"These…" Göll said, staring at Brunhilde's phone with wonder. "These are humanity's champions… the Einherjar!"
In the VIP box, something beeped in rapid succession. Hermes reached into his pocket, grabbed his phone, and glanced at it.
"Lord Zeus," he notified his father, showing the old god his phone. "Humanity's roster has been decided."
"Oooh. Let's see here…" Zeus said, staring intently at the screen. "Hmm…" Then, his pupils emerged from the dark pits of his eye sockets, and his mouth turned upward in a diabolical grin. "Would you look at that? Ho ho ho ho… It seems I'll be able to enjoy this even more than I first thought. Ho ho!"
"Alright!" Heimdall shouted. "We're back, folks! We're here with the first battle of Ragnarok! This literal red-hot battle, featuring Perun and Gilgamesh, is heading to its climactic ending! Now that Perun has gotten serious, it's finally approaching the conclusion!
One of the Sumerians behind Enkidu, eyes wide with fear and sweat pouring down his face, was puzzled. "If… if that's him getting serious, then what the hell was he before?" His voice quivered under the intense heat, and his knees threatened to give out.
"He was already crazy strong earlier, right?" another Sumerian asked. He too was extremely hot, practically panting.
"Oh?" Shiva uttered. He stood up and gripped the railing. "Perun's getting serious? I haven't seen this in ages. I can't wait."
In the arena, the air was visibly moving around the two fighters, threatening to burn Gilgamesh. Topor Peruna was wreathed in flames, and magma flowed in the cracks of the wooden handle and the engravings on the metal. Perun was breathing heavily from the toll the transformation had taken on his body, seemingly the first time he had really, truly felt something throughout the entire fight. He held his axe above his head, ready to deliver another terrifying technique. He was so excited that he giggled, unable to contain it.
"Prepare thyself, Gilgamesh!" he yelled to his opponent. "If thou wisheth to live for a few minutes more, throw thine full power at me!"
Gilgamesh didn't react. He maintained his position, ready for Perun to use his attack. It was hard to keep his stance, and his body trembled from the effort. But he toughed it through. It would be nothing compared to what might happen to him.
THE EMPYREAN PALADIN, PERUN, USING HIS NEVER BEFORE SEEN POWER.
EVEN TO THE SUPPOSEDLY OMNISCIENT GODS…
The gods in the audience sat open-mouthed in anticipation of Perun's technique. Few of them had even heard of this fiery transformation before, and even fewer had ever seen it in action. Even Aphrodite gasped, off-put by Perun's disturbing aura. Zeus laughed gleefully, thrilled by what was coming.
THIS WAS A MOMENTOUS SIGHT TO BEHOLD!
With a shout, Perun slammed Topor Peruna down into the arena floor. The rocky ground flew into the air in waves, dislodged by the force of the swing. The wave reached Gilgamesh, lifting him several feet into the air. Heimdall was sent flying backward into the arena, knocking the wind out of him.
Gilgamesh managed to orient himself midair, only to see Perun charging at him with incredible speed, dragging his axe along the ground as he went. Gilgamesh swung his mace downward as Perun reached him, hoping to stop the inevitable upward strike, but it never came.
PERUN IS NO STRANGER TO DIRTY TRICKS.
IF IT AMUSES HIM, OR IF HE IS SUFFICIENTLY ENTERTAINED BY THE BATTLE, HE WILL UTILIZE HIS INNATE ABILITIES TO DISORIENT AND INJURE HIS OPPONENT.
Just before he got within fighting distance, Perun flung Topor Peruna upward, releasing what he had been dragging along with him right at Gilgamesh.
IN THIS CASE…
Gilgamesh watched in horror, unable to react, as it rocketed toward his chest, shimmering in the sunlight with a deadly glow.
3000° MOLTEN ROCK, LIQUIFIED BY THE HEAT OF TOPOR PERUNA AND CAUGHT IN ITS BLADE, INTENDED TO MELT THROUGH GILGAMESH ENTIRELY!
