20

The Realm of Midgard

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A network of the energy of life, that is the cosmic tree Yggdrasil.

Yggdrasil, an immense cosmic tree that was birthed in the primordial void. Its branches and roots were so massive that there were nine realms it connected.

Branches reached into the heavens and roots pierced far into the void.

Nine realms. Something the old Norse understood as nine worlds.

The crown of Yggdrasil was the heavenly realm of Asgard. The home of the gods, surrounded by an impregnable wall. A place all those that perished had wished to see.

Opposite Asgard, the middle of the three roots of Yggdrasil, laid Helheim. An underworld ruled by death, almost an eternal continuation of life, neither in bliss nor torment.

The upper left branch was connected to the realm of Alfheim. Home of the elves, long living and more beautiful than morning light.

The upper right branch was connected to Vanaheim. Signifying the fertility and life force one could attain as well as the wisdom that could peek into the secrets of heaven.

The bottom left root connected to Jotunheimr. Dark forests and heaven-defying mountains existed in this realm covered with eternal frost. A place of sacrifice inhabited by Giants.

The bottom right root connected with Nidavellir. A realm where craftsmanship could rival the wane of the moon. A realm that reached the depths of the earth.

Lastly, there was the lower left branch with the realm of Muspelheim. A fierce fire that signified the primal elements of the primordial void. The first elemental world. And the lower right branch of Niflheim which was the realm hidden in the mist. Opposite of Muspelheim, this realm was an elemental world of ice as well as the first realm to emanate from the void.

And in the core of the tree, surrounded by all realms laid Midgard. A realm surrounded by an unsurpassable ocean. A realm signifying destruction and rebirth with each creation cycle.

All these realms were connected by Yggdrasil. A tree signifying life, connecting all living things in existence. A cosmic tree existing out of pure lifeforce and energy, one that allowed living creatures to travel to a different realm.

But did the nine realms signify nine living worlds or was it something else? What if Yggdrasil and the nine realms signified the achievements a living being could make? Not a worldly realm, but a realm of existence. A strength connecting to the cosmic tree, Yggdrasil, and tapping into its boundless force of life.

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Darkness surrounded him. Destruction had completely devoured his body.

Not a single thought passed through his mind for what felt like an eternity. His body was numb and his lifeforce was slipping as death inched ever closer.

The soft embrace of darkness offered him a comfort he couldn’t escape from. Occasionally bouts of sharp pain coursed through his body like lightning, but most of the time his body was numbed by the drugs that eased his pain.

Most of the pain originated from his arms. He knew it instinctively, his arm was done for. Even his shoulder, which had a clean fracture burned whenever sensation came back.

But the worst was his back. It felt like he lay in a pool of lava that was burning his back away.

However, now he could rest peacefully. His treatment must have continued as he stopped feeling these bouts of pain with short intervals.

No, now he felt something different. In the darkness of his conscience, he gradually saw a little speck of light.

A small round orb, which was the origin of this light had gradually grown. Almost like a seed of a tree that was planted in his mind. Its growth wasn’t rapid, however, the larger it became the less pain he started feeling.

A reinvigorated feeling spread from his palm through his body. This refreshing feeling replaced the pain that came in waves. And Alduin who completely forgot about the approach of the jaws of death, the Goblin captain that had been slain by Ise, was now entranced by this little orb.

It sprouted like a beautiful golden sapling that grew from a pure, sky-blue seed. However, as its shape became more clear it gradually resembled a golden electric current that stood there crystallized in front of him.

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His body felt ecstatic. His mind was juvenile like a child. He had long since forgotten the passage of time in this dark void.

He tried every which way possible to interact with the sapling. Yet to his dismay he didn’t have hands or even feet. No, his body didn’t seem to be here.

This was when he tried a different approach. His thoughts wanted to manifest in a spiritual form. A clear thought focused on touching this small sapling.

Yet he failed time and time again.

‘How do you recollect the sense of touch?' Alduin thought.

His thoughts returned for the first time since being here but he hadn’t even noticed. He had forgotten his senses, and it was hard to manifest the sense of touch in his mind.

Before he knew it, every current of pain disappeared. His muscles had stopped spasming and now the crystallized current of lightning resembled a tree. Albeit it didn’t have full-grown branches yet, neither did it have large roots.

Just like a flower, it stood there in the darkness.

Shining more beautifully than anything he had ever seen.

