Bajiquan. Translated to English roughly means Eight Extremities Fist and to Japanese as Hakkyokuken, it is one of the many martial arts that exist within the pool of pop culture. Kung-fu films, video games, comics, and novels all feature it, and over time, it has become iconic. You cannot find a fighting game or TV series that lacks it or does not at least feature its 'iconic' moves, such as Iron Mountain Lean, better known as Tie Shan Kao or Tetsuzankou. Why? Simple: it is brutal, efficient, pragmatic, and its iconic legacy is built around a lineage of killers who cut through the theatrics, hucksters, and romanticism that often plagues martial arts. It is the ego-killer; no flashy moves, no wind-up, no yelling.
Among these ego-killers was Li Shuwen. Known as the God of the Spear Li, he is one of, if not the one, the many names that comes to mind when Bajiquan is discussed. So connected are Li and Baji that one cannot be uttered without the other in the same breath, sometimes. However, perhaps Li would not have learned Bajiquan, and would not have had the opportunity to learn it, were it not for one Hui Muslim named Wu Zhong.
In the eighteenth century, Wu Zhong made a name for himself after learning from two figures lost to myth: Lai and Pi. No one can truly prove these two masters existed yet many believe they did, but unlike Wu's mythical teachers, no one would believe one of Wu's students was a God.
Mengcun
Hebei Province
1790
In one of the many villages throughout Mengcun, in one simple stone-walled home, in one empty room, an elderly Wu Zhong, in a gray changshan and white pants, bowed and prayed in silence atop his prayer rug. The colors had faded from a once-vibrant and personal piece of fabric, and a few spots on it were more worn than others, but to him, it was priceless and had served its purpose for sixty years without fail. Outside that small room was Týr leaning against a wall in silence, his eyes closed. He lacked his purple body paint and wore black pants cropped at the middle of his shins and a white sleeveless shirt, his golden mechanical arm sticking out against his subdued attire. Týr's eyes opened, and he stood up when he heard some movement in the other room. Wu Zhong walked out, eyeing Týr before letting an irritated look cross his face. "Here for another lesson, Týr?" He asked. "I thought you left yesterday."
Týr bowed while cupping his right fist in his left. "No, Wu-Laoshi," He answered, Wu's gaze slightly widening in response. "I realized I failed to show proper homage to you for these past few years, and wished to demonstrate for you."
Wu shook his head. "Týr, you're too formal. Quit the pleasantries."
Týr snickered a little as he stood back up. "Can't help it! I know it gets under your skin!" He said, winking.
Wu massaged his forehead with his right hand. Allah, why do you send me the weird ones? "Get on with it then."
"Not here, Wu-Laoshi."
"Then where?"
Týr snapped his metallic fingers, and a rainbow-hued portal opened next to him. "Here. Please come with me."
"Are we going to be gone long?" Wu asked, his irritation starting to show a hint of interest.
"Not at all." Týr gestured to Wu to walk through first, who rolled his eyes. He shuffled over to the gate and passed through, and found himself in the middle of a plateau surrounded on all sides by large boulders. The plateau's edge was several meters away, but Wu felt an immediate sense of discomfort. Týr walked through behind him and stood still.
"Where the hell are we?! Did you kidnap me?!" Wu turned to face him, glaring.
"…No?" Týr walked over to one of the boulders. "We're in the Huangshan Mountains. I come here to train by myself and out of the public eye per your orders."
"I didn't say teleport nearly 1,800 li, you nut! You could've done it in a house or something!" Týr laughed. "What's so damn funny?!"
"Not you! I just keep forgetting I tend to overdo things!" Týr breathed deeply and regained his composure. "But that's why I'm here. That's why I sought you out amongst the thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of martial artists here. I needed someone who could help me stop that."
"Then I failed you." He said deadpan.
