Episode 16

## The Final Labor

* Screenshot
* Title

## Episode Chronology

**The Final Labor** is the 16th episode overall of the "*Shuumatsu no Valkyrie: Record of Ragnarok*" anime and the 4th episode of Season 2.

## Synopsis

Although he’s lost his left arm, Hercules remains steadfast, easily summoning the strength to unleash his ultimate move: the Twelfth Labor.

## Plot

Inside Mary's room, Anne looks at the blood strewn everywhere and notes that Jack isn't loved by anyone and hasn't learned about love. He is a pitiable child, but she hopes at least God loves him. Mankind are surprised about the situation and start to believe that Jack the Ripper can win. The gods cheer on Heracles, telling him to not give up. Jack notes that it sounds like a requiem for a hero and states it's time for the finale.

When Ares cries about Heracles' potential death, Zeus punches him in annoyance, sending him flying and asking him how can he wimp out before Heracles does. Ares states that Heracles lost an arm, but Zeus asks him if he thinks he will lose because of that. He is sure Heracles won't lose as that's what type of man he is. Ares gets himself together, agreeing that Heracles the a man who stood up to Zeus and his greatest friend.

Heracles takes off his armor, using the strap as a tourniquet as Jack applauds him and tips his hat, seeing that he is overflowing with pride and seethes silently with anger. Even in this situation, there is not even a trace of fear. With such emotional control, Jack isn't surprised Heracles is called "indomitable". Heracles guesses that Jack is able to see emotions with his right eye. Jack confirms and states this was the only gift from god, and it's what helps him survive in this world filled with malice.

The colors of emotions that Jack see are works of art that only he can create, and with these works, he is able to grant even those who lived in the deepest misery, the single shining moment of their lives. Heracles wonders if that's why he killed people. Jack states that Heracles doesn't understand and states that the color of pure fear has a beauty that nothing else can compare to. Shakespeare states that when God creates them it gives them an imperfection. Arthur Conan Doyle agrees, but notes that the imperfection God gave Jack the Ripper is far too cruel.

Heracles states he understands and that Jack had lost. He asks Jack if he turned to evil because of inescapable poverty or because he suffered a betrayal that scarred him forever. Heracles states its none of those and that he gave in to despair and gave himself over to pleasure. Jack sees a color of emotion in Heracles, he had seen before. Heracles sees things both as a human and a god. As such, he states that humans are foolish, filled with jealousy, hatred, discrimination, contempt, depravity, deceit, sycophancy, lechery, infidelity, tyranny, sloth, treason, envy, revenge, arrogance, anger, desperation, resentment, selfishness, immorality, greed, chicanery, cunning and despair.

Yet despite this Heracles admits that he loves humans. Jack sees the color of love from Heracles, reminding him of his mother and noting that he never expected to see it again. Heracles then states he will save Jack from his suffering. Heracles hurls his club in the air and activates the Twelfth Labor, Cerberus; emerging from the sky is the Hound of Hades himself, who transforms the god with a demonic visage.

Zeus states it's now a race against time; as the Labor is devastatingly powerful, it comes at a high price. The extra strength will only end when it either devours his opponent or completely consumes Heracles. The fight between the two becomes more intense and devastating. Heracles easily destroys anything his way and Jack uses the surrounding debris as Divine Treasure to fight him. Jack even uses a manhole to defend himself and turns it into a Divine Treasure, but Heracles punches through it and hits his opponent.

Jack states that Heracles had exceeded his expectations. He uses a grappling hook to escape, but Heracles jumps high in the air and punches him, causing Jack to fall and impale himself on a metal fence. Jack cuts the metal piece and barely stands. Heracles states there is nowhere for Jack to run and hide. Jack agrees, but reminds him that all of London is his weapon. He removes his mantle and turns it into a Divine Treasure, before cutting the building behind him.

It then falls on Heracles, who tries to hold it. Heimdall can't believe that Jack turned the building into a Divine Treasure and smashed Heracles with it. Arthur and Shakespeare can't believe if Jack had planned this all. Castor and Ares yell at Heracles to stand up. In that moment, Heracles emerges from the rubble. Heracles tells Jack that no matter what he tries, his righteous heart won't be shaken. Jack laughs and states that thanks to Heracles, he realized that his mother's color was fake and he never knew that true love was so beautiful.

Jack states he wants to paint Heracles in the color he loves. Heracles implores Jack to change his color. Jack then takes a piece of wood and part of a door, turning them to Divine Treasure and engages Heracles in close combat. Heracles smashes Jack's weapons and starts avoiding Heracles' attacks. This angers Ares, who states Jack is running to buy time and Heracles tattoos to cover him. Loki doesn't agree, stating that seeing how much Jack is bleeding, he doesn't have much time left either.

He notes that if Jack wanted to buy time, he would have kept his distance, and wonders what is he trying to achieve. Jack continues dodging Heracles' attacks, waiting for a perfect timing and angle.

He pulls out the iron rods from the fence and tries stabbing Heracles, but only manages to scratch him. Heracles punches Jack who falls on the ground and the gods start celebrating. Some of mankind feel disappointed for entrusting their fate to him, but a frustrated Anne proposes that they go and fight the gods themselves. Jack barely starts singing and stands up, surprising mankind that he may continue to fight.

## Characters

* Anne
* Brunhilde
* Göll
* Castor
* William Shakespeare
* Arthur Conan Doyle
* Jack the Ripper
* Heracles
* Heimdall
* Ares
* Hermes
* Loki
* Zeus
* Odin (No lines)
* Huginn & Muninn (No lines)
* Aphrodite (No lines)
* Shiva (No lines)

## Differences in Adaptations

* Anne finding Mary's corpse happens earlier in the anime.