‘It reminds me of Veleda,’ Alduin subconsciously thought. But he still didn’t hear his internal voice.

His mind was focused to its utmost limits just trying to caress this plant. All his energy seemed to fade the moment his spiritual body even came close.

And then he felt it.

A fresh feeling coursed through his body. His spiritual palm gently touched the thin branch-like tree.

Lightning. Thunder. Voltage.

Everything traveled through his body in an instant.

But unlike the sensation of a taser, this current washed through his veins with a current of life.

A fresh sensation erupted. All his bones seemed to pop and his muscles felt the utmost sense of comfort. Even his back which felt hot had turned into a chilling cold. A sensation of walking outside through a fresh dawn.

The first fruit had fallen from this small tree, a small dewdrop cleared his mind instantly. And before he could respond, the small sapling stood there in a lit void. Standing in joy at his gentle touch.

The darkness had vanished and countless stars stood in its place.

‘Bright.’ Alduin squinted his eyes.

‘Huh?’ He heard his internal voice.

‘What?’ His eyes squinted and the moment he opened them a stone roof entered his sight.

He found himself in a dark room. A small window adorned the wall but it didn’t offer much light, instead a light bulb shone brightly.

It took a while for his eyes to adapt before he could see his surroundings clearly.

“What.” A vibration spread through his throat.

“What?!” His left arm instantly touched his neck. “I’m alive?”

He didn’t understand what had happened, and looking at his left arm made him even more confused.

“Where am I?”

A warm touch spread from his right arm, a young girl lay there sleeping, her hand was interlocked with his. She was sleeping on a next to his bed as her head rested on his blanket.

Alduin instinctively moved his left hand closer before caressing her wavy golden hair. She had a tired look on her face. Small drops of tears hadn’t dried yet and soft shivers jolted through her body.

“Veleda,” Alduin gently whispered.

His hand moved her hair aside to get a clear look. His panicked mind had subsided and a calm feeling overwhelmed him. Warmth spread from his heart to the rest of his body.

‘Uhn.’ A soft groan sounded out.

“Veleda,” Alduin lowered his face closer to her ear and whispered again.

“Just a bit longer.” Veleda had stopped shivering after hearing his voice. Her head nestled deeper and she gently increased her grip on his hand.

“Just a-“ Veleda opened her eyes.

Her face was right in front of Alduin’s.

“Good morning.” Alduin smiled as his hand pushed her hair behind her ear.

“G-“ Veleda’s eyes opened wide. “Alduin?”

A flustered panic pushed her body away before a look of disbelief replaced it. And then she started crying.

“Veleda?” Alduin wanted to ask but her lips were faster.

A soft sensation spread through him. A kiss had landed before he even knew. Their lips were once more connected, however now an entirely new world was waiting for them.

“H-How? What happened?” Veleda looked at the sitting Alduin in shock before she started inspecting him. Her eyes moved like lightning over his body.

Her fingers landed on his arms and softly felt through the bandage.

“How are you moving your arm?” Veleda had helped brace his arm but it would still take a long time before any movement could be made. Not only that, the damage was so severe that his left arm should have become limp, even if only slightly would be asking for much.

“Veleda.” Alduin tried getting her attention but she moved faster. She was already looking at his shoulder and then it happened.

“Veleda!” Alduin yelled with a fluster.

She had pulled his shirt up.

“What?” Veleda looked at him with strict eyes.

“I’m fine.”

“I can see that.” The gentleness that was shown through her kiss had turned into something else.

“You don’t have to pull up my shirt to check do you?”

“I have long since seen more.” Her hands touched his stomach and her lips formed a smirk.

“D-Did you?” Alduin asked while pushing her hands back.

Veleda looked flustered before she became disappointed. “N-no...” Veleda stared away, she had a hard time lying, even if it was a joke. “Your mom wouldn’t let me in.”

And then Alduin realized.

“What?” He finally understood. “What do you mean ‘long since’? What’s going on, how much time has passed?”

Veleda who now held his hands gripped as if she never wanted to let go.

She had just woken up. A nightmare had once more haunted her dreams but now she finally sat there with Alduin close to her.

No. For the first time in two weeks, she sat there and could speak with him.

“Alduin.” Veleda looked and reality finally settled in. She once more started crying and couldn’t help but push herself into his arms.

“I thought you were going to die.” A sobbing voice echoed in the empty room as Alduin finally realized.

'It wasn’t a dream.' Alduin put his arm around her. 'The world really has changed.'