A/N: Hey everybody!
Get ready for some new faces, because there's going to be a few this time.
At the end of Round two, Goll is in tears as she rushed through the halls of Valhalla. During one of them, she falls to the floor, but quickly gets back up, ignoring the pain.
As she ran, she flashed back to Reginleif, remembering how she learned a lot from her. Then, she flashes back to Kara, who doted on her plenty of times. Now, she realizes that she will no longer have anymore memories with either of them.
As she continued to rush her way to Brunhilde, Goll suddenly bumps into a familiar face.
The man was tall and muscular man with slicked-back, shoulder-length blond hair, with a slight beard. His black, tattered cloak with gold shoulder plated from his younger days strapped to his body. The man was also shirtless, but had several bandages wrapped around his waist. The man also wore a fur kilt, with a leather belt along with Greek sandals.
The Slayer of Monsters
Perseus (Greece)
"Goll?" Perseus greeted with concern. "What's the matter there?"
"P-Perseus!" Goll whimpers, as she quickly rushes past him, much to the demigod's confusion.
As Perseus continues on, another voice interrupts him.
"Hey Perce!"
The god lowers themselves, revealing them to be a humanoid monkey with golden fur with a queue, flaming yellow eyes, and peach skin. The monkey wore a phoenix-plumed hat, a red sleeved changshan with white sleeves and trimming, with an intricate gold pattern, leather wristbands and shaolin leg wraps, both pair having a dragon motif, and black kung fu pants.
The god was hanging from an above rafter, with his tail.
The Monkey King
Sun Wukong (China)
"What is it now Sun? What do you want?" Perseus asks, slightly irritated.
"They've already announced the gods' next participant for Round 3, and you're not going to believe who they chose!" Sun Wukong answers, as he hands a phone to the demigod.
"What? Give me that." Perseus says, as he snatches the phone from Sun's hands, before reading it. Once he finishes, he gives a shocked expression.
"What the hell?! You gotta be kidding me!"
Meanwhile
Goll finally reaches the Valkyrie Headquarters, slamming the doors open, before yelling out.
"Big Sis Brunihilde! This whole thing needs to stop right now! Please call pf this stupid challenge already!"
Despite Goll's outburst, she is only met with silence.
Goll yells once again, more tears forming. "Big sis! Please answer me! I don't want to see any of our sisters die, so please! Just give up already."
Just then, a young, voice speaks behind Goll. "Goll, please calm down."
Goll turns her attention to the voice, revealing it to be a woman with long, light red orange hair reaching her waist, adorned with a gold hairpin. The woman also wore a long sleeved, white dress with navy blue trim, decorated with a navy-blue cravat, and a large gold belt, with a flowing, light blue skirt. On her feet, she wore sliver, high heeled boots with gold ankle guards.
The Fourth Valkyrie Sister
Randgriz (Norse)
"Yes Goll. Please, Explain what is the matter." Said another female voice, this one, more mature than the first one.
This woman was a tall woman, slightly taller than Brunhilde, with long, purple hair tied in a side braid, with one bang covering her right eye, with a tiny, white, garrison cap. The woman had a white, military jacked draped over her shoulders, while a blue corset with gold lace and feathered cups on her upper body, a light-blue sash and white, jeans underneath, and white, knee-high boots with knee guards, along with black, fingerless gloves with white cuffs.
The Second Valkyrie Sister
Hrist (Norse)
"S-sister Randgriz. Sister Hrist…" Goll muttered. "It's not fair! That last match! The book was never harmed, yet Reginleif still died! I can't take it anymore!" Goll cries, as she buries herself into Randgriz for comfort.
Randgriz softly strokes Goll's hair. "Do not cry dear Goll. Both Kara and Reginleif knew very well, and were prepared for the consequences that awaited them in battle."
"It is not just about whether or not a divine weapon is forged and/or damaged." Hrist begins. "The act of volundr united the soul of both human and Valkyrie. In other words, they share the same fate: To live and die as one."
"I-I know…" Goll sniffs. "I just wish that I at least had enough time at least say good bye or do something for either of them."
"Oh Goll," Hrist wraps her youngest sister in an embrace.
However, slowly but surely, the tightness of Hrist's embrace becomes tighter and tighter.
"Gah! Big sis Hrist, please. You're. You're hurting me!" Goll then looks up, only to realize in horror that Hrist's calm, motherly personality has suddenly changed to one more sadistic.
"Those. Bastard Gods! I'm going to make them pay for what they did!"
