Icarus and Pandora are waiting outside the infirmary as they see a woman come running. It's Beethoven's mother, Maria. She looks almost panicked. "E-excuse me! I-is this… is he in here!?"

Pandora jumps to her feet. "B-Beethoven? Y-yeah!" She calls out and the woman shoves her aside and charges in, seeing Beethoven sitting on the bed, Sun Tzu having some tea, already being up and about. Pandora rubs her back sighing. "Oooow…"

Icarus crosses his arms. "Yeah… they really don't like you. It was… thanks to you Beethoven even won," He mutters and lowers his wing for her to lift on and get back up.

They peek inside as Maria embraces Beethoven tightly. "Oh Ludwig! My Ludwig! I'm so glad you won! I'm so glad you're okay!" She cries and Beethoven looks down at her with a slightly surprised look on his face as Christian just smiles at the two of them.

"..." Beethoven moves her away slightly, brushing her hair out of her face to take a good look at her, looking around her face curiously before giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead. "." He forces a smile and hugs her again.

"It's great to see you finally happy, my son!" Upon hearing this Beethoven's smile fades slightly and he pats her on the head, forcing another smile when she pulls back to look at him.

"..." He stands again, forcing himself to his feet and Christian and Maria both support him as he begins to walk, Pandora looking at that pained smile he's putting on for his mother as they walk.

"B-Beethoven!" Pandora stands in front of him at the door. "Y-you need rest!" She suggests and Beethoven simply shakes his head gesturing forward and she lets him pass.

Icarus looks in at Sun Tzu who is sitting on his bed with Jing and Xiang just observing. "Why didn't you try to stop him? You stayed after you were injured? Isn't that… the sensible thing to do?"

"'We cannot enter into alliances with our allies until we understand the designs of our neighbors.' Quote from me, in the Art of War. I do not know what makes that man tick enough to know what is best for him. Perhaps he is going somewhere important. Perhaps not. I do not know. All I understand is that his physical pain is not holding him down. He may not be able to best me with a blade in hand. But he is not a man to be taken lightly. Perhaps you two ought to follow him," He says taking a sip of his tea.

"You could've just said 'I didn't want to intrude', you know?" Icarus comments and Sun Tzu laughs.

"Certainly. But where is the fun in that?"

Pandora and Icarus follow Beethoven, Christian and Maria down the hallways, Christian patting Beethoven on the back gently. "You're a stubborn one aren't you?"

Icarus peeks forward. "Where are we going?" He asks and Beethoven just gives him a quick look and points forward, down the hallway. "Yeah… that much I figured out…" He says with a light smirk. Beethoven rolls his eyes.

"C-can I just say!? You were so amazing, Beethoven, sir! The way you played! It was so moving and so wild, but controlled!" Pandora gushes and Beethoven looks back at her, forcing a brief smile and placing his hand on her head, just as Maria was about to object.

"..." He guides them to a large door, decorated with a gigantic mural of stone. Pandora and Icarus both easily recognize it. This is a depiction of the first Ragnarok. With the Einherjar in full focus triumphing over the gods!

"Wooooah… what is THIS?" Pandora asks as Christian slides the door open revealing a huge open space filled with an immense amount of rows of benches, stained glass windows, each depicting a fight from the first Ragnarok, with statues between the windows of each fighter. Up in front is a statue which is slightly larger than the rest. It depicts Adam, the first man, standing with his fist extended and a smile on his face, the pose he stood in when he tragically lost his life in his battle with Zeus. Beethoven and Icarus step inside as Pandora looks in awe. "This is… a church?" Pandora asks stepping inside, when she is instantly surrounded by the various guests.

"YOU! This is a space for humans only! This is where we worship the almighty Einherjar! Pay our respects to our heroes! The heroes of HUMANS!"

Maria and Christian let Beethoven go as another human comes to guide him further in.

Icarus steps slightly in front of Pandora with his wing out. "Hey… don't cause a damn scene alright?" He tries but the large man angrily points to Pandora.

"She's NOT welcome in OUR space! This is for humanity only! She's! Not! Human! Sure she's 'helping' right now but that does not matter here! I, for one, will never accept her as any less than a divine being! She was MADE by a god for crying out loud!"

Icarus stands silent as Pandora takes a deep breath. "It's… alright. I understand. I just…" She feels a little tear roll down her face. "Thought that I might get a little bit of a chance by now… But I get it. I'm… sorry for intruding," she turns to walk away when suddenly there's a loud booming sound from the organ at the altar from Beethoven sitting down. He starts playing a little, making everyone turn to see.

A door in the back opens and a woman walks out. She has long blonde hair with flowers embedded in it, her body covered by measly vines and leaves. It's Eve. Wife of Adam. She walks up to Beethoven and gives him a kiss on the cheek and gently rests his head against her chest. "You fought so well, son. Thank you so much. And you boys," She turns her attention to the crowd around Pandora. "Please behave. Ragnarok is a trying time for all of us. Pandora. Please come in."

