Meeting shadows

“We’re near!” Melanie stated seeing some of the dead bodies floating in the nearby water, “We should head on foot. Gundr stay on board with the rest. Keep your Axe’s sharp and ears open. If you hear a raiding horn then start killing everyone that isn’t us!” Gundr nodded studying in detail the bodies and seeing all of them were dressed similar stated, “An fucking cult won’t stop us!” Torvi however noticing an shining glint of metal dragged the nearest one over the edge before wrestling with him to stay over the side stated, “Ernak look at this” Ernak looked at the object and wrestling it from his wrist finally after doing more damage than was necessary to his wrist held the prized object in both hands, “Fancy” Torvi muttered with Ernak now studying it in more depth, “It’s a blade of some kind, I can see where it would come out” “They call it an Hidden Blade for quiet and sneaky kills” Melanie spoke, “That’s a Hidden One’s device, this means the group is here; probably looking for an way in” “Which means there may be valuables in there...” Gundr hinted but ignoring his comment Melanie carried on with, “From what I can gather they wear under their arms and is activated by an motion in their wrist” “Which results in them losing their finger” Torvi commented pointing out the obvious. Ernak studied once more before nodding muttered so only those nearby could hear, “I was just thinking the same thing Odin. Torvi come and help me with this” “You can’t be serious Ernak” before sighing nodded knowing his wishes began to hold his old bracer and slid it on, it was then when she understood his reasoning, “Wear it the wrong way around” Torvi muttered smiling and nodding Ernak pointed out, “Where fingers won’t get in the way” she adjusted the straps and seeing how the blade functioned caught the one now being tossed to her by Ernak, “As I said on the way here, what I have you have. Now let’s get you fitted.”

“It’s a bit further up” “Where the fighting is” Ernak pointed out hearing the clanging of metal against each other and drawing his axe Torvi followed his lead the group forward through what should have been darkness but instead from within an glow started to appear and caused the nearby fighting to momentarily cease.

Ernak’s group walked cautiously forward with Melanie’s cheers in the background by patting herself on the back for finding the location ignoring the fighting sounds that the rest were trying to be weary about, “I can’t believe I got it right. We should be almost there just over this hill” Ernak walked further forward from the rest and seeing the armour warriors fighting against the last two Hidden One’s Ernak threw his axe into the nearest warrior before drawing his bow fired an arrow directly into the next with Torvi leading the rest. “Who are we fighting? Hidden ones or Order of Ancients” “The Order; if the Hidden One’s suddenly become ungrateful we’ll finish them off afterwards!” Ernak yelled back to Nyx who using her shield to block saw Melanie’s spear pierce through the armoured mans chest, Ernak dodged an retaliating Order strike and slamming his new toy through the man’s skull used the shield as a blunt weapon to knock Torvi’s opposite off his feet allowing Torvi to use her hidden blade to savagely stab him repeatedly before withdrawing it carried on with the ****.

