Chapter 40
Comes crashing down
"Well, well everybody!" Heimdall cried as everyone once again gathered inside the Valhalla arena, "Looks like we've reached the fifth round of Ragnarok no.2, with both sides once again sitting at two points each! Hence, we turn to this match, to see whether it will be the gods or humanity to win this tiebreaker! So, without further ado, allow me to first introduce Heaven's representative!"
At that moment, a choir of angels all dressed in cassock and surplice, emerged from the golden gates that covered the godly entrance to the arena grounds. Floating gracefully upwards, they held their hands together in prayer and their mouths opening, as they let forth their melodic voices. Singing the praises of the mighty archangels and their everlasting love and mercy, in perfect sync and Latin.
"M-my goodness…" a few human priests whimpered as Heimdall began the introduction, clutching their holy books and crosses close to their chest, "It can't be… oh, it is! Praise be! Praise be! One of the great Archangels themselves has graced our presence!"
"Humans! Do you hear the choir of the bells chime? You sure do, because HE is here! Every thousand years the gods call for mankind's destruction, but almost ALWAYS, he and his comrades are there every step of the way to ensure that does not happen! Without thanks and without being asked, it has always been the archangels! Who have made it their life-mission to safeguard and guide mankind, even to the bitter end!"
Raphael soared through the gates, bathed in the light of the arena as he joined the angelic choir, wearing simple blue pauldrons with a golden trim, and gauntlets of the same color, over his red and white tunic. Floating in midair, the archangel nervously waved with a modest smile, as his entrance was met with holy men falling to their knees to grovel in reverence, and an awestruck human audience cheering for him despite being on the opposing side.
"From the Angelic Herald, Gabriel, the Divine Truth, Uriel. And leader of them all, Archistrategos Michael! They have all defied Heaven's will countless times in mankind's favor! So why is it that one of their ranks now fights for humanity's destruction? It is but a testament to the fact that even the archangel's love and determination must kneel to the unyielding might of the sun!"
From his seat at the God's VIP section, Ra smirked hearing Heimdall's words, a servant set down a glass of wine for him to drink as he watched the match with leisure. With him, Amaterasu and Huitzilopochtli leaned on the railing of the balcony, intently watching the events unfolding.
"So here he now stands, the Holy Nurse of the angels! Armed with his Demon-Cleansing Blade and Heavenly Fire, the task of delivering Heaven's judgment has fallen on his hands! It's…"
"RAPHAEL!"
Representative of the Gods for Round 5
Raphael (Hebrew)
More cheers erupted from the crowd as Raphael descended to the ground, gently landing on his feet and tucking his wings behind his back. Meanwhile, the rest of the archangel siblings gathered together at the highest row of the god's stands, observing their brother's match over the heads of the godly crowd below.
"My, it is quite difficult to see our brother from here..." Gabriel murmured, fidgeting her stone tablet nervously, "Where did I put my glasses? I could really use them right about now."
Next to her, Uriel helpfully produced a pair of glasses from behind his back, handing it over to his sister without a single word said as usual. And as for Michael, the Archistrategos leaned against a pillar, looking down at Raphael with a slight smile.
"See Raphael? Even though it is so clearly stated that you are fighting for the gods, humanity still roars their approval. Now win, prove to the arrogant gods that we archangels are not just tenacious with our words, but in the art of battle as well. Show them we are not to be trifled with!"
…
"So it really seems Brother Raphael isn't defecting to our side," Göll sighed miserably, witnessing the Holy Nurse's entrance and introduction into the arena.
"I don't get it…" Pandora grumbled by her side, "Raphael's fighting for the gods, so why is humanity still cheering for him?"
"It is but a testament to the multitude of aid and goodwill Lord Raphael and his siblings have bestowed upon them, dear Pandora." Answered Joan, who had chosen to spectate her mentor's match from the Human's VIP section. "Mankind is not so easily fooled by the threats of the cruel sun, isn't that right, Lord Prometheus?"
Prometheus didn't respond, merely keeping his stoic gaze fixed solely on the battlefield, not daring to look at any of his companions face to face. Joan, Göll and Pandora all exchanged nervous glances at the odd tension from the usually calm and methodical Titan.
"Prometheus…" Joan asked, feeling slightly nervous, "just who did you send against Lord Raphael?"
But before Prometheus could say anything, Heimdall began his introduction for humanity's representative. "And now, the human who is to go against the noble archangel! In the land of Folkvangr, so graciously gifted to the mortal souls who dwell in the Heavens by the gods, many legendary figures from humanity's history have forged new lives and legacies! The Champion, Muhammad Ali, has continued on his impressive boxing record, and talented composers like Ludwig Beethoven, have birthed many more masterpieces that awes even the ears of gods! However, out of all these notable figures from history, THIS MAN! Has instead chosen an afterlife of labor and obscurity!"
As the Watchman of the Apocalypse said this, a large crowd of Egyptian men gathered in the front row closest to their representative's entrance into the arena. Each of them carried a large drum slung across their shoulder, beating them rhythmically as they began to loudly chant. But the chosen words echoing across the battlefield, soon unnerved individuals on both sides, for they were the names… of gods.
