Chapter Text
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RAGNAROK. The ultimate destruction of the gods in a cataclysmic battle with evil, out of which a new order will arise. At least, that's what they say.
Ragnarok, a forgotten decree, a jest among the gods, was never truly about their demise. It was, they believed, the annihilation of mankind. A cruel irony, a divine prank where gods and humans would clash. Yet, when the Valkyries proposed a final stand, a chance for humanity to defy their fate, the gods, in their hubris, agreed. Thirteen gods versus thirteen humans, a battle to decide the very existence of humankind.
The arena crackled with anticipation. Ragnarok had begun. The first champions, a god of formidable might and a human warrior of legendary renown, stood poised for combat. But before the first blow could fall, a disturbance rippled through the very fabric of the sky. A swirling, darkish-purple vortex tore open above them, emanating an eerie, chilling aura. A sound, deep and menacing, echoed from within, causing shivers to run down the spines of gods and humans alike.
"Wha-what's this, folks?! A portal suddenly appeared?! Is this an attack from someone? Or a power move from one of the two fighters?" Heimdall's voice, usually booming with theatrical flair, was now laced with bewildered apprehension.
"Everyone! Prepare for landing!" a voice, resonant and powerful, boomed from the swirling portal.
The vortex expanded, its dark hues pulsating, and a figure plummeted from its depths. With astonishing speed, the falling figure moved their hands, intricate gestures that seemed to weave magic into the air.
"Featherfall's Embrace!"
A sudden, powerful gust of wind erupted beneath the descending figure, swirling into a miniature tempest. The fighters, sensing an unknown power, instinctively retreated, their eyes fixed on the spectacle above. The wind coalesced into a whirlwind, feathers gathering, and the figure landed softly, gracefully, upon its swirling vortex. Seven more figures followed, each landing with a similar, controlled descent. As the last of them touched down, a man, his breath ragged, gasped, "We...we made it!"
The first figure, now revealed to be a man with a stern, determined expression, rushed towards his companions, kneeling to inspect them. "Everyone alright?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
A woman coughed, her face pale, "No... I think my wounds opened." She revealed the crimson stain spreading across her abdomen. The man's brow furrowed.
"Shit, Adalee! Come here! Your sister needs healing!"
Another woman, her features etched with worry, knelt beside them. Her hands began to glow with a soft, ethereal white light.
"Hold still, Olivia," she said, her voice gentle yet firm. "This will sting."
Suddenly, a lesser god at the gods side spoke, his voice booming and filled with curiosity. "Who dares to interrupt the RAGNAROK?"
Another god, a woman with eyes that shined like stars, spoke with a soft voice, but with a warning tone. "They are not part of the RAGNAROK, they are not part of the agreement."
The man who landed first, stood up, his posture straight and his eyes locked to the gods. "We meant no harm," he spoke. He took a step forward, observing the arena, although his face remained firm, the rise and fall of his chest betrayed his anxiety.
"So, this is where it started..." he whispered, his voice barely audible. A booming voice, ancient and powerful, echoed through the arena.
"Who are you?" At the gods' side, an old man with a face etched with countless ages, his golden eyes narrowed, fixed his gaze upon Elijah.
Elijah met the old man's gaze, his voice firm despite the tremor in his heart. "Apologies for the sudden disturbance, but there is something we would like to tell you, a message that requires your cooperation and help."
The old man, Zeus, stroked his beard, his eyes filled with suspicion. "A message, you say... and do you honestly think we can trust you?" Zeus's eyes glowed with divine power, scrutinizing Elijah. "I'll ask you once again, boy. Who are you?"
Elijah swallowed, the sheer pressure of Zeus's presence almost overwhelming. Yet, he stood firm, his voice strong and confident. "My name is Elijah, Elijah Olympus. And we came from the future."
A wave of murmurs and disbelief swept through the audience, both gods and humans.
"From the future? Are they mocking us?"
"Who would believe such blatant lies? Preposterous!"
"Such insolence... remove them from the arena! They are disrupting the fight!"
"Future? Impossible."
As the cacophony of voices rose, Elijah stood his ground. "It's true! I speak of no falsehoods in the presence of the gods."
Zeus observed the newcomers, noting the dirt, blood, and exhaustion that clung to them. Hermes, ever the messenger, leaned towards Zeus, his voice a hushed whisper, "Zeus-sama..."
Zeus, his curiosity piqued, spoke, "Hm, tell me, boy... what happened to you? You claim to come from the future; what transpired?"
Elijah exhaled, his gaze sweeping across the stunned faces. "It was a battle...but not just any battle...a war, a war in which gods and humans fought side by side against a common enemy, a danger that threatened all existence, yet we failed..."
"A war, you say..." Zeus mused, his voice low and thoughtful.
Odin's ravens, Huginn and Muninn, cawed, their voices sharp and accusing. "Nonsense! Cease your lies, human!" "Caw! What insolence! What insolence!"