"Ha! Maybe." Týr slowly entered Ding Bu Zhuang, his right side facing towards the boulder. "But, I want to show you where you succeeded." Týr breathed slowly and stepped his left foot forward while extending his fist out in a vertical punch. His fist collided with the boulder just as he stomped. The boulder exploded as his fist pierced through.
Wu's eyes widened. Allah, know I see why. He thought.
Týr turned around to face him. "Do you approve?" A murderous aura slammed into Týr as he met his teacher's gaze. Wu grew a nasty smile and had already entered Ding Bu Zhuang. "…Laoshi?"
The aura vanished, and Wu left his stance. "Damn it, why couldn't I have met you decades ago?" He shook his head and fanned out his left hand. "I do approve, Týr, but fate is cruel." Týr tilted his head in confusion. "I have spent most of my life training, teaching, and fighting ever since my fateful meeting with my teachers. Honestly, it was a nice life, but it always felt empty." He looked out towards the mountain range jutting up to the blue sky. "Týr, have you ever had a single, world-changing moment that forever set the course of your life?"
Týr looked down at his right arm, then gently touched the scar over his right eye. "I have, and I barely survived it. Were it not for my brothers, my ego would have killed me." His sullen expression made Wu a bit concerned. "I am not talented or powerful like my brothers. I just wanted to be useful to them. To be seen as a peer."
"And that's what it cost you."
Týr nodded. "It did, but thanks to my brother's words, I don't look at that moment in shame anymore. It was the moment I realized I needed to let go of my ego. It was the moment I realized I was poisoned by it."
"How so?"
"Wu-Laoshi, may I be blunt?"
"If you intend to mock my faith or art, I will say no."
"Neither of those, though I do wonder how you keep your faith knowing I am a God. Anyways, it's about this land."
"Really now?"
"This world is fueled by ego. That very same ego that made me nearly kill myself. Bajiquan and all other Martial Arts are poisoned by that ego." Týr scowled, and Wu could feel the burning fury. "My home is too, and it makes me want to vomit."
Wu's gaze sharpened. "That ego you demonize is necessary, sometimes." His tone hardened. "I can't speak for these other places or your home, but ego is what kept me alive and keeps Bajiquan alive."
"Yes, and that very same ego in excess turns Martial Artists into thugs, the powerful into tyrants, and the talented and lucky into slobs. That excess ego robbed creation of peace and birthed a might-makes-right world that infuriates me. That turned me reckless and self-hating. That made people deaf to my pleas for my friend's innocence." His aura exploded out of his body. "I intend to break that world and prove right makes might."
Wu sighed. Maybe it's a good thing I didn't meet you when I was younger. I was one of those thugs, too, and seeing you now, I have no doubt you'd destroy me. "Týr."
Týr's aura subsided. "Yes, Laoshi?"
"I'm not saying you're wrong, but remember: ego is necessary to an extent. You still have it, and must have it if you want to make that world you desperately crave. But, if you do not want to end up like those 'thugs' or 'tyrants,' you must remember why you do it and never let go of it. Be humble, not self-deprecating. Confident, but not prideful. If those are in balance, you will make your ego work for you and become a lynchpin, not a burden to weigh yourself down."
Týr stood silently, absorbing Wu's words. He closed his eyes and nodded. Smiling, he bowed. "Seems I did need one more lesson from you. Thank you, Wu-Laoshi."
"By Allah, knock that crap off!" Wu yelled. Another gate opened, and the two walked through while Týr still snickered at his teacher's frustration.
Jörð Arena
The Ring
Alvitr, hold me together. Li thought.
What? Why?! She yelled back in his head.
This…is about to get interesting. "Wu-Laoshi, you say?" Li said, his tone subdued despite his muscles twitching. "I must say, had you not struck me the way you did, I would deem you a liar." Li's aura began to flow out. "But…" Týr's eyes widened. "I have found a peer. One lacking sanctimony, one lacking the obnoxious window dressing." Sweat formed on Týr's brow. "What can I be other than ecstatic!" Li jumped back towards the edge of the platform and stomped down both feet. The shockwave surged through the platform, lifting it high off the ground mid-cruise. Li quickly hooked his right foot under the edge and stomped with his left once more. Týr felt the platform tip out from under his feet and slam into his left shoulder. Thinking fast, he gripped the platform's raised base with his left hand, his fingers digging through the fortified wood.
