"Takemikazuchi's already racing down the arena towards the Great Gama!" Takemikazuchi dashed with deceptive grace and speed towards Ghulam. Ghulam braced himself, his eyes widening. Takemikazuchi spun his torso slightly to the right and brought his right arm close to his ribs, his palm open, and aimed towards Ghulam. He snapped back and shot his palm forward.
"Harite!" He roared. Ghulam did not move. The palm soared straight towards his face. A classic move designed to unbalance the opponent and set up one of the other eighty-one kimarite, but when thrown by the progenitor of Sumo, the move was no different than point-blank cannon fire. Ghulam felt the pressure of the blow, but remained still. Here it comes- Dread struck Takemikazuchi, and he immediately pulled his arm back and hopped back.
"What the-!? Takemikazuchi stopped his lightning-fast charge! It looked like he was about to take Ghulam's head off! Did something happen!?" Heimdall yelled.
Ghulam remained still. Heimdall, the audience, and Takemikazuchi instinctively held their breath. Something's wrong. Takemikazuchi thought. It was perfect. The dash from Tachiai into Harite, then either into Yobimodoshi or Nimaigeri to set up the pin. I already had a few strategies. I have reach, weight, and height on him. So why… Chills raced down from his brow to his buried toes. Ghulam vanished from his sight. A massive shadow enveloped him as a massive mountain rose in front of him. He knew if he looked up, he would not see the top. He could only look forward and stare in shock at the mountain's face. It was not solid rock. No…it was a mountain of stone statues. Statues of countless men and women in Pehlwan outfits, linked arm in arm, standing atop one another. Level upon level up to the sky. Why do I feel…so small?
Ghulam stared him down. Damn, you already picked up on it. I was hoping you'd rush in like your brother did against Johannes. Ghulam breathed slowly, deeply, and exhaled. Guess I can't expect you to be a flashy son-of-a-gun. Takemikazuchi began side-stepping to the left, keeping his hands in front of him and his body in squared-up profile. His eyes locked with Ghulam's as he moved. That's fine. You and I both know this stalemate can't continue for long. Eventually, you will- Takemikazuchi hopped a few meters to his left off his right foot. As soon as his left foot touched the dirt, he shot forward and twisted back to the right. Try to take the momentum!
Takemikazuchi stood before the mountain, eyeing the statues. Each one was shorter than him, but all wore an expression of sheer joy and confidence. I can't stay here. He thought. Slowly, he grabbed onto the statue closest to him and pulled himself up. Slowly, he ascended, finding any grip or footing he could reach. Here I come! Returning to the arena, Takemikazuchi snapped back to the left and fired his palm forward. Harite!
The palm flew right at Ghulam's head. Ghulam stepped his right foot forward and threw his arms towards Takemikazuchi. His left arm slipped in-between the Harite and Takemikazuchi's head. His right arm looped under Takemikazuchi's left armpit. Ghulam clasped his hands together. Takemikazuchi shot his hands down and gripped Ghulam's waist. Both sank, lowering their centers of gravity.
You're…Ghulam thought.
Heavy! Takemikazuchi roared mentally. He slid his right leg in-between Ghulam's and shot his left hand up and to the left side of Ghulam's head. But that doesn't mean anything when I take your balance! He shifted his right hand to the back of Ghulam's Langot and grabbed it. He shifted his weight to the left and lifted Ghulam with his right hand and leg, lifting Ghulam's left leg off the ground and rotating him to the left. Tsukaminage! No point in a three-count if I snap your neck!
Ghulam felt the world spin around him. His grip held firm despite the torque. Now! Just before his right leg left the ground, Ghulam kicked off the dirt. His left leg lifted off Takemikazuchi's right, and he got both feet back on the ground. Grit your teeth! He activated his lats, stopping the rotation. He stepped his left foot back and around, twisting his entire body around and pressing his right side into Takemikazuchi's rib cage. The momentum pulled Takemikazuchi back to his right and off the ground. He swung over Ghulam's back. Gardan Dhak! Takemikazuchi slammed into the ground shoulders-first, his bones rattling and his shoulders and back erupting in pain. Ghulam kept his grip and lay right on top of his downed opponent.
