Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Her mind was a whirlwind of contradictory sensations, an ocean, a tempest where waves of pain and confusion broke against an iceberg of absolute cold.

The cold was the only truth. It wasn't simply a temperature; it was a sensation, a reminder that inhabited every particle of her being. A cold born in the depths of space, a frozen vacuum that filled her veins and solidified her thoughts before they could fully form.

Her lungs were traitors. They contracted in random spasms, trying to grasp an air that seemed made of ice blades. Each inhalation was a short, sharp stab to the chest. The exhalation, a ghost of vapor that vanished instantly, an insignificant sigh against the gelid immensity consuming her. Breathing brought no comfort; it burned, ached, and was agonizing.

And the wounds... they burned. They were splinters of living fire embedded in her flesh, each one a star of pain in a nocturnal sky of skin. They screamed their existence with brutal clarity, a symphony of agony played on exposed nerves.

But here was the paradox, the mystery that even her confused mind perceived: the pain was not the focus.

It was as if the cold had reached a level so deep, so essential, that it had surpassed the pain. The burning of the wounds was a detail, an irritating background noise compared to the overwhelming silence of the ice that now composed her soul. The pain was a fire in a single room, but the entire house had already been swallowed by a glacier.

Her focus, if there was anything so defined, was nothingness. The void that the cold brought. The horrible and serene clarity that everything that was warm, everything that was comfort, everything that was memory, had been erased. Her mind wasn't thinking about everything and nothing; it was everything and nothing. A universe in collapse where all sensations, however intense, canceled each other out until they transformed into a static, gelid quietude.

She couldn't remember who she was, how she had gotten there, or what had come before. All that existed was the now. And the now was cold. The purest, most absolute and final cold. Yet, there was something else growing in her chest: rage, hatred, and despair. She just wanted it all to end, to finally be able to rest.

And then, she heard it, like a distant echo, a voice. It seemed to be a woman calling her, calling her name. Marin. Yes, that was her name. Marin.

And then, her vision cleared and, finally, the cold vanished.

Chapter Text

Marin was lying on a soft bed. The room was dark, and a thick, heavy blanket covered her. She had no intention of getting up; the world of dreams was more docile, pleasant, and delicate than reality, but she knew that, soon enough, her peace would be taken away.

She could never have what she wanted for long. And, as if the universe heard her laments, the door opened. One of the Valkyries came in, holding a tray with fresh, warm food. It was Svipul, one of the triplets. Marin didn't even need to look to know; she would forever recognize the sweet Valkyrie who had been with her since she left the limbo. Her long hair, tied in a side ponytail; her dress, which matched her sisters', rustled as she walked; the light tap of her shoes to the bedside table. And then, a gentle hand touched her shoulder over the blanket, and the sweet voice was there (the only voice Marin liked to hear lately).

— You need to eat and get up for a bit, please — her voice carried a subtle plea. Marin hated it; she knew she would end up doing what the Valkyrie asked, even if she didn't want to.

With a groan, Marin sat up. The sooner she got this over with, the sooner she could go back to bed. Svipul smiled and, without needing to say more, placed the food tray on Marin's lap. It was a simple meal: some soup, a sandwich cut in half, forming two identical triangles, and a glass of water. Light and quick to eat. Svipul had learned all of Marin's tastes since they met and took care of every detail without complaining (sometimes, Marin felt bad for not being able to reciprocate).

Svipul watched with a smile as Marin ate slowly and rhythmically. After confirming that the girl was eating properly, she went to get everything for a walk: she found Marin's sneakers, her hairbrush, and her light blue jacket, with patterns of stars and moons in light yellow. She waited patiently for her companion to finish eating and helped her get ready: combing her hair, putting on the light jacket, and finally, waiting for the girl to put on her sneakers. With a huff, Marin stood up.

The Valkyrie smiled. Her friend, no matter how tired and downcast, still cared minimally about her appearance: her jeans with the perfectly folded cuffs, the high collar of her shirt aligned, the jacket without a wrinkle, her brown hair with a perfect layered cut, and her sneakers tied with perfection. Everything perfect, meticulously calculated, as always. Svipul walked over to the other girl, held her hand, and pulled her out of the room. As the door opened, Marin closed her eyes because of the light, taking a few seconds to adjust. She didn't know where the Valkyrie would take her, but she didn't care.

Svipul hummed happily as she pulled the girl along. She intended to walk to the side gardens, where there were few people, just the way Marin liked it. Marin wanted to ask about Ragnarok, who had won, who had lost, the current score, but her voice wouldn't come out. Unfortunately, she couldn't focus on that for long, as footsteps became present; someone was approaching.

The two girls stopped the moment they heard the steps. Svipul, protectively, stepped in front of Marin. If she thought the person was a risk to the human, they would immediately go back. A man with lightly tanned skin and graying hair appeared, with a gentle smile on his face. It was Sasaki.

— Hello, ladies, I apologize for the interruption. I was just taking a walk. Young Okita is very lively, but my body can't keep up — he said with a moderate laugh, but it was enough for Marin to shiver and hide further behind the Valkyrie in front of her. Svipul gave an awkward smile. She didn't want to be rude to the human in front of her, but she knew interactions were complicated for her favorite human.

— We understand, Mr. Sasaki. As you can see, my friend isn't very good with people either — the Valkyrie said with a subtle smile. Sasaki observed the girl behind the Valkyrie. She was looking at the Valkyrie's back, avoiding acknowledging the man's presence. He tried to peek over Svipul's shoulder to see the girl's features, but all he got was a glimpse of her mesmerizing blue eyes. However, before he could look more, the girl moved, covering her eyes with her brown bangs. Marin lightly tugged at Svipul's clothes as if asking to leave. So the Valkyrie nodded and looked at Sasaki.

— I'm sorry, Mr. Sasaki, but we need to go. It was very nice talking to you — she said, still with that subtle, rehearsed smile, and pulled her friend toward the side garden. Sasaki was sure he heard the blue-eyed girl murmur a "goodbye," but it was so low that he thought his mind had played a trick on him.

Marin and Svipul soon arrived at a simple garden. It had a beautiful view of the sky, benches, some flower beds, and a tree. The Valkyrie made the human sit with her on one of the benches, both of them looking at the sky.

Marin was breathing heavily. She hated surprises, she hated encountering something outside of her routine, and Sasaki fit that description. In a hesitant impulse, the girl gently held the Valkyrie's hand, as if she was afraid of crossing a boundary. Svipul waited patiently with a gentle smile. It was more than Marin had done in days, and it warmed the Valkyrie's heart.

The human had a question for the Valkyrie, but she couldn't remember what it was. Her mind was filled with guilt: Svipul always had to clean up her mistakes, fix her poor conversations, and apologize for her. Marin could never do the same for her.

— I'm... sorry — Marin murmured, leaning her head on the Valkyrie's shoulder and finally giving in to the world of dreams, unaware of the chaos around her, of how close she was to death.

Svipul could only hold back her tears, still indignant with her older sister, Brunhilde. Marin was clearly not ready for this, and yet her sister insisted that the younger girl should participate. All the Valkyrie could do was stand by Marin's side at her end.

Chapter Text

A Champion's Last Stand
The hall of the human warriors was shrouded in a funereal silence. The air was heavy with the smell of defeat and dried blood. One more comrade had fallen. The scoreboard screamed 6 to 6, a precarious balance about to crumble.

(Warning! There have been modifications, both because I didn't like how the current fights turned out and because I needed to fit in my OC, but the focus isn't just on Ragnarok; I'm also focusing on the aftermath.)
Lubu x Thor
Adam x Zeus
Sasaki x Poseidon
Jack x Heracles
Raiden x Shiva
Buddha x Zerofuku
Qin x Hades
Nikola x Beelzebub
Leonidas x Apollo
Okita x Susano
Simo x Loki
Sakata x Anubis (if you're wondering, in my version, Sakata also had a divine weapon due to his Japanese folklore background, so he didn't need a Valkyrie).

Everyone had fought so far, with only one fight left to end Ragnarok.
Marin felt a cold shiver run down her spine. She should have asked. She should have checked the score with Svipul. The self-disappointment was a bitter taste in her mouth. Eleven epic fights had taken place, and now the last, decisive one was in the hands of... no one.

Nostradamus, the chosen one, the prophet, had simply disappeared.
The panic she had so feared had become a reality. The raised voices of Brunhilde and Svipul echoed from the hallway.

- It's madness! She's not ready! It's a death sentence! - Svipul argued, her voice a mix of rage and despair.

The door burst open. Brunhilde emerged, her icy eyes sweeping the room until they fixed on Marin. The older Valkyrie looked like a figure carved from granite and absolute determination.

- Your brother is still alive - Brunhilde's voice cut through the air like a blade, calm and ruthless. - Are you going to let him die?

Svipul turned red with anger, her hand clenching into a helpless fist. Marin, however, didn't waver. She could remember all of Brunhilde's manipulations, the price her Valkyrie sisters had paid, and throw everything she had done and failed at back in her face. But this was bigger than resentment.

Without a word, the young woman stood up. She straightened the collar of her shirt, adjusted her light jacket with celestial patterns, and nodded at Svipul. She would do this. She would give meaning to her existence, or die trying. Losing, however, was not an option.

She walked out, her heart beating at a frantic pace against her ribs. She had only ten minutes before the last round began.
Svipul ran after her.

-You don't have to do this! - the Valkyrie said, her eyes glistening with concern.
Marin stopped, and for the first time since she had entered that place, her voice came out, hoarse but firm -I want to. Will you be with me?

Svipul swallowed hard and confirmed with a quick nod.
- Until the end.

------------

The roar of the crowd was a living animal, making the very air vibrate. Marin felt the cold of the Volund bracelets against her wrists, her only comfort at the moment, her link with Svipul. They were simple, without the grandeur of the other fighters' weapons.
Heimdall shouted from the arena.

- On the side of the gods, ladies and gentlemen! Directly from the highest throne of Asgard! The god who traded one of his eyes for wisdom!
The one who sees all, the one who knows all! The All-Father... OOODIN!!!

The arena exploded. Odin entered the field with a presence that crushed the light. The spear in his hand, his single eye shining with the coldness of an infinite universe, a chilling presence.

Then, the doors opened for Marin.
-On the side of the humans, we have the unknown! - Heimdall's voice sounded genuinely perplexed.
Deep blue eyes like a night sky! Wearing a jacket with patterns that mimic the stars! Humanity's last warrior... a common soul from modern times! She died without glory, without deeds... wait, is this right? - He paused theatrically, shrugging his shoulders to the divine audience who laughed in mockery. - Not even I know who she is! But please welcome... MAAAAARIN!!!

She entered. A few shouts of human support were quickly drowned out by a sea of incredulous murmurs. "Who is she?" "Where's Nostradamus?" "Is this a joke?"

----------

On the other side, Sasaki Kojirō watched, his sharp eyes analyzing every movement, recognizing her at once, remembering the girl he had seen hiding behind one of the Valkyries, who had avoided talking and looking at him.

-Not wanting to doubt our ally - he whispered to Okita and Hrist - but she doesn't seem... - He didn't even need to finish to convey what he wanted, the other two understood immediately: her posture, the way she avoided eye contact.

-She barely got out of bed a while ago, my sister had to force her to leave - Hrist completed, her face a mask of concern.

-----------

In the observation booth, Brunhilde watched, motionless. Buddha, at her side, chewed a candy thoughtfully.

- Brunhilde-chan, not wanting to question your strategy, but... is this right?

She didn't answer. Her eyes were fixed on the arena. It was all or nothing.

-------------
In Jack the Ripper's room, Hlokk was in a frenzy.

- SISTER HAS GONE CRAZY! AND SVIPUL IS THERE WITH HER! - the girl screamed, thrashing on the floor.
Jack watched the projector, his analytical eyes capturing the girl's aura.

- Dead colors - he murmured - Still, lifeless blues... as if nothing held her here.
On the side of the gods, Zeus laughed loudly, a thundering laugh.

-------------
-This is your last card, Brunhilde? An insignificant little mortal?
But an unsettling silence hung among some of the oldest gods. They felt it. Something was wrong.
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Marin felt the weight of a million gazes. She raised her eyes and, for a moment, met those of Machado de Assis in the human audience. A phrase from The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas echoed in her mind: "I had no children, I did not transmit to any creature the legacy of our misery."

It was her. Her life. Her misery. Her reason to fight.

She took a deep breath and, finally, raised her gaze to face the All-Father.

The trumpet sounded.

Odin moved with the inevitability of a natural phenomenon. The spear hit the ground, and the arena shattered like glass, launching shards the size of carriages toward Marin.
She moved. Not with Sasaki's grace or Raiden's strength, but with a raw and desperate agony. Her skinny body twirled, plunged, and rolled, avoiding the debris by inches, her clothes flapping clumsily. For the audience, it was painful to watch, a lamb being led to slaughter.

She hid behind a pile of rubble, her breath coming in gasps. The shouts of indignation from the human audience were almost worse than Odin's attacks.

- THIS IS A DISGRACE!
- GET HER OUT OF THERE!

-------------------
In Qin Shi Huang's room, the emperor watched, his face serious. Alvitr, at his side, held his hand tightly.
- She's going to die - Alvitr whispered.
Qin didn't answer. His eyes were fixed on the screen, on Marin's expression, not of fear, but of... absolute concentration. There was something none of them were seeing.
------------------

Marin counted to three. Then, she did something that made the entire arena fall silent in shock.

She came out from behind the rubble, climbed on top of it, and closed her eyes, becoming completely exposed.

The audience was in a state of shock. Even the gods stopped laughing.

-Did she give up? - someone yelled.
Buddha leaned forward, his relaxed gaze replaced by intense curiosity.
-No... she's seeing something. - he murmured with a mouthful of gummy bears.

For Marin, the world had transformed. As she closed her eyes, her inner vision awakened. The arena was not a field of destruction. It was a kaleidoscope of residual lights, a night sky fallen to the ground.

Particles of divine energy, vestiges of past battles, floated like pollen. They danced in the air, each with a unique color, texture, and origin. The furious reds of Shiva, the electric blues of Zeus, the dark, organic greens of Anubis, the dazzling golds of Apollo.

She reached out, not physically, but with her will. Her mind, trained to perceive the imperceptible, grabbed a specific set of particles, fragments of earth and stone imbued with the residual essence of Poseidon, the arrogant god and lord of all seas.
Upon opening her eyes, her body moved in an instinctive impulse. She pulled the air with her hands, in a gesture of pulling a rope.

And behind Odin, a rock the size of a torso, imbued with water, moved. It didn't fly with brutal force, but rose from the ground and accelerated, shattering against the back of Odin's head with a dry CRACK that echoed in the stunned silence of the arena.
It wasn't enough to seriously hurt him. But it was enough to make the Lord of Asgard tilt his head forward, a shard of rock slipping from his shoulder.

It was enough to make the entire audience stop and pay attention.
Odin's expression of disdain transformed into a spark of interstellar surprise. His single eye narrowed.

In the moment of collective astonishment, Marin was already moving. She did not advance to attack. She slipped into the god's shadow, placing herself behind him again, her breath coming in gasps, but her eyes now burning with a supernatural focus.
The silence was broken by the loudest buzz of the tournament.

-WHAT WAS THAT?! - Heimdall yelled, his horn trembling in his hands. - SHE... SHE MADE THE STONE MOVE! BUT HOW?!
In the human booth, Sasaki jumped forward.

- Was that from the Valkyrie or from her? - he murmured, his eyes scanning the arena. Okita also did the same, his gaze sweeping the entire arena in search of something.

Brunhilde allowed a tiny smile to touch her lips. Finally.

Odin slowly turned to face Marin again. The air around him seemed to grow heavier, darker. The pleasure of the hunt was over. Now it was curiosity.

-An interesting power, mortal - Odin's voice sounded with the cold and tension of death. - Do you steal the power of the gods?

Marin, breathless, shook her head, her eyes still scanning the battlefield, seeing what no one else could.

- I don't steal - she whispered, her voice a thread of sound that, even so, seemed to carry throughout the arena. - I just... use what they leave behind.

She raised her hands, her Volund bracelets glowing softly. Finally feeling the energy particles running through her being.

The last round of Ragnarok had truly begun.

------------
- "Though she be but little, she is fierce." - Jack recited, a phrase from one of Shakespeare's countless books, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Upon seeing Hlokk beside him, the same had an expression of shock. Was that pale and lifeless girl capable of this?
-------------

The silence in the arena was so dense you could hear the echo of Marin's frantic breathing. Odin remained motionless, his single eye fixed on her, no longer with disdain, but with a deep and dangerous curiosity, like a scientist observing a rare and venomous insect. He finally saw something interesting.

- Use what we leave behind? - Odin's voice rolled like a distant avalanche, laden with a dark humor. - We don't leave anything behind. We take. We conquer. We rule.

He raised his spear, which began to pulse with a sinister light, a deep purple that sucked the light from the environment. The air vibrated with raw, primordial energy, very different from the residues Marin had manipulated. A devastating force that made Marin's eyes widen; she knew what would happen if she touched it.

For everyone else, it was an attack of pure devastation. For Marin, closing her eyes at that moment was like opening them to a new world. What she saw made her scream mentally.

It was blinding. A torrent of white, purple, and golden lights, so intense they hurt her mind. They were not dancing particles, they were titanic waves of power, each capable of erasing her existence. She couldn't "grab" this. Trying to do so would be like trying to tame a tsunami with her hands; she would drown and die, or like picking up lava; she would burn to death.

She moved again, no longer with the initial desperate agony, but with a precise and instinctive escape. She dived, rolled, and dodged, not just the energy rays, but the invisible currents of power to others. Her dance was strange, almost premonitory, avoiding dangers that hadn't even fully materialized.

----------
Simo, watching the fight on a projector in his forest, had noticed something: she wasn't just dodging, she was navigating between the energy rays, avoiding them. Kellie whimpered beside him; the Finn stroked his companion's fur. Everything had to work out.
------------

Marin felt the heat of a purple ray pass inches from her face, scorching a strand of her hair. The smell of ozone burned her nostrils. She was being cornered, pushed to a corner of the arena.

Odin smiled, a cold and cruel gesture.
- Game over, for you and for all humans.

He prepared the spear for a final blow.
Marin, cornered against the damaged arena wall, breathless and with her jacket full of holes and burnt, closed her eyes one more time. The storm of raw energy was unusable... but it wasn't the only thing in the air.

She forced herself to ignore the hurricane of purple light. Instead, she focused on the weakest, the most subtle. The crumbs. The echoes. The vestiges.

An almost faded thread of a lilac tone stopped beside her, it was from Beelzebub.
She didn't have the strength to control Odin's energy and didn't know how to do it. But she could avoid the attack.

With a muffled cry that came from her core, Marin crossed her arms. The single particle of Beelzebub flew around Marin, finally expanding and taking the form of a shield in front of her, seconds before Odin's attack. The translucent green specter of the Valkyrie took shape beside Marin, helping her to hold the shield against Odin's attack.

Odin's final blow, which lasted less than a few seconds, finally ended. Everything around Marin was destroyed, except the part she managed to protect with the shield.

---------------
Beelzebub felt a laugh escape his throat, low and without actually feeling amusement. That was audacity, using his power to deal with Odin. But, in reality, Beelzebub didn't care. On the contrary, he was curious about how it worked.
----------------
Marin didn't wait. She crouched and ran to the other side of the arena.
Heimdall was in complete delirium.

- SHE... SHE HELD ODIN'S SPEAR POWER!
The crowd's roar was now one of pure astonishment. The humans were on their feet, perplexed by it.

In the booth, Brunhilde allowed her smile to widen.
- You... - his voice was a whisper that cut through the noise of the arena like a knife. - You are a profaner. A cosmic scavenger. - Odin said almost like a growl.
Marin, in the center of the arena, standing among the wreckage and residual energy, raised her chin. Her blue eyes, once still, now burned with the light of the stars she carried on her jacket.

