Victory, wrath, vengeance, defeat, justice…all delivered with one blow. My oath fulfilled, a great evil foiled…I have quite the tale to tell.
When I left off we were about to send the exploding trucks in. It worked as we intended, throwing the camp into disarray. I came to earth like a thunderbolt, Grimmur Klærnar delivering a powerful blow to the leader. My next two strikes, however, did little as the giant appeared to activate divine body armor. His own attacks were laughably ineffective, as he was unable to so much as make contact. And bullets from the remaining guards whined off my own armor, all but one or two finding it as unyielding as any rock face. Curiously enough, the damage from those that did make it through healed almost instantly. The giant then taunted me, but I paid little attention to what he said as I noticed flames from the explosion approaching a box of munitions.
Cindy seemed to see it as well, and her warning split the air a fraction of a moment before mine. But there were only seconds to act by then, so I acted to protect my allies. I could get to two. Kennedy was focused as she peered down her scope and did not seem to hear Cindy’s warning, and Lexi could not take the punishment that the rest of us could. Though a part of me seemed particularly concerned at the thought of them coming to harm, for reasons I cannot explain. Perhaps a portion of the reason for my decision was my conscious mind attempting to justify the subconscious compulsions?
Regardless, I caught each by the waist as I desperately flew away, putting as much distance between the three of us and the blast as I could. Then at the last second I dropped to earth, curling myself protectively around the girls. Perhaps the increased mass that my latent Jotunblut gave me upon awakening is a blessing after all.
As the blast went off I could feel the ammo slam against my back, along with the almost comforting warmth of flames which I was lucky to be immune to. But the bullets did their damage, reducing my clothes to ribbons and punching holes through me. Thankfully, that accelerated healing seemed to work once more and soon enough I was unwounded. Lexi and Kennedy seemed mostly unharmed. Curiously enough, in Kennedy’s case, she had unmarred skin beneath damaged clothing.
Then I plunged back into the flames that engulfed the clearing to determine the fate of the rest of the Band. Claire was seemingly caught on the outskirts and escaped, whilst Cindy strode out from the heart of the flames without seeming any worse for the wear. I wonder if those two have also gained the gift of healing that I found affecting me? Kennedy’s wolf, Rufus, bounded from the flames as well. Leaving only Andrew missing, of him I could find only shredded clothing and his Book of Thoth.
I could feel worry seize me immediately, but the rash thoughts were chased from my head for now. I saved the book from the fire, then flew Cindy over to regroup with the rest of the girls. Once there, Lexi consulted with fate and learned that Andrew was within the mines. And I was able to expand my connection with the Earth, slamming my hand to the ground and sensing the vibrations that ran through it. It allowed me to map the tunnels that ran through the area, and locate the room that held the gate that was our objective.
With the flames still raging around the entrance, it was necessary for me to fly the women to the mine entrance. Which brings me to why things were a bit…awkward. While I may have shielded Lexi and Kennedy; Cindy, Claire, and myself had our clothing all but destroyed in the blast…leaving us naked. I did my best to maintain eye contact, at all times…which was difficult. Though it also let me see where their eyes were. Claire seemed to be doing her best not to stare, as I was. And Lexi seemed to be doing her level best not to look at anyone. Cindy, however, seemed to be sneaking glances at Claire. I think Kennedy snuck peaks at several of us. I’m certain she checked me out at least once…and swear I saw her smirk afterwards.
And I am certain that I blushed as they all piled on me to get flown to the entrance. Especially as Kennedy climbed onto my back and wrapped her legs about my waist. I am certain I blushed at that point, though with luck my armor kept it from view. It was certainly awkward…though, all told, I can hardly complain. Especially since none of them can be considered unattractive.
But we made it to the entrance without trouble, and then I lead them into the mines. No resistance was encountered as I quickly lead everybody to the gate, where we were confronted with two doors. One was giant-sized, the other sized for a human. One blow sent it flying open to reveal a Norse feasting hall of enormous proportions. Only four individuals were within. Three frost giants in fine armor faded from my awareness almost instantly as my gaze fixated upon the last individual. I knew instinctively that the Svartalfar was none other than Rigvar.
My rage re-ignited in an instant as I lifted off from the ground, determined to see my oath fulfilled. I brought myself in an arc, planning to come down behind the giants to confront my oath sworn foe. Lexi, Freya bless her, stepped forward and caught Rigvar’s attention fully. He appeared prepared to engage her in conversation, and completely lost track of the imminent violence. That is rarely a forgiving mistake. Claire actually struck first, her bullet striking him in the shoulder. But he seemed unharmed.
I fixed that.
I screamed an inarticulate cry of rage I could hardly hear for the blood pounding in my ears as I crashed to earth. And as I reached him I swung. Into that one blow I channeled all my frustration, my rage, the bloodlust that had been incited in me. I swung in defiance of all the forces that sought to pull me every which way, of the ancient evils that attempted to enforce their will upon the world. I struck to avenge my fallen Einherjar. I gave that one blow every last ounce of strength and determination I had, as I let Fate guide my swing. And I felt his skull fracture beneath Grimmur Klærnar as I connected with as devastating a blow as I’ve ever struck.
Rigvar was pounded back into the gate’s supports. He did not get back up. So I strode over and fulfilled my oath, finished him by tearing his head from his body. The three giants, at that point, lost all nerve and fled from the room only to run into the waiting spears of a squad of Valkyries. I was surprised to see them, but they did not immediately explain their presence, instead urgently warning that the gate must be removed soon to prevent Utgard-Loki from moving through the gate.
It snapped me back to the here and now, as I realized that Andrew had, at some point, entered the room and removed one of the gems embedded in the gate. Cindy removed the second, with the third at the apex of the arch some fifty feet high. So I seized a table knife and flew up to it. Utgard-Loki spoke as I did, saying that he could see us. I told him that I’d have words for him at a later date, and that he should tell my Grandmother that the gate is closed. Though as it faded he addressed Andrew by name, which was certainly ominous.
One of the Valkyries then removed her helmet, revealing herself to be the director. It caught me by surprise, as her earlier phrasing back at HQ had led me to believe that she was mortal. She had stated that we were the only supernatural individuals MIST had at its disposal. Which also makes me wonder where the Valkyries, and for that matter Idunn, came from. Were we truly her only choice, or was this intended as a test for us from the start.
But those are worries for another time, as an army of Rigvar’s thralls descends upon our position. My oath has been fulfilled, at the very instant I closed upon Rigvar, but today’s battle is not yet over. Still, if I will be fighting alongside the Valkyries themselves I will know no fear.
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