Chapter II: Prologue of a Hero
Nagi, a king from another realm invaded the lands of Volsung. He might as well have been a snake that slithered his way out of Hel's domain. He believed he was judged wrongly by the daughter of King Eylimi in favor of the Hero King. His army attacked relentlessly with the promise of claimimg treasures and riches rather than for the honor of their King. He was okay with that. Nagi believed nothing better than to fuel ones desire for victory. He admired the field of carnage from the rear and laughed. He stopped immediately as he saw in the distance the red haired devil who stole what was rightfully his, Midori.
Midori was already present at the forefront of the battle. She swung down her mighty battle axe, Gram, against her opponents. One by one her explosive strength overwhelmed all who crossed her path. Her banner of men was repelling the marauders at an exponential rate. No longer was Nagi amused. He quickly turned tail from the weakening lines of defense passing a hooded figure. This individual left a ghostly after image as he bypassed all of the warriors embroiled in the heat of battle to reach his target.
Midori acknowledge the old man's bewildering presence. Before she had the chance to question it, he launched himself at Midori. Luckily she guarded his attack. The second clash slowed down time to where only he and Midori were moving. Dressed lightly, gray uncombed beard protruding in all manner of directions, and a humped back; he moved as if he were in his prime. "Hero of the axe in the tree, what left is there for you here?" Her adversary asked while they were locked into place. Midori shoved them apart and kept her distance. "You have all that men desire and will attempt to take. It is a never-ending battle, you know."
"Little prick." She says not understanding his intentions. Midori matched blow for blow with the old man of godly skill. Slicing and stabbing, Midori could barely nick her opponent. A sleight of the hand and a miniscule step to the left, it caught her off guard. The attack from the old man shattered Gram. Midori was shocked. Time was moving. The tides of war changed.
Discovering her vulnerability, the enemy leaped at the chance to bring the hero down. One of her attackers managed a clean cut that put her to the ground. She reached her hand out to grab what was left of the axe. In the reflection shard she saw an illusion. No longer was the old man weathered and unkempt, he stood back straightened, glowing, beard receding, and a knowing smile gracing his lips. A crow seated itself on his shoulder. A strike to the head knocked Midori out her trance. The now young man was nowhere to be seen.
The battle was lost. Midori was mortally wounded. Entering a safe haven, a crew of men hoisted her onto a bed. Her beloved wife, Queen Saeko rushes over to evaluate the damage down on Midori. Frantically, she cleans away the bits of caked blood and dirt away from the wounds littering Midori's body. Her hands begin to tremble uncontrollably and pulled them to her chest. Saeko cries, "How can you leave the world without offering our unborn child without the love of a father?" Tears stream down her face. The bedridden warrior motioned her Queen to come closer. She does not move.
"Wife, I apologize for all the pain that I have brought to us over the years, but it seems the gods would not have it any other way." Midori struggled to get up. Seeing her attempts, Saeko moved to keep her laid. Midori pulled her into a chaste kiss. "I want our child to have this as a reminder of me. I believe it will do her justice as it has done me in the past." Saeko cradled Midori's face kissing her once more.
"Please do not leave me," Saeko begged, "please stay with me for a bit longer." Midori could only smile as her body slowed itself. Tears fell from her face. Her time in Midgard was long but unjust. Her father lost, brothers slain by a she-wolf orchestrated by their in-laws, a sister whose fate was sealed the moment she was born, a companion fostered as if her own killed over a woman. Midori could not hide her pain. And now this. She tightened her hands over Saeko's before permanently succumbing into the darkness.