"1!"
Got you! Takemikazuchi shifted his weight to the right, lifting his left shoulder just enough to spin and fire his left palm into the side of Ghulam's head square on the temple. Ghulam felt his bones rattle from the blow, but his grip held. Damn it, that won't make you let go!? Pain suddenly shot through his body. He roared and fired another left palm into Ghulam's head. Is he trying to crush me!? He fired another left palm. Ghulam's grip relented, and he rolled away. Takemikazuchi shot back to his feet and looked down at his torso. A long bruise began to form around the spot Ghulam held onto his body. He…almost crushed my rib cage…with just raw power? What the hell is he, some kind of serpent? Ghulam rolled backwards and got to his feet. Both eyed each other as Ghulam slowly stretched his neck in all four directions before rotating it clockwise and counterclockwise. Takemikazuchi could hear his neck popping. Ghulam shifted his jaw and spat out some blood.
"Should have taken that palm strike into account. Good ploy." Ghulam said as he massaged the left side of his neck with his left hand. "Never been hit like that before."
"Be grateful I can't fire a Harite at full power from the ground."
"I am…" Ghulam started walking towards Takemikazuchi, stopping just shy of a meter from him. "I'm really going to have to kill you to win, eh?" A wide, toothy grin full of pearly white teeth stuck out against Ghulam's dirt-covered body. Takemikazuchi did not understand why, but the same grin on Ghulam's face grew on his own. "Good…let's not waste time. I don't want…" Ghulam burst forward and wrapped his arms around Takemikazuchi again. Takemikazuchi locked his right hand around Ghulam's left shoulder and his left hand against Ghulam's right side. "TO HOLD BACK!"
Takemikazuchi felt the surge. In his mind, he continued to climb the mountain of statues. His foot slipped under him, but his grip did not relent. He got his footing back and continued to climb, now a little faster.
Up in one of the box seats, Shiva sat cross-legged on a large salmon-colored cushion as he looked down at the arena below. The last throw shook the box, unsettling dust on the floor and walls. "Well, what do you know…" He whistled. "Damn…that Human's insane!" He looked to his left, eyeing his guest. "Guess you were right after all, Hanuman. Missing out on this would be dumb!"
Sitting next to Shiva was a God covered in sleek white fur. He wore sea green baggy pants that reached down to the middle of his calves, well above his bare prehensile feet. A long white tail wrapped around his midsection. His chest was bare save for a large scar in the center of his sternum, partially covered by a yellow sash looping over his left shoulder. His chiseled face and soft brown eyes were framed by white fur with two bare, pointed ears sticking out of the sides of his head. To anyone far away, he would look like any other God, but anyone as close as Shiva was would see that the lower half of his face looked like a primate. Atop his head sat his iconic cone-shaped crown, the Kiritamukuta, and lying on the ground next to his salmon-colored cushion was a bronze Gada.
Hanuman
God of Wisdom, Strength, Courage, Devotion, and Self-Discipline
Chiranjivi
(Hindu Pantheon)
"Told you. Kind of kicking myself for turning down Set's offer to fight," Hanuman said while smiling, his voice a low tenor. He covered his mouth with his right hand. Shiva could see his hidden smile turning manic.
"He asked you?"
"Don't act surprised. I think it was after he got Indra to support. I turned him down since I thought there was no way anyone other than Rama would be a worthwhile opponent, and I will not fight for anyone besides Rama." He sighed. "But had I known one of the Einherjar would be a Pehlwan, I would have joined on the spot."
"Really? What makes a 'Pehlwan' so special?"
"Nothing special. Other than they revere me and emulate me. In every one of their training schools, the akharas, there are statues of me that they offer their prayers and respect to. They train day in and day out to try and reach my strength."
"Uh-huh." Shiva stared listlessly. So it's an ego trip. Got to show all those Humans trying to emulate you, they'll never reach you.
"I've seen quite a few Kushti matches, and even observed their training. Shiva…Kushti is painful."
He blinked a few times. "Is it now?"
