Chapter 23

## Chapter Chronology

**The Indomitable Hero** is the 23rd chapter of the "*Shuumatsu no Valkyrie: Record of Ragnarok*" manga series.

## Summary

In the city of Thebes, Greece, 2000BC, Humanity despaired before the Gods and they surrendered to the Gods' will, merely praying for mercy...save for one man. Alcides stands in front of the city gates, holding a wooden club. Castor shouts Alcides' name and questions what he's doing. Alcides charges at Ares, only for the God of War to easily kick Alcides away, all the way to the gates. The people of Thebes tell Alcides to stop before he makes things worse while Ares and his army begin marching to the gates of Thebes.

Alcides stands back up and refuses to let them pass. Impressed by his potential, Ares orders him to bow before him and promises to spare his life if he does. Alcides notes that their whim of sparing a life is quite similar to their whim of assigning sin.

Looking back at the people, Alcides says that Humans are weak beings. While they try their best to strive for good, at times, they must turn towards evil. By wavering through their lives, Humans are able to grow. The spirit of justice lies within all of Humanity, deep within their inherent weaknesses.

Alcides then notes that despite their prayers for mercy, the Gods still opt to crush them under their feet and asks how they can keep claiming to be just. Alcides then declares that if that's the case, then he will oppose the Gods before bringing out the cup of Ambrosia he had hidden on him. Looking back at Castor, Alcides sighs about how he's glad he took this when he did before reassuring Castor that he will always be on the side of justice. Alcides then unhesitatingly drinks from the Ambrosia, only for his body to suddenly convulse. His skin begins to seemingly burn and Alcides is completely covered with smoke. Ares reveals the Ambrosia was a punishment for those who coveted divine power. Ares says he overestimated him and begins to continue to go towards Thebes, only for an extremely muscular and pale, long-haired Alcides to block his path, reminding Ares he wouldn't let him pass.

After Alcides embeds the end of his club into the ground, a strong force of wind emerges. Ares nervously recognizes this kind of power and one of his soldiers charges at Alcides. Ares warns him not to but the soldier doesn't listen, only for Alcides to dislodge his club and hit the soldier's jaw, knocking him out. Ares realizes that this is strength on par with Zeus and the rest of the soldiers attack, regardless of Ares' warning.

Later, all the soldiers are down and only Ares is left. As both he and Alcides huff from the wounds they've dealt each other, Ares attempts to punch Alcides but Alcides meets it with a headbutt. After Alcides punches him, Ares is in disbelief that a Human took down his entire vanguard and is going toe-to-toe with him. They both attempt to punch each other, only for Zeus to suddenly appear to stop their fists from colliding. He tells them to leave it at that and Ares is glad, since he would've been in danger if their fight continued.

Zeus observes that Alcides drank the Ambrosia and as Alcides is surprised to see Zeus seems to be a frail old man, Zeus makes an offer to Alcides: become a God. Looking at the knocked-out soldiers, Zeus states it may be problematic to let him stay on Earth before mentioning how Alcides called himself an ally of justice, which is a perfect fit for a God. Alcides accepts but only on one condition: to never harm Humanity again. Zeus promises to before asking if Alcides will guide them to righteousness. Smiling, Alcides falls back and claims that to save Humanity, he will even descend into Godhood. Castor catches Alcides and calls him crazy for even becoming a God.

Fist bumping him, Alcides tells Castor he'll be heading off for a bit while Ares is shocked that Alcides calls it "descending" as Zeus states that this is the problem with stubborn children. That moment marked the end of the age in which the Gods interfered with Humanity. Over the next 4000 years, Humanity never feared an invasion from the Gods. Around the time Castor died on Earth, Alcides was accepted as one of Zeus' children. Out of respect for Zeus' wife, Hera, Alcides was bestowed her name and became known as "Heracles".

In the present, Loki teases Ares by saying they're in trouble if Heracles is on par with him. Ares brings up how he was only able to fight Heracles evenly back then. Smiling, Hermes joins in on the teasing by saying Ares can't even reach Heracles' feet now, with how powerful he's become. Sighing, Ares tells the two to say whatever they like. Clenching his left fist and lightly tapping it against his cheek, Ares says that he is proud that Heracles was chosen to fight for them and he is proud that they got to know each other through their fists. Now in front of Jack the Ripper, Heracles destroys the last few knives he throws. Lifting up his club, Heracles tells Jack to begone, much to Jack's surprise at how Heracles endured all of his attacks.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Castor (Flashback)
* Heracles
* Ares
* Zeus (Flashback)
* Loki
* Hermes
* Jack the Ripper (No lines)