To everyone who left such wonderful reviews, thank you all so, so much. I can't even begin to describe how happy I am to be hearing from like-minded Elise/Odin shippers because these two definitely need more love.
In Other Words
Chapter 4 – Dawn of a Hero
"Opponents rush forth from all angles, their weapons drawn and raised against a lone hero, Odin Dark! My magic strikes them faster than lightning, their bodies crumpling to the floor. There's no time to waste, for the path ahead stretches long before me, and with leaping bounds I scale the ten-thousand stairs to the boss' lair. I burst through the doors into the last room where he awaits – the evil mage.
"I'm impressed you made it this far, he says. But I'm afraid your quest ends here. All who have sought to challenge me have fallen at my feet.
"Then it's about time for your mad reign to end! For none can best O-ahh!"
Odin stumbles backwards and almost trips over himself as soon as he spots Elise. She grins sheepishly and waves from a few feet away. "Hi."
"L-lady Elise!" Odin stammers, bowing hurriedly. "Forgive me for not noticing your presence, for I was engaged in combatting the forces of the night."
"Forces of the night?" She repeats. "Sounds cool! Sorry if I interrupted. Leo is looking for you, but if this is a bad time then…"
He nods seriously. "Indeed, I was just about to begin my showdown with the evil army's corrupt leader! Did Lord Leo say what he requires my presence for?"
She shrugs. "He didn't say, but it's probably not urgent."
"Then for the moment Lord Leo may have to wait, at least until my hero's blood has put an end to this fiend!"
Elise blinks. "Wow, sounds serious. Can I watch?"
"Er, watch?"
"Yeah. It looks like fun. Or would I be bothering you?"
"Not at all!" He cries. "On the contrary, true justice demands an audience! Just stay back – I cannot guarantee my spell hand will be stayed!"
She laughs brightly. "Okay!"
"Now, where was I? Ah, yes – the final showdown. Prepare to die you madman!
"With nary a pause he makes the first strike! A blast of fire rockets across the room, but I dodge with ease. A tome blessed by the words of legend guides my spell hand to victory! It whispers softly, "Go forth young Odin Dark, and smite thine foes!" With a cry I launch myself back into the fray! Radiant DAAAAWN!"
"Whoa!" Elise exclaims, watching with wide eyes as Odin leaps forward, arms extended. He jumps and shouts for a few moments, no doubt imagining the fierce battle he just described.
"Heh, you're better than the other mortals I've faced, he says as the dust settles. I'm impressed that you've managed to survive this long, I say. But can you withstand my special attack? Shadow DRAGOOOON!"
"Odin!"
"Ahh!" For the second time in less than ten minutes, he nearly falls over.
Elise turns around to see Leo, who looks less than pleased. "Hey, Leo. Did you come to watch too?"
He groans in annoyance. "I should have known. I told you to call him, not encourage his antics."
"L-lord Leo!" Odin says, jumping up hastily. "Er, what's up?"
"What's up?" He repeats. "Did you think I wouldn't notice? Jakob might forgive Kamui for anything, but I doubt you'll get the same mercy. If you want to live to see tomorrow I suggest you start cleaning up now."
"Cleaning?" Elise looks at him. "Did something happen?"
Odin laughs nervously as he hastily starts picking up his things. "Let's just say I caused a small disaster in the kitchen an hour ago. I had planned to sneak away – I mean, return later to take care of it, but now seems as good a time as any."
Leo sighs. "Just hurry up, would you? I sent Niles to try and convince Kamui to distract Jakob but I doubt that'll be very effective."
"Was that really a wise decision?" Odin asks as he and Elise follow Leo back inside. "I mean, no offense, but Niles' methods of persuasion aren't exactly the most honorable."
"I don't disagree," Leo mutters. "Which is why we should hurry. The last thing I want to think about is Niles trying to seduce my sister."
Odin shudders. "Gods help Lady Kamui."
"Hey, so um!" Elise pipes up, still following them as they speed walk down the halls. "If it's not too much trouble I can help!"