"It's a lifelong profession that demands dedication, unlike anything many experience. It's a life that rewards strength and dedication, and so few can survive doing it." Another heavy thud rattled the arena; Takemikazuchi wrapped his right leg around Ghulam's left and swung his right arm around Ghulam's torso. He lurched to the left, lifting Ghulam's leg off the ground with his leg-hook and slamming him into the dirt.
"Sato-gake!" Takemikazuchi roared, echoing into the stands.
"That ring down there probably feels more like home, heaven, and hell to Ghulam than anywhere else in Creation."
"Sounds like you know him personally."
"I don't. I just keep an eye on things here and there..." Ghulam shot back up immediately from the throw before Takemikazuchi could pin him. In the short distance between the two, Ghulam dashed into Takemikazuchi's torso, looping his right arm around Takemikazuchi's right thigh as he threaded his head under Takemikazuchi's right arm. Ghulam hooked his left hand on Takemikazuchi's right bicep and lurched his body hard to the left. Takemikazuchi felt the world spin around him, and his vision blurred as Ghulam swung him over his shoulders, slamming Takemikazuchi into the ground with a heavy thud.
"Kalajangh!" Ghulam yelled through gritted teeth. He scrambled and climbed over Takemikazuchi to pin him.
"1!….2!…." Takemikazuchi twisted and threw Ghulam off to the left. "Ghulam can't keep him down!" Heimdall shouted.
"Though to be honest, I'd be lying if I said I didn't know about him. Of all the Pehlwans, he is the one I can say doesn't practice Kushti, but is Kushti." He turned his sight back to the arena.
Show me, Ghulam. Make me regret not fighting.
Valhalla Medical Ward
"What an…interesting fight," Hrist said, sitting at a table and watching a monitor in the hospital room. Across from her was Göll, and behind her was a large spherical vat surrounded by monitors beeping away in a steady rhythm. Inside the vat and submerged in gold liquid was a suspended, heavily bandaged Leonardo Da Vinci, his eyes covered in gauze under the wrappings that covered the upper half of his head, while his mouth and nose were covered by a breathing mask and hose. A metal frame within the vat held him in place and kept his back straight.
"How's Ghulam fairing?" Leo asked through a speaker at the vat's base.
"He's holding up despite Takemikazuchi being so much bigger than him," Göll said.
"Ha! As if that would mean anything to him!" He heard a loud crashing sound from the monitor. "Sounds like Ghulam was thrown that time."
"You can tell? Wait, of course you can." Hrist sighed. She looked over to Göll. "Any word from Hilde?"
Göll looked down at the tablet in her left hand and shook her head. "No…"
"Shit, that's not good."
"Why?"
"Pandora." Göll tilted her head. "Pan and Hilde used to be thicker than thieves. Things soured in the past, and now she played a part in Hephaestus' death. She's probably beating herself up for it."
"She did no such thing," Leo said softly. "That's my burden to bear, and no one else's. Speaking of that, any updates from the workshop?"
Hrist looked down at her tablet. "The scans and uploads are ongoing. You were right, there's way too much information to just upload the whole thing. It's like it's his entire lived history."
"It likely is. Heaven has been ahead of Humanity in regards to technology for millennia. When I got up here, you guys already had touch phones and such that were ahead of what's back on Midgard now. It's almost unfair. Digressing, but it would not surprise me if someone like Hephaestus found a way to capture and record everything in his life."
"With that in mind, what exactly are we looking for?"
"Motivation." Hrist looked back at him. "Innovation and creation need motivation. Whatever Hephaestus was working on for Pandora to help her is in there somewhere. We need to find out what it is, what he's done, and how far he got before we can even do anything." Leo paused for a minute. "Hey, uh, Hrist? Besides Göll, who's in here with us?" To Hrist's left, adorned in well-fitted black samurai armor complete with lacquered deer antlers, sat an Onna-musha. In her right hand was a familiar, but shorter, spear. She was watching the monitor, captivated by the battle.
"Komatsuhime. Why?"
"You…could have told me Tadakatsu's daughter was in here. Thank goodness I'm wearing something."
"You're not."
