10 Minute Tales

Jul 19 - The Passing

200th post woo!

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He panted weakly, gripping the haft of his axe. He spat his defiance at his foe, a mysterious soldier wearing metal all over. The foe raised his weapon, a mighty length of metal that glimmered gently in the light.

"Do it!" he roared, trying to stand again but failing. "This is a noble death!" The enemy didn't speak, simply swinging the blade shut. He met the end with a roar, finding his spirit ascending beyond the world he knew. He found himself at the foot of a large bridge that lead towards a gargantuan palace, the likes of which he had never seen before. He stood with a grunt, still feeling the pain of his mortal shell. He carefully approached the bridge, looking at it closer. It seemed to be made of rainbows, a shimmering myriad of colour that somehow formed a solid surface. He looked up to see a humanoid - he would have said it was a man, was it not twice his size and incredibly powerful.

"Ho, warrior." he greeted, nodding his head briefly. The warrior nodded in kind.

"Ho, guardian. What place is this?"

"This is Himinbjörg, the Sky Fortress Cliffs." he explained. "I am Heimdall, the Watcher."

"For what do you watch, o Heimdall?" he asked politely. He was speaking with a god!

"I watch for our foes, the giants. When the traitor leads them here, I must do combat with him. That, however, is my job." he gestured behind him, to the palace. "You will feast and drink with the finest of warriors. When your time comes, you shall be brought back to this land to prepare."

"To prepare for the end of days, correct?"

"Indeed. You shall hear my horn when the time comes." he gestured to the horn by his side, a horn as long as his leg. It was polished ivory and supported with brass rings. "Pray that you never hear Gjallarhorn."

"I shall." he nodded gravely. "May I cross Bifrost to climb to Asgard?"

"I will not stop you." Heimdall nodded. "Go in joy, brother. You fell in glorious battle, and you shall be rewarded!"

"They shall hear my tale for as long as I have breath to tell it!" he roared triumphantly, marching up the bridge as he went. The wind whistled softly around him, his cloak ruffling in the breeze. He felt invigorated with every step, the pride of his past achievements bolstering his every step. He had fought valiantly and had no regrets. The stories he could share of his various struggles, the drinking, the food... and that wasn't even mentioning the fact he would be in the hall of the gods. He nearly broke into a run there and then, but he kept himself calm. The halls of glory would wait for him. He turned back briefly, looking out over the plains leading up to Himinbjörg. It seemed that they were secure - at least, for now. He turned back to Asgard and noticed he was at the gates. No gatekeeper awaited him; he cracked his knuckles and pushed against the titanic door.