The platform landed clean on its thick side, like a flipped coin refusing to fall over. The ball wheels at the bottom of the platform's legs continued to whir and roll. Týr looked over at Li, who was holding onto the platform edge by pinching it with feet and knees.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Týr yelled, keeping his grip on the platform. The blades below had yet to pop up.
"Simple," Li answered. "You know Bajiquan. I know Bajiquan! But I know something you don't."
"Well, that's great!" Týr said sarcastically. "Is it flipping tables?!"
"Smart-ass!" Li smiled. "It's where Bajiquan truly shines!" Li shifted his weight down, and the platform started rolling. Moving quickly, he climbed up just as Týr began rolling upwards. Týr pulled himself up and kipped onto the rolling edge, gripping it with both hands and lifting himself. The moment he landed on his feet, Týr ducked and rolled back as Li's right vertical punch nearly slammed into his face. Týr got to his feet just in time to parry a left vertical aimed at his solar plexus with his right elbow. Li continued his charge, walking forward slowly as he fired straight punches, rising and falling elbows, and a shoulder check in between the blows. Týr continued to block and parry, but a few of the blows were breaking through: a vertical punch to the face, a falling elbow smashed into his ribs, followed by another shoulder check. "This is where Bajiquan shines!" Li yelled through gritted teeth!
"What the heck is going on?!" Heimdall shouted. "Li kickflipped the platform like a skateboard, and now he's got Týr on the ropes?! Both Fighters are trying to keep themselves upright on the rolling platform, but for how long?!"
Sly old fox! Týr thought. I thought you were just messing around, but you caught me! Týr braced his arms in front of his body to soak a shoulder check; his feet slid smoothly across the rolling platform before skidding to a halt. Li continued to rush him. You just turned the platform into a straight line! I can't dodge like this: right and left send me over, and going back pulls me towards you! But… Týr parried a right vertical punch to his stomach with his left elbow and fired it up. It missed Li's chin, but Týr stretched out his left arm and swung down with a hammer fist, slamming into Li's right clavicle. You can't stop the aggression! Otherwise, you'll fall! You can't even use your stomp to generate power without leaving yourself open or slowing down! Týr began to pick up steam and started exchanging blows.
Ha! He picked up on it! Li thought. This is Bajiquan without the Chen Jiao! If you think I have to use it to generate speed and power, then don't pretend you know Bajiquan! Li's hips and back flexed, and he picked up speed. Týr did the same, and their fists turned to blurs as Týr continued walking backwards and Li chased him.
Jörð Arena
Bleachers
"What…in the hell?" Ali whispered. "That's something straight out of a movie."
"Movie?" Tom asked. "What's a movie?"
"Conversation for later," Oyama interjected. "Li is doing exactly what he needs to do."
"On the money," Machado added. "By limiting the space to a straight line, and one that's moving towards him rather than away, he's stopping Týr from using almost anything that isn't Bajiquan."
"And that's where Li shines," Brünhilde added. "Li fought countless battles like Týr did, but he never had anything but Bajiquan and Piguaquan. Unlike Týr, who has several arts at his disposal to adapt to an opponent, Li had to learn how to adapt Baji and Pigua."
"So the art adapts to the situation, rather than the person?" Göll asked.
"Pretty much," Pandora said. "But you guys forget: this is Týr we're talking about. You think this will work for long? Plus, Li's not in a good spot either." Everyone turned to Pandora. "Li has to go forward. If he doesn't, he will fall and die. And Týr knows that. It won't be long before he starts figuring out what to do."
"How certain are you?" Oyama asked.
"If he could stop me by himself, then nothing's impossible with Týr."
