Written by: Epicstu Wyyvernwriter

“Foolish Fennec,” Zesrial argued with Edward. “You should be training for your impossible task, not watching my next round.”

“Ye of little faith,” Edward smiled at Zesrial in response.

“Give me your short-sword,” Zesrial sighed, “so that I might at least show you what you are up against.”

Edward did as Zesrial asked, “I hear they also wield shields,” Edward still held his short-sword’s blade tight, drawing his own blood, to show her that he could be cut and smiled. “I insist you borrow one for the round.”

Zesrial became angered, but did not show it and smiled back. “As you wish,” then, on a bolt of her Lightning, she left for the battlefield.

*          *

“The crowd is really getting into this new round as they cheer and scream down to the eight combatants on the field of battle here in New Valhalla,” Woodsmann announced.

“And I am just glad to see the Living alive again,” Mercedes added. “Though I really wish you’d tell me what had happened.”

“We don’t want to talk about it,” Woodsmann replied. “Moving on! We have a $V$? And a freaking monkey running the damn prompter. Capslock, dude. Much better. It is a 4V4 elimination style round with one added feature.”

“Each team has been placed at opposite ends of the open center field backed by there own army of tens of thousands of Nekolich Resurrects,” said Mercedes.

“The Knights’ army glows a brilliant purple like Zesrial’s Lightning,” announced Woodsmann.

“And the Gods’ army glows a deep blue like Thor’s Thunder,” Mercedes announced. “Why don’t you reveal our combatants for the audience and explain the round, Woods, old buddy, old pal,” he had missed his partner’s wacky antics.

“Each of our main eight combatants have a single life to keep as each team tries to wipe the other out in this no bars held battle royal,” Woodsmann began. “Fighting for the Knights we have the following badasses;” he cleared his throat, “Using her pitch black feathered wings as rather Spartanesk armor and wielding Edward’s short-sword and Leonidas’s shield. Zesrial, the Goddess Underrealm. Heaven! Leads the charge!” The crowd cheered in response. “Fighting by her side with unparalleled faith and devotion toward Edward Dimir, the original Iron Ram, Warpriestess Sarah Iron!” the crowd roared for the legendary Fennec as Woodsmann continued reading off the roster. “Our next combatant for the Knights has unfinished business with the Goddess Morgana. Wielding a Wyyvern ax called Holy and a Wyyvern blade called Corrupt; Risen and Fallen, the Wyyvern Knight of Good and Evil, two minds, one singular person.” The Crowd cheered for the perfect balance found in him. “Lastly, but certainly not least, the unknown. Wearing the Wyyvern Plate Armor called Birtha; the mysterious and indestructible Wyyvern Knight of Law and Order!” The Crowd cheered loudly for the one who could hide him or herself from New Valhalla’s scanners and remain unknown to all accept Edward Dimir who had elected t keep the identity a secret until revealed otherwise. “Yes, yes. Quite the roster of Knights. Mercedes tell these fine folks who they are up against this round.”

“Fighting for the Gods and Goddesses of New Valhalla,” Mercedes began. “We have the following ancient and restless legends; Wielding his new and aptly named Hammer, Cumulonimbus; Thor! the original God of Thunder.” Thor stroked his legendary ginger beard as the crowd screamed his name with excitement. “Hoping to have Sarah Iron for his own as a reward for winning the round; it’s the smith of the Gods, Hephaestus!” the legendary Smith got a good cheer from the crowd as well for having helped design New Valhalla itself from the ground up. “Fighting alongside his brother most ironically; the mischievous wielder of Alexandra and her new Wyyvern God of Vampirism, Loki!” Sarah and Loki stared at each other from across the center field with the intent to cross blades as the crowds cheered for the ancient God of Mischief and Chaos. “And finally, here to prove that balance has a dark side. Wielding the Wyyvern ring-blades Luna and Solara, the Warrior Goddess and healer; Morgana, Wyyvern Goddess of Darkness and Light.” The crowd roared with excitement as Morgana smirked at Risen and Fallen who had a more than unfriendly look to give her.

“Let the Round!” Woodsmann shouted.