When the Order members lay dead the two remaining hooded figures stood back with what looked like the junior member standing behind the senior member, both had their swords held in a lowered position but their other hands both held their hidden blade drawn and Ernak looking at the rest nodded for his group to sheath their blades watching as the Hidden One’s acknowledging the attempted peace to sheath theirs. Both figures still didn’t trust Ernak’s group enough and seeing as the Hidden Blade was still drawn Ernak and Torvi almost mocking the figures did the same showing their prized possessions, “Take them off our dead did you?” the older of the two states and Torvi firing back snapped, “They won’t be needing them anymore and we’ve fixed you finger problem. Outside not inside” “We’ve known about that for generations... but the removal of the finger is a sign of commitment and reminds us of our vow. We simply don’t pick one up and butcher everyone like you...” “Torvi, my name is Ernak” both members lowered their hood and seeing they to didn’t look Greek Ernak smiled when the woman stated, “The names Aife, a grandmaster of the Hidden One’s, this is Brann a very junior recruit. I give you credit Ernak, you wield the blade masterfully and yet respectfully to our Order’s tradition. It’s a shame your friend can’t do the same.” “It didn’t come with instructions” Torvi fired back and laughing Aife replied with, “Well I’m sorry, Brann write a note that we need instruction. The real question is why are you all here?” “I could ask the same question” Aife nodded before pointing the to big bulky door that didn’t match the rest of the rock, “Trying to find what lays behind the door, I assume by the nature of this isolated location you are here, the only question is why are you interested in this? Scavenger? treasure hunter? It doesn’t matter, I’ll warn you; the secrets that lay behind this door aren’t meant for some raiders eyes!” Melanie laughed before walking forward snapped, “He has more ‘Right’ to be here then you any of you, now move out of the way!” “Aife, we can’t let them passed. What if they are part of another group searching for this weapon?” “Out of the way!” Torvi snapped bringing Ernak nearer to the structure and closing his eyes Ernak began to smile remembering of the first memory when Freyja and him moved in, his daughter in Freyja’s arms and behind them were his parents and his excited sister who always planned on visiting. “Mentor!” “Ssshh wait!” Aife muttered examining the glowing door that seemed welcoming to the man that now placed his hand on the center and muttered, “Penelope, Freyja and Adara. I triáda pou kathierónei tin eiríni” the door glowed into life before shooting open Melanie smiled seeing the old place still had some life to it, “Impossible” Aife muttered staring as Torvi was invited in first followed by Melanie and Nyx, “Who are you?” Aife requestioned and smiling Ernak stated, “This is my house. If you want to come in you’d better knock” Aife sighed before knocking on the cold metal Ernak nodded letting them both in before sealing it behind him to give them all both privacy but also protection from any potential trouble from the outside world and looking around the Hidden One’s soon realised what it was, merely an luxury house but what interested them now was the group in front of them and what they were looking for.

“Bring back memories?” Torvi was quick to ask but shaking his head Ernak looked over to Logos who pointing to the door highlighted the sleeping somewhat metallic looking animals that were unmoving until a light tap from Ernak’s hand awoke them from their slumber and now caused their bodies to to be illuminated in the glowing lines that matched the rest of its structure. The Raven squawked with joy before flying to Ernak’s soldier Ernak watched as the cat sniffed his leg before purring began to walk between his legs waiting for the pet which soon came. “Well I have her symbols but where’s Freyja?” the cat looked at him at the word Freyja before laying down almost in a pout Ernak replied, “Doesn’t mean you can’t come with us but first do either of you know where I left my sword?” the cat meowed before leading him into the next room which looked like his bedroom Melanie cheered seeing the sprawled out armour over the bed but this joy was lost when she saw it needed to be recharged, “My armour. Finally, my shield must be with yours” the group followed behind the cat who scraping its paw at the bed waited for Ernak’s hand to reach under feeling for something to press or grab and smiling Ernak nodded to Torvi who with the aid of Aife pulled the bed away, then with a press and a pull the floor shot open to reveal stairs, “Good girl!” Ernak muttered petting the animal who now sitting, waiting for him to return watched as Torvi followed behind and shortly after Melanie who was more focused on recovering her shield then anything uncaring of the Hidden One’s who were studying for something, anything to make this worth their time and resources.

“Finally!” Ernak and Melanie spoke in unison but both for different reasons. Down this small room; leading on from the stairs stood three cases of armour with weapons and a stand to occupy the shield. Melanie snatched her shield whilst Ernak smiling heard Logos muttered, “Yes, Freyja’s and Adara’s is here to. We should take them with us even if Adara didn’t make it, I won’t have anyone taking it from us, I would even prefer to give it to Torvi then letting it rot here but first the sword” Ernak nodded looking over to Torvi who staring at the fine craftsmanship muttered, “Weapons of the gods” Ernak nodded before leaning in stated, “We’ll take all of this with us. I won’t let those Hidden One’s get anything!” she nodded before encouraging to take his long awaited prize covered her eyes when his hand touched the blade sending a massive bolt of light outwards and landing with a thud Torvi quickly cried for help, immediately asking for help to carry the **** man up to his bed.

