Magni dropped the hammer and lifted his forearms, undoing the bracers that gave him the strength to wield Mjolnir. He tossed them aside, filled with absolute resolution. It was clear to see in his eyes: he believed that this was the right course of action. He reached down to pick up the hammer, lifting with all his might. Bright blue lightning electrocuted him, but he persevered, yelling in agony. The lightning became stronger, enveloping his entire body in an electrical aura.

"I will..become the greatest..!" He clenched his teeth painfully, finally pulling Mjolnir off of the ground. Magni held it above his head, the lightning surging within transforming it into something new: an ultra-greatsword. The massive blade was large in length and width, blue as the clothes Magni wore. Various runic engravings decorated the sword's silver edges and crossguard, each emanating a faded cyan hue.

Victus stepped to the side as Magni lunged at him, slamming his sword into the street. Cracks formed in the road, forking off into branches that almost extended to surrounding buildings. A small shockwave pushed Victus back, but he remained on his feet, glaring, "You're psychotic! You'll destroy everything!"

"Destruction is the only way I can restore what's been lost," Magni slashed upwards, sending a beam of electricity flying at Victus. He rolled to the side, firing at the rampaging god with his revolver, but his sword was so large that he simply used it as a shield. The bullets bounced off the blue blade with bright orange sparks. "I see you've become acquainted with the new weapons of this realm."

"Acquaint yourself with this!" A grenade rolled between Magni's feet, followed by a major explosion. As the smoke cleared, Victus attacked from above, his golden kukri slamming harshly against the edge of Magni's sword. He seemed hardly scathed by the bomb. "Your father wouldn't have wanted you to turn out like this!"

"You do not know what my father would want, angma!" He shoved him back with the sword. "He died for nothing! We were all better off dead than to live on without him!"

"You're just selfish!" He pulled the pin on another grenade, throwing it at him.

"Be silent!" Magni hit the grenade back with his sword, and Victus shot it while it was in the air, creating an explosion between them. "You will not poison my mind with your words!"

"You've poisoned yourself," Victus dismissed Lily, her ring reappearing on his finger. His other ring became ignited with a red flame, "Here's the antidote!"

With a quick wave, the giant flaming wolf was summoned into battle, already charging at Magni. He tried slashing at his face, but Fenrir caught the sword's large blade in his mouth. Its runes then glowed brighter, releasing a blue shockwave that forced him to let go. Magni spun and swung at the wolf, smacking him aside. An automobile then abruptly flew towards him, and he slashed through it, the car exploding in the faint distance.

"Damn, you'd be cooler if you were on my side," Victus picked up another vehicle and threw it at him. Magni slashed through it again and caught one of the halves, chucking it back at him. Vick punched the hunk of metal so hard that it stopped in place. His eyes flashed red, and he gave it a three-piece combo that was finished with a superman. The metal became so warped from the swift punches that it wrapped around his arm instead of getting flung back, and he lunged forwards at high speed, slugging Magni in the face.

A large shockwave sent him flying, but he stabbed his sword into the street, dragging it along until he came to a halt. With both hands, he gripped the hilt, surging with electricity. He spun around and around, lifting cars and debris into the air, creating a large tornado that traveled towards Victus. He tore the metal off of his arm, dropping it to the ground, "You know what to do, bud!"

The wolf stepped up next to him, howling loud enough for all to hear, including Alyza, who was still grieving over Myrian's body. She looked up at the chaotic tornado tearing through the city, standing.

"We need to get out of here. The wall isn't far," Phineas put a hand on her shoulder.

"No," she stepped forwards, "You go. Take Myrian, and bury her somewhere.."

She looked back, "Preferably with flowers. She loves those."

Phineas nodded. Alyza climbed over the railing and jumped off of the ship, fading into the fog.

Fenrir's throat became brighter as he readied himself, tilting his head down.

"I'm counting on you. We've only got one shot at this."

The wolf growled, glaring at the incoming tornado. Victus inhaled sharply, reeling his arm back.

"Feuzaja!" He extended his arm forwards, his fingers spread wide. "Burn it, Fen!"

With a loud bark, a giant fireball emerged from his mouth, gliding through the air like a meteor. It landed in the tornado and lit it aflame, then exploded, sending out a heavy blast that cleared all fog in the entire city. The rumbling was worse where Loki's building was located, though no one seemed to notice, except Heimdall. He awoke, realizing how malformed his body had become. Luckily, he had a couple of fingers on his left hand that were normal, and he used those to chip away at his body with a chisel he kept in his pocket.

Atop Jormungandr's head, Loki stood, watching over the city. He was holding another cane, this one made of jade, "There they are."

