Marduk can do anything.
The Heavens
Dawn of Creation
At the top of a lush green hill sat two young Gods, one young male god and next to him a goddess with silver hair and blue robes bandaging his wounds. The young God, Marduk, in White leather pants and a white vest, winced as Sarpanitu placed gauze on a growing welt below Marduk's left eye. "Please go easy, Sarpa. It's barely been an hour since the fight ended." Marduk asked.
"I am, but picking fights every day with Zeus is going to make this difficult." She answered. She put a little more pressure than needed on the welt, making Marduk wince more. He slumped over and sighed.
"I know…but someone's got to knock him down a peg. Ever since he beat his dad, he and the other Greeks keep going around acting like they're the ones in charge."
"I mean…beating the Titans and the Giants is kind of revolutionary. Who would've thought someone would overthrow Kronos?" She dipped the gauze in a small bottle, then lightly tapped Marduk's cheek.
"It's not that big of a deal. Devendra defeated Vritra, and Odin defeated both Ymir and Authulma. The Greeks' victories aren't anything special."
"You say that," A deep voice said behind them. "But the Titans and the Giants are a whole different kind of problem from Primordial Beasts. They think and plan instead of relying on pure id." Marduk and Sarpanitu turned around. Behind them stood an older-looking being with a pale complexion. His hair was snow-white and buzzed down into a crew cut save for a coifed tuft of hair on the crown of his head. His beard and moustache were shaved down to match his crew cut and contrasted with his soft, blue eyes. He wore simple white robes with a blue trim and deep brown leather sandals.
Metatron
General
and
"Chief God"
of the Heavenly Choirs
Angelus Principis
"Of course you would know that," Metatron said. "Seeing as how your parents are currently fighting Tiamat and Apsu."
"A sight for sore eyes, Metatron. What're you doing here?" Marduk asked, smiling.
"Checking in on things here. Heard word a young prodigy from the Babylonians was trying to take Zeus' throne." Marduk grunted a little. "I thought to myself, 'there's no way that's happening. The campaign to exterminate the Primordial Beasts is ongoing. Surely Ea didn't put his one and only son back here while he sought to take down Tiamat and Apsu." Marduk's smile vanished.
Sarpanitu glared at the Angel. "I don't like what you're implying."
"I understand that my words may seem rather…scathing. However, I am at a loss." He turned to look at Marduk. "You are the Prodigy of Babylon. The apple of Ea's eye is sitting here while the rest of his family is fighting."
"Metatron, we get it."
"I know you do. It is not Marduk I am questioning at the moment."
Marduk sighed. He ran his right hand through his long hair. "My father has his reasons. He's the Chief God for a reason."
"I am sure he does. The Babylonians are impressive, but we both know the real powerhouses in Heaven are the Greeks, Egyptians, Norse, and the Gods of Svarga. The fact that two Primordial Beasts surfaced in your home territory is nothing but poor luck."
"I know, but nothing can be done about it. Dad, Mom, and the others are fighting them as we speak. If they reach out for aid from the others…"
"It will look like a show of weakness. Ra-Horakhty and Odin would surely capitalize on it."
"Yeah…"
"He would rather be stubborn and fight on his own while leaving his son behind." Metatron rubbed the stubble on his chin. "Lord, he is still stubborn…"
"I know. I wanted to stay and fight with him."
Metatron raised an eyebrow. "Did you now? What you are doing seems contrary to that."
"What?"
"Marduk, I would be a liar if I said I do not know you and your father. He is stubborn beyond reason, but that stubbornness helped me get the title of Chief God despite being an Angel. I owe him for that, which is why I am here."
"What for?"
"Both you and I know what you can do. If I were in your shoes, I would have told Ea off for trying to hide you away when you're needed more than ever."
"You want me to disobey him? He's my father and a Chief God."
"You'll obey one Chief God, but ignore the advice of one and pick fights with another?"
"That's not the same thing." Metatron walked up to Marduk, coming face-to-face with the prodigy.