Jörð Arena
The Ring
You may have learned Mengcun Baji, but I traveled throughout the land to build my Baji! Li thought as he swung his left hammer fist up. Týr and he began crossing over the center of the platform, with the space behind Týr slowly shrinking. Damn your poor luck, Týr. You will be the first being to break under the full arsenal of Li Baji! He pulled it back immediately. He barely raised his right foot off the rolling platform as he stepped forward. It hovered barely a millimeter off the surface before slamming down on the platform and firing both palms at Týr's chest.
Shit! Týr locked his arms and braced, while stepping his left foot back.
Baihu shuang zhang da! The brief explosive force rocked Týr's body. He could feel the kinetic energy smash through his arms and torso, and out his back. Pain rocketed throughout Týr's body.
Now! Týr thought. He immediately swiped down and knocked Li's arms outward and sank into a crouch. He fired his left vertical fist into Li's exposed torso, then his right into Li's face. Ba men kaida! Li braced against the blow, increasing the damage but keeping himself from falling back as the platform rolled.
Li's nose and teeth bled from the blow. He stepped forward and crouched down low just below Týr's line of sight, then fired up his right palm towards Týr's chin. Menghu dengshan!
Týr leaned and stepped back, avoiding the palm. He eyed Li and stepped forward, firing a straight right palm. Chao yang shou!
Li parried it to the outside with his left arm, pulled it back in tight, and fired a rising elbow. Zong zhou! Týr leaned back again, but he saw Li shoot back down and fire a straight vertical punch to his chest. Long pao!
Týr whipped his right leg up, parrying the punch out and grazing the left side of Li's head. Sheng Jiao!
Both hopped back, letting the slow-rolling platform move under the methodical steps. Li could see the wall of houses getting closer; Týr could sense it. Both inhaled deeply. To go back meant death to the blade. To go forward meant death to the fist. Both knew what was demanded of them. What their bodies ordered them to do, despite the pain enveloping them. Li looked down at his arms; he could feel the bruises and fractures forming under the skin-tight body suit. He breathed slowly, letting his body relax, letting a soft smile crack through his stoic bearing. "Týr."
Týr raised an eyebrow. "Buying time?"
"No. Just feeling nostalgic. It seems you did train under Wu-Laoshi. It has been a long time since I met someone whom I could consider a peer, and not some upstart or fool trying to pick a fight."
"Sweet words, Li, but not the time for them."
"No, it is."
"Really now?" Týr smiled.
"Did Wu Zhong ever have you spar anyone?" Týr shook his head. Damn. I was hoping I could catch him there. He stifled a laugh. Look at me…am I getting giddy? "Good. Bajiquan is too dangerous for normal sparring. It's a style that could only be refined and mastered through years of constant battle. Which begs the question: who did you fight against to reach this point?" Please give me the right answer.
Týr smiled wryly as he spread his bruised, purple body-painted arms. "Who exchanged blows with me?! Stand and make it known!" He yelled.
Li's gaze scanned the audience. Slowly, the Gods and Goddesses on the other side of the arena began to rise. Some tall, some short, some no different in looks from humans, some that would make nightmares look tame. Thor rose from his seat in his room, Zeus rose and smiled maliciously as Odin and Loki looked on in horror, Takemikazuchi rose and sat up in his bed, Nuada and Lugh stood in Lugh's quarters eyeing each other in shock, and Shiva stood scratching his cheek smugly while Marduk shuffled slowly out of his chair back in Babylon. Hades and Poseidon rose from their thrones back in Helheim and in the deepest ocean in Valhalla. Pandora stood tall, as did all the martial artists amongst the Human audience. Hundreds, nay thousands, looked at each other in shock. Soon, the number of sitting Gods and Mortals could almost be counted on but a few hands. Li watched on as he continued his slow stride. "Well, did not expect that."
"Holy cow…" Göll said under her breath.
"That's who Li stands before," Brünhilde said, crossing her arms and tightly gripping her left bicep.
