[Up till now chapters have been by location for the most part. However, at this point in the story because people other than Hunter have access to realm travel and are helping Hunter from other realms. This means the story will jump between locations during the chapter to cover what people are doing while Hunter is doing his thing. Chapter breaks will still be based primarily on when Hunter shifts to a different location.]
It's been a month or so since Hunter's last trip to another realm but the memory of the experience sticks with him like it was yesterday. Much like the first time he transformed, Hunter found his vision covered in red as he lost control of himself. Then when he regained it and shifted back all the things he'd been holding in and not giving himself time to process simply leaked out. This included a confession that he wasn't as ready and willing to die as one would have thought with how little he seemed to object to the idea. It also included a confession that when he was hit by the Bifrost energy net that dragged him to Alfheim he experienced visions that seemed to be from across time.
These visions were difficult to work with since they weren't in chronological order. Hunter was able to line up some of them into a proper timeline thanks to many of the events being in the past. The earliest event he experienced was the death of Ymir. It was one of the more vivid of the visions as he saw it from a first person view and felt everything Ymir felt in that moment. Physically and emotionally. The anger, the bloodlust, the sense of superiority he had over all other living things including his own children. Ymir was a tyrant in every sense of the word.
Hunter witnessed bits of the first invasion from Hastur and his followers, what was considered a scouting party was a devastating force that took the twelve kingdoms of Asgard banding together to deal with it, and bits of Ragnarok as well. Hunter also saw his own death in vivid detail. He was on his knees, an army in front of him, victorious in battle. The person closest to him was Lilac who had a smile on her face till Hunter told her it was time to say goodbye. Hunter could feel his life fading before a burning pain shot across his body and the vision shifted.
Out of all the visions, all of what he saw, there was one that stood out that he couldn't place on the timeline as to when it was. No idea if it was past or future, no idea what realm it was in. In this vision Hunter was standing with the only thing in sight between a large tree with no leaves on it. Hunter had full control of himself in this vision and walked closer to the tree. He noticed he was walking on air above a crystal clear lake that reflected the tree, and then he noticed something hanging from it that looked like dead bodies. When Hunter looked up at the real tree he saw that they weren't dead bodies, but mannequins dressed in rags. Seven of them, just dangling there. Hunter didn't understand why this vision was so different from the rest of when it took place, then again it's not like he had time or a way to figure it out right now.
Once more on a weekend Hunter would be pulled, this time from his home to a place he had yet to be. Once on the other side the first thing he noticed was the cold, the second being the fact he was inside a building that was made of ice. Hunter looked out what functioned as a window to see a blizzard outside so intense it blocked the light from the sun. He knew exactly where he was. The snowy land of mist, Nifilhiem.
Hunter switched his outfit to something better for the weather outside before going out to explore. Though it was hard to see he knew the layout like the back of his hand and made his way to the center of town. Assuming things were consistent the local leadership should be in the city hall building. Although it was more than possible to wait out the recharge in the building till he could leave it was probably best to meet the locals. Especially if he was to bring together the realms as a united force.
As Hunter forced his way through the bad weather it started letting up a bit so he could actually see. The building where city hall would be in his town in Midgard standing before him. He walks up and knocks on the ice covered door. After a short wait, the door cracks open and a pair of purple eyes peek through the door. “Hello?”
“Hi there, I'm Hunter Steel-Bone from Midgard. Long story short I've inherited the powers of Ymir and the ability to travel realms. I get dragged to a realm I've yet to visit every so often to absorb the part of him in that realm. I'd like to come in to have a place to rest and update you on the state of the world outside this one.”
The Jotun man grumbled and opened the door. “Come on in then. A human can catch his death in this weather.”
Hunter enters the building and kicks the snow off his boots. “Your eyes and skin color are a bit off for a frost Jotun. You're mixed, aren't you?”
The horned Jotun with purple eyes and slightly purpled skin nodded. “You've met others before?”
“Cinder Ashdotter, queen of Muspelheim is a quarter frost giant because of her grandmother. She's a friend of mine.”
“Ah. Well, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Glacier Nifilson, King of Niflheim.” He does a light bow. “I'm a quarter fire Jotun.”