Goll quivered in fear. 'That's right! Big sister Hrist is the only one of us to have TWO powers inside of her. Her name means 'The Quaking One' and 'The Roaring One'.'
"Si-sister Hrist! Please calm down!" Goll starts to beg, before a loud chewing interrupts them. The trio turn, to realize that all the while, Brunhilde has been scarfing down plate after plate of a pie with an unusual filling.
"That stupid, shitty, fucking, dirty tree hugger!" Brunhilde growls between bites. "They beat one of my best champions!"
"Oh no!" Goll fearfully exclaims. "Big sis Brunhilde's doing it again! She's been binge eating those disgustingly vile salty licorice pies again!"
Brunhilde growls once again, her chewing slowing down somewhat. "If we lose the third round, that'll be three wins in a row for the gods! We must win the next round!"
As Brunhilde was about to take yet another bite, the ring of her phone interrupts her. Once she reaches for it, and checks the notification, she quickly swallows whatever food was in her mouth, and quickly swipes the contents of the table, spilling everything on the floor, a few plates breaking in the process, much to the shock of her three younger sisters.
"Hi-hilde?" Randgriz begins in concern. "Is everything all right?"
Without hesitating, Brunhilde quickly shows her phone to the three, the message being loud and clear.
The Gods' Representative For Round 3 Is Perseus
PERSEUS
"Safe to say that the gods aren't playing around anymore, and want to get this over with." Hrist comments, upon seeing the announcement.
"P-P-Perseus!" Goll panics.
Before Goll could say another word, she and her sisters were interrupted by Brunhilde ignoring them, as she quickly stands up, rushing out of the room.
"Hey, where are you going!"
"There's only one person who stands a chance against him!" Brunhilde calls out, causing the three sisters to rush after her.
Finally, Brunhilde quickly opens a pair of doors, revealing a massive room decorated with a painted scenario of trees and Sakura flowers. On one side is a woman playing a koto, a calming music filling the area.
In the middle of the room is a long, black, table, with cups and various people gathered, as a man pours tea.
"Aah… It doesn't matter how much time has passed. This will always be the best tea ever made." Said a man with a white ponytail, wearing a red and brown hakama.
Japan's Best Swordsman
Sasaki Kojiro (Japan)
"I must say." Starts a man with a western accent. "While I may be used to drinking coffee, this tea here sure is amazing good sir."
This man was instead wearing a white, long-sleeved, button-down dress shirt and brown pants, with white socks.
Wild West Outlaw
Butch Cassidy (United States of America)
"Indeed," Begins another man, with an English accent. "I've had my own fair share of tea back in England, but Japanese Tea is just as good."
Miura Anjin
William Adams (United Kingdom)
The man has short, brown hair with a gray waistcoat over a long-sleeved, white shirt and black pants.
"You bet! Father always makes the best tea out there!" Proclaims a young man with short brown hair, wearing a teal blue hakama.
Highest Ranking Samurai
Iori Miyamoto (Japan)
In the middle was a man with a dark brown ponytail, and matching facial hair. Normally, he would wear black armor with gold trim, along with a hakama of the same color scheme along with toeless black leggings and waraji. Now, this man wore a simple black and white haori and matching hakama
The Legendary Samurai
Miyamoto Musashi (Japan)
"Miyamoto!" Brunhilde calls out.
"Ah, Brunhilde. What brings you here? Perhaps some tea?"
"No." Brunhilde firmly says. "Perseus is the next representative for round 3, and I need you to fight for humanity's behalf."
Miyamoto closes his eyes for a while, chuckling before answering. "I see. I'm sorry, but must decline. For you see, I only seek to battle Sun Wukong, for he is the only one whom I have yet to test my skills against. Plus, I have already battled Perseus before, and it wasn't even close. He's just too strong."
Goll speaks up, hoping to convince the samurai otherwise. "But Mr. Miyamoto, I'm sure that this time you'll probably finally win against him."
Miyamoto looked thoughtful for a while, but said "I admire your optimism young Valkyrie, but my mind is set. Thank you for visiting, and if you come again, there is still tea waiting for you."
Brunhilde huffed, before leaving the room, her three sisters following suit.
Valkyrie Headquarters
"Well that was a waste of fucking time!" Brunhilde grumbles, as she scarfs down another pie.