"Ah." He paused briefly. "This is awkward."
"Relax," Komatsuhime said. "I'm happily married and have no interest in gawking at you."
"Well, that makes me feel better." He responded wryly. Then why are you here?"
"You honored my father's wishes, and that makes you an ally of the Honda Clan. As such, I am here to stand guard as a show of gratitude and solidarity."
"Oh…"Leo's heart felt heavy. "Ah. Well. I guess I'll be grateful then. Thank you. But…I'm not sure who I need protecting from."
"I do…" Hrist looked over to her. "You killed someone's father. Such a death cannot go unavenged. If she is anything like I am, she'll be on her way soon."
Valhalla Arena
Brünhilde's Chambers
Brünhilde sat in front of her monitor, scrolling through several portraits in a folder titled 'Akashic Records: Potential Substitutes.' Several names rolled across her screen: Adrian Carton de Wiart, Julie d'Aubigny, William Bonney, Fu Hao, Lee Jun-fan, Lyudmila Pavlichenko, Dandara dos Palmares, Masatatsu Oyama, Yagyu Munenori, and Cassius Clay to name a few. She stared listlessly at the screen as their names passed by. She stopped scrolling and closed her eyes, leaning back into her chair as her arms went limp by her sides. Memories poured in as she let silence take her.
Mount Aetna
Millennia Ago
"You need to talk to her," Hephaestus said.
"Why?" She asked, standing behind him as he worked on a contraption at his worktable.
"She's got one less damn person in her life, genius. You want to add to it by keeping yourself away? Shit Hilde, she barely talks to me right now."
She sighed. "Hephaestus, I want to. Everything's…complicated right now."
"Let me guess. All the souls dead from the flood." She massaged her forehead. "Honestly, why the hell did he put just you twelve in charge of all the dead? That's a lot to ask of even a hundred Valkyries!"
"Dad trusts us. If we show weakness right now, then it may seem like we can't be trusted with it."
"Bullshit. You're afraid of provin' Prometheus right." Brünhilde went silent, glaring at Hephaestus' back. "I'm not stupid. Ugly, but not stupid. I know he tried to pull some fast shit a while back and take over managing the dead from you and your sisters." He placed his soldering iron on the table and spun around on his stool. "Hilde, I get the ego shit. I do, but my baby girl lost her husband. I'm not good at emotional stuff, and I don't know what to do. But you do, and she needs you. Yet the dead are taking up your time. You're acting like your damn old man, putting work first."
"It's our mission! I can't just stop what I'm doing! If I stop even for a moment, my sisters have to pick up my part of the shitshow going on down there!"
Hephaestus rose off the stool. "Are you so damn busy you can't be bothered to go help your best friend!?"
"You're her dad!"
"DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT!?" Hephaestus roared, his voice echoing up and out of his workshop. "I can't do a damn thing right now except work on some way to reverse the Sin Cluster! But guess fuckin' what!? I can't do anything without Epi's body! His bastard brother probably stole and destroyed it! Worse, his soul is trapped in the cluster's shell!" He pointed to his right, straight at a metallic vault with different locks all across its door. "His soul is right in there and I can't do a damn thing, Hilde!"
She stared at Hephaestus, unable to respond. His pain lay bare in front of her. She turned away, clenching her fists, and walked out of the workshop."
"I wanted to Hephaestus…," She said. "I still do. But you're wrong. I still don't know what to do…other than fulfill my duties." She stood up from her chair and walked over to a corner of her room. There, six small platforms lined the walls, three on each side. She walked to each and pushed a small button. Images of the deceased appeared in front of her. She looked to her left, looking at images of Hohenheim, Arash, and Tadakatsu. "Compassion, Gratitude, and Heroism." She looked to her right and saw Baldr, Futsunushi, and Hephaestus. "Fraternity, Devotion, and…" She stared at Hephaestus' smiling image, his arms crossed as if eyeing another great work. "Endeavor…" Her eyes watered as her breathing shuddered. She pursed her lips and inhaled deeply. "I got to get my mind off this…I should go see how Leo is and watch the fight with him, Hrist, and Göll."
