▶The God of War
Cologne, Germany
At an ancient watchtower, we find Esmeralda von Krauss. The tower has stood since the Roman Empire, a testament to their engineering. Esmeralda walks past signs that say not to enter and opens the door to the tower before walking in as if she were familiar with the place. Inside, she walks to a wall and presses a stone. The stone presses in as if it were a button, and a secret door to a stairwell leading down opens up. She walks down the stairs, getting out her smartphone and turning on the flashlight.
She goes down what would be three stories to the bottom of the steps, where there is a simple room. A bare room, unadorned by anything, except a torch and a human form lying against the wall. A human with only one hand.
Esmeralda whispers a word as she waves hr hand over the torch and it lights on fire so she can turn off the phone’s flashlight. She looks down at the man on the ground, who looks up at her. His eyes are narrowed from the light after being in the dark for so long. His hair is grown almost like a blanket as well as his beard. He makes no move to get up from the ground upon seeing Esmeralda, he just growls.
Man - Have you come to gloat, Caia?
Esmeralda squats down by the man and reaches out to gently grab him by the chin and lift his head. There we can see the end of an upholstery needle in his throat.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Come now, Tyr. Have you known me to gloat in all the time I have left you here?
Tyr - How…how long has it been?
Esmeralda von Krauss - Long enough that I am no longer Caia Ultia the Merciless. That name has been left behind long ago.
Tyr - How long?
Esmeralda von Krauss - It’s been a good deal over two thousand years.
Tyr - I would sit up and strike you down if I could. That long? My worshippers…
Esmeralda reaches Tyr’s neck and plucks out the upholstery needle. It’s covered in blood, rust, and spinal fluids.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Your worshippers are long dead, and you have reached the status of myth and legend. Fables the Norse tell their children.
Tyr tries to sit up, but cannot. He weakly reaches for Esmeralda, but she bats his hand away with ease.
Tyr - I will kill you when I can…get up. No one treats the God of War like thus!
Esmeralda reaches into her clutch and pulls out a golden apple.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Here. I took this from Idunn’s tree.
Tyr - Why would you?
He doesn’t wait for an answer and instead lifts his hand to take the apple and begins to eat it. As he does, his old form transforms into a youthful, clean-shaven, and cut-haired form. He sits up in front of Esmeralda.
Tyr - Thank you…Now I will kill you!
He goes to throw a punch with his one hand, but Esmeralda catches it easily. His face registers surprise as she begins to painfully squeeze his hand.
Tyr - How? I am the God of War!
Esmeralda von Krauss - You are a long-forgotten god while I am one of the Keepers of the Krimson Kharnival. There is no comparison.
Tyr relaxes his arm, and Esmeralda releases him. He rests his arms at his side and sighs.
Tyr - Why did you come free me? Why restore me?
Esmeralda smiles wickedly, getting a foot-long cigarette holder out of her clutch and popping an imported Egyptian cigarette into it before lighting it up. She takes a long drag of the cigarette before blowing the smoke into Tyr’s face.
Esmeralda von Krauss - I would say that I came to gloat, but I would have left you paralyzed and weak for that. No, my Order of Justice could use a God of War to train my Judges. Once you familiarize yourself with the new world that is. I suppose this could also be a redemption for you as well; my Judges could give you some worship and invigorate you further than just an apple.
Tyr seems to think about it for some time before answering.
Tyr - What is this Order of Justice? And what happened with Sidsimund since you were so needing to avenge my betraying him?
Esmeralda von Krauss - Sidsimund is now Armand von Krauss and my husband. I am Esmeralda. The Order of Justice is an assassin’s guild that rights the many wrongs of the world. My assassins are called Judges for they go out into the world on my behalf and act as jude, jury, and executioner. I have recruited a new batch of Judges that I have named my Valkyries. You will help train them to battle any foe.
Tyr - I will? What if I refuse?
Esmeralda begins to slowly hike up her short dress, revealing a holster with upholstery needles strapped to her thigh.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Then, you can remain here… forevermore.
Tyr swallows hard, his hand going to his throat.
Tyr - It is a deal. I will help you from this day to the end of my days.
Esmeralda lowers her dress with a laugh and flicks ashes onto the ground.
Esmeralda von Krauss - It is good that you see reason, Tyr. I have some connections in some cutting-edge tech companies; maybe we can get you a cybernetic hand to replace the one you lost to Fenrir.
Tyr looks at the nub at the end of his arm for a moment before nodding.
Tyr - I don’t know what any of that means, but a working hand would be glorious.
