Chapter 4: Old Friends And Nine Realms
{Ariana's POV}
I smiled as I watched my little boy disappear over the horizon to the north. I wonder where and what he'll be doing? Well, if there is one thing I know for sure, its that Mael can take care of himself. Ignoring his insane rate of growth, his practically broken powers and his vast amount of experience should be more than enough to keep him safe.
I mean seriously, what is that crap?! Sunshine was broken enough, but adding on top of that Flash that he recently got and his incredibly powerful light manipulation that he called Ark, it's just crazy.
Too OP, please don't Nerf!
Ah, whatever, he's still a good kid. And as long as he doesn't stay out past nightfall, he should be fine.
I pushed open the doors to the Devouring Dragon and as soon as I stepped inside a loud voice boomed across the nearly empty pub. "Ariana, help me! Tia is bullying me!" Screamed a man with a dog-like head, a Jackal.
"Seriously," I ask, dumbfounded, my expression a perfect deadpan, "We haven't seen each other in centuries, and the first thing is 'help me'?" No wonder little Mael didn't want to come.
Yasaka giggled softly. "She has a point. Is this how you are with your fellow colleagues, Anubis?" She asked, shooting him a sideways glance.
"Of course not!" Annubis said, puffing out his chest. "We're probably worse." He finishes, a shit-eating grin on his snout.
"Pfft." That got Tiamat to laugh.
"To be fair," Anubis continued, "Can you blame us? Most if not all of us are always so swamped and…well neglected," He stumbled for a second, looking sad, getting sorrowful looks from the rest of us. "That we usually use our little get-togethers to chat, get drunk, and most importantly, bellyache about work." He finished with another grin, drawing laughs from each of us as he pushed away some of his problems.
I smiled. "Which makes this little get together all the more charming." I said, sending a fond gaze to each of them, getting some in return. I sat around the table that they reserved for this little get together, sitting across Yasaka and Anubis and beside Tiamat. "It is great to see you all again. I missed you guys."
"Come now Ariana," Tiamat huffed, "Don't get all sappy on us, we haven't seen you in forever!" She shot me a sly grin. "I heard that somebody had a kid~" She said teasingly, wiggling her pale-blue eyebrows.
My face flushed and I looked away, but I didn't deny it…
Anubis and Yasaka gasped, Anubis speaking first, "That's True?!" He all but shouted. "I thought that was bullshit! When that report slid across my desk, I thought one of my jackals got drunk on his coffee again!"
We all looked at him. He blushed slightly, or at least we think he did. "I try not to let them get their paws on coffee anymore, but it doesn't always work." He said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
I couldn't help it, I laughed. My earlier embarrassment was forgotten, and the other two joined me soon after. Even Anubis himself chuckled.
"Back on topic." Yasaka said, her smile wide and mischievous. "What's he like? And for that matter, why isn't he with you?" She asked. "A one-month old, if the rumors are indeed correct, can't be without their mother. I would know; I still remember what Kouno was like at that age." She sighed wistfully, looking into the middle-distance, her eyes becoming sad. "I am still saddened that Kouno no longer has her father, or I my husband."
I think I saw a few tears at the corner of her eyes before she quickly brushed them aside. "Anyways," She continued. "Tell us, and don't leave anything out."
I smiled at her and Tiamat, for even though she wasn't showing the same signs as Yasaka, I could practically feel the sadness rolling off her. I knew she didn't like talking about any of her children, the godly ones or the draconic ones. And I knew for a fact that she still missed Ddraig, no matter how much of a cheeky asshole he was, even after they separated upon their children's deaths.
After all, why else would she bug every one of his wielders if she didn't love him?
I squeezed Tia's hand under the table, giving her a gentle smile when she met my gaze, getting a slight upturn of her lips for my efforts. "Okay," I said, "Let me tell you about my little Mael…"
{Mael POV}
I kept one hand on the right wall as I wandered down the dark wooden hallway, feeling the warm wood beneath my fingers as I meandered my way through Yggdrasil. I thought that I'd be hopping from branch to branch, but this is much nicer.
"What do you intend to do while you traverse the Nine Realms, little lion?" Nimue asked, her tone both curious and relaxed, like she wanted to know but wouldn't mind if I didn't want to talk about it.
"It's quite simple, Nimue," I said, smiling softly. "I miss my friends, and while I know that no one can ever replace them, I still yearn for bonds like that once more." Nimue went silent, likely pondering my response. "I also kinda want to learn more magic," I said sheepishly, rubbing the back of my head. "I heard that they have a fascinating system here." I added.
"There it is," Nimue snarked, "That's the real reason, huh?"
I just rolled my eyes at the teasing tone and obvious sarcasm.
Suddenly, I paused. There was a faint hint of light up ahead, and after a few steps, I picked up on the faint crackle of electricity, like the kinds that were in those 'light bulbs' I had seen around town and in the library.
Curious, but cautious, I softened my steps and began to sneak towards the light. It got brighter the closer I approached, until I found myself at a door with a lamp hanging above the door frame, the source of the light. Scrawled across the door in messy hand-writing were a collection of runes.
I'm glad that I decided to learn the language before I came here, otherwise I would have been in trouble. The message said Ratatoskr's Room; Do Not Enter.
I furrowed my brow. Wasn't Ratatoskr the squirrel that lived upon the World Tree? I figured he'd have a burrow or something, but I guess I was wrong. I felt a rather strong aura on the other side of the door, so I knocked politely.
I waited a few minutes, but nothing happened, so I knocked again. Nothing. Frowning, and starting to get worried, I forewent manners and pushed the door open. The room that greeted me was rather…messy. Books were cluttered in a pile around a bookshelf, tours of what I think were 'video games' were stacked by what must have been their consoles, and oh boy were there a lot.
A bed was on one side of the room, sheets and blankets tossed everywhere, a couch in the corner by a TV. However, what took my immediate and full attention was the loud snoring coming from the middle of the room, a pile of pillows lay there and from within the pile came the snores and rather strong aura.
I glanced around the room again, before looking back at the snoring pile of pillows, I could see a squirrel tail with bright, glowing silver fur moving back and forth as who I'm guessing is Ratatoskr, slept.
I gave the squirrel buried under the pillows one last look and then approached the bookshelf. Picking up a book, Nimue spoke up in my mind, "Please don't tell me you're planning on stealing the poor creatures books?" She asked, exasperation clear in her tone.
I scoffed quietly. "Of course not," I whispered, putting the book back on the shelf. "I'm just going to clean up a bit. It's the least I can do after intruding on their home." I huffed, shocked that Nimue actually thought that he'd steal from the sleepy squirrel.
After putting the last book onto the shelf, I moved onto the bed. I swiftly made the bed, folding the excess blankets, and then placing them at the foot of the bed. Then I moved onto sweeping, gathering all the dust crumbs and trash from what seemed to be snacks and placing them into a pile. Putting the broom to the side, I called upon my power. "Ark." I intoned softly, causing a sphere of shining white energy to engulf the trash and disintegrate it into nothing.
After I was done, I realized something…the snoring stopped.
I turned around, my back now facing the pile of dust and garbage that was just reduced to scattered atoms. Surrounded by a pile of discarded pillows was a boy who appeared to be around fifteen years old with long, flowing silver hair. Small silver-furred ears were poking above the veritable waterfall of silver hair on his head, while a large bushy, silver tail twitched swayed from side to side. However, my focus was drawn to something else.
"Damn," I said aloud. "You're kind of ripped."
He just stared at me, his brain seemingly going through the process of rebooting. He blinked, then shot to his feet, eyes wide and a finger pointing at me in shock. "How in the deepest bowls of Helheim did you get in here?!" He shouted.
