The Challenge

Seven

Two weeks later.

Deep within the heart of the ancient forest, Yggdrasil glowed with the ethereal energy of the golden apples. Thor's attention was captured by the power that crackled in the air around the portal as it refused whoever tried to pass through entry to this sacred place. He grasped Mjölnir firmer in his hand, his gaze on Namira who looked fearful, "Whoever tries to force their way into this place... I will stop them. I will keep you and Yggdrasil safe."
The words were an assurance, but nothing could've prepared Namira for the sight of four people approaching the gateway that shimmered like a translucent curtain that kept them from penetrating the realm.

A woman with sharp features, dark hair and piercing silvery grey eyes stepped forward. She tried tried to pass through the portal gracefully and calmly, but an invisible barrier halted her progress. A man with gold hair, deeply tan skin and a glow that reminded Namira of the heat of the sun, attempted to use beams of light to force the portal to let them past, but they dissipated upon contact with the portal's defences.
A stunning blonde stepped forward with an mesmerising ethereal glow and touched the portal gently, hoping for a warm reception, but it resisted her charm.
Finally, a dark haired male dressed as though he stepped right off of a battle field with eyes that spoke of darkness and fury roared and struck the portal with his sword, yet it remained unyielding.
The man who was like the sun appeared irritated, "It rejects us! I told you it wouldn't simply welcome us in!"

The dark-haired woman dressed in armour casually glanced at the man, "We must work together to overwhelm the barriers in place here. Only together we will succeed."
The four gods joined forces, their divine energies intertwining. Apollo's light, Aphrodite's allure, Athena's wisdom, and Ares' warlike strength surged toward the portal. Still, the barrier held strong, resisting their combined might.

The Greek pantheon continued their assault, their determination unwavering. As their powers intensified, cracks appeared in the portal's defences. The cosmic energy clashed in a display of divine strength and the very fabric of reality shivered under the onslaught, but the wards of the portal held strong.
Just as the portal seemed on the verge of yielding, Namira strode forward to stand with Thor before the portal and spoke, her voice soft, but commanding, "Why do you seek entry? This realm is not yours to approach."

Apollo, representing the Greek pantheon, stepped forward and said, "I am Apollo, of the Greek Pantheon. We come in search of a new keeper for our golden apples...Our trees in the Garden of Hesperides no longer bear fruit, our muses can no longer cultivate their growth..."
Namira listened, her expression impassive. Thor, however, gripped Mjölnir tighter, ready for any battle that might follow.

Apollo pressed on, "We offer you gifts to sway you, if not to help us cultivate the trees again and bring them to life so we can care for them ourselves, then to offer us some of your apples to build our strength again."

Athena spoke next with a measured tone, "I am Athena, I can offer you a wisdom beyond measure as your own. The wisdom of Olympus will guide Asgard to greater heights. Your realm will flourish with our knowledge."

Aphrodite then stepped forward, "I am Aphrodite, I can offer you the gift of beauty. For yourself and a beauty these apples would possess under the care of the goddess of love. Their allure, as well as your own, would be unmatched, drawing beings from across the realms and demanding an everlasting worship from other deities."

Ares, his eyes ablaze, declared, "I could offer you protection." It wasn't quite an offered gift, it wasn't quite promised.

Namira listened, her gaze unwavering. Thor tightened his grip on Mjölnir, ready to defend their sacred ground. The tension between the two pantheons hung heavy in the air even as the portal still denied them entrance to the realm. Namira finally spoke, "Your offers are tempting, Olympians, but Yggdrasil's harmony must not be disrupted. The apples have thrived under my care and the balance of power in Yggdrasil must be preserved. We shall not bow to the whims of foreign pantheons."
Thor, his eyes crackling with lightning, stepped forward toward the portal. "You mean to tread on sacred ground, and we are duty-bound to protect it. Prepare for the consequences if you press on."

It was Athena, the voice of wisdom and reason, who stepped forward, her hand against the barricade that kept them from entering the portal, "We want the same, a better world, change. We are powerless now to change anything at all. We lack the apples that strengthen us while you have those aplenty... but we have something you lack. Something you, too, have a need of. We can be of use to one another."

She cast a look to Apollo, who frowned at the silent command. He shook his head, "It's all we have.. Zeus won't be pleased with us giving this up so easily."
Athena's answer was the ghost of a smile initially, "Show them, Apollo. Zeus will be even less pleased if we fail to bring him what we're here for."
Ares made a sound of frustration, backing away from the portal as he fought his temper, while Aphrodite softly pitched in, "We have no need for it, we have it aplenty... it won't be missed."

Apollo frowned at this, nodding as he unhooked a pouch from his belt, opening it and tilting it toward the portal. It was Thor who's eyes widened in surprise, "Ambrosia."
Athena offered a simple nod, "We hear that you lack the means to create new Gods to take the place of those that have fallen, but you know as well as I do that every pantheon needs balance, needs those in roles for those who've fallen. This will allow you to create new deities. It is a thing we have to offer... in return for a thing we need. Let us in, keeper. Trade with us."

Thor's eyes were on her but Namira knew Thor wouldn't speak for her. If anything, he was always supportive and she knew he'd support whatever she decided now, "We will not host all of you, make a choice amongst yourself of who would best represent you and your pantheon."
Ares's eyes narrowed, "Two of us. You'll accept two. We will not send one of us in without any guarantee they will not be harmed but some pretty words spoken by a pretty goddess."

Namira's cheeks flushed at the backhanded compliment, but she nodded, "Very well. Decide on two of you, but pick carefully because your worth has yet to be decided."

TBC...

Athena, Apollo, Aprhodite, Ares