Chapter 4 Clash of Superiors

   Avorn and Odin stood across from one another. Odin sized him up and he didn't notice any change that really stood out to him. Same lances, same armor, and same arrogant look in that man's eyes. His twin lances were red and black Fear and Blood. Odin recalled his Embryo the Keeper of Time Kronos, a type Territory that projected a field that stopped anyone's movements that were a lower level or Embryo stage then he was. It still had somewhat of an effect on a person of higher stage Embryo but most of them also had Superior Jobs that overcame that gap. Odin sighed knowing how this looks. Avorn was the type of person to execute his mission in silence unless someone he regarded as an ally was with him. He is the top enforcer of the Triangle of Wisdom; he helped gather materials for the Clan as well.

"So Keisil when are you coming back? You know you can't get mechs in this Kingdom right?""What made you think I was going back? And yes I'm aware that a Kingdom of Knights doesn't have mechs.""Think you were coming back? I know you are coming back! Franklin said so and we both know you never gave up on being a pilot.""Then you can't see the truth of the matter. I will not return to the Triangle of Wisdom and I no longer care about being a pilot.""What did you get brainwashed or something in the four months you've been gone?""It's been a lot longer in the game you know? Well while this was a nice chat I need to go put Franklin in his place so lets get this started.""HAHAHA you think you can beat me Keisil?! You don't even have a Superior Job! There isn't one available for pilots!"

   Odin sighed he was always like this. Avorn, having awakened the Embryo that bore the name of the leader of the Titans, took himself a step further. He assumed himself to be someone of a higher standing than others and with its ability of stopping time in an area he only got bolder with himself. As he is of a higher calling what he says is the only truth of the world and what no one else says can even be fathomed as more correct than his truth.   If you were a pilot that was all you would ever be. Mortals don't get to change themselves that drastically. Even looking at Odin wielding a lance all Avorn saw was him in a mech with said lance. It took a massive shock to change the mental image of Avorn as for why someone as arrogant as him followed Franklin. Well he was beat down by Franklin for a time after he made a monster that wasn't affected by Kronos. Avorn saw this as his Uranus that he would need to cut down and replace. He was gaining the strength needed to overthrow Franklin.   The first clash between the two happened in the next moment the two danced around their lances. Both weren't getting a leg up on the other and were in a standstill for the moment. Odin pointed his lance forward to use its Consume ability on one of Avorn's lances; it moved out of the way a moment before Gungnir made contact. Avorn saw the lance's power while he was observing the battle and knew it wasn't a good idea to be hit by it.

"That lance is scary, what did you kill for it?!""A dragon that ate a lot!""Oh just like Cata!"

   Since Odin missed his Consume attempt he couldn't use the skill for a while the two kept going at it for a few moments. Then Odin remembered something: he was a Superior; he didn't have time to waste fighting this guy. He thought about why Avorn was still alive; he had his answer: he had forgotten something. He wasn't taking this battle seriously. He didn't stake anything on the battle.   Coming to that realization he saw a projection of Ray fighting some monster made and Odin knew he didn't have a lot of time to prepare for his fight against Franklin. He needed to end Avorn now. He took a few steps back faster than he had moved before in the battle. Avorn was thrown off from the change in timing and stumbled forward a step.

"What was that? Are you holding out on me?!""This is totally embarrassing. How ridiculous!""Are you insulting me?!""I didn't think you were worth anything but now you're delaying me too much. I might make a very powerful person upset if I wait any longer. Come at me weakling.""Y-you..""I don't have time for you. You aren't worthy of this but I shall stake a single strike on this for it is all you deserve.""YOU! Pathetic pilot you've forgotten Kronos have you!? I'll KILL YOU!!"

   Avorn activated Kronos, a field spread around centered on him and he moved forward slowly. He lifted his lances and charged an arc across them. Those in the arena watched on in baited breath waiting for Avorn to cut Odin down. When Avorn was a step away from Odin it was Odin who took the last step to get in range Avorn paused for a moment, shocked. It was a moment someone like Odin wouldn't miss. Carnage Arc, a red trail, was behind Gungnir as Odin was now several steps further away from Avorn and his head went flying. In the few moments before he disappeared he heard one thing.

"I'm a Superior now I need to start acting like it.""Boss man don't make me remind you!""Don't worry about it Loki.""We'll be routing for you grizz!""You can't just cheer for me Shu. Cheer for my Embryo as well for its descent is tonight."