I blinked in turn. "Uh…I walked?" I half asked, half stated.
"That doesn't tell me anything!" He yelled, then his eyes seemed to roam around the room, seemingly only now processing its sudden cleanliness. "And did you clean my room?!" He screamed again.
I scratched the back of my head, smiling bashfully. "Yeah," I began, "When I happened upon your room on my path, I figured I'd stop by and say hello, maybe make a new friend, but when you didn't respond after the second or third knock, I got kinda worried and barged in." I chuckled, then raised a brow. "You're kinda a heavy sleeper, aren't you?" I asked, shooting him a curious look to go along with my sudden question.
He blushed slightly, but a moment later he seemed to forget his embarrassment as he asked another question. "That doesn't explain why you cleaned my room though." He said, coming back to his earlier question.
I noticed that he seemed to be done shouting, at least for now. "Yeah, I kinda just barged into your home. So while I had good intentions, it was still a rude thing to do, so I figured I could clean up a bit as an apology." I rubbed the back of my head with a sheepish laugh.
"Have I told you that you are adorably polite?" Nimue suddenly asked, causing me to blush slightly. I soon got myself under control as I focused back on Ratatoskr, who was looking at me with an odd expression plastered across his face.
"Has anyone ever told you that you are incredibly polite?" He suddenly asked. "Because you have got to be the most polite being I have ever met."
I blushed again, perhaps even harder than before, and laughed. "It's funny you say that," I began, getting a confused look from him in return. "The goddess in my head just said practically the same thing."
He just gave me an even more confused look than before! "Ah, I should probably explain, shouldn't I?" He nodded vigorously, his face a mask of pure intrigue.
Oddly enough, I got the distinct feeling that if I could see her, Nimue would have a cute little blush on her face. "You're imagining things!" She said quickly. Huh, guess I was wrong.
…
Ratatoskr, or as I now call him, Toski, and I were sitting next to each other on his couch. We were currently embroiled in a racing game that Toski called 'Mario Cart', and I must say, I am thoroughly enjoying myself. Maybe it's because Toski is a fun person to talk with.
Huh, I do believe I have made my first friend in this new life, apart from Nimue I mean.
"Damn, El," Toski said, calling me by his nickname for me, "Your life is so weird." I just nodded at that. I had just finished telling Toski about my past and previous lives, and its safe to say he was surprised.
I shot a red shell at Toski's character, which was Mario, while I, as Bowser, took first place. Toski cursed in Old Norse, roughly translating to 'Mother Fucker', whatever that means. I grinned at him, "Yeah, my life is fucking crazy. But I like how my new life is going so far, and while I miss my old friends, I wouldn't trade my mother or my two new friends for anything." I said, focusing back on the game as Toski had just passed me when I lost my focus.
"Two friends?" Toski asked, glancing at me from the corner of his eye as he spoke. "I thought this Nimue chick is the only one you have?"
I answered him as we continued the race, focusing on overtaking Mario as we approached the finish line. "Well yeah, Nimue is my first friend in this world, but you're the second one, right? Unless you don't want to be friends? Sorry, I kinda already considered you one, but if you don't want to, then that's fine." I said.
Suddenly Toski, who was piloting Mario, suddenly swerved at the last second, letting me overtake him and cross the finish line. I blinked, confused. I was certain that I was about to lose, so I turned to Toski, my eyes widening as I saw his face.
I dropped the controller in my hands. "Toski? Are you okay? You're crying?!" I said, checking him over, expanding my senses to make sure there are no attackers nearby, but as I did so, I sensed Toski's emotions. There was shock, joy, and pure happiness.
"Y-you consider me a friend?" He asked, a slight stutter in his words. "I've never had a friend before. No one likes me, I'm kinda a t-trash talker, so nobody likes or wants to h-hang out with me." He said, tears slowly falling from his eyes and rolling down his cheeks.
I smiled at him softly and gently pulled him in for a hug, the game going completely ignored. "Of course I'm your friend," I said gently, patting him on the back. "We've even given each other nicknames! I've read that that is a common practice among friends!" I continued cheerfully.
"R-right." Toski said, giving me a happy smile as I pulled back. Although the tears staining his cheeks kinda made it awkward.
"Well," I said, getting up and stretching, "I originally came here to see the Nine Realms, so what say you give me the grand tour, huh?" I asked him, he was still sitting on the couch but immediately hopped up when he processed what I said. "I need some exercise anyway," I continued with a smile, "So how about a race?" I asked.
He grinned. "You don't know what you're getting into El," Toski said confidently, as he brushed the leftover tears from his face. "I know mothers branches better than anyone else."
"Ohoh, somebody sounds confident," I shot back, egging him on to hopefully forget what happened a moment ago. "Let's see if you can back it up." I finished.
Toski ran towards the door, "Catch me if you can, loser!" The squirrel shouted over his shoulder as he hustled out the door. I chuckled as I followed after him.
"That was kind of you, Mael." Nimue said, causing me to smile.
"He kind of reminds me of a mix between King and Ban, and I also just didn't want to see a friend of mine looking like that. Not if I could help it.
"Indeed," Nimue said. "That is one of the things I love about you the most, little lion. Even though you have the Seven Deadly Sins within you, you are still so kind and just." Nimue finished, a small giggle accompanying her words, making me blush slightly.
Thank you, Nimue. I am glad to have a friend and partner like you. I could feel a warm, bubbly feeling emanating from Nimue's presence.
As I stepped through the threshold of Toski's room, I saw him waiting there for me. "Huh, I'm kinda surprised." I said, getting my friend's attention. "I would have thought you would have shamelessly helped yourself to the headstart I gave you."
Toski simply rolled his eyes. "Well I was going to, but then I realized we didn't discuss the finish line, much less how you would get there." He stated, putting extra stress on the point that I practically have no idea where everything is.
I shrugged. "I thought we would go simple," I said, stretching my limbs a bit more. "We'll be heading towards the highest branch, where Hrasvelgr dwells, right?" I asked, getting a nod so I continued. "Then we'll just head up. To make up for the fact that you know Lady Yggdrasil like the back of your hand, I'll compete by relying on the Grace of Flash and the Divine Speed that it provides to help me close the gap." I said, laying out my plan.
A look of realization spread across his face. "Ah, that makes sense. I assume that you'll just be heading up then?" He asked, and I nodded. "Then I'll share some advice, be careful." He stressed. "Mother's branches are ever changing and not always physical. So while I know you have wings and you're pretty good at sensing things, I want you to be careful as you go." He finished.
"Ahhh," I said, a teasing smile on my face, "Are you worried for me Toski? That's adorable."
He flushed, his pale cheeks turning red. "Sh-shut up!" He practically squeaked. "He calmed down a moment later, an exasperated expression on his face. "I just don't want to lose my only friend." I smiled at him, giving him a confident nod.
"Don't worry my friend! I wasn't the strongest man in the Seven Deadly Sins for nothing!" I exclaimed proudly. "I shall be fine!"
Ratatoskr rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah." He said, "Let's just go."
I got into a runners stance, my three pairs of pure white wings folded behind me softly. I glanced at Toski, "You ready, man?" I asked.
He glanced at me, his form shifting into a large, bipedal squirrel with glowing silver fur. I could feel a sort of Nature Aura flowing off him. "I was born ready." He said.
"Then let's go!" I shouted. A shockwave burst out as I drew upon the Grace of Flash to push my speed faster than should be possible with my current power level. I might as well use this time to train as well as sightsee and have fun.