And then Marin said a word that made humanity criticize her again:
- Volund - and thus the Valkyrie, who was once a weapon, took human form again. However, before she could react, Marin kicked her in the stomach, causing the Valkyrie to bend over, getting distracted. In her distraction, Marin used the rest of Beelzebub's particle; a barrier was made around the Valkyrie, trapping her.

-------------
Jack hit his cup on the table. Marin's color had changed. He thought he would never see this color again: it was the color of true love. All of Marin's love was focused on the Valkyrie Svipul. He watched Marin place her hand on the shield and finally withdraw it, going forward towards Odin.
------------

Everyone, humans and gods, were in shock. Not even Brunhilde expected this. Was she really going to face Odin with empty hands?

Marin assumed a stance, extending her hand forward, her fingers curled as if ready to grab the threads of destiny itself. With a final sigh, she closed her eyes, finding the particles she was looking for, and when she opened her eyes, they were a more sickly shade of blue.

Before Odin reacted, spectral forms began to form, the gods' energy particles taking their forms, all going up against Odin, holding him, distracting him.

------------
Jack finally saw: his beloved god, Heracles, was there, or at least a part of him, finally doing what he so desired: saving humanity.

-------------
Zeus felt his hand clench into a fist of rage. The forms of his siblings, being used by a human. And he was not the only one. Ares was outraged and Hermes had a serious face; that was an enormous audacity.

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Before Odin got rid of the specters, Marin raised her hands to the sky in a silent prayer. Then, magical wheels appeared on top of Odin, and finally the hands went towards Odin. Marin said only one word before a huge light came from the sky and fell on Odin, blinding everyone in the audience:
-Vanish!

When everyone recovered and could see again, Odin was no longer in the arena, only a pile of ashes where he had been. Marin was standing, her hands a sickly shade of red and purple, as if she had carbonized both. Her jacket and long-sleeved shirt had been torn and were burnt past her elbows. She was gasping for breath. Minutes of silence passed until Heimdall recovered and finally decreed:

- AND THE WINNER OF THE 13TH ROUND: MARIN!

With that, Humanity celebrated. People yelled, applauded. Qin finally smiled and Alvitr cried.

Jack breathed a sigh of relief and Hlokk jumped around the room. Simo gave a salute in respect. Buddha put another candy in his mouth. Brunhilde felt relieved. Hrist jumped for joy, holding Sasaki by the shoulders. Okita clapped happily. Everyone celebrated, except the gods, obviously.

But then, little by little, everyone began to notice: the girl did not react, still gasping harshly, with her arms hanging at her sides, looking at the ground. Her Valkyrie crying with relief and concern, still trapped inside the barrier. And then, everyone saw: drops of blood began to fall. Not one or two, countless drops began to fall, soon running like a stream. Marin then raised her head slightly, bringing one of her hands to her face. Her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears bled an absurd amount, but the girl was smiling.
She knew what was happening. Her body could not handle the energy; part of the attack aimed at Odin came back to her. She was dying. At least she had broken the Volund; Svipul would not die with her. The entire stadium fell silent; the only sound that was possible to hear was the girl's incoherent breathing. And then, a noise that made everyone nauseous: the sound of something exploding. No one understood until they saw the slight swelling in the girl's chest and more blood flowing, her organs had exploded internally. And finally, she fell backward with a muted thud. The shield that trapped Svipul broke and the Valkyrie could finally run to her friend.

The Valkyrie's weeping being heard throughout the stadium as she rocked her friend's dead body.

Sasaki then appeared, walking to where the girls were in the arena, taking off his haori and throwing it over the fallen girl. No one needed to see her body like that, not after she had won. The old man then held the girl in a bridal style, her body limp, one hand falling and appearing outside the haori. Svipul, in tears, followed Sasaki out of the arena. But before that, all of humanity bowed, even if slightly, a sign of respect and an apology for having judged the last warrior of Ragnarok.

Brunhilde and Hrist were already waiting for Sasaki outside the arena. Hrist hugged Svipul while the younger one cried hopelessly. In a silent gesture, Brunhilde guided him to a room with a glass coffin, already lined with countless flowers. The coffin was in front of a cathedral-like window, a stained glass. The light passing through the window reflected on the floor and the coffin in the colors of the stained glass: blue, yellow, red, and green.

Sasaki placed the younger girl's body there. Finally, she could rest.

Chapter Text

Finally, Ragnarok was over. The humans who had participated, along with their Valkyries, were seated at a long table in the council hall of Valhalla. Qin was still covered in bandages, and Simo had a slight difficulty standing up straight. Zeus was giving a tedious speech about how impressive it was to see humans kill gods, though his voice carried a hint of suppressed anger. None of the humans reacted; obviously, they were happy, but the adrenaline had dissipated, leaving reality to crash down upon them. The loss of their companions and the chance that they had almost lost were now present in their minds.

The Valkyries were no different: they were tired and devastated. They would never see their sisters again. Of course, they knew about the sacrifice, but nothing changed the fact that they wouldn't return. Brunhilde was at the head of the table, standing, and a smile appeared on her face—her plan had worked.

The gods throughout the hall had diverse reactions: neutrality, excitement, and deep hatred. But no one dared to interrupt Zeus's speech.

Well, that was until Svipul, the Valkyrie from the last round, suddenly stood up and ran towards the exit.

"SISTER, WHAT'S WRONG?" — Hlokk went after her, along with Hrist, but Brunhilde stopped them, making the two sit down.

"Forgive my sister, Lord Zeus. She is still agitated from the last fight," Brunhilde said with a slight bow. Zeus just waved his hand, returning to his speech, and the eldest Valkyrie ignored the looks from her sisters and the humans beside her.

————

In the room that housed the glass coffin, where the light formed colorful patterns thanks to the stained glass, the lid was thrown roughly to the floor, shattering into countless pieces. The body of the girl inside the coffin suddenly sat up, pulling Sasaki's haori, which was still draped over her. Marin looked around: the room was empty, with only a few stone benches arranged in parallel. On one of the benches, there was a basin of water and a cloth, along with a set of new clothes. Apparently, Brunhilde knew she intended to return and that she would succeed. Before dying, Marin had sensed a particle of Apollo's power and managed to absorb it before the disaster. Obviously, she had died, but before that, she had managed to set a self-healing spell. The spell had taken a while to take effect and had hurt a lot. But what mattered was that she had returned.

Obviously, Svipul didn't know. Marin wasn't sure if her plan would work and didn't want to create expectations for the Valkyrie. She hoped Svipul wouldn't hate her for it.

Marin successfully got out of the coffin without knocking it over. She walked to the basin of water, wet the cloth, and wiped the dried blood from her face and neck. She observed the clothes on her body: they were in tatters, burned, torn, and destroyed. Marin picked up the change of clothes and changed right there. The new set was identical to her old clothes: pants with rolled-up cuffs, a black high-collared shirt, and a light button-up coat with celestial patterns. She tidied herself up slightly, running her fingers through her hair, leaving it as neat as possible. Her work wasn't finished yet. She intended to finish everything successfully and finally be able to return to her room and sleep for the rest of the week. If Svipul didn't hate her, maybe she could pull the Valkyrie under the covers and share her shelter from the weight of reality with her only friend.

————

Marin left the room with quick steps. She didn't know how much time had passed and didn't intend to waste another single minute. But soon her steps stopped: Svipul was in front of her, chest heaving and eyes fixed on her. Soon, the Valkyrie's eyes filled with tears, and she ran to the human, throwing herself into a hug. Marin wrapped her arms around the Valkyrie's body, returning the embrace. Apparently, Svipul didn't hate her—that was a relief.

"How?" the Valkyrie's hoarse voice asked, still in the tight embrace.

"I'll tell you later," Marin replied, breaking the hug. "Tell me where everyone is."

"In the hall of Valhalla. Zeus is congratulating humanity," Svipul replied, drying her eyes with the palm of her hand.

"And you, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with them?" Marin asked, raising her eyebrows slightly.

"I was, but when you undid the Volund, it only broke the shared fate, not our connection. So, when you woke up, I felt it." Marin nodded, pulling the Valkyrie towards the hall.

"We'll talk more later. Now it's time to settle some matters," Marin said with one of her rare smiles.

————

The speech continued. Buddha was already on his fifth pack of candy; it was tedious. Zeus wouldn't stop talking. Some people in the hall were already shifting uncomfortably in their chairs; Shiva stretched, trying not to fall asleep; and Aphrodite already had one hand on her temple, showing how her patience was wearing thin.

And then the hall doors opened, even banging against the wall with force, and there was simply someone no one believed would return. Buddha even choked on the candy he had just tossed into his mouth. Marin was there, at the entrance to the hall, her clothes intact but still with traces of dried blood on her neck and near her ears.

The reactions throughout the hall were diverse. Brunhilde smiled, knowing this would happen; Sasaki stood up as if he couldn't believe it; some gods had also risen. One of them was Ares, who not only stood up but also punched the table in front of him.

"HOW? WASN'T SHE DEAD?" he yelled.

Shiva seemed to have woken up completely, rubbing his eyes as if he wanted to be sure of what he was seeing; Aphrodite adjusted herself in her chair, finally interested.

Qin had said something in Chinese, probably a curse, and his Valkyrie, Alvitr, slapped him on the shoulder for it. Okita's mouth was open in shock, but he soon turned it into a smile; and the Valkyries seemed, for the most part, shocked but relieved to see their sister Svipul smiling happily.

Zeus chuckled, which made everyone look at him. This time, Sasaki noticed something: the girl's eyes didn't avoid contact, her posture was confident, and this time she wasn't hiding behind the Valkyrie; quite the opposite, the Valkyrie was behind her. For the first time, it was as if he was truly seeing her.

"What a pleasant surprise!" the old god said with one of his smiles. "You're always full of surprises, aren't you?"

"Zeus, I've come to bargain," Marin said, ignoring any of the other reactions.

Upon hearing her words, everyone fell silent. No one knew how to react, still shaken by the previous event.

Zeus stopped smiling for a few moments, his eyebrows arching in surprise and curiosity, until a somewhat malicious smile appeared.

"Bargain? Don't you think you're risking too much, human?" He said as he sat down. "But it's fine, we can talk. Tell me what you want."

The eyes of everyone shifted from Zeus to Marin. Again, the girl felt everyone's gaze on her shoulders, but Svipul gently held her hand in silent support. Without looking away, Marin stared at Zeus.

"I want three wishes. Wishes that will benefit you and benefit me," Marin said, hearing a murmur of indignation from the gods, which soon turned into shouts. Various things were thrown: fruit, goblets, books, and paper balls. She saw out of the corner of her eye that some humans acted as if they wanted to intervene but didn't know how. So, she stood there for a few seconds, motionless, until Zeus's voice and a hard look made themselves present.

"Quiet!" And in a matter of seconds, silence returned. "Very well, defend your request, human."

Marin sighed, mentally preparing herself, let go of Svipul's hand, and straightened her posture.

"Wish 1: the permanent revocation of the decree of extinction for humanity. Our species will be spared, forever. You gods will cease to decide our existence and will allow that, if it is to end, it will be humanity itself that does it and decides its future." She heard a series of murmurs arise again, but Zeus waved his hand, silencing them, allowing the human to continue. The humans' table was in shock. If this were realized, humanity would never be at risk again; Ragnarok wouldn't happen; no Valkyrie or human would be sacrificed in an attempt to exist. "Do you really want to lose those who still worship you? Isn't it good to be worshipped? To receive prayers? So why do you want to get rid of that?"

She breathed, letting her words hang in the air to be absorbed.

"Wish 2: no being shall seek revenge, neither against gods, humans, nor Valkyries because of Ragnarok. I know the divine nature well enough to know how you are, and I know that not only you but other beings have held a grudge from this contest. I want to guarantee both sides, avoiding any future misfortune." Some agreed reluctantly, knowing such things happened frequently.

"And finally, wish 3: all those who fell in Ragnarok shall return to life." Now, the hall was in chaos. They had the chance to have their companions back. Zeus's eyes widened slightly; Ares stood up again, mouth agape; the Valkyries were ecstatic; and the humans wished for this to happen. "But, logically, I want all three wishes. I will not accept only one or another being granted. All three must be realized."

Zeus laughed.

"The wishes are good, but they are not possible."

Before he could finish, Marin interrupted him:

"But I'm not asking you to grant them. I'm asking you to summon the only ones who can: the Fates."

As she finished speaking, the room grew colder; some gods weren't even breathing.

Zeus paused for a few minutes with a neutral face. He motioned for Hermes to approach and whispered something in the younger god's ear. Hermes left the room and returned with a goblet in his hand—a goblet containing a suspicious drink, transparent but with a pearlescent shine. Hermes handed the goblet to Zeus. The elder stood up and raised the goblet.

"Ladies of the End! I spill my blood as an offering upon the loom of the world! Hear the plea of one who does not fear your judgment! The three sisters who walk through the garden of destiny! Come!"

And at the end of this, the liquid that was once transparent turned a pinkish color. Zeus walked over to Marin and gave her the goblet.

"Drink. If you can endure it, they will come."

Marin looked without understanding but held the goblet with both hands. She took a sip; the taste was good, like fruit-flavored water. But then something wrong happened: the goblet fell from her hands, and she felt as if she were choking. A weak, desperate cough. She brought her hands to her neck, bending forward. She felt Svipul's hands on her shoulders, trying to help her steady herself. She saw out of the corner of her eye the humans rising—even Qin, who still had difficulty walking—and running towards her. And then her vision darkened, and she felt the cold—the same cold as when she was in limbo, when she had forgotten her own name and existence.

When she opened her eyes, she was in a dark place that seemed like a garden. In front of her were three women, each sitting on a bench with their tools: one was at the spinning wheel making the threads; another measured the length of the thread and cut it; and the third took the finished threads and cut them in half, murmuring a "my condolences."

Marin felt something hit her legs, and she fell sitting onto something—it was a fourth bench. The three women stopped their work at the same time and looked at her, their faces hidden by hoods.

"Welcome, human," said the one at the loom. "It's not often someone escapes us, but you managed to do that today."

"My... apologies?" murmured Marin, but saw the Fate shake her head.

"Don't apologize. In fact, we knew this before you were born. Your thread still has much to exist."

And then the one in the middle began to speak:

"We heard your prayer. They are three greedy wishes, I must say. But what surprises me is that none are about you," she said, measuring a thread and cutting it to the length she felt was correct. "But are you sure about this, child? You could ask for anything you want: power, peace, everything you can imagine."

Marin looked at her sneakers, still dirty and torn from the last fight.

"The truth is, I haven't wanted anything for a long time. I don't know what to ask for myself. So, why not spend it on the peace of others?" she managed to say. This was the reality: she hadn't desired anything for years, since before she died.

The last Fate then began to speak:

"If you are sure of this, then so it shall be. Your three wishes will be granted," she said, and then several threads appeared—the threads of those who died in Ragnarok. "If anyone breaks your other wishes, consequences will come for the unwary. Now go, my child, we will tell Zeus our decision. And be careful: they are desperate because of your fainting."

"My fainting?"

Before Marin could think more, she felt the bench fall into an endless void. Finally, her eyes opened. She could see Svipul looking at her, worried… Actually, not just her: she could see Sasaki crouched beside her; Qin being supported by Hrist, but standing; Buddha a little further away but close enough; Okita standing next to Sasaki; Simo and Jack side by side, standing near the table, looking at her.

Marin sat up, hearing the confused words of the others around her: "Are you okay?", "Give her space to breathe", "Someone get water." The human's gaze went to Zeus: he was standing still, seated on his throne, expression neutral, as if he were hearing something no one else could hear. And then he stood up.

"It has been decided. Your wishes will be granted," said Zeus, his voice echoing everywhere, before an uproar occurred. Gods yelled; the humans had expressions of relief; and some Valkyries cried. Marin couldn't think much more; she felt hands helping her, but they weren't Svipul's hands—they were larger, stronger, and had calluses. Looking to the side, she saw it was Sasaki. The adorable man gave her a comforting smile; he seemed grateful.

Marin felt her confidence leaving; she had spent all her strength and felt like lying down and disappearing for the rest of the week. Sasaki's hands were still on her shoulder; normally, she would detest contact with anyone other than Svipul, but it was comforting and warm enough for her not to hate it. She closed her eyes for a few brief seconds but soon opened them with a start upon hearing Zeus laugh.

"Well, the fallen will return soon, but it will take a while to heal their souls. In the meantime, let's relocate our humans," said Zeus, while Hermes handed a stack of papers to each of the humans.

Marin read hers: it was a retirement contract. The girl then motioned for each of her colleagues to hand over their contracts. Some complied, and others Svipul took by force. Marin read each one: they provided a monthly sum of money for each human for personal use, a good enough amount to not worry about bills and such. Furthermore, the contract placed them in a house, all together: a large house with a kitchen, living rooms, bathrooms, a large garden, and a bedroom personalized to each human's tastes. Additionally, the contract allowed them to go to the human world—well, except for Marin's, which clearly stated that any part of the world was allowed except her country of origin, given the recent era in which she had died.

No clause put them at risk or imposed strange rules. Marin returned the contracts to everyone.

"Sign them if you want," said the girl, signing hers. It was a good opportunity; not that her room wasn't good, but it was too close to the gods, and currently she wanted distance from anyone. Hermes took the contract from Marin's hands as soon as it was signed. She was going to sit at the humans' table, she would wait a little longer, but Svipul pulled her out of the hall without even letting her say goodbye, taking her to her room and laying her on the bed, all quickly and agilely.

"Lie down for a bit. The coming days will be slightly chaotic with the construction of the house," the Valkyrie smiled.

Before Svipul could leave, Marin held her wrist—a silent and clear request. Svipul walked to the other side of the bed, took off her shoes, and lay down next to the human without question, watching her close her eyes and finally have what she desired most: her bed and a well-deserved sleep.

Chapter Text

Marin's plan was to lie in bed for the next few months, eating junk food and watching series on her laptop, but her adorable valkyrie had different plans. Now, to Marin's sorrow, she was in a room with all the humans from Ragnarok, along with those who had returned from the dead. Svipul had gone out with her valkyrie sisters to catch up with those who had died.

Everyone was interacting in the room, except Marin. She was focused on the paperwork in front of her forms about what her room would be like, colors, and gender details. Obviously, Hermes had made the list; Zeus would never have the capacity to organize something like this. The girl read each line twice, finding it hard to focus with so much noise around her. Finally, she finished the form and left it on the table, with the pen on top, aligned perfectly straight.

She looked at the rest of the room: Raiden was laughing with Qin; Jack and Sasaki were having a light conversation, with Okita butting in after a few exchanges; Nikola was looking at Lu Bu with admiration as if he were a scientific discovery; Adam was trying to hold a conversation with Nostradamus, but the younger one seemed to enjoy confusing him. Simo and Leonidas were talking about wars they had fought in, and Sakata was listening to them with interest.

Marin sighed and finally stood up. She had one last thing to do before returning to her room: pick up a package that was on the seat next to her. She had left the package there to prevent anyone from sitting there, and fortunately, it had worked. The girl walked slowly and quietly, as much as she could to avoid being noticed, though she felt a few quick glances on her—damn superpowered humans.

She approached the older swordsman, freezing for a few seconds. Should she poke him? Cough to get his attention? Call him by his name? Thank the gods, Jack was gentle and signaled to Sasaki that Marin was there.

-Ah! Hello, girl. Marin, right? - the older man smiled radiantly. Too bad Marin had forgotten her sunglasses. The girl nodded, silent. - Good thing I got it right, I still have trouble with Western names.