“Begin!!!” Mercedes and Woodsmann cried out in unison as the two armies of Nekolich Resurrects charged each other led by there respective Teams.

Edward observed Zesrial in order to learn all he could about how a Spartan fights, but kept his primary focus on Sarah and Loki having noticed how well they seemed to get along. He could tell Sarah preferred Thor for his physique but could hear a prayer from Loki to him requesting his blessing for her, “that is her decision, not mine. Prove yourself to her,” he answered.

“It looks like Thor and Sarah are the first to meet on the field of battle,” Woodsmann announced.

“It is worth noting that if Sarah sends Thor to the Meadhall the Gods’ army of Nekolich Resurrects will fizzle into nothingness as he goes and they will be without an army,” Mercedes added.

“The same happens to the Knight’s army if Zesrial is sent to the Meadhall,” said Woodsmann.

With a thunderous clap Sarah’s “Iron! Ram!” was countered by Thor’s hammer. “You know the only reason I can’t shatter it is due to the fact that it technically isn’t a solid, right?”

Thor scoffed irritatedly at her, for he saw her only as a beast to be slain, “that would be the point.”

Sarah grinned at Thor, for she knew not what he thought of her, “sort of a blunt point if you ask me,” she jested. The two clashed with thunderous might, Sarah’s head meeting with Cumulonimbus’s in rapid succession.

Meanwhile, Zesrial found Alexandra’s blade meeting with her own, “I don’t get you,” she said to him.

“Whatever do you mean, my Kingdom,” Loki replied as the two fought with equal skill and finesse.

“That’s just it,” Zesrial replied. “You never belonged to me in Life, yet here in your Undeath, I own you. Your powers of mischief preventing me from understanding why. What? Are you suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to do good?”

“Do you know my brother?” Loki asked in response.

Zesrial thought and thought, but, “no. What is your game, trickster?” Loki had already disappeared before she had finished thinking. Then she heard the thunderous claps and continuous Iron Ram war cries. “Sarah,” she rushed to their duel. If Sarah were to be removed from the round so early their chances of winning would dwindle to nothingness.

“No game, I assure you,” Loki replied as he waited for Sarah to be alone.

*          *

In center field, backed by their respective Nekolich Resurrects, Risen and Fallen clashed with Morgana in a furious battle for control over the balance of this round. Taking on each other’s armies at the same time with unmatched strategic warfare. Suddenly center field became dark causing Risen and Fallen to lose track of Morgana. Then a flash of light blinded him, yet he still parried Morgana’s surprise attack, “luck has your back I see,” Morgana scoffed.

“Luck is not part of the equation,” Risen and Fallen replied. “Holy, Corrupt, and I are as one. They see for me.”

Morgana was beginning to have fun, not in a sadistic way. She felt general happiness being near him, “What is your story? One with two minds. I am intrigued by your resolve.”

“I was born into the Nekolich’s second Multiverse as an attempt to solidify balance between Good and Evil, that both may fight as one against the Devour of Life when called upon,” Risen and Fallen replied. “The original wielders of Luna and Solara are my kin, and you will give them back their Wyyvern weapons.”

“Defeat me and I shall,” Morgana replied. “If I win, however, you will be mine and mine alone. Deal?”

“For Theresa and Morbida!” he shouted in acceptance of the challenge.

“For the love of Balance,” Morgana replied with a genuine smile.

*          *

Breathing heavily, “you’re fun. We should get a drink after this round,” Sarah suggested.

Thor uppercutted Sarah, sending her to the ground on her ass. With his Thunder he disarming her of her weapons, “worthless, smutty, infantile beast of burden,” Thor said unto her, “I would not waste myself on your filthy hide.” Sarah’s eyes grew wide upon the realization that he hated her like a Man hates an insect. “You are Vermin, and unworthy of Life. When we win this tournament we shall irradicate you and all else that is. Then I shall create a new Multiverse under our rule and all will be set right again.” Tears slid down Sarah’s beige fur as her ears fell back and she trembled at his insults. She had fallen for him, but he was a monster who hated her very existence. She bowed her head in acceptance of her defeat. Thor scoffed in response and laughed at her emotions, “you amuse me. Perhaps I shall keep you to be my pet, mutt. Ah!”