Týr clenched his outstretched hands. "Every day. Every moment. Everyone I could find. From Chief Gods to the lowliest Demigod. From the greatest Martial Artist to the newest greenhorn. I fought them all. Victory and defeat didn't matter. All of it was to honor the gift Humanity gave me through its innate kindness and devotion to fighting. To make myself a true medium for Martial Arts to shine through without corruption. No pretense, no grandeur, no arrogance. Just these fists, and my will."
Li's stoic bearing faded, and his expression softened. Aaaaah…finally. He thought. The platform slowly slammed into the stone wall of a martial arts school, coming to a halt. I feel… Memories of Cangzhou returned to him. Jeers, insults, slurs, and disapproval.
Cangzhou
Nanliang Village
1883
Years ago, in the center of a large stone pavilion of a martial arts school, a young dark-haired Li Shuwen stood across from an old gray-haired man in a red changshan and black pants and matching kung-fu shoes. Surrounding the two were over a dozen young men lying on the ground, gripping their torsos and heads in pain.
Huang Sihai
Bajiquan Master
Li Shuwen's First Teacher
Huang glared at the young Li, his anger permeating into the air. "You damn fool!" He yelled. "What're you doing to your peers?!"
"Peers?" Li looked around, eyeing the others listlessly. "Oh, them. They're not peers."
"Excuse me?!"
"They're nothing but pretentious dancers, hopping around and doing routines. If I can do all this with nothing but…" Li's eyes darted around. "…five different moves, then none of them are at my level and are wasting both our time."
"You heartless brat. No one but an evil soul would use our Bajiquan against his fellow students."
"Evil? That's what you call me? Evil?" Li snorted. "Senile old bastard."
"You dare—!"
"This is Cangzhou, Huang-Laoshi, or did you forget that? Good and evil mean nothing here. Such obnoxious delusions only serve to get stupid students to pay fees for training that doesn't mean a damn thing if it doesn't make it possible to survive out there beyond the school's walls." His gaze hardened. "How many of your students left here, only to die trying their pretentious Bajiquan against real killers?" He shook his head. "I won't be one of them. Save your prattling for behind these walls. I have all I need from you."
"If you believe that, then I failed you. Leave, Li, and never darken our doors or shame our Bajiquan." Li turned and left without bowing. Huang's expression softened and turned somber as he watched his student leave.
Jörð Arena
The Ring
Why could I not have met you back then? Li thought. Why did fate put so many fools in my path? Why? Li shook his head. "Týr, I had no one. Not a soul to share in the beauty of Bajiquan. To test and refine it in the way it needed to be. You sought that, didn't you?"
"I did, and my soul refused to let it rot," Týr said, letting his arms drop to his sides.
"Then, would you do me a favor?"
Stop being macho and fight him, Li! Alvitr interjected.
This is necessary, Alvitr. Please. Li responded softly.
Alvitr sighed. Fiiiiiine…can't stand old folks being sad.
Li smiled. "Týr, I need you. There is no one else I can fight like this to truly push my Bajiquan to where it needs to be." Li brought his hands together, cupping his right fist in his left, and bowed. "Will you fight to the death with me? So that we may continue to refine and build?"
"Heh," Týr uttered. His body corpse as he tried to stifle a laugh. "Damn! You really feel that way!" He shook his head. He brought his hands together and bowed in return. "Of course, Li. I'm going to fight you…and kill you." Their auras flowed out as they returned to their fighting stances. Suddenly, a soft chime rang in Týr's head. "Before we start, may I offer you something in return for Bajiquan?"
"I did not give it to you. You earned it."
"You're right, but you must understand you earned this as Bajiquan's representative. In return for this opportunity, I will give you the best fight of your life." Týr's purple body paint began to glow. "It's time…" Týr widened his stance and crouched down. He stretched his arms out to the sides, opening his palms up to the sky. A massive purple sphere of energy erupted from his body and enveloped Li and the ring. Baldr, thank you for this.
