A/N: How's it going everybody!
Round 2 Continues, starting with the backstory of the hermaphrodite goddess.
1500's Philippines
During the early years of humanity in the Philippines, the people worshipped many gods and goddesses, each of them praying for a bountiful year. One of them, included Lakapati, a god loved regardless of how they looked.
"Hail Lord Lakapati!" Shouted a farmer, as the god made their way through the fields.
"Lakapati, we thank you once again for a bountiful harvest!" Praised another farmer.
Lakapati simply reciprocated the farmer with a wave, and a smile, as they continued to walk on.
Soon after, Lakapati made it to the offering table, where a plate of rice stood there, along with the effigy of a baby. Also at the table, surrounding it, were a group of babaylan, chanting as Lakapati came closer.
One of the babaylan approached Lakapati, greeting the god, before starting "Lakapati, we come to you offering you rice, and an effigy of our young, so your servant may have enough to eat."
"Thank-you blessed one." Lakapati confirmed, before using their powers to conjure a soothing, teal-green light to rain down from the heavens to the earth. As each light touched the ground, shines of blessing spread across the land, as more greenery sprouted.
However, as abundant as these blessings were, it all came to an end on March 1521, on the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan to the country.
Ferdinand Magellan, a man clothed in a white, long sleeved, linen jacket, over a yellow tunic, and black boots, while a black, brimmed hat covered his black hair. The man in search of the Spice Islands. He also had other motives.
Portuguese Explorer and Navigator
Ferdinand Magellan (Portugal)
"My fellow people", he started, as hundreds of Filipinos gathered in audience to their newest visitor. "It was a pleasure meeting you all, and trading with you the best of your finest goods."
A brief pause
"But now, I shall introduce you to something that will forever change your lives. I shall teach you all the ways of Christianity!"
Little by little, the locals were slowly seeing the ways of Christianity, seeing more in what it had to offer. At the same time, they had begun to abandon the ways of their old gods, including Lakapati themselves.
"No!" Shouted a Filipino father. "Leave us at once demon! You are an abomination, and a curse to our lands!"
"We will no longer worship the likes of you any longer!" Cried out a Filipina woman, her child clutching her tightly in fear. "Please leave, for the safety of our children."
"But," Lakapati struggled to string words together. "I have only come to give you the blessings that I have always given you. What has made you change your outlook?"
"We have been shown the error of our ways." A former babaylan started. "Our eyes have been opened to the truth."
Soon, men began brandishing their spears, each of them pointing them at the god, as they began to chant a war chant.
"If you wish to live longer, then you will leave us for good." A farmer said.
With no choice left, Lakapati hastily fled, back into the heavens. It was from that point on that Lakapati's love for humanity has died, now filled with nothing more but anger and hatred. If there was ever a god who wishes for the end of humanity, it was Lakapati.
Modern Day
'If I die, then humanity will live, and I will not bow down to the humans any longer.' Lakapati realizes, before they get back up on their feet, Kampilan held by their hands, before finally declaring out
"Humanity! You are a disease! Especially to folks like me. You will not live to see the light of day!"
Kampilan starts to glow a bright like, as sparks emanate around the weapon. Lakapati then charges at a blazing speed, so much so that hardly anyone could see it.
Ilaw ng Araw
Thinking quickly, Public Universal Friend quickly calls out "Ecriture: Forcefield!", before a teal field of pure energy covers Friend, just as Lakapati makes contact.
"Talk about a close call!" Heimdall announces. "Had Public Universal Friend been just a second late, it would've been another win for the gods!"
"Why do you resist!" Lakapati yells out. "Yield damn it!"
"My friend," Friend starts. "I am proof that humanity respects people like us. It is not yet universal, but slowly, it is getting there."
"Lies!" Lakapati roars as she forces Kampilan through. "In the end, the gods will remain supreme!"
Eventually, the sword manages to penetrate the field, much to the worry of Goll.
"Oh no big sis!" Goll panics. "Something tells me this will end sooner than we expected!"
Meanwhile in the arena, Reginleif communicates to Friend. "Public Universal Friend, I don't know how long I can keep this up. We must think of something quick!"
"You are correct my friend." PUF confirms. "Perhaps it is now time for the last resort."
"But it is risky! There's no telling the consequences."
"Indeed." PUF nods. "But I sense pain and suffering in our opponent's heart. Something that cannot be quelled unless it happens."
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"Indeed." PUF affirms. "I have always believed that everyone has the free will in their life, putting others before themselves. It is now time for me to do the same."
"Understood." Reginleif decides, before thinking out. 'Brunhilde, Goll. My apologies. It seems that I will not be returning to you.'
With both in agreeance, both PUF and Reginleif dissipate the forcefield, allowing Lakapati to stab PUF right in the chest, much to the shock of everyone in the arena.
"Y-You gave in?" Lakapati realized. "But. Why?"
"Because. Y-you d-d-deserve to be rid of your… pain…" PUF starts, before using the last of their strength to call out one final attack.
"Ecriture: Explosion!"
Before anyone could blink, a huge explosion takes place, engulfing the entire battlefield, driving back Lakapati. When the explosion clears, it is clear that PUF has fallen to their knees, as their body glows, now knowing what was to happen next.
"H-Humanity." PUF begins. "Th-this was for you. Fight to survive."
For one last time, Reginleif manifests into her physical form, her body too glowing in response.
"Reginleif, NO!" Goll cries out, knowing that she will lose yet another sister, not realizing that Brunhilde had already left her already.
As for Lakapati, as they get up, they soon realize what PUF was trying to do. All they could do now was look up to Public Universal Friend's body. Public Universal Friend acknowledges Lakapati's motion, and simply smiles at them in response.
Seeing this, Heimdall concludes Round 2. "And so ends the second round of Ragnarok! Your winner for the round, representing the gods… LAKAPATI!"
Back in the gods VIP section, Zeus starts to realize something.
"So, that was what their whole intention was." Zeus begins, stroking his beard.
"And what is that, Lord Zeus?" Hermes questions.
"While Public Universal Friend's final attack was meant to be an attempt to defeat Lakapati, it was also a message to the humans to continue the fight..."
"…In an effort to reassure them that even in their darkest hours, they can still rise, and beat the odds." Bathala finishes.
"Ah, Bathala. You are familiar with that?"
Bathala nods, as he explains. "Indeed. It is something that I have taught both my family, and the humans. I must admit though, that Public Universal Friend person out there sure was something else."
Finally, both Public Universal Friend's and Reginleif's body shatter, and soon, become part of Nifelheim.
Ragnarok Round Two
Public Universal Friend vs Lakapati
Winner: Lakapati
Deciding Move: Ilaw ng Araw and Ecriture: Explosion
Time: 8 minutes, 25 seconds
Despite another loss, the gods would realize something spectacular, when all of humanity rose to their feet, none hanging their head, for even in death, The Public Universal Friend had left a powerful message of confidence to their friends: That the humans can indeed defy the gods.
A/N: And we're clear!
Yep, yet another canon follow-up with round 2 ending in the gods' victory, as well as another death for Reginleif.
But when you think about it, the point of round 2 was to inspire the humans with the confidence that they need, and having Round 2 end with the human's victory wouldn't have made sense.
Anyway, Round 2 ends, and in the next chapter, Round 3 starts, along with an introduction of several faces.
Until next time, BYE!