“Cool. Not the first frost Jotun I've met since I've been to Jotunheim. Of course I didn't see much of it or meet the leader. I've yet to meet a proper earth or storm Jotun yet, but I'm sure I'll have the chance when I go back.”
“You said earlier you had something important to talk about.”
“Right, onto the current events. War is coming and I'm hoping you can get your people ready to fight. I'm not sure if you are familiar with the Nautilus invasion, but apparently that was just a scouting party. Their leader, Hastur, is bringing a proper army this time. We'll need all the realms working together. Asgard, Helheim, and Alfheim are already gathering forces and getting ready to join a United Yggdrasil force. The Jotun kingdoms will remain independent, an equal partnership between the realms is what I'm aiming for. I can't, or rather won't, force your hand or even attempt to. Ultimately it's up to you and your people but it'll be a lot harder without you.”
Glacier put his hand on his chin. “Okay, but how will we even fight united without realm travel?”
“We've got two boats that gang sail to different realms thanks to a Bifrost engine. They should be done soon if not already. I also hope to establish a Bifrost powered communications system so we can send info across the realms.”
Glacier extends his hand. “You can count me in, to protect my realm and my people we'll gladly fight for freedom from the invaders.”
Hunter nods. “That was easier than I expected. Kinda strange you didn't even question if anything I was saying is true though. It's strange how easy it seems to be for people to just take what I say at face value. I mean, I tend to be straight with people but still. It's rare that someone will accuse me of deception, usually when they do it's because they've chosen to distrust me as soon as they look at me.”
“There's something about your tone and body language and the quickness of your responses I guess. For some reason when you talk I simply don't get a feeling you could be giving false information. Besides, what you are saying is serious and would take an amount of foreknowledge. I just have one thing I'd like to ask for.”
“Oh? Well I guess I'll have to hear it.”
“I'd like an introduction to Cinder when possible.”
“I can arrange that, but for now I sleep. You got a place for me to use?”
“I've got a spare room. Hope you have blankets.
“I've got an entire bedroll, I'll be fine. I'll see you after my nap and we can talk more.”
“Enjoy your nap.” Glacier waved as Hunter went to the guest room to sleep.
Meanwhile in Idavoll, Lady Hel has used her boat to take a trip back on her own to talk to Vidar.
Hel entered the throne room of Idavoll and immediately told Vidar they needed to speak in private. It was important.
“Okay Hel, what in Odin's name could possibly be so important?”
“That's actually part of the problem, Odin. I don't trust him or my father. I'd like to see the possible futures for myself.”
“Are you insane?! What could possibly be worth making the kind of sacrifice the Well of Knowledge asks for?”
Hel grabbed her arm and looked away from Vidar. “I don't… I don't want him to die. He shouldn't have to make that kind of sacrifice, and the fact he's been asked is garbage. He seemed so willing only for me to find out the only reason he wasn't freaking out is because he didn't give himself time to.”
“Why do you care so much? Besides having the fortune of being gifted the power of Ymir which has given him the ability to travel realms and fight on our level he's nothing special. If not for the power of Ymir he'd just be an oddly durable human. Anyone could have been given that power, anyone could have been asked to make that sacrifice.”
“But who else would be willing to make it? How many people can you think of would be willing to die for others so easily and without question? Although he may not see it or think it, although he may make up reasons to put himself down play what he's doing… he's a good and kind person.”
“Don't tell me you've fallen for that worm. I'm only playing nice because of what's at stake. Honestly if it wasn't an all or nothing deal I wouldn't give a damn about the other realms.”
“How could you say something so cold? What happened to the boy who was willing to stand up to his father and lose his voice to stand up for me when I was burned, crippled, broken, and robbed of my future motherhood?”
“He lost his voice, and upon regaining it realized sometimes making sacrifices for others isn't worth it. Why should I care about people outside my realm? They aren't my responsibility.”
“So you're saying that after the threat has passed you'll just go back to not interacting with other realms outside what is necessary? I don't understand how you can be so cold to someone you have so much in common with. Like you he lived most his life in the shadow of an older brother, striving to make his father proud enough to vocalize it. Hunter has already sacrificed so much throughout his life, he deserves the same chance to be happy as everyone else.”
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
“Do you even know what the Well will ask of you? What is it you value that could be of equal value to knowing how to save him from the fate he has chosen?”
Hel looked down at the floor, unable to provide an answer.