"By the power of Ra… Mut... Nut... Khnum... Ptah… Nephthys... Nekhbet... Sobek... Sekhmet… Sokar... Selket... Reshpu... Wadjet… Anubis... Anukis… Shesmu... Meshkent… Hemsut... Tefnut… Heket... Mafdet… Ra! Mut! Nut! Ptah! Hemsut! Tefnut! Sokar! Selket! Shesmu! Reshpu! Sobek! Wadjet! Heket! Mafdet! Nephthys! Nekhbet! RA!"
"Are those humans…" Amaterasu exclaimed, confused. "Invoking the names of the Duat Gods? Before a fight against the Heavens?!" Raphael and the surrounding gods and humans reacted in similar puzzlement as the Shinto Goddess. On the flip side. However, Ra let out a sharp laugh of amusement, hearing the names of his pantheon's members and his own grow louder by the second. Meanwhile, Michael's eyes twitched as he looked at the Human VIP section. The archangel's handsome features were mired with disapproval as he slowly shook his head in disbelief, "No, no, not him… Prometheus, you didn't…"
"But do not be so quick to dismiss this man's reputation as inferior. For alongside the likes of Tutankhamun and Cleopatra VII, his name is first to come to mind when you think of the word, PHARAOH! For he is one of, IF NOT! The greatest! Most powerful! Most celebrated! warrior pharaohs of ALL! For 66 long years he reigned! Monuments, statues and construction projects, many of which still stand today in Egypt, built in HIS honor! He is the Bull of Power! The Lover of Justice! The Defender of Egypt! Kneel to the strongest pharaoh of all…"
"RAMSES II!"
Representative of Humanity for Round 5
Ramses II (Egypt)
From out of the tunnelway, the illustrious pharaoh himself emerged, now no longer dressed in the dirty garbs of a laborer. Instead, Ramses now wore a chest piece and arm harness for his right side, over a simple cloth wrap of white and auburn yellow. An asymmetrical skirt with large hanging tassels covered his leather pants, boots and the engraved armored gauntlets on both hands.
Mankind had a mixed reaction towards their fifth fighter. Cheers of support of course, for he was one of their representatives. But there were also whispers of confusion and even jeers, for the strange and controversial performance they had just witnessed.
"Lord Prometheus, what on earth is your fighter doing?" Joan questioned, a slight tinge of anger in her voice. A sentiment shared as well by Göll and Pandora.
"Yeah!" The Valkyrie piped up, "Having his men invoke the names of the Egyptian Gods before a match? What's Ramses trying to say?"
"Do not mistake this display for reverence to the Egyptian Gods." Prometheus answered grimly, "These are men who would rather be ignored and mocked by the gods of their faith, than accept the salvation and aid the archangels promise to humanity."
…
"A lovely show you have put on." Raphael said to his opponent with a polite smile, but the pharaoh offered in response a piercing glare, as they stood face to face in the center of the arena. "But I fear your prayers fall on deaf ears. Ra does not care for your worship; he only wishes to see you and your fellow man dead."
"And I suppose praying to you and your pantheon would be the better choice then?" Ramses responded in a spiteful tone, making a good chunk of the audience gasp as Raphael blinked, surprised at the pharaoh's hostility.
"Now that both our fighters have been introduced!" Heimdall announced, breaking the tension in the air as his energetic words quickly had the crowd all riled up for the soon-to-start match, "Round 5 of Ragnarok can now… BEGIN!"
Immediately Ramses charged, drawing from his side a curved khopesh that glinted with a harsh light. Swinging it Raphael who responded by blocked it with his gauntlet covered arm, forcing his opponent backwards, though not in a rough manner. As well as taking the opportunity to fly backwards with a beat of his wings, landing right next to a confused Heimdall.
"Apologies Heimdall, but would you be so kind as to allow me to interrupt for a moment? There is something I would like to say to everyone."
Murmurs of confusion swept through the crowd as Raphael borrowed the Watchman of the Apocalypse's Gjallarhorn from him and turned towards the rows of silent spectators, all of them waiting to see what the archangel would say next with bated breath. Scanning through the crowds of people brimming with anticipation, Raphael took a deep breath, steeling his nerves as he prepared to speak the words, he had on repeat in his head the moment he had stepped into the arena.
Raphael raised his head high, his voice filled with passionate defiance as he addressed the assembled gods and humans. "Good people of mankind, my siblings and I have always cherished our role as your guardians, defending your right to exist and guiding the virtuous to Folkvangr. It pains me deeply that we now stand against you, under the threats of those we once challenged for your survival." His eyes locked onto the gods' VIP section, his finger pointing towards Ra with renewed determination. "But no more! I cannot let Ra wage this meaningless war any longer. Gods of the various pantheons, despite our past animosities, I urge you to see the truth—this tyrant defies the council's choice for peace, even willing to sacrifice his own. Are we to let him dictate Heaven's purpose? I refuse. Thus, for the fifth match of Ragnarok… I wish to forfeit."
Immediately Raphael was met with an explosion of cheers from the human side of the arena. Followers of the archangels loudly sang their praise, and even those who didn't found themselves pumping their hands in the air enthusiastically, unable to believe their good fortune. The gods, meanwhile, rolled their eyes, unsurprised. But a few of them still politely applauded the archangel's bravery too.
"I knew it," Joan grinned as she hugged an ecstatic Pandora, "I KNEW Lord Raphael would not so easily turn his back on us!"
"This is FANTASTIC!" Göll squealed, "We win the fifth round… and Brother Raphael doesn't have to die! It's almost too good to be true!"
"And It is, Ra will never approve of it." Prometheus said, his normal confident and reassuring tone replaced with an uncertain and almost cynical one, as if he were trying to convince himself that the Sun God would indeed not accept his fighter throwing in the towel.
The crowd soon fell silent, as the aforementioned Sun God now stood menacingly atop his balcony, looking down upon them all like a hawk ready to descend upon its prey. The entire arena held its breath, fearing the fiery wrath Ra might bring down upon them. All while Raphael kept a sturdy look of defiance, never once faltering under the scorching gaze of the sun.
Behind the unmoving Egyptian God, Amaterasu and Huitzilopochtli slowly backed away into the God's VIP section, just as terrified as the spectator's below them as aura waves of immense heat began to emanate from Ra. Being Sun Gods themselves, they could withstand the intense temperatures, but they still found their clothes and armor stained by sweat as they all awaited Ra's inevitable retaliation upon the defiant archangel. The Sun God slowly raised his hands, fingers curling as embers of flames sparked between them, before…
Ra shrugged his shoulders, an unconcerned look across his face. "Very well, do as you wish then, Raphael. Though remember, the updated rules of Ragnarok require both representatives of a round to consent to a fighter's surrender before it is considered valid."
"HAAAAAAAH?!" Raphael's eyes widened in surprise as the entire audience were left speechless at what had just occurred. Unbelievable as it was, it seemed like the Holy Nurse's rebellion had actually paid off!
"Well then… I presume that you should have no issue with this arrangement, Pharaoh Ramses?" Raphael said, a grin on his face as he turned back towards Ramses. But the only answer he found was the cold sting of Divine Steel.
"SCHLIK!"
The cheers of the stands immediately died down, plunging the arena back into silence. Had Raphael not been fast enough, he would have sustained much worse than a gash on his cheek. The Holy Nurse stumbled backwards, wiping the blood from his face as he looked up at Ramses who had just inflicted the wound upon him with a flick of his blade in shock.
"Pharaoh Ramses, I think you have misunderstood my intentions." Raphael said, attempting to still be diplomatic despite his opponent's seemingly unprovoked aggression. "I am in no way trying to insult your pride nor your honor with my surrender, I am merely trying to ensure humanity wins this tournament with no lives pointlessly lost."
"And you misunderstand MY intentions," Ramses replied dryly, wiping the blood off his khopesh on the back of his hand, as he gazed at the archangel in contempt. "I reject your surrender, for I am not here to fight nor am I here to win. I am here to put an end to your life and LIES."
…
"What… just happened?" Huitzilopochtli asked as he and Amaterasu looked at the scene down below, completely befuddled. "Lord Ra… D-did you, PLAN for this? How could you have possibly known that Raphael would try something like this, and how his human opponent would respond in turn?!"
Ra chuckled darkly, making his way back to his throne and settling down with a self-satisfied grin. "Critical thinking, my daft little Aztec friend. Even under the threat of destruction, Raphael is too selfless to fight his beloved humans, so rather than trying to prevent his surrender… I thought, why not let humanity do it themselves? Prometheus is under the assumption that I have the archangels under my thumb, he thinks Raphael has no choice but to fight. When in reality, it is now his OWN representative who forces the Holy Nurse's hand!"
"Very ingenious, Lord Ra." Amaterasu said, both amazed and unnerved by her boss's devious wits, "But pray tell, what is stopping Raphael from simply fleeing from battle?"
"Fret not, Amaterasu," Ra replied with a cackle, "let's just say that this human and the archangels have an incredibly messy history. Even though Raphael doesn't remember now… Ramses certainly does, and he will NOT be allowing him to so easily escape. Yet another piece of the puzzle falling into place, courtesy of our foe, Prometheus."
Turning his attention down at where Humanity's defenders stood. Ra saw Göll, Joan and Pandora looking absolutely horrified, they had been so close to victory, only for it to be snatched away by their own fighter?! But Ra had his gaze focused solely on Prometheus, slumped against a wall, hands on his head in despair as he too slowly realized the Sun God's trap… and how he had sprung it perfectly.
"Loosen the leash and let the mutts run wild, for the harsh reality is a far better subjugation than even the thinnest of whips." Ra muttered with a smirk, "Now Prometheus, I believe the human expression is that... the ball is in your court… so best pray that you don't fuck up like you always do."