As I rounded a bend in the natural corridor, I saw light ahead, smiling as I burst through it and steadied myself on the branch I was on. Stretching out below me was a beautiful meadow of flowers surrounded by the trees of a vast forest. I could see vast valleys and large cliffs in the distance. Rivers flowed through the picturesque landscape. "Beautiful." I said softly, drinking in the view from the branch I stood upon.
"Little Lion, aren't you forgetting something?" Nimue suddenly said.
My eyes widened. "Oh, shit! The race!" I shouted. I looked around and spotted a branch that seemed to slope upward. "Thanks Nimue!" I said, continuing on my way as I felt amusement and fondness emanating from Nimue.
As I continued my trek, I passed by many Realms. The cold, frosty plains of Nifleheim and the sweltering heat of the volcanoes that populated Muspelheim. They may seem inhospitable, but I found them stunning; two opposing sides of nature existing in harmony as neighbors, dimensionally speaking. Strangely enough, when passing through those two realms, I felt two different gazes upon me, both curious and slightly amused as I ran through the outskirts of their primordial domains. I paused when I noticed each of the gazes, and even though I knew I was in a race, I bowed and apologized for intruding upon their domains. I received an enchanting giggle upon the cold winds and a large bellowing laugh upon the heat waves respectively.
I'm assuming that they were Surtr and Sinmara, the primordial giants of fire and ice respectively, and while I didn't meet them personally I could tell even over such vast distances that the both of them were strong, far stronger than I was right now. I'd have to assume the state of The One, to have any chance against them as I am now. Because right now? I'd have a snowball's chance in hell at coming out on top of such a confrontation.
After passing through their realms, I entered the familiar wooden corridors of Lady Yggdrasil's branches. After a few minutes in which I ran for what must have at least been a hundred miles, I exited the wooden halls and I could see my goal before me, but I could also see two more things. The first being Toski, who was around thirty yards from the goal. I saw him glance over his shoulder and send me a mock salute. The second thing I saw was the glint of gold from the corner of my eye. Looking down I saw the golden walls of a beautiful city which could only be Asgard.
I can ogle at the beautiful city later, right now I have a race to win. Toski was about to pass the finish line, but I can't just let that happen, now can I? With a burst of even greater speed I put everything I had into my legs and ran. In half a second I was on Toski, in the next millisecond, I was pulling past him.
However, before I could cross the metaphorical finish line, I heard a booming voice. "WHO DARES?!" I had barely half a second to process that when a giant brown wall appeared in front of my face.
With an astounding force, the brown wall, which my brain helpfully informed me was a wing, slammed into me, sending me careening off the branch. I tried to catch myself by spreading my wings and flapping them, but it was to no avail.
"BEGONE!" The voice roared, "I BANISH YOU FROM MY DOMAIN!" And the next moment the winds around me gathered and condensed before slamming into me and sending me hurtling through the metaphysical branches of Yggdrasil.
There was only one thing I could think of as I felt myself falling, the winds abandoning me and pushing me further away from my friend and my goal…
"YOU DICK!" I roared as I fell.
I think I heard a "Hmph", as I said that. The last thing I saw before my vision went black was Ratatoskr's face. He was looking at my falling form in shock and fear, "Mael!" I heard him shout. And then the world went dark.
Chapter 5: The Roots of Yggdrasil
{Mael's POV}
"Uhgg…" I groaned, my eyes blinking open and staring above me at the…ceiling? How the hell is there a ceiling when I just fell from the top of a massive tree?!
Oh, right. Interdimensional bullshit. I ignored Nimue's melodic giggle as I rolled over and sat up. I glance at my new surroundings from above the lip of the small crater that I find myself in. The distant walls–at least I think that is what they technically are–are made of bound and intertwined roots, as if this whole, expansive chamber was naturally shaped from the depths of Lady Yggdrasil's deepest roots.
Glowing moss dotted the walls, giving the large space a natural ambiance that is both calming and slightly eerie. I also noticed a rather large pile of something that glittered in the distance. However, what truly took my attention, apart from the giant hole I made when I fell from the highest branch(sorry lady Yggdrasil) was the trunk that I landed beside.
For one, it was much smaller than it should be, it only had the diameter of a football field, give or take. This space seems to have originated from the trunk as it is in the very center of this massive space; I mean this room must have an area of several miles, cause it's huge. Probably more magic BS.
I paused, I learned a surprising amount of the local verbiage of cursewords from Ratatoskr, I hope mom doesn't think he's a bad influence.
I'm going off on a tangent. No, what truly took my attention was the thing that was encased in the tree, at least partly. What looked like the beings tail was slightly poking out, but the rest was within the trunk. It looked like it was being birthed from the tree herself but seemed to pause midway. Another fun fact; I'm quite sure that said creature was a dragon, it certainly looks like one. Which makes that glittering pile of something in the distance, likely the hoard.
And as far as I know, there are only two dragons in Norse mythology, and only one of them lives in the roots of Yggdrasil…
As soon as that thought crossed my mind, a deep, mighty roar echoed through the vast chamber. The pile of gold and jewels exploded and a massive, scaly black form erupted from the depths of the mountain of gold.
"Shit." I said simply.
"An apt description for this situation Mael." Nimue noted cheekily, her tone laced with thinly veiled sarcasm.
{Ratatoskr POV}
"What the fuck did you just do, you overgrown chicken?!" I screeched, my glare homing in on the so-called 'King of The Highest Branch'.
Said overgrown chicken snapped his beak and clicked his talons with annoyance. "You'd do well to watch your tone when speaking with me, rodent." He growled, his tone filled with menace.
"I'm going to speak to you however I want, you idiot!" I yelled back, my anger boiling over, preventing my usual reaction, which would be to run away screaming.
Hrasvelgr, for his part, looked positively stunned at my venomous response. After recovering from his shock, he raised an avian eyebrow. "Well, well, what's this? Normally any hint of a threat is enough to send you scurrying for the hills. Why the change, Ratatoskr?" He asked, his tone curious.
I still seethed with anger, but most of it was gradually shifting to worry over my friend. Yeah, Ratatoskr thought, he's my friend, my only friend. "For your information, you avian asshole," I sniped back, "He is my best friend, and if he's hurt I swear I will fucking skin you and turn your feathers into a cape!" I growled.
Hrasvelgr blinked his colossal eyes, before they narrowed at my threat. "Careful squirrel. I don't know what you or that strange creature were up to, but this is my territory, and I shall protect it." He said, looking down on me imperiously, "And since when do you have friends? You're too busy insulting everyone, why would anyone like you? Much less be your friend." The bird said with a scoff.
"It's a new thing," I said defensively. "And for your information, he is new to the realms. He's from Scotland, and came to sightsee before we hit it off." I said, turning away from the giant dick. "Not that it's any of your business." I added.
I began to sink into the wood beneath my paws to begin my search for my friend, but not before throwing one last insult and warning over my shoulder. "I hope you choke on your own hot air, Hrasvelgr. Oh, and by the way, he's Ariana's son."
Just as my head sank into mother's bark, I heard a rather audible gulp.
{Mael's POV}
I didn't have much time before the dragon appeared before me, suspicion in its reptilian eyes. The dragon itself, who must be Niddhogr, had a long, serpentine body covered with black scales that shined with a poisonous hue, it had a pair of sharp, bone-white horns on its head that pointed behind him. He had four legs that he currently stood upon, his impressive height loomed above me at least 60 meters, his maw slightly open with rows of gleaming, sword-like teeth barely visible through the foggy, poisonous miasma that came from his throat. His tail was about 60 feet of scaled strength that ended with a barb at the end.
My eyes flickered briefly to the system box that floated above his head, the text a poisonous, sickly green.
