Should the All-Father sign the alliance with other mythologies, it would make it all the more difficult for me to set Ragnarok into motion." Loki stated.

"The lyrics are different, but the song sounds the same. You're working for the Khaos Brigade are you?" Azazel asked seriously.

"Working with the Khaos Brigade Azazel, though this little intrusion was my idea." Loki said before he smirked arrogantly a bit.

"Hate to take away your spotlight, but in case you haven't noticed, you're outgunned and outnumbered. I'm starting to think you that you intentionally came here to be brutalized." Strife said bluntly.

"On the contrary horseman, i will be the one to inflict brutal pain on all of you." Loki said arrogantly.

Strife couldn't help but have a good laugh out of that one while still folding his arms, while War fixed his stoic gaze at Loki, and the god of mischief himself sneering at Strife at the insulting laughter.

"Now that's funny." Strife said in amusement.

"Is that so? Then this will amuse you greatly." Loki said grimly as he raised his left hand and was about to snap his fingers.

But before he could, he was suddenly enveloped in green, triangular prison.

"You've left yourself wide open Loki." Ajuka said as he channeled his ability.

"Beelzebub?!" Loki shouted in surprise and outrage, but before he could anything more, he was teleported away from the premises.

"Well played." Sirzechs smiled impressively at the fellow devil king.

"I simply took the opportunity that presented itself, nothing more." Ajuka said humbly.

"That was anticlimactic." Strife said bluntly to Ajuka.

"What did you do to him devil king?" War asked curiously.

"I managed to seal him temporarily and teleport him far away from the Gremory domain. But I'm afraid that the containment barrier will not last long." Ajuka explained.

"How long do we have before he breaks free?" War asked curiously.

"By my estimate, one hour." Ajuka stated.

"An hour?" Sirzechs asked curiously.

"It was a quick spell cast. Normally it would hold for a full day, but the situation required that we acted swiftly." Ajuka explained.

"And if he breaks free, he will not hesitate to attack us again." War said in usual, serious tone.

"That idiot doesn't have a chance in hell of beating us, but who am I to deny him his death wish." Strife said in laidback tone.

"As the leader of the Norse pantheon, I take full responsibility for Loki's intrusion." Odin said humbly.

"And how do you intend to remedy your miscalculation Asgardian?" Zeus asked in mild tone of accusation.

"By dealing with that brat myself Olympian." Odin said seriously, not feeling like trading verbal blows with Zeus at the moment.

"Leave Loki to us." War said seriously, much to everyone's surprise.

"Yeah, about time we had a little exercise for the day." Strife said lightheartedly.

"Then it is settled. I would ask that all of us conclude this alliance in more private environs, while the horsemen take care of the rogue god." Sirzechs said formally before he glanced at… "Grayfia, if you please."

"This way." Grayfia bowed as she respectfully gestured the guests to her left side.

Everyone in the group departed in the direction away from the hall, with the exception of War, Strife, Sirzechs, Ajuka, Odin and Rossweisse, while Rias and the rest of the ORC approached the remaining members.

"Be warned horsemen. Loki is about as arrogant as you might expect, he won't go down without a fight." Odin said seriously.

"I'm counting on that gramps, cause some people are just too stupid to give up." Strife said, not worried in the slightest.

"I will be sure to send you Thor's hammer Mjolnir to aid you in imprisoning Loki." Odin said.

"We have weapons Odin." War said bluntly.

"Not this one. It is only with this weapon that you can not only defeat him, but send him away in chains within the dungeons of Asgard." Odin explained.

"Then send us Mjolnir as soon as possible, a coward like him will tear the Underworld apart if he sees that he cannot defeat us." War stated.

"Understood." Odin nodded in agreement before he glanced at… "Rossweisse?"

"Right." The young Valkyrie nodded as well before she took a few steps forward towards the riders. "I will come with you. Perhaps I can convince him to end his madness without the need to fight."

"A fool's errand Valkyrie." War said as a matter of factly.

"Maybe, but it is worth a try at the very least." Rossweisse said in determination.

"Your call, but I agree with War, you'd just be wasting your breath on that idiot." Strife shrugged.

"Even so, Lord Odin has given the order. And I will see that order through, as is my duty as a Valkyrie." Rossweisse stated, standing in front of the riders completely determined.

While it is very foolish to let weaklings like her go on a suicide mission against the likes of Loki, War will not deny a soldier from fulfilling his duty. After all, War is a dutybound soldier himself at heart, so he can relate and even respect anyone who is determined to see that duty fulfilled, whether it threatens their lives or not.

"Very well. But should the battle start, and it will, see to it that you do not stand in our way." War said, more out of caution than threat.

"Wait." Rias suddenly interjected, drawing War's attention. "Can we do something to help?"

"No." War said simply.

"No? But surely there's something we can-"

"Translation crimson tits. Sit your ass down and wait for us to come back like a good girl." Strife interrupted Rias in annoyance and frustration. "The last thing we need is children playing heroes while belly flopping on a grinder."

"What does that even mean?" Issei asked in confusion.

"It means that in this battle, you will only get in the way. So it is for the best that you children remain here and let the horsemen deal with this situation." Odin said seriously.

"Ajuka, send us to Loki." War commanded.

"Right." Ajuka nodded before he raised his hand at War, Strife and Rossweisse, teleporting them to Loki as they dematerialized from the spot.

"I did not know that Mjolnir is capable of doing that." Ajuka said curiously.

"It is not, but I will see to it for this occasion." Odin said seriously.

---

Far away into the barren wasteland, War, Strife and Rossweisse materialized away from the triangular prison where Loki was caged in.

"Let us deal with this diversion quickly brother, there is little amusement in fighting curs like him." War said seriously.

"At the very least he'll make a good warm up." Strife said casually as he pulled out Mercy and spun it a few times before gripping the gun grip.

"Don't underestimate Loki. He may not be Thor, but he's still a god." Rossweisse said in caution.

"We had slain many godlike beings in our time valkyrie. Loki will not be any different." War stated grimly, while Strife on cue was aiming at the green, magical pyramid.

"Let me speak with him first." Rossweisse insisted as she stood in front of the riders.

"Good luck with that, you'll need it." Strife said bluntly before he fired at the pyramid.

Immediately on contact, the pyramid prison shattered like glass as its shards fell down before dissipating. With that done, Strife sheathed Mercy and folded his arms, deciding to watch the valkyrie's doomed to fail attempt at diplomacy.

"That was annoying Beelzebub, not to mention rude." Loki said in annoyance as he hovered high in the air, where he could look down at the newcomers.