He looked back at the portal. Undead creatures of blue and green emerged, covered in frost. The guards shot at them, easily able to overpower the zombies with their guns. "How vexing. I suppose it would make sense that creatures closest to the portal would come through first. Ugh," Loki looked back at the source of the explosion. "At this point, Valhera will have no home to return to. Let us recapture the Nox descendant ourselves."

The giant serpent groaned, obeying his command; he lowered his head and slithered around the buildings of Asgard, speeding towards the battle.

Meanwhile, Victus fell to one knee as Fenrir faded away beside him, reforming the ring around his ring finger. He breathed heavily, "That sorta worked..There goes all my mana, though..Sorry, Lily, I don't think you'll be able to stretch your wings for a while.."

"I'll admit, your Evolution has become much more powerful. But I am power," Magni stepped towards him, Mjollsverd in hand. "I must thank you. You've opened my eyes to limitless power, to my godhood. For that, I shall make your death swift and painless." He raised his greatsword.

"Heh, to think.."

"Hm?"

"I managed to teach a god something. Put that on a resume. I'd have clients lining up to request my guild..Not that they'd ever believe me, anyway.."

"Such petty ambitions. Still, you shall be buried in a new Midgard. I will carve your last words onto your gravestone, in remembrance."

"Make sure not to write my name as, 'Vick for Short,' heh.."

"We had some good times, angma. Short, but good," he then swiftly brought his sword down, but it was stopped. "Oh? Still some fight left in you? Valhalla awaits, Midgardian. You should be happy to die in battl-"

"But I'm not!" Victus was holding up Magni's sword with one hand, trembling. "Even if I come back, I won't get a chance like this again..! I need to save her!" The yellow pieces of cloth around his forearms magically came to his aid, slowly wrapping around the sword's blade.

"Let..Go.." Magni used both hands, but Victus wouldn't budge.

"No!" His eyes glowed red with determination. Slowly, he stood, pushing against the sword with all his might, "I won't give up..! I've come too damn far to give up!"

Magni glared, "How?! You are weaker than I! This is impossible!"

"Hrgh!" Victus headbutted him once he was within range, prying Mjollsverd from his hands. Gripping the hilt, the yellow straps around his arms magically wrapped around the entire blade, dulling its edges. He drove the sword forwards, attempting to thrust it into Magni's abdomen. The god of power grabbed the blade before it could puncture him, struggling to hold it back. The tip inched closer, coming into contact with his stomach. Blood trickled out onto the cracked asphalt. "Aaarrgghhh!!"

Magni tried to electrify the sword, but Victus endured the pain, staying on his feet. The yellow cloth seemed to help ward off the effect as well. Victus tugged the sword away and opted for slashing him with it instead. Magni tried to catch the blade again, but its dull edge sent him flying into a building in the distance. His body created a small explosion upon impact with the concrete, sending large chunks of debris downward. Panting heavily, Victus lifted Mjollsverd onto his shoulder, looking up at the building.

"Wow, this thing packs a punch.."

He heard a fast rumbling approach from behind, and he quickly turned, blocking Jörmungandr's giant head with the sword. His feet dragged along the ground, digging into the asphalt. The snake stopped moving and snapped its jaw at him; he dove to the side, slashing at the serpent's golden scales. Even Mjollsverd couldn't puncture it, bouncing off of the metallic scales with a loud spark. Victus struggled to hold the sword up as it recoiled, almost falling back.

At the same time, a huge burst of frost flew out from the top of Loki's building. The sky became gray and cloudy, and temperatures plummeted.

"Ah, if it isn't the muddled elf with a death wish," Loki stepped down from Jörm's head, gesturing to the snake. "Go fetch my sister, will you? I'm sure she's dying to dispose of these trespassers." The snake groaned loudly and slithered away. Loki turned his attention to Victus, "I suppose you're here to rescue your dearest, Alyza."

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"Get out of my way!" Victus stepped forwards, but his foot fell into a puddle of green slime. He took another step, and the puddle increased in size, submerging both of his feet into the muck. He couldn't move, "Ugh, yuck! This better not stink up my boots!"

"You're a curious one, Vir. I granted you a new life, and yet, this is how you repay me."

"For the last time, it's Victus, not Vir-"

"Oh, but you're mistaken," Loki grinned. "My, how the mighty have fallen...Thanks to me, of course."

"What are you talking about?"

"I take it you're aware of the Yrylis, correct? Frigg's pesky little gift to you."

"Yeah..The eternal chaos.."

