Not resting in peace
Not a soul knows for sure what happens to those who've departed the mortal realm. Nevertheless it'd seem each and every single culture of the world has some belief to one of the few remaining mysterious of life. That they either hope that souls whom have departed, either go up to the periwinkle heavens above, or to the dark blistering hot world of below. They say it depends on your own personal belief or how you choose to live when you walked on Earth. Either way no-one can be for sure what happens to oneself until they meet their own fate. Though whatever happens when you go to your eternal rest one always hopes they go to a 'better place' then the one the left. Even despite the fact that those we love have departed the land of the living, we know or at least we cling to the hope, that they're not truly gone, as an alternative they live on in the mysterious hereafter, and watch over their love ones from this new existence. While the living clings to these beliefs and hopes good fortune to assure them that when they meet their fate it will be wonderful in the next life, they still have some doubt and worry are their love ones okay? And what really happens when we die?
As acknowledged above not a soul living has those answers, yet those who've died do have these answers. One might wonder for all of time that these things might never be answered. However, there're rare opportunities, when some of the living do get some type of message, from those who've passed on. Although this doesn't necessarily mean getting some type of a divine message is always good. Every now and then communications from beyond the grave can be deadly. Therefore perhaps that is the reason why no-one should know about the afterlife till it's their time to go there. Though it is made perfectly clear that no-one should mess with this order or barrier for the two worlds. However, it'd seem that on those rare occasions that the deceased send messages to the living, it can work the other way too. That the dead from time to time needs the help of the living, as the following story depict. So, now has come the time to sing the story of one of these rare occasions, and hope that when the song has been sung for this tale, it will have a happy ending. Though keep this truth in your mind as you listen to this tale. Just as there is no guarantee that there is an afterlife, there is not guarantee that of a happy ending either. Now at last the time has finally come to sing about once upon a time…
There was the sound of a child's laughter that was ringing through the clear periwinkle skies shimmering with the warmth of the copper sky fire that is the sun. Below the beautiful symbol of undying hope was a bustling crowd of different people. They all seemed to be in a jovial mood, and it'd seem all of them were having a lot of fun. You'd almost certainly think it was a perfect summer day on Earth, however this wasn't Earth. This was Valhalla, the Viking's Heaven. And the child that was laughing playfully was a very special child. As she hid behind a vat of Odin's finest wine, better then any wine ever matured on the earthly plain, she was smiling gleefully. Her messy pale blond hair with lilac tips was bouncing about in the gentle breeze. Her pale azure eyes now seemed much brighter, plus her features had much more color then when she'd last been on Earth. Giggling a bit she climbed up to get behind the wall and shelf the wine vat sat on. She kept silent as a teenage boy dashed swiftly past, not seeing her at all. He stopped a moment to scratch his head and then took off in a different direction. The child laughed playfully and then felt the hem of her snow white dress got caught between the wall and shelf. She struggled to get loose and then fell forward when someone yanked the vat of burgundy wine forward to get a drink. She toppled onto the large man whom obviously a Viking chief given his appearance. He fell backwards and managed to catch her in a bit of a hug. The wine was spilled all over the place, however in the afterlife there was no such thing as stains. The large bushy bearded man sat up and patted the girl on the head and smiled.
'Well, well, Una, getting into a bit of mischief early today?"
"Do you always drink spirit wine at sunrise, Stoick?" she asked back kissing him on his big nose. He giggled and hugged her tightly. Just then footsteps could be heard rushing to them and the little girl Una looked up and saw her older brother Boden staring at her.
"Hi, Boden. Look like Stoick found me today, not to you. You need to work on your seeking skills a bit more!"
"I just hope you don't get lost again. You know Valhalla is a gigantic place with an assortment of different kinds of souls, and you never can be sure what gonna happen next."
"Its Valhalla, Boden, only the honorable come here, the dishonorable souls go to the freezing cold realm of Loki's daughter, Hel. I wouldn't worry about anyone hurting your sister. We've got a great life after death." Stoick remarked kindly as he handed the five year old over to her brother.