   Avorn faded away with Kronos vanishing as well. Odin looked at his Clan members and Shu Starling. He nodded to them and sprinted off; he had to get everything ready for his real battle. He produced a small token in the shape of a four pointed star. Odin ran around Gideon placing them all around he then arrived at the main battle. He saw the golden dragon that once killed him during the war barreling towards Ray. Odin saw the blood in it's jaws from the Tian's it killed when it was about to kill Ray Odin descended.   Gungnir Consumed most of the dragon its four limbs went flying past both Ray and Odin. Odin turned back to Ray who had resolved himself to throw one counter at the dragon as it killed him.

"Your brother would want you to save that for when you can live to tell the tale afterwards!""Odin!""Tsk I was hoping Avorn would be able to take care of you. So tell me how you managed to get one of your Clan members out of the arena to help you?""Who says I needed help to take him down?""Odin, what took you so long?""Sorry Rook had to deal with a guy shortly after you all left then I had to run around the city for a bit.""So member of the Triangle of Wisdom ready to come back yet?""Former member Franklin besides I have quite the bone to pick with you now. All the work my Clan put in all their effort is being dragged through the mud because of you.""Like there's anything you can do about it!""Gungnir. Consumption Rupture."

   Odin lifted his lance from the tip of the lance to the base of it in a straight line it separated in half. Two large rings appeared and pulled the two sides away a small orb of gold energy formed in between the two halves. After a few moments of charging a golden laser fired out from the lance. It tore through Franklin's army of monsters in a straight line. With a fair bit of effort Odin swept the lance across the field wiping out the first wave of Franklin's Sucide Series.

"Wow, how impressive shame you won't be able to do that again!""Yeah you're right that used up everything I've consumed so far, however I don't need to use that again to beat you.""You can't beat me, didn't you hear Keisil? I'm a Superior, you can't beat me. You don't have the slightest chance! How about you just surrender?""Overlay!"

   Odin called out his skill which caused a large four pointed silver star to appear over Gideon. It was flat and covered the whole city. A moment later silver vein like lines crossed the whole city and the walls gained a slight golden hue. A moment later the star vanished, pulses of magic spread through the city from those veins and a number of siege weapons appeared along the walls of Gideon. All aimed at Franklin's army which was once again exiting his Embryo Pandamonium.

"What?""Its a new skill I learned. The whole of Gideon is now a vessel for my Embryo!""You mean to tell me?!""That's right, all of Gideon now has the strength of a Superior Embryo!"

   A cheer roared from the city and an army of Odin's Einherjar rushed out from the city gates a number on horse back. They took up formation around the Masters that had been trying to hold Franklin back.

"You all fought well! Great work I shall take up the mantle from here.""Odin you don't need to fight him alone, everyone from the arena is free now they should be making their way here!""I appreciate the thought Ray but this is something I need to do.""What do you think because you've reached the Superior level that you can beat me? How did our last fight go?""Yeah it didn't go well but here's the thing Franklin. I'm staking my lance upon this battle. There shall be nothing short of supreme victory here."

   On the roof tops heading towards the site of the battle was Valkyrie with the other two members of Asgard. When Loki, Flavian, and Fafnir heard that the three stopped and looked up at the projection. They saw Odin armed with Gungnir pointing the lance at Franklin. It took Valkyrie a moment to notice and head back to the three. They had pulled out chairs and took snacks out to observe the battle.

"What the heck is wrong with you three?! I thought we needed to go help the Clan Leader.""Here Valkyrie I have a spare chair for you. Right now we can't interfere in Odin's battle.""Why not?""Because he staked his lance," Flavain said as if it explained anything."Once Odin stakes his personal lance on a battle we aren't to interfere.""Of all the people I wouldn't expect to adhere to anything he said Flavian is something wrong with Fafnir?""Valkyire just sit and watch you'll see why Odin is Clan Leader."

   Valkyrie sighed and sat in the chair Loki pulled out for her and then she stole some of his popcorn. Back at the battlefield Franklin was clenching his stomach in laughter. Odin had to take a few deep breaths to calm himself seeing that. Ray and the other Masters took a step back. Odin would have launched an attack at Franklin but since the princess was right next to him he couldn't.

"That is a good one Keisil! You can't stake an MVP reward, you know.""So that's what you were laughing at. Idiot it's more of a figure of speech for me and well a message to a few people to not interfere in this battle.""Alright I already know your stats from the last time we fought and you went down on the kill rankings because of your absence.""Yeah that kind of happens when you vanish for six months.""I'm saying I'm stronger than before due to levels as well.""Look, just shut up! I've already given my declaration. Let's get this started! Sleipnir!"