"Worry not, Lady Elise," Odin responds immediately. "Besting a thousand foes is not my only skill. My cleaning skills were once so legendary that when it came to doing the dishes I was called the Washing Wizard!"
"Wow," Elise says in awe.
"Were you really?" Leo asks drily.
"Er, no," Odin says. "But I will be! There's not a moment to lose, for I dare not face Jakob's wrath alone. Seriously, he's scary."
"Yeah," Elise mutters. "He's only nice to Kamui. Anyway, we better hurry."
The Northern Fortress is different than the castle where Elise and her siblings live. It feels darker, more forbidding, and less like home to her. The corridors are narrow and the walls devoid of any pictures or decorations. It's a gloomy place, and even though Nohr's signature colors are dark to begin with, she wishes they'd brighten the place up a bit (if it was up to her, she'd definitely repaint the walls pink). But the Fortress is where Kamui is, and if it means she can see her sister, Elise is willing to go anywhere.
She can't imagine how Kamui has lived here all her life, nor why Father shut her away in the first place. There are a lot of things she doesn't understand about Father, but Elise learned long ago not to ask questions.
Kamui had welcomed them warmly, but she seemed distressed when Leo gave her the news about Father's latest conquests against Hoshido. Elise doesn't like to think about it, but things are only worsening and Father himself has hinted that Kamui will soon join them in leading their forces into battle.
But she remembers what Odin said about giving people hope, and Elise is determined to do what she can to help. So she smiles and tries to cheer up her sister, because that's what she's best at. And when Kamui laughs and hugs her tightly, Elise knows that somehow, some way, things will be alright.
The three of them arrive at the main kitchen and she immediately understands that Odin wasn't exaggerating when he said he called it a small disaster. Bowls and wooden mixing spoons are scattered around the counter, along with half-full measuring cups and sprinkles of varying colors. Flour coats part of the floor near the sink, the bag half empty and lying on its side.
"It's not as bad as it looks," Odin says.
A bowl tips off the edge of the counter and clatters loudly onto the floor, making everyone wince.
"Yeah, I think you need my help," Elise decides.
Leo just sighs. "This is your problem. Take care of it."
"You would abandon me in my hour of need?" Odin calls after Leo's already retreating figure. "You would leave knowing the dire consequences I face? Harsh!"
Elise rolls up her sleeves and shakes her head. "Forget about him. Let's do our best, Odin!"
He shrugs and follows suit. "Those dishes aren't going to wash themselves. 'Tis a mighty foe before me, yet I cannot let it best me before the battle has even begun!"
Odin immediately launches himself into the fray (not unlike the way she saw him do earlier), attacking the dishes with no small amount of enthusiasm. Elise sets to work carrying the dishes to the sink and wiping down the countertop. Before long the kitchen looks a lot better, and Jakob only yells at Odin a little (something about stacking the bowls from smallest to largest).
On their way out, Elise says, "Jakob's so strict. I thought we did a pretty good job."
He just shrugs. "There are those who live for nitpicking on the little details. I once knew someone who insisted on clearing the path of pebbles every morning."
"Really?" She asks, eyebrows furrowed. "Sounds like a lot of work."
"I agree," he says. "But hey, whatever makes you happy I guess. And speaking of which, it's about time I continued my epic battle! Evil can only be put on hold for so long, after all."
She hums thoughtfully. "Say, I was wondering… what's that name you call yourself? Odin… something?"
"I am Odin Dark!" He shouts, posing with his hand outstretched before him. "You mean that one?"
"Yeah, that one!" She says, pointing excitedly. "I was thinking maybe I could join you. When you're fighting the forces of the night and stuff and stuff."
He gasps dramatically. "Could it be? Art thou the destined partner I've been searching for? Pray tell, what is thy name, o chosen hero?"
Elise pauses, eyes closed. She extends her arm in an imitation of his favorite pose and says, "For every dark there must be light; as the sun rises so shall I. My name is… Elise Dawn!"
Odin's eyes widen and a grin spreads across his face. "Elise Dawn! Indeed, you are the one I've been waiting for! With our powers combined, none can hope to threaten the order of peace we have sworn to protect."