Asgard
Centuries Ago
Long ago, in a library within Odin's immaculate fortress, Týr sat behind an ornate wooden table, eyeing a large chalkboard covered in shapes, letters, symbols, and the like. The right side of his head and the entirety of his upper body were covered in bandages, and his shoulder's stump had a layer of gold film over it. Baldr, wearing a long, white fur coat, a gray shirt, blue pants, and matching brown pants and boots, was busy at the board drawing more. His blonde hair was still buzzed at the sides and kept in a small top knot, which Týr knew was a personal source of pride for his older brother. Týr stared in confusion at the board, blinking a few times while his eyes shifted from symbol to the next.
"There," Baldr said, placing the piece of chalk down on the board's tray. He turned back to Týr, his dark eyes full of an odd sense of excitement, and his gruff voice was at a higher octave. "Okay, what do you think?"
"I don't know what to think," Týr answered. "I've never seen some of those before."
Baldr shook his head. "Figured. It's not common knowledge, but it is important. What you're looking at is the very essence of the Gods. Maybe even the whole dang kit-kaboodle."
"Symbols?"
Baldr scratched his right temple. "…Sure, we'll start there. These symbols represent the Divine Essence, the power that fuses with our souls and makes us Gods."
"That's what they are…?"
Baldr pointed back to the board. "Yep. They represent the Divine Essence that empowers us and slows or even halts our aging. However, it also acts like Human blood in that there are 'types' of Divine Essences, like human blood types. You and I have these." Baldr pointed to a few drawings near the left side of the board. "Our Divine Essence exists as Runes, which also aligns us as Norse Gods despite our vastly different powers."
"But we're also brothers."
"We are, but you, Vidarr, Thor, I, and everyone else do not share any Runes in common despite being related."
"Wait, why?"
"Not a clue. That's been bothering me for years, but I have to chalk it up to something I may not find out. Moving on, each Pantheon was started by Gods who shared similar groupings of these essences. Among these Gods, a few of them learned how to apply their Divine Essence and turn it into power. Even fewer mastered them, but those that did became the leaders of their Pantheons."
"Were their…Divine Essences…stronger than others?"
Baldr's eyes looked up and side-to-side. "Nope. It's about application. Some get lucky, of course, and have a natural intuition of their abilities, like me, or they're born with multiple like Thor, Vidarr, and me. When you have a lot to pull from, you can get crazy powerful."
"Or you're stuck like me with one."
Good grief, you negative shit. Baldr thought. "Genius, look." Baldr pointed to one symbol at the top of the board. It looked like an arrow pointing upwards. "That's yours. Tiwaz. While I have Sowilo and Berkanen, those two are extremely common. My research never turned up anyone who had Tiwaz, except you."
"Are there any other rare ones?" Baldr looked back at Týr, then turned to the board. Scanning it, he found what he needed and pointed to it.
"This one: Ansuz. No one has this one anymore," Baldr felt a slight tinge of worry. "Hopefully."
Sensing the concern, Týr quickly changed the subject. "So you don't know what Tiwaz does?"
"Nope, but you're talking with Heaven's leading expert on this, so I will find out." A small grin rose on the side of Baldr's mouth.
"Absolutely. It's why I came to you!" Týr said. Baldr cleared his throat and looked away.
Ass-kisser. Baldr thought, trying not to blush.
Jörð Arena
The Ring
"Li Shuwen!" Týr roared. "We have lived and died to meet today!" The massive purple aura enveloping them continued to expand. Li glanced around, taking it in. Within the massive purple dome, row upon row of upward-pointing arrows began forming along its interior. They each glowed a bright golden light as they slowly spun around the two Fighters and lopsided platform. "What you see before you has only been experienced by those who walk the path of Martial Arts! Those who I am forever grateful to for their devotion! Their ego!" Memories of fierce battles with Tom, Ali, Oyama, Machado, Wong, Choi, Lee, Chiba, Apollo, Futsunushi, Baldr, Thor, Zeus, Shiva, Lugh, Marduk, Nuada, and Vidarr. Everyone. All whose strikes and blows carved their mark not only on his body, but deep into his soul. "This is the gift my brother blessed me with, and I shall give it all to you, Li!"