Before Sasaki could continue, Marin extended the package to him.

-Thank you - she said softly, her voice hoarse. - It took me a while to give it to you because I had to clean the blood off it.

Sasaki looked at her in shock for a few seconds. His smile froze, but he soon took the package with a new smile.

-Don't mention it! You didn't even need to worry about the blood. I know how hard it is to clean. - He opened the package and took out the haori inside. The fabric smelled different from anything Sasaki had ever smelled, like lavender, and it was completely clean, without a single stain of dried blood. He remembered how the haori had looked, ready to never see that piece of clothing again. - It smells great! And you have to tell me how you got the blood out, there's not a single stain!

Marin nodded slowly. Why did people have so much energy? She bowed slightly to say goodbye and turned to leave, wanting her own bed. But soon a voice made itself heard:

-We're going to party, aren't you coming with us? - Raiden said. They were planning to party? When did they decide that? Possibly while Marin was focused on the form. - It'll be fun, there'll be food!

He stood up and walked over to Marin. She swore she felt the floor tremble as he approached. He looked down at the girl, which must have been a hilarious sight, considering how tall he was compared to Marin.

-I'm going to my room - the girl finally said, starting to walk toward the exit.

Strangely, she felt the floor move away, taking a moment to understand. She soon realized: Raiden had picked her up like a ragdoll.

-Ah, come on, I bet you'll like it - he said, staring into Marin's pure blue eyes. For a few moments, he forgot what he was supposed to do. Was it normal for eyes to be that blue? He soon snapped back to reality, feeling light impacts on his abdomen and chest: Marin was kicking to be put down, but it didn't even tickle him. Raiden laughed at it, finding it cute.

-Let me go - the girl murmured, giving another kick, but she soon stopped; it was tiring and didn't faze the taller man at all.

Raiden laughed as if he had done the most natural thing in the world, holding Marin as if she were a little doll or a grumpy kitten.

-You're so light, you don't even seem human! - he commented, adjusting his arm so she wouldn't slip.

-Let me go - Marin murmured again, already out of strength to keep fighting.

-No! - the giant replied with the energy of a child. - You're going to love the party.

The sound of his laughter caught everyone's attention in the room. Qin raised his glass, laughing along.

-Hey, look, he got himself a new mascot!

-Mascot? - Marin repeated hoarsely, but Raiden didn't give her time to continue, walking firmly to the middle of the room - Let me go - she tried again, but was ignored.

Sasaki was still adjusting the newly cleaned haori on his shoulders, watching the scene with that serene smile that hid surprise. Jack, beside him, made a vague gesture as if saying "good luck" to the poor girl.

Raiden then sat her on top of the table as if she were a centerpiece. The size difference made everything even more ridiculous, Marin with her feet dangling in the air and looking around, unsure whether she wanted to disappear or just run away.

-There, now you're in the best spot at the party - he said proudly. - Now you can't escape.

Marin closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. "Breathe, just endure five minutes, then escape..."

But, of course, she didn't have time. Nostradamus appeared out of nowhere, resting his chin on his palm, staring at her as if she were an enigma.

-Interesting... very interesting. If it isn't the girl who destroyed Odin and died right after - he murmured theatrically with a smile that made you want to punch his face.

-Nostradamus, stop scaring her - Adam complained, but he couldn't hide the curiosity in his eyes either, along with a smile of relief seeing that everything had worked out.

Lu Bu, meanwhile, tilted his head, evaluating Marin as if looking for something that would make her a potential opponent. Rasputin ignored her, too focused on the bottle of vodka in front of him.

Marin rested her face in her hands. Great. Now she had become a circus attraction.

Raiden laughed loudly once more as food arrived; some employees appeared with carts loaded with food and placed the dishes on the table.

And before Marin could jump off the table and run to the open door, Raiden was already pushing a plate full of food toward her.

-Eat! A party without food isn't a party.

Marin stared at the plate full of fresh food that Raiden had pushed toward her. Her stomach even growled at the sight of real food, different from the junk she'd been eating, but her pride spoke louder.

-I don't want to - she said, pushing it back into Raiden's hands.

-Yes, you do! - Raiden retorted as if it were obvious, and laughed again when she huffed.

The commotion drew even more attention. Raiden seemed to be having more fun than ever, Qin and Sakata shouted encouragement as if it were a fight, and Nikola was already taking notes on the interaction between everyone as if it were an interesting social experiment.

It was in this chaos that the door to the room opened.

Svipul entered, accompanied by Hrist and Göndul, still with the satisfied air of someone who had caught up with her sisters. But the smile vanished from her face when she saw the scene: Marin, sitting on the table like a decoration, surrounded by laughing warriors, with Raiden trying to shove food into her hands.

-What are you all doing to my human? - the valkyrie's voice cut through the air.

Silence was instant. Even Raiden stopped, still holding the plate, frozen like a child caught red-handed.

Marin slowly looked up, and for the first time that day, she felt a certain relief.

-He kidnapped me - she said dryly, pointing at the giant.

Svipul raised an eyebrow, walking over to them.

-Kidnapped? - she repeated, her tone too low.

Raiden scratched the back of his neck, trying to explain.

-I just wanted her to come have fun! Everyone's partying, and she was going to lock herself in her room again!

-And for that, you thought carrying her around like a sack of potatoes was the best idea? - Svipul retorted, her hands already on her hips.

-It worked, didn't it? - he ventured, giving a nervous smile.

Marin sighed deeply, lowering her shoulders.

-Get me out of here - she whispered, looking at Svipul.

The valkyrie looked at the girl, and then a smile appeared on her face, destroying all of the human's hopes.

-I don't think so, you look so good up there - she said, bouncing slightly, which was enough for Raiden to get excited again.

Raiden cheered like a child when Svipul confirmed his "victory," raising the plate of food like a trophy.

-See? Even the valkyrie approved! - he laughed, sticking a piece of meat on a fork and offering it to Marin again.

The girl just closed her eyes, resigned, resting her face in her hands. "Betrayed... by my own valkyrie..."

Svipul approached and leaned her elbows on the table, watching Marin closely.

-It's not so bad, is it? A little interaction won't kill you - she teased, her light eyes sparkling with amusement.

-I've already died twice, thank you - Marin retorted dryly, without looking up.

Hrist, behind Svipul, laughed heartily.

-I like her; she talks like she's spitting blades.

Göndul, calmer, smiled softly.
-She's just hungry. I bet her mood will improve if she eats - she said with all her tranquility.

Raiden nodded as if agreeing with a very important sermon.

-Exactly! Look, it's already three against you, Marin. You lost.

-I don't... - she began, but was interrupted by the sound of a glass hitting the table. Qin, raising his wine glass, spoke loudly.

-As emperor, I order you to eat!

A chorus of voices erupted. Raiden almost applauded with excitement. Even Leonidas shouted, "Eat, girl!"

Marin wished the table would open a hole and swallow her; she felt her face starting to burn. This was too much humiliation.

Marin wanted to bury her head in the plate just to disappear from there. Everyone was staring at her as if she were a spectacle. The worst part was that they actually expected her to eat.

-You're not going to give up, are you? - she asked, her voice hoarse and low, looking around.

-NEVER! - Raiden responded first, almost as if it were a declaration of war.

-I just want... to sleep - Marin murmured, trying to argue.

-You can sleep later - Svipul smiled mischievously, crossing her arms - But now you're going to enjoy yourself.

Marin closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Then, suddenly, she grabbed the fork, stabbed a piece of meat, and brought it to her mouth without even looking at anyone.

Silence.

Everyone looked at each other as if she had just performed a historic feat. Raiden's eyes widened, and Qin, theatrically, clapped. Soon the entire hall exploded in applause and whistles as if she had won a life-or-death battle.

-THAT'S IT! - Raiden shouted, punching the air - I KNEW I'D SUCCEED!

Marin chewed slowly, completely red, seriously considering jumping out the nearest window.

Nikola wrote frantically in his notebook.

-Fascinating... social pressure overcomes individual resistance. This is a perfect case study.

-It seems rather impolite to expose a lady like that, but it seems to work with the young lady - Jack commented casually, with that sharp smile, seeing the colors of Marin's emotions: pure embarrassment.

-In my time, this is called collective bullying - Marin muttered, finally swallowing the piece.

-Call it whatever you want, but it worked - Svipul laughed, poking her cheek with her finger.

Before Marin could respond, Raiden was already pushing another full plate toward her.

-Now try the fish! This one's great!

-No! - she tried to refuse, but his expression seemed so genuinely excited that the girl lost half the strength in her protest.

As she stared at the new plate as if facing an enemy, Nostradamus leaned in with that enigmatic smile.

-Interesting... perhaps the true battle isn't against the gods, but against humans themselves and their persistence.

-Nostradamus - Adam chided, but without taking his eyes off the scene.

Raiden had already managed to shove another fork into Marin's hand.

-Go on, mascot! - he said, laughing.

-I am not a mascot! - Marin exploded, a burst of energy that made her eyes turn white, causing all the plates to rise a few inches and fall again. Silence reigned throughout the place; everyone stared at the girl, who seemed to have realized what she had done.

-Sorry - she murmured more weakly than before, finally jumping off the table and preparing to leave. She was still stable, but mixing with them was risky, and she didn't have the energy to deal with them. It was easier to leave.

She didn't wait for a response. She turned and ran toward the door. Everyone stayed silent for a few seconds, not out of fear or apprehension, much less because they saw the girl as a danger.

The silence that followed Marin's escape was thick, heavy, laden with collective consternation. It wasn't fear, but a deep surprise and a sudden understanding.

The first to move was Svipul. Her face, once amused by the situation, was now serious, her eyes fixed on the door through which her human had disappeared. She didn't seem angry at what Marin had done, but worried about what had led her to do it.

-Well... - Qin's voice broke the ice, sounding more thoughtful than usual - That was... unexpected.

-Unexpected? - Nostradamus echoed, his eyes shining with feverish interest - It was magnificent! Pure, raw energy... and so unstable. Fascinating!

Raiden was still holding the fork with the piece of fish he had tried to offer Marin. He looked at it, then at the empty spot on the table, and a clear expression of guilt crossed his face.

-I... I think I went too far - he admitted, his powerful voice now somewhat subdued - I just wanted her to have fun.

-I think we all ended up pressuring her - Adam said softly, but without accusation. His experience as the father of all humanity gave his voice a natural weight of understanding - I think no one would want that; I should have stopped it, but seeing everyone having fun made me not notice her feelings.

-We treated her like a stubborn child at dinnertime - Jack commented dryly, watching the door. His perception of the "colors" of Marin's emotions must have hit him deeply - The shame she was emanating was suffocating. And then... white. Pure panic.

Nikola Tesla closed his notebook with a sharp snap.

-My calculations were wrong. It wasn't social pressure. It was stress. An energy phenomenon directly linked to emotional state! I need... I need to study this. Carefully.

-You're not going to study anything - Göndul's voice was calm but firm - What she needs now isn't an experiment. It's peace.

Svipul finally turned to the group, her decision made.

-Göndul is right. All of you, with good intentions or not, were idiots - She looked directly at Raiden, who lowered his head - And I was the biggest one of all for encouraging it, even though I knew she doesn't like it.

Without waiting for a response, Svipul left the room with quick, determined steps, following the trail of anguish that only she could feel.

——————

Marin hadn't run far. She didn't have the energy for that. She simply collapsed a few corridors away, curled up in a dark corner near a window, her knees pressed to her chest.

-Stupid, stupid, stupid - she whispered to herself, her voice trembling - Can't even control this. Can't even be around people without... without breaking.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm down. The simple act of socializing had completely drained her, and the final loss of control terrified her. She was a loose cannon, a danger to everyone there.

Light but firm footsteps echoed in the silent corridor. Marin didn't need to look up.

-Marin? - Svipul's voice was soft, without any trace of the earlier teasing.

-Go away - the girl murmured, her face still hidden in her knees.

Svipul ignored the request and sat on the floor beside her, her skirt rustling. She didn't touch Marin, just stayed there, present.

-No one got hurt - she said after a moment of silence - Just a few plates got scared.

-It's not funny - Marin retorted, her voice muffled.

-It's not meant to be. It's the truth. And no one down there is afraid of you. They're feeling like idiots. Especially Raiden. He looks like a bear cub that got scolded.

Marin fell silent. This wasn't the reaction she had expected.

-They... aren't scared?

-Scared? - Svipul almost laughed but restrained herself - Marin, that hall is full of men who faced gods in single combat. Lu Bu split the sky. Qin destroyed a false god in his lifetime. They're not afraid. They're worried. About you.

Marin slowly raised her head, her eyes still watery, trying to absorb those words. Worried about her? There were no words to describe the strangeness of that. Until then, she had seen herself as a risk, an uncontrollable force that couldn't be tolerated near others. But Svipul's firm voice broke down all the walls she had built over time.

-Worried about me? - she murmured, more to herself than to the valkyrie.

-Yes - Svipul nodded with a slight smile - Some try to hide it, like Adam and Jack. Others don't even know how to deal with it, like Nikola and Raiden. But they all care.

Marin bit her lip, trying to understand. Was it possible? For someone to care, even with so little time knowing her? Even with the disasters she could cause? She wanted to laugh, but the feeling was closer to a knot coming undone.

-So... I'm not... I'm not a danger to them? - the girl's voice came out trembling.

-You are powerful, yes - Svipul said with absolute calm - But dangerous? No. Not to them, perhaps to the gods. They just... want to include you; all of you are connected by the Ragnarok tournament; they see an invisible bond between you. Nothing more.

Marin remained silent for a few seconds, absorbing every word, every nuance in Svipul's tone. It was almost surreal to hear someone so close to her affirm that she wasn't a threat to those around her. But the feeling of vulnerability still dominated her, and the emotional exhaustion weighed heavier than the physical.

-So... what do I do now? - she asked, her voice almost a whisper, full of uncertainty - I don't... I don't know how to interact properly with these people.

Svipul tilted her head, observing Marin as if assessing unstable but full-of-potential ground.

-You don't need to know - she finally said - You just need... to exist. Let them approach you. They'll understand your way, just as you'll understand theirs. But never blame yourself for being yourself.

Marin pressed her knees to her chest, breathing slowly. Svipul's presence, silent and firm, offered something she hadn't felt in a long time: security.

-But what if I lose control again? - the girl murmured, almost trembling.

-Then I'll be there," Svipul replied, simple, firm, unshakable - I'll always be there.

The affirmation, so direct and unadorned, made Marin's heart tighten. A silent relief, almost physical, spread through her chest. She allowed herself to relax, leaning her head on the valkyrie's shoulder for a moment, just to feel that she could exist without fear of hurting someone.

-I... - Marin began but stopped. Words were hard to organize now - Thank you.

Svipul smiled softly, a mix of affection and lightness.

-No need to thank me. Just... trust a little.

The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable. It was a silence of understanding, of complicity. Those few words, that firm presence, meant more than any explanation.

Down below, in the party room, the chaos continued. Laughter, clinking plates, shouts of encouragement. But for Marin, in that dark corner near the window, everything seemed distant, almost irrelevant. For the first time that day, she didn't feel like she had to fight against everything and everyone. For the first time, she could simply... breathe.

Marin stayed there for a few minutes, feeling the weight of her own body on the cold floor. Her breathing began to stabilize, and the knot in her throat seemed to loosen slowly. Svipul remained seated beside her, silent, just letting her presence serve as an anchor to the storm still raging inside the human.

-You know... - Svipul began, breaking the silence with her low, calm voice - even the strongest have their moments of weakness. You just had the bad luck of being exposed in front of everyone.

-Weakness... - Marin murmured, still looking at the floor, her eyes watery - I... I don't want to be weak. I can't be weak.

-No one is asking you not to be powerful - Svipul said, tilting her head slightly, her silver hair falling over her shoulders - Strength isn't about controlling everything or everyone. Sometimes, strength is about knowing how to get up after falling, or letting someone help you up.

Marin swallowed dryly, absorbing those words. She could feel that the valkyrie wasn't speaking abstractly. It was personal, it was real.

-And if... I can't control myself again? - she murmured, almost inaudible.

Svipul placed a hand on Marin's shoulder, firm but gentle.

-Then I'll be there. Not just me... - the valkyrie's voice lowered even further, laden with sincerity - they will too. You're not alone, Marin. No one here wants to hurt you. They just want... you. All of you, just as you are.

Marin closed her eyes, letting her body yield to the weight of emotion. For the first time in a long time, she felt she didn't need to hide or suppress everything. That she didn't need to be a perfect machine or an uncontrollable weapon. That she could simply... be.

A faint sound of laughter echoed through the corridor, reminding her of the chaos downstairs. Marin shrank for a moment, but Svipul gave a small push of encouragement.

-If you want, we can go back - the valkyrie said - but this time... you set the pace.

Marin took a deep breath, slowly, feeling her heart still racing. She looked at Svipul, finally opening her eyes. A small smile appeared, timid but genuine.

-Okay... maybe I'll try to stay down there for a few more minutes - she said, her voice still hoarse but filled with subtle determination.

Svipul smiled, satisfied, and stood up first, extending her hand to Marin.

-Then let's go, slowly. But remember... you don't have to face this alone.

Marin took the valkyrie's hand, feeling a silent strength that seemed capable of balancing all her internal storms. She stood up slowly, still unsteady but firm enough to follow Svipul through the corridors.

When they reached the room, the chaos hadn't diminished. Raiden was still gesturing exaggeratedly, pushing plates and trying to get attention, while Qin shouted incomprehensible instructions. But now, Marin didn't feel panic. Just a silent recognition that, although the world was noisy and unpredictable, there was a firm line of support keeping her anchored.

She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and walked with Svipul by her side, ready to face it not without fear, but now with the silent courage of someone who knows they're not alone.

————-

Marin and Svipul entered the room, and all eyes turned to them. Raiden froze for a moment, the fork still suspended in the air, as if hit by a wave of surprise.

-Ah... look who's back! - exclaimed Qin, gesturing exaggeratedly with his hands as if conducting a chaotic orchestra - Our favorite girl!

Marin huffed, crossing her arms, but held her ground, taking a deep breath. Svipul beside her gave a slight touch of encouragement, almost imperceptible, but enough to keep her from retreating.

-I... I'm just going to get some water - said Marin, trying to slip unnoticed toward the drink table.

-Water? - Raiden shouted, running over to her, his eyes shining with excitement - That's practically an invitation for another round of food!

Marin frowned, but before she could protest, Svipul placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

-Slowly - whispered the valkyrie - Just one step at a time.

She took a deep breath and picked up a glass of water, keeping her eyes down. But, as always, the attention of the others seemed magnetic.

Marin sighed. "Great, I'm still a circus attraction." But, strangely, the pressure felt less suffocating now. Svipul was there, silent and firm, giving her the feeling that she didn't need to defend herself from everyone.

She then watched from afar; sometimes they called her into the conversation, sometimes they offered food, but finally they respected her space, without rushing, without forcing, just being there.

Chapter Text

Marin had to admit: the gods knew how to impress. Finally, after two weeks, the House of Humanity (so named by Svipul) was ready. A large house that mixed countless cultures in its architecture and decoration, yet somehow everything made sense and complemented each other, just like the world, where every culture somehow harmonizes with the others.

The front door was made of solid wood, carved with Chinese dragons entwined with Nordic serpents. The flower beds decorating the entrance were a chaotic yet beautiful garden; countless flowers of different species grew together in full splendor.

The human walked through the grand main hall, each step a journey. Sunlight filtered through the divine stained glass, shifting from amber to blue, from green to violet, projecting onto the vast polished marble floor a living, liquid mosaic that danced silently, telling stories of northern lights, deserts at dusk, and tropical forests. It was like stepping into every biome in the world.