"I say it is. You can fool everyone else, but not me. You two know what you." Metatron poked Marduk's chest with his right index finger. "Can do. I know what you can do. Zeus knows what you can do. Why else are you still alive?" Marduk looked down and to the right. He turned to Sarpanitu, who remained silent but met his gaze. "Stop messing around here. You're fighting the wrong person, but you can get out of here and deal with the real enemy."
"It's not that easy," Marduk said, not meeting Metatron's eyes.
"Bull. It is that easy. If Zeus was as whipped by his father as you are by Ea, the revolution against the Titans would have never happened. Kronos and his army would have invaded the rest of Heaven and put everyone under his thumb. Does that make Zeus righteous? No. Is he a villain for committing patricide? No." He placed his right hand on Marduk's shoulder. "He did something he thought was necessary, which you need to do as well." Marduk continued to avoid his gaze. Metatron gave his shoulder a soft squeeze and let go. "Or do not. Let them all die while you meander here."
"Watch it, Metatron," Sarpanitu said, standing up and stepping in between the two. "You may be a family friend, but that doesn't give you the liberty to talk to him that way."
Metatron shifted his attention to her, then back to Marduk. "Letting your girlfriend fight your battles here as well?" He looked at Sarpanitu. "I am stating a fact. Silence is just as damning as confessing." Metatron turned away from him. "You know, there is a phrase going around about you, Marduk." His gaze aimed towards the back of Metatron's head as he walked away. "It's based on what your father used to say. 'Marduk can do anything,' he would say. I think the newer one is more accurate." He continued to walk away. "Marduk can do anything, except the right thing."
"Spell of Immunity, Mask of Mušḫuššu, and Flames of Gibil," Marduk said, his voice reverberating behind the smoldering mask. Flames bellowed out the mask's bared teeth. He pointed the club at Tadakatsu, electricity crackling across its body. "Lightning of Iskur and Ivory Mace." The air around Marduk rippled. The water at his feet boiled and vaporized. You're strong, Tadakatsu. So strong, you made me remember something I want to forget. Marduk thought as he hunched forward and crouched. I'll make you regret that. "Try and punch your way through this!" The mouth of his mask opened wide. A concentrated beam of fire fired out at high speed as the water around its source calmed. The water boiled and cascaded under it as it flew.
"We need to move!" Randgriz shouted. Tadakatsu kicked the ground and shot to the right. The beam of flames roared through the spot where he stood. Marduk turned his head to the left, the beam still firing. The force of the beam pushed back against his head and neck, but he maintained his feral stance as his submerged feet slid slowly back. Tadakatsu circled, keeping his sights on Marduk as the beam chased behind him by a few meters.
This is bad. Tadakatsu thought. Even this far away, it feels like my skin's peeling off my back! How hot is that beam!? How's he handling being so close to that flame's source? I wonder… Tadakatsu continued to circle Marduk, the beam still following. He subtly shifted his weight to the right and began to gain distance from Marduk. The beam still followed him as he sprinted, his feet smashing against the stone. Further and further he sprinted, feeling the heat of the beam continuously at his back.
He then felt it. What he waited for. The heat, albeit slowly, began to fade. The beam began to lose its structure. "Randgriz, I think I figured something out!" He yelled.
"The flame's range?" She asked.
"Exactly. It doesn't seem to be hurting him to use it, but he's in the same spot the whole time! I bet he can only use it while staying in a single spot!"
"Like an anchored cannon."
"Exactly. And the furthest it can reach is right…" Tadakatsu slammed his foot and flew several meters further from Marduk. He landed feet-first in the water. "Right there." The beam stopped just a few meters away from him, breaking down into billowing flames. "Max range of one hundred fifty meters. Now he has to make a choice. Either we'll come to him, or he'll come to us."
"What'll stop him from just closing that mask, readjusting, and then firing again?"
Tadakatsu slapped his thighs with his free left hand. "These, and he knows that." The flames vanished in an instant. Marduk had closed the mouth of his mask; the radius of boiling water expanded. Tadakatsu crouched down and placed his free hand down onto the submerged floor. One hundred fifty meters. That was the distance he needed to cover in a single split moment. That single moment that Marduk would need to adjust his sights on him, move closer, and fire. This will be risky. I don't know how fast it took to get here, but where I started…it took barely a second. I need to go full throttle from start to finish.