"Hear me Loki! Attacking the All-Father Is unforgivable. If you have complaints about Lord Odin's attempt at alliance, then do so without baring your fangs at him." Rossweisse scolded boldly.

"And who intends to unforgive me, you? Please, talented though you may be, you cannot challenge a god." Loki said smugly.

"No, but the Riders of Ragnarok can. That said, you are given a final chance to surrender and end this peacefully." Rossweisse demanded.

"I mean to bring about Ragnarok child, peace is not an option." Loki said in almost dead serious tone.

"Told ya, bricks for brains." Strife said casually to Rossweisse, while War stepped forward, seeing how she failed to talk some sense into that lunatic.

"Come down and face us Loki, or we will tear you from the sky in pieces!" War shouted in challenge.

"The vaunted Riders of Ragnarok. Let us see if you are as fearsome as the stories tell. Before you have the pleasure of fighting me, you will have to get through my beloved sons first." Loki said arrogantly.

Right on cue, dark clouds formed from the sky above him, before lightning shot from behind Loki, hitting the ground below and creating a massive explosion. From within the smoke that formed, an enormously big and long sea serpent emerged, rearing its head towards the Horsemen, stopping next to Loki.

"Wait a minute. He said sons?" Strife asked Rossweisse in mild discomfort as he pointed at Loki with his thumb.

"Yes. That serpent is called Jormungandr. And from what I can see, this is but an imitation of the World Serpent, created using the Dragon King as a base." Rossweisse explained seriously.

"Well deduced Valkyrie. But there's more." Loki said arrogantly as he conjured five sources of light near him.

"Like literal sons, made from his groins type of sons?" Strife said in increasing bafflement at the possible bestiality from Loki as the rogue god shot those sources of light like beams down to the ground, followed by an explosion.

"Let's just say that parts of his history are… depraved." Rossweisse said in serious, yet uncomfortable tone, while Loki spawned two small wolves with different fur colors, but Strife completely ignored them.

"Eww." Strife gagged a bit in disgust as Loki's apparent bestiality is confirmed. Woe to that woman who by some miracle sleeps with this maniac, because she'll get terrible cases of STD if that were to happen.

Finally, Loki formed four more light beams and shot them directly below him, creating a large smoke screen. And from the smoke, a giant wolf appeared, roaring at the two riders. And at the sight of a giant wolf, Strife's eyes widened in what appeared to be shock.

"The little runts Hati and Skoll. And the big one is-"

"Fenri!" Strife suddenly shouted in boisterous and jovial reaction, surprising if not shocking the three fighters. "I'll be, look who it is! Come here boy, come here!" He shouted as he clapped his hands and bent forward a little, calling him out like he had seen the cutest, smallest stray dog ever.

Indeed, Fenrir recognized the horseman as he approached Strife almost in a sprint, completely changing his demeanor as he closed in, leaning his snout low enough for Strife to pat him.

"Long time no see buddy! Who's a good boy! Yes you are, yes you are, good boy!" Strife shouted jovially as he rubbed the giant wolf's snout, while the wolf snorted, squealed and even licked the rider like a domesticated puppy and wiggling his tail.

Understandably, War, Loki and Rossweisse could only look at Strife in bafflement, especially the Norse god and the Valkyrie. A monstrous, terrifying beast with fangs capable of killing even gods, is rolling on the floor like a house dog, practically begging for a never-ending session of belly scratches and head pats. It was such a shocking turn of events that it left even the god of mischief himself speechless.

Hati and Skoll were about to attack the trio, but Fenrir instinctively roared briefly at his two runts and growled, giving them enough of a hint to not even think about attacking them.

"You know of this beast Strife?" War asked in surprise as he and Rossweisse approached them.

"Yup, since half a century ago. You'd be surprised how tame this little pup can be." Strife said casually while Fenrir reared his head down again, allowing Strife to pat his giant head.

"I believe this 'pup' is not as little as you exaggerate him to be." War said bluntly.

"You know what I mean War." Strife narrowed his eyes in annoyance as he continued to scratch and pat the giant wolf by the head and snout.

While Rossweisse continued to looked at the tamed wolf in utter bafflement…

"Rossweisse." War called out to her, breaking her from her shocked trance and turning her attention on the red rider. "If you wish for us to capture Loki alive, see to it that Mjolnir is delivered to us with all haste."

"Understood." Rossweisse nodded before she hovered in the air a good distance away from the riders.

"Fenrir, Hati, Skoll!" Loki suddenly called out furiously, drawing everyone's attention except for the sea serpent. "As your father I order you to eliminate these curs!"

"While on that topic, bestiality? Seriously? Were you really that desperate to shove your wood through a hole that you didn't care whose hole it belongs to?" Strife called Loki out in bafflement and disgust, before he groaned and facepalmed at the thought. "Good grief, Incest and bestiality on the same day. Someone really woke up with the urge to make me vomit today huh?"

"If you keep whinging, Loki will be the least of your concerns. Now let us deal with this weakling and be done with it." War said in frustration and annoyance at Strife's childish behavior.

"For once, I couldn't be more eager to end this pronto." Strife said as he pulled out both of his guns.

"You dare?!" Loki exclaimed in outrage.

"By the Creator I dare!" War shouted loudly in booming voice of rage, silencing even the likes of Loki. "There is nothing that i loathe more than cowards who hide behind trickery and beasts of war. Be fortunate that your fate lies in the hands of Odin, lest I'd wring your skull from your neck, along with your spine." He growled in furious, dead serious tone as he pointed the Chaoseater at the god.

Loki couldn't help but grow nervous at the sight of War, though he would dare not show it. He exuded such power and authority over him that it is almost dreadful. Now he is starting to feel like he had taken more than what he bargained for when he decided to openly rebel against Odin, in front of the great powers like these two riders no less.

"How about this Kilo? Cut off that big banana from your head and I might consider convincing War to not let him rip your hai- I mean head off!" Strife called out in jest.

"It's Loki you nitwit!" Loki shouted in outrage.

"Whatever Liko." Strife shrugged, not even caring how this animal indulger names himself.

"Now you are deliberately mocking me." Loki growled in frustration.

"Oh look, there is a brain in that banana after all." Strife mocked as he looked at War and pointed at Loki.

"Silence! Jormungandr, attack!" Loki shouted angrily as he pointed at the two riders.

