Max Fry’s "My Ragnarok," a summary Automatic translate

This book is a 1998 fantasy novel in which an ordinary man is tasked with leading an army of the undead and orchestrating the end of the world. The protagonist is forced to balance between Norse gods, Aztec deities, and Christian saints, trying to prevent the destruction of all existence.

This work seamlessly complements the renowned literary series "The Labyrinths of Echo," serving as a standalone storyline. The novel’s events unfold outside the main magical city of Echo and describe Sir Max’s travels on Earth. Chronologically, these adventures are located between the stories from the collections "Volunteers of Eternity" and "The Labyrinth of Menin," expanding the overall picture of the fictional universe.

Meeting in Berlin and a new position

The events unfold with the protagonist, Max, on an aimless stroll through the deserted streets of Berlin’s Karlshorst district. A chance visit to an inconspicuous Mexican restaurant leads to a strange encounter. An incredibly handsome man in a green coat, calling himself Allah, sits down at Max’s table. He warns him of the near end of the universe and offers to lead a vast army of the dead in the impending final battle.

Allah explains that he himself cannot participate in the battles, as he risks permanently materializing. Max is destined to become his trusted commander. In a past life, the hero already answered to the name Ali and performed miracles for Islam, being a manifestation of the Almighty himself. As a reward, Max receives six hundred and sixty-six additional lives and unlimited power over the dead. The conversation ends aggressively: the interlocutor hurls a heavy white ashtray at Max’s forehead, killing him and sending him to the starting point of a new campaign.

The desert and the gathering of the commanders

Max awakens in the scorching African desert. Finding his companion’s green coat draped over his shoulders, he realizes the irreversibility of what’s happening. Soon, he encounters the Sphinx — a strange woman with the body of a lioness and the manners of a schoolteacher. The monster attempts to strangle Max for giving the wrong answer to an ancient riddle. Resurrected, Max confuses the Sphinx with absurd jokes about a green herring on the wall. Victorious, Max receives his rightful weapons: the magical scimitar "Thousand Lightnings" and the hovering shield of the Serpent. The Sphinx also gives Max a snow-white camel named Sinbad.

Max continues his journey in the company of a huge Genie, who emerges from a tiny stone jar. The Genie takes care of everyday life, instantly creating homes, food, and comfortable conditions for rest. Max’s first destination is Medina, stepping on the grave of the Prophet Muhammad. The risen Prophet readily accepts the offer to become one of the army’s leaders, while enjoying heavenly baths in the company of houris.

Gradually, millions of resurrected people gather around Max. Among them, three military leaders stand out: the former programmer Anatole, the independent woman Dorothea, and Prince Vlad Dracula. Dracula quickly adapts to the new conditions, demanding a coffin filled with Transylvanian soil and a dose of fresh blood. This motley crew helps Max control the gigantic crowd wandering aimlessly north.

Olympians and Indian deities

Meanwhile, the Genie provides Max with a magical SHARP television. The hero gains the ability to secretly observe the camp of his potential enemies. The Olympian gods, led by Zeus, have taken refuge on the peaks of the Ethiopian mesas, along with the Norse god Odin and his Valkyries. The ancient deities are rapidly losing their powers and are forced to disguise themselves as earthly film actors and musicians. Pallas Athena disguises herself as a young Marlon Brando, and Hephaestus has chosen the guise of Charlie Chaplin.

The Olympians are in a panic: bloodthirsty Aztec gods are visiting them at night, methodically slaughtering the inhabitants of Olympus. Dionysus, Aphrodite, and Hera have already fallen victim. Max decides to help the ancient Greeks. In a dream, he visits Athena and Odin, giving them the true names of the Native American deities. This knowledge allows Odin to carve the protective rune Eihwaz on the gods’ bodies and stop the series of mystical murders. A deep connection develops between Max and Athena, and the goddess even makes a bet with Odin about the true intentions of the mysterious visitor.

Overcoming obstacles and new alliances

The army of the dead passes through the ancient temple of the Egyptian god Seth. The arrogant deity attempts to destroy Max by unleashing a bolt of living darkness upon him. The hero falls into an uncontrollable rage, breaks the magical bonds with his bare hands, and destroys the ancient sanctuary, saving millions of his warriors. The incident reveals to Max the full destructive power of his new abilities.

That night, Loki emerges from the fire to Max. The Norse god of fire presents Dracula with a tiny dying dragon on a wooden stick and announces his pleasure in passing on his powers as commander-in-chief of the army of the dead to Max. Loki warns the hero about the gigantic World Serpent, Ermugand, and vanishes without a trace, leaving Max to ponder his strategy for the coming battle.

Soon, the Native American gods, led by Quetzalcoatl, find Max. The hunters intend to take his many lives. Max experiences a series of painful deaths, but the music of a British rock band helps him shake off his magical numbness. Recognizing his true nature, Max transforms into a furious jaguar and puts the fearsome Native American spirits to flight. The genie, having fulfilled its purpose, leaves Max forever.

Uniting in the Face of the Abyss

Instead of fighting Max, the gods of Olympus and Odin arrive at his camp. The hero persuades them to disobey the ancient prophecies and join forces. It turns out that at the end of the cosmic battle, Yermugad must devour all the surviving participants. Max categorically refuses to play by the rules of the Norse prophecies and openly rebels against his grim fate.

That night, Max’s camp is visited by Christian saints — John, Peter, and Judas. The saints promise the hero neutrality and offer the aid of Irish elves. The saints share humorous revelations about their earthly lives, proving to Max that human history is full of absurd mistakes. Judas confesses that his betrayal was merely a theatrical performance for the spiritual practice of stalking, and that a complete stranger was crucified.

The army of the dead reaches the shores of a warm sea. By sheer force of will, Max summons a harsh winter and freezes the saltwater lake. A huge crowd acquires skates, snowmobiles, and various aircraft, effortlessly traversing the icy wasteland. The dead’s air force is led by humanity’s finest pilots, among whom Hermann Göring stands out. Dorothea materializes fresh morning newspapers from thin air, and Poseidon, the lord of the seas, surfaces in an old submarine and accidentally flies straight into outer space.

Final in Karlshorst

The endless march ends where it began — on the deserted outskirts of Berlin. The sky descends ominously, the star constellations come to life and abandon their centuries-old positions, transforming into the glowing silhouettes of beasts. The monstrous wolf Fenrir appears. Instead of allowing him to fight Odin, Max simply incinerates the giant wolf with a powerful stream of green flame.

Then, from the void, the World Serpent emerges — an endless beam of impenetrable, tangible darkness, engulfing the roadside buildings and kiosks. Max makes no attempt to flee or attack it with magic. The commander utters a ridiculous cry, "Whoever loves me, follow me!" and strides straight into the monster’s black maw. Humans, elves, and Olympian gods fearlessly follow their extraordinary leader. The Serpent’s darkness cannot withstand the combined onslaught of living souls and crumbles into weightless flakes. The enchantment of the end of the world is shattered once and for all.

Back to the roots

Max’s army and the ancient gods joyfully dissolve in gusts of multicolored wind, departing for unknown other worlds. Earth remains safe and sound. Allah announces to Max that he is punished with eternal life on the saved planet and instantly returns him to a Berlin Mexican restaurant. The waiter hands the hero an old black coat and escorts him out into the frosty street.

It’s December 25th. Max loses his magical runes and boundless power, becoming an ordinary man once again. He works as a translator of Scandinavian sagas, correcting the mistakes of Snorri Sturluson. He strolls the streets, listening to the hoots of an owl — Athena in disguise — and patiently awaits a new encounter with his old all-powerful friends.