Songs Of Return

In the Realm of the dead

‘ungh’ Asmund groaned, even though no sound came out of his mouth. He looked up. what was in front of him was familiar, even if unwantedly so.

He looked around. Radiant Colors, Great woods with Deers and Goats feeding around, a Few Wolves stalking them.

The Sky was purple, star brighter than he’d ever seen before (except for one time before, here) the center of the sky an abyss that somehow didn’t drag all of them in.

In front of him was a set of Stairs, Large Statues of ancient Shezzarines staying Vigilant on the way, a stone road snaked around the Land to its other end.

Without any control over his actions, Asmund began walking down the Stairs, this time no Chanting to Greet him. On the way different men and women were hunting, speaking, or sparring. None paid him any heed, until he walked by them silently, and then they would look at him, respect in their eyes.

Asmund never understood what the point of this ‘respect’ was. He was their equal in death anyway, it wasn’t Like Shor Accepted any new Thanes in Sovngarde.

***

His Hike led him to the Giant man, standing vigilant before the Chasm.

“You’ve returned to us,” said the Shield-Thane, Tsun the Mighty. “Once more, before your time. By Decree of Shor, I have to test your mettle. But you’ve proven your worth in Life. Name your Name and State your business.”

Asmund looked at him straight in the eyes. Fear, or humility, would get him nowhere here. “I am Asmund Fire-helm, as Warrior in Life as I was a mage. I Bested Alduin the First-born on this plane and the other, Proving him the weaker on both. I faced many foes on my life, and bested them all. I fought for my land, I bled for my land, but I fell, not on my land.”

Shor said “Then walk past. Shor will deem your worth himself.”

As Asmund walked past the Giant Man, and the Whalebone Bridge, He smiled sadly. On the other side, A lot were waiting for him.

Two of them not people he’d expected to see talking to each other again.

Thorryg the Dead-king and Galmar the Stone-Fist. Talking to each other, drinking as if they were best of friends in life.

His eyes twitched, and he opened the Door.

A Blindening light greeted him from the other side.

***

When he walked into the Hall, they were dining. Just like how he’d seen in any Tavern, or in Jorvaskr. Unlike then, however, here everyone stopped when he walked in.

On the throne in front of him now someone was sitting.

A Man he was. Looking Young, with eyes bright and face smiling. He wore an armor like the one Tsun wore, which showed a most gruesome scar.

On his chest there was a hole where his Heart was supposed to be.

‘So the Legends were true’ Asmund thought to himself, not caring that here all could hear his thoughts. ‘Shor IS Lorkhan after all.’

“So another Man Walks into my Hall.” Said Shor with a tone neutral in everything. “Once more, you grace this earth with your presence, Shezzarine. Is there another Dragon to be slain?”

Everyone laughed, except for the warriors three, and another man who was sitting on the far end of the table, not looking him in the eyes.

“No, My lord” he said in reply, “I met one of the Harbringer’s old friends on the other side of a battlefield”

Half the men and women on the Table looked up, until Ysgammor the Avenger let a booming Laugh, “You met Alcuth, didn’t you? the Fire-Breather! He was always a tricky one in combat. I’ve missed him.” and then, the door opened again, and another man walked in.

This one looking like most of the others, but he wore an old Nordic Armor, eyes pale green, hair aflame as his staff was on his back.

“Alcuth, My friend! Nice to have you back!”