Chapter 2

Odin Fenrir

In a small manor on top of a hill stood two people, one was a young lad while the other was an elderly man. The boy was tall for his age with long brown hair and brown eyes. He had a powerful build, strong and wide. A body not made for speed but boasted vitality and strength. The man however was frail looking and bald. He paced around the boy, checking his stance.

The boy was Odin Fenrir, great grandson to the Legendary Edias Fenrir. The ‘Fenrir’ name however was not what it had been eighty years ago. Odin was in his manor in the town of Rona, where his family was the ruling family. He was currently training his swordsman ship under Master Tjor, the last of the Royal guards to the Emperor himself.

“NO!” Master Tjor snapped as he used his stick to hit Odins forearm. “How many times do I have to tell you, loosen your grip but don’t relax it?”

“Sorry Master Tjor!” Young Odin squirmed at the old man.

Sighing, Tjor put his stick down. Sad that he, the weakest of the royal guard was all that was left to guide the last of the grand line of Fenrir. Still he was royal guard and had still managed to attain the rank of master swordsman and was more than capable of guiding the young wolf, even in his old age.

“Odin, I know it must be hard for you to try and live up to the legacy of your line but you must not let your mind wander from the tasks at hand.” Tjor said as he placed his hand on his back.

Letting out a sigh of depression Odin couldn’t help but look sad.

“I know Master Tjor its just…. I miss them. Mother does her best but she is having difficulty keeping the surrounding barons at bay.” Odin said as the thought of war with another baron worried him.

Sighing and putting his stick down Tjor eased up on the boy, “Odin you are young, not even fifteen this year but fate hasn’t been kind to your house since the fall of the empire. Leave the politics to the nobles, you focus on becoming strong enough to defend yourself before you try to help others.”

“Yes Master Tjor.” The boy said as he looked up to is master’s eyes.

“Now back to training, begin with the three forms.”

With fierce determination Odin assumed the first form he relaxed his breath, the first form Viper. The speed orientated form which with proper twisting of his arms and hips allowed him to strike fast and precise.

“Needs work still, next!”

The blade moved to his chest as one leg bent forward a bit, the second form, Ox. This stance was focused on defense and parrying.

“Close, but acceptable. Next.” He said.

The last form he moved into the most balanced form with two hands on his sword and a centered stance, the hawk. This form focused on his eyesight to focus on the reaction and action of the blades.

“Good, that’s enough for today. Go change for your Mage lessons. Make sure you’re not late this time. Tomorrow we’ll do spear training.” Tjor smiled.

“Yes, Master Tjor” Odin smiled as he put his sword away and they walked into the manor.

The manor wasn’t overly large, just enough to fit their personal guard of thirty men and women, some staff, and the Family quarters. Their town of Rona was the same, unremarkable. Here in the small town of Rona the survivors of loyalist to the empire moved. Originally it was a supposed to be a base where they would begin their attack to rebuild the empire. However with all the turmoil and war Valgrum decided it was best in the long run to protect the people instead of a lengthy bloody campaign they might not have won.

So they dug in and over the years the small encampment became a village then a town. The town may not have been the most amazing or attractive but that was the point, it was the most well defended since it was one of the few towns in the area which had fortified stone walls, archer towers, three separate barracks and the best trained militia around. This was thanks to the history of the royal guards, of the last hundred that survived, some were struck down when defending the encampment in the early days while the others became guards, trainers, and helped build the very foundation of Rona.

After changing and walking through the manor Odin dropped by the garden, his grandfather Valgrum’s favorite place. There his tomb was surrounded by the flowers and plants he too much care of.

“I miss him too.”

Looking up Odin said, “I know mother, I wish he was still with us.”

Behind him an aged woman with brown and gray hair came up to him, “Don’t worry dear, I know he’d be proud of you as for your father, there’s no doubt.” She said as she came up and hugged him. She had been looking thin lately, probably due to the stress as the acting regent of the lands her recent husband had passed to her. As she loved her children with all her heart she knew that they weren’t ready. Lucky for her, her time with her father in law had taught her many things. One was how to be a shrewd negotiator and a skilled diplomat. Her prowess as a Shield Maiden wasn’t to be underestimated as well. Her late husband Eli was a fine mage who did his best when defending Rona and gave his life defending his home from monsters.

“Thanks mother. I’ll see you at dinner.” He said as he walked towards the training hall.

