Exile smiled as he returned to the longhouse. ‘It’s time to put the temple’s other function to use.’ Himinbjörg had become a hive of activity once the officers had set about their tasks. They had split up the lower players into teams to make their tasks more efficient.
As he entered the temple, he headed directly for his altar. A soft smile played on his face as he activated one of the new functions. A golden light descended before him. He studied that phenomenon with curiosity. However, as it faded, Ania’s figure became visible!
Her eyes sparkled as she glanced around the divine temple. ‘So it works like my Avatar spell, but in reverse.’ The function had brought Ania’s consciousness to the divine realm while her real body still remained in Skardia. ‘I bet Bjorn would love this.’ Exile chuckled as he waited for Ania to satisfy her amazement.
“What is this place?” She asked.
“This is Himinbjörg, home of the Ragnarok Pantheon.” Exile replied calmly as he watched the reverent expression cross her face. He knew the name of their divine realm would soon spread among their followers, and Ania was the perfect person to describe the realm of the gods to the NPCs. “Come, there is much for you to see, and we don’t have much time.”
“Why don’t we have a lot of time?” Ania asked as shock appeared on her face.
“Well,” Exile began as he pondered how to explain it without terms like having a time limit on this ability. “I’ve brought your soul to the heavens, but you’re still a mortal woman. Your soul can’t survive here for too long as it is unsuited to this environment.”
Ania nodded as if his explanation made sense, and Exile could not help but pat himself on the back for coming up with that explanation. He offered his arm, which she took before he guided her outside of the temple. Ania gasped as she felt the environment of the divine realm. The aura of that realm made her feel as if she did not belong, but there was a vast power hidden in it.
Exile led her to the top of the walls to take a stroll, where she could look out over the mountain and see Valheim in the distance. As he expected, her gaze landed on the divine city and stared at it in awe.
“It’s beautiful!” Ania’s eyes went wide as she focused to remember every detail she could see.
“That is Valheim. A neutral city where all the gods of Skardia gather.” Exile hummed as he continued to lead her through Himinbjörg. “I thought you should be the first to witness our realm. For all you have done for me.”
“You mean, you will bring others here?”
Exile could hear the reluctance in her tone as he nodded. “Yes. There are those that deserve to witness this. Like Bjorn, and your father.”
Ania seemed disappointed in his reply. She could understand why, but that did not make it easier. ‘Will there ever be anything that will just be between us?’ She thought as she let out a sigh. However, she was soon distracted as several players rushed between the buildings.
The sight filled her with wonder as she saw so many gods at once. There had been more during the battle with Sommerdan, but at that time she had been unable to appreciate was she was experiencing. ‘There are more gods than I ever thought possible. How can we ever hope to make sure Exile is recognised as the one to rule them all?’
“There will be many tests to come,” Exile said as he realised she was lost in her own thoughts. “More wars will come. Here, and in your realm. Every god is rushing to seize more power. I’m sure you understand why.”
Ania nodded as she remembered Bjorn’s stories about the great wars in heaven. She could not imagine a war between those divine existences away from the mortal realms. She partially understood her people would never understand the vast powers of the gods.
“You should prepare yourself. Not just for the battles to come, but I feel like my existence will change soon.” Exile said as he calmly guided her back toward the temple.
“What do you mean? Are you going to change again?” Ania asked as she thought about the transformation when he accepted the dwarves.
“Maybe. I was referring to my Authority. I feel like a change will happen sometime soon. Like it did when I became the god of lightning.” Exile showed an aloof expression as he studied Ania’s reaction.
“What will you become the god of?” Ania asked with a concerned expression.
However, Exile only gave her a knowing smile. He could not tell her since he did not know what his options would be. Before Ania could question him further, they had arrived back in the temple.
“I’ll see you again soon.” Exile gave her a warm smile before cancelling the temple’s function.
‘That should take care of Ania’s needs for a while. I even managed to prepare her for my future breakthrough to the next tier.’ Exile sighed. His eyes flashed as he considered what his next move should be. ‘I guess it’s about time to meet up with Harik.’
Exile had gotten the name of the city where the Kingsmoot would be held from Ania before he brought her to Himinbjörg. ‘This should be the last thing to do before we can focus on the threat to Valheim.’ Exile closed his eyes as he activated the Avatar spell.
Harik frowned as the shy overhead became thick with dark clouds. The kings were seated around a table out the back of Vjender’s fortress. The other kings noticed his expression and looked up.
“It seems it’s about to rain. We should end this quickly.” King Harold said as he studied the clouds dubiously. The other kings agreed as they studied each other. “So, who shall cast the first vote?”
All eyes fell on Harik, they knew he was reluctant to vote during the gods’ absence. However, they noticed a grin spreading on his face.
“My fellow kings. I believe you will want to hold on a moment longer.” Harik chuckled as thunder rumbled overhead.
A suffocating aura pressed down from the sky as a flash lit up the darkness. The kings almost choked when they felt the presence of a god unfolding next to Harik.
“Lord Exile,” Harik nodded with a solemn expression. “It gladdens me that you have decided to honour us with your presence.”
“Thank you Harik,” Exile replied with a grim expression. “What is the meaning of this gathering?”
The other kings wore ugly expressions as they understood what was happening. The gods had decided to interfere with mortal matters. They knew their plans would be meaningless. A few minutes passed as Exile conversed with Harik, but soon several more auras spread from the city. 𝘦𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝗇𝓔t
The kings could only sigh and give up at that point. They would have to await the judgement of the gods.
Meanwhile, in a mortal forest, dark elves fired arrows at the warbeasts who were defending their territory.
“Get the cubs to safety!” M’Throk bellowed as his ears pinned back against his head. His fur was black with dark spots on his feline body as he glared into the trees.
Arrows bounced off his green leathery armour as he fell on all fours before racing toward the treeline. He nimbly dodged the projectiles before leaping and digging his claws into the trunk of a thick tree. Panicked voices came from above as he raced up the tree to the branch where the nearest elves had been hiding!
As soon as he arrived he stood on his rear legs and drew two black claw-like daggers from his belt. The nearest elf tried to fire another arrow. However, M’Throk used his powerful muscles to pounce faster than the elf could react.
M’Throk’s daggers ripped the elf’s throat to shreds before he sank his fangs into the shoulder of the elf behind the one he had just killed. He tossed the corpse and injured elf off the branch before charging toward the next in line.
As the elves fell to his onslaught, his instincts warned him a number of elves were targeting him. ‘I should have bought my people some time.’ The old warrior sighed as he wondered how many he could kill before he fell.
Loud screams echoed through the forest and M’Throk’s ears picked that up. ‘It seems help has arrived!’ He chuckled as a storm of arrows fell from above the treeline, targeting the elves!
M’Throk held out his hand to allow a single white feather to land in it. He gazed at the few patches of sky that he could see beyond the leaves with a reverent expression. ‘It’s been years since even one of them has been seen. With the gods returning we thought we would see them before now.’
M’Throk pondered that situation as he let out a roar to give orders to his pack. He was sending some of his best trackers to follow their saviours in the hopes of bringing them into his goddess’ fold. ‘Their skills are legendary. I can’t let them follow anyone else!’
He leapt from the branch while sheathing his daggers. The impact on the ground did not affect him as he straightened his posture while glancing at his people. ‘I need to report to my Goddess that they have finally resurfaced! She’ll be delighted with this! Those filthy elves won’t know what hit them if they agree to join us!’