"Ah, so you have already met her. During our battle at Ragnarok, I took the liberty of trapping Vir's soul into the Yrylis, which cannot leave the mortal plane. A sort of parting gift to keep Vir from reuniting with Frigg. Essentially, you're just a reincarnation, drawing power from a soul that isn't yours."

"That doesn't make any sense. Frigg said I'm the first to use the Yrylis since Vir."

"Oh, is that so? I suppose the Yrylis only transfers to the next male in the bloodline.."

"And what about my own soul? Frigg said she saved me from the afterlife."

Loki chuckled, "How fortunate for you, to be so ignorant."

Victus furrowed his eyebrows, "I don't see how this is funny."

"She did not save you, boy. You lack your own soul. Whatever she 'saved' was likely a persona that's manifested itself into creation from Vir's soul, such as the angma," he facepalmed. "How do you mortals even come up with these ridiculous titles?"

"That's rich coming from the 'Allfather.' You come up with that one all on your own?"

"Your words can only pierce me so far, Victus. I almost pity you and all your future offspring. For when they die, they will have no afterlife to go to. Once the Yrylis moves onto a new body, your persona will cease to exist. You will become nothing."

Victus's eyes widened in this harsh realization. He tilted his head down, gripping the sword in his hand.

"There it is," Loki cackled. "How I love to see the truth overtake you, like a giant wave of reality crashing upon the shoes of-"

Mjollsverd flew towards Loki, and he fell to the ground to avoid it, glaring at Victus. "You imbecile! I was about to offer you an eternal life under the service of-"

Victus leapt forwards with so much force that a chunk of asphalt and concrete was pulled out of the ground, attached to his feet. He flipped and drop kicked Loki with the street that was glued to his feet, shattering it. Loki was flung back into a car, denting it. He appeared dazed.

"So my soul is stolen!" He held his hand out, the wrappings around his arm flying out towards Mjollsverd, retrieving the weapon for him. "So I'll disappear when I die! I can still choose to not have any kids, and end your curse in my lifetime!"

Loki started laughing when he heard this, remaining seated in the dented metal, "You are so, so ignorant. You think you're the only one of Vir's bloodline that's alive? You're just the one with the Yrylis, the only male. Besides, Alyza's expecting.."

"You're lying!" Victus glared, his eyes instantly glowing red. He lunged forwards and brought the sword down, stopping right before it could slice Loki. The force of the slash still made an immense shockwave that sent strong gusts of wind blowing in all directions, "..Dispel the curse."

"It cannot be removed," Loki held his hands up in a surrendering fashion. He looked at the sword and quickly grabbed the blade, attempting to change it into something else, "Aha!"

Nothing happened.

"..Ugh, father and his protection against my curses-"

Victus stabbed pried the sword away and stabbed it into the ground, picking up Loki by his collar. Furious, he threw him to the asphalt. Loki scrambled backward, turning onto his hands and trying to crawl away. He spotted his jade cane and quickly went to pick it up. Victus stormed towards him, his pace interrupted when Loki whipped around, plunging the blade deep into Vick's abdomen.

Without any reaction, Victus looked down, unaffected by the pain. He slugged Loki in the face, knocking him back down. With a swift pull, he ripped the sword out of his stomach, breaking it with his knee. Loki spat blood onto the street, "What is it with you Midgardians and breaking my priceless weapons?!"

"I'm gonna do more than break your shit," Victus pinned him down. "I'm going to break every bone in your damn body!"

An arrow with a crystal tip suddenly plunged into Vick's shoulder from behind, bursting into an explosion of frost. He staggered, watching his arm become covered in icy sleet, unable to move it without risking his entire limb breaking off.

"Hahaha!" Loki began laughing maniacally, "Hahahaha!!"

Victus kicked him in the face, shutting him up. Inhaling sharply, he carefully turned around, seeing the hunter that had landed a hit on him. Ullr stood in the short distance, readying another crystal-tipped arrow. There was a metal needle lodged in his arm.

"Just die, will you?!" His voice sounded desperate as he released the arrow, but just before that arrow could pierce Victus, another arrow hit it out of the air. Both arrows bounced off of each other, the crystal-tipped one flying into a nearby vehicle. A blast of ice ensued, instantly freezing the car.

Alyza rolled in front of Victus, aiming her bow at Ullr. She fired with no hesitation, and even though his speed would normally allow him to dodge it, he was too rattled to move. The arrow landed in his leg, forcing him to fall to one knee. "Agh, fuck!" He held his thigh, blood flowing out past his hands onto the ground. Victus looked at the girl in front of him, confused as to who she was. His eyes were still glowing with the rage he felt against the gods.