After a long pause Vidar started speaking again. “Look, despite our past I still care about you, and still value our friendship that we've rekindled. So tell you what, I'll take the dip in the Well myself. I already know what it'll take from me. But in exchange I want you to answer a question honestly.”
“You… you'd make such a sacrifice for me? After making a big deal about only caring about your own realm. What could you possibly ask that would make that worth it to you, or is the cold attitude just an act?”
“I'll do what I please and need not be questioned about my motivation. Now answer my question from before. That Midgardian, Hunter Steel-Bone, do you love him?”
Hel looked at the floor as she thought about it. Her and Hunter had gotten close in the short amount of time they've had together. But, although she found him physically attractive in his Jotun form and they had a lot in common with her definitely caring about him and his well-being, she couldn't exactly say she had clear romantic feelings for him. There were different kinds of love, and she definitely came to love Hunter in some way.
She however couldn't say with confidence she was “in love” with him. Sure, if they had the time her feelings could blossom into a romantic love. She could easily imagine her and Hunter having a life together in another timeline. But here, in this timeline, knowing there might not be a way to save him… Knowing even if she somehow did her time with him would be limited… Knowing being with her would be asking him to abandon any hopes of ever being a father. If she did grow to love him in that way, could she ask that of him? She looked back up to Vidar after weighing over everything. “Honestly? I don't know. I definitely care for him, but I don't think I could say I'm in love with him. I'm not trying to save him in the hopes we could be together and he could be happy with me. I just want him to have the choice.”
Vidar put his hand on his chin and rubbed his salt and pepper beard. “You were not given a choice to sacrifice, but he has been. He's clearly chosen this, even if he's not exactly enthusiastic about it he still made a choice. He could have chosen not to sacrifice himself.”
“You know damned well that's not true! How the hell could any decent person be told it's their happiness or everyone else's even think of being selfish enough to choose themselves?! He wasn't given a choice, he was given an ultimatum!”
“You do realize you're asking me to make a sacrifice, for the possibility of saving Hunter from a fate he's chosen? Give one good reason, and don't say it's because he deserves to be happy.”
“I already told you, he didn't *choose* this out of his own will. He's not doing this because he *wants* to, he's doing this because he feels like he *needs* to. Besides, you can't tell me you trust our fathers. At the very least we'll know for ourselves what's coming.”
“So in the end you are asking me to do this, not for his sake, but for mine?” A smirk grows across his face. “In that case what are we waiting for?”
He starts leading her to where the Well of Knowledge is, on the way the two spot and are spotted by Thrud and Michael sparing. The pair run over to Hel and Vidar to see what they are up to.
“We are going to the Well of Knowledge, to decipher if what we've been told about the possible futures is true. Hopefully we can figure out a way to save Hunter.”
Michael looked to Thrud then back to Hel. “That is actually one story I do know. If you are sure about this then I think we'll come with you.”
“It's not like you can help much, but I guess there's no reason for you not to.”
The four travel down a cave to a well made of strange bricks with a slight blue-purple glow to them. Michael notices the color. “This thing, it's powered by Bifrost energy isn't it?”
“Yeah, actually might explain how Hunter saw different points in time when that net hit him. The Bifrost doesn't just bridge space, but time. It might be possible that the branches of Yggdrasil reach parallel times. That's a conversation for another time.”
“Right, so who's doing this and how is it done?”
Vidar steps forward. “I'm doing this. First I take the enchanted rope that would be used for the bucket and put it around my neck, then I dive in.”
“You have to hang yourself from a noose to do this? I thought the story where Odin hung himself was a different story.”
“It is, he did that to lead him to the well and it also gave him other benefits. But I skipped that step.”
“Well, unless you need those other benefits I'd say just tie it around your waist like normal.”
Vidar paused for a bit. “Right.” He grabbed the rope and put it around his waist. “Alright Lady Hel, you know the drill right? When the rope lights up you pull me up.”
Hel nodded as Michael looked over the bucket from the well that had glowing water in it. He put some in a bottle. “If this water is charged with Bifrost energy, then it might help Hunter recharge after a fight or jump. I'm going to fill as many bottles as I can from what's in this bucket for later”
Hel was a bit surprised to see Michael have that sort of forethought for something. It was clear Michael cared about his brother, and knew better than to try and talk him out of something. So instead Michael did his best to support Hunter.