Odin, his single eye gleaming with suspicion, narrowed his gaze, attempting to discern any deception in Elijah's words.
Thor, his hand resting on Mjolnir, observed the newcomers with a silent intensity. Lu Bu, ever the warrior, stood motionless, his eyes fixed on Elijah, his expression unreadable.
Elijah continued, "The future is in ruins. We were delivered here at the last minute, with a message: if we prove our origins, if we show you the truth of our time, you would help."
Zeus hummed, his ancient eyes narrowed. "Hm, before we delve further, you mentioned something earlier, your name... or rather, your surname... Olympus? That name has been long forgotten. The fact that you bear it demands explanation, boy."
Elijah stood straight, his gaze unwavering. "Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Elijah Olympus, Heir to the Throne of the Underworld, Firstborn of Hades Olympus, the God of Death, and Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China."
A wave of chaos erupted. Gods and humans alike were thrown into disarray, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief. Some shouted accusations of blasphemy, while others simply stared, their minds reeling from the impossible revelation.
Zeus's eyes widened, the weight of the name Olympus striking him with unexpected force. The name, once a symbol of the brothers' unity during Kronos's reign, had been abandoned after Zeus's ascension, replaced by the name of their celestial abode. To hear it spoken now, by a being claiming lineage from Hades and a mortal emperor, was a seismic shock.
Zeus, his voice laced with authority, called out to the stunned Hermes, "Hermes! Summon all the gods' fighters, and bring Brunhilde here as well. This is no longer a matter to be taken lightly."
Hermes, shaken from his usual composure, fumbled for a phone-like device, sending urgent messages to the gods and Brunhilde.
Zeus turned to his servants, his voice commanding. "Escort them to the medical chambers. Provide them with clean clothing and tend to their wounds. Ensure they return here, ready to speak."
The servants bowed, their movements swift and efficient.
Zeus fixed his gaze on Elijah. "Follow the servants. They will assist you and your companions. After you are restored, return to the arena and reveal the future you claim to know."
Elijah, his body weary but his resolve firm, observed Zeus before nodding in silent agreement. Servants and medical personnel rushed forward, guiding Elijah and his companions toward the exit.
The two fighters, Thor and Lu Bu, were summoned back to their respective sides. Thor disappeared into the gods' entrance, while Lu Bu, his expression a mixture of annoyance and curiosity, rejoined his army. Brunhilde, accompanied by her Valkyrie sisters, made her way to the arena, her eyes filled with a mixture of apprehension and determination.
As Elijah and his group were taken away, the arena buzzed with speculation and fear. The air crackled with unspoken questions, the weight of the future hanging heavy over the assembled gods and humans.
Brunhilde approached Zeus, her voice laced with concern. "Zeus-sama, what is the meaning of this? Who are they, and what future do they speak of?"
Zeus gaze fixed on the empty space where Elijah had stood, replied, his voice grave. "I do not know, Valkyrie. But their words, their very presence, speaks of a calamity far greater than Ragnarok itself. We must hear their tale, and we must decide if their future is one we can, or must, avoid."
Minutes passed, the audience murmured in hushed tones, discussing the extraordinary events that had transpired. The arena had been subtly altered; the gods' VIP chamber was now significantly larger, accommodating the gathering.
Zeus had convened the gods in his grand hall. The room was heavy with unspoken questions, the silence broken only by Zeus's raspy voice.
"So, you have all witnessed what occurred earlier, correct?" he addressed the assembled gods.
A moment of silence stretched, then Hades spoke, his voice low and thoughtful. "This is...unexpected."
Poseidon, ever the pragmatist, offered a chillingly simple solution. "Let us eliminate them."
Hades gently countered, his attention fixed on his younger brother. "We cannot simply dispose of them. They claim to be from the future, do they not?"
Zeus nodded, his gaze lingering on Hades. "Yes, and that boy, Elijah, claimed to be your son, an heir to the Underworld."
Hades frowned, his expression a mask of contemplation. "Are you certain he was not lying?"
Zeus shook his head. "I can discern a lie. Elijah spoke with unwavering conviction, his voice steady, his eyes unwavering. He spoke the truth."
The room fell silent once more, the gods absorbing the implications of Zeus's words. Then, Shiva broke the silence, his tone casual. "And that boy mentioned someone else when introducing his...parents. Qin Shi Huang, was it? A Chinese?"
Before Zeus could reply, a knock echoed through the hall. The door opened, and Brunhilde entered, her expression composed, though Göll, trailing behind her, was visibly trembling.
"Apologies," Brunhilde said, though her tone held little remorse. They took seats at the end of the table. Zeus chuckled, "Hohoho, Valkyrie, I am glad you are here. We were just discussing how to proceed with these... children. Do you have any suggestions?" His eyes gleamed with curiosity.
Brunhilde adopted a nonchalant air. "I suggest we hear their story. If their claims are true, they must be here for a reason, a desperate attempt to avert a catastrophe."
Zeus's face crinkled in delight. "Hohoho, is that so?"