"I am honored, but if this is some kind of one-hit blow, I thought better of you!" Li yelled above the bellowing wind, smiling all the while.
Týr's eyes widened as his pupils shrank. "No…What I give you…Is my world…My ego! The arena of true Martial Purity! Sannleikr: Allir Hlutir Jafnir!" Týr clapped his hands together. As if a blast of air erupted between his colliding palms, the purple dome broke away and vanished. Týr's body paint was gone, leaving behind his bruises. He stepped into an orthodox Ding Bu Zhuang, letting his left foot lead as his right foot stepped back. He tucked his golden right arm tight against his ribs and pointed his left elbow, fist clenched, straight towards Li.
Li felt his entire body lighten. His breathing became easy, and his muscles hardened. He clenched his fist and felt his hand would crush itself under its own power. The soreness from earlier exchanges dulled. His sight, hearing, even smell and taste were stronger. "What…is going on?" He said aloud.
"Allir Hlutir Jafnir…the ultimate paradise for Martial Arts. One of Sannleikr's two ultimate techniques formed from my Rune, Tiwaz, that imposes rule and law upon the world, and Martial Arts. To activate this…I must fight you for over four minutes using my non-dominant side. Now that I have fulfilled the requirements, you and I are blessed with a battlefield where we are equals. I am now back at my full strength, and you are given it in equal measure. How does it feel?"
"This is how you feel? This raw power?" Li whispered. He recalled his youth, yet could not remember if he ever felt such power flow through his body. "Amazing…so nothing gives the other an advantage?"
"Save for things like our height and reach, nothing…" Týr smiled, his eyes going wild. "Nothing, except skill."
"Ha!" Li stomped on the platform, shaking the arena. "You think you have the advantage there?!" Li stepped into Ding Bu Zhuang, his wild eyes mirroring Týr's. "Let's go…"
"Li, I warn you here and now. When all things are equal…I have no equal."
Tartarus
The Circles
Far below Jörð Arena, within the belly of Tartarus, an impasse had finally occurred. Standing outside the cells, alone, Vidarr glared into Eris' cell while Michael watched on from his own. "Eris, I promise your freedom in return for information," Vidarr said. "Now, I need to know who you collaborated with."
"I have your word?" She asked.
Vidarr looked back at Michael, who nodded. "You do."
Eris smiled. "Hell yeah…then that makes this easy." She walked up to the barred opening of her embedded cell. "It was the only person who had access to this place and Midgard without raising suspicion."
"Well? Who?"
"Not much fun if you don't try and guess, Viddy." Vidarr looked over to Michael and shrugged. He turned from Eris and started walking away. "Wait, where are you going?" Vidarr turned to face and raised his axe. "Wait, you said you wouldn't attack again!" Vidarr began swinging down. "Stop!"
"Stop what?" Vidarr asked, halting his swing.
"You're being cruel!" She pouted.
Vidarr's eyes widened as his pupils shrank. Michael noticed and took action. "Vidarr!" He said. "Do not let her rile you!"
Vidarr looked back at him. "I am not interested in playing games with this chaoist!
Michael looked over to Eris' cell. "I get that, but play along for now."
"Yeah, Viddy. Play along," Eris said. "Pwease?"
A vein popped up on Vidarr's brow as he ground his teeth.
"Vidarr," Skiegul spoke from her axe form. "Let me."
"You sure?"
"Positive." Vidarr loosened his grip on his axe, letting it float away a few meters away from him. It glowed a green light, illuminating the pit, before reshaping back into the young blonde that is Skiegul. She landed gracefully on her feet and walked up to Eris' cell.
"You're going to talk to me instead?" Eris said, looking down at the young Valkyrie.