"So you like it?" She asks, jumping up and down. "Is it good?"
"Is it good?" He repeats incredulously. "It's amazing! You're a natural! I must admit, I'm somewhat envious of your innate talent for this stuff. Laslow tries, and he's getting better, but he used to laugh at me for it. But you, Elise… you understand me."
She blushes at his praise. She runs her fingers through her hair to distract herself, a modest smile on her face. "Nah," says. "It's nothing special. I thought it'd be nice to be able to do something together with you. I was thinking of names the entire time we were cleaning, you know."
"Bestowing appellations is a sacred act in and of itself, but choosing one's own name is a task so monumental there can be no room for error. 'Tis no easy feat, I assure you," he says, nodding sagely. "There are many things to consider, but most important of all is whether or not the name embodies all that you are and all that you hope to become. It becomes you, just as you become it."
"Wow," she breathes in awe. "What else, what else?"
He strokes his chin thoughtfully, clearly getting into it. "How does the name sound when spoken out loud? Though it may look beautiful when written, it cannot weigh heavily on the tongue. A good name can be said smoothly with ease. And of course it must be memorable – neither too long nor too short. I've found that anything beyond thirteen words gets to be a tad excessive."
She mimics his gesture and nods in agreement. "I see. It's not easy to do, is it?"
"Perhaps not," he admits. "But the journey to discovering the perfect moniker is one every hero must undertake. Plus it's fun. Such are the things that I myself considered when I –"
He stops suddenly, and clears his throat quickly. "Er, when I chose to be Odin Dark of course!"
It was clear he was about to say something else, but Elise doesn't push the subject. If it weren't for how flustered he looked she wouldn't have been suspicious at all, but now she can't help but think that maybe Odin had yet another name before. A name from that mysterious place he left behind. The one name he's not ready to share just yet.
And she understands. Out of everything she's learned about Odin so far, this is perhaps the thing most important to him.
She smiles and leans a little closer to him. "So you really think my name is good?"
"Elise Dawn," he says reverently. Then he breaks out into a huge grin and rubs his hands together. "So excited! This is gonna be great, I can feel it. I couldn't have chosen a better name myself."
She holds out her hand to him. "Shall we?"
He takes her hand without hesitation. "Lead the way!"
She laughs and runs forward. It doesn't seem to matter where, not with the wind rushing past her and Odin by her side.
From a window on the second story, Leo watches as they enact another one of Odin's infamous battles. Niles leans against the windowpane next to him and follows his gaze.
"Ah, to be young," he murmurs. He glances at Leo and raises an eyebrow. "You worried?"
Leo lets out a long sigh. "Do you have any siblings?"
"None," he answers immediately. "Let me guess – sister complex?"
"Shut up," Leo says. "Never mind. Forget I asked."
Niles just chuckles and looks out the window again. "As you wish. If it makes you feel any better though, she could do worse. There are bad guys in this world."
Leo just looks at him. "When you put it that way, I'm eternally grateful she didn't pick you."
Niles turns his back to the window, resting his head against the glass. He crosses his arms, looking content enough to make Leo's eye twitch. "Lady Elise is a bit too young for my taste," he says. He pauses, then his lips slowly tilt upwards to form a smirk. "Lady Camilla on the other hand…"
"Don't make me hurt you," Leo says, already walking away. "Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I still keep you two around."
Niles follows suit, an impossibly wide grin on his face. "Aw, come on, I was just joking… mostly."
Outside, the two heroes continue to combat the forces of evil until well into the night. And so began the adventures of Odin Dark and Elise Dawn.
Next chapter – ?
In which everyone gives Leo a hard time (sorry not sorry).
So… that ambiguous question mark was not meant to create suspense or imply anything ominous (but if you wanna interpret it that way then yes I intended it 100%). At the moment I'm not sure what's happening next because this is as far as I got in terms of prepared chapter ideas before I started publishing this story. Please be patient as my people (i.e. me) are working hard to write more. At first I had only planned for about four or five chapters but Elise and Odin are just so beautiful together that I want to keep writing about them.