The diver had never stopped swimming upward or looked back to see what Tyr had done, as such he had his head out of the water a few seconds before Tyr did.

  Well, it's my loss, though Utgard-Loki will doubtless have more contests.

  "Jormungandr! Jormungandr!" Shouted the diver frantically making his way to the shoreline. The other Jotun nearby moving in at an urgent pace, with some readying weapons while others stood at a distance writing runes in the air. Utgard-Loki had come down from the cliff with a white flame enveloping his arms. Tyr swam over to the group, though some pointed their weapons at him.

  "How far has he got through?" Utgard-Loki asked.

  "As far as..."

  "Excuse me but he is now behind your barrier." Tyr interrupted. The Jotun present suddenly began staring at him, almost dumbfounded.

  "I saw him pass the realm gate to our side." The diver began.

  "I hit him back beneath it. Also, sorry for interrupting you earlier." Said Tyr to the diver.

  "You knocked him back to the Midgard side?" Said one Jotun with a slightly mocking disbelief.

  "I hit his snout and he recoiled in shock, which resulted in him going back to Midgard. Though I must admit I thought Jormungandr wasn't supposed to release his tail from his mouth till Ragnarok."

  "Hmph." Went Utgard-Loki, "That is a story mortals give when someone questions why something that big doesn't eat every ship on the Sea. In reality, Jormungandr has found hidden passageways to all nine realms within the oceans, and will travel between them to get food, though since he is so large he never leaves Midgard in spite of this.

  "Though I must express surprise you were able to strike Jormungandr hard enough for him to feel it."

  "I'm one of the Aesir whose strength is said to rival Thor's." Tyr shrugged.

  "Oh, who else is there?"

  Tyr opened his mouth, but then responded "Others besides me."

  Utgard-Loki smirked for a moment before dosing the flames on his arms and turned towards the Jotun next to him.

  "Keep a small group of fighters here with a horn just in case Jormungandr breaks through again, and have couriers sent to the other locations to let them know. If he doesn't show after three hours, place a four day charm and return to Utgard Hall."

  The Jotun bowed and went to do as asked, while Utgard-Loki lead Tyr and the rest back to the hall, conversing with Tyr as they went.

  "I had no idea Thor had those who were able to rival Thor's strength, perhaps we can see if your feats of strength can succeed where his failed."

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  "I doubt I will surpass him, though if you insist on trying, I would encourage that the 'cat' be well fed before I try to pick it up."

  "Ah yes, our 'cat'; rest assured, I was thinking more along the lines of a wrestling match..."

  "Against an elderly lady?"

  "Heard about that too I see. Well, what would you propose?"

  "Hmmm... how about instead of one match, we do multiple, starting with your embodiment of old age and then those of your clansmen who wish to face me."

  "I see no reason to refuse, but why do you wish to face Elli, do you truly think you shall win?"

  "I wish to see if I can do as well as Thor did when he went against her."

  "Hah! Competitive scamp aren't you?"

  "Perhaps, though nothing wrong with trying to be all that I can." Tyr said with a smile.

  "Lousy Aesir, the little brat is looking down on us." Said one of the Jotun behind him.

  "He says his strength can rival Thor's, but no Vaettir can have more than one being at that caliber." Replied another.

  "Still, he is indeed very powerful. I mean you saw how he tore through earth and stone before hitting the water below. Even with the stump."

  At this point, Utgard-Loki began to walk at a slower pace to stand next to those talking while everyone else moved at the pace they had been.

  "Tyr has been moving about with a fair deal of confidence, albeit tempered with respect. He may believe his claims. Still..."

  Utgard-Loki returned to walking next Tyr and then yawned.

  "Ah Tyr, this excitement has gotten me surprisingly tired, what say that before your wrestling we eat first."

  Tyr gave Utgard-Loki a sideways look before replying"I see no particular reason not to."

  Utgard was now in sight and there soon came a messenger who ran to meet with them.

  "Master Utgard-Loki, the half-breed has returned from your task and wishes to report."

  "Splendid, have him take them to see about some food, and bring some for us as well; and pay close attention to the spices."

  Tyr saw the messenger bow and thought there may have been a smile on their face. though Utgard-Loki had got his attention by talking to him again.

  "I do not wish to pry Tyr, but I understand that your connection to the Aesir is one of adoption correct?"

  "Why are so curious about my connection?"

  "Well," said Utgard-Loki leaning in and speaking softer. " I understand well enough the appeal of Odin's kingdom: Powerful items, good feasts, and an afterlife in which, for the Aesir at least, can allow the living to still interact with 'deceased' loved ones. But tell me, does Odin truly strike you as a good ruler? He is known even among us to leave Asgard and wander the realms, letting no one know that he left or returned or even what he learned. Furthermore, he is not above making mischief and deception, even war among the Non-Aesir. He will not let anything stand in the way of what he wants..."

  "Can you say you are different?" Tyr interrupted.

  "Me personally? No, but I'm but one ruler of the Jotun, and not the leader of all giants. Odin rules over all Aesir, and even a portion of the Vanir, and his secrets can keep his allies from the truth they need. Jotun have but one truth, given by Ymir: Strength is what matters, and height grants strength. would not it be simpler among us?"

  "No." Tyr said looking at Utgard-Loki. " I admit Odin carries many secrets and I care not for deceptions, but part of my being with the Aesir is to do with their thought process, not Odin's alone. Besides, I do not believe in Ymir's truth."

  "And whose do you believe, Odin's?"

  "Illuvatar's"

  "Who?"

  "The first All-Father, the one before Ymir or Odin."

  Utgard-Loki briefly gave Tyr a look like he crazy, but there soon came a Jotun serving girl with a tray of bread and tankards. Utgard-Loki broke the bread and handed some to Tyr, who ate it without issue. However, as he drank from the tankard, Tyr began lose his balance.

  "Utgard-Loki..."

  "Sorry Tyr, but I need a little more time to plan our next event, and you are revealing yourself to be more than I anticipated. By my troth, you will wake up unharmed and unbound yet..."

  Utgard-Loki's voice trailed off and Tyr lost consciousness, cursing himself for falling to this trick.