[Niddhogr, The Dragon of The Roots
Power Level: 80,000]
My gaze focused back on the dragon as its maw opened a bit wider and he spoke, "What are you doing in my domain, little snack." He asked, his tone filled with annoyance and a slight bit of amusement.
My eye twitched. "First of all," I said. "I am no one's snack." I said, my voice becoming a bit firmer as I addressed the dragon's way of referring to me, the dragon's eyes narrowing. "Secondly," I continued. "I fell here by accident. It's that dumb pigeon's fault" I stated, muttering the last part under my breadth as I gestured to the crater around me that my body made when I fell.
The dragon glanced at the rooty ground around me, now noticing the humanoid crater. "And where did you fall from, not snack." Niddhogr growled out, smirking at its 'clever' turn of phrase.
I scoffed at the dragon's words, which got a threatening growl in return which I promptly ignored. "If you must know," I said, my tone unwelcoming. "I fell from the highest branch. It's my first time in the Norse Realms, you see, and I wanted to sightsee. So my friend and I had a race to see who could make it to the Highest Branch first, but that bitch of a bird blew me off." I said, muttering the last part under my breath.
Niddhogr blinked, then a rumbling sound came from his gut, a chuckle at my expense, which quickly developed into full blown laughter. I frowned at the laughing dragon, my anger slowly building beneath the surface. "And who," The dragon said, still slightly chuckling, "Would be stupid enough to race to the bird king's territory?" The dragon asked, its deep voice amused and dripping with mockery.
Trying to keep my cool, clenching my fist tightly, I answered. "That would be my new friend Ratatoskr–" I tried to say, but was interrupted by the large dragon.
"Friends?" The dragon that I'm quickly learning is nothing but a giant asshole, asked. "Is that a joke? That dumb rodent has no friends! He's nothing but a shameful coward who's only good at running away and running his mouth!" Niddhogr roared in laughter.
I went silent, my snowy white bangs covering my eyes, as the dragon wiped a tear of laughter from one of his large eyes with a sharp talon. "You amuse me, little snack," the dragon said magnanimously, "I shall allow you to lea–!" The dragon began to say, but was interrupted as roots reached up from the ground wrapping around his limbs, preventing him from moving. Before he could process what was happening a thunderous blow connected with his scaly cheek, making Nidhogg's head snap to the side from the sheer force, a shockwave erupting from the force.
I landed back on my feet, my fist smoking, the roots retreating, as Niddhogr slowly turned back to face me with an incredulous look on his draconian face. "Don't you ever, and I mean ever, speak about him like that again." I growled, wrathful fury written across my face as my lips pulled back into a snarl. Roots covered in thorns waving behind me, a burning halo of solar energy appearing above my head.
The dragon was still stunned, and I took the chance to examine my own current power level.
[Mael, The Will of Chaos
Power Level: 75,000]
I grimaced. High Noon passed a little while ago, I thought grimly, I'm only going to get weaker from here on out.
I focused back on my opponent as he roared, finally overcoming his shock as rage overtook his features. "You will pay for that, mortal!" Niddhogr roared in fury. He lifted his right front leg and swiped at me, aiming to shred me with his sharp claws.
I jumped into the air, slipping through the gap between his claws as I pulled my fist back, condensed solar energy gathering around it. "This is what you get for insulting my friend, asshole! Helios Flare!" I roared, slamming my fist into his face once more, the gathered and condensed solar energy exploding outward on contact into a beautifully deadly corona of solar heat, melting the dragon's scales to slag.
Niddhogr roared in outrage and pain. The dragon showed his experience by not letting the pain distract him, instead he brought up his left claw this time and smacked me away from him. A bit of blood flew from my mouth at the force, feeling as if Ban just socked me in the face after using his Hunter Fest, my ribs creaking and groaning at the force.
I swiftly spread my wings, the pearly white appendages splayed behind me as I flapped them once to balance myself in the air. I swiftly spotted my adversary, standing in his place as he held his clawed hand(?) up to his face. A sickly green magic circle appeared on the tip of his talon and the wound gradually started to heal.
Huh, I realized, that must be the color of his mana.
The dragon glared at me warily, its slitted eyes narrowed in cautious fury, but then his eyes took in my wings and his slitted pupils widened. "Uriel?" The dragon muttered softly, but then his eyes narrowed. "No, it is similar to that scorching pain, but it lacks the pure holy element. No this was more like the solar energy of that decrepit old fool Ra, or that buffoon Apolo. That isn't even mentioning the pure nature energy you emanate, just like a god with a domain in nature or life…" The dragon focused on my face as he pondered his findings on my unique existence. He stared at me intently, as if trying to pick me apart with his eyes. "Who are you boy?!"
"So you can use magic, huh?" I asked aloud. "That's annoying, but it's fine. And for your information I am Mael, The Will of Chaos, Son of Ariana!" I stated proudly, a bloodthirsty grin slowly spreading across my face. "Remember it! For it will be the name of the one who sends you to hell!" I shouted, my wings beating with a powerful rhythm as I shot towards him. My speed boosted to obscene levels thanks to the Grace of Flash and my own physical prowess.
My fingers on my right hand flattened into a point as my arm was coated in the power of Ark, the pure, blistering power of the Goddess Clan's famous light power covering my right arm up to the shoulder in a blade of pure white light. While my left hand opened, a miniature sun formed in my palm.
I willed some of the roots to rise and wrap around any part of the dragon that it could, slowing him down by any amount that it could. I could feel my stamina drain slightly to feed the nature manipulation.
I hope Lady Yggdrasil won't mind, but just in case…
I'm sorry, but I need to borrow some of your roots. I sent toward Yggdrasil, getting what felt like an exasperated sigh, but a moment later, the roots stopped fighting against my control.
I'll take that as a reluctant allowance. Thank you. I replied.
As I reached the dragon, I stabbed forward with my shining blade towards the dragon's chest and simultaneously shot my left hand up, aiming the Cruel Sun at his face in a pincer attack.
{Third Person POV - The Devouring Dragon}
"All I'm saying is that every faction has their idiots, assholes, and weirdoes." Annubis stated, pausing for a moment to pour more alcohol down his throat, some of it missing as he was a bit drunk and rolling down his snout and cheeks. "I mean we Egyptians have my asshole of a father, Set," He turned towards Yasaka next, "Then you guys have Soosano, that pompous jerk, and your countless squabbling Kami. And don't even get me started on Amaterasu, everybody knows that she's a neet." Yasaka opens her mouth, ready to protest, but quickly shuts it and remains silent.
Anubis continues, "In all honesty, you and Izzy are the only ones who are even relatively normal! And do I have to even mention the Mesopotamians?" He asks rhetorically, glancing at Tiamat.
Tiamat shrugs. "I'm not going to deny it. They're weird and dumb. They may be my children, but that doesn't mean I'll make excuses for their foolishness. At least the ones that are left." She states sadly. Anubis winces but nodded along emphatically with his point before then turning towards Ariana.
Ariana shrugs as well, sharing a laugh with Tiamat as their gazes meet. "The Celts are weird-weird and the Norse are muscle-headed weird. I'm, like Tia, not going to make excuses for them. And out of the Greeks? The only one I really stay in contact with after Zeus tried to hit on me is Hades. I love visiting Hades and Persephone, they are so cute." Ariana sighed fondly, thinking of the bubbly goddess of the Underworld. Tiamat and Yasaka give Ariana kind smiles while Anubis raises his glass, giving her a 'hear hear'.
Ariana's face turns thoughtful. "Actually," she began getting the other three's attention, "Mael should be among the realms of Yggdrasil right now. He said he wanted to explore, so I decided to let him spread his wings a bit." She finished, giggling a bit at the unintended pun.