Vidar gave what must have been a sort of salute before jumping into the well, the other three waiting above for him to return.
Once in the water there was a bright light that enveloped Vidar and he found himself in a blue-purple void with the rope simply ending in the distance. “Hello? Anyone here? I've come seeking knowledge.”
A figure appeared, made of the same light and colors as the area around them. It had the shape and voice of a female but wore no face and no expression. Without a mouth her words echoed in an endless room without walls. “Hello Vidar the Silent. We've been expecting you. Tell us, what knowledge do you seek?”
“I want to know if my father Odin and adopted brother Loki were being misleading about the futures they saw, to know if there is or was another way forward to victory. If possible, a way for Hunter to survive this.”
Two other figures show up, both male. One speaks with the voice of Odin, the other with the voice of Loki.
The glowing Odin speaks first. “I saw many a future, many of them leading to the realms at peace. Not all of them had Hunter being given the power of Ymir. Not all of them had him making the sacrifice. However, someone had to make it. Hunter was the only one who did it in every future where he made it to the end. Yes, we could have made things go that way to spare him. But why spare one insignificant mortal just to sacrifice another in his place? At least Hunter understands what's at stake and is somewhat willing. He knows exactly what's coming and although he may waver he's already beyond the point of no return. Even if someone besides Hunter got the power of Ymir that wouldn't have guaranteed his safety anyway. Out of all the candidates he was one of the few with the potential to travel realms even without the power. There were several possibilities that ended with him living a life in another realm and even being in the war despite not having the power. There were even possibilities where there was no war at all. Though we couldn't depend on those since they required variables beyond our control.
“Wait… so he could have been a living Bifrost even without Ymir? The implications of that are…. Wild. Fine, if I can't stop how it ends, at least show me his death and what comes after.”
The three figures nod and put their hand on his head, a flash of light is followed by a vision of what could be. The possible endings for Hunter from this point in time.
Hel, Thrud, and Michael stood outside the well for what felt like several minutes. Michael was tapping his foot when he grumbled in frustration. He better not have drowned down there, he's already been down there for more than long enough to.”
Just after the complaint the rope glows and the three rush to pull Vidar out. Drenched in glowing water he coughs some up. He said ses his hands to do a sort of sign language. “Ugh, that stuff tastes awful. Like eating a mix of sugar and sand.”
Hel helped Vidar to his feet. “So did you do it, did you figure something out?”
Vidar points to his throat and signs. “I've lost my voice again haven't I? Gone for good this time. Hope you enjoy interpreting my flailing hands for the rest of this.”
Michael rubbed his eyes. “Sign language really messes with the auto translator. Just tell us what you found out already.”
“I saw the possible futures from here, and we're passed the point of no return. There is no way to prevent Hunter's fate. There were other options besides Hunter but they would have taken a lot more effort and some risked Odin staying alive and becoming corrupt. Apparently Hunter had the potential to gain realm travel even without Ymir. If not Hunter, then someone else would be in the same shoes and be forced to make a similar sacrifice. Hunter is one of a few options that would knowingly choose it though. So out of all of the possibilities Hunter is actually the best one they could have made. I saw Hunter's death so many times…”
“How… Does he die?” both Hel and Michael asked.
“Though some details change, that's one thing that stayed the same. I saw him on his knees, his injuries looked bad but treatable. After some final words he'd burst into flames and be consumed by what looked like his own power. Blue-purple flames seemed to turn him into a husky but… something felt off. I mean it didn't make sense for his power to backfire like that, but I was missing a lot of context. I also asked to see what happened after.”
Michael sighed. “Please tell me the part about his sacrifice leading to peace and happiness for the realms is at least also true.”
“From what I saw, yeah.” Vidar grips his head and groans in pain. “Thanks to the effort of Hunter and everyone, the realms form a sort of United Yggdrasil Alliance that lasts after his death. They even establish a holiday celebrating the formation of the alliance and the defeat of Hastur but…. I didn't say any memorial in honor of Hunter. You'd think they'd build a statue for the guy that gave it all for everyone. Everything I saw however packed full context and I think might have been out of order.”
“Why do you say it might have been out of order?”