The walls were a silent testament to genius. A massive Persian tapestry, embroidered with gold and silver threads depicting royal hunts, stretched beside a Greek marble column, its corners carved with millimetric precision. Further on, deep Nordic wood carvings in dark oak seemed to magically intertwine with the delicate geometry of a Moorish arch, painted in lapis lazuli and ocher. Nothing seemed out of place.

The dining room was Western in style. At its center, a large raw-wood table with carved corners looked as if it had grown there, so heavy it seemed natural. The table had candelabras with candles, and the chairs were upholstered in leather with carvings on their surfaces.

The kitchen was illuminated by a skylight that looked like a single stained glass window, perfectly mimicking a blue sky. At its center stood a monumental island, the altar of this culinary sanctuary. Its base was polished concrete, smooth and brutal in style, yet inlaid with mosaics forming minimalist and delicate patterns. On top, a white marble countertop with subtle gray veins a non-porous, hygienic, and utterly modern surface. The appliances were every human's dream: an induction stove with a sleek black glass surface, smart ovens controllable remotely via an Alexa on the island, and stainless-steel refrigerators with built-in water and ice dispensers. The side countertops and cabinets were made of ipê wood with black marble tops; the sink had a faucet that could transform into a hose for versatile use.

The kitchen also led to a corridor and opened into the living room, furnished with a simple TV, a comfortable sofa, a coffee table surrounded by cushions, and armchairs. Near the window, a rocking chair with a small side table. The space was designed for everyone to feel together and comfortable. Marin could imagine Jack with a teapot at the window table, Sasaki and Okita sitting on the floor cushions, Simo at the doorway to the yard watching his dog run while staying close enough to join conversations, and the rest of the humans spread across the sofa and armchairs.

Marin was impressed but excited to see something in particular. She looked down the long corridor, observing the décor: a mix of old and new paintings, doors with names on them. She didn’t need to walk far before reaching her room, the second door. The door, like the others, was dark oak with a steel plaque displaying her name. Opening it, Marin knew she had found paradise.

It was a large room. By the door was a desk with a gaming PC and a cream-colored wheeled chair. The bed was a double, pushed against the wall to the left of the window; the headboard was a huge bookshelf filled with numerous books and manga. The bed frame had six drawers in total. On the opposite wall, to the right of the window, was a wardrobe and a counter with glasses, a water filter, and a mini-fridge. Shelves lined the walls with action figures and miniatures from anime, Marvel, and DC characters, as well as a door leading to a bathroom with a toilet, sink with drawers, and a bathtub.

The room was simply perfect: spacious, comfortable, and stocked for days of staying in. And to top it off, Marin was relieved not to see or feel the divine particles; her vision was clear, without the sparkling dots in the air. She had forgotten how refreshing it was to see the world clearly. Not that she didn’t enjoy her powers, but having colored sparkles constantly floating in her vision all day was tiresome.

Marin collapsed onto the soft bed, sinking into the fluffy comforter with a sigh of pure happiness. The silence was absolute not an empty silence, but a welcoming one, broken only by the faint hum of the PC and the mini-fridge. She closed her eyes, savoring the rarity of an unobstructed view, free from the constant flow of colorful particles dancing in her perception since gaining her powers.

She got up and explored the space as if it were a personal amusement park. She ran her fingers along the spines of books on the headboard, recognizing titles she had read and others she had always wished to own. In the mini-fridge, she found chilled bottles of water and some cans of soda, as if someone had read her mind.

Opening the bathroom door, she laughed at the sight of the gleaming white bathtub. “Okay, this is definitely more luxury than I’ve ever had in my life,” she thought. Marin spent some time inspecting the room repeatedly, pure excitement on her face.

Finally, she found herself back on the bed. Sounds were finally coming from the house; it seemed the others had arrived. Curious about their reactions, she wasn’t yet ready for so much interaction. She checked her phone: 11 a.m. Lunch would soon be prepared, and she needed to mentally prepare for that. Svipul had said that she and the other Valkyries wouldn’t appear today, giving the humans space to adapt, which left Marin wondering: would the older humans even know how to operate the appliances? Many of them probably didn’t even know what they were.

Marin turned on her side, hugging the pillow like a shield against the thought of soon having to interact with so many people. She didn’t dislike company, but she wasn’t used to sharing a roof with so many different personalities.

Her phone lit up in her hand: 11:07. She opened the home screen, not even sure what she wanted to look at, swiping through apps Hermes had installed for her earlier. The phone had everything from her old one: games, photos, playlists. The only things missing were contacts of living family and friends, and social media accounts. Hermes explained that she couldn’t contact living people and had created new accounts that could access everything happening on Earth—but any posts she made would only appear to the dead and deities using specific social networks.

From the corridor, a familiar voice echoed:

— Hey! How do you turn this thing on? — It was Sasaki, his usual panicked and funny tone. — There’s no charcoal, no fire!

A second voice replied calmly, with a hint of irony:

— That’s not a real stove, Sasaki. — Jack. — It’s… electric. Or magical, I don’t know.

— Magical, it must be! — the swordsman laughed. — This black glass heats without fire? How doesn’t it explode?

Marin was grateful Nikola was in his own room (she knew from the sound of his voice), or he would be shouting that magic doesn’t exist.

From the corridor, a metallic click. Probably Okita tapping the stove with his sword to “test its strength.”

— Stop that before you break the new stove. — Simo’s cold voice hit like a precise shot, loaded with impatience. — Get out of the way. I’ll handle it.

His dog barked excitedly, probably jumping around as the scene unfolded. Marin heard Simo muttering something; he probably didn’t even realize the stove wasn’t gas-powered.

— This thing won’t turn on, no matter what! — Sasaki muttered, pressing random buttons.

— You have to talk to that “Alexa,” right? — said Okita, trying a ceremonious tone. — Oh, kitchen spirit, fire this altar!

A beep sounded.

— Sorry, I didn’t understand the request. Do you want to add “fire this altar” to your shopping list?

Marin buried her face in the pillow. She knew she had to get out of bed before they destroyed the kitchen. With a heavy sigh, she dragged herself out, her bare feet sinking into the soft rug beside the bed. The contrast between comfort and the chaos she heard in the kitchen was almost ironic. She walked down the corridor, running her fingers through her hair, following the sounds of voices and Simo’s barking.

Entering the kitchen, the scene was worthy of a chaotic painting:

Sasaki leaned over the stove, pressing buttons like it was a game of chance. Okita stood nearby, sword raised as if performing a sacred ritual at any moment. Jack watched, arms crossed, with that cynical expression of someone who had seen worse disasters but wouldn’t lift a finger. And Simo… well, Simo observed as if mentally calculating the time until the explosion. He apparently hadn’t realized the stove wasn’t gas-powered.

— You’re not going to manage it — Marin said, crossing her arms, still with the hoarse voice of someone who had just woken up, her tired eyes giving her an unmistakably sleepy appearance.

Everyone turned to her like kids caught with their hands in a cookie jar. She walked to one of the cabinets and grabbed a kettle.

— Tea? — she said to Jack, who just nodded. She filled the kettle with water and placed it on the stove. — This is an induction stove.

— Induction…? — Jack raised an eyebrow, approaching with Simo to see how it worked.

— It’s like… invisible electricity that only heats when there’s a proper pan on it — Marin explained, trying to simplify. — You need special pans.

Marin touched the digital panel, activating it with a *beep*. A small red circle lit up, and within seconds, the metal began to heat.

Sasaki’s eyes sparkled.

— So… it’s invisible magic.

— It’s science — Nikola shouted from the corridor, without even appearing. — S-C-I-E-N-C-E!

Marin sighed internally. This day was going to be long. She walked to a cabinet and grabbed a cup for Jack while he searched for the tea. Glancing at the clock: 11:30. They needed to start thinking about lunch, but Marin refused to cook for a bunch of men. And they could break the kitchen if left alone trying. She opened a food delivery app. The money she received monthly from the gods was enough to cover her monstrous orders without even denting her account.

Marin sighed, a mix of relief and anxiety. She quickly selected some ready-made dishes: a mix of Japanese and Western meals and some quick snacks that would please everyone without needing them to cook. While confirming the order, Jack and Sasaki continued to debate the “mystery of induction,” and Okita lightly tapped the marble counter with his sword, probably testing its durability.

— I’ve ordered food. The delivery will arrive in about 30 minutes — Marin said, placing her phone on the counter and removing the kettle from the stove, pouring hot water into Jack’s cup.

Sasaki, sitting cross-legged on the floor, looked at Marin curiously.

— You ordered it? Do we have to go get it? — he asked, and Marin realized they probably didn’t know what delivery was. At most, Simo might.

Marin raised an eyebrow, thinking about how to explain it clearly.

— No, Sasaki — she replied carefully. — We don’t have to leave. Someone will bring the food to the door.

Sasaki blinked a few times, clearly confused.

— Wait… you’re saying a stranger is coming here just to bring the food? And we don’t have to do anything? — he asked incredulously.

Marin shrugged.

— Advantages of the modern world — she said, as if that explained everything. Without further words, she walked to the living room and sat in the armchair, scrolling through Instagram Reels.

She heard footsteps beside her. It was Sasaki.

— But when did you order the food? — he asked, sitting on a floor cushion.

— When I realized you wouldn’t manage the kitchen — she replied simply, still focused on her phone.

— It’s amazing how humanity has evolved — Sasaki remarked, ending the conversation.

The two stayed alone until the sound of a motorbike horn rang. Marin got up to receive the food but saw Lu Bu threatening the delivery guy, not understanding why a stranger was at their house.

Marin paused at the door, watching with a mix of disbelief and mild despair. Lu Bu, eyes fixed on the delivery man, looked ready to charge, while the man trembled, holding the bag with exaggerated care.

— I called him. He came to deliver our food — she said, approaching Lu Bu, taking the bags and handing them to him. — Bring them inside.

Marin stayed outside a few more minutes, apologizing to the delivery guy and giving him a tip. Still trembling slightly, he made a quick bow before walking away, clearly relieved to escape the chaotic scene at the entrance.

Upon entering, she saw everyone already at the dining table—even Eva was there, along with Adam. Everyone was eating and having fun. Unfortunately, this was still too much for Marin. She walked to her room, grabbed a cup noodle from the cabinet, boiled water in the electric kettle, and sat down at her chair to set up her computer, installing software and analyzing the machine’s power.

Though physically alone, Marin felt at peace.

Chapter Text

It was a terrible idea to have lunch alone. In the end, they noticed Marin was missing and went to get her from her room with kicks and scratches. Raiden managed to carry her to the dining room and sit her in a chair. Obviously, that was too much for the girl. She managed to slip under the table and run out of the house.

This brings us to the present moment, where Marin was wandering through a damp forest with thin-trunked trees and wet grass that soaked her shoe with every step. She didn't know where she had run to; she had just run. And she regretted it, because with every second she looked at the forest, the more it resembled the forest where Marin had died. She felt her throat close up and her heart race. The girl leaned against one of the trees while taking a deep breath; she needed to calm down. She was lost and couldn't lose focus.

The girl looked around and immediately regretted it. The air left her lungs again; that place looked so much like the forest from that day. Marin felt the phantom pain in the palm of her hand and her legs, places she had scratched while fleeing from her killer.

The weight of the memory fell upon Marin like a stone. The images blurred together: the present of the damp forest and the bloody past, where every branch had been a threat and every shadow a warning of death. Her breathing became short and irregular, her throat closing as if the forest itself were trying to suffocate her.

She closed her eyes, but it only made it worse. The shadow of the man who had chased her that night returned to her mind: the sound of footsteps behind her, the snapping of twigs, the pain of the fall, the cold of the ground. Her hands trembled, and her fingers automatically went to her throat. She could feel the fishing line that had been used to cut her throat; she remembered the cuts on her hands and fingers from trying to pull the wire away. She felt the back of her neck grow damp, right where the man had hit her with the rock. The girl fell to her knees on the ground; as she pulled her hands from her throat, she saw blood. Of course she did: her soul hadn't yet healed from death. Brunhilde had warned her that the wounds of the soul never truly heal, and that trauma could make them return not as simple memories, but as a second death, repeated in fragments every time despair overwhelmed her.

Marin sat down, leaning her back against the tree and hugging her knees. The flashback from that day played before her eyes: she remembered running, hitting the trees, cutting herself on the branches, falling and scraping her entire leg, leaving it raw. And finally, she remembered the blow to the back of her head, the cut with the fishing line, and the drowning in a river that ran through the forest.

The flashbacks raced through her mind; the flow of memories came like a violent current, giving Marin no room to breathe. The smell of wet earth mixed with the metallic smell of her own blood; the sound of branches creaking in the wind was the same as the twigs breaking under the feet of the man hunting her. Every memory was a physical blow: the scratches on her arms, the burning of her scraped knees, the pressure of the line cutting into her skin until it burned her fingers, and finally, the suffocating weight of water flooding her lungs as the current dragged her down.

She curled up tighter, pressing her knees to her chest, trying to convince herself that it was over, that she wasn't in that night anymore. But her body didn't know the difference: her throat throbbed, the back of her neck seemed to pulse with pain, and looking at her own hands… blood. Streaming through her fingers, too real to be just a memory.

— S-stop… please… stop… — Marin sobbed, but she didn't know who she was begging. The forest? The killer who no longer existed? Or herself?

The sound of light steps on the wet grass made her eyes snap open, wide. For a moment, panic took over: *'he found me again'*. Her heart raced; her fingers dug into the muddy ground.

But it wasn't the man.

A short bark echoed among the trees, firm and close.

Simo's dog.

And right after, the calm, contained sound of a rhythmic whistle, a command to the dog that same call Marin had heard before at the house.

Marin heard the steps and panicked; she automatically thought it was her killer. But then she realized: they weren't aggressive, chaotic steps; they were firm, calculated, almost cold.

The dog was the first to reach her, its wet muzzle nudging her trembling arm, barking softly as if calling for help. Marin shrank even further against the tree, without the courage to lift her eyes.

Then she felt the Finn's presence.

Simo stopped a few meters away, erect, his gaze analyzing the scene as if it were a battlefield. And in a way, it was.

The faltering breath, the bloodied hands, the knees dirty with mud it didn't take him long to understand what was happening.

He seemed to panic initially, possibly thinking someone had just hurt the girl.

— Marin, look at me. Who did this to you? — he knelt in front of her, completely unaware that this was the result of memories.

Simo leaned in closer, his cold eyes now clouded with something rare: urgency. His hands, usually firm and impassive, hovered near Marin's shoulders, as if wanting to hold her, but locked up at the last second.

— Who did this to you? — he repeated, his voice harder, determined to resolve the situation, but it also held confusion.

Marin lifted her face slowly, her eyes tearful, her breathing shaky. Her throat still burned as if the fishing line were embedded there. She opened her mouth, but only sobs came out. Her fingers showed red stains, streaming between the lines of her palm. Simo held his breath: the cut on her throat, the scrapes, the cuts on her hands, the blood trickling from her head it all made it worse.

— I-I… no… — she choked, her vision blurry. — It's… it's him…

Simo frowned, his heart racing with anger. He immediately turned his head, scanning the forest with his gaze, already ready to identify an enemy hidden in the shadows. His hand went instinctively to his rifle; he stood up automatically.

— Where? — he asked again, his firm tone making Marin shudder and shrink back further.

The dog barked, nervous, but not at anything specific.

Simo noticed the contradiction immediately. The dog wasn't targeting anywhere; there was no scent of an intruder, nor did the silence of the woods betray any footsteps other than their own. Yet, the blood on Marin's fingers, her lost gaze, her failing voice… everything screamed urgency. He could find who did this later; at that moment, his focus would be the girl in front of him.

— *Hey.* — his voice changed, lost its hardness. It became lower, cadenced, almost a whisper. — There's no one here. Just you… and me.

Marin was shaking so much she seemed about to fall apart. With every blink, the shadow of the killer returned, the pain too. Her nails dug into her arms, as if trying to hold herself together.

Simo took a deep, patient breath. He knelt before her, setting his rifle aside. The dog lay down at Marin's feet, emitting a low whine.

— Look at me, *lapsi*. — he asked, letting a Finnish word slip. — You are safe.

She raised her pure blue eyes, shining with tears, confused, as if unsure he was real.

Simo then extended his hand not forcing, not touching, just offering. His fingers were firm, stable, an anchor.

— Breathe with me. — Simo said, his tone patient. — One… two… inhale. One… two… exhale.

Marin tried. At first, she failed, sobbing between each attempt. But Simo's gaze didn't waver. It was cold, but constant, unshakable. Little by little, her rhythm began to follow his.

When she finally managed to take a deep breath without sobbing, Marin fell forward, leaning against his chest, exhausted as the adrenaline dissolved.

Simo held her firmly, his arms protecting her without squeezing. He stayed there, motionless, as if he were a wall she could hide behind.

— No one will touch you here. — he murmured, low, for only her to hear. — And nowhere else, if I can prevent it.

The dog lifted its head, alert, but calm.

Simo raised his gaze to the silent forest, his hand on her back still firm. Now they needed to treat the girl's wounds, but he knew taking her home would only make the situation worse.

He remained motionless for long seconds, listening only to the girl's trembling breath against his chest. But soon he broke contact, having her lean against the tree again. He took a simple first aid kit from inside his coat; he would treat the wounds there, and once she had recovered more, they would return home.

Simo opened the kit with the precision of someone who had done it countless times in worse conditions, but this time the situation wasn't just physical it was more delicate. He knew that. First, a gauze pad soaked in alcohol. He held her hands; cuts from some kind of wire were there, her fingers raw. He felt Marin flinch slightly at the touch of the alcohol but she didn't pull her hand away. He then lightly bandaged the hand and repeated it on the other.

Marin, still trembling, hunched her shoulders, but didn't recoil from the care. Her body reacted as if expecting more violence, but Simo's movements were calm, unhurried.

Now came one of his concerns: the cut on her throat. It was deep, but the girl didn't seem to exhibit the symptoms of a wound at that level. He held her chin, lifting her face slightly not enough to strain the cut, but enough for him to tend to the wound. With another alcohol-soaked gauze, he cleaned the cut; this time the girl moved more, but not enough to hinder Simo. The cut was deep; it would normally need stitches, but for now he would just bandage it and ensure the girl didn't stretch the area of the cut. He'd leave that for a specialist to decide. He bandaged the girl's neck, and now came the blow to the head. Looking briefly, it was enough for trauma, but the girl seemed fine; so for now, he just cleaned it. He would leave that for a specialist too.

When he finished, he put away the dirty gauze and closed the kit. He watched her in silence for a few seconds. Marin was still breathing quickly, her eyes tearful and lost, as if she hadn't fully returned to the present.

— You'll be alright. — he said finally, his voice low, almost like a decree.

Marin blinked slowly, as if trying to believe those words. But the trembling of her shoulders didn't stop. She wouldn't be leaving there anytime soon, but where could he take her? A quiet place would be good. He would like to take her home, but he knew the others would make too much noise. Maybe he could take her, leave her outside for a bit while he explained the situation to the others? It seemed good.

Simo put a knee on the ground and adjusted the rifle on his back. Then, he slipped one arm under her legs and another behind her back. Marin flinched at first, a reflex, but when she realized there was no brute force or aggression, only controlled firmness, she didn't resist, too tired to care.

He lifted her easily; she seemed far too light. The dog barked softly, following the movement, and walked alongside.

Simo maintained a firm posture but was in no hurry, walking slowly along the soaked path. Each step was careful, avoiding roots and branches that could make them trip, but above all ensuring Marin felt no threat around her. She remained leaning against him, her arms hanging heavy, as if all the fatigue and terror of the past had finally caught up to her.