“Yes dear, you’d best be off before Irina burns your eyebrows off again for being late.” She smiled.

With that, Odin ran as fast as he could to see his master waiting for him there.

“You’re late again.” She smiled.

Odin recognized that smile, it told him all he needed to know about the days training regimen. It was going to be a long four hours for him.

It started with thirteen bright red fireballs which he had to control the size perfectly, then rotate six pairs in different directions while keeping the one on top of his head steady. After that he had to imbue his sword with fire but not let his blade get hot. In essence he was being pushed harder for his tardiness. After four hours of this he was then forced to duel his Irina nonstop for five minutes leaving him exhausted of nearly all his mana.

“Hmph, next time DON’T be late! Got that?”

Panting at the point of exhaustion he nodded his head.

“Good, now off you go.” She said.

Odin struggled to stand up and thank her for her torture lesson. As he walked away she let out a sigh, she marveled at his progress. Irina was a prodigy at fire magic and she made him follow through her training methods, all her discoveries and research on the fastest route on becoming a Magus. She herself was almost a magus but lacked the mana capacity to become one. Odin wasn’t a great mage but he had maybe twice the mana capacity she had.

Such a large mana capacity combined with his training as a warrior and some basic spells of fire were already making him into a fine young man. That added with his levelheaded personality and decent looks made him a target of many young girls and noble ladies.

Inside the manor Odin had finally reached his room and was changing out of his training clothes and into his casual wear. As he looked at himself in the mirror he pressed his shirt and combed his brown hair out of the way.

‘I should cut my hair again soon, this long hair will not be so good once the summer starts.’ He thought to himself.

As he made himself presentable, a knock fell on his door. “Lord Odin? Your mother requests your audience.”

“Understood.” He said as he double checked before heading out. As he walked through the manor and arrived at his mother’s study he felt something was wrong. On his way here he’d seen the guards running and leaving the manor towards the town, which only happened for two reasons. One being a disturbance in town while the other being an attack on the town.

‘Are we being attacked?’ he wondered as he knocked on the door.

“Come in!” his mother yelled. Opening the door, inside sat his mother, Master Tjor and Mage Irina. They all appeared to be distraught over something.

“What’s wrong?” Odin asked as he shut the door.

“This” his mother said as she handed him a letter. Inside was a seal from the surrounding Baron Reginold Coleston

Elaine,

I have given you the courtesy of waiting over a month for your response in this matter. I no longer have the patience to sit idle while you stall me. I will have what I want, whether you do so with or without bloodshed if up to you.

Baron Reginold Coleston

“When was this sent?” Odin asked his mother who showed a concerned face.

“Today, but I think the messenger was a soldier so they could be already close.” She said.

“I agree, that messenger knew the ways of the sword. I sensed death on him.” Master Tjor said.

“What are we going to do?” Odin asked.

“Well, our guards number at 165 with another 40 archers. If we add in our militia of 300 and some of the hunters, it leaves us with about 550 defenders. I think with some of our mages as well we can hold out.” Master Tjor stated.

“Agreed, from what information I have which is about 3 months old Baron Reginold only has 300 men to field, any more then he wouldn’t be able to sustain his territory.” His mother said as she rubbed her temples.

“But it doesn’t make sense. Why would-“She stopped.

“What is it my Lady?” Master Tjor asked concerned.

"A month ago, do you remember that mercenary group came through here?”

“Yes. I think they injured an Innkeepers daughter. We nearly had to chase them out.” Tjor said.

“Do you remember which way they went?”

Tjor paled as he recalled, “Towards the west, into Baron Reginold’s lands. Damn, I remember there being almost 50 men.”

“Exactly and what if more than one group of mercenaries is heading to the Baron’s territory. Then we’ve got a problem.” His mother said.

“Then we must bolster our defenses, more arrows, and armor to be made. Many of the townspeople are former guards and our town is well versed in the art of war. We shall drive them back my lady.” Tjor reassured her.

With a sad smile, “I know Tjor but if we are our numbered ten to one then I will not send you to your deaths. You are old, so start being it!”

“Never!” he smiled.

“So what am I doing here?” Odin asked.

With a sigh his mother came from around her desk and told him, “It is time you received your inheritance, your father wanted to give it to you but I’m sure he’ll forgive me.” She smiled sadly.

“I know he would mother.” Odin said.