In the Olympics, the longest race is the 100-meter dash. As of this match, the record for the Men's Hundred Meter dash is 9.63 seconds held by the Lightning Bolt of Jamaica, Usain Bolt. To avoid the beam and its several-meter scalding radius, Tadakatsu Honda must travel fifty meters further at nearly one-ninth of Usain's uncontested record. The scores overhead read Marduk 91 percent, Tadakatsu 96 percent. All these factors would play into whether this gambit would succeed or fail. Tadakatsu inhaled deeply. He exhaled furiously. His feet kicked off the ground, sending more rocks flying like a bomb had gone off under his feet! He kicked again, his toes barely touching the water as he ran. Marduk saw him. He took the same bracing stance once more. Tadakatsu continued his straightforward charge. Faster… The surface contact of his feet continued to minimize the more and more he pushed. FASTER… The air roared around him as he cut through it, squinting just enough to keep Marduk in his sights. FASTER! The mask's mouth opened and released the beam. Tadakatsu was still thirty meters away. PERFECT! He roared in his head. He shot his left foot straight down into the ground, kicking up water and stone. He rocketed into the air as the beam flew below him, the air searing his legs as he flew. Ignoring the pain, Tadakatsu readied his spear. Marduk flinched. He caught Tadakatsu out of the corner of his eye.
I can understand dodging it by running, but this madman jumped over it!? Marduk thought. He smiled under his mask as Tadakatsu flew several meters in the air. Bad idea! Marduk shut the mask's mouth and curled up. The hot air encircling him expanded out. The body of boiling water extended past Tadakatsu as the burning air crashed into him. The burning air seared Tadakatsu's flesh.
"First, that bow combined with the winds, and now that mask? When did he get all those neat toys?" Zeus asked.
"He collected them all from the other Mesopotamian Gods before his battle with Tiamat," Set answered. "Years before their battle, Marduk trained with each of them to master their unique properties." He smiled softly under his mask. "With his mastery of each weapon, he can combine them to form whatever combination of effects and attacks that suit the situation."
"A bow combined with the four winds to create long-range pressure. Following it up with a mask that can channel the burning aura of Gibil's invisible shield into another ranged attack." Hades said. "Seems our young Chief God has been busy coming up with nasty tactics."
"Makes one wonder what that club will do," Zeus said, picking up a bag of popcorn. His muscles swelled a little. "I can't wait to see it."
Tadakatsu could barely open his eyes. The burning air continued to burn him as he flew. Marduk, barely visible in the haze, stared daggers at him. Haven't felt a blaze like this in years! He thought. The past few exchanges played through his mind. Damn it, I got played!
"Get him, Dad! Show him what you got!" Nabu roared.
"What is he doing!?" Sakakibara yelled.
"He was tricked," Ieyasu answered. "That God made him think the mask was just another projectile. Who saw what happened when he quit breathing fire?" The group around him went silent. Naomasa, Tadatsugu, and Sakakibara muddled through their heads what he meant. Ieyasu's brow furled.
"The water," Tadamasa answered. "When he first put on the mask, the area around him began to boil. Once he started using it, the boiling weakened. That mask, whatever it is, is controlling where that heat surrounding him goes. Insane…"
"On the mark. Tadakatsu is not familiar with something like this, and what does Tadakatsu do against the unfamiliar?" Ieyasu leaned forward. "He adapts and smashes through."
Tadakatsu could feel his spear heat up under his grip. Time was running out, but he knew what he had to do. Fighting against his instincts, Tadakatsu took on a bizarre stance as he began to fall. The surging air pushed him ever so slightly as he descended, but it did not impede him. His dash and jump kept his momentum forward. He balled up, placing his feet below him and his spear in both hands in front of him, the pommel poking his chest. This is going to hurt. He was well within the required range. Marduk waited for the strike. His muscles flexed.
The spear…did not extend. Marduk's instincts said otherwise. He did not see it, yet his body made him shift ever so slightly to the left. The rock floor next to his right foot exploded. He shifted to the right; the floor behind him blew away. He kept at it. A slight shift to the right again, then the left, a quick pause. The floor below him continued to break away.