The dog followed close at his feet, alert to any sound, but calm. The silent presence of the animal helped calm Marin, if only partially. The entrance to the house was now visible. Jack was resting at the table near the window, drinking tea. He was the first to see Simo; his eyes stopped on the girl the White Death was carrying. The girl was beside herself, her gaze lost and distant; she wasn't reacting, in complete shock.

Simo walked over to Jack, relieved it was him.

— Can you stay with her for a few minutes? I want to explain to the others before they overwhelm her. — Jack nodded, leaving his tea on the table. Simo sat the girl on the sofa, and Kellie, his faithful companion, jumped onto the sofa next to the girl, laying her muzzle on her chest. Marin, still in shock, hugged the dog's neck and hid her face in its fur, all while pulling her knees close. She looked so small.

Simo took a deep breath. How would he explain to everyone? He walked to the dining room, stopping at the entrance, and as expected, everyone was there. Some were still eating, others were just enjoying the moment. Little by little, they noticed Simo's presence and the seriousness in his eyes. The Finn closed his eyes and took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. He didn't know what had happened, and he knew they would want answers.

— I found Marin — he said, his voice low but firm. — She is not well. I found her in the forest, hurt, scared, and panicking.

Simo decided to say everything at once; beating around the bush would be bad, and he didn't even know how to start this subject.

— I don't know what happened. She couldn't speak, and there was no one around, but it seems she was attacked by someone. — He said now in a defeated tone.

Simo took a deep breath, letting the weight of his words hang in the air. He knew every person in the room would try to fill in the blanks on their own, but for now there was nothing more to say beyond what he could prove with his own eyes. Simo raised his eyes and instantly regretted it; the look of horror on Eva's face was painful.

— And where is she? — Leonidas spoke, his tone rough and strong.

— In the living room, Kellie and Jack are with her. What can we do? — The Finn replied, lost.

— Wouldn't it be good to call her Valkyrie? — Rasputin posed the question, and Simo felt relief. How had he not thought of that? The Valkyrie knew her; maybe she could talk to her.

They debated lightly about who should call the Valkyrie and concluded that Okita would be fastest. The boy, as expected, ran outside, and the dining room fell silent again. A low grumble from Kellie could be heard. Simo looked through the kitchen entrance; Marin was still still, but had a slight tremor in her shoulders. He also saw Jack settle into his chair, attentive to everything.

Before he could continue analyzing the girl's state, the door opened. Okita was there with Svipul beside him, hands on her knees trying to catch her breath.

— What happened? — The Valkyrie finally asked. Simo explained again how he had found Marin and her injuries.

Everyone watched the Valkyrie walk to an empty chair and sit down. She was tense.

— It's okay, these injuries aren't new — Svipul said, sighing. — She died in a… brutal way. Her soul entered a state of denial and went to Limbo.

Everyone remained silent, not understanding, but before they could ask, Svipul spoke again.

— In that place, the soul remains in a state of intense agony, stuck at the moment of death. Normally the soul recovers on its own, but Marin died very recently, just before Ragnarok. Sister Brunhilde needed her, so we ended up speeding up the process. The problem is that when reliving the trauma or remembering, the wounds return and she loses herself.

It made sense. It wasn't that someone had hurt her now, but she *had* been hurt; her soul hadn't recovered yet.

— Do you know how she died? — Qin asked. — We need to know what happened to understand.

Svipul shifted uncomfortably in her chair; she seemed to not want to get into it, but knew it was important.

— Murdered… — Her voice died right at the start. — I don't know the details, but I know it involved a blow to the head with a rock and a cut to the throat. But that's just speculation based on the injuries; I don't know much more than that.

Svipul began to cry, a pure cry that made everyone at the table instantly concerned.

— It took so long for her to recover last time, and now we're back to square one — The Valkyrie said between sobs. — She wouldn't even leave her room, but it seems this memory haunts her.

Eva walked over to the Valkyrie and hugged her, trying to comfort her.

Simo sighed again, looking toward the room where the girl was. Now, the girl was stroking Kellie's ears, even without lifting her face from the dog's fur. Jack was still still, watching her, his tea forgotten. In the midst of all the silence, one of the chairs creaked. Qin passed by Simo quickly and walked over to Marin. Everyone gathered at the entrance to the living room to see what Qin was going to do, ready to pull him back by his hair if necessary.

The Emperor of China knelt in front of the girl.

— Marin, dear, can you hear me? — He said in a subtle tone. — Does something hurt?

Rasputin huffed near Simo, indignant at the stupid question her throat was slit open, of course it hurt.

— Please, talk to me. I just want to hear you — Qin begged. — Even if it's to yell at me.

He spoke now, placing his hand on the arm of the sofa, not touching the girl, but showing he was there.

Qin kept his gaze firm but gentle, patiently waiting for Marin to find the strength to react. She remained hugging Kellie, her face hidden in the dog's fur, her tearful eyes only peeking at the world little by little. The silence that followed was heavy, laden with the anguish and fear that still hung over the girl.

— It's okay if you don't want to talk now… — he continued, his voice low, almost a whisper. — I just want you to know I'm here. Not a single step forward will be taken unless you are ready.

Marin pressed her knees even tighter against her chest, her body trembling, but Qin's presence seemed to create a safe space, a small island of stability in the sea of her traumatic memories. Gradually, a more controlled sob escaped, and she slowly raised her eyes, seeking his, as if wanting to gauge if it was truly safe to trust.

Qin smiled, reaching out for Marin's hair. The girl looked sharply but soon seemed to give silent permission. The Emperor of China lightly stroked her hair, feeling it sticky with blood.

— How about taking a bath? Mother Eva and Svipul can accompany you, and afterwards you can put on more comfortable clothes and we can fix up the sofa for you. I know you'll prefer to be in your room, but everyone would feel better if you stayed where we can see you.

Marin blinked slowly, hesitating. Her body was still on alert, every muscle tense, every breath an effort. But there was something in Qin's voice, in the calm firmness of his gaze, that began to dissolve, even if slowly, the fog of panic.

She remained hugging Kellie, the warm muzzle pressed against her chest, the soft fur offering silent comfort. A slight tremor ran through her arms, and Marin finally let out a sigh, almost imperceptible, but enough to show she was listening, considering what Qin said.

— I… I think I can… — her voice came out weak, trembling, almost a whisper. A silent celebration occurred among the humans. — Can Kellie come? — The girl asked, her voice weak and fragile, referring to the dog beside her.

Simo nodded.

— Of course, *lapsi*, anything you want — The Finn said with relief. — Later she can stay with you on the sofa too.

Marin nodded, letting go of Kellie and stretching her legs to get off the sofa. She stood up, still shaky and weak. Svipul walked over to her slowly, and Eva waited for the two in the hallway.

The men of the house watched until the three (four, if you counted Kellie) entered Marin's room.

Without needing more, they divided up.

Nikola ran to his room and came back with a lamp, placing it on the table next to the sofa.

Qin went to the room looking for a soft blanket for the girl, and Okita began a search for pillows around the house.

Jack, Simo, and Sasaki divided themselves in the kitchen: Jack made chamomile tea while Sasaki looked for sweets for the girl and Simo helped him.

Lu Bu and Raiden rearranged the living room, moving furniture to make the environment comfortable for everyone and so everyone could be close.

Leonidas returned to the living room with a stack of books, claiming an armchair near the lamp.

Adam was in the hallway attending to Eva's request to fetch some things and take Marin's dirty, bloodstained clothes to the laundry.

Nostradamus arrived with an adorable animal-themed pajama set, throwing himself onto the cushions.

And Sakata arrived in the living room with a pile of blankets for everyone.

Little by little, the guys settled into the living room, claiming their favorite spots. Nikola turned off the light and turned on the lamp, leaving the room in a dark and comfortable tone, but without affecting Leonidas, who could still read by the lamp's light. And shortly after, the girls arrived: Svipul wore pajamas that were possibly Marin's, in yellow tones; Marin wore light blue and white pajamas; Eva also wore pajamas in pink tones.

Marin sat in the vacant space on the sofa, near the lamp. Svipul covered them both with one of the blankets and picked up the TV remote, putting on a movie for everyone to watch. She chose Disney's 'Atlantis'. Jack handed Marin a mug of chamomile tea with honey in a simple white mug.

The room remained silent, everyone focused on the movie, but halfway through, Svipul looked at Marin and found her asleep, half-lying on the sofa, hugged against Kellie, who was also sleeping soundly beside her.

————————

‘Lapsi’ is a Finnish term for ‘child’.

Chapter Text

After all the chaos last time, everyone in the house and Svipul decided that Marin needed therapy, which brings us to the current moment. There were Marin and Adam, who had come along as company (even though they had made him put on clothes), standing in front of a minimalist clinic decorated in white tones with dark wooden furniture.

The two sat in the waiting room. Marin shook her leg nervously, took a deep breath, trying to focus on the plant decorating the corner of the room. Then the door opened. Out came a young woman in business clothes and a perfect bun, glasses with thin silver frames. She was obviously not human; her pointed ears an elf, maybe? Well, at least that would make it easier to talk about the chaos of Ragnarok. Her gaze was calm and conveyed both professionalism and serenity.

— Marin, I’m Doctor Freda. Shall we? — the woman asked.

Marin nodded and stood up. Before entering the room, she unconsciously glanced at Adam, as if seeking confirmation. Adam simply smiled before the girl stepped inside with the psychologist, and the door closed.

Inside, it was a standard office: two chairs, a desk, simple things. Marin would like to say she immediately started talking about her traumas and resolving everything at once, but that wasn’t what happened. She stayed quiet most of the time, only nodding yes or no to the woman’s questions as she wrote everything down.

That is, until the woman stood up and returned with a sheet of paper and a case filled with pencils and pens.

— Do you like to draw? — Freda asked, placing the objects in front of Marin, who simply nodded. — Can you draw yourself as an animal?

Marin was surprised but picked up a pencil. It seemed fun: a self-portrait as an animal. The girl began sketching slowly, the pencil steady in her fingers despite the lingering tremor. At first, the strokes were uncertain, as if she didn’t know where to begin. She glanced at Freda, who just waited silently, without pressuring her.

The silence was strange, but not uncomfortable. The sound of graphite against paper began to calm Marin, and little by little the lines took shape. It wasn’t an imposing or grand animal, but a small deer, with big eyes and a frightened expression.

She stopped, staring at the drawing with a furrowed brow. It looked far too vulnerable, almost painful to look at.

Freda tilted her head slightly, observing without judgment.

— A deer? — she asked softly.

Marin hesitated but nodded.

— They’re beautiful creatures, — the doctor said. — Graceful, sensitive, but at the same time incredibly strong.

Marin frowned.

— I wouldn’t say strong, — the girl’s voice came out low.

Freda rested her chin on her hand.

— Strength isn’t always hitting back. Sometimes, strength is enduring, even when the whole world tries to break you. The deer runs, yes, but it’s precisely that flight that keeps it alive.

Freda crossed her legs.

— You know the most interesting part? A deer needs a herd, — she said calmly. — They rarely live alone. When they’re lost, they’re vulnerable. But in a group, they protect one another.

Marin nodded, staring fixedly at the paper.

— Now, why don’t you draw the man who came with you today? — the doctor smiled.

Marin started thinking: what animal would he be?

The girl began to draw, and it came out as a wolf strong, with a natural leadership, but also a unique kind of protection, like the leader of the pack who does everything to safeguard his own. Marin remembered an image she’d seen years ago, showing how wolves walked in formation, with the leader always at the back to ensure everyone’s safety.

The doctor nodded with a smile.

— Our session is over for today. If you’d like, I can keep the drawing for you, or you can take it with you, — the doctor said, glancing at her wristwatch.

Marin folded the drawing and put it in her pocket before standing up to leave.

— Until next session, dear, — Freda said, opening the door. Marin nodded in farewell and left the room, seeing Adam still waiting. He stood up.

— So? — he asked softly.

Marin hesitated, shrugging her shoulders.

— It was… different, — she murmured.

Adam didn’t insist. He just walked beside her out of the clinic in silence. It was Marin who broke the silence first, almost involuntarily:

— I drew you, — she said quietly, without looking at him.

Adam blinked, surprised, but didn’t ask further. He just smiled, that calm smile that didn’t need words.

They kept walking until they reached the house. The garden came into view along with the entrance. Kellie was running around the garden while Simo watched; Jack sipped his tea. Everything was moving along in its usual routine. Marin entered the house and went to her room. The drawing she had made had awakened an old passion. She opened the drawers, pulling out papers and a pencil case, determined to draw more; she had lost the will after everything that had happened.

Marin sat at her desk, placing the drawing of the wolf in front of her as reference. Something inside her seemed to settle, stirring a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time: the desire to create, to put on paper what was bubbling in her mind.

She opened the pencil case, arranging pencils, eraser, and pens carefully, as if preparing for a ritual. Her fingers trembled slightly, but her heart beat stronger, pushing her to begin.

The first line was hesitant, but soon the strokes flowed more naturally. Marin drew a series of animals, each representing something she felt: a deer again, shy and vulnerable; a wolf, protective and firm; even a small crow, watchful and silent. She kept going, sketching animal after animal.

As she drew, the bedroom door cracked open slightly. Adam appeared, watching without interrupting. He just approached and spoke with his usual gentleness:

— It’s looking amazing… — he said, peeking over her shoulder.

Marin looked up, surprised she hadn’t noticed him come in.

— I… haven’t drawn in a long time, — she admitted softly, almost like a secret. — But today… I don’t know… it felt like the right time to come back.

Adam smiled gently, encouraging her without saying anything more. Marin took a deep breath, then began drawing again, her strokes flowing with more ease.

A bird, a butterfly, a rabbit, a praying mantis, even a boar. She drew each one from memory, sketchy but clear lines.

— Sasaki made sandwiches. Want me to bring you one? — Adam finally asked. Marin only nodded, still focused on her drawing.

Adam smiled and left the room, returning minutes later with a plate of sandwiches, setting it beside her before quietly closing the door. The girl ate while she kept drawing. She sketched automatically: landscapes, animals, even people. She stayed there for hours, only stopping when her arms and back began to ache. Stretching, she looked at the desk: countless sheets filled with drawings spread across it.

Looking out the window, she saw it was already getting dark. Marin stood, grabbed a pajama from the wardrobe, and walked to the bathroom. She left the clothes on the counter with a soft towel, turned on the bathtub faucet, and waited for it to fill while checking her phone: nothing new. Influencers with ads, celebrity gossip, new anime and movies nothing out of the ordinary.

Marin sighed, feeling the weight of the day slowly dissolve. The hot water in the tub rose, filling the bathroom with soothing steam. She turned off the faucet, undressed slowly, leaving her clothes in the basket, and finally slipped into the water.

The hot water embraced her, bringing immediate relief. Marin rested her head on the edge of the tub and closed her eyes, every muscle relaxing little by little. The steam mingled with the soft scent of soap and shampoo, creating an atmosphere that felt far away from any problem or worry.

Marin began reflecting: she could open an anonymous art account, no one needed to know it was her. If she could get Hermes or Zeus’s permission, that account could even be open to the mortals still alive. She’d talk to Zeus tomorrow. At last, she had time to draw and even write, things she always loved but hadn’t done because of her packed schedule. She had to take advantage.

She started imagining how to organize it all: choosing a name that wouldn’t reveal her identity, deciding what kind of drawings to post first, maybe even writing little stories to go along with the animals and scenes that filled her mind. Excitement began replacing fatigue. She got out of the tub, grabbed the towel to dry herself, slipped into her pajamas, and hurried back to the desk. She had to think of a name and profile picture that looked cool. Turning on her PC, she thought of a decent name, something catchy or even funny but only dull ideas came to mind. She thought about what she did most: well, she slept most of the time. Maybe she could turn it into a joke. She then wrote down the name “SleepingNow.” Cute and very anonymous. For a profile picture, she could take a photo of a mug or a lake, something like that.

Marin leaned back in her chair. She should probably go have dinner or something before someone came to call her, but she wasn’t hungry. So she decided to test a trick: she turned off the PC, switched off the lights, and ran to bed, lying down.

She stayed still for a while and almost fell asleep until she heard a knock at the door and someone peeking through the crack. As expected, they came to call her, but surprisingly the person quickly shut the door, respecting the girl’s supposed sleep.

Smiling faintly at this new discovery, she closed her eyes and decided to sleep. Tomorrow, she would go to the gods’ territory.

—————

Marin woke up around 10 in the morning early for her, but certainly late for some humans in the house. She got up without hurry, brushed her teeth, slipped into her usual clothes, grabbed her phone from the counter, and left the room at ease. As expected, the house was empty; those who woke early had gone to their routines, and the rest were still asleep in their rooms.

The human left the house, heading toward Valhalla. Valhalla, unlike people imagined, wasn’t a single place; it was more like a territory. It was divided between the pantheons, the arena where Ragnarok took place, and the communal halls and quarters.

Upon arriving, Marin regretted it. She had gotten used to not seeing divine particles. Now she was simply being blinded by the colorful lights shining everywhere. On the bright side, Marin could absorb them and store them for later use.

She kept walking toward the Greek area, but in the middle of the way, she unexpectedly saw Loki. She lowered her head, trying to pass him as quickly as possible. She didn’t know if they had told him that she had killed Odin, and she really didn’t want to find out. The rules forbade physical and magical fights, but arguments were still allowed.

Marin kept her head down, shoulders slightly hunched, trying to seem like just another clueless mortal crossing divine ground. Loki, meanwhile, seemed to absorb every detail around him with that crooked smile he always wore, as if everything were a game only he knew the rules to.

— Well, well! Look who we have here — the human who killed Odin! — he said with that acidic tone, floating and making exaggerated hand gestures. Around him, energy particles shimmered and dropped to the ground. — What was your name again? I can’t quite remember — he said, tapping his finger against his face with a fake pout.

— Marin, — was all the mortal replied. Again, she tried to move forward, but the god of lies blocked her way. It was irritating.

Loki floated ahead, arms crossed, his expression both amused and provoking. He didn’t leave enough space for Marin to pass.

— Marin, Marin… — he said, stretching out the word as if savoring it. — So you were the one responsible for ending our dear Odin. Brave of you, huh? — He tilted his head, studying her every reaction, as if trying to decode whether it was courage or fear.

Marin took a deep breath, trying to absorb more particles to keep herself calm. She knew she couldn’t let Loki throw her off balance.

— I don’t want trouble, — she answered, her voice firm and clear, the same tone she had used when bargaining with Zeus after Ragnarok.

— Trouble? Oh, my dear, you’re already surrounded by it, — Loki said with a crooked smile. He snapped his fingers, and the particles spun faster, creating small flashes of light that reflected into Marin’s eyes, making her blink hard. It must’ve been funny to Loki, since he didn’t see the world like she did. — But tell me… do you have any idea who you’re dealing with? — He leaned in slightly, still keeping a respectful distance. Oddly enough, maybe he even felt disgust toward her for being human.

— I just want to speak with Zeus, — she said, trying to cut the tension, her voice steady. — I don’t want to get involved with you, and much less with Odin.

Loki laughed low, almost a whisper, but with echoes that seemed to fill the space around them.

— Zeus, huh? — he said, leaning forward, eyes gleaming with curiosity. — Interesting… But before you go, tell me, Marin… have you ever thought about how a mortal can survive in a place like this? You’re brave… or just reckless?

Marin sighed, stepping to the side and finally slipping past the god. She could hear him huffing behind her, almost like a child throwing a tantrum. The girl walked on until she reached the Greek area, stopping before a large door that led into Zeus’s office.

She knocked, and a few seconds later, the door opened. At the far end of the room sat Zeus behind a desk piled with paperwork, and beside him was Hermes. Zeus raised his golden eyes and smiled when he saw who it was, his voice taking on an oddly gentle tone.

— Marin! Long time no see, — he said, dropping the papers in his hand. — What brings you here?