"Sis, what are we going to do now?!" Goll freaks out. "Mr. Miyamoto declines, and we don't have anyone else who can face him. What are we gonna do? We're doomed! It's not like Perseus is of the greatest heroes of all time who slayed of both Medusa and Cetus and the same one who was granted items from the gods themselves, and not to mention he's one of Zeus's own children! Why go heavy now? Why don't they ju-"
Before Goll can say another word, Brunhilde taps a finger on Goll's mouth to silence her, before saying.
"Goll. Please shut your pretty mouth hm? If you don't, I might accidentally chop your little head off." Brunhilde finished in an eerily calm voice, as she makes a slicing motion across her neck.
Goll internally screamed. To say she was terrified is an understatement. 'Big sis is so scary when does it with a smile. Sometimes, she's even worse than Hrist.'
"Come on, come on! There has to be someone here who can contend with Perseus, but who…" Brunhilde mumbles, as she continuously scrolls through the Akashic Records.
"Pardon me," a voice starts, interrupting the eldest valkyire, causing the sisters to turn their head. "Forgive me for eavesdropping, but perhaps I could volunteer for the next round."
"Wait a minute," Brunhilde starts in shock. "Aren't you…"
The man was refined knight with shining, silver armor, with a lion crest on his breastplate, with a light blue cape hanging on his right shoulder, and a teal blue tunic peeking underneath the breastplate. The man's helmet was held on his left hand, revealing his long blond hair, and trimmed beard, along with a pair of dark blue eyes.
Camelot's Finest Knight
Lancelot (Avalon)
"Lancelot du Lac." He finished.
"But why would you volunteer yourself?"
"Because this is the only way I can think of to atone for my sins." Lancelot answers. "Because of my actions, my homeland fell into ruin, with one of my closest friends killed. I have since been seeking ways to atone for my past for years."
Brunhilde ponders about it for a while. She was hesitant, before she realized that she had no other choice.
"Well, I guess have no choice then…" Brunhilde turns to her sisters. "Randgriz. Are you ready to offer yourself?"
Before Randgriz could respond, Hrist yells out it anger. "What the hell Brun?! Why her? I should be the one who should avenge our sisters!"
"As do I." Randgriz speaks as well. "You're forgetting that Kara and Reginlief are my younger sisters as well."
"Hrist, I have someone better in mind for you." Brunhilde answers, before she calls out Randgriz once more. "Randgriz. Once more, are you ready?"
Hrist huffs in annoyance as she crosses her arms. Meanwhile, Randgriz nods in agreement. "Yes, dear sister. I am ready."
Randgriz then approaches the knight, who looks shocked, as the Valkyrie did not hesitate at all.
"You are really willing to team up with me?"
"Of course." Randgriz answers with a smile. "I can see that in the inside, you truly wish to atone for your past."
She then outstretches her hand. "Are you ready?"
Lancelot hesitates for a while, before touching hist partner's hand.
"Volundr."
Ragnarok Arena,
"Welcome back ladies and gentlemen!" Heimdall begins. "The final battle between both humanity and gods, Ragnarok continues onwards, the gods in the lead with two victories against the humans. Can man rise above? Well, it's time to find out with match three!"
When Heimdall finished, the light showed the arena, revealing that the battleground has changed in a single, rectangular court. The area was now decorated with pillars, both standing, and fallen to the ground. Some of these pillars had torches adorned to them.
"What an interesting setup for this round." One god commented, observing the arena.
"I agree," Nodded another. "I wonder who they chose for this one."
Heimdall then turns his attention to the west gate. "And now, representing the gods for round three, is one of, if not, the greatest hero of all time!"
The area surrounding the arena then started to raise, forming a hallway, as an alarm blared out, the voice saying. "Attention to everyone near the gate! Please brace for yourself for our champion!"
"Though this man may be just a demigod, his accomplishments more than prove himself worthy of being amongst the gods, to even being sponsored by them!"
Slowly, a figure started making their way through the gates, his cloak billowing in the wind. As the figure's physical body became clearer, the gods slowly roared in cheers, as the hallway lowered back into the ground.
"Despite being cast out to sea out of fear by his own grandfather, that did not stop him from becoming one of the best! He slayed Medusa! He slayed Cetus! He saved his own mother from an unwanted man! He got himself an amazing spouse, and lived a happy life throughout! And did I mention that not only is he the son of Zeus himself, one of his great-grandchildren is none other than the mighty hero, Heracles?!"
As the figure entered, he pulled at his cloak, and threw it aside, as the gods cheered more, while women swooned at the figure's body.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, PERSEUS!"