"Ah! So the kiddo is getting out there! I just hope he doesn't run afoul of anything nasty." Anubis says, raising his mug once more.
Yasaka gives Ariana a worried look, "Will he be okay," she asked. "I mean, he's too young isn't he?" She asked, giving the other two worried glances.
Ariana just scoffed, "He'll be fine. That boy is absolutely broken, and as long as he doesn't stay out past sunset, or run afoul of any gods, then I'm not going to worry." She states flippantly, waving her hand in dismissal.
"But," Tiamat begins, pausing slightly. "There are some dangerous things wandering Yggdrasil. Ancient creatures, giants, and as you said their surplus of gods, those of Asgard and Vanaheim."
"Yeah," Anubis chimes in. "The Norse faction is no joke, they aren't exactly in their prime since Odin stepped down and handed the title of king to Vidar, but that doesn't mean that they can't still throw down with the other major pantheons. I meant it when I said I said he was going out there…" Anubis says, his words causing a bolt of worry to shoot through Ariana at the idea.
"Alright," Ariana admits, "I'll check on him, I don't want him to get hurt after all." She says, her tone slightly anxious.
Ariana casts her gaze towards the Norse realms and Yggdrasil, feeling her natural bond with her son as a vibrant strand of power and life. After a few moments, she begins to pull back, he seems okay, it's steady and everything. However, just as Ariana is about to pull back completely, her heart skips a beat as the cord pulses with pain, showing that Mael was just injured, and quite heavily at that, if his life force fluctuated that much.
Fear shoots through her, "Oh, no…" she mutters the cold hand of fear grasping her heart.
{Mael POV}
Ow, that hurt. I glanced up, my eyes meeting the maw of sharp, poisonous teeth poised to swallow me. Thinking quickly, I shove myself to the side, dislodging myself from the hole in the wall that Niddhogr made with my body, but not before leaving a little present behind me.
Instead of slamming into me, Niddhogr slams face first into a core of condensed plasma that reacts violently to the angry dragon hitting it, causing it to destabilize and subsequently explode in an eruption of roaring solar fire.
"Gahhh!" The dragon shrieks, his rage and pain making the very air vibrate. Niddhogr notices too late, consumed by his own pain as he is, that I had stopped and began gathering my magic.
My gathered magic manifested as thunder clouds above the colossal dragon, the smell of ozone filling the air as a figure of pure, bright blue lightning burst forth from their crackling depths, a hammer of solidified lightning within the constructs grasp.
"Mjolnir's Judgement!" I intoned, as the figure threw its hammer at my foe. By invoking the name of the spell and aligning it with the legend of Thor wielding Mjolnir, I was able to give the spell an added weight, so to speak.
The spell crashed into the dragon, sending the poisonous dragon of legend sprawling across the ground.
The dragon slowly got to his feet as the figure disappeared and the light of his magic once more worked to heal the damage, but at a noticeably slower pace. Ugh, this is getting me nowhere! I thought in annoyance as I watched Niddhogr once again finish healing himself with his magic. I've got to stop him from using that, or I'm screwed! I dodged to the side as the dragon's giant scaled arm smashed into the floor of its home, shattering the ground and sending shards of splintered wood flying. That or end this in one strike.
I glanced at the glowing panel in the corner of my vision, showing my slowly decreasing power level. It currently rested at 68,000; which was good, but it had nothing on the dragon's 80,000. And my stamina was another problem. I had a lot, especially after all my recent training and leveling up, but I've been throwing out large attacks, and my reservoir of energy is colossal, but sadly not infinite.
Ugh! I grouched mentally, Why is it always dragons that are pains in the ass?! First it was gods, now I'm starting to think my luck with dragons is just as bad as my luck with deities!
"There is no need to worry, little lion," Nimue's voice said in my ear, "Focus on the fight. I shall keep an eye on your power level and alert you when things change. Just keep your focus." Nimue said firmly, giving me a measure of confidence and reassurance as I dodged another swipe of Niddhogr's spiked maul that he calls a tail. "However," she continued. "You must figure out something soon, else you pass the point of being able to keep up with your foes movements. Dragons are fearsome foes, there is a reason that they are commonly referred to and treated as natural disasters, for they are the wrath of nature incarnate. Currently, the only things keeping you alive are the Grace of Flash and your years of battle experience. Soon, though, the gap between yours and the dragon's capabilities will be far too vast for that to save us." Nimue finished gravely.
Thanks Nimue, I thought back, receiving an acknowledging hum in response.
"Enough of this!" Nidhogg hissed, his anger evident as it blazed in his draconian eyes. "I will melt you until there is nothing left!" As soon as he finished, he began to draw in air, his throat bulging and expanding like a frog's when it ribits.
"Oh shit." I muttered, my eyes widening. I have no time to dodge, so I'll just brace for it! I started by summoning a dense wooden shield of roots from the floor to act as a shield. I then held my arms before me, calling upon my goddess side, and their famous light. Light erupted forth from me, surrounding me in a diamond shaped construct of crystalized Ark.
"Sorry, Ludociel, but I'm borrowing this!" I shouted, invoking the name of the technique as Niddhog's maw opened unnaturally wide, miasma spewing out. "Sanctuary!"
I held my arms out to more easily channel the energy needed to stabilize my protective barrier as Niddhog's miasma washed over it. Before it reached me, on the rooty floor of the dragon's home, I saw the effects of its famous poison. Where the poisonous fumes touched, life died. The roots of Lady Yggdrasil, that the dragon called home disintegrated; unable to stand against the mythical poison. Hell, the very air seemed to recoil at the vile substances' presence.
Next came my wooden shield. It held…for about half a second! Until it, to, disintegrated.
Niddhog's miasma impacted my Sanctuary, and the miasma that seemed to destroy all in its path, halted, unable to breach the area that I safeguarded. Niddhog, seeing this, narrowed his eyes; and as he continued to spew his poisonous breath, a magic circle appeared behind him and glowed brightly before fading. I was confused at first, until I saw the cracks that started to form on my Sanctuary.
My eyes widened. That bastard! I shouted mentally, He used his magic to increase the potency of his already busted poison! Are you kidding me?!
As I panicked at the spreading cracks in my barrier, my eyes narrowed, because I thought I could hear laughter through the storm of poisonous gasses. "Mael." I heard Nimue call, her voice dousing my raging anger, "Your power, like all things, requires a clear picture." Nimue explained quickly. "You just wanted this Sanctuary to protect you, yes?" She asked, and I nodded, sweat starting to bead at my brow as the effort of maintaining the barrier drained my strength. "That is too broad." She continued, "If this is poison, then don't just shield against it. You must also purify it! For even the strongest of shields can be weakened by rust."
My eyes widened, piecing together the picture my partner painted for me. I concentrated on the makeup of the Sanctuary, and imagined imbuing it with the ability to repel gasses but also simultaneously purify them, like water turning to steam when it encounters a raging fire. After that, I then turned to my Fae side, and its domain over life. With a deep breath, I pictured King's Pollen Garden ability, and its purpose; imbuing those it protected with protection and life, enough of both to overcome nearly all odds!
The cracks in my Sanctuary, while they didn't heal, they stopped spreading; the combination of purifying light and pure life energy served to stop my Sanctuary's degradation. Niddhog noticed immediately, narrowing his large eyes, but continued to attack regardless. While the drain on my reserves didn't disappear, the added strain did, allowing me to think on my current predicament.
I'm deep in Lady Yggdrasil's roots, I thought. And while I'm holding my own that won't last. I looked past my conjured shield at the dragon bearing down on me. I must beat him. I refuse to die here, especially to someone like this asshole. I won't leave my new friends or my mother. I swore, my resolve growing stronger than adamantium.