The giant serpent hissed and roared as it charged towards the riders, while War stepped forward and was ready to take the World Serpent head on, having the usual, stoic look on his face. But the only thing he did while preparing himself is clench his prosthetic gauntlet. When the snake was near, War casually threw a left jab right on the snake's snout, but the force behind it was so powerful that it sent vibrations through its skull, shattering it from within, and sending the Jormungandr's giant body flying backwards, akin to being shot with a catapult, miles away from Loki and the trio.

Loki and even Rossweisse could only look in the direction of where the snake flew towards in shock and bafflement. Despite being an imitation of the Dragon King, for him to be defeated so effortlessly was mindboggling. And it feels like War didn't even try to put a force behind that punch, like he was hitting nothing but air.

"Home Fenri, we'll bring your furry father in one piece." Strife quipped as he patted the giant wolf on his snout.

Obeying his orders, Fenrir, Hati and Skoll scurried away from the fight.

"What?! Come back here, how dare you betray your father like this?!" Loki shouted furiously, but it was for nothing as the three wolves ran away.

"It is over Loki." War stated grimly, drawing Loki's attention as he growled at the riders. "Surrender now, or we will drag your broken corpse back to Odin for judgment."

"Such outstanding arrogance. You will all pay dearly for this affront!" Loki shouted in outrage before a blue aura erupted from his body.

When it did, blue waves of energy spanned in all directions, before moments later lightning stuck repeatedly, followed by hurricane winds. And while the horsemen were completely unaffected by the winds, no different than a breeze, Rossweisse was the only one who had to fight off the winds. However, the riders noticed that Loki is now emitting a concerning amount of energy from his body. Not for their own wellbeing, far from it, but the Underworld and its denizens.

"Loki, please stop! At this rate you will destroy not only the Underworld, but all mythological worlds as well!" Rossweisse called out desperately through the hurricane winds.

"My action will only speed the coming of Ragnarok! That has been my wish to begin with!" Loki shouted as he was ready to go all out on the riders.

"Strife?" War said, cuing his brother to act.

"On it." Strife said as he immediately pulled out Redemption and fired at Loki.

But as soon as he struck his target, Loki's entire body dispersed like smoke, dissipating into nothingness, followed by an ominous cackle from the god himself.

"A mirror image. Great." Strife said in annoyance. On the bright side, they stopped Loki from channeling that cataclysmic power of his.

"Horsemen, behind you!" Rossweisse called out.

But it was too late as Loki fired an energy blast in their direction with their backs turned. However, with a lightning speed reaction, War turned around, pulled out Chaoseater and struck the blast away, sending it far away where it exploded harmlessly.

"Coward!" War exclaimed angrily.

"Try number two then." Strife said before he fired another shot from Redemption at the god.

But as soon as the projectile reached him, Loki's body dispersed like smoke into nothingness. Strife fired again and again at the rogue god, and apparently more and more copies of him formed around them. Loki continued to cackle and laugh at Strife's futile efforts before eventually, an army of Lokis surrounded the horsemen.

"Can you do something more interesting, you one trick donkey?!" Strife exclaimed in frustration.

"What hope do you have of victory when you cannot even rid of my clones? Perhaps you are not as fearsome as you would have everyone believe." Loki said arrogantly from one of multiple clones.

"Where is that meowmeow anyway? Shouldn't it be here by now?" Strife asked in frustration.

"If Odin does not deliver that weapon soon, I will tear Loki apart myself." War said in dead serious tone.

"You'll have to get in line, this guy is now pissing off even me." Strife said in frustration.

"Horsemen, I bring news!" Rossweisse suddenly called out as she levitated and landed next to the riders.

"Well, don't keep us in suspense, spit it out." Strife said in mildly serious voice.

Before she could say anything else, a large magic circle formed above them not far from their current position. From its center, a beam of blue light shone downwards. And from the said circle, a weapon emerged, telekinetically hovering downward as well.

"It has arrived. Thor's weapon of choice, Mjolnir." Rossweisse stated in reverence.

"What? Mjolnir?!" Loki exclaimed in shock.

"Well War, you're the bruiser, so might as well go and take it." Strife said casually. War couldn't help but hiss a bit in annoyance at the way his brother said that, like he is his errand boy or something.

"Don't worry, I'll watch your back." Strife said in his more usual, relaxed tone as he raised Mercy as the signal that he will keep Loki busy. War nodded silently before he ran towards the hammer.

But instead of Loki doing anything to prevent the rider from claiming the weapon, he only laughed boisterously at Odin's apparent miscalculation.

"That senile old fool! He completely forgot that no man or god can wield Mjolnir if they have evil feelings in their hearts. And I am willing to bet that your hearts are most certainly tainted with evil." Loki grinned arrogantly as he locked his eyes on Strife, not worried in the slightest.

But strangely, Strife only chuckled in amusement, only confusing Loki.

=Play Music: Ultimate Avengers 2006 OST - Thor=

"Eons ago you might have been right. But now, especially when it comes to War, you'll learn the hard way how wrong you are about us." Strife said ominously.

"What?" Loki said in surprise before he and all other clones looked in the direction of where War went.

To his shock, War gripped Mjolnir in his right hand, not even feeling the weight of the weapon before he hoisted it high above his head. As soon as he did, Mjolnir was wreathed in lightning while War's eyes also flashed with same lightning, and hurricane winds blew from the weapon in all directions for miles around, causing a fierce thunderstorm. The bolts of lightning shot in every direction, before a single, large lightning bolt shot from the sky, causing a chain reaction that dissipated all of Loki's clones and paralyzed the god of mischief in the sky in the aura of lightning. With Loki incapacitated, War lowered the lightning-wreathed weapon and placed the hammer behind him, gripping Mjolnir with both hands before he leapt straight towards the Norse god, closing the large distance between them at frightening speed. In that moment when he was right in front of him, War reared the hammer above his head, ready to deliver a decisive blow.

"Curse you horsemen!" Loki shouted furiously.

But War didn't care as he immediately struck Loki with Mjolnir with a thunderous impact. But instead of pulverizing the god, he was instantly sealed within a Norse magic circle, before he was teleported away. When he did, War fell down towards the ground, but managed to land hard on his feet. Then he stood up and was slowly walking towards Strife and Rossweisse, not even bothering to ponder on Loki's defeat.

=End of Track=

"Man do I always love to watch War's dramatic finishers." Strife said in glee.

"Incredible. He wields Mjolnir like Thor himself, as if that weapon was his own to begin with." Rossweisse said, stunned in amazement.

"Yup, there's not a single weapon that War didn't master at using. Hammers, axes, halberds, you name it." Strife said casually.