“Leonidas’s spear, thrown by Zesrial, on a bolt of her Lightning has struck Thor’s shoulder!” Ladies and gentlemen, at long last this is the fight we have been waiting for!” The audience cheered for Zesrial’s intercept as she stood between Sarah and Thor glaring at Thor with righteous anger.

“Heaven!” Thor said enthusiastically as he pulled the spear from his shoulder and threw it to the ground.

“I tell you the truth,” Zesrial said unto Thor with sincerity, “I know not who you are.”

Sarah suddenly found herself in a building of sorts with no furniture and three levels to it. “Why do you weep, my Fox,” said a man’s voice.

“I am a Fennec! There is a difference,” she replied, still angry from Thor’s words to her. “And I am no man’s Woman,” she wiped the tears from her eyes and searched for the speaker.

“I’m not hiding,” Loki said as he revealed himself to her. He could see the pain in her eyes. “What did my brother say to you?” Sarah just glared at him with rage. “I am not my brother,” he said to her, yet she growled at him viciously. “Oh my Lady, I am so sorry.”

“Save your false tears, trickster God,” Sarah snapped bearing her teeth at him.

“Let it all out,” replied Loki as he dropped his weapon. “I seek only to take your pain from you.”

“AH!” Sarah screamed at him in her pain as she dropped her weapons and began wailing on Loki with her bare fists. Loki took the beating as Sarah gave it, because to him no pain could be worse than seeing her suffer so.

*          *

The Wyyvern Knight of Law and Order crushed Hephaestus’s skull in his gauntleted hand after an epic battle between the legendary blacksmith and the ultimately forged armor. Then he began walking casually towards the center field where he knew he had been needed.

*          *

“He called me Vermin! A beast of burden! A waste of filthy hide!” Sarah screamed at Loki as she choked him in one paw-like hand.

“I don’t think so,” Loki struggled to say.

Sarah let him go, “what?” confused by his sincerity. As Edward’s Warpriestess she could not be deceived by a lie. “That was not a lie?”

“No,” Loki caught his breath and rubbed his now very sore throat. “I did not lie. I think that you are very beautif…” he was interrupted by the back of Sarah’s hand impacting his face. With her six-inch retractable claws sheathed, their sharp pointy tips faced upward from the back of her wrist and Loki took them with full force. “I think you are very…” again she stopped him from finishing. “Beautiful,” he looked at her with a genuine smile on his bloodied face. “I am truly sorry for my brother’s words. I can never take them back…” Sarah grabbed him by the neck again as she adjusted her hood’s headbutt suppressor and headbutted him with just enough force to stun him. “I…” again she headbutted him. “Am… “ and again. “Yours…”

“Iron!” she reared back and turned her headbutt suppressor off again. Loki closed his eyes to show that he accepted whatever fate she chose for him, but she never said ram. She dropped him and stumbled back in the disbelief that this was the truth he spoke. “You! You can’t just! I am not yours!”

“I never said you were,” Loki replied as he stood back up slowly and offered her a helping hand. Sarah dismissed it and let herself up. “I understand you Fennec Foxes of the Northlands have a tradition. I would like to challenge you for my right to serve you. I want for nothing except to be yours.”

Sarah did not know what to do, his brother had scarred her emotionally. Loki was not his brother, however. His words were honest, and his actions were honorable, this was not the God of Mischief she had been told about. “Your weapon, pick her up,” she demanded and then she did the same. She was still unsure if she wanted this, but she was beginning to warm up to the idea of him. “Show me what you can do, Mischief.” Loki smiled, just being near her brought him tremendous joy.

*          *

“In an odd turn of events, Morgana has tapped out of the round and sent herself to the Meadhall after having sent Risen and Fallen there first,” Woodsmann announced.

“With Hephaestus defeated that leaves only Thor and Loki fighting for the Gods and Goddesses of New Valhalla against Zesrial, Sarah, and the still unknown Wyyvern Knight of Law and Order,” Mercedes added.

“Holy shit!” Woodsman shouted excitedly. “Thor has just sent Zesrial to the Meadhall screaming with a blood eagle done by Edward’s own short-sword. Edward does not look happy about that at all.”

“You can feel his rage in the very air around us,” Mercedes annoucned.

“Remind me never to piss him off,” Woodsmann shuttered at Edward’s glare towards Thor.

“This has flipped the table completely,” Mercedes began, “as with Zesrial’s defeat, the Nekolich Resurrects backing the Knights go with her. Now it is Thor, Loki, and an entire army of Stus Versus Sarah and the Wyyvern Knight of Law and Order with no army to back them up.”

“It looks like the round will go to the Gods unless the Knights can pull a miracle,” Woodsmann announced.

“Hahaha!” Thor laughed proudly at his victory as Edward could not help but bear his teeth at what Thor had done.

*          *

Sarah’s blade in Loki’s chest and his sword in hers, the two laughed at their draw. Then Loki fizzled and Alexandra flew towards center field. Sarah limped after her wondering where she was going. “Why didn’t she go to the Meadhall with him?” Alexandra flew to the Wyyvern Knight of Law and Order’s right hand as his faceplate dismantled itself revealing it had been Loki all along. He smiled at Sarah, “go get us each a drink. I’ll end this.”

Sarah laughed and let herself fall to the Meadhall, “show off.”

“In an unforeseen turn around via a loophole in New Valhalla’s round and roster system,” Woodsmann announced with relief and excitement. “Loki has officially switched to the Knight’s roster.”

“You heard right folks,” Mercedes explained. “By being both the Wyyvern God of Vampirism and the Wyyvern Knight of Law and Order he was already, officially, on both rosters. The Loki that was on the God’s roster has been defeated in the round and has handed Alexandra, Wyyvern Bastard Sword of Vampirism, over to the Loki on the Knight’s roster. This means that the Loki on the God’s roster is out of the tournament and only the Loki on the Knight’s roster remains and has become, officially, the Wyyvern Knight of Law, Order, and Vampirism.”

“Wow that’s a lot to take in,” Woodsmann replied. “Long story short, this round is now Loki for the Knights Versus Thor for the Gods.”

“Traitor!” Thor’s Thunder roared with his anger toward’s his brother’s betrayal.

Loki stood facing Thor and his army alone holding Alexandra, pummel out, by the end of her blade in his gauntleted hand, “it is over, brother. Surrender now.”

“Demand’s you and what army?!” Thor replied thunderously. Then Loki multiplied himself, Birtha, and Alexandra ten thousand times fold matching Thor’s army.

“Great, I forgot you could do that,” Thor rolled his eyes and charged, “For New Valhallian Rule!”

Loki sighed at his brother’s relentlessness and charged, “For Honor!”

“I could not have imagined a more epic fight between these two,” Woodsmann shouted. “Never before has Loki had the means to take his brother Thor on successfully, but now it is Thor who has become outmatched as Birtha makes Loki untouchable while Alexandra makes him faster and more agile than ever.”

“You would choose that mutt over your own kin?” Thor struggled to say with Loki’s gauntleted hand crushing his neck.

Loki put the section of Alexandra’s blade closest to her guard to Thor’s throat as Birtha’s faceplate dismantled to reveal Loki’s disappointed expression towards his brother. “She is a purebred Fennec Fox of the Northlands, and I love her.” With that, he cut off Thor’s head claiming the round in the name of the Wyyvern Knights.

Thor found himself not in the Meadhall but held by his throat just outside New Valhalla. “Edward? Ha! What can you do to me? I am already dead.”

Edward smiled and then scowled at Thor angrily, “didn’t you ever wonder what happened to Atlas?” as he asked the question Thor could hear a chuckle as Basilisk, the Living God who devours the Dead, smiled with rows of teeth that had no end in either direction.

“Wait? We can talk this out,” Thor suggested. “It’s just a tournament after all, right?” Edward simply left him to Basilisk in response returning to New Valhalla to tend to Zesrial, whom he loved.

“Wait? We could work together,” Thor attempted to appeal to Basilisk, but Basilisk was hungry. “No! No! NOOO!!!”

* *

The Audience cheered loudly at the Knight’s victory shouting, “Loki! Loki! Loki!” as the new King of New Valhalla ignored his thrown, returning to the Meadhall for a drink with Sarah Iron.