How much breath does this big bastard have?! I thought, shocked.
I focused back on the dragon through the dense, poisonous fog, There's no other way. I grimaced and then proceeded to channel all my will, my determination to beat this bastard, and every ounce of power that my body had accumulated from the Grace of Sunshine. A brightly glowing star appeared above my hand before I grabbed it and crushed it in my fist.
That action caused a shockwave of power to be released, shattering my nature infused Sanctuary— my Nature Sanctuary if you will—from within and dispelling Niddhog's breath in one fell swoop. The dragon closed its maw, its eyes widening in what might have been a hint of fear, but that and its survival instincts were drowned out by his overwhelming fury. "What do you think you're doing, boy?!" He roared, his maw of razor sharp teeth baring in fury.
"What I have to." I snarled. Niddhog's magical power swelled as he poured every bit of mana that he had into a powerful shield that could probably protect him from getting smacked in the face with Mt. Everest. That is just how much magical energy he poured into it.
I got into a low stance, grounding myself as my clothes disintegrated from the heat, my left arm steaming."This is my first time testing this out, tell me what you think, yeah?!" My stance was rock solid, I was good to go. My arm pulled back my palm facing towards my target, and I thrusted it forward. I used the Grace of Flash to enhance the power of the strike with the crackle of twisting lightning and the sheer inertia from the godly speed.
"Taste my Final…" I started, shooting toward Niddhog and the shield he cowered behind. "Nova!" I roared as my strike approached his barrier, my hand opening mere inches from its surface, releasing my hold over the explosion that I had contained with the shackles of my will.
All of that energy had nowhere to go but out, and thus it erupted in a magnificent halo of scorching destruction. My vision was filled with light as Niddhog's barrier was shredded in an instant.
{Ratatoskr POV}
Running across a branch of Yggdrasil, currently cutting through Muspelheim as I continued my search for my friend. Falling from mother's highest branch means that he could be anywhere in the Nine Realms, which sucked.
I froze in place. I sensed it; Mael's power, building up from the very depths of Yggdrasil's roots, reaching absolutely obscene levels.
I sensed the moment that Surtr noticed it too, his weary gaze extending beyond his realm, and if we could sense it, every half decent mage in the Nine Realms could too. And for everyone else? Well they most certainly felt the rumbling BOOM that reverberated throughout every single one of my mother's branches.
From the golden halls of Asgard to the ice-covered crags of Helheim, every resident of the Nine Realms felt it, the shaking. That is a feat in and of itself, seeing as the realms aren't connected physically. Mael's strike, because it couldn't be anyone else, reverberated through dimensions.
Bursting into movement once more, I shot towards the entrance of one of my shortcuts to the roots, ignoring the gaze of Surtr as I felt it land on me. I don't know what he's fighting, or even if I'd be any help, but I also knew for damn sure that I wouldn't leave my new best friend hanging.
{Odin POV}
I sat alone in my chambers in the palace of Asgard, gazing at the picture of my deceased wife that I held in my left hand, and nursing the mug of mead that I held aloft in my right. I didn't currently look as my fearsome reputation suggests. I may be the Great God of War, but that spark that I had in the old days died with my wife during that blasted war.
I was thrilled when that war came about. I saw it as an opportunity to revel in war once again, as is my nature. So when the bats, pigeons, and crows began their so-called 'Great War', I indulged to my heart's content. I led my armies across battlefields, reveling in the slaughter and the victories, for as I led the charge I knew that my wife, my Frigg, the 'All-Mother' would protect our kingdom as she had done countless times in the past.
So when I received word that Asgard was attacked, I made note of it before returning to the battlefield. I can't help but curse myself for doing so now. When I returned from my campaign expecting my beautiful wife to welcome me home, I was left wanting. It wasn't till later that I heard she lost her life in battle, defending Asgard from attack.
After that, I couldn't be a king, not anymore, not when every decision reminded me of her. So I passed on the crown and left, searching for new meaning, and never forgetting the horrors that war can inflict even on a god of war.
I sighed. I've only really come back to Asgard in recent days to give my boy Vidar, who is now king, some advice on the stance he should take regarding certain matters brewing in the world.
Raising my mug to my lips I took a swallow of mead and then proceeded to spit it out as I sensed the overwhelming power originating from…somewhere. I looked down in shock, not at the floor of my room or even the ground upon which Asgard stands, my one eye looked deeper, towards the very roots of the world tree as said tree shook from a massive explosion.
My eyes narrowed as I thought over the situation. Coming to a decision, I stood from my armchair and set my mug down, grabbing my trusty partner Gugnir that was currently in the form of a walking stick. I strode towards the mantle of my fireplace and set the picture of my wife down upon it. I gave her smiling face one last melancholic smile and turned towards the door.
It seems that things are getting interesting again.
{Ariana POV}
"I need to go!" I said quickly, shooting to my feet and running towards the door.
"What happened Ariana?" Tia asked me, her posture tense as she narrowed her eyes.
"Yeah, what's up? Did something happen?" Anubis asked, sobering up in an instant, getting to his feet as well. Yasaka just silently got to her feet and walked towards me, giving me a nod, the nod of a fellow mother.
I turned to the other two, "It's Mael." I said simply but quickly. "He's injured and most likely fighting something. And if it's something capable of hurting my son once, who is naturally at the level of a top minor god, then it's something dangerous." The other two quickly followed after Yasaka and I as I finished. I pushed the door open, not paying attention to anything other than my son's life force.
"Where?" Tiamat asked, knowing we'd understand.
"Somewhere in the Nine Realms, he wanted to go exploring, remember?" I said impatiently, biting my nails slightly as my mind raced.
Tia nodded and turned to Anubis. "You still pop in to see Hel once in a while, yes?" She asked, getting the rest of us to realize that as a death god, Anubis has the occasional meetings in other deathly realms, so he may have a swift way to reach the Norse realms through his connection to the Queen of Helheim.
He nodded. "Of course. It's just that we'd need to follow the proper protocols," he said, the others opening their mouths to argue as my face fell, realizing that there were regulations for visitors to places like Helheim, especially if said visitors were as strong as us. However he continued, "But fuck it. This is an emergency, and if Hel has a problem she can file the paperwork." He finished with a cunning smile. Snapping his fingers, Anubis used his power to transport us to the Norse Underworld.
With a flash we disappeared and a moment later we reappeared in a cold room with black, marble columns that towered over us. "This is practically the foyer of Hel's palace. She lets me stay here on occasion when we go out drinking and I'm to hammered to get home." Anubis explained, opening his mouth to continue, when a necrotic green portal tore open before us, a beautiful, raven haired woman stepping out, her emerald green eyes piercing as they took us in.
She wore a midnight black dress that hugged her hourglass figure in all the right ways. Her raven hair spilled down her back like a curtain of spun shadows, her beautiful face currently marred by a frown. "What are you doing in my palace? How did you even–oh it's you, Anubis." She began but stopped when she saw our jackal headed companion.
"Good to see you too, snowflake." Anubis said in a jovial tone, getting an adorable little huff from her in return. "However, this isn't a social call." He continued, Hel's gaze becoming serious once more. "We're here to find her," he gestured to me, "son."
The goddess turned her gaze to me, her eyes widening when they met mine.
"She's–" Anubis tried to say but was interrupted.
"I know who she is." Hel interrupted him, getting a pout from the jackal headed god. "Someone so closely tied with death like me, can recognize those so closely tied with life." She said simply, her gaze not leaving me.