"I know that, Stoick, still all the same, Una not been here very long and I still worry about her. I mean I know you've not been here long either. Still you can never be too careful. Come on! Let's go greet the new arrivals. You know they always let new souls in at first light. So let's hurry!" Boden suggested as he heaved his sister on his back for a piggyback ride.
The trio all laughed joyfully as they dashed swiftly to the golden gateway to see who would be arriving today. They'd heard the familiar sounds of Thor's hammer and the other Gods lively and captivating music as they approached the great golden gates. High above them in the painted heavens they'd also witnessed that the eternally attractive Valkyries were getting ready to welcome the newcomers with a dazzling aerial show. The breathtaking beauty of sunrise was even greater here then on Earth, or at least some of the souls thought so. In Una's opinion she still felt that sunrise and sunset looked more beautiful and colorful on Earth. Still she clung tightly to her older brother's shoulders as they finally reached the gates.
"It won't be long now. As soon as that golden beam of sunlight hits the Gem of Souls on the top of the golden gateway we'll get to see the newcomers. It's always so amazing to watch, don't you agree with me, Stoick?" inquired Boden to the late Chief of Berk. They'd by now reached the front row of the throng that had come to welcome the newcomers. Most of the crowd already had a chalice of Odin's exquisite wine in their hands and were getting ready to toast the newcomers. It looked like almost everyone you could think of was there to greet the new arrivals.
"I'd imagine if you earn a place in Valhalla that should be reward enough. I know I earned my place right away. I mean to say, Boden, anyone who willingly lays down their life for someone, in particular their child, automatically earns a place in the Gods realm of paradise. I'd make the same choice every time. To save my son, Hiccup, I'd never regret that my life ended when I died to save him. So, yes, I do admire to see each day that comes our way. It's an excellent way to spend the rest of eternity with all that this paradise has to offer," replied Stoick in a thoughtful manner. The pair smiled in reply and hugged him tightly.
Ever since the great chief had arrived in Valhalla he'd become quite close to both Boden and Una. He was something of a foster father figure to them, as Hiccup had been a foster brother to Una. He didn't mind that they did see him like that, and he'd in fact loved both of them, as if they're his own flesh and blood. Boden did greatly resemble his son Hiccup, but that wasn't why the three of them had become so close. It was a bond of love as well as friendship. It was the same as how Una and Hiccup had bonded while in the Spirit Cavern back on Berk. True family isn't about blood, it's about love, and right now these three had become bonded in love and nothing could break it!
Una was now trying to stand up on her brother's shoulders but he held her firmly down. "You don't want to get stampeded by the newcomers, now do you, little sister?" he inquired kindly. She gave him a bit of a pout face.
"I want to see whose coming. I also want a good seat to watch the Valkyries aerial show! You know that they try to change it up each day. And its one of the few funs we have in this afterlife! Which can be so boring at times," she said in sad reply as she hung her head, and her unique hair lost its lively bounce.
Before either Stoick or Boden could ask her what she meant by that, the radiant golden sunbeam had finally hit the tiny, nevertheless beautiful colored gemstone affixed to top of the gate. The light like through a prism showered everyone in a glittering sparkly rainbow and connected the new souls from their earthly existence to guide and greet them to the afterlife! A thunderous round of applause from the huge crowd was heard and the men were holding up their golden goblets full of wine to toast them. About two dozen new souls came in today. About seven of them were old ladies, and about eight were old men. Considering how fourteen of them were holding hands, it strongly indicated that these departed souls were married, and had passed on together. The eighth old man didn't have a ring of gold on his hand thus he must not have been married. The remaining nine souls were four young girls and five young men in their early adulthood seemed to have come together as well. Given that they're all soaked to the bone that indicated that they'd drowned in a boating accident. Either way there was no new souls who were close to Una's age.
