“The drakes cursed the shotgun in my hand. It is meant for shooting immortals. So don’t try us, or we will give you some nasty scars to remember. ” ---- “Geek” Greg Goldmane, Acolyte of Moccus, Chief Engineer of the 1st Legion,

“G? Where are you?” Freyr called out for Gullinbursti. Amidst the bloodbath, he was separated from his trusted servant.

“Lord Freyr,” A group of mortal soldiers in scale armor approached, dragging a large chunk of metal. “We found his rake by the Níðhöggr’s body. Sorry, we could not go further...”

“Your effort had earned you honor, midgardians. Leave his rake here and leave the search to the immortals.”

“We shall resume our patrol duty then. Alfather guides us.” The soldiers awaited Freyr’s response.

“Go, then. Valhalla awaits.” Environment reshape gods. As a nature god, Freyr had shed too much blood and fought too many battles. Often, he forgot he was a Vanir, not an Aesir.

When the titanic, unholy dragon finally succumbed to death, its body exploded into pieces and transformed the desolate around it into a deadly, poisonous swamp. Gullinbursti was last seen on its back, peeling its scales with his rake.

Leaping on his aerial ship Skíðblaðnir, Freyr started searching from above. Dalang was exposable, but Gullinbursti has to be retrieved. He could not risk leaving tech that predated the gods behind in a realm of darkness and despair.

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Dragon blood often contained either deadly poison or generous blessings. Bathe in the right blood would grant mortal immortality; bathe in the wrong blood would even kill an immortal.

There it was, a golden brick hiding amongst the rotting guts and the crimson mists.

“There it is.” Freyr hopped off his ship and approached Gullinbursti. He was lying there, tinkering with some dragon bones.

“Sorry, I must’ve forgotten about the time. Gotta say the dragon’s inside was even nastier than this turd of a swamp, filled with tumors and stones...”

“Come on; you can write that in your report.” Freyr patted him in the back and interrupted him.

“Yea---- about that. Can you find my lower body? When I busted the bastard’s guts open with my armor, the explosion kind of ripped me in two pieces.”

“Ugh. Rip you in half with the armor? ”

“Yes and no. The bones weren’t half as tough as my armor. Its blood melted the counters, and then my skin and my limb. Anyway, its blood nullifies my regeneration. I think the dragon has the ability and absorb divinity and regrow itself.” He presented the bone to Freyr. “I could not identify which body part does this piece of bone belongs to when I first picked it up when I got bored waiting for help. Now, as you can see, the bone bit had grown into a tooth.”

“What are you suggesting?” Freyr asked.

“I wish I had collected more samples in my celestial pocket, but we need to get out of this swamp. Who knows what this swamp would grow into with immortals and gods around charging it up with divinity.”

“Alright, let’s get half of you on the ship, and we will search for your other half.” Freyr tossed Gullinbursti’s upper body into the ship.

“Ouch, I can feel pain now, you know,” Gullinbursti complained. “With my divinity sucked dry and all, I am among the injured and need urgent care!”

“Whatever, pain is an indication of being alive.” Freyr hopped in the cockpit

“Wait and see. I am going to make a weapon out of this dragon and shoot your ass with it. Imagine it draining your divinity and stopping you from healing yourself.” Gullinbursti already had the name in mind.

“Huh? What did you say?” The takeoff noise covered Gullinbursti’s murmur.

“Nothing, can you focus on finding my damn legs, please?”