Chapter 36

## Chapter Chronology

**Destruction and Storm** is the 36th chapter of the "*Shuumatsu no Valkyrie: Record of Ragnarok*" manga series.

## Summary

As Shiva and Raiden Tameemon stare each other down, the Hindu Gods continue to yell out their support for their leader. Lifting his upper right fist, Shiva reveals that he carries the hopes of all the Hindu Gods on his back. Emitting an aura akin to flames, Shiva asks if Raiden minds being annihilated now. Charging in, Shiva throws a punch, but it's completely wide and allows Raiden to dodge with ease. Ares questions why Shiva's swing was so wide and Hermes notes that, with his lower left arm no longer usable, Shiva's entire balance is thrown off.

After Shiva throws another wide punch, Raiden says he's wide open and punches Shiva's face. He starts to fall back, only to stop himself from doing so. Steadying his feet, Shiva lands a punch at Raiden's guard. Raiden manages to block the attack crossing his arms.

Despite this, Raiden is blown back and as an imprint of Shiva's fist is visible on his arm, Raiden notices Shiva's punch got heavier. The Hindu Gods declare that they got heavier because it carries the weight of their souls behind it. Raiden proceeds to punch Shiva multiple times but Shiva manages to counter by punching Raiden in the gut.

Shiva then headbutts Raiden and Raiden headbutts Shiva back. Grabbing each other's heads, Raiden and Shiva proceed to headbutt each other four times in a row. As drops of blood flies in the air, Shiva inwardly notes he hasn't felt this heated up in a few thousand years and that this exchange reminds him of "those times", asking "Rudra" if it's the same for him too. In the past, the realms of Svarga and Patala were flooded with thousands of Gods and Demons. With the strongest Gods at the center, a civil war broke out, known as a Thousand Deva War. This took place before India had united its Gods into a single pantheon, to the point where the concept didn't even exist.

In the countryside of Svarga, there existed two virtually unknown Devas. The God of Destruction, Shiva, lies against a resting bull and yawns while a tiger and snake also rest nearby. The God of Storms, Rudra, continually punches into a large rock formation. Shiva questions if he ever gets bored, doing the same training, day in and out. Sweating, Rudra asserts it's all to get stronger and Shiva calls him studious.

Standing up, Shiva begins to dance, saying he prefers to do something like this instead. He encourages Rudra to dance along since it's fun to cut loose once in a while. Sighing, Rudra joins in and the animals around them watch with amazement. Though the two were polar opposites, they got along extremely well. Two people then run up to them and they reveal that the "Slaughter Siblings" have come back to terrorize the village. They plead for Shiva and Rudra to help. Rudra says they'll be right there and Shiva moans, calling it a pain. Rudra points out he'll come despite saying that and Shiva admits he has no choice.

At the village, an Asura called Shumbha asks a villager where the village's Deva is. The villagers reveal there aren't any but the strongest around are the God of Destruction and God of Storms. Shumbha and his brother, Nishumbha, snigger at the titles and calls them basic. Appearing, Shiva and Rudra introduce themselves and Shiva warns them to run before things get ugly. Mocking Shiva, Shumbha threatens to wipe the smug look off his face, only for Shiva to headbutt him. This prompts Nishumbha and their group to surround Shiva and Rudra. Rudra points out that Shiva didn't even give them a chance to leave but Shiva says it was bound to happen so they should do some dancing.

As Shiva and Rudra take everyone down, it is recounted how the two would spend day-to-day in brawls. To Shiva, Rudra was the one and only greatest friend he could have. After the fight, near sunset, Shiva and Rudra sit by a tree on a small hill.

Rudra asks Shiva what he plans to do from here on out and Shiva guesses he'll become the God of Dancing since he's always been a good dancer. Standing up, Rudra remarks on how that sounds like Shiva before divulging to Shiva that he has a dream. Shiva begins laughing and mocks Rudra, wondering if he's some kind of Human. In anger, Rudra headbutts Shiva and after Shiva apologizes, Rudra reveals he wants to climb to and stand on top of the peak of Svarga. He wants to test just how far he can make it as a Deva and also expresses his wish in wanting to see what the scenery looks like from the peak, that has yet to be seen by anyone. Rudra asks if Shiva wants to come with, adding that if they work together, then they'd be able to reach the peak together. Smiling, Shiva lays back and says he has no choice since Rudra won't back down. He notes that he always has fun with Rudra so he won't mind tagging along.

As they both look up at the night sky, they promise to become the greatest together. The next day, they began their journey. As they walked, Rudra expresses how much he's looking forward to the strength of their opponents. Shiva calls him an oddball for that before questioning how many they need to defeat in order to reach the peak. Rudra guesses they need to defeat all of them and taken aback by that, Shiva criticises Rudra for being irresponsible. Rudra says he doesn't want to hear that from Shiva, who spends his time dancing. Shiva fires back by pointing out how embarrassing it was when Rudra said they'd become the greatest together and Rudra meekly admits he said that to psych themselves up. At this point in time, neither of them realised what their dream would lead to.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Ganesha (No lines)
* Kali (No lines)
* Parvati (No lines)
* Durga (No lines)
* Raiden Tameemon
* Shiva
* Ares
* Hermes
* Zeus (No lines)
* Kajinosuke Tanikaze (No lines)
* Kisaburo Onogawa (No lines)
* Brunhilde (No lines)
* Göll (No lines)
* Rudra (Flashback)
* Shumbha (Flashback)
* Nishumbha (Flashback)