No shoulder or hip movement to give it away. He's not even breathing or looking. Marduk thought. Yet these strikes are fast! Was he holding back earlier? His glare intensified. You thought you didn't need this move earlier? Is that what it was? Do you think you're stronger than me? His pupils dilated as his breathing sped up. ARE YOU LOOKING DOWN ON ME!? He stepped to the left. Burn, Tadakatsu! Burn for- He dropped. What!? He felt a sharp pain in his ankle and fell. Mid-fall, he jerked his head back. The mask's muzzle shattered as the lightning-quick spear stabbed through it. The remnants fell off Marduk's face as he scrambled away from the spot, keeping the club raised out of the water.
The crowd roared at the attack as the water and air began to cool. Tadakatsu landed in the water and immediately jumped in the opposite direction from Marduk. He fell into the water, fully submerged. "Despite that burning onslaught, Tadakatsu managed to break through and strike back at Marduk! How!?" Heimdall shouted. He looked at the arena, scanning Marduk's original spot. "Incredible! Tadakatsu smashed the floor to pieces and destroyed Marduk's footing! How did he think that up while being air-fried alive!?"
"Like I said, Göll," Brünhilde spoke, smiling. "For a man like Tadakatsu Honda, such pressure makes diamonds."
Nabu and Sarpanitu stood dumbfounded. "That…Human…just broke through Dad's ultimate shield…"
That shield withstood the equivalent of Midgard's seven oceans being dropped on it! How did one HUMAN break through my Sun's unrivaled defense!? Sarpanitu thought.
Nabu sat up in his seat, his fists clenched. "Mom, they need to hear it."
"Hear what?"
"Dad doesn't need those weapons. You've said it yourself. What makes Dad the strongest is not his arsenal; he was the strongest before he had them, and everyone knows it. We need to remind them." Sarpanitu looked at her son, her concerned gaze meeting his fledgling confidence. She looked up at the score above the arena.
Marduk 86%
Honda Tadakatsu 92%
Her chest grew heavy as her aura began to surge. "Who dares doubt Marduk!?" She roared. Dozens of Gods sitting around her were blown away by her presence. "Who even humors the idea of Marduk losing!?" Several more Gods began to shuffle away and give her space. "My husband…does not need gimmicks or tricks to win!"
"Then why use them!?" One random bearded God asked several seats above hers. She turned and stared him straight in the eyes. She smirked.
"One reason and one reason only," She turned back to the arena, watching her husband stand back up. Several meters away, Tadakatsu resurfaced and splashed more water over his body while he kept his spear submerged. Marduk tightened his grip on his club, releasing several bolts of energy into the air. "Marduk shows us what we can do. Everyone always says 'Marduk can do anything,' but you all forget that Marduk can do anything we're too scared to do! That's why he's here! That's why he's in Round Seven!" She stood up and stretched out her arms to the sides. "That's why he will win!"
Set watched the scene from his box seat. Sarpanitu sat back down after her speech, Nabu back at her side. The scattered Gods returned to their seats and talked amongst themselves. Set looked up at the scores.
Marduk 91%
Honda Tadakatsu 90%
Marduk, if you ever fail in showing gratitude to your wife then there's no greater moron in the Heavens. He thought.
"Tadakatsu!" Marduk shouted at his opponent.
"That's me! Tadakatsu said, smiling. He got back to his feet, but the flames did their job. The hot air burned several holes in his clothing, pink skin showing underneath that matched his face. His lips began to chap and tear.
"You ran into an inferno and had the gall to still try and kill me!" Marduk could not stop the smile growing on his face. "You're insane!" His grip tightened on the club.
"If I had a Ryo for every time someone said that, I'd be able to buy my island!" He yelled, laughing. He twirled the spear in his hand as he took his stance, aiming the point once more at his rival. "But that's how you get to be in war." His tone shifted. It hardened along with his features. "There's no place for sense on the battlefield."