"And that's despite that greatsword being his weapon of choice. Amazing." Rossweisse said, still perplexed at War's masterful use of Mjolnir.

"We are done here." War said in his usual, serious voice as he turned Mjolnir's hammer head down and placed it hard on the ground, jumpscaring the young Valkyrie a bit, feeling as if the rider placed a building right next to her. "Take this weapon back to Odin, it has served its purpose." He then looked at Strife. "As for us, we should return to the Gremory estate and see what we can do next."

"Might as well, nothing else to do in this wasteland anyway." Strife shrugged before he started to walk away, followed by War.

Rossweisse teleported Mjolnir away before she quickly caught up to the horsemen.

"But what of Fenrir and his runts?" Rossweisse asked curiously.

"The real threat to the Underworld has been dealt with, if those wolves start causing havoc they will join their father in his cell." War said seriously.

"Thanks for reminding me of that bit of information." Strife said in mild disgust at the very thought of Loki's bestiality. A few moments later, the trio were teleported from the battlefield by Rossweisse back to the Gremory estate.

---

Back in the Gremory domain, in the private room, the devils, angels, fallen angels and gods were waiting in anticipation for the trio's return. Not a moment later, they all noticed a familiar magic circle forming in the room, and Rossweisse, War and Strife materialized from it.

"Rossweisse. Report." Odin commanded.

"The horsemen have defeated Loki. They struck him down with Mjolnir and sent him to Asgard's dungeons, while Thor's weapon was promptly teleported back to him." Rossweisse said formally.

"You have gratitude horsemen." Odin said as he bowed his head a bit in respect.

"You can show it by ensuring that Loki does not go into another rampage. If he does, it will be my weapon that will strike him down, never to rise again." War said grimly.

"Duly noted." Odin said seriously.

"Sirzechs, have the god kings finalized the alliance?" War asked seriously.

"They have." Sirzechs nodded.

"Then we will take our leave devil king." War said in usual, serious voice.

"You go on ahead War, I'll be going to Asgard with Odin and Rossweisse." Strife said casually.

"Asgard? For what purpose brother?" War asked curiously.

"I just have a few questions for the bananahead, we'll see each other again as soon as I'm done with the interrogation." Strife said in laidback tone.

"Very well." War said simply, not wanting to question his brother's judgment on the matter.

"Strife, wait!" Akeno suddenly called out as she ran towards him, much to the confusion of the rest of the ORC. "Let me come with you."

"What for?" Strife asked curiously.

"Well, since you will be doing an interrogation, I was wondering if you'll need a torturer to get the answers out of him." Akeno said with closed eyes and cute smile, but one that oozes with sadism.

"Oh, good cop bad cop routine. Sure, feel free to come along." Strife said in mildly intrigued tone at the idea.

"How wonderful." Akeno smiled happily as she walked along with the horseman.

"That's odd. Why would Akeno want to go with Strife to Asgard?" Asia asked innocently.

"I wish I knew. It's really strange, even for her." Rias said in confusion.

"So Odin, ready to pack up and leave?" Strife said, with a laidack tone rivaling that of Azazel.

"We are." Odin nodded before he looked at the raven on his right shoulder. "Huginn?" He said expectantly.

The raven cawed once before he started to fly around Strife, Akeno, Rossweisse, Odin and Mimir, eventually forming a flock of crows that completely enveloped them.

---

Moments later, all five of them found themselves outside the Great Hall, within the walls of Asgard itself.

"Welcome to Asgard horseman." Odin said formally.

"This is Asgard?" Akeno said curiously as she looked around the area.

"Not gonna lie, I did expect your realm to be more… on the luxury side." Strife said bluntly as he looked around the modest collection of wooden huts, houses and lodges.

"A sentiment shared by your siblings. And you will certainly not be the last to express your disappointment." Odin said neutrally.

"No I mean, it's surprisingly modest for what appears to be a home of the gods. Usually they're so painfully spoiled they decorate their homes with all kinds of shiny baubles. Gold, marble, jewels, you name it." Strife said in complement.

"In that case, I appreciate your words." Odin said formally as he closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly, before he looked at the duo again. "Rossweisse will escort you to the dungeons where you can interrogate that brat." He said as on cue, the young Valkyrie herself next to the All-Father.

"You're not tagging along?" Strife asked curiously.

"There are matters across the nine realms that require my attention, so I will leave Loki's interrogation to you. Should you have the need to return to the Underworld, you will find Huginn waiting for you in my study in the Great Hall." Odin said formally.

"Noted." Strife said simply.

That said, another raven Muninn flew around Odin and Mimir, forming a flock of ravens before the All-Father and the advisor disappeared from the spot, along with the avian itself.

"So, ready to pay Loki a visit?" Strife asked Akeno.

"Gladly, I can't wait." Akeno smiled with a hint of sadism in her voice.

"Alright Ross, lead the way." Strife said casually to the Valkyrie.

"Ross?" The Valkyrie said in confusion.

"Yeah. You know, short for Rossweisse?" Strife said casually.

The Valkyrie couldn't help but blush and stay in silence. Not once have people ever gave her an affectionate nickname, in her eyes at least, so this was an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise for her.

"What, not a fan of nicknames?" Strife asked in mild confusion.

"No no, it's okay, Ross is good." The Valkyrie stammered in panic, inwardly glad that Strife gave her a name unique to him. But a moment or two later she immediately straightened her face and cleared her throat, returning to her formal stance.

"This way." She said before she went in the direction in the right side of the Great Hall, with the duo following suit.

As Strife and Akeno were walking along the streets of Asgard, it seem to be bustling with civilian activity after Lust has been dealt with. Apparently the Norse gods are not shy from having a mortal population within the city walls of Asgard, unlike Olympus where only the Greek gods reside on that mountain top, from the story that War told him at least. Along the way, Strife noticed a somewhat typical medieval activities from the people, like the fact that some of the warriors were pulling horned, savage lion-like beasts with chains, struggling to break free, undoubtedly to be trained as beasts of war. Or the fact that some of the children were playing with a pile of stones with what appears to be some runes etched onto each stone, one different from the other, before a moment or two later these kids used some kind of magic to levitate the stones. It seems like a variant of magic that the Makers utilize to animate stone, most notably in the Forge Lands. Not even a child's play by Strife's standards, but it's a start for these toddlers in ways of magical arts.

Those that sufficiently stood out from the crowd are winged, armored women, instructing the warriors in what appears to be a training ground, with multiple trainees swinging their weapons in various patterns of swings and thrusts.