Tartarus
Yama walked down a long, stone hallway. The stone surfaces were a dingy gray, discolored from the millennia of moisture and stagnant air. Torches lined the walls every few meters, casting a dim glow that barely illuminated his large, imposing figure. He sighed as he continued to walk, his footsteps echoing through the hall around him. "Lord, this is getting exhausting." He said. "First, Set figures out Zeus asked me to keep an eye on him. Next, I'm forced to release Prometheus for Round Six after Gabriel runs off. Don't even want to think about the bureaucratic fallout that will hit my desk after Ragnarök ends from that. Now…" He stopped and looked back. "I feel like I'm being followed." He turned around and continued forward. His tablet vibrated in his left pocket. He pulled it out while walking and looked at the screen. One new message from a familiar number. "Well, hopefully this will be some good news…" He tapped the screen and opened the message.
Just finished investigating the fourth site. No results. Some of the Angels on patrol are finding more uncovered sites that fit the same profile as the others.
"Shit. How many hideouts did he have? Why so many?" He continued reading the message.
So far, at least three have popped up. The squadrons are continuing their search for more while small patrol groups investigate each site. I can't guarantee we'll find him. Never took Prometheus to be that covetous over his brother's body.
Yama stopped and typed away on his tablet.
That insidious bastard would do anything to ensure his plans could not be reversed. Even steal a corpse.
He sent the message. He looked back again, squinting. The hall behind him was empty save for torchlight and the occasional echoes of screams and machinery moving from the floors above and below him. His tablet vibrated in his hand, and he looked down.
Are you sure he wouldn't destroy Epimetheus' body, Yama?
Yes. If Eris gave him the information to make one, it would likely include the process to remove the soul from the cluster and return it to the body. In the off-chance his plan went South, it would be easy to use it for something like a ransom or at least bartering. I wouldn't put anything past them, Raphael.
That still leaves a question unanswered. How did Eris get that info to him in the first place? Prometheus was put in the Circles after the Sin Cluster and his second attempt at usurping Zeus, right?
Yama sighed. Yes.
You were Head of Security then, and you would never let something like that happen. There has to be something going on here that we're not seeing.
Yama tensed up a little and inhaled sharply. He closed his eyes and stood still for a moment. He exhaled, letting his body go lax. Don't remind me, you crochety ass. Yama thought. I know you're trying to put a positive spin on it, but it still stings. No clue. No one on staff but the Warden can leave Tartarus. Prometheus was active in both Valhalla and Midgard around then.
He sent the message and continued walking. Far down the hall was a large wooden door. Emblazoned on a metallic plaque just above the door's center and at Yama's line of sight were the words 'WARDEN'S OFFICE AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.' He pushed the door open and walked through, closing it behind him. He took in his office, a large room lined with metallic cabinets and a large ornate wooden, black desk and matching thick-cushioned chair. He walked over to his desk, catching sight of some envelopes sitting in a wooden box labeled 'Inbox.' He placed his tablet on the table and grabbed the envelopes. "Junk mail." He dropped the letters in the trash bin next to his desk. He walked around and sat down in his chair. He leaned back, letting his back relax in the soft cushions. A small perk amongst the bureaucracy. His tablet vibrated. He reached for it and opened the new message.
I don't think that's true.
Yama tilted his head. What do you mean? The rules of Tartarus are ironclad. All except the Warden are assigned a Geas to prevent them from leaving. He sent the message. Please don't tell me you're now suspecting me? I get we're at odds on a few things, but the enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? His tablet lit up. We were former students together, dammit.
What about Zahhak? Shot in the dark, but that may not apply to him. Plus, he had skin in the game from screwing over the General since Hephaestus and Pandora were important to him.
Yama sat in his chair and placed the tablet down. His eyes darted to the left and right as his thoughts raced. That wouldn't make sense. His brow raised. Unless… He picked it back up and began typing.
Raph, need a favor.
Shoot. What is it?
How familiar are you with Mount Damavand?
That's the mountain the guy from Round Two shot the arrow from, right? Armaiti's pupil, Arash?
