Chapter 3

## Chapter Chronology

**Archrival** is the 3rd chapter of the "*Shuumatsu no Valkyrie: Record of Ragnarok*" manga series.

## Summary

As Thor touches his wound, the Gods express their disbelief that Thor was hurt by a Human. At that moment, the same thought had crossed the minds of both Thor and Lü Bu. Had they been born at the same time and place, had they even born of the same race, they would've become rivals. As they both smile, Lü Bu calls Thor "pretty good" while Thor says that kind of strength is wasted on a Human like Lü Bu. In the past, a child Lü Bu sits atop a horse, holding a bloody knife in his hand.

The adults around him were all in shock that Lü Bu killed a wolf by himself. According to the records of the Three Kingdoms, Lü Bu was born in a Mongolian tribe, though it has yet to be confirmed if this is true.

One thing known for sure, is that from the time he became aware of his surroundings, Lü Bu had set off on his journey to become the strongest.He travelled the vast continent of Eurasia, in search of opponents stronger than him. At one point, Lü Bu even killed a bear with his bare hands as whatever stood in his way, was simply annihilated.

He continued this cycle for many years but one day, in the midst of his travels, the name "Lü Bu" had become heard of, throughout the entire Middle Kingdom. At another point in time, Lü Bu killed many soldiers with ease. Eventually, the time came where nothing stood before Lü Bu and in exchange, the number of those who rallied behind him grew.

After 30 years, Lü Bu had ended his journey as he came to realize that, under all the heavens, there was no-one stronger than him. The records go on to state, that after a fierce battle with Cao Cao, Lü Bu was defeated and taken prisoner. The records claim that, just before his execution, Lü Bu hysterically cried, begging Cao Cao to let him live and lead one of his squadrons. However, the truth is quite different. Lü Bu was indeed captured and he did indeed cry. But he wasn't crying to beg for his life. He cried because he was yawning of boredom. At the moment of his execution, Lü Bu asked them to just kill him already, since he was getting bored to death. In the present, Lü Bu recognises Thor as the one person worthy to be his opponent. Chen Gong begins crying as he has never seen Lü Bu look so happy before now. Watching the match, Zeus says something's off.

Tenth of the Twelve Gods of Olympus, Hermes, loudly shouts into Zeus' ear, asking if something is interesting him. Zeus says something impossible is happening and Hermes shouts again, asking if Zeus is wondering how a Human can trade equal blows with a God. Zeus yells that he can hear just fine before admitting he is wondering about that. But he is mainly questioning how Lü Bu can clash against Thor's **Mjolnir** with a man-made weapon. He says that man-made weapons can never hold a candle to Divine Weapons, only to then notice Brunhilde smirking. At that moment, Zeus realizes what is going on. When Göll sees Zeus smiling at them, Brunhilde realizes he's noticed. Before the start of Ragnarok, Brunhilde shows Göll that she has decided on Lü Bu to be Humanity's vanguard. Göll calls him too dangerous as he took many lives and called it boring. She questions if Lü Bu even stands any kind of chance against Thor. Brunhilde bluntly states he stands no chance and explains how the Gods have a cheat up their sleeve: the ability to forge their own Divine Weapons. Against Divine Weapons, man-made weapons are useless, meaning Humans can't beat Gods with Divine Weapons. Just as Göll begins despairing, Brunhilde says all they need to use to fight against Divine Weapons, are Divine Weapons.

Suddenly, the other eleven Valkyrie sisters appear, at Brunhilde's request. Göll exclaims that this is the first time that all thirteen of them have gathered before questioning why. Brunhilde tells Randgriz to come forward. Fourth of the thirteen Valkyries, Randgriz, obeys and Brunhilde asks if she knows about Thor's Divine Weapons. Randgriz says she does and identifies **Mjolnir** and **Járngreipr**, the gloves Thor wears that can block any attack. Brunhilde calls them two of Heaven's strongest, shittiest cheats but if they're gonna fight Thor, they have to overcome them. Brunhilde asks if Randgriz will pledge her body to her and Randgriz says she will, much to Göll's confusion. In the present, Lü Bu's **Sky Piercer** begins shining and Randgriz's image appears from the halberd.

It's revealed that this is the secret power of the Valkyries: a Valkyrie's body can become a Divine Weapon, allowing Humans to obtain their own Divine Weapons. This power is called **Völundr**. Lü Bu says he has an unbreakable weapon and is fighting against an immortal opponent. He claims this setting is just the best and pins down **Mjolnir** before hitting his **Sky Piercer** against Thor's right glove. When a Valkyrie becomes a Divine Weapon, the Divine Weapon takes on the Valkyrie's traits. The fourth Valkyrie is Randgriz and her name means, "Shield Breaker." As a result, Thor's right glove shatters and Brunhilde says "It's party time."

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Thor
* Forseti
* Lü Bu
* Red Hare (Flashback)
* Cao Cao (Flashback)
* Chen Gong
* Zeus
* Hermes
* Brunhilde
* Göll
* Randgriz
* Heimdall