“Tjor. Irina. Come with us it is time and we shall be there support him.”

“Yes, my lady.” They said in unison.

As they followed Lady Elaine, they found themselves at the garden, specifically Valgrum tomb. As she went to the center of the tombstone, she took out a small rectangular metal rod and put it into a hole he’d not noticed before. As she stepped back the entire tomb moved to the side, revealing a set of stairs that descended into the darkness.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Come Odin, there is much that must happen and not much time.” She said as she led them down.

As they descended into the darkness Odin feared for his steps but once they reached the bottom his mother spoke, “Lights On.” With a simple command the area place they were in became illuminated.

“Where are the torches?” he asked?

With a smile, she just said, “There are no torches here my son, you will learn soon enough. Come.”

As they walked through the newly illuminated hall, Odin noticed something strange. The walls were completely made of metal! Odin knew that iron was in short supply here in their part of the continent. After he realized that he did not recognize the materials where the light was coming from. Odin feared these halls but as he looked to his teachers who only wore smiles, he knew he wasn’t in any danger.

As they reached the end of the hall he noticed a massive metal door and to the right of it, a hand symbol on a piece of glass. Placing her hand on the glass the glass gave off a green color before the door opened.

“Wait out here Tjor. Irina. Odin must do this alone.” His mother said as she walked through and into another hall. Odin looked back to see Tjor give him a smile and a nod. Nodding back Odin held his head high and followed his mother. At the end of this hall was three metal doors but the door they went into was the center one. Again placing her hand on the glass next to the door it opened again.

Inside this room was dark, only in the center was a chair with what seemed like a crown on top.

“Odin sit on the chair.” She told him.

Nodding he went over to sit on the chair, amazingly it was soft and comfortable.

“Odin it’s time for you to learn the truth of your ancestors. While it would be ideal if you were well rested and prepared, we simply don’t have the time,” She said as she walked to a piece of glass. With a wave of her hand the glass became active showing many different words and symbols he couldn’t read.

“What truth do you mean?” Odin asked.

“I wasn’t supposed to be the one to tell you but the task falls to Me.” she sighed as she kept touching the illuminated glass. “Your great grandfather, Edias Fenrir. Before he was an emperor, savior and father. He was once just an aspiring adventurer, barely even your age when he set off.” She said.

As she turned around and walked to the chair to place the crown on top of him.

“He was still too young to be an adventurer but his wanderlust pushed him to do it. So he left his home and began adventuring. Back in those days, there was a guild but it pales in comparison to the ones we have now. Anyway, he joined and started his quest.” She said as she adjusted the crown.

“One day on a quest he was in the forest and in the sky, portals opened and things fell from the heavens. As fate would have it your great grandfather was also a curious man and couldn’t help but go and search for those items.” She continued as the crown was now snug on his head and she restrained his wrists and bound his legs to the chair.

“This place is what he found and it was here that a change happened to him. A change that turned him into the Emperor everyone knows. It gave him clarity, focus, and knowledge.” She said as she went to the glass.

“With the change, he resumed his travels and adventures and over his travels he gained many allies who banded with him. With them he was able to drive the demons from the land but what people didn’t know is that those seals were a temporary solution.” She said as she frowned.

“I’m sorry Odin.” She said as she touched the glass again.

With that pain flowed through his body, waves of pain like a wave in the ocean his body underwent a series of painful shocks. For what seemed like hours his body went through pain, his mind became blank trying to resist the pain. Finally after what seemed to be hours to him it finally stopped.

With tears his mother was kneeling right beside him, distraught at the pain she had to put her son through. As he sat in the chair panting from the mental pain he looked her in the eye and asked her, “Why?”

“It is necessary for you to grow. The power of your ancestors was given to them in this very room,” she explained to him.

“What power?” he asked.

“Just wait, it will happen soon.”

As he sat there trying to sense any changes in him he started circulating his mana inside him to recover some of his energy.

On the wall where the glass was words came up that he could now read.

[Initializing…]

[New Unit Detected]

[Beginning compatibility testing with Eligible Systems]

“Compatibility?”

“Yes! There it is. That is the essence of what your father and those before him strove to utilize, it was how the Emperor created his armor. The Unbreakable Armor. This place grants you the access to make your own or maybe even something greater.” She smiled and kissed his forehead.

