Record of Ragnar?k Redirected

Chapter 30 A Fire Is Lit

"Why? It doesn't seem that difficult if Humans and Demigods could do it. Plus, Marduk and Sarpanitu did it."

Nuada slowly inhaled and stared looked towards the floor. "You underestimate our pride, Lugh. Gods are the strongest beings in the Cosmos. We are the strongest beings in the Cosmos. We are defined by our strength, and our race values it above all. Anything that can be seen as a weakness is viewed as an opportunity for others to invade and threaten what we have built. Love, trust, friendship, and everything else like them. Those very things are virtues of the 'weak' Humans, Demigods, and Angels. Yet...it's because of those things we abandoned out of fear that Humanity has won three times. The fact that those two trust and love each other that much just shows how exceptional they are." He turned his gaze to Lugh. "I should have said this earlier. I knew Baldr and Futsunushi were friends of yours...and Romulus is fighting against us. He may even fight you."

"What're you getting at?" Lugh's expression softened.

"...Are you okay?"

Lugh leaned in his chair, resting his chin against his right fist. "Honestly? No, but how am I supposed to feel when my best friend turned traitor, two of my buds are dead, and the others are so locked in for tomorrow I can't pull them out of it? Plus, Gabriel's gone missing. Ain't no way they'll let him get away with this, even if he technically didn't break anything in the Accords." He sighed. "Any idea where he might be?"

Nuada's gaze hardened. "Who knows..."

The two heard three knocks at the door. "Coming in..." a male voice said lazily. The door opened, revealing a tall and muscular God with green hair done up in a large bun, the sides of his head buzzed, and dyed a dark blue. His Usa-chan bunny tank top and plastic sandals were on full display, contrasting the white, purple, and orange robes wrapped around his waist and snaking through his arms. Sitting lazily on the bridge of his nose were a pair of gold-framed rose-colored glasses. "Ah...Nu-Nu and Lu-Lu," Buddha said. "Heard you two were up here." He smiled while scanning Nuada's tank and whistled. "Damn, Nu-Nu! Didn't think anyone could put you in such rough shape!"

"Buddha...get out."

"Nope. Don't wanna."

"Buddha..." The monitors beeped faster again. The liquid began to bubble. Lugh stood up out of his chair. His gaze darted back and forth between his Uncle and their uninvited guest.

"Buddha, if there's something you need, please just ask," Lugh said. "My Uncle's recovering and the last thing he needs is-"

"My irreverent poking and prodding around?" Buddha smiled.

"Not how I would put it, but yes."

Buddha looked up at the ceiling. "Well...tell you what. If Nu-Nu answers my questions, I'll head out of here without a problem."

"If he doesn't?" Lugh asked, walking between Buddha and Nuada.

Buddha stepped towards him, coming face-to-face with him. "I'll make him, after I go through you." Buddha reached into his robes, pulling out a wrapped lollipop. "You're a good kid. I know you're trying to look after him, but right now I have questions, and Nuada is the only one who has the answers."

"You're...not the type to wait for anything, are you?" Sweat started forming on Lugh's brow. I...don't know if I can take him...this guy's...seriously strong...I don't know if even Rommie could beat him...

"Lugh...that's enough," Nuada said through the speaker. "It's getting too damn loud in here."

Buddha looked past Lugh towards the sphere. Lugh turned his head to look back. "So you're going to answer my all-important questions, Nu-Nu?"