Hades turned his attention to Brunhilde. "Brunhilde, is it? There is a matter we need to clarify. That boy, Elijah, mentioned a mortal name. I am certain you heard it."
Brunhilde stood, bowing respectfully to Hades, a god whose neutrality and wisdom commanded respect. "The mortal he mentioned is one of humanity's champions. I will not reveal too much, as we are uncertain whether Ragnarok will continue. However, I can show you this." She activated a device, projecting an image onto a floating screen at the center of the table.
Brunhilde scrolled through the images, then paused, tapping the screen. "This is Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China, one of the most formidable humans I have encountered."
The image displayed a young woman with a striking appearance: eyes concealed by a white blindfold, red centipede tattoos adorning her cheeks, long, flowing hair with a red streak, and a confident smile.
Hades blinked, a strange warmth stirring within him, which he quickly dismissed. "Emperor? That does not resemble a man."
Shiva echoed his sentiment. "Indeed."
Brunhilde, anticipating their reactions, explained, "I shared your initial impression. However, upon meeting her, I learned that she prefers the title 'Emperor' over 'Empress.'"
Aphrodite, her eyes sparkling with mischief, commented, "So, this is Hades's future wife, hmm?"
A faint blush colored Hades's cheeks. "Hah, let us proceed."
“If what that Hades’s future child said was true, then we simply cannot ignore them. They arrived bruised and bloodied, which indicates a significant event prior to their arrival here,” Zeus’s voice boomed.
“Hermes, if you would,” Zeus addressed.
Hermes, standing beside Zeus, stepped forward, a device in his hand. “According to the healers, the woman named Olivia sustained a deep slash to her abdomen, surrounded by small, black roots. Thankfully, the healers managed to stabilize her before the condition worsened.” The screen displayed an image of Olivia, lying on a medical bed, bandages wrapped around her torso. She was petite yet muscular, her wild ginger hair spread across the pillow, servants gently cleaning the grime from her body.
Hermes scrolled, the floating screen mirroring his movements.
“Elijah, who appears to be the eldest, sustained no physical injuries but fell asleep immediately upon reaching the bed.” The screen shifted to Elijah, his long, white hair spread across the pillow, his new, clean clothing a stark contrast to his earlier disheveled state.
Hermes scrolled again.
“The youngest, a child of approximately ten years old, suffered no major injuries.”
As Hermes concluded his report, Zeus spoke, “We will conclude this meeting here. Let our guests rest for the day, and we shall convene again tomorrow to hear their story.”
As the gods dispersed, Hades and Poseidon walked down the hallway in silence. As they approached the castle’s entrance, Hades smiled at his brother. “You go ahead. I will join you later."
Poseidon nodded silently, bidding farewell to Hades. As Poseidon’s figure receded, Hades ventured outside, seeking solitude to clear his mind. The revelation of a future son and a mortal wife had unsettled him. It wasn’t that he disliked children; on the contrary, he yearned for a child of his own, someone he could proudly claim as his progeny. However, for reasons unknown, he had never been able to conceive.
His relationship with Persephone was complicated. He loved her deeply, but her infidelities had wounded him. He had once kidnapped her, believing it was an act of love, a misguided notion of youth. Though he eventually released her, his affection never fully faded. He moved on, but the embers of his love remained.
Now, this stranger’s claim, coupled with the revelation of a mortal wife, caused him to question his own path. Had he succumbed to such despair that he was forced to marry a human? No, he knew himself better. He was capable of deep, unconditional love. If his future self had married a mortal and fathered a child, it must have been born of genuine affection.
He reflected on Elijah. The boy’s purple eyes, the same shade as his own, his unwavering composure in the face of the gods, his identical earrings. And the mortal woman’s face, even obscured by a blindfold, radiated an undeniable beauty, her hair mirroring Elijah’s dark hue.
Lost in thought, Hades found himself at the entrance of a garden, unfamiliar to him. Unlike Zeus’s meticulously manicured gardens, this one possessed a wild, untamed beauty. He walked slowly, admiring the vibrant flowers and lush foliage, until he reached the garden’s center. A wide, grassy field surrounded by three blooming pink petal trees caught his eye. But it was the figure seated beneath the trees that truly captivated him.
The person held a red pinwheel, its blades spinning in the gentle breeze. Their long, dark hair fluttered in the wind as they gazed up at the birds nesting in the trees. Their elegant combat attire rustled softly. Hades recognized them; it was the woman from the screen, Qin Shi Huang.
Sensing his presence, Qin Shi Huang turned, her emerald eyes meeting his. Hades’s heart raced. Those eyes, vibrant and intelligent, were the most beautiful he had ever seen.
Qin Shi Huang smiled softly. “Hao!” she greeted him cheerfully.
Hades, his voice a low murmur, replied, "Hao."
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Hello! Welcome to my second story of this fandom!
Please enjoy! That would be much appreciated!
THANK YOU FOR READING!/ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\!