DIVINE CHAMPIONS 4: THE SUN'S CHOICE

DUTY CALLS

While in the next two weeks, events that happened had calmed Ishaan's mind, nothing troubling happened.

His mother was back, accepting the fact that Ishaan was now a part of the supernatural world. Udi was super excited, so much so, that she needed to be forced to keep it all to herself, or if she was left to herself, she would have telecasted it on TV. In college, Aitri had caught up with him, and handed him a book on the Norse lore, and asked him to keep reading. Sol hadn't shown up since that night. Ishaan had tried to conjure flames in the park, and succeeded in doing so without concentrating on any memory. Even the flames got extinguished as soon as they lit up.  Ishaan, so far, was playing by the rules, as Aitri had told him the day she gave him the book. "Keep away from trouble, keep practising your powers, and read. Learn."

So far, the book was really fun to read. Getting to know the selfish and unselfish deeds of the gods, stories of the giants being a constant problem, and so many more. Sol was rarely mentioned. He could remember one certain poem about Sol and her brother Mani not knowing their own powers, and not having a settled home. Another poem introduced Sol's father Mundilfari, and also the concealment of their fates of flying across the worlds, so that the others can count time. Neither of them mentioned the wolves though, but they mentioned another name of Sol, i.e., Sunna. 

Getting to know this field wasn't as bad. Actually, it was quite interesting. Every boring Sunday afternoon was spent with either Udi reading it to Ishaan, or vice versa. Along with that, Ishaan had a thing named college, which he had to stay up to date in. Given the exams were at a distance of a month, and given his preparation, he had reasons to relax. Plus, Dr. Chandra was gone. There was a new Mathematics professor, who was as strict as Dr. Chandra, but seemed much more considerate and nice. Things were good enough.

Then, one day, while he was returning from home, Aitri called. "Ishaan, we have a little gathering today. It's a divine champion thing. You have to come. Around six."

And so, there he was, greeted by Aitri and Rishi outside the great. "Nice dress up, dude." Rishi said, putting his hand to shake. Ishaan shook. He looked at Rishi who was wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, while Ishaan had picked a shirt and a pair of pants, properly tucked them in, dressed up, and come. Nice. 

As they walked inside towards the back side, everything seemed to be joyous. "Rick actually celebrates today as the day this all started." Rishi said, "He seems to love this. This life risking, adventurous, jumping from one world to another thing."

"Was this the day you were chosen?" Ishaan asked.

"No no. I was chosen in the summer." Rishi said, "My whole assignment was in summer. As soon as it all fell on the hands of these giants, our beautiful winters are destroyed."

"Does it take months to act upon the giants' activities?"

"Not exactly." Aitri said, "But still, half of the winters is spent with worry, for what might come, and the rest is spent recovering."

As soon as she said it, something happened. A little white thing fell from the sky, and hit Aitri on the head. She looked over, and so did the boys. Two pitch black birds flew over and sat on the branch of a tree by the fences, side by side. The birds were bigger and darker than crows. "Ravens." Aitri said, picking up whatever the birds dropped, and handing it over to Rishi. Rishi didn't lose sight of the ravens, as he took the thing. It was a scroll of paper. Rishi looked at it, and looked straight up, at the ravens. "Huginn and Muninn." The ravens replied with two croaks of their own, supposedly agreeing to their names (like school or college attendance calls). Then, they flew away.

Rishi took the scroll, and said, "A message from the gods. Let's take it inside. We'll open it in front of Rick and Meghna."

Inside the pool room, the atmosphere was celebratory. A huge karaoke player, along with two microphones, was kept beside the towel racks. The towels' places had been taken by different forms of food, soft drinks. The Jacuzzi in the swimming pool was turned off, and on the bean chairs, laying down, playing with his cat, was Rick. Meghna was rubbing the cat's neck. Rick seemed very fond of his cat. Of course, it had been gifted to him by his patron, goddess of love, Freya. Ishaan wondered what it would be like to be the champion of the most beautiful goddess of all. He also wondered what it would be like to be the champion of the most popular god, or even two gods. He had his own patron. He was sure Sol wasn't bad at all. The mansion was perhaps centrally heated, as Ishaan felt nice cosy and warm inside. The lights were dim. But all the mood was killed off, as soon as Rishi broke the news of scroll.

"I have a bad feeling." Aitri said, "Why would the ravens land this now?"

"Isn't it that normally Thor comes to hand us our next work?" Meghna asked.

"He comes?" Ishaan asked, quite surprised that Thor was involved so much.

"Every time." Rishi said, proudly, "He is the one heading this battle from the gods' side. But why did he not come this time? Why send messages through his father's ravens? That is very unlike him."

"Look, we won't know anything until we open and read the scroll." Meghna said, "Why are we wasting time?"

Rishi tossed the scroll over to Ishaan, who caught it. "If it is a mission, it will be yours, Ishaan. That is how it works. So, it is fit that you read it out."

"What?"

"That is how it happens around here, Melody Man." Rick said, as he let his cat lightly paw his hands, "The quest to stop Gullveig from freeing Loki was all mine, while Rishi had been asked to accompany me. The Thiazi thing was Aitri's to complete, while I provided her help. Then, Rishi came and took all the limelight."

"Wasn't it fun?" Rishi asked, with a playful smile. 

"Oh it was so fun. Some iconic entrance. Anyway, come on, melody man, read."

Ishaan was confused what was weirder. The fact that this piece of paper in his hands might be one of his death warrants, or the little nickname that Rick had given him. "Uh!" is all he managed. Aitri seemed to read his mind, and said in an assuring tone, "Don't worry. He keeps giving nicknames to everyone. And if you are worried about the message in the scroll, don't be. Even if its the next phase of the battle, we will all accompany you in it."

Ishaan settled, and took a deep breath. Then, he rolled the scroll open, and started to read.

"Bad news alert! Bad news alert! Terrible news alert! We, the gods of Asgard are trapped inside Asgard. Our brave guardian, Heimdall has been taken captive by the wretched giants. No one knows where he is being kept. Hlidskjalf is not as perfect as you thought. Without Heimdall, there is no access to the great rainbow bridge, Bifrost. Asgard is now on temporary lock-down. We hope that this letter reaches the correct hands. I trust my ravens completely, but still, just in case. My divine champions, it is time to unite once again, and find the guardian of Asgard, within a week. I suspect the plans of the giants is a huge one, taking a huge step towards starting Ragnarok, which would be completed if Heimdall isn't freed within a week. Oh, and from the side of all the gods, and myself, I welcome you, Ishaan Borgohain into the team. It is your quest, while you get the others to help you out. Thanks and regards, the Allfather."