Re:Cord of Ragnarok

Chapter 20 [Tale of the Moon's Unsteady Cycle]

Lucifer opened his eyes. And then, his aura surged once more, burning away even more of the rot and darkness. Yet despite the light's blinding, absolute intensity...to Izanami, the destructive star only radiated warmth. For a single moment, she felt alive again. And that moment was enough to give her hope.

"Come with me." Lucifer said. Light seemed to emanate from his words and eyes as well. A light Izanami hadn't seen in far too long...a light that she missed.

She took his hand.

Valhalla Arena-Ragnarok

Crowley jumped into the air with his arms raised high. "UNBELIEVABLE! This is a major upset! Mrs Zeitan has completely bypassed the blade of the lunar god!" He gave a short and triumphant victory dance, almost hitting Thoth in the face with his mic.

'So she still has cards hidden under her sleeve...?' Tsukuyomi gritted his teeth.

Lucifer maintained a calm expression, yet an unwelcomed cloud of doubtful worry invaded his mind. 'Was it truly a good idea to send Tsukuyomi so soon? No...His only flaw is his mindset. If he could just be more confident with himself, he would surely claim victory...'

From a traditionally designed private room above the common gods' stands, two familiar figures observed the match. Seated upon a cushion with perfect posture was Amaterasu, who heeded the battle with her usual unchanging, dignified small smile, while Izanagi sat at her side, his fists clenched and trembling. The older god's face contorted with barely repressed frustration.

"That fool!" Izanagi snapped. "Is this all that boy has to show, after studying under Lucifer himself?! What a disgrace to both our pantheons..."

Amaterasu's smile remained as still as ever, focused on the battle below, but she tilted her head ever so slightly in curiosity.

"Hmm, is it really already over? To me it looks like...he still hasn't been pushed to his limit."

Tsukuyomi looked at his uninjured opponent. The empress not only completely shrugged off his technique, but she seemed to be having the time of her life. Self-doubt rose in his mind as his hand shivered, a frigid mist gnashing at his palm. Wu tilted her head and stared at her opponent with confusion, before readying herself.

'Mammon, as confident as I was, that attack I blocked with【Armour of Black Tortoise】made my arm feel like it was about to explode. Deactivate the Demon Mind so that I can get my bearings again, or I may be driven into a frenzy from overusing it.'

'But what about the pain you will feel without it? Without the Demon Mind you will be in a terrible state!'

'Heh, I will be fine,' the Empress claimed, wincing once the pain fully hit her. "Oi moon guy! I was hoping you would let me test myself, but you are such a bore that I can't even do that. Oh well, at least humanity's next win is all but achieved~" She broke into laughter.

Tsukuyomi balled up his fists, digging his nails into his palm and biting his lip hard enough to draw blood. His thoughts were erratic and in disarray as numerous insecurities assaulted him again and again.

'Defensive guard will likely not work again. What could I do? Waning Moon? Would that even work? What if I fail again...? No! I have no choice, I have to do this...' His blade changed forms once more. The guard was removed and the katana became longer and thinner.

"COME!" He declared to the Empress, mostly to steel his own resolve. Wu displayed a cocky grin as she prepared her stance, before relaxing her body and soaring forward like a rogue leaf in the wind. "SUIT YOURSELF, BOY!" She boldly declared as she smoothly closed the distance. However, she was met with the slash of steel as the blade sliced through the air towards her. She quickly ducked below with incredible flexibility, but the blade was too fast, and she received a shallow cut to her cheek.