— I came to request a new social media account, open to the mortal world, — she said without hesitation. Hermes tilted his head curiously, and Zeus’s smile fell.

— My dear… — Marin shuddered, hating being called that by the wrinkled old pervert — we can’t. If they see a photo of you, it will cause problems.

— The account will be anonymous. No name, no picture. Just photos of works like drawings and so on, — she argued. — I swear I’ll be careful, and if anything goes wrong, I’ll delete it immediately.

Zeus sighed. Hermes kept his eyes on his father.

— Very well. I don’t see why not, — Zeus said, returning that strange smile. Marin nodded, bowing slightly — just enough to be respectful but without showing she saw them as gods — then turned to leave.

The door slammed shut behind her as soon as she stepped out. She sighed and began hurrying away, doing her best to avoid encountering another god.

But before she could leave Valhalla, she felt her foot step into thin air and suddenly, she was falling.

A feminine voice, chaotic in tone, rang out:

— Finally, we can talk, — the voice said, and Marin saw nothing but black.

Chapter Text

Marin was falling, more specifically, falling from the sky. She flailed her arms and legs in panic, but no sound came from her mouth, such was her despair. Suddenly, Marin began to float. Her speed decreased, almost as if a greater force was carefully guiding her body to the ground.

As soon as she calmed down, she looked down. First, she noticed there was no ground, only countless small islands floating at different heights, connected by bridges. The islands were a madness that seemed to have come straight out of one of the *Alice in Wonderland* films, but with a few changes: the plants seemed to be made of crystals and gemstones; on another island, there were well-preserved ruins of a Greek hall, with a throne and, behind it, a huge wall made of gold and encrusted with countless colorful stones. Marin found herself floating towards one of the islands, where there was an immense table full of sweets. The chair moved by itself so that she could float towards it and be seated by the force that was guiding her.

The chair adjusted itself when Marin landed, as if the furniture had a mind of its own. The table before her displayed an extravagant banquet: pyramids of macarons in impossible shades, tall crystal glasses arranged in a pyramid overflowing with liquids that changed color every second, cakes with shimmering icings that resembled the stones on the golden wall of the neighboring island. The sweet, almost sickening smell filled the air as if it wanted to numb her.

Marin didn't dare touch anything. Her gaze ran from one dish to another, more suspicious than tempted.

A snap echoed, fingers tapping on the table, and suddenly, a figure materialized at the other end of the table. A tall woman, with straight black hair that floated behind her, skin as white as milk, with soft cherry red touches on her lips and cheeks. Her eyes had many colors mixed together. She wore a kind of armor that looked like a *plunge-neck* bodysuit, a vibrant blue in the chest area, with silver and gold details, and a belt with a round red stone. From the left side of the belt, a translucent fabric hung like a half-skirt, with a light blue background. She wore fingerless gloves with a red stone on the palm of her hand, and her boots resembled socks with metal soles.

— Ah, there you are — said a melodious and chaotic voice that Marin had heard before. -- You took your time.

The woman tilted her head, resting her chin on her hands with an amused look. Marin couldn't deny it: she was beautiful, she radiated an aura that almost hypnotized her. For the first time, Marin saw a god as a deity should be.

— You know, I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time. My name is Cattleya — she smiled sweetly.

Marin narrowed her eyes, still trying to understand where she was and, most importantly, who she was dealing with. The name sounded too sweet on the woman's lips to be just a simple introduction. Cattleya picked up a sweet that looked like it was made of gemstones and ate it.

— Cattleya… — Marin repeated in a low voice, as if testing the sound would help her wake from this strange dream. — Who… exactly are you?

The woman laughed, and the laughter seemed to cut through the air like a delicate blade. Her eyes changed color subtly, from deep blue to a shimmering gold, as if reflecting the crystals from the islands around them.

— I am many things, little human — she said in a playful tone, though every word sounded laden with mystery. — I've been called a guardian, I've been called a threat, but I like to think of myself as… the hostess of this place.

She opened her arms, and suddenly, the islands around them shone brighter, as if responding to her presence. Bridges moved by themselves, connecting and disconnecting islands at random, turning the scenery into a living maze.

— But, for the record, I am the current bearer of the essence of Chaos, the primordial one who created everything.

— Ch… Chaos? — Marin murmured, almost voiceless, trying to organize her thoughts. She knew who Chaos was, of course she did, but she knew nothing about a new bearer. — What do you mean… by that?

Cattleya rested her elbow on the table and made a lazy gesture with her free hand. One of the crystal glasses rose by itself, floating towards her, the liquid inside bubbling in impossible colors.

— The beginning of everything, little one — she explained in a sweet but dangerous tone. — Before light, before the stars, even before gods and titans, there was Chaos. The infinite void that carried within itself all possibilities. From it came the world, the gods you know… and even you.

She took a sip and sighed contentedly, as if she were talking about something trivial, just any memory.

— After the world was created, Chaos wished to die, but needed to ensure that his power would continue to exist — she continued, raising her index finger, where a small black flame danced and shaped itself into different forms, each stranger than the last. — He sought a bearer. That bearer was me.

Marin's eyes widened. She knew every Greek myth, but she didn't remember any Cattleya or anything like that.

— So… you are Chaos? — she asked in a low voice, as if fearing the answer.

Cattleya laughed again, leaning forward.

— No, little one. — Her eyes shone in a whirlwind of colors. — I am not Chaos. I am merely the vessel… the flesh that harbors its essence. He died… but he never dies. He lives in me, pulses in my veins, changes with every beat of my heart. Logically, in the timelines, I usually end up becoming Chaos.

— Timelines? — Marin no longer understood anything; it all seemed absurd.

— Yes. I called you for that reason. I wanted to thank you and perhaps tell you why I created Ragnarok.

Marin's heart almost stopped. The words echoed like thunder in her head.

— *You*… *created Ragnarok?* — her voice came out more like a choked whisper, disbelief mixed with fear.

Cattleya leaned back in her chair as if the revelation were something trivial, picking up another shimmering sweet between her fingers. As she bit into it, the sugar stone cracked like breaking glass.

— Of course. — She shrugged, a smile playing on her lips. — Don't you think it's too much of a coincidence for so many gods and humans to face off in a spectacle that borders on the absurd? Ragnarok is not just a battle for humanity's fate. It was the only way for the gods to survive.

Marin felt her stomach churn. She wrapped her arms around her body, trying to contain the cold that invaded her.

— The only way for the gods to survive? — she repeated in an incredulous tone. — Are you telling me that all that slaughter, all that pain, was nothing more than… a move to save the gods themselves?

Cattleya arched an eyebrow, amused by the reaction.

— Exactly. — The word dripped from her lips like honey, but there was something poisonous hidden behind it. — In all other timelines, the gods wiped out humanity, but that led to their own death. Think of it this way: the gods became dependent on human belief. They existed because humanity existed. This is a concept you humans know well you must know some series or movie that portrays this, like *American Gods* or even *Percy Jackson*, which shows it more subtly.

Marin stood still, her heart hammering in her ears. She knew those stories well books, series, movies. She had always found the idea of gods needing humans to exist fascinating, but it had never been more than fiction. Now, hearing it from an entity that claimed to bear the essence of Chaos gave a new dimension to what had once seemed like mere entertainment.

— The detail, sweet child, is that the gods are proud and never realized this. In other timelines, they destroyed humanity and died, leaving only me — Cattleya said, raising the glass and swirling the shimmering liquid inside it, watching the colors change as if reflecting entire universes. — I then assume the title of Chaos and remake the world. After that, I seek out the version of me that comes into existence and pass all the power to her, along with the memories, with the idea of preventing the end of humanity and the gods.

— You… remake the world? — her voice came out trembling, almost like a child's discovering something they should never know. — Every time?

Cattleya smiled faintly.

— Yes. — She swirled the glass one last time before letting it disappear into the air like smoke. -- The fact that no living human knows me did not make me dependent, which guarantees my survival.

— So… you created a temporal paradox? — Marin could hardly believe her own words, but she couldn't avoid the logical conclusion forming in her mind.

Cattleya arched her eyebrows, as if she had just heard something delicious. The smile that appeared on her lips was serene and genuine.

— Paradox? — she repeated, tilting her head like a curious child. — That's a word… too limited for what I do. But I suppose it works to explain. The fact is, I eventually got tired. Tired of seeing my family die. And no matter how hard I tried to prevent the end of humanity, they ignored me. So I started thinking: what if humans defended themselves?

— So you created Ragnarok… -- Marin felt her throat go dry.

— Exactly. I sought out the right humans and granted blessings, unique abilities that would help them fight against the gods, obviously combined with the power of Volund.

— You… chose the humans who would participate in Ragnarok? — Marin asked, her voice almost failing. -- And gave them powers… to fight against the gods… to defend themselves?

Cattleya nodded, the smile playing on her lips again, but this time laden with something cold and calculating.

— Yes, little one. — said with absolute calm. — Every choice, every detail, every battle… was planned. Jack's ability to see colors, Adam's ocular power, Qin's battle prowess, Raiden's superhuman strength… every detail was a power given by me. And, of course, your ability to manipulate divine energy and use it as you see fit.

— My… my ability? — she murmured, looking at her own hands as if they could suddenly become weapons. — You… gave me that?

Cattleya leaned forward slightly, her black hair floating as if breathing along with her presence.

— Yes. And the reason I called you here was to apologize. Only you would be capable of using that power, because you understand it in its essence. You can comprehend that your limitation is your creativity. Unfortunately, this choice of mine caused a repercussion in your soul. You see: you were destined to die and should have remained in Limbo until your soul recovered. When I chose you, I made it so your recovery time was not respected.

Marin felt the world spin inside her. It all made sense and, at the same time, none of it did. She should have been waiting for her soul to recompose itself.

— Besides, I wanted to talk to someone about my plan that worked. Obviously, the gods are ashamed and angry. That's also why I came to take responsibility — Cattleya said, making two items appear: a blue stone and a white chalk. — The stone is yours. You will need it in the future. And the chalk is a magical chalk. You just need to draw a symbol or mark with it on the entrance of the house and on some item your human colleagues use. This will allow me to watch over each of them when they leave and ensure no one hurts them, especially my brother Poseidon.

Marin thought she had already heard everything absurd that day, but that made her world collapse.

— Poseidon is your brother?

Cattleya nodded slowly, her smile now laden with a mix of irony and contained pride.

— Yes, little one. — said with an almost maternal tone, as if speaking of someone she had always tried to protect. — He is my brother, and one of the most… stubborn.

— You are the sister of the three main Greek gods? — she asked, still not believing it.

Cattleya nodded, her smile still soft, but now filled with memory and nostalgia.

— Yes, little one. Hades and I were born close. We grew up together, watching the world and learning to take care of each other. I was there, taking care of what I could, guiding them, protecting them… when necessary. — She raised her gaze, contemplating the invisible sky surrounding the floating islands, as if ancient memories floated along with her. — In the end, even the gods need someone to take care of them. And I created Ragnarok, humiliated them by making them lose to humanity, but I prefer to see them ashamed for having lost than dead for having won.

Marin nodded. She understood. She remembered her brother, remembered that she only fought in Ragnarok for him. She had literally killed a god for her own brother.

She pressed the blue stone against her chest for a moment, feeling the cold and pulsating energy in her hands. The white chalk floated beside her, light, waiting to be used, but it seemed almost useless in the face of the magnitude of everything she had just heard.

— So… — murmured Marin, still assimilating — I… killed a god for my brother. And, actually… all this chaos that happened in Ragnarok, you planned it. You gave me this power, put me there… all out of… care, for protection?

Cattleya smiled, a melancholic smile.

— Exactly. I hope you accept my apology and understand that I did all this because I love my family and could no longer bear to see them atrophy and die.

Marin closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. The weight of every death, every battle, every choice she made in Ragnarok suddenly seemed more… laden with meaning. She remembered her brother, the fear, the despair, the relief she felt seeing him safe, and now she understood that all those decisions had been an extension of that: protection, care, and sacrifice, even if disguised in chaos and war.

— So… — she murmured, still trembling — we are not so different. — The knot in her chest tightened again, but this time there was also a thread of pride mixed with disbelief. — You planned Ragnarok… to ensure humanity's existence, which allows your family's life, and I fought for my brother, because I wanted a world where he could grow up.

— When you say it like that, it really seems like we did the same thing and for the same reasons — Cattleya smiled softly.

— So… I forgive you for taking me from Limbo by force, and I thank you… — Marin took the chalk that was still floating around her — I thank you for giving me a chance to take care of those I love.

Cattleya's eyes widened in surprise, but soon her eyes took on a gentle shape.

— Our conversation is over, my dear. But know that I have an immense debt to you humans of Ragnarok. If you ever need me, call me. And if you ever need to bribe my brothers, you can use my name -- Cattleya said, making a box of confectionery appear in her hand. — Take some sweets. I saw you didn't eat any from the table.

Marin smiled, took the box, and bowed in gratitude. The chair moved by itself, making room for her to leave, and a door appeared.

— The door will take you to your room. I hope I can see you soon — Cattleya smiled as she waved goodbye.

Marin walked through the door and, with a flash, found herself in the middle of her room. She sighed in relief.

The girl left the box of sweets on the desk and ran outside the house, taking the chalk and making a mark on the door frame. The white mark glowed and disappeared. That was incredible, but now how would she mark each of her colleagues' items in the house?

And so, Marin spent the next three hours running around the house, marking clothes, items, and weapons without any of them noticing.

In a reality of floating islands, a goddess smiled genuinely. She had succeeded: she protected her family and also ensured human existence. Finally, the countless timelines were worth it.

Chapter Text

Zeus was an asshole, everyone knew that. But he threw a party under the excuse that he needed to strengthen the bonds between humanity and the gods. Deep down, everyone knew it was just an excuse for him to hit on women and even men he found attractive. Thanks to that, there was humanity, along with the Valkyries, in a hall packed with major and minor gods, plus other races like elves, dwarves, nymphs, etc.

Marin was leaning against a wall in a corner, sipping the drink from her glass. She didn't know what it was, but Hermes had assured her it had no alcohol, so she could drink without fear. Svipul had run into some acquaintances at the party, and Marin decided to leave her alone to catch up.

Her gaze swept across the hall: Zeus was laughing while trying to flirt with some nymphs, Hades was deep in conversation with Beelzebub, Odin was sitting at a table in silence, sometimes his gaze would drift to Marin, but a silent agreement had been made between them: they would simply ignore each other's presence.

Thor and Lü Bu seemed to be talking about battle tactics or how they liked to fight. Buddha seemed to have adopted Zerofuku and was following him around the hall. Hercules and Jack were talking in a corner, Aphrodite was laughing with Shiva's wives, while Shiva himself just listened. The humans were scattered, talking amongst themselves or with the Valkyries. Nikola, for example, had already started an animated conversation with a dwarf, and the two were exchanging knowledge about inventions.

Despite the seemingly calm atmosphere, you could still notice looks of rage from gods who had lost in Ragnarok, or even the pure shame of having been defeated.

It was becoming too much for Marin. Not that anyone had been rude to her or tried to start a conversation; in fact, everyone kept a respectful distance, some even nodding as they passed. But the noise of the voices, the loud music, the mixed smells… everything started to overwhelm her. Her head was spinning, the nausea was growing, and memories of the party that preceded her death surfaced. Marin put her glass on some random table and left the hall, heading down the empty corridors. She found a table with a pitcher and sat down beside it, almost as if trying to hide.

Her chest burned, her breath hitched, her vision showed black spots, and her heart was beating desperately. Her hands were damp with sweat.

There, in a dark corridor, alone, disgusted with her own body, Marin didn't notice someone approaching. She only realized it when she heard the voice:

- - Hey, are you okay?

Marin slowly raised her eyes and recognized him immediately: Loki. Of all people, it was him who had found her.

She averted her gaze, trying to regulate her breathing and bracing herself, deep down, for a mean joke or for him to spread the situation around. But, strangely, that's not what happened.

Loki remained still, watching her. His gaze was hard to interpret—maybe criticism, maybe indifference. Then he crouched down beside her.

- - There's a balcony nearby. Want to get some air? -- The question sounded strangely comforting.

Marin nodded. It crossed her mind that he might push her off the balcony, but deep down, she didn't care.

Loki helped her up, the touch lasting only as long as necessary. Still, he stayed close in case she lost her balance. They walked at a slow pace to the nearest balcony. As he opened the door, the cold wind hit Marin's face. They both walked to the railing; the girl placed her hands on the ledge and closed her eyes for a few seconds. The nausea subsided considerably. Her head was still spinning, her heart was still racing, but she could finally think more clearly.

When she opened her eyes, Loki was still there, a few steps away. Unlike expected, he didn't have a mocking smile or his usual teasing expression. He just watched her silently, as if analyzing her.

- - I thought you hated humans -- said Marin, breaking the silence, her voice still trembling.

Loki arched an eyebrow, the cold wind messing with the green strands of his hair.

- - I hate most of them -- he replied without delay, with his usual irony, but without venom. -- And believe me, you give good reasons for it. But I'm not an asshole enough to leave someone alone during an anxiety attack.
- - You're strange -- said Marin, spontaneously.
- - I'm the god of trickery. It would be worrying if I weren't. -- Loki retorted naturally.
- - Last time it seemed like you wanted to kill me… -- commented Marin, looking down at the garden below. The balcony was on the third floor, offering a view of a beautiful fountain in the center of the flowers.

Loki let out a short, low laugh, almost as if it were a private joke.

- - Well, you killed old man Odin. But you're so small and not at all threatening that it's hard not to want to bother you.

Silence stretched between them. Something in Loki's body language, however, bothered Marin.

- - You don't seem well yourself -- she said quietly, as if it were a secret between the two of them. -- But I don't know if it's anger, sadness, or something else.

Loki averted his gaze to the garden. His expression remained indecipherable. His silence weighed more than any answer.

- - You notice too much for someone who barely knows me -- he murmured finally, his voice low, without irony.

Marin tightened her fingers on the ledge.

- - Well, if you want to talk, you can talk. I don't plan on going around spreading it. I just think it's fair, since you helped me.

He stared at her for a few moments, as if calculating whether it was worth opening any crack. The cold wind swayed his green hair.

- - I lost to a human. I was killed. And the person I love will never love me, no matter what I do to see her smile -- he confessed, sighing at the end. His mask of mockery finally cracked: his eyes tired, his face without the slightest trace of a smile.
- - Well… I'm terrible at comforting, but… regarding Ragnarok, at least Odin died too. So he can't throw it in your face. And about this person you love… I'm sorry. -- Marin averted her gaze to the garden. -- In my head, a relationship only works if both parties sacrifice. If she never did anything for you, maybe she's not the right person. Even if you want her, it will only hurt you, understand? -- She wrinkled her nose. -- Ugh, I'm so bad at this.

Loki remained silent, looking at the garden. Her words were a raw sincerity, something he hadn't heard in centuries.

- - Strange… -- he murmured, almost to himself. -- I never thought someone would say something like that to me without fear.
- - Should I be afraid? -- asked Marin, turning her blue eyes to him.

Loki held her gaze. His purple eyes stopped on hers.

- - Is that what you want? For me to fear you?

He frowned, reflecting as if he had never asked himself that before.

- - I don't know. I don't think so. -- He finally answered.
- - Then I won't fear. -- She stated, firmly.

Loki averted his gaze and, after staring at the garden one last time, turned his back and left, leaving Marin alone.

She remained there, feeling her heart slow down. A mix of emptiness and relief enveloped her. The cold wind carried the scent of the flowers, and she realized she was breathing more calmly.

A small smile appeared on her lips, satisfied with the conversation. But she was soon interrupted by a noise coming from the hall.

Marin ran back and found chaos had broken out. From what she could gather, a minor god had gotten drunk and provoked Leonidas, probably out of bitterness from Ragnarok. As expected, the other humans came to the warrior's support.