“I was not worthy but was only given access to but a fraction of this facility, even your great grandfather only could utilize a third of its power.” She said sadly.

‘A third?’ Odin was shocked, his great grandfather legacy was attained through this power and to figure he was only using a third of its extraordinary power?

[Testing Stage One completed – Passed]

“Hm?” Odin said as he read the glass again.

“What is it?”

“It says I passed stage one,” Odin said to her.

“That’s good, I don’t know how many stages there are but from what your grandfather told me, the emperor only passed 4 stages.” She told him.

“Can I get out of this chair?”

With a pitying smile, she shook her head. “The chair is what tests you, you must remain on it in order to pass.” She explained as she got up and walked away.

[Preparing for Stage Two]

“Where are you going?” Odin asked.

As she wiped her tears she quickly said, “Each stage changes your body and each change has a trial.”

“What sort of trial?”

“Suffering my dear. That chair, it will push you to your true breaking point.”

Again another new wave of pain struck him again. This time, the pain felt hot, his skin felt as if on fire. The tribulation that his body felt as if his entire body was being branded by searing hot irons. Odin let out roars of frustration at the pain but he endured, remembering the words of his father.

‘If you’re ever in pain, make sure you get something for it.’

Gritting his teeth and biting down, he endured. Letting out a yell every now and then he lost track of time again. Not seeking to end his suffering but be above it.

[Test Stage Two – Passed]

As the pain went away, Odin inhaled as deeply as he could. Focusing his eyes, he looked at his mother who somehow found herself a chair for herself. In her eyes, he saw her distraught over the scene in front of her eyes.

"Oh, my boy. I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry.” She said.

“What for mother?” he asked as he immediately began circulating his mana to regain some strength. This time, though he felt as if his mana was different, more tangible… stronger.

“I never made it past the first stage, so it only granted me the basic knowledge but since you made it past the first stage, it will make you… more.” She said.

“More what?” Odin asked as he relaxes a little.

“You’ll understand once you get out.” She said as she held his hand.

[Preparing for Stage Three]

Gulping down his saliva, he focusing on recovering his mana which had somehow helped him endure the testing. He prepared himself for the next hell.

This next pain was cold, he felt his so numb and cold his he struggled to breathe.

Next was electricity, as in the heavens had sent the lightning of mad gods at him.

Then he felt a pain of a thousand cuts but with a new heightened experience. As if his tolerance for pain was increasing.

The next one, was no longer physical pain, it was emotional. In his mind, he was shown images of the people he cared about killed and slaughtered. Over and over again until it nearly drove him mad.

The last one was the worse however, he was subjected to a simulated experience of all the past pains come together, but on his loved ones. Seeing those he cared about suffering made him cry out in emotional pain. A sort of emotional trauma that not many could wake up from.

[Testing Stage Seven Passed – Unit has reached maximum potential]

[Testing Complete]

Odin sat there in the chair, tears flowing from his eyes. In his mind years had gone by. He knew it was all an illusion but it still scared his very being. Beside him his mother sat, eyes dark and remorseful. She looked like hell and that was putting it lightly.

“Mother… it is over.” He said to her.

She looked towards the glass to confirm and once she did she quickly released his shackles as fast as she could. Once they were off she gave embraced him in a motherly hug. Odin to weak from the pain just rested his head on her shoulder.

“Oh my sweet child, it’s been almost a day you’ve been here.” She said to him.

Odin was surprised at her words but was too tired to show a reaction. What he didn’t know was that the first test was ten minutes long and that for each trial after that the time of each part doubled. After going through seven stages and being subjected to nearly a full day of agony. As his mother pulled away, Odin tried to stand up but as soon as he was vertical he tipped and nearly fell over. At his side his mother trying her best to support him.

“Easy there. Slow, we’ll go slow ok?” she said as she helped him towards the door. Nodding his head, together they went at a snail’s pace towards the exit. Remembering to circulate his mana in hopes of recovering some energy, something amazing happened. The mana that he circulated flowed through him giving him an immense boost to his energy but the way he felt mana now was so much more different.  Back then when he tried to control his mana, it took a lot of focus and concentration. Now it was merely a thought and the concentration of mana was denser than it had ever been for him

“Mother, I think I can walk on my own.” He said to her.

“Nonsense, stop struggling and let me help you.” She dismissed him.

Smiling he just kept walking with her.

‘Damn these long hallways' he thought.