"Ross?" Strife called out to the young Valkyrie curiously, drawing her attention. "I take it that those women with wings are not your normal fighters."

"An understatement if I ever heard one." Rossweisse sighed a bit in annoyance, but she can't be mad at Strife's ignorance, among so many others. "She is one of the most renowned of Valkyries, known as the Choosers of the Slain."

"Care to elaborate?" Strife asked curiously.

"It is a title gifted to only the most powerful veterans among the Valkyries, their task is to raise mortal souls who died a valiant death, to be brought to the halls of Valhalla where they can be reborn as the Einherjar." Rossweisse explained.

"Einherjar?" Strife asked curiously.

"Warriors of Odin's personal army, feasting and training in Valhalla until the days of Ragnarok, where they would take up arms and fight in Odin's name." Rossweisse explained further, maintaining her formal tone.

"This Valhalla sounds just like my kind of place to be in. Might pay it a visit later on." Strife said jovially.

Valhalla certainly sounds far less depressing than the Kingdom of the Dead, ruled over by the Lord of Bones. If it was War or Death, they would probably go mad at the fact that there are afterlives other than the Dead Kingdom, where all the souls across Creation should belong to, but as far as Strife is concerned, he'd rather spend his afterlife feasting, fighting and fornicating till the End Times arrive.

"I'm afraid that Valhalla is not so easily reached. Only Odin and select few other gods know of the method to reach its halls." Rossweisse said formally.

"Don't worry, I can be very persuasive with these things." Strife said casually before he looked at her. "Now, dungeons?"

"Of course. This way." Rossweisse said before she continued to lead the way, followed closely by Strife and Akeno.

Eventually the trio arrived near the entrance leading inside the dungeons. But before they could proceed forward…

"Hold it!" Another voice called out to the trio, drawing their attention at the newcomer. "A moment before you crawl inside the dungeons."

"Heimdall?" Rossweisse said curiously.

"A little raven told me that you three are going to pry information from that idiot Loki." Heimdall said snidely.

"And? You wanted to tag along or what?" Strife asked inquisitively.

"Believe me, I would like nothing more in all the Nine Realms than to join you, and see that sack of troll excrement suffer." Heimdall said in sadistic glee at the thought, before he sighed in what appears to be a disappointment. "But the All-Father has given me a task that cannot be delayed any further, so I came here to at least give you this." He said as he pulled out a strange device from his pocket.

When he gave it to Strife, the horseman noticed that the device is a small, two pronged metal fork of a sort, almost looking like a taser.

"What would this be?" Strife asked curiously.

"A neural amplifier, a device that can increase the pain receptors in the victim's body many times over, even on gods. Meaning that even your devil friend can zap Loki like he's been hit in the face with Mjolnir itself. It does have one charge however." Heimdall explained.

"Of course it does." Strife said bluntly as he looked at the device.

"All I ask in return is that you inflict as much pain as you can muster on Loki before he croaks and writhes in the corner of his cell." Heimdall added, barely suppressing the glee at the very thought of Loki's unimaginable torture.

"That is so cruel Heimdall, even for you. Why would we-"

"Of course." Strife said casually, interrupting Rossweisse in turn.

"What?" Rossweisse looked at the horseman in adequate shock.

"If that's all we need to do, I'll be sure to give him a banquet of pain for you." Strife said in friendly manner as he gripped the device in his hand.

"See that you do horseman, it would be the best day after so many centuries. Take care now." Heimdall smirked sadistically before he waved goodbye and departed.

"But why? There's no need for you to resort to such methods." Rossweisse scolded.

"Look, if you're feeling squeamish about how I interrogate people, then wait us back at the Great Hall. If that idiot cooperates, then this shouldn't take long." Strife said in mild annoyance at Rossweisse's protest.

But at how casually the horseman said that, the young Valkyrie could only let out a sigh of defeat, realizing that there is no point in trying to convince Strife of anything else.

"I guess there's no talking you out of it." Rossweisse relented as she closed her eyes before she looked at the rider. "So be it. I will be waiting for you back at the Great Hall."

"Then let's get to it." Strife said in laidback manner as he walked inside the entrance to the dungeons, followed closely by Akeno.

"Do you honestly think he will cooperate?" Akeno asked curiously.

"Definitely not. Which is why you're gonna be a bad cop for me." Strife suggested in friendly, if not gleeful manner.

"I can't wait." Akeno giggled cutely with closed eyes as she relished the idea of torturing a god.

Strife and Akeno reached the elevator before the horseman pulled the lever and descended down deep beneath the earth. Eventually the duo reached their destination as they proceeded forward. One of the guards expected their arrival, so he silently guided Strife and Akeno towards where Loki is locked up. As they walked along the long hallway the rider and the devil were flanked by one cell after another. Some were outright empty, but most are filled with various prisoners. From criminals of Asgard, captured warriors of realms like Vanaheim and Alfheim, to even feral beasts small enough to fit in the cell meant for mainly human prisoners.

After a while of walking in the hallway that echoed with growls and taunts of the said prisoners, the guard reached the door leading inside Loki's cell. Strife could immediately tell that this door is enchanted with various wards, no doubt to prevent the trickster god from escaping. The guard pulled out the key fit for this door's lock and promptly unlocked it.

Inside the prison cell, Loki himself leaned on the wall at the opposite side of the door, with only his right leg held by enchanted cuff, to prevent him from pulling any tricks that would help him escape without alert. When the trickster raised his head to see who it was…

"Knock knock, visitors!" Strife greeted in jest as he and Akeno entered the cell.

"Not you." Loki growled and gritted his teeth in utter loathing towards the rider.

"Nice to see you too bananahead." Strife said in casual, yet sarcastic as the guard closing the door behind them.

"As if this day couldn't get any worse." Loki said as he cast a gaze so acidic he wished it would disintegrate Strife on the spot.

"Don't worry, it's about to be. Unless you decide to be a good boy and answer us a few questions." Strife said casually as he folded his arms and towered above the god.

"I do not answer to you horseman, certainly not to halfbreeds like this brat you brought." Loki said in anger and defiance as he glanced from Strife to Akeno.

"Careful, you'll just be giving her more of a reason to enjoy herself by zapping you." Strife said in laidback tone as he placed his hand on Akeno's opposite shoulder, while the devil queen could only giggle in sadism.

"Nonsense, you'd be foolish to believe that this devil could hope to singe me with her powers, let alone harm me." Loki said, all too eager to call Strife's bluff.

"Normally not really, but let's change that, shall we?" Strife said as he eagerly pulled out the neural device that Heimdall gave him beforehand.