Valkyries and humans surrounded the scene, ready to intervene. Marin instinctively wanted to retreat, but something pushed her forward. Maybe it was a sense of justice, maybe a reflex from someone who had been through desperate situations before. She looked for a safe angle to observe without getting involved.

- - What a ridiculous situation… -- she murmured to herself.

Major gods watched from a distance, some amused, others irritated that the commotion was ruining Zeus's party.

- - Do you have any idea who you're talking to? -- Leonidas straightened his posture, becoming even more imposing. But the god, too drunk, wasn't intimidated and stepped closer to argue.

Svipul shot a look at Marin, a silent plea for help. The girl sighed, thinking about what to do.

And then the situation got worse: Poseidon entered the hall, late, clearly forced to attend. In his eyes, Marin sensed the danger the instant she saw Sasaki. Now, yes, they were in danger.

Time for Plan B. Marin ran through the crowd, and that was the trigger for the drunk gods to charge at the humans. She then used her ability, pulling all the humans and Valkyries with a kind of telekinesis, and jumped to break one of the hall's windows. A grand exit, if you ask me.

Before falling, Marin caught a glimpse of the major gods laughing, entertained, not caring about the damage. She landed softly, carefully depositing the Valkyries and humans on the ground.

- - Did we need to leave like that? -- grumbled Hlokk.

Marin just shrugged. After all, it had been worth it. During the fall, she had seen a certain god of lies laughing at the scene. And, in the end, that made up for everything.

Chapter Text

(Attention! This chapter will include some details about the USA. I'm Brazilian, so all the details will be based on my trip to the USA, and obviously, we'll be seeing things from Marin's perspective, who is also Brazilian. Many of her actions will be things I did or noticed.)

There was Marin, getting ready: comfortable sneakers and her usual outfit. The reason? Alvitr, Hlokk, and Svipul, our valkyrie triplets, decided to go to the mall, each bringing their partner from Ragnarok. To make it better, Svipul mentioned to Zerofuku that they were going to the mall, and he asked to go along with Buddha.

They asked Marin's opinion on a good place for shopping, and she found herself thinking: where would be good for a first visit, where we'll probably have piles of purchases? She knew the answer: an outlet mall in the USA. Brand-name stores with affordable prices, lots of options, and a food court. Sounded great.

Marin left her room. She needed to make sure Qin and Jack were wearing modern clothes. She walked to the living room, where the two were, along with the valkyries and the two gods.

The triplets wore a combination of skirts and shirts, varying in styles and colors. Svipul wore a denim skirt and a long-sleeved white shirt with white sneakers. Hlokk wore a pink balloon skirt and a corset-style shirt in another shade of pink, plus Mary Jane-style heels. Alvitr wore a red circle skirt and a black lace shirt with little black heeled boots.

Qin wore a black form-fitting shirt, a red Chinese-style jacket with dragon and flower details, black jeans, and kung fu shoes. He wasn't wearing his blindfold; Marin had enchanted a pair of round, reddish-tinted glasses for him so he wouldn't feel others' pain, and they looked great on him.

Jack wore a dress shirt, a reddish-brown sweater, black dress pants, and a red overcoat. Just a modern version of his usual style.

Zerofuku wore a greenish-blue hoodie, shorts, and sneakers—simple and, in Marin's view, suited him.

Buddha wore his usual tank top, a beige plaid jacket reminiscent of his standard outfit, with beige pants and his usual sandals.

Marin looked at them in the living room, giving them a general assessment, ensuring they wouldn't stand out too much. Of course, each had something attention-grabbing, but that was a minor detail. She nodded to everyone: it was time to go.

———————

And there they were, in an enclosed outlet mall. Marin split her time between guiding everyone through the variety of stores and explaining modern things. First store: Primark. She saw the triplets running through the store and, realizing they would be fine on their own, Marin turned to the boys. Zerofuku had starry eyes; the other three just looked around curiously.

— Alright, let's find some things for you guys too — the girl declared.

She walked to a clothing rack and found a shirt with a Hello Kitty print. Marin held back a smile; that would look cute on Zerofuku. She held the clothing up in front of him to see if it would suit him.

Zerofuku seemed to find it cute enough to agree to try on. But Marin's fun ended when Hlokk and her sisters found it amusing to take the boys to try on various clothing combinations.

Marin found herself alone. With a sigh, she was about to walk over to the others to give her opinion on the clothes when she saw, across the aisle, a store with various geek products: action figures, decorations, blind boxes… paradise.

The girl ran to the other store, entered with a set destination: went straight to the action figures, looking at each one carefully, mentally checking her collection. A helpful store employee offered Marin a basket, which she accepted with shining eyes.

She saw an interesting Assassin's Creed collection and there, protected by glass, a diorama of which only 500 copies were produced in the world. She needed to have it!

— Excuse me, can I ask you to set this one aside for me? — the girl asked the cashier.

The cashier confirmed, taking a key and opening the glass protection.

Satisfied, Marin went back to looking at the products. She picked up a Cinnamoroll plush to put on her bed, a FNAF Bunny figure for the shelf, and continued analyzing the action figures one by one. The girl lost track of time, only snapping back to attention when Qin touched her shoulder. She looked at him; the emperor was smiling, his arm loaded with shopping bags. Looking back, she saw Buddha, Jack, and Zerofuku there; the triplets had already run off to another store.

— What is that you're looking at? — Qin asked, approaching her and trying to see the box in her hands. It was a Glitter & Glamours action figure of Shinobu. — Is that a little doll?

Marin's mouth dropped open in shock. A *little doll*? She blinked, incredulous, holding the box as if it were a fragile treasure.

— A *little doll*? — she repeated, almost offended. — This isn't just a *little doll*, Qin! This is a collectible figure!

She held up the box as if presenting a sacred relic.

— Look at the details, the paint job, the pose… this is ART.

Qin raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her reaction.

— Hm… art, is it? I've had statues of myself sculpted from pure gold. This seems… quite small in comparison.

Jack, who was approaching with an even larger bag than Qin's, let out a low laugh.

— Well, well… so the young lady enjoys collecting miniatures of people? — he said, his British accent thick. — It almost seems… there's a macabre side to it.

— It's not macabre! — Marin retorted quickly, but her face turned red. — It's a collectible, okay? You guys don't understand nerd culture.

Zerofuku, who had only been observing until then, tilted his head and pointed to the Cinnamoroll plush in the basket.

— This one is cute… — he commented softly, his eyes shining. — Can I hold it?

Marin handed it over without a second thought. Zerofuku hugged the plush as if he had found a long-lost friend. The girl's cold heart melted immediately.

— See? He gets it! — she said with a victorious smile, poking Qin and Jack. — He knows how to appreciate the good things in life.

Buddha, who seemed distracted looking at a keychain display, let out a lazy laugh.

— Relax, Marin. Everyone collects something. Some hoard gold, others memories… and others collect little dolls. — He picked up a Pikachu keychain and spun it between his fingers. — They are kinda stylish, though.

Marin sighed in relief, but Qin still didn't seem convinced. He crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the Shinobu figure.

— Very well. Then, if this is art… show me more. I want to understand what you see that's so special about these… little dolls.

Her eyes widened.

— You… want to learn?

— I want to compare them to my sculptures — Qin replied, far too serious for the situation at hand.

Marin couldn't believe what she was hearing. Qin, the man who had commissioned colossal statues in his lifetime, wanted to compare action figures to imperial sculptures.

Her eyes shone; this was a unique opportunity.

— Perfect! — she said, pulling his arm enthusiastically. — Come here, I'll show you the difference between a mere toy and a *collectible figure*.

Qin followed, with his usual haughty posture, while Jack huffed behind them.

— This is going to be interesting — the Englishman commented, balancing the bags. — I can imagine the faces of the sculptors from Florence hearing this…

She stopped in front of a shelf full of anime figures, all in dynamic poses.

— Qin, see this one here? — she pointed to an Asuka figure from *Evangelion*. — Look at the uniform details, the eye paint, the sculpted hair. This is made to last, it's not just a toy.

Qin leaned in to analyze, running his finger over the display case glass.

— Hm… Indeed, there is precision in the workmanship. The finish is fine. — He looked at Marin, his eyes slightly narrowed. — But I still don't understand the fascination with keeping statues… of people who don't exist.

Marin huffed, finally looking at him indignantly.

— And what's the difference between keeping statues of yourself? — she retorted sharply.

Jack coughed to disguise a laugh. Zerofuku's eyes widened, and even Buddha raised his eyebrows, amused. Qin was silent for a second… then smiled slightly, as if accepting the challenge.

— You've got me there — the emperor commented, adjusting his glasses.

— The difference is that… for us, collecting figures is like bringing a piece of what we love into the real world. Finally having a piece of something you love so much in the palm of your hand. — She held up the Shinobu from the *Glitter & Glamours* collection again, her eyes shining. — And yes, it's beautiful too.

The emperor watched her for a moment, and the intensity of his gaze made Marin swallow hard. In the end, Qin just nodded.

— Very well. Show me which one I should get. I want to see if I can feel this… connection.

Marin almost dropped the box. Qin was willing to learn about the modern world just to understand a passion of hers?

— Wait, are you serious?

Jack laughed softly.

— Here we go… Qin, the collector of little dolls.

— They are NOT little dolls! — Marin and Zerofuku said at the same time, almost in unison.

Buddha guffawed loudly this time, shaking the keychains in his hand: Pikachu, Mario, and Kuromi.

Marin took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

— Ok, ok… let's start slow. Qin, you need a figure that suits you. You can't just start with something random.

She pulled the emperor over to a shelf with figures of historical and game characters. Qin tilted his head, evaluating a figure of Ezio from Assassin's Creed.

— This one… seems acceptable. A man in traditional garments, but with a warrior's posture. — He picked up the box, studying every detail as if appraising a rare jewel.

Marin couldn't help herself and, in moments, was recounting the entire lore of Ezio and the concept of the game. Besides that, she managed to get two action figures, one of Bayonetta and one of Dante, and found herself explaining the lore to Zerofuku.

Qin approached Buddha and Jack, smiling at Marin's excitement. Jack understood: it was the first time in days she had acted like the child she was. He watched Marin talking animatedly, gesturing, explaining every detail as if she were a guide in a museum. He adjusted the bags on his arm and let out a sigh laden with irony.

— Fascinating… — he murmured, raising an eyebrow. — The young lady transforms completely when she talks about these… pieces.

Jack adjusted his overcoat on his shoulders, his voice carrying an amused tone.

— It's almost like I'm before a priestess in a temple, worshipping plastic idols.

Marin froze mid-explanation of Devil May Cry lore, narrowing her eyes.

— It's not plastic, it's high-quality PVC! — she retorted, almost spitting the words.

Buddha let out a lazy guffaw, shaking the keychains as if they were wind chimes.

— Relax, Marin. He's just jealous because you talk about these little dolls with more passion than anything he's ever said.

Jack pretended to be offended, placing a hand on his chest.

— Well, I have given speeches that moved entire armies!

— But they haven't made me buy anything yet. — Marin crossed her arms with a little victorious smile.

Before an argument could start, Buddha approached with the keychains in his hand and put them in Marin's basket.

— So, nerd guide… where are we going next? — he asked in a casual tone. — Because if it were up to me, I'm ready to hit the food court.

Marin blinked, slightly surprised, but quickly agreed.

— I just need to pay and we can go — she said, taking the Ezio box from Qin's hand and going to pay, with Zerofuku behind her carrying the Cinnamoroll plush.

Marin paid for her precious acquisitions with a smile that bordered on a child's on Christmas morning. She carefully stored everything in her bags, almost hugging them, and then turned to the group:

Jack had gone to get the triplets, who were coming with arms full of shopping bags, all ready to eat and then continue shopping. Marin could barely pay attention to the store windows as she left the store, her arms already overloaded with bags, when she spotted something that caught her attention: a piercing shop. The facade was attention-grabbing, with a blinking neon sign and various colorful posters showing rings, plugs, and stylized jewelry.

The girl's blue eyes focused on the display window; a long-forgotten idea surfaced. When she was younger, she wanted to get piercings but always ended up putting it off, until she died before doing it. But doing it now would take too long and delay the outing.

She turned to the group, expecting some kind of reaction, but everyone seemed busy with their own bags and conversations. Zerofuku was curiously observing a display window, Buddha was next to him, everyone distracted.

— Just a moment… — she said quickly, without waiting for permission, and began walking towards the store.

As soon as she entered, the characteristic smell of metal and disinfectant gave her a shiver of curiosity. The walls were covered with displays of all types of piercings: thin rings, piercings with colored stones, anime-themed jewelry, even some with gold and silver details.

She knew what she wanted: she would just buy the piercings. Across the way was a pharmacy, and she would buy needles and do it at home. A somewhat stupid idea? Maybe, but it was something Marin wanted to try.

Marin asked the clerk for four rings (two for the cartilage of each ear), two small gemstone studs (for a second hole in each earlobe), and a tongue piercing.

After that purchase, she left the store, looked at her companions—who had already gotten distracted in another store—and ran to the pharmacy. Shelves organized with precision, self-checkout registers, clear signs indicating each section. She grabbed a basket and began choosing everything she would need: sterilized needles, hand sanitizer, cotton balls, and even some small bandages for unexpected bleeding.

At the checkout, the clerk looked at her basket full of supplies and raised an eyebrow but made no comments. Marin paid quickly, stashed everything in her bag, and ran back through the outlet corridor, looking for her companions.

When she found them, they were already distracted in another store, probably clothing or electronics. Zerofuku looked at her curiously, holding the Cinnamoroll plush, but unaware of the secret mission Marin had undertaken. Buddha was fiddling absently with a keychain, Qin was observing displays with his usual seriousness, and Jack was balancing bags; the triplets were looking through rack after rack, choosing matching clothes.

Once they finished with another store, they finally arrived at the food court. Most likely, Marin would choose a burger. See, her experience in the USA during her life had led her to discover that Americans like to put pepper on almost everything. The group sat at a table and split up to buy their food. Zerofuku and Buddha also decided on burgers, so the three of them got in line at the McDonald's kiosk.

Marin approached the kiosk. She sighed, remembering the first time she tried that American fast food, so different from Brazil. As she navigated the menu, she decided on the classic cheeseburger, adding an order of fries and a soda. Zerofuku, who was next to her, chose something simple but adorable in his eyes: a cheeseburger and fries, keeping the strawberry milkshake as his choice. Buddha, always unpretentious, chose a larger combo: a hearty burger and large fries, and even asked if he could get a piece of apple pie for later.

They waited for the order to be ready, which took less than seven minutes. Carefully carrying the tray, the trio walked to the table. Qin had decided to get Chinese food but seemed annoyed that it wasn't the Chinese food he knew. Jack opted for an Italian dish. Svipul ordered pizza, and Hlokk and Alvitr got a chicken salad.

Buddha let out a lazy laugh seeing Zerofuku's eyes light up at the sight of the milkshake, and took a bite of his burger, while Qin stared at his plate of Chinese food, frowning.

— It's not exactly like in my land… — Qin murmured seriously, analyzing each ingredient. — But… it's edible.

Jack, balancing the bags next to the tray, took a bite of the Italian dish he had chosen, raised an eyebrow, and let out an "hm" of approval.

Marin found herself, for the next hour, sitting in the food court answering questions about the modern world. Zerofuku, with shining eyes, wouldn't stop asking about sodas, milkshakes, and even how fast food worked. He seemed fascinated by the simplicity of the ordering kiosks and the speed at which the food was prepared.

— So, they just press some buttons and… poof, the food comes out? — Zerofuku asked, looking at Marin with a mix of disbelief and enchantment.

— Exactly! — Marin replied — And on top of that, you can customize everything, choose what you want or don't want, swap ingredients.

After that, the day continued normally: countless stores, countless questions. By around 6:00 PM, Marin couldn't walk anymore; she was loaded down with bags. Svipul had given her the bags while she went to other stores. But everyone was so excited that she didn't have the heart to ask to go home.

— Marin! — Svipul called from a store. — I need your opinion.

The human got up from the bench and walked to the store. Everyone had clothes they liked and it looked like they were going to try them on.

Marin took a deep breath, feeling her arms ache from carrying so many bags, but she couldn't deny she was having fun with the group's energy. She walked to the store, observing the three valkyries with their partners beside them, each trying to combine clothes in an exaggerated or curious way, as if participating in some kind of modern cultural fashion show.

She looked at what each had picked to try on and wrinkled her nose; they weren't ugly clothes, but they could be better.

Marin took a deep breath, trying to mentally organize her impressions. Svipul held a pleated blue skirt—too blue—while Hlokk had chosen a shiny jacket with metallic details, clearly inspired by some street fashion style Marin had only seen in magazines. Alvitr, meanwhile, held a black blouse with ruffles that seemed to have come from the Victorian era.

Qin had a horrible Hawaiian shirt. Zerofuku had a shirt that didn't suit him at all. And Jack didn't even seem to want to touch the racks because of the modernity of the clothes; he even looked sideways at the crop tops, as if wondering where the rest of the shirt was.

— Ok, breathe, Marin… — she murmured to herself, observing the organized chaos before her. — Let's start with the valkyries.

Marin took a deep breath, analyzing each piece and imagining how it would work together. Carefully, she began to organize the looks:

— Svipul, let's try something more fitted — she said, holding up a black and white skirt with thin stripes.

Svipul looked skeptical but ended up accepting the suggestion. Marin helped her put on the skirt, adjusting the hem and the long-sleeved shirt that matched the new look. She smiled, satisfied.

Hlokk, on the other hand, had chosen a shiny jacket with metallic details, which Marin couldn't help but admire, but it needed balancing. Marin scoured the rack until she found a simple, black blouse made of delicate fabric that softened the jacket's intense shine. She handed it to Hlokk, who tried it on quickly and nodded in approval, a wide smile forming on her face.

Alvitr was wearing a black blouse with ruffles that seemed from another era. Marin managed to find a more modern and delicate version, with subtle details, that maintained the Victorian essence without seeming out of place among American stores.

— It looks beautiful, Alvitr! — Marin said, satisfied to see the combination work. — It's elegant without losing your personality.

Then it was the boys' turn. Qin was still sporting a horrible Hawaiian shirt that clashed too much with his usual style. Marin picked out a lightweight shirt with discreet prints and sober tones that still had a touch of oriental exoticism. He tried it on, frowning at first, but soon nodded, visibly satisfied, and in the end, with a brilliant smile on his face.

Zerofuku, always simpler, was wearing a shirt that clearly didn't suit him. Marin quickly grabbed a light blue cotton shirt, comfortable but with subtle details that reminded her of his peculiar taste. Zerofuku looked in the mirror, his eyes shining, clearly happy with the choice.

Jack, as always, didn't seem very interested in the modern racks. Marin could only present a more classic sweater that respected his European style without leaving him totally out of place.

When she finished, Marin took a step back and assessed the group. Everyone was now aligned, each with their own style. She went back to the bench and sat down, exhausted.

————————-

Finally, Marin was at the entrance of the house, everyone talking and sorting through their purchases, but strangely, Buddha had been staring at her for minutes. The girl decided to ignore it and took her bags to her room, not seeing that the Enlightened One had followed her.

— Marin… — he began, his voice low but firm — you look exhausted.

The girl looked up, shifting the weight of the bags to her other arm, and let out a heavy sigh.

— That's normal, after walking so much — she said, unpacking the action figures and arranging them on the shelf.

— It's not that kind of tiredness I'm talking about, but the one in your soul. You still haven't gotten over it, have you? — Buddha said as if it were nothing, but the girl froze and looked at him, her eyes empty.

His words echoed in her mind, as if they had penetrated not only her hearing but every hidden corner of her thoughts. She swallowed dryly, trying not to show vulnerability.