The gods cheered to a near deafening point. Among them was a goddess with light-blue eyes, long, curled brown hair tied in a braid, short, white wings, wearing a white and gold toga top and skirt.
"YEAHHH! Let's go Perseus! Whoever they send out is a nobody compared to you!"
Greek Goddess of Victory
Nike (Greece)
Next to Nike was another goddess, this one calmer, with raven black hair that reached her wait, grey eyes, wearing a white toga adorned with bronze armor.
"Hmph. These humans are nothing compared to one of the greatest. Why, he even has my approval."
Greek Goddess of Wisdom
Athena (Greece)
Meanwhile, in the gods' VIP stand, Zeus was jumping in excitement, proudly proclaiming "Yes! That's right! Come on son! Win this one for papa!"
The Dagda rolled his eyes in pure annoyance. "Geez you old geezer. We get that your kid is out there, but tone it down a bit. At least Bathala was more serious…"
In the arena, Perseus sighed at all the cheering, mumbling out "Geez. Calm the hell down folks. It's not like I wanted to be here in the first place…"
Perseus then turned his attention to Heimdall.
"Hey uh… Heimdall, right?" Perseus asked, to which Heimdall nodded. "Look, whoever's going to challenge me, can we just get this stupid thing over with?"
As if on que, the eastern gate opened, as the loud neigh of a horse emitted from the hall.
"And representing the humans is a man born from nobility, raised by the famed Lady of the Lake in Avalon! This man is a legendary knight of Camelot who fought for honor, earning him a place as one of the Knights of the Round Table."
Then thunderous gallops are heard, as the horse ran out, before making a huge leap to the arena. Its rider hardly phased.
"Though this knight may be accomplished, the charms of his best friend's wife has led to the downfall of Camelot, and has since been seeking out to atone for his sins!"
The rider then got out, removing his helmet to allow his blond hair to flow along, his eyes still weary. The man then tosses his helmet aside.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, SIR LANCELOT DU LAC!"
"Come on Lancelot!" Said a gruffy, white haired old man, with worn-down armor. "That guy's 'ero status ain't mean anythin' to someone like you!"
Knight of the Round Table
Sir Ector (England)
"That's right!" Said a younger man with the same blond hair and armor as Lancelot. "My father has this victory secured!"
Knight of the Round Table, and Lancelot's Son
Sir Galahad (England)
"How unfair!" Cried out a man with dark brown hair, wearing fancier armor, along with a red cape hanging over his shoulder. "If anything, it should've been my Uncle who should be facing that guy!"
Knight of the Round Table, and Arthur's Nephew
Feirefiz (England)
"Calm now my nephew." Commanded a man with dark brown hair, shining sliver armor with gold accents, and a decorated crown on his head. "Perhaps you are right, but when it comes to the fighting spirit, there is no doubt that Sir Lancelot is the best choice."
The King of Camelot
Arthur Pendragon (England)
"Tsk!" Groaned a man with olive skin, shoulder-length dark brown hair, wearing green armor "That bastard better live. He and I still have a score to settle."
Knight of the Round Table
Percival (England)
Perseus eyes his opponent. "So, you're one of famous Knights of the Round eh? Well then. Hope you give me a worthy fight."
Lancelot says nothing as he puts himself in position.
"So, not much of a talker huh? I get it." Perseus shrugs, before he too gets into position.
Heimdall then begins "Straight and to the point. I like it! Very well then! Let Round 3, Perseus representing the gods, and Sir Lancelot representing humanity start! Ready, FIGHT!"
Again, the gong sounds. Round 3 is underway.
Lancelot charges first, his lance out. Before making contact, Perseus catches it with his bare hands, though he does bleed golden ichor slightly as a result.
"So, this lance is your divine weapon?" Perseus notes. "I kinda saw that coming."
With one hand, Perseus keeps hold on the lance, while with another hand, he unsheathes his sword, notably with a curved edge resembling a sickle, and tries to swipe at Lancelot, but he brings up his shield, blocking the attack effortlessly.
The Harpe
"Pathetic." Lancelot says calmly, before bashing the shield to Perseus' face, causing him to lose his grip on the lance.
"Perseus is stunned! Perseus is stunned!" Heimdall announces. "This fight has barely started, and already Perseus has been stunned by Lancelot!"
"Impressive." Perseus compliments "But I'm not going down that easily."