The yellow liquid landed on Gilgamesh's arm and chest, and with a sizzle began melting the golden armor away until it reached bare skin. A searing pain spread all over him, and he screamed in agony. Humanity collectively winced, unwilling to watch their hero be burned to a crisp.
"NO!" Enkidu shouted. "YOU FUCKER!"
But Perun wasn't done. He kept his momentum going, allowing Topor Peruna to continue on its path. He spun around as the axe circled him, and again as it came back down directly at Gilgamesh's head. The king, who had somehow landed on his feet, looked up to see the axe inches from his face. The scorching heat emanating from the blades was almost unbearable.
PERUNIKA VYRAI
The explosion of heat and wind from the impact threatened to destroy the entire arena. Heimdall went flying into the stands, his cloak on fire. He landed in the middle of a group of gods who scrambled to get away from him as he tried to put the fire out. Göll clutched a nearby pillar so she didn't get blown away. Brunhilde shielded herself with her arms. The heat was so intense that it hurt to look.
Eventually, the steam began to clear, and the audience peered intently to see what had happened. Perun came into view first, struggling against something unseen. Then, a mace appeared, holding back Topor Peruna against all odds. Finally, the steam dissipated completely, and Gilgamesh, still on his knees, was pushing back against Perun with one arm. Humanity cheered, elated that Gilgamesh still had fight in him, and from the looks of it, quite a lot.
"He survived?" Shiva thought aloud. He leaned over the railing to get a better view. "Now that's exciting."
"He's… he's stopped it!" Heimdall announced. He was standing on the arena wall, clothes half burnt, Gjallarhorn still in hand. "Gilgamesh… this one man… has taken everything Perun could dish out!"
"Unbelievable," Huginn commented.
"What is that human?" Muninn agreed.
Hermes thought to himself for a moment. "Wasn't that what Perun used to kill Volos?" he asked his father.
VOLOS, THE GOD OF THE UNDERWORLD.
HIS POWER WAS IMMENSE. HE HAD SEIZED CONTROL OF HIS REALM BY FORCE, DEFEATING EVERY CHALLENGER IN HIS WAY.
FOR EONS, HE TERRORIZED THE GODS OF PRAWIA BY ATTACKING THEM WHEN IT RAINED.
AND EVERY TIME, HE WAS DRIVEN AWAY BY ROD, WHO ONLY WON WITH HIS INTELLIGENCE AND WITS.
NO ONE COULD EVER COME CLOSE TO VOLOS IN POWER.
THAT IS, UNTIL HE MET PERUN.
"Yes," Zeus replied. "And to think that a human, of all things, could defend against it… that man truly is something else."
"Ha ha! I knew it!" Enkidu yelled. "Way to go, Gilgamesh!" The Sumerians joined him in cheering their king.
"Ah!" Göll sighed. "Thank goodness! I thought he was dead for sure! But…" She put her finger to her mouth in thought. "How is fighting back with just one arm? He could barely do it with two arms before."
Brunhilde started chuckling. It was quiet at first, but it slowly got louder and more maniacal until she was cackling at maximum volume, drawing wary glances from nearby humans.
"THAT'S RIGHT, BASTARDS!" she bellowed. "THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FUCK WITH HUMANITY! YOU'RE ABOUT TO GET YOUR ASSES WHOOPED!"
Göll stared at her sister with her mouth hanging open. Hilde's getting too excited… she thought.
"Folks, this is just too much to handle!" Heimdall exclaimed. "Gilgamesh is back, and better than ever! This fight is shaping up to be the greatest in history!"
Perun watched Gilgamesh with glee. "Oh? Thou art holding me back… with a single arm." His eyes lit up even more. "Thine power continues to grow! This is truly a sight to behold!"
Gilgamesh gritted his teeth and glared back. "Just… fucking… die."
He stood up forcefully, pushing Perun away as he did so. Without wasting any time, he began to rain down a torrent of blows on his opponent, each with the power to completely obliterate a lesser god. Perun blocked every one, but he felt rattled each time. But the ecstasy he felt at fighting such a powerful opponent far outweighed any damage he might've sustained.
