Chapter 266: Duel With the Goddess of War

Frey is standing on a field full of corpses of both men and women. If anyone sees what the dead people are wearing then it would be easy to say that they died in war. Her golden armor is stained with the blood of those she slew in battle.

She would not have expected that she would be able to win a war against a thousand people. Thinking about it, she did not expect that the war she would be thrown in will be a fight against the forces of another goddess.

After flying in their Pegasus for what seems like two days, the Valkyries entered a golden gate high up in the sky that is guarded by a winged race with only beautiful people. She did not like the attitude of those winged people but she had to admit that they were strong. The winged people even dared to badmouth her even in the presence of the other Valkyries.

The other Valkyries did badmouth them in return for speaking like that to Frey. She really liked the Valkyries because they emphasized sisterhood instead of personal gain. Frey was told that they were angels and that they protect the sky gates but it seems that they do it out of penance.

It seems that their race was punished to guard every gateway to a minor real controlled by a god. This minor realms are not like godly sanctuaries but places where a god can physically reincarnate for a limited amount of time. This is some sort of a way to breach the barrier of planes but only possible to the gods that made the godly separating barrier.

There are pre-requisites in order to reincarnate in the mortal plane though. The first rule is that the minor real must have complete faith in the god or goddess. The god or goddess must have all the inhabitants on that minor realm be devoted solely to them.

The second rule is that no other god or goddess that owns the minor realm that they chose. This is so that the power of faith of the god or goddess will be pure and untainted. The power of faith will be the fuel for the god or goddess to make a physical body on the mortal plane. The incarnation will only be about 1% of the total power of the god or goddess.

The final rule is that a god or goddess cannot control more than one minor realm and could only reincarnate every other century given that they have accumulated enough power of faith. This is one of the reasons that can restrict the gods and goddesses to make descendants from humans.

The third rule was not in place before and due to that a surge of individuals that could easily become demigods appeared. The gods and goddesses could be controlled by the twin gods but their descendants were another matter. The demigods who were not properly raised became something like monsters hungry for war. This event in history was erased but it was called The Great Deicide.

Frey knew this because one must have knowledge that surpasses a normal individual in order to become a Valkyrie. Valkyries must not only be skilled in the art of combat but also possess great knowledge. Frey thought that she had already cleared her mission to win a war but she has yet to receive a notification.

She wanted to ask the other Valkyries if she has already won but they were all looking ahead. Frey then copied where the other valkyries' line of sight is and she saw the figure of an armored woman coming towards them. The armored woman is wearing a full set of armor unlike the famed bikini armor that female warriors tend to wear. She was also wearing a military helmet that is worn by roman generals. She had black unkempt hair peeking from her military helmet. She also wore a red cape but it was only up to her waist and just covered the right half of her back.

"Very good. It has been ages since I have enjoyed a battle with a promising mortal. Let me introduce myself, I am Bellona. One of the Goddesses of War of Pandemonium. The Goddess Freyja promised me a worthy battle that would cure my boredom and she was not wrong." The Goddess Bellona stated or rather her mortal reincarnation.

"I believe that I am an unworthy rival to the Goddess of War herself but I would be glad to receive teachings from a powerful woman such as yourself." Frey stated as she bowed but raised her head and her face hardened for battle.

"I hope you can entertain me while I can still hold my mortal flesh. I will not blame you if you get lucky and defeat me. This mortal body does have limitations after all. I just hope you do not die before I had my fun." The Goddess Bellona stated as a broadsword materialized on her right hand and a round shield on her left hand.

Frey did not utter any reply because she knows that she must win this fight in order to become a Valkyrie. The two women did not need to speak words and a fight of mentalities happened between them. Though the two women are not moving from their position, it is clear that they are having a face off against their wills.

It seems that the Goddess Bellona does not have that much patience as she suddenly charged towards Frey without fear. The Goddess Bellona charged while her round shield is upfront in order to block a piercing attack from Frey's spear. The clash of steel could be heard from their battle and the other Valkyries only observed Frey.

"Are you sure that sister Frey will be alright in battling an incarnation of the Goddess of War by herself?" Alruna asked Brunhild.

"Though their incarnation can only channel 1% of their total godly might, for a human being that would still be quite difficult. But I believe that Sister Frey has a fighting chance albeit a slim one." Brunhild replied as she watched the battle and has no intention to ever join it.

"Despite their mortal incarnations having 1% of their godly power, it is still unfair because they have a difference in experience. Sister Frey has not even spent a decade battling others while the Goddess Bellona has fought countless wars that could even blow up planets." Alruna stated as she pouted because she really liked Frey.

"You should have faith in our sister, Alruna. Look." Brunhild stated as she told Alruna to shift her gaze to the two ladies fighting.

The broadsword is sent flying ten meters away and Bellona was pushed on the defensive as she only held her round shield. Frey can be seen panting due to exhaustion but she was proud of herself because she managed to disarm her opponent and that opponent was a goddess of war.

"Hahaha! You are good! It seems that I have to take you on seriously." The Goddess Bellona stated as she heartily laughed with a craze.

The Goddess Bellona threw away her round shield and is now holding a spear that is the same size that Frey holds. Frey now shows a smile upon her face because this is a great chance to learn spear techniques from a real goddess of war. She would definitely pass upon this opportunity.

Due to excitement, Frey is the first one that charged towards battle. Bellona responded in kind and charged towards Frey. Both of them started with piercing attacks and both also dodged at the same way. Their attacks would have aimed at their heads so both of them just tilted their head a little which is enough to evade the piercing attack.

Their exchanges lasted for about twenty minutes and both were tied. It seems that whatever spear techniques that the Valkyries taught Frey is also like that of what the goddess of war is using. The only problem though is that Frey is clearly outmatched in terms of mastery and skill. Frey has yet to become perfect or achieved peak form using a spear so she is using this time to study the goddess of war.

Bellona can read what Frey is thinking but she only found it amusing. She is fond of people trying to become like her and become a master of war. It is also somewhat a form of faith directed towards her. Still, she will only show her skills using a spear to Frey.

Once Bellona decided that Frey has learned enough, she decided to throw away her spear and is now brandishing a thorn whip. Seeing as Bellona exchanged weapons, Frey had to change her method of attack. She utilized the thorny whip function of her spear in order to deflect the attacks of the goddess of war.

Although Frey knew that it is not a solid solution because the gaps in her defenses is clearly shown. The Goddess Bellona's weapon attacked faster and faster until Frey was riddled in wounds. Her health plummeting in a fast rate where her own regeneration cannot handle. Frey's health reached 5% in a matter of seconds.

Frey could only hope to doge the next attack but her sight could not even get a hold of the whip. But as she was about to be hit, the whip suddenly became particles of light. Frey opened her eyes and can see that the Goddess Bellona is becoming particles of light.

"It seems that my sister Nike is smiling upon you, young Valkyrie. My mortal body could no longer bear my godly might. Still it is a great battle. For now, it is your victory because you were able to last long." Bellona stated with a smile as she finally disappeared.