Elsewhere: Aesir

The Beginning Of A Journey

Jess's wisecracking after a tag team victory makes me feel more loved and in love than I have my entire life. I finally feel like I am worthy to stand beside her. I dematerialize my Soul Blade with a warm heart and smile.

"I thought it may have been the end of everything. I'm glad I was wrong."

No sooner after I say those words we are moved through space to the throne room and Caine vanishes.

"Your Majesty." I say to King Joel as I bow. "Did you happen to...scry any of that?"

"I did. Very brave of the two of you to take on an Alpha. A test, to be sure, of your capabilities. The first of many that are soon to come." The King tells us, giving Jess a long scrutinizing look.

Jess's eyes narrow at her dad, "What does that mean?"

King Joel takes a long breath before trading glances between me and Jess, "Well, my warrior child, it means that war is upon us."

"War? What do you mean war? Draugr is dead, obviously. There's no one to declare war." Jess shakes her head.

"He was conscripting an army before he came for the hybrid. I'm sure, had the two of you not... dealt with him today, he would have returned with thousands behind him, hungry for bloodshed. Either way, they're coming, with or without him, and I want the two of you to travel to every country, and assemble our own army."

Jess stands there, with her fists clenched by her sides. That lets me know she's angry, but there's something in her eyes that shows another emotion, one I can't quite read.

Aesir isn't a weak country by any means, but an army consisting of thousands of vampires would require help. It was a feat that I defeated Cameron in his assault the other day. There's only a handful of people in the guard that could have pulled something like that off.

"Why do you want me to join her Your Majesty?"

"Do you know who you are son?"

I flinch at that word. Marriage hasn't been discussed but it's been so long since I heard that word.

"I'm...beginning to understand, but I'm not all the way there yet." I admit dejectedly.

"As a ruler, my daughter needs knowledge of other lands and their customs. This may not be the ideal way for that to happen, but it is a perfect opportunity.

What I saw today showed me that you are a man who would lay down his life and give everything you have for my daughter. A man who will stand with her. I know why you are here, and why you were sent here.

I know exactly who you are and want you are meant to do. This journey will give you both the wisdom and tools you will need for what you are both meant to do. Would you like me to tell you?" He stares into my eyes.

He knows...everything?? I think back over my entire life. I think about Cameron, Jess, and my parents. I think of Bestla and Caine and this journey.

"No." I respond definitively. "I think that's too easy, I wouldn't get the same sense of fulfillment."

King Joel smiles warmly. "Good that is the correct answer. The answer of a man determined to know himself by his own means." His smile drops and his eyes lower.

"Charge down the path you believe in, and you will never be wrong." He says in what I recognize as his True Voice.

"I thank you for your blessing father." I respond with my True Voice instinctively.

"Do you know what this voice is?" The King asks me.

"When I formed my Blade I became aware that it is one's True Voice." I respond.

"Yes, it is the Voice of a King, the voice of certainty. The Voice of one who rules themselves or is on the path to do so.

You can tell no lies as your True Self. You can only speak the truth with certainty. Be careful to not get lost in your Voice, your Vision, or your Rhythm. They aren't special in the way you think. They are you and who you are."

"I understand." I reply plainly.

"When you know who and what you truly are, let me know. There are things we need to discuss at that moment." He finishes with a smile.

"Yes, there are." I reply with my own smile. The exchange feels dreamlike and reminds me of that place where I meant Bestla and Caine. It feels familiar and distant at the same time, like it wasn't here but somewhere else.

Somewhere else, huh? I think back on the events of the past day. Elsewhere.

"What is your name, hybrid?" The King truly asks. "You have a name and a purpose, deeper than just what your blood has made you. Who are you?"

"I...I can't find the words."

"Your name can change, it is the truth of your existence in the present. Tell me, WHO ARE YOU?"

My entire body is vibrating, my mind is racing with thoughts trying to find the answer.

"STOP THINKING AND FEELING! JUST KNOW! WHO ARE YOU?!"

I let my thoughts go, my feelings go. I have to. This need, this want, this desire, it's breaking my mind under the pressure of his Voice.

"I AM THE TRAVELER!"

"WHAT IS YOUR NAME TRAVELER?!"

My vision blurs and I'm on the verge of a  blackout. "I AM ODIN." I say as all the pressure releases.

"Good, take this journey with the intent to find out what that means. Rule the magic, rule the wolf, rule the spirits, and take your place. Be yourself and be careful to not reveal your True Name to just anyone.

Someone knowing who you are can give them power over you. The thing about magic is that it is a lie of truth, learn how to be truth and lie around those you do not trust, and to be true to those you do."

I turn to Jess who was already looking at me smiling.

"About time." She says, rolling her eyes playfully, "I thought I'd be calling you 'hybrid' forever."

She turns to The King, every trace of playfulness gone, "We'll go now. I'll let you know if we run into any trouble."

The King nods as Jess takes my hand and leads me outside the throne room.
"Go to Alfhiem first thing in the morning!" He calls as we exit the doorway.

It's hard to believe how much has happened in a few days. I think back on how my life has drastically changed since the last year while Jess leads me back to my room which still has a hole in the wall.

As we arrive I think I catch a glimpse of a weird shape in the hole in my room, but before I can make it out it disappears. I hear a faint unfamiliar voice whisper Berkano.

I turn to Jess to ask if she heard the voice but she seems preoccupied. She then turns to me like she wants to say something.