Each fighter moved at speeds incomprehensible to the naked eye. To them, it seemed as though their arms had become a blur, complemented by the ringing of metal on metal. Even some of the VIPs struggled to keep up.
"Interesting," Zeus commented. "Through anger alone, Gilgamesh has increased his power and speed output tremendously."
"Indeed," Hermes agreed. "Normally, anger increases those attributes only minimally, and at the cost of skill. We even saw this earlier in the battle. But now–" He put a hand to his chin. "–his anger is so great, it has granted him strength and speed so far beyond what it normally would that the lack of skill doesn't even matter anymore."
Zeus raised an eyebrow at his son. "Quite an astute observation, Hermes."
The servant chuckled nervously. "I guess I picked up a thing or two from you. Heh heh." Zeus grunted and turned back to the fight.
Amidst the violent frenzy, Perun was laughing hysterically, no longer able or willing to hold it in. It was just too much fun. He felt as though he might explode. Gilgamesh had exceeded all of his expectations, and then some. This was the greatest battle he had ever fought. He wished it would never end.
Meanwhile, Gilgamesh was growing angrier. How can he laugh like that?! he thought.
Does he think this is all some sort of joke?! Is he even taking this seriously?! He couldn't stand. He let out an angry cry and started swinging even faster. But Perun matched each strike.
"Give up!" he yelled at his opponent. "Even with thine increased abilities, thou still stand to be annihilated!"
Gilgamesh couldn't take it anymore. He needed to see that god humiliated and killed. It was the only thing that would calm him down now. He delivered a roundhouse kick to Perun's side, causing him to stumble away. Immediately, Gilgamesh got into his Blessing of Shamash stance, angled the top of the mace at Perun, and pushed off. It was perfect. Perun had his back turned. Victory is mine! Gilgamesh thought.
But then, Perun wasn't there anymore. Not a single trace remained. Gilgamesh was dumbfounded. Still mid-attack, he heard a step behind him. He turned to look behind him, only to be greeted by Perun's smiling face inches from his own. Gilgamesh could do nothing as the mad god once more delivered a spray of blistering liquid right onto his face.
Gilgamesh's bloodcurdling screams filled the arena with their terrible vibrations. Humanity recoiled in horror and disgust. Mothers shielded their children's eyes. Even the gods didn't want to watch. Only a brave few managed to keep their eyes on the fight. Enkidu started wailing, tears pouring down his face. Göll fell to her knees and heaved, barely holding back the urge to vomit. Brunhilde gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. She was more angry than anything.
Zeus was thoroughly enjoying himself. The fact that Perun had pulled the same trick on Gilgamesh twice was, for some reason, hilarious to him, so much so that he nearly doubled over laughing. Hermes was not as ecstatic as his father, but he couldn't deny that it was somewhat satisfying. Aphrodite chuckled. This battle thus far had bored her, but seeing the human tortured mercilessly made it worth it. Shiva, however, did not share his fellow gods' sentiments.
"Hey, hey, hey," he growled, gripping the handrails tightly. "What the hell was that? I didn't come here to watch Perun torment the poor guy! Just finish him off already!"
Gilgamesh clutched his face with both hands, drawing in painful breaths. He nearly fell to his knees, but through sheer willpower remained standing. Perun stood several meters away, admiring his twisted handiwork. This is what he liked. Watching his opponents writhe in agony was almost as fun as a fair fight. But he knew Gilgamesh wasn't able to give him the latter anymore. He might as well enjoy the former.
"Hah hah hah hah!" he laughed, slowly making his way over to his opponent. "This has been most enjoyable. However, I can see that thou hast reached thy limits." He stopped only a foot from Gilgamesh and raised Topor Peruna. "So, the time for me to end this battle draws near. Have thee any last words?"
Gilgamesh did not respond for several seconds. Then, he mumbled something that no one could hear.
"Forgive me," Perun said. "But what didst thou say?"
"I said," Gilgamesh answered, "go to hell."