Probably. Do some surveillance there. During one of Zahhak's reincarnations, he was imprisoned there. It may lead us to something. Or not.
On it. I'll keep you posted.
Yama stared at the screen until it dimmed. He set it down on the desk and relaxed for a moment.
Nothing about this makes sense. He thought. Set wanted Vidarr out of the Circles, claiming he's a candidate for the Thirteenth Fighter. If that was the case, why recommend putting him in Cerberus? He's done the job well, but his crimes in Winchester and Asgard make this risky. Then he demands Prometheus fight for Round Six…did he know Gabriel would run? On top of that, Myrddin appeared. Haven't seen or heard anything about him since Winchester. Nuada killed him, but… Yama stood and walked over to the file cabinets to his right. He opened one at chest level, revealing several vanilla folders. He riffled through a few before pulling out one and taking it back to his desk. He dropped it down, eyeing the word CAMBION stamped on the front. "I wonder if that's the last we'll see of him."
Valhalla Arena
Ghulam back-stepped another Harite. He crouched down and dashed into Takemikazuchi's legs, sliding onto his knees. Moving quickly, he dug his left shoulder into Takemikazuchi's pelvis and wrapped his arms around the Thunder God's thighs. He activated his lats and core, lifting Takemikazuchi off the ground, and leaned to the left to slam Takemikazuchi down. "Duheri Pat!" Ghulam roared through his gritted teeth. He clamped down on Takemikazuchi's ensnared legs. If I can't break your ribs or pin you, then I'll just BREAK your legs! He pressed his head and shoulder into Takemikazuchi's body to hold him down.
Shit! Again!? Takemikazuchi screamed in his head. He felt his bones creak. His muscles began to feel like they were being cut by dull scissors as the pressure crushed through his skin. He placed his hands, palms down, next to his head, both elbows aimed to the sky. Takemikazuchi flexed his core, lats, legs, and arms in one quick effort and kicked his ensnared legs up. Ghulam held on through the leg-lift, but Takemikazuchi did not stop. He continued the lift. His glutes and back left the ground. Then his shoulders and neck. Ghulam looked down at Takemikazuchi, now holding a perfect handstand.
What the hell kind of wrestling is- Takemikazuchi swung his legs over, bringing them and Ghulam crashing down. Ghulam felt the impact of his entire body weight and the weight of Takemikazuchi's tree trunk legs right through his skull and shoulders, the force breaking his grip. Takemikazuchi pulled his legs out, then hopped up and stepped to Ghulam's back and reached down. He gripped Ghulam's pelvis, lifted him, and threw him down to the dirt.
Okuri-Tsuriotoshi! Takemikazuchi roared in his head. The force of the throw displaced the dirt, revealing the floor underneath. The arena shook once more. Several members of the audience felt the energy through their seats.
"What…are they?" One owl-faced God asked. "How are they surviving those throws!?" Across the arena, the armies of Rikishi and Pehlwans were roaring, whether from triumph or fury, depending on who threw whom.
"What the hell was that move!?" A Pehlwan roared at the Rikishi. His glorious moustache shone in the light. "Since when is a leg-lift a Sumo move!?"
Imam Baksh Butt
Younger Brother of Ghulam Butt
Champion of Lahore
(India)
"Why does it matter!?" A taller Rikishi in a purple Mawashi answered, glaring at him.
Onogawa Kisaburō
The Fifth Yokozuna
(Japan)
"The rules, dammit! That's why!"
Below the two, an older man with a graying mustache turned to Shiganosuke. "Hey, does the conditioning for Sumo incorporate leg-lifts?"
Muhammad Aziz Baksh
Father of Ghulam Butt
(India)
"Not at all. Most leg and core routines revolve around Shiko, Suriyashi, and leg bridges. Why?" Shiganosuke asked.
"We do them, and what he did was something we do in Kushti called Sawari, where we add weights to workouts to increase resistance. Plus," He squinted his eyes and rubbed his chin. "That move he did was something we do in Mallakhamba on poles."
"So…Dai-sensei just used Kushti moves?"
"Maybe, or he just went with the flow. They didn't penalize him." If that's the case, then the rules are a bit more flexible than we thought. What will you do about that, Ghulam?