"Sure," Skiegul answered. "I think I'm better at dealing with certain personalities than my partner."
"Well, aren't you cute?" Eris' tone carried a heavy hint of mockery and sarcasm. "And who are you?"
"I am Skiegul, the 13th Valkyrie."
Michael's eyes widened. Wait…what? He thought.
"And I am not cute, I am adorable, thank you. Eris, why won't you just tell us who it is?"
"Because that's too easy, and watching Viddy squirm is fun!"
"You're right. It is too easy." Eris tilted her head. "See, Big Bro Michael over there knows what's up, but he and Vidarr have too much bad blood and have too much skin in this game to see what's going on."
"Wow…aren't you observant?" Eris twirled her index finger in the air as a few tinges of pain shot up from the stump on her arm.
"I try. See, like Vidarr, I have a good sense for liars. He knows you're lying, but won't come out and say it since he needs you to talk, and insulting you just makes you clam up. I think you're not worth talking to at all, to be honest."
"Excuse me?"
"I genuinely believe you don't know a thing. You probably got tricked into giving away the information. I think you're stringing us along by pretending you had a hand in it rather than just getting duped." Eris gripped a window bar, her knuckles turning white. "I mean, I get it. It'd be embarrassing to realize that someone got their hands on how to make a Sin Cluster without you knowing."
"Is that what you think?"
"I mean, of course. You have no reason to hide it, other than to keep people from figuring out the truth: that you're not the smartest person in the room, or the prettiest, or the strongest. That'd be me right now." Eris glared at her. Skiegul's bored cyan eyes did not look away. "But most of the time, it is Brünhilde and Pandora, and there's no better way to get back at them than doing what you did…if you actually planned it."
"Bullshit."
"Prove me wrong. Contrary to what you may think of yourself, despite not being Goddesses, Brünhilde and Pandora are just way more popular than you. It's why they get special treatment despite being the daughter of a traitor and the one who opened the Sin Cluster and got her husband killed. You…you were just a petty bitch people got tired of and put in here. Is that fair? No, but it's life."
Eris' grip tightened. "Trying to rile me up?"
"More like trying to save you. You'd be a lot happier out of there than in it. Let go of your ego, and help us. Make amends and be treated fairly by helping us fix what Prometheus caused."
Eris' eyes shifted from left to right. "You're a little shit, you know that?"
"I am an adorable little shit." Vidarr covered his mouth with his left hand, hiding his smile and suppressing a laugh. "But I know what you need right now, along with medical attention. You need to show people your greatness. Let us help you."
Eris deflated and released her grip on the bar. "Fine. I give. It was Zahhak."
"Zahhak?!" Vidarr asked incredulously. "He's your accomplice? Impossible."
"Why? I don't know how it happened, but he was the one I gave the details on how to build a Sin Cluster to, and he gave it to Prometheus."
"But that's impossible," Michael added. "Zahhak's memories of his time as an Angel are sealed when he reincarnates as a Human."
"How the fuck should I know how it happened? All I know is he asked me for it, and I gave it to him once he told me who it was intended for."
All three shared glances before turning back to Eris. "Pandora, right?" Skiegul asked.
"Pffft. As if, but she and Hil-dumb did get caught in the crossfire, so bonus! Yay! Think higher. Much higher."
"Higher…" Skiegul thought for a few moments. "No…"
The entrance to the pit opened far behind Vidarr. The four turned back to look. "I think we're in luck, gentlemen." A raspy voice spoke on the other side as it opened. The gate opened more, revealing Myrddin, Teddy, Yi, Uriel, and Camael behind it. "I think we finally—" Myrddin turned forward, looking out into the open pit. –Ah, damn it."
Vidarr's eyes widened as his pupils shrank. His face contorted into a mad grin, almost as if his mouth was pulled open. He immediately raised his left hand and clenched it. The door behind Myrddin's group shut tight. "Myrddin!" He yelled. "What damn good luck it is to see a familiar face! You're just in time!"