— I… don't know what you're talking about — she replied, her voice a little lower than normal. She tried to look away, but Buddha remained still, motionless, staring at her as if he could read every layer of her defenses.

— Marin… — he continued, his voice calm, almost soft, but laden with weight — you carry this inside you. A resentment from death. If you don't deal with it, it will consume you.

Marin swallowed dryly, trying to ignore the weight of Buddha's words, but each syllable seemed to dig into her, heavy as an anchor. She turned slightly, avoiding his gaze, as if admitting that merely contemplating her own emotional reflection was dangerous.

— I can't let it go, not knowing that the one who killed me is still down there, walking, living — her voice died at the end.

Buddha remained silent for a moment, watching Marin with his typical serenity, but there was an underlying intensity in his gaze, almost as if each of his words was measured to touch exactly where it needed to.

— I know… — he said finally — and I'm not saying you should forget or pretend nothing happened. But carrying this as a constant burden… that's not living, Marin. You're not being fair to yourself.

Marin closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. The feeling of being understood and, at the same time, confronted, was almost painful. She wanted to deny it, wanted to turn her back, but something in Buddha's calm firmness made her hesitate.

— So… what do I do? — she asked, her voice almost a whisper. — How do I move forward knowing that… that he's still out there?

— Tell me, what would ease that feeling? — Buddha answered her question with another question.

Marin swallowed dryly, pondering. It was hard to speak, even hard to admit to herself. What could really bring some relief? Justice? Revenge? Or just some kind of inner peace?

— I… I don't know… — she said, her voice low, almost breaking. — Maybe… finding my body. It's missing. I don't want to live knowing it was left in a place like that. And maybe finally seeing it with my own eyes, and knowing that it really happened, that it wasn't a nightmare.

Buddha nodded slowly, unhurriedly.

— Then let's go after it — he said simply.

Marin looked at him in shock, and a clause from the contract appeared in her mind.

— I can't. I signed a contract, promising I wouldn't set foot in my country for the next 50 years — the girl said, going back to aligning the action figures.

Buddha yawned.

— And since when do contracts dictate your life? — he said, putting a lollipop in his mouth. — We'll go, and I'll take all the blame for breaking the contract, okay?

Marin was now in total shock.

— Are you sure? — she said, placing the last action figure and looking at Buddha with her full attention.

— Absolutely sure — Buddha replied calmly, sucking the lollipop as if it were the most natural thing in the world. — I'll take care of everything. Contracts are words on paper, Marin. You're not going to let them decide your life, are you?

Marin swallowed dryly, her heart racing. The idea of finally facing reality, of seeking answers and perhaps some form of closure, mixed fear and relief in equal parts. She looked at the action figures organized on the shelf, as if they were a silent reminder that there were still small joys along the way, even amidst the chaos. She wanted to deny it, say it was crazy, that she could handle it, but she couldn't; she wanted to confirm the truth.

— Let's go tomorrow. Take care of yourself — he said quickly, before the girl could change her mind. As he left the room, he closed the door, leaving the girl alone, with only her thoughts. And spoiler: she was feeling like a loser.

Chapter Text

Marin didn't sleep; in fact, she spent the entire night on the PC, researching the place of her death. She already knew, but she needed to be sure. She stayed there for hours, staring at a location on Google Maps: a rundown forest forgotten by the city council. She only realized she had been awake for too long when she heard Simo's door open, he was the earliest riser. Looking at the clock, Marin saw it was already 5:30 in the morning.

She sighed. She should sleep as much as she could, but she knew she wouldn't be able to. All that was left was to get ready and wait for Buda. Marin got up from the chair, picking up her sneakers. With every knot she tied, her heart palpitated; every movement seemed to echo in the house's stillness. The cold morning air came in through the window, mixing with the smell of coffee that Simo had probably already prepared. But Marin wasn't hungry, nor did she have any desire to think about anything other than that place in the forest.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts, but each inhalation seemed insufficient. Her trembling fingers held the laces as if each knot was also tying up her courage. Finally, she finished and stood up, feeling the cold floor under her feet, each step a reminder that there was no turning back.

She received a message on her phone. It was Buda; he asked to meet her at the house's exit. The girl opened the door slowly, trying to be as silent as possible. She would go through the hallway and exit through the living room, praying that Simo wouldn't notice her. Marin didn't want to explain what she was going to do or give any reasons. Her fingers lightly brushed against the cold wall for balance. Every creak of the floorboards seemed amplified, and she held her breath with each step, listening to the silence of the house as if it were an enemy lying in wait.

She reached the entrance to the living room and could see into the kitchen where Simo was. Marin stopped for a moment, motionless, smelling the fresh coffee Simo was preparing mixing with the cold morning air. He had his back turned, concentrated on something on the counter, and seemed completely unaware of her presence. Each beat of her heart reverberated in her ears, but she managed to keep her body tense and silent.

The girl crouched down slightly, looking for the safest path across the living room rug, avoiding any sudden movement that might draw attention. The light coming through the window cast shadows on the floor, partially covering her silhouette, but Marin felt every muscle primed for escape if she were discovered.

Marin advanced a few steps carefully, almost dragging her feet on the rug, trying not to make a sound that would betray her presence. Every centimeter traveled felt like an eternity; the silence of the house enveloped her, heavy, as if it could crush her at any moment.

She peeked quickly into the kitchen: Simo was still turned away, moving something on the counter. Luckily, he didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. Marin breathed silently, letting the cold morning air pass through her throat, trying to control the tightness in her chest.

The phone vibrated softly in her hand, reminding her that Buda was waiting. She looked at the front door and then at the path she needed to take to get there. Every step towards the exit required absolute concentration; any misstep could make all her effort to go unnoticed go down the drain.

With one last look at Simo, Marin leaned forward a little more and moved towards the door, feeling the chill of the morning air touch her skin. The world outside seemed silent, but charged with an almost palpable tension. She knew that once she was out of the house, there would be no turning back.

As expected, Buda was waiting for her at the entrance, in his usual clothes and with a pack of sweets in his hand.

— Shall we? — Marin said quietly, still fearing Simo might hear her in the morning silence.

Buda nodded, his mouth stuffed with sweets preventing him from saying anything. The two began to walk, heading to the last place Marin had been before she died.

Marin felt every step as if she were walking on cold coals; the cold street pavement still contrasted with the heat of her racing heart. She walked beside Buda; the sweets in his mouth making little crunches with each bite, but he didn't break the silence, merely accompanying her with that unsettling calm he always carried.

The path to the forest seemed longer than it actually was. The shadows of the trees stretched across the sidewalk; the wind whispered through the leaves, and every noise, the snap of a twig, the distant chirping of a bird, made Marin shudder. She tried not to think about what awaited her, but the memory of her own body fallen there before pursued her with every step.

When they finally reached the forest entrance, the air changed. It became more humid, heavy, laden with the smell of earth and decomposing leaves. Marin swallowed hard, her eyes scanning the growing darkness between the tree trunks. Buda stopped for a moment, holding the pack of sweets, and looked at her, as if silently asking if she was ready.

Marin took a deep breath, feeling the tension mix with determination. Every muscle in her body seemed alert, ready to react, but also strangely calm. She knew that what was coming next wouldn't be just physical; it was something that traversed the mind, the body, and existence itself.

Then, with a final look at the path ahead, she followed Buda into the forest. She guided the god to a river that cut through the forest; the river had no current, being completely still, and the smell of sewage was noticeable.

Marin stopped on the riverbank, feeling the strong, unpleasant smell of sewage rise to her nostrils. The stagnant water reflected the faint morning light in a murky way, rippling only with the breath of wind among the trees.

She approached the bank carefully, her eyes fixed on the murky water. Each step stirred the strong smell of the river, mixing with the damp scent of the forest. Marin's heart was beating fast, but now there was also a strange feeling of inevitability, it was as if that place had been waiting for her, silent and patient.

In a trance-like state, Marin plunged her hands into the water up to her elbows, her hands wandering through the river in search of the remains of bones from the place. Marin felt the cold, viscous water envelop her arms up to her elbows, each touch awakening a mixture of disgust, apprehension, and strange fascination. The murky surface reflected shadows that mingled with her own movements, and she could barely distinguish what was trash, mud, or bones.

Her fingers trembled as they scoured the bottom of the stagnant river, dragging slowly through the mud, and every encounter with something hard made her heart race even more. A bone here, a fragment there, scattered remains that seemed to echo the destiny that had awaited her in that place. The feeling of inevitability grew, and Marin realized she could no longer retreat: she needed to face the reality of her own death, to understand what had happened there.

Buda remained by her side, silent, observing her every move. The pack of sweets was now forgotten on the bank, as if it had lost all importance in the face of the gravity of the moment. Marin felt a shiver run down her spine, consciousness taking hold of her mind, the awareness that those were her bones.

And then, Marin felt something larger; her fingers wrapped around it and she pulled. Force was necessary, it was partially buried, and finally, when she managed to pull it from the river, she looked: it was her skull. She knew thanks to the fracture on the back of the head, the place where she had received the blow from the rock from her killer.

The air seemed to freeze around Marin. Her fingers still held the skull, feeling the cold, rough surface; the fracture on the back of the head clear as a scar of death, impossible to ignore. Every detail of that sight made her body tremble, not just from the physical shock, but from the absolute confirmation that this was her, fragmented, mortal, and yet strangely intact in her memory.

The bone was yellowed and worn, with small chips of mud stuck to its surface, evidence of the time it had spent submerged in that stagnant river. Marin felt a shiver run down her spine, a mixture of disgust and shock in her being.

Buda, beside her, was quiet, one of his hands clenched in a fist, his knuckles white, as if even he hadn't expected this.

Marin felt her body shudder, her skin crawl, and her stomach churn, but there was no possible retreat. She looked at Buda, who remained quiet, his hand clenched and his eyes fixed on her. They had finally found it, but what to do now? They couldn't call the police, they couldn't do anything.

She stood up, holding the skull with one hand and taking off her jacket with the other; she wrapped the skull in the jacket. Buda stood up, as if measuring what he could do, but before he could even think of anything, Marin turned her back to him, holding the now-wrapped skull.

Marin took a step forward, feeling the weight of the skull wrapped in the jacket, but also the strange sense of control that gesture gave her. The forest air still carried the strong smell of sewage and mud, but she couldn't think about that now; everything was concentrated in that moment, in that silent act of preserving herself, even amidst the physical evidence of her own death.

Buda remained still for a moment, his eyes fixed on her, as if trying to understand the silent decision Marin had just made. Every muscle of his was tense, but he made no sudden movement, as if he feared breaking the thread of the girl's control and causing her to collapse.

Marin felt the cold of the morning pierce through the jacket, mixing with the warm sensation of her racing heart. She began to walk slowly away from the riverbank, each step calculated, each breath controlled, keeping the skull protected against her body.

— We don't know where to take this yet — Buda finally said, his voice low, almost a whisper among the trees. — What do you plan to do?

But all the girl did was remain silent.

She walked all the way home, Buda still behind her, but she didn't care about anything else anymore. Marin went inside the house, ignoring Eva's cheerful "good morning" or the questions about where she had been, let alone the questions about her smell and the mud on her shirt, or the questions about why Buda was there. She walked focused towards the bedroom, where she entered, slamming the door shut and locking it. The smell of mud and stagnant water still impregnated her clothes, but inside the enclosed space, every external sound seemed distant, muted, almost non-existent.

She sat on the floor, throwing the jacket that wrapped the skull away and finally looking at the skull that rested there, cold and inert, wrapped in silence and in the strange reverence Marin felt as she faced it. Every detail jumped out at her: the fracture on the back of the head, the surface yellowed by time and layers of mud, the small chips that seemed to tell a story she already knew, but which was now impossible to ignore.

Marin felt revulsion course through her body, an almost palpable tension that seemed to grip her heart in a constant squeeze. She touched the cold surface of the bone carefully, hesitating with each contact, as if fearing a touch could undo the bones.

And then she felt, from the depths of her being, the tears begin to stream from her eyes and a roar escape her throat, a faltering, broken scream. It was a scream laden with despair, with rage, with impotence, and at the same time, with a grief she had never had the chance to live. The hot tears streamed down her face, wetting her cold skin, falling onto the skull resting in her lap.

She pressed her fingers against the bone, as if seeking a connection, as if she wanted to cling to some part of herself that could still offer answers. But all she felt was the void. The void of an interrupted life, of an abandoned body, of a justice never served.

Her crying turned into sobs, her chest rising and falling erratically, her throat burning. Marin felt as if she were shattering along with the skull, each sob tearing a piece of resistance from her. She felt alone; no one was there when she died, and no one was there now.

Her sobs and screams echoed through the room; her fingers scratched the skull in her lap. On the other side of the door, footsteps approached again. There was a soft, hesitant knock accompanied by several voices and someone asking for silence.

— Marin, dear — Adam's voice echoed — let us see you.

But she didn't move. They stayed like that for a few minutes, until Adam tried to open the door. He turned the doorknob a few times, feeling the firm resistance of the lock. The silence that followed was dense, broken only by Marin's muffled sobs from the other side. She heard someone comment about breaking down the door; someone else denied the idea.

Adam placed his hand on the wood, firm but without force, just feeling the barrier between them. On the other side, Marin remained curled up, sobbing, the skull still pressed against her chest as if it were an extension of her.

— She needs space — Buda said in a low voice, but audible to everyone in the hallway. — If you try to invade now, you'll only push her further away.

Eva, nervous, wrung her hands, pacing back and forth.
— But leave her alone at a time like this?

Adam took a deep breath, as if carrying the tension of everyone there alone.

— Marin, sweetheart… — his voice was now not an order, nor a request, but a plea. — If you can't open the door, at least talk to us. Anything.

On the other side of the door, the silence was almost unbearable. Marin was still sobbing, but now the sound came in long intervals, as if the pain had turned into exhaustion. Her fingers slid slowly over the bone, without strength, just trying to find meaning in touching what had once been a part of her.

Adam's voice came through the wood again, lower:

— You don't have to carry this alone.

The words hit hard, and Marin bit her lip until she tasted iron. Part of her wanted to scream that it was a lie, that in the end she had always been alone, when she died, and now, hugging the skull. But another part, small, fragile, almost extinguished, felt that there was something in that "not alone" that shook her defenses.

Buda, leaning against the wall next to the door, murmured to the group:

— She's at her limit. If she's pushed now, she'll break completely.

Eva stopped pacing and leaned against the doorframe, taking a deep breath.

— So what do we do? Stay here, listening to her cry?

Buda replied without hesitation:

— Yes. We stay. Sometimes, being present is more important than any words.

Marin felt more tears flow, dripping onto the skull; the sadness and injustice took another form: rage. She threw the skull away with a roar.

The skull hit the wall with a dry sound, rolling a few centimeters before stopping on the rug. Marin gasped, her chest rising and falling in violent waves, as if she had spat out along with the scream everything that was corroding her from within.

She punched the floor with force, once, twice, three times, until her knuckles turned red.

— WHY?! — her voice came out broken, cracked between sobs and fury. — Why didn't anyone help me?! Why did I have to die alone in that filthy place?!

She got up in anger and started kicking whatever she saw in front of her: the chair, the cabinets; she broke the mug she had been using that week to drink coffee in her room, threw the books on the floor.

The room became a field of fury in seconds. The sound of objects being destroyed echoed down the hallway, every shatter and every impact like a reflection of the pain Marin carried. With every kick, with every throw, the feeling of injustice seemed to explode inside her.

Outside, Eva shrank back, tears streaming down her face.

— My God… she's going to hurt herself… — she murmured, bringing her hand to her mouth.

Adam closed his eyes, his forehead still against the door. Every sound from inside pierced his soul like a blade. He wanted to go in, hold Marin, say it was okay, but how far could he go?

Marin screamed with every kick, with every punch; she finally saw herself, kneeling in the middle of the room, pulling her own hair, bent over to the point where her face was a hand's breadth from the floor. She heard something roll and raised her eyes slightly, staring at her own skull.

For a moment, the world seemed to fall silent. The air in the room grew dense, laden with the smell of mud, stagnant water, and tears. Marin breathed with difficulty, each inhalation hurting her chest. But, unlike the blind fury from before, now there was something new: a mixture of disbelief, sadness, and a strange clarity. She realized that the skull wasn't just an object, but the confirmation of everything she feared, the evidence of the injustice, the abandonment, the death.

The crying returned, more intense and profound, as if it had been swallowed for hours and was now emerging without limits. Marin held the skull against her chest, hugging it as if it were the last connection to something she could still call her own. Every sob was a contained scream of pain, of rage, of abandonment, a lament that echoed off the bedroom walls and filled the space with an almost physical presence of suffering.

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to contain the trembling of her body, but it was impossible. Her fingers sank into the cold of the bone, clinging to it as if it were the anchor keeping her tied to her own existence. Every beat of her heart was a reminder of how real and mortal she still was, and how much death had marked her, literally and emotionally.

But at the same time that she felt she needed it, she felt disgust for herself, a bitter mixture of horror and repulsion, as if part of her couldn't believe that that, that skull, was really hers, that her body had been reduced to that, stripped and forgotten in a stagnant river. It was an almost physical sensation: the heat of disgust rising through her chest, her stomach churning, her throat tightening, as if every muscle was reacting against the very reality she had to face.

She squeezed the skull tightly, but at the same time wished to push it away, as if the proximity of the bone amplified the awareness of her own mortality and the fragility of her existence. She felt the taste of bile rise in her throat, and before she could simply run to the bathroom, she vomited.

Marin's vomit came in waves, hot and bitter, mixing with the metallic taste of her own fear. Each convulsion of her body seemed to expel not just food or bile, but also the tension, the pain, and the repulsion accumulated since the moment she had touched the skull. She leaned forward, resting on her knees, feeling her chest rise and fall irregularly, her head throbbing with each effort.

She distantly heard Adam trying to force the door again; this time, he used force, and in seconds the door gave way, opening with a creak, revealing the girl, looking infinitely smaller, kneeling on the floor, leaning on her knees, her face wet with tears and her hair stuck to her skin by sweat. The skull was still in her lap, as if it were the last anchor of her sanity. She was breathing irregularly, each inhalation sounding like a contained scream, and her eyes, now a melancholic blue, shone with pain, fear, and fury, fixed on an undefined point in the room.

But now, there, seeing her, Adam didn't know what to do; Eva cried, trying to muffle her sobs with her hand. The room fell into an almost absolute silence for a moment, only the sound of Marin's ragged breathing filling the space. Adam and Eva remained motionless in the doorway, paralyzed before the scene that seemed both fragile and devastating. The skull still rested on the girl's lap, and every detail the wide eyes, the matted hair, the tear-streaked face, everything seemed to demand a reaction from them, but they didn't know what the right one would be.

Buda kept his distance, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed in a contained manner. He watched attentively, without intervening, as if he knew that any hasty gesture could break the thin thread that still kept Marin connected to her own sanity. His eyes scanned her every movement, looking for signs that she might recover from the emotional shock, but also acknowledging the depth of it all.

Then, slowly, Marin raised her gaze, her eyes still red and swollen, staring into the void for a moment before shifting her focus to Adam and Eva. The tension in the room was almost palpable, and any sound a creak of the floorboards, heavy breathing seemed amplified in that space charged with suffering.

Eva took a deep breath, still crying, but finding the strength to whisper:

— We're here… we're not leaving.

Those words were all the girl needed; she started crying again, this time crying like a child, and that was enough for Adam and Eva to forget everything and run to her, embracing her.

Marin sobbed, now less uncontrollably, and felt Adam's firm grip on her back, while Eva stroked her hair, trying to calm the storm that still raged inside her. Buda felt a strange happiness seeing that, realizing he had fulfilled his objective. He left, without further ado.