Back down in the arena, Ghulam jumped up and returned to his stance. Takemikazuchi stared at him, his mouth slightly open. "How are you still moving?" He asked incredulously.
"If a Pehlwan couldn't take this kind of pain, then he doesn't deserve to be in the ring." Ghulam chuckled.
Sweat poured from both, but Takemikazuchi was short of breath. Damn…I wanted this to end quickly. Every technique was flawless so far. Weight displacement, strength, footing, everything. But he's taking everything! Takemikazuchi crouched down. I need to focus on my breathing and maintain stamina. As much as I don't like it, the differences in our styles are showing. I need to break him and this quickly.
"Hey," Ghulam whispered. Takemikazuchi's attention returned to Ghulam. "You're keeping me waiting. Getting tired on me?"
Takemikazuchi smirked. "If that's what you're hoping for," He dashed towards Ghulam, electricity sparking around his shoulders. "Prepare to be disappointed!"
Ghulam's eyes widened. He's faster than before! Takemikazuchi stopped in front of Ghulam and wrapped his arms around Ghulam's elbows.
"Kimedashi!" Takemikazuchi shouted. "Now let's see if you break!" He flexed his arms, his muscles bulging around Ghulam's arms. He then lifted Ghulam off the ground.
"Takemikazuchi has taken the initiative, and now Ghulam's stuck in his grasp!" Heimdall shouted. "What will Ghulam do!?"
Ghulam fought against the pressure, trying to keep his arms straight. He gritted his teeth. Think! If I don't do something, the match is over!"
"Ha ha!" Shiganosuke shouted. "Now, it's over! Once Kimedashi is set, it's almost impossible to break out!" He turned to Muhammad. "Especially when Dai-sensei is lifting him like that!"
"Really?" Muhammad asked. "Could have fooled me."
Gotta breathe…Ghulam thought. He breathed slowly and deeply. His muscles held firm against the pressure. Radgridr, how much longer?
I have sufficient data. Get out of this, and I can start applying it.
"THAT'S ALL I NEEDED TO HEAR!" Ghulam shouted.
"Wait, what-?" Ghulam flexed his back and core. He placed his palms against the undersides of Takemikazuchi's arms and straightened his body out, his legs extending away from Takemikazuchi's body. He shifted his weight forward! Why is he so damn hard to hold up!? An image of Futsunushi swinging his training sword popped into his head. He's using weight displacement to move me!? I weigh more than him! This isn't possible!
He placed the right side of his head against Takemikazuchi's right pectoral and felt the center of gravity shift forward. The pressure on his elbows slackened slightly, and he turned his arms inward, grabbing the edges of Takemikazuchi's shoulder blades.
"Ghulam is…performing an inverted dragon flag!? From that position!? How!?"
"Ever try Mallakhamba!?" Ghulam swung his legs down, shifting their combined weight forward. His feet touched ground, and he pulled their combined weight forward. "It's great for upper-body strength!" Ghulam lifted Takemikazuchi off the ground, spun around, and threw him down with enough force to turn him into a large blur..
Oh no…Takemikazuchi thought.
"Jhapta!" Ghulam slammed him down. Takemikazuchi hit the floor face-first, shaking the arena. Ghulam lifted himself off the ground a few centimeters, but landed on his feet without issue. Takemikazuchi rolled forward, scrambling to his feet. He turned around to face Ghulam, but he stumbled and fell to his knees. His vision blurred, and sounds were warbling. His face and neck screamed with pain. He was looking up, but could not move his neck. Got to…fix this… Takemikazuchi slowly brought his right hand to his jaw, feeling it hanging lifelessly. Dislocated… He pushed it up with a nasty pop. Ghulam flinched from the sight. He placed his hands on his neck, felt it for a second, then grasped his head in his hands and twisted it a few times. Each twist was followed by a nasty cracking sound. He forced his head and gasped in pain. He made a few shallow breaths as he massaged his neck. Slowly, he rolled it to the left and right. "Haven't had to do that in centuries."
"That won't kill you!?" Ghulam yelled.