The woman nocked another arrow and fired it at Ullr. He frantically attempted to shield himself with his hand, but the arrow flew straight through his palm, coming halfway past the tip. If he hadn't blocked it, the arrow surely would've flown into his head. She took aim again, this time promising herself that she wouldn't miss. There was no ounce of indecisiveness in her movement, no remorse in her face or mind. Victus watched the way her hair gracefully flowed in the cold wind, a whiff of familiar perfume entering his nostrils. His eyes immediately stopped glowing, and he dove on top of her just as she let the arrow go.

Ullr's immense speed kicked in, turning the world into slow motion. Yet, he couldn't move. His legs trembled, his hands burned, his feet ached. The fear he felt was far more than anything he'd experienced while hunting the scariest beasts in all the realms. Everything the past had prepared him for came so easy to him, until it didn't, much like the arrow traveling true into his eye. Time resumed normally, and he fell back, crying out in misery as blood clouded his now-impaired vision. He rolled around, trying with all his godly perseverance to cope with the pain. He somehow managed to start crawling away, leaving a trail of blood behind.

Alyza looked up, her bow just inches away, "Get off of me, Victus! He's getting away!"

"No! I won't let you kill him!" He held her down with one hand, his other still frozen.

"What's one more god dead? He should pay for what he did!" She grabbed at her bow, her fingers barely tapping it.

"Alyza, stop it!" She ignored him, finally grasping her bow. "You know this isn't right!"

Her eyes widened. Those words rang louder than anything else, and she finally came to her senses, letting go of the bow. She turned her head, looking up at him from behind. Tears had begun to well up in her eyes, "I'm sorry.."

Victus could sense her pain. The grief in her voice was all too familiar to him; she'd lost someone. Unbeknownst to him, she thought she lost more than one. It was enough to drive her mad. Slowly, he let her go, helping her up into a one-armed hug. She buried her face into his shoulder, letting it all out. Her sobbing was quiet, pathetic, like she didn't want anyone to hear it except him. He held her tightly, unable to restrain his own tears as well.

"I'm sorry too," he dug his hand through the hair on the back of her head. "I tried so hard to come sooner..I missed you so much.."

She sniffled, pulling away slightly to look at him. With a heartwarming smile, she said, "It's okay. I knew you'd come."

Victus smiled back.

She let go, looking at his arm, "Oh Victus, you're hurt."

"Oh, this? Eh, it's fine, it'll heal."

"Try not to move it, okay? We'll just have to let it defrost. Maybe we can heat it up? Actually, you might lose it if we don't hurry-"

Victus stepped back as she was talking, inhaling. With his breath held, he suddenly flexed, and a burst of fire enveloped his coat before dissipating into smoke. His coat was still intact, and so was his arm. He could freely move it now, "Wow, that actually worked. I bet my mana regenerates faster now that my body does the same.."

"Huh?" Alyza was confused by this information.

"Er, it's a long story.."

She giggled, "I'm sure it is. I like your new outfit, by the way."

He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head, "I like your new look too. It's different, but-"

"I can change back, just so you know!" She did a small twirl, instantly reverting to her Midgardian appearance.

"Woah, that's impressive."

"Mhm. I wonder if I can change into anything I want," she put her hand to her chin. Focusing on Victus's appearance, she twirled again, and the color scheme of her clothes changed to match his. Her hair switched to silver, and her eyes became red. She looked at herself, realizing that she appeared largely the same. "Aw, I thought I could've cloned you.."

"Haha, what good would that do outside of maybe, like, a stealth quest?" Victus was no doubt flattered by her new appearance, though she felt like she shouldn't have said that last part out loud.

Her cheeks became red, and she covered her face, "U-Uhm.."

Victus became a little concerned by her nervousness and then suddenly remembered Loki, whipping around. Alyza remembered Ullr too, doing the same. Both of them were gone.

"Damn.."

"It's alright. This is probably for the best," Alyza went over to where Ullr was, picking up his bow. She returned to Victus and handed it to him, "Here. You can learn how to use this eventually, I'm sure."

"Sweet," Victus took the bow made from a large beast's spine and put it over his back. Alyza picked up her bow and did the same, looking up at the building in the distance. Jörmungandr was still swirling around it. "Man, what's with that giant snake?"

"He's like our Evolutions. Loki summoned him with his own ring."

"Loki summoned that?! Man, he must have a lot of mana.."

Alyza nodded, "We need to stop the portal. If his sister returns, this may as well be the second coming of Ragnarok.."

"Second? You mean Ragnarok already happened?"

"I'll explain on the way. Come on," Alyza started running in the direction of the building. Victus picked up Mjollsverd and followed her.