Persues quickly gets up, and before Lancelot can skewer Perseus right then and there, Perseus is gone from his position, and reappears almost instantly behind him. Lancelot barely has time to react, before his armor-plated back is connected by a powerful punch, sending him flying, slamming into the wall.
"Amazing! In a blur, Perseus is able to quickly turn the tide to his favor!" Heimdall comments.
Unbeknownst to Perseus, Hermes smirks at this, impressed that his gift is being effectively used.
"YEAH HAH! That's it Perseus!" Nike bellows in excitement.
"Only the best, courtesy of my great-grandfather!" cheers a muscular man with orange hair, a red tattoo on the right side of his body, shoulder pads and a fur kilt, holding a silver club with a lion.
The Symbol of Power and Bravery
Heracles (Greece)
"Woah! Heracles! When did you get here?" Nike speaks in shock.
"Isn't it obvious?" Heracles speaks as he takes a seat. "No way am I missing my great grandfather's fight."
"Right, duh. Of course."
"Well then, enjoy the view Heracles." Athena simple speaks.
Unbeknownst to Nike, Heracles sits there concerned. 'Great grandfather, I can tell that you didn't want to do this. Please do what you think is right. '
Back in the arena, Lancelot coughs up some blood, as he gets up. As quickly as he did, Perseus is already upon him, but his hand is stretched out instead.
"Look Lancelot, if you are willing to surrender, I can make an appeal with Zeus to accept the outcome."
Lancelot barely thinks, before he takes out a knife, and quickly swipes at the demigod. Though Perseus is quick, the knife still barely grazes his left cheek, leaving a small cut, but no ichor pouring out.
"If I surrender, then everything will be made pointless." Lancelot speaks, almost insulted by the demigod's proposal. "I've done ill in my life, and I've been doing everything I could to atone for it."
"Look, I get it. But take it from me." Perseus tries to start. "After my accomplishments, I too have been atoning for my sins, especially since it caused me the loss of someone very close to me."
"But did yours cause the fall of your entire kingdom? If I refuse now, then that'll be another thing that I have ran away from." Lancelot asks, as he strikes his lance several times, all of which Perseus quickly dodges.
"Come on Lancelot!" Cries a woman's voice, with a rough, snake-like tone to it. "Focus damn it!"
"Yeah!" Says another woman with a similar voice. "Our sister needs it!"
These two women were two gorgons. The first one had golden brown scales, with a repeating black, triangular pattern going along her sides. She had green serpentine eyes, with a hair of snakes styled in a long, undercut, side-shave style. This gorgon also wore a tattered, black toga.
The second gorgon was noticeably leaner than her sister, with sand-brown scales with dark brown markings. Her serpentine eyes were yellow. Her hair of snakes hung loosely behind her back, reaching her waist. This gorgon wore a tattered, sand-yellow toga.
Gorgon Sisters of Medusa
Stheno and Euryale (Greece)
"Shut the hell up you whores!" Nike angrily yells at the two. "How dare you bitches disrespect Perseus like that!"
Euryale's hair of snake viciously hiss at the goddess. "As if we care you troglodyte! That asshole killed our sweet sister!"
"And if rumors are true, you also played a part in it Athena!" Stheno snarled, pointing sharp nail at said goddess. "Goddess of Wisdom, my ass!"
"Quiet you!" Athena demanded. "I did not play a part in your sister's death! A human orchestrated her death!"
"Whatever!" Euryale rolled her eyes. "Perseus still killed our sister, and we want him to pay!"
All the while, Heracles ignored the bickering group, still worrying about his great-grandfather.
Back in the arena, Lancelot and Perseus locked weapons. Perseus' Harpe's curved blade prevented the lance from cutting through.
"Come on Lancelot," Perseus begged. "Please. I know you have a lot to make up for, but please reconsider!"
"I refuse!" Lancelot raged, continuing to push forward. His other hand, still on his shield, pushed forward, but Perseus' other hand prevented it from moving forward.
A/N: And we're clear!
Well, that's a lot of character introductions, as well as round 3 starting!
Also yes, I used the Greek story of Medusa, because one of the more well-known ones, which is made by Ovid, is a ROMAN story. Not Greek, and I am clearly using Greek names, so the Greek story is used.
Also, it's HERACLES! not Hercules! The Greek one is the one used in the Manga, but in the English Anime, they use his Roman name, Hercules for some reason! Please for the love of the gods, if you're telling the Greek story, use Heracles! Hercules is his Roman name.
Anyways, Round 3 continues next chapter.
Until next time, BYE!