Esmeralda throws down her cigarette butt and crushes it out before putting away the cigarette holder. She extends a hand to help Tyr up, which the God of War accepts.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Then, let us be off!
A little later, they are on a private plane that is heading toward the United States.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Tyr, in this modern age, we have wrestling companies where people fight for glory. Not to the death, but something more playful.
Tyr - I understand a little something about wrestling as a form of combat.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Good. This wrestling is a little different. It combines many forms of combat, and the idea is to make your opponent submit or be pinned to the mat for a three-count.
Tyr - Okay. So who are you going to face in this modern wrestling?
Esmeralda von Krauss - Azrael Caduceus.
Tyr narrows his eyes, his brow furrowed in thought.
Tyr - Why does that name sound familiar?
Esmeralda von Krauss - He is a fallen angel of the Christian God.
Tyr - Christian God?
Esmeralda blinked a moment in confusion before smiling.
Esmeralda von Krauss - The religion that was taking over the Romans when you were imprisoned.
Tyr - Oh, right. The usurper god.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Azrael reportedly fell in love with a human and gave her a child. He was banished to Earth for his sin. I face him in the wrestling ring.
Tyr - Then, this will be me telling you good luck. I had heard that the angels were fierce creatures.
Esmeralda nods.
Esmeralda von Krauss - This is where I speak to the camera to Azrael. Hang on.
Esmeralda gets out her smartphone and turns on Facebook Live. She gets herself and Tyr in the camera shot before she speaks. Tyr just quietly looks on in amazement at the technology.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Azrael Caduceus. I have heard of you, and I have heard of your plight. I do not recall how long ago you were banished, but when you face me in the ring, it will be like you are being punished all over again.
Esmeralda takes a sip from a glass of whiskey on the rocks and sets the glass down.
Esmeralda von Krauss - I do have to wonder, Azrael. Was it worth it? A dalliance with a human, having a child…a forbidden child called a nephalim. You were struck down, sent here to live amongst the humans for the rest of your days. The humans that you love so much. Was it worth it?
Tyr - If he hasn’t tried to get back, maybe to him, it was.
Esmeralda just shrugs with a laugh.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Perhaps that is right. Perhaps not. I have to wonder though…
Her hand drops down to her lower belly and she takes on a sad expression.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Once upon a time, I was told I would never have a child. Battle scar and rituals cast to save my life left a scar, but that’s a story for another time. I wonder if an angel can go beyond such trivial matters and grant me the child I have so wanted?
Tyr - Are you wanting to fight him or mate with him?
Esmeralda takes another sip of her drink and raises an eyebrow.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Are they mutually exclusive? Who’s to say that our battle in the ring cannot be foreplay to the true battle at hand? I mean, in for a penny in for a pound. Why not risk another child? I am not wholly human anymore, so I’m not sure what we would make. Something beautiful and powerful.
Tyr - You would bring upon you the wrath of their god.
Esmeralda just shrugs.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Worth it. So, tell me, Azrael. Fight in the ring and then slip beneath the sheets? My husband is away on business, so what he doesn’t know will not hurt him.
Suddenly, the phone switches to a FaceTime request from Minerva. Esmeralda frowns and switches from Live to FaceTime.
Esmeralda von Krauss - What is it, dahling? I’m cutting a promo.
Minerva looks distraught as she looks into the camera at Esmeralda.
Minerva - I’m at the hotel. Two of your new Valkyries have been murdered. Birthe and Dagny.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Was zur Hölle? Who did this?
Minerva - I don’t know. I just know that they used a sword to do it.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Have you called the authorities?
Minerva - Not yet. I called you first.
Esmeralda von Krauss - Wait there and do not call them. I will call them when I get there, dahling.
Minerva - Yes, mistress.
Esmeralda von Krauss - I am a few hours out still. Seal the scene. I’ll be with you soon.
Minerva - Yes, mistress.
Esmeralda kills the connection and looks at Tyr.
Tyr - I guess that you have angered someone else?
Esmeralda von Krauss - Obviously. I think I know who, but I will have to make sure.
**********
Elsewhere.
Patrick Lussier walks into a dining room where his mother, Madame Lussier sits at the head of the table.
Patrick Lussier - Mother, I have killed two of the traitorous whores. They will know soon enough who did this.
Madame Lussier - You have done well, Hector.
Patrick Lussier - Mother, my name is Patrick. You devoured Hector.
She only shrugs.
Madame Lussier - And you have inherited his name. Be on the ready in case I need you to send another message.
Patrick Lussier - I am ever your faithful son.