"Hasn't yet. How're your arms?"
Ghulam let his arms hang loose and shook them. "Sore, but nothing broken."
"Ah, damn…I was hoping something would work." Takemikazuchi crouched down. "Guess I need to try again!" Takemikazuchi dashed forward. He twisted to the right and brought his right arm to his side once more.
"That's the spirit!" Ghulam crouched down. "Let's see if you can take what you dish out!" Takemikazuchi fired his palm forward. Ghulam…burst forward and fired his right palm. Both palm strikes smashed into the other fighter's face. Blood gushed out from their noses. Ghulam's eyes rolled up for a second. Takemikazuchi blacked out for a moment. Both fell to the ground, but slammed their right feet into the ground, keeping themselves up. The Pehlwans in the audience went silent. The Rikishi stared in awe.
"Was that…Harite!?" Onogawa yelled.
"There's…there's no striking in Kushti!" Imam said. "But Ghulam…struck Takemikazuchi…with a Sumo move!?"
"Radgridr, that felt perfect," Ghulam said, blood flowing from his nose and mouth. "Never threw one before, but that definitely was just like his."
Naturally. She said. I got his other moves prepared too. Want to try them?
A monstrous smile contorted his face. "Yes…" Takemikazuchi stepped back to make some space. His eyes widened at what was happening before him. Ghulam returned to his crouch. Slowly, but surely, he raised his right leg straight up to the sky, forming a perfect straight line with his legs. He slammed it back down to the ground, shaking the arena. Takemikazuchi found himself back on the mountain, mid-climb. He looked at the face of the mountain, but no longer saw a Pehlwan. In front of him, barely taller than the other statues, dressed for battle, was a Rikishi.
Well…guess I've got to deal with this now. He thought.
South of Valhalla Arena
In the floating deserts far to the South of Valhalla Arena and cut off through spatial boundaries, many of the Egyptian Pantheon lived in relative isolation. Whether it was out of respect for Ra-Horakhty's authority and strength or fear of his short temper, pride, and capricious nature, which changed by the day. Many of these Gods made their residence in the large pyramids, fortresses, or palaces built along the long, serpentine rivers that traced through the deserts. Here, in the center of the sprawling sands, was Manu, the fortress of Ra-Horakhty. It was from here that the sun shone across the deserts, and here the sun would set. It was from here that the Egyptian Gods would know whether they were going to burn or freeze throughout the day. On this day, the sun soared overhead, scorching the land below. The air rippled from the heat near the desert's surface as many of the Gods took shelter in their homes.
One God did not. High above the ziggurats dotting the desert, the air rippled and churned. A low hum filled the air around the torrent. A small crack filled the air, and Set appeared, floating high above the land. He stared down listlessly, his eyes darting from building to building.
It's home… The voice in Set's mind spoke. He could feel the tinges of nostalgia and heartbreak. What has he done to it? The rivers used to be wider…and there's so little vegetation.
"It is Ra doing what he does," Set answered. "Probably after Osiris escaped to Helheim." He looked up towards the sun and squinted. "This artificial sun's location indicates noon, but it is not even late morning yet."
He's burning my homeland…And I…
"Do not blame yourself. You saved your kin from becoming a puppet. Osiris could have returned and fought against him in your absence, but you and I both know Ra is not one to trifle with. You two could not defeat him even if you fought together. Even if half the entire Pantheon rallied behind you two, Thoth and Anubis, Ra has Sobek, Sekhmet, Hathor, and Bastet. Those four alone rival the rest of your people."
I am aware…and the coincidence of our situation is not lost on me.
Set sighed. "Never thought I would relive such an awful time." He descended, scanning the buildings. "Plus side is that it is familiar enough, we can get into the swing of things quickly…and I am here now."
Hey.
"Hmm?"
I am asking a lot here, but-
"Nephthys' safety is a priority. Hers, Horus, Thoth, Isis, and Anubis. Whatever you need to do this, you will have it."
…I hope what we have IS enough…
"Trust me," He finally saw it. In an opening near the top of a pyramid, a quick series of lights flashed in his direction. "It will be more than enough."