“Well at some point I got a glimpse of Hunter playing a musical instrument at a mead hall of some sort in Midgard. I didn't recognize it but it was black and he tapped at white buttons with his fingers causing little hammers to hit strings inside it.”
Michael chuckled. “That's a piano. Our grandma forced him to learn how to play when we were kids. He has a love of music but a fear of performing in front of a crowd. Maybe you say his afterlife?”
“Maybe, I'm not even sure if that's a thing. It was strange to see that after seeing him burn to death from his own power though. Then, at some point after that, I got a vision of someone standing at the base of a tree in a lake. I'm not sure why but for some reason the robed figure felt familiar.”
Hel stood straighter than before. “Tree in a lake? Hunter mentioned seeing a spindly tree with no leaves at the center of a lake when he mentioned his visions from the net feedback. Did the tree have mannequins hanging from it, dressed in rags?”
“Yeah, I thought they were dead bodies at first because the reflection in the lake looked more morbid and I thought they were dripping blood but the mannequins were just that. They weren't bodies.”
“That matches up closely with the tree vision Hunter shared. Why would he be given a vision of something after his death? Then again he was also shown stuff from before he was born. His vision didn't include a robed figure though.”
“The figure was male, I could only tell from the voice. I saw a glimpse of a face under the cowl. They looked right at me and smiled before saying “it's about time”. I got a feeling that although they were looking at me they weren't talking to me. If not for the context of asking to see the future I would have thought the entire vision was a metaphor.”
“Metaphor for what though? There are a number of possible symbolism that a tree on a lake could represent.”
Thrud finally spoke up. “You said the lake was an imperfect reflection right? Did you count the number of mannequins and compare that to the bodies in the reflection.”
“Uhh… no.” Vidar closes his eyes and pictures the vision again. “It was the same number, seven I think.”
Hel nodded. “That matches the vision Hunter had.”
Thrud sighed. “Seven above, seven below. An imperfect reflection, darker in the roots. That sounds like a representation of Yggdrasil. The tree being dead would be a bad omen if it was a symbolic vision.”
Hel pitched in “Considering the context, the most likely scenario is that someone set up the tree to look like that. But considering we don't know any context other than it's something from a possible future there's not really any reason to dwell on it. Even if it's unusual. It's just disappointing to know there's no way to prevent Hunter from death.”
Vidar looked away from the group. He felt a slight shame to be doing the same thing his father did. He had no issues remembering what he saw, and although he had some difficulty describing it, he still intentionally held back information. If he told them the truth of Hunter's fate, it would only make things worse. The fight would be the end of Hunter, as far as everyone that knew him in the realms was concerned it would be his death. However if Vidar gave away the exact details he knew it would risk a fate worse than death.
Back in Niflheim, Hunter had awoken with a start. He dreamed of the strange tree with the mannequins. He had no idea why that image stuck with him so much. If this was something after his death it's not like he'd be there to find out what it was. Hunter made his way to Glacier who had readied a simple meal for the two. Hunter sat and ate with the frost Jotun.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
“Better than I did my first night in Muspelheim. It's easier to adjust for cold than heat. Also I didn't wake up to find myself in front of a nude muscle mommy who sleeps naked.”
“You saw Cinder naked?”
“Not intentionally. I mean we got along fine but I've got too much going on right now to think about a relationship even if that's something she wanted. Hopefully she can find someone to spend her life with because it's definitely not going to be me. Not only do humans only have century-long lifespans naturally, but the path I have chosen leads to my death at a young age. I'm going to die in this war so others can live.”
“That's…. Heavy. You seem to be taking it well.”
“I try to focus on the good that'll come after and the fact that my death and life will have meaning. In reality, I'm doing everything I can not to freak out about it. I've already had one breakdown. It's not like I want to die, unfortunately I kinda have to it seems.”
“Are you sure there's no other way?”
Hunter shook his head. “I've made my choice.”
Glacier filled and raised a glass of alcohol. “To Hunter Steel-Bone, the bravest and strongest person I know in all the realms. May his name echo through time long after his death.”
Hunter chuckled. “Save it for my funeral. Now then, about that meeting. We should take care of that before I go home.”
Glacier gets up and readies himself for the trip and Hunter taxis him to Muspelheim to meet Cinder. Glacier is left there as Hunter sends word that there are now five worlds in the alliance.