"B-but mother!"

"I won't hear it. Let her through. I wish to have a word with her," She says and Pandora is let in, tip-toeing her way up as Icarus sits down on one of the first rows, looking up at one of the many murals on the back wall. A picture of the many amazing people in history. He looks towards the sun and swears he sees a little human-shaped spec with wings up there… huh.

Pandora sits down next to Eve, at the altar, the two folding their hands in front of Adam's statue. "So you are Pandora. I have heard much of you."

Pandora blushes as she looks at Eve. She is incredibly beautiful. "Y-yes ma'am. I'm just… trying to help out humanity."

Eve smiles a little and squeezes her hands together tightly. "And may I ask why?"

"W-why? What… do you mean?"

"I mean what reason do you have? Everyone has their reasons for giving their entire being to a cause. Such as saving your childr- I mean… saving humanity," She feels a little tear appear in her eye as well and Pandora looks up at Adam's statue.

"Well to be honest… I just… really like humanity. They're so… cool. They look at a mountain many times their size and say 'I will climb to the top'. They see an unwinnable battle and say I will fight and I will win'. They look at the endless cosmos, so unfathomably large above them and say 'I will explore it all'! There's no limit to what a human can do and I… I just really want to be a part of that. I…" She looks over at Eve who seems to be in deep thought. "I'm sorry. I know that seems selfish but-"

"Don't be sorry. It is okay to be selfish. To want to be included. I think he would have liked you to be honest," She gestures up to the statue of her husband. "I could get everyone to… leave you be? And give you a chance?" She nods to the horde of people ready to kick Pandora out at a single wrong move.

Pandora looks back and then back to Eve. "I don't want you to do that. I want to prove my worth to them myself," She says with an adorably determined look in her eyes. "It's not the same if you force them to like me."

Eve smiles a little and pats her on the head gently. "Such a good answer. When you're accepted by everyone… I will greet you with open arms, as your mother," She gently nuzzles Pandora's head.

Pandora gulps and nods. "I-I will! I promise, ma'am!"

"Ma'am sounds so formal. Eve is fine. Mother is as well," She adds and the two stand with a smile.

Icarus suddenly sees something up above near the murals he's looking over. "Oi… what's THAT?!"

Pandora, Eve and Beethoven all look up seeing a figure above the statue of Adam seemingly coming in through a window. His arms are extended to the side, the light framing his body in darkness but behind him is a clear, glowing white halo with several geometric spikes of light, resembling glowing wings. "Worry not. It's just me," The figure says a slightly angelic echo to his voice. He gently taps the top of Adam's head in his descent, slowly stepping down onto the floor in front of the humans, revealing his full form. He is a rather tall, handsome man with long crystal-blonde hair. He's wearing a heavenly white robe with a chestplate of ornate silver and red armor over it, and large metal grieves in similar colors. Around his head is what can only be described as a metal halo with carvings of eyes along it, which seems to float around his forehead.

Everyone is silent for a moment before erupting into cheers. "It's Michael!" They cheer and surround him instantly.

"O-oh hey now. No need to fuss. Watch the wings kids," He says chuckling as one kid swipes at his wing causing it to disperse before reassembling like it's made of light. He pats the kids on the heads, the other humans happily allowing him inside, in spite of him being divine.

Eve puts a hand on her cheek, a little confused. "Michael? What are you doing here?" She asks curiously.

Icarus looks back and forth from Eve and Pandora to Michael. "Michael…?" He asks unfolding his wing like he's trying to compare it to Michael's but Michael's are made of light.

Michael sets down the kid he's holding. "Ah. Forgive me, young man!" He holds out his hand rather angelically as his wings practically glow harder to emphasize. "Allow me to introduce myself! I am Michael the Archangel! Eternal defender of order and guardian of humanity!" He declares looking around the room. "I love what you have done with this place, Eve."

Eve smiles gently. "Thank you. It's all thanks to you," Icarus and Pandora look a little confused.

Michael kneels down to talk to the kids, who all find his wings and halo incredibly cool. "Ah. I see you're not familiar. Well… Humanity did not have this space to themselves. The gods would not allow it. But I managed to miraculously convince Zeus to allow them this much. After all… to a god 1000 years of this is no time at all. But to a human 1000 years is so SO long. So many precious memories can be made in 1000 years," He smiles as he stands holding out his arms. "And so humanity was given their own space, which they turned to a church to hail the eternal Einherjar as their new saviors!"

Pandora looks to Michael with sparkling eyes. "So coooool!" She says and Micheal hurries the kids along.

