Episode 14

## The Indomitable War God

* Screenshot
* Title

## Episode Chronology

**The Indomitable War God** is the 14th episode overall of the "*Shuumatsu no Valkyrie: Record of Ragnarok*" anime and the 2nd episode of Season 2.

## Synopsis

The spectators notice that the tattoos on Hercules have grown significantly — and if they continue to grow, the hero will suffer a painful death.

## Plot

The audience notice that Heracles' tattoos are getting bigger. Loki wonders about it and Ares explains they're the price he pays. Before Heracles became a god, he completed the Twelve Labors and mastered the Twelve Divine Arts. However, those powers came with a price and each time he uses them, his tattoos spread.

Every time they do inflicts him with unbearable pain, enough to knock out the average god. Loki realizes that Heracles is hiding the pain and wonders what happens if the tattoos cover his entire body. Ares states that he will die and his soul would be obliterated in Niflheim. In exchange for his life, he can perform the Divine Labors, the Herculean Exodus. Loki notes that the Greek gods are in quite a bind and they were bragging quite a lot. Ares tells Loki to shut up and that he has complete faith in Heracles, as his true strength isn't his physical strength, but his tenacious will that even the gods could not break.

In the ancient Greek town of Thebes, 2,000 B.C, a young boy, Castor, is trying to protect a calf from being taken by bullies, wanting to sell it for medicine for his mother. Alcides, who later became known as Heracles, appears to protect Castor. He attacks said bullies, but gets beaten up. Afterwards, Castor wonders why he fought them when he is very weak; Alcides states it's because the man and the woman were in the wrong and he wants to be on the side of the righteous. He tells Castor they should go and get the calf back.

Despite Alcides' weakness, his spirit was stronger and more righteous than anyone. While hunting a boar, Alcides charges first but is quickly knocked away. Later, Castor brings him some meat from the boar, but Alcides declines, feeling he didn't deserve it, noting he needs to get stronger and be more useful. The bullies mock Alcides about his weakness and suggest that if he wants to be strong, he could try drinking the blood of Zeus, the Ambrosia in the temple. According to legend, if a true hero drinks it, they will become immortal, however if they are not a true hero, they will perish instantly. The hero Achilles was said to have gained invincibility from Ambrosia. The bullies laugh that if a weakling like Alcides drinks it, he will die, before leaving. Castor tells Alcides to not believe them as it's just a legend. Aclides states he knows that and while he wants to get strong, there is no point if he dies trying. Aclides then takes the meat that Castor brought and eats it.

Whenever Alcides had two paths he could take, he always chose the more difficult one, to gain strength to protect the righteous. He kept on training and a time came where there was no longer anyone who would make fun of him. During a council on the fate of mankind in Valhalla, the results show that 74% of the gods have decided to let humanity continue. Despite the results, Zeus wants to hear everyone's opinion on the matter.

Aphrodite states they should teach mankind a lesson, as they not only are driving animals to extinction, but are always fighting wars, especially the people of Thebes. Loki guesses they will drop them the hammer, just like they did with the Tower of Babel. Shiva states that if they do it that way, they will wipe out everything and intends he to take care of it. Ares stops him, stating that Thebes is his territory and wants them to leave it to him.

As Ares descends from the sky, the people of Thebes realizes they've incurred the wrath of the gods. Ares tells them they must atone for their sins with their lives and submit to the judgment of the gods. Unable to defy the gods, the people could do nothing but pray and submit. However, Alcides faces Ares in front of the town of Thebes. Ares easily kicks away Alcides, but he stands up and faces him again. Ares likes him and tells him to kneel before the gods and he will spare him.

Alcides smiles and notes that the gods create life and pass judgment on a whim. Humans are frail, which is why some choose to live properly, while others choose to do evil. They live in doubt and uncertainty as they learn and grow. The desire to be righteous exist in each of them. If the gods find striking them down to be righteous or just, he will then defy them. Alcides then takes out the Ambrosia and drinks it, before his body burns in a plume of smoke. falling to the ground.

Ares proceeds towards the town, believing Alcides had died. However, having obtained a stronger body, Alcides stops his advance. Angered, one of Ares' soldiers jumps at Alcides. Ares tries to warn him and stop, but Alcides easily knocks the man with his club. Ares is shocked to recognize the power of his father in the man. The rest of the soldiers also attack, ignoring Ares call to stop. Alcides defeats them all before fighting toe-to-toe with Ares himself.

When both refuse to submit, Zeus stops the fight. He tells Alcides that he will become a god, since if he leaves him on Earth, he will just cause trouble. Alcides agrees on one condition, that they swear they will never again cause harm to mankind. Zeus agrees and tells Alcides to make sure he leads mankind to the path of righteousness. For the next 4000 years, the gods did not interfere with Earth's affairs. Alcides took his place among the gods as a child of Zeus and was named after Zeus' wife, Hera, and became known as Heracles.

Jack and Heracles continue their fight with Jack becoming more aggressive. He throws his switchblade, which returns like a boomerang, while also hurling more knives at the god. Heracles destroys the switchblade and swings his club at Jack, who falls back and starts hopping in the air. Heimdall wonders if he is floating, but sees there are piano wires strewn across the alley, with Jack using them to step on.

The serial killer then wonders if Heracles has an umbrella, as there is often rain in London, before mentioning that he could have lend him his umbrella, but Heracles destroyed it earlier.

He throws knives in the air, and using the wires, he pulls down and shoots them. With increased speed, the knives also start to ricochet from the walls and hit Heracles. Heracles uses the Sixth Labor Stymphalian Bird, transforming his club into a bird and swinging it at the flying knives. The powerful wind he creates blows the knives back at Jack, with some of them hitting him, while others cut his wires. Heracles states he won't be defeated by trickery.

Jack finds that as excellent and wants Heracles to continue to rouse his passion. With his special eye, Jack sees and notes that Heracles truly have an unshakable will and has such a beautiful color. Jack apologizes, noting he carried away, but its because it will be his first time killing a god. Jack notes he barely restrains his anticipation of what color will Heracles turn when he meets death. Jack then starts singing "London bridge is broken down".

## Characters

* Heracles
* Jack the Ripper
* Hermes
* Ares
* Loki
* Castor
* Zeus
* Aphrodite
* Odin (No lines, flashback)
* Huginn & Muninn (No lines, flashback)
* Thor (No lines, flashback)
* Poseidon (No lines, flashback)
* Shiva
* Göll
* Brunhilde

## Differences in Adaptations

* The anime doesn't show Loki teleporting to the Greek Gods' stand.
* Poseidon, Thor, Loki and Shiva wore their battle attires in the Gods Council. In the manga, they wore formal clothes.
* The anime shows aditional scenes:
	+ Aphrodite watching on her screen Castor being bullied.
	+ The confrontation between Alcides and Ares is slightly expanded.