Loki could only look at him in confusion, but before he could react in any way, he was stabbed with a two-pronged device on his neck. Strangely, he felt no pain from the act, but he definitely felt something when the deed was done.

"What did you do?" Loki asked in anger and confusion.

"You'll see." Strife said simply before he glanced at… "Akeno?" He said expectantly.

"Oo, how exciting." Akeno said in sadistic glee as lightning formed in her hands while she looked at the god with a promise of pain in her eyes.

"Whatever you did, you're still incapable of harming a go-AAAAAH!"

Loki's pompous words were interrupted when Akeno placed both of her hands on his head, making him scream in suffering, never conceiving he would feel pain other than from his fellow gods like Thor or Odin.

"Hearing you scream in agony makes me so hot." Akeno said in sadistic pleasure as she continued to electrocute him.

A moment or two later she stopped, so he could start to process what just happened.

"What in Ymir's name did you-AAAAAHH!"

Again Akeno electrocuted the god, inflicting untold amount of pain and suffering.

"Is this good for you as it is for me?" Akeno moaned in sadistic, if not erotic pleasure.

This kind of combo never gets old for Strife, when women like Akeno get off almost erotically on torturing fools like Loki, the latter who think they have all of Creation at the palm of their hands and can do away with it whenever they please. It's stimulating for him even, but for those kind of urges there's always time and place. And right now, Loki being fried into grilled meat is not gonna do him any favors. That said, he grabbed Akeno's left hand, breaking her from her sadistic trance and stopping with her electrocution.

"Easy there. I know that you get off on flossing other people's brains, but we need him alive." Strife said casually.

"Aww, so soon? I was just starting to enjoy myself." Akeno pouted.

"Stick around, I think you might get your seconds real quick." Strife said playfully.

"I can't wait." Akeno smiled in sadistic delight.

"Impossible. What did you do to me?" Loki gritted his teeth in pain and anger as he glared daggers at Strife.

"Oh nothing, just made your body more sensitive to pain, many times over at that. And that means that even Akeno is more than capable of roasting you alive." Strife explained.

"Who gave you that device that can affect even gods?!" Loki barked angrily.

"For the record animal lover, I'm the one asking questions here." Strife said seriously before he knelt down to Loki's eye level. "Now, what was your plan exactly when you tried to start Ragnarok on your own? Who else is involved in your scheme other than Ophis?"

"And what makes you think I will answer any of your questi-AAAAH!"

On cue, Akeno electrified Loki again for several long moments, making him scream in agony before she stopped again, all the while taking enormous pleasure at the act.

"Because if you don't, we'll keep zapping you like this until we get bored. And that might take a while on our part." Strife said ominously, while Akeno stood next to him with a delighted smile. "Now answer the question."

But instead of responding defiantly again, this time he merely smirked arrogantly while still bowing his head down.

"Someone far more dangerous than that Ouroboros bitch. An enemy that neither Odin nor you would see coming until it's too late." Loki said grimly before he looked at Strife dead in the eye with a cocky grin. "Face it horseman, whether it be by my hands or otherwise, the twilight of the gods is fast approaching. Not just for the Norse, but all the mythologies. And when that day comes, I shall be there to indulge in your futile attempts to defend Midgard!"

Strife's eyes narrowed in response as his warrior instincts warned him of an imminent attack, thus Strife grabbed Akeno and dashed backwards. And in that instant, as anticipated, Loki conjured a block of ice around him, with icy spikes around the block shielding him from any intruders.

"Oh my." Akeno said in mild surprise, more from being yanked so suddenly rather than Loki conjuring a barrier around him.

"An ice cube barrier? Really?" Strife mused in low, utterly unimpressed tone, almost rolling his eyes in annoyance at Loki's pitiful attempt at self-defense.

Akeno then noticed that Strife pulled something out of his belt.

"What kind of bullet is that?" Akeno asked curiously, noticing that this particular bullet had lava red color.

"A bullet just for this occasion Akeno." Strife said casually as he put the bullet in Redemption's barrel, cocked it back in the gun and promptly pointed it at Loki, firing it immediately afterwards.

The Lava Shot hit the ice and drilled through it until the bullet stopped near Loki's forehead. Even within the icy barrier, Loki's eyes went wide in shock, increasing when he noticed that the bullet's searing heat dispersed across the ice, until it quickly enveloped it entirely. When it did, the ice melted at a rapid pace.

"What?! This cannot be!" Loki shouted in shock as he noticed what's left of his barrier melting and liquefying into water around him, eventually leaving nothing but a puddle around him.

"Now, where were we again? Strife said in laidback manner as he sheathed Redemption and glared ominously at the god, while Akeno giggled as she looked at him sadistically. Loki could only grit his teeth in anger and dread for the torture to come, due to his barrier failing miserably to shield him.

---

For approximately two hours of Loki's constant torture, Strife and Akeno attempted to squeeze out more information about what Loki said, about this mysterious being who Loki claimed to be far more dangerous than even Ophis itself. But much to the horseman's annoyance and frustration, Loki refused to yield any further information, at one point even ready to die rather than indulge Strife any further. After the two hours went by, the horseman and the devil decided to take a break and leave to their temporary, private quarters in the Great Hall.

"Well, that was a waste of time." Strife said in annoyance as he opened the double doors leading inside the bedroom.

"Not entirely, don't you think? At least we managed to have a little fun during the interrogation." Akeno said with cute smile and closed eyes as the double doors closed behind them.

"Yeah, for the first half an hour, but afterwards it just grew tedious." Strife said annoyingly before he turned around towards the devil. "Oh well, at the very least I'll be able to see what else Asgard has to offer before we have a chat with him again." He said in now more relaxed, casual manner.

"Indeed." Akeno said simply.

"By the way, what did Loki mean about you being a halfbreed? Does that mean you are not entirely a devil like Rias?" Strife asked curiously.

To his confusion, Akeno only looked momentarily at the horseman in shock, before she bowed her head down with a glum look on her face.

"Akeno? What is it?" Strife asked curiously.

"Strife, I need to talk to you about something." Akeno said in depressed tone, all the playful sadism nowhere to be heard in her voice.

"Go ahead." Strife said simply as he sat on the bed, with Akeno sitting next to him.

"You see, while we had a faction conference, before Loki showed up, I ran across my father Baraqiel." Akeno said with a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"So? Isn't that usually a good thing?" Strife asked inquisitively.

"Not in my case. When I saw him, a rather unpleasant memories of the past rushed back into my mind. And now I can't get them out of my head no matter how hard I try." Akeno said as she looked down at her knees in contemplation.