Perun's eyes widened with realization, and he immediately initiated a downward swing to kill Gilgamesh. But it was too late. Gilgamesh dropped to his knees with lightning speed, grabbed his fallen mace, propelled himself upward, and planted the weapon right in Perun's groin.
The god's mouth opened, ready to unleash a cry of anguish, but nothing came out. He just gasped for air, astonished by Gilgamesh's underhanded tactic. The king stood up and smirked, revealing his face. The right half of it had been burned badly, leaving the skin black and exposing the muscles underneath. His teeth, somehow immaculately clean, gleamed in the sunlight. His eye was completely white, and he was unable to see out of it. And to top it all off, his smile was deeply unnerving. It was truly a grisly visage.
"O-oh, man," Heimdall stuttered to himself, before realizing he had said it into his Gjallarhorn. "I mean, inconceivable! Part of Gilgamesh's face has been burnt away… and yet he's turned the tables, and is even smiling! Anyone else would be dead by now!"
Enkidu covered his mouth and looked away. He couldn't bear to look at Gilgamesh now. But he had to. He needed to support his friend through this fight. So he turned back, not letting sadness get the better of him.
The gods collectively gulped. Though Perun had already tanked many hits that would've killed lower gods, Gilgamesh still had untapped power he had yet to display. They had not felt fear like this in multiple millennia.
Gilgamesh approached Perun and grabbed his chin to pull him close. The old god stared dumbly at his opponent. Gilgamesh smiled more.
"Surprised, huh? Well, I just figured if you were going to get dirty… I might as well, too, right?" he said. Then, with his other hand, he slammed his mace into Perun's cheek with all the force he could muster.
Multiple teeth and a gallon of blood flew from Perun's mouth, creating a beautifully disgusting show. He swayed back and forth, struggling to stay standing, but Gilgamesh didn't let up. He pummeled Perun mercilessly, pounding away at the god's damaged flesh like there was no tomorrow. Every inch of his body was covered in wounds and slick with blood. He withstood the onslaught for only a few seconds more, then he began to fall.
"Ah!" Heimdall exclaimed. "Perun can't take it anymore! He's falling!"
But Perun never made contact with the ground. Gilgamesh got behind him and landed several deadly hits on his back, pushing him back up. He wasn't about to let the god off that easy.
"Wait!" Heimdall cried. "Gilgamesh has stopped him! He won't let up even for a second! He's intent on absolutely destroying Perun!"
"How does it feel?!" the king yelled. "How does it feel to fight dirty?! Huh?!" He continued raining down blow after blow after blow, rage fueling every action. He was like a demon, unbridled and savage, intent on the annihilation of the being before him. Even humanity, the ones he was fighting for, didn't know what to think of this. They liked that Perun was being humiliated, but it was so brutal that only the most depraved of them enjoyed it.
Suddenly, Gilgamesh felt himself stop. But he hadn't done it himself. No, something else was doing this. He looked at his mace, and to his horror he saw Perun's bloody hand holding it, trembling with the effort. He turned to see the old god's face, battered but gleeful, rushing toward him. It connected with his own, shattering his nose and causing him even more pain in his burns.
Gilgamesh reeled back, blood pouring from his face. He covered it to stop the bleeding, but it had already covered his armor. He glared at Perun with hateful eyes. But he didn't attack. He had a question.
"Why didn't you keep attacking me?" he asked forcefully. "You could've pressed the advantage and won."
"Nay," Perun responded. "I would not have won from another exchange with thou. We could go back and forth for eternity if we so chose. But that would bore me. So, instead, I have a proposal." He grinned maniacally. "One final clash to decide it all. Mine strongest attack against thy own."
Gilgamesh thought it over for a moment. Heimdall looked back and forth between the two fighters, waiting for a response. "Perun has thrown down the gauntlet!" he shouted. "A last head-to-head to determine the winner! How will Gilgamesh respond?!"
Eventually, despite the immense anger boiling within him, Gilgamesh smiled. "Fine. I accept." He took several steps back. "But know that you won't survive this."