"I must speak to you of something, Pandora. Icarus as well. Shall we?" He waves his goodbyes to Eve who gets the ceremonial meeting underway with Beethoven at the piano. He guides Pandora and Icarus outside in the hallway to a disgruntled 'good riddance' from the humans upon seeing Pandora leaving. Michael's face slightly drops. "Let's speak of… Ragnarok. You see, Pandora. I have been asked by Ra to fight for the gods. I am… against Ragnarok in the first place. But I will fight nonetheless. Not only this but I have offered to go as the next warrior. Which Ra has accepted."

Pandora's eyes widen. "W-why!? You're the archangel! Guardian of humanity! W-why fight for the gods!?"

"Now now Pandora. Let us remain calm. Okay? I am not here to make threats, or any such thing. I love humanity after all," He says with a smile. "I have a suggestion which I believe will work in the favor of everyone instead of simply trying to kill each other! I have lived many many lifetimes so I know how to speak with the gods."

Pandora raises an eyebrow. "W-what do you suggest?"

Michael smiles. "As you know, I am Michael the Archangel. The divine being with the most influence in all of heaven, aside from the gods themselves. They WILL listen to me as they have so many times. And I have a plan if you would hear me out," He puts a hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah?" Pandora looks a little hopeful at Michael hoping he's going to betray the gods!

Michael holds out his arms happily. "Simply put! You simply tell the person you decide as my up-coming opponent, to concede his match to me without fighting!"

"WHAT?!" Icarus steps forward seemingly ready to attack Michael. "The hell's that supposed to mean!? Give the gods a FREE WIN!? THAT'S your big plan!?" He furiously yells.

Michael nods, stepping past Icarus raising a finger like he's giving a lesson. "Not quite so. Listen. If you do this, I will be able to convince the gods that humanity is worth keeping around. If not on Earth then at LEAST in Heaven. On this I swear as the arbiter of angels!" He says bowing a little as if waiting for applause.

"But… what about Earth?" Pandora asks, making Michael let out a heavy sigh.

"Unfortunately, the humans currently living on Earth will be wiped out, but fret not! Armageddon is not a painful weapon. They will not feel a thing, and moments later will be ferried to Heaven along with everyone who is here. Believe me when I say it is a fool-proof plan! You must simply concede to me. I do not wish any harm upon humanity. For I… LOVE humanity! All will be in order if you follow my plan. And afterwards, I will continue being your guardian of order for all eternity!" He declares clenching his fist.

"Michael…" Pandora starts. "If it can work then… then I don't see why not! You ARE a great protector after all."

"A protector is only as amazing as those he seeks to protect. So yes, I suppose I am," he kisses Pandora on the cheek with a smile. "So what do you think, Pandora?" The church once again falls silent as Michael holds out his hand. "Humanity will survive! On this you can trust me," he says.

Pandora thinks for a minute before shaking his hand. "O-okay…" She says with a lowered face. She turns to walk away, Icarus following her along, when Michael grabs hold of his arm.

"Icarus? A word?" He asks and Icarus looks to Pandora who gives him a weak smile.

"I'm just gonna… choose our next fighter and see you at our viewing spot. Bye for now Icarus!" She waves him off and hurries along.

Icarus looks confused at Michael and frees his hand. "What is it?"

Michael takes a deep breath. "I know your deal with Ra. Are you CERTAIN this is for the best? To betray not only Pandora, a girl you care for, but also the entirety of humanity in turn?" He asks and Icarus sees nothing in his eyes except concern.

"For the best!? I'm protecting the people I care about! My father means more to me than humanity does! A-as long as he's safe nothing else matters! And Sisyphus! And Narcissus, Archimedes! Theseus!? They ALL need my help while they're stuck in Crete!" He snaps and Michael reaches forward and tightly hugs Icarus much to his dismay.

"I know. I know it well. You have much on your shoulders, Icarus. I am merely asking you to think things through. And if your conclusion remains the same, then I have nothing against such a thing. My job is to protect humanity. Whether that be the individual or the whole I merely wish to guide you,"

Icarus steps back. "Yeah yeah! Why's EVERYONE on my damn CASE about this!? I KNOW what I'm doing! Stop doubting me!"

Michael puts his hands on his hips, as Icarus storms off to cool down, shaking his head. "I am here if you need guidance Icarus! You are ALWAYS welcome!" However he gets no response. "Kids. So full of spirit," He says heading back to the church to join the ceremony.

Pandora steps around the corner to the Einherjar's corridor and bumps against a strong chest and nearly falls. She looks up seeing a tall man with a messy bun of sand-colored hair, a tight tank-top and cloth scarf and an eye-patch, sucking on a lollipop. "Oh there ya are. Just the girl I was lookin' for,"

Pandora gasps in shock. "Y-you're… THE BUDDHA!?"