"Oh. Daddy issues. Got it." Strife mused out loud.

"It's not funny Strife!" Akeno exclaimed in outrage.

"Who said I was joking?" Strife asked in adequately serious tone, silencing the devil in turn. "But nevermind, continue."

Seeing indeed that he was taking her story seriously, Akeno looked down in thought again, recalling the past childhood events.

"To answer your question, no, I am not a pure devil like Rias. My mother Shuri was a human, a priestess born and raised at the Shinto shrine. One day, she had found a fallen angel who was injured in battle. And while she helped him recover, they eventually fell in love. And before you know it, I came along, a daughter of a fallen angel and a human. But the Himejima family saw this as a scandal, for none of them are fond to say the least of fallen angels." Akeno explained, already feeling the suffocating pain in her chest at the memory of her parents, of her beloved mother and not so beloved father.

"Can't imagine why." Strife thought dryly. Azazel and a select other fallen angels aside, they are not exactly friendly to members that are not part of their crow club.

On the topic of her parents, he does remember Akeno declaring her mother's name during her Rating Game against Sitri devils. And an interesting detail about her fear and loathing towards her fallen angel side, along with the power that comes with it, before she made use of it against corrupted Sona. And since Akeno decided to open up to him about her past, he anticipates that she will also reveal the detail as to why she loathed that part of her heritage to begin with.

"They disowned us for it and kicked us out, leaving us to fend for ourselves. So we left to start a quiet life together with my father, the fallen angel. Naturally, those days of peace didn't last long." Akeno explained, the pain in her chest growing the more the story continued.

This time Strife held his tongue, even though it urged him to throw out another casual quip. Wouldn't be the first time to hear these kind of sob stories, but even he knew when to be silent.

"When my black wings started coming in, I had no idea people would hate them as much as they did. What kid thinks their neighbors are going to try to murder her?" Akeno said sadly.

"Wait. They were trying to kill you as a kid just because you had black wings?" Strife asked, while Akeno only made a silent, sad nod. "Nothing I despise more than people who kill kids solely because of their heritage. Makes me want to tear them apart every single time." He said bitterly.

"Then you can only imagine how I felt back then, a victim of circumstance that forever shattered the once peaceful life I had." Akeno explained as she now had a flashback of the following event. "On that night when they came to kill me, my mother desperately tried to shield me from the assassin. And paid the ultimate price for it."

Then an image of blood splattering on the floor flashed in her mind, a lifeless body freezing mid-air as it was falling on the floor, followed by the memory of running in the woods.

"And just like that, life suddenly changed for me. I spent my days running from those who hunted me, too long. In the end I was just a child, and as such you can only run so far. When my body and spirit failed to run any further, Rias showed up and saved my life." Akeno explained.

"You can die alone, or you can live for me." Young Rias said as she stood in front of the broken Akeno.

That seems extremely convenient for Strife, how Rias just so happens to run by when Akeno was at her breaking point. And since he had seen this pattern many times over during countless millennia, he's now starting to develop a bit of loathing even for the likes of Gremory devils. They may dote and coddle their servants all they want, but the fact that they're pilfering those same servants when they are at death's door, or those who are outright dead, case in point with Asia, they deserve nothing more than a bullet in the head. Even demons of Hell have more respect in that regard. At least their slaves have willingly subjected themselves to their rule, being the masters of manipulation and deceit, and they certainly don't have the need to wait for their victims to be near death, or raise them back from the dead for them to become the slaves of demons.

But since Death and even War went out of their way to enlist these devils to their service, that option is currently not on the table.

"I needed to tell you everything about my history, so you can understand what I'm trying to ask of you. That way I can try and put it behind me." Akeno said before she closed her eyes and frowned in resentment. "But I can't do it, the jerk tossed us aside to fend for ourselves, there's no way I would call that bastard father!"

"Is that really what happened?" Strife asked skeptically, drawing Akeno's attention as she looked at him. "Because something tells me that you're only telling your side of the story, and not the whole thing." He said, not entirely buying her sob story at the moment.

"Does it matter?! My mother is dead, all because he wasn't there when we needed him!" Akeno exclaimed angrily, before a moment or two later she bowed her head down again.

"Have you ever bothered asking him why he wasn't there to save you, or your mother? For all you know, he might have been rushing to save you, but he couldn't make it in time." Strife said in more serious voice.

"I don't care what his reasons were!" Akeno shouted as she shook her head in denial, before she looked down sadly. "It's too late for excuses either way, or whether I should forgive him or not."

"Is it?" Strife asked skeptically.

This whole story is slowly sounding like a misplaced loathing towards her father, common among children with tragic backstories. And seeing how conflicted she is with her stance towards her father, the exact reasons only known to her, it more than confirms his trail of thought.

"I don't know. I just don't know anything anymore!" Akeno shouted sadly as she almost instinctively burrowed her face on Strife's chest and pinned him on the bed.

A few moments of sobbing however…

"Please. Touch me. Help me forget." Akeno said in almost a whisper, oozing with desperation to escape her pain.

Strife could only look at the devil queen in silence as she started to unbutton her uniform. But strangely, instead of being stimulated at the sight of Akeno slowly stripping herself in front of him, with even the devil showing her voluptuous breasts in front of him, the rider of shadow instead had a grim look on his masked face.

"I had thought at first to ask Issei about it, but… he's too good to be used like that. And you don't have any interest in bonding with a girl other than physically, so-"

"No." Strife said seriously without a moment of hesitation.

Understandably, for someone of Strife's reputation, Akeno could only look at the horseman in shock at his refusal for sex of all things. And that rather serious expression on his masked appearance says it all.

"But, I thought that you-"

"I said no Akeno!" Strife shouted angrily, while the devil could only look at him in shock. "You want to have sex because you want to forget about that pain inside you. And there's no satisfaction in it whatsoever, for either of us." He stated firmly.

Seeing that Strife would have none of it, Akeno could only grip the clothes in her hands, close her eyes and bow her head down in sorrow and shame, the only method of coping she could do due to Strife depriving her of the only feasible option to suppress, if not forget the morbid memories in her mind. As for the horseman, he grunted a bit as he looked at the devil, frozen in place due to the said sorrow and shame, so he stood up, gently placed his index finger on her chin and lifted her head, so her eyes would connect with his.

"Listen. Even if we were to do this, now or dozen times over, it will only numb the pain, not erase it. It is something you will have to deal with yourself. So try to find a solution by searching your heart, not by spreading your legs and hoping that pain will magically go away. And you can start by having a talk with your father." Strife explained in mix of compassion and seriousness.