“We’ll stand on watch” Aife spoke still nursing her wound, “What’s happening?” Torvi called out to the others and Nyx looking down at the man’s state replied, “Simply unlocking more memories. It can happen like this, he will become more like Logos and hopefully have an plan on what to do next” “Wait... more like Logos?” Torvi challenged to which Nyx replied, “Sort of Logos asserting more control over his body, he will look slightly different and share more of his memories as his own but his personality will remain and the main bulk of his memories will remain” “But he is turning into Logos...” Torvi retaliated, “No, Ernak is Logos and Logos is Ernak, what happened to me was both memories joined together and formed me. I am Nyx but I still remember being my old self and still act in the way I originally would with only minimal changes. Melanie... well she is different because Athena tried to forcibly take over the host; me and Logos haven’t or do not wish to” “So Ernak will still be himself?” “For now but for now we must wait. Help me change his armour over; it’ll aid the transition.”

Ernak woke up and smiling looked over seeing the woman laying in his bed, the room was brighter than before and looking over there he saw the pair of browns eyes stare at him, lips smiling as she groaned, “Morning Logos” Ernak cupped her cheek feeling what Logos felt and kissing her waiting scrumptious lips he muttered, “Morning Freyja” she leaned in and kissing him more passionately than before muttered, “That was an night... is Athena doing okay?” Ernak looked over the side and seeing the passed out naked body of Athena that looked almost identical to Melanie remarked, “Still recovering but breathing” “I just hope we haven’t made things complicated like you getting her and Nyx pregnant. Our daughter is enough for now” Ernak nodded before clutching his head feeing the affects of the strong drinks replied, “Where is she now?” “Nyx was changing her and cooking breakfast she really likes it here you know, free from Zeus” Ernak nodded before asking, “Is it that or just us? What were we celebrating again?” “Our last few weeks alive; the strikes are coming closer to the South and it won’t be long until the South is destroyed; thankfully Persephone listened and has supported the use of the device in the North, just modified; to give us an estimated safe time and location, it will take before getting it exactly right but it’s getting there. Only twelve are allowed of course and Persephone wants you to decide the twelve. So we were drinking to make our decision easier” Ernak nodded before reaching for the list made out the code words, “ Owl... Athena, you so that’s you. ****.... Thanatos? Beast... beast.... I assume it’s Artemis. Sandals... sandals... Hermes. Hag... Hera got to be. Night is Nyx. Anger must be Ares. Flowers must be Persephone and kidnapper is Hades. I must have been really drunk after this milky tits... that has to be Aphrodite and Zeus’ musical bitch... Apollo” “Why can’t we plug our daughter in again?” “Too young, procedure is likely kill her and not work. It’s why I am not going again, I’m going to try and shield her or do something to protect her from the blasts” “And why am I going again?” “You are taking Zeus’ place. The mad men can’t live on, we have seen what Odin was like... Poseidon was murdered by his son Atlas which helps us but I have to confront and kill Zeus when he tries; I have also seen how Loki slipped in so I want you and Hades to be the last ones out, check every room, every possible hiding place and then we’ll come back home and see what happens; if nothing else I would love to see Adara grow up and have a life” she nodded before hearing Adara cry got up stating, “The little one needs to be fed...” Logos nodded and looking up to see Freyja take the baby from Nyx’s hands heard the woman ask, “Will it all work?” “The North believed so, so much so they put all their resources into it” “Are you sure about this idea though... the North made it so they would take over the human not integrate with the human...” “The humans will have an life prior to this, we can’t just take it for our own; they may have an family or job, it will be their world not ours and we have no right to take it from them” “And if you are married to another woman and Freyja appears or both Freyja’s appear?” “I doubt it, the Northern structure was very erratic and very rushed with little time to perform the calculations, we’ll have to relive our lives or something similar. Me being an outcast most of my life won’t exactly bring an flock of women to my bed” she laughed before kissing his lips muttered, “Look at you now... an consort and two women that pine for you both” “And Freyja thought you enjoyed being away from Zeus” Ernak laughed and smirking deviously Nyx replied, “I will just have to remind her why I’m here and kick Zeus in the nuts for me before you kill the bastard.” “I will Nyx, don’t you worry. Now let’s clean this mess up” indicating to Athena and laughing Nyx stated moving the bottles, “She never could hold her drink.”

*Boom Boom* the nearby ground sounded along with the sounds of the screaming from the citizens, “Is it?” Persephone cried seeing the flames burning the trees and houses, “Yes, you know the protocol” the group nodded standing up leaving only the few not selected to stare at the them, “What protocol?” Hephaestus stated, “Too late now to worry now” Apollo commented but leading the group out and drawing his sword Logos stated, “I’m sorry but I can’t have anyone else knowing” Logos in a clean cut decapitated the former blacksmith and leading the group out lead them down the path dodging the next flare that destroyed the nearby barracks, “We need to hurry” Freyja called out bringing up the rear, “Logos!” yelled Zeus and nodding Ernak kissed Freyja who passionately kissed him holding onto him until he pried himself from her grip, “Looks like I’m called into action; shame because I would have liked to be with you all to ensure everything goes smooth” “Logos...” Artemis whimpered and hugging her Logos replied, “Now go, I’ll take care of Zeus. I’ll see you in the next life and when we do, the first round is on Hades!” the others laughed continuing the secluded path whilst Freyja handing Adara to him stated, “Please stay safe” he nodded and placing her in the harness on his back replied, “I’ll see you back at home; if this is the end just remember ‘I love you’” she kissed him once again before replying, “But I love you more and remember... go for the throat!”

“Where are they?” Zeus barked standing in front of him and shrugging Logos replied playing for time, “Hiding in the bunkers, I would be if I didn’t have to get resources for Adara” “Ah yes I forgot you had a offspring, bad timing” “Terrible!” Logos agreed acknowledging how Zeus’ hand was on his weapon waiting for a chance to draw and stepping back from him Zeus noticed this and stated, “Is this how it ended in the North?” “Not quite, they were at war with the humans at the time of it most were dead or dying from that” “And you did nothing to stop this!!” “Oh I did something... it won’t help us all but a few will survive” Zeus nodded expecting as much, “And I’m not included in this plan, yet my wife is... did she open her legs for you?” “We had to pick an group and from what I saw happen to Odin who is the arguably more rational of the leaders, you wouldn’t have made it sanely in one piece” Zeus drew his weapon but getting an quick draw from his shorter blade, Logos used it to stab Zeus in the arm and drawing his long blade stabbed stated kicking Zeus in the nuts with his foot, “That... that was from Nyx, now let’s finish this!”

Logos pulled his blade out from Zeus’ chest and impaling him again and then a final time began to clean his blade before looking up saw the previous occupied HQ for the head Isu blow up he flipped the carrier around so Adara was on his front allowing him to shield her from the shrapnel that rained down on the nearby buildings and people, “Right let’s get you home, little one!” he took the nearby stressed horse and riding to the coast, rode over the bridge carefully avoiding the nearby running public before dismounting headed to the draw where he smiled to see Freyja worriedly pace back and for. “You’re alive!” she cried opening the door for the pair and kissing her passionately as it closed behind them Freyja stated, “It’s all done. The others have gone their own ways; Hera died in the blast not much longer after finishing the procedure. Thanatos has gone home one last time with Artemis the same for Hades and Persephone. Aphrodite was returning to her temple of course with Hermes and Apollo whilst Ares wants to go out in a blaze of glory... fighting. Athena is on her way here with some of her important works and Nyx well you know what she wanted...” “How... how did it happen?” “I slit her throat; she should have come back here with us” Logos nodded before taking her hand stated, “We will be reunited in the next life; I promise” she nodded before smiling stated undoing her dress, “Well how about you put Adara to bed and I get the oil, it’s my turn to fuck the bookworms ass” “Alright but I’m going in you raw!” “My Logos... you should know by now, that’s how I like it! Let’s just hope the Humans are more forgiven than us Isu”

“So what happened?” Ernak stated returning to grey, emotionless room, “You saw...” “No I mean after, did you survive? Did Athena come? You know what happened next?” “From what I remember, Athena did but she didn’t stay for as long as we hoped. She went out in hope she could find other survivors but died from the exposure our numbers dwindled rapidly, you see our bodies weren’t adapted to survive such harsh changes in our environment whilst the humans are, they can adapt and they do; even Freyja passed on. I was thankful to have thirty years with her but her body withered as time passed on; we couldn’t stay in the house forever but we got to raise our daughter and that was enough” “Did the humans accept you?” “Yes, you see I helped them a lot in the old world and they let us live to raise our daughter, the others weren’t so lucky” “How did you survive?” and punching his chest Logos stated, “I didn’t feel the effects of it, I guess it’s another flaw in my body but I got to live a life and raise my daughter, I got to see her have an family and her children have an family, why do you think I am more than happy to integrate with you over taking control of your body! I saw what humans were like and what they could be like” Ernak nodded before stating, “You had a life so why not me?” he nodded too which he asked, “The question is... would you let Freyja have a chance to be with you? We have to face the likelihood that Lagertha is just an human and we do find Freyja. I like Lagertha but... but Freyja well she’s better. You like Lagertha and I like Freyja” “I won’t give up on Lagertha, Logos, I never will!” he nodded before stating, “I know and I fear there will be an stand off between the two... however, as you saw Freyja is very open minded and would love her as an mistress” “Wrong. IF Lagertha didn’t mind, Freyja would be the mistress!” Logos went to retaliate but nodding commented, “I don’t think she would mind providing you showed off more of my side to her” “But this other persons fates! The one whose effecting ours... what if that stops us from being together?” “Could be Odin, could be Freyja’s or Loki, it could be anyone’s but we can’t dwell on it for now, we will need more information before hypothesising the why’s and how’s” Ernak went to respond but thinking about what was said previously stated, “Adara... she married an human right and had a family” “Yes and...” “I was just thinking, providing each child continued to have an family then there is a likelihood an descendant of her alive today. They would have a part of her or her memories locked away” Logos smiled before pointing to the daggers replied, “And like you, maybe the Isu tech could trigger memories for them” Ernak nodded before stating, “Our daughter could have survived all this length of time, the hard way” “Well let’s add it to the list for now let Torvi have them and the armour. I like her...” Ernak nodded before realising he was a step closer he also realised how far away he was from what he desired, “I thought getting a sword and being here would have made it more clearer; where’s Freyja?! We have some of the others but we have no sign of her!” “Maybe not but at least we will know where she is when our cat is near her presence; we are closer to our goal, it’s just another small step on a very long path!” Ernak nodded before looking up to him shrugged, “Well standing here isn’t going to bring her to us. Let’s go out there and explore.”

“Ernak?” Torvi queried and nodding Ernak smiled seeing the armour fit and emphasising his glowing lines, “It still fits” he sheathed his sword and retrieving his bow answered, “Yes Torvi; just more memories and a request from Logos!” “Another destination?” Torvi queried and shaking his head Ernak looked to the daggers laying on the table and the spare armour on the stand, Ernak simply threw Torvi’s old blade away and sheathed the pair on her, “He said for you to take them! And the Armour is yours to” “Me why?” “He likes you and what did I say to?” “What you I have, you have!” he nodded before turning back to the Hidden One’s who stood back respecting a distance between them and the group stated, “So it’s all true!” Ernak nodded waiting for Aife to talk next, “Look... we were wrong and we know of your quest and we know you won’t come with us, but there are threats out there that you don’t know of and they will find out about you. Let’s us come with you, learn what we can and we’ll protect you; protect all of you!” “Ernak... this is what they want. Logos talk some sense into him!” Melanie interjected, “My terms... Only you two. No one else and messages will be read over by Melanie who in exchange won’t be an ass in what has been sent. You can learn off us because let’s face it most of our technology and equipment is dead apart for the few fragments that remain and our number... tiny” “We accept!” “I suppose!” mumbled Melanie and looking to Torvi Ernak simply said, “Come on get changed and let’s go raiding!”