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Perun laughed. "Thine spirit burns brightly!" He also moved backward, clenching Topor Peruna tightly. "Meet mine axe with thine absolute best! I shan't accept any less!"
Gilgamesh didn't reply. He got into his stance once more, the top of the mace pointing at Perun, his arms pulling back, his legs becoming coiled springs ready to release. It was the stance of a move he had already attempted to use twice, but each time was interrupted. No more.
Enkidu gasped with realization. "Oh, hell yeah! You're done, you asshole god!" he cheered.
OUTSIDE OF URUK
THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO
Gilgamesh, mace in hand, stood at the base of a mountain, gazing at it with a seemingly blank stare. But he wasn't spacing out. He was examining every inch of the rock, thinking about how to bring it all down.
GILGAMESH DID NOT BLINDLY TRAIN.
Enkidu ran up behind Gilgamesh, panting. He put his hands on his knees to catch his breath for a second, then stood back up.
"Gilgamesh," he said between breaths, "I've been looking all over for you." He looked at the mountain, then back at his friend. "What are you doing out here?"
"Training," he answered bluntly, not looking away from the mountain.
Enkidu looked at him, confused. "Training? How? You're just staring at a mountain."
"That's what you think." He sighed, then backed away from the mountain. "Alright. Stand back."
"Huh? Why-"
"Just do it." Gilgamesh gave his friend a sincere look. Enkidu put his hands up in surrender and moved away.
THOUGH THE REPETITION OF A SINGLE MOVEMENT FOR HOURS UPON HOURS IS NECESSARY FOR MOST HUMANS TO PERFECT IT, GILGAMESH REQUIRED NO SUCH DEDICATION.
Gilgamesh got into his Blessing of Shamash stance, but instead of holding the mace normally, he pointed it at the mountain. Enkidu was even more confused now.
INSTEAD, HE CREATED AN IMAGE IN HIS HEAD OF THE PERFECT FORM AND MOTION FOR A TECHNIQUE–
Gilgamesh inhaled deeply, then, on the exhale, pushed off at full speed toward the mountain. Before he reached it, he thrust the mace forward and hit the mountain, blowing a massive hole through it and creating a shockwave that visibly disturbed the air around him. The force of the impact shook the earth for miles. Enkidu's jaw dropped at the awesome display of power as the rest of the mountain crumbled. Gilgamesh's mace disintegrated in his hands, unable to take the strain of its wielder's might.
–AND BROUGHT IT INTO REALITY.
The wild man laughed in amazement, impressed by his friend's abilities as always. Gilgamesh smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
HIS GODLY STRENGTH WAS CHANNELED THROUGH THE WEAPON IN A MASSIVE EXPLOSION OF POWER.
SINCE THE SURFACE AREA OF THE HEAD OF THE MACE WAS MUCH SMALLER THAN THE BODY, THIS TECHNIQUE COULD PENETRATE EVEN THE TOUGHEST OF GODLY HIDES.
AND THUS IT WAS NAMED…
GOD PIERCER.
NOW
VALHALLA ARENA
As much as I hate to admit it, Enkidu thought, that Perun guy is one hell of a fighter. For him to make Gilgamesh use his ultimate technique… there isn't anyone out there quite like him.
Gilgamesh smiled to himself. Though Perun had caused him much pain, the fact that he got to use his favorite attack was enough to distract him. He sprung forward, ready for the final clash.
GOD PIERCER…
Across the way, Perun too felt great joy at the prospect of his strongest move against Gilgamesh's. It was the perfect send-off, the only way this fight could possibly end. As he often did, Perun chuckled maniacally just thinking about it as he spun around, giving Topor Peruna the adequate momentum needed to pulverize Gilgamesh.
PERUNIKA VYRAI…
The two fighters were mere inches apart now, their weapons milliseconds from meeting. Time slowed to a crawl. Gilgamesh stared deeply into Perun's eyes. The god stared back. One felt overjoyed, with a slight tinge of sadness. The other, a mix of fury and satisfaction. Both were assured of their victory.