"I told you that I'll never-"

"Shut it!" Strife shouted strictly, again silencing the devil. "You had your say, now it's time for me to say a few words."

And with Akeno being indeed silent, bowing her head down in sorrow, it allowed Strife to continue.

"From what Azazel told me, this Baraqiel is the man he would place his trust in without question. That kind of trust is usually not given to people who are indeed bastards. That said, how can you be sure that he deliberately left you to die? As I've said, he might've been rushing to help you, but he couldn't make it. I get it that you wanted your father to be there to protect you and your mother from the assassins, but as you might've realized it yourself, sometimes life is not fair." Strife said seriously, before he again lifted her head by her chin with his index finger, so she might look at him. "But what you do with that tragedy is the true test of any man or woman. I suggest that you think carefully of what you're going to do with those past memories from here on out, along with your stance towards your father."

Akeno said nothing as she again bowed her head down, more out of contemplation this time rather than sorrow.

"Now get dressed, we'll be leaving soon. If you don't feel like zapping Loki a few more times, then you can ask Ross to send you back to Rias in the Underworld." Strife said in less serious tone, before he started walking towards the double doors.

"Strife." Akeno said suddenly.

The horseman stopped in his tracks, but the moment he turned around, Akeno dropped the clothes and hugged him, burrowing her face on his chiseled chest.

"Thank you." Akeno said with a gentle, grateful smile.

"Sure, anytime." Strife said warmly as he patted the devil on her head.

After a few moments Akeno composed herself, sniffing a few times and wiping her tears. Then she picked up her clothes from the floor and started dressing up.

"You are not as terrifying as you would have us all believe. Quite the opposite in fact." Akeno smiled warmly as she looked at Strife while buttoning her bra, and then putting on her shirt.

"Let that be a little secret between us, we don't want everyone to think we've gone soft, now would we?" Strife said playfully, and Akeno couldn't help but giggle a bit while holding her corset.

"Yes, i guess you have a point." Akeno smiled as she opened the left door a bit, before she looked at the rider sideways. "You are a Horseman of the Apocalypse after all."

"Damn right." Strife said as he gave her a friendly wink. Akeno in response smiled with closed eyes before she finally departed, closing the door behind her.

Unknown to the duo, a certain raven overheard everything that Strife and Akeno were talking about from the open, wooden window. A raven that appears to be Huginn. With the rider being the only person in the room, that was the raven's cue to turn around and leave. But in that moment when the raven spread its wings and was about to fly off, he was suddenly roughly grabbed by Strife, prompting the raven to squawk repeatedly and squirm frantically to escape. While Strife was pulling the bird closer to him, he folded the bird's wings in the hand he is holding it and used his left hand to clap the raven's beak, now looking at the avian with a grim, dead serious look on his face.

"Tell Odin that the next time he decides to spy on me, I'll tear his other eye out. And tell him this. My soft side is only reserved for the people who deserve it, and your boss is not one of them." Strife said in dead serious, if looks could kill tone. When that was done, Strife lobbed the bird in the air through the open window, prompting the raven to instantly flap its wings and fly away.

All things considered, this night wasn't entirely uneventful for War and Strife. With the alliance with the Greek, Norse and Egyptian gods established and Loki's plans for personal Apocalypse thwarted, the rider of shadow is now curious as to what other amusing events will follow in coming days. But one detail that plagues his mind still is this entity that Loki mentioned, someone more dangerous than Ophis as he stated. Usually he would shrug such words as ramblings of a chained madman, but for some reason he can't, especially since an image of a monstrous, corrupted Sona flashed in his mind, signifying the possible connection of this being with this chaotic plague. The following days will tell if Loki's words were nothing but hot air to rile him up, but for now he decided to make the most out of his stay in Asgard, thus he too left the bedroom, closing the doors behind him.

---

A/N: Cork the champagne, it didn't take me half a year to post this chapter! Hopefully it will take me even sooner for future chapters. I know this one is not as eventful as you might've expected, but I think future chapters will remedy that. Also, for some reason I can't help but put a Zazu voice from Lion King 1994 with Thoth, so you can have that living rent free in your heads if you want. And yes, Mimir's appearance and voice is straight out of God of War 2018, because who doesn't love the Celebrimbor voice actor? As to how other gods appear and sound, ill leave that to imagination.

- Super heavy weapons guy By some miracle yea :D

- Gamelover41592 It's how I imagined the story would go, simple as. And thank you, good to be back.

- nantono I dunno what you mean exactly by "everything", but sure. As for the finale, we are yet to reach it.

- jeremiahkelley93 Thank you.

- Boilingpoints30 Good to be back, hopefully it won't take a long time for future chapters.

- DOOMRAIDER Exactly, case in point Belial, who practically begged for War and Strife to spare his life in Genesis. Rating Games are basically glorified exhibition matches. Demons don't have a luxury of being whisked away whenever they are injured, it is constantly a do or die situation for them, which in turn makes them far more dangerous and brutal than the devils. Also very true, when you have a purpose in life greater than self-preservation, the most common example being protecting your loved ones, at that point you don't care if you die for it or not, as long as your loved ones would live on.

It's like you read my mind about the Dimensional Gap twist :D I have similar ideas about it, but sadly can't say anything without spoilers, because we are yet to reach the chapter where Diodora and Shalba have to be dealt with, and where the Gap will be involved in the story. And i also have a mental list as to who might get affected by Corruption or not, and Odin was one of those people as you suggested, but it's also something that i can't reveal without spoiling it (annoying i know :D)

- 187 Love those kind of coincidences too :D

- EC3 Sorry, but I highly doubt it, certainly not before this story is finished.

- VileMaverick Well, Like Samael said, sometimes the hero dies in the end.

Well, as I've said, I'll try to post chapters even sooner, so it doesn't take overly long between chapters.

Once again, thank you so much for reviews, faves and follows. We even reached over 500 faves and follows, that's awesome! I'm glad that despite some of the questionable choices I made throughout the story, it is still entertaining enough to warrant such number, which is much appreciated. It's been seven years since I started writing this story (could've written at least two book during that time and profit out of it lol), but despite writing fatigue, lack of ideas and other excuses I can name for each chapter taking this long, I still personally love how each chapter ended up. Hopefully future chapters will be just as engaging until we finally reach that fateful day where the end game and the meat of this story can finally be displayed.

That all being said, I'll see you all in the next chapter :)