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Chapter 5

From the depths of Hela's mind and her cautious revelations, Harry learned of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, which connected the Nine Realms, a vast and complex cosmic structure linking worlds both wondrous and terrifying. Hela, though prideful and unyielding, spoke with a certain bitter reverence for Yggdrasil and the ancient forces that governed the realms.

She told him of the realms that stretched far beyond his experience of Earth, each with its own unique inhabitants and landscapes:

Asgard, the home of the Aesir gods, once ruled by her father Odin, a realm of golden halls and mighty warriors.

Midgard, or Earth, Harry's own world, unaware of its place in the cosmic order.

Vanaheim, the land of the Vanir, gods of nature and fertility, a realm more attuned to magic and ancient wisdom.

Jotunheim, the frozen world of the Frost Giants, a harsh and unforgiving land of eternal winter.

Svartalfheim, home to the Dark Elves, where shadows reigned, and magic was as deadly as the creatures who wielded it.

Alfheim, the realm of the Light Elves, a place of beauty, light, and ethereal magic.

Nidavellir, the home of the Dwarves, where they forged weapons of unimaginable power in the heat of their great forges.

Muspelheim, the fiery realm of Surtr and his fire demons, a land of constant battle and destruction.

Helheim, the realm of the dead, where Hela once ruled before her imprisonment, a place of cold and despair where the dishonored dead were sent.

But Hela also spoke of realms and dimensions beyond Yggdrasil, places uncharted by the gods and the World Tree itself. These were dark, isolated corners of the universe, not bound by the same laws, including the mysterious planet Harry now inhabited.

"Yggdrasil," she explained, "is the heart of the Nine Realms. Its branches connect these worlds, but not everything falls under its shadow. There are places—like this prison—forgotten, outside its influence. Places where gods and mortals alike are banished, forgotten by the realms."

Harry listened intently, piecing together the puzzle. His planet, the strange dark world where he'd been honing his god-like powers, was such a place—a forgotten corner of the universe, cut off from Yggdrasil and the realms of men and gods. But the existence of the Nine Realms intrigued him. The wealth of knowledge, power, and magic that must flow through these ancient worlds was something he couldn't ignore.

The races that populated the realms were as varied as the landscapes themselves. From the noble warriors of Asgard to the savage giants of Jotunheim, from the cunning Dark Elves to the mysterious Light Elves, each race possessed its own unique abilities and forms of magic. Harry could feel the pull of these places—new challenges, new opportunities to test the limits of his power.

"Why tell me all this?" Harry asked, his eyes fixed on Hela.

Hela regarded him carefully, her expression unreadable. "Because your presence here means something. Power like yours doesn’t just emerge without consequence. If you continue to grow unchecked, the balance of the realms could shift. And there are forces far older than Odin, older than even me, that will take notice."

"You're telling me this to warn me?"

"I'm telling you this because I want out of here," she said, her voice hard. "You have the power to free me, and I can help you navigate these realms. I know their secrets, their weaknesses. I’ve lived them. But more importantly, if you choose to interfere with Yggdrasil, you’ll need allies who understand the gods and the politics of the realms."

Harry considered her words. The knowledge of Yggdrasil and the Nine Realms was priceless, but Hela was dangerous. Her ambition to reclaim her throne in Asgard was clear, and her hatred for her father and the gods burned brightly. Still, her offer was tempting. The power he felt within him now, combined with the knowledge of these ancient worlds, could make him unstoppable. And yet, he knew he had to be cautious.

"If I free you," Harry said slowly, "what guarantees do I have that you won’t turn on me the moment you’re loose?"

Hela’s lips curled into a faint smile. "None. But we both know that if I tried, you would crush me before I could even raise a blade."

Harry didn't deny it. "Then let’s make a deal. You help me explore these realms, navigate the forces at play, and in return, I will free you when I deem it safe."

Hela hesitated, then nodded. "Agreed. But remember this, wizard—power is a double-edged sword. You might think you can control it, but sooner or later, it will control you."

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Harry gave her a hard look. "I’m not afraid of power, Hela."

"Then you are already stronger than Odin," she replied with a smirk.

With that uneasy alliance, Harry turned his gaze northward once again, where the mysteries of the Nine Realms—and beyond—awaited him. The dormant gods, the magic woven into the very fabric of Yggdrasil, and the forces beyond comprehension—they would all come to know the name Haraldin Peverell.

Harry took a deep breath, mulling over the wealth of knowledge he had extracted from Hela's mind. He knew he could leave this desolate planet without her help. The pathways through Yggdrasil, the hidden corners of the Nine Realms, and the means to traverse them were now etched in his memory. He had the power and the knowledge to carve out his own way. But he didn’t leave. Not yet.

Hela was too dangerous to be left unchecked, and Harry’s ingrained instinct to protect others wouldn’t allow him to turn his back. Despite her power and ruthless ambition, she had no control over the destruction she would cause if left to her own devices. Her lust for conquest, her disregard for life, would bring chaos to all the realms, and Harry couldn’t stand by and let that happen.

He agreed to her plan not out of loyalty, but out of necessity. Keeping her close meant he could monitor her actions, influence her choices, and, if necessary, stop her before she plunged the Nine Realms into another war. This wasn’t the first time Harry had aligned himself with a dangerous force, but this time he was no longer the boy who had stumbled through challenges. He was stronger, smarter, and far more powerful than Hela could ever suspect.

It’s for their sake, Harry thought, recalling Hermione’s frequent admonishments about his "saving people thing." She had always chided him for his hero complex, for being too quick to rush into danger for others. But deep down, she knew it was who he was. Even now, far removed from the world he once knew, Harry still carried that same sense of responsibility. He couldn’t help it.