I gave her a nod, and then we all froze. For at that moment, we felt it, the massive build-up of power and then the explosion that followed mere moments later.
A single word left my lips, breaking the silence that had descended. "Mael…"
"It came from the roots, let's go!" Anubis barked, snapping us out of our daze. Then we moved.
{Mael POV}
I groaned, my eyes blinking open and taking in the root covered ceiling, getting the oddest feeling of deja vu. Then I remembered what happened. The fall, the fight, the poison, and the final blow, or at least what I hoped was the final blow.
I stood up, wincing in pain, and looked down at myself. I was not left unscathed from such a powerful attack, in fact, my entire left arm was just gone, reduced to atoms as the price for such a powerful finisher. Apart from that, the skin on my left side was raw, and burning, and oh yeah, I'm naked.
Even looking like I was just dunked in lava, I still look damn good. I'm still ripped. But enough about that. I looked at my surroundings, finding myself in a crater, again. But as I looked around, there was no dragon.
"Oh thank fuck…"
I sighed in relief and fell on my ass. "Oh, I feel like shit…" I muttered. "I wonder what rewards I got for that kick ass fight?" I wondered aloud, and even though I was not exhausted, and by all rights shouldn't be conscious, I rubbed my hands together in exhausted excitement.
However, just before I could answer the question: 'What Did I Get?', my head snapped up as I heard…something. It sounded like…flesh being squished and shaped.
I turned around to face the source and groaned. It was the dragon-tree-thingy. A new being was being pushed out from the dragon's tail that was sticking out from the tree, as soon as enough was free it fell off and began to take shape into the dragon I had literally just obliterated. I immediately scrambled back to my feet, calling on some roots from the ground to prop me up so I didn't immediately fall back over.
Overall it was a gross process to watch. After it was said and done, and the dragon opened its eyes, which locked on me once more, I couldn't help myself. "Did you just poop yourself out?" I asked the newly pooped dragon. I was genuinely curious.
Huh, wait a second, I thought, realizing that my words came out funny, and so I reached up to feel my pointed Faerie ears, realizing that my left one was gone. Ah man… I groaned mentally.
I focused back on the dragon as he blinked a few times, and then growled. "Leave." He said grumpily.
That was all he said to me before he turned around and made his way to his hoard, which was practically gone, seeing as we destroyed a lot during our fight and my Final Nova probably disintegrated a good deal more. He simply stepped onto the small hill of gold that remained and flopped down, seemingly no longer caring what I did.
I just blinked. "That's it?" I blurted out at the dragon's complete 180 degree change in personality.
The dragon just growled, closing his eyes, his breathing returning to normal.
I checked Niddhog's power level, and I got my answer.
[Niddhog, The Dragon of The Roots
Power Level: 20,000]
Huh, that's a big drop from 80,000. Must be the price of practically coming back to life, at least this fast. Then I glanced at my own power level.
[Mael, The Will of Chaos
Power Level: 10,000(20,000-power level cut from Status Ailment: Soul Drained/Slightly damaged)
Oh whatever, a small price to pay for not dying. The creaking of wood made me turn around, "Oh, what now?" I grouched, absolutely exhausted. Out from the hole in the roots came a silver bullet, which crashed right into me, knocking me on my ass.
"Oh, thank the Norns! You're not dead!" Ratatoskr shouted as he clung to me, making sure I wasn't dead.
"Yeah," I began, "But if you hug me any tighter, Toski, I might still kick the bucket." I wheezed.
He immediately dropped me. "Shit! You're right, my bad!" He said quickly and I just grinned at him and then my eyes rolled back and I fell on my face.
{Ratatoskr POV}
"Shit! Mael are you okay?!" I shouted. I will admit, I was kind of freaking out.
Then I turned to the scaly carpet that was flopped on his pile of gold, or at least what was left of it. "Did you do this, you Root Fucker!" I roared.
Said 'root fucker' just opened a single slitted eye and glared with it. Now normally that would have scared the crap out of me, but right now? I was too pissed to care.
The dragon just eyed me, evaluating me silently. Then he spoke, "I guess the little snack was telling the truth, you did make a friend, didn't you? How amusing." He then closed his eye, "Not that it matters. I'm too exhausted to deal with anything, take the boy and leave.
I just glared at him for a few more moments before scoffing and reaching down to pick up my friend. Just as I wrapped my arms around him, I sensed the blossoming of divine power.
I tensed, my head snapping over to it as Odin emerged from an intricate runic circle. His one eye scanning his surroundings cautiously, making note of the large amounts of destruction before his gaze fell on me and Mael. His gaze went from studying me for a few moments before moving to my friend.
His single eye widened as he stared at Mael, but then his expression turned grim. "What happened, Ratatoskr? Who is that, and what was that power I sensed a little while ago?" The god questioned quickly, approaching us in the blink of an eye as he examined Mael.
The old god propped open one of his eyes and examined his dilated pupils, rubbed his chin with a worried frown. "He has damaged and drained his soul." The All-Father's gaze turned to me, "Was it this brat who put out that massive wave of power?" He asked, though I had a feeling he already knew. I simply nodded.
Odin scratched his beard once again, seemingly deep in thought. "Alright," The old War God declared, "Let's take him to Asgard, we can treat him better than we can here." He said. I blinked, surprised that the All-Father would be so willing to help me of all people, and someone he'd never met.
Just as I was about to respond with a fervent 'yes' because Asgard can treat my friend far better than I could, I was interrupted.
"Yes, please," Niddhog grouched from where he lay, his eye opening once more, "Take the brat and leave, I'm tired of his—" before the dragon could finish, Odin slammed his walking stick which has now taken the form of a glowing gold spear, into the ground, his divine power billowing out in waves.
"Shut it, you overgrown alligator!" The god commanded, and the cowardly dragon shrunk back at the God of War's might. "Knowing you, you were the one to start this fight, so you've got no room to complain about how it ended! Am I understood?!" He roared, getting a fearful nod from the weakened dragon.
There's the Odin I'm more familiar with, I thought with amusement.
"Good." Odin grunted, his spear returning to a walking stick. He then turned his attention back to Mael and I. "Let's be off." He said simply, tapping his walking stick on the floor of the roots cavern, a runic circle flaring to life as we disappeared.
{Odin POV}
"Come squirrel," I said, gesturing to the single bed in the room we appeared in, "Let's place the brat on the bed." I finished, gesturing towards it and then lifting one of the strange boy's arms over my head to help the squirrel carry him.
Ratatoskr blinked, probably surprised by how accommodating I'm being, but I just ignored it as we moved the well-muscled brat to the single bed in the room.
As we set the kid on the bed, I turned to the room at large, surprise coursing through me as I realized whose room we were in.
This was Frigg's chamber. Well technically it's the room I had built after she passed. The massive bed chamber was decorated with keepsakes and paintings of my wife. Chief among them being the lock of her auburn hair rested on the mantle next to the painting that we had made on our wedding day. I felt a spike of pain in my heart as I looked at the
The cup, ribbon, and sword that we used to consecrate our marriage rested on the lone wardrobe in the room, bringing with it another spike of sadness and longing.
I glanced down at the young boy on the bed, my thoughts swirling. Why did I bring the brat here on instinct? I studied his face more intently, He kind of reminds me of her, that same stubborn streak that she had is what's keeping him from succumbing to his wounds. Interesting…
"All-Father?" The squirrel asked, breaking me from my reverie. I glanced at him, evaluating him and the curious, timid, but surprisingly firm expression on his face. "Are you going to call someone?" He asked.
I blinked, then cleared my throat. "Of course," I said, a small uncommon smile on my face as I glanced back at the brat on the bed. "Keep an eye on him, yeah? I need to make a call." I said, a magic circle appearing on my palm as I stepped away slightly.
I got a nod from Ratatoskr, and I gave him one in return as I focused back on my communication circle, but not before drawing a few runes into the air and binding them together, putting the boy in stasis so his condition, hopefully, doesn't worsen.
I focused back on the communication as the recipient picked up.
"Yes, Lord Odin?" Two different voices chimed simultaneously.
"Ah, Eir, Hel, I find myself in need of your expertise. I found an interesting young man in the roots. He was the cause of the explosion that rocked Yggdrasil; it seems he thrashed the cowardly alligator who lives down there. But that is neither here nor there." I paused, glancing down at the white haired, pointy eared brat on the bed, surrounded by my spell. "Anyway," I said, turning back to the call, "He's physically exhausted, his soul is drained and slightly damaged, and he's scorched and missing an arm. Healing isn't my forte, so I called the local experts." I finished, my tone rushed and grumpy, as has been the norm since Frigg passed.
"Also, we're in my wife's room, so come on over." I added. I could practically taste their surprise when I told them our location, seeing as I hardly let anyone in here, even my sons.
There was silence for a moment before two responses came in quick succession.
"Understood, All-Father, I am on my way." Eir said with a clipped tone, before she cut the connection.
"I am on my way, All-Father." Hel said, just as quickly. "I will be bringing a few guests. The boy's mother, a colleague of mine, and their friends sought me out when they became aware of the battle. I shall bring them along as well, with you permission." She said quickly. I just grunted in acquiescence.
I terminated the call and turned to Ratatoskr, "I called in some experts." I grunted.
He nodded, "I heard." He said simply.
I rolled my eye, "Cheeky little shit." I grumbled under my breath, hoping to alleviate the tense atmosphere.
The squirrel's ears twitched, signaling that he indeed heard me, but instead of rising to the provocation, he stayed still, watching his friend's face.
I made note of it, but didn't comment.
A few moments later, two different flashes of divine power flashed out and the room was suddenly populated. I turned towards them, opening my mouth to greet them, but before I could, a red haired blur shot past me rushing towards the bed, skidding to a stop as the fiery woman stopped and looked at the bed's single occupant. "My baby…" The woman whispered as she looked down at the brat on the bed.
{A Few Moments Earlier, Ariana POV}
With a flash of Hel's magic, we appeared in a rooted cavern many miles wide, the smell of burning wood, ozone, and toxic gasses permeating the air.
As we took in the devastation, a voice rang out, a deep and draconic one. "Oh, what now? Just let me sleep." It said in annoyance.
We looked towards the source and saw a black dragon with pitch-black scales, two bone-white horns, and two pairs of wings, sporting a serpentine body, that lay pitifully on a small hill of gold.
The dragon's eyes widened as he took us in and realized who we were. "Tiamat?" He asked, recognizing the aura of a fellow dragon, "What are you doing here?" He asked in confusion, taking the rest of us in as we stared at him, his eyes narrowing and then once more widening in…fear? As his gaze landed on me.
I put the pieces together in an instant. A mask of rage appeared on my face. "What did you do to my son?!" I roared as I shot forward, grabbing the dragon's scaly neck, my hand blazing with primordial fire.
The dragon's eyes widened further as it gasped in pain at the scorching heat that I focused upon his scales.
Just as I was contemplating disintegrating him, a hand appeared on my shoulder. I turned around to see Tiamat there, giving me a calm smile. "He's not worth it." She said softly, shooting the cowering dragon a glare of her own, before turning back to me. "Let's just find him." She said firmly.
"On that note," she continued, staring at her fellow dragon king, "Where is he?" She asked, a growl accompanying her words.
I felt the dragon gulp under my grasp before he answered. "I don't know." He said, but quickly continued as I tightened my grip on his neck, "But Odin took him and the squirrel when he appeared, saying that he'd get him treated. So I'd look in Asgard." The dragon forced out with a gasp.
"He's telling the truth." The voice of Hel rang out, getting our attention, "The All-Father just called Eir and I, saying that he needed help healing the one who caused the explosion." The Queen of Helheim said.
I dropped the weakened dragon king and rushed over to the goddess, "Healing?!" I screamed. "How is he?! Is he hurt?!" I asked, grabbing the beautiful goddess by the shoulders and shaking her.
"Odin just said that his soul was damaged, he's drained, and that he is badly burned, but he didn't say much more but for us to hurry." She explained, and held up a fading communication circle as proof as she was shaken back and forth.
Anubis grabbed Hel from me and steadied her, "Calm down Ariana, that means he's alive. Let's just hurry." Anubis said, turning to Hel, who nodded.
Snapping her fingers, the goddess whisked us away. Leaving behind an injured, enraged, and bewildered dragon king.
{Odin POV, Present Time}
I gave the woman worrying over the boy an evaluating glance before turning back to the room's other occupants. He'd know that ditsy woman anywhere. He rolled his eye at her antics, not that they weren't justified, but still.
"Eir, Hel, thank you for coming." I began, looking between the two goddesses, "Could you take a look at the boy? I don't want him to die under my roof, it'd set a bad precedent." I said, ignoring the glares, some shot my way at my words. "Also," I added, "He's a seemingly good brat. And, he showed courage and valor, like a true warrior, and as the patron of Valhalla, if there's anything I can respect, it's a warrior." I finished, shooting the boy on the bed, whose name I still haven't learned, a proud smile.
Everyone blinked in surprise at my change of tune and I just scoffed. "What?" I asked, "He did good for a kid less than a year old." I grumbled, my words getting surprised looks from the two goddesses who had moved over to check on the boy.
Everyone else took it in stride though, so I guessed that they already knew.
I then turned my attention towards Ariana. "It's been a while, Ariana." I began getting her attention, "You should be proud. He did pretty damn good, for a kid, against an ancient dragon king." She gave me a nod, and I took that as my cue to dispel my magic and let the goddesses get a read on his condition.
I turned towards Ratatoskr, "Hey squirrel." I called, getting his attention. I held out my hand, conjuring a few wooden chairs with a spell, and gesturing towards them. "I assume you want to wait for your friend to wake up, yeah?" I asked.
I got a surprised blink that made me scoff. Why does everyone look at me like that when I'm being nice? I grouched.
I passed the Squirrel of The World Tree, one of the chairs and turned to the other three people. "Here. One for the jackal and one each for the sexy dragon, the sexy fox, and the sexy phoenix." I said, passing out the remaining chairs, getting scoffs from the god and dragon and a giggle from the Yokai Queen. I then plopped my old bones on my own chair and looked at the boy as the goddesses fussed over him, casting spells and evaluating his condition.
"What in the pits of my cold queendum did this hot guy— I mean boy—do to himself?!" Hel said suddenly, her beautiful emerald eyes widening as she met Eir's gaze from across from her as said Valkyrie-turned-goddess treated the physical side of the brat's wounds.
I just chuckled at the kid's grit, along with little Hel's slip-up. Now that would be an interesting couple. I mused. Plus, snowflake needs to get over my son, my thoughts continued. I don't think he's ever going to love again. I thought sadly. That is something I never wished to experience myself, much less let any of my sons feel the same pain.
Eir, for her part, gave a worried frown and a half shrug of her shoulders before going back to her work.
My gaze suddenly moved to the Egyptian brat as he moved his chair closer, beside his fellow death god. "Here, let me help." He said softly, his hands glowing with the light of his divinity as he aided the two goddesses in the boy's treatment.
Ariana shot him a thankful glance, and he gave a nod in return. After the brief exchange, the phoenix went back to fussing over her son's face, the room descending into silence once more.