THE ULTIMATE CLASH BETWEEN THE ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES…
EACH FIGHTER AT THE PEAK OF THEIR ABILITY…
ONE COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER FINALE!
Gilgamesh thrust his mace forward, releasing the strain his arms had been under. Perun met the attack with his axe on its downward arc, ablaze with fires of unimaginable heat. Both fighters let out tremendous battle cries filled with their respective emotions. They joined together to create a harmony, one that was both thrilling and haunting. It resounded throughout the arena as the weapons finally connected.
GOD PIERCER
PERUNIKA VYRAI
THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED WOULD GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ACTS EVER COMMITTED.
The resulting explosion completely covered every inch of the arena. The audience members closest to it felt an intense burning sensation all over their bodies as the heat washed over them. Even the ones further away reeled from the pain, screaming in agony. Göll hid behind a pillar to shield herself, but it did little to negate the energy. Brunhilde remained firm and didn't move, using only her arms to protect her. Aphrodite was blown out of her seat once again. Hermes grasped the back of Zeus' throne. The rest of the VIPs stayed sitting having to do anything.
The energy quickly dissipated enough that some of the arena could be seen again, but there was still a massive steam cloud. Enkidu, who had been hiding behind the arena wall, stood up and looked for Gilgamesh amid the steam. Suddenly, a body went flying out of the cloud and into the far wall, cracking it. It was Perun. He was slumped over, shadows covering his eyes. He didn't move.
Enkidu gasped. "Ah!.. He did it! GILGAMESH WON!" he yelled. The Sumerians joined him in his cheers. Soon, all of humanity did. Their champion had won. Humanity had defeated the gods. It had seemed impossible, and yet it had been done. Göll jumped with delight. Brunhilde beamed widely, happy that her planning had paid off.
The gods were stunned, mouths agape, at this outcome. Perun, one of the strongest beings in existence, had lost to a human. A human, of all things. This was completely unthinkable. Even the VIPs were surprised.
"There's no way," Shiva remarked. He was leaning over the handrails, watching Perun intently. "Nah, I don't believe it."
Zeus was on the edge of his set. "What?" he said, pupils visible. "That's impossible."
"Indeed, Lord Zeus," Hermes affirmed. "And yet… it's happened."
For the first time, Odin's demeanor changed. It was very minute, but his mouth was open ever so slightly. Huginn and Muninn cawed in disbelief. Amun-Ra still did not react.
"What a tremendous upset!" Heimdall commented. "Perun, the Empyrean Paladin, the uniter of Prawia, who has until now remained undefeated for his entire life… has lost!"
The steam cleared, and Gilgamesh became discernible. Battered though he was, he was smiling and laughing. The battle had been long and hard. He had almost lost multiple times, but now, standing before all the gods, he had brought down their champion. He did what he said at the start of the match. Heaven itself quaked before him.
Gilgamesh turned to his opponent, who had fallen to his hands and knees. His head was bowed with the weight of defeat. Gilgamesh started to walk over, slowed by his injuries.
"Does it hurt?" he called. "The sting of your defeat? The realization that you have failed as the vanguard for the gods? The anguish at losing to a human like me? I can't even imagine the humiliation you must feel right now." He paused a moment to see if Perun would respond. He didn't. "Nothing to say? I don't blame you. What is there to say in a situation like this? Other than admit defeat of course." Humanity chuckled.
The gods were enraged by his speech. "Shut the hell up, lowlife!" "Perun isn't beaten! He'll turn this around!" "Where do you get off?!" "We'll obliterate you, human!"
Gilgamesh looked at them with a hateful glare. His intense emotions could be felt for miles. The gods collectively shuddered and quickly fell silent.
"As expected of you false gods!" the king shouted. "Throwing insults and vitriol at me! Unable to accept reality! And yet, a mere look from me sends you panicking! It's pathetic! Utterly pathetic!" He turned to the VIPs. "And don't think you're safe! After I've finished him off–" He pointed to Perun. "–you're next!"