Yet, he realized something else too. Harry Potter, as a name and identity, no longer suited the person he had become. He wasn’t just "The Boy Who Lived" anymore. That was a title tied to a childhood of prophecy and burdens, a history that felt distant and irrelevant now. He had grown beyond that, transcended the limits of who Harry Potter had been.

After learning about the vast history of the Nine Realms, their ancient heroes and gods, Harry knew he needed a name that reflected his new reality, a name that resonated with the immense power he now wielded and the legacy he would forge on his own terms. Haraldin Peverell.

It was a name steeped in meaning. "Haraldin" carried the weight of warriors and rulers, embodying the strength and leadership he now possessed. And "Peverell" was a connection to his past, a reminder of the family name tied to the Hallows and death itself. But unlike the legacy of Harry Potter, this was a name of his choosing, a name for the man who had mastered death and would now shape his own future.

Haraldin Peverell stood on the edge of an unknown future, powerful beyond measure, but with a clear sense of duty. He would travel the realms, keeping Hela in check, ensuring that her ambition didn’t unleash destruction. And as he navigated this new reality, he would no longer be bound by his past.

He was Haraldin Peverell now—a guardian, a protector, and a force to be reckoned with in the Nine Realms.

Harry had perfected a technique that would have been impossible for most wizards to even imagine: creating a personal dimension, hidden within the palm of his hand. It was his private space, invisible to others, where he could store anything he desired. With a mere thought, he could access this vast space, pulling items from it as easily as if they had been hidden in his robe pocket. Within this dimension, Harry had placed all of his magical trunks filled with supplies, books, food, and items he had collected during his time in the mortal world and beyond.

However, Harry had decided it was time for a change. The old magical tent he’d been using had served its purpose, but he wanted something new and comfortable, both for himself and for his unexpected companion, Hela. He conjured a new magical tent, more spacious and well-equipped than the last. This tent had two bedrooms, a kitchen with a dining room, a small but cozy living room, and a common bathroom. The library was filled not with magical tomes but with books written by Muggle authors, a deliberate choice by Harry.

Harry's intent was clear: he hoped to influence Hela's mindset. She had been consumed by her lust for power and her desire to rule, but Harry believed there was a chance to introduce her to different perspectives, to challenge her worldview. The Muggle books were filled with deep thoughts, philosophies, and tales of personal struggle. Perhaps, Harry thought, if Hela understood the complexities of other lives, she might change—if only a little.

Hela, having lived in the dilapidated ruins of the ancient city on a crude bed, was initially reluctant to engage with the strange new world Harry presented. However, she was undeniably fascinated by his magical tent. The comforts of the new space intrigued her, and though she wouldn't admit it, she enjoyed the novelty of it all. The food Harry prepared, while simple, was far more flavorful than the scraps she had scavenged from the ruins. And with little else to do, Hela found herself drawn to the books in the library. At first, she picked them up out of boredom, but as the days passed, she began to read more intently, slowly becoming absorbed in the thoughts and ideas within them.

Between their time spent reading, Harry and Hela sparred regularly. Their battles were intense, pushing them both to their limits. Harry held back slightly, knowing that he could easily overwhelm Hela if he chose to, but he let her believe that he was still refining his skills, still learning to control his vast powers. Hela, for her part, relished the challenge. She had never faced an opponent quite like Harry, someone who not only matched her in strength but also in strategy.

All the while, Harry pretended to continue working on opening a portal to escape the planet. He allowed Hela to believe that his ultimate goal was to leave and explore the other realms, that his patience was simply the result of fine-tuning his abilities. In truth, Harry already had the means to leave. He could step into any realm he wished with the knowledge he'd gained from Hela’s mind. But for now, he remained, observing Hela, quietly hoping that her time in the tent, surrounded by new ideas and experiences, would have a lasting effect on her.

Harry knew that changing someone like Hela was no simple task, but he was willing to try. She was dangerous—perhaps too dangerous to let roam free. But if he could temper her ambition, show her a different way to view the world, there might be hope for something more than the endless bloodshed she craved. And as they continued to live in the quiet solitude of the planet, Harry found himself cautiously optimistic. There was still time, after all. And time, he knew, could change everything

As time passed on the desolate planet, Harry and Hela found comfort in each other’s company. Initially, Hela’s intention had been to manipulate Harry, but as months turned into years and then decades, something unexpected blossomed between them. Harry craved companionship, a warmth that had long been absent from his life.

Their relationship deepened, evolving from mere companionship to something more intimate. Hela, a fierce warrior, began to soften. The nights they spend together exploring each others bodies,sharing stories, discussing books, and enjoying meals—transformed her character significantly. She became less fixated on her ambitions for power and more invested in the simple joys of life with Harry.

Harry observed this change with a mixture of hope and caution. He had come to care for Hela, recognizing the potential for good within her. Yet, he remained vigilant, aware that remnants of her darker ambitions still lingered beneath the surface.

After a time of living in relative peace, Harry contemplated the next phase of their journey. He believed he had witnessed the change in Hela that he had hoped for. She seemed ready to explore not just the realms of Yggdrasil but also the depths of her own humanity.

One evening, as they sat by the warmth of a small fire in their magical tent, Harry spoke. “It’s time for us to leave this place. I want to explore the Nine Realms with you. Together.”

Hela looked at him, a mix of excitement and apprehension on her face. “You mean it? You truly want to venture beyond?”

Harry nodded. “We’ve both changed. We can face whatever comes next, but I want you by my side. You’ve grown stronger and more compassionate.”

Hela absorbed his words, considering the gravity of their situation. “What if the ambition returns? What if I become that monster again?”

Harry reached for her hand. “That’s why we’ll face it together. You’re not alone anymore. You’ve chosen this life, and I will help you stay on this path.”

With determination in her eyes, Hela nodded. “Then let’s do it. I’m ready.”