   Odin's horse appeared and his calvary formed up around him with his lance raised eight four pointed stars appeared in the air around his formation. The eight valkyries appeared from the stars, their weapons at the ready Odin pointed his lance forward and his forces charged into the monsters. Odin had already given battle plans to everyone gathered; he wanted most of them to hang back and be ready.    Ray needed to get to Franklin for whatever reason it was Odin didn't really care but he had his promise to Shu. Ray was on his Prism Steed Silver at the back of the formation. Odin was going to make sure Franklin's eyes stayed on him so Ray could do what he needed to do. Even with the annihilation of the first wave Franklin still had around 45,000 monsters while Odin's Einherjar only numbered 10,000 the fighting was fierce.    The rematch was going exactly how the first match should have gone. Giga Professor against the Commander of the Lance monsters against heroes. Franklin didn't pay much mind to the Valkyries; he wondered where those suddenly came from but just like any other individual fighters they should eventually be overwhelmed. He couldn't get much information on them since they were part of Brunhilde.    But this caused a strange feeling in Franklin the Einherjar were supposed to be the Legion part of Brunhilde so where do that valkyrie fit in then? He wasn't sure how to get the answer to that question since they were still striking down all his flying monsters. He hadn't expected any one else to be flying so his monsters weren't that specced to take on other flying opponents. The artillery Odin was firing from the city was overwhelming as well, managing to miss his own forces and strike at the most densely packed parts of the swarm. Since Franklin let the monsters go he couldn't give them new orders to change tactics.    He sighed and pulled out a remote he then cursed at himself wondering how he could be thinking of using his plan D against Odin. But when he looked back out at the battlefield he saw Odin dismount a move Franklin couldn't understand. With his Einherjar cavalry rushing past him his best buff skill lost its effect. The valkyrie gathered around Odin in a strange formation; the four with assorted weapons hovered ten feet above Odin in between the cardinal directions. After a few moments the other four valkyries, the ones who held spears, hovered ten feet above the previous four. These four were facing the cardinal directions. Odin lightly placed his lance on the ground.

"Franklin the Triangle of Wisdom seems to hang on to some strange idea that I would come back to be a pilot. That dream is dead and it appears I really need to get that idea across to the whole world. You've spread quite a number of rumors about me in this kingdom and it's affected Asgard.""What's your point?""I wouldn't have cared as much if it was just me that was targeted but my Clan is suffering from a bunch of people who don't know anything. So for the several months of suffering you've caused my Clan you shall perish.""Rejoice! Rejoice!" The four valkyries just above Odin chanted.

   Odin pulled out something from his cloak the first Inventory he had gotten from the Triangle of Wisdom he pulled out what looked like a roll of paper. It was a Hanger item which stored a Magingear a going away present when he left the Triangle of Wisdom. He held on to it all this time thinking maybe one day he would try to pilot it again. Inside of it wasn't anything too special; they weren't at the point of making high performance units yet. A normal Marshall II. Odin figured since he had held on to it after all this time that made Franklin think there was a chance for him to come back. He and AR-I-CA once had a duel over who would get the Superior Job The Ace. Keisil had lost that duel which was the day Keisil died. So the last thing that remained of him Odin was going to burn.

"Keisil don't!""Its time to let go of the past, Franklin. I can't approve of terrorist acts and I can't sit by while innocent people are at risk! The Valkyrie That Presides Over the Honored Dead Descends! BRUNHILDE!"

   Everyone who knew Odin stood on their feet; he never used his Embryo's Ultimate Skill before. Not because he never came across a battle he needed to use it for but because he didn't have it before. He only got his Ultimate Skill when he became a Superior. Now it would be unleashed in this battle. A bright light swept across the battlefield. All of the Einherjar on the battlefield were now around the walls of Gideon; half of them held silver trumpets while the other half held gold trumpets.    The chanting of the eight valkyries continued; they called for people to rejoice, they called for people to bow down, and they called for people to lament. Their mistress was descending and all would know her power. Odin looked down at his Marshall II and he lifted it up and it turned into four beams of silver light. The lights hit the four valkyries on the bottom of the formation. They turned into the light themselves and turned back into four pointed stars.   The light continued and hit the upper four valkyries but before anything could happen a number of monsters were about to run into Odin. But he just smirked as a number of catapult boulders and other attacks rained down around him. Right before he started the use of his skill he fired those off to give him enough time to finish.

"It's time!! it's time!! Our lady is free! She descends!"

   The four remaining valkyries turn into light themselves and the light converges on a point above even them. A massive silver star forms in the sky even larger than the Overlay star. It shines a light as if the sun were right there in the sky; many of Franklin's beasts were blinded by the light. It shrinks in size until it was as large as a normal sized human and from the star she appeared.   Her silver armor gleamed from the light of her star, her green eyes opened and she took in the view around her. She formed a star below her and her silver spear emerged from it. The Exploding Spear Drag-Plosion a Legendary Arms she got from Odin.

"Embryo Type: Maiden with Legion Fortress.""You kept her hidden this whole time?!""Odin was a bit of a scaredy cat with me, it was quite suffocating! But this air is great!""A bird in a cage no more go wild, Brunhilde."