Marduk nodded. He kicked away the mask's remains. "None at all." He rested his club across his shoulders and stepped forward with his left foot. "Ready?" The two rocketed towards the other. Tadakatsu thrust his spear, extending it another meter. Time to test a theory. Marduk stuck out of the club to intercept. He twisted his wrist, spinning the club clockwise. The spear scraped against the club, sliding to the outside. Marduk stepped forward, thrusting the club forward. Tadakatsu pulled his spear back, but the thrust found home. The head of the club slammed into Tadakatsu's ribs, pushing him back a few meters. He then pulled it back, gripping it in both hands. He inhaled, gritting his teeth. He stepped forward, electricity crackling off the club. He swung. The club cut through the air as it made its way towards Tadakatsu. He placed the spear parallel to his body and braced for the strike. Marduk scrunched his shoulders in as he swung and tilted his body to the right. Mid-swing, the club's angle changed. 90 degrees, 120, 150, 175….180. The swing curved and flew straight up.
Oh no. Tadakatsu thought. The swing was clean. The head of the club found its mark. He clenched his teeth as the club smashed into his chin. His vision went black as his head snapped back; his body lifted off the ground. Lightning of Iskur. Like the Flames of Gibil, this powerful weapon grants its master the power of a facet of nature. However, unlike the flames' brutal defensive nature that sears at the opponent, the bolts turn the wielder into 'lightning.' Enhanced speed, reflexes, and most important of all, information processing at disturbing levels. Within the span of his swing, clocked in at point-three seconds, Marduk processed the world around him at such unparalleled speeds that point-three seconds felt like ten! Burning like fire, flexible as wind, and quick as lightning! The very forces of nature were now unleashed in their fullest strength against one man!
Marduk saw Tadakatsu's body slowly rise. Tapping his left palm with the club head, he watched for a brief moment as he rose. "You brought this upon yourself, you know. You're a good guy, Tadakatsu. The audience's cheers prove that." He crouched down. "May they forgive me for burying you." Marduk jumped up, flying past Tadakatsu. He felt the momentum slow down. In that brief moment of weightlessness, he stared down at his opponent. Tadakatsu's eyes were lifeless. Firmly grasping his club in both hands, Marduk fell back down.
"Here he comes, folks! It's the same move he used to deal the finishing blow to Tiamat, and Tadakatsu is powerless to stop it!" Heimdall screamed.
"Father! Don't you dare let this be how it ends!" Komatsuhime screamed.
On the other side of the arena, Sarpanitu clasped her hands together, silently praying. Please end this and come home, my Sun! Please!
Marduk dropped like a rock towards his foe. Slowly and methodically, he raised the club above his head. Tadakatsu got closer. Despite his lack of consciousness, he held firmly onto his spear. "Tadakatsu! You need to wake up!" Randgriz yelled. "Hilde and the others are counting on us!" He did not stir. "Tadakatsu! They're watching us! Please!"
Marduk closed in and swung down. The club descended like a meteor. A loud clang erupted from the club, making contact, and Tadakatsu shot to the ground. His limp snapped into form before contact. Both feet slammed into the ground. "You must take me for a punk if you think I'm going to die while they're watching!" Tadakatsu roared. "I hear them! Their cheers and cries! What kind of man responds to that with death!?" He aimed his spear straight up towards Marduk. He roared and extended the spear skywards.
He blocked it and is already trying to counter!? Marduk thought. This isn't good. I can't dodge this in mid-air. Got to try and parry! The spear, nearly reaching its maximum length, flew towards Marduk. Marduk swung his club, swatting away the club. Tadakatsu's right arm lurched to the side.
Body, I need more power! His muscles flexed, from his core up to his back, shoulder, and then arm and hand. Leaning his body to the left, Tadakatsu swung his fully extended spear back towards Marduk. Marduk swung at the shaft of the oncoming spear. It vanished.