Humanity cheered him on. "Hell yeah! You tell 'em!" "Hahahaha! Up yours, gods!" "You see that?! We ain't afraid of you!"
Gilgamesh now stood over Perun, covering him in shadows. He hadn't moved from his position. Gilgamesh snorted.
"Didn't I tell you?" he said smugly. "By the end of our fight, I would have you on your knees. And look where we are."
"Finish him off, Gilgamesh!" Enkidu shouted. Humanity echoed his sentiments.
"Heh," Gilgamesh chuckled. "That guy. What would I do without him?" He raised his mace above his mace, ready to deliver the killing blow. "Any last words?"
"Thou talkest too much." Gilgamesh looked at Perun in surprise, but before he could do anything, the god swung upward and through Gilgamesh's body with a speed he had never used. Blood sprayed in all directions. The mace was cut in half and Herja's apparition cried out in pain.
Everyone in the audience gasped, the gods with joy, the humans with terror. Göll shrieked, hysteric over her sister's injury. Brunhilde was in shock. Enkidu's eyes were filled with tears, hardly comprehending what had happened.
Gilgamesh looked down at his body. Perun had cut from Gilgamesh's left hip up through his right arm. Copious amounts of blood oozed from his wound. The king slowly looked up and saw Perun with a maniacal smile so wide his skin started covering his eyes. His body displayed no signs of serious injury. It was as if God Piercer had done nothing at all.
"You…" Gilgamesh started to say before coughing up blood. He tried to continue speaking but found that he couldn't. His injuries combined with Perun's almost suffocating presence made it impossible to utter a word. The god put a hand to his ear in a taunting manner.
"What didst thou say?" he said mockingly. "Mine ears seem to have failed me."
Anger boiled within Gilgamesh, overwhelming any pain he felt. He tried to swing what was left of his mace at Perun's infuriating face, but his arm fell off midswing. The old god let out an insane chuckle. Undeterred, Gilgamesh attempted to throw a punch with his left hand, but after he had barely moved it a few inches, his body finally came apart. He stared incredulously at Perun as he fell, only now truly realizing what had happened. The top half of his body hit the ground with a wet splat. The bottom half slumped over at Perun's feet. Not a sound could be heard throughout the entire arena.
Enkidu was the first to say something. "Gil…Gilgamesh… you can't be… it's not…" Tears were streaming down his face as he stared at his friend's body. "No. No, no, no, nononono… it's not true… you're…" He clutched his face and dug in so hard he started to bleed. "GILGAMEEEEEESH!"
Perun started laughing heartily, reveling in the pain and suffering he had caused. Enkidu's heartbreaking cries were the icing on the bloody, dismembered cake that was Gilgamesh. He continued to laugh as the blood from his opponent that had covered Topor Peruna turned into steam and gently floated into the air.
Humanity began to yell ferociously, simultaneously shocked, upset, horrified, and angered at Perun's actions. The Sumerians most of all were furious. They couldn't stand to watch Perun be so disrespectful. Brunhilde and Göll were at a loss for words. Göll was still devastated by what happened to Herja. Both of the valkyries were disturbed by Gilgamesh's death.
Heimdall, who had up until now been watching the scene before play out, snapped out of it and did his job. "The… the first battle..." Göll dropped to her knees, her strength failing her. "...of Ragnarok…" Enkidu wailed, his face looking up at the sun. "...goes to the gods." Zeus stood up out of his chair, eyes showing, mouth upturned in a victorious grin. "In accordance with Perun's overwhelming victory…" The god in question looked down at Gilgamesh's body. Its mouth was slightly open with a mix of surprise and anger. Its eyes stared blankly into the sky. Satisfied, he looked back at the crowd with diabolical, almost demonic glee. His laughter echoed through the arena and the souls of all watching.
"…the match is settled!"
PERUN VS. GILGAMESH
MATCH LENGTH: 16 MINUTES & 28 SECONDS
DECIDING MOVE: UPWARD SLASH
VICTOR: PERUN