   Back with Flavian, Loki, Valkyrie, and Fafnir three of the four were stunned. After a moment Fafnir cheered she knew something was different about Odin's Embryo and now she knew the real answer. She had always felt a strange connection to his Embryo and now she knew the reason why.

"See Master, I told you he was hiding something about his Embryo!""Why would he even hide that?! And how could I have expected that Faffy?!""Well It'll be good to see him being himself for once.""Being himself?""I can't remember if you've met him, Valk but Odin and I are close friends IRL. He always acted strange in this world and well now I know why.""What's so important about this Maiden thing?""Well why don't I a Type Maiden tell you! A Maiden Master means one primary thing: they believe this world to be a real other world.""Can people be that.. Uh well delusional I mean it really is just a game right?""Well I wasn't sure at first either but you start seeing it when the two main people you hang out with are Maiden Masters. Even if one of them doesn't show it all too often. But I could always tell with Odin he never saw the Tians as NPCs.""I mean I suppose I can get it. Tians do feel too real."

   Brunhilde turned into a silver blur and tore through Franklin's monsters even some AGL focused Masters had a hard time keeping up with her. Which came as no surprise to Odin who also couldn't keep up with her movements that well. He recalled all of his Einherjar; they couldn't leave the fortress for the moment but in return all their stats and skills went to Brunhilde. In addition each valkyrie used in the skill each gave thirty seconds to how long the skill was up for. Since all eight were used, Brunhilde was on the field for four minutes.    Though the spectacle was enough for Ray to get up to Franklin while those two were doing their thing Brunehilde was having the time of her life. Using this Skill reminded her of when she first was awakened when she was a Guardian type and wanted to protect Odin. But she was the one who ended up protected for six years. But she was out now and none would get close to her master while she fought.    Everywhere she went a moment after what followed was a storm of slashing and piercing then afterwards an explosion. Brunhilde burned through MP in a way that would have caused most mages to faint within moments. But the silver valkyrie kept going. More and more of the field was covered in craters from the explosive spear. All the time the manic laughter of Brunhilde echoed through the battle ever louder than anything else on the battlefield.   Though within another moment she stopped and looked back as Odin had called her name strangely he hadn't moved since she was summoned. A few monsters were about to attack him. She arrived sooner than they could hit him and killed them. She stood up and glared at Franklin.

"Sorry Brunhilde I would have loved to let you keep rampaging but well you know what happens if I were to go down.""You could have tanked them for a few moments.""Regardless we have a mission to focus on you'll have plenty of more chances to run free.""Fine fine~ Bestowal."

   A silver light started from Brunhilde's shoulder and went down through her arm and from her hand to Odin. The light turned into a set of golden wings that rose from his feet settling on his back. Odin stretched a bit and stepped forward with Brunhilde. The two raised their lances.

"Together.""How I've longed for a day like this!"

   Like two arrows Odin and Brunhilde launched themselves into Franklin's army one side suffered enormous explosions while the other was consumed into nothing. While they weren't going as fast as Brunhilde was moving before it was still incredibly fast. The trumpets the Einherjar held would play every so often every minute. So far to include when they played for Brunhilde's descend they have been played five times.    Half of Brunhilde's time was used up but with the two of them Franklin's army was being torn apart. Odin looked up to check on Ray and Franklin. Someone saved the princess and the two were facing off. Another member of the Triangle of Wisdom tried to fight off Ray. But Ray used his mouth to wield his Nemesis to stab through the cockpit of the Marshall II that was piloted and with his skill killed the Master. The Marshall II vanished and with his charred right arm he punched Franklin in the face.   The mad scientist fell off his Embryo covered in flames burning to death and Odin finished everything off with another blast from his lance. Nemesis on the silver horse that Ray had caught him. The two landed safely because of that horse a number of people approached him. Odin couldn't recall his Einherjar quite yet so he wasn't able to bring any healers over. Liliana was there however as a Tian Paladin she was able to prevent Ray from dying however his arm was burned to nothing.   Even if Odin could use his Einherjar the only one with potent enough healing magic to restore an arm would be the High Priestess. Tsukuyo Fuso the leader of the number one ranked clan in the Kingdom, the Lunar Society. Though due to her personality everyone present recommended against Ray heading to her. A moment after that the other members of Asgard arrived. Fafnir's first action was to slug Odin who flew back quite a distance being indented into a rather large rock.   It took a moment for him to get out of the rock which was only possible since his Ultimate Skill was still active and he had the stat buff from that. He got out to see Brunhilde too busy laughing at him to have helped him out. After flexing his shoulder a bit he looked back at his group and sighed this was going to be a long story to tell them.