"How the-wait!" Marduk swung his club down just in time to stop another thrust. Tadakatsu jumped away from the spot just as Marduk landed. He fired another extending thrust. Marduk swung. You're trying to get around my speed with feints! Clever, but not enough! The swing hit only air. The spear hung in the air mid-extension. It accelerated towards Marduk as his swing ended. He shifted his weight to the left, bringing the club back around and knocking away the spear. Tadakatsu did not fight the blow. Rather, he spun with it, grasping the spin in both hands. Twisting his body back around, he swung towards Marduk. Marduk swung his club, colliding with the attacker. The loud clang rang in their ears. Marduk took a quick glimpse at his club before turning his attention back on Tadakatsu. Ah…so that's how it is…it's just the spearhead. Randgriz's ability is focused there. That explains why I can block the shaft strikes. How will you compensate? Tadakatsu retracted his spear and jumped back. Marduk hunched down. Tadakatsu took his stance once more, gripping his fully extended spear in both hands. His right hand sat next to his hip, while his extended out along the shaft.
"Marduk, I must apologize to you, but I can't fight you like this anymore," Tadakatsu said. Marduk flinched and stood back up. "You're strong. Stronger than any warrior I have faced before. For the first time in both of my lives, I have found someone who I genuinely believe can kill me." Several members of the Human audience felt those words reverberate in their souls.
"The hell is he saying!?" Tadatsugu asked, shifting his attention between the score and the floating screens.
Marduk 94%
Honda Tadakatsu 85%
"Tadakatsu…" Ieyasu whispered.
"Father…" Komatsuhime spoke silently. Her brothers gripped her hands in theirs as they watched.
Japan
(1574)
Okazaki Castle
Mikawa
In the home of Ieyasu Tokugawa, the illustrious Okazaki Castle, Ieyasu found himself in a precarious situation. That year, Nobunaga Oda, his tumultuous ally, was engaged in battle against the Ikko-Ikki religious sect, due to their opposition to his rule. While he and Nobunaga agreed to fight on separate fronts, the Ikko-Ikki were a dangerous threat economically and politically despite their meager military might. Ieyasu and his forces had just a year prior won a major victory at Mikatagahara, but he was now staring down his greatest challenge. Tadakatsu Honda, his strongest warrior, was sitting opposite him. Ieyasu was not comfortable seeing him in such a pitiful state with a squirming bearing and panicked eyes.
"Lord Tokugawa, I seek an audience with you," Tadakatsu said, his strong voice and tone betrayed by his posture.
"You have it. Speak." He responded.
"My Lord, I…" His mouth was open, but no words came out. Ieyasu sat silently. He was barely five years older than his vassal, but knew what their positions demanded of them.
"Tadakatsu, speak your mind or leave. I would never deny you my time, but if you waste it, you will regret it." He said firmly, free of anger or condescension. Tadakatsu lowered his head. He inhaled deeply, then exhaled.
"I'm…sorry, My Lord. I didn't mean to disrespect you. I...can't sleep."
Ieyasu slumped over a little. "That's it?"
"…No, Sir."
"I imagined that was the case, so quit keeping me in suspense. Why can't you sleep?" Tadakatsu stared down at the floor.
"I used to dream about battle. Whether I was awake or asleep, my heart was on the battlefield." He opened his palms and stared down at them. "These massive hands and Tonbokiri took countless lives and saved just as many. I have pride in this heaven-sent body and the power I wield."
"You're belaying the point."
Tadakatsu nodded. "I have tried for over a year to fight this, but I can't anymore." He began to shudder. "When these hands hold Ina…I have never felt more powerless." The dam broke. "Ieyasu, why!? What is this!? Why is it every time I look at her, hold her tiny body in my hand, hear her laughing or crying, all I feel is sheer unyielding terror? Why are my dreams of glory now full of her and her mother burning alive!? I can't even look back at Mikatagahara with pride! Why can't I escape this!?" His eyes locked with Ieyasu's stoic glare.
Ieyasu sighed. I'm sorry, Tadakatsu. He thought. I should have seen this coming. How could you understand what this is? How could a man like you understand when you've never dealt with such a horror? Ieyasu opened his hands and reached out, his palms dwarfed by his vassal's. "You feel powerless because your world has expanded."
"My world?"
"Every person suffers this, and despite your gravitas, you're still human. Your world has expanded, and for the first time in your life, I imagine it's more than you can hold. Look at my hands." Tadakatsu looked down at them. A few calluses and cuts made their home on his palms and fingers. "My hands are small. They are not the hands of a mighty warrior like yours. Yet," He clenched his hands, his fingers popping from the strength of his grip, veins rising on his forearms. "Despite my hands, I take hold of my world, everything and everyone precious to me. Sadly, it's so vast I feel like I can barely hold it." He closed his eyes and sighed. He opened them and stared at his friend. "Never tell a soul this, Tadakatsu. Swear to me." He nodded, refusing to blink. "Those same nightmares haunted me for years, and still do. I cannot bear the idea of losing my hold on it all and watching it fall apart. It would destroy me…but I refuse to allow that fear to control me. That fear will not protect it." Tadakatsu stared at those callused and scarred hands. Those same hands turned and grasped his own. "And so we must be stronger than we were before. Stronger than yesterday, and grow stronger with each passing day. So strong that no one can harm our worlds. You're not powerless, Tadakatsu. You need to understand that things have changed. It's not for glory anymore. You have Ina, your wife, and the future children of the Honda Clan. These hands, these mighty hands, can become strong enough to carry your expanding world. You must understand that if you hope to get any sleep."
Tadakatsu gripped Ieyasu's softly in his own. "I must become stronger…"
"Stronger than anyone." The two loosened their grip and locked eyes. Ieyasu saw his bearing straighten, his gaze harden.
"Then I will be."
Valhalla Arena
"Because of this, I'm afraid I can't fight you anymore."
"So you're giving up?" Marduk said, eyes widening.
"No…," A heavy aura flowed out from Tadakatsu's body. "This isn't a fight or war anymore. I may truly die, and because of that, I must treat this as what it is. This…is wrath." The water at his feet rippled and flowed away from his legs. "You…are aiming your intent at my world." His pupils dilated. "And for that, I shall tear you and all of Heaven asunder." Marduk's gaze hardened. He crouched down and dashed forward. Tadakatsu thrust his spear straight at Marduk's chest. Marduk swung his club to intercept. The club made contact with the spear's shaft and plummeted. It slammed into the water with a mighty thud. The spear continued forward. Marduk leaned to the right, the spear's blade grazing his cheek and cutting through his ear as it passed. Tadakatsu pulled it back swiftly and thrust again. Marduk raised his club out of the water to try again. The club hit the shaft and shot upwards. Marduk felt his left foot leave the ground as he saw the spearhead fly to his chest. He snapped his left hand and caught the blade in his palm. Blood began to flow from where his hand grasped the blade and where the tip of the spear just barely pierced his flesh above his sternum. Tadakatsu pulled it back, pulling Marduk forward and slicing deeper into his hand. Marduk released his grip and jumped back, the spear following him.
How's he doing that!? Every time I hit the spear, it's redirecting…" His eyes widened. He swung his club down on the shaft. It made contact and was thrown down again. He saw it. He jumped back to gain distance, but Tadakatsu followed him. Slowly and methodically, Tadakatsu walked towards Marduk with his spear at the ready. You're doing what I did earlier. It took me years to figure out how to apply that technique, but he did it nearly instantly…you're… beginning to annoy me. Tadakatsu reached the ideal range and thrusted. His left hand's slightly loose grip allowed for Tadakatsu's new technique to shine. Twisting his wrist inward, his spear spun as it flew towards Marduk. Don't think you can use my trick against me! Marduk swung his club, twisting it. The club and spear collided with a monstrous clang. Both were knocked away, the club down and the spear to Tadakatsu's right. Tadakatsu clenched his back muscles, fighting through the knockback and swinging back towards Marduk. Marduk swung up and caught it, both flailing away from the point of impact. Both warriors stared each other down, their teeth bared as if to bite each other's throats out. Both swung again, colliding once more. Marduk began to slowly backstep while Tadakatsu walked forward, continuing his barrage. One parry, then another. A third, then another. Wait…something's wrong.
"Is Dad…getting faster?" Tadatomo asked, his hand still gripping his sister's.
"He is. How?" Komatsuhime said. She and her brothers looked up at the score overhead.
Marduk 92%
Honda Tadakatsu 89%
"The score's changing," Tadamasa said.
"Because your father is done fighting," Ieyasu said, not looking away from the fight. "You can feel it, can't you?"
The three looked at the audience. Each person, of every color and creed, wore the same expression. Hardened, furious, unblinking, and unyielding. They saw it everywhere. "What happened?"
"The will of your father. It's not his alone anymore. They all see it, and now they all carry it. And that is what will win this day."
You can't see it, can you!? Tadakatsu thought. You can't even fathom the idea of dying! His thrusts began speeding up. You don't think it's possible you could be beaten by me! He began adding swipes amidst the thrusts. Marduk continued blocking each and every blow that came his way, his hand and forearm growing sore with each move. That's why you can't win! And that's why… Tadakatsu swiped his spear from the left. Marduk, spinning his club, swung to intercept. The two collided. Tadakatsu wrung his hands as hard as he could. The skin of his palms and fingers nearly tore away. The spear smashed the club down into the ground, pried free of Marduk's grip. Tadakatsu swung once more. Marduk tried to snatch the spearhead again. The jolt of pain from his cut hand delayed his move, and the spearhead found home. It glided right across his upper chest, slicing through his vest and flesh as he tried to lean back. Blood sprayed out onto the water as he fell.
"Marduk's been cut! He failed to escape the barrage!" Heimdall shouted. Sarpanitu and Nabu's horrified looks began to infect the rest of the crowd. Tadakatsu brought his spear back from the right and raised it high. He inhaled deeply, the Human audience copying his movement. He roared, tearing at his own throat, swung down. The audience roared with him. Brünhilde, Göll, their sisters, and allies in the medical wing. The Fighters waiting their turns. All of them roared alongside their Hero; not a single one looked at the score above them.
Marduk 79%
Honda Tadakatsu 100%
Marduk could see the blow heading his way as the water around him turned red. He could not think. He could only act. His right hand, throbbing with pain, could feel the pommel of the club. Out of pure instinct, He grabbed the club while surfacing. Holding it with both hands, one on the handle and the other on the club's head, he prepared to catch the spear's shaft.
He could not see it. The single moment that turned the tide of the battle. That moment when the spear retracted ever so slightly. It was perfect. The spearhead slammed into the club. The force of the blow sent shockwaves through Marduk's body. I did it! I stopped it! He saw the cracks appear. His heart skipped a beat as the sound of stone breaking started to enter his ears. Oh no. The spear rocketed through the club, smashing it to pieces as it cut into Marduk's left pectoral, abdomen, hip, and down to his knee. The spearhead slammed into the water in front of him, drenching him in bloody seawater. Am I…dying? He fell back with a soft splash.
Tadakatsu breathed heavily as he pulled his spear back and returned to his stance.
"Tadakatsu, I think we got him," Randgriz said. "The cut was not deep enough, but the salt water will speed up his bleeding."
"Marduk is down! Tadakatsu finally broke through the club and sent him into the briny blue!" Heimdall shouted.
"No…" Sarpanitu said, covering her mouth with her hands. Her son stood in place, dumbstruck by the sight. The Human audience roared with joy at the end of the exchange. Everyone except Ieyasu, the Honda children, and the Shitenno.
"He's not dead. Something's wrong." Ieyasu said.
"Randgriz, it's not over," Tadakatsu said. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end.
A massive surge of energy erupted from where Marduk vanished. The blood-soaked water began spinning, forming into a small whirlpool. It expanded as each second passed. Tadakatsu jumped a couple of times away, putting dozens of meters between him and the growing whirlpool. At its epicenter, a massive funnel shot into the sky. Tadakatsu felt an odd sensation around his feet and looked down. The seawater around him was flowing towards the funnel.
"What's happening!?" Heimdall shouted. "An entire ocean's worth of water's getting pulled into the funnel!"
"The water's getting shallow…" Tadakatsu looked back at the funnel. He could barely see it; a figure slowly standing up in the middle of the funnel. Two bright yellow eyes peered straight at him as the water continued to flow towards the funnel. "I think we're in trouble."