All of sudden the twenty-four new souls were showered with a grand welcome, and in awe as the Valkyries began to dance so elegantly in the painted heavens above, and showered them all with glittering flower petals. It was beautiful, dramatic and utterly perfectly perfect welcome. Everyone was having a good time that was everyone but Una. She slide off her brother's back and watched as everyone was leaving. Stoick and Boden didn't notice that Una had run off. She kept running till she reached the attractive Valkyries. One of the Valkyries was her special friend, her name was Kara and she'd been a good friend since coming here.
The winged beauty looked up and saw the little girl smiling. "Well, hello, Una! How was the show today? We've been working very hard on some new formations for the past two months and I think we really nailed this one perfectly. So tell me, my child, what did you think?" she inquired curiously as she conjured up a golden sparkly rose and gave it to Una.
Una inhaled the rose however it just didn't have the same scent it would've on Earth. She looked a bit depressed to be honest. After a moment of thinking she replied back to her winged friend, "Kara, it was perfectly perfect. It had grace, beauty and fluidity. It was your best work yet. Yet that was a bit of the problem if you ask me."
Kara frowned at her. Clearly she didn't understand what Una meant. Therefore she scooped up the child and took her to a more private place to talk. Now Una was sitting on her lap contently and loved how caring most people in the afterlife were. "So tell me, my child, what do you mean by saying perfectly perfect is wrong?"
Una bent her head thinking, and seemed to want to choose her words carefully. Finally her bright blue eyes looked into the brilliant teal eyes of Kara's. "It's just sometimes I feel like the afterlife and Valhalla are to perfect. We always have beautiful days and nights. It's so nice, blissful and just so perfect. I wouldn't mind a little stress and strife, and little action and not this boring every day the same. I mean if you play a game everyone wins. It can be just too heavenly if you ask me at times. Earth may not be 'perfect' like it is here, but I wish I could feel the spring grass under my feet and wiggle my toes in from gooey mud, and I'd love to really go fly on the back of my brother Hiccup's dragon, Toothless. It would be so cool and fun."
"I can understand that every now and then one and all who come here feel that way. On the other hand you know how it is."
"I know, Kara, I know. What is dead and gone cannot be restored. That everyone is equal in death that it matters not, young and old, rich and poor, man; woman and child all are equal in death. Death is pointless but that is the point. Furthermore death is something not a soul can change or beat for it always wins. I also know quite well that those who've died belong with the dead, and no-longer belong in the mortal world. Nothing can change this fact. That one of the first things you teach to us when we come here. So I comprehend the rules and facts of death in addition to the afterlife really well."
. "I couldn't have said that any better myself, Una. You recited it so elegantly and magnificently. You truly are extremely mature for your age, give you depart this life when you're a very small child. I know it took you a bit longer to come here then most, given the fact you're stuck in limbo for a very long time, till that boy named Hiccup helped you cross over. It still doesn't change the fact that you're a very smart and insightful young lady."
A rosy pink flushed across Una's face. Again, even though she was still dead, it seemed that since coming to the hereafter, her appearance had at least been made a bit healthier looking, given the magic around them. She was extremely appreciative for that. On the other hand, it was still painfully obvious that she still wish to return to Earth. However it been made crystal-clear that that was unattainable. Like she'd recited to Kara the first and foremost law of the afterlife is "What is dead and gone cannot be resorted" Therefore she could by no means revisit Earth. It wasn't that Valhalla wasn't magnificent in addition to great; it could be on the other hand, a bit unexciting after awhile, though it was still nice all the same. It was more then just wishing to do things she hadn't gotten to do given her untimely death. It was the fact she really missed her other brother, Hiccup. She wished to return to see him and be with him. Yes Boden was her real brother. Nevertheless she still desired to be with only other one she considered her brother. He did help her out of limbo, and he'd loved and cared for her like she was his sister. She also longed to comfort him and tell him not to worry about Stoick. That he was alright and being a good foster father to her and Boden. So there're many reasons she wish to go back even if it was only for a short visit. But it was impossible.
She started to cry and Kara hugged the girl tightly and stroked her unique hair soothingly. "It's gonna be alright, Una. I know you understand the rules and I know it was unfair for you to die so young. Yet at the same time you said yourself. Death is the ultimate fairness. I do know however it still hurts you to have died so young. Come; let's get you back to your brother." Kara scooped her up and got ready to leave their hideaway when something happened that would change everything.
The painted skies of the warm copper sky fire orb were totally eclipsed, turning the copper sun into a black one. It got colder then even death was ever cold. The merriment and laughter of the souls both old and new was silenced at once. It was getting creepier by each passing moment. Then a malicious insane laugh was heard ringing out from beginning to end infinity! Before anyone could ask who the laugh belong to a great crack of white lightning was heard. Storm clouds moved in quickly and almost immediately everyone was shouting and screaming. For what was raining down on them was rain mixed with razor-sharp ice, hailstones and blood! It was beyond pandemonium! Then when something came flying out of nowhere. It looked like a dragon, only as if it was made of smoke, ashes and had lava for blood! All around them was utter chaos and confusion, which was soon followed by screams of torture and a loud boom, was heard and the great golden gateway was seal up tight as a drum.
"What's going on, Kara?! I'm scared!" Una cried out in fright. The beautiful winged woman looked around the chaos and looked back at Una. She had a strange look on her face and it looked like she was making a quick decision.
"We must hurry, Una! Before Valhalla completely falls! We need help and you're gonna get it! We must hurry!" she whispered sharply as she flew faster then the wind to a hidden room. Una had no clue as to what was going on, although she did know whatever was going on was bad. She also figured out that this attack on Valhalla could upset the delicate balance of life and death!
"What's going on?! Where are we going?! We should be helping! Not hiding."
"There no time to help here if we wish to save Valhalla from falling! We need help and you're gonna get it from the land of the living!" she whispered as she quickly removed a black brick from the wall. She took out a small box and opened it. Una tried to look at it but whatever was in it was snatched away so quickly she couldn't tell what it was. All of a sudden she felt something be thrown around her neck. It was an amulet of some type. Before she had a chance to look at it closer she heard Kara whispered something to her.
"Una, you must listen to me and quickly before we're found. I need you to go get help from Earth. You need to get your other brother help. I know he'll know what to do. He's a special soul and if he can free you from limbo, he can rescue the entire afterlife! So please get Hiccup ASAP! I know you're only a child but I also know you can do some extraordinary things."
"What going on? I don't get what's happening!"
"Valhalla is under attack and now the gates have been sealed no new souls can come in and all the souls here are being tortured. We need help to save this world and restore the balance between life and death. I can send you back to Earth to get help. The Resurrection Amulet you're wearing has the power to restore the life of whoever is wearing. But you cannot allow anyone but you to remove. If someone else removes it or you're killed while wearing you won't be able to come back here. You'll once more be stuck in limbo with no chance of moving on. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Kara. Don't worry I'll get help! I promise! How do I get back to Earth? And if I get there how will I return with help?"
"You'll figure out the latter part on your own. But if you say the magic words you'll go back to Earth. Just remember never remove that Amulet till we've restored the proper order. Be safe and be back soon."
"Okay, Kara. What do I do now?"
"Say "Resurrection Restore and you'll return to Earth. Hurry! I can sense great evil trying to get into this hidden chamber! Hurry, Una!"
"Okay! I'll be back with help I promise. Resurrection Restore!" she yelled and was engulfed at once in a burst of glittering rainbow of light. In one spectacular burst of color and glitter she was gone. The last thing she saw was the shadow of someone cuffing a pair of frozen iron around Kara hands. After that it was pitch black and a hard thud on the ground that knocked her out. When she came to a few minutes later she realized she was back in the cavern she'd met Hiccup in. She knew she had to find him ASAP. So looking at the rising sun she took off in the direction her heart was telling that Hiccup was at.