The Chronicles of Exodus: The Great Fall of Humanity

Chapter 8 The Afterlife

Hellfire and I entered Valhalla. The land was bright, vibrant, and joyful. Large mountain peaks stood tall, framing the area like the scene from a movie. I walked through a small layer of snow. Hellfire sniffled. I nodded and hopped onto his saddle. Hellfire launched into the air, souring low over the hills. In the distance we spotted a large structure, made from wood. That's the spot I thought. Hellfire glid closer to the ground, almost touching the blades of grass with his talons. Hellfire snarled as we came to a landing. I climbed off his back and approached the building. A man stood outside. He hid his face under a wide brim hat and smoked a cigarette between his teeth. "Greetings. Welcome to the tavern may I place your order?" The man asked. "Sorry, no. I'm just here to find an old friend." I replied shaking my head. The man nodded. "Well, this is where everyone comes to drink away their sorrows so head right in." he said opening the door for us.

Inside, the tavern was filled with energy. Everybody was dancing, singing, laughing, and drinking. A band played the bagpipes, bringing a sense of joy. I looked around but there was no sign of Astrid. I began asking around. Have you seen a blonde-haired woman? I would ask one person. Have you seen a woman donning a blue tunic? I would ask another, but still there was no hope. I walked around until I saw something that caught my eye. A cloak, made from wulver hide and dreki scales. Was it? Could it be...Astrid's? I tried to hold back any joy as if you keep your expectations low you will never be disappointed. Then I heard a knocking noise. I turned to look. It was the bartender. "You want a drink?" He asked with a heavy accent. "Uh sure!" I said. "I'll take a beer." The bartender nodded and went to make my drink. I patiently sat and waited at the bar until my drink was ready. I popped the lid of the bottle with my thumb and took a swig. I drank until my rigs felt sore. I stayed long into the night. The sound of the wind hitting the building became more and more deafening and thunder boomed in the distance. The party continued going long after midnight. After a while I felt sick and left the bar. Hellfire stood by my side, and we walked down the street into the open plains. I put my arm on Hellfire's shoulder as we walked. Suddenly the sky rumbled and quaked. Me and Hellfire rushed out to see what was happening, but I could tell. The clouds parted and a glowing blue orb descended from the sky. It landed in the plains in front of us. It wasn't something but someone! The figure was shrouded in a cloak. A large hood covered their head, and a cape covered the rest of their body. Suddenly the figure pulled back the cloak revealing a hammer. Lightning struck all around and I knew I was in the middle of a blood bath. The figure removed the cloak and let it fly away in the wind. It was Thor! The god of thunder grabbed their hammer and stood, defiantly. I raised my hands in surrender, but Thor gestured for me to stand. So, I did. With extreme swiftness Thor tossed his hammer at me. I brought up Aspis in time to block but now I knew I had no choice. I unsheathed my axe and charged the god of thunder. Thor recalled his hammer and slammed it into my chest before bringing it up over my head. I dodged the attack and threw my axe like a boomerang. It came back to me just as I leaped up. I slammed the axe down hard! Freezing the lightning in place as the duel continued. As I ran at Thor, he grabbed my axe and threw it away before punching me in the face. I was slammed to the floor and pummelled. I parried one of his attacks allowing me to unsheathe my blades and cut Thor across the stomach. I breathed heavily. "Giving up already?" Thor yelled. "NO." I said under my breath. I pulled out the sword hilt Hades gave me and slammed it. Red flames spewed from the hilt imbuing me with rage. I yelled with fury and punched Thor across the face, knocking his jaw. Thor laughed and plucked out a tooth before readying for another fight. I looked around for an escape. There, in the distance was a door surrounded by stones. That must be a mystic gateway! Hellfire and I rushed towards it. I slammed the Yggdrasil seed at the door, and we fell through. We landed on a pathway constructed of wood. It was like walking on the roots of a tree. This must be the realm between realms.

I stood up dropping my swords. They clanged as they struck the wooden floor. I looked around. We were surrounded in an endless, starry void. It was beautiful...