”… Manipulate… reality?” Elina parroted, her eyes wide with shock.

”Those symbols might be the code to our universe, and by lining them in a specific order we are able generate certain effect that shouldn’t be possible.” Sam said, pointing at the yellow beam in one of the photos. ”Going by what we know so far, this ring somehow opens a door in space-time connecting to some unknown point in existence from which this massive amount of energy flooded into or world. We think of it as punching a hole in a reservoir. The other side must be so full with this energy that it tried to escape through the created door expanding into what seemed like empty space.”

Though it sounded logical in his head, the female scientist found herself unable to follow what he was saying for a while now. Sam was talking about reality and space-time like it’s something that can be touched with human hands, and all he had to work with were the readings from a single experiment with results he never intended in the first place.

She wanted to listen more and try to understand the phenomena with him, however Elina knew that she shouldn’t allow for this to go on for too long, having experienced what happens when that man becomes obsessed with something.

”Maybe we should stop trying to understand it for now.” She said, interrupting his passionate rambling. ”The only thing we need to know right now is if it’s possible to replicate it, and whether we can use it to win the upcoming battle or not.”

Staring at her for a few seconds, Sam frowned then shifted his sight to the screen.

”If it’s just replicating it then that’s easy.” He said. ”But I’m sure you don’t want us blowing a country each time we fire at an enemy.”

He wanted to mention the theoretical damage that might result from bringing what’s essentially energy from another dimension into their world, but with them on the losing end of this war he couldn’t bother considering such things.

”If we’re able to dial it down to Torso’s level then it would be usable.” Said Elina.

”I… don’t know about that…” Sam said. ”We have been too blindsided by the fact that we took down one of the Ragnarok Heralds. When looking at it objectively, this beam won’t do much against the Nephilim.”

”…oooh…”

Their enemies were no longer giant abstract shapes who relied on raw power. Even in they manage to defeat the remaining heralds, it won’t really mean much in they’re unable to fight back against the smaller, faster and smarter Nephilim.

”Since we now know that the symbols work we can make use of the other formations, but…”

They don’t have the time to test it out and it would be illogical to ask the Valkyries to try and win using weapons they have never used before.

”That’s not the only problem, is it?” Elina asked.

Remaining silent for a couple of seconds, Sam squeezed his eyes shut and revealed what might be their biggest obstacles.𝑂𝒱𝗅xt.𝑐𝑶𝔪

”We don’t have the materials.”

The heart of a Valkyrie requires many rare materials in its creation. What they currently have on hand is enough for three new ones which clearly won’t be enough to win them the upcoming battle.

”Somehow, it no longer feels like our odds have improved.”

Feeling a overwhelming desire to just give up, Elina sat down on her chair and silently stared at the ceiling. It’s just as Sam had put it. Their victory over Jotnar had given them false hope, in the end they were still screwed, same as before.

As they wallowed in despair the door to the lab opened and Zero Five came in.

”I apologize for the delay.” She said, saluting toward Sam. ”The cleansing process took far longer than anticipated.”

”Ah, good job out there.” Sam said with a voice void from any enthusiasm.

Sensing the heavy air in the room the ponytailed Valkyrie glanced at Elina who was equally dispirited, then at Miku and B3 who were standing near the wall with neutral expressions. She she shifted her sight back to Sam after failing to understand what happened.

”Um… Doctor, is something wrong?”

Hearing her question, Sam turned to look in the Valkyrie’s direction. He stared it her for a few seconds before heaving a sigh.

”Five, come here for a moment.” he said, extending his hand toward her.

She looked around the room one more time before taking in, and when she did Sam pulled pulled her over and made her sit on his lap.

Miku who was watching this from a distance wanted to cry out, her expression a mixture of frustration and surprise. Elina and B3 had their eyes wide open, following every move with great interest.

Feeling all those eyes on her, Zero Five’s face began to heat gradually. Sam didn’t let the others bother him and proceeded to make out with his personal Valkyrie. In a matter of seconds the gloomy air in the lab cleared, the heat increasing as their kissing became more erotic.

Sam sneaked his hands from under Five’s arms and began rubbing her chest causing her to shiver from the stimulation. Seeing him play with the soft marshmallows made the female scientist grow hot and bothered, and just like the young blond Valkyrie she wished it was her there enjoying the warmth of his touch.

After keeping at it for a couple of minutes it seemed like Sam was finally satisfied as he let Five catch her breath. He turned his gaze to Elina who was blushing intensely as she looked at him, her legs rubbing together as she held her miniskirt down.

”I have a way to get over the materials problem.” he said, watching as Zero Five rested her head on his shoulder while panting hot breaths.

It took a few seconds for Elina to realize the words were directed at her, and when she did her embarrassment grew several folds from the shame of putting her focus into what he was doing.

”R-really?” She stuttered, fanning her hand in an attempt to cool down her increasing temperature.

”Yeah.” Sam replied, slowly caressing Five’s shoulder. ”But… it’s something I would’ve liked to avoid.”

~ ~

The winds of a strong blizzard blew over the ruins of the once great city of Khabarovsk. After the appearance of the Calamities it was the destination of many refugees trying to escape the unknown threat, however with so many humans gathering in one place it was only natural for it to become a prime target for the monstrosities trying to erase every last one of them.

What was left of it had been covered by a blanket of pure white. Under it a certain creature slept for years bidding its time waiting for new orders to arrive and that day a message from its queen finally arrived.

From under the thick snow a giant wolf like creature covered in black fur slowly rose. It shook the ice off its body then sat down scratching behind its eats like the animals that shared its form. Opening its eyes and seeing the cloudy sky raining frozen water from above, Fenrir spread its enormous maws open and released an almighty howl. The next moment the sky cleared and the snow disappeared.

With the horizon finally visible from where it was, the Ragnarok Herald turned to its destination and began the long walk.

Over the peaks of mount Paektu another one of the Heralds prepared to answer the call of its queen, digging its gigantic serpentine body out of the blazing waters and spreading its wings with a terrifying roar. Niddhog took off into the sky, its sharp eyes locked onto one destination where it’ll finally get the chance to wreck havoc once more.

Having felt the violent tremor an hour ago, Fafnir was awaiting its commands. When the signal finally arrived it marched a few steps dragging its heavy tail through the dusty rubble of Washington DC before spread its black wings and swallowing all light shining down from above casting a veil of darkness that followed it as it took to the air flying for the site of the next battle.

As she sat on her obsidian throne restlessly tapping her fingers on its armrest Hela clicked her tongue for the umpteenth time. Her eyes followed a number of glowing dots on a floating screen that showed the simple map of this little wretched world.

”Black Thorn!” She called, unable to bear the frustration anymore. ”Any word from Loki?”

”Not yet, I’m afraid.” Said the purple haired Nephilim as she knelt down.

”We gave her more than enough time and she has yet to return!!?” The blue queen cursed, her expression twisting in anger. ”If she really knew my sister’s location then what’s taking her so long!!?”

”Your majesty, may I ask something?”

”No! We can’t delay this anymore.” Ignoring her subordinate’s